Blaise Dondji | Drug discovery | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Blaise Dondji | Drug discovery | Best Researcher Award

Distinguished Professor , Central Washington University , United States

Dr. Blaise Dondji is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Central Washington University (CWU), USA. He specializes in immunology, infectious diseases, and parasitology, with extensive experience in teaching, mentoring, and research. Holding a Ph.D. in Parasitology from the University of Jos, Nigeria, and postdoctoral training at Yale School of Medicine and Hebrew University, Dr. Dondji has made significant contributions to parasitic disease research and immunology. His work focuses on vector-borne diseases, vaccine development, and host-pathogen interactions. He has received prestigious grants from NIH, Volkswagen Foundation, and Keck Foundation. Recognized for his teaching excellence, he has been awarded multiple faculty mentorship and excellence awards at CWU. Dr. Dondji is also actively involved in academic service, grant writing, and diversity initiatives. His dedication to research and student success continues to shape the next generation of scientists.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education 

Dr. Blaise Dondji holds a diverse and extensive academic background in biological sciences, specializing in parasitology and immunology. He earned his Ph.D. in Parasitology from the University of Jos, Nigeria, in 1999, following an M.Sc. in Entomology & Parasitology from the same institution in 1993. Before that, he completed both an M.Phil. (1991) and an M.Sc. (1990) in Animal Biology & Physiology at the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon, where he also obtained his B.Sc. in Zoology in 1989. His postdoctoral training includes Molecular Parasitology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel (2002) and Immunology & Infectious Diseases at the Yale School of Medicine, USA (2007). His academic journey has been enriched by multiple prestigious fellowships, including those from UNESCO and the Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Advancement, equipping him with a strong foundation in parasitology, immunology, and global health research.

🏢 Experience 

Dr. Dondji is a Distinguished Professor at Central Washington University, where he has been a faculty member since 2008. He has served as Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, he has held roles as Director of the Keck-Murdock Flow Cytometry Facility and a pre-medical and pre-dental advisor. Prior to CWU, he was a faculty member at Yale School of Medicine, supervising research in infectious diseases. His earlier career includes serving as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon, and as a Visiting Lecturer at institutions such as Quinnipiac University and the Université Paris-Sorbonne. With decades of teaching experience in immunology, molecular biology, and parasitology, Dr. Dondji has contributed significantly to the academic and research community, shaping the next generation of scientists through his expertise and mentorship.

🏆 Awards & Honors 

Dr. Dondji has been widely recognized for his excellence in teaching, mentoring, and research. He received the 2022 Distinguished Faculty – Teaching Award at CWU, adding to previous accolades such as the 2019 Career Influencer Award and the 2018 Faculty Mentor of the Year Award. His contributions to student success have earned him multiple recognitions, including the 2013 Most Inspirational Faculty Award and the 2016 Professors’ Excellence Award from the National Residence Hall Honorary. His impact on the scientific community is also reflected in prestigious research fellowships from the Volkswagen Foundation, UNESCO, and the Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Advancement. He has also received major research grants, including an NIH R15 grant and funding from the Keck Foundation and Murdock Charitable Trust, highlighting his leadership in research and education.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. Dondji’s research focuses on immunology, parasitology, and infectious diseases, with an emphasis on host-pathogen interactions and vaccine development. His studies explore novel immunological approaches to combat parasitic infections, particularly those caused by helminths and protozoa. He has contributed significantly to understanding immune responses to parasitic diseases, investigating mechanisms of host resistance and susceptibility. His research also extends to vector-borne diseases, particularly mosquito biology and control strategies to curb malaria and other mosquito-transmitted infections. Through his work, he has secured major funding, including NIH grants, and has established state-of-the-art immunological research methodologies. Additionally, he has been actively involved in promoting public health awareness and vaccine research, furthering global efforts to mitigate the burden of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

🔹 Conclusion

Given his exceptional research output, global impact, and dedication to scientific advancements, Dr. Blaise Dondji is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His pioneering research, influential mentorship, and ability to secure significant funding position him as a distinguished scientist whose contributions have greatly advanced the field of immunology and infectious disease research.

