Curriculum Vitae

Sharif Matouq Ahmed Hala

Tel: 00966-2-6610061
Mobile: 00966-50105-7777
E-mail: Sharif.Hala@gmail.com
Career Objective
- To work in a challenging professional research position, which in-turn will offer interesting
prospects of growth, progress and exciting advancement
- To obtain the highest level possible- of learning and apply it in future stem cell and medical
research applications
Profile
- To utilize my interpersonal and distinguished communication skills, determination, international
collaborative networks and lab skills in joining a research team to contribute to their research
complex genetic traits in relations to diseases.
- To use my background in molecular biology, medical genetics, stem cell and musculoskeletal
science to tinker with old products to develop new methods and protocols.
- To excel in the fields of biomedical research and to significantly contribute towards the growth
of a dynamic organization that offers challenging opportunities for proficient accomplishments.
Education and Work Experience
King Saud University Health Sciences Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Lecturer May 2014 Present
Giving an ongoing lectures on research methods and laboratory protocols
National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA) King Abdullah Medical Research Centre (KAIMRC)
Jul 2013 Present
Working as Scientific Research Assistant. Undergoing multiple projects and in charge of the
confocal imaging systems.
University of Oxford, UK Stem Cell Research projects Jan2011 - May2013
Research in Stem Cell Epigenetics & Musculoskeletal Sciences
University of Aberdeen, UK - MSc Aug2008 - Jun2010
Masters degree in Medical Molecular Genetics: a one-year degree, which includes a six
months research project.
University of Aberdeen, UK - BSc May2003 - Jun2008
Bachelor degree in Molecular Biology with Honors. : A four-year degree that includes a one-
year honor/intensive of hands-on research and work experiences.
University of Wisconsin Superior, Wisconsin, USA Oct2000 - Jul2002
- TOFEL intensive course at SESLI office for one year.
- Introduction to Biology and Environmental science: a one-year course was directed toward
understanding environmental issues and organismal behavioral due to cultural changes.

2
Research Experience
The combined laboratory and research projects/experience yield a total of 61 (Sixty one
months).

Research Projects
The use of femtosecond near infrared laser microscopy for targeted transfection of
different somatic mammalian cells as well as adipose derived stem cells with non-viral vectors
containing transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2 and Klf4) individually into induced pluripotent
stem cell generation.

Generation of the induced pluripotent stem cell using non-viral methods (Originally
generated by S.Yamanka the Nobel Prize winner 2012 on the generation of Human iPSCs) by
electroporation of three plasmids containing embryonic reprogramming factors (Oct4, Sox2
and Klf4) and detection plasmid as green fluorescent protein. This project involved the use of
LSM710 confocal/multiphoton microscope and Becton Dickson Pathway.

Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into mesodermal linage into
chondrocyte to form cartilage for future clinical trials. The project aimed to employ this novel
embryonic stem cell-like resource to promote chondrogenic differentiation using a new
pluripotent and possibly autologous source.

A genome-wide scan (GWAS) of 3500 osteoporotic study on females: An association
study of NADSYN1 gene was investigated using different single nucleotide polymorphisms to
determine the effect of vitamin D serum levels and different mutations within the NADSYN1.
This project was carried out at the Institute of Medical Science in University of Aberdeen.

At the Institute of Medical Science in University of Aberdeen: The project involved
general lab skills, cell culture and statistical analysis through studying the effect of drug
mixtures against Candida species such as: Caspofungin. The drugs concentrations were
compared against growth, cell number and other parameters to determine the effect and
differences on fungal species.

3
Skills
Statistical analysis of cultural and genetic studies including:
- T-test and pedigrees formation family studies and bioinformatics
- Able to utilize statistical programs such as Microsoft Excel and Prizim for research analysis

Several Lab Skills including:
- Cultural preparation and growth media for several microorganisms including stem cell
culturing, reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (embryonic
stem cell-like) and differentiation
- Electroporation & opto-poration (Laser assisted transfection) transfection of DNA into
tissue/cells
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Real time PCR and Quantitative PCR, protein purification,
identification and quantification (e.g SDS-PAGE, Two-Hybrid system)
- Cloning in bacteria and yeast using gel electrophoresis, north, southern and western
blotting and DNA extraction including restriction Analysis and genotyping

