Dr. Sanaz Alaeejahromi | Reproductive Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Shiraz University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Dr. Sanaz Alaee is an accomplished reproductive biologist and clinical embryologist whose extensive academic, clinical, and research contributions make her an exceptional candidate for a Best Researcher Award. With over a decade of experience, she has built a distinguished career spanning reproductive toxicology, infertility treatment, ART technologies, and stem cell–based therapeutics. Her academic foundation includes a top-ranked PhD in Reproductive Biology, followed by faculty service at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, where she has led the Reproductive Biology Department, directed the Reproductive Biology Lab, and currently serves as Director of the IVF Laboratory at Hazrat Zeinab Educational Medical Center. Her research portfolio is substantial, with more than 30 peer-reviewed publications covering critical topics such as implantation failure, ovarian and testicular toxicology, stem cell secretome therapy, PCOS biomarkers, assisted reproductive technologies, and oocyte/follicle maturation. A major highlight of her recent work includes a nationally funded project exploring extracellular vesicles from Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells for restoring fertility after chemotherapy—a promising direction for male infertility, especially among cancer survivors. She is internationally engaged, collaborating with researchers from the USA, UK, Australia, India, South Korea, Taiwan, UAE, and Kazakhstan, and remains active in global societies such as ESHRE, through which she is a certified Clinical Embryologist. Her editorial and peer-review influence is exemplary, with over 400 peer-reviews for high-impact journals, including Reproductive Sciences, Reproductive Toxicology, Scientific Reports, and PLOS ONE, demonstrating her commitment to scientific rigor and research integrity. Dr. Alaee has also contributed extensively to graduate education, curriculum development, and the supervision of MSc and PhD candidates. Her combined achievements in research innovation, clinical excellence, international collaboration, leadership, and scholarly service reflect a sustained and impactful contribution to reproductive biology, strongly supporting her suitability for a Best Researcher Award.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate

Monsefi, M., Alaee, S., Moradshahi, A., & Rohani, L. (2010). Cadmium‐induced infertility in male mice. Environmental Toxicology: An International Journal, 25(1), 94–102.
Fazeli, M., Hassanzadeh, P., & Alaei, S. (2011). Cadmium chloride exhibits a profound toxic effect on bacterial microflora of the mice gastrointestinal tract. Human & Experimental Toxicology, 30(2), 152–159.
Neisy, A., Zal, F., Seghatoleslam, A., & Alaee, S. (2019). Amelioration by quercetin of insulin resistance and uterine GLUT4 and ERα gene expression in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 31(2), 315–323.
Alaee, S. (2017). Role of essential oil of Mentha spicata (spearmint) in addressing reverse hormonal and folliculogenesis disturbances in a polycystic ovarian syndrome in a rat model. Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 7(4), 651–654.
Kargar-Abarghouei, E., Vojdani, Z., Hassanpour, A., Alaee, S., & others. (2018). Characterization, recellularization, and transplantation of rat decellularized testis scaffold with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 9(1), 324.

Dr. Alaee’s work advances reproductive science by integrating stem-cell therapies, toxicology insights, and cutting-edge ART technologies to improve fertility outcomes. Her research directly contributes to societal well-being by offering new hope for cancer survivors and infertile couples.

Dr. Aminah Alotaibi | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Research Professor | King Abdulaziz city for science and technology | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Aminah Ghazi Alotaibi is a distinguished researcher affiliated with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a Scopus h-index of 3, 4 indexed publications, and 58 citations, she has demonstrated consistent scholarly impact in the fields of hematology, stem cell biology, and molecular diagnostics. Her research primarily focuses on elucidating the phenotypic and molecular diversity of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) derived from cord blood and bone marrow, advancing the understanding of their biological significance and translational potential in clinical applications. Notably, her recent open-access article titled “Distinct Phenotypic and Molecular Characteristics of CD34− and CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell Subsets in Cord Blood and Bone Marrow Samples: Implications for Clinical Applications” (2025, Diagnostics) highlights her expertise in cellular characterization and regenerative medicine, offering valuable insights for stem cell-based therapies and transplantation science. Dr. Alotaibi’s collaborative network spans 23 co-authors, reflecting her active engagement in multidisciplinary and international scientific research. Her work integrates clinical hematology, genomics, and translational biomedical research, bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient-centered innovations. Through her contributions, she aims to enhance diagnostic precision, therapeutic efficacy, and personalized medical approaches in hematologic and immune-related disorders. Dr. Alotaibi’s scholarly endeavors not only strengthen Saudi Arabia’s presence in global biomedical research but also contribute to the broader scientific community’s understanding of stem cell biology and its clinical potential.

Featured Publications

1. Alotaibi, A. G., Li, J. V., & Gooderham, N. J. (2021). Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) enhances dietary carcinogen-induced DNA damage in colorectal cancer epithelial cells through activation of JNK signaling pathway. Toxicology, 457, 152806. Cited by: 36

2. Al-Saleh, I., Elkhatib, R., Al-Rajoudi, T., Al-Qudaihi, G., Manogarannogaran, P., Alotaibi, A. G., & others. (2020). Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of e-liquids and their potential associations with nicotine, menthol and phthalate esters. Chemosphere, 249, 126153. Cited by: 22

3. Alotaibi, A. G., Li, J. V., & Gooderham, N. J. (2023). Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced metastatic phenotype in colorectal cancer epithelial cells: Mechanistic support for the role of microRNA-21. Cancers, 15(3), 627. Cited by: 21

4. Gaafar, A., Hamza, F. N., Yousif, R., Shinwari, Z., Alotaibi, A. G., Iqniebi, A., & others. (2025). Distinct phenotypic and molecular characteristics of CD34− and CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell subsets in cord blood and bone marrow samples: Implications for clinical applications. Diagnostics, 15(4), 447. Cited by: 1

5. Alotaibi, A. G. (2023). Effect of the inflammatory mediator TNF-α on colorectal cancer epithelial cells development and metastasis, role of dietary carcinogens and miRNA [Doctoral dissertation, Imperial College London]. Imperial College Repository.

Dr. Aminah Ghazi Alotaibi’s research advances global understanding of inflammation-driven carcinogenesis and stem cell biology, bridging molecular insights with clinical translation. Her work contributes to precision oncology, regenerative medicine, and the development of safer therapeutic strategies, fostering innovation that benefits both scientific progress and human health worldwide.