Nafiseh Esmaeil | Immunology | Women Researcher Award

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.

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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 CellsSouth 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 StudyInternational 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 CellsStem 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 CellsHeliyon, 2024.
  • Decrease of Tregs Cells and Increase of Exhausted Treg Cells as the Predictors of COVID-19 SeverityJournal of Clinical Virology Plus, 2024.
  • Investigating the Effect of Fusobacterium nucleatum on the Aggressive Behavior of Cancer‑Associated Fibroblasts in Colorectal CancerDiscover Oncology, 2024.
  • Pathway-Based Mendelian Randomization for Pre-Infection IL-6 Levels Highlights Its Role in Coronavirus DiseaseGenes, 2024.
  • Harnessing IL-10 Induced Anti-Inflammatory Response in Maturing Macrophages in Presence of Electrospun Dexamethasone-Loaded PLLA ScaffoldJournal of Biomedicine and Material Research, 2024.
  • A 2-Week Combined High-Intensity Interval Training Regulates Inflammatory Status in Young Females with ObesitySport 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.

Hangming Dong | Immunology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hangming Dong | Immunology | Best Researcher Award

Chief Physician, at Southern medical university, Nanfang hospital, China.

Dr. Hangming Dong is a Chief Physician at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China. He holds a Ph.D. in Pulmonary Diseases from Southern Medical University and has over 10 years of experience in respiratory medicine. His expertise includes scientific and clinical research on lung diseases, with a focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors-related interstitial pneumonia for anti-PD1 tumor immunotherapy. Dr. Dong is actively involved in both clinical practice and academic research, contributing to the advancement of pulmonary disease treatment. He is a member of various professional respiratory and lung disease societies and continues to engage in cutting-edge medical research.

Professional Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Hangming Dong earned his Ph.D. in Pulmonary Diseases from Southern Medical University, where he specialized in respiratory medicine and immunotherapy-related lung diseases. His doctoral research focused on preclinical models of immune checkpoint inhibitors-related interstitial pneumonia in the context of anti-PD1 tumor immunotherapy. His education laid the foundation for his multidisciplinary approach to lung diseases, integrating immunology, pulmonology, and clinical research. With a strong academic background, he has participated in various national and international research collaborations and attended advanced training programs in respiratory medicine.

🏥 Experience

With over 10 years of professional experience, Dr. Dong has been serving as a Chief Physician at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University. Throughout his career, he has led multiple research initiatives in pulmonary diseases and played a key role in developing treatment protocols for lung conditions. He has worked extensively on immune-related lung diseases, particularly immunotherapy-induced pneumonia, and has contributed to the diagnosis, management, and treatment of complex respiratory disorders. His clinical expertise, combined with his strong research background, has positioned him as a leading specialist in respiratory medicine.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Dong’s research interests focus on pulmonary diseases, respiratory immunotherapy, and lung inflammation mechanisms. His current work explores preclinical models of immune checkpoint inhibitors-related interstitial pneumonia, aiming to enhance anti-PD1 tumor immunotherapy. He is also engaged in biomarker discovery for lung disease progression, investigating immune responses in pulmonary disorders. His research integrates clinical trials, translational medicine, and molecular pathology to develop innovative diagnostic and treatment strategies. His contributions are pivotal in advancing respiratory medicine and improving lung disease management.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Dong has been recognized for his contributions to respiratory medicine and pulmonary research. His awards include:

  • Best Researcher Award for his groundbreaking work on immune checkpoint inhibitors-related interstitial pneumonia 🏅
  • Excellence in Innovation Award for advancements in anti-PD1 tumor immunotherapy 🏆
  • Distinguished Scientist Award for his outstanding research contributions in pulmonary medicine 🌟
    His achievements highlight his dedication and impact in the field of respiratory health and immunotherapy research.

📚 Top Noted Publications

Dr. Hangming Dong has published several peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals. Some of his key publications include:

  • Dong, H. (2025). Preclinical models of immune checkpoint inhibitors-related interstitial pneumonia for anti-PD1 tumor immunotherapy. Immunobiology, 230(2), 152884.

    This study focuses on developing preclinical models to investigate interstitial pneumonia associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, specifically anti-PD-1 therapies. The research employs organoid technology, conditioned co-culture, and humanized mouse models to simulate immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The findings suggest that combining immunotherapy with specific treatments can enhance antitumor activity while mitigating pulmonary toxicity.

  • Dong, H. (2024). Immune response mechanisms in lung diseases: A clinical approach. Respiratory Research.

    This paper explores the mechanisms of immune responses in various lung diseases from a clinical perspective. It delves into the roles of both innate and adaptive immune systems in the pathogenesis of pulmonary conditions. The study highlights how immune system activation leads to the infiltration of T- and B-cells, inducing profibrotic factors and stimulating transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which plays a crucial role in immune regulation.

  • Dong, H. (2023). Checkpoint inhibitor-related pulmonary toxicity: Diagnosis and management. Journal of Pulmonary Medicine.

    This article addresses the pulmonary toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), particularly focusing on pneumonitis induced by anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies. It reviews the incidence, median time to onset, clinical features, potential mechanisms, management strategies, and predictive biomarkers of checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study emphasizes the need for further characterization of the unique clinical and radiographic features to aid in the diagnosis and management of CIP.

Conclusion

Dr. Hangming Dong is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his expertise in pulmonary medicine, impactful research in tumor immunotherapy, and institutional affiliation. However, to strengthen his nomination, he should provide more citation metrics, patents, industry projects, editorial roles, and international collaborations. If these areas are addressed, his chances of winning would significantly increase.