FAEZEH MAGHSOOD | Infectious disease | Best Researcher Award

Dr. FAEZEH MAGHSOOD | Infectious disease | Best Researcher Award

Faezeh Maghsood (b. January 5, 1990, Iran)  is a highly skilled immunologist specializing in vaccine development, monoclonal antibodies, and immunotherapy for cancer and infectious diseases.  With a B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Medical Immunology from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), she has consistently ranked at the top throughout her academic journey.  She currently works as a Research Associate at TUMS and has previously held positions at the Pasteur Institute of Iran and renowned clinical labs. 🧪 Her Ph.D. work focused on SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody production, earning her multiple prestigious awards.  She has contributed to peer-reviewed journals and actively participates in global scientific events, including immunology congresses in Japan  and Iran. Faezeh is passionate about cutting-edge biomedical research, particularly tumor immunology and stem cells, and continues to push the boundaries in translational medicine.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

Faezeh earned her B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Sciences (2008–2012) from TUMS with a GPA of 18.33/20, showcasing her early interest in clinical diagnostics. She pursued her M.Sc. in Medical Immunology (2012–2016) at the same university, achieving an impressive GPA of 19.32/20, and researched probiotics’ effects on MMPs and immune markers . Her Ph.D. in Medical Immunology (2018–2023) was also from TUMS, with a GPA of 18.61/20, culminating in a thesis on the structural and functional characterization of neutralizing mouse monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 under the supervision of Prof. Fazel Shokri and Dr. Amiri . Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of immunological sciences, bolstered by exceptional talent recognition and consistent academic excellence .

👩‍🏫 Experience

Faezeh currently serves as a Research Associate at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (2024–Present), where she contributes to cutting-edge immunology research . Previously, she worked as a Research Assistant and Lab Manager (2015–2018) at the Pasteur Institute of Iran’s Biochemistry Department in the Stem Cell Lab . Her clinical background includes valuable roles in diagnostic laboratories at Shariati Hospital and Imam Khomeini Hospital during 2011–2012 . This diverse experience combines academic research, lab management, and hands-on clinical diagnostics, equipping her with a comprehensive skillset in experimental design, immunoassays, and lab operations . She actively participates in international training programs, enhancing her knowledge in genome editing, CRISPR/Cas9, RNA-seq, and R programming .

🏆 Awards & Honors

Faezeh has received several notable accolades, including 3rd place in the M8 Alliance Best PhD Thesis Prize (2024)  and selection as Best PhD Thesis at TUMS . She was ranked 1st nationally in Iran’s 2018 Ph.D. entrance exam in medical sciences . During her M.Sc. studies, she was acknowledged as an exceptionally talented student at TUMS’s Faculty of Allied Medicine (2012) and was the top student throughout her undergraduate years (2008–2012) . These achievements highlight her unwavering dedication, academic excellence, and research leadership . Faezeh’s accomplishments reflect a persistent pursuit of innovation and a strong commitment to contributing meaningfully to global scientific advancement, particularly in the fields of immunotherapy and biomedical diagnostics .

🔬 Research Focus

Faezeh’s research is deeply rooted in medical immunology, with core interests in vaccine development, monoclonal antibody production, and immunotherapy for cancer and infectious diseases . Her Ph.D. project involved the creation and detailed analysis of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2, highlighting her expertise in virology and structural immunology . She is also passionate about tumor immunology, exploring immune mechanisms in oncology, and advancing stem cell-based therapies . Faezeh is dedicated to bridging basic science with clinical application, using advanced methods like flow cytometry, CRISPR/Cas9 editing, RNA-Seq, and bioinformatics for translational immunological research . Her interdisciplinary focus aims to address global health challenges through innovation, collaboration, and precision medicine.

 Conclusion

Dr. Faezeh Maghsood is an exceptionally promising early-career researcher in medical immunology with a strong academic foundation, robust research outputs, and international exposure. Her work on monoclonal antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 is not only timely but also highly significant in the global health landscape. While she is still in the early stages of building a fully independent research portfolio, her trajectory, productivity, and recognition make her a highly suitable and worthy candidate for a Best Researcher Award, particularly in the early-career or emerging investigator category.

