Researcher, Aix-Marseille University, France
Dr. Soraya Mezouar is an Associate Professor at Aix-Marseille University, France, specializing in immunology, inflammation, and hematology. With an H-index of 30 and over 3,400 citations, her work significantly contributes to understanding the immune mechanisms involved in infectious and sterile inflammatory diseases, thrombosis, and cancer. Dr. Mezouar has led impactful translational research both in academia and the pharmaceutical industry, notably focusing on autophagy inhibitors in cancer and autoimmune diseases. She actively supervises international master’s programs and has extensive teaching responsibilities in immunopathology and biomedical sciences. Her collaborative spirit is evident through participation in global research networks, industry partnerships, and educational outreach initiatives. Recognized for her expertise by the European Research Council and other scientific bodies, Dr. Mezouar continuously bridges laboratory science with clinical applications. Her career reflects a deep commitment to scientific advancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the mentoring of future biomedical researchers.
Professional Profile
📌 Education
Dr. Soraya Mezouar earned her Habilitation to Supervise Research (HDR) in 2020 from Aix-Marseille University, focusing on the immune mechanisms in sterile and infectious inflammatory diseases. This prestigious qualification underlines her ability to lead independent research and supervise doctoral candidates. She completed her PhD in 2015 at the Faculty of Medicine, Aix-Marseille University, under the supervision of Professor C. Dubois, where she explored the role of platelets in inflammation, thrombosis, and cancer. Her doctoral research laid the foundation for her subsequent groundbreaking contributions in immunohematology and infectious diseases. Dr. Mezouar’s educational pathway began with her graduate studies at INSERM UMR 911, where she examined platelet activation in cancer progression and glioblastoma characterization. Her strong academic trajectory, enriched by multidisciplinary research experiences, has equipped her with a unique blend of expertise in immunology, oncology, and clinical applications, positioning her as a leader in her field.
📌 Professional Experience
Since 2022, Dr. Soraya Mezouar has served as an Associate Professor at UMR7264, GENGLOBE, Aix-Marseille University, where she investigates the interactions between red blood cells and circulating cells in haemopathies. From 2020 to 2022, she was the Research Director at Genoscience Pharma, leading in vivo and in vitro teams in developing autophagy inhibitor drugs targeting cancer, infections, and autoimmune diseases. Between 2016 and 2022, she was associated with MEPHI at Aix-Marseille University and the IHU Mediterranean Infection, focusing on immune mechanisms in infectious inflammatory diseases. Her earlier research includes a PhD at INSERM UMR 1076 on platelets in inflammation and thrombosis, and graduate research on glioblastoma and platelet activation in cancer at INSERM UMR 911. In addition to her research, Dr. Mezouar plays a vital role in academic leadership, heading master’s programs in biology and medicine, and contributing to the advancement of teaching and research methodology in immunology.
📌 Research Focus
Dr. Soraya Mezouar’s research focuses on the immune system’s role in inflammatory pathologies, thrombosis, cancer progression, and infectious diseases. She has extensively explored how platelets and microparticles contribute to cancer metastasis and thrombus formation. Her work further investigates immune responses in COVID-19, emphasizing immunoparalysis and the interaction between monocytes, macrophages, and SARS-CoV-2. Dr. Mezouar is also pioneering research on the relationship between red blood cells and circulating immune cells in haemopathies, providing new perspectives on disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Her translational research experience in developing autophagy inhibitors for cancer and autoimmune diseases highlights her commitment to bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical applications. Additionally, she is actively involved in microbiome studies, circadian rhythm influences on immunity, and allergy mechanisms. Her cross-disciplinary approach contributes significantly to the understanding of complex immune-mediated diseases and opens pathways for innovative treatments in oncology, infectious diseases, and immunohematology.
📌 Publication Top Notes
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Tissue factor–positive neutrophils bind to injured endothelial wall and initiate thrombus formation
📖 Blood, 2012, 120(10), 2133-2143.
👥 Authors: R. Darbousset, G.M. Thomas, S. Mezouar, et al.
🔗 Cited by: 393
🔍 Summary: This study reveals how neutrophils expressing tissue factor interact with the endothelium to promote thrombus formation, enhancing the understanding of thrombosis mechanisms.
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Role of platelets in cancer and cancer-associated thrombosis: experimental and clinical evidences
📖 Thrombosis Research, 2016, 139, 65-76.
👥 Authors: S. Mezouar, C. Frère, R. Darbousset, et al.
🔗 Cited by: 253
🔍 Summary: The paper provides experimental and clinical insights into platelets’ role in cancer progression and thrombosis, suggesting therapeutic potential in targeting platelet functions.
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Inhibition of platelet activation prevents the P-selectin and integrin-dependent accumulation of cancer cell microparticles and reduces tumor growth and metastasis in vivo
📖 International Journal of Cancer, 2015, 136(2), 462-475.
👥 Authors: S. Mezouar, R. Darbousset, et al.
🔗 Cited by: 180
🔍 Summary: This research demonstrates that inhibiting platelet activation can prevent metastasis and tumor growth, proposing new avenues for anti-metastatic therapies.
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Sexual dimorphism and gender in infectious diseases
📖 Frontiers in Immunology, 2021, 12, 698121.
👥 Authors: L. Gay, C. Melenotte, S. Mezouar, et al.
🔗 Cited by: 158
🔍 Summary: The study explores gender-related immune differences in infectious diseases, highlighting the importance of sex-specific treatment considerations.
Conclusion
Dr. Soraya Mezouar is a highly competitive candidate for the Best Researcher Award, with a proven track record of impactful research, significant scientific contributions, and strong community engagement. Her interdisciplinary work bridging immunology, cancer, and infectious diseases is particularly timely and valuable. While there is room for expanding international leadership and high-level funding acquisition, her scientific excellence, educational leadership, and active research dissemination make her a worthy nominee for this prestigious recognition.