Nosheen Akhtar

EDUCATION AND TRAINING - Postdoctoral training, Heamato-oncology Department; Barts Cancer institute; Queen Mary University, London UK, 2018 – 2019 - Ph.D. Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Quaid-e-Azam University, 2016 - Training; Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin Madison, USA. 2013-2014 - M-Phil in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Quaid-e-Azam University, 2009 - PERSONAL STATEMENT - During my research training, I had a very good opportunity to join Cell Signaling and Proteomics group which was focusing on the cross-talk between different pathways and identification of novel targets. This was suggested by the resistance to different drugs by targeting only one pathway. We also worked on novel agents with potent anticancer potential and found out the potential targets of these agents using different techniques especially Tandem Mass spectrometry. - With HEC funding, my research at NUMS is focused is on Breast cancer to find out the possible causes of resistance to traditional drug therapies and to focus on pathways dysregulating multiple metabolic pathways for promoting tumor progression and metastasis. - In our basic and translational research, we are utilizing molecular and cell biology and therapeutic approaches using in vitro model in addition to human specimens. - I have published articles in peer-reviewed journals in basic and translational sciences, active member in several scientific associations. - My objective is to study the underlying molecular mechanisms by which tumor cells acquire resistance and aggressive behavior. My long term goal is to create mechanism-derived treatment strategies for cancer disease. PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS 2016-date Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi; Pakistan 2013-2014 Research Associate, Department of Dermatology; University of Wisconsin Madison. USA 2012-2013 Research Associate; Comsats University, Islamabad. Pakistan. GRANTS Active Project Proposal No. 20- 8689 /NRPU/R&D/HEC; entitled “Prognostic Significance of AMPK in breast cancer and Therapeutic Effects of a novel AMPK activator, Plectranthoic acid; identification of its molecular targets" Completed HEC Startup Research Grant Program (SRGP): 1522 entitled; “Association between genetic variants in mTOR gene with increased Risks of breast cancer; as well as impacts”. Students Supervised: Waleed Baig: PhD Scholar, Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad. Maria Yaqoob: MPhil, Department of Microbiology Abasyn University, Islamabad. Saqib Mehmood: MPhil, Department of Microbiology Abasyn University, Islamabad HONORS AND AWARDS International Research Support Initiative Program: Awarded with merit based scholarship for University of Wisconsin Madison, USA. Indigenous Scholarship for PhD: Awarded with PhD scholarship form Government of Pakistan Merit Scholarship: Awarded merit scholarship from government of Pakistan for Masters and M.Phil studies. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE In Vitro Model • Gene cloning • Flow cytometry • Cell signaling and gene targeting • Nucleic acid extractions, PCR and gene mutations • Western Blot and Immunoprecipitation • Luciferase, MTT, BRDU, Eliza based assays • Fluorescence & Confocal microscope • Cell culture • Cell functional assays • Tandem Mass Spectrometry • Proteomics and tumor markers approach • Cross-talks of different pathways in cancer cells • Drug resistance to kinase inhibitors in Leukemia, breast and Prostate cancer. • Column Chromatography • RT-PCR, Westren blotting • Histopathology Animal Model • Investigating the anticancer cancer potential of novel compounds and identification of their targets. • Translational Research • Targeting multiple signaling pathways in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Breast cancer such as BRAF/MAP kinase and PI3K/Akt pathways • Screening of new drugs with anti-tumor activity using in vitro and in vivo models and dissecting their signaling pathways using high throughput approaches. • Discovering new tumor diagnostic and prognostic markers in cancer patients and their clinical outcomes using proteomic approaches. TEACHING EXPERIENCE • Jan 2016 – Date: National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, Pakistan • June 2009- May-2010: Model College Islamabad, Pakistan. Lecturer Biology • Sep 2005 to Oct 2007: Rawalpindi College of Science and Technology, Pakistan. Lecturer Biology