Mahbubeh Tangestani | Cellular Microenvironment Interactions | Cell Microenvironment Award

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Ms. Mahbubeh Tangestani | Cellular Microenvironment Interactions | Cell Microenvironment Award

Ms. Mahbubeh Tangestani | Addiction and Lifestyle Research Center | Iran

Mahbubeh Tangestani is a dedicated Iranian researcher in Environmental Health Engineering with a strong academic and professional track record. She holds a Master’s degree from Iran University of Medical Sciences (ranked top in Iran by Times Higher Education), graduating with distinction. Her multidisciplinary expertise lies in indoor/outdoor air pollution, bioaerosols, risk assessment, and environmental epidemiology, with over 20 peer-reviewed publications, many as first author. Mahbubeh’s research has directly contributed to understanding the health risks posed by microplastics, airborne pollutants, and environmental toxicants in healthcare settings. Professionally, she has held roles as a Process Engineer and Environmental Auditor and currently serves as a researcher at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. Her strong technical and leadership skills, including laboratory analysis, risk modeling (e.g., Monte Carlo), and fieldwork, have established her as a promising voice in environmental health research. She is a recipient of multiple academic honors and a published top-cited author.

Publication Profiles: 

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Scopus
Orcid

Education:

Mahbubeh Tangestani earned her M.Sc. in Environmental Health Engineering from Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. Her master’s thesis focused on indoor air quality in hospitals, combining particulate and bioaerosol monitoring with FMEA-based risk assessments.
She also completed a B.Sc. in Environmental Health Engineering at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. Her undergraduate project addressed the environmental impact of PPE waste during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly along the Persian Gulf coast.
Both degrees provided a strong foundation in environmental monitoring, risk assessment, and public health interventions. Her academic background is backed by exceptional lab skills and interdisciplinary research. She ranked among the top students in both programs and was twice recognized as a Selected Researcher.

Experience:

Mahbubeh has diverse experience as a researcher and environmental health engineer. she served as a Process Engineer for a centralized wastewater treatment plant project in the Mokran Petrochemical Complex. She worked as a Health Auditor and Technical Assistant in Tehran’s Office of Health Services.  She has been a Researcher and Environmental Health Assessor at the Addiction and Lifestyle Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences.
Her duties span exposure monitoring, health risk analysis, air quality modeling, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She also manages a team of 10 people, highlighting her leadership and communication skills.
Throughout her roles, she has contributed to practical engineering projects and high-impact research, merging field and lab work to address environmental health risks, especially in vulnerable populations and healthcare settings.

Honours and Awards:

Mahbubeh has received numerous honors recognizing her academic excellence and research contributions. She was named a Selected Researcher by Bushehr University of Medical Sciences for two consecutive years and was the Top Cited Author in Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy. She ranked 1st among all M.Sc. students and 2nd in her B.Sc. cohort, reflecting consistent academic distinction.
As a co-founder and active board member of the Environmental Health Association at Iran University of Medical Sciences, she promoted environmental awareness and student engagement in sustainability.
Her publications have gained national and international recognition, contributing to journals with impact factors . With a strong record of presenting at leading conferences, Mahbubeh continues to stand out as a passionate and impactful researcher in the field of environmental health.

Research Focus:

Mahbubeh Tangestani’s research focuses on environmental exposure science, particularly airborne pollutants (PM, bioaerosols, microplastics) and health risk assessment. Her work often integrates quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) and Monte Carlo simulations to assess real-world exposure in sensitive environments like hospitals.
She investigates the health impacts of indoor air contaminants, PPE pollution post-COVID-19, and chemical pollutants such as fluoride and phthalates in consumer products. Her interdisciplinary approach combines environmental chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, and epidemiology.
She has authored/co-authored more than 20 papers in reputable journals and is deeply involved in environmental modeling (e.g., AERMOD), GIS, and statistical software (SPSS/Minitab).
Mahbubeh’s research aims to inform policy and preventive interventions through evidence-based risk assessments, especially concerning vulnerable groups like hospital patients and coastal populations. Her focus on the cellular microenvironment, especially airborne microbial threats, makes her highly relevant for this award.

