The scientist of SR-TIGET and Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele recognized internationally for her vision in advancing gene therapy and inspiring women in science.
Dr. Attya Omer, researcher at Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, conducting her research at the San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), has been named runner-up in the Scientific Achievement category of the 2025 Nature Inspiring Women in Science Awards, a recognition established by Nature and The Estée Lauder Companies to celebrate women who combine scientific excellence with a commitment to inspiring other scientists.
The award, which includes a US$5,000 prize and global visibility through Nature’s platforms, honors Dr. Omer’s research in the field of gene therapy and her dedication to promoting inclusion and diversity in science.
A journey across cultures and disciplines
Born in Paris to Pakistani parents, Dr. Omer grew up in a family that deeply valued education despite limited opportunities. After earning a Master’s degree in Neurobiology from the École Pratique des Hautes Études, she started a PhD at Université Paris-Sud studying Huntington’s disease, and later moved to the United States on a Fulbright fellowship to establish experimental models of brain diseases at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In 2018, Dr. Omer joined SR-TIGET in Milan, attracted by the institute’s pioneering work in translating gene and cell therapy into clinical treatments. Her story—“in Italy for love and by choice,” as she often says—reflects both her personal and professional commitment to building bridges across disciplines and cultures. She now is Project Leader within the Novel Gene Therapy Strategies Unit at SR-TIGET, led by the director of the Institute Luigi Naldini.
ERC-funded research: toward chemotherapy-free gene therapy
In 2024, Dr. Omer was awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant, receiving €1.5 million over five years to develop innovative strategies to make hematopoietic stem cell transplantation safer and more widely accessible. Her project, titled “eHSCT – Harnessing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Breakthroughs to Pioneer Advances in Transplantation Therapies,” builds on her landmark findings that it is possible to achieve stem cell engraftment without chemotherapy by mobilizing existing cells from the bone marrow to create space for genetically corrected ones.
Traditional conditioning treatments rely on high-dose chemotherapy or radiation to “empty” the bone marrow before transplant, exposing patients to severe side effects, including infertility, organ toxicity, and infections. Dr. Omer’s approach seeks to replace these toxic regimens with transient, mobilization-based conditioning, using molecular and cellular cues that promote safe and efficient engraftment.
“Many patients—especially children—cannot tolerate chemotherapy. If we can achieve durable engraftment without it, we open the door to treatments that are safer, fairer, and available to many more people.”
Her research integrates mRNA-based technologies, stem-cell mobilization, and niche modulation strategies to create a platform adaptable to multiple genetic blood and immune disorders. If successful, it could transform current transplant practices and expand access to gene therapy beyond the small subset of patients currently eligible.
Recognition of leadership and inspiration
Dr. Omer’s Nature award also recognizes her leadership in promoting equality in science. At SR-TIGET and Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, she supports initiatives to empower women and underrepresented groups in research.
“To the next generation of women in science: your curiosity is powerful, your resilience is your strength, and your voice — your unique voice — belongs in every room where discovery happens” she added during the award cerimony. “You can and you matter. Do not let anyone make you believe otherwise. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
