Prof. Dr. Mine Gulaboglu | Drug Discovery and Development | Research Excellence Award

Ataturk University | Turkey

Prof. Dr. Mine Gülaboğlu is a distinguished scholar in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, currently serving as the Head of the Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences at Atatürk University, Faculty of Pharmacy. She completed her Ph.D. in Medical Biochemistry in 2004, following her postgraduate specialization (1990–1993) and undergraduate training in Chemistry (1982–1986), all at Atatürk University.With extensive academic and administrative service, she has held key roles such as Faculty Board Member, Departmental Academic Incentive Evaluation Chair, Performance Evaluation Committee Member, Criteria Committee Member, and Education Committee Member. Her commitment to academic excellence is further demonstrated through numerous jury memberships for professorship, associate professorship, postgraduate examinations, doctoral thesis monitoring, and scientific evaluations.Prof. Dr. Gülaboğlu’s research focuses on health sciences, particularly biochemistry, pharmacology, therapeutics, and pharmaceutical sciences. She has authored impactful research articles in high-ranking journals such as Scientific Reports, Biomedicines, Experimental Eye Research, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, and others. Her scientific contributions include investigations into oxidative stress, drug-induced toxicity, protective biochemical agents, nanoformulations, and molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathology.Over her career, she has completed numerous certifications, trainings, and specialized courses in molecular techniques, pharmacology, chemometrics, laboratory quality systems, education management, energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and occupational safety. She is also proficient in English at an intermediate level.A dedicated educator, Prof. Dr. Gülaboğlu teaches a wide range of courses across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, including Biochemistry, Protein Separation Techniques, Vitamins and Coenzymes, Metabolism, Research Methods, and Project Courses.Prof. Dr. Mine Gülaboğlu continues to contribute profoundly to scientific research, education, and academic leadership in Türkiye, shaping future generations of pharmaceutical and biomedical scientists.

Featured Publications

Altuner, D., Gulaboglu, M., Yapca, O. E., & Cetin, N. (2013). The effect of mirtazapine on cisplatin-induced oxidative damage and infertility in rat ovaries. The Scientific World Journal, 2013(1), 327240.

Bilici, M., Ozturk, C., Dursun, H., Albayrak, F., Saglam, M. B., Uyanik, A., … (2009). Protective effect of mirtazapine on indomethacin-induced ulcer in rats and its relationship with oxidant and antioxidant parameters. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 54(9), 1868–1875.

Gulaboglu, M., Borekci, B., & Delibas, I. (2010). Urine iodine levels in preeclamptic and normal pregnant women. Biological Trace Element Research, 136(3), 249–257.

Gulaboglu, M., Borekci, B., & Halici, Z. (2007). Placental tissue iodine level and blood magnesium concentration in pre-eclamptic and normal pregnancy. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 98(2), 100–104.

Coskun, R., Turan, M. I., Turan, I. S., & Gulapoglu, M. (2014). The protective effect of thiamine pyrophosphate, but not thiamine, against cardiotoxicity induced with cisplatin in rats. Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 37(3), 290–294.

Gulaboglu, M., Yildiz, L., Celebi, F., Gul, M., & Peker, K. (2005). Comparison of iodine contents in gastric cancer and surrounding normal tissues. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 43(6), 581–584.

Özer, A. K., Gülaboğlu, M., & Bayrakçeken, S. (2000). Physical structure and chemical and mineralogical composition of the Mazıdağı (Turkey) phosphate rock. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 39(3), 679–683.

Ayaz Ahmed | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Dr Ayaz Ahmed, ICCBS – University of Karachi, Pakistan

Dr. Ayaz Ahmed 🧬🔬 is a Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor at the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), ICCBS, University of Karachi, Pakistan. With a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Dalian Medical University, China, and an M.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Karachi, his research focuses on microbial profiling, anti-biofilm agents, and infectious disease models. Dr. Ahmed has supervised numerous postgraduate students and received multiple international awards, including recognition from the American Society for Microbiology and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He also leads funded projects on combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens. 🌟

Publication Profile

google scholar

Qualifications

Dr. Ayaz Ahmed holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Dalian Medical University, China (2012), and a Master’s in Microbiology from the University of Karachi, Pakistan (2006, First Division). 🧬🎓 His doctoral research focused on the “Microbial profiling of dental plaque/Biofilm from dental caries and periodontitis patients” and explored the effects of Lactobacillus species on S. mutans biofilm formation. 🦷🔬 With a strong academic foundation and research expertise in microbiology and molecular biology, Dr. Ayaz contributes significantly to the understanding of microbial interactions in dental health and disease. 🌟

