Shada AlSalamah | Drug Development Lifecycle | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Shada AlSalamah | Drug Development Lifecycle | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor of Global Digital Health at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.

Prof. Dr. Shada AlSalamah is a globally recognized thought leader in digital health, information security, and artificial intelligence. She currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Information Systems Department at King Saud University (KSU) and as a Technical Officer in Digital Health and AI at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. With an impressive career spanning over a decade in academia, policymaking, and digital innovation, she is at the forefront of integrating blockchain, cybersecurity, and AI into global healthcare systems. Her influence spans advisory roles at the OECD, MIT, and the European Commission, making her a leading voice in shaping the future of trustworthy health technologies.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

Education 🎓📚

  • Ph.D. in Computer Science (Information Security in Healthcare Information Systems)
    Cardiff University, UK (2009–2015)
    Awarded: HRH Saudi Ambassador Scientific Excellence Award

  • M.Sc. in Strategic Information Systems with Information Assurance
    Cardiff University, UK (2008–2009)
    Awarded with Merit

  • B.Sc. in Information Technology
    King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2002–2007)

Professional Experience 🧑‍🏫💼

Prof. AlSalamah’s professional journey reflects her strategic leadership across both academic and global health governance platforms. She joined KSU in 2017, advancing from Assistant to Associate Professor, and led key initiatives in cybersecurity and AI within the Center of Excellence in Information Assurance. At WHO, she played a pivotal role in developing digital health strategies and standards, contributing to critical projects on AI governance, algorithm auditing, and health data interoperability. Beyond WHO, she served as a consultant for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health and the National Health Information Center, ensuring secure and effective implementation of digital health technologies. Her international engagement includes prestigious advisory board memberships at the OECD, theDevMaster (USA), and the International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications (EU Commission).

Research Interest 🔬📈

  • Digital Health & AI Governance

  • Information Security in Healthcare

  • Blockchain in Clinical Systems

  • Health Data Interoperability

  • Cybersecurity Policy and Infrastructure

  • Algorithm Auditing & Machine Learning for Health

  • Cloud Security & Resource Allocation

🏆 Honors and Achievements

  • MIT linQ – IDEA² Global Fellow (2019)

  • Health Hackathon 1st Place Winner, KSU Innovation Center (2019)

  • IEEE Blockchain Challenge 2nd Place, Orlando, FL (2018)

  • Research Fellowship, ARAMCO/MIT IbnKhaldun Program

  • CSC Fellowship, Cardiff University Poster Awards (2x Best Poster)

  • Multiple Excellence Awards from HRH Saudi Ambassador (PhD Years 2011, 2013, 2014)

Publications Top Noted

  • Machine learning for health: algorithm auditing & quality control, J Med Systems (2021) — 61 citations

  • Healthybroker: A trustworthy blockchain-based eHealth broker, Electronics (2019) — 60 citations

  • Secondary data for global health digitalisation, Lancet Digital Health (2023) — 52 citations

  • QoS-aware GA for cloud resource allocation, UMT Conference (2017) — 34 citations

  • Emerging digital tech in healthcare with cybersecurity spotlight, Information (2023) — 33 citations

Conclusion 🌟🎯

Prof. Dr. Shada AlSalamah is an exceptional and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the context of the Digital Transformation of the Drug Development Lifecycle. Her global leadership in AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity in health represents a critical layer of innovation that supports the integrity, speed, and safety of modern pharmaceutical R&D.

Although her core work is more infrastructure- and policy-oriented than molecule-to-market, her influence enables trusted, secure, and ethical digital ecosystems upon which scalable drug innovation relies.

Ms. Oliwia Kordyl | Microneedle Systems | Best Research Article Award

Ms. Oliwia Kordyl | Microneedle Systems | Best Research Article Award

Ms. Oliwia Kordy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland

Ms. Oliwia Kordyl is a passionate biomedical researcher and Ph.D. candidate at Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland. Her research focuses on microneedle systems for localized drug delivery, particularly for treating skin infections and depressive disorders. With a background in biotechnology and a hands-on approach to molecular biology, Ms. Kordyl has gained practical expertise in 3D printing, drug permeability testing, and ex vivo assessments. Her work combines advanced pharmaceutical technology with molecular research, aiming to enhance transdermal therapeutic systems. Previously, she served in various roles from lab manager to molecular biologist, contributing to genetic, microbiological, and drug delivery research. Her interdisciplinary work bridges innovation in medical technology with therapeutic solutions. 🧫🧬

