Marta Fiołka | Microbiology | Excellence in Research Award

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Prof. Marta Fiołka | Microbiology | Excellence in Research Award

Prof. Marta Fiołka, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Poland.

Dr. Marta Fiołka is a professor at UMCS specializing in invertebrate immunology and biomedical research. She is renowned for her work on antimicrobial and anticancer compounds derived from earthworms 🪱. With 12 patented inventions, numerous national awards 🏆, and active international collaborations, she combines scientific innovation with public science outreach 📢. As a mentor, lecturer, and science promoter, Dr. Fiołka inspires future researchers through her passion, creativity, and groundbreaking discoveries.

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Marta Fiołka began her academic journey with a Master’s degree in Biology from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin on June 17, 1993. Her thesis, under the supervision of Prof. Jan Jarosz, explored the “Effect of hydrocortisone on the defensive reactions of larvae Galleria mellonella.” She earned her PhD in Biological Sciences (specialty: Invertebrate Immunology) on April 12, 2006, with a dissertation titled “Lysozymes of selected invertebrate species as natural immune defence factors,” supervised by Prof. Teresa Jakubowicz. On June 24, 2016, she was awarded the title of habilitated doctor for her research on “Antimicrobial and anti-tumor substances from isolated bacteria and tissues of the earthworm Dendrobaena veneta.” 🧬📚

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Fiołka’s professional journey reflects her dedication to biological sciences. She began as a specialist in the Department of Animal and Environment Hygiene at the Agricultural University in Lublin (1993–1998), before becoming an assistant at UMCS in the Department of Insect Pathology (1998–2006). She continued her career at UMCS as an adjunct and later as a professor in the Department of Immunobiology, where she now serves as a full professor since 2019. Her international fellowships include training at the Medical University of Lublin and a research project in Japan at Chiba University under Prof. Nozomu Takeuchi. 🌍🔬

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Microbiology 

Dr. Fiołka’s core research explores bioactive compounds from earthworms, focusing on their antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer properties. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates immunology, cell biology, and biotechnology. She has pioneered work on the coelomic fluid of Dendrobaena veneta, identifying key protein-polysaccharide complexes and metabolites with therapeutic potential. Her studies have resulted in 12 patented inventions and numerous peer-reviewed publications. She also leads a national research network involving several top Polish institutions. 🐛🧫💊

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Fiołka has significantly advanced the field of invertebrate immunology and biomedicine. Her research has fostered collaborations across Poland and Japan, and she has served as reviewer of multiple doctoral theses and high-impact journal articles. She has mentored numerous students, promoted intellectual property awareness, and organized microbiology and flow cytometry laboratories. Her public outreach efforts, including lectures, exhibitions, and media appearances, highlight her commitment to science popularization and education. 🧑‍🏫📢

🧠 Research Skills

Dr. Fiołka demonstrates proficiency in cell culture techniques, antimicrobial screening, immunoblotting, microscopic imaging, flow cytometry, and molecular biology. She skillfully integrates interdisciplinary methods to identify, isolate, and characterize bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. She’s a versatile researcher, equally adept at experimental design, patent development, and cross-institutional collaborations. 🔍🧫🧪

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Fiołka has received numerous accolades, including:

  • Scientific Award of the Minister of Science (2024) 🏆

  • Marie Curie Research Award (2020)

  • Rector’s Awards (2015–2023)

  • Silver Medal for Long-Term Work (2018)

  • National Education Committee Medal (2015)

  • Prime Minister’s Badge of Merit for Inventiveness (2015)

These honors underscore her excellence in scientific innovation, academic leadership, and public service. 🎖️🎓

🏛️ Legacy and Future Contributions

As a leading authority on the medical applications of earthworms, Dr. Fiołka’s legacy lies in bridging traditional biology with innovative medical biotechnology. She envisions expanding her research into nanomedicine and personalized therapies, continuing her collaboration with Chiba University and Polish medical institutions. As a founder and mentor of a thriving student research club, she is nurturing the next generation of scientists while advocating for intellectual property awareness in academia. Her work is setting a precedent for eco-friendly biomedical discovery. 🌍🧑‍🎓🔬

Publications Top Notes

📘 1. Preliminary proteomic analysis of mouse lung tissue treated with cyclophosphamide and Venetin-1

  • 👩‍🔬 Authors: P. Czaplewska, M. Muller, N. Musiał, B. Tokarz-Deptuła, M.J. Fiołka

  • 📰 Journal: Scientific Reports

  • 📅 Year: 2024

  • 🧪 Focus: Investigating protein-level changes in mouse lung tissue exposed to Venetin-1, a compound derived from earthworms.

