Prof. Dr. Ageliki Karatza | Clinical Trials | Best Researcher Award

University of Patras Medical School | Greece

Prof. Dr. Ageliki Karatza is a distinguished figure in the field of Paediatrics and Paediatric Cardiology, recognized for her exceptional academic achievements, clinical expertise, and research contributions spanning decades. Her journey began with her admission to the University of Patras Medical School through highly competitive national examinations, where she graduated with one of the top degrees in her class. Following her graduation, she completed her rural medical service before pursuing specialization in General Paediatrics, earning her board certification after extensive training and rigorous examinations.Her dedication to advancing paediatric care led her to prominent institutions in London, including Imperial College, Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte’s Hospitals, and the Royal Brompton Hospital, where she gained substantial clinical and research experience in Paediatric and Perinatal Cardiology. Her fellowship and registrar positions in Neonatal and Paediatric Cardiology enabled her to develop expertise in managing complex cardiovascular conditions in neonates, infants, and children. Upon returning to Greece, she held key positions in academic medicine at the University of Patras Medical School, progressing through roles as Clinical Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and ultimately achieving the rank of Professor in Paediatrics-Paediatric Cardiology.In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she has been instrumental in organizing and delivering undergraduate and postgraduate education, serving as a tutor in multiple master’s programs and teaching medical students and trainees at various levels. Her role as the ERASMUS representative in Paediatrics has facilitated international academic collaborations and student exchanges, strengthening the global reach of the University of Patras Medical School. Clinically, she has been responsible for the Paediatric Cardiology outpatient clinic, providing daily consultations and urgent care services for the entire Southwestern Greece region, ensuring that paediatric patients receive timely and specialized cardiac care.

Featured Publications

Karatza, A. A., Wolfenden, J. L., Taylor, M. J. O., Wee, L., Fisk, N. M., & Gardiner, H. M. (2002). Influence of twin-twin transfusion syndrome on fetal cardiovascular structure and function: Prospective case–control study of 136 monochorionic twin pregnancies. Heart, 88(3), 271–277.

Karatza, A. A., Bush, A., & Magee, A. G. (2005). Safety and efficacy of sildenafil therapy in children with pulmonary hypertension. International Journal of Cardiology, 100(2), 267–273.

Davlouros, P. A., Karatza, A. A., Gatzoulis, M. A., & Shore, D. F. (2004). Timing and type of surgery for severe pulmonary regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. International Journal of Cardiology, 97, 91–101.

Gardiner, H. M., Taylor, M. J. O., Karatza, A., Vanderheyden, T., Huber, A., … (2003). Twin-twin transfusion syndrome: The influence of intrauterine laser photocoagulation on arterial distensibility in childhood. Circulation, 107(14), 1906–1911.

Fouzas, S., Karatza, A. A., Davlouros, P. A., Chrysis, D., Alexopoulos, D., … (2014). Neonatal cardiac dysfunction in intrauterine growth restriction. Pediatric Research, 75(5), 651–657.

Karatza, A. A., Giannakopoulos, I., Dassios, T. G., Belavgenis, G., Mantagos, S. P., … (2011). Periconceptional tobacco smoking and isolated congenital heart defects in the neonatal period. International Journal of Cardiology, 148(3), 295–299.

Tsintoni, A., Dimitriou, G., & Karatza, A. A. (2020). Nutrition of neonates with congenital heart disease: Existing evidence, conflicts, and concerns. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 33(14), 2487–2492.

Anthracopoulos, M., Karatza, A., Liolios, E., Triga, M., Triantou, K., & Priftis, K. (2001). Prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Patras, Greece: Three surveys over 20 years. Thorax, 56(7), 569–571.

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

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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. 🦠🔬