Zainab Ashkanani

With a rich experience spanning over twenty-three years in scientific research across diverse domains, including Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Engineering, and Biological & Agricultural Engineering, I have cultivated expertise in a wide range of fields. Notably, I have developed four Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) technologies that have proven successful in eradicating oil contamination from Kuwaiti soil. This achievement has been demonstrated through the successful treatment of 1,500 contaminated samples originating from Kuwait's oil fields. My collaborative efforts with esteemed institutions like Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), and Kuwait University have yielded impactful research outcomes. These encompass projects such as wastewater re-use through AOP, identification of DNA-degrading bacteria associated with Gulf War victims, exploration of genes linked to breast cancer, assessment of prostate cancer lipolytic activity, and optimization of photobiomodulation for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment, conducted in collaboration with NASA and US Force. Beyond research, I actively contribute to the American Red Cross by engaging in environmental assessments during times of crises, and I am a dedicated member of the Sustainable Water-Energy-Food Nexus Research Group. Furthermore, my participation in United Nations initiatives underscores my commitment to addressing global challenges. My skill set encompasses problem-solving, advanced technology development, immunological research, and more. In terms of education, I hold a postdoctoral research position at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, I am pursuing a PhD at Texas A&M University, and I hold master's and bachelor's degrees from Arabian Gulf University and Kuwait University, respectively.