Early Academic Pursuits
Prof. Abdolkarim Sheikhi embarked on his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Shahid Chamran University (1985-1989). He further pursued an M.Sc. in Medical Immunology from Tarbiat Modares University (1989-1992), where his thesis focused on the Natural Killer (NK) activity assay in cancer patients and healthy individuals. His academic excellence culminated in a Ph.D. in Medical Immunology from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (1996-2002) with an outstanding GPA of 18.88/20. His doctoral research explored the impact of soluble HLA molecules on NK cells, particularly their role in malignant peritoneal and pleural effusions.
Professional Endeavors
Prof. Sheikhi has been a cornerstone in immunology education and research. He began as a member of the academic staff at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (1992-2002), progressing to Assistant Professor (2002-2009) and Associate Professor (2009-2010). In 2010, he joined Dezful University of Medical Sciences as an Associate Professor before being promoted to Full Professor in 2016. His leadership extends to roles such as Head of the Microbiology and Immunology Department and the Immunology Society of Dezful Branch.
Contributions and Research Focus
Prof. Sheikhi’s research spans diverse immunological fields, including NK cell activity, tumor immunology, autoimmune diseases, and immunotherapy. His technical expertise in techniques such as RT-PCR, flow cytometry, hybridoma technology, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) has advanced immunological diagnostics and treatments. He has contributed to the establishment of multiple laboratories, including the Cell and Molecular Immunology Lab at Zanjan University and the Autohemotherapy Clinic at Ganjavian Hospital.
Impact and Influence
His influence extends beyond Iran through collaborative research in esteemed international institutions. He has served as a visiting scientist at Queen’s University, Canada, the University of Kiel, Germany, and VUmc University, The Netherlands, focusing on NK cell interactions, bispecific nanobody generation, and tumor immunology. His role in these projects has significantly shaped global immunological research.
Academic Contributions and Citations
Prof. Sheikhi has supervised numerous theses, including those of 25 M.Sc. students in Microbiology and Parasitology, and multiple medical and internal medicine residents. He has contributed extensively to academic literature, serving on editorial boards for journals such as the Iran Journal of Immunology and Allergy and International Journal of Cancer Research.
Technical Skills
- Laser Capture Microdissection
- NK and T cell separation using Magnetic Cell Sorting (MACS)
- Immunohistochemistry and Immunofluorescence
- Multi-color Flow Cytometry
- PCR, RT-PCR, and qPCR techniques
- Western Blotting, Immunoprecipitation, and Serum Protein Electrophoresis
- HLA typing and hybridoma-based monoclonal antibody production
Teaching Excellence
Prof. Sheikhi has been instrumental in shaping immunology education, lecturing for over two decades at various universities. His teaching portfolio includes Immunology courses for Medical, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, and Nursing students at Zanjan, Ahvaz, and Dezful universities.
Recognitions and Awards
He has received multiple grants and awards, including funding from Tehran University of Medical Sciences for research on LAK cell therapy in gastrointestinal malignancies and Shahed University for studies on the immunomodulatory effects of garlic extract in diabetic patients.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Prof. Sheikhi’s dedication to immunology has left a lasting impact on both research and clinical practice. His efforts in establishing infertility treatment centers and advancing autohemotherapy clinics have set new standards in medical immunology. As he continues to explore cutting-edge immunotherapeutic strategies, his contributions will undoubtedly inspire future generations of immunologists and medical researchers worldwide.