Dabbagh discusses her research at the Ragon Institute, the impact of the MIT Ibn Khaldun Fellowship, and her goals for the future.

Deemah Dabbagh, PhD, a junior faculty member at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, has spent years studying infectious diseases, with a particular focus on HIV. Through the MIT Ibn Khaldun Fellowship for Saudi Arabian Women, she is now working in the Ragon’s DeKosky Lab where she is learning advanced techniques in yeast display and immune engineering. 

The fellowship, designed to empower Saudi Arabian women in STEM, supports researchers in building international collaborations and developing expertise that will contribute to scientific advancements in their home country.

For many scientists, a postdoctoral fellowship is a critical step in expanding their expertise and gaining new research skills. For Dabbagh, it is also an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge antibody engineering research and bring new knowledge back to Saudi Arabia.

We spoke with Dabbagh about her path to the Ragon Institute, her research, and her plans for the future.

Could you describe your background and how you came to the Ragon Institute?

Absolutely. My background started as a laboratory technologist right after my bachelor’s degree. During that time, I developed an interest in infectious diseases while working in a diagnostic lab at a hospital. From there, I decided to pursue graduate school, earning both my master’s and PhD in infectious diseases.

During my PhD, I became particularly interested in viral infections, specifically HIV, and focused my research on exploring innovative strategies for antiviral therapeutics. After completing my PhD, I returned to Saudi Arabia, where I was appointed as junior faculty. My career path was a bit unconventional—I went straight from my PhD into a faculty role—but I always knew I wanted to do a postdoc to further refine my research skills before continuing my academic career.

That’s when I started looking for postdoc opportunities and came across the MIT Ibn Khaldun Fellowship for Saudi Arabian Women, which is supported by KACST (The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia’s national science agency). The fellowship allows Saudi women scientists and engineers to conduct research at MIT, and as part of my application, I had to select potential faculty members to work with. I had learned about Brandon DeKosky’s lab at the Ragon Institute and was really interested in his work on engineering antibodies for antiviral therapeutics, particularly against HIV.

Why did you choose Brandon DeKosky’s Lab?

He was my first choice. I actually applied for the fellowship twice. The first time, I was waitlisted but didn’t get in. When I applied again, Brandon was my top choice, along with two other faculty members who were not at the Ragon Institute.

His work on engineering antibodies for HIV and other viruses like influenza really stood out to me because it aligned perfectly with my research interests in antiviral therapeutics. Before applying, I didn’t know much about the Ragon Institute itself—I initially thought it was just another MIT department. Once I arrived, I learned that it is a multi-institutional research center and discovered its highly collaborative environment. That aspect of the Ragon has been a great bonus—I was already excited about working with Brandon, but the opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration here made me even more certain that I made the right choice.

Could you tell me a little more about the MIT Ibn Khaldun Fellowship and its significance?

The Ibn Khaldun Fellowship is designed to empower Saudi Arabian women in STEM by providing them with opportunities to conduct research at MIT. The goal is not only to support individual professional growth but also to advance research in Saudi Arabia by fostering international collaborations.

Currently, Saudi Arabia is working to expand and strengthen its research infrastructure, particularly in STEM fields. This fellowship is one way to build connections between institutions, ensuring that knowledge and expertise are shared across borders. The program isn’t just for biomedical research—it supports fellows in math, physics, engineering, and computer science as well. The idea is to create lasting collaborations that benefit both Saudi Arabia and MIT.

How long does the fellowship last?

It starts as a one-year fellowship, but there’s an option to renew it. Whether I stay for a second year depends on approval from both my department in Saudi Arabia and my advisor here. Some fellows have stayed for up to three years, but it varies on a case-by-case basis.

What has it been like working in the DeKosky Lab?

It’s been great! The lab culture is very inclusive and welcoming, and everyone is eager to both learn and help others learn. Brandon runs his lab in a very structured way, which makes everything run smoothly. That level of organization has been really helpful for me, especially since I’m transitioning into a completely new research area—antibody engineering and yeast display.Starting in a new field is always challenging, but the lab’s well-documented procedures and protocols have made the transition much easier. The experience so far has been really rewarding.

Could you describe your current research in simple terms?

Sure! In Brandon’s lab, we work with broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that have the ability to target multiple strains of HIV. The lab takes blood samples from people living with HIV, isolates these antibodies, and engineers them to improve their effectiveness. (Engineered antibodies are often given back to the patient through an infusion.)

For my project, I’m focusing on one specific HIV antibody that is already being tested in clinical trials. It’s a potent antibody with broad specificity, but it still struggles to neutralize certain resistant strains of HIV. Our goal is to engineer this antibody to expand its breadth and potency, potentially making it even more effective against a wider range of HIV variants.

Where do you see your career going after this fellowship?

Since I’m currently on sabbatical from my faculty position in Saudi Arabia, whether I stay for another year depends on whether my department allows me to extend my leave.

Regardless of whether I stay for one or two years, my ultimate goal is to transfer the protein engineering technology I’m learning here back to Saudi Arabia. Every region has different broadly neutralizing antibodies with unique properties, so I hope to apply what I’ve learned to study local antibodies and develop similar antiviral strategies in my home country.