Afshana Quadiri | Vaccine | Women Researcher Award

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Dr Afshana Quadiri | Vaccine | Women Researcher Award

Postdoctoral researcher, University of California, Irvine, United States 🔬

Dr. Afshana Quadiri is a dedicated researcher specializing in Vaccine Immunology, Molecular Immunology, and Virology. With a Ph.D. from the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, she has made significant contributions to developing vaccines for infectious diseases like malaria, SARS-CoV-2, and HSV-2. Currently serving as a Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Quadiri is focused on vaccine development and the role of chemokines in viral infections. Her innovative research and active participation in global scientific communities highlight her commitment to advancing public health. 🌍💉

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Afshana Quadiri holds a Ph.D. in Immunology (2019) from the prestigious National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India, where she specialized in immune responses related to vaccine development. She earned her M.Sc. in Biochemistry (2013) from the University of Kashmir, India, gaining in-depth knowledge of molecular biology and biochemical processes. Her academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Biology (2010) from the Government College for Women, J&K, India, where she developed a strong foundation in biological sciences. This comprehensive educational background has equipped her with the expertise to excel in immunology and infectious disease research. 📚🧬

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Afshana Quadiri is currently serving as a Post-doctoral Fellow (2022–Present) at the University of California Irvine, where she focuses on HSV-2 vaccine development and investigates the role of chemokines in viral infections. Previously, she worked as a Project Scientist (2019–2022) at the National Institute of Malaria Research, contributing to advancements in malaria diagnostics and conducting antiplasmodial studies. From 2018 to 2019, she was a Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Immunology, where she explored immune responses in the development of malaria vaccines. Additionally, in 2019, she gained experience as a Scientific Editor at Cactus Communications, where she specialized in editing scientific manuscripts. 🧪🔬

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Quadiri’s research centers on vaccine development, immune modulation, viral immunology, and infectious diseases. She actively explores novel immunotherapies and chemokine applications to combat HSV-2, SARS-CoV-2, and malaria. Her work integrates molecular biology, immunology, and virology to design effective vaccines. 🦠💊

🏆 Awards and Fellowships

Dr. Afshana Quadiri has been recognized with several prestigious awards and fellowships throughout her academic and research career. She received the MPM Travel Grant (2018) to attend the Molecular Parasitology Meeting in Boston, highlighting her contributions to parasitology research. In 2020, she was awarded the ICMR International Travel Support to participate in the Molecular Approaches to Malaria Conference in Australia, reflecting her active engagement in global scientific discourse. Additionally, she was honored with the DBT-Fellowship for her Ph.D. studies at the National Institute of Immunology, supporting her advanced research in immunology. Dr. Quadiri also earned the Best Poster Award during Science Day at the National Institute of Immunology, recognizing her excellence in scientific presentation. 🏆🌍🔬

📚 Publications

Therapeutic Vaccination Against HSV-2 (2024) – Journal of Virology
🔗 Read here

RAGE-Ig Protein for SARS-CoV-2 Variants (2024) – Journal of Immunology
🔗 Read here

Cross-Protection SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (2024) – Frontiers in Immunology
🔗 Read here

Spike mRNA Vaccine in Hamsters (2024) – MDPI Vaccines
🔗 Read here

CXCL11 Mucosal Vaccine for COVID-19 (2023) – Journal of Virology
🔗 Read here

Conclusion

Dr. Afshana Quadiri’s strong research background, technical expertise, and global recognition make her a highly suitable candidate for the Women Researcher Award.

Mohamed Eltokhy | Immunology | Best Researcher Award

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Mr Mohamed Eltokhy | Immunology | Best Researcher Award

MSc., PhD Candidate, TTUHSC, Egypt 

Mohamed Ashraf Eltokhy is an Assistant Lecturer at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in Abilene, Texas, and a PhD student specializing in Immunotherapeutic & Biotechnology. With a strong background in pharmacy and microbiology, his research is focused on cancer therapeutics, particularly in developing novel anticancer agents and advancing drug discovery mechanisms. His goal is to contribute to more effective and safer cancer treatments. Mohamed is also the CEO of Neopurpose Therapeutics, where he focuses on strategic decision-making, business development, and customer acquisition.

Profile

Orcid

📚 Education

Mohamed holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science from Misr International University (MIU) in Cairo, Egypt, where he graduated with honors. He completed his MSc in Microbiology & Immunology from Al-Azhar University, also in Cairo. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where he maintains an impressive GPA of 3.948.

🎓 Experience

Mohamed’s career combines academic teaching and hands-on research. He serves as an Assistant Lecturer at MIU in Cairo, where he teaches microbiology, immunology, and biochemistry courses. Additionally, he is a Guest Researcher at Leiden University in the Netherlands and has worked as a pharmacist and in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs in Egypt. His work in cancer therapeutics is complemented by his leadership role as CEO of Neopurpose Therapeutics.

🧬 Research Interests

His research interests primarily focus on cancer treatment, specifically the development of novel anticancer agents and their mechanistic studies. He is also exploring the use of 3D bioprinted tumor-on-chip models for drug discovery and the individualization of chemotherapy regimens. His work includes in vitro and in vivo screening of agents and the study of their safety and efficacy.

🏆 Awards

Mohamed’s dedication to research and academic excellence has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Texas Tech Accelerator Program Award in 2024 and a late-breaking poster presentation award at the AACR conference in 2024. He has also received accolades for his contributions to the Microbiology & Immunology department at MIU, including academic excellence awards in 2021 and 2022, as well as the Top-Ranked Graduation Award in 2015 for achieving the highest GPA.

📖 Publications Top Notes

Patel, B., Silwal, A., Eltokhy, M. A., Gaikwad, S., Curcic, M., Patel, J., & Prasad, S. (2024). Deciphering CD59: Unveiling Its Role in Immune Microenvironment and Prognostic Significance. Cancers, 16(21), 3699.
Link to article

Eltokhy, M.A., Saad, B.T., Eltayeb, W.N., et al. (2024). Metagenomic nanopore sequencing for exploring the nature of antimicrobial metabolites of Bacillus haynesii. AMB Express, 14, 52.
Link to article

Eltokhy, M.A., Saad, B.T., Eltayeb, W.N., et al. (2021). Exploring the Nature of the Antimicrobial Metabolites Produced by Paenibacillus ehimensis Soil Isolate MZ921932 Using a Metagenomic Nanopore Sequencing Coupled with LC-Mass Analysis. Journal of Antibiotics (MDPI).
Link to article

Eltokhy, M.A., Saad, B.T., Eltayeb, W.N., et al. (2021). A metagenomic nanopore sequence analysis combined with conventional screening and spectroscopic methods for deciphering the antimicrobial metabolites produced by Alcaligenes faecalis soil isolate MZ921504. Journal of Antibiotics (MDPI).
Link to article

Eassa HA, Eltokhy MA, Fayyaz HA, et al. (2020). Current Topical Strategies for Skin-Aging and Inflammaging Treatment: Science versus Fiction. Europe PMC.
Link to article

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mohamed Ashraf Eltokhy is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his consistent dedication to advancing cancer research and his ongoing contributions to drug discovery. His work holds immense potential for improving cancer treatments and diagnostics, and with further growth in bioinformatics and clinical research, his impact on the field will undoubtedly increase. His leadership in both academic and entrepreneurial settings reflects his commitment to translating research into real-world applications.