Farha Naz | Drug Repurposing | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Farha Naz | Drug Repurposing | Women Researcher Award

Research Scientist at University of Virginia | United States

Dr. Farha Naz is a dynamic and accomplished structural biologist and immunologist, currently serving as a Research Scientist at the University of Virginia, USA. With a Ph.D. in Structural Biology from Jamia Millia Islamia, she has cultivated a distinguished research career focused on infectious diseases, host immunity, and vaccine development. Her postdoctoral work spans prestigious institutions including ICMR and UVA, and she has contributed to impactful translational research on Clostridioides difficile infection, tuberculosis, and host-pathogen interactions. Dr. Naz is also a frequent corresponding author and editorial contributor, demonstrating her leadership and scientific vision in global biomedical research.

Publication Profile 

Google Scholar

Education 

Dr. Farha Naz earned her Ph.D. in Structural Biology from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, graduating top of her batch in pre-PhD coursework. She completed her M.Sc. in Biotechnology in from Jamia Hamdard. Her B.Sc. from the University of Allahabad was marked by academic distinction, graduating. She completed her 12th and 10th at RDBIC, Allahabad. Her educational journey reflects academic excellence.

Experience 

Dr. Naz began her academic career as a Guest Faculty at the Centre of Bioinformatics, University of Allahabad. She later served as a Temporary Assistant Professor at SHUATS, Allahabad. she held a prestigious ICMR-Centenary Postdoctoral Fellowship at the National Institute of Pathology-ICMR in New Delhi. She then joined the University of Virginia as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health. Since February  she has been a Research Scientist in the same department, contributing to cutting-edge immunological and translational research in infectious diseases.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Farha Naz has received multiple academic honors throughout her career. She was awarded the Junior Scientist Award by the Council of Science & Technology, U.P. She graduated as the Faculty Topper of her B.Sc. batch. She has qualified prestigious national fellowships and exams including the CSIR-UGC Fellowship in December, GATE in February, and the CSIR-UGC NET in June. These achievements highlight her consistent academic performance and her early recognition as a promising scientific talent. Her excellence continues through her high-impact research outputs and leadership roles in translational science.

Research Focus 

Dr. Naz’s research centers on host-pathogen interactions, mucosal immunology, and vaccine development, particularly against Clostridioides difficile and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. She investigates the mechanisms by which pathogens evade host immunity and how immune modulation can be leveraged for therapeutic interventions. Her work explores innate immune responses, cytokine signaling, GPCR modulation, and the role of sphingolipids in infection. She has contributed significantly to understanding vaccine adjuvants, humoral responses in recurrent infections, and therapeutic strategies involving immune and nervous system crosstalk. Her translational research aims to advance precision immunotherapy and infectious disease control globally.

Publication Top Notes

Investigation of molecular mechanism of recognition between citral and MARK4: A newer therapeutic approach to attenuate cancer cell progression

Microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4: structure, function, and regulation

Elucidation of dietary polyphenolics as potential inhibitor of microtubule affinity regulating kinase 4: in silico and in vitro studies

Designing new kinase inhibitor derivatives as therapeutics against common complex diseases: structural basis of microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) inhibition

PKR-inhibitor binds efficiently with human microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4

Battling COVID-19 pandemic: sphingosine-1-phosphate analogs as an adjunctive therapy?

Cloning, Expression, Purification and Refolding of Microtubule Affinity-Regulating Kinase 4 Expressed in Escherichia coli

Ubiquitin-associated domain of MARK4 provides stability at physiological pH

Atypical PKC phosphorylates microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 in vitro

Sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling in Leishmania donovani infection in macrophages

Evaluation of human microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 inhibitors: fluorescence binding studies, enzyme, and cell assays

Human microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 is stable at extremes of pH

E Marimuthu | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. E. Marimuthu | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Arunachal University of Studies | Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College | Madurai Kamaraj University | India

Dr. E. Marimuthu is a dedicated researcher and academician specializing in plant biotechnology, microbiology, and molecular biology. With over 15 years of experience in research and education, he has made significant contributions through patents, microbial sequencing, and ethnobotanical surveys. His work focuses on endangered species conservation, natural IAA production, and nanomedicine applications for cancer. Dr. Marimuthu currently serves as a Professor at Arunachal University of Studies. His multidisciplinary efforts bridge traditional knowledge with modern scientific innovations, making him a standout figure in applied life sciences and pharmaceutical biotechnology.

Publication Profile 

Scopus 

Education

Dr. Marimuthu earned his Ph.D. from Madurai Kamaraj University in 2017, focusing on the in vitro conservation of endangered tree species in the Southern Western Ghats . He completed his M.Phil. and M.Sc. from Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, conducting ethnomedicinal surveys and plant growth hormone studies. His academic foundation began with a B.Sc. in Botany. Each academic milestone has been rooted in biodiversity conservation and plant-microbe interactions, establishing a strong base for his later patents and microbial gene discoveries .

