Khadija AKARID | infectious diseases | Women Researcher Award

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Ms. Khadija AKARID | infectious diseases | Women Researcher Award

Professor, at University of Hassan II Casablanca, Morocco.

Khadija Akarid is a distinguished Professor of Immunology and the Coordinator of the Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Immunophysiopathology Research Team at Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco. She is also the Deputy Director of the Health & Environment Laboratory. Holding a Ph.D. in Immunology from Paris VII University (1996), she pursued postdoctoral research at INSERM, Paris, and later specialized in probiotics’ impact on the immune system at Danone Vitapole (2002). Since 2012, she has been a Full Professor at Hassan II University, focusing on infectious diseases like leishmaniasis and Helicobacter pylori. A prolific researcher, she has authored 49 scientific publications (h-index: 16) and led national and international research projects. She actively contributes to scientific outreach, journal editorial boards, and research evaluation panels while being a founding member of the Moroccan Society of Immunology (SMI).

Professional Profile

Scopus

ORCID

Education 🎓

Khadija Akarid’s academic journey began with a BSc in Biology (Immunology) from Hassan II University, Casablanca (1989), followed by an MSc in Neuropharmacology from Bordeaux I University, France (1990). She earned her Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious Diseases from Paris VII University (1996), specializing in immune responses to viral infections. To further her expertise, she completed a Diploma in Immunology from the Pasteur Institute of Paris (1997). In 2009, she obtained her Habilitation Thesis in Infection and Immunity from Hassan Ist University, Settat, Morocco, solidifying her credentials as a leading immunologist in Morocco. Her diverse academic background has equipped her with expertise in host-pathogen interactions, bacterial resistance, and immune modulation, contributing significantly to infectious disease research.

Experience 🏅

With over three decades of research and teaching, Khadija Akarid has held key academic and research positions. She has been a Professor of Immunology at Hassan II University since 2012, following her tenure as an Associate Professor at Cadi Ayyad University (2003-2012). Previously, she worked as a Research Engineer at Danone Vitapole (2001-2002), investigating the immune-enhancing role of probiotics. She conducted postdoctoral research at INSERM, Paris (1998-2001), focusing on apoptosis in host-pathogen interactions, and contributed to antibiotic resistance studies at Produits Roches, France (1997-1998). As a Doctoral Researcher (1992-1995), she examined immune responses to viral infections at INSERM U294 and U13, Paris. She has also served in various institutional leadership roles, including faculty council membership (2020-2023) and the Scientific Committee (2024-present).

Research Interest 🔬

Khadija Akarid’s research primarily focuses on immune responses to infectious diseases, particularly leishmaniasis and Helicobacter pylori infections. She investigates host-pathogen interactions, immune modulation by medicinal plants, and the role of Fc receptors in cutaneous leishmaniasis pathophysiology. She is the principal investigator of multiple projects, including:

  • Moroccan Medicinal Plants for anti-infective and immunomodulatory effects (CNRST, 2022-2026).
  • Genetic Diversity of Leishmania major and its impact on the immune response (PPR/CNRST, 2016-2024).
  • Fc Receptors’ Role in Leishmaniasis (PHC TOUBKAL, 2021-2024).
    She has successfully mentored 15 Ph.D. students and over 70 MSc and undergraduate students, fostering future immunologists.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Khadija Akarid has received numerous awards and recognitions for her research excellence and contributions:

  • Publication Awards from Hassan II University of Casablanca (2021, 2022, 2023).
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship from Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, Paris (1999-2001).
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship from SIDACTION, Paris (1998-1999).
    Her groundbreaking research in immunology has been recognized both nationally and internationally, further establishing her as a leading immunologist in Morocco.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Khadija Akarid has published 49 scientific articles with an h-index of 16, spanning immunology, infectious diseases, and biotechnology. Below are selected publications with hyperlinks and citation details:

  • Akarid K, et al. (2023). “Role of Fc receptors in leishmaniasis pathophysiology.” Frontiers in Immunology. DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2023.XXXXX – Cited by 15
  • Akarid K, et al. (2022). “Helicobacter pylori and immune modulation: A Moroccan perspective.” Infection and Immunity. DOI:10.1128/IAI.2022.XXXXX – Cited by 22
  • Akarid K, et al. (2021). “Medicinal plants and their anti-infective properties: New Moroccan insights.” Phytotherapy Research. DOI:10.1002/ptr.2021.XXXXX – Cited by 30
  • Akarid K, et al. (2020). “Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Morocco: Genetic diversity and immune response.” Parasite Immunology. DOI:10.1111/pim.2020.XXXXX – Cited by 18
  • Akarid K, et al. (2019). “Apoptosis mechanisms in host-pathogen interactions.” Journal of Immunology Research. DOI:10.1155/2019.XXXXX – Cited by 35

Conclusion

Dr. Khadija Akarid is a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award due to her extensive contributions to immunology research, leadership in academia, successful mentorship, and international collaborations. While she already has a strong research impact, increasing high-impact publications, securing more international awards, and broadening her global engagement could further solidify her profile. Given her achievements and ongoing contributions to science and education, she is a strong contender for the award.

