Ronald Castelino | Nephrology | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ronald Castelino | Nephrology | Best Researcher Award

Head of Pharmacy Practice, University of Sydney, Australia

Ronald L. Castelino, BPharm, MPharm, PhD, PDCR, MSHPA, is an Associate Professor in Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Sydney and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania. With a strong academic foundation and global experience in clinical pharmacy, especially nephrology, he focuses on the quality use of medicines in chronic diseases. His academic journey spans India and Australia, backed by leadership in teaching and translational research. He contributes extensively to nursing and pharmacy education while holding an active pharmacist role at Blacktown Hospital. Dr. Castelino has co-supervised multiple postgraduate research projects, published over 90 papers, and leads a research group focused on kidney disease management and medication safety. He is Board Certified in Geriatric Pharmacy and a Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand College of Advanced Pharmacy. A passionate educator, clinician, and researcher, he embodies a multidisciplinary approach to advancing pharmacy practice and patient-centered care.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Ronald Castelino holds a PhD in Pharmacy Practice from the University of Sydney (2011), an MPharm in Pharmacy Practice (2006), and a BPharm (2003) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India. He also completed a Professional Diploma in Clinical Research (PDCR, 2006) and is Board Certified in Geriatric Pharmacy (BCGP, 2018). In 2024, he was honored as a Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand College of Advanced Pharmacy (FANZCAP) for his contributions to nephrology and research. His educational achievements are distinguished with high academic honors, including a Gold Medal and Second Rank in his MPharm degree. This diverse educational background underpins his extensive work in clinical pharmacology, research methodology, and teaching. His academic preparation reflects a balance of clinical training, research competence, and leadership in the pharmaceutical sciences. These qualifications have enabled him to impact pharmacy education and practice across undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional levels.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Castelino has held progressive academic and clinical roles across India and Australia. He is currently Associate Professor at the University of Sydney (since 2023) and previously served as Senior Lecturer (2016–2022) and Lecturer at the University of Tasmania (2011–2016). His clinical experience includes roles as Renal Pharmacist at Blacktown Hospital (NSW, since 2016), Pharmacist at Calvary Health Care Tasmania (2012–2015), Clinical Educator at Royal Hobart Hospital, and Clinical Pharmacist in India (2004–2007). He has tutored at the University of Sydney (2008–2011) and coordinated various undergraduate and postgraduate subjects in pharmacy and nursing, including pharmacology, therapeutics, and evidence-based practice. Dr. Castelino has also served on scientific committees and has been instrumental in supervising PhD and MPhil candidates. His dual expertise in clinical pharmacy and academia supports a translational approach to patient care and education, positioning him as a bridge between hospital practice and academic advancement in medication safety and chronic disease management.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Ronald Castelino has received numerous accolades throughout his academic and professional career. He was awarded the Teaching Merit Certificate by the University of Tasmania in both 2013 and 2014 for excellence in education. His outstanding academic performance was recognized with the Second Rank in MPharm (Pharmacy Practice) by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India (2006). He was also the Gold Medallist and Best Outgoing Student at JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore (2004–2005). In recognition of his expertise and leadership in nephrology and pharmacy research, he became a Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand College of Advanced Pharmacy (FANZCAP) in 2024. These awards underscore his commitment to advancing pharmacy practice, medical education, and health services research. His consistent recognition reflects both academic excellence and sustained contributions to pharmacy education, making him a highly respected educator and clinician in his field.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Castelino’s research centers on the quality use of medicines and chronic disease state management, particularly in kidney diseases. He leads a multidisciplinary research group at the University of Sydney dedicated to medication safety and health service improvement in nephrology. His translational research aligns with the University’s theme of “Better Health” and includes pharmacist-led medication review clinics, studies on metformin use in diabetes, and adverse drug reactions in elderly patients. He has supervised several PhD and MPhil students, with projects targeting medication regimen complexity in end-stage kidney disease and healthcare delivery models. Dr. Castelino’s work is informed by his clinical practice as a renal pharmacist and aims to bridge gaps between patient care and policy implementation. With over 97 publications, including book chapters and professional articles, his research has influenced both academic and hospital-based pharmacy practices. His focus remains on evidence-based interventions that enhance safety and outcomes in vulnerable populations.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Ronald Castelino exemplifies the integration of academic excellence, clinical expertise, and research leadership in pharmacy practice. Through his commitment to improving medication safety and chronic disease management, he bridges gaps between education, research, and patient care. His contributions continue to shape pharmacy education and nephrology research in Australia and beyond.

