Trainee Spotlight: Leila Bahmani, PhD

Since high school, Leila has been fascinated by how DNA molecules define our fundamental characteristics. But it was an experience during her undergraduate years that inspired her to pursue research.

“I was working in a genetics lab, and I met a 5-year-old boy who had pain while running,” she recalls. “I was shocked when testing determined he had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle degeneration. That day, I decided I wanted to help find answers for children with genetic disorders.”

Today, Leila works in the lab of Aaron Nagiel, MD, PhD, where she is studying a different condition: congenital stationary night blindness, which causes difficulty seeing in low light, as well as extreme nearsightedness and involuntary eye movements.

“The GRM6 gene is my scientific partner these days!” she says. “GRM6 mutations are the third-most prevalent cause of this condition, but there is no comprehensive study on this gene in humans. We are investigating the gene’s exact role in retinal cell development and connections. The long-term goal is to see if GRM6 gene rescue could restore the functionality of these cells and synapses.”

Originally from Ahvaz, Iran, Leila completed her master’s degree and PhD in genetics in Tehran. After hours, you’ll find her cooking, watching movies and enjoying her favorite hobby: spending time with family.