Hareesh Nair | Drug Discovery and Development | Outstanding Scientist Award

Dr. Hareesh Nair | Drug Discovery and Development | Outstanding Scientist Award

Texas Tech University Health Science Center | United States

Dr. Hareesh B. Nair, Ph.D., is a distinguished biochemist and translational scientist whose career spans academia, biotechnology innovation, and advanced research leadership. He completed his academic training in life sciences and biochemistry in India, followed by specialized research fellowships in oxidative lipidomics and hormonal carcinogenesis at leading U.S. institutions. These early experiences laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to understanding disease mechanisms and developing targeted therapeutic solutions.Dr. Nair’s professional journey reflects a rare blend of deep scientific expertise and strategic research leadership. Over the course of his career, he has held progressive roles ranging from instructor and assistant professor to senior scientist, director, and senior director of translational research and external innovation. His contributions at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute significantly advanced the fields of breast cancer biology, hormonal carcinogenesis, melanoma signaling pathways, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and targeted drug delivery. His work also includes pioneering estrogen-dependent cancer research, mechanistic studies on aromatase pathways, development of innovative cancer detection strategies, and creation of non-human primate models for reproductive disorders.At Evestra, Inc., Dr. Nair led multidisciplinary teams driving the translational development of oncology and women’s health therapeutics. He spearheaded multiple preclinical programs, established strategic collaborations, guided biomarker discovery, contributed to regulatory submissions, and supported business development through scientific due diligence. His leadership also resulted in the advancement of first-in-class and best-in-class therapeutic candidates, expansion of oncology pipelines, and successful acquisition of non-dilutive federal funding. His contributions include numerous publications, patents, and project management of large-scale contraceptive development initiatives supported by major global health foundations.In his current academic role at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, Dr. Nair is establishing a cutting-edge research laboratory at the chemistry–biology interface. His group focuses on identifying novel drug targets, decoding disease mechanisms, and transforming molecular insights into preclinical therapeutic strategies for cancers and other complex diseases. He remains deeply engaged in collaborative clinical and translational research, particularly in gynecologic oncology, triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. His expertise also extends to long-acting contraceptive technologies, anti-HIV formulations, and experimental therapeutics for endometriosis and uterine fibroids.Beyond research, Dr. Nair has served extensively as a scientific review officer, facilitating numerous peer-review panels for federal biomedical research programs. His work has been recognized through multiple competitive honors, travel awards, and scientific achievement distinctions. With a strong commitment to innovation, mentorship, and multidisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Hareesh B. Nair continues to shape the future of translational medicine through impactful research, strategic leadership, and unwavering dedication to improving patient health outcomes.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Aller, E. J., Nair, H. B., Vadlamudi, R. K., & Viswanadhapalli, S. (2025). Significance of midkine signaling in women’s cancers: novel biomarker and therapeutic target. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(10), 4809.

Blankenship, L., Pratap, U. P., Yang, X., Liu, Z., Altwegg, K. A., Santhamma, B., … Lai, Z. (2022). Inhibition of LIFR blocks adiposity‑driven endometrioid endometrial cancer growth. Cancers, 14(21), 5400.

Nair, H. B., Ford, A., Dick, E. J., Jr., Hill, R. H., Jr., & VandeBerg, J. L. (2014). Modeling sunscreen‑mediated melanoma prevention in the laboratory opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 27(5), 822‑830.

Nickisch, K., Nair, H. B., Kesavaram, N., Das, B., Garfield, R., Shi, S. Q., … Edwards, D. P. (2013). Synthesis and antiprogestational properties of novel 17‑fluorinated steroids. Steroids, 78(9), 895‑902.

Bhaskaran, S., Dileep, K. V., Deepa, S. S., Sadasivan, C., Klausner, M., Krishnegowda, N. K., … Nair, H. B. (2013). Gossypin as a novel selective dual inhibitor of V‑RAF murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 and cyclin‑dependent kinase 4 for melanoma. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 12(4), 567‑576.

Budrys, N. M., Nair, H. B., Liu, Y. G., Kirma, N. B., Binkley, P. A., Kumar, S., … Tekmal, R. R. (2012). Increased expression of macrophage colony‑stimulating factor and its receptor in patients with endometriosis. Fertility and Sterility, 97(5), 1159‑1165.e1.

Qun Tang | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Qun Tang | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Qun Tang, Nanchang university, China

Dr. Qun Tang earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from USTC in 2005. Following postdoctoral research in South Korea and Sweden, he launched his independent lab at Nanchang University in 2010. His research focuses on Mn-based contrast agents 🧲, arsenic-derived anticancer drugs 💊, and innovative treatments for liver diseases using low phosphate stress (LPS) approaches 🧬. With 46 SCI papers, 1,489 citations 📚, and 3 authorized patents, Dr. Tang is a key contributor to pharmaceutical sciences. He is a Standing Committee Member of Jiangxi Pharmaceutical Society and collaborates with leading researchers to advance drug development globally.

Publication Profile 

Scopus

Education

Dr. Qun Tang earned his Ph.D. in January 2005 from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) 🎓. After postdoctoral collaborations in South Korea and Sweden 🌍, he returned to Nanchang University in March 2010 to begin his independent research career 🔬. His work has focused on manganese (Mn)-based materials for medical imaging contrast agents 🧲 and the development of novel arsenic-based anticancer drugs 💊. Currently, Dr. Tang is pioneering research on low phosphate (Pi) stress (LPS)-based strategies for the prevention and treatment of diseases, particularly targeting liver-related conditions 🧬. His contributions continue to shape pharmaceutical innovation globally.

Professional Memberships

Dr. Qun Tang holds a distinguished position as a Standing Committee Member of the Jiangxi Provincial Pharmaceutical Society 🏛️. This prestigious role reflects his commitment to advancing pharmaceutical sciences within the region and contributing to public health initiatives at the provincial level 📈. Through this membership, Dr. Tang actively engages in scientific discourse, policy guidance, and collaborative research opportunities with fellow experts across Jiangxi and beyond 🤝. His leadership within the society underscores his dedication to professional excellence and innovation in drug development and pharmaceutical research 💊🔬. This role further enhances his influence within China’s scientific and medical communities.

Research Focus

Dr. Qun Tang’s research squarely targets phosphate‑modulated liver oncology and theranostics 🧬🩺. He engineers inorganic‑phosphate binders and polymeric drug‑loading beads 🟤 to perform trans‑arterial embolization, simultaneously starving tumors and reshaping the micro‑environment 🎯. By blocking XPR1‑mediated phosphate efflux, his team triggers mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocellular carcinoma cells ⚡️, while low‑Pi stress irreversibly repolarizes tumor‑associated macrophages 🛡️ and dampens angiogenesis 🌱. Tang also discovers how binders like sevelamer deactivate hepatic stellate cells to reverse fibrosis 🧫. Overall, his work fuses immunometabolism, interventional radiology, and targeted drug delivery to forge next‑gen therapies for liver cancer and chronic liver disease.

Publication Top Notes

  • Transarterial Embolization Using an Inorganic Phosphate Binder Modulates Immunity- and Angiogenesis-Related Factors in a Rat Model of Liver Cancer
  • Design and progress of drug-loading polymeric bead for tumor embolization
  • Inhibition of XPR1-dependent phosphate efflux induces mitochondrial dysfunction: A potential molecular target therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma?
  • Sevelamer reverses liver fibrosis by deactivation of hepatic stellate cells
  • Irreversible repolarization of tumour-associated macrophages by low-Pi stress inhibits the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma