Dr.Samra Qaraghuli | Antibiotics | Women Researcher Award

college of pharmacy mustansiriyah university, Iraq

Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Hailing from Baghdad, Iraq, I began my academic journey at Al-Mustansiriyah University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Biotechnology (2005) and a Master of Science in Botany with a focus on Medicinal Plants (2008). My deep-rooted interest in plant science and natural products led me to pursue further studies in South Australia, where I completed an English proficiency program at the Intensive English Language Institution (IELI). This linguistic and cultural immersion set the stage for my doctoral studies.

In 2018, I earned my Ph.D. from Flinders University, Adelaide, with a research focus on the purification of novel antibiotics and bioactive compounds from Australian macrofungi. This research was recognized with several prestigious awards including first prize in the AMP Ignite Competition, Future Scientist Award of South Australia, and a nomination for the PhD Excellence Award.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

Currently, I serve as a full-time lecturer at the College of Pharmacy, Mustansiriyah University, and as an adjunct lecturer at the College of Pharmacy, The American University of Iraq – Baghdad. My teaching portfolio includes courses in Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Analysis, where I combine theoretical frameworks with hands-on laboratory training. I have also contributed extensively to the curriculum development and accreditation compliance (ACPE) at Mustansiriyah University as the Program Compliance Officer.

Previously, I worked at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia (2019–2022) in several roles, including Ethics, Risk, and Compliance Coordinator, QA Specialist, and Manage Access Program Coordinator. These roles enhanced my professional competencies in quality assurance, compliance, stakeholder communication, and risk management.

I also held a research-based position as an Associate Biologist at the National Diabetes Centre (2009–2011), where I gained expertise in serology, bacteriology, and tissue culture techniques.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

My academic research centers on macrofungi, natural products chemistry, medicinal plants, microbiology, and biotechnology. My doctoral work at Flinders University made significant contributions to the identification and purification of bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications, particularly in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

I’ve also contributed to scientific knowledge through presentations at national and international conferences, supported by travel and research grants from respected institutions such as the Australasian Mycological Society, Field Naturalists Society of South Australia, and Flinders University.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Beyond academic instruction, I am deeply committed to science communication and educational development. I have mentored students in various capacities and coached the ELO Competition Team in 2024, guiding them to a Fourth Prize finish. My efforts to foster scientific curiosity and communication have made a measurable impact in both academic and public engagement spheres.

As a volunteer bilingual mentor in South Australia and a participant in university-led educational programs, I have actively contributed to the cultural and intellectual integration of international students.

📚 Academic Cites and Awards

My scholarly excellence has been recognized through numerous awards:

🥇 First Prize – AMP Ignite Competition (2018)
🏆 Future Scientist Award, South Australia (2018)
🎓 Nominated for PhD Excellence Award, Flinders University (2019)
🧭 AMS Conference Travel Grant (2016)
🧳 FUSA Development & Conference Grants (2016)
🌱 Field Naturalists Society of SA Grant (2015)
🇮🇶 Doctoral Scholarship from HCED, Iraq (2013)

I also earned Flinders University Horizon Awards (Silver, Gold, and Platinum), demonstrating my commitment to academic leadership, communication, and community involvement.

🧰 Technical Skills

My technical expertise includes:

Natural Product Extraction and Chromatographic Techniques (TLC, HPLC, GC, Column Chromatography, etc.)
Mycology and Mushroom Cultivation
Molecular Biology: DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, cDNA synthesis
Microbiology & Serology: Quantitative genetics, bacterial culture, serological analysis
Cell and Tissue Culture Techniques
Compliance and QA Systems: SOP writing, CAPA management, Risk Assessment

👩‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Since 2012, I have taught a variety of pharmacy and biomedical science courses, primarily in Pharmacognosy. I specialize in:

Medicinal plant identification and classification
Pharmacological and chemical profiling of natural products
Chromatographic separation methods
Microscopic and macroscopic crude drug evaluation
Tissue culture and secondary metabolite production

My teaching style emphasizes interactive labs, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry, with a focus on student engagement and curriculum innovation.

🏛️ Legacy and Future Contributions

With a solid foundation in the biological sciences, cross-cultural education, and pharmaceutical research, I aspire to contribute meaningfully to Al Akhawayn University. My goal is to integrate traditional knowledge of medicinal plants with modern scientific techniques and foster a research culture that supports interdisciplinary collaboration, student mentorship, and international partnerships.

My long-term vision involves the advancement of pharmaceutical education, promotion of natural product-based research, and enhancing global health outcomes through science and innovation.

