Sharon Vijayanand | Nanobiotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sharon Vijayanand | Nanobiotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sharon Vijayanand, FDA/CBER/OTP/OPPT, United States

🌐💉🔬 Dr. Sharon Vijayanand, a dedicated researcher and pharmaceutical scientist, earned her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Mercer University, focusing on a groundbreaking pain-free immunization strategy for COVID-19 and influenza. As an ORISE Fellow at the FDA, she explores FcRn-mediated dynamics of anti-SARS CoV-2 IgG. With a rich academic background and extensive experience, including roles as a Graduate Research Assistant and Pharmacy Technician, she has received numerous awards for her impactful contributions. Dr. Vijayanand is a dynamic leader, fostering collaborations in professional organizations like AAPS and Toastmasters, showcasing her commitment to scientific advancement and effective communication. 🏥👩‍🔬🏆

🎓 Education:

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Jan 2020 – July 2023) from Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA, USA. Dissertation Title: “Novel Pain-Free Immunization of a Combination Microparticulate Vaccine for COVID-19 and Influenza.” B. Pharm. (Sept 2015 – Sept 2019) from Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, TN, India. Thesis Title: “In Silico Molecular Docking Study of Anti-Breast Cancer Molecules Derived from Plants.”

👩‍🔬 Professional Experience:

ORISE Fellow (Jan 2024 – Present) at FDA/CBER/OPT/OPPT, Silver Spring, MD, USA. Researching FcRn-Mediated Dynamics of Anti-SARS CoV-2 IgG. Graduate Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant (Jan 2020 – July 2023) at Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA, USA. Conducted preclinical testing of micro/nanoparticle-based non-invasive vaccines, resulting in publications and awards. Optimized brain-targeted nanoparticle formulation for seizure therapy (NIH R01 Project). Developed experimental protocols for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza assays. Mentored junior graduate and Pharm D students. Pharmacy Technician (Dec 2019 – Jan 2022) at CVS Health, Atlanta, GA, USA. Front-line healthcare worker during the COVID-19 pandemic. Undergraduate Thesis Project Team Lead (Sept 2018 – Aug 2019) at Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, TN, India. Led a team of 4 for a molecular docking study.

🌐 Professional Affiliations and Leadership Roles:

American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS): Learning Opportunities Manager, AAPS Pharmaceutical Discovery and Preclinical Development Community. Member Engagement Manager, AAPS Women in Pharmaceutical Science Community. Treasurer, Mercer University AAPS Student Chapter. Public Relations Officer, Mercer University AAPS Student Chapter. Toastmaster International (Mercer Smooth Talkers): Secretary and President. Other Affiliations: Student Member, The American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Member, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

🏆 Awards and Honors:

Love of Learning Scholarship Award, Phi Kappa Phi. Monroe F. Swilley Jr. Student Research Award, Mercer University. Various awards at AAPS meetings, including Best Abstract and Best Poster Awards. Keynote Speaker at the 2022 AAPS PharmSci 360 meeting.

Professional Profiles:

The impact of her research is evident in citation metrics and indices from Google Scholar:

  • Cited by: All – 60.
  • Citations – 60.
  • h-index – 4.
  • Documents – 15.

A prolific researcher making meaningful contributions to the academic world!

🔬 Research Focus:

🩹💉🔬 Dr. Sharon Vijayanand, based at FDA/CBER/OTP/OPPT in the United States, specializes in developing innovative vaccine delivery platforms. Her impactful research centers on a dual-delivery system using antigen-loaded nanoparticles in dissolving microneedles, garnering 21 citations in 2022. Notably, her work extends to Zika and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, employing microparticulate and microneedle technologies to induce robust immune responses. With a focus on influenza and gonococcal vaccines, she explores T-cell potential and enhances bacterial clearance. Dr. Vijayanand’s contributions mark a significant advancement in vaccination strategies, employing cutting-edge techniques for targeted and efficient immune response elicitation. 💊👩‍🔬🌐

Publications Top Note:

Prof. Funan Liu | Nanobiotechnology

Prof. Funan Liu: Oncolytic Virus

Congratulations, Prof. Funan Liu, on winning the esteemed Best Researcher Award from ScienceFather! Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone in your journey. Over the past year, you’ve undoubtedly achieved incredible feats and contributed immensely to your field. Here’s to many more years of success, innovation, and fulfillment in your endeavors. Wishing you continued growth, prosperity, and joy in the years to come. Keep shining and making a difference in the world!

Dr. Funan Liu is a distinguished medical professional, serving as a Professor, Chief Physician, and Doctoral Supervisor. Recognized as a key figure in healthcare, he holds prestigious positions as a Youth Top Talent under Liaoning Province’s ‘Revitalize Liaoning Talent Program’ and China Medical University’s Youth Top Talent. Additionally, he is a candidate in the ‘Hundred Thousand Ten Thousand Talent Project’ at the Thousand-Level. Dr. Liu serves as the Chief of the Phase I Clinical Trial Center at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University. His expertise and leadership contribute significantly to advancing medical research and clinical trials, making him a prominent figure in the field.

