Virology

Dr. Nasif is the founder at Cimaza for Science Communication and Public Health Education. She received her doctoral degree in biomedical sciences (namely Virology) from the Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven in Belgium under the guidance of Professor Neyts and his research team. This research group is a world authority on the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of RNA virus infections, as evident from the discovery and development of GS-9190 (Tegobuvir). Furthermore, the group contributes to a complete novel therapeutic concept, namely the inhibition of HCV replication by cyclophilin-binding molecules. This study resulted also in the identification of DEB-025 (Alisporivir). Dr. Nasif’s involvement in the research focused on the “Development of Novel Antiviral Strategies for the Treatment of Infection with the Hepatitis C Virus. She also worked as a Research Associate on the “Discovery of New Drugs for the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Dengue Virus Infections in Humans” project supported by the Wellcome Trust in collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Following graduation, Dr. Nasif established Cimaza Virology Comics, a small company of talented scientific and artistic professionals, who aim to address science information deficits and vaccine myths via attractive, fact filled, engaging, multi-lingual (European languages and Arabic) comics and animations. These comics address vaccine myths and tell an engaging story. Since establishing the company in 2014, Cimaza Virology Comics have received global recognition winning the 2015 Science Hero Award and the Innovation in Science Literacy Award in 2017. Dr. Nasif herself has received several accolades for her work, including the Award for the Academic Excellent Performance from Damascus University.