Biography
Afra is a Postdoctoral Researcher at King’s College London. She completed her integrated Master’s degree (MSci) in Biochemistry in 2019, where she developed a strong interest in the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). She subsequently pursued a PhD, completed in 2023, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying disease onset, with an emphasis on rare genetic mutations.
Following her PhD, Afra has undertaken postdoctoral research posts, exploring gene therapy approaches for ALS, while also establishing an independent research direction centred on the role of RNA-binding proteins in neurological disease. Her work integrates molecular and cellular perspectives to understand how RNA regulation influences neuronal physiology and contributes to ALS.
Honours & awards
Wellcome Accelerator Award (2025-2027)
UKDRI Pilot Award (2026-2027)
Research interest
My research focuses on deciphering how RNA granule dynamics regulate neuronal physiology and drive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. Her work aims to understand how the assembly, disassembly, and interdependence of RNA granules influence neuronal excitability and function, and how their dysregulation contributes to neurodegeneration. To address this, she employs human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuronal models alongside mouse models, enabling cross-species insights into disease mechanisms. By integrating live-cell imaging with transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, her research seeks to capture the dynamic behaviour of RNA-binding proteins and their downstream effects on neuronal health. Ultimately, this work aims to uncover mechanistic links between RNA regulation and neuronal dysfunction, providing a foundation for therapeutic intervention in ALS.