Student Spotlight

The Department of Physiology & Biophysics highlights the work of our department trainees. Research work comes from the six core research areas in the department including Cancer and Tumor Microenvironment, Cardiovascular, Cell Biology, Signaling and Endocrinology, Metabolism and Obesity, Neuroscience and Addiction, and Systems Physiology.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Mohamed Haloul, PhD Candidate

Mohamed Haloul

This month in our Graduate Student Spotlight, we feature Mohamed Haloul, who is a 5th-year Ph.D. Candidate in the GEMS program from Dr. Er’s Lab.

Hometown:Cairo, Egypt

Previous Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Chemistry
    Pre-Master’s in Microbiology- Al-Azhar University

Current Education

  • Degree: PhD
  • Department: Physiology and Biophysics
  • Program: Graduate Education for Biomedical Sciences (GEMS)
  • Concentration: Cancer Biology

What are your research and clinical interests? 
My research focuses on understanding the role of ISG15 in regulating breast cancer progression and shaping the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, I am interested in how ISG15 and ISGylation influence tumor growth, metastasis, and anti-tumor immune responses across different biological contexts.A central aspect of my work is addressing the following questions: what happens if we remove ISG15 from cancer cells only? What happens if we remove it from the microenvironment only? What if we remove it from both the tumor and the microenvironment? And more specifically, what is the role of ISG15 in macrophages, and how does it influence tumor progression and immune regulation? To answer these questions, I use a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, including genetic knockdown and knockout systems, as well as mouse models such as E0771 and PyMT with compartment-specific ISG15 deficiency. This approach allows me to dissect the distinct and combined contributions of ISG15 in cancer cells and in the tumor microenvironment.
If you want to know what happens and are curious to learn more, stay tuned for our manuscripts coming soon.

What inspired you to choose the UIC College of Medicine for your studies?
My connection to UIC actually started earlier, as I have been working at UIC as a Research Specialist since 2018. During that time, I was able to experience firsthand the collaborative environment, the strength of its research programs, and the supportive scientific community. I was looking for a place where I could grow not only as a researcher but also as someone who contributes to society. The diversity at UIC, along with its collaborative environment and strong cancer research programs, made it the perfect place for me to pursue my PhD.

What attracted you to The Department of Physiology and Biophysics?
What attracted me most to the Department of Physiology and Biophysics was the people. From the beginning, I felt a very welcoming and supportive environment, from the faculty to the leadership. I was especially impressed by the department leadership, including Dr. Jan Kitajewski, and the strong sense of community they have built. It is truly a collegial and supportive place where trainees are encouraged to grow and succeed. One thing I really value is the collaborative atmosphere across labs. We have regular MAKY meetings—a joint lab meeting held biweekly that bring together multiple groups, including our lab, the Er lab, along with the labs of Dr. Monica Lee, Dr. Jiang Yuwei, and Dr. Andrius Kazlauskas. These meetings create a great environment for exchanging ideas, getting feedback, and learning from different perspectives. The department has also been incredibly supportive of my work, and I was honored to receive the John and Kathy Solaro Endowed Graduate Fellowship, which meant a lot to me both professionally and personally. Most importantly, I am deeply grateful to my mentor, Dr. Ekrem Emrah Er, for his guidance, support, and belief in my work. He has created an environment in the lab that fosters independence, critical thinking, and collaboration, and I feel very fortunate to be part of his lab.

What are your career goals after completing the program?
My goal is to continue in academia and establish my own research lab focused on cancer immunity and metastasis, particularly in breast cancer. I want to develop innovative strategies that target tumor–immune interactions and improve patient outcomes. I am also interested in developing more advanced and complex mouse models that better reflect human disease. Specifically, I aim to build multi-disease models that incorporate conditions commonly seen in patients, such as cancer in combination with obesity, infection, and other systemic factors, to better understand tumor progression in a more realistic setting. In parallel, I am passionate about education and community outreach, and I hope to create initiatives that make scientific knowledge accessible to younger generations and underserved communities.

What would you like to do in your free time?
Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family—my wife and my two kids are a big part of my life and keep me motivated. I also really enjoy transferring knowledge and mentoring younger students. I have been running my own science club for the past four years, where I host weekly sessions and have worked with more than 1,000 students, helping them develop scientific thinking and problem-solving skills. Supporting and inspiring the next generation is something I truly enjoy. I also like to stay active—I play football and volleyball, and I enjoy running. I like to keep things competitive and fun, so if you think you can beat me, feel free to reach out!

What do you most enjoy doing in Chicago? 
What I enjoy most about Chicago is its diversity and energy. It’s a city where you can experience so many cultures in one place, and that reflects strongly in the community at UIC as well. I also appreciate how family-friendly the city is and the opportunities it provides for both personal and professional growth.

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