Ammira Al-Shabeeb Akil, PhD

Principal Investigator – Associate Level Executive
Precision Genomics and Translational Omics Lab

Email: aakil (@) sidra.org
Phone: +974 50597431

Biography

Dr. Akil holds a leadership role at Sidra Medicine’s Metabolic and Mendelian Clinical Genomic Research Program and serves as Lead Principal Investigator for the Precision OMICs Research & Translational Medicine initiative in Doha, Qatar. Her extensive contributions to clinical genomic research, particularly in rare and complex metabolic diseases, are supported by her expertise in population-based research, cohort design, and the development of innovative screening initiatives.

As a visionary leader, Dr. Akil has played a pivotal role in securing over $7 million in research funding from prestigious national and international organizations. Her strategic approach to grant acquisition has led to successful collaborations with funding bodies, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical firms, driving groundbreaking research initiatives in genomic medicine.

Additionally, she has strengthened Sidra Medicine’s partnerships with the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, fostering collaborative projects that advance research and personalized healthcare. Her efforts have positioned Sidra Medicine as a key player in precision medicine research and specialized training in the region.

Dr. Akil has also made significant contributions to capacity building by training and mentoring hundreds of externs, equipping the next generation of researchers and clinicians with cutting-edge expertise in genomic medicine. Her dedication to developing a skilled workforce continues to impact the field on a regional and global scale.

She is an active member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), the International Diabetes Society (IDS), the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), INNODIA—a global research consortium focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of Type 1 Diabetes and the ICoNS Consortium, the International Consortium on Newborn Sequencing.
Research Interests

Dr. Akil’s research focuses on advancing the integration of genomic technologies into precision medicine, particularly in newborn screening, metabolic, and Mendelian disorders. She is dedicated to exploring the clinical utility of genomic sequencing for early disease detection, risk assessment, and personalized treatment strategies.

A key element of her work involves discovering innovative research ideas and transforming them into successful funding applications and translational research. In addition to this, Dr. Akil collaborates actively with leading scientists and global partners to explore novel genomic and multi-omics solutions. This ensures that our research remains at the forefront of scientific discovery while also addressing critical health challenges.

The Akil lab interests extend to population-based multi-omics research, integrating genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data to unravel complex biological mechanisms underlying human diseases. This approach enables more comprehensive insights into disease susceptibility, progression, and treatment responses, contributing to improved healthcare strategies.

The Akil lab is also deeply engaged in developing evidence-based protocols for newborn sequencing, contributing to international consortia like the International Consortium on Newborn Sequencing (ICoNS) to establish global standards and data-sharing frameworks. Additionally, they focus on leveraging genetic and polygenic risk scores for predictive diagnostics, particularly in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Committed to fostering industry partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical companies, Dr. Akil works toward strengthening research ecosystems and translating scientific discoveries into clinical applications. As a passionate advocate for education, she has led specialized training programs, mentoring hundreds of externs and supporting the next generation of genomic scientists and healthcare professionals.
Lab Members

Selected publications (†co-first, *corresponding):

† *Akil, A.AS., Yassin, E., Al-Maraghi, A. et al. Diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes at the dawn of the personalized medicine era. J Transl Med 19, 137 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-021-02778-6
Fatima MT, Ahmed I, Fakhro KA, *Akil A-S. Melanocortin-4 receptor complexity in energy homeostasis,obesity and drug development strategies. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022; 24(4): 583-598. doi:10.1111/dom.14618
Ahmed I, Ziab M, Da'as S, Hasan W, Jeya SP, Aliyev E, Nisar S, Bhat AA, Fakhro KA, *Alshabeeb Akil AS. Network-based identification and prioritization of key transcriptional factors of diabetic kidney disease. Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 2023 Jan 2;21:716-730. doi: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.054. PMID: 36659918; PMCID: PMC9827363.

Ammira Al-Shabeeb Akil, PhD

Principal Investigator – Associate Level Executive Precision Genomics and Translational Omics Lab

Biography

Research Interests

Lab Members

Principal Investigator – Associate Level Executive
Precision Genomics and Translational Omics Lab