Nafiseh Esmaeil | Immunology | Women Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nafiseh Esmaeil | Immunology | Women Researcher Award 

Associate Professor, at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

📌 Dr. Nafiseh Esmaeil is an esteemed Iranian immunologist specializing in clinical immunology and immunotherapy. She is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, where she conducts pioneering research on immune cell therapy, gene therapy, and CAR-NK therapy. With a strong academic background, she has contributed significantly to the field through her research, publications, and mentorship. Dr. Esmaeil is actively involved in various national and international immunology societies and serves as a reviewer for multiple high-impact journals. Her dedication to immunopharmacology and immune cell products has earned her recognition as an honored researcher.

Professional Profile

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Education 🎓

Dr. Nafiseh Esmaeil has pursued a rigorous academic journey in medical sciences. She completed her High School Diploma at Hashtom Shahrivar High School in Isfahan in 1991. She earned her B.Sc. in Laboratory Sciences from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 1998. She further specialized in Clinical Immunology, obtaining an M.Sc. from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2002. Her passion for immunology led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Immunology at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, which she completed in 2014. Her academic achievements have laid a strong foundation for her contributions to immunotherapy and immunopharmacology.

Experience 💼

Dr. Esmaeil has an extensive teaching and research career in medical immunology. From 2010 to 2014, she served as a lecturer in practical immunology at the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and the Faculty of Medical School at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. In 2014, she was appointed Assistant Professor of Medical Immunology and, in 2019, was promoted to Associate Professor. Her work involves teaching, research, and supervision of postgraduate students. She is also a member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Iran and the National Immunology Society, contributing actively to the scientific community through her expertise.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Esmaeil’s research interests lie at the intersection of immunotherapy and immunopharmacology. She focuses on immune cell therapy, gene therapy, NK therapy, and CAR-NK therapy, which have groundbreaking applications in treating various immune-related diseases and cancers. Her work also delves into immune cell products, including extracellular vesicles, aiming to enhance targeted therapies. Her research contributes to developing innovative treatments that improve patient outcomes in immunological and oncological disorders.

Awards 🏆

Dr. Esmaeil has received several prestigious awards for her academic excellence and research contributions. In December 2012, she was honored as an outstanding Ph.D. student at Shahid Motahari Festival, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The same year, she was recognized as an honored Ph.D. student researcher in the Medical School of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. These accolades highlight her commitment to advancing immunology and her dedication to scientific discovery.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Dr. Esmaeil has an impressive portfolio of scientific publications in high-impact journals. Her research has significantly contributed to the field of immunology, earning her an H-index of 19. Some of her notable publications include:

  • Different Behavior of NK Cells Isolated from Healthy Women and Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (RSA) after Treatment with Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells (hAECs) – Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2025. [Accepted]
  • Liposomal AZD5363 Displays Antiproliferation Activities and Induces Apoptosis on Y79 Retinoblastoma Cancer Cells – South Asian Journal of Cancer, 2024.
  • Evaluation of the Natural Killer Cell Subsets and Their Relationship with Serum Interferon Gamma and Vitamin D Levels in Women with Stages III and IV Endometriosis: A Case-Control Study – International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine, 2024.
  • Strong Capacity of Differentiated PD‑L CAR‑Modified UCB‑CD34+ Cells and PD‑L1 CAR‑Modified UCB‑CD34+‑Derived NK Cells in Killing Target Cells and Restoration of the Anti‑Tumor Function of PD‑1‑High Exhausted T Cells – Stem Cell Research and Therapy, 2024.
  • More Balance Toward Activating Receptors and Cytotoxic Activity of NK Cells Ex Vivo Differentiated from Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived CD34+ Stem Cells in Comparison with Peripheral Blood NK Cells – Heliyon, 2024.
  • Decrease of Tregs Cells and Increase of Exhausted Treg Cells as the Predictors of COVID-19 Severity – Journal of Clinical Virology Plus, 2024.
  • Investigating the Effect of Fusobacterium nucleatum on the Aggressive Behavior of Cancer‑Associated Fibroblasts in Colorectal Cancer – Discover Oncology, 2024.
  • Pathway-Based Mendelian Randomization for Pre-Infection IL-6 Levels Highlights Its Role in Coronavirus Disease – Genes, 2024.
  • Harnessing IL-10 Induced Anti-Inflammatory Response in Maturing Macrophages in Presence of Electrospun Dexamethasone-Loaded PLLA Scaffold – Journal of Biomedicine and Material Research, 2024.
  • A 2-Week Combined High-Intensity Interval Training Regulates Inflammatory Status in Young Females with Obesity – Sport and Science, 2023.

Conclusion

Dr. Nafiseh Esmaeil is a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award, given her strong publication record, contributions to immunology, academic achievements, and research impact. To further solidify her application, she could expand her international research collaborations, highlight funding successes, and emphasize her role in mentoring female scientists.

