Samira Mansouri Majd | Electrochemical biosensor | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Samira Mansouri Majd | Electrochemical biosensor | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Samira Mansouri Majd, Mansouri Majd, Pasargad Institute for Advanced Innovative Solutions, Iran

Dr. Samira Mansouri Majd is a distinguished Iranian analytical chemist specializing in electrochemical sensors and biosensors. Born in May 1987 in Kermanshah, she holds a B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Kurdistan University, graduating top of her class at each level. With extensive postdoctoral experience from Razi and Kurdistan Universities, her research focuses on point-of-care diagnostics, wearable biosensors, field-effect transistors (FETs), nanocomposite synthesis, and microfluidic systems. Currently serving as a researcher at Khatam University and advisor professor at Kurdistan University, Dr. Majd has authored over 17 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals like Talanta and Biosensors & Bioelectronics. She has been honored with national awards including the Dr. Shahriari and Dr. Mousavi Awards from the National Elite Foundation. Her technical skills span electrochemical analysis, optical spectroscopy, and sensor fabrication. A committed educator and innovator, she is actively advancing next-generation sensing technologies for biomedical and environmental applications.

Publication Profile

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Educational Background

Dr. Samira Mansouri Majd has an outstanding academic record marked by consistent excellence across all levels of education. She completed her high school diploma in Experimental Sciences at Golshan High School in Kermanshah, Iran, graduating top of her class in 2005 with a score of 19.77/20. She earned her B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry from Kurdistan University in 2009 with a GPA of 17.65/20, ranking first among 28 students. Her undergraduate project on QSAR/QSPR was awarded a perfect score under the supervision of Dr. Raouf Ghavami. Dr. Majd continued at Kurdistan University for her M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry, achieving 18.97/20 and again ranking first, with a thesis on electrochemical sensors using nanocomposites, guided by Professor Abdollah Salimi. She pursued her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry at the same university, graduating in 2018 with a near-perfect score of 19.76/20. Her doctoral research focused on field-effect transistor biosensors and was also supervised by Professor Salimi.

Research Background

Dr. Samira Mansouri Majd has built a dynamic research career in the field of analytical chemistry with a focus on biosensor development and nanotechnology. She completed three consecutive postdoctoral fellowships between 2019 and 2022. Her first postdoc at Razi University (2019–2020), funded by the Grant for Iran’s Scientific Leaders, focused on designing electrochemical biosensors for detecting various biological compounds under the supervision of Professor Mojtaba Shamsipur. Continuing at Razi University (2020–2021), she explored field-effect transistor (FET)-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors. She then joined Kurdistan University (2021–2022), where her work expanded to photoelectrochemical biosensors, supported by a national grant from the Ministry of Science. Since 2022, Dr. Majd has served as an advisor professor at Kurdistan University, guiding PhD research on photoactive nano-component-based sensors. Concurrently, at Khatam University, she leads projects on smartphone-integrated wearable biosensors and Ni-rich NMC cathode materials for energy storage applications.

Teaching Experience

Dr. Samira Mansouri Majd has demonstrated a strong commitment to teaching and academic mentorship throughout her career. She has served as a laboratory instructor in General Chemistry (II) at the University of Kurdistan in 2014 and 2015, helping students build foundational experimental skills. Her expertise in analytical chemistry was further reflected in her role as a lab instructor for Analytical Chemistry (I) and (II) during 2014, 2015, 2021, and 2022, where she trained students in complex analytical techniques and instrumental analysis. Dr. Majd also contributed to student enrichment activities by participating in the Chemistry Olympiad in 2014, guiding talented students in advanced chemical problem-solving. In addition to lab-based instruction, she taught General Chemistry theory courses during the second semesters of 2021 and 2022, combining theory with practical insights to enhance student understanding. Her teaching experience underscores her dedication to cultivating future scientists and advancing chemical education.

Honors and Achievements

Dr. Samira Mansouri Majd has been widely recognized for her academic excellence and research contributions. She received the prestigious Dr. Shahriari Award and Dr. Mousavi Award from the National Elite Foundation in 2023, highlighting her leadership in scientific innovation. Previously, she was honored with the Academic Talent Award by the same foundation in both January 2016 and November 2015. Her exceptional academic performance earned her the title of Best Chemistry Student in Iran in 2017. Dr. Majd consistently ranked first in her class throughout her academic journey—first out of 28 in her B.Sc., first out of 10 in her M.Sc., and first out of 5 in her Ph.D. She was also recognized as the top student at the University of Kurdistan during 2007–2008. Additionally, she gained admission to her Ph.D. program through the elite “bright talent” quota and was selected in the research section of the 8th intra-university movement festival in 2015.

Research Focus Areas

Dr. Samira Mansouri Majd’s research is rooted in analytical chemistry with a sharp interdisciplinary focus on biosensors, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, and field-effect transistor (FET)-based diagnostics. Her work prominently spans the development of ultrasensitive electrochemical and optical biosensors for clinical diagnostics, such as cancer biomarkers (CA 125, CA 19-9, BRCA1, miRNA-155), environmental monitoring, and therapeutic applications. She actively investigates aptasensors, immunosensors, and molecularly imprinted polymer-based platforms, integrating advanced nanomaterials like graphene, MoS₂, TiS₃ nanoribbons, and metal oxides for signal enhancement. Additionally, her innovations in microfluidics, wearable and smartphone-based point-of-care devices, and photoelectrochemical transducers mark her commitment to miniaturization and real-time monitoring. Her recent publications emphasize lateral flow tests, VEGF165 aptasensing, and Hg²⁺ aptasensors, showcasing a synergy between material science, nano-bio interfaces, and translational health technologies, aligning her with cutting-edge research in biosensor engineering, nanodiagnostics, and smart medical devices.

Publication Top Notes

  • Ultrasensitive flexible FET-type aptasensor for CA 125 – 157 citations, 2018 📅

  • Detection of miRNA-155 via MoS₂ FET biosensor – 151 citations, 2018 🔍

  • MnO nanoflakes/CNTs sensor for Cr(III) – 92 citations, 2015 ⚗️

  • Electrochemical theophylline sensor (MnO₂/IL/Chitosan) – 89 citations, 2013 💊

  • L-Cysteine sensor with MnO₂/graphene composite – 50 citations, 2013 🧪

  • Label-free lactate detection using NiO FET – 30 citations, 2017 🧬

  • MoS₂–Carbon Dot Transistor Hg²⁺ Aptasensor – 29 citations, 2020 💡

  • NiO thin-film FET for HIV-1 gene detection – 29 citations, 2018 🧬

  • BRCA1 detection via aptamer/MIP-MoS₂ FET – 25 citations, 2023 🧠

  • CA 19-9 detection with TiS₃ FET immunosensor – 11 citations, 2023 🧪

  • FAD immobilization on MnO₂/RGO sensor for persulfate – 9 citations, 2016 ⚛️

  • CA 19-9 detection via MoS₂-based FET – 7 citations, 2023 🧬

  • TiS₃-based FET immunosensor for prostate cancer – 4 citations, 2024 👨‍⚕️

  • VEGF165 sensor via electrochemically exfoliated graphene – 2 citations, 2024 🧫

  • VEGF165 aptasensor with nanoporous gold – 1 citation, 2025 🧪

Erick Ondari | Bio Nanotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Erick Ondari | Bio Nanotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Erick Ondari, Kisii University, Kenya

Dr. Erick Nyakundi Ondari, Ph.D., is a distinguished Kenyan researcher and Senior Lecturer at Kisii University, serving as Head of the Department of Biological Sciences. With a strong academic foundation in Biotechnology from Karpagam University, India, Dr. Ondari has cultivated interdisciplinary expertise in nanotechnology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and natural product research. He has actively contributed to scientific knowledge through impactful publications, global conference presentations, and collaborative research projects, including co-PI roles in multimillion-shilling grants on cervical cancer screening and COVID-19 vaccine development. His work in mechanistic nanoparticle research and phytochemical therapeutics has earned him multiple international honors, including awards from conferences in Thailand, India, and Uganda. Dr. Ondari’s mentoring excellence is evident through his students’ success in securing prestigious fellowships and travel grants. A peer reviewer for top-tier journals, he also contributes to curriculum development and policy advisory roles in Kenyan and East African institutions. Committed to public health outreach, he has led sensitization programs on HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. His technical skills range from flow cytometry to nanomaterial synthesis, backed by certifications in good clinical and laboratory practices, ethics, and bioinformatics. Dr. Ondari is a dynamic force in African STEM advancement, combining research innovation, leadership, and community service with exceptional professionalism.

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🎓 Educational Background

Dr. Erick Ondari has pursued a comprehensive and interdisciplinary academic journey in the life sciences, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and bioinformatics. He earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Karpagam University, India (2012–2016), focusing on the mechanistic characterization of Tridax procumbens-mediated silver nanoparticles as novel nanocides against Anopheles stephensi. Prior to this, he completed his Master of Science in Biotechnology at AVS College of Arts & Sciences, Periyar University (2009–2011), where his thesis involved amplification of the emm gene to confirm drug resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes in the Salem District. His academic foundation began with a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology (2006–2009) from KSR College of Arts & Sciences, where he researched the isolation and characterization of Actinomycetes with antibiotic properties. Additionally, Dr. Ondari pursued two postgraduate diplomas at Bharathiar University: one in Chemi-informatics (2011–2012), focused on molecular modeling and docking of the DAP gene from Streptococcus suis and S. parauberis, and another in Bioinformatics (2010–2011), centered on annotating non-coding regions of Streptococci species. His foundational education includes a KCSE from Sameta Boys High School (2005) and KCPE from Sironga D.E.B Primary School (2001), marking the beginning of a distinguished academic and research career.

