Meet a Panel Member

Dr. Karimi-Busheri is a Senior Investigator and Head of the Stem Cell Program at NovaRx Corporation.

Professional Background:
I work at NovaRx Corporation. NovaRx is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel cell-based therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of cancer.

Educational Background:
I received my Ph.D. in human genetics from the University of Wales, in the United Kingdom.

Professional Background:
In the past, I have worked as an Associate Professor at the University of Ahwaz, Iran. I have also conducted research at the University of Alberta in Canada. As a Senior Research Associate, I was able to investigate mechanisms of transformation and tumor progression.

Educational and Professional background:
I received a Bachelors degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Iowa Wesleyan College. The majority of my Biology courses were Plant-Science oriented. I was awarded graduate teaching assistantships to pursue masters and Ph.D. studies. My Masters studies were completed at University of Wyoming in Botany with a research emphasis in fungal taxonomy.

My interests in Mycology led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, which I earned at Rutgers University. My research during masters and doctoral studies involved an approach which utilized morphological and protein profiling of fungi. I love working with fungi and also with proteins. While completing graduate studies I taught Science and Biology on a junior high and a high school level and I also taught Algebra at Seton Hall University. I also involved in teaching a summer course on Scientific Methodology to incoming freshman at Rutgers University as well as a required freshman course, Perspectives in Agriculture and the Environment.

Prior to completing a Ph.D., I worked as a County Agricultural Agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service with the responsibility of administering an urban vegetable gardening program. A few years after I earned a Ph.D., I took a position as a postdoctoral research associate with USDA-ARS in New Orleans and after 4 years in this position, was hired permanently as a research plant pathologist by the same research unit, Food and Feed Safety Research. I have been in New Orleans a total of 20 years.

Dr. Ali Mobasheri is an associate professor at The University of Nottingham.

Q: What is your professional title and what degree(s) do you hold?

AM:I am an Associate Professor and Reader in Comparative Physiology in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham1. A “Reader” is a unique academic post in the United Kingdom and is equivalent to an “Associate Professor” in North America.

Q: What does your organization/institution do?

AM: The University of Nottingham is often described as a “Global University”. The University of Nottingham was described as the 10th best university in the UK by the Shanghai Jiao Tong world rankings index, placed in the top one percent of all universities worldwide by the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings 2009 and ranked 74th in the World by the QS World University Rankings2. Nottingham is affiliated with the Russell Group3, Universitas 214 and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU5). In 2008 the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE6) carried out by the UK government confirmed Nottingham as the country’s 7th most powerful research university. Ninety percent of all research at Nottingham was described as being of 'international standard', with 60 percent classed as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science is the newest, purpose-built veterinary school in the United Kingdom for over 50 years. It was established to make significant contributions to research and teaching within the context of companion animal, production animal and human health. Research is central to the activities of the vet school, both in terms of maintaining ourselves at the forefront of national and international efforts in veterinary medicine but also as an integral part of the training and education for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The vet school has a dynamic, vibrant and highly stimulating teaching and research environment, which is achieved through an international blend of students and researchers who are committed to innovative learning and scientific discovery.

The academic staff of the vet school work within 5 strategic research areas: Infection and Immunity; Population Health and Welfare; Comparative Medicine; Reproductive Biology and Veterinary Educational Research. Our research is closely aligned with that in the School of Biosciences with whom we share some research facilities and equipment. The involvement of our Clinical Associates and other organisations within our research programs enables the identification of clinical problems in the field and the rapid application of investigational science to these problems in both production and companion animal species.

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science joint submission with the School of Biosciences was ranked first in the country for the power of its research with 95% of its activities classified at an international standard.

I am the head of the Musculoskeletal Research Group in the vet school and lead an active and productive research group focusing on various aspects of cartilage and tendon inflammation, stem cell biology and chondrocyte cell physiology. My research group is actively working within the “Comparative Medicine” research area in the vet school. My proven track record of professional achievement is backed up by over 120 primary publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. I have published 12 book chapters and have another 8 submitted or in press.

I currently serve on the University of Nottingham’s Ethical Review Committee (ERC). I served as the Postgraduate Sub-Dean in the vet school from February 2007 to July 2011 and had responsibility for the development and implementation of postgraduate programmes in the school. I was also a member of the vet school's Research Directorate (now called Research Committee) from February 2007 to July 2011. 

Q: Please elaborate on your educational background

AM: I was educated at primary and junior high school levels in Tehran from 1975 to 1983. I moved to the UK in 1983 and attended senior high school in South London. I attended Cannock School in Kent from 1983 to 1985 and later moved to Dulwich College in London from 1985-1987. I was admitted to Imperial College London where I studied Biochemistry from 1987-1990. I graduated from Imperial College with a Bachelor of Science degree (with Honors) in 1990. I then took up an Open Fellowship at the University of Toronto in Canada and completed a three-year Master's degree in Physiology and Biochemistry. In 1993 I returned to the UK to undertake doctoral level research funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign in Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Wolfson College Oxford. I graduated from the University of Oxford in March 1997. Shortly after completing my Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1997 I joined the School of Biosciences at the University of Westminster as a Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences. After three years in London I moved to the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool as Lecturer (2000-2005) and then Senior Lecturer (2005-2006) in Veterinary Biology. I joined the University of Nottingham in September 2006.

