This profile is part of a series that celebrates the individuals who fuel Hopkins.
Wedad Fallatah was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, where she attended medical school and developed an interest in medical genetics during her rotations.
Because there were no research or clinical residency programs in medical genetics in Saudi Arabia at that time, she moved to United States to pursue a master's degree of advanced studies in clinical research at University of California San Diego, then went on to earn a PhD in human genetics from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. There, Wedad's research focused on a group of rare genetic diseases called peroxisomal disorders, which impair the development of many of the body's systems and can lead to developmental delays and neurological issues.
Wedad is now a clinical and research fellow in the Genetics Laboratories at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and in the Department of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins. In the clinical fellowship, Wedad is doing a specialized training in biochemical genetic testing for the diagnosis of inborn metabolic diseases. Her research work focuses on advancing the diagnosis and treatment of peroxisomal disorders in pediatric patients.
Wedad trains directly with renowned researcher Ann Moser at the peroxisomal diseases laboratory at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Moser and her late husband, Hugo Moser, helped identify some of the gene mutations that cause peroxisomal disorders, a significant factor in Wedad wanting to continue her work at Johns Hopkins.
"I was very interested in being connected to this university," she says, "... and was grateful to have this opportunity to be here."
Here, Wedad talks about her passion for solving problems and helping children.
Have you always been interested in genetics?
Yes! When it comes to most of the genetic diseases, we don't have treatments. I'm fascinated with the whole world of science medicine, but genetics is like a puzzle that you try to connect together. You can collaborate with physicians, do your own research, but also talk with your patients to understand them more.
So you enjoy solving puzzles?
I love to solve puzzles. I do puzzles all the time with my children. It's a very nice way to have family time. I have a curious personality and like a challenge. It all comes together in genetics, too. Each patient, each family, each individual is like a mystery you can try to solve. I like to connect the dots.
A researcher, a mom, a new job in a new country. That's a lot all at once. How did you find your footing?
When I applied to Johns Hopkins, everyone said it would be a big challenge. I had four children at that time and it was hard. But once I applied, I was connected with all the departments virtually, and the amount of support they gave me, and my family, just amazed me.
At the Employee Assistance Program at Johns Hopkins, I learned about JHU childcare programs. They have a scholarship in which you can get childcare at a reduced tuition. So that's very helpful because raising children and working can be expensive, especially for childcare. I also took advantage of the coaching program offered through Johns Hopkins. I connected with a virtual life coach who gave me tips and guidance on work-life balance, managing stress, and moving forward.
Speaking of moving forward, what do you want to do next, now that you're at Hopkins?
Doing something very helpful for children, especially because I'm a mom. Moving the research forward for genetic diseases at Johns Hopkins are the proudest moments that wake me up each morning, excited to come and do the work I'm doing.
During my PhD I was working with one of the rare diseases that there's no treatment for. We helped to modify or establish new treatments with a company, and that treatment is now coming for an FDA approval for those children. I get hope when I do that. So I want to continue that, but I want to also broaden my knowledge. I want to use my time here to heal all the children, especially those with untreatable conditions. That would be fascinating.
Wedad Fallatah's clinical fellowship is supported by the Global DARE Foundation, The Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders, Rhizo Kids International, and the United Leukodystrophy Foundation.
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