Nadeen Habboub
Role: Postgraduate Researcher, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London
Subject area: Using healthy gut microbes as treatment for liver disease
Nationality: British
I am a pharmacist and researcher currently investigating how small molecules in the blood are affected by the microbes in the gut (the microbiome) in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) patients. I have a strong interest in developing personalised therapies to treat metabolic diseases linked to the gut microbiome.
Education
GCSEs (or equivalent): Secondary education in Jordan
A-level (or equivalent): International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Degrees
• Master of Pharmacy (MPharm), King’s College London
• PhD (on-going) at Imperial College London
Detail about Nadeen
My research
I look into the small molecules affected by the gut microbiome in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) patients based on the theory that they play a role in the cause of this disease and its advanced form Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). I am currently investigating whether it is possible to transfer and sustain a healthy gut microbiome and key small blood metabolites from healthy individuals to NASH patients through a clinical trial using an analytical method called proton nuclear magnetic resonance.
My inspiration
After my Masters research project and while working with patients as a hospital pharmacist, I developed a passion for the advancement of medicines and the way in which they are used so that they are more personalised to the patients that they treat!
Who is your STEM hero?
Rosalind Franklin: She was a pioneer chemist who discovered the key properties of DNA from which the double helix structure was defined. Her research was continued by her team members, leading to a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and it is still essential today.
Most significant discovery/invention?
Penicillin - It altered and advanced modern drug discovery and saved countless lives!
Career options after study
- Medical Affairs and Clinical Trials in the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Clinical trial collaborations within academia and the advancement of a structured stratified medicine teaching programme
- Clinical pharmacy in hospital and clinical trials management
My hobbies
Tennis, bouldering, running and travelling.