  • 🔍 Keywords: Proteomics, lung tissue, cancer treatment, Venetin-1

📘 2. Prospects of earthworm coelomic fluid as a potential therapeutic agent to treat cancer

  • 👩‍🔬 Authors: S. Haque, A. Hussain, A.H. Almalki, M.K. Srivastava, M.J. Fiołka

  • 📰 Journal: [Name not specified] (likely a peer-reviewed open access journal)

  • 📅 Year: Not specified (but likely 2023–2024 based on listing)

  • 🌱 Focus: Reviews the therapeutic potential of earthworm coelomic fluid for oncological applications.

  • 💊 Keywords: Earthworm-derived compounds, anticancer agents, coelomic fluid

📘 3. Autophagy of Candida albicans cells after the action of earthworm Venetin-1 nanoparticle with protease inhibitor activity

  • 👩‍🔬 Authors: S. Wójcik-Mieszawska, K. Lewtak, E. Skwarek, J. Pawelec, M.J. Fiołka

  • 📰 Journal: Scientific Reports

  • 📅 Year: 2023

  • 🧫 Focus: Explores how Venetin-1 nanoparticles derived from earthworms induce autophagy in Candida albicans fungi.

  • 🦠 Keywords: Antifungal therapy, Venetin-1, protease inhibitors, autophagy

Saleh Al-Muqar | Microbiology | Excellence in Research Award

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Mr. Saleh Al-Muqar | Bacteriology | Excellence in Research Award

Mr. Saleh Al-Muqar, Albaydha University, Yemen.

🧬 Dr. Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al-Maaqar is a Yemeni researcher and Ph.D. candidate in Microbiological Sciences at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. He specializes in infectious diseases, nanotechnology, and antimicrobial resistance. With over 15 peer-reviewed publications, his work includes novel approaches to combat MDR bacteria and develop green nanoparticles. He also serves as a lecturer at Albaydha University, Yemen. His dedication reflects excellence in innovative biomedical research. 🌱🔬📚

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al-Maaqar began his academic journey with a strong foundation in Biological Sciences, earning his BSc in 2008 from Thamar University in Yemen. His commitment to knowledge led him to pursue an MSc in Biological Sciences at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Saudi Arabia, which he completed in 2020. Driven by a passion for microbiological research, he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Microbiological Sciences at the same institution, marking a significant milestone in his scholarly growth.

🏥 Professional Endeavors

Saleh began his professional career as a teacher at the Ministry of Education in Yemen (2009–2010). He later transitioned into academia as an Assistant Lecturer at Al-Baydha University (2010–2014). These early roles allowed him to develop a strong pedagogical foundation while nurturing a research-oriented mindset that he would further cultivate during his doctoral journey in Saudi Arabia.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Microbiology

Mr. Al-Maaqar has a deep research interest in infectious diseases, nanotechnology, and experimental medicine. His work includes food-borne pathogens like E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Klebsiella, as well as multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. Currently, his doctoral research explores the pharmacological properties of plant-based compounds such as Lavandula dentata, Capparis cartilage, and Saussurea costus, especially their effects on meningitis-causing bacteria.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Through his interdisciplinary approach, Mr. Al-Maaqar is contributing to global public health solutions by developing sustainable antimicrobial strategies. His research on nanoparticle synthesis using plant extracts and natural product-based therapeutics has opened promising avenues for addressing antibiotic resistance, a critical healthcare challenge worldwide.

🧠 Research Skills

Mr. Al-Maaqar is proficient in a range of advanced research techniques, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing (DDT, WDT, MIC, MBC, and time-kill curves), isolation and identification of bacteria, natural product extraction, and the use of software tools like SPSS, EndNote, and Mendeley. Additionally, he has a secretarial diploma in computer sciences, further supporting his data analysis and documentation capabilities.

🏅 Awards and Honors

While specific awards are not listed, Mr. Al-Maaqar’s publication track record and international academic engagement signify high scholarly merit. His acceptance into a Ph.D. program at a top-tier university and collaboration with renowned scientists worldwide underscore his professional recognition and research excellence.

