Dr. Shamima Akhtar | Vascular Biology | Best Researcher Award
Women Scientist at AIIMS, New Delhi, India, India
Dr. Shamima Akhtar is a dedicated cardiovascular and immunological researcher based in New Delhi, India. With a Ph.D. in Cardiovascular Disease from RWTH University, Aachen, Germany, and an M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Pondicherry University, her work delves into the mechanisms of atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, and immune dysregulation in autoimmune conditions. Dr. Akhtar has held several prestigious roles, including her current position as a Women Scientist (DHR) at AIIMS, New Delhi, where she previously served as a Research Associate and Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research, widely published in peer-reviewed journals, has earned her multiple accolades, such as the DHR Women Scientist Fellowship (2024) and awards for excellence in research presentations. She is also an active life member of key professional societies, including the Indian Immunological Society (IIS), Indian Society of Atherosclerosis Research (ISAR), and the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences (IACS).
Publication Profile :
🎓 Educational Background :
Dr. Shamima Akhtar is an accomplished researcher with a deep focus on cardiovascular and immunological studies. She completed her Ph.D. in Cardiovascular Disease from RWTH University, Aachen, Germany (2009-2013) and holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Pondicherry University, India (2005-2007), along with a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Berhampur University, Orissa, India (2001-2004).
💼 Professional Experience :
Dr. Akhtar’s professional experience spans over a decade, with prominent research roles at AIIMS, New Delhi. She currently serves as a Women Scientist (DHR) in the Department of Biophysics at AIIMS (since October 2024). Previously, she held positions as a Research Associate and Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biochemistry at AIIMS, contributing significant research insights between 2018 and 2023. She also held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in New Delhi (2014-2015). 🏢📊
📚 Research Interests :
Her research primarily focuses on cardiovascular disease mechanisms, particularly atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, and immune dysregulation in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Dr. Akhtar’s notable publications examine the homing of regulatory T cells in atherosclerosis and the role of immune cells in autoimmune disorders. Her work on nitric oxide bioavailability and the immune mechanisms underlying skin disorders like pemphigus has added valuable insights to the field. 📖🧬
📝 Publication Top Notes :
- Akhtar, S., Sagar, K., Hote, M. P., Roy, A., & Sharma, A. (2024). CCR5-mediated homing of regulatory T cells and monocytic-myeloid derived suppressor cells to dysfunctional endothelium contributes to early atherosclerosis. Immunology. doi: 10.1111/imm.13859 (Equal Contribution)
- Akhtar, S., Sagar, K., Singh, A., Hote, M. P., Roy, A., & Sharma, A. (2024). Inflammation-induced sialin mediates nitrate efflux in dysfunctional endothelium affecting NO bioavailability. Nitric Oxide, 146, 37-47. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2024.04.002 (First and Co-corresponding author)
- Kurra, S., Akhtar, S., & Sharma, A. (2024). Immune Dysregulation in Skin. In Critical Thinking in Contemporary Dermatology: Cognitive Essays (pp. 147–170). Springer Nature. (Equal Contribution)
- Hooda, V., Akhtar, S., & Sharma, A. (2024). Regulatory T cells: Mechanisms of Action. In Regulatory T Cells and Autoimmune Diseases (pp. 17-39). Academic Press.
- Das, D., Arava, S., Khandpur, S., Santosh, K. V., Akhtar, S., & Sharma, A. (2023). Dominance and improved survivability of human γδT17 cell subset aggravates the immunopathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris. Immunologic Research, 72(1), 72-81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-023-09413-0
- Akhtar, S. & Sharma, A. (2021). Endothelial dysfunction sustains immune response in atherosclerosis: Potential cause for ineffectiveness of prevailing drugs. International Reviews of Immunology, 41(2), 123-134. DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2020.1866568 (First and Co-corresponding author)
- Das, D., Akhtar, S., Kurra, S., Gupta, S., & Sharma, A. (2019). Emerging role of immune cell network in autoimmune skin disorders: An update on pemphigus, vitiligo and psoriasis. Cytokine and Growth Factor Review, 45, 34-44. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2019.01.001 (Equal Contribution)