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Dr. Qurat ul Ain

Qurat ul Ain

Visiting Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natural Science Division, Seaver College
KSC 120
310.506.4321

Biography

Dr. Qurat is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology at the Department of Biology, Saver College Pepperdine University. She served as a Postdoctoral Scientist at the Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco. She has previously served as an Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology & Genetics at the Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan. Where she taught theoretical & practical Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computational Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Biology, & Genetics, courses to Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Pharmacy students.

She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine at the Dr. Panjwni Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan in collaboration with the Department of Dermatology and Allergic Disease, Ulm University, Germany. 

She combines spatial multi-omics & multi-omics technologies with chemistry &biochemistry, for characterizing tumor immune microenvironment, biomarker & drug discovery, and the development of potential drug candidate as anti- cancer agents.

Throughout her academic & professional career, she remains teaching and mentoring several undergraduates and graduates’ students of diverse background that has given her the opportunity to understand and become committed to diversity and to recognize the barriers faced by ethnic and gender as well as other minorities engaging in science. Dr. Qurat believes social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion in classroom and research laboratory is essential for academic and research success. Dr. Qurat, integrates her excellent scientific and teaching skills with basic religious values to teach science subject to non-science majors.

Professional Memberships:

American Association for Cancer Research. (AACR), Free Radical Society Europe (SFRR-E), The Society for Redox Biology &Medicine (FRBM), International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), Pakistan Society of Basic &Applied Neurosciences (PASBAN), Asian Network of Research on Anti-Diabetic Plants (ANRAP), & International Union of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology (IUBMB).

Education

  • Postdoctoral Training: Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
  • Ph. D. Dr. Panjwni Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research, International Center for Chemical & Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan & Department of Dermatology & Allergic Disease University of Ulm Germany.
  • M. Phil: Dr. Panjwni Center for Molecular Medicine &Drug Research, International Center for Chemical &Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Pakistan.

 

Publications

  • Ain, Qurat-ul. Study of the Effect of Antioxidant on Oxidative Stress in Molecular & Cellular Models. Diss. University of Karachi, Karachi, 2019. 
  • Stachler, M. D., & Ain, Q. U. (2024). Refining definitions of Barrett’s oesophagus to improve clinical resource utilisation. Gut. (IF: 24.5).
  • Qurat-ul-Ain, Nicola Frei, Amir M Khoshiwal, Robert Odze, Jacques Bergman, & Matthew D. Stachler (2023). Feasibility Study Utilizing NanoString's Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) Technology for Characterizing the Immune Microenvironment in Barrett’s Esophagus FFPE Tissues, Cancers (IF. 5.2).
  • Qurat-ul-Ain, Basu, A., Choudhary, M. I., & Scharffetter-Kochanek, K. (2022). 3, 3′-(3, 5-DCPBC) Down-Regulates Multiple Phosphokinase Dependent Signal Transduction Pathways in Malignant Melanoma Cells through Specific Diminution of EGFRY1086 Phosphorylation. Molecules, 27(4), 1172. (IF: 4.9).
  • Qurat-ul-Ain., (2020). Free Radical Scavenging & Cytotoxic Activities of Substituted Pyrimidines. Cancer therapy & Oncology International Journal, 16 (3), 001-009. (IF: 0.6).
  • Qurat-ul-Ain., Shahida Perveen, Munira Taj Muhammad, Sahar Yousuf, Khalid Mohammed Khan, & M. Iqbal Choudhary (2018). Synthetic 4, 4'-{(arylmethylene)} bis (1H-pyrazol-5- ols): Efficient Radical Scavengers. Journal of the Chemical Society of Pakistan, 40 (3), 563-567. (IF: 0.289).
  • Barakat, A., Ghabbour, H. A., Al-Majid, Qurat-ul-Ain, A.M., Imad, R., Javaid, K., Shaikh, N. N., & Wadood, A. (2016). Synthesis, X-ray Crystal Structures, Biological Evaluation, & Molecular Docking Studies of A Series of Barbiturate Derivatives. Journal of Chemistry, 2016, 1-11. (IF: 3.269).

