Principal Scientist specializing in precision medicine, research strategy, and innovation.

She currently serves as Principal Scientist and Head of the Molecular Oncology Diagnostics Unit at the Genomic Medicine Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre.

Previously, she held several leadership, advisory, and academic positions, including  Scientist and Head of the Behavioral Genetics Research Unit, (2010–2020), and Deputy Chair of the Genetics Department (2012–2020) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. In these roles, she contributed to the development of healthcare programs, led scientific and research initiatives, and strengthened institutional capabilities in research and precision medicine.

She brings more than 25 years of experience in scientific research, academia, molecular genetics, and precision medicine, with a strategic focus on leading research and diagnostic programs that advance healthcare development

Throughout her career, she has contributed to the development of advanced research and diagnostic programs in genetic disorders and complex diseases, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer.

She contributed to establishing a specialized research program on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, supervised the implementation and follow-up of the first phase of the Saudi Genome Project to develop and validate genomic diagnostic tools, and led the localization of molecular diagnostic testing for cancer.

Nada is a member of the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2), an international research initiative dedicated to accelerating discoveries in the genetic factors associated with Parkinson’s disease through global scientific collaboration.

Academically, she has served as both Assistant Professor and Visiting Professor at several universities, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising master's and doctoral research, and mentoring the next generation of specialists in precision medicine and molecular genetics.

Alongside her scientific career, she wrote a regular column for Al Riyadh newspaper for more than 15 years, publishing articles on science, health, and culture that helped make scientific knowledge more accessible and promote public health awareness.

She has participated as a speaker and keynote speaker at more than 40 local and international conferences, presenting on precision medicine, research innovation, and healthcare development. Her scientific portfolio includes more than 76 peer-reviewed publications in international journals covering precision medicine and molecular genetics, including Nature Genetics and The American Journal of Human Genetics.

In November 2024, she was awarded third place in the Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Award for Research and Innovation in the Medical Research category.

She holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics from Cardiff University in the United Kingdom and a Master's degree in Biochemistry from King Saud University. She also completed the Executive Program in Management and Leadership at the MIT Sloan School of Management and earned a professional certification in Strategic Planning.