Prof. Dr. Sakhila K. Banu | Network Protocols | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Sakhila K. Banu, Texas A&M University College Station, United States

Dr. Sakhila Banu, a distinguished Professor at the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, has established herself as a leading authority in the field of reproductive toxicology. Her groundbreaking research focuses on elucidating the adverse effects of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) exposure on female reproduction and fetal development. Dr. Banu’s extensive investigations have unveiled the detrimental impact of Cr(VI) on ovarian function, placental development, and embryonic/fetal health, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying infertility, early abortions, and pre-term birth associated with environmental and occupational exposure to Cr(VI). With a solid track record of securing NIH funding and a myriad of publications in reputable journals, Dr. Banu’s contributions significantly advance our understanding of reproductive health and pave the way for the development of intervention strategies to mitigate Cr(VI) toxicity.

Professional Profile:

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📚 Education/Training:

Sakhila Banu earned her Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Madurai Kamaraj University, India, in April 1988. She continued her academic journey with a Master of Science in Zoology from The American College, affiliated with Madurai Kamaraj University, completing it in December 1991. Building upon her foundational knowledge, she pursued a Master of Philosophy in Endocrinology at the University of Madras, India, graduating in June 1993. Driven by her passion for understanding endocrine systems, she furthered her education by obtaining a Ph.D. in Endocrinology from the University of Madras, India, in December 2002. Through her academic pursuits, Dr. Banu has honed her expertise in the intricate workings of biological systems, particularly focusing on endocrinology

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Banu’s research is dedicated to unraveling the detrimental impacts of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) on female reproduction and fetal development. With a focus on environmental pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, she delves into the intricate mechanisms that lead to reproductive toxicity. Through her work, Dr. Banu seeks to shed light on the intricate interplay between these substances and the delicate processes of female reproductive health, aiming to provide insights that can inform mitigation strategies and safeguard maternal and fetal well-being.

🔍 Current Research:

Dr. Banu leads a National Institutes of Health (NIH) project (1R21ES034905-01) aimed at assessing the impact of hexavalent chromium on uterine vascular remodeling. Additionally, she serves as a Co-Investigator on an NIH/NICHD project (1R01HD079625) investigating the role of miR15a and miR34c in PGE2 signaling in endometriosis pathogenesis. Furthermore, Dr. Banu acts as a Co-Project Director for a USDA-funded initiative (USDA 2018-06476) exploring the epigenetic regulation of progesterone receptor-B in the endometrium during luteolysis in ruminants. Through these endeavors, Dr. Banu contributes to advancing our understanding of reproductive health and pathology, addressing critical issues in both environmental and molecular contexts

Publication Top Notes:

Title: Prostaglandin biosynthesis, transport, and signaling in corpus luteum: a basis for autoregulation of luteal function
- Published in: Endocrinology
- Cited by: 301
Title: Effect of interferon-τ on prostaglandin biosynthesis, transport, and signaling at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy in cattle: evidence of polycrine actions of …
- Published in: Endocrinology
- Cited by: 229
Title: Cyclooxygenase-2 regulates survival, migration, and invasion of human endometriotic cells through multiple mechanisms
- Published in: Endocrinology
- Cited by: 195
Title: Selective inhibition of prostaglandin E2 receptors EP2 and EP4 induces apoptosis of human endometriotic cells through suppression of ERK1/2, AKT, NFκB, and β-catenin pathways …
- Published in: Molecular endocrinology
- Cited by: 156
Title: Molecular Cloning and Characterization of Bovine Prostaglandin E2 Receptors EP2 and EP4: Expression and Regulation in Endometrium and Myometrium during …
- Published in: Endocrinology
- Cited by: 131

Dr. Hossam Nada | Network Protocols Awards | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Hossam Nada, Dongguk University, South Korea

🎓 Dr. Hossam Nada is a distinguished scholar in Medicinal Chemistry, holding a Ph.D. from Dongguk University, South Korea. He has further honed his expertise with an M.A. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Cairo University. Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Dongguk University, Goyang-si, South Korea, Dr. Nada has previously undertaken roles as a Graduate Researcher and Assistant Lecturer. His academic journey is adorned with accolades, including the Korean Government Scholarship and Dongguk University Research Excellence Award, underscoring his commitment to excellence in research and academia. 🏆🔬

💼 Experience:

Postdoctoral Fellow: Dongguk University, Goyang-si, South Korea (09/2023 – Present)

Graduate Researcher: Dongguk University, Goyang-si, South Korea (09/2020 – 08/2023)

Assistant Lecturer: Badr University, Cairo (09/2017 – 08/2019)

Teaching Assistant: Helioplis University, Cairo (09/2014 – 08/2017)

Publication Top Notes:

Small Molecule c-KIT Inhibitors for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Review on Synthesis, Design Strategies, and Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR)

Published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023.
Citations: 2

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel MDH Inhibitors Targeting Tumor Microenvironment

Published in Pharmaceuticals, 2023.
Citations: 1

Perspective for Discovery of Small Molecule IL-6 Inhibitors through Study of Structure-Activity Relationships and Molecular Docking

Published in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2023.
Citations: 9

Discovery and optimization of natural-based nanomolar c-Kit inhibitors via in silico and in vitro studies

Published in Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 2023.
Citations: 6

Novel cudraisoflavone J derivatives as potent neuroprotective agents for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease via the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

Published in European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2022.
Citations: 1