Yara Radi Al Tall

21166 Edoun, P.O. Box 137, Irbid – Jordan
Mobile no: 00962 79 6117228, Email:

Education

09/2005-09/2010the Medicinal Chemistryand Structural Biology department – the School of Pharmacy – the University of Nottingham - Nottingham – UK

PhD pharmacy

Thesis title: Structural Studies on a Novel BacterialNitroreductase:Activating the Anti-Cancer Prodrug CB1954.

My studies centered on the Protein Biochemistry and Protein Crystallography. The protein I studied was an anti-cancer activating enzyme. It is a novel bacterial nitroreductase that has an improved activity against an anti-cancer prodrug called CB1954. The aim of my PhD was to solve the structure of this novel protein using X-ray crystallography and investigate the structure-function relationship in order to be able to use it efficiently in targeted therapy and future cancer research. I succeeded to determine the structure of two complexes of this protein and investigated the structural differences upon binding with different ligands. In addition, I did structural analysis for homologous enzymes and performed a comprehensive study for the differences and the similarities with this novel protein.During my PhD, I did a lot of work on protein expression, purification(using affinity chromatography), analysis (using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and handling (dialysis, concentration, storage etc). I have also gained a wide experience inprotein crystallography techniques;protein crystallization, protein-ligand crystallization (soaking and co-crystallization), data collection using Synchrotrons (such as Diamond Light Source-Oxford/UK, Soleil Synchrotron-Paris/France), data processing (using CCP4 software), determination of the structures (using MR, NCS averaging, solvent flattening etc), interpretation of the models, model refinement and validation.In addition, I am supplemented with skills in mass spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy as I used them to study the stability and the purity of my substances.

09/2003 –09/2004Kingston University – Surrey – UK

MSc Pharmaceutical Analysis(ranked second in the year)

Thesis title:Quantification of Cisplatin-Albumin Conjugates using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)

This course gave me a wide and a specialized knowledge in the analytical techniques used to detect, identify and quantitatively determine drugs and related substances.

My master project aimed to bind cisplatin to albumin to be quantified or measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). A Cisplatin-albumin conjugate is a new approach in anti-cancer drug delivery in order to inject it intra-tumourally depending upon the Enhanced Permeability and Retention Effect (EPR effect). The aim was to validate sophisticated ICP-AES methods to determine cisplatin-albumin conjugates in biological/mammalian tissues.

09/1997 – 06/2002Jordan University of Science and Technology – Irbid – Jordan

BSc. Pharmacy

Professional Scientific Activities

14-21, Sep 2008 EMBO practical course on X-ray crystal structure determination– Soleil Synchrotron near Paris – France

This prestigious course provided intensive detailed studies on various aspects on X-ray crystallography. The lectures focused on the theory behind crystallography starting from protein purification and crystallization, data collection and diffraction, model refinement using REFMAC and PHENIX and finally validation of the data. All these lectures were associated with strong practical courses.

3-5, Jan 2008 CCP4 Study Weekend on Low Resolution Structure Determination and Validation – Leeds University, UK

The course included sessions on how to deal with low resolution data, and introduced a comprehensive discussion on the importance of validation at any resolution in general and low resolution in particular.

6-7, Jan 2006 CCP4 Crystallography Study Weekend on Crystallography of Complexes – Leeds – UK

The course covered a wide range of topics associated with structural studies of complexes between proteins, proteins and nucleic acids and proteins and small molecules.

Work Experience

Assistant professor

02/2011-present Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid – Jordan

Part time lecturer

02/2005- 07/2005 Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid – Jordan

Worked closely with senior lecturers to convene and deliver lectures to undergraduate students at different levels.

Medical Representative

01/2003 – 09/2003Advanced Pharmaceutical Industries Co. LtdAmman – Jordan

This professional experience allowed me to gain some expertise in working with team as well as communicating with different levels of people.

Other Experience

Replacement Tutor at Broadgate Park Hall of Residence

01/2006- 08/2009 the University of Nottingham - Nottingham

Worked closely with the Broadgate Warden and the other tutors where we looked after the welfare and the discipline of the students.

Grants and Scholarships

14-21, Sep 2008 EMBO practical course on X-ray crystal structure determination– Soleil Synchrotron near Paris – France

2005-2008The Arab - British Chamber Charitable Foundation Bursary of 1500 pounds/year

2005-2008 50% fees Scholarship from the international office at the University of Nottingham.

Courses

26, Apr and 1, May 2007the University of Nottingham – Nottingham – UK

How to prepare an effective poster presentation.

3-4, Apr 2006the University of Nottingham – Nottingham – UK

Skills of spoken and written communication.

22-23, Nov 2005the University of Nottingham – Nottingham – UK

Computing and molecular biology

29-31, Jul 2003Future Intl.Group – Amman – Jordan

Communication Skills Workshop.

16-21, Nov 2002Jordan Pharmaceutical Association – Amman – Jordan.

Applied Pharmaceutical Marketing Seminar.

15-19, May 2001Yarmouk University – Irbid – Jordan.

Pharmaceutical marketing skills: twelve hours course.

Other Relevant Skills

Excellent skills in using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Power-point, Adobe software; Linux, UNIX.

Languages

Arabic: Native language

English: Excellent written and spoken English