Publication

Publication: “Distribution and ecological aspects of sand fly species from Kousseri, an endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Northern Cameroon”

Authors: Tebo-Nzesseu Thierry Rostand, Tateng Ngouateu Aime, Ngouateu Omer Bébé Kenfack, Vincent Khan Payne, Blaise Dondji

Journal: Frontiers in Tropical Diseases

Year: 2024

Citations: 0

Publication: “Ecological site distribution of sand fly species of Mokolo, an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northern Cameroon”

Authors: Aime Tateng Ngouateu, Omer Bébé Ngouateu Kenfack, Vincent Khan Payne, Andreas Krüger, Blaise Dondji

Journal: Acta Tropica

Year: 2023

Citations: 3

Publication: “Assessment of the anthelmintic activity and toxicity of metabolites of Dalea pogonathera (Fabaceae)”

Authors: Victoria McPherson, Haley Wolhart, Lindsay Engels, Gil N. Belofsky, Blaise Dondji

Journal: Phytochemistry Letters

Year: 2022

Citations: 1

 

 

 

 

Mr. Houssam Abboud | Pharmaceutical technology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Houssam Abboud | Pharmaceutical technology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Houssam Abboud, Semmelweis university, Hungary

Mr. Houssam Abboud is a prominent researcher specializing in Pharmaceutical technology. He has made significant contributions to the field through innovative research and development, particularly in drug formulation and delivery systems. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, and he is now a leading candidate for the Best Researcher Award, highlighting his commitment to advancing pharmaceutical sciences and improving therapeutic outcomes.

 

 Profile

 

🎓 Academic and Training Background

Mr. Houssam Abboud is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. He has previously earned a Syrian Board Certificate in Drug Quality Control from the Syrian Commission for Medical Specialities and a Master’s Degree in Drug Quality Control from Al-Baath University in Homs, Syria. Mr. Abboud also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Al-Baath University, where he laid the foundation for his expertise in pharmaceutical technology. His academic journey reflects a strong commitment to advancing the field of drug quality and pharmaceutical sciences.

💼 Work Experience

Mr. Houssam Abboud has amassed extensive experience in various roles within the pharmaceutical field. From September 2022 to August 2023, he served as a Laboratory Supervisor at the Arab Private University for Science & Technology (AUST) in Hama, Syria, where he oversaw the practical teaching of courses such as Industrial Pharmaceutics, Toxicology, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the faculty of pharmacy. Concurrently, from September 2019 to August 2023, he held a similar position at Al-Baath University in Homs, Syria, where his responsibilities included supervising practical courses like Drug Quality Control, Automatic Analysis, Pharmaceutics, and Pharmacology. Additionally, since February 2015, Mr. Abboud has worked as a Pharmacy Assistant at Suhad Al-Ibraheem Pharmacy in Homs, managing pharmaceutical products, handling medical prescriptions, and training pharmacy graduates.

In the private sector, Mr. Abboud was the Production Lines Manager at The Innovative Company from August 2020 to February 2022, where he formulated and developed around 25 personal care products, conducted quality control and stability tests, and managed production batches. Prior to this role, he served as the company’s Scientific Manager from August 2019 to August 2020, responsible for training medical representatives, organizing scientific seminars, and representing the company at conferences. He also held the position of Medical Marketing Supervisor from August 2018 to August 2019, where he supervised a team of medical representatives and developed marketing strategies. His career in the pharmaceutical industry began as a Medical Sales Representative from May 2017 to August 2018, where he engaged with healthcare professionals, arranged appointments, and delivered presentations on medical products. Mr. Abboud is also proficient in English, with a C1 level in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Conferences and
Seminars

Mr. Houssam Abboud has actively participated in several significant scientific conferences. In July 2022, he took part in the Fourteenth Scientific Conference of The Pharmacists Union of Homs, held at Zenobia Hall in Syria. Earlier, in March 2022, he attended the Twenty-Third Conference of The Scientific Society of Faculties of Pharmacy in The Arab World, hosted by the Faculty of Pharmacy at The University of Aleppo, Syria. Additionally, in July 2019, he participated in the Fourth Scientific Conference of The Pharmacists Union of Hama, Syria, showcasing his commitment to staying engaged with the latest developments in the pharmaceutical field.

Volunteering

Mr. Houssam Abboud has been actively engaged in several roles related to healthcare and community service. Since September 2017, he has been a member of the Scientific Committee at the Homs Pharmacists Union, where he organizes medical conferences and seminars and represents the union in conferences across various governorates. Since May 2022, he has been involved with the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Organization in Homs, Syria, participating in charitable activities and contributing ideas to help individuals improve their lives. Additionally, since February 2019, Mr. Abboud has been a Health Care Provider with the Syrian Drugs Up-To-Date Network, where he answers patients’ questions, assists them in finding medicines, informs pharmacists of new developments, and edits medical articles to raise health awareness in Syrian society. From August 2021 to August 2022, he also contributed to the Quality Control Unit at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Al Baath University, Homs, by ensuring the application of safety procedures and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the college’s laboratories.