Biography

Experienced biotechnological scientist and academic with a PhD from the UK and over 20 years of higher education and research experience. Currently, I serve as an Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Port Said University. In addition, I recently worked as a Research Fellow at University of Aberdeen, where I was involved in protein research using biochemical and cellular assays, analytical method development, and collaborative biomedical research projects. Specialized in molecular physiology and natural product research, focusing on the identification and development of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and anticancer potential. Passionate about advancing biomedical innovation through molecular approaches, translational research, and academic excellence.

Educational Qualification

PhD in Biomedical Sciences – Sheffield Hallam University, UK (2017)

MSc in Zoology – Suez Canal University, Egypt (2009)

BSc in Zoology – Suez canal University, Egypt (2002)

Academic And Professional Experience

Associate Professor / Lecturer (Biotechnology – Molecular Physiology)
Biotechnology program, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Egypt | 2017–present
Delivered undergraduate and postgraduate teaching across multiple faculties, supervised research projects, developed curricula and lab modules, and contributed to faculty and departmental initiatives.
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Research Fellow (Biomedical Sciences)
University of Aberdeen, UK | 2025–2026
Conducts protein research using biochemical and cellular assays, develops and validates analytical methods, and collaborates with clinical and academic teams on peer-reviewed publications.
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Director, Centre for Environmental Studies and Scientific Consultations
Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Egypt | 2019–2022
Directed interdisciplinary biomedical and environmental research projects, managed laboratory setup and accreditation, organized training workshops, supervised teams, and represented the Centre in national and regional collaborations.

collaborations.
2
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 PhD Researcher – Biotechnology
Sheffield Hallam University, UK (2013–2017)
Characterized novel antimicrobial peptides from Egyptian snake and scorpion venoms, performed transcriptomic and proteomic assays, and supported undergraduate biomedical teaching labs.
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 Assistant Lecturer / Demonstrator (Biomedical Sciences)
Faculty of Science, Port Said & Suez Canal Universities, Egypt | 2002–2013
Delivered and supported teaching in Biology, Physiology, and Molecular Sciences across faculties, supervising research projects and contributing to curriculum and laboratory development.

Publications

Title: Characterisation of three alpha-helical antimicrobial peptides from the venom of Scorpio maurus palmatus
Authors: PL Harrison, MA Abdel-Rahman, PN Strong, MM Tawfik, K Miller
Toxicon 117, 30-36, 2016
Citations: 71


Title: Potential Apoptotic Activities of Hylocereus undatus Peel and Pulp Extracts in MCF-7 and Caco-2 Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: HS Salam, MM Tawfik, MR Elnagar, HA Mohammed, MA Zarka, NS Awad
Plants 11 (17), 2192, 2022
Citations: 63


Title: Antidiabetic effect of the Egyptian honey bee (Apis mellifera) venom in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Authors: AK Hassan, DA El-kotby, MM Tawfik, RE Badr, IM Bahgat
The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology 80 (1), 58, 2019
Citations: 48


Title: Cytotoxicity of Nubein6. 8 peptide isolated from the snake venom of Naja nubiae on melanoma and ovarian carcinoma cell lines
Authors: LM Abdel-Ghani, TR Rahmy, MM Tawfik, I Kaziri, A Al-Obaidi, EG Rowan, ...
Toxicon 168, 22-31, 2019
Citations: 27


Title: Scorpion venom antimicrobial peptides induce siderophore biosynthesis and oxidative stress responses in Escherichia coli
Authors: MM Tawfik, M Bertelsen, MA Abdel-Rahman, PN Strong, K Miller
Msphere 6 (3), 10.1128/msphere. 00267-21, 2021
Citations: 23


Title: Cytotoxic, apoptotic activities and chemical profiling of dimorphic forms of Egyptian halophyte Cakile maritima scop.
Authors: MM Tawfik, B Galal, MS Nafie, MM El Bous, MI El‐Bana
Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics 41 (1), 147-160, 2023
Citations: 19


