Dr. Ghaith Mansour | Pharmacology and Drug Development | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Ghaith Mansour | Pharmacology and Drug Development | Research Excellence Award

Alfaisal University | Saudi Arabia

Ghaith Khalid Mansour is a dedicated PharmD student at Alfaisal University, Riyadh, recognized consistently on the Dean’s List for his academic excellence and strong commitment to advancing the field of pharmacy. His professional development spans meaningful volunteer experiences with leading organizations such as the Saudi Society of Clinical Pharmacy and several impactful health awareness events addressing medication misuse, antibiotic resistance, and dermatological conditions. He has contributed to high-level academic activities, including poster presentations at the 13th College of Pharmacy Research Day at King Saud University and the 15th Annual Research Day at Alfaisal University, earning the 3rd place Young Pharmacist Research Award. His research interest centers on innovative therapeutic strategies, including bioelectronic neuromodulation of renal nerves for hypertension treatment, alongside broader interests in clinical pharmacy, pharmacoeconomics, and public health. He has held leadership roles such as serving as a batch leader at the College of Pharmacy and working with the Saudi Pharmacoeconomic Expert Group on value-based healthcare strategies. Supported by numerous international certifications, he remains focused on contributing to innovative pharmacy practice, advancing patient care, and driving positive healthcare outcomes through research, service, and professional leadership.

Profile: Google Scholar 
Featured Publications

Ameer, O. Z., Mansour, G. K., Al-Amoudi, R. S., & Abu-Owaimer, F. M. (2025). Exploring dupilumab for asthma: From mechanistic insights to clinical outcomes, safety and cost-effectiveness. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 16, 1631321.

Mansour, G. K., Alangari, L, Khosyfan, L, Alhammad, R., & Hajjar, A. W. (2025). Efgartigimod for generalized myasthenia gravis and beyond: A narrative review of its pharmacological profile, clinical utility, and expanding applications. Biomedicines, 13(12), 2975.

Mansour, G. K., & AlGoraini, Y. (2025). Pediatric anaphylaxis in the emergency department: From mechanisms to personalized care. Cureus, 17(10).

Mansour, G. K., Yousif, A., & Mansour, G. (2025). Magnesium sulfate in pediatric emergency medicine: Pharmacology, evidence, and clinical applications. Cureus, 17(9).

Mansour, G. K., Hajjar, A. W., & Sajid, M. R. (2025). Therapeutic targeting of the hepcidin-ferroportin axis and erythropoietic modulators: A narrative review. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, 1726337.

Mr. Kamran Haider | Life Sciences Innovation | Young Researcher Award

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Mr. Kamran Haider | Life Sciences Innovation | Young Researcher Award

Huazhong Agricultural University | Wuhan, China

Kamran Haider is an emerging researcher in agricultural entomology with a strong focus on insect–plant interactions, biological control, and molecular approaches for pest management. He completed his M.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture Entomology and B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, where his research centered on the management of Fall armyworm using sodium silicate and Trichogramma integration for sustainable maize protection. Kamran gained international research exposure as a Research Trainee at Huazhong Agricultural University, China, working on insect–plant molecular interactions and gaining practical skills in insect rearing, RNA/DNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, RNA interference, and gel electrophoresis. His additional experience includes internships in pest monitoring, pesticide quality analysis, and field surveys using modern diagnostic tools. He has co-authored research and review papers on topics such as silicon-based insect management, plant melatonin metabolism, and the role of gut microbiota in insect immunity and adaptation. Kamran has completed several certified courses in plant bioinformatics and insect biology and participated in international scientific conferences and workshops. He has received academic awards, including scholarship support and recognition for scientific engagement. He aims to contribute to innovative pest management strategies and sustainable agriculture through advanced entomological research.

Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Ahmed, W., Safdar, U., Ali, A., Haider, K., Tahir, N., Sajid, S., Ahmad, M., … (2022). Sustainable water use in agriculture: A review of worldwide research. [Journal name and volume not provided].

