Nadia Tavakoli

PhD-level medical scientist focused on translational gene therapy and precision medicine. Proficient in developing targeted AAV/Lentiviral vectors to alleviate systemic toxicity and navigate regulatory challenges in clinical settings. Significant experience in CRISPR genome editing, synthetic promoter engineering, and multi-input genetic circuits, with a track record of success across the entire translational pipeline from molecular cloning to in vivo animal models. Capable of articulating scientific concepts clearly, promoting innovative research with real-world clinical relevance.

• Bristol Plus Award , University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
• Granted a 4-year fully funded PhD Scholarship , University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
• Recognized as the exceptional talent student , Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
• Ranked 1st with highest GPA among students in M.Sc. degree, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
• Granted a full tuition fee waiver , Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
• Honorary admission for graduate study (top five percentile), Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
• Recognized as the exceptional talent student , Mazandaran University, Mazandaran, Iran.
• Ranked 2nd in GPA among students in B.Sc. degree, Mazandaran University, Mazandaran, Iran.
• Granted a tuition fee waiver , Mazandaran University, Mazandaran, Iran.

• Genetic engineering
• Nano-delivery systems
• Cell therapy
• Adoptive T-cell therapy
• Gene delivery
• Gene therapy

2024, Summer | Neuroscience Master's Project, PAR! signalling in neuronal cells, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. (co-supervised with Prof. Gavin Welsh)

• Badminton
• Puzzles

Personal Licence Holder (UK Home Office, PIL) | January 2023-present | Animals: Rat, Mice

Categories included:

• A. Minimally invasive procedures not requiring sedation, analgesia or general anaesthesia.
• B. Minimally invasive procedures involving sedation, analgesia or brief general anaesthesia. Plus, surgical procedures conducted under brief non-recovery general anaesthesia
• C. Surgical procedures involving general anaesthesia. Plus - administration and maintenance of balanced or prolonged general anaesthesia.

2020-2022 | One of the main team members of Iran National Cancer Control Program Midterm Review project, in collaboration with IAEA, WHO, and IARC. Supervisor: Dr. Ali Ghanbari Motlagh

• Nadia Tavakolidakhrabadi, et al., Gene Therapy and kidney diseases. Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101333
• Nadia Tavakolidakhrabadi, Francesco Aulicino, Carl J May, Moin A Saleem, Imre Berger, Gavin I Welsh, Genome editing and kidney health, Clinical Kidney Journal, Volume 17, Issue 5, May 2024, sfae119, https://doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfae119
• Carl J May, ..., Tavakolidakhrabadi N, et al., Podocyte protease activated receptor 1 stimulation in mice produces focal segmental glomerulosclerosis mirroring human disease signalling events. Kidney Int. 2023 Aug;104(2):265-278. DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.02.031
• Nadia Tavakolidakhrabadi, et al. Milk protein-based nanodelivery systems for the cancer treatment. Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40097-021-00399-5
• Ali Motlagh, ..., Nadia Tavakolidakhrabadi, et al. Routine COVID-19 testing may not be necessary for most cancer patients. Scientific Reports. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02692-3
• Shayan Sayyadi, Ahmady-Asbchin S, Kamali K, Nadia Tavakolidakhrabadi (2017) Thermodynamic, equilibrium and kinetic studies on biosorption of Pb2+ from aqueous solution by Bacillus pumilus sp. AS1 isolated from soil at abandoned lead mine. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2017.09.005
• Nadia Tavakolidakhrabadi, et al. Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study on the Effect of Oxali-Palladium as a Catalytic Inhibitor of Human Topoisomerase IIα. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Sci 46, 1575–1582 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-022-01834-5
• Ali Motlagh, ..., Nadia Tavakolidakhrabadi, et al. Achievements of Iran National Cancer Control Program (IrNCCP).

• Monoclonal Antibody Production workshop, International Congress on Biomedicine, 24 July 2017.
• Applications of Molecular Techniques in Laboratory: PCR, RT-PCR workshop, Iranian Genetic and Biological Resource Canter, July 30-31, 2015.
• Working with Laboratory Animals workshop, Iranian Genetic and Biological Resource Canter. November 6-7, 2015.

Tavakoli N, Welsh G, Saleem M. Unlocking Cellular Language: A New Lens on Signalling Pathways. Oral presentation at the First International Kinomics Meeting, University Medical Canter Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, September 26–27, 2025.

Motlagh A, Ehsani—Chimeh E, Yarmali M, ..., Tavakolidakhrabadi N, Mohebi E, Turang F, Hoseini B, Ostovar A, et al. Summary of Goals, Strategies, Programs and Performance Indicators of National Cancer Control Program (horizon 2025), Tehran: Mir Mah Publishing, 2021.

• Tavakoli N, Divsalar A. Effect of beta-lactoglobulin nanoparticles on the expression of HSP-60 in the human colorectal cancer cell line. In: 8th International Congress on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. February 17-18, 2021.
• Tavakoli N, Divsalar A. Evaluation of SELENBP1 gene expression in colorectal cancer cell line after treated with beta-lactoglobulin. In: 16th National and 7th International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. November 9-12, 2020.

• First International Kinomics Meeting, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, September 26–27, 2025.
• British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy (BSGCT) Annual Conference, UK, June 2025.
• Kidney week, American Society of Nephrology, San Diego, CA, 23-27 October 2024.
• Advancing Gene and Cell Therapies for Cancer, American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, Philadelphia, PA.
• The 8th International Congress on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. February 17-18, 2021.
• The 16th National and 7th International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. November 9-12, 2020.
• The first International Congress on Biomedicine. December 18 21, 2017.