Assist. Prof. Dr. Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou, Albany Medical College, United States

Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Albany Medical College, NY, specializing in fungal infections and immunology. With a solid background in nanotechnology, immuno-oncology, and drug development, she leads cutting-edge translational research, developing novel therapies and diagnostics. Her expertise spans lung transplantation, cystic fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Matthaiou has a strong commitment to mentoring students, postdocs, and collaborators, and has been a key figure in advancing the study of fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus species. She holds several prestigious fellowships and grants, and has contributed significantly to scientific publications, particularly in the fields of immunology, transplantation, and nanomedicine.

Summary of Suitability:

Dr. Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou is an exceptional candidate for the “Best Researcher” award due to her extensive and pioneering contributions in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and fungal infections. With a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and Democritus University of Thrace, Dr. Matthaiou has advanced research into the molecular mechanisms of diseases such as cystic fibrosis and invasive fungal infections, focusing on immunomodulatory therapies and bioanalytical strategies.

🎓Education:

Dr. Matthaiou completed her postdoctoral training at Stanford University in 2020, focusing on lung immunology and transplantation. She earned her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and Democritus University of Thrace in 2017, where her research centered on nanotechnology, immuno-oncology, and drug development. She graduated with the highest honors from Democritus University of Thrace with a BSc in 2011, marking the beginning of her promising scientific career.

🏢Experience:

Dr. Matthaiou is currently an Assistant Professor at Albany Medical College, where she leads a research laboratory focused on fungal infections and lung transplantation. Before this, she was a Lead Senior Scientist at Stanford University, leading several research initiatives on lung microenvironment, cystic fibrosis, and Aspergillus-related diseases. Her work includes developing immunomodulatory nanotherapies and studying host-pathogen interactions. She has also served as a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford, focusing on invasive aspergillosis in pediatric lung transplant patients and mentoring new hires and trainees.

🏅Awards and Honors:

Dr. Matthaiou has received several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the 2024 NCCAT-GUP3 Cryo-EM grant, for which she serves as Principal Investigator. She was also a Fellow of the 2022 Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab and received the 2019 Stanford MCHRI Postdoctoral Award, funding her research on innate immunity defects in cystic fibrosis and Aspergillus infections. These accolades highlight her leadership and contributions to the fields of immunology, transplantation, and infectious diseases.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Matthaiou’s research focuses on the intersection of fungal infections, immunology, and nanomedicine. Her work investigates the immune mechanisms that contribute to Aspergillus-related diseases, especially in the context of lung transplantation and cystic fibrosis. She is also exploring novel therapeutic approaches, such as nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery, to treat invasive aspergillosis. In addition, her research delves into macrophage dysregulation and its role in promoting fungal invasion, with the aim of developing immunomodulatory treatments to mitigate infection and improve patient outcomes.

Publication Top Notes:

Title: Shikonin-loaded antibody-armed nanoparticles for targeted therapy of ovarian cancer

Cited by: 89

Title: Tumor endothelial marker 1–specific DNA vaccination targets tumor vasculature

Cited by: 78

Title: Iron: an essential nutrient for Aspergillus fumigatus and a fulcrum for pathogenesis

Cited by: 40

Title: Tumour endothelial marker 1/endosialin-mediated targeting of human sarcoma

Cited by: 36

Title: The safety and tolerability of pirfenidone for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after hematopoietic cell transplant (STOP-BOS) trial

Cited by: 17

Ms. Moloud Farrokhi | Nanodelivery Awards | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Moloud Farrokhi , Albany Medical college, United States

Mouloud Farrokhi is an experienced immunologist and microbiologist specializing in HIV/AIDS research, nanoparticle delivery systems, and viral infections. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Biology with a focus on Immunology and Microbiology at Albany Medical College, USA. Mouloud has a strong academic and professional background, having worked as a research assistant and medical laboratory scientist in Iran and Sweden. His research aims to improve understanding and treatment of viral infections, with significant contributions to HIV drug resistance and oncolytic virus therapy. Mouloud’s work also extends to the development of innovative nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, offering promising solutions for invasive infections like Aspergillosis. His expertise spans from molecular biology to clinical research, with an emphasis on laboratory techniques like PCR, qRT-PCR, NGS, and CRISPR/Cas9.

