Serena Travaglini | Genetics and Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Serena Travaglini | Genetics and Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Serena Travaglini | University of Rome Tor Vergata  | Italy

Dr. Serena Travaglini is a dedicated molecular biologist and researcher at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” specializing in the characterization of leukemia stem cells. Born in Rome, she advanced through a strong academic trajectory in biotechnology, earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Tor Vergata University. She conducted her doctoral research under leading mentors, focusing on FLT3-ITD-mutated acute myeloid leukemia, identifying novel therapeutic targets. After completing her doctorate, she deepened her expertise in postdoctoral studies exploring CD99 as a therapeutic marker and the transcriptomic evolution of AML. Currently, she leads investigations into the role of p63 in thymoma within the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. With a solid foundation in molecular biotechnology and translational medicine, Dr. Travaglini exemplifies excellence in both research innovation and academic leadership.

Profiles

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Education and Experience

Dr. Travaglini’s academic journey reflects sustained dedication to biotechnology and translational medicine. She graduated in biotechnology and advanced to earn a master’s in medical biotechnology, followed by a PhD in biotechnology and translational medicine, all at Tor Vergata University. Her early research explored oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases and the molecular interplay in APL. During her doctoral studies, she investigated FLT3-ITD-mutated leukemia stem cells, pursuing actionable targets to impede relapse. Her postdoctoral work further expanded her expertise by analyzing CD99’s role in leukemic progenitor cell behavior and homing. As a researcher, she now explores p63’s involvement in thymoma, integrating molecular insights with translational goals. Her progression reflects a consistent focus on dissecting leukemic pathophysiology to inform therapeutic strategies.

Research Interests

Dr. Travaglini’s research spans the genetic and cellular characterization of leukemia, with a distinctive focus on leukemia stem cells and clonal evolution. She is deeply interested in validating genetic biomarkers in AML and APL, exploring therapeutic vulnerabilities, and understanding resistance in arsenic-trioxide-treated APL. Her work includes analysis of surface immunophenotypes including CD99, CD34, and CD123, and characterizing t(11;17)-positive AMLs. She also investigates therapy-related AML and how genetic changes drive disease progression. Her broader goals emphasize leveraging multiparameter flow cytometry, genetics, and in vivo modeling to inform precision medicine strategies that combat recurrence and treatment resistance.

Awards & Recognition

Dr. Travaglini is the recipient of notable recognitions for her contributions to life sciences research. She received the Angeletti-Mortari Life Sciences Research Prize from MSD Italia—an award honoring innovation by emerging researchers and supporting their work in scientific excellence within Italy. She also won the “AIL Beat Leukemia” Fellowship awarded by the Italian Society of Experimental Hematology, which advanced her project investigating the molecular landscape of high-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia and strategies to overcome disease progression beat-leukemia.org. These honors reflect her impactful contributions to leukemia research and her promise as a leading young scientist.

Publications Top Notes

Functional characterization and response to FLT3 inhibitors in acute myeloid leukaemia with a non‐canonical FLT3 mutation: A proof of concept

Journal: British Journal of Haematology
Authors: Serena Travaglini, Carmelo Gurnari, Silvia Antonelli, Francesco Marchesi, Gioia De Angelis, Tiziana Ottone, Mariadomenica Divona, Antonio Cristiano, Hajro Hajrullaj, Andrea Mengarelli, et al.

Ascorbate Plus Buformin in AML: A Metabolic Targeted Treatment

Journal:  Cancers 
Authors: Cristina Banella, Gianfranco Catalano, Serena Travaglini, Elvira Pelosi, Tiziana Ottone, Alessandra Zaza, Gisella Guerrera, Daniela Francesca Angelini, Pasquale Niscola, Mariadomenica Divona, et al.

From Clonal Hematopoiesis to Therapy-Related Myeloid Neoplasms: The Silent Way of Cancer Progression

Journal: Biology 
Authors: Carmelo Gurnari, Emiliano Fabiani, Giulia Falconi, Serena Travaglini, Tiziana Ottone, Antonio Cristiano, Maria Teresa Voso.

PML/RARa Interferes with NRF2 Transcriptional Activity Increasing the Sensitivity to Ascorbate of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells

Journal: Cancers 
Authors: Cristina Banella, Gianfranco Catalano, Serena Travaglini, Mariadomenica Divona, Silvia Masciarelli, Gisella Guerrera, Francesco Fazi, Francesco Lo-Coco, Maria Teresa Voso, Nelida Ines Noguera.

Conclusion

Dr. Serena Travaglini stands as a distinguished emerging researcher in molecular hematology, demonstrating both scientific rigor and translational vision. Her academic excellence, from her foundational training through her innovative postdoctoral and current work, underscores her commitment to unraveling the biological mechanisms underpinning leukemia and resistance. Her strategically focused research on leukemia stem cells, therapeutic biomarker validation, and overcoming drug-resistant APL speaks to her potential to influence next-generation leukemia therapies. Recognition through prestigious awards and notable scholarly contributions further affirm her candidacy. With continued support, Dr. Travaglini is poised to lead impactful research initiatives that can reshape treatment paradigms in acute leukemia and precision medicine.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yousef Bin Jardan | Pharmaceutical Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yousef Bin Jardan | Pharmaceutical Sciences | Best Researcher Award

King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.

