Nada Al-Najar: Exploring the root causes of disease 

As we approach Graduation Day for the Class of 2024, we are sharing the stories of just a few of these remarkable people who will receive their degrees on May 6. Today we learn more about Nada Al-Najar, who is graduating with her degree in biological sciences. 

Nada Al-Najar was drawn to biological sciences because of a natural curiosity about how things work. “Biological sciences taught me how intricate cell processes are, and also how a deep understanding of biology can lead to new ways to treat disease,” she said.

Studying biological sciences was challenging, but over four years at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, she developed a thorough understanding of the mechanisms that drive all living things. 

“CMU-Q was the perfect choice for me,” she said. “The wide range of courses allowed me to explore different aspects of science and technology and I realized I’m deeply interested in research.”

During the summer before her senior year, Nada participated in a summer research program in which she searched for genetic biomarkers associated with type-2 diabetes. She later presented this work at a Sidra Medicine symposium for young researchers, where she was one of only three undergraduates accepted.

“This was a computational biology project that allowed me to delve deep into the intricate mechanisms underlying type-2 diabetes,” she said. “I learned how important interdisciplinary collaboration is when you are investigating complex biomedical questions.”

After graduation, Nada would like to continue her exploration of biological sciences in graduate-level studies. 

“Qatar has the potential to be a world leader in the area of research. I would like to be a part of that.”