Education

• 2001

  Bachelor degree from College of Medicineand Surgery, King Abdulaziz University , , المملكة العربية السعودية

• 2008

  Doctorate degree from Royal College of MedicineMedical Biochemistry, McGill University, , كـــــــندا

• 2009

  Doctorate degree from American BoardCollege of Medicine, Clinical Lipidology , , امــريــكـا

• 2011

  Master degree from Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetic, University of Montreal , , كـــــــندا

• 2014

  Doctorate degree from Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetic, University of Montreal, , كـــــــندا

Employment

• 2001-2002

  Clinical Staff, National Guard Health Affairs, , المملكة العربية السعودية

• 2002-2011

  Medical Resident , King Abdulaziz University Hospital, , المملكة العربية السعودية

• 2011-2013

  Demonstrator, Faculty of Medicine, , المملكة العربية السعودية

• 2015-حاليا

  Director and Senior Consultant of the Hyperlipidemia Clinic, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, , المملكة العربية السعودية

• 2015-حاليا

  KAKI's chair for Genetic Studies in Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes, Faculty of Medicine, ,, المملكة العربية السعودية

• 2015-حاليا

  Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Faculty of Pharmacy , ,, المملكة العربية السعودية

• 2018-حاليا

  Consultant and Associate Professor, College of Medicine, , المملكة العربية السعودية

Research Interests

Published Work in Peer-Reviewed Journals:    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4176-335X

1. Thymoquinone-Loaded Soy-Phospholipid-Based Phytosomes Exhibit Anticancer Potential against Human Lung Cancer Cells. Alhakamy NA, Badr-Eldin SM, A Fahmy U, Alruwaili NK, Awan ZA, Caruso G, Alfaleh MA, Alaofi AL, Arif FO, Ahmed OAA, Alghaith AF. Pharmaceutics. 2020 Aug 12;12(8):761. 
   
2. Optimized Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Integrated into In Situ Nasal Gel for Enhancing Brain Delivery of Flibanserin.
   Fahmy UA, Ahmed OAA, Badr-Eldin SM, Aldawsari HM, Okbazghi SZ, Awan ZA, Bakhrebah MA, Alomary MN, Abdulaal WH, Medina C, Alhakamy NA. Int J Nanomedicine. 2020 Jul 24;15:5253-5264. 
3. Optimization of Thymoquinone-Loaded Coconut Oil Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Management of Ethanol-Induced Ulcer. Fahmy UA, Alaofi AL, Awan ZA, Alqarni HM, Alhakamy NA. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2020 Jul 23;21(6):204. 
4. Application of Nanopharmaceutics for Flibanserin Brain Delivery Augmentation Via the Nasal Route. Ahmed OAA, Fahmy UA, Badr-Eldin SM, Aldawsari HM, Awan ZA, Asfour HZ, Kammoun AK, Caruso G, Caraci F, Alfarsi A, Al-Ghamdi RA, Al-Ghamdi RA, Alhakamy NA. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2020 Jun 29;10(7):1270. 
5. The Enhanced Cytotoxic and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Optimized Simvastatin-Loaded Emulsomes on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. Awan ZA, Fahmy UA, Badr-Eldin SM, Ibrahim TS, Asfour HZ, Al-Rabia MW, Alfarsi A, Alhakamy NA, Abdulaal WH, Al Sadoun H, Helmi N, Noor AO, Caraci F, Almasri DM, Caruso G. Pharmaceutics. 2020 Jun 27;12(7):597. 
6. Assessment of medical intern's knowledge, awareness and practice of familial hypercholesterolemia at academic institutes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Alzahrani SH, Bima A, Algethami MR, Awan Z. Lipids Health Dis. 2020 May 21;19(1):101. 
   
