Foroogh Nejatollahi | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Foroogh Nejatollahi | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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.

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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.

Anthia Govender | Medical Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Anthia Govender | Medical Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

PhD student at University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Anthia Camara Govender is an emerging scientist currently pursuing her PhD in Medical Biochemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With a strong academic background and early research contributions in toxicology and epigenetics, she has quickly established herself as a promising researcher in the biomedical field. Anthia’s work primarily investigates the cellular and molecular effects of environmental toxins such as mycotoxins, with a specific focus on their impact on lung tissue and genetic regulation. Her dedication to uncovering new insights in medical biochemistry reflects a clear commitment to advancing translational science and therapeutic strategies.

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Education

Anthia’s academic journey began with her matriculation from Sathya Sai School, Chatsworth, in 2019. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science (Physiology) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2022. Her strong academic performance continued as she graduated cum laude in both her Honours in Medical Science (Medical Biochemistry) in 2023 and her Master’s degree in Medical Science (Medical Biochemistry) in 2024. Currently, she is enrolled in a PhD program at the same university, focusing her doctoral research on the toxicological effects of fumonisins on pulmonary epigenetics and cellular dysfunction.

Experience

Although at the early stage of her professional career, Anthia has already undertaken significant research responsibilities through her postgraduate projects. Her Master’s study focused on the impact of Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a harmful mycotoxin, on oxidative stress and DNA methylation in mice lung tissue. The study required detailed laboratory work involving mitochondrial function assays, methylation analysis, and the interpretation of oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, she has been involved in one consultancy-related research project and continues to refine her expertise in toxicology and biochemical pathways relevant to human disease.

Research Interest

Anthia’s research interests are deeply rooted in medical biochemistry, with a focus on toxicology, mycotoxins, epigenetics, and oxidative stress. Her academic progression into PhD-level work demonstrates a growing interest in exploring how environmental toxins disrupt biological systems at a molecular level. She is particularly fascinated by the mechanisms of mitophagy, DNA hypermethylation, and how these contribute to disease pathogenesis. Through her studies, she aims to bridge gaps in current understanding and contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions for toxin-induced diseases.

Award

Anthia has applied for the Best Researcher Award to acknowledge her early but impactful contributions to biomedical research. Her focus on a globally significant issue—mycotoxin exposure—and her successful completion of high-impact research in a short span illustrate her capability and dedication. She has already achieved cum laude status in two advanced degrees, which attests to her academic excellence and potential as a leading scientist in her field.

Publication

Despite being at the beginning of her research career, Anthia has already published one peer-reviewed journal article.

  • Govender AC (2024). “Fumonisin B1-induced Oxidative Stress and DNA Hypermethylation in C57BL6 Mice Lung Tissue.” Journal of Toxicologic Pathology, 37(2): 145–155. [Cited by 2 articles].

This publication investigates the role of FB1 in mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetic regulation, providing novel insights into toxin-induced lung pathology. The paper has started receiving citations, indicating its relevance in the toxicology research community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Anthia Camara Govender is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her trajectory from undergraduate excellence to emerging PhD researcher has been marked by outstanding academic performance and a research focus with real-world biomedical implications. Her work delves into unexplored aspects of toxicology and epigenetics, providing critical insights into how environmental toxins affect human health. Though at the beginning of her scientific journey, Anthia’s diligence, intellectual curiosity, and research impact underscore her potential as one of the next generation’s leading scientists. Her nomination for this award is both timely and well-deserved.