Soghra Khabnadideh | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Soghra Khabnadideh | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Academic Staff, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Professor Soghra Khabnadideh is a distinguished scholar in medicinal chemistry at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. She earned her Pharm.D. and Ph.D. from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, followed by multiple postdoctoral fellowships in the UK and Australia. Her interdisciplinary research spans antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and anticancer drug development. She has served in various leadership roles, including Head of the Medicinal Chemistry Department, Vice-Chancellor for Student and Cultural Affairs, and Head of Library Services. Professor Khabnadideh has published extensively in high-impact journals and is a member of national pharmaceutical associations and research centers. Her work on azole derivatives, squalamine analogues, and ionic liquids has contributed significantly to global health challenges. A passionate educator and mentor, she has shaped the academic journey of countless pharmacy students and researchers in Iran and beyond.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Professor Khabnadideh began her academic journey at Hakhamanesh High School in Shiraz, graduating in 1979. She pursued a Pharm.D. at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (1988), where she investigated histaminic receptors in the esophagus. Her doctoral work (1995) focused on synthesizing antifungal alkylimidazoles. Postdoctoral training followed at Cardiff University (UK) under Professor Ian H. Gilbert, where she synthesized squalamine analogues as antimicrobial and antiparasitic agents, and at UNSW Sydney with Professor Jason Harper, studying the pharmacological implications of ionic liquids. Her robust educational background merges classical medicinal chemistry with modern drug design. Her work bridges theoretical knowledge and therapeutic innovation, earning international respect and recognition. Her research has deeply influenced antifungal, antibacterial, and antileishmanial drug development.

🧪 Experience

Professor Khabnadideh has over three decades of academic and research experience. She has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis, and Drug Information. Her academic leadership is notable, having served multiple terms as Head of the Medicinal Chemistry Department (1999–2001, 2009–2011, 2013–2015, 2022–2023), and as Vice-Chancellor for Student and Cultural Affairs (2007–2011). Additionally, she managed the faculty’s library (1999–2005), enhancing academic resources and student access. She has supervised numerous theses and mentored early-career researchers. Her research experience includes synthesizing a broad range of pharmacologically active molecules, from antifungals to anticancer agents. Professor Khabnadideh’s cross-continental collaborations, especially with institutions in the UK and Australia, have broadened the global scope of her work, establishing her as a central figure in Iran’s pharmaceutical sciences landscape.

🔍 Research Focus 

Professor Khabnadideh’s research is centered on the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel compounds with pharmaceutical potential. Her primary focus areas include antifungal agents (notably azole derivatives like imidazole and triazole), antibacterial squalamine analogues, and metronidazole derivatives targeting protozoal infections. She has also explored inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) for leishmaniasis treatment and synthesized anticancer Erlotinib derivatives. Her recent work on the use of ionic liquids in substitution reactions demonstrates her interest in green chemistry and reaction efficiency. The diversity of her synthesized compounds—ranging from alkylphosphonates to benzotriazoles—reflects her innovative approach to drug design. She blends synthetic chemistry with pharmacological testing, ensuring her compounds are both novel and biologically relevant. Her interdisciplinary work is guided by the urgent need for new therapeutic agents in antimicrobial resistance and cancer treatment.

📚 Publication Top Notes

(For space and clarity, I will format and summarize 5 first. Would you like all 21 summarized the same way? Here’s the first batch):

1.

Title: Squalamine Analogues as Potential Antitrypanosomal and Antileishmanial Compounds
Authors: S. Khabnadideh, C. L. Tan, S. L. Croft, H. Kendrick, V. Yardley, I. H. Gilbert
Journal: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 10 (2000), pp. 1237–1239.
Summary: This study explores synthetic squalamine analogues with promising activity against Trypanosoma and Leishmania species, addressing parasitic diseases lacking effective treatments.

2.

Title: Synthesis of 1-Alkylimidazoles as Antifungal Agents
Authors: S. Khabnadideh, E. Alipour, M. M. Sadeghi, Sh. Shadzi
Journal: Research in Medical Sciences Journal, 7 (2003), pp. 131–135.
Summary: The paper presents the chemical synthesis of 1-alkylimidazoles and evaluates their antifungal efficacy, marking a step toward new azole-based antifungals.

3.

Title: In Vitro Antifungal Activity of 1-Alkylimidazoles
Authors: S. Khabnadideh, Sh. Shadzi, E. Alipour, M. M. Sadeghi
Journal: Research in Medical Sciences Journal, 7 (2003), pp. 126–130.
Summary: Following the synthesis, this follow-up study demonstrates significant in vitro antifungal activity, supporting further development of these compounds.

4.

Title: Optimization of Azole Derivatives Synthesis
Authors: S. Khabnadideh, Z. Rezaei, F. Dalili, L. Shojaat
Journal: Basic Sciences Journal of Mashhad University, 4 (2003), pp. 194–199.
Summary: The authors describe process optimization for synthesizing azole derivatives, improving yields and enabling scale-up for pharmaceutical applications.

5.

Title: Comparison of Fennel and Mefenamic Acid for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea
Authors: B. Namavar Jahromi, A. Tartifizadeh, S. Khabnadideh
Journal: International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 80 (2003), pp. 153–157.
Summary: This clinical study compares the efficacy of fennel extract to mefenamic acid in managing primary dysmenorrhea, suggesting potential for herbal alternatives.

Conclusion

Dr. Soghra Khabnadideh is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in categories related to:

  • Pharmaceutical Sciences

  • Medicinal Chemistry

  • Antimicrobial Drug Discovery

Her depth of research, broad expertise, and long-standing commitment to education and scientific advancement make her a strong candidate. However, updating and showcasing recent achievements, grants, and translational research would further enhance her competitiveness for top-tier awards on national or international platforms.