Ons Yasmeen Mrad Bouali is currently a post-baccalaureate Cancer Research Fellow at the National Cancer Institute, passionate about advancing patient care through research and a human-centered approach to medicine. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Neuroscience from Elon University. Her education and research experience has shaped her goal of becoming a physician dedicated to empowering patients with complex conditions by combining cutting-edge research with compassionate care. Her long-term goal is to be a transplant hepatologist, specializing in PBC. She is currently applying to medical school.
At Elon University, Ons received a prestigious $20,000 Lumen Prize grant to study Primary Biliary Cholangitis, exploring how the drug bezafibrate may reduce bile duct stress in patients. She has dedicated this research to all the patients and mothers, like her own, who live with PBC.
Ons’ connection with PBC started when her mother, Zeineb Mrad Bouali, was diagnosed in 2017. For nearly two years, Zeineb was misdiagnosed with fatty liver disease until she and Ons conducted their own research and discovered that the true diagnosis was PBC. Ons and her mom went to doctor’s appointments together, as Ons wanted to support her mother in every way she could. Tragically, Zeineb passed away from complications of PBC in September 2022. Ons, while always dedicated to studying and treating PBC, has since become even more passionate about patient education and advocacy as well as physician education and awareness.
In her spare time, Ons is a baker with Cake4Kids Northern Virginia, bringing birthday smiles to children in foster care through personalized cakes. Ons’ mother, Zeineb, was an avid cake baker and had her own business, Z.M. Creations. Baking with Cake4Kids gives Ons the chance to continue the joys her mother’s baking brought others. She is also a patient intake volunteer assistant at the Arlington Free Clinic, supporting underserved populations in accessing medical care. These experiences have deepened her dedication to addressing health inequities and connecting with individuals on a personal level.
Beyond medicine, Ons is a co-author on a project on Tunisia’s modern development through women’s rights and she runs a small jewelry business, JewelryByOns. Ons is beyond honored and excited to serve on the Board of the Friends of the PBC Foundation in order to raise awareness about PBC and provide essential support to PBC warriors.