On Friday, August 22nd, 2025, Marium Ansari, a student in the Master of Science in Drug Discovery and Development (MDD) program at the College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, successfully defended her Master’s thesis titled “Possible Neuroprotective Effect of DPP4-Inhibitor in Experimentally Induced Huntington’s Disease: Implication of PERK/EIF2α/ATF4/CHOP Pathway.” The thesis was supervised by Dr. Muhammad Abdullatif, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University (Main Supervisor), and Dr. Hanan Anbar, Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai Medical College, UAE (Co-Supervisor).
Marium’s research investigated the potential neuroprotective role of DPP4-inhibitors in mitigating neuronal damage in an experimental model of Huntington’s disease (HD). Recognizing the complexity of HD pathogenesis and its association with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptotic pathways, the study focused on the PERK/EIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling axis. By targeting this pathway, Marium aimed to explore whether DPP4-inhibitors could alleviate ER stress and improve neuronal survival. Her findings provide promising insights into the therapeutic implications of DPP4-inhibition as a potential strategy for managing Huntington’s disease.
The examination committee included Dr. Steven Shnyder, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, UK (External Examiner); Dr. Pallav Sengupta, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University (Internal Examiner); alongside her supervisors Dr. Muhammad Abdullatif and Dr. Hanan Anbar.
During the defense, Marium presented her work with clarity and confidence, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and experimental pharmacology. The committee commended her for the scientific rigor and significance of her research, concluding that she had successfully fulfilled all requirements of the MDD program.
This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in Marium Ansari’s academic and research journey. We congratulate her on this achievement and wish her continued success in advancing neuropharmacological research.