Ikram, M., Mehran, M., ur Rehman, H., Ullah, S., Bakhsh, M. Z. M., Tahira, M., … (2024). Mechanistic review of melatonin metabolism and signaling pathways in plants: Biosynthesis, regulation, and roles under abiotic stress. Plant Stress, 14, 100685.

Zaib, M., Aryan, M., Khaliq, A., Haider, K., Ahmad, S., Zeeshan, A., Haq, E. U., … (2023). Essential insights for effective environmental management and human well-being: Strategies for remediation in soil-plant-environment systems. Journal of Asian Development Studies, 12(3), 1453–1469.

Zaib, M., Farooq, U., Adnan, M., Sajjad, S., Abbas, Z., Haider, K., Khan, N., … (2022). Remediation of saline soils by application of biochar: A review. Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, 24, 29–36.

Zaib, M., Farooq, U., Adnan, M., Abbas, Z., Haider, K., Muhay-Ul-Din, M. F., … (2023). Water stress in crop plants: Implications for sustainable agriculture. Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, 25(1), [page numbers not provided].

Haider, K., Abbas, D., Galian, J., Ghafar, M. A., Kabir, K., Ijaz, M., Hussain, M., … (2025). The multifaceted roles of gut microbiota in insect physiology, metabolism, and environmental adaptation: Implications for pest management strategies. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 41(3), 75.

Andrea Smidler | Gene Editing | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Andrea Smidler | Gene Editing | Best Researcher Award

University of California San Diego | United States

Dr. Andrea L. Smidler is an accomplished molecular entomologist and genetic engineer whose research focuses on innovative CRISPR-based tools for vector control, particularly in Anopheles gambiae, the primary malaria vector. According to her Scopus profile (Author ID: 36626227000), she has published 18 scientific documents, achieving an impressive h-index of 14 and accumulating over 2008 citations, reflecting her growing influence in genetic biocontrol research. Her recent high-impact works include “Engineering gene drive docking sites in a haplolethal locus in Anopheles gambiae” (Scientific Reports, 2025), “CRISPR technologies for the control and study of malaria-transmitting Anopheline mosquitoes” (Parasites and Vectors, 2025), and “Eliminating malaria vectors with precision guided sterile males” (PNAS, 2024). Through collaborations with leading scientists such as Omar Akbari, George Church, and Flaminia Catteruccia, Dr. Smidler has advanced CRISPR-mediated gene drive and sterilization systems that aim to eradicate malaria at its source. Her consistent publication record across top-tier journals—including Science, PNAS, and Cell—and her citation metrics underscore her pioneering contributions to synthetic biology, public health genetics, and entomological engineering. Dr. Smidler continues to be a key innovator in developing genetic solutions for vector-borne disease elimination.

Featured Publications

Smidler, A., Abernathy, D., Marrogi, E., Mameli, E., Akbari, O., Church, G., Esvelt, K., & Catteruccia, F. (2025, October 8). Engineering gene drive docking sites in a haplolethal locus in Anopheles gambiae. Scientific Reports.

Smidler, A., & Akbari, O. (2025, July 3). CRISPR technologies for the control and study of malaria-transmitting Anopheline mosquitoes. Parasites and Vectors.

Gendron, W. A. C., Raban, R., Mondal, A., Sánchez, C. H. M., Smidler, A., Zilberman, D., Ilboudo, P. G., D’Alessandro, U., Marshall, J. M., & Akbari, O. S. (2025, July 18). Evaluating the cost of malaria elimination by Anopheles gambiae precision guided SIT in the Upper River region, The Gambia. PLOS Global Public Health.

Smidler, A., Apte, R., Pai, J., Chow, M., Chen, S., Antoshechkin, I., & Akbari, O. (2024, June 25). Eliminating malaria vectors with precision guided sterile males. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Smidler, A., Marrogi, E., Kauffman, J., Paton, D., Westervelt, K., Church, G., Esvelt, K., Shaw, W., & Catteruccia, F. (2024, February 19). CRISPR-mediated germline knockouts for genetic sterilization of male Anopheles gambiae. Scientific Reports.