Bio-X Graduate Student Fellow

Awarded in 2018
Home Department: Bioengineering and Computer Science
Faculty Advisors: Stephen Quake (Bioengineering and Applied Physics) and David Stevenson (Pediatrics)

Research Title: Using cell-free RNA (cfRNA) to investigate prenatal complications

Research Description: Photo of graduate student Mira Moufarrej in the lab, standing beside a large machine with samples in it.Understanding the causes behind prenatal complications like spontaneous preterm birth, the leading cause of infant death, remains critical for improving prenatal care. Mira aims to test hypotheses regarding the causes of spontaneous preterm birth. Specifically, by working with clinicians, statisticians, and biotechnologists, she will explore which genes from which tissues in the mother or fetus are implicated in prenatal complications over the course of gestation. Together, the aims proposed will identify possible causes of spontaneous preterm delivery, laying the foundation for future treatment.

WHERE IS SHE NOW?

Mira is a Stanford Science Fellow working with Kristy Red-Horse. She was previously an associate at The Column Group, a science-driven venture capital firm, where she is focused on early-stage drug discovery company creation.