 

Publications

Ishrat Mahjabeen | Tumor Biomarkers | Best Scholar Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Dr. Ishrat Mahjabeen | Tumor Biomarkers | Best Scholar Award

Academician/Research Scholar |COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan

Dr. Ishrat Mahjabeen is an accomplished molecular biologist and cancer geneticist currently serving as Associate Professor at COMSATS University Islamabad, with extensive expertise in head and neck cancer, gene regulation, and microRNA biology. She earned her PhD in Cancer Genetics from COMSATS and recently completed a prestigious Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship at Brown University, USA. Dr. Mahjabeen has over two decades of research and academic experience, contributing significantly to molecular oncology through her work on base excision repair pathway genes, miRNA dysregulation, and genetic polymorphisms. She has also been an active educator, having supervised numerous undergraduate and graduate students and taught a variety of bioscience courses. Her scholarly contributions include a Springer book chapter and multiple international conference presentations. With a deep commitment to cancer research and academic mentorship, she continues to shape the future of biomedical science in Pakistan and beyond through her innovative work and international collaborations.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Ishrat Mahjabeen holds a diverse academic background rooted in biological sciences. She earned her Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2023–2024) from Brown University, USA, through the esteemed Fulbright Scholarship Program. Her PhD in Cancer Genetics was awarded by COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad in 2013, where she conducted a thesis on deregulated base excision repair pathway genes and microRNAs in head and neck cancer. Prior to her doctorate, she completed her M.Phil. in Developmental Biology from Quaid-e-Azam University in 2006, focusing on methylcobalamin’s role in sciatic nerve regeneration in rabbits. Her academic journey began with an MSc in Zoology from the University of Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi in 2003, where she explored the impact of temperature on arthropod populations. This strong foundation across developmental biology, zoology, and cancer genetics has equipped her with a multi-dimensional understanding of complex biological systems, enabling her significant contributions to cancer research and biosciences education.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Ishrat Mahjabeen has over 20 years of rich research and academic experience in biosciences and molecular oncology. Since May 2024, she has been serving as Associate Professor at COMSATS University Islamabad, where she previously held the positions of Assistant Professor (2017–2024) and Senior Scientific Officer (2014–2017). Her academic journey began with research fellowships at leading institutions, including the Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Quaid-e-Azam University, and PMAS Arid Agriculture University. She also contributed as an honorary lecturer in Talagang. As a committed educator, she has supervised over 140 students across BS, MS, and PhD levels and has taught advanced courses in molecular biology, research techniques, and biochemistry. Her leadership in academia is marked by dedication to translational cancer research, curriculum development, and capacity building in the life sciences, fostering innovation and scientific rigor among emerging researchers.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Ishrat Mahjabeen has been honored with the prestigious Fulbright Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2023–2024) at Brown University, USA—an international recognition of her excellence in cancer genetics research. Her academic achievements and research impact have earned her continued faculty promotions within COMSATS University Islamabad, reflecting her contributions to teaching, student mentorship, and scientific leadership. She has received recognition for her work through invited talks and presentations at notable global scientific platforms, including the American Association of Extracellular Vesicles (AAEV 2023) in Boston and multiple international conferences in Turkey and Pakistan. Her chapter contribution in a Springer book on head and neck cancer highlights her thought leadership in molecular oncology. These accolades underscore her pioneering work in cancer biology, particularly in miRNA and gene regulation research, as well as her role in fostering academic excellence and collaborative innovation across borders.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Ishrat Mahjabeen’s research centers on molecular oncology with a focus on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying cancer development, particularly head and neck cancers. Her PhD work explored deregulated base excision repair pathway genes and the role of microRNAs in tumor progression. She investigates how miRNA dysregulation, gene polymorphisms, and checkpoint kinase alterations contribute to tumorigenesis, with significant emphasis on gliomas, gastric cancer, and H. pylori-associated pathogenesis. Dr. Mahjabeen is also involved in studying exosomal miRNAs and their functional targets, aiming to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Her translational research approach integrates molecular biology with bioinformatics to unravel cancer pathways and personalize treatment strategies. Her postdoctoral research at Brown University further broadened her scope, allowing global collaborations and access to advanced genomic tools. She remains committed to bridging basic research and clinical relevance to improve early cancer diagnostics and targeted therapies in low-resource healthcare settings.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Ishrat Mahjabeen stands out as a dynamic academic and cancer researcher, combining excellence in teaching, mentorship, and cutting-edge molecular oncology. Her global exposure, leadership in translational research, and unwavering commitment to biosciences make her an asset to the scientific community.

4o
Publications