Muhammad Bilal Afridi | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Bilal Afridi | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Bilal Afridi | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award | Pharmaceutical | Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan | Pakistan

Dr. Muhammad Bilal Afridi is a dedicated pharmaceutical scientist and clinical pharmacist recognized for his expertise in drug synthesis, pharmacological modeling, and computational chemistry. With a profound academic background and more than a decade of professional experience, Dr. Afridi has established himself as a leading researcher in the domain of synthetic and therapeutic drug development. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, where his doctoral research focused on the synthesis, characterization, computational studies, and pharmacological potential of synthetic curcumin derivatives aimed at addressing diabetes and amnesia-related disorders. His earlier academic milestones include an M.Phil in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Abdul Wali Khan University and a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) from Kohat University of Science and Technology. Professionally, Dr. Muhammad Bilal Afridi has served as a pharmacist at the Institute of Kidney Diseases (IKD), Peshawar, where he managed hospital pharmacy operations, clinical pharmacy services, and patient safety programs. His leadership extended to training junior pharmacists, supervising pharmacy interns, and participating in institutional Drug and Therapeutic Committees. His previous tenures at Rehman Medical Institute and D. Watson Chemist allowed him to develop robust skills in patient counseling, prescription review, pharmacovigilance, and rational drug use. Dr. Afridi’s research interests encompass computational drug design, molecular docking, pharmacodynamics, and synthesis of bioactive compounds, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach that bridges chemistry, pharmacology, and computational biology. His published works in highly regarded journals, including Computational Biology and Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry Communications, and Current Molecular Pharmacology, contribute significantly to advancing medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical innovation. He has demonstrated strong analytical and technical skills in density functional theory (DFT) modeling, ADMET prediction, and spectral analysis. Dr. Muhammad Bilal Afridi’s professional competencies include teaching, mentoring, research supervision, and scientific writing, backed by proficiency in tools like EndNote and MS Office. His contributions have been acknowledged through multiple peer-reviewed publications, collaborations with international researchers from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, and recognition in academic circles for his commitment to scientific excellence. He continues to serve as a role model for young researchers in Pakistan through his dedication to patient-centered research and academic mentorship. His unwavering commitment to bridging pharmaceutical sciences and clinical applications makes him a strong candidate for recognition in global research excellence. Dr. Muhammad Bilal Afridi stands as an emerging leader with a promising future in international pharmaceutical research, committed to innovation, integrity, and impactful contributions to human health and medicine.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications 

  1. Afridi, M. B., Sardar, H., Serdaroğlu, G., Shah, S. W. A., Alsharif, K. F., & Khan, H. (2024). SwissADME studies and density functional theory (DFT) approaches of methyl substituted curcumin derivatives. Computational Biology and Chemistry, 112, 108153. (Cited by 8)

  2. Afridi, M. B., Sardar, H., Serdaroğlu, G., Shah, S. W. A., Alsharif, K. F., & Khan, H. (2024). In silico ADMET and DFT analysis of methoxy substituted curcumin derivatives. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 168, 112943. (Cited by 6)

  3. Afridi, M. B., Khan, H., Ali Shah, S. W., Zafar, M., Almalki, A. S., Ghias, M., & Rahman, N. (2022). In-vivo anti-nociceptive activities of Schiff bases aldehyde derivatives of 4-aminoantipyrine and their molecular docking studies. Main Group Chemistry, 21(2), 373–386. (Cited by 10)

  4. Afridi, M. B., Khan, H., Akkol, E. K., & Aschner, M. (2021). Pain perception and management: Where do we stand? Current Molecular Pharmacology, 14(5), 678–688. (Cited by 25)

  5. Afridi, M. B., Sardar, H., Shah, S. W. A., Serdaroğlu, G., & Khan, H. (2025). Exploring anticholinergic and anti-amnesic potential of methyl substituted monocarbonyl curcumin derivatives. European Journal of Pharmacology, 950, 182653. (Cited by 2)

  6. Afridi, M. B., Khan, H., & Shah, S. W. A. (2023). Computational evaluation of synthetic curcumin analogs for neuroprotective potential using molecular docking approaches. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1287, 135623. (Cited by 4)

  7. Afridi, M. B., Sardar, H., & Khan, H. (2023). Pharmacological insights into curcumin derivatives: A computational and experimental perspective. Bioorganic Chemistry, 137, 106707. (Cited by 3)

