91��ܽ

During her doctoral studies, Aniqa Shahid’s research moved us one step closer toward a cure for HIV. Shahid’s thesis, , investigated HIV proviral genetic diversity and its persistence in human blood and lungs. She developed advanced phylogenetic methods (tools used to study the evolutionary relationships between viruses like HIV) that can be used to characterize proviral genetic diversity in other tissue types and people living with different HIV subtypes.

Current anti-HIV medications are not a cure. They stop HIV from replicating in the body and help to prolong life. A cure for HIV will require the elimination of “HIV reservoirs”. These are a small and persistent pool of long-lived cells that harbor an HIV genome which is integrated within their own, and can reactivate at anytime to produce the virus.

Shahid’s PhD original research helps to advance understanding of within-host HIV reservoir evolutionary dynamics, which leads us one step closer towards curing HIV.

To accomplish this feat, Shahid has expertise and experience in molecular biology, virology, and molecular evolutionary phylogenetics. And while she never took a course in bioinformatics, she learned all of her skills in this area while undertaking her research.

Shahid achieved a perfect 4.33 CGPA and also received several awards, including a prestigious CIHR award. She is already a leader in her field, having published an impressive 27 peer-reviewed research articles, some of which came about as internationally recognized HIV research leaders sought out her expertise, earning her co-authorship on papers in highly acclaimed journals such as Cell Reports and Nature Medicine.

Faculty of Health Sciences professor, Zabrina Brumme, supervised Shahid during her PhD and has high praise for Shahid and her work.

Says Brumme, “Aniqa has risen to every challenge, personal and scientific. Her success is due in part to her incredible work ethic, outstanding organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail and perseverance. Her success is also attributable to her inquiring mind, innate curiosity to explore the data, and ability to find creative solutions to problems.”

Shahid is grateful for the support she’s received as a graduate student.

Says, Shahid, "I am deeply honored to receive this medal and I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Zabrina Brumme, for her exceptional mentorship and unwavering support. I have had an incredibly rewarding experience at SFU, and this recognition reflects the collaborative and inspiring environment fostered by Dr. Brumme and the broader SFU community."

Shahid is continuing to work with Brumme as a postdoctoral fellow at SFU, where she is continuing her research and plans to learn more about the leadership and management side of running an independent research laboratory, so she can one day run her own.