7. Piceatannol-Loaded Emulsomes Exhibit Enhanced Cytostatic and Apoptotic Activities in Colon Cancer Cells. Alhakamy NA, Badr-Eldin SM, Ahmed OAA, Asfour HZ, Aldawsari HM, Algandaby MM, Eid BG, Abdel-Naim AB, Awan ZA, Alghaith AF, Alaofi AL, Mohamed AI, Okbazghi SZ, Al-Rabia MW, Fahmy UA. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 May 13;9(5):419. 
8. Optimized Icariin Phytosomes Exhibit Enhanced Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis-Inducing Activities in Ovarian Cancer Cells. Alhakamy NA, A Fahmy U, Badr-Eldin SM, Ahmed OAA, Asfour HZ, Aldawsari HM, Algandaby MM, Eid BG, Abdel-Naim AB, Awan ZA, K Alruwaili N, Mohamed AI. Pharmaceutics. 2020 Apr 11;12(4):346. 
9. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Diagnostic Methods in the Middle East and North Africa Region. Alsulaimany FAS, Awan ZA, Almohamady AM, Koumu MI, Yaghmoor BE, Elhady SS, Elfaky MA. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Apr 9;56(4):169. 
10. Molecular insights into the coding region mutations of low-density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1 (LDLRAP1) linked to familial hypercholesterolemia. Shaik NA, Al-Qahtani F, Nasser K, Jamil K, Alrayes NM, Elango R, Awan ZA, Banaganapalli B. J Gene Med. 2020 Jun;22(6):e3176. 
11. Spectral signal processing approaches for selective quantification of the recently FDA approved brand-new combination of Vaborbactam and Meropenem; for conformity assessment of bulk and batch release. Awan ZA, Hegazy MA, Kammoun AK. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2020 Apr 5;230:118066. 
12. Levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with macrovascular complications. Hegazy GA, Awan Z, Hashem E, Al-Ama N, Abunaji AB. J Int Med Res. 2019 Dec 29:300060519893858. 
13. The genetic association study of TP53 polymorphisms in Saudi obese patients. Sabir JSM, El Omri A, Shaik NA, Banaganapalli B, Hajrah NH, Zrelli H, Arfaoui L, Awan ZA, Shaikh Omar AM, Mohammed A, Alharbi MG, Alhebshi AM, Jansen RK, Khan M. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2019 Nov;26(7):1338-1343. 
14. Large-Scale Production of Bioactive Terrein by Aspergillus terreus Strain S020 Isolated from the Saudi Coast of the Red Sea. Asfour HZ, Awan ZA, Bagalagel AA, Elfaky MA, Abdelhameed RFA, Elhady SS. Biomolecules. 2019 Sep 12;9(9):480. 
15. PCSK9 and inflammation: a review of experimental and clinical evidence. Momtazi-Borojeni AA, Sabouri-Rad S, Gotto AM, Pirro M, Banach M, Awan Z, Barreto GE, Sahebkar A. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Pharmacother. 2019 Oct 1;5(4):237-245. 
16. Identification of key regulatory genes connected to NF-κB family of proteins in visceral adipose tissues using gene expression and weighted protein interaction network. Sabir JSM, El Omri A, Shaik NA, Banaganapalli B, Al-Shaeri MA, Alkenani NA, Hajrah NH, Awan ZA, Zrelli H, Elango R, Khan M. PLoS One. 2019 Apr 23;14(4):e0214337. 
17. Recently reported familial hypercholesterolemia-related mutations from cases in the Middle East and North Africa region. Awan ZA, Bondagji NS, Bamimore MA. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2019 Apr;30(2):88-93. 
18. The Gulf Familial Hypercholesterolemia Registry (Gulf FH): Design, Rationale and Preliminary Results. Al-Rasadi K, Alhabib KF, Al-Allaf F, Al-Waili K, Al-Zakwani I, AlSarraf A, Almahmeed W, AlSayed N, Alghamdi M, Batais MA, Almigbal TH, Alnouri F, Kinsara A, Hammouda A, Awan Z, Kary H, Elamin OA, Zadjali F, Al-Jarallah M, Shehab A, Sabbour H, Amin H, Altaradi H. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2020;18(1):57-64. 
