Moutih Rafei | Vaccine Development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Moutih Rafei | Vaccine Development | Best Researcher Award

Full Professor at Université de Montréal | Canada

Dr. Moutih Rafei is a Full Professor at Université de Montréal specializing in pharmacology, immunology, and molecular biology. He is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in T-cell development, cell therapy, cytokine biology, and vaccine engineering. As founder and CEO of Axiom Services Inc., and former CSO of multiple biotech companies, he bridges academic innovation with industry translation. His career includes over 60 peer-reviewed publications, six patents, and leadership in high-impact immuno-oncology projects. Dr. Rafei is a sought-after keynote speaker, scientific advisor, and grant reviewer, contributing significantly to advancing novel therapeutic platforms for cancer, infectious diseases, and immune system modulation.

Publication Profile 

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Rafei earned his B.Sc. Honours in Immunology from McGill University, completing a thesis on Giardia lamblia DNA vaccine design. He pursued a PhD in Experimental Medicine at McGill under Dr. Jacques Galipeau, focusing on fusokine-based immunosuppression strategies. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Université de Montréal with Dr. Claude Perreault, studying innate and classical CD8 T-cell development. Complementing his scientific expertise, Dr. Rafei completed the Mini-Entrepreneurship Program at HEC-Poly-UdeM, gaining business strategy training. His multidisciplinary education combines deep immunological research skills with innovation management, positioning him at the intersection of cutting-edge biomedical science, translational medicine, and biotech entrepreneurship.

Experience 

Dr. Rafei’s professional experience spans academia and industry. In academia, he is a Full Professor at Université de Montréal, leading translational hemato-oncology research and mentoring over 60 trainees. In industry, he founded Axiom Services Inc. and co-founded IntelliStem Technologies Inc., guiding R&D in T-cell and stem cell therapies. He served as Chief Scientific Officer for Defense Therapeutics Inc. and IntelliStem, and as Head of Discovery at Medicenna Therapeutics, advancing IL-2 superkine programs to clinical trials. He has presented at major international conferences, secured over $6.5 million in research funding, and consulted for biotech and pharma companies, bridging scientific discovery and product development.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Rafei has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his research excellence and leadership. These include the Science Features Excellence Award, recognition among the Most Influential Healthcare Leaders to Watch, and Canada’s Most Visionary Men Leaders in Healthcare. He earned the AAI-Life Technologies Trainee Achievement Award, American Society of Hematology Travel Awards, and the Cedarlane Greenberg Award. His work has been ranked among the Quebec and earned multiple competitive fellowships, including CIHR, Terry Fox Foundation, and FRSQ. He has also been nominated for national innovation awards, consistently  in peer-reviewed competitions and gaining international recognition for scientific impact.

Research Focus 

Dr. Rafei’s research integrates immunology, cell therapy, and biotechnology to develop next-generation therapeutic strategies. His expertise includes T-cell development, cytokine and chemokine biology, fusokine engineering, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and vaccine design. He applies high-throughput screening for small-molecule discovery and engineers DNA-, peptide-, protein-, and cell-based vaccines. His current work emphasizes mesenchymal stromal cell platforms (ARM-X) for cancer immunotherapy, immune-oncology drug development, and novel approaches for infectious disease prevention. By combining basic immunology with translational application, Dr. Rafei aims to generate safe, effective, and customizable therapies to treat cancer and modulate immune responses in diverse clinical contexts.

Publication Top Notes

Mesenchymal stromal cells ameliorate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by inhibiting CD4 Th17 T cells in a CC chemokine ligand 2-dependent manner

Mesenchymal stromal cell–derived CCL2 suppresses plasma cell immunoglobulin production via STAT3 inactivation and PAX5 induction

Cell therapy: types, regulation, and clinical benefits

Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Nociceptor neurons affect cancer immunosurveillance

A granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating factor and interleukin-15 fusokine induces a regulatory B cell population with immune suppressive properties

Inflammatory monocytes promote progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and can be therapeutically targeted via CCR 2

Characterization of Gaucher disease bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells reveals an altered inflammatory secretome

Mesenchymal stem cells beyond regenerative medicine

An engineered GM-CSF-CCL2 fusokine is a potent inhibitor of CCR2-driven inflammation as demonstrated in a murine model of inflammatory arthritis

Dr. Khaled Allemailem| Vaccine Development|Best Researcher Award

Dr. Khaled Allemailem,Vaccine Developmen,Best Researcher Award

Dr. ANTHOULA LAZARIS, at Qassim University,Saudi Arabia

PROFILE

scopus

Orcid

Google scholar

📚Early Academic Pursuits :

Khaled Saleh A. Allemailem began his academic journey at King Saud University, Qassim Branch, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Microbiology from 1998 to 2002. His passion for medical sciences led him to pursue advanced studies at RMIT University in Australia. He earned his Master of Laboratory Medicine from the School of Medical Sciences in July 2010 and subsequently completed a Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology from the School of Applied Sciences in December 2010. Khaled furthered his expertise by attaining a PhD in Microbiology from RMIT University in August 2016, with his thesis titled “Colonisation and Virulence Characteristics of Campylobacter concisus Oral and Clinical Strains.”