Publications Top Notes: 

  1. 🏥 Seasonal evaluation of culturable bioaerosols and airborne PM in Iranian hospital wards – Scientific Reports 

  2. ⚠️ Development of FMEA risk assessment model for indoor air pollutants in hospitals – MethodsX 

  3. 🧫 Monte Carlo and QMRA approach for airborne pollutants in hospital waste areas – Results in Chemistry

  4. 😷 Systematic review on microplastic inhalation from masks during COVID-19 – J. of Hazardous Materials Advances

  5. ♻️ Systematic review on polyurethane foam recycling methods – Heliyon 

  6. 🚬 Eco-toxicological risk of PAAs in hookah wastewater – Env. Progress & Sustainable Energy 

  7. 🍉 Fluoride intake and risk via watermelon – Toxin Reviews 

  8. 🚬 PAAs in third-hand smoke from cafés: exposure study – Arabian Journal of Chemistry 

  9. 🧂 Non-carcinogenic risk of fluoride in salt in Germany – Fluoride 

  10. 🍵 Fluoride in green tea and health risk – Fluoride 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Mahbubeh Tangestani is a highly promising young scientist whose dedication to environmental health, particularly in indoor pollution, bioaerosols, and risk assessment, provides a strong foundation for advancing research in the cell microenvironment domain. Her multidisciplinary approach, reflected through technical proficiency, impactful publications, and a strong academic record, makes her a suitable and deserving nominee for the Research for Cell Microenvironment Award. With strategic growth into more molecular and cellular exposure research, she is well-positioned to make substantial contributions to the field.

 

Hatice Yesim Karasulu | Cellular Microenvironment Interactions | Excellence in Research

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Prof. Dr. Hatice Yesim Karasulu | Cellular Microenvironment Interactions | Excellence in Research

Prof. Dr. Hatice Yesim Karasulu , Ege University , Turkey

Prof. Dr. H. Yesim Karasulu is a distinguished academician in the field of pharmaceutical technology, currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology at Ege University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Turkey. She completed her Ph.D. at Ege University and advanced to Associate Professor in 2006 and Professor in 2011. Her work as a consultant at Ege University’s ARGEFAR since 2011 and her contributions to the Turkish Ministry of Health’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (2006–2024) underscore her significant impact on both academia and industry. She has collaborated on international research and development projects, and her achievements include patents and international grant-funded projects. Prof. Karasulu has published over 50 scientific papers and delivered numerous oral and poster presentations. Her expertise spans pharmaceutical formulations, drug delivery systems, and biopharmaceutics, positioning her as a leader in her field.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award:

Prof. Dr. H. Yeşim Karasulu is a highly accomplished and influential researcher in the field of pharmaceutical technology. With more than 50 publications, including articles in top journals and book chapters, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing pharmaceutical research, particularly in the area of drug delivery systems. Her pioneering work on colloidal drug delivery systems such as liposomes, nano/microparticles, and SEDDS has had significant implications for drug development. Her collaboration with both academic institutions and the pharmaceutical industry, leading to patents and commercial products under pharmaceutical license, highlights the practical impact of her work. Additionally, her extensive involvement in research projects funded at national and international levels, as well as her leadership roles, showcases her ability to drive innovation and contribute to the scientific community.

Areas for Improvement:

While Prof. Dr. Karasulu has made remarkable contributions, continuing to build collaborative networks with global research institutions and fostering interdisciplinary research could help broaden the impact of her findings. Enhancing visibility in high-impact international conferences or fostering collaborations in underexplored regions might allow her work to reach new audiences, ensuring that her innovations in drug delivery systems are applied more widely across different health sectors.

