Dilek Gungor | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Dilek Gungor | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, 06100 Ankara, Turkey

Dilek Güngör is a researcher in forensic biochemistry and nanomedicine with a strong academic background and multidisciplinary experience. Her work focuses on innovative drug delivery systems, particularly in combating antimicrobial resistance. Through research roles at both national institutions and internationally renowned universities, she has established a profile marked by scientific curiosity, methodical rigor, and impactful contributions to pharmaceutical and forensic sciences.

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Education

Dilek completed her Ph.D. in Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine at Hacettepe University in December 2024, where she focused on liposome-based co-delivery systems for antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics. Her doctoral studies included an international research stint at Rutgers University in the U.S., supported by TÜBİTAK 2214/A. She earned her M.Sc. in Biochemistry (Pharmacy) from Gazi University in February 2018 and her B.Sc. in Biochemistry with a specialization in Biotechnology from Ege University in June 2009. Her academic formation reflects a consistent commitment to molecular and pharmaceutical sciences, with thesis work investigating gene expressions in cancer and novel therapeutic delivery platforms.

Experience

Dilek has served as a Research Assistant at the Turkish National Police Academy across several departments since 2014, currently contributing to the Forensic Science Department. Between 2022 and 2023, she was a Visiting Scholar at Rutgers University’s Center for Dermal Research, deepening her expertise in transdermal drug delivery systems. Her experience spans over a decade of applied biochemical research, including project leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has demonstrated a capacity to work at the intersection of academic research and forensic application, contributing to both scientific advancement and public service.

Research Interest

Her research interests include nanomedicine, forensic toxicology, and dermal drug delivery systems. She is particularly engaged in designing liposome-based systems for co-delivery of antimicrobial agents, with an emphasis on reducing antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, she investigates molecular markers in cancer diagnostics and has an emerging interest in biosensor technologies for forensic and clinical applications. Her research is characterized by translational intent, targeting real-world medical and forensic challenges through molecular innovation.

Awards

Dilek has been recognized with a TÜBİTAK 2214-A International Research Fellowship, allowing her to pursue advanced pharmaceutical research abroad. Earlier in her career, she contributed to a TÜBİTAK 2209-A project on biosensor development during her undergraduate studies. These fellowships underscore both her scientific promise and her capacity to lead cutting-edge research in nationally and internationally competitive contexts.

Publications

Among her notable works, her 2025 article, “Co-delivery of Azithromycin and Nisin through liposomes for skin infection to reduce antimicrobial drug resistance,” was published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics and has begun receiving citations for its innovative approach to antimicrobial therapy. In 2024, she co-authored “Evaluation of the interactions between human stratum corneum and liposome formulations using QCM-D” in the Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, highlighting her proficiency in advanced instrumentation. In 2020, she published two significant papers in the European Journal of Breast Health and the Athens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences, focusing on glutathione-related enzymes in breast cancer subtypes. Her earlier publication, “Sentetik uyuşturucular: Amfetamin örneği,” appeared in the Güvenlik Çalışmaları Dergisi in 2018 and reflects her forensic research contributions. Her most cited article is the 2025 IJPharm paper on liposomal drug delivery for antimicrobial resistance, which is increasingly referenced in pharmaceutical and clinical research circles.

Conclusion

Dr. Dilek Güngör exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher through her interdisciplinary education, impactful publications, technical mastery, and sustained commitment to scientific advancement. Her ability to bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world application, particularly in the areas of antimicrobial resistance and diagnostics, positions her as an ideal recipient of the Best Researcher Award. Her trajectory reflects both depth and breadth of expertise, making her a valuable asset to the scientific community at large

Irene Gómez | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Irene Gómez | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Investigador Postdoctoral at Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Spain

Irene Gómez Delgado is a passionate and highly skilled postdoctoral researcher working at the Health Research Foundation of Clínico San Carlos Hospital, where she specializes in biomedicine, medical microbiology, and environmental risks. She has shown exceptional dedication to scientific discovery, focusing on the genetic and molecular basis of complex diseases, particularly in the area of immunology and nephrology. Irene’s collaborative spirit, commitment to rigorous methodology, and enthusiasm for public science engagement have marked her as an emerging leader in her field.

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Education

Irene Gómez Delgado’s academic journey reflects both excellence and depth, beginning with her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, earned in 2016. She continued her academic pursuit with a Master’s Degree in Immunology Research from the same university in 2017, equipping her with advanced knowledge of immune system mechanisms. She culminated her formal education by earning a PhD in Molecular Bioscience at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in 2022, where she developed a strong foundation in molecular biology, genetic research, and experimental design, all of which continue to influence her contributions to biomedical science.

Experience

Irene has steadily advanced her scientific career through key research roles, beginning as a predoctoral researcher at the Health Research Foundation of La Paz University Hospital from 2017 to 2022, where she gained comprehensive experience in molecular biology, laboratory supervision, and project execution. Since 2022, she has been working as a postdoctoral researcher at Clínico San Carlos Hospital’s Laboratory of Genetic and Molecular Basis of Complex Diseases. Alongside her research, Irene has co-directed Master’s Final Projects and supervised undergraduate students and laboratory technicians, showing strong leadership and mentorship capabilities.

Research Interest

Irene’s research interests lie primarily in understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying immunological and nephrological diseases. Her scientific focus includes studying complement system dysregulation, genetic variants related to immune system proteins, and mitochondrial alterations in immune cells. Her work also extends to infectious disease complications, including severe COVID-19 immune responses, making her research impactful for both rare disease understanding and global health challenges.

Award

Irene Gómez Delgado has been recognized for her scientific achievements through multiple awards. In 2023, she was honored with the Extraordinary Doctorate Award by Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, celebrating the outstanding quality and impact of her doctoral work. She also received the Poster Communication Award from the European Complement Network in 2022 for her contribution at the 18th European Meeting on Complement in Human Disease held in Bern, Switzerland. These awards highlight her scientific excellence and growing reputation in the immunology and nephrology research communities.

Publication

Dr. Gómez Delgado has co-authored several peer-reviewed scientific articles that contribute to the advancement of biomedical research.

Long term mitochondrial and metabolic impairment in lymphocytes of subjects who recovered after severe COVID-19 — published in 2025 in Cell Biology and Toxicology.

Tigecycline Opposes Bortezomib Effect on Myeloma Cells Decreasing Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Production — published in 2024 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Complement Genetic Variants and FH Desialylation in S. pneumoniae-Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome — published in 2021 in Frontiers in Immunology.

Low factor H-related 5 levels contribute to infection-triggered haemolytic uraemic syndrome and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis — published in 2021 in Clinical Kidney Journal.

High Complement Factor H-Related (FHR)-3 Levels Are Associated With the Atypical Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome-Risk Allele CFHR3*B — published in 2018 in Frontiers in Immunology.

Contribution of functional and quantitative genetic variants of Complement Factor H and Factor H-Related (FHR) proteins on renal pathology — published in 2022 in Nefrología.

Altered expression of FHR-1 and FHR-2 glycoforms in IgA nephropathy patients — published in 2024 in European Journal of Immunology (Meeting Abstract).

Conclusion

Dr. Irene Gómez Delgado exemplifies the qualities of a leading researcher through her pioneering contributions to immunology and molecular medicine, her active engagement in scientific dissemination, and her commitment to mentorship and collaborative research. Her career trajectory reflects an unwavering pursuit of knowledge and societal impact, which makes her a deserving and inspiring nominee for the Research for Best Researcher Award.