Professional Profile:

Google Scholar

Mouloud Farrokhi: A Strong Contender for the Research Best Researcher Award

Mouloud Farrokhi is an exceptional candidate for the Research Best Researcher Award due to his extensive background in immunology, microbiology, and viral infections, as well as his significant contributions to molecular diagnostics and therapeutic innovations. His educational qualifications, research experience, and recognition in the field of medical sciences make him a highly suitable candidate for this prestigious award.

🎓Education:

Mouloud Farrokhi is currently pursuing a PhD in Biology, specializing in Immunology and Microbiology at Albany Medical College, USA (2023–Present). He holds two Master’s degrees: an MSc in Bioscience from the University of Skövde, Sweden (2021–2022), with a thesis on the role of RABL6 in AP3-dependent trafficking, and an MSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the Islamic Azad University, Iran (2010–2014), where he researched HIV-1 drug resistance. His undergraduate studies were in Marine Biology at the Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran (2003–2008). Mouloud’s extensive education in biological sciences provides a solid foundation for his current research endeavors, focusing on viral infections, molecular diagnostics, and therapeutic innovations.

🏢Experience:

Mouloud Farrokhi has gained extensive experience as a research assistant and medical laboratory scientist. He worked as a Research Assistant at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (2022–2023), where he focused on statistical analysis and NGS (Next Generation Sequencing). He has also served as a Medical Laboratory Assistant at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (2018–2021), where he conducted HIV viral load analysis and COVID-19 testing via qPCR. His previous roles include being a Medical Laboratory Scientist at Dena Lab (2017–2018), where he performed NITP tests and a Research Assistant at Pasteur Institute of Iran (2016–2017), where he researched drug resistance in HIV and HCV. He has also contributed to laboratory work at Keyvan Virology Laboratory, Tehran (2015–2016). Mouloud’s diverse hands-on experience makes him proficient in molecular biology techniques, data analysis, and lab management.

🏅Awards and Honors:

Mouloud Farrokhi’s academic and research achievements are reflected in his high academic standing and contributions to scientific research. His thesis at the University of Skövde received top marks, with a GPA of 3.75, and he has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout his academic career. His research contributions have been recognized in various publications and presentations. Notably, he presented at the International Student Congress in Medical Sciences (ISCOM) in 2017 and at the Upstate New York Immunology Conference (NYIC) in 2024. Mouloud’s work in HIV drug resistance and nanoparticle drug delivery systems has been published in high-impact journals. His dedication to advancing medical science has led to multiple research opportunities, including participation in workshops on gene transfer and vaccine design.

🔬Research Focus:

Mouloud Farrokhi’s research focuses on immunology, microbiology, and the molecular mechanisms underlying viral infections and drug resistance. He investigates the molecular pathways of HIV and other viral infections, focusing on drug resistance mechanisms in HIV-1 and HCV. His research also explores innovative strategies for oncolytic virus therapy and nanoparticle-based drug delivery, with the goal of improving treatment outcomes for invasive infections like Aspergillosis. Additionally, he is involved in genetic analysis and genomic editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9. Mouloud’s work integrates molecular diagnostics and therapeutic advancements, contributing significantly to both basic science and clinical applications in virology and immunology.

Publication Top Notes:

“Subtype classification of Iranian HIV-1 sequences registered in the HIV databases, 2006-2013”
- Citations: 31
“HIV drug resistance among naïve HIV-infected patients in Iran”
- Citations: 14
“Antiretroviral drug resistance mutations among HIV treatment failure patients in Tehran, Iran”
- Citations: 11
“The first characterization of HIV-1 subtypes and drug resistance mutations among antiretrovirally treated patients in Kermanshah, Iran”
- Citations: 9
“HIV drug resistance and phylogeny profile in naive and antiretroviral-experienced patients in Tehran, Iran”
- Citations: 8