Farha Naz | Drug Repurposing | Women Researcher Award

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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 

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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

Song Guo Zheng | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Song Guo Zheng | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Chair Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine | China

Prof. Song Guo Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., is an internationally renowned immunologist and clinician-scientist specializing in rheumatology, molecular immunology, and translational medicine. He currently serves as Chair Professor and Dean of the School of Cell and Gene Therapy at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. With academic leadership roles across prestigious institutions in the U.S. and China, his pioneering work spans autoimmunity, cell therapy, and immunoregulation. A prolific author with over 110 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals, Prof. Zheng is also a highly decorated researcher and active leader in global immunology societies. His contributions continue to shape modern immunotherapy and precision medicine.

Publication Profile 

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Education 

Prof. Zheng earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Immunology from the University of Orleans, France (2011), and a Master’s in Pathology and Immunology from Shanghai Medical University (1992). He completed his M.D. at Anhui Medical University (1984). His clinical training included a residency in surgery at Chizhou City Hospital (1984–1989) and an internship at Shanghai Zhabei Hospital (1983–1984). He further pursued a pathology fellowship at Shanghai Medical University Cancer Hospital (1989–1993). These academic and clinical foundations laid the groundwork for a distinguished career in immunology, clinical research, and translational medicine across both China and the United States.

Experience 

Prof. Zheng currently serves as Chair Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Dean of the School of Cell and Gene Therapy (2023–Present). He previously held senior positions including the Ronald L. Whisler Chair in Rheumatology and Immunology at Ohio State University (2018–2022) and Director at Penn State University’s College of Medicine (2013–2018). His U.S. academic journey began at the University of Southern California as an assistant and associate professor (2004–2013), after postdoctoral work at USC and UCLA. With leadership in research, teaching, and clinical science, he has become a global authority in immunological therapeutics and rheumatology.

Awards

Prof. Zheng has received numerous prestigious honors, including the Outstanding Scientist Award (2023, USA) and the Distinguished Clinical Immunologist Award (2019, China). He was awarded the Edmund L. Dubois Award (2019), NIH STAR Award (2016–2021), and was Chair of NIH MOSS Study Section (2016). Notably, he earned the James R. Klinenberg Award for best immunologist in Southern California (2007) and the Freda Newton Memorial Scholar Award (2006). He is an elected member of The Henry Kunkel Society (2012) and a recipient of the ACR Investigator Award (2008–2010), reflecting his impactful and sustained contributions to clinical immunology.

Research Focus 

Prof. Zheng’s research centers on molecular immunology, particularly in autoimmune diseases, Treg/Th17 cell modulation, and immune tolerance mechanisms. He investigates immunometabolism, gene and cell therapy, and inflammatory signaling pathways with an emphasis on clinical translation. His studies on cytokines, nanomedicine, and immune checkpoint regulation aim to advance precision therapeutics for rheumatic and inflammatory diseases. He integrates cutting-edge techniques including single-cell sequencing, CRISPR-based modulation, and nano-drug delivery systems. His innovative research is highly cited and supports next-generation treatments for autoimmunity, cancer immunotherapy, and organ-specific inflammation, shaping global trends in immune-based medical interventions.

Publication Top Notes

Natural and induced CD4+ CD25+ cells educate CD4+ CD25− cells to develop suppressive activity: the role of IL-2, TGF-β, and IL-10

IL-2 is essential for TGF-β to convert naive CD4+ CD25− cells to CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and for expansion of these cells

Role of vitamin A in the immune system

Generation ex vivo of TGF-β-producing regulatory T cells from CD4+ CD25− precursors

Vitamin D and chronic diseases

TGF-β requires CTLA-4 early after T cell activation to induce FoxP3 and generate adaptive CD4+ CD25+ regulatory cells

Natural and TGF-β–induced Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells are not mirror images of each other

Role of TNF–TNF receptor 2 signal in regulatory T cells and its therapeutic implications

Cutting edge: Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells induced by IL-2 and TGF-β are resistant to Th17 conversion by IL-6

Hall of fame among pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-6 gene and its transcriptional regulation mechanisms

The ubiquitin ligase Stub1 negatively modulates regulatory T cell suppressive activity by promoting degradation of the transcription factor Foxp3

The role of the combination of IL-2 and TGF-β or IL-10 in the generation and function of CD4+ CD25+ and CD8+regulatory T cell subsets

Conclusion

Given his outstanding scientific productivity, leadership in global immunology communities, and groundbreaking research on immune regulation, Prof. Song Guo Zheng is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His body of work demonstrates not only scientific depth and innovation but also sustained impact on the field of immunology and clinical medicine. With ongoing contributions and strategic improvements, he remains a central figure in advancing immune-based therapies and education worldwide.