#BlackInCompBio Seminar Series: Tigist Tamir

Title: Defining targetable molecular signatures in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Dr. Tigist Tamir is originally from Ethiopia, and immigrated to the U.S. during her teenage years. She was fascinated by science because it fostered a deep sense of curiosity, creativity, and a life time of learning. She embarked on her STEM journey through undergraduate research at the College of William and Mary, HHMI EXROP, and NIH PREP programs. These experiences exposed her to developmental biology, cell signaling, and cancer biology, sparking her interest in unraveling cellular mechanisms that orchestrate life and their disruption in diseases. Dr. Tamir completed her PhD in Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where her doctoral work delved into unraveling kinase-mediated regulation of oxidative stress response. In her present work, Dr. Tamir employs a multidisciplinary approach utilizing biochemistry, multi-omics, and computational models to investigate the intricate regulation of oxidative stress response within complex signaling and metabolic networks. As a scientist who has benefited greatly from excellent mentorship and STEM outreach, she values the opportunity to share her love of science and pay it forward. Dr. Tamir is dedicated to enhancing diversity in academia and research by mentoring students through initiatives like the Black in Cancer Mentorship Program and MIT UROP, while helping to foster inclusive peer communities such as the National Black Postdoctoral Association (NBPA) and MIT Black Postdoc Group. Committed to amplifying underrepresented voices, Dr. Tamir is passionate about sharing the narratives of scientists from diverse backgrounds via her video miniseries, "Edges & Nodes." Her aim is to not only inspire upcoming generations but also to forge a more inclusive scientific community.