Amina Abdul-Aziz

Amina Abdul-Aziz, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology at Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms linking bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) aging and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Research from the University of East Anglia, an MSc in Oncology from the University of Nottingham, and a BSc in Pharmacy and Biotechnology from the German University in Cairo.

Her research program investigates how aged BMM components—particularly mesenchymal stromal cells and immune cells—promote AML development and therapy resistance. Key areas include senescence-driven tumor promotion, drug resistance mechanisms in the microenvironment, and targeted therapy effects on stromal cells. Dr. Abdul-Aziz has received notable awards including the NCI Pathway to Independence Award and Pelotonia Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Recent work highlights her lab’s use of mass cytometry to study senescence across model systems, revealing critical roles for p16INK4a-driven stromal senescence and HIF1α signaling in AML. Her publications span over a decade, addressing topics like BTK inhibition strategies, PI3K signaling disruption, and NRF2-driven survival mechanisms in myeloma. This work bridges basic cellular mechanisms with translational therapeutic approaches for blood cancers.

• Awards: NCI K99/R00 Award, Pelotonia Fellowship
• Grants: NCI-supported early career investigator
• Labs: Leads the Abdul-Aziz Lab at Temple University