Assist. Prof. Dr. Saba Amiri | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Assist. Prof. Dr. Saba Amiri, an accomplished biomedical engineer and neuroscientist, has established herself as a leading figure in biomedical engineering, neuroimaging, and neuroscience research. She earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and her M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , where she consistently ranked among the top students in her cohort. Professionally, Dr. Amiri has served as Assistant Professor at the Neuroscience Research Center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences since , while previously holding roles as research assistant, clinical researcher, and lecturer at leading Iranian universities and hospitals. She has also collaborated with international institutions such as the University of Antwerp, contributing to longitudinal fMRI studies on Alzheimer’s disease. Her research interests include biomedical engineering, neural engineering, neurorehabilitation, medical imaging, machine learning, deep brain stimulation, and the use of artificial intelligence in clinical neuroscience. Skilled in neuroimaging software such as SPM, FSL, DPARSF, and BRAPH, along with proficiency in Matlab, Python, and C#, she applies advanced computational and statistical methods to investigate brain connectivity, psychiatric disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Amiri’s work has produced impactful publications in prestigious journals such as npj Aging, Epilepsy & Behavior, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, and Annals of General Psychiatry, alongside presentations at IEEE EMBC conferences. Her excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including first rank in the national Ph.D. entrance exam in biomedical engineering, the Best Platform Presentation Award, and first place in the Value Creation of Clinical Research competition at the Brain Mapping Symposium. With her strong academic background, technical expertise, and dedication to advancing neuroscience, Dr. Amiri exemplifies the qualities of an innovative scholar and is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award for her outstanding contributions to science and society.

Profile: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Amiri, S., Arbabi, M., Kazemi, K., Parvaresh-Rizi, M., & Mirbagheri, M. M. (2021). Characterization of brain functional connectivity in treatment-resistant depression. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 111, 110346.

Amiri, S., Mirbagheri, M. M., Asadi-Pooya, A. A., Badragheh, F., Zibadi, H. A., & others. (2021). Brain functional connectivity in individuals with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES): An application of graph theory. Epilepsy & Behavior, 114, 107565.

Amiri, S., Mehvari-Habibabadi, J., Mohammadi-Mobarakeh, N., & others. (2020). Graph theory application with functional connectivity to distinguish left from right temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Research, 167, 106449.

Amiri, S., Movahedi, M. M., Kazemi, K., & Parsaei, H. (2017). 3D cerebral MR image segmentation using multiple-classifier system. Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 55(3), 353–364.

Zareie, M., Parsaei, H., Amiri, S., Awan, M. S., & Ghofrani, M. (2018). Automatic segmentation of vertebrae in 3D CT images using adaptive fast 3D pulse coupled neural networks. Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine, 41(4), 1009–1020.

Dr. Shahla Shahbazi | Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

kerman university of medical sciences | Iran

Dr. Shahla Shahbazi, an accomplished Iranian scientist, is a dedicated researcher at the Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Policy and Promotion Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Her career is built on deep expertise in medical microbiology, bacteriology, and infectious disease research. With extensive experience in vaccine design, molecular epidemiology, and antimicrobial resistance studies, she has contributed to peer-reviewed publications, authored books, and actively participated in national and international scientific congresses. She has also served as a reviewer for numerous respected journals and contributed to academic training, highlighting her role in advancing both research and education. Dr. Shahbazi has collaborated in multidisciplinary projects focusing on bacterial pathogenesis, nanotechnology-based vaccines, and phage therapy, positioning herself at the forefront of innovative solutions against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Her work reflects a commitment to improving public health and advancing medical science through rigorous research, mentorship, and scientific leadership.

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Education:

Dr. Shahla Shahbazi academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Alzahra University, which laid the foundation for her strong interest in infectious disease biology and laboratory research. She further advanced her academic training by pursuing a Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology at the Pasteur Institute of Iran, where her research focused on the distribution of extended-spectrum β-lactamase, quinolone, and carbapenem resistance genes in Escherichia coli. Building on her passion for understanding antimicrobial resistance, she went on to complete her PhD in Medical Bacteriology at the Pasteur Institute of Iran, where her thesis centered on designing and fabricating a vaccine candidate based on OmpA from Klebsiella pneumoniae encapsulated in silk/alginate-based nanoadjuvants for pneumonia prevention. Her academic path not only highlights her expertise in microbiology and bacteriology but also reflects her commitment to integrating molecular biology, immunology, and biotechnology to tackle pressing challenges in infectious disease research and vaccine development.

