Assistant Research
Applied Science University
Total years of experience :1 years, 7 Months
During my last semester and post-graduation, I joined Dr. Mervat Alsous from the Applied Science University. The aim of this study was to estimate the level of depression amongst patients diagnosed with diabetes and suffering from podiatric conditions and to determine the factors that may be contributing to their depression, if present. I administered surveys (including the CES-D measure, a metric of self-reported depression) to 100 patients at the University of Jordan hospital. The items in the CES-D questionnaire were combined to create a composite score after the completion of the survey. Additionally, patients’ medical information was also obtained from their clinical files, including weight, height, gender, medical history, date of diagnosis, prior medical conditions, current medications, and biochemical test results, such as blood sugar level (e.g., HbA1c). Throughout this project, I gained first-hand knowledge of the steps required to conduct research, such as the IRB application process and study design.
I worked as a researcher under the supervision of Dr. Hussein in the Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Department in the King Hussein Cancer Center. The study examined the complications of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients throughout their stay at the hospital. In particular, we assessed the clinical post-transplantation complications of using TPN versus alternative methods in autologous and allogeneic pediatric, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In order to conduct this research, we first surveyed 150 patients who are under 17 years old using two clinical research forms, representing allogeneic and autologous transplants. Two weeks following patients’ procedures, I recorded pertinent information to our study from patients’ medical files, including: mucositis of the gastrointestinal tract, acute graft versus host disease (GVHD), change in metabolism, electrolyte imbalance, and abnormal lipid profile. Also, I recorded the weight and height of the patients periodically. While working on this project, I learned how to do an academic literature review and how to extract information from patients’ files. Moreover, I used and improved my computer skills to manage patients’ records using various database systems.
My first in-depth research experience commenced during my undergraduate studies as a research assistant in Prof. Al-Motassem’s Lab at the University of Jordan. I joined the lab to study the association between genetic polymorphisms of the thymidylate synthase (TS) gene and clinical outcomes for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). In particular, we assessed the correlations between the genetic polymorphisms of 6-bp ins/del in 3’-UTR and 28 bp tandem repeats in the 5’-UTR-untranslated region of the TS gene and the clinical outcomes of CRC patients undergoing antimetabolite-based chemotherapy. In order to conduct this analysis, first, the blood samples of 300 CRC patients were collected for DNA sequencing. Next, the genotype analysis was performed on the TS 6 bp ins/del and TS 28 bp tandem repeat polymorphisms using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. By measuring the time to relapse (TTR) and disease progression, we found that genetic polymorphisms of TS 6 bp ins/del and TS 28 bp tandem repeats affect the patient’s responsiveness to 5-FU/capecitabine-based chemotherapy. Eventually, the study culminated into a publication, which is currently under review, in the Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, entitled Thymidylate Synthase Genetic Polymorphisms and Response to Fluropyrimidine Drugs in Colorectal Cancer. Over the course of this project, I acquired many applied skills, including DNA extraction and purification, gel electrophoresis, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) in addition to learning crafting my scientific writing skills.
- Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan Graduated with Excellence: GPA 3.73/4.0 -The Ministry of Higher Education: Full Tuition Scholarship *5 years of educational funding from 2010-2015.