Saif S. Rahman Nirzhor, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Student
Saif is a second-year graduate student and researcher at the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, pursuing his Ph.D. under the mentorship of Dr. Manjeet Rao. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where he worked on nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for lung and ovarian cancers and subsequently in stem cell therapeutics during his industry tenure. His research interests range from targeted drug delivery systems in cancer to regenerative medicine using iPSC technology.
Saif is currently investigating the role of microRNA therapeutics in the treatment of Medulloblastoma and other aggressive CNS tumors. He is interested in targeted drug/gene/small molecule delivery systems for efficient brain cancer treatment that has high translatability in clinics. His ultimate goal is to develop novel therapeutics that reduces and eventually eliminates the need of chemotherapy and their devastating side effects, thereby improving survival in patients while imparting a better quality of life.
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
USA Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research Topic: Pediatric Brain Cancers; Medulloblastoma; Gliomas; microRNAs
Education
B.A., Physiology & Integrative Biology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2013
M.Sc., Pharmaceutics & Drug Delivery, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2016
Awards
University of Minnesota Maroon Global Excellence Award, 2009-2013
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Grant, 2011
Juwaid U. and Helen Z. Elahi Legacy Fund Scholarship, 2013
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Outstanding Service Award, 2016
Publications
Usacheva M, Layek B, Rahman Nirzhor SS, and Prabha S. Nanoparticle-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy for Mixed Biofilms Journal of Nanomaterials 2016; 1-11
Chowdhury AM, Khan RI, Nirzhor SSR, Jabin J, and Khan AI. A novel approach in adjustment of total daily insulin dosage for type 2 diabetes patients using a fuzzy logic based system. Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences 2017; 4(4): p. 65- 72.
Khan RI, Nirzhor SSR, Chowdhury AM, Shishir TA, and Khan AI. A fuzzy logic based approach for the adjustment of insulin dosage for type 1 diabetes patients. Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences 2017; 4(4): p. 145-152.
Nirzhor SSR, Khan RI, Chowdhury AM, Shishir TA, Saha TK, and Khan AI. Advanced considerations for enhancing precision control for insulin dosage in type 2 diabetes patients using a fuzzy logic based system. International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences 2018; 8(2): p. 210-224.
Saha TK, Khan RI, Nirzhor SSR, Chowdhury AM, Tareq TI, and Khan AI. Enhancement of insulin dosage in type 1 diabetes patients: Precision medicine through a fuzzy-logic based system. International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences 2018; 8(2): p. 668-682.
Khan RI, Nirzhor SSR, and Akter R. A review of the recent advances made with SIRT6 and its implications on aging related processes, major human diseases and possible therapeutic targets. Biomolecules 2018; 8(3): 44.
Shishir TA, Khan RI, andNirzhor SSR. The critical role of tumor microenvironment in cancer evolution and metastasis. International Journal of Biomedical Research 2018; 9(7): p. 244-258.
Khan RI, Nirzhor SSR, and Rashid B. A closer look into the role of protein tau in identifying promising therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s disease. Brain Sciences 2018; 8(9): 162
Khan RI, Nirzhor SSR, and Uddin MJ. A review of the promising new ways to combat cholesterol trafficking and consequent occurrence of the rare Niemann-pick type C disease. International Journal of Biomedical and Advance Research 2018; 9(8); p. 275-285
Nirzhor SSR, Khan RI, and Neelotpol S. The biology of glial cells and their complex roles in Alzheimer’s disease: new opportunities in therapy. Biomolecules2018; 8(3): 93.
Layek B, Nirzhor SSR, Rathi S, Kandimalla KK, Wiedmann TS, and Prabha S. Design, development, and characterization of imiquimod-loaded chitosan films for topical delivery. AAPS PharmSciTech 2019; 20(2): 58.