Dr. Afshana Quadiri | Biomedical | Women Researcher Award
Doctorate at University of California Irvine, United States
Profiles
Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Afshana Quadiri passion for immunology and infectious diseases, the academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Govt College for Women, J&K, India, in 2010. Building on this foundation, a Master of Science in Biochemistry was completed in 2013 at the University of Kashmir, India. This dedication to academic excellence culminated in a Doctor of Philosophy in 2019 from the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India, where research focused on host immune responses against malaria liver stage subunit vaccine candidates.
Professional Endeavors
The professional trajectory is marked by impactful roles across renowned institutions. Currently, serving as a Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of California, Irvine, contributing to vaccine development for HSV-2 and studying chemokines' role in viral infections like SARS-CoV-2. Prior roles include Project Scientist at the National Institute of Malaria Research, focusing on malaria diagnostics and antiplasmodial activity, and Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Immunology, exploring host immune modulation mechanisms.
Contributions and Research Focus
Research expertise spans vaccine immunology, molecular immunology, and virology. Key contributions include:
- Advancing vaccine development for genital herpes and malaria.
- Investigating the immunological role of chemokines in viral infections.
- Publishing innovative findings on host immune responses and infectious diseases.
This work has bridged fundamental science and translational applications, impacting public health globally.
Impact and Influence
Recognized with prestigious awards, including the MPM Travel Grant and ICMR International Travel Support, for presenting groundbreaking research at international conferences. Collaborative research efforts and leadership in multi-disciplinary teams have further amplified the impact, fostering scientific innovation and mentorship.
Academic Citations and Recognition
Published research has gained acknowledgment in peer-reviewed journals and at esteemed conferences, reflecting a commitment to scientific rigor and excellence. Awards such as the DBT Fellowship for Ph.D. and the Best Poster Award at National Institute of Immunology underscore academic achievements.
Technical Skills
- Immunology: Proficient in ELISA, flow cytometry, and T cell function assays.
- Virology and Microbiology: Expertise in virus isolation, propagation, and neutralization assays.
- Animal Handling: Skilled in in-vivo and ex-vivo studies, including advanced surgical techniques.
- Molecular Biology: Proficient in DNA cloning, real-time PCR, and protein purification.
- Scientific Software: Experienced in GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, and SPSS for data analysis.
Teaching Experience and Legacy
Supervised undergraduate students and maintained research laboratories, fostering a culture of learning and innovation. Experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams has equipped students and colleagues with essential research skills and critical thinking abilities.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Aspiring to be a trailblazer in vaccine immunology and virology, the focus is on pioneering research that addresses global health challenges. Future endeavors aim to enhance vaccine development, mentor the next generation of scientists, and contribute to public health advancements through collaborative research and innovation.
Publications
Cross-protection induced by highly conserved human B, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cell epitopes-based vaccine against severe infection, disease, and death caused by multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
- Author(s): Swayam Prakash, Nisha R Dhanushkodi, Latifa Zayou, Izabela Coimbra Ibraim, Afshana Quadiri, Pierre Gregoire Coulon, Delia F Tifrea, Berfin Suzer, Amin Mohammed Shaik, Amruth Chilukuri, Robert A Edwards, Mahmoud Singer, Hawa Vahed, Anthony B Nesburn, Baruch D Kuppermann, Jeffrey B Ulmer, Daniel Gil, Trevor M Jones, Lbachir BenMohamed
- Journal: Frontiers in Immunology
- Year: 2024
AntiViral and Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutic Effect of RAGE-Ig Protein Against Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Demonstrated in K18-hACE2 Mouse and Syrian Golden Hamster
- Author(s): Nisha Rajeswari Dhanushkodi, Swayam Prakash, Afshana Quadiri, Latifa Zayou, Ruchi Srivastava, Amin Mohammed Shaik, Berfin Suzer, Izabela Coimbra Ibraim, Gary Landucci, Delia F Tifrea, Mahmoud Singer, Leila Jamal, Robert A Edwards, Hawa Vahed, Lawrence Brown, Lbachir BenMohamed
- Journal: J Immunol
- Year: 2024
Therapeutic prime/pull vaccination of HSV-2-infected guinea pigs with the ribonucleotide reductase 2 (RR2) protein and CXCL11 chemokine boosts antiviral local tissue-resident …
- Author(s): Afshana Quadiri, Swayam Prakash, Nisha Rajeswari Dhanushkodi, Mahmoud Singer, Latifa Zayou, Amin Mohammed Shaik, Miyo Sun, Berfin Suzer, Lauren Su Lin Lau, Amruth Chilukurri, Hawa Vahed, Hubert Schaefer, Lbachir BenMohamed
- Journal: Journal of Virology
- Year: 2024
Dynamics of Spike-Specific Neutralizing Antibodies Across Five-Year Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Reveal Conserved Epitopes that Protect Against Severe COVID-19
- Author(s): Latifa Zayou, Swayam Prakash, Hawa Vahed, Nisha Rajeswari Dhanushkodi, Afshana Quadiri, Ahmed Belmouden, Zohra Lemkhente, Aziz Chentoufi, Daniel Gil, Jeffrey B Ulmer, Lbachir BenMohamed
- Journal: bioRxiv
- Year: 2024
A Broad-Spectrum Multi-Antigen mRNA/LNP-Based Pan-Coronavirus Vaccine Induced Potent Cross-Protective Immunity Against Infection and Disease Caused by Highly Pathogenic and Heavily Spike-Mutated SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in the Syrian Hamster Model
- Author(s): Swayam Prakash, Nisha R Dhanushkodi, Mahmoud Singer, Afshana Quadiri, Latifa Zayou, Hawa Vahed, Pierre-Gregoire Coulon, Izabela Coimbra Ibraim, Christine Tafoya, Lauren Hitchcock, Gary Landucci, Donald N Forthal, Assia El Babsiri, Delia F Tifrea, Cesar J Figueroa, Anthony B Nesburn, Baruch D Kuppermann, Daniel Gil, Trevor M Jones, Jeffrey B Ulmer, Lbachir BenMohamed
- Journal: bioRxiv
- Year: 2024