soheila afkar | medicinal plants | Women Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. soheila afkar | medicinal plants | Women Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr soheila afkar Payame Noor University,Ā  Iran

Dr. Soheila Afkar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Breeding at Payame Noor University, Lorestan Province, Iran. She holds a B.Sc. in Agronomy and Plant Breeding from the University of Lorestan, an M.Sc. in Plant Breeding, and a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the University of Tarbiat Modares. Additionally, she completed a sabbatical in Molecular Biology at the University of TĆ¼bingen, Germany. Dr. Afkarā€™s research primarily focuses on gene expression, molecular genetics, and the biochemical pathways in medicinal plants. She has extensive academic experience, serving as the Head of the Faculty of Agriculture and leading various workshops. She has also published widely in peer-reviewed journals on topics related to plant genetics, breeding, and biotechnology.

 

Publication Profile

Scholar

Evaluation of Soheila Afkar for the Best Researcher Award

šŸŒŸ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Educational Background: Dr. Afkar holds advanced degrees in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology from prestigious institutions, including a Ph.D. from the University of Tarbiat Modares and additional training in molecular biology from the University of TĆ¼bingen in Germany.
  2. Diverse Research Expertise: Her work spans multiple areas, including plant biotechnology, gene expression, and medicinal plants. Her Ph.D. research on menthol biosynthesis in peppermint demonstrates significant contributions to plant molecular biology.
  3. Impressive Academic Leadership: Dr. Afkar has served as the Head of the Faculty of Agriculture at Payame Noor University and led various workshops on cutting-edge topics in agricultural sciences.
  4. Robust Publication Record: She has published over 20 research papers in reputable journals, covering topics such as gene expression, plant breeding, and molecular biology, which demonstrates sustained research output and impact.
  5. Award-Winning Academic Performance: She ranked highly during her M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies and received several academic awards, highlighting her consistent excellence.
  6. International Research Collaboration: Her sabbatical at the University of TĆ¼bingen and contributions to international research projects underscore her global research engagement.

šŸ“ˆ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Wider International Publication Exposure: While Dr. Afkar has published extensively in Iranian journals, expanding her research visibility in international journals with higher impact factors could further solidify her global recognition.
  2. Broader Research Network: Increasing collaborations with international researchers and participating in global research consortia could enhance the impact and diversity of her work.
  3. Grant Funding and Project Leadership: Securing more competitive research grants and leading larger interdisciplinary research projects could further elevate her profile in the research community.

Educational Background:

B.Sc. in Agronomy & Plant Breeding, University of Lorestan, Iran. M.Sc. in Plant Breeding, University of Tarbiat Modares, Iran. Ph.D. in Biotechnology, University of Tarbiat Modares, Iran. Sabbatical Leave in Molecular Biology, University of TĆ¼bingen, Germany

Research Interests: Molecular biology, gene expression, plant breeding, biotechnology, and stress resistance mechanisms in plants.

Notable Achievements:

Ranked 4th in the M.Sc. entrance exam for Iran Universities (2005). First rank in M.Sc., University of Tarbiat Modares. Second rank in Ph.D., University of Tarbiat Modares

Academic Experience:

  • Head of Faculty of Agriculture, Payame Noor University (2016 ā€“ Present)
  • Workshop leader on topics like greenhouse products, agricultural research software (Minitab, SPSS), and tissue culture

 

Publications:

  • Assessment of Variability of Lentil Genotypes for Agronomic Traits Using Multivariate Analyses
    • Journal: Journal of Crop Breeding
    • Publication Date: 2019
    • Volume: 11(30), pp. 142-151
    • Contributors: P. Pezeshkpour, S. Afkar

 

  • The Study of Genetic Diversity, Heritability, and Genetic Advance of Morphological Traits, Yield, and Yield Components in Different Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) Genotypes
    • Journal: Journal of Crop Breeding
    • Publication Date: 2018
    • Volume: 9(24), pp. 61-68
    • Contributors: P. Pezeshkpour, S. Afkar

 

  • Influence of Methyl Jasmonate on Menthol Production and Gene Expression in Peppermint (Mentha X Piperita L.)
    • Journal: Journal of Medicinal Plants and By-product
    • Publication Date: 2013
    • Volume: 2(1), pp. 75-82
    • Contributors: S. Afkar, G. Karimzadeh, M. Jalali-Javaran, M. Sharifi, M. Behmanesh

