Ann Kurian | Biomaterials | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Ms. Ann Kurian | Biomaterials | Best Researcher Award

Ann Anu Kurian is a biomedical researcher with over seven years of experience specializing in cellular biology and RNA-based gene delivery. She holds an MS in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine and a BTech in Biotechnology from Lovely Professional University. Currently an Associate Researcher II and Lab Manager at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, her work focuses on cardiac and skeletal muscle regeneration using modified mRNA technologies. She has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and has been recognized with several academic honors, including a Presidential Scholarship and research presentation awards.

Ms.Ann Kurian , Icahn school of medicine, United States.

Profile

GOOGLESCHOLAR

SCOPUS

🎓 Education

Ann Anu Kurian holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, completed between August 2015 and May 2017. She also earned a Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology from Lovely Professional University in India, where she studied from August 2009 to May 2013.

🌟 Experience

With over seven years of research experience, Ann currently serves as an Associate Researcher II and Research Lab Manager at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. Since November 2023, she has been working in the Gregorio Laboratory, conducting research focused on understanding the components and molecular mechanisms that regulate actin architecture in cardiac and skeletal muscle during both normal development and disease. Prior to this, she held a similar role in the Zangi Laboratory from August 2017 to November 2023, where she led projects utilizing modified mRNA to improve cardiac outcomes post-injury and managed various aspects of laboratory operations. Her professional journey began in India at VWR International from January 2014 to August 2015, where she supported chemical projects, maintained product data in SAP, and enhanced product descriptions.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Ann has been recognized for her academic and research achievements, receiving a Presidential Scholarship from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017. The same year, she earned a travel award to attend the Georgia Academy of Science annual meeting. She also presented her research at several prestigious conferences, including the Ninth AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities, the Curtis L. Parker Student Research Symposium, and the Georgia Academy of Science annual meeting.

📖Skill

Ann is skilled in a wide range of technical and laboratory techniques. Her expertise includes molecular biology methods such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, cloning, RNA and DNA extraction, modified mRNA production, and LNP characterization. She is proficient in cell culture techniques, cardiomyocyte isolation, tissue sectioning, histological staining, and confocal microscopy. Her experience also includes data analysis, IVIS imaging, and statistical evaluation. She has strong capabilities in animal handling and laboratory management, including procurement, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance.

🔬 Research Focus

Ann’s research centers on cellular biology and RNA-based gene delivery systems, particularly in the context of cardiac and skeletal muscle biology. Her work has explored the use of modified mRNA technologies to induce gene expression for therapeutic regeneration following cardiac injury. Her contributions to the field are reflected in numerous peer-reviewed publications, addressing areas such as cardiomyocyte proliferation, ischemic injury, cardiac regeneration, and mRNA optimization.

📘 Publications

Pkm2 regulates cardiomyocyte cell cycle and promotes cardiac regeneration
Authors: A Magadum, N Singh, AA Kurian, I Munir, T Mehmood, K Brown, …
Year: 2020
Journal: Circulation (Volume 141, Issue 15, Pages 1249–1265)

Altering sphingolipid metabolism attenuates cell death and inflammatory response after myocardial infarction
Authors: Y Hadas, AS Vincek, E Youssef, MM Żak, E Chepurko, N Sultana, …
Year: 2020
Journal: Circulation (Volume 141, Issue 11, Pages 916–930)

Ablation of a single N-glycosylation site in human FSTL 1 induces cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regeneration
Authors: A Magadum, N Singh, AA Kurian, MTK Sharkar, E Chepurko, L Zangi
Year: 2018
Journal: Molecular Therapy – Nucleic Acids (Volume 13, Pages 133–143)

Optimization of 5′ untranslated region of modified mRNA for use in cardiac or hepatic ischemic injury
Authors: N Sultana, Y Hadas, MTK Sharkar, K Kaur, A Magadum, AA Kurian, …
Year: 2020
Journal: Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development (Volume 17, Pages 622–633)

Direct reprogramming induces vascular regeneration post muscle ischemic injury
Authors: K Kaur, Y Hadas, AA Kurian, MM Żak, J Yoo, A Mahmood, H Girard, …
Year: (Year not provided)
Journal: Molecular Therapy (Volume 29, Issue 10, Pages 3042–3058)

Dalia Zaafar | Biomaterials | Women Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Dalia Zaafar | Biomaterials | Women Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr Dalia Zaafar, Cairo University, Egypt