Q: Please elaborate on your professional background

AM: I have been active in several scientific societies including The Biochemical Society (UK), The Physiological Society (UK), The American Physiological Society, The Biophysical Society, The Orthopaedic Research Society, The British Society for Matrix Biology (BSMB) and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI). Most of my current society involvement is in OARSI.

My contribution to veterinary research was recognized in 2004 when I was awarded the George Fleming prize, the highest award given by The Veterinary Journal (Elsevier) in recognition of research that has made the greatest contribution to scientific and veterinary knowledge.

I currently serve on the editorial boards of 12 International journals including Histology and Histopathology (Cellular and Molecular Biology7 ), The Veterinary Journal8, Journal of Applied Bioscience9, Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine10 , Recent Patents on Biomarkers 11, Current Rheumatology Reviews 12, Biosensors 13, Alternative Medicine Studies14, Frontiers in Bioscience15, Frontiers in Physiology 16, World Journal of Stem Cells17, World Journal of Orthopaedics18 .

In June 2010 I was invited to edit a Special Issue on Veterinary Biomarkers for the Veterinary Journal and I am currently editing two Special Issues for Frontiers in Bioscience and Frontiers in Physiology.

Q: What are some of your academic and professional interests?

AM: My research interests are wide-ranging but I am mainly recognized for my work on the cellular physiology of articular cartilage as well as the study of membrane proteins such as aquaporins. I have extensive experience of international scientific collaboration. I have collaborators in Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and the United States. I have had a number of studentships and project grants from Research Councils in the UK. I have also led projects in collaboration with industry. I have ongoing collaborations with industry in the UK (Mars ®, Melton Mowbray), Europe (Bioiberica SA) and the United States (Aviva Systems Biology, San Diego, California). I have collaborated with leading academic investigators in the area of cartilage cell biology in established international centres of excellence in Europe and the United States. I have contributed to the development of high quality research and teaching and provided professional consultancy services for healthcare, veterinary, diagnostics and pet food industries in the UK.

Committees I serve on:

I have been a member of the Communications Committee of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) over the last 5 years and I have built an extensive network of academic and industrial researchers.
In 2011 I was appointed as a member of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s “Pool of Experts” to assist with the peer review of grant applications submitted for funding – this is rather like the roles fulfilled by individuals appointed to serve as members of NIH Study Sections.

Career Goal:

My goal is to continue conducting internationally recognized research, contribute to the development of high quality teaching as well as professional consultancy services for healthcare, veterinary, diagnostics and agri-food industries.

Q: What are some of your outside interests?

AM: I run five miles three times a week to keep fit. I also enjoy cycling and swimming. I am passionate about world history and like to read books pertaining to world civilizations and how empires rise and fall. I am interested in the causes and consequences of political conflict and war and why the fallible human race does not seem to learn from history.

My favourite places to visit are the British Museum and the Natural History Museum in London. I like travelling and frequently combine international conferences with short breaks and cultural visits. Florida and California are my favourite travel destinations.

Q: Pease describe your motivations as to why you wanted to go into the scientific field -- what were your motivations or inspirations?

AM: My interest in the natural world combined with my curiosity about what makes up living things and how living cells work inspired and motivated me to follow a career in research. I love my work and spend a lot of my time doing microscopy. I hope that I will be able to do research after I retire.

Mr. Sabri Bora Erdemli is currently Co-Founder and Director of PhD2Consulting. He is also completing his doctoral degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Q: What is your professional title and what degree(s) do you hold?

SE: I am Co-Founder and Managing Director at PhD2Consulting. I am also a Ph.D candidate at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Finally, I am an active Board Member at the American-Turkish Association of Washington, DC.

In addition to my professional titles, I hold three other degrees: a Master of Arts in Biophysics, a Master of Science in Computational Sciences and Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.

Q: What does your organization/institution do?

SE: Enzymes play a key role in all metabolic and cell-signaling processes. Characterization of an enzyme’s biological function must include the description of its mechanisms at an atomic level. Our laboratory is deciphering the catalytic mechanism of several enzyme families, using a combination of molecular biology, biochemistry, and structural Biology.

Q: Please elaborate on your educational background.

SE: While studying for my Ph.D. in Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, I discovered the mechanism of a key enzyme and developed inhibitors, which could potentially shorten the length and decrease the cost of tuberculosis treatment.

For my M.A. in Biophysics, also at Johns Hopkins University, I researched Quantum mechanical and Molecular Mechanical (QM/MM) calculations of redox reaction in Quinone Oxidoreductase.

My M.Sc. in Computational Science and Engineering, from Koc University in Turkey, focused on developing and implementing a novel computational method to identify important components of protein-protein interactions that could decrease the exorbitant cost of drug discovery studies.

Finally, for my B.Sc. Chemical Engineering, I concentrated on investigating the effect of oxygen level on protein production of recombinant bacteria and designed a lab-size bioreactor for enzyme production.

