Bawinile Hadebe | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Bawinile Hadebe | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Head Clinical Unit, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, South Africa

Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe is an esteemed Nuclear Medicine specialist, currently serving as the Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in South Africa. She is also an Honorary Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Bawinile holds an MBChB from the University of Cape Town, with postgraduate qualifications in Nuclear Medicine, including the FCNP(SA) and an MMed. She is pursuing a PhD in Nuclear Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With a focus on clinical research, her work has made significant contributions to molecular imaging in oncology, particularly in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Bawinile is known for her leadership in training future nuclear medicine specialists and her global impact as a researcher. She has been recognized with numerous awards for her research excellence and academic achievements. Her interests include jogging, traveling, and reading.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe completed her medical studies at the University of Cape Town, where she earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree from 2002 to 2007. Her commitment to advancing her career in nuclear medicine led her to specialize in the field, and she became a Fellow of the College of Nuclear Physicians of South Africa (FCNP) in October 2015. She also holds a Master of Medicine (MMed) degree, where her research on 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography in breast cancer patients earned her significant recognition, with the abstract published in the World Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Currently, Bawinile is a PhD candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on the clinical impact of 68Ga-Pentixafor in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, with a focus on HIV-infected and non-infected patients. Her academic journey has been marked by academic excellence and leadership.

Experience

Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe has extensive experience in both clinical practice and academic leadership. She currently serves as the Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, where she plays a critical role in patient care and medical education. Her past leadership roles include Acting Academic Head of Department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Nuclear Medicine Department. Prior to these, she was a Specialist Nuclear Physician at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Dr. Hadebe’s experience spans both public and academic health institutions, with her expertise in nuclear medicine and imaging helping to shape the next generation of medical professionals. Additionally, she has worked at several hospitals, including Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Mmametlhake Community Hospital, contributing to a broad range of patient care and specialized research projects in nuclear medicine and oncology.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of her contributions to the field of nuclear medicine. In 2023, she was awarded the Discovery PhD Fellowship Award, a significant recognition for her ongoing research in molecular imaging and oncology. She also secured the SAMRC self-initiated research fund, providing R200,000 per year for three years (2023–2025) to advance her research. Her groundbreaking work on nuclear imaging techniques has earned her the Vulindlela Holdings research grant of R45,000 for her PhD research. Dr. Hadebe has also earned international accolades, winning the Best International Abstract Award for South Africa at the SNMMI meeting in Toronto (June 2024) and the Best Abstract Award at the iPET meeting in Vienna (October 2024). Her expertise has led to her selection as an international expert at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regional training course in Cairo, Egypt, in August 2024.

Research Focus

Dr. Bawinile Pearl-Gene Hadebe’s research primarily focuses on the application of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging in oncology, specifically in the diagnosis and management of cancers such as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Her PhD research explores the clinical impact of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT in evaluating CXCR-4 expression in oropharyngeal SCC in both HIV-infected and non-infected patients. The aim is to assess the diagnostic performance of this molecular imaging technique in the context of KwaZulu-Natal’s unique healthcare challenges. In addition, her earlier work, such as the role of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography in breast cancer diagnosis, has demonstrated the utility of nuclear medicine in improving the detection and management of malignancies. Dr. Hadebe’s research is not only scientifically significant but also highly relevant to addressing the healthcare needs in resource-constrained settings.

Publication Top Notes

  • Current Status of 68Ga-Pentixafor in Solid Tumours 🧬🩺
  • Molecular Imaging and Theranostics in Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Nuclear Medicine 🔬💉
  • The Clinical Utility of 2-deoxy-2-[18F] Fluoro-d-glucose Positron Emission Tomography in Guiding Myocardial Revascularisation 🫀📊
  • The Role of 99m Tc-Mibi Scintimammography in Predicting Malignancy in Patients Suspected to Have Fibroadenomas of the Breast on Mammography 🩻👩‍⚕️
  • Assessing the Diagnostic Accuracy of 99mTc-MIBI Scintimammography in Predicting Malignancy in Patients Suspected to Have Fibroadenomas of the Breast 🩻🔍

