Amir Avan

Amir Avan, PhD

Ø [email protected]
& [email protected]

Professional & Research Experience & Education

Ø 2.2023 till now: 
Visiting fellow Translational Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences,
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland

Ø 2.2022- 1.2023,
Head of Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Mashhad

Ø 2022 till now,
Head and lead Scientist of Zist Boom Daro Co. Mashhad-BandarAbass

-Conducting invitro, invivo assays and running clinical trial studies in collaboration with Omid and Ghaem Hospitals of Mashhad to explore the activity of novel therapeutic agents, developed novel biotech materials

- 2 trials of developed novel biotech agents in 120 patients (approved trials and studies are ongoing)

- Preprartion of liposome from Egg yolk lecithin and
design/manufacture of mini-extruder device for preparation of nanoliposomes (patent is already sent and under review process)

Ø 12.2020-till now
Associate Professor:
Basic Sciences Research Institute, MUMS

Ø 2020-5.2022: Head of Medical Talent Office,
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Ø 2019-2020: Head of Student Research Communitte, Faculty of Medicine,
MUMS

Ø 8.2014-12.2020
Lecturer, Assistant Professor
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Ø 2011/2014
Ph.D. degree: VU University Amsterdam,

Ø 2009-2011: M.Sc. degree: Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, VU University Amsterdam

Awards and Achievements

• Citations: 11249, h-index: 56, i10-index: 248        
  
• Among the 1% highly cited scientific researcher in the field by ESI, Essential Science Indicators-Web of Science (Clarivate)
  
• Selected as a distinguish Researcher of Univesity,
  Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
  2022
• Selected as best Young Researcher
  of country: 23th Razi Medical research festival, Iran 2018
• Selected among the top Researchers
  of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences:2019, 2018&2016
• Obtained national grant from MUMS,
  2022-2023,
  3,000,000,000 Rial
• Nominated to receive, last round of review, national grant
  as PI from minister of health and education, 2023-2024,
  4,975,000,000 IR
  
• Obtained national grant
  as PI from MUMS, 2014-2022,
  1,525,664,979 IR
  
• Obtained NIMAD grant as PI from National Institute for Medical Research Development (NIMAD),
  1.550.000.000 RR
  (grant nu: 962782, 971176, 976859, 982512, 995352, 987541)
• Obtained “Chris Meijer Award” as excellent PhD student of 2013 with “Outstanding Scientific Performance”, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 02.09.2013
• Ph.D. scholarship “CCA/V-ICI grand” during my Ph.D. program at VU University Amsterdam, 2012-2015, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• HSP Huygens Scholarship as an excellent student in The Netherlands, for Master program at VU University Amsterdam, from the Dutch Minster of Education, Culture and Science, 2010-2011. The Netherlands
• VU Fellowship, 2009-2010. VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Received the “Scientific Gold Medal” from the International Federation of Inventors Associations-IFIA, Geneva, Switzerland, 2009
• Selected among the top student of country, in BSc level, Iran in 2007

Patents

1. Hamid Tanzadepanah, … Amir Avan, Design and manufacture of mini-extruder device for preparation of nanoliposomes, under review process
2. Amir Avan, Majid Khazaei Mahdi Hassanian Mehr, Ghazaleh Khalili Tanta, The therapeutic effect of novel tablet (containing Ganoderma, ginseng,jujube) on improving post-surgical adhesion No.patent  
   108048 Date: 2022
3. Majid Rezaei, pegah Mahmodian, Amir Avan, ehsan karimi.
   Design of electrochemical biosensor based on DNA hybridization based on metal nanoparticles to detect human papilloma virus
   No.patent106601;Date:2021

Books/ Books chapters

1. Principle of Basic genetics and its application,Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Publication No. 475
2. Common Genetic Disorders and Cancer Genetics, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Deputy of Research and Technology, Publication No. 509, 978 - 600 - 369 - 200 – 8
3. Cancer molecular Biology and new therapeutic therapies in common cancers, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Deputy of Research and Technology, 531
4. Therapeutic Potential of Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitors in Colorectal Cancer, Springer Nature 2019 ISBN10 3030231577 ISBN13 9783030231576
5. Pancreatic Cancer: Prevention, Detection and Treatment NOVA SCIENCE PUBLISHERS, 2017 ISBN: 978-1-53610-169-0
6. Genetics  978-964-498-175- Mir Medical Publisher 2008 ISBN: 978-964-498-175-3
7. Human genetics for entering to PhD level Mir Medical Publisher 2007 9-230-498-964-
   978
8. Biochemical pathways involved in diabetes neuropathy, MUMS Publisher 2017
9. Genetic analyses and new models to improve therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer, VU University Amsterdam, ISBN 978-94-6191-992-2

