Experimental Medicine PhD Candidate
-Università degli Studi di Milano Statale-
**Dalal J.** holds a Master’s degree in Physiology from the American University of Beirut (AUB), where she graduated in 2024. Following her graduate studies, she continued her research at the AUB Diabetes Laboratory, further strengthening her experience in metabolic and endocrine research.
She is currently pursuing a PhD in Experimental Medicine at the University of Milan, conducting her doctoral research in the Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research at IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano under the supervision of Professor Luca Persani.
Her research lies at the intersection of endocrinology, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular and neuronal pathophysiology. Her PhD project investigates how impaired function of Selenocysteine Insertion Sequence-Binding Protein 2 (SBP2) influences oxidative stress and its downstream biological consequences. Using an SBP2 zebrafish mutant model, she aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying these alterations and to explore their broader relevance to disorders of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis.
Through this work, she seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular links connecting selenium-dependent pathways, oxidative stress, and endocrine-related disease mechanisms.
European Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group - Copenhagen, Denmark
GDF-15 and NETosis Crosstalk in Diabetes-Induced Renal and Cardiovascular Complications: Unraveling the Molecular Interactions. Abstract presented at the EDNSG- European Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group, Copenhagen, Denmark.
American Society of Nephrology - San Diego, USA
GDF-15 Is a Novel Therapeutic Target for Diabetes-Induced Kidney and Cardiac Injuries in Preclinical Models of T2D: FRPO283. Abstract presented at the ASN- American Society of Nephrology, San Diego, USA.
11th Annual AUB Biomedical Research Day - Beirut, Lebanon
GDF-15 and NETosis Crosstalk in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy. Abstract presented at the 11th Annual AUB Biomedical Research Day, Beirut, Lebanon.
European Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
GDF-15 is a Potential Therapeutic Approach for Mitigating Kidney and Cardiac Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Models. Abstract presented at the EDNSG, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
International Podocyte Conference - Hamburg, Germany
GDF-15 as a Modulator of Kidney Injury in Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence from Preclinical Models. Abstract presented at the International Podocyte Meeting, Hamburg, Germany.
AUB Diabetes
Directed a media team, produced newsletters, and amplified the outreach of AUB Diabetes research.
AUB Diabetes
Developed and executed event strategies, managed logistics, and coordinated partnerships.
Created digital content for diabetes awareness campaigns.
Monitored and evaluated event impact, fostering collaboration in post-event reviews.
Molecular Biology Techniques: qRT-PCR, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Immunofluorescence, Western Blot, ELISA, NADPH Oxidase Assay.
Protein extraction and RNA extraction.
Mammalian cell culture.
Microscopy: Light Microscopy, Histological Analysis.
Image quantification (Fiji image J)
In-vivo Research Skills: Handling, intraperitoneal injection, anesthesia, pain management, blood collection, euthanasia, echocardiography on mice.
Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Data Visualization: Scientific illustrations (Biorender).
Scientific manuscript writing and presentation.
Data entry, data management, and statistical analysis (GraphPad Prism).
Endnote
Thesis: Untangling the GDF-15-NETosis Connection: Implications for Targeted Therapy in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.
American University of Beirut -AUB
Beirut Arab University-BAU (Grauated with Honors)
(Fall 2020 / 2021).
(Graduated with Honor)
Attended ArabNet Digital Summit 2013-2018
2022
2023