Publication

  1. Title: Hypoxia pre-conditioned embryonic mesenchymal stem cell secretome reduces IL-10 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells
    Year: 2017
    Authors: M Lotfinia, S Lak, NM Ghahhari, B Johari, F Maghsood, S Parsania, …
    Citation: 45

 

  1. Title: Anti-proliferative and Anti-metastatic Potential of High Molecular Weight Secretory Molecules from Probiotic Lactobacillus Reuteri Cell-Free Supernatant Against …
    Year: 2020
    Authors: F Maghsood, B Johari, M Rohani, H Madanchi, Z Saltanatpour, M Kadivar
    Citation: 44

 

  1. Title: Dual effects of cell free supernatants from Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in regulation of MMP-9 by up-regulating TIMP-1 and down-regulating CD147 in …
    Year: 2017
    Authors: F Maghsood, A Mirshafiey, MM Farahani, MH Modarressi, P Jafari, …
    Citation: 43

 

  1. Title: Myc decoy oligodeoxynucleotide inhibits growth and modulates differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells as a model of cancer stem cells
    Year: 2017
    Authors: B Johari, M Ebrahimi-Rad, F Maghsood, M Lotfinia, Z Saltanatpouri, …
    Citation: 23

 

  1. Title: SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid: Biological functions and implication for disease diagnosis and vaccine design
    Year: 2023
    Authors: F Maghsood, A Ghorbani, H Yadegari, F Golsaz‐Shirazi, MM Amiri, …
    Citation: 17

 

  1. Title: Diagnostic performance of a novel antigen-capture ELISA for the detection of SARS-CoV-2
    Year: 2023
    Authors: H Yadegari, M Mohammadi, F Maghsood, A Ghorbani, T Bahadori, …
    Citation: 16

 

  1. Title: Does prior immunization with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines contribute to the antibody response to COVID-19 antigens?
    Year: 2021
    Authors: D Hassani, MM Amiri, F Maghsood, V Salimi, GA Kardar, O Barati, …
    Citation: 16

 

  1. Title: Epitope mapping of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 neutralizing receptor binding domain-specific monoclonal antibodies
    Year: 2022
    Authors: F Maghsood, MM Amiri, AH Zarnani, V Salimi, GA Kardar, J Khoshnoodi, …
    Citation: 14

 

  1. Title: The effect of Trimetazidine and Diazoxide on immunomodulatory activity of human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cell secretome
    Year: 2017
    Authors: S Jahandideh, F Maghsood, NM Ghahhari, M Lotfinia, M Mohammadi, …
    Citation: 14

 

  1. Title: Epitope mapping of neutralising anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 monoclonal antibodies: implications for immunotherapy and vaccine design
    Year: 2022
    Authors: S Ghotloo, F Maghsood, F Golsaz‐Shirazi, MM Amiri, C Moog, F Shokri
    Citation: 12

 

  1. Title: Identification of immunodominant epitopes on nucleocapsid and spike proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 in Iranian COVID-19 patients
    Year: 2022
    Authors: F Maghsood, MR Shokri, M Jeddi-Tehrani, M Torabi Rahvar, A Ghaderi, …
    Citation: 11

 

  1. Title: Inhibition of transcription factor T‐cell factor 3 (TCF3) using the oligodeoxynucleotide strategy increases embryonic stem cell stemness: Possible application in regenerative …
    Year: 2019
    Authors: B Johari, Z Asadi, E Rismani, F Maghsood, Z Sheikh Rezaei, S Farahani, …
    Citation: 11

 

  1. Title: Anti-inflammatory property of β-D-mannuronic acid (M2000) on expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 through CD147 molecule in phorbol myristate acetate …
    Year: 2017
    Authors: MM Farahani, E Motevaseli, F Maghsood, M Heidari-Kharaji, A Mirshafiey
    Citation: 11

 