💼Professional Endeavors :

Khaled’s professional journey is marked by diverse roles in both academic and medical settings. He commenced his career as a teacher in the Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia, from July 2003 to May 2007. He then transitioned to Qassim University, where he served as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Medical Laboratories from May 2007 to February 2013. His dedication to education and research led to his promotion as a Lecturer in February 2013, and subsequently as an Assistant Professor in December 2016. In June 2021, Khaled was appointed Associate Professor, a position he currently holds. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as Clinical Bacteriology, Applied Microbiology, Research Methodology, and Medical Terminology.

🔬Contributions and Research Focus :

Khaled’s research primarily revolves around microbiology, with a specific focus on bacterial colonization, virulence, and antibiotic resistance. His doctoral thesis investigated the colonization and virulence characteristics of Campylobacter concisus, contributing valuable insights to the field. His hands-on expertise in PCR, SDS-PAGE, cloning, bacterial isolation, and characterization is complemented by proficiency in software like Clone Manager, MacVector, and Prism. Khaled has supervised master’s theses on topics such as the biogenic synthesis and antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles and the prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of antibiotic-resistant bacterial isolates.

🏅Accolades and Recognition :

Throughout his career, Khaled has been recognized for his significant contributions to microbiology and medical education. His registration as a Consultant in Medical Microbiology by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) is a testament to his expertise and professional standing. His work has not only advanced scientific understanding but also had a practical impact on healthcare practices, particularly in combating antibiotic resistance.

🌍Impact and Influence :

Khaled’s influence extends beyond his research contributions. As an educator, he has shaped the academic journeys of numerous students at Qassim University. His involvement in teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate courses has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of medical laboratory scientists. Khaled’s commitment to student supervision, exemplified by his guidance of master’s students, underscores his dedication to academic mentorship and research excellence.

🌟Legacy and Future Contributions :

Khaled Saleh A. Allemailem’s legacy is characterized by his dual impact as a researcher and educator. His work in microbiology has contributed to the global understanding of bacterial colonization and antibiotic resistance, while his role as a professor has enriched the academic fabric of Qassim University. Looking ahead, Khaled is poised to continue his contributions to the field through ongoing research, student mentorship, and collaborative projects. His vision for the future includes expanding his research on microbial pathogenesis and exploring innovative solutions to emerging challenges in medical microbiology.

🎓Publication 

Implications of green tea and its constituents in the prevention of cancer via the modulation of cell signalling pathway

  • Authors   :Arshad H Rahmani, Fahad M Al Shabrmi, Khaled S Allemailem, Salah M Aly, Masood A Khan
  • Journal    :BioMed Research International
  • Year         :2015

The biochemical and clinical perspectives of lactate dehydrogenase: an enzyme of active metabolism

    • Authors :Amjad A Khan, Khaled S Allemailem, Fahad A Alhumaydhi, Sivakumar JT Gowder, Arshad H Rahmani
    • Journal   :Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders-Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets-Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders)
    • Year       : 2020

Potential therapeutic targets of quercetin, a plant flavonol, and its role in the therapy of various types of cancer through the modulation of various cell signaling pathways

  • Authors  :,Saleh A Almatroodi, Mohammed A Alsahli, Ahmad Almatroudi, Amit Kumar Verma, Abdulaziz Aloliqi, Khaled S Allemailem, Amjad Ali Khan, Arshad Husain Rahmani
  • Journal    :Molecules
  • Year         :  2021

Recent strategies towards the surface modification of liposomes: an innovative approach for different clinical applications

  • Authors  :Amjad Ali Khan, Khaled S Allemailem, Saleh A Almatroodi, Ahmed Almatroudi, Arshad Husain Rahmani
  • Journal   :3 Biotech
  • Year        :   2020

Bioinspired Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from a Native Bacillus cereus Strain RNT6: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity against Rice Panicle Blight Pathogens …

  • Authors  :Rada, M., Krzywon, L., Petrillo, S., Lazaris, A., Metrakos, P.
  • Journal   : Nanomaterials
  • Year        :  2021