Q: Please elaborate on your professional background.

SE: In February 2011, my business partner Joel Hooper, Ph.D. and I founded PhD2Consulting. At PhD2Consulting, we strive to provide insight and networking opportunities for Ph.D. candidates and professionals who are interested in transitioning from academia to management consulting. We have nearly 1,000 LinkedIn members and a growing network of motivated Ph.D.’s eager for information about careers in consulting.

Q: What are some of your outside interests?

SE: Outside my professional activities, I try spending most of my time with my family and two year old daughter. I am also an avid soccer fan who follows national and international soccer very closely.

Q: Please describe your motivations as to why you wanted to go into the scientific field -- what were your motivations or inspirations?

SE: My biggest motivation going into the scientific field was my endless hunger for learning.

Dr. Harris is Programme Manager for the Immunology Research Centre in Ireland.

Q: What is your professional title and what degree(s) do you hold?

JH: I am Programme Manager for the Immunology Research Centre, based at Trinity College Dublin. I have a BSc (Hons) in Zoology and a PhD in immunology.

Q: What does your organization/institution do?

JH: The Immunology Research Centre, (IRC), is a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) funded Strategic Research Cluster, which involves 10 separate Immunology labs, all based in Trinity College or NUI Maynooth. The IRC also has two industrial partners, Opsona Therapeutics, based in Ireland, and Merck (formerly Organon/Schering Plough). The aim of the IRC is to identify and characterise endogenous and exogenous immunomodulatory molecules that regulate inflammatory responses, with a view to developing new therapeutic treatments or vaccine adjuvants. You can find out more at:

http://www.tcd.ie/Biochemistry/irc/

Q: Please elaborate on your educational background.

JH: My BSc degree was from Nottingham University in the UK. I originally had a strong interest in animal behaviour, but slowly drifted towards immunology during the degree. I then did a PhD at the University of the West of England, looking at the role of two hormones, (melanin-concentrating hormone and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone), in immune regulation in rainbow trout. From that point on it was all immunology!

Q: Please elaborate on your professional background.

JH: My first postdoctoral position was at the Institute for Animal Health in Compton, Berkshire in the UK. I worked on immune responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in cows. From there I moved on to Oxford University (The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology) for a postdoctoral position looking at macrophage receptors and a (then) novel molecule called carboxypeptidase, vitellogenic-Like (CPVL). It didn’t set the scientific world alight, but was a good grounding in macrophage biology (working with Professor Siamon Gordon) which has been a consistent feature of my research career since. I then took a postdoctoral position at the University of New Mexico, based in Albuquerque, working on the role of autophagy in the response of macrophages to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. After this I moved back to Europe and settled in Dublin, Ireland, where I have been for the past 6 years. I have worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow on projects looking at the effects of TNF-blockers on macrophage responses to mycobacteria and the role of autophagy in cytokine secretion. I now have a position as Programme Manager/Senior Scientist and I am semi-independent – leading my own research on macrophage biology.

Q: What are some of your academic and professional research interests?

JH: As I have already mentioned, my main scientific interests are in macrophage biology. More generally, I have a strong interest in inflammation in autoimmune and infectious diseases. I am specifically interested in the regulation of inflammation by autophagy, a homeostatic mechanism by which cells can remove and degrade intracellular constituents, including organelles. I’m still a fairly early-career scientist, so I’m not on any important committees, but I am slowly ingratiating myself into the field...

Q: What are some of your outside interests?

JH: I love most sports, but particularly football (soccer) and squash, although I don’t get as much time to play either these days! I like photography (particularly wildlife) and I play the drums – a great way to release those frustrations from the lab! I read a lot and have just bought a new mountain bike, which will keep me busy in my spare time. I also love skiing (despite recently dislocating my shoulder at a Keystone Conference…) and scuba diving. Unfortunately these are two of the most expensive hobbies and I am a (mid-level) academic scientist, so I don’t get to do either much…

Q: Please describe your motivations as to why you wanted to go into the scientific field -- what were your motivations or inspirations?

JH: My original motivation was a desire to be a zookeeper! I loved (and still do) animals and just wanted a job that involved working with them. As I got further into my BSc degree, I realised that there was a lot more to animal science and started to look at physiology and immunology. My PhD, in my mind, a compromise between immunology and zoology – the fact it was in fish made it less scary! After that, I was sold on the whole immunology thing and my motivation now is really just to keep doing what I do. I never get tired of discovering new things (however small or insignificant). It’s when serendipity strikes and you discover something quite by accident – that’s what keeps me motivated. You genuinely never know what your big finding will be. And while scientists can be a pretty cynical bunch, the enthusiasm of the people around me (especially here at Trinity) is infectious. I don’t worry too much about whether my discoveries will change the world; I just like to keep challenging (and surprising) myself. Maybe one day I’ll make that truly earth-shattering discovery, but in the meantime I’m having fun and hopefully doing some good. Of course, those days when you run your Western blot the wrong way, or drop your ELISA plates, or the microscope blows up, can put a bit of a dampener on one’s enthusiasm…