 

  • A Study of Morphological Variation in Some Genotypes of Festuca arundinacea Using Multivariate Analysis
    • Publication Date: 2009
    • Contributors: S. Afkar, G. Karimzadeh, A. A. Jafari

 

  • Evaluation of Essential Oil Composition and Antibacterial Effect of Mentha longifolia Collected from Different Regions of Lorestan Province
    • Journal: Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science
    • Publication Date: 2021
    • Contributors: S. Afkar, M. Azadpour, B. Mahdavi, M. Rashidipour

 

  • Genetic Relationships of Some Mint Species Using Seed Storage Protein Pattern
    • Journal: Journal of Genetic Resources
    • Publication Date: 2020
    • Volume: 6(1), pp. 12-19
    • Contributors: S. Afkar, R. Zand

 

  • Methyl Jasmonate-Induced Changes in Non- and Antioxidant-Enzymatic Defense in Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
    • Journal: Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding
    • Publication Date: 2013
    • Volume: 3(1), pp. 13-21
    • Contributors: S. Afkar, G. Karimzadeh, M. Jalali Javaran, M. Sharifi, M. Behmanesh

 

  • Assessment of Chemical Compositions and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Mentha piperita in Response to Salicylic Acid
    • Journal: Natural Product Research
    • Publication Date: 2023
    • Contributors: S. Afkar

 

  • Variation of Yield and Morphological Traits in Several Iranian Populations of Agropyron pectiniforme
    • Journal: Iranian Journal of Rangelands and Forests Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources
    • Publication Date: 2018
    • Contributors: A. A. Jafari, M. Jafari, S. Nakhjavan, S. Afkar

 

āœ… Conclusion:

Dr. Soheila Afkar demonstrates a strong candidacy for the Best Researcher Award. Her deep expertise in plant biotechnology, impressive leadership in academia, and robust publication record provide substantial evidence of her research impact. Strengthening her international research visibility and engagement could make her an even more compelling contender for this prestigious recognition.

 

 

Shaik Abdullah Nawabjan | Natural products | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Shaik Abdullah Nawabjan | Natural products | Young Scientist Award

Ā Dr. The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

šŸ‘©ā€šŸ”¬ A dedicated researcher with a Ph.D. from The University of Hong Kong, specializing in toxicology and drug development. Currently serving as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at PhrmaSec Limited, excelling in research design, data analysis, and project management. Experienced in academic and industry settings, with a track record of publications and awards. Possesses expertise in regulatory toxicology, drug evaluation, and neurology. Recognized for contributions to pearl powder research and diabetic neurological disorders. Committed to continuous learning through professional development courses and certifications in animal research compliance.šŸŒŸ

 

Profile

Scopus

 

Educational Qualification šŸŽ“

  • PhD: The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2018-2022.
  • Master of Science (Biotechnology): VIT University, India, 2012-2014.
  • Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology): Karnatak University, India, 2009-2012.

Working and Research Experience šŸ’¼

Post-Doctoral Fellow: PhrmaSec Limited, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong (April 2023 – Current)Responsibilities include research design and execution, data analysis and interpretation, literature review and scientific writing, collaboration and communication, grant writing and project management. R and D Advisor: Pearl Power Research Institute Limited, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong (January 2023 – Current)Responsibilities include research planning, experimental design, data collection and analysis, technology assessment, project management, and mentorship. Research Assistant I: School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (January 2022 – April 2023)Responsible for supporting ongoing research projects, literature reviews, data collection and analysis, experiment conduct, and administrative duties.Part-Time Research Assistant I: School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (September 2022 – January 2023)Similar responsibilities as Research Assistant I, but part-time.Quality Control Supervisor: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (January 2017 – February 2018)Responsible for ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, conducting inspections and tests, and managing supplier quality.Research Assistant: Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Portugal (August 2014 – June 2015)Responsibilities included supporting research projects, literature reviews, data collection and analysis, and administrative tasks.

PhD Research Focus šŸ“š

  • Title: Comprehensive toxicological evaluation of novel anti-hypertensive small molecule KSD179019.
  • Guide: Prof. Billy KC Chow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong.

Masterā€™s Degree Research Focus šŸ“–

  • Title: Effect of Insulin on diabetic associated neurological disorders.
  • Guide: Dr. Eugenia Carvalho and Dr. Ermelindo Leal, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal.