19. Simplified Canadian Definition for Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Ruel I, Brisson D, Aljenedil S, Awan Z, Baass A, Bélanger A, Bergeron J, Bewick D, Brophy JM, Brunham LR, Couture P, Dufour R, Francis GA, Frohlich J, Gagné C, Gaudet D, Grégoire JC, Gupta M, Hegele RA, Mancini GBJ, McCrindle BW, Pang J, Raggi P, Tu JV, Watts GF, Genest J. Can J Cardiol. 2018 Sep;34(9):1210-1214. 
20. Protein phenotype diagnosis of autosomal dominant calmodulin mutations causing irregular heart rhythms. Shaik NA, Awan ZA, Verma PK, Elango R, Banaganapalli B. J Cell Biochem. 2018 Nov;119(10):8233-8248. 
21. Assisting the integration of social media in problem-based learning sessions in the Faculty of Medicine at King Abdulaziz University. Awan ZA, Awan AA, Alshawwa L, Tekian A, Park YS. Med Teach. 2018 Sep;40(sup1):S37-S42.
22. Integrating an interprofessional education initiative: Evidence from King Abdulaziz University. Awan AA, Awan ZA, Alshawwa L, Tekian A, Park YS, Altyar A. Med Teach. 2018 Sep;40(sup1):S15-S21. 
23. Posttranslational modification of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 is differentially regulated in response to distinct cardiometabolic treatments as revealed by targeted proteomics. Gauthier MS, Awan Z, Bouchard A, Champagne J, Tessier S, Faubert D, Chabot K, Garneau PY, Rabasa-Lhoret R, Seidah NG, Ridker PM, Genest J, Coulombe B. J Clin Lipidol. 2018 Jul-Aug;12(4):1027-1038. 
24. Interpreting the Mechanism of APOE (p.Leu167del) Mutation in the Incidence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia; An In-silico Approach. Rashidi OM, H Nazar FA, Alama MN, Awan ZA. Open Cardiovasc Med J. 2017 Sep 14;11:84-93. 
25. In Silico Approach to Investigate the Structural and Functional Attributes of Familial Hypercholesterolemia Variants Reported in the Saudi Population. Morad FA, Rashidi OM, Sadath SS, Al-Allaf FA, Athar M, Alama MN, Edris SE, Bondagji NS, Shaik NA, Banaganapalli B, Awan Z. J Comput Biol. 2018 Feb;25(2):170-181. 
26. Perinatal ciclosporin A exposure elicits sex-related cardiac dysfunction and inflammation in the rat progeny. El-Bassossy HM, Awan Z, El-Mas MM. Toxicol Lett. 2017 Nov 5;281:35-43. 
27. The Spectrum of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Saudi Arabia: Prime Time for Patient FH Registry. Alallaf F, H Nazar FA, Alnefaie M, Almaymuni A, Rashidi OM, Alhabib K, Alnouri F, Alama MN, Athar M, Awan Z. Open Cardiovasc Med J. 2017 Jul 26;11:66-75. 
28. Thrombin activation of protein C requires prior processing by a liver proprotein convertase. Essalmani R, Susan-Resiga D, Guillemot J, Kim W, Sachan V, Awan Z, Chamberland A, Asselin MC, Ly K, Desjardins R, Day R, Prat A, Seidah NG. J Biol Chem. 2017 Aug 18;292(33):13565. 
29. Thrombin activation of protein C requires prior processing by a liver proprotein convertase. Essalmani R, Susan-Resiga D, Guillemot J, Kim W, Sachan V, Awan Z, Chamberland A, Asselin MC, Ly K, Desjardins R, Day R, Prat A, Seidah NG. J Biol Chem. 2017 Jun 23;292(25):10564-10573. 
30. Aortic Calcification Progression in Heterozygote Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Al Kindi M, Bélanger AM, Sayegh K, Senouci S, Aljenedil S, Sivakumaran L, Ruel I, Al Rasadi K, Al Waili K, Awan Z, Valenti D, Genest J. Can J Cardiol. 2017 May;33(5):658-665. 
31. Estrogen-associated severe hypertriglyceridemia with pancreatitis. Aljenedil S, Hegele RA, Genest J, Awan Z. J Clin Lipidol. 2017 Jan-Feb;11(1):297-300. 
32. The Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9-resistant R410S Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Mutation: A NOVEL MECHANISM CAUSING FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA. Susan-Resiga D, Girard E, Kiss RS, Essalmani R, Hamelin J, Asselin MC, Awan Z, Butkinaree C, Fleury A, Soldera A, Dory YL, Baass A, Seidah NG. J Biol Chem. 2017 Feb 3;292(5):1573-1590. 