Education:

Prof. Dr. H. Yesim Karasulu earned her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology from Ege University, Faculty of Pharmacy, where she also completed her undergraduate studies. Her academic journey includes post-doctoral research at the University of Vienna, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, working under Prof. Dr. Franz Gabor. Prof. Karasulu’s comprehensive education laid a strong foundation for her pioneering research in the field of drug delivery systems. Her work has been recognized both nationally and internationally, as evidenced by her academic promotions and various prestigious grants. She has also contributed to the development of new pharmaceutical technologies, and her research has influenced both educational and professional practices in the pharmaceutical industry. Prof. Karasulu’s educational journey is marked by continuous development and contributions to advancing pharmaceutical sciences, which is reflected in her ongoing academic and consulting roles.

Experience:

Prof. Dr. H. Yesim Karasulu has a rich professional background in pharmaceutical sciences. After earning her Ph.D., she quickly advanced in academia, being promoted to Associate Professor in 2006 and Professor in 2011. Alongside her academic career, Prof. Karasulu has served as a consultant at Ege University’s ARGEFAR, contributing to the development of innovative drug delivery systems and pharmaceutical technologies. Her extensive experience in the pharmaceutical sector includes her role as a member of the Pharmaceutical Technology Commission at the Turkish Ministry of Health’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency from 2006 to 2024. Prof. Karasulu has also conducted post-doctoral research in Vienna, enhancing her expertise in drug delivery and biopharmaceutics. Her broad range of experiences has led to successful collaborations with both the academic and industrial sectors, resulting in patent applications and new pharmaceutical products, further highlighting her significant contributions to the field of pharmaceutical technology and drug delivery.

Research Focus:

Prof. Dr. H. Yesim Karasulu’s research focuses on the development, characterization, and evaluation of advanced drug delivery systems, particularly colloidal systems such as liposomes, nanoparticles, microemulsions, and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS). Her work aims to enhance the efficacy, stability, and bioavailability of pharmaceuticals, particularly through non-invasive routes like transdermal, nasal, and vaginal delivery. Prof. Karasulu is particularly interested in the physicochemical properties that govern drug absorption and permeation, conducting numerous studies on skin permeation, mucosal delivery, and targeted drug delivery to various organs. Her research is driven by a strong desire to bridge the gap between basic pharmaceutical technology and real-world clinical applications. She has contributed significantly to the scientific understanding of drug release mechanisms and the potential of microemulsions as novel carriers for active pharmaceutical ingredients. Prof. Karasulu’s work has been supported by numerous grants and has led to the development of several patents and ongoing product innovations in the pharmaceutical industry.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Transdermal delivery of diclofenac sodium through rat skin from various formulations 📄💊
  2. Evaluation of skin permeation and anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of new naproxen microemulsion formulations 🌿💉
  3. Microemulsions as novel drug carriers: the formation, stability, applications and toxicity 🔬⚗️
  4. Comparison of different water/oil microemulsions containing diclofenac sodium: preparation, characterization, release rate, and skin irritation studies 💧💊
  5. Extended release lipophilic indomethacin microspheres: formulation factors and mathematical equations fitted drug release rates 📊💉
  6. Modeling of theophylline release from different geometrical erodible tablets 🧬📖
  7. Efficacy of a new ketoconazole bioadhesive vaginal tablet on Candida albicans 🦠💊
  8. Permeation studies and histological examination of sheep nasal mucosa following administration of different nasal formulations with or without absorption enhancers 🐑👃
  9. Synthesis, molecular modeling, in vivo study, and anticancer activity of 1,2,4‐triazole containing hydrazide–hydrazones derived from (S)‐naproxen 💡🔬
  10. Preparation and evaluation of novel microemulsion-based hydrogels for dermal delivery of benzocaine 💧🧴

Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. H. Yeşim Karasulu is an exemplary candidate for the Excellence in Research award due to her consistent and impactful contributions to pharmaceutical research. Her work has led to significant advancements in drug delivery systems, evidenced by her substantial publication record, patents, and collaborations. Her achievements place her at the forefront of pharmaceutical technology and innovation, making her well-deserving of this recognition.