Dr Zakia Sultana

Dr Zakia Sultana

Haggarty Research Fellow

School of Medicine and Public Health

Career Summary

Biography

 Dr Zakia Sultana is a Mid-Career Researcher within the Mother and Babies Research Program at the University of Newcastle.  Dr Sultana received a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Reproductive Medicine from the University of Newcastle in August 2018. Dr Sultana's academic journey includes a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a Master of Pharmacy from Rajshahi University, Bangladesh.

During her PhD, Dr Sultana's research was centred on the discovery of potential biomarkers for oxidative damage and aging in placentas during pathologic pregnancies. She developed in vitro models using human placental tissue explants and placental cell lines to investigate the mechanisms underlying oxidative damage and aging in pathologic pregnancies. Her work also unveiled potential therapeutic targets for mitigating oxidative damage and premature aging in high-risk pregnancies. Dr Sultana's findings have been published in prestigious journals, and she received an Early Career Research (ECR) fellowship as the lead investigator for her study on placental aging.

Currently, Dr Sultana's research interests encompass aging and aging-related disorders, where she leverages her expertise in molecular biology and medical biochemistry to advance understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the aging process and identify potential therapeutic targets. She leads projects on placental aging, UV radiation and skin damage, and oxidative damage and brain aging, in addition to co-supervising two PhD students.

Dr Sultana possesses a comprehensive research skillset, demonstrating expertise in molecular and cell biology and medical biochemistry. Her proficiency extends to fundamental laboratory techniques, including cell and tissue culture, Real-time qPCR, CRISPR-Cas9, siRNA-based gene silencing, protein analysis, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, ELISA, Confocal laser scanning microscopy, optical microscopy, and animal studies.


Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), University of Rajshahi - Bangladesh
  • Master of Pharmacy, University of Rajshahi - Bangladesh

Keywords

  • Aging
  • DNA damage
  • Medical Biochemistry
  • Mitochondria
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oxidative stress
  • Placenta
  • Pregnancy
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Reproductive Sciences
  • Stillbirth

Languages

  • Bengali (Mother)
  • English (Fluent)

Fields of Research

Code Description Percentage
320599 Medical biochemistry and metabolomics not elsewhere classified 50
321599 Reproductive medicine not elsewhere classified 50

Professional Experience

UON Appointment

Title Organisation / Department
Haggarty Research Fellow University of Newcastle
School of Medicine and Public Health
Australia

Academic appointment

Dates Title Organisation / Department
1/4/2020 -  Haggarty Early Career Research Fellow School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle
Australia

Professional appointment

Dates Title Organisation / Department
1/11/2018 -  First Aid Officer (Volunteer)

Provide First Aid

 Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)
Australia
31/1/2018 - 31/3/2020 Research Assistant School of Medicine & Public Health, Faculty of Health & Medicine, University of Newcastle | Australia
Australia

Awards

Scholarship

Year Award
2019 Society of Reproductive Investigation Travel Award
Society of Reproductive Investigation
2014 University of Newcastle International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (UNIPRS)
University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health
2014 University of Newcastle Research Central 50/50 (UNRSC5050)
University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health
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Publications

For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.