Computer skills including:
- Microsoft Office, Endnote, Refworks and iWORK and many other programs including
MAC/Linux system programs and applications
- Email (outlook, Mail, Firefox) and Internet world wide web search
- Searching scientific articles (such as Pubmed, Elsevier and others) and VPN extraction
services

Language: (bilingual) fluent in Arabic and English (listening, speaking and writing)
Taught and practiced presentation and lecturing skills including simplifying biological and
genetic terms
Communicative, able to work independently with minimal supervision and meet deadlines
through time management
Problem solver including laboratory protocols trouble shooting and creative thinker
Managing and supervising general molecular biology, wet and dry lab with high efficiency
and under tight health and safety rules and regulations
Teaching research methodology and essentials
High ethical standards, knowledge and empathy within clinical research

4
Seminars and Lectures 2001-2014
Attended several seminars, lectures and work groups in several places. These may include
biomedical, medical anatomy, genetic diseases, contribution of similar genes in different
diseases and several other genetic, stem cell and biochemical research findings.
They were as follows:

o Arab Health and Arab Lab Dubai, UAE (2014)
o Multiple medical and educational Saudi Arabia conferences at National Guard Health Affairs
(King Khaled Hospital), King Saud University Health Sciences department (2013/2014)
o Oxford University (2010-2012) A number of presentations
o University of Bristol (2011) an accepted abstract and Presented poster
o The Institute of Medical Science University of Aberdeen (2004-2009)
o University of Kansas Missouri (2003)
o University of Wisconsin Superior (2001)
o University of Minnesota Duluth (2001)
Publications
- Abstract accepted by the British Society for Matrix Biology (BSMB): (2011)
Directed Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Chondrocytes
SHala,CYapp
1
,AKramm
1
,LCarpenter
2
,SWatt
2
,ACarr
1
,JDunford
1
,UOppermann
1
,
UTirlapur
1

Botnar Research Centre, Institute of Musculoskeletal Science, Nuffield Department of

Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences;
2
Nuffield Department of Clinical
Laboratory Sciences and National Blood Bank, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford
- Poster and oral presentation at the Annual Symposium of Stem Cell Oxford 2011
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells differentiation into Cartilage under Hypoxia
SHala,CYapp
1
,AKramm
1
,LCarpenter
2
,SWatt
2
,ACarr
1
,JDunford
1
,UOppermann
1
,
UTirlapur
1

Botnar Research Centre, Institute of Musculoskeletal Science, Nuffield Department of

Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences;
2
Nuffield Department of Clinical
Laboratory Sciences and National Blood Bank, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford


5
Collaborative research publications:
1. Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Motor Neurons under Hypoxia
Y.El-shirbini,
2
S.Hala,Z.Cui
1

Institute of Biomedical Engineering Department of Engineering Science Old Road Campus

Research Building;
2
Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and National Blood
Bank, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford. Manuscript is currently under peer review

2. Comparison between Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Embryonic Stem cells
differentiation into Motor Neurons under Different Conditions
Y.El-shirbini,
2
S.Hala,Z.Cui
1

Institute of Biomedical Engineering Department of Engineering Science Old Road Campus

Research Building;
2
Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and National Blood
Bank, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford. Manuscript is currently under review

Oral Presentation
- Invited Speaker at the (prestigious) Dunn School of Pathology for research on Chondrogenic
differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (2012)
- Several presentations at the Botnar Research Centre, Institute of Musculoskeletal Science,
Oxford University including the Annual research development and discussion. Further lectures,
seminars were done at the National Guard Health Affairs Research centre and King Abdulaziz
University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia (2010-2014)
- Single nucleotide polymorphisms to determine the effect of vitamin D serum levels and
different mutations within the NADSYN1, University of Aberdeen (2009)

Rewards
High School Student of the Year (1998)
The Saudi government royal scholarship award (2003)
Prize of the top & excellent lab-group, University of Aberdeen (2007)
Prize for excellence of research from United Kingdom Cultural Buru (2011)
The Royal Prize for Science and Achievement - honored by the Saudi Ambassador Prince
Muhammed Bin Nawaf Al-Abdulaziz for excellence in British and Irish universities (2012-2013)
References

AvailableUponRequest.