Job Responsibilities

Dr. Ayaz Ahmed is a Principal Investigator at the Cell Biology Lab, where he oversees the Imaging Facility, maintaining high-end fluorescence and light microscopes. He supports students by assisting them in acquiring high-quality images for their theses and manuscripts. Dr. Ahmed also manages the National Animal Facility for Laboratory Animal Research and Care. He supervises routine animal house operations and collaborates with a veterinary doctor to maintain SPF rats, mice, and hamsters. He is responsible for establishing models for infectious diseases and memory deficits to evaluate the efficacy of natural compounds. Dr. Ahmed also conducts toxicological studies and trains students in ethical animal research practices. 🧬🔬🐁

Student Supervised

Dr. Ayaz Ahmed and his team of dedicated researchers have made significant strides in their exploration of innovative therapeutic strategies. Among the Ph.D. candidates, Zulfiqar Ahmed’s research on controlling salmonellosis through probiotics in poultry, Binte Zehra’s study on modulating the metastatic potential of NSCLC, and Jazib Shafiq’s investigation into gut dysbiosis and anxiety have all been awarded. Additionally, Afshan Shams, Yamina Usmani, and Shariqa Khuwaja are examining the potential of natural and synthetic compounds in combating oral cancer and other diseases. Several M. Phil. students are also contributing to research on antimicrobial resistance and cancer therapies. 🧪🔬🧫

Honors and Awards

Dr. Ayaz Ahmed has earned numerous accolades throughout his distinguished career. In 2024, he received the Award for Collaborative Scientific Achievement from the Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Science, Beijing. He also became an International Federation for Biosafety Association (IFBA) Certified Biological Waste Management Professional and Bio-risk Management Professional in 2023. Dr. Ahmed was selected as a Mentor for the ASM Future Leaders Mentoring Fellowship Program in 2023 and was awarded the Health Security Partner Grant by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2021. He has also earned prestigious travel awards and fellowships, including the American Society for Microbiology ID Fellowship and the Science and Technology Talent Award. 🏅🌍🦠

Completed Projects

Dr. Ayaz Ahmed has led multiple impactful research projects focused on combating multidrug-resistant microorganisms and improving public health. His research on the effect of synthetic and natural compounds on biofilm formation was funded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) under project # HEC No: PD-IPFP/HRD/HEC/ 2013/1182. He also contributed to projects such as Personal Protective Equipment for Sindh Poultry Vaccine Center (funded by CRDF Global, USA), and oral pathogens related to dental caries (funded by ICCBS). Notably, his work on antimicrobial-resistant water contaminants, funded by the U.S.-Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies in Water, aims to improve water quality. He further advanced research on antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents targeting Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumonia with funding from HEC. 💧🔬🦠

Professional Experience

Dr. Ayaz Ahmed has had a distinguished career in academia and research. Since June 2017, he has been serving as an Assistant Professor at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi. Prior to this, he worked as a Senior Research Officer at the same institution from November 2013 to June 2017. Dr. Ahmed also pursued Post-Doctoral training in Behavioral Sciences at Hunan Drug Safety Evaluation in Changsha, China, from January 2016 to February 2017. His earlier roles include Assistant Professor on Interim Placement, Research Officer in Avian Influenza Vaccine Production, and a research intern in the National Internship Program. 🧪📚

Professional Membership

Dr. Ayaz Ahmed is an active member of several prestigious professional organizations, contributing significantly to the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases. His memberships include the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) 🦠, the Pakistan Biological Safety Association (PBSA) 🧫, and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) 🌍. Additionally, he is a member of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) 🎗️ and the Medical Microbiology & Infectious Disease Society of Pakistan (MMIDSP) 🇵🇰. These memberships reflect his commitment to advancing research and innovation in microbiology, infectious diseases, and cancer research.

Research Focus

Dr. Ayaz Ayaz Ahmed research focus primarily revolves around microbiology, particularly in the fields of gut microbiota analysis, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilm formation. His studies often investigate the interactions between microorganisms and the human or animal host, such as comparing gut microbe profiles between healthy individuals and those with conditions like hyperthyroidism and liver cirrhosis. Additionally, Dr. Ahmed explores innovative therapeutic approaches, including the development of antimicrobial agents, such as nanoparticles conjugated with antibiotics to combat biofilm-forming pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. His work has significant implications for medical microbiology and the treatment of infectious diseases. 🦠🔬