Abstract:
Type I interferons (IFNs) are essential in host defense against viruses. Patients with monogenic inborn errors of immunity in genes responsible for the production or cellular response to type I IFNs are at a higher risk of developing severe or fatal infections, as their immune systems are unable to mount an effective defense against the invading viruses. Therefore, type I IFN pathway is an important therapeutic target against viruses. My research focuses on understanding the human genetics and immunological determinants of life-threatening viral diseases through inherited human immune disorders. In particular, we are studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of severe viral diseases such as COVID-19, flu, and herpes simplex encephalitis caused by gene defects. Through an understanding of how type I IFNs interact with their receptors (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2), our work provides critical insights on the mechanism by which monoallelic and biallelic IFNAR1 variants contribute to human deficiencies underlying several viral diseases. Our work will not only pave the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to provide a basis of precision and personalized medicine but could also be used to enhance the efficacy of current viral or cancer vaccines and potentially leading to innovative vaccine strategies.

Bio:
Fahd received his bachelor's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Vanderbilt University in 2012 followed by a Master's degree in Immunology from Harvard University in 2016. He then earned his PhD in Immunology from the University of Washington in 2021. Currently, Fahd is a postdoctoral fellow at the St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, led by Jean-Laurent Casanova, at The Rockefeller University. His research focuses on elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying life-threatening viral diseases caused by genetic defects. In addition to aiming to treat patients with rare, undiagnosed immune disorders, Fahd's work seeks to uncover the genetic and molecular basis of immune responses, potentially leading to new diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for a range of viral diseases. Fahd has received numerous awards including a Primary Investigator research grant from The SNF Institute for Global Infectious Disease Research, The Corporate Entrepreneurship Program from the MVPLab initiative by the Garage and the Saudi National Technology Development Program, Innovators Under 35 Award by MIT Technology Review in the MENA region, The Ibn Rushd Postdoctoral Fellowship, and Keystone Symposia Future of Science Fund Scholarship by NIAID/NIH.