Dr. Maryam Ahmed: Scientist reimagines the power of viruses

Dr. Maryam Ahmed didn’t come to the U.S. with a clear plan. Like many international students, she was still finding her way, figuring out how to adjust to a new country, a new system and a future that wasn’t fully mapped out. In those early days of college at the University of Virginia , she was exploring different classes, just trying to see what clicked.

One of those classes was virology. She didn’t expect much from it at first, but something about it stuck. The more she learned, the more it made sense. It wasn’t just about viruses; it was about understanding how things work at the smallest levels, how tiny organisms could change lives. That class didn’t just spark an interest. It gave her directions.

After completing her undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Virginia, where her interest in microbiology took root, Ahmed pursued a Ph.D. at Wake Forest University School of Medicine . There, she focused on the evolution of viruses and their virulence factors, particularly in negative-sense RNA viruses.

"I got excited about how viruses specifically cause disease and affect human health," she recalls.

Later, during her postdoctoral training at the Wistar Institute and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine , she temporarily shifted her attention to DNA viruses. She investigated how herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) lies dormant and what triggers its reactivation, according to her biography on Ohio University’s College of Arts and Sciences website. She also served as a research faculty member at Wake Forest before moving on to a faculty position in the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University .

Now chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio University , Dr. Ahmed is also a professor and a leading researcher in microbial pathogenesis at the Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute (ITDI). Her work is grounded in rigorous science but animated by a hopeful question: What if the very viruses that threaten human health could also help save lives?

In her lab, she explores that paradox. Rather than viewing viruses only as agents of disease, she now studies how they can be harnessed as anti-cancer agents, engineering mutant viruses that target and kill cancer cells.

“I look at viruses from a very positive view now,” she says. “Not only as something that causes disease, but as something that can be leveraged to fight cancer.”

In her role as chair, Dr. Ahmed also wants to create a vibrant academic environment that goes beyond research. Since settling into the position, she has been working closely with students and faculty to modernize the curriculum, expand experiential learning and promote collaborative research.

“It’s an exciting time,” she says. “We’re advancing not only in research, but also in how we teach science, making it more engaging, inclusive and connected to real-world problems.”

While her work is highly specialized, Dr. Ahmed sees education as a public good. Her previous role at Appalachian State University exposed her to the challenges rural communities face in understanding and accessing public health resources. Now, at OHIO, which is also located in the Appalachian region, she continues to serve as a community educator and science communicator, helping people better understand the science of viruses and the importance of vaccines.

“I found that there was a lot of misunderstanding about how viruses work and why vaccines matter,” she says. “So, I try to bring evidence-based science to those conversations, especially in communities where that information is needed most.”

She also sees great promise in interdisciplinary collaboration. Through ITDI, she’s part of a growing network of researchers united by a shared interest in infectious disease and global health.

“ITDI creates a hub where like-minded scientists can come together to ask bold questions and solve complex problems,” she explains. “It’s a place for mentorship, innovation, and meaningful collaboration between students and faculty.”

To students and early-career researchers interested in infectious diseases, her advice is simple but powerful: stay curious.

“The path in science is rarely linear,” she says. “But it’s okay to be creative and follow where your research leads. Build relationships with others, both within your field and beyond, because today’s science thrives on collaboration.”

Despite her full schedule, Dr. Ahmed remains open to mentorship. 

“I may not have the time to take on every student directly,” she says with a laugh, “but I always encourage those interested to reach out, start a conversation, come by and talk.”

For her, that first step, curiosity, has the power to change everything. It certainly did for her.