Abstract Published

  • Qurat-ul-Ain; Choudhary, MI and Scharffetter-Kochanek, K (2019) Discovery of a Novel Bis-Coumarin Derivative as an Emerging Anti-Melanoma Anti-Metastatic Agent, Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 139, S43-S44. (IF: 6.02).
  • Qurat-ul-Ain., Scharffetter-Kochanek, K., &Choudhary, M. I. (2018). New Small Molecular Weight Antioxidants & Pro-oxidants Control Melanoma Cell Proliferation &Spreading in vitro. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 124, 573(IF: 6.02).
  • Qurat-ul-Ain., Choudhary, M. I., &Scharffetter-Kochanek, K. (2018). Effect of a Novel Bis-coumarin Derivative on Human Melanoma Cells: Regulation of Cell Survival, Proliferation, Migration & Kinases. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 120, S76, 2018.04.252. (IF: 6.02).
  • Qurat-ul-Ain., Kochanek, K.S. & Choudhary, M.I., (2017). Novel Small Bioactive Compounds for the Control of Melanoma Cell Proliferation, & Migration. Journal of Proteomics Bioinformatics.10 (11), 96(IF: 1.57).
  • Qurat-ul-Ain., Choudhary, M.I., & Kochanek, K.S. (2017). Modulation of Melanoma Cell Proliferation &Spreading by Novel Small Molecular Weight Antioxidants. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 108, S28 (IF: 6.02).
  • 2024 Pathology & Lab Medicine Research Retreat, UCSF Department of Pathology, U.S.A. prize for poster presentation entitled “Leveraging the Highly Multiplex Digital Spatial Technology, Nanostring GeoMX, for Immunological Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Tissues”
  • 2018 Elsevier Travel Award To attend 51st Miami Winter Symposium: Stem Cells – Today’s Research Tomorrow’s Therapies, Miami, USA.
  • 2017 SFRR-Europe Young Scientist Travel Award to attend, OCC World Congress on Metabolic Stress &Redox Regulation, Berlin, Germany.
  •  2017 Wood Whelan (IUBMB) Research Fellowship to conduct collaborative Ph. D. research work at Department of Dermatology & Allergy, University of Ulm, Germany.
  •  2017 DFG Research Grant to conduct collaborative Ph. D. research work at Department of Dermatology & Allergy, University of Ulm, Germany.
  • 2016 Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Travel Grant to attend 7th International Conference on Oxidative Stress in Skin Biology & Medicine Andros Island, Greece.
  • 2016 H.E. J Honorarium to conduct Ph. D. research work, granted by HEJRIC, International Center for Chemical & Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2016 Prof. Dr. Salim-uz-zaman Siddiqui Scholarship to conduct Ph. D. research work, granted by International Center for Chemical & Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2010-2014 H.E.C Grant to cmplete Ph. D. research work, granted by International Center for Chemical & Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2021 SfRBM 2021 YIA Judge Participated as Judge in Young Investigator Award (YIA) Judging Committee during the SfRBM 2021 Annual Conference, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A.
  • 2019    Invited Speaker 7th International Symposium Cum Training Course on Molecular Medicine & Drug Research lecture entitled “Targeting Kinase Phosphorylation an Approach for Anti– Melanoma Drug Development’’ organized by University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2018 8th International Conference on Oxidative Stress in Skin Biology & Medicine, lecture entitled, “Effect of A Novel Bis-coumarin Derivative on Human Melanoma Cells, University of Athens, Greece.
  • 2016 Invites talk entitled, “Screening & DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity of Various Classes of Synthetic Compounds”, University of Ulm, Germany.
  • 2016 7th International Conference on Oxidative Stress in Skin Medicine & Biology, lecture entitled, “Antioxidant & Cytotoxic Activities of New Classes of Synthetic Compounds,’’ University of Athens, Greece.

Poster Presentations

  • 2024 Entitled, "Spatial proteomic and transcriptomic characterization of the inflammatory landscape of formalin fixed paraffin embedded Barrett’s esophagus tissues" AACR Annual Meeting 2024, San Diego, U.S.A.
  • 2024 Entitled, “Leveraging the Highly Multiplex Digital Spatial Technology, Nanostring GeoMX, for Immunological Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Tissues” “the Pathology & Lab Medicine Research Retreat, UCSF, California, U.S.A.
  • 2022 Entitled, “Dissecting Immune-Inflammatory Microenvironment in the Barrett’s Esophagus to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Transition: A Nanostring GeoMX Pilot Study “Think Tank on Advancing Gastroesophageal Cancer Research, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
  • 2021 STORMing Cancer In-person All-Team meeting, San Francisco, U.S. A
  • Entitled, “3, 5-DCPBC: A magic bullet for melanoma therapy”, Annual Virtual Meeting SFRR-E, Belgrade, Serbia.
  • 2021 Entitled, “In Silico & In Vitro Analysis of a Novel Bis- coumarin Derivative Induced Anti - melanoma Effect: Suppression of the Phosphorylation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) & Proto-oncogene Cellular Sarcoma (c-SRC) Related Downstream Pathways”, Hünfeld 2021: Workshop on Computer Simulation & Theory of Macromolecules, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
  • 2018 Entitled, “New Small Molecular Weight Antioxidant &Pro-Oxidants Control Melanoma Cell Proliferation &Spreading in vitro”, 51st Miami Winter Symposium Stem Cells – Today’s Research Tomorrow’s Therapies Miami, U.S.A.
  • 2017 Entitled, “Novel Small Bioactive Compounds for the Control of Melanoma Cell Proliferation &Migration”, 9th International Conference & Expo on Proteomics & Molecular Medicine, Paris, France.
  • 2017 Entitled, “Modulation of Melanoma Cell Proliferation &Spreading by Novel Small Molecular Weight Antioxidants”, OCC World Congress on Metabolic Stress & Redox Regulation, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2013 Entitled, “Discovery of Novel Antioxidants”, 14th Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Spices & Other Natural Products, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2010 Entitled, “Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) Enzyme Enhance Brady kinetic Symptoms of Parkinson’s Patient” International Conference on Development of Network of Women Neuroscientist in Pakistan, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.