Experience:

Dr. Shahla Shahbazi has accumulated rich experience through her roles as a researcher, educator, and scientific contributor in medical microbiology and infectious diseases. At the Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, she has been actively engaged in pioneering projects on antimicrobial resistance, vaccine development, and nanoparticle-based therapeutics. She has also served as an executive member and reviewer in international congresses, demonstrating her influence within the scientific community. Her expertise extends beyond research, as she has contributed to teaching specialized courses, including oral health, biosafety regulations, reverse vaccinology, probiotics, and the role of AI in antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Shahbazi has also mentored postgraduate students as a thesis advisor, guiding research on carbapenem-resistant bacteria, parasitology, and emerging infections. Her publication record, editorial contributions, and involvement in global collaborations underscore her role as a dynamic scientist who bridges research, innovation, and teaching while advancing healthcare solutions through interdisciplinary approaches.

Awards and Honors:

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Dr. Shahla Shahbazi has been recognized for her excellence and contributions to science. She graduated as the top student in her Master of Science program at the prestigious Pasteur Institute of Iran, a recognition of her outstanding academic performance and research dedication. Her scientific contributions have earned her invitations to present her work at major national and international congresses, where she has shared innovative findings on antimicrobial resistance, vaccine design, and phage therapy. As a corresponding author and lead researcher on several high-impact studies, her expertise has been acknowledged by peers in her field. Beyond academic achievements, she has actively contributed to national service through her role as a reviewer for top journals, including BMC Microbiology, Journal of Basic Microbiology, and Industrial Biotechnology. These distinctions, combined with her leadership roles in scientific congresses, highlight her status as a rising figure in microbiology and medical research.

Research Focus:

Dr. Shahla Shahbazi research focuses on addressing global challenges in infectious diseases through innovative approaches in microbiology, molecular biology, and immunology. Her primary interest lies in vaccine design against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, using advanced nanotechnology-based delivery systems. She also explores molecular epidemiology by studying phenotypic and genotypic markers of bacterial infections to track resistance mechanisms and virulence factors. Her work in bioinformatics and reverse vaccinology enables the identification of novel immunogenic targets for therapeutic development. Additionally, Dr. Shahbazi has contributed significantly to the exploration of phage and endolysin therapies as alternatives to antibiotics in combating resistant bacteria. Her projects also extend to green nanotechnology, utilizing plant-derived nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties. By integrating molecular biology, biotechnology, and clinical applications, her research not only advances scientific understanding but also provides practical solutions to tackle the urgent issue of antimicrobial resistance and improve public health outcomes.

Publication:

Title: Distribution of extended-spectrum β-lactam, quinolone and carbapenem resistance genes, and genetic diversity among uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates in Tehran, Iran
Year: 2018
Citation: 83

Title: The Challenge of Global Emergence of Novel Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli ST131
Year: 2021
Citation: 45

Title: Evaluation of multidrug efflux pump expression in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus
Year: 2020
Citation: 27

Title: Zinc oxide nanoparticles impact the expression of the genes involved in toxin–antitoxin systems in multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Year: 2023
Citation: 22

Title: Time-variable expression levels of mazF, atlE, sdrH, and bap genes during biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis
Year: 2019
Citation: 21

Title: Detection of ESBL and AmpC producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST11 and ST147 from urinary tract infections in Iran
Year: 2022
Citation: 19

Title: Identification of novel putative immunogenic targets and construction of a multi-epitope vaccine against multidrug-resistant Corynebacterium jeikeium using reverse vaccinology
Year: 2022
Citation: 18

Title: Design and fabrication of a vaccine candidate based on rOmpA from Klebsiella pneumoniae encapsulated in silk fibroin-sodium alginate nanoparticles against pneumonia infection
Year: 2023
Citation: 17

Title: Evaluation of the prevalence of broad-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLS) and carbapenemase genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from burn wounds
Year: 2019
Citation: 16

Title: Polydopamine-based nano adjuvant as a promising vaccine carrier induces significant immune responses against Acinetobacter baumannii-associated pneumonia
Year: 2024
Citation: 15

Conclusion:

Dr. Shahla Shahbazi has established herself as a dedicated and innovative researcher in microbiology and infectious diseases, with a strong emphasis on antimicrobial resistance and vaccine development. Her achievements in publications, research projects, teaching contributions, and scientific service make her highly suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award. With further expansion into global collaborations and translational applications, she has the potential to significantly advance scientific knowledge and strengthen her leadership role in the international research community.

Saba Amiri | Biology | Best Researcher Award