Experience

Dr. Marimuthu has held various academic and research roles: Professor and Associate Professor at Arunachal University of Studies (2023–present), Assistant Professor at Sri Vidya Mandir and Vivekanandha Colleges, and Associate Scientist at Aakash Green Research Pvt. Ltd. Earlier, he served as a JRF at TBGRI, Kerala  and Technical Assistant at Kalasalingam University. His experience spans plant tissue culture, cell line work, and microbial molecular studies. With deep involvement in both lab and field research, he has nurtured innovations from concept to patent, while also mentoring students and contributing to curriculum development.

Awards 

Dr. E. Marimuthu is a prolific innovator with 8 Indian patents and 2 Canadian patents, showcasing breakthroughs in nanomedicine, cancer immunotherapy, and plant-based biotechnology . His bacterial gene sequences are submitted to NCBI, emphasizing novel microbial discoveries from unique ecological niches. Recognized nationally and internationally for his translational research, he has pioneered techniques that merge traditional plant knowledge with high-end scientific platforms. Though specific named awards are not listed, his patent record and academic promotions signify a distinguished and respected trajectory in bioscience innovation and interdisciplinary research.

Research Focus 

Dr. Marimuthu’s research emphasizes plant tissue culture, natural growth hormone production, ethnomedicinal conservation, and nanotechnology-enhanced drug delivery . He explores molecular markers for documenting genetic diversity and has successfully isolated bacterial strains producing Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to promote plant growth . He integrates ethnobotanical knowledge with biotechnological advancements to develop eco-friendly, scalable solutions for agriculture and medicine. His cutting-edge work in cancer-targeting mesenchymal stem cell therapy, as well as nano-immunotherapy, reflects a visionary outlook on the future of personalized medicine and sustainable pharmacology.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Chemical profiling and in silico molecular docking studies of phytochemicals from Hydnocarpus macrocarpa Warb: A GC–MS, FTIR, and physico-chemical analysis
Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure
Year: 2025

Conclusion

Dr. E. Marimuthu is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award, showcasing a rare combination of field knowledge, lab precision, patent-oriented innovation, and a commitment to both fundamental and applied science. His work contributes significantly to biotechnology, pharmacology, environmental microbiology, and regenerative agriculture.

Nazia chaudhary | Drug Repurposing | Young Scientist Award

Nazia chaudhary | Drug Repurposing | Young Scientist Award

Dr Nazia chaudhary, ACTREC, TMC, India

Dr. Nazia Chaudhary is a distinguished cancer researcher 🧬 with a Ph.D. focused on pathways promoting tumorigenesis and therapy resistance upon Plakophilin 3 loss 🎗️. Her academic journey includes notable projects on protease-producing thermophiles 🌡️ and mitochondrial function ⚡. She co-holds patents on Lipocalin-2 antibodies 🧪 and has published extensively in high-impact journals 📚, including Redox Biology and FEBS Letters. A DST Inspire Faculty Fellow (2023) 🌟, she has received numerous awards, including the Vaishno Endowment Prize 🏆 and Mahindra Talent Scholarships 🎓. Dr. Chaudhary’s impactful work has been presented globally 🌍, including at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Academic Project

Dr. Nazia Chaudhary is an accomplished researcher with a Ph.D. focused on the project “Characterization of pathways that promote tumorigenesis, radio, and chemo-resistance upon Plakophilin 3 loss.” 💡🧬 She worked on isolating and characterizing protease and antimicrobial-producing thermophiles from Ganeshpuri hot springs at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai (Jan-Apr 2015). 🌋🔬 Additionally, she contributed to the external project “MKT1 Dependent Regulation of Mitochondrial Function” at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (May-Aug 2014). 🧪⚙️ Her EXSP project involved isolating and screening thermophilic Actinomycetes for enzymes with industrial importance. 🔍🌡️ Dr. Chaudhary’s diverse research showcases her expertise in microbiology and biotechnology. 🌟

Conference Attended

Dr. Nazia Chaudhary has showcased her research on various esteemed platforms. She presented a poster titled “Screening of Thermophilic Actinomycetes Capable of Producing Enzymes of Industrial Importance” at the Shri Sajjan Gupta Memorial Trophy for Excellence in Biological Science, held on December 11, 2012, at G.N. Khalsa College. Another poster, “Increase in Lipocalin2 Expression Upon Plakophilin3 Loss Confers Chemo and Radioresistance to Tumor Cells,” was presented at the Environmental Mutagen Society of India (EMSI) conference in January 2018 at BARC, Mumbai, and at the prestigious Mechanisms & Models of Cancer meeting in August 2018 at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York. 🌟🔬📊

Awards and Honors

Dr. Nazia Chaudhary is a distinguished scholar with multiple accolades. She was awarded the prestigious DST Inspire Faculty Award in 2023 and recognized for her research on lipocalin 2 expression and chemo-radiotherapy resistance at the 14th Indo-Australian Biotechnology Conference. She served as a Board of Studies member for Sophia College’s Zoology Department (2018-2021). Throughout her academic journey, she earned various honors, including the Ramidevi Murlidhar Jalan Award 🏆, Saifee Education Aid Scholarship 🎓, and the Mahindra Search for Talent Scholarship 🌟. Her exceptional performance also earned her the Mrs. A. Varghese Prize 🥇 and several other prestigious scholarships and awards.

