Mine Gulaboglu | Drug Discovery and Development | Research Excellence Award

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.

Profile: Google Scholar

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.

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.