🏛️ Legacy and Future Contributions

As a rising scholar in microbiology and nanomedicine, Saleh Al-Maaqar is poised to leave a significant legacy through his ongoing research on plant-based antimicrobials and bacteriophage therapy. With the potential to develop eco-friendly therapeutic agents and reduce dependency on synthetic antibiotics, his future contributions are expected to influence both academia and industry. His vision aligns with global efforts toward sustainable healthcare innovations, and he is likely to become a prominent voice in the scientific community.

Publications Top Notes

  • 🧪 Biosynthesis of Novel Ag-Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticles from Leaf Extract of Salvia officinalis and Their Antibacterial Activity
    📘 Journal: Life 13 (3), 653
    🔢 Citations: 37
    📅 Year: 2023

  • 🍯 In vitro antibacterial activity of honey against multidrug-resistant Shigella sonnei
    📘 Journal: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 41, 101257
    🔢 Citations: 22
    📅 Year: 2020

  • 🌿 The effect of different aqueous solutions ratios of Ocimum basilicum utilized in AgNPs synthesis on the inhibition of bacterial growth
    📘 Journal: Scientific Reports 13 (1), 5866
    🔢 Citations: 16
    📅 Year: 2023

  • ⚗️ Optimization of biocatalytic steps via response surface methodology…
    📘 Journal: Catalysis Letters 153 (9), 2543–2557
    🔢 Citations: 13
    📅 Year: 2023

  • 🌱 Effect of Different Ratios of Mentha spicata Aqueous Solution…
    📘 Journal: Journal of Nanomaterials 2023 (1), 3599501
    🔢 Citations: 10
    📅 Year: 2023

  • 🍃 Sensitivity of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria to ethanolic extract of Ziziphus spina-christi L.
    📘 Journal: Bioscience Research 19 (3), 1467–1475
    🔢 Citations: 10
    📅 Year: 2022

  • 🍯 Susceptibility of multidrug-resistant enteric pathogenic diarrheal Bacteria to Saudi Honey
    📘 Journal: JKAU: Science 32 (1), 47–64
    🔢 Citations: 9
    📅 Year: 2020

  • 🌸 Phytochemical characterization and multifaceted bioactivity… Clinopodium nepeta
    📘 Journal: CyTA – Journal of Food 22 (1), 2348735
    🔢 Citations: 5
    📅 Year: 2024

  • 🔬 Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of extracts from sponge-associated bacterial endophytes
    📘 Journal: Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology 53 (9), 1143–1153
    🔢 Citations: 5
    📅 Year: 2023

  • 🍯 SCREENING OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA FROM SELECTED SAUDI HONEY…
    📘 Journal: —
    🔢 Citations: 5
    📅 Year: 2023

  • 🌊 Isolation and identification of biofilm bacteria from microfouling… Red Sea
    📘 Journal: JKAU: Marine Science 31, 45–54
    🔢 Citations: 5
    📅 Year: 2021

  • 🧫 Development of silver-doped copper oxide and chitosan nanocomposites…
    📘 Journal: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C 79 (5–6), 137–148
    🔢 Citations: 4
    📅 Year: 2024

  • 🧲 Iron-Based Nanoparticles Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Effectiveness
    📘 Journal: Advancements in Life Sciences 11 (2), 525–532
    🔢 Citations: 3
    📅 Year: 2024

  • 🧼 Optimization and Detergent Compatibility of Protease from Aspergillus oryzae…
    📘 Journal: ACS Omega 9, 17446−17457
    🔢 Citations: 3
    📅 Year: 2024

  • 🧫 Bactericidal Activity of Coleus forskohlii Extract Against MDR Acinetobacter baumannii
    📘 Journal: Bioscience Biotechnology Research Communications 14 (3), 1265–1271
    🔢 Citations: 2
    📅 Year: 2021

  • 🐄 Serological investigation of Coxiella burnetii in livestock in Makkah Province
    📘 Journal: Veterinary World 17 (4), 842–847
    🔢 Citations: 1
    📅 Year: 2024

  • 🏜️ Screening Desert Soils in Makkah Province for Actinomycetes Producing Antibiotics
    📘 Journal: —
    🔢 Citations: 1
    📅 Year: 2021

  • 🍯 Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of local honey against bacteria causing diarrhea
    📘 Journal: King Abdulaziz University Jeddah
    🔢 Citations: 1
    📅 Year: 2020