Professor at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Dr. Foroogh Nejatollahi is a distinguished Iranian-Canadian immunologist renowned for her contributions to cancer immunotherapy and antibody engineering. With over three decades of academic and research experience, she has significantly advanced the field of immunodiagnostics and human recombinant antibodies. Her career spans key professorial roles and impactful publications that have positioned her as a leader in cancer biology and molecular immunology. She is the inventor of patented antibody-based therapeutics and continues to inspire through her groundbreaking work in antibody design for oncology.
profile
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Education
Dr. Nejatollahi began her academic journey with a BSc in Biology from Shiraz University in 1985. Her passion for life sciences led her to complete an MSc in Microbiology at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 1990, where she later returned as a faculty member. Her academic excellence culminated in a PhD in Pathological Sciences from the University of Manchester, UK, in 2002. This robust academic foundation underpins her extensive research into human antibodies and immune responses against cancer and infectious diseases.
Experience
Over a rich academic tenure, Dr. Nejatollahi served as a Professor at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2015 until her early retirement in 2022. Her previous roles included Associate Professor (2011–2015) and Assistant Professor (2007–2011). Earlier in her career, she was a tutor in Microbiology and Immunology at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Beyond teaching, she has mentored PhD, MSc, and MD students, delivering courses in immunology, molecular biology, vaccine technology, and antibody engineering, shaping the next generation of scientists and clinicians.
Research Interest
Her multidisciplinary research interests encompass immunobiology, immunodiagnostics, pathobiology, infection and immunity, and human recombinant antibodies. A major focus of her work lies in cancer biology, especially in developing antibody-based diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Dr. Nejatollahi’s research is notable for using phage display technology to isolate single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) and targeting specific cancer biomarkers like HER2, HER3, EGFR, and CD146. These contributions have propelled advances in cancer-targeted immunotherapy and personalized medicine.
Awards
Dr. Nejatollahi holds the US Patent No. US10905771B2 for her invention titled “Anti-MUC18 Human Immunotoxin and Applications Thereof,” a remarkable milestone that exemplifies her innovation in therapeutic antibody development. Her scientific excellence has been acknowledged through numerous conference presentations, both internationally and nationally, including in Canada, the UK, Italy, and Iran. She has represented Iran at global events on cancer therapeutics, HIV/AIDS, and antibody technology, marking her presence as a thought leader in immunological science.
Publications
Among her extensive body of work, the following are key publications with high citation relevance:
Nejatollahi F. et al. (2002). “Neutralizing human recombinant antibodies to human cytomegalovirus gB and gH.” FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology, 34:237–244. [Cited by 81 articles]
Nejatollahi F. et al. (2012). “Down-regulation of VEGF expression by anti-HER2/neu single chain antibodies.” Medical Oncology, 26:378–383. [Cited by 54 articles]
Nejatollahi F. et al. (2013). “Deregulation of HER2 downstream signaling in breast cancer cells by a cocktail of anti-HER2 scFvs.” Oncology Research, 20(8):333–340. [Cited by 37 articles]
Nejatollahi F. et al. (2013). “Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of anti-Prostate Stem Cell scFv antibody on prostate cancer cells.” Journal of Oncology, 2013:839831. [Cited by 29 articles]
Nejatollahi F. et al. (2014). “Triple blockade of HER2 by a cocktail of scFv antibodies in breast cancer.” Tumor Biology, 35(8):7887–7895. [Cited by 45 articles]
Mohammadi M., Nejatollahi F. et al. (2016). “In silico analysis of tag polypeptides in scFv antibodies.” Journal of Theoretical Biology, 402:100–106. [Cited by 23 articles]
Nejatollahi F. et al. (2017). “Anti-FZD7 scFv antibody inhibits cell growth in colorectal cancer.” Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 181:379–390. [Cited by 31 articles]
Conclusion
In conclusion, Professor Foroogh Nejatollahi exemplifies the highest standards of academic excellence, research innovation, and clinical relevance. Her multi-faceted contributions to antibody engineering, cancer immunotherapy, and infectious disease diagnostics not only advance scientific frontiers but also hold transformative potential in medicine. Her scholarly impact, patent portfolio, and mentorship legacy make her a distinguished and deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award. Her career stands as a beacon of dedication to translational research and global scientific collaboration.