Mohamed Abouelkhair | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abouelkhair | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor, Rowan University New Jersey, United States.                    

Dr. Mohamed Abouelkhair 🇺🇸 is an accomplished immunologist and virologist with expertise in Staphylococcus research, vaccine development, and flow cytometry. Currently serving as Associate Professor of Virology and Clinical Immunology at Rowan University, he has built an impressive career spanning both the U.S. and Egypt. Dr. Abouelkhair has contributed significantly to microbiology and immunology through research, teaching, and scientific service.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Abouelkhair holds a PhD in Biomedical and Diagnostic Medicine (2019) from the University of Tennessee, USA. He earned his Master’s degree in Bacteriology, Mycology, and Immunology (2013) and Bachelor’s degree (2009) from University of Sadat City, Egypt. His academic journey showcases a strong foundation in microbiology, infectious diseases, and immunology.

💼 Experience

With over a decade of professional experience, Dr. Abouelkhair has held positions at leading institutions. He has worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate and Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee, contributing to experimental medicine and immunology research. His career also includes roles at University of Sadat City, and currently, he is a founding faculty member at Rowan University’s Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Abouelkhair’s research interests focus on immunology, virology, vaccine development, microbial genomics, and flow cytometry. He is deeply involved in studying Staphylococcus species, zoonotic diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, with a goal to advance diagnostic tools and preventive strategies for infectious diseases.

🏆 Awards

Throughout his career, Dr. Abouelkhair has received numerous honors, including the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society Award, several travel grants for prestigious conferences like ASM Microbe and Nature Conference, and a four-year PhD scholarship from the Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau. He is also recognized for his scientific reviewing and service roles in journals and professional organizations.

📚 Top Noted Publications

Genome Mining Reveals a Sactipeptide Biosynthetic Cluster in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (Veterinary Sciences, 2025).

Genome sequence of a bovine respiratory syncytial virus strain from a cow in Tennessee (Microbiology Resource Announcements, 2025).

Pathology and parasitology of free-ranging coyotes from Tennessee and South Carolina (PLOS ONE, 2025).

Whole Genome Sequencing and Comparative Genomics of Six Staphylococcus schleiferi and Staphylococcus coagulans Isolates (Genes, 2024).

Non-SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences identified in clinical samples from COVID-19 patients (PeerJ, 2020).

Conclusion

Dr. Mohamed Abouelkhair is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His multidisciplinary expertise, prolific publication record, innovative genomic studies, and leadership in research make him an excellent choice. With continued advancement in grant acquisition and broader collaborations, his future contributions are likely to become even more influential in the fields of infectious diseases and immunology.

Afshana Quadiri | Vaccine | Women Researcher Award

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.