Demerdash is a PhD student in the department of Inflammatory stress in stem cells at the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ). She holds a master's degree in molecular biosciences from the University of Heidelberg.

Demerdash's current research focuses on understanding inflammation in the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) compartment through the effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interferon-alpha (IFNa) on quiescent HSCs. By combining time series single cell RNA sequencing with IFNa stimulation, she is investigating the heterogeneity and alteration in hematopoietic stem and progenitor differentiation trajectories upon stress and understanding the dynamics of the regulatory mechanisms controlling them.

This work will help us enhance our understanding of the relationship between inflammation and hematopoiesis and the pathophysiology of diseases with several hematological complications.