 

Anne Vertigan | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Anne Vertigan | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr Anne Vertigan, John Hunter Hospital, Australia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan is an experienced Speech Pathologist with a career spanning over 30 years. She holds multiple degrees, including a PhD in chronic cough and airway hyperresponsiveness. Dr. Vertigan is the Director of Speech Pathology at Greater Newcastle Acute Hospital and has extensive experience in leadership and clinical roles. She has contributed significantly to research, focusing on chronic cough, laryngeal dysfunction, and asthma. Dr. Vertigan has been invited to speak at numerous international conferences and has received several prestigious grants. She is also an Associate Editor for the European Respiratory Journal. 📚🎤💬👩‍⚕️🌏

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan holds a B.App.Sc. (Speech Pathology) from La Trobe University (1991), an MBA from the University of Newcastle (2008), and a PhD from the University of Queensland, where she researched chronic cough and extrathoracic airway hyperresponsiveness syndrome, awarded in 2007. She also earned a Master in Clinical Epidemiology (2023) and a Master in Medical Statistics (2023) from the University of Newcastle. Dr. Vertigan’s academic and professional journey reflects her commitment to advancing knowledge in health, particularly in respiratory conditions and clinical research. 📚🎓💡🩺

Experience

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan is a seasoned speech pathologist with an extensive career in healthcare leadership. She has served as the Director of Speech Pathology at the Greater Newcastle Acute Hospital Network since 2000. Previously, Dr. Vertigan was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the NHMRC Centre for Clinical Excellence in Respiratory & Sleep Medicine (2008-2009). Her roles include District Profession Director of Speech Pathology at Hunter New England Health (2008-2015) and Director at John Hunter Hospital (1994-2000). With additional experience in various hospitals and community health centers, Dr. Vertigan has made significant contributions to speech pathology and healthcare. 🏥👩‍⚕️📚

Presentations

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan is a renowned expert in laryngeal dysfunction, chronic cough, and voice disorders, delivering numerous invited talks at prestigious international conferences. In June 2024, she spoke at the Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction Conference in Pittsburgh, USA, on topics such as the hypersensitive larynx, laryngeal dysfunction, and the relationship between inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) and severe asthma. She also addressed dysphagia management and laryngeal hyperresponsiveness at the Phonosurgery Association of India in February 2024. Additionally, Dr. Vertigan shared her expertise at the French Society of ENT Congress and the ENT Head & Neck Instructional Course in Singapore. 🌍🎤👩‍⚕️

Grants

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan has been awarded several prestigious grants and recognitions for her research in respiratory health. These include the $10,000 Ignite EMCR Equipment Grant (2018) for BioRadio Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography, and the $5,000 Strategic Research Pilot Grant (2020) to understand breathlessness in asthma. She also contributed to the $320,490.62 Medical Research Futures Fund on bushfire impact (2020), and the NHMRC’s $2.5 million CREATT Centre for asthma research (2020). In 2021, her work on non-pharmacological treatments for interstitial lung diseases won the SPP Robalo Cordeiro Award. Her latest project focuses on minimizing corticosteroid use in asthma. 🫁💡🌿

Research Focus

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan’s research primarily focuses on respiratory diseases, particularly chronic cough, breathlessness, and asthma. She investigates the psychophysiological correlates of breathlessness and the impact of exposure to environmental factors like wildfire smoke. Dr. Vertigan also explores respiratory issues related to vocal cord dysfunction and laryngeal hypersensitivity. She is involved in studies aimed at improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for conditions such as chronic cough in children and adults. Her work aims to enhance understanding and management of airway conditions in clinical settings. 🌬️🫁👩‍⚕️🔬🌱

Publication top Notes

Abnormal breathing pattern features in chronic refractory cough

Understanding Breathlessness Burden and Psychophysiological Correlates in Asthma

Respiratory Diseases Associated With Wildfire Exposure in Outdoor Workers

Misconceptions on behavioral cough suppression therapy for pediatric nonspecific cough: A response to Weinberger and Buettner’s commentary on Fujiki et al.

Living With Asthma and Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction: “I Just Can’t Get Air In”

Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis, Assessment and Management (CICADA). Summary of an updated position statement on chronic cough in Australia