Conferences

  • 2024 Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC) 2023, Silicon Valley, California, U.S. A.
  • 2024 AACR Annual Meeting 2024, San Diego, California, U.S.A.
  • 2023 Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC) 2023, Silicon Valley, California, U.S. A.
  • 2023 Entitled, CRISPR Cures for Cancer Symposium, San Francisco, USA.
  • 2022 Think Tank on Advancing Gastroesophageal Cancer Research, Target Cancer Foundation,  Boston Massachusetts, U.S. A.
  • 2022 Bioconductor Conference, Seattle, Washington, U.S. A
  • 2022 Precision Medicine World Conference 2022, Silicon Valley, California, U.S. A
  • 2021 Annual Virtual Meeting SFRR-E, Belgrade, Serbia.
  • 2021 Hünfeld 2021: Workshop on Computer Simulation &Theory of Macromolecules, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
  • 2019 9 th Asian Network of Research on Anti-Diabetic Plants, ICCBS, UOK, Pakistan.
  • 2018 14th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry, ICCBS, UOK, Pakistan.
  • 2018 International Symposium on Natural Products for the Future, ICCBS, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2015 International Symposium-Cum-Training Course on Molecular Medicine & Drug Research, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2014 International Year of Crystallography (IYCr) South Asia Regional Summit on Vistas in Structural Chemistry, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2012 13th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2013 4th International Symposium-Cum-Training Course on Molecular Medicine & Drug Research, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2011 3rd International Symposium-Cum-Training Course on Molecular Medicine & Drug Research, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2010 12th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan. 

Workshops

  • 2022 “Data Analysis using Smart PLS, L.E.J. NSIC, ICCBS, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2022 DNA Variant Analysis with R Bioconductor (2-part Series), UCSF, USA
  • 2021 One-Day Hybrid Workshop entitled, “Transform Yourself Using Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) & Mind Power Techniques organized by Sindh Innovation, Research, & Education Network SIREN, L.E.J. NSIC, ICCBS, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2022 2021 Workshop on Epigenetics of Ageing, Institute of Molecular Biology, Minz, Germany.
  • 2021 Hünfeld 2021 Pakistan: Workshop on Computer Simulation &Theory of Macromolecules, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
  • 2021 Workshop on Structure Based Drug Design & Explicit Molecular Dynamics, co-organized by Schrödinger & ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2017 9th International Conference & Expo on Proteomics &Molecular Medicine, Paris, France.
  • 2017 OCC World Congress on Metabolic Stress & Redox Regulation, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2018 Workshop on English Writing & Speaking Skills, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2018 Workshop on “Handling fundamental techniques &Minor Procedures required for Laboratory Experiments in Rodents” ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2016 Workshop on Cancer Genetics, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2016 Online Workshop on Research Project Writing, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2013 14th Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Spices & Other Natural Products, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2009 Two days Hands-on Workshop on “An Introduction to Sample Collection, Professional Development Center” Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 2009 1st National Patch Clamp Workshop, ICCBS, UOK, Karachi, Pakistan.

Topics

  • Spatial- Multi-omics Technologies 

  • Multi-omics Technologies

  • Cancer Spatial Biology

  • Tumor-Immune Microenvironment

  • Drug Discover & Development

Courses

  • NASC101: General Science

  • MATH317: Biostatistics (R basics) 

  • CHEM310L: Organic Chemistry

  • CHEM120L: General Chemistry 

  • CHEM330L: Cellular Biochemistry