Aygul Annamukhamedova

After graduating from a master’s program, I want to pursue a PhD and an academic career, translating fundamental discoveries into therapies. For now, I am primarily interested in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. I would implement the gained knowledge and therapeutic approaches as a postdoctoral researcher and as a lecturer as well, to pass on the knowledge I have gained.

In the more distant future, I see myself running the research department at a biotechnology drug development company or establishing my own company, so I could shift more toward educating the next generation of students through public speeches, books, or research internships under my supervision.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic demonstrated the power of collaborative research to save millions of lives and inspired me to pursue immunology to bridge fundamental research with its medical translations. Later, my close friend was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), which is why I entered the laboratory focused on B-cells in MS. I was interested in understanding how science can help people like my friend and got deeply fascinated by complex immune interactions and genetics during my coursework and research practice. This way, I am mainly captivated by the principles of adaptive immunity in health and in pathologies (autoimmune diseases, infections, cancer).

Predominantly, I want to focus on T- and B-cell interactions in autoimmunity, which may include characterisation of B- and T-cell receptors, antibody repertoires, immunological tolerance, and immunoregulation. I would also like to participate in preclinical trials.

1) First-aid skills practice. I started training around 1,5 years ago when Moscow was struck by a terrorist attack in the concert hall and have been doing regular courses since then.
2) Russian classical literature, music and ballet
3) Formula 1 and MotoGP, carting. I am learning about the hard work behind legendary drivers, their mindset, and their ability to bounce back.