Role of Mitochondria in MPS VII: Q&A With Diversity Fellow Shahreen Amin, MD, PhD

Editor’s Note: Diversity and inclusion are critical drivers to our breakthroughs at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. Fostering a community of scientists from unique backgrounds and academic experiences enables collaboration to meet challenging pediatric problems from a variety of perspectives. In a Q&A series, we’re featuring four new scholars in the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Academic Diversity program at CHOP.

Applications for the next group of Diversity Fellows are due Jan. 30, 2024! Visit the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Academic Diversity page for complete eligibility requirements and application procedures. Submit your application via REDCap.

As a key part of CHOP’s commitment to diversity, this fellowship funds talented researchers and educators from different backgrounds, races, ethnic groups, and other diverse populations. Join us to meet these fellows, learn more about their research interests, what diversity in science means to them, and how they enjoy spending their time outside of work. Our fourth featured Diversity Fellow is Shahreen Amin, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of John Wolfe, VMD, PhD. Dr. Amin studies the role of mitochondria in a lysosomal storage disease.

Tell us about your background and what compelled you to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Academic Diversity?

I earned my international undergraduate medical degree (MBBS) from Medical College for Women and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh; my Master of Science in microbiology and immunology from University of Ottawa, Canada; and my doctorate in biochemistry from University of Regina, Canada. My goal is to attain a faculty position. When I was researching the Diversity Fellowship, I thought my background and research could make me a contender for the program, and that the fellowship would provide me with the support I needed to obtain a faculty position. Additionally, it came with relocation assistance that I can use to bring my previous research samples to CHOP. This fellowship has additional lab funds to support research ideas that may not be aligned with my main project; this unbiased lab fund was something that compelled me to apply for the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Academic Diversity.

What does diversity in research and science mean to you?

I consider diversity to imply inclusion of individuals from diverse backgrounds and creating congenial teams of people with expertise in different areas of science. Research and science are like a puzzle, and diversity is needed to complete it.

What are some research projects that you’re excited about?

I like research projects that are challenging, utilize newer scientific approaches, and paint a holistic picture. I investigate the role of specific organelle pathways in human diseases. My current research project studies the role of mitochondria in the lysosomal storage disease mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII), also known as Sly syndrome, a progressive condition that affects most tissues and organs. The severity of MPS VII varies widely among affected individuals. I work to decipher the specific abnormalities responsible for abnormal mitochondrial phenotype.

Throughout my doctorate studies, we tried to create a double knockout genetic interaction map, but it was not feasible because of technological and geographical shortcomings. I envision that will not be a problem now. I am excited to identify the proteomic and genetic mitochondrial interactome map of MPS VII patients, which can be used as a benchmark in other lysosomal storage diseases.

What inspired you to choose your research focus, and what do you aim to achieve with your research?

I aim to achieve a better understanding of diseases to develop better therapeutics. Once I identify the genetic and proteomic interactome map in MPS VII patients, I will identify the post translational modifications of specific proteins leading to aberrant mitochondrial and lysosomal functioning. This would assist in providing insight that would inform specific therapeutics before the gold standard for therapy for this disease can be applied.

What do you do for fun when you’re not working?

I like crafting and gardening.