I’m Sam Patel, a scientist, strategist, and advocate dedicated to rare disease research, precision medicine, and translational science. My journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to bridging research and real-world impact, working at the intersection of cell biology, patient-driven therapeutic development, and biomedical innovation.
Raised with an innate curiosity for science and its power to change lives, I pursued advanced training in stem cell disease modeling and neurobiology, leading me to work on iPSC-based platforms, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic screening for rare neurological disorders. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to establish research programs, lead multidisciplinary teams, and collaborate with patient communities to drive progress in diseases that often go overlooked.
I thrive in roles where I can lead from the bench, wear multiple hats, and connect scientific discovery with strategy, policy, and advocacy. Whether it’s designing high-throughput assays, developing patient registries, or mentoring early-career researchers, my goal is always to make science actionable and accessible.
Outside the lab, I am deeply engaged in science communication, policy discussions, and public outreach to ensure that research translates into meaningful impact for patients and families. This work has reinforced my belief that innovation in medicine doesn’t happen in isolation—it thrives through collaboration, cross-disciplinary thinking, and a shared commitment to solving complex problems.
This is what drives me every day: advancing science, empowering communities, and working toward a future where precision medicine benefits those who need it most.
Publications
Dystrophin deficiency leads to dysfunctional glutamate clearance in iPSC derived astrocytes
Abdulsamie M. Patel, Keimpe Wierda, Lieven Thorrez, Maaike van Putten, Jonathan De Smedt, Luis Ribeiro, Tine Tricot, Madhavsai Gajjar, Robin Duelen, Philip Van Damme, Liesbeth De Waele, Nathalie Goemans, Christa Tanganyika-de Winter, Domiziana Costamagna, Annemieke Aartsma-Rus, Hermine van Duyvenvoorde, Maurilio Sampaolesi, Gunnar M. Buyse, Catherine M. Verfaillie
Translational Psychiatry, vol. 9(1), 2019 Jul 20
HDAC6 inhibition reverses axonal transport defects in motor neurons derived from FUS-ALS patients
Wenting Guo, Maximilian Naujock, Maximilian Naujock, Laura Fumagalli, Tijs Vandoorne, Pieter Baatsen, Ruben Boon, Laura Ordovás, Laura Ordovás, Abdulsamie Patel, Marc Welters, Thomas Vanwelden, Natasja Geens, Tine Tricot, Veronick Benoy, Jolien Steyaert, Cynthia Lefebvre-Omar, Werend Boesmans, Matthew Jarpe, Jared Sterneckert, Florian Wegner, Susanne Petri, Delphine Bohl, Pieter Vanden Berghe, Wim Robberecht, Philip Van Damme, Catherine Verfaillie, Ludo Van Den Bosch
Nature Communications, vol. 8(1), 2017 Sep 10, pp. 861-861
Kristina Lanko, Kristel Eggermont, Abdulsamie Patel, Suzanne Kaptein, Leen Delang, Catherine M. Verfaillie, Johan Neyts
Antiviral Research, vol. 145, 2017 Jul 31, pp. 82-86
Robin Duelen, Guillaume Gilbert, Abdulsamie Patel, Nathalie de Schaetzen, Liesbeth De Waele, Llewelyn Roderick, Karin R. Sipido, Catherine M. Verfaillie, Gunnar M. Buyse, Lieven Thorrez, Maurilio Sampaolesi
Stem Cells International, vol. 2017(2017), 2017 8, pp. 1-17
Edin Mujagic, Roberto Gianni-Barrera, Marianna Trani, Abdulsamie Patel, Lorenz Gürke, Michael Heberer, Thomas Wolff, Andrea Banfi
Human Gene Therapy Methods, vol. 24(1), 2013 28, pp. 28-37
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