Personal profile
Biography
I have a BSc in Biochemistry from Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London. I then obtained a PhD in cellular pharmacology from the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, under the supervision of Prof Sir Magdi Yacoub. Following this, I became an EU Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at Lund University, Sweden, working with Prof. Björn Dahlbäck on the molecular mechanisms of Gas6/TAM signalling in cells. I continued my research under a further postdoctoral fellowship and then as an independent investigator (Docent) at Lund University. In 2009, I joined the University of Portsmouth as Senior Lecturer, and in September 2017 I was promoted to Reader in Cell and Molecular Biology.
Research Interests
1) Gas6-TAM ligand-receptor signalling and its role in normal and pathophysiological cell biology, including cancer, inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases.
2) Vitamin K-dependent molecular mechanisms in health and disease.
3) Intracellular signalling via the Tensin family proteins in normal and cancer cell biology.
For further information about my research please visit my lab page.
Further information is also avilable on LinkedIn, ResearchGate and ORCID.
Current and past research project supervision: PhD, Prof Doc, PhD by Publication, MRes, MSc, undergraduate research placements (incl Wellcome), international research placements (e.g. ERASMUS, Brazilian 'Science without Borders').
I welcome enquiries and applications from students wishing to be supervised on PhD or MRes projects within the research areas descibed above.
Teaching Responsibilities
I teach on multiple modules across all courses within the School: BSc Pharmacology, BSc Biomedical Science, MPharmacy, MSc Medical Biotechnology.
I am module co-ordinator for the following: (i) Final year Project (BSc Pharmacology, BSc Biomedical Science) (40 credits), (ii) Research-Based Work Experience (BSc Pharmacology, BSc Biomedical Science)(40 credits), (iii) Molecular Medicine (MSc Medical Biotechnology)(30 credits); (iv) Pharmacology Work Placement Year (120 credits).
Summary
I am Associate Professor in Cell and Molecular Biology at the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences. In addition to my other academic roles (see other sections), I have reviewed submissions for dozens of scientific journals and research grant applications. I am presently Executive Editor for the journal Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, Reviews Editor for Frontiers in Drug Discovery, and Associate/Special Issues Editor for Cells (Basel). I am also a member of the Grants Committee of the Biochemical Society. I also regularly communicate my research, as well as our School's courses, at external outreach events (schools, charities, funder's events).
Keywords
- Q Science (General)
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- RS Pharmacy and materia medica
- Pharmacology
- Small molecule inhibitors
- RB Pathology
- Cancer
- multiple sclerosis
- Inflammation
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Bioinformatic RNA-Seq functional profiling of the tumor suppressor gene OPCML in ovarian cancers: the multifunctional, pleiotropic impacts of having three Ig domains
Marsh, A. G., Görtler, F., Hafizi, S. & Gabra, H., 1 Jun 2025, In: Current Issues in Molecular Biology. 47, 6, 19 p., 405.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile35 Downloads (Pure) -
Protein expressions in human saliva following water and juice interventions
Zaheer, S., Hafizi, S., Louca, C. & Mutahar, M. A. M., 1 Jul 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
Open Access -
Short-term effects of sweetened acidic beverages consumption on human saliva: Colloidal properties and protein composition
Zaheer, S., Kew, B., Louca, C., Hafizi, S., Sarkar, A. & Mutahar, M., 3 Sept 2025, In: PLoS One. 20, 9, 20 p., e0330023.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Downloads (Pure) -
Vitamin K1 administration increases the level of circulating carboxylated osteocalcin in critically ill patients
Aydin, N., Kander, T., Schött, U. & Hafizi, S., 19 Jan 2025, In: Nutrients. 17, 2, p. 1-13 13 p., 348.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile30 Downloads (Pure) -
Filtering efficiency and design properties of medical- and non-medical-grade face masks: a multiscale modeling approach
Rasekh, M., Pisapia, F., Hafizi, S. & Rees, D., 1 Jun 2024, In: Applied Sciences. 14, 11, 20 p., 4796.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile16 Downloads (Pure)
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SoCoBio DTP (External organisation)
Hafizi, S. (Member)
Nov 2022 → Apr 2023Activity: Membership types › Membership of committee or panel
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Frontiers in Drug Discovery (Journal)
Hafizi, S. (Editor)
9 Sept 2021 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity
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The Biochemical Society (External organisation)
Hafizi, S. (Member)
Feb 2021 → Feb 2026Activity: Membership types › Membership of committee or panel
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Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports (Journal)
Hafizi, S. (Editorial board member)
4 Jan 2021 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity
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Cells (Journal)
Hafizi, S. (Editorial board member)
13 May 2013 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity
Press/Media
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Funding awarded for multiple sclerosis research
13/10/16
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research cited
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MS Society Research Matters - Researcher Perspective
5/05/15
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research cited
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Panellists tackle tough issues at school debate
10/02/12
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert comment