Nabila Riaz

I am a graduate student in Mary Lou Guerinot's lab in the Biological Sciences Ph.D. program. I received a B.S. in Biology from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan, in 2015. I received my master's degree in plant sciences from the University of Bonn, Germany in 2017. I am studying the regulation of iron homeostasis and abiotic stress adaptations in plants. Iron is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals and is used in many biochemical processes. In humans, iron deficiency causes anemia, the most prevalent nutritional disorder. Most people rely on plant-based foods as their major source of iron, but plants are a poor source of dietary iron. I hope that my research can clarify the molecular mechanisms regulating Fe homeostasis to improve global crop production. Presently, I am an EE Just Graduate Student Fellow (2021–present). I am also an Ambassador for the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) program. Outside of the lab, I enjoy kayaking, hiking, and baking cakes. I am originally from Pakistan and believe that my experiences as an international student have given me insight into the importance of exchanging ideas, and I am looking forward to opportunities to build a diverse and inclusive community in STEM.