Conference (11 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2023 Paul N, Smith R, Maiti K, Sultana Z, 'Release of Placental Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone mRNA within Extracellular Vesicles is Inhibited by Nitric Oxide', Reproductive Sciences, Brisbane, QLD (2023)
DOI 10.1007/s43032-023-01211-1
Co-authors Roger Smith
2023 Lei S, Qiao Y, Sultana Z, Fu L, Smith R, 'DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL AOX1 INHIBITORS TO PREVENT OR REVERSE PLACENTAL OXIDATIVE DAMAGE', PLACENTA, 140, E57-E57 (2023)
Co-authors Roger Smith
2021 Paul N, Maiti K, Sultana Z, Smith R, 'HUMAN PLACENTAL RELEASE OF CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE (CRH) MRNA WITHIN EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES (EVS) IS INHIBITED BY NITRIC OXIDE', PLACENTA (2021)
Co-authors Roger Smith
2021 Maiti K, Foteva V, Sultana Z, Qiao Y, Smith R, 'Molybdenum and molybdoenzymes in placental physiology and pathology', Placenta, Virtual (2021)
DOI 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.07.230
Co-authors Roger Smith
2019 Sultana Z, Maiti K, Smith R, 'Evidence That Inhibition of AOX1 and GPER1 Receptor Activation Protects the Placenta against Oxidative Damage, Alteration in Protein Expression and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.', Reproductive Sciences, Paris, France (2019)
Co-authors Roger Smith
2018 Sultana Z, Maiti K, Smith R, Hansbro PM, Nair PM, 'Growth Factor Depletion in Placental Cells Increases Lipid Peroxidation and Reduces Mitochondrial Function and mTOR Activity via Aldehyde Oxidase Mediated Pathways.', REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES, 25, 229A-230A (2018)
Co-authors Roger Smith
2017 Maiti K, Sultana Z, Aitken J, Smith R, 'Unexplained Antepartum Stillbirth Is Associated with Biochemical Evidence of Placental Aging', REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES, 24, 216A-216A (2017)
Co-authors Roger Smith, John Aitken
2016 Maiti K, Sultana Z, Aitken J, Smith R, 'Evidence That Stillbirth Is Linked to Placental Aging.', REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES, 23, 76A-76A (2016)
Co-authors John Aitken, Roger Smith
2015 Maiti K, Sultana Z, Aitken J, Smith R, 'THE HUMAN PLACENTA AT 41 WEEKS OF GESTATION SHOWS EVIDENCE OF AGING WITH SHORTENED TELOMERES, DNA OXIDATION AND CHANGES IN IGFR2, AUTOPHAGY AND MTOR', PLACENTA, 36, A49-A49 (2015) [E3]
DOI 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.334
Citations Web of Science - 1
Co-authors Roger Smith, John Aitken
2015 Maiti K, Aitken J, Smith R, 'The Human Placenta at 41 Weeks of Gestation Shows Evidence of Aging With Shortened Telomeres, DNA Oxidation and Changes in IGFR2, Autophagy and the mTOR', REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES (2015) [E3]
Co-authors John Aitken, Roger Smith
2015 Sultana Z, Maiti K, Smith R, 'USE OF AN IN VITRO HUMAN PLACENTAL EXPLANT CULTURE MODEL TO INTERROGATE THE EFFECTS OF STARVATION ON PLACENTAL FUNCTION', PLACENTA, 36, A49-A49 (2015) [E3]
DOI 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.335
Co-authors Roger Smith
Show 8 more conferences

