CMU-Q’s Adviti Naik develops new course in precision medicine

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar’s Adviti Naik, assistant teaching professor of biological sciences, is developing a new advanced elective course in precision medicine. Naik is designing the new course as part of a fellowship granted by Carnegie Mellon’s main campus in Pittsburgh.

Precision medicine examines how a deeper understanding of genomics and the mechanisms of disease can improve quality of life for patients with a variety of illnesses. CMU-Q students in the biological sciences program take foundational courses in cell biology and genetics. This course would challenge students to apply their knowledge using real-world scenarios.

Carnegie Mellon’s Wimmer Faculty Fellowships are designed for junior faculty members who wish to enhance their teaching. Naik, who was selected as a Wimmer Faculty Fellow for the 2024-2025 academic year, will receive support and guidance as she develops, delivers and assesses the new coursework.

“At the root of precision medicine is the observation that the same disease often presents differently in different people,” Naik said. “This course will challenge students to analyze the mechanisms of disease and learn how precision medicine techniques can target patients more effectively, with fewer side effects.”

Naik is new to CMU-Q, joining the faculty in August 2023.

“This course has not been taught to undergraduates at CMU before, neither at the Qatar campus nor at the Mellon College in Pittsburgh,” she said. “I’m building it from the ground up, so this fellowship will provide excellent support throughout the process.”

Naik is the third Wimmer Faculty Fellow at the Qatar campus. Mohamed Bouaouina was the first CMU-Q faculty member to receive the fellowship. As part of the 2019-2020 cohort, he designed and integrated online learning modules to prepare students for their required course in cell biology. During her fellowship the next year, Nesrine Affara developed a new course for non-majors in human health and disease.

CMU-Q offers undergraduate programs in biological sciences, business administration, computer science and information systems.