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.

AWAD ALI ALI SHEHATA | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. AWAD ALI ALI SHEHATA | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Project leader at Technical University of Munich, Germany

Prof. Dr. Awad A. Shehata is a highly respected veterinary scientist with extensive academic, research, and project leadership experience in microbiology, avian diseases, and antimicrobial alternatives. Currently a project leader at the Technical University of Munich and a private docent at Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Germany, he combines scientific rigor with innovation in One Health and veterinary biotechnology. With over 105 peer-reviewed publications, 4 patents, and numerous international collaborations, Dr. Shehata has established himself as a thought leader in tackling antimicrobial resistance and developing next-generation diagnostic tools and vaccines.

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Education

Dr. Shehata’s educational journey began with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from Alexandria University, Egypt (1998), followed by a Master’s degree in Avian and Rabbit Diseases from Sadat City University (2005). He obtained his Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from Leipzig University, Germany (2011), focusing on truncated influenza sequences for vaccination. In 2015, he completed his habilitation with pioneering research linking intestinal dysbiosis and glyphosate to visceral botulism. He later earned advanced certifications, including Dipl. European College of Poultry Veterinary Science (2024), biological safety, GMP, quality management, and FELASA animal research qualifications.

Experience

Spanning over two decades, Dr. Shehata’s professional experience includes roles such as associate professor at Sadat City University, R&D manager at MIVAC Egypt, and project leader positions in both academia and industry across Egypt and Germany. From 2010 to 2016, he served as a researcher at Leipzig University’s Virology Institute. Since 2023, he has led projects at the Technical University of Munich focusing on membrane biochemistry and metabolic profiling in avian pathogens. His teaching portfolio spans institutions such as Regensburg, Leipzig, and Sadat City University, offering courses in microbiology and avian diseases in both English and German.

Research Interest

Dr. Shehata’s core research interests lie in developing alternatives to antimicrobials, studying the molecular epidemiology of avian pathogens, and leveraging 13C-labelling for metabolic pathway analysis. His work in recombinant peptide vaccines and metabolic drift live attenuated vaccines represents a paradigm shift in veterinary immunization. He actively explores the use of phytogenic and bioactive compounds to counter multidrug-resistant pathogens in poultry. A staunch advocate for multidisciplinary collaboration, he coordinates projects across Germany, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, and Algeria.

Award

Dr. Shehata has received prestigious recognition, including a scholarship from the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and a travel grant for the 4th European Congress of Virology in Italy. His leadership in the PRIMA Project (1.8 million EUR funding) and the “Alternatives to Antimicrobials” project (450,000 EUR funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research) reflect his impactful contributions. He is also an editorial member and reviewer for high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Microbiology and Veterinary Research.

Publication

Dr. Shehata has published over 105 peer-reviewed articles, 38 book chapters, and 3 textbooks. Here are 7 selected publications:

Shehata AA, et al. (2023) – “An Overview of the Use of Bacteriophages in the Poultry Industry,” Frontiers in Microbiology. Cited by 30 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2022) – “Diversity of Coronaviruses with Attention to SARS-CoV-2,” Animals. Cited by 20 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2020) – “Salmonella Enteritidis Vaccine Candidate,” Heliyon. Cited by 18 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2020) – “COVID-19 Pandemic Review,” J Clin Med. Cited by 55 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2022) – “Probiotics for Gut Health in Poultry,” Microorganisms. Cited by 27 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2021) – “Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Furin Cleavage Sites,” Archives of Virology. Cited by 19 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2015) – “Development of Broadly Reactive H5N1 Vaccine,” Vaccine. Cited by 40 articles.

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Awad A. Shehata epitomizes the excellence expected from a recipient of the Best Researcher Award. His career is marked by scientific rigor, translational impact, global collaboration, and unwavering commitment to solving pressing issues in infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. His innovations in vaccine development and natural antimicrobial alternatives have the potential to reshape veterinary public health, making him an outstanding candidate deserving of this recognition