Pınar Karagül | Biopharmaceuticals | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Pınar Karagül | Biopharmaceuticals | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant at Faculty of Arts and Sciences | Department of Chemistry | Duzce University | Turkey

 

Dr. Pınar Karagül is a Research Assistant and PhD holder in Chemistry at Duzce University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Chemistry, whose academic journey has been shaped by her dedication to natural product chemistry, antimicrobial activity, and the development of sustainable biocompatible encapsulation systems for improved bioavailability. Her educational background, culminating in a doctorate in Chemistry, provides her with a strong foundation in analytical techniques such as HPLC, LC-MS-MS, and NMR, which she applies to the study of bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants and industrial by-products. Professionally, Dr. Karagül has contributed extensively through her role as researcher, supervisor, and principal investigator in multiple TÜBİTAK-funded projects, ranging from the synthesis of novel boron-containing ionic liquids to innovative applications in food safety, wound healing, and smart packaging technologies. Her research interests span natural product extraction, encapsulation technologies, antioxidant and antimicrobial evaluations, boron-based compounds, and the development of eco-friendly biomedical and industrial applications. Demonstrating versatile research skills, she has led or participated in projects on resveratrol encapsulation from grape pomace, development of antimicrobial capsules, biodegradable wound healing creams, herbal formulations, and fire-resistant wood composites, integrating chemistry with microbiology and biotechnology to address both health and environmental challenges. Her publications include contributions to high-impact journals such as the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal and the Microchemical Journal, where she has co-authored works on amino acid-silver complexes synthesized by green chemistry and on advanced HPLC-based analysis of propolis products. As a member of the Chemists Association, she remains actively engaged in professional collaborations and knowledge-sharing platforms. While her citation index currently records 4 citations with 2 documents and an h-index of 2, her growing body of work indicates significant future impact as her research continues to expand in scope and recognition (Citations by 4 documents). Her awards and honors include recognition through research scholarships and project leadership under competitive TÜBİTAK programs, reflecting both her scientific rigor and her innovative capacity. In conclusion, Dr. Pınar Karagül represents a dynamic and promising researcher whose academic and professional contributions bridge chemistry, biotechnology, and sustainability, making her a strong candidate for recognition as a leading figure in advancing natural product-based health, food, and environmental solutions.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Dönmez, P. G. M., Karadeniz, Ş., Yoldaş, T., Aydın, G., & Karagül, P. (2020). Comparison of chemical contents of extracts in different solvents of propolis samples produced in Duzce Province. International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research, 1(12).

Karagul, B., Ugras, S., Karagul, P., Usta, M., & Ugras, H. İ. (2024). Analysis and evaluation of quality parameters of commercial propolis products using a new high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method and comparison of antimicrobial properties. Microchemical Journal, 204, 111023.

Ugras, S., Karagul, P., Rasgele, P. G., Yoldas, P. A., Karagul, B., & Ugras, H. İ. (2024). Using amino acid–silver complexes synthesized by green synthesis to develop a new antimicrobial agent. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal, 57(11), 1745–1753.

Aydın, P., Karagül, B., Karadeniz, S., & Uğraş, H. İ. (2018). Bazı aminoasit gümüş tuzlarının sentezi ve karakterizasyonu [Synthesis and characterization of some amino acid silver salts]. İleri Teknoloji Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(2), 36–46.

Düvenci, E. S., Karagül, P., & Karagül, B. (2025). Effect of encapsulation on the amount of HMF in honey. MAS Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(1), 63–71.

Karagül, P. (2024). Alıç meyvesi ve yaprağı (Crataegus spp.): Hipertansiyona karşı tedavi edici potansiyeli üzerine bir inceleme [Hawthorn fruit and leaf (Crataegus spp.): A review on therapeutic potential against hypertension]. Düzce Üniversitesi Süs ve Tıbbi Bitkiler Botanik Bahçesi Dergisi, 3(2), 1–12.

Vahideh Valizadeh | Biopharmaceuticals | Best Research Article Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Vahideh Valizadeh | Biopharmaceuticals | Best Research Article Award

Assistant Professor at Pasteur institute of Iran | Iran

Assist. Prof. Dr. Vahideh Valizadeh is a dedicated scholar in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology and medical microbiology, recognized for her expertise in enzyme technology, protein engineering, and microbial research. Her academic and research career reflects a strong commitment to bridging fundamental biological sciences with applied biomedical innovation. She has contributed extensively to developing therapeutic enzymes, anti-biofilm strategies, and novel bacterial strains, showcasing her ability to combine laboratory research with translational applications. Through her contributions in biotechnology, she has emerged as a respected academic, researcher, and mentor who continually advances the scope of scientific inquiry while supporting the next generation of researchers.

