Himanshi Tanwar | Microbiome | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Himanshi Tanwar | Microbiome | Best Researcher Award

University of Maryland, United States

Dr. Himanshi Tanwar is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry, where she investigates the oral-gut axis and its role in inflammatory diseases like periodontitis and colitis. She holds a PhD in Life Sciences from the Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DRDO), India, where her work on Seabuckthorn-based herbal adjuvants led to the development of patented immunologic formulations.

Profile:

Educational Background:

  • PhD in Life Sciences (2013–2019)
    Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), India
    Thesis: Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Component(s) in Seabuckthorn Leaf Extract and Evaluation of Adjuvant Activity

  • MS in Forensic Science (2010–2012)
    Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, India
    Graduated with University Rank and Gold Medal

  • BS in Biochemistry (2007–2010)
    Delhi University, India

Research Focus:

Dr. Himanshi Tanwar’s research spans immunology, host-pathogen interaction, oral-gut microbiome axis, herbal bioactives, and vaccine adjuvants. Her work explores immune responses in inflammatory diseases, natural compound bioactivity, and the modulation of immune function in both systemic and mucosal contexts.

Professional Experience:

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Maryland (2021–present)
    Investigating the link between oral and gut microbiomes and immune-mediated diseases like periodontitis and colitis.

  • Research Associate, National Institute of Immunology, India (2019–2021)
    Studied T-follicular helper cell epitopes in dengue infection and T-cell expansion protocols.

  • Doctoral Researcher, DIPAS (2013–2019)
    Focused on herbal immunoadjuvants, anti-dengue natural therapies, and immune changes in Antarctic expedition participants.

Publications and Patents:

Dr. Tanwar has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as J Crohns Colitis, J Dent Res, Inflammopharmacology, and Pharm Biol.
She holds two Indian patents on immunologic adjuvant compositions derived from herbal sources.

Awards and Honors:

  • Poster Awards (2022–2024), School of Dentistry, University of Maryland

  • Travel Grants and Presentations at AAI and ICI

  • Best Research Paper Award, DRDO (2018)

  • Excellence in Research, Seabuckthorn Association of India (2019)

  • Gold Medalist, MS Forensic Science

  • Multiple fellowships and academic distinctions from Indian government bodies (UGC, DST, MHRD)

Technical Expertise:

  • Advanced multicolor flow cytometry (24+ colors)

  • Confocal and fluorescence microscopy

  • Primary cell and co-cultures, ELISA, Elispot

  • Molecular biology techniques: qPCR, Western blotting

  • Chromatography (HPLC, TLC, HPTLC), histopathology, IHC

  • Animal immunization and genotyping

  • Data analysis using FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, SPSS

Conference Presentations:

Presented at international and national platforms including:

  • Immunology 2023, Washington, DC

  • International Congress of Immunology, Australia

  • Seabuckthorn Conferences, India

  • Immunocon, India

Professional Affiliations:

  • American Association of Immunologists (AAI)

  • American Association of Women in Science (AWIS)

  • National Postdoc Association (NPA)

  • Indian Immunological Society (IIS)

  • Seabuckthorn Association of India (SAI)

  • Indian Science Congress (ISC)

Editorial and Teaching Roles:

  • Review Editor for journals under Frontiers, Springer, Hindawi, and MDPI

  • Visiting Faculty in forensic serology and DNA profiling at LNJN-NICFS, India

Citation Metrics (Google Scholar):

Total Citations: 478
Citations since 2020: 410
h-index: 9
h-index since 2020: 8
i10-index: 8
i10-index since 2020: 7

Publication Top Notes:

 

Mawahib A AHMED | Immunology and Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mawahib A AHMED | Immunology and Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Qassim University Saudi Arabia

Dr. Mawahib Al-Haj Ali Ahmed is a distinguished Professor of Microbiology at the College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. With over a decade of experience in parasitology, microbiology, and veterinary medicine, she has significantly contributed to understanding and controlling intestinal nematodes using plant-based and biological agents. Fluent in both Arabic and English, she has an international academic and research footprint, having worked extensively in South Africa and Sudan before moving to Saudi Arabia.