Isha Pahuja | T cell biology | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs . Isha Pahuja | T cell biology | Best Researcher Award 

Senior Research Fellow , International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , India

Isha Pahuja is a dedicated Senior Research Fellow in the Immunobiology Group at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi. With a solid foundation in life sciences and medical biotechnology, her research primarily focuses on immunological responses against tuberculosis. Isha has contributed significantly to the understanding of host-pathogen interactions, particularly in tuberculosis, with her work published in several high-impact journals.

Profile

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Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Research Experience:
    • Isha Pahuja has substantial research experience across multiple renowned institutions, particularly in immunology and tuberculosis research. Her progression from a Junior Research Fellow to a Senior Research Fellow at ICGEB, New Delhi, highlights her dedication and the trust placed in her abilities by her supervisors.
  2. Notable Publications:
    • Isha has co-authored 16 peer-reviewed publications, many of which are in high-impact journals like Communications Biology, Journal of Infectious Diseases, and Microbiology Spectrum. Her work has significantly contributed to understanding tuberculosis (TB) immunology, and she has collaborated with multiple researchers on important projects.
  3. Awards and Recognitions:
    • Isha has received multiple awards, such as the Global Health Travel Award and the Best Poster Award at the BIOSPARKS 2024. These accolades recognize her research’s quality and impact within the scientific community.
  4. Involvement in High-Profile Projects:
    • She has undertaken several critical projects focused on tuberculosis, epigenetic regulation of T cell responses, and molecular biology, which underline her expertise in immunology.
  5. Technical Proficiency:
    • Isha is well-trained in advanced laboratory techniques relevant to her field, including BSL-3 level work, flow cytometry, proteomics data analysis, and bioinformatics tools. This technical skill set is essential for cutting-edge research in immunology.
  6. Professional Memberships:
    • Her membership in the British Infection Association and participation in various international symposiums indicate her active engagement with the global research community.

Areas of Improvement

  1. Independent Research Leadership:
    • While Isha has an impressive record of collaborative research, she might benefit from leading more independent research projects. Developing a distinct research niche could further establish her as a leader in her field.
  2. Grant Acquisition:
    • Securing independent research grants would demonstrate her ability to not only contribute to but also independently fund and manage research initiatives, a critical component of long-term academic and research success.
  3. Diverse Research Collaborations:
    • Expanding her collaborations beyond tuberculosis research to other areas of immunology or even interdisciplinary fields could enhance her research portfolio and widen her impact.
  4. Mentorship and Teaching:
    • Engaging in mentorship roles or teaching responsibilities could bolster her profile, as guiding upcoming researchers is a valuable trait for award consideration.

      Education

      Isha holds a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from the University of Delhi (2014) and an M.Sc. in Medical Biotechnology from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak (2016). Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. in Immunology at Jamia Hamdard University, where her research delves into the complexities of immunological responses in tuberculosis.

      Experience

      Isha’s career in research began as a Project Trainee at Biotech Consortium India Limited in 2016. She has since held multiple positions at ICGEB, New Delhi, including Junior Research Fellow and now, Senior Research Fellow. Her experience also includes a tenure at the Central University of Rajasthan, further enriching her expertise in immunobiology and infectious diseases.

      Research Interests

      Isha’s research interests are centered around immunology, with a focus on understanding host immune responses to tuberculosis. She is particularly interested in the role of immune modulation in disease recurrence and the potential for therapeutic interventions that target these pathways.

      Awards and Honors

      Isha has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Global Health Travel Award to attend the Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis in 2024 and the Best Poster Award at the 18th Annual Science Fest BIOSPARKS. Her contributions have also been recognized with travel grants and participation in international conferences, underscoring her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge in her field.

      Publications

      Isha has authored several influential papers in peer-reviewed journals. Below are some of her key publications:

      1. Depletion of essential mycobacterial gene glmM reduces pathogen survival and induces host-protective immune responses against tuberculosis
        • Journal: Communications Biology
        • Published: Aug 6, 2024
        • Cited by: Articles exploring pathogen survival mechanisms Read More
      2. Immunoinhibitory effects of anti-tuberculosis therapy induce the host vulnerability to tuberculosis recurrence
        • Journal: Microbiology Spectrum
        • Published: May 2024
        • Cited by: Research on immune response modulation during tuberculosis therapy Read More
      3. Bergenin potentiates BCG efficacy by enriching mycobacteria-specific adaptive memory responses via the Akt-Foxo-Stat4 axis
        • Journal: Tuberculosis (Edinburgh)
        • Published: Jul 2024
        • Cited by: Studies on vaccine efficacy enhancement Read More
      4. Unravelling the potential of Triflusal as an anti-TB repurposed drug by targeting replication protein DciA
        • Journal: Microbes and Infection
        • Published: Dec 2023
        • Cited by: Work on drug repurposing strategies Read More
      5. Adjunct Therapy With All-trans-Retinoic Acid Improves Therapeutic Efficacy Through Immunomodulation While Treating Tuberculosis With Antibiotics in Mice
        • Journal: The Journal of Infectious Diseases
        • Published: May 15, 2024
        • Cited by: Immunomodulatory therapies for infectious diseases Read More

          Conclusion

          Isha Pahuja is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given her extensive experience, notable publications, and recognition within the scientific community. Her work has made significant contributions to the understanding of tuberculosis immunology, and she has demonstrated technical expertise and dedication to her research. To further strengthen her candidacy, Isha could focus on leading independent research projects, securing grants, and expanding her research scope. Overall, her current achievements make her a deserving nominee for the award.