Major academic positions:  

As the Deputy Director of the Gastric Cancer Committee for the Chinese Society for the Promotion of Health Science and Technology, Dr. Funan Liu plays a pivotal role in advancing gastric cancer research and awareness. He holds several leadership positions, including Vice Chairman of the 10th Committee of the Surgical Branch in the Liaoning Medical Association, and Standing Committee Member of various prestigious organizations, such as the Integrative Oncology Branch of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association. Dr. Liu is actively involved in committees related to esophageal cancer, tumor prevention and control, oncology, and colorectal cancer. His extensive engagement underscores his commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration and advancing cancer care in various capacities within medical associations and committees.

Undertaken projects:

Dr. Funan Liu, a prominent researcher and medical professional, has spearheaded numerous groundbreaking projects in the realm of oncology. As a principal investigator, he led two National Key R&D Program research initiatives, focusing on clinical trials and therapeutic mechanisms of novel oncolytic virus cancer treatments, and the clinical evaluation of an in vitro tumor cell drug sensitivity technology system. Simultaneously, Dr. Liu undertook two National Natural Science Foundation of China general projects, investigating pH-sensitive liposome-hybrid red blood cell membrane-coated oncolytic virus intravenous delivery technology and the role of FN1 3’UTR as a new ceRNA in gastric cancer. His comprehensive expertise extends to projects funded by Liaoning Province and the CSCO-Merck Serono Cancer Research Fund, solidifying his impactful contributions to advancing cancer research and treatment.

Hosted and participated in clinical research:

This extensive portfolio of clinical trials reflects a commitment to advancing medical science and improving patient outcomes across various oncological fronts. Driven by cutting-edge research, these trials span from Phase I to Phase III, covering a spectrum of investigational therapies for different types of advanced solid tumors. The studies explore innovative approaches such as immunotherapy combinations, targeted therapies, and novel agents, aiming to enhance treatment efficacy and patient survival. From evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of promising compounds like TIRAGOLUMAB and DN015089 to studying the potential benefits of combining checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy in gastric cancer (HLX10 trial), these trials address critical gaps in current cancer care.

The diversity of trials encompasses indications like breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and more, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to combat a range of malignancies. The focus on specific genetic mutations, such as EGFR in cholangiocarcinoma and bladder cancer (AL8326 trial), underscores the importance of personalized medicine in tailoring treatments to individual patient profiles. Additionally, the exploration of novel agents like BC004 injection and TJ033721 reveals a dedication to identifying and developing innovative therapeutic modalities.

These studies not only aim to expand the armamentarium of available treatments but also contribute valuable insights to the evolving landscape of cancer research. By pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding, these clinical trials under the leadership of Dr. Funan Liu hold great promise in shaping the future of oncology and, ultimately, improving the lives of patients grappling with advanced solid tumors.

Professional Profiles:

The impact of her research is evident in citation metrics and indices from Google Scholar:

  • Cited by: All – 1,206.
  • Citations – 1,070.
  • h-index – 22.
  • Documents – 55.

A prolific researcher making meaningful contributions to the academic world!

Publications Top Note:
  1. Engineered bacterial outer membrane vesicles encapsulating oncolytic adenoviruses enhance the efficacy of cancer virotherapy by augmenting tumor cell autophagy
    • Published in Nature Communications in 2023 with 6 citations.
  2. Virus-Protein Corona Replacement Strategy to Improve the Antitumor Efficacy of Intravenously Injected Oncolytic Adenovirus
    • Published in ACS Nano in 2023 with 0 citations.
  3. Antigen-capturing oncolytic adenoviruses along with IDO blockade for improved tumor immunotherapy
  4. Inhibition of Tumor Metastasis by Liquid-Nitrogen-Shocked Tumor Cells with Oncolytic Viruses Infection
    • Published in Advanced Materials in 2023 with 4 citations.
  5. Oncolytic Virus-Driven Biotherapies from Bench to Bedside
    • Published in Small in 2023 with 2 citations.
  6. Self-assembled short peptides: Recent advances and strategies for potential pharmaceutical applications
    • Published in Materials Today in 2023 with 3 citations.
  7. Erythrocyte-Leveraged Oncolytic Virotherapy (ELeOVt): Oncolytic Virus Assembly on Erythrocyte Surface to Combat Pulmonary Metastasis and Alleviate Side Effects
    • Published in Advanced Science in 2023 with 0 citations.
  8. FN1 mRNA 3′-UTR supersedes traditional fibronectin 1 in facilitating the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer through the FN1 3′-UTR-let-7i-5p-THBS1 axis
    • Published in Theranostics in 2023 with 0 citations.
  9. Adverse events of PD-(L)1 inhibitors plus anti-VEGF(R) agents compared with PD-(L)1 inhibitors alone for cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    • Published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in 2023 with 2 citations.
  10. Drug conjugate-based anticancer therapy – Current status and perspectives
    • Published in Cancer Letters in 2023 with 17 citations.