About Me

Hey, I’m Aamina, a biomolecular and translational researcher passionate about uncovering how RNA and molecular mechanisms shape disease.

When I first stepped into a molecular biology lab, I thought biology revolved entirely around DNA, the genetic blueprint. But while troubleshooting a gene expression experiment, I noticed that the transcription data didn’t match what the genome predicted. RNA revealed regulatory layers that DNA alone couldn’t explain, and that discovery reshaped my understanding of how cells function.

As I explored further, I realized RNA is far more than a messenger. It responds to signals, undergoes alternative splicing, and interacts with proteins and other RNAs to fine-tune gene expression. In cancer, these RNA-level changes become even more pronounced, influencing how tumors grow, adapt, and resist therapy.

Working with RNA-seq datasets felt like reading an encrypted diary of the cell, each transcript hinting at disrupted pathways and potential points of intervention. That’s when it became clear to me that understanding cancer requires not only identifying mutations but also interpreting the transcriptomic landscape that drives cellular behavior.

Today, I see my work as translating RNA signatures into insights that can ultimately help patients, adding one more piece to the ongoing conversation between molecular biology and medicine.

Beyond the experiments, my journey in RNA biology has taught me patience, curiosity, and humility. Science, like RNA itself, is dynamic continuously refined and reshaped as new evidence emerges.

I am seeking PhD opportunities in RNA biology, immunology, and cancer research to further develop my research expertise and contribute to impactful scientific advancements.

My Timeline

Read my full personal story below

I grew up in a small village in Pakistan where access to formal education was limited, a village without classrooms. With no structured schooling, I taught myself through borrowed books and relentless determination, passing national exams through self-study. That early journey of independent learning shaped my resilience and love for discovery.

Today, after years of academic pursuit and international research experience in Pakistan and Germany, I continue to carry that same spirit, proving that scientific curiosity knows no boundaries.

A story of resilience, self-learning, and scientific curiosity.

1995 – 2013

Earlier Education | Self-taught learner  

I was born on March 2, 1995, in a village about 126 kilometers from Dadu City, Sindh, Pakistan. My academic journey began in Masso Sahar, a village without a school or classroom, where access to electricity, the internet, and qualified teachers was almost nonexistent.

Books from grades 6 to 10 were written in Sindhi, my first language, and I took this as an opportunity to educate myself in the fundamentals of science. Later, high school-level books were written in English, and I remember translating each English word into Sindhi to understand scientific concepts. Through this process, I gradually learned English and eventually passed my high school examination, which marked the completion of 12 years of education.

Despite the absence of formal schooling, I pursued my education independently, preparing entirely on my own for national examinations, which were the only formal assessments available to me. Through borrowed books, persistence, and curiosity, I completed my primary to high school education as a self-taught learner. Those early years of studying without guidance instilled in me resilience, discipline, and a lifelong passion for science.

2014 - 2017

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

After completing high school, I successfully passed the university entry test and was admitted to the four-year Bachelor’s program in Biochemistry at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, becoming the first girl in my community to pursue a university degree.

It was during this time that I attended my first formal lectures on biomolecules and cellular processes, a completely new experience, as I was finally learning from teachers and professors in a real classroom. I vividly remember how exciting it felt to connect what I had once learned independently to structured scientific education.

During my undergraduate studies, I developed a deep fascination with how biomolecules interact within the human body and learned to communicate scientifically with peers who shared similar interests.

As part of the program requirements, I completed my first internship in the Hematology Laboratory at Taluka Mehar Hospital, where I learned about hematological tests including WBC, RBC, platelet counts, hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (Hb), complete blood count (CBC), and RBC indices.

In addition, I conducted my first research project titled “Effect of Potato Allergy on Different Body Tissues”. This period marked a turning point in my journey, transforming self-taught curiosity into formal scientific inquiry.

2018 - 2020

First Job

Following my undergraduate studies, I moved from Sindh Province to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, to begin my first professional role as a Laboratory Technician at Civic Lab. Over the next two years, I applied the knowledge gained during my biochemistry degree and developed hands-on experience in a professional research setting.

At Civic Lab, I was involved in collecting, preparing, and testing clinical samples to support both diagnostic and research activities. My work included running biochemical assays, preparing reagents, operating analytical instruments, and maintaining accurate lab records. I also contributed to data analysis and report preparation, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of experimental results.

This experience not only strengthened my technical and analytical skills, but also gave me a deeper appreciation for the discipline, precision, and curiosity that drive scientific discovery.

Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 

Building on the laboratory foundation I had gained during my first professional role, I decided to specialize further in my field. To achieve this, I pursued a Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2-year program) at COMSATS University Islamabad, deepening my understanding of molecular mechanisms and strengthening my research expertise. The program offered advanced coursework in biochemistry, genetics, gene regulation and expression, and neuroscience, complemented by extensive laboratory training. It also included interdisciplinary courses such as advanced biofuel technologies, developmental biology, epidemiology, and report writing and seminar, which broadened my scientific perspective beyond my core discipline. I graduated among the top 10% of my class.

Under the supervision of Dr. Ramla Shahid, I conducted my thesis research titled “Identification of miR-145 as a Biomarker in Breast Cancer.” This study aimed to analyze and validate the expression of miR-145 as a potential biomarker for breast cancer among the Pakistani population. Using RT-PCR, we compared miR-145 expression in breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues and found that miR-145 was non-significantly downregulated in tumor samples. These findings indicate that studies with larger cohorts are needed to clarify its role as a diagnostic biomarker in breast cancer.

Through this research, I gained hands-on experience with advanced molecular techniques, including RNA extraction, quantification, primer design and optimization, cDNA synthesis, RT-PCR, and gel electrophoresis, along with exposure to bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis and data interpretation.

This experience taught me how to design complete research workflows, from developing methodologies and collecting clinical samples to performing wet-lab experiments and analyzing molecular data , marking a pivotal transition from diagnostic laboratory work to independent molecular research.

Internship | National Institute of Health (NIH), Pakistan, Public Health Laboratory

Following the completion of my master’s degree, I joined the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad, Pakistan, as an intern in the Public Health Laboratory, where I worked for two months. This internship provided me with the opportunity to apply my molecular biology and biochemistry knowledge to real-world health research.

At NIH, I worked on RNA-based molecular diagnostics, contributing to projects focused on the detection and analysis of infectious diseases. My role involved RNA extraction, quantification, cDNA synthesis, and PCR analysis, as well as maintaining precise laboratory documentation and data interpretation.

Through this experience, I strengthened my practical understanding of public health-oriented molecular research, learned to operate within a multidisciplinary scientific team, and deepened my appreciation for how RNA technologies contribute to disease surveillance and national health programs.

Research Assistant | Cancer Genetics Lab, COMSATS University Islamabad

During this role, I contributed to multiple molecular oncology and bioinformatics projects focused on cancer biomarker discovery and multi-omics data integration. My work involved dataset collection, preprocessing, statistical analysis, and biological interpretation using computational and molecular biology techniques. I utilized R and Python for transcriptomic and genomic data analysis, including differential expression, correlation, and survival analyses across diverse cancer datasets.

The first project was a pan-cancer analysis of GINS complex subunit 4 (GINS4), where we identified its consistent overexpression across multiple cancers and association with poor patient survival, suggesting its potential as a shared oncogenic biomarker.

The second study was a multi-omics investigation of the GNB2 gene, integrating transcriptomic and proteomic datasets from 23 cancer types. The analysis revealed upregulation of GNB2 and highlighted its prognostic significance, particularly in liver and rectal cancers.

Finally, in a third project, we characterized ferroptosis driver genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), identifying key regulatory genes such as TP53, PTEN, KRAS, and HRAS as potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets.

Through these projects, I developed expertise in multi-omics integration, gene expression profiling, biomarker identification, and data visualization, combining computational and biological insights to advance translational cancer research.

Internship | Microbiology Lab, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC)

To gain hands-on experience in microbiology and molecular biology techniques, I joined the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in Islamabad for a two-month internship. During this time, I worked on a research project titled “Antimicrobial Resistance Propagation in Heat-Stressed Environments”.

Through this project, I learned and applied several laboratory techniques related to microbiology and molecular biology, including microbial culture handling, DNA extraction, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. This internship enhanced my understanding of microbial resistance mechanisms and strengthened my practical laboratory skills.

Research Assistant | Cancer Lab, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University (STMU), Present

After receiving advanced training through the Summer School of Molecular Medicine in Jena, Germany, I joined the Cancer Lab at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University (STMU), where I currently work as a Research Assistant. I am part of a research team working on a translational hematology project that integrates molecular and cytogenetic profiling to identify genetic abnormalities, monitor minimal residual disease (MRD), and classify acute myeloid leukemia (AML) risk according to ELN guidelines to support personalized therapy decisions.

In this role, I conduct DNA/RNA extraction, flow cytometry, cytogenetic analysis, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and next-generation sequencing (NGS), while also analyzing molecular data to assist clinicians in risk stratification and precision treatment planning for AML patients.

“After building a strong foundation in molecular and translational research, I’m now motivated to pursue a PhD in RNA, immunology and cancer biology, to keep learning, exploring, and contributing to meaningful scientific discoveries.”