 

 

Wijdan Al-Ahmadi | Biomedicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi | Biomedicine | Best Researcher Award

Associate scientest, King Faisal specialist hospital and research center, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi is a seasoned researcher with over 20 years of experience in biomedicine, focusing on cancer biology, immunology, and disease mechanisms. Based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, she is a key member of the Molecular Biomedicine Research Department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. Her work spans diverse fields, including inflammatory diseases and cardiovascular research. Notably, in 2023, she contributed to a groundbreaking experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting her ability to conduct research in extreme environments. Dr. Al-Ahmadi has demonstrated leadership through her work as an educator, mentoring students at various academic levels. Her contributions continue to push the boundaries of biomedicine, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies and personalized medicine approaches.

Profile

Education

Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi holds a Ph.D. in Bioscience from Cardiff University (2015–2019), where she focused on cancer and immunology research. She also earned a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from King Saud University (1994–1998). Her academic journey has equipped her with advanced expertise in molecular biology, cancer research, and biomedical sciences. Dr. Al-Ahmadi’s educational foundation is complemented by her extensive hands-on experience in laboratory settings, which has enabled her to contribute to numerous pioneering studies. Through her formal education and continuous professional development, she has maintained a passion for unraveling disease mechanisms and enhancing health outcomes through scientific innovation.

Experience

Dr. Al-Ahmadi’s career spans over two decades in the field of biomedicine. She currently serves as an Associate Scientist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, where she leads advanced research projects in cancer biology and immunology. Prior to this, she was a Post-doctoral Fellow (2020–2023), focusing on cancer and inflammatory disease mechanisms. Dr. Al-Ahmadi’s experience includes roles as a Research Assistant (2007–2015) and a Research Technician (2002–2006), where she was deeply involved in cancer research and molecular biology assays. She has also mentored Ph.D., master’s, and undergraduate students throughout her career. Her research has had significant impact both in clinical settings and in experimental fields, including innovative studies aboard the ISS in 2023, demonstrating her versatility in different research environments.

Research Focus

Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi’s research is focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of diseases, particularly cancer, inflammatory disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. She is dedicated to uncovering how specific genetic mutations and signaling pathways contribute to disease progression, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets for better patient outcomes. Dr. Al-Ahmadi’s work in space science is also notable, having contributed to microgravity research aboard the ISS, exploring how human physiology and disease processes respond in space. Her findings not only have applications for space health but also provide critical insights that can benefit human health on Earth. She is driven by the potential of personalized medicine and therapeutic interventions that address the root causes of disease.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Pro-atherogenic actions of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 serine 727 phosphorylation in LDL receptor deficient mice via modulation of plaque inflammation. 🧬🔬
  2. Protective effects of a unique combination of nutritionally active ingredients on risk factors and gene expression associated with atherosclerosis in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. 🥗🧪
  3. Posttranscriptional control of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 expression in cancer cells. 🧑‍🔬🦠
  4. miR-29a inhibition normalizes HuR over-expression and aberrant AU-rich mRNA stability in invasive cancer. 🧬💡
  5. The RNA-binding zinc-finger protein tristetraprolin regulates AU-rich mRNAs involved in breast cancer-related processes. 🔬💥
  6. Alternative polyadenylation variants of the RNA binding protein, HuR: abundance, role of AU-rich elements and auto-Regulation. 🧬📊
  7. Cloning-free regulated monitoring of reporter and gene expression. 🧬🧑‍🔬
  8. RNase L downmodulation of the RNA-binding protein, HuR, and cellular growth. 🔬🧑‍🔬
  9. Bioinformatics and experimental derivation of an efficient hybrid 3′ untranslated region and use in expression active linear DNA with minimum poly(A) region. 💻🧬
  10. Expedient liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection for montelukast sodium in micro-samples of plasma. 🧪💉