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Rasha Alshaikh Wins Postgraduate Researcher of the Year Award
Rasha Alshaikh has been awarded the Postgraduate Researcher of the Year Award at UCC. This accolade, shared with two other exemplary students, was presented last night in recognition of her outstanding contributions to pharmacological research.
Rasha, in the final year of her PhD thesis, is co-supervised by Professor Christian Waeber and Dr. Katie Ryan. Her research, funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC), investigates the therapeutic potential of siponimod, a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator approved for multiple sclerosis, as an inhibitor of ocular angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.
In her groundbreaking project, Rasha has developed innovative drug delivery systems designed to sustain the release of siponimod. This advancement aims to improve upon the current standard of monthly intravitreal injections, which are commonly used to treat retinal disorders such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). Her work holds promise for significantly enhancing the therapeutic management of these conditions, potentially offering patients more effective and less invasive treatment options.
Rasha’s achievement not only highlights her dedication and ingenuity but also underscores the high caliber of research being conducted at UCC. Her work exemplifies the cutting-edge explorations taking place within our department, aiming to address and solve critical health issues through innovative science.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Rasha Alshaikh on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the continued impact of her research in the field of pharmacology and therapeutic innovation.