Profile

Google Scholar

Orcid

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Mawahib earned her Ph.D. in 2013 from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where her dissertation focused on the Integrated Control of Gastrointestinal Nematodes Using Medicinal Plants and Biocontrol Agents. She completed her Master’s degree in 2010 at the same institution, researching Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Small Ruminants: Epidemiology, Anthelmintic Efficacy, and Tannin Effects. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honors) in 2005 from the University of Khartoum, Sudan.

💼 Experience

Dr. Ahmed has held multiple research and academic roles. She currently serves as a Professor at Qassim University. Previously, she was a Research Fellow and Principal Researcher at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, working on parasite control in livestock. She also served as a Lecturer in Animal Health and contributed to plant chemical analysis with ICFR. Her expertise includes diagnostic parasitology, laboratory microbiology, and veterinary education, as well as participation in multiple international conferences and collaborative research projects.

🔬 Research Interests

Her research focuses on the biological control of parasitic diseases, especially using medicinal plants and fungi. She is particularly interested in tackling liver flukes and gastrointestinal nematodes, diseases with major impacts on both animal and human health. Dr. Ahmed also works on epidemiological mapping, parasite resistance, and environmentally sustainable veterinary interventions. Her work bridges traditional parasitology with modern microbiological techniques.

🏆 Awards & Memberships

Dr. Mawahib is a proud member of several professional societies, including the South African Society of Animal Science (SASAS), the Golden Key Society (UKZN), the Sudan Veterinary Council, and the Sudan Veterinary Union. She has participated in continental forums such as the CAADP Partnership Platform Meetings in South Africa. Her academic achievements and community impact have positioned her as a leading figure in veterinary parasitology in Africa and the Middle East.

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

Here are Dr. Ahmed’s notable peer-reviewed publications, complete with hyperlinks, journals, and citation format:

Ahmed M. and Alharbi B. (2025). Epidemiological Trends and Progress in Schistosomiasis Elimination in Saudi Arabia (2021–2023).
👉 Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 15(45).
📝 Cited by articles pending due to recent publication.

Ahmed M., Elamin A., Baha Saeed M., Laing M. (2024). Ovicidal effect of ethanolic extracts of selected plants on eggs of liver flukes in vitro.
👉 Helminthologia, 61(4): 300–307.
📝 Cited by 1 article (as of 2025).

Alharbi B. and Ahmed M. (2024). Epidemiological Mapping of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Saudi Arabia.
👉 Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 14(3): 1281–1288.
📝 Cited by 2 articles.

Ketshabile W.G., Moyo M., Ahmed M., Nsahlai I.V. (2019). Feeding behavior of sheep and goats grazing on grass-legume pastures.
👉 Journal of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 1(1): 003.
📝 Cited by 5 articles.

Ahmed M.A., Basha N.A., Laing M., Nsahlai I.V. (2017). Aloe ferox effects on nematodes and sheep weight gain.
👉 HSOA Journal of Animal Research and Veterinary Science, 1(1): 003.
📝 Cited by 7 articles.

Ahmed M.A. (2016). Seasonal dynamics of internal parasite infections in small ruminants.
👉 U. of K. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, 7(1): 14–21.
📝 ISSN: 243456Cited by 3 articles.

Ahmed M.A. et al. (2015). Forage degradability across seasons and species in South Africa.
👉 African Journal of Agricultural Research, 10(11): 1312–1319.
📝 Cited by 9 articles.

Ahmed M.A., Basha N.A., Laing M., Nsahlai I.V. (2014). Wattle tannins for nematode control in sheep.
👉 Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production, 30.
📝 ISBN: 0728-5965Cited by 4 articles.