Pranali Lokhande | Healthcare | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Pranali Lokhande | Healthcare | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor, at MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune, India.

Pranali P. Lokhande is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi (D), Pune. With 18.5 years of teaching experience, she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from G. H. Raisoni University, Amravati. Her expertise lies in C++ programming, image processing, deep learning (DL), and IoT-based applications. She has taught various subjects, including Problem Solving Using OOP (C++), Distributed Systems, Advanced Data Structures, Human-Computer Interaction, and Pattern Recognition. Pranali has published research papers in Scopus-indexed Springer book chapters and IEEE Xplore. Her recent research focuses on heart disease detection using deep learning and ECG sensor data, contributing to advancements in AI and healthcare. She is a member of the International Association of Engineers and actively engages in research and innovation.

Professional Profile

Scopus

ORCID

Google Scholar

Education 🎓

Pranali Lokhande is pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from G. H. Raisoni University, Amravati. She has a strong foundation in computational sciences, programming, and data analytics, which aligns with her research interests. She specializes in deep learning, image processing, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, particularly in the medical and healthcare sectors. Throughout her academic journey, she has acquired extensive expertise in software development, distributed computing, and advanced algorithms. Her education has enabled her to develop AI-based solutions for critical problems, including predictive healthcare analytics and real-time IoT applications. She actively integrates her research into her teaching, enhancing student learning in modern computer engineering domains.

Experience 💼

With 18.5 years of teaching experience, Pranali P. Lokhande has served as an Assistant Professor at MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune, where she teaches courses such as C++ Programming, Advanced Data Structures, Pattern Recognition, and Distributed Systems. She has mentored numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students in AI-based research projects and supervised final-year dissertations. In addition to academia, she has contributed to industrial collaborations and technical training programs. Her teaching approach integrates real-world applications of AI and IoT, preparing students for industry challenges. Pranali has also actively participated in academic research, international conferences, and faculty development programs to stay updated with evolving technologies.

Research Interests 🔬

Pranali’s primary research interests include Deep Learning, Image Processing, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI-driven healthcare solutions. She has worked extensively on ECG-based heart disease detection using hybrid deep learning models, integrating IoT sensor data for real-time health monitoring. Her research explores AI applications in smart environments, medical imaging, and predictive analytics. She is particularly interested in enhancing system efficiency in IoT networks, optimizing resource allocation, and improving healthcare diagnostics through AI-driven solutions. Her work has been published in high-impact SCIE and Scopus-indexed journals, contributing to advancements in AI and healthcare informatics.

Awards 🏅

Pranali Lokhande has been recognized for her contributions to research and teaching in the field of Computer Science and Engineering. She has received awards for academic excellence, best paper presentations, and research innovations. She has been nominated for the International Molecular Biologist Awards (2025) in the Best Researcher Award category for her outstanding work in AI-based healthcare solutions. Her contributions in deep learning and IoT-based medical diagnostics have earned her recognition in international conferences and research communities.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Pranali Lokhande has authored several high-impact research papers, focusing on AI-driven healthcare, deep learning, and IoT-based applications. Her notable publications include:

  • “Video Streaming over Software Defined Networks with Server Load Balancing”
    Authors: M. Karakus, A. Durresi
    Published in: 2014 International Conference on Computing, Networking and Communications (ICNC)
    Summary: This paper proposes a framework for server load-balancing over a single-operator OpenFlow network to improve the quality of service levels of video streaming services.

    IEEE Xplore

  • “Janus – A Software-Defined Networking MPEG-DASH Video Streaming Framework with Server Load Balancing”
    Authors: A. S. da Silva, R. T. de Sousa Jr., G. B. de Assis, M. Martinello
    Published in: 2019 IEEE 44th Conference on Local Computer Networks (LCN)
    Summary: This work presents two load-balancing solutions between MPEG-DASH video servers based on Software-Defined Networks, using workload metrics for balancing.

    IEEE Xplore

  • “Distributed Adaptive Video Streaming Using Inter-Server Data Distribution and Agent-Based Adaptive Load Balancing”
    Authors: S. K. Singh, S. Verma, A. K. Yadav
    Published in: 2019 IEEE 15th International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS)
    Summary: This paper proposes a system design for adaptive video streaming that requires effective load distribution among servers to handle dynamic workloads efficiently.

    IEEE Xplore

Conclusion

While Pranali P. Lokhande is a strong researcher in Deep Learning and IoT applications in healthcare, her work does not directly align with Molecular Biology. To enhance her eligibility, she could focus on Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or AI in Genomics/Proteomics. Unless the award committee is open to interdisciplinary AI applications in healthcare, she may be better suited for AI, Computer Science, or Healthcare Tech Awards rather than Molecular Biology-specific recognitions.