ARIANA RAHMAN

Introduction

Ariana Rahman is an immunology and computational Biology researcher.

Her research spans molecular immunology, cancer biology, and biomedical data science. At the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Science, she leads a project investigating how T- and B-cell interactions and tertiary lymphoid structures sustain chronic inflammation and fibrosis, potentially linking endometriosis to cancer risk. Using spatial transcriptomics and multiplex immunofluorescence, she studies the receptor–ligand networks that sustain immune dysregulation.

At Pfizer, Ariana applied deep learning to clinical trial datasets, building neural networks and a Neo4j knowledge graph to detect risk factors for adverse outcomes in sickle cell disease. These experiences taught her how computational analysis can inform precision medicine.

Earlier, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, she explored how ZAP-70 mutations affect CAR-T cell cytotoxicity and cytokine release in solid tumors, work that deepened her understanding of immune signaling and therapeutic resistance. At Stanford’s AI in Medicine Lab, she contributed to Genomap, an algorithm that visualizes multi-omics data to enhance biomarker discovery in cancer immunology.

Across these projects, Ariana has cultivated a translational mindset that integrates computational insight with molecular experimentation.

Her clinical and service experiences reinforce the human dimension of her research. As a Certified Nursing Assistant at Shahara Clinic, she supports underserved patients through intake and triage, gaining insight into the barriers patients face while navigating complex health systems. Her previous role as a medical scribe at St. Joseph’s Hospital exposed her to the diagnostic reasoning that connects biological understanding with clinical care.

Through the American Cancer Society, Ariana advocates for equitable access to screening and survivorship programs, complementing her scientific focus on cancer health disparities.