 

Joonsu Han | Immunoengineering | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Joonsu Han | Immunoengineering | Young Scientist Award

Postdoctoral Appointee, Argonne National Laboratory, United States

Joonsu Han is a skilled researcher specializing in biomaterials and cancer immunotherapy. He is currently a Postdoctoral Appointee at Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, focusing on cutting-edge research in bioengineering and immuno-oncology. His academic journey started with a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering with Highest Honors from Georgia Institute of Technology, followed by a Ph.D. candidate position at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Joonsu’s work spans advanced biomaterials, immunotherapy, and metabolic engineering to enhance dendritic cell vaccines, making significant contributions to cancer treatment.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Joonsu Han holds a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering with Highest Honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology (2017). He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he is set to complete his doctoral studies in 2024. Additionally, Joonsu is a Cancer Scholars for Translational and Applied Research (C☆STAR) Trainee at the Cancer Center at Illinois, further enhancing his expertise in cancer research.
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Experience

Joonsu’s experience spans across several prestigious institutions, including his current role as a Postdoctoral Appointee at Argonne National Laboratory. He also completed a C☆STAR program Trainee position at the Cancer Center at Illinois. During his Ph.D. research, Joonsu contributed to a wide range of innovative cancer immunotherapy projects, including enhancing dendritic cell functionality for vaccine development and creating bio-adhesive hydrogels for in situ immune cell recruitment. His previous research experience at Georgia Tech focused on cardiac regenerative materials.
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Awards and Honors

Joonsu has received several awards throughout his academic journey, including the Fall 2022 Conference Presentation Award from the Graduate College at UIUC and the prestigious C STAR Award from the Cancer Center at Illinois. He has also been recognized for his conference presentations and his innovative work in cancer immunotherapy and biomaterials.
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Research Focus

Joonsu Han’s research focuses on cancer immunotherapy and the development of novel biomaterials to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments. His work with dendritic cell vaccines, self-adjuvanting mRNA vaccines, and advanced bio-adhesive hydrogels aims to improve tumor-targeted therapies and immune cell modulation. Joonsu is particularly interested in utilizing metabolic glycoengineering and other biotechnological approaches to optimize dendritic cell functionality for improved antitumor efficacy.
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Conclusion

Joonsu Han is a promising researcher whose work in cancer immunotherapy and biomaterial design is paving the way for innovative treatments. His expertise in advanced materials, cell-based assays, and immunoengineering continues to have a significant impact on the field. With numerous peer-reviewed publications and awards, Joonsu’s contributions to medical research are poised to benefit cancer patients worldwide.
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Publications

 Engineering Cytokine Expression in Dendritic Cells for Enhanced Immunotherapy
Experimental & Molecular Medicine

 Metabolic Glycan Labeling Immobilizes Dendritic Cell Membrane and Enhances Antitumor Efficacy of Dendritic Cell Vaccine
Nature Communications

 Bio-adhesive Macroporous Hydrogels for In Situ Recruitment and Modulation of Dendritic Cells
Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

 A Double Crosslinking Adhesion Mechanism for Developing Tough Hydrogel Adhesives
Acta Biomaterialia

 In Situ Dendritic Cell Recruitment and T Cell Activation for Cancer Immunotherapy
Frontiers in Pharmacology

 Recyclable Cell-Surface Chemical Tags for Repetitive Cancer Targeting
Journal of Controlled Release

 Metabolic Tagging and Targeted Modulation of Extracellular Vesicles and Development of Enhanced Tumor Exosome Vaccines
Nature Communications

 T Cell-Responsive Macroporous Hydrogels for In Situ T Cell Expansion and Enhanced Antitumor Efficacy
Biomaterials

 Targeted Delivery of Liposomal Chemo-Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment
Frontiers in Immunology

(2024) Primary Adipocytes as Targetable Drug Depot to Prevent Post-Surgical Cancer Recurrence
Materials Today Bio

 Wireless Magnetic Robot for Precise Hierarchical Control of Tissue Deformation
Advanced Science