33. Consensus clinical recommendations for the management of plasma lipid disorders in the Middle East. Al Sayed N, Al Waili K, Alawadi F, Al-Ghamdi S, Al Mahmeed W, Al-Nouri F, Al Rukhaimi M, Al-Rasadi K, Awan Z, Farghaly M, Hassanein M, Sabbour H, Zubaid M, Barter P. Int J Cardiol. 2016 Dec 15;225:268-283. 
34. Dyslipidaemia in the Middle East: Current status and a call for action. Al Rasadi K, Almahmeed W, AlHabib KF, Abifadel M, Farhan HA, AlSifri S, Jambart S, Zubaid M, Awan Z, Al-Waili K, Barter P. Atherosclerosis. 2016 Sep;252:182-187. 
35.  Bamimore MA, Zaid Z, Banerjee Y, Al-Sarraf A, Abifadel M, Seidah NG, Alwaili K,  Alrasadi K, Awan Z. Familial hypercholesterolemia mutations in the Middle Eastern and North African region: A need for a national registry. J Clin Lipidol. 2015 Apr 22.
36. Awan Z, Denis M, Roubtsova A, Essalmani R, Marcinkiewicz J, Awan A, Gram H, Seidah NG, Genest J. Reducing Vascular Calcification by Anti-IL-1β Monoclonal Antibody in a Mouse Model of Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Angiology. 2015 Apr 22.
37. Gauthier MS, Pérusse JR, Awan Z, Bouchard A, Tessier S, Champagne J, Krastins B, Byram G, Chabot K, Garneau P, Rabasa-Lhoret R, Faubert D, Lopez MF, Seidah NG, Coulombe B. A semi-automated mass spectrometric immunoassay coupled to selected reaction monitoring (MSIA-SRM) reveals novel relationships between circulating PCSK9 and metabolic phenotypes in patient cohorts. Methods. 2015 Mar 11.
38. Stitziel NO, Peloso GM, Abifadel M, Cefalu AB, Fouchier S, Motazacker MM, Tada H, Larach DB, Awan Z, Haller JF, Pullinger CR, Varret M, Rabès JP, Noto D, Tarugi P, Kawashiri MA, Nohara A, Yamagishi M, Risman M, Deo R, Ruel I, Shendure J, Nickerson DA, Wilson JG, Rich SS, Gupta N, Farlow DN, Neale BM, Daly MJ, Kane JP, Freeman MW, Genest J, Rader DJ, Mabuchi H, Kastelein JJ, Hovingh GK, Averna MR, Gabriel S, Boileau C, Kathiresan S. Exome sequencing in suspected monogenic dyslipidemias. Circ Cardiovasc Genet. 2015 Apr;8(2):343-50.
39. Awan Z, Aljenedil S, Rosenblatt DS, Cusson J, Gilfix BM, Genest J. Severe hyperhomocysteinemia due to cystathionine β-synthase deficiency, and Factor V Leiden mutation in a patient with recurrent venous thrombosis. Thromb J. 2014 Dec 16;12(1):30.
40. Awan Z, Baass A, Genest J. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9): Lessons Learned from Patients with Hypercholesterolemia.  Clin Chem. 2014 Nov;60(11):1380-9.
41. Iatan I, Choi HY, Ruel I, Reddy MV, Kil H, Lee J, Odeh MA, Salah Z, Abu-Remaileh M, Weissglas-Volkov D, Nikkola E, Civelek M, Awan Z, Croce CM, Aqeilan RI, Pajukanta P, Aldaz CM, Genest J. The WWOX Gene Modulates High-Density Lipoprotein and Lipid Metabolism. Circ Cardiovasc Genet. 2014 Aug;7(4):491-504.
42. Awan Z, Dubuc G, Faraj M, Dufour R, Seidah NG, Davignon J, Rabasa-Lhoret R, Baass A. The effect of insulin on circulating PCSK9 in postmenopausal obese women. Clin Biochem. 2014 Apr 8.
43. Awan Z, Genest J. Inflammation modulation and cardiovascular disease prevention. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2014 Apr 7.
44. Seidah NG, Awan Z, Chrétien M, Mbikay M. PCSK9: a key modulator of cardiovascular health. Circ Res. 2014 Mar 14;114(6):1022-36.
45. Awan Z, Choi H, Stitziel N, Ruel I, Bamimore M, Husaa R, Gagnona MH, Wang RH, Peloso G, Hegele R, Seidah NG, Kathiresane S, Genesta J, APOE p.Leu167del mutation in familial hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis. 2013 Dec;231(2):218-22.
