Dr. Sahar Alhakeem’s research focuses on the mechanisms of immune regulation in health and disease. During her time at the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Dr. Charles Egwuagu’s lab, her research centered on IL-35-producing B regulatory cells (i35-Bregs) and their role in immune regulation, particularly in the development of novel therapies for autoimmune diseases. She also investigated how BCR signaling influences the expansion of i35-Bregs and the secretion of IL-35-containing exosomes. In addition, Dr. Alhakeem is interested in studying the mechanisms that suppress anti-tumor immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Given the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Alhakeem is also interested in investigating mechanisms of inflammation in sickle cell disease.