Postdoctoral Researcher
BS, Biochemistry, Queens University of Charlotte, US
MS, University of Oxford, UK
Ph.D., Bioengineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
walaahk@mit.edu
Research
Given the high global mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases, with 85% attributed to heart attacks, my research focuses on developing rapid, user-friendly technology for the early diagnosis of heart attacks, including silent ones with no symptoms. Unfortunately, current methods for detecting heart attack biomarkers are often complex and time-consuming. At MIT, I am discovering engineered binding proteins for heart biomarkers and applying them to develop multiplexed biosensors that detect multiple cardiac biomarkers simultaneously from finger-stick blood samples, aiming to create an easy-to-use point-of-care device. My PhD thesis concentrated on developing sensitive electrochemical and electrical biosensors for the rapid detection of heart attack biomarkers.
Outside of lab, I enjoy playing tennis and squash.