Shaghayegh Baradaran Ghavami | Autoimmune disease and Immunology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr.Shaghayegh Baradaran Ghavami | Autoimmune disease and Immunology | Best Researcher Award

The head of IBD lab Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease. Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran

Shaghayegh Baradaran Ghavami is a distinguished microbiologist and researcher at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. She has made significant contributions to the field of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) through her innovative research on the gut microbiome and its implications for human health. With a strong academic background and numerous publications, she continues to advance our understanding of microbiology and its applications in medical science.

Profile

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Education 🎓

Shaghayegh Baradaran Ghavami holds a Clinical Research Fellowship (2020-2021) from the Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. She earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology from Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran (2010-2015), and an MS.c in Microbiology (2008-2010) from Islamic Azad University North Tehran Branch. She completed her BS.c in Molecular and Cellular Microbiology at the same university (2000-2004).

Experience 💼

Shaghayegh has extensive experience in research and academia. She served as a Research Assistant (2016-2020), where she conducted and supervised various research projects. During her Ph.D. (2010-2015), she focused on “Alterations of the human gut Methanobrevibacter smithii as a biomarker for inflammatory bowel diseases.” Additionally, she worked as a tutor in the Microbiology department at Azad University, Medical Branch of Tehran (2010-2019), and observed research at Dr. Jeremy Burton Lab at Lawson Health Research Institute in Canada (2018).

Research Interests 🔬

Shaghayegh’s research interests lie in microbiology, specifically in studying the gut microbiome’s role in inflammatory bowel diseases and other gastrointestinal disorders. Her work focuses on the interplay between host genetic polymorphisms and microbial communities, aiming to uncover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for IBD and related conditions.

Awards 🏆

Shaghayegh has been recognized for her contributions to science, including receiving a $30,000 grant from Orchid Life Company for her IBD & COVID-19 project in May 2020. She has also been nominated for various academic awards for her groundbreaking research.

Publications 📚

  1. Kazemifard N, Farmani M, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, et al. A prediction of the CRNDE role by modulating NF-κB pathway in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). BB Rreports. 2024 May. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101731.
  2. Vaezi Z, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, Farmani, et al. Oral Formulation of 5-Aminosalicylic Acid-Hemoglobin Bio-Adhesive Nanoparticles Enhance Therapeutic Efficiency in Ulcerative Colitis Mice: A Preclinical Evaluation. J Pharm Sci. 2024 Apr 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2024.03.028.
  3. Basiji K, Sendani AA, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, et al. The critical role of gut-brain axis microbiome in mental disorders. Metab Brain Dis. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-023-01248-w.
  4. Khazdouz M, Daryani NE, Cheraghpour M, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, et al. The effect of selenium supplementation on disease activity and immune-inflammatory biomarkers in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur J Nutr. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-023-03214-9.
  5. Asadzadeh-Aghdaei H, Rejali L, Nourian M, Chaleshi V, Zamani N, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, et al. Toll-like Receptor 7 is a novel non-invasive inflammatory genetic sensor for ulcerative colitis remission monitoring. Adv Biomed Res. 2023 Feb 25. https://doi.org/10.4103/abr.abr_24_22.
  6. Hatamnejad MR, Karvandi M, Jodatfar F, Ebrahimi N, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, et al. Evaluation of adalimumab effects on left ventricle performance by echocardiography indexes among patients with immunosuppressant refractory ulcerative colitis. Front Med. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1008711.
  7. Hatamnejad MR, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, Marzieh Shirvani, et al. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and inflammatory bowel disease; Beneficial or malpractice. Front Immunol. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.980189.
  8. Kazemifard N, Dehkohneh A, Baradaran Ghavami Sh. Probiotics and probiotic-based vaccines: A novel approach for improving vaccine efficacy. Front Med. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.940454.
  9. Rajabnia M, Hajimirzaei SM, Hatamnejad MR, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, et al. Obesity is a challenge in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases. Immunol Res. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-022-09315-7.
  10. Mobin Makhmalbaf, Seyed Masoud Hosseini, Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, et al. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Genome in Stool and Plasma Samples of Laboratory Confirmed Iranian COVID-19. Front Mol Biosci. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2022.865129.
  11. Khoramjoo SM, Kazemifard N, Baradaran Ghavami Sh, Farmani M, Shahrokh S, Asadzadeh Aghdaei H, Sherkat G, Zali MR. Overview of Three Proliferation Pathways (Wnt, Notch, and Hippo) in Intestine and Immune System and Their Role in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs). Front Med (Lausanne). 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.865131.