Professional Profile 

Orcid

🏅 Suitability for Best Researcher Award 

Ms. Oliwia Kordyl is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award due to her innovative contributions in microneedle-based drug delivery systems and molecular biotechnology. Her cutting-edge work integrates 3D printing with pharmaceutical applications, addressing urgent needs in localized treatments and transdermal drug delivery. She has consistently demonstrated excellence in experimental design, pharmaceutical analysis, and research dissemination at international platforms. Her projects funded by the National Science Centre of Poland highlight her competence in conducting high-impact research. Oliwia’s ability to combine academic excellence with technical expertise makes her a valuable researcher whose work is already influencing future directions in medical technology and personalized drug delivery systems. 🧠💊🖨️

🎓 Education 

Ms. Kordyl began her academic journey at K.K. Baczyński Secondary School, specializing in biology, physics, and chemistry. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biotechnology from Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań. Her Bachelor’s thesis focused on global methylation (5mC) and hydroxymethylation (5hmC) in sperm DNA of oligozoospermic males, while her Master’s thesis investigated Fam71f1 gene expression in a mouse model of spermatogenesis. In November 2023, she commenced her Ph.D. at Poznan University of Medical Sciences, focusing on 3D-printed microneedles for targeted drug delivery. Her education reflects a rich blend of molecular biology, biotechnology, and medical technology, equipping her with a unique skill set in experimental therapeutics and epigenetics. 🧬📚🔍

🧪 Experience

Ms. Kordyl has held various technical and research roles across academia and industry. She currently works as a Lab Manager at Poznan University of Medical Sciences, overseeing a project on 3D-printed microneedles for depressive disorders. Previously, she was a Molecular Biologist at BGW Research Center, where she specialized in genome editing (CRISPR), PCR, and yeast hybridization. Her earlier experience at ALAB laboratoria involved qPCR-based SARS-CoV-2 detection. Additionally, she has contributed to epigenetic research at the Institute of Human Genetics and worked in clinical settings as a Medical Admissions Clerk. Her diverse experience showcases her hands-on proficiency in molecular biology, microbiology, and biomedical research, making her a versatile and skilled young researcher. 🧫🧑‍🔬🧪

🏆 Awards and Honors 

Ms. Kordyl has presented her research at leading international conferences, earning recognition for her work in epigenetics and reproductive biology. She delivered talks at events such as the 21st European Testis Workshop (Barcelona) and the Polish Society of Andrology conference, where she discussed chromatin integrity and methylation in oligozoospermia. Her research posters were featured at the 36th Annual ESHRE Meeting and the European Human Genetics Virtual Conference, showcasing advanced immunostaining and epigenetic localization in sperm chromatin. These honors reflect her commitment to scientific excellence and her growing impact in the biomedical field. Her communication skills and scientific rigor have helped elevate Poland’s presence in epigenetics and pharmaceutical technology. 🧬📜🎤

🔍 Research Focus 

Ms. Kordyl’s research interests lie at the intersection of medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical delivery systems. She specializes in developing microneedle-based drug delivery platforms for treating localized skin infections and mental health conditions. Her doctoral project involves optimizing microneedle production and evaluating physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties both in vitro and ex vivo. She also explores epigenetic regulation in reproductive biology, including DNA methylation and histone modification. Previous work includes advanced molecular biology (PCR, CRISPR, cloning) and fermentation science using metabolic CO₂. Oliwia’s holistic approach brings together molecular biology, bioengineering, and pharmacology, contributing toward the development of targeted, non-invasive therapeutic technologies with real-world clinical applications. 💉🧬🧠

Publication Top Notes

  • Optimization of LCD-Based 3D Printing for the Development of Clotrimazole-Coated Microneedle Systems

    • Year: 2025
  • Microneedle-Based Arrays – Breakthrough Strategy for the Treatment of Bacterial and Fungal Skin Infections

    • Year: 2025
  • Microneedle System Coated with Hydrogels Containing Protoporphyrin IX for Potential Application in Pharmaceutical Technology

    • Year: 2024
  • Global 5mC and 5hmC DNA Levels in Human Sperm Subpopulations with Differentially Protaminated Chromatin in Normo- and Oligoasthenozoospermic Males

    • Year: 2022