Dr. Ammira Akil is Principal Investigator and the lead of the Metabolic and Mendelian Clinical-Translational Research Programs, as well as Head of the Precision Genomics and Translational Omics Lab at Sidra Medicine. Since joining Sidra in 2015, she has played a pivotal role in establishing national genomics initiatives for rare diseases and diabetes, including NOOR-QATAR—the country’s first large-scale newborn genome screening initiative; the DANNA cohort—the first regional well-characterized clinical cohort for type 1 diabetes involving children, adults, and their families; and the Qatar Mendelian Disorders (MND) Cohort. Dr. Akil holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics and an Executive MBA, which she applies toward advancing scientific business development and strategic research translation. She previously served in academic and research roles at the University of New South Wales and the NSW Organ & Tissue Donation Service in Australia. Her work bridges whole genome sequencing, polygenic risk modeling, early prediction, population screening, and clinical implementation. She is the lead investigator for DIA-MENA, a national initiative focused on genomics and islet autoantibody-based screening for type 1 diabetes, and actively leads multiple clinical research studies. Dr. Akil collaborates with major international initiatives including ICoNS (International Consortium on Newborn Sequencing), and INNODIA and has secured over $6 million in competitive research funding, and has published widely in the fields of genomics, diabetes, rare diseases, and cancer. Her areas of expertise include population genomics and precision health, large-scale whole genome sequencing programs, polygenic and genetic risk score development, and national and international strategy design, stakeholder engagement, and scientific business development.

Dr. Akil’s lab applies integrative genomics, immunogenetics, and data-driven clinical research to investigate the genetic architecture of rare Mendelian conditions and complex metabolic diseases, particularly type 1 diabetes. Using a combination of large-scale whole genome sequencing, polygenic risk modeling, and islet autoantibody profiling, the lab focuses on early detection and prevention through population-based screening and stratified risk assessment.

Her research places a strong emphasis on underrepresented Middle Eastern populations, where unique genetic features such as high parental relatedness offer insights into disease risk and variant interpretation. Her team works extensively with national cohorts including NOOR-QATAR—the first population-based newborn genome screening program—and the DANNA cohort, a deeply phenotyped clinical cohort of children and adults with type 1 diabetes. And MND, Mendalian cohort, the largest rare diseases cohort. She also leads DIA-MENA, a regional screening program integrating genomics and immunological markers to predict autoimmune diabetes onset.

Dr. Akil’s lab is actively building clinical-grade genomic pipelines and integrating EMR-linked genomic data for translational implementation. The lab collaborates closely with national partners including Qatar Genome Program and Qatar Biobank (QPHI), HMC, HBKU and QBRI as well as international consortia such as ICoNS, INNODIA, and academic groups across Australia, USA and Europe. Her work bridges scientific innovation and clinical utility, with a growing focus on scientific business development for sustainable implementation.

Ikhlak Ahmed
Staff Scientist
Email: iahmed2@sidra.org

 Ajaz Ahmad Bhat
Staff Scientist
Email: abhat@sidra.org

 Alanoud Abdulla
Research Specialist
Email: aabdulla2@sidra.org

 Reem Al-Karbi
Research Specialist
Email: ralkarbi1@sidra.org

 Sura Ahmed Hussein
Research Specialist
Email: shussein@sidra.org

Sara Al Marzooqi
Research Specialist
Email: SAlMarzooqi@sidra.org