46. Awan Z, Delvin EE, Levy E, Genest J, Davignon J, Seidah NG, Baass A. Regional Distribution and Metabolic Effect of PCSK9 insLEU and R46L Gene Mutations and apoE Genotype. Can J Cardiol. 2013 Aug;29(8):927-33.
47. Fantus D, Awan Z, Seidah NG, Genest J. Aortic calcification: Novel insights from familial hypercholesterolemia and potential role for the low-density lipoprotein receptor. Atherosclerosis. 2013 Jan;226(1):9-15.
48. Awan Z, Seidah NG, MacFadyen JG, Benjannet S, Chasman DI, Ridker PM, Genest J. Rosuvastatin, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 concentrations, and LDL cholesterol response: the JUPITER trial. Clin Chem. 2012 Jan;58(1):183-9.
49. Alwaili K, Bailey D, Awan Z, Bailey SD, Ruel I, Hafiane A, Krimbou L, Laboissiere S, Genest J. The HDL proteome in acute coronary syndromes shifts to an inflammatory profile. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Mar;1821(3):405-15.
50. Awan Z, Denis M, Bailey D, Giaid A, Prat A, Goltzman D, Seidah NG, Genest J. The LDLR deficient mouse as a model for aortic calcification and quantification by micro-computed tomography. Atherosclerosis. 2011 Dec;219(2):455-62.
51. Roubtsova A, Munkonda MN, Awan Z, Marcinkiewicz J, Chamberland A, Lazure C, Cianflone K, Seidah NG, Prat A. Circulating proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) regulates VLDLR protein and triglyceride accumulation in visceral adipose tissue. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2011 Apr;31(4):785-91
52. Awan Z, Alwaili K, Alshahrani A, Langsetmo L, Goltzman D, Genest J. Calcium Homeostasis and Skeletal Integrity in Individuals with Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Aortic Calcification. Clin Chem. 2010 Aug 11.
53. Alwaili K, Awan Z, Alshahrani A, Genest J. High-density lipoproteins and cardiovascular disease: 2010 update. Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy. 2010. Mar; 8(3):413-23.
54. Awan Z, Nyholt D, Hafiane A, Genest J. Acquired Severe Hypercholesterolemia and Hypoalphalipoproteinemia. Journal of Clinical Lipidology (2009) 3, 393–397
55. Alwaili K, Alrasadi K, Awan Z, Genest J. Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Lipoprotein Disorders. Current Opinion in Endocrinology and Diabetes. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2009 Apr; 16(2):132-40.
56. Alrasadi K, Alwaili K, Awan Z, Valenti D, Couture P, Genest J. Aortic calcifications in familial hypercholesterolemia: potential role of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene. American Heart Journal. 2009 Jan; 157(1):170-6.
57. Alrasadi K, Awan Z, Alwaili K, Ruel I, Hafiane A, Krimbou L, Genest J.Comparison of treatment of severe high-density lipoprotein cholesterol deficiency in men with daily atorvastatin (20 mg) versus fenofibrate (200 mg) versus extended-release niacin (2 g). American Journal of Cardiology. 2008 Nov 15; 102(10):1341-7.
58. Awan Z, Al Waili K, Alrasadi K, Genest J. Treatment of low High density lipoprotein cholesterol. Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2008;24 :27-31C
59. Awan Z, Alrasadi K,  Francis GA, Hegele RA, McPherson R, Frohlich J, Valenti D, de Varennes B, Marcil M, Gagné C, Genest J, Couture P. Vascular Calcifications in Homozygote Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Atheroscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2008;28:777-785
60. Dylewski J, Awan Z, Roy I. Acute Monoarticular Arthritis caused by Maltese cross-like crystals. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2005 Mar 15; 172(6):741-2.

Scientific interests

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Areas of expertise