Sara Ghanem | Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sara Ghanem | Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, NIOF, Egypt

Dr. Sara Fathi Ghanem is an Assistant Professor of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Histology at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Egypt. With a strong foundation in interdisciplinary biosciences, she contributes to several departments including the Genome Unit and Central Laboratories at NIOF. Dr. Ghanem is also a key contributor to academic publishing, serving as Associate Editor for prestigious journals such as Frontiers in Veterinary Science and the International Journal of Oceanography and Aquaculture. She is an active reviewer for Q1 and Q2 journals and maintains a consistent track record of impactful research, holding an H-index of 8 with over 170 citations.

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Education

Dr. Ghanem earned her Ph.D. in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Histology from the Faculty of Science at Alexandria University, Egypt. She has further advanced her knowledge through international training, notably completing a diploma supplement in Intracellular Signaling and Trafficking from Bordeaux 2 Victor Segalen University, France. Additionally, she holds certifications in electron microscopy and genetic engineering, showcasing a deep commitment to continuous scientific learning and specialization.

Experience

Professionally, Dr. Ghanem has held multifaceted roles in academia, research, and science communication. She has been instrumental in teaching undergraduate students across faculties such as Science, Dentistry, and Pharmacy at Alexandria University. Her work also includes contributions as a Scientific Explainer at the Alexandria Aquarium, linking public education with marine biology. Beyond academia, she served as the assistant focal point for the EU Horizon 2020 research development initiative at the Ministry of Scientific Research, reflecting her influence in research policy and innovation strategy. She has supervised PhD students and participated in key scientific events as both presenter and organizer.

Research Interest

Dr. Ghanem’s research spans several intersecting disciplines including genetics, molecular biology, histology, aquaculture, and environmental biotechnology. Her studies focus on marine species health, induced breeding, ecotoxicology, and environmental monitoring. Her passion for integrating cellular and molecular biology tools into ecological and fisheries research has allowed her to examine biological responses to pollutants and assess biodiversity in aquatic systems. Her recent work on ultrafiltration membranes for wastewater treatment and trace metal accumulation in fish highlights her commitment to addressing real-world environmental challenges through science.

Award

Dr. Ghanem’s contributions have earned her various recognitions. She received a Certificate of Merit from Bibliotheca Alexandrina and was selected by Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to represent the country in the European CST Med4 Seminar in France. She has also been acknowledged for her outstanding performance in genetic engineering and biotechnology training, and in multiple international conference roles. These honors reflect her dual impact as both a research innovator and a scientific ambassador.

Publication

Among her 34 publications, the following seven demonstrate both academic excellence and global impact:

Ghanem, S.F., et al. (2024). Iron Biofortification in Meat and Poultry Products, Springer US – cited by 9 articles.

Helal, M., Ghanem, S.F. & El-Sikaily, A. (2022). Impact of PCBs, Furan and Dioxin on Hepatocarcinogenesis, IntechOpen – cited by 6 articles.

Ghanem, S.F. (2021). Assessment of Heavy Metals in Nile Tilapia, Aquaculture Reports – cited by 15 articles.

Ghanem, S.F. (2020). Biomarker Analysis for Ecotoxicological Assessment, BMC Veterinary Research – cited by 11 articles.

Ghanem, S.F. (2019). Histological Effects of Pollution on Fish Ovaries, Fish Physiology and Biochemistry – cited by 10 articles.

Ghanem, S.F. (2018). Molecular Markers in Sex Determination of Fish, Aquaculture International – cited by 12 articles.

Ghanem, S.F. (2017). Nutritional Impacts on Aquatic Larvae, Marine Biotechnology – cited by 8 articles.
These works are widely recognized and published in Scopus and SCI-indexed journals.

Conclusion

Dr. Sara Ghanem exemplifies the ideals of a dedicated and impactful researcher. Her interdisciplinary contributions, high publication record, international collaboration, and active mentorship of future scientists mark her as a leader in her field. Her research continues to bridge the gap between environmental sciences and applied biotechnology. Given her demonstrated excellence in academic and applied research, she is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

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.