Dr. Ghulam Md Ashraf has a strong educational foundation in biochemistry and specialized research expertise in neuroscience. He earned his PhD degree in Biochemistry from prestigious Aligarh Muslim University in 2010. With 14+ years of combined experience in teaching, research, and innovation, Dr. Ashraf has made significant contributions to biological, health, and medical sciences. His academic career is marked by a commitment to student-centered teaching, high-impact research, and curriculum development, fostering innovation in both pedagogy and scientific discovery.

A globally recognized editor and peer reviewer, Dr. Ashraf have been involved in key editorial roles with leading journals, including Journal of Advanced Research, Scientific Reports, PLOS ONE, Current Neuropharmacology and Current Alzheimer Research. His editorial leadership includes 722 Web of Science-verified editor records and 683 Web of Science-verified reviewer records, alongside 21 guest-edited special issues in high-impact journals. An active participant in the global scientific community, he has contributed to 41 scientific meetings.

Dr. Ashraf has held key leadership roles across international institutions, including:

• 2025–Present: Department Officer (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, SURF), Department of Biosciences and Bioinformatics, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China

• 2022–2024: Team Leader (Research Accreditation), Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, UAE

• 2015–2017: Head (Molecular Biology Lab), King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

• 2012–2013: Coordinator (Publication Committee), King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

These roles reflect his ability to drive research initiatives, mentor teams, and enhance institutional research frameworks.

Dr. Ashraf's research work specializes in neuropharmacology, with a current focus on developing novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. Given world’s aging population and the projected heavy economic burden of dementia by 2050, this research field addresses a critical public health need. With an extensive publication record (431 research articles, Google Scholar Citations: 16,860, H-index: 67, i10-index: 272) and involvement in 26 research grants, he has made significant contributions to the field. Additionally, he has supervised 2 PhD, 2 Master’s, and 7 Bachelor’s students in their thesis-based research projects. Dr. Ashraf’s work bridges fundamental research and translational innovation, with a mission to advance therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases while mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Research Track #1: Targeting Serotonin Receptors to Counteract Aggregopathy-Driven Neurodegeneration

This research track focuses on the role of serotonin (5-HT) receptors in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by pathological protein aggregation, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and related tauopathies. Increasing evidence indicates that 5-HT receptors are critically involved in modulating cellular pathways that influence the aggregation and toxicity of key pathological proteins, including Tau and TDP-43. Our goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which 5-HT receptor signaling contributes to protein misfolding, aggregation, and downstream neurodegenerative cascades. Special emphasis is placed on dissecting receptor interactions with intracellular effectors that drive pathological posttranslational modifications and synaptic dysfunction. In parallel, we aim to develop novel pharmacological tools, such as selective agonists, inverse agonists, and antagonists for specific 5-HT receptor subtypes implicated in aggregopathy. These compounds will serve both as research probes and potential therapeutic candidates. Furthermore, using structure-based drug design, we will generate small molecules that selectively interfere with the activation of pathological downstream effectors, thereby halting or reversing disease progression. This integrative approach combines mechanistic insights with translational drug development to identify new intervention strategies for protein aggregation-associated neurodegenerative disorders. The project is conducted in close collaboration with Prof. Evgeni Ponimaskin at Hannover Medical School (MHH), a leading expert in serotonin signaling and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.

Research Track #2: Developing Next-Generation Therapeutics for Multiple Sclerosis

This research track focuses on advancing novel therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurodegenerative disease affecting young adults. Current work explores a novel recombinant interferon (IFN) variant, investigating its immunomodulatory mechanisms, preclinical efficacy, and potential as a cost-effective, low-immunogenicity therapy. Using in silico modeling, protein engineering, and in vivo MS models, we study its impact on demyelination/remyelination, immune pathways, and behavioral outcomes. Another critical research direction include vitamin D-conjugated nanomicelles for targeted co-delivery of miRNAs and neuroprotective agents across the blood-brain barrier. This approach integrates AI-assisted design, neuro-nanomedicine, and dual-therapy strategies to simultaneously mitigate neuroinflammation and promote neural repair. The goal is to translate these innovations into clinically superior MS treatments.

Join our team!

Ashraf’s lab is seeking self-motivated PhD, Master’s, and Bachelor’s students with a strong background in biochemistry and molecular biology and a deep interest in neuroscience research. Candidates should possess excellent problem-solving skills, a passion for research, and strong self-learning abilities to contribute to our innovative projects. If you are eager to join a dynamic research team, please send your CV to GhulamMd.Ashraf@xjtlu.edu.cn for consideration.

2024-PRESENT: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, Department of Biosciences and Bioinformatics, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. 

2022-2024: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 

2017-2022: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 

2012-2017: ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 

2010-2012: LECTURER, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, India. 

2024-2025: Undergraduate: Genome Expression and Maintenance (Module Leader), Introduction to Evolution and Genetics.

2010-2024: 

Postgraduate: Advanced Clinical Chemistry (Course coordinator), Enzymology, Enzyme Technology, Advanced Laboratory Techniques (Course coordinator), Research Methods (Course coordinator)

Undergraduate: Biology, Biochemistry (Course coordinator), Human Anatomy and Physiology, Intellectual Property Rights, Introduction to Research, Molecular Biology, Recombinant DNA Technology, Structural Biology

• Top 2% Scientist Worldwide by PLOS-Elsevier-Stanford University (2022–Present)

• World Expert in Neurodegenerative Diseases by Expertscape (2021–Present)

• Member of Chinese Neuroscience Society (2024-Present)

• Member of American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2020-Present)

• Member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB) (2020-Present)

• Member of Canadian Association for Neuroscience (2021-Present)

• Outstanding Author Award from Neural Regeneration Research (2021)

• Biographical Record in Marquis Who's Who in the World (2020)