Ghada Nouairia
About me
Computational oncologist and bioinformatician with focus on hepato-biliary disorders and cancers.
With a background in engineering, a PhD in molecular genetics since 2018 (Carthage University, Tunisia) and a master degree equivalent in Bioinformatics and genomics (Institut Pasteur), I have innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to medical and translational research questions. Specifically, I apply computational methods, including machine learning, deep learning and neural networks in disease modelling and biomarker discovery for different types of cancers (cholangiocarcinoma and gallladder cancer) and liver disorders such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, using multiomics data analysis (namely epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, auto-antibodies and expression data).Previously, I explored computational and molecular evolution in Stockholm University where I studied the evolution and the diversity of a key protein family (riboluncleotide reductases: RNRs) in the tree of life. I also studied genomics and population genetics in animal species.
I am also part of the Center for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics (CBB) where I offer mentoring and consulting in bioinformatics and computational methods for PhD students and researchers. I am as well involved in many teaching activities at CBB including educational seminars and workshops.Since January 2024, I am part of the Forskarutbildningsnämnd board at KI.
I am a member of the COST Network (Bile Tract Cancer precision medicine action) and ESMO society. In KI, I am part of the cancer research, the bioinformaticians, and the WISE (Women In Science and Education) networks.
Reading is my drug and I am eagerly interested in science, psychology, history, politics (and much more) and I am hungry to share and have discussions on these subjects!
Research
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic liver disease with the dramatic outcomes of premature death, liver transplantation or malignancy development (cholangiocarcinoma CCA, colorectal cancer CRC, hepatocellular carcinoma HCC, or Gallbladder cancer GBC). Unfortunately, Scandinavia is the most touched area in the world. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of PSC and other Biliary Tract Cancers (BTC) are poorly understood and the ability to diagnose them early and to predict their progression is crucial.
We aim to contribute to the understanding of these -often- related disorders and to develop clinical tools for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of these diseases, by combining long clinical experience and the promising multiomics technologies.
Teaching
- As a mentor in Bioinformatics affiliated to the Center for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics (CBB), I mentored several PhD students and master students in different bioinformatics projects including analyzing omics data and using machine learning techniques. I gave educational talks to clinicians, PhD students and researchers in the medical field. I also teaches in educational events and workshops in Bioinformatics tools together with my colleagues in CBB.
Articles
- Article: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 2024;14(1):19656
- Journal article: BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY. 2024;111:znae175.019
- Journal article: ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY. 2024;35:S134
- Article: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS. 2022;13(1):2700
- Article: JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 2021;297(2):101008
- Article: EMIRATES JOURNAL OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE. 2015;27(4):362
Grants
- Ruth and Richard Julin fund14 March 2024 - 14 March 2025
- Genome-scale DNA methylation in biliary tract cancers and primary sclerosing cholangitisMag-Tarmfonden1 March 2023
Employments
- Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 2024-2030
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 2022-2024
- Researcher, Bioinformatics and computational biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 2021-2021
Degrees and Education
- PhD in Genetics, Molecular and population genetics, Genetic characterization of Dromedary camel population in Tunisia, Agronomy and Animal husbandry, University of Carthage, 2018
- Master degree in Animal Genetics, Animal genetics and reproduction, Cross species validation of genetic markers, University of Carthage, 2013
- Engineering degree in Animal genetics, Animal genetics, Comparison of DNA extraction methods, University of Carthage, 2010
Visiting research fellowships
- Wenner-Gren International Postdoc fellowship, Stockholm University, Biochemical and bioinformatics characterization of Ribonucleotide Reductase protein family in the tree of life, 2018-2020