Fellowships and Awards šŸ†

Second prize laureate Global Challenging Union Alliance (GCUA) 2030 award 2023.Research Talent Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Research Talent Hub – Innovation and Technology Fund Hong Kong 2023.Peopleā€™s Choice Award in the Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) 2023 Video Contest by National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF), Prime Ministerā€™s Office 2023.Excellent Teaching Assistant Award 2020-2021 from the faculty of science, The University of Hong Kong.IBRO Associate School Fellowship from International Brain research organization 2019.Albert-Renold Travel Fellowship from European Foundation for Study Diabetes 2014.BEST National Service Scheme unit leader for the year 2011-2012 by Alumni Association, India.

Continuing Education Course šŸ“š

Continuing Education Course (CEC) 01: A hands-on introduction to applied artificial intelligence in toxicology on September 10, 2023, in line with the 57th Congress of the European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX 2023) in Ljubljana, Slovenia.Continuing Education Course (CEC) 01: Vaccine efficacy and safety evaluation on September 18, 2022, in line with the XVIth International Congress of Toxicology (ICT 2022) in Maastricht, the Netherlands.Continuing Education Course (CEC) 06: Toxicity assessment in drug development on 28 September 2021 in line with the 56th Congress of the European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX 2021) which was hosted as a virtual congress.

Publications Top Notes šŸ“

  1. Title: Systematic Analysis of the Toxicological Effects of KSD179019, a Novel Anti-Hypertensive Compound
    • Authors: Shaik Abdullah Nawabjan, Kailash Singh, Muthu Iswarya, Rex K.H. Au-Yeung, Li Zhang, Hani El-Nezami, Billy K C Chow
    • Journal: Journal of Pharmacology
    • Month/Year: January 2024
    • Status: Under Review

 

  1. Title: Discovery of Small-Molecule Modulator of the Secretin Receptor: Purmorphamine Derivatives as Novel Anti-Hypertensive Agents
    • Authors: Kailash Singh, Shaik Abdullah Nawabjan, Li Zhang, Hani El-Nezami, Rajasekar Reddy Annapureddy, Billy KC Chow
    • Journal: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
    • Month/Year: August 2022

 

  1. Title: Solar and visible active amino porphyrin/SiO2ā€“ZnO for the degradation of naphthol blue black
    • Authors: Balu Krishnakumar, Avula Balakrishna, Shaik Abdullah Nawabjan, V. Pandiyan, Antonio Aguiar, Abilio J.F.N. Sobral
    • Journal: Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids
    • Year: 2017
    • Volume: 111
    • Pages: 364ā€“371

 

  1. Title: Facile synthesis of Y2S3/ZnO nanocomposite and its catalytic performance in the degradation of Methylene Blue using UV-A/solar illumination
    • Authors: A. Senthilraja, Balu Krishnakumar, Shaik Abdullah Nawabjan, Abilio J.F.N. Sobral, Subash, M. Swaminathan, M. Shanthi
    • Journal: Journal of Water Process Engineering
    • Year: 2016
    • Volume: 12
    • Pages: 32ā€“40

 

Ravi Kumar Rajan | Ethnopharmacology | Young Scientist Award

Assist Prof Dr. Ravi Kumar Rajan | Ethnopharmacology | Young Scientist Award

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ«Profile Summary

As a pharmacy graduate, I am highly results-oriented and driven by objectives. My eagerness to learn new techniques and apply them effectively sets me apart. I excel at observing and troubleshooting problems, making me well-suited for careers in academia, pharmaceuticals, research and development (R&D), or clinical practice. With a strong foundation in pharmacy, I am ready to contribute meaningfully to any role I undertake and make a positive impact in the field.

šŸŒ Professional Profiles

 

šŸŽ“Ā  Education

  • Ph.D. (Awarded on June 2022) in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences from The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
  • Master of Pharmacy (2012-2014), specialized in Pharmacology & Toxicology, from PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy (2008-2012) from Swamy Vivekanandha College of Pharmacy, Elayampalayam, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu.

šŸ”¬Research Experience

  • Junior Research Fellowship under ā€˜DST- New Delhiā€™ focused on “Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoconjugates with Natural Products for Breast Cancer” from December 2014 to December 2017.