Teaching students in different levels, BSc, MSc and PhD (8.2014-2.2023)

• Teaching of writing scientific proposal and research grant for MSc and Phd students, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
• Teaching of Animal Biotechnology for Phd students 2015, 2017, 2019
• Teaching of Bioinformatics for MSc and Phd students 2016,2018, 2020, 2022
• Teaching of writing scientific papers for MSc and Phd students, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021
• Teaching of genetic engerning for PhD students at MUMS, 2015,2017, 2019, 2021
• Teaching of Molelular Biology for BSc, MSc students at MUMS, 2015, 2015, 2017,2019, 2021, 2022
• Teaching of Molelular Medical Genetics for PhD students at MUMS, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022
• Teaching of Molecular Diognostic methods for PhD students at MUMS, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019
  
• Teaching of Cancer Genetics for MSc and PhD students at MUMS, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
• Teaching of Molecular Targeted Therapy for PhD students at MUMS, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020

Student supervisions (4 Post-doc, 18 PhD, >13MSc/MD students)

Post-doc students

- Dr H Naderi,application of Artificial Intelligence to develop method/software for diagnosis of CRC

- Completed: Dr E Nazari, Identification of novel prognostic markers in Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using machine learning approaches

- Dr S Mehrabadi Assessment of gene expression profiling in colorectal cancer patients as prognostic biomarkers

- Completed: Dr R Mahmoudian Identification of diagnostic markers in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma with Machine Learning methods and Bioinformatics tools

PhD gratulated students

Dr F Amerizade, Dr F Asgharzade, Dr E Tabatabei, Dr MS Khorrami, Dr AYaghobi, Dr A Bahrami, Dr E Khayatzade

Dr S Samadi, Dr R Maryan, Dr. Elnaz Nazari, Dr Elham Nazari, Dr F Rahmani, Dr G Khalili, ……

Current PhD students

M Ahmadi, , M Alaei, , H jamialahmadi, ,N Alavi, H Azari

MSc and MD students: >13 completed theses

PUBLICATIONS/citations by scholar (>402 ISI scientific publications)

Higlighted papers

 Identification of ZMYND19 as novel biomarker of colorectal cancer: RNA-Sequencing and Machine Learning analysis

Khalili-Tanha G, Mohit, Asadnia, Khazaei, Dashtiahangar, Maftooh, …, Ferns GA, Batra J, Nazari, Avan A
Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling."IF:7.54

Machine learning algorithms reveal potential miRNAs biomarkers in gastric cancer.

Azari H, Nazari E, Mohit R, Asadnia A, Maftooh M, Nassiri M, Hassanian Sm, Ghayour-Mobarhan M, Shahidsales S, Khazaei M, Ferns GA,
Avan A.
Scientific Reports 13 (1), 6147IF:
4.996

The advance anticancer role of polymeric core‐shell ZnO nanoparticles containing oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer

N Alavi, P Maghami, A Fani Pakdel, M Rezaei, A Avan
J biochemical and molecular toxicology, e23325IF:
3.568

Phospho-Akt overexpression is prognostic and can be used to tailor the synergistic interaction of Akt inhibitors with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer.

Massihnia D, Avan A, Funel N, Maftouh M, van Krieken A, Granchi C, Raktoe R, Boggi U, Aicher B, Minutolo F, Russo A, Leon LG, Peters GJ, Giovannetti E.J Hematol Oncol. 2017 Jan 6;10(1):9. IF:
23.168

Role of CYB5A in pancreatic cancer prognosis and autophagy modulation.

Giovannetti E, Wang Q, Avan A, Funel N, Lagerweij T, Lee JH, Caretti V, van der Velde A, Boggi U, Wang Y, Vasile E, Peters GJ, Wurdinger T, Giaccone G.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2014 Jan;106(1):djt346.IF:
13.51

Crizotinib inhibits metabolic inactivation of gemcitabine in c-Met-driven pancreatic carcinoma.

Avan A, Caretti V, Funel N, Galvani E, Maftouh M, Honeywell RJ, Lagerweij T, Van Tellingen O, Campani D, Fuchs D, Verheul HM, Schuurhuis GJ, Boggi U, Peters GJ, Würdinger T, Giovannetti E.Cancer Res.2013;73(22):6745-56.IF:
12.7

Fabrication and application of cisplatin-loaded mesoporous magnetic nanobiocomposite: a novel approach to smart cervical cancer chemotherapy

Darroudi M, Nazari SE, Asgharzadeh F, Khalili-Tanha N, Khalili-Tanha G, Dehghani T, Karimzadeh M, Maftooh M, Fern GA,
Avan A, Rezayi M, Khazaei M. 2022. Cancer Nanotechnology
IF: 7.91

Biomarker Analysis in CLEOPATRA: Searching for a Sensitive Prognostic Factor in Breast Cancer

Avan A, Maftouh M, Ghayour Mobarhan M, Shahidsales S, Gholamin S.
Journal of Clinical Oncology 2015. 33 (15) 1711-1712.
IF: 44.5

  Inhibition of angiotensin pathway via valsartan reduces tumor growth in models of colorectal cancer.

Asgharzadeh F, Mostafapour A, Ebrahimi S, Amerizadeh F, Sabbaghzadeh R, Hassanian SM, Fakhraei M, Farshbaf A, Ferns GA, Giovannetti E, Avan A, Khazaei M.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2022 Apr 1;440:115951. IF: 4.219

11.  Reversible Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitors: Discovery of a New Class of Benzylpiperidine Derivatives.

Bononi G, Di Stefano M, Poli G, Ortore G, Meier P, Masetto F, Caligiuri I, Rizzolio F, Macchia M, Chicca A, Avan A, Giovannetti E, Vagaggini C, Brai A, Dreassi E, Valoti M, Minutolo F, Granchi C, Gertsch J, Tuccinardi T.J Med Chem. 2022 May 26;65(10):7118-7140.
IF: 8.039

12.  Impact of hypoxia on chemoresistance of mesothelioma mediated by the proton-coupled folate transporter, and preclinical activity of new anti-LDH-A compounds.

Li Petri G, El Hassouni B, Sciarrillo R, Funel N, Mantini G, Zeeuw van der Laan EA, Cascioferro S, Avan A, Zucali PA, Zaffaroni N, Lagerweij T, Parrino B, Smid K, Deraco M, Granchi C, Braczko A, Smolenski RT, Matherly LH, Jansen G, Assaraf YG, Diana P, Cloos J, Peters GJ, Minutolo F, Giovannetti E.
Br J Cancer. 2020 Aug;123(4):644-656.
IF:9

13.  Rigosertib potently protects against colitis-associated intestinal fibrosis and inflammation by regulating PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Rahmani F, Asgharzadeh F, Avan A, Barneh F, Parizadeh MR, Ferns GA, Ryzhikov M, Ahmadian MR, Giovannetti E, Jafari M, Khazaei M, Hassanian SM.
Life Sci. 2020 May 15;249:117470.IF:6.78

14.  Dynamic Evaluation of Circulating miRNA Profile in EGFR-Mutated NSCLC Patients Treated with EGFR-TKIs.

Leonetti A, Capula M, Minari R, Mazzaschi G, Gregori A, El Hassouni B, Papini F, Bordi P, Verzè M, Avan A, Tiseo M, Giovannetti E.
Cells. 2021 Jun 16;10(6):1520.IF:7.6

15.  Role of c-MET Inhibitors in Overcoming Drug Resistance in Spheroid Models of Primary Human Pancreatic Cancer and Stellate Cells.

Firuzi O, Che PP, El Hassouni B, Buijs M, Coppola S, Löhr M, Funel N, Heuchel R, Carnevale I, Schmidt T, Mantini G, Avan A, Saso L, Peters GJ, Giovannetti E.
Cancers (Basel). 2019 May 8;11(5):638.IF:6.57

16.  Phytosomal curcumin inhibits tumor growth in colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

Marjaneh RM, Rahmani F, Hassanian SM, Rezaei N, Hashemzehi M, Bahrami A, Ariakia F, Fiuji H, Sahebkar A, Avan A, Khazaei M.J Cell Physiol. 2018 Oct;233(10):6785-6798.IF:6.5

17.  Development of bioluminescent chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) models for primary pancreatic cancer cells: a platform for drug testing.

Rovithi M, Avan A, Funel N, Leon LG, Gomez VE, Wurdinger T, Griffioen AW, Verheul HM, Giovannetti E.Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 17;7:44686.IF:4.99

18.  Prognostic factors in gemcitabine-cisplatin polychemotherapy regimens in pancreatic cancer: XPD-Lys751Gln polymorphism strikes back.

Avan A, Pacetti P, Reni M, Milella M, Vasile E, Mambrini A, Vaccaro V, Caponi S, Cereda S, Peters GJ, Cantore M, Giovannetti E.
Int J Cancer. 2013 Aug 15;133(4):1016-22. IF:7.39

19.  Molecular mechanisms involved in the synergistic interaction of the EZH2 inhibitor 3-deazaneplanocin A with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells.

Avan A, Crea F, Paolicchi E, Funel N, Galvani E, Marquez VE, Honeywell RJ, Danesi R, Peters GJ, Giovannetti E.Mol Cancer Ther. 2012 Aug;11(8):1735-46. IF:6.3