📚 Selected Publications

Title: Gastrointestinal disorders in children with autism: Could artificial intelligence help?
Authors: Al-Biltagi M, Saeed NK, Qaraghuli S
Journal: Artificial Intelligence in Gastroenterology
Year: 2022
Title: Effects of COVID-19 on children with autism
Authors: Al-Biltagi M, Saeed NK, Bediwy AS, Alhawamdeh R, Qaraghuli S
Journal: World Journal of Virology
Year: 2022
Title: A new species of small black disc fungi, Smardaea australis (Pezizales, Pyronemataceae), is described from Australia
Authors: Catcheside PS, Qaraghuli S, Catcheside DE
Journal: Swainsona
Year: 2017
Title: Report on the workshop of the Adelaide Fungal Studies Group, Deep Creek Conservation Park, 2-6 July 2015
Authors: Catcheside P, Walsh R, Qaraghuli S
Journal: South Australian Naturalist
Year: 2015

Prof. Dr. SHIN SEUNGSOO | Networking | Best Researcher Award

Tongmyong University, South Korea

Profile

google scholar

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

The scholar began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mathematics from the Department of Mathematics at Chungbuk National University, CheongJu, Korea. His passion for mathematical theories and their logical applications led him to pursue advanced degrees at the same institution. He earned both his Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Mathematics, solidifying his foundation in pure and applied mathematics. Not stopping there, he further broadened his academic horizon by obtaining a second Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the Department of Computer Engineering, also at Chungbuk National University. This unique blend of rigorous training in mathematics and computing laid a multidisciplinary groundwork that would shape his future research.

👨‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Currently, he serves as a professor in the Department of Information Security at Tongmyong University. In this capacity, he is actively involved in both academic instruction and research supervision. His professional path reflects a deep integration of academic scholarship with teaching, fostering both innovation and student development.

🔐 Contributions and Research Focus

His research interests are centered around the pivotal fields of cryptography, network security, and information security. His contributions span theoretical advancements in secure communication protocols as well as practical applications that improve data protection mechanisms. His dual expertise in mathematics and computer engineering uniquely positions him to contribute novel insights to problems at the intersection of algorithm design and secure system architecture.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With dual doctoral degrees and a strong academic presence, his work has influenced peers in both academic and industry circles. Through his publications and active participation in conferences, he has contributed to elevating South Korea’s standing in the global cybersecurity and cryptography research communities.

📊 Academic Citations and Recognition

While specific citation metrics were not provided, his multidisciplinary research profile and involvement in core areas of information security suggest that his work is likely referenced in related academic literature. His focus on current issues in cybersecurity ensures that his research remains timely and impactful.

💻 Technical Skills

Possessing advanced training in both mathematics and computer engineering, he brings a rich set of technical skills to the table. These likely include:

Cryptographic algorithm design
Network protocol analysis
Secure system architecture
Mathematical modeling and problem-solving
Programming and simulation tools commonly used in security research

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience

As a current faculty member, he has extensive experience delivering lectures in information security, cryptography, and network security. His teaching approach likely bridges theoretical understanding with real-world application, benefiting students who aim to enter the tech industry or continue in academia. He also plays a role in mentoring graduate students and guiding thesis research in emerging areas of cybersecurity.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, his multidisciplinary background equips him to tackle increasingly complex challenges in the digital security landscape. His future contributions may involve pioneering research in post-quantum cryptography, AI-driven security frameworks, or educational reform in cybersecurity training. As a mentor and researcher, his legacy will include not only his publications and discoveries but also the next generation of security professionals shaped by his guidance.

📚 Selected Publications

An IoT healthcare service model of a vehicle using implantable devices
YS Jeong, SS Shin
Cluster Computing, Vol. 21, pp. 1059–1068, 2018
An efficient authentication scheme to protect user privacy in seamless big data services
YS Jeong, SS Shin
Wireless Personal Communications, Vol. 86, pp. 7–19, 2016
An Investigation study to reduce security threat in the Internet of things environment
SS Shin, GS Chae, TH Lee
Journal of Convergence Society for SMB, Vol. 5(4), pp. 31–36, 2015
Improved integrated monitoring system design and construction
BJ Jeon, DB Yoon, SS Shin
Journal of Convergence for Information Technology, Vol. 7(1), pp. 25–33, 2017
Digital door lock on the access control system using OTP-based user authentication
SS Shin, KH Han, KY Jin
International Journal of Digital Content Technology and its Applications, Vol. 7, 2013
A Study of Analysis and Response and Plan for National and International Security Practices using Fin-Tech Technologies
SS Shin, YS Jeong, YJ An
Journal of Convergence Society for SMB, Vol. 5(3), pp. 1–7, 2015

Samra Qaraghuli | Antibiotics | Women Researcher Award