Yousef Abdullah M. Bin Jardan, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutics at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He currently serves as the Director of the Experimental Animal Care Centre at the College of Pharmacy. His expertise lies in pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, and analytical method development. With extensive academic and administrative experience, he actively contributes to teaching, research, and institutional development.

Profile

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🎓 Education

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yousef Bin Jardan holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Alberta, Canada, which he earned in 2017. He previously obtained his B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, in 2009. With a strong academic background and expertise in pharmaceutical sciences, Dr. Bin Jardan has contributed to research and education in the field, focusing on advancements in drug development and healthcare. His work continues to enhance the understanding and application of pharmaceutical sciences in both academic and professional settings.

🎓 Academic Positions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yousef Bin Jardan has a distinguished academic career in pharmaceutical sciences, with extensive experience in teaching and research. Since April 2022, he has been serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutics at King Saud University, contributing to advanced research and mentoring students in pharmaceutical sciences. Prior to this, he worked as an Assistant Professor at the same department from 2017 to 2022, where he played a key role in curriculum development and scientific research.

Before joining King Saud University as a faculty member, Dr. Bin Jardan gained valuable experience as a Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant at the University of Alberta, Canada, from 2010 to 2017. During this period, he was actively involved in laboratory research and student instruction. His academic journey began as a Teaching Assistant at King Saud University in 2009, where he supported undergraduate education and research activities.

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yousef Bin Jardan is actively involved in pharmaceutical education, teaching key courses at King Saud University. He instructs Pharmaceutical Calculations (PHT 210 – PharmD), equipping students with essential mathematical skills for accurate drug formulation and dosing. Additionally, he teaches Biopharmaceutics (PHT 414 – B.Pharm & PHT 417 – PharmD), focusing on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination, crucial for understanding drug efficacy and safety. He also oversees Internship Training (PHTR 211 – PharmD), guiding students through practical experiences in clinical and pharmaceutical settings. His commitment to teaching ensures that future pharmacists receive both theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise in the field.

🏢 Administrative Roles

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yousef Bin Jardan has held several key academic and administrative positions at King Saud University. Since 2019, he has served as the Director of the Experimental Animal Care Centre, overseeing research involving laboratory animals and ensuring ethical standards in scientific studies. Prior to this role, he was the Assistant Vice-Dean for Graduate Studies & Research from 2018 to 2019, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing research initiatives and supporting postgraduate programs. In 2018, he also briefly served as the Assistant Vice-Dean for Development & Quality, focusing on improving academic standards and institutional excellence. His leadership and contributions have significantly advanced pharmaceutical research and education at King Saud University.

🏛️ Council & Committee Memberships

Pharmaceutics Department Council Member – (2017–Present)

Academic Committee Member – College of Pharmacy (2017–2018)

Annual Research Day Committee Member – (2017–2018)

🔬 Research Interests

Analytical method development for drugs and metabolites in biological matrices

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug metabolism in laboratory animals and humans

Drug-disease interactions using in vivo models

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Distinction Award for Academic Excellence – Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau, Canada (2011, 2013)

Graduate Student Award – University of Alberta (2014)

Graduate Students' Association Academic Travel Award – University of Alberta (2015, 2016)

CSPS Meeting Travel Award – Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alberta (2015, 2016)

🎓 Licenses & Certifications

Licensed Pharmacist – Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) (2010–Present)

📜 Notable Publications

Herb-drug interaction: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-hypertensive drug amlodipine besylate in presence of Lepidium sativum and Curcuma longa
Xenobiotica; the Fate of Foreign Compounds in Biological Systems (2022-02-01)

Contributors: Yousef A Bin Jardan, Alam MA, Bin Jardan YA, Mohammad Raish, Al-Mohizea AM, Ahad A, Al-Jenoobi FI

Deciphering chemical profiling, pharmacological responses, and potential bioactive constituents of Saussurea lappa Decne. extracts through in vitro approaches
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2022-01-24)

Contributors: Yousef A Bin Jardan, Naseer S, Iqbal J, Naseer A, Kanwal S, Hussain I, Tan Y, Aguilar-Marcelino L, Raquel Cossio-Bayugar, Zajac Z et al.

Novel high-throughput green UPLC-MS/MS methods for determination of desmopressin with special sample handling
Journal of the Indian Chemical Society (2021)

Contributors: Alam MA, Al-Jenoobi FI, Bin Jardan YA, Altamimi MA, Alshehri SM

Effects of garden cress, fenugreek, and black seed on the pharmacodynamics of metoprolol: An herb-drug interaction study in rats with hypertension
Pharmaceutical Biology (2021-12-01)

Contributors: Yousef A Bin Jardan, Bin Jardan YA, Ahad A, Mohammad Raish, Alam MA, Al-Mohizea AM, Al-Jenoobi FI

Eudragit-coated sporopollenin exine microcapsules (SEMC) of Phoenix dactylifera L. for 5-Fluorouracil colon-specific drug delivery
Pharmaceutics (2021-11-12)

Contributors: Yousef A Bin Jardan, Mohammad Raish, Dr. Mohd Abul Kalam, Ahmad A, Mudassar Shahid, Mushtaq Ahmad Ansari, Abdul Ahad, Ali R, Bin Jardan YA, Aws Alshamsan et al.