📘 Professional and Work Experience

Dr. Erick Nyakundi Ondari has amassed a diverse and impactful professional background in academia and research across East Africa and India. Currently, he serves as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at Kisii University’s School of Pure and Applied Sciences, a position he has held since June 2023. He has been a Lecturer at Kisii University since September 2017, contributing to both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research. From 2018 to 2022, Dr. Ondari was a Visiting Lecturer at Kampala International University – Western Campus, Uganda, where he also served as Head of the Biochemistry Department (2020–2021) and Postgraduate Coordinator (2022). Prior to this, he worked as a Full-Time Lecturer at Kampala International University in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania (2017–2018). His earlier teaching roles include Part-Time Lecturer positions at JKUAT-Kisii Campus, Kisii University, and Africa Nazarene University. Dr. Ondari’s research journey began in India, where he was a Research Scholar at Karpagam University (2012–2015) and a Research Assistant under the University Grants Commission at Bharathiar University (2011–2012). This extensive cross-border academic experience underscores his commitment to education, research, and capacity building in molecular sciences and biotechnology across the region.

🏅 Honors, Grants, and Consultancies

Dr. Erick Ondari has been consistently recognized for his outstanding contributions to biotechnology and health sciences through numerous honors, grants, and consultancies. Notably, he secured an AGNES-Alexander Humboldt Stiftung Travel Grant for his student in 2024 and served as a Guest Speaker at the 2023 International Conference on Trends in Biological Sciences in India, where he presented on “Nanotechnology in Health.” He actively participated in the AfriLSc RNA Salon Symposium and presented groundbreaking research on schistosomiasis diagnostics at an international nursing conference. In 2023, Dr. Ondari received the Best Poster Presentation Award at the Uganda Virus Research Institute symposium. His students have also flourished under his mentorship, winning travel grants to prestigious events like the IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience in Spain. In 2022, he guided a Ph.D. student awarded a DBT-UNESCO-TWAS fellowship for tuberculosis research. As Co-Principal Investigator, he secured a KShs 50 million grant for cervical cancer screening innovations in Kenya and was instrumental in obtaining a multi-million Ugandan Shillings grant for COVID-19 vaccine development with Makerere University. Dr. Ondari also participated in the H3ABioNet IBT Course for bioinformatics, showcasing his commitment to capacity-building and translational research across Africa

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Erick Ondari’s research is firmly rooted in interdisciplinary biosciences, with a strong emphasis on biotechnology, nanotechnology, bioinformatics, and natural product research. His work predominantly addresses vector control and antimicrobial resistance through the innovative application of green nanotechnology, as demonstrated in his highly cited paper on the optimization of silver nanoparticles for targeting Anopheles stephensi, a malaria vector. His research integrates molecular physiology and nanobiotechnology, focusing on the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of biogenic nanoparticles for mosquitocidal and antimicrobial activity. Dr. Ondari’s contributions to computational biology are evident through molecular modeling and docking studies aimed at understanding protein-ligand interactions in pathogens like Streptococcus suis, Streptococcus parauberis, and Pneumocystis jiroveci. His bioinformatics work on annotating non-coding genomic regions and studying antimicrobial agents from natural phytochemicals underscores his commitment to addressing pressing public health challenges using eco-friendly and precision-based scientific methods. His multidisciplinary expertise positions him within the emerging fields of environmental nanoscience, phytochemical drug discovery, and computational toxicology, making significant impacts on both human health and environmental safety. Dr. Ondari’s research profile aligns well with modern global scientific priorities, especially in neglected tropical diseases, biomedical innovation, and bio-nano interface technologies.

Publication Top Notes

📄 Green chemistry focus on optimization of silver nanoparticles… – Cited by 56 (2015) 🧪🦟
📄 Antimicrobial activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using Tridax procumbens L – Cited by 25 (2014) 🌿🧬
📄 Effect of biopolymer stabilized silver nanoparticles on antioxidant genes… – Cited by 6 (2017) 🧫🧠
📄 Annotation of non-coding regions of streptococci family: A case study – Cited by 2 (2013) 🧬🧠
📄 Larvicidal and pupicidal effect of Tridax procumbens mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles… – Cited by 1 (2014) 🦟🌱
📄 Synthetic Biology Industrial Revolution, Social And Ethical Concerns – Not cited (2019) ⚙️🌍
📄 Molecular modeling and docking studies of dihydrodipicolinate reductase enzyme… – Not cited (2014) 💻🧪
📄 Secondary metabolites from Annona squamosa as a potential antimicrobial agent – Not cited (2014) 🍃🧫
📄 Molecular modeling approach and RMSD calibration for superimposed 3D structure… – Not cited (2014) 🧠🖥️