Profile

Scopus | Orcid

Education

Assist. Prof. Dr. Vahideh Valizadeh began her academic training in microbiology, completing her undergraduate studies with distinction and achieving a top rank among her peers. She pursued a master’s degree in medical microbiology, where her thesis research investigated antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. This work laid the foundation for her deep interest in medical microbiology and antimicrobial resistance. Building upon her growing expertise, she completed her doctoral studies in pharmaceutical biotechnology at the Pasteur Institute of Iran. Her doctoral research was centered on malaria biology, particularly the design and evaluation of immune responses against the Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein. Her academic path was marked by outstanding performance, consistently ranking among the top students and achieving excellence in her thesis evaluations. This strong academic foundation enabled her to establish a career dedicated to cutting-edge research in biotechnology and microbiology.

Experience

Assist. Prof. Dr. Vahideh Valizadeh began her professional journey as a medical laboratory technician, where she gained practical experience in diagnostic microbiology, including ELISA, blood electrophoresis, and bacterial culture techniques. This experience provided her with essential clinical insights that complemented her later research work. She later joined the Pasteur Institute of Iran, where she currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nanobiotechnology. In this role, she supervises graduate students, develops independent research programs, and contributes to academic teaching. Her experience includes conducting experimental research in molecular biology, enzyme expression, and nanobiotechnology, with projects spanning malaria vaccine development, protein expression systems, and recombinant enzyme design. She has also participated in interdisciplinary collaborations, secured competitive research funding, and contributed to advancing laboratory methodologies. Her professional career reflects a balance of teaching, mentoring, and high-impact scientific research.

Research Interest

Assist. Prof. Dr. Vahideh Valizadeh has broad research interests in medical microbiology, protein engineering, enzyme biotechnology, and microbial strain development. She has focused particularly on designing and engineering proteolytic enzymes such as serratiopeptidase and lysyl endopeptidase, improving their biomedical potential by enhancing stability, activity, and anti-biofilm properties. She has explored applications of these enzymes in wound healing, infection control, and drug delivery. In addition, her work has extended into nanobiotechnology, where she has contributed to the design of nanogel and nanostructure-based systems for biomedical purposes. She is equally engaged in developing bacterial strains with improved proteolytic activities using innovative techniques such as mutagenesis and plasma-assisted engineering. By combining molecular biology, bioinformatics, and microbiology, her research continues to address significant global challenges, from infectious disease treatment to therapeutic protein development.

Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Vahideh Valizadeh has been recognized for her excellence throughout her academic and research journey. She has been honored as a brilliant student by national scientific foundations and awarded for her outstanding oral presentation at international congresses in immunology and allergy. Her academic achievements have been consistently acknowledged through top rankings in her undergraduate and master’s programs. In addition to these academic distinctions, she has secured competitive research funding from reputable scientific institutions, reflecting both her leadership in research and her ability to design impactful scientific projects. These honors highlight her position as an influential researcher in biotechnology and microbiology.

Publication Top Notes

Dr. Valizadeh has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications that contribute significantly to the advancement of biotechnology and microbiology. Selected key works include:

Title: Nano Cellulose Gel Formulation Containing Niosomal Encapsulated Novel Serratiopeptidase With Enhanced Anti‐Biofilm Activity
Polymers for Advanced Technologies.
Year: 2025

Title: Efficient periplasmic expression of active lysyl endopeptidase and optimizing the purification methods
Protein Expression and Purification.
Year: 2025

Title: Improved anti-biofilm activity and long-lasting effects of novel serratiopeptidase immobilized on cellulose nanofibers
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.
Year: 2023

Title: Isolating Lysobacter enzymogenes strains with enhanced protease activity via chemical mutagenesis
Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Biochemical Technology.
Year: 2022

Title: Design, expression and functional assessment of novel engineered serratiopeptidase analogs with enhanced protease activity and thermal stability
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology.
Year: 2022

Title: Enhancing proteolytic activity of Lysobacter enzymogenes using cold atmospheric plasma
Archives of Microbiology.
Year: 2022

Title: Truncated and modified serratiopeptidase and polynucleotides encoding the same.
Year: 2021

These publications demonstrate her focus on enzyme biotechnology, microbial systems, and nanotechnology-based therapeutic development, each contributing to improved biomedical applications.

Conclusion

Assist. Prof. Dr. Vahideh Valizadeh has made significant scholarly contributions through her publications in high-quality journals. Selected examples of her work include studies on efficient periplasmic expression and purification of lysyl endopeptidase published in Protein Expression and Purification; a comprehensive review on biomedical applications of serratiopeptidase in Archives of Microbiology; the development of hyaluronic acid-lysine nanogels containing serratiopeptidase for biofilm control in Scientific Reports; immobilization of serratiopeptidase on cellulose nanofibers to enhance anti-biofilm activity published in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology; characterization of a novel serratiopeptidase with unique substrate affinities in Chemical Biology & Drug Design; enhancement of proteolytic activity of Lysobacter enzymogenes using cold atmospheric plasma in Archives of Microbiology; and the design of a dicistronic autoinducible system for screening high-expressing Escherichia coli colonies in Microbial Cell Factories. These publications reflect her focus on enzyme engineering, microbial systems, and biotechnological solutions for medical applications.