šŸ” Project

Ph.D. Project (2017-2020): Conducted Pre-clinical Evaluation of Neuroprotective Effects of Terpenes/Terpenoids and Stilbenoids in Ischemic Disease. Post-graduate Project (2013-2014): Evaluated soy isoflavones in letrozole-induced rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome. Undergraduate Project (2012-2013): Investigated the Effect of Hybanthus Enneaspermus in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide Induced Type 2 Diabetes in Male Albino Rats.

šŸ† Awards & Achievements

  • Secured Second Prize (2019) on the National level for Best Poster in the “7th PhD Poster Symposium on Chemistry and Biology Interface” jointly organized by the Royal Society of Chemistry (London) ā€“ Indian Deccan Local Section and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad.

šŸ“œĀ  Certificates

“COVID-19 Contact Tracing” Course Certificate by COURSERA offered by JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (June 2020). “Advanced Schrƶdinger Workshop” Hands-on training conducted at Schrƶdinger Office, Bangalore, focusing on Computer-Aided Drug Design (2020). “Computer-Aided Molecular Modeling and Dynamics” Hands-on training and workshop organized by the Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (2019). “Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery ā€“ Workshop IV” conducted by the Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy (2015). “Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery ā€“ Workshop II” conducted by the Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy (2013).

šŸ“šTop Noted Publication

Title: Soy isoflavones exert beneficial effects on letrozole-induced rat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) model through anti-androgenic mechanism

  • Authors: RK Rajan, B Balaji
  • Year: 2017

 

Title: Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT and molecular docking studies on benzohydrazide derivatives as potential inhibitors of prostate cancer

  • Authors: HA Arjun, RK Rajan, R Elancheran, M Ramanathan, A Bhattacharjee
  • Year: 2020

 

Title: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 2ā€(2ā€Bromoā€3ā€nitrophenyl)ā€5ā€phenylā€1, 3, 4ā€oxadiazole Derivatives as Possible Antiā€Breast Cancer Agents

  • Authors: AH Ananth, N Manikandan, RK Rajan, R Elancheran, K Lakshmithendral
  • Year: 2020

 

Title: Synthesis and characterization of folic acid conjugated gemcitabine tethered silver nanoparticles (FA-GEM-AgNPs) for targeted delivery

  • Authors: A Karuppaiah, R Rajan, S Hariharan, DK Balasubramaniam, M Gregory
  • Year: 2020

 

Title: Building and Behavior of A pH-Stimuli Responsive Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded with Folic Acid Conjugated Gemcitabine Silver Colloids In MDA-MB-453 Metastatic Breast Cancer

  • Authors: Arjunan Karuppaiah, Dinesh Babu, Divakar Selvaraj, Tamilselvan Natrajan
  • Year: 2021

 

Title: Cytotoxicity and synergistic effect of biogenically synthesized ternary therapeutic nano conjugates comprising plant active principle, silver and anticancer drug on MDA-MB-453

  • Authors: A Karuppaiah, R Rajan, M Ramanathan, A Nagarajan
  • Year: 2020

 

Title: Identification and neuroprotective evaluation of a potential c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 inhibitor through structure-based virtual screening and in-vitro assay

  • Authors: RK Rajan, M Ramanathan
  • Year: 2020

 

Title: Cā€“Glucosyl Xanthone derivative Mangiferin downregulates the JNK3 mediated caspase activation in Almal induced neurotoxicity in differentiated SHSY-5Y neuroblastoma cells

  • Authors: N Pk, RK Rajan, V Nanchappan, A Karuppaiah, J Chandrasekaran
  • Year: 2023

 

Title: In-silico and in-vitro analysis of novel substituted benzimidazolyl derivatives for antimycobacterial potentials targeting enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA)

  • Authors: U Kuppuswamy, RK Rajan, A Kumar, M Ramanathan
  • Year: 2022

 

Title: Piceatannol selectively inhibited the JNK3 enzyme and augmented apoptosis through inhibition of Bcl-2/Cyt-c/caspase-dependent pathways in the oxygenā€“glucose deprived SHSY-5Y

  • Authors: RKRM Ramanathan
  • Year: 2024

 

Title: Piceatannol improved cerebral blood flow and attenuated JNK3 and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in a global ischemic model to produce neuroprotection

  • Authors: RK Rajan, RP Kumar, M Ramanathan
  • Year: 2024