Senzosenkosi Mkhize | Molecular Biology | Most Cited Article Award 

Senzosenkosi Mkhize | Molecular Biology | Most Cited Article Award 

Senzosenkosi Mkhize | University of KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa

Dr. Senzosenkosi Surprise Mkhize is a biochemist and postdoctoral research fellow with expertise in molecular biology, biotechnology, and natural product biochemistry. His research centers on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays, bioactive compound isolation, and the pharmacological evaluation of indigenous fruits and plants. He has made meaningful contributions through DHET-accredited publications, postgraduate supervision, and collaborative projects that connect academia, industry, and community initiatives. His work reflects both scientific rigor and practical application, with a focus on public health advancement and sustainable solutions. Alongside his teaching and curriculum development, he plays a vital role in mentoring future scientists, ensuring knowledge transfer and research capacity building. His measurable impact in the global research community is reflected in Scopus metrics, highlighting the recognition of his contributions. Dr. Mkhize’s research record stands as evidence of his growing influence in the field, with 96 citations, 8 documents, and an h-index of 5.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. S. S. Mkhize, J. Cloete, A. K. Basson, and G. E. Zharare, “Performance of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom grown on maize stalk residues supplemented with various levels of maize flour and wheat bran,” Food Science and Technology, vol. 36, pp. 598–605, 2016.

2. S. S. Mkhize, O. J. Pooe, S. Khoza, I. N. Mongalo, R. Khan, and M. B. C. Simelane, “Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized from Pleurotus ostreatus Mushroom,” Applied Sciences, vol. 12, no. 17, p. 8563, 2022.

3. S. S. Mkhize, M. B. C. Simelane, I. N. Mongalo, and O. J. Pooe, “The Effect of Supplementing Mushroom Growing Substrates on the Bioactive Compounds, Antimicrobial Activity, and Antioxidant Activity of Pleurotus ostreatus,” Biochemistry Research International, vol. 2022, no. 1, p. 9436614, 2022.

4. S. H. Yakobi, S. Mkhize, and O. J. Pooe, “Screening of antimicrobial properties and bioactive compounds of Pleurotus ostreatus extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae,” Biochemistry Research International, vol. 2023, no. 1, p. 1777039, 2023.

5. S. S. Mkhize, G. E. Zharare, A. K. Basson, M. S. Mthembu, and J. Cloete, “Performance of Pleurotus pulmonarius mushroom grown on maize stalk residues supplemented with various levels of maize flour and wheat bran,” Food Science and Technology, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 570–577, 2017.

Abir Azri | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award 

Ms. Abir Azri | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award 

Abir Azri | Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir | Tunisia

Ms. Abir Azri is a dedicated PhD candidate in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology with a strong background in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics. Her research focuses on human genetic polymorphisms and their association with the severity of COVID-19, addressing critical questions in health and disease susceptibility. She has gained diverse international research experience through advanced training and laboratory work in genomics, oncology, virology, and molecular medicine across Tunisia, Spain, and Italy. Ms. Azri has actively contributed to scientific conferences, presenting her findings on DNA methylation and genetic risk factors, and has co-authored research outputs in collaborative projects. Her technical expertise spans bioinformatics tools, molecular biology techniques, and statistical analysis, making her highly versatile in both computational and experimental research. With her passion for discovery, strong academic preparation, and global exposure, she demonstrates significant potential to advance biomedical research and contribute meaningfully to addressing complex health challenges.

Profile:  ORCID

Featured Publications

1. L. Maddaloni, G. Bugani, M. Fracella, C. Bitossi, A. D’Auria, F. Aloisi, A. Azri, L. Santinelli, M. B. M’Hadheb, A. Pierangeli, et al., “Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) Expression and Activation in COVID-19 and Long COVID: From SARS-CoV-2 Escape Mechanisms to Emerging PRR-Targeted Immunotherapies,” Microorganisms, vol. 13, no. 9, p. 2176, Sep. 2025.

2. O. Castellini-Pérez, E. Povedano-Espejo, G. Barturen, A. Azri, R. Dominguez, M. E. Alarcón-Riquelme, and E. Carnero-Montoro, “Exploring the impact of genome-wide DNA methylation alterations on chromosome X inactivation and female lupus,” in Proc. Lupus 2024 Conf., Mar. 2024, p. O5.