Noha Awais
Boston
Summary
Harvard Medical School MD candidate with a background in biochemistry and biopsychology. I earned my Bachelor of Science from Tufts University in June 2024. My interests include refugee health, global health, and advancing equitable, patient-centered care for underserved and displaced populations.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Co-founder and President
White Nile Youth Association (WNYA)
Boston
09.2023 - Current
- Led fundraising and advocacy efforts to support war-torn areas.
- Advocated for awareness of humanitarian issues in Sudan and South Sudan, coordinated events and workshops, developed partnerships with local and international organizations, managed and motivated a team of volunteers.
- Raised over $10,000 for menstrual health access through the Period Palooza initiative and an additional $5,000 for South Sudan and Sudan-related humanitarian causes over the past year.
Research Assistant
Mass General Hospital
Boston
09.2023 - Current
- Investigating hematopoietic inflammation in coronary artery disease (CAD), with a focus on identifying transcriptomic signatures associated with CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) surgery outcomes.
- Single-cell RNA-seq analysis, differential gene expression, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), data visualization (Seurat, ggplot2), and translational correlation studies.
- First-author paper currently getting drafted.
- Antonia Kreso Laboratory
Research Assistant
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston
05.2022 - Current
- Preclinical research on acute myeloid leukemia to identify potential synergy between novel drug treatments.
- Western Blot analysis, Ribo-seq analysis, Bioinformatic analysis, drug treatment experiments.
- Abstract in press, one abstract in submission, and manuscript in preparation.
- Peter van Galen Laboratory
- Poster Presentations: Ludwig Retreat (2023), ABRCMS national conference (2022)
- Oral Presentation: Yes for Cure Symposium (2022)
Head Writing Fellow
Tufts University
Medford
08.2021 - 05.2024
- Conducting tutoring sessions, leading orientations/training workshops, working with program managers to promote inclusivity and embrace written accents, served as a mentor and point fellow.
Research Assistant
Tufts Medical Center
Boston
09.2021 - 09.2023
- Neuroscience research on autism disorder and learning disabilities to discover potential therapeutic treatments.
- Western Blot analysis, Co-immunoprecipitation experiments to unveil underlying molecular mechanism, PCR analysis.
Telefund Ambassador
Tufts University
Boston
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Conducted phone calls to Tufts alumni and clients to request financial donations for the student aid fund.
Research Assistant
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston
06.2021 - 08.2021
- Identifying the changes in ownership of cancer care practices and how these changes affect the quality and cost of care.
- Qualitative data analysis, literature reviews, statistical analysis.
- Poster Presentation: Yes for Cure Symposium (2021)
Education
Medical Degree -
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA05.2029
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry and Biopsychology
Tufts University
Medford, MA05.2024
Skills
- Data Extraction/Stata
- Western Blot
- PCR
- Cell Culture
- Drug Treatment
- Prism Statistical Analysis
- RStudio
Volunteering Experience
- Refugee Clinic, Boston Medical Center (01/23 - Present) Contact patients, translate, assist with data collection, support medical assistants, one abstract in submission: 'Best Practices for Culturally Responsive Mental Health Group Care for Haitian Migrants'
- Crimson Care Collaborative, (09/23 - 05/24) Assisted with patient care and triage
- Catholic Charities Boston (02/21 - Present) English tutor for newly arrived refugees and immigrants
- Georgetown South Community Center, Manassas, VA, (05/21 - 08/21) Coordinated food drives and school supplies distributions
Publications
- Lee, Y. S., Good, J. D., Awais, N., Eschle, B. K., Lineberry, M. S., Teo, J. L., ... & van Galen, P. (2024). Research Brief: Translation Initiation Represents an Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Vulnerability That Can Be Co-Targeted With BCL-2 Inhibition. bioRxiv, 2024-12.
- Lee, Y. S., Good, J., Awais, N., Eschle, B., Noel, J., Acosta, J., ... & van Galen, P., Abstract P29: Zotatifin, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) inhibitor, synergizes with Venetoclax to inhibit acute myeloid leukemia cell growth., Blood Cancer Discovery, 5, 2_Supplement, P29-P29, 2024
- Milord, J., Gellatly, R., Sokoto, K., Ijebor, E., Awais, N., Louis, E., & Alshabani, N., Best practices for culturally responsive mental health group care for Haitian migrants [Poster presentation], North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC), Minneapolis, MN, 08/24
Posters/Presentations:
- Awais, N. (Poster). Synergistic targeting of translation and apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia. Ludwig Retreat at Harvard, 2023. Also presented at ABRCMS, 2022.
- Awais, N. (Oral). Synergistic zotatifin and venetoclax combination treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. Yes for Cure Symposium, 2022.
- Awais, N. (Poster). How the consolidation of oncology practices affects spending and quality of care. Yes for Cure Symposium, 2021.
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Arabic
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Co-founder and President
White Nile Youth Association (WNYA)
09.2023 - Current
Research Assistant
Mass General Hospital
09.2023 - Current
Research Assistant
Brigham and Women's Hospital
05.2022 - Current
Telefund Ambassador
Tufts University
01.2022 - 06.2022
Research Assistant
Tufts Medical Center
09.2021 - 09.2023
Head Writing Fellow
Tufts University
08.2021 - 05.2024
Research Assistant
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
06.2021 - 08.2021
Medical Degree -
Harvard Medical School
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry and Biopsychology
Tufts University