PhD Advisor: Professor David Gomez-Cabrero

Abstract:
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that develops through early precursor stages before progressing to active disease. Azari’s PhD research uses single-cell RNA sequencing to examine how malignant plasma cells evolve, interact with the surrounding bone marrow microenvironment, and contribute to disease progression and cellular heterogeneity. It also addresses a locally relevant context in Saudi Arabia by exploring early-onset multiple myeloma, an understudied clinical presentation and biological question within the field. Her research involves collaborations with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain.

Bio:
Azari Bantan is a PhD candidate in Biomedical Sciences at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), specializing in Bioinformatics. Her research focuses on multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, using single-cell RNA sequencing technology to better understand disease progression, tumor cells, and their surrounding microenvironment. During her master’s studies at KAUST, she investigated the emergence of COVID-19 variants in immunocompromised patients. Azari holds a first-class honor degree in Medical Genetics from Swansea University Medical School, UK, where she also received the recognition for an outstanding academic performance in Medical Genetics. Her undergraduate research explored cancer immunology in infection-related and tumor microenvironment, particularly under glucose-deprived conditions.