Title: Nomad Jellyfish Rhopilema nomadica Venom Induces Apoptotic Cell Death and Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells
Authors: MM Tawfik, N Eissa, F Althobaiti, E Fayad, AH Abu Almaaty
Molecules 26 (17), 5185, 2021
Citations: 18


Title: Design and synthesis of chromene-1, 2, 3-triazole benzene sulfonamide hybrids as potent carbonic anhydrase-IX inhibitors against prostate cancer
Authors: FF Albelwi, MS Nafie, NR Albujuq, W Hourani, A Aljuhani, KM Darwish, ...
RSC Medicinal Chemistry 15 (7), 2440-2461, 2024
Citations: 17


Title: Antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of the edible crab Callinectes sapidus hepatopancreas and hemolymph extracts
Authors: SM Zakzok, RM Alkaradawe, SH Mohammad, MM Tawfik
Egypt. J. Aquat. Biol. Fish 25 (3), 531-550, 2021
Citations: 17


Title: Intraspecific variability in proteomic profiles and biological activities of the honey bee hemolymph
Authors: SA Elfar, IM Bahgat, MA Shebl, M Lihoreau, MM Tawfik
Insects 14 (4), 365, 2023
Citations: 12


Title: Metformin alleviates the dysregulated testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis induced by carbimazole in levothyroxine-primed rats
Authors: SM Elaidy, MM Tawfik, AM Ameen, WA Hassan, I El Sherif, MK Amin, ...
Life sciences 307, 120904, 2022
Citations: 9


Title: Biometric study, condition factor and biochemical composition of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896
Authors: SM Zakzok, MM Tawfik, SH Mohammad, RM Alkaradawe
Journal of Fisheries and Environment 46 (2), 100-115, 2022
Citations: 9


Title: Immune responses and bioactive peptides of insect hemolymph
Authors: E Gamal, AK Hassan, MA Abdel-Rahman, MK Hassan, MM Tawfik
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology 16 (3), 13-25, 2023
Citations: 8


Title: Biometric study, sex ratio and potential biological activities of the edible mantis shrimp Erugosquilla massavensis.
Authors: SM Zakzok, AGA El-ghany, AY Anas, SK Dahshan, ME Rashad, M Yasser, ...
Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries 26 (4), 229, 2022
Citations: 8


Title: Biodiversity of the aquatic entomofauna at St. Katherine protectorate and Wadi Feiran, South Sinai, Egypt.
Authors: MM Tawfik, FM Semida, RSS Ahmed, GM Orabi

Citations: 7


Title: Variation in hemolymph content and properties among three Mediterranean bee species
Authors: SA Elfar, IM Bahgat, MA Shebl, M Lihoreau, MM Tawfik
bioRxiv, 2023.12. 22.573070, 2023
Citations: 6


Title: Exploiting COX-2 engagement for amplifying anticancer potential of Quinazoline-triazole conjugates with superior EGFR/VEGFR-2 inhibition
Authors: MI Serag, A Hamdi, EE Nasr, MR Elnagar, MM Tawfik, AS El-Azab, ...
Bioorganic Chemistry, 109162, 2025
Citations: 5


Title: A quinoxaline-based derivative exhibited potent and selective anticancer activity with apoptosis induction in PC-3 cells through Topo II inhibition
Authors: MEG Elsakka, MM Tawfik, LAA Barakat, MS Nafie
Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics 43 (14), 7360-7378, 2025
Citations: 4


Title: Hepato-renal and splenic cytotoxic effects of American cockroach Periplaneta americana hemolymph in Solid Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice
Authors: MM Tawfik, M Ahmed Abdel Rahman, MK Hassan, A Khalaf
Alfarama Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences 5 (1), 16-25, 2024
Citations: 3


Title: Comparative screening of the possible activity of Rhopilema nomadica jellyfish venom against different Protista and invertebrates
Authors: HA Rashed, E Fayad, NAM AlMaliki, AH Abu Almaaty, MM Tawfik
Egypt. J. Aquat. Biol. Fish 27 (5), 689-701, 2023
Citations: 3