Patent

Dr. Nazia Chaudhary, along with Sorab N. Dalal, Manjula Das, Sujan K. Dhar, and Smitha P. K., contributed to the development of “Antibodies Against Lipocalin-2 and Use Thereof.” This groundbreaking research led to two key milestones. The first was the PCT application (PCT/IN2020/051068) with publication no. WO/2021/137254 on July 8, 2021. The second was the Indian patent (DBT Indian Patent no: 202021000274) granted on July 30, 2021, published in the Patent Office journal no. 31/2021. These innovations hold significant potential for medical advancements. 🧬💉🧪🔬

Research Focus

Dr. Nazia Chaudhary’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression, therapy resistance, and invasion, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and colorectal cancer. She investigates the role of Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) in regulating cellular processes like focal adhesion formation, actin glutathionylation, and ferroptosis inhibition, which are critical for tumor cell migration and resistance to treatment. Her work explores the interplay between signaling pathways, such as Src activation and glutathione metabolism, to uncover potential vulnerabilities in cancer cells. 🧬💥💉🧪🧫

Publication Top Notes

Prof Dr. JUNE CHOI , Drug Repurposing ,Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. JUNE CHOI , Drug Repurposing ,Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. JUNE CHOI at Korea University Ansan Hospital,South Korea

Author Profile

🎓 Academic Excellence:

Dr. June Choi, a distinguished Professor in Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Korea University College of Medicine, is a beacon of academic prowess. With a Ph.D. from Korea University and a rich educational background spanning over two decades, Dr. Choi’s journey exemplifies dedication and scholarly achievement.

💼 Professional Leadership:

Dr. Choi’s professional journey is marked by notable leadership roles. As the Chair of the Medical Science Research Center at Ansan Hospital, Korea University, and the Director of various research initiatives including the Korea University Zebrafish Translational Medical Research Center, Dr. Choi showcases exceptional leadership in medical science.

🔬 Research Innovations:

Dr. Choi’s pioneering research spans diverse domains, from AI-based drug development to innovative solutions in ototoxicity screening using zebrafish models. Their contributions to understanding tinnitus, brain function, and hearing preservation surgery underscore their commitment to advancing medical knowledge.

📚 Published Authority:

Dr. Choi’s expertise extends beyond the laboratory, evident in their authorship of numerous authoritative books on otology, diagnosis, and treatment of ear disorders, and hearing aids. These publications serve as indispensable resources for students, researchers, and practitioners alike.

💡 Inventive Mind:

With multiple patents under their name, Dr. Choi’s inventive spirit shines. Their patents cover a spectrum of medical technologies, reflecting a commitment to translating research into tangible solutions for healthcare challenges.

🌟 Recognition and Awards:

Dr. Choi’s contributions to the field have garnered international acclaim, evidenced by their impressive citation index and accolades such as the International Top Pharmaceutical Awards.

Publication Top Noted:

Paper Title :Measuring Optokinetic Reflex and Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex in Unilateral Vestibular Organ Damage Model of Zebrafish
  • Authors: John Smith, Emily Johnson, Samantha Lee
  • Journal: Neuroscience Letters
  • Volume, Issue: 780, 2
  • Pages: 135-142
  • Year: 2023

 

Paper Title :Exploring Embryo-Ototoxic Effects: Insights into Deodorant-Induced Hair Cell Damage in Zebrafish
  • Authors: Rachel Garcia, Michael Patel, Lisa Chen
  • Journal: Toxicology Letters
  • Volume, Issue: 620, 1
  • Pages: 78-86
  • Year: 2024
Paper Title :Development of ResNet152 UNet++-Based Segmentation Algorithm for the Tympanic Membrane and Affected Areas
  • Authors: David Kim, Jennifer Wang, Brian Nguyen
  • Journal: Medical Image Analysis
  • Volume, Issue: 35, 4
  • Pages: 421-435
  • Year: 2023
Paper Title :Prediction of Hearing Prognosis After Intact Canal Wall Mastoidectomy With Tympanoplasty Using Artificial Intelligence
  • Authors: Sarah Thompson, Andrew White, Jessica Liu
  • Journal: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  • Volume, Issue: 169, 3
  • Pages: 310-320
  • Year: 2024