Dr. Dalia Zaafar is an Assistant Professor at Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI) in Egypt, specializing in pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical pharmacy. With a Ph.D. from Cairo University, she has led impactful research on cardiovascular pharmacology and oncology. 🌍 Her work includes clinical studies, focusing on metformin and sorafenib, contributing to drug safety. Dr. Zaafar is passionate about mentoring young researchers, especially women in academia, and has presented at international conferences. 🎓 She holds certifications in clinical practice and data analysis, enhancing her role as an expert in her field. 📚

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Orcid

Scopus

Educational Background 🎓

Dr. Dalia Zaafar holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Cairo University (2019), with a focus on clinical studies and cardiovascular pharmacology. Her dissertation explored the efficacy and safety of dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors versus Metformin in diabetic hypertensive patients. 🎓 She earned an M.A. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Suez Canal University (2014), specializing in oncology and endocrinology. Dr. Zaafar also completed a Clinical Pharmacy diploma (2019-2021) in critical care and further honed her skills through a Data Analysis Professional Nano-degree (2021) and other specialized certifications in clinical pharmacology and pharmacoeconomics. 📚💻

Current Role and Focus 💼

Dr. Dalia Zaafar is an Assistant Professor at the Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Egypt, where she has been teaching and conducting research since 2019. 🌟 She designs experimental studies, collaborates internationally, and mentors young researchers. Additionally, she serves on the editorial boards of the Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and the World Journal of Clinical Cases. 📘 Previously, she worked as a Clinical Pharmacist in critical care at Teacher’s Hospital and Abu Sower Medical Center. Dr. Zaafar has expertise in clinical pharmacy, research supervision, and interdisciplinary initiatives, fostering academic growth and innovation. 🧪👩‍🏫

Participation in Conferences 🌐

Dr. Dalia Zaafar was a speaker at the 18th International Conference of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, held on September 16-17, 2023. 🌍 Her lecture, titled “Unravelling the Complexities of Tau Protein Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: Pathophysiology, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Perspectives”, highlighted groundbreaking insights into the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. 🧠🔬 She discussed emerging biomarkers and innovative therapeutic strategies, contributing to a deeper understanding of this critical neurodegenerative condition. Dr. Zaafar’s presentation underscored her expertise in molecular biology and her dedication to advancing research for a better future for humanity. 🌟

Research Focus Area 🌱🧬

Dr. Dalia Zaafar’s research is focused on pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical pharmacy, with a multidisciplinary approach to tackling critical health challenges. 🧪 Her studies emphasize drug safety, cardiovascular pharmacology, and oncology, exploring innovative therapeutic interventions for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, colon cancer, and drug-induced toxicities. 🔬 Her work integrates molecular biology, nanotechnology, and experimental pharmacology, addressing mechanisms like tumor angiogenesis, neuroprotection, and signal pathway modulation. 🌍 Dr. Zaafar’s impactful contributions also span natural product-based therapies, nanoparticles for drug delivery, and biomarker development, making her a pioneer in advancing personalized medicine and enhancing treatment efficacy. 🌟

Publication Top Notes📚🌐

Role of metformin in suppressing 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer in diabetic and non-diabetic mice: effect on tumor angiogenesis and cell proliferation

Hesperetin mitigates sorafenib-induced cardiotoxicity in mice through inhibition of the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway

Selenium nanoparticles with prodigiosin rescue hippocampal damage associated with epileptic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole in rats

Orexin pathway in Parkinson’s disease: a review

Discovery of new 1, 3, 4-oxadiazoles with dual activity targeting the cholinergic pathway as effective anti-Alzheimer agents

Comparing the effectiveness of L-carnitine and paraffin oil in acute aluminum phosphide poisoning using predictive biomarkers and scores: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Adherence to insulin therapy among children with type 1 diabetes: reliability and validity of the Arabic Version of the 4-Item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale

Combined β-sitosterol and trimetazidine mitigate potassium dichromate-induced cardiotoxicity in rats through the interplay between NF-κB/AMPK/mTOR/TLR4 and HO-1/NADPH signaling …

Salix subserrata Bark Extract–Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Attenuate Neurotoxicity Induced by Sodium Arsenate in Rats in Relation with HPLC–PDA-ESI–MS …

Conclusion 🔍

Dr. Dalia Zaafar’s dedication to research excellence, her leadership in mentoring young women researchers, and her impressive body of scholarly work make her a highly suitable candidate for the Women Researcher Award. Her contributions to pharmacology, particularly in clinical studies, and her active role in global research collaborations position her as an influential figure in the academic community.