Journal article (17 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2024 Paul N, Maiti K, Sultana Z, Fisher JJ, Zhang H, Cole N, Morgan T, Smith R, 'Human placenta releases extracellular vesicles carrying corticotrophin releasing hormone mRNA into the maternal blood', PLACENTA, 146, 71-78 (2024) [C1]
DOI 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.004
Citations Scopus - 9
Co-authors Joshua Fisher, Roger Smith
2023 Paul N, Sultana Z, Fisher JJ, Maiti K, Smith R, 'Extracellular vesicles- crucial players in human pregnancy', Placenta, 140, 30-38 (2023) [C1]
DOI 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.07.006
Citations Scopus - 15
Co-authors Roger Smith, Joshua Fisher
2023 Sultana Z, Qiao Y, Maiti K, Smith R, 'Involvement of oxidative stress in placental dysfunction, the pathophysiology of fetal death and pregnancy disorders', REPRODUCTION, 166, R25-R38 (2023) [C1]
DOI 10.1530/REP-22-0278
Citations Scopus - 3Web of Science - 11
Co-authors Roger Smith
2022 Smith R, Dedman L, Sultana Z, Banney D, Maiti K, 'Insights into fetal death-a patient resource', AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, 226, 761-763 (2022)
DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.02.029
Citations Scopus - 4Web of Science - 2
Co-authors Roger Smith
2020 Qiao Y, Maiti K, Sultana Z, Fu L, Smith R, 'Inhibition of vertebrate aldehyde oxidase as a therapeutic treatment for cancer, obesity, aging and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis', European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 187 (2020) [C1]
DOI 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111948
Citations Scopus - 8Web of Science - 7
Co-authors Roger Smith
2018 Sultana Z, Maiti K, Dedman L, Smith R, 'Is there a role for placental senescence in the genesis of obstetric complications and fetal growth restriction?', American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 218, S762-S773 (2018) [C1]
DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.11.567
Citations Scopus - 1Web of Science - 9
Co-authors Roger Smith
2017 Maiti K, Sultana Z, Aitken RJ, Morris J, Park F, Andrew B, Riley SC, Smith R, 'Evidence that fetal death is associated with placental aging', American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 217, 441.e1-441.e14 (2017) [C1]
DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.06.015
Citations Scopus - 8Web of Science - 7
Co-authors Roger Smith, John Aitken
2017 Sultana Z, Maiti K, Aitken J, Morris J, Dedman L, Smith R, 'Oxidative stress, placental ageing-related pathologies and adverse pregnancy outcomes', American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 77 (2017) [C1]
DOI 10.1111/aji.12653
Citations Scopus - 2Web of Science - 1
Co-authors Roger Smith, John Aitken
2014 Sultana Z, 'Additive Effect of Lipid Lowering Drug (Simvastatin) in Combination with Antidiabetic Drug (Glibenclamide) on Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats Long Term Dyslipidemia', Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 29, 452-461 (2014)
DOI 10.1007/s12291-013-0393-1
Citations Scopus - 5
2014 Sultana Z, 'Effect of Chemical Treatment on Palm Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites', International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 48, 3-17 (2014)
DOI 10.1504/IJMPT.2014.059039
Citations Scopus - 4Web of Science - 3
2014 Sultana Z, 'Investigation of Antidiabetic Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Phyllanthus Emblica Linn. Fruits in Experimental Animal Models', Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 5 11-18 (2014)
DOI 10.4236/pp.2014.51003
2014 Sultana Z, 'Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities on Ethanolic Extract of Terminalia Chebula Fruits in Experimental Animal Models', American Journal of Plant Sciences, 5 63-69 (2014)
DOI 10.4236/ajps.2014.51010
2013 Sultana Z, 'Implementation of Effluent Treatment System for Utilization in Waste Water Treatment', Journal of Environmental Protection, 4 301-308 (2013)
2013 Sultana Z, 'Study on Implementation of Effluent Treatment Plants for Safe Environment From Textile Waste', Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Toxicology, 2 9-16 (2013)
2013 Sultana Z, 'Effect of Hydrazine Post Treatment on Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites', Materials Research and Innovations, 17, 19-26 (2013)
DOI 10.1179/1432891713Z.000000000295
Citations Scopus - 1Web of Science - 7
2013 Sultana Z, Ali ME, Uddin MS, Haque MM, 'Implementation of Effluent Treatment Plants for Waste Water Treatment', Journal of Environmental Protection, 04 301-308 (2013)
DOI 10.4236/jep.2013.43035
2013 Sultana Z, Ali ME, Akhtar MA, Uddin MS, Haque MM, 'A Study of Evaluation for the Management of Diabetes in Bangladesh', Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 04 355-361 (2013)
DOI 10.4236/pp.2013.43051
Show 14 more journal articles
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Grants and Funding

Summary

Number of grants 11
Total funding $1,305,497

Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.

20251 grants / $16,226

Preventing placental ageing and stillbirth$16,226

Funding body: Hunter New England Local Health District

Funding body Hunter New England Local Health District
Project Team Doctor Zakia Sultana, Professor Roger Smith
Scheme John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2025
Funding Finish 2025
GNo G2500681
Type Of Funding C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose
Category 2300
UON Y

20241 grants / $18,430

Development of targeted liposomes to localise abnormal parathyroid glands$18,430

Funding body: Hunter New England Local Health District

Funding body Hunter New England Local Health District
Project Team Doctor Zakia Sultana, Doctor Christopher Rowe
Scheme John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2024
Funding Finish 2024
GNo G2400846
Type Of Funding C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose
Category 2300
UON Y

20231 grants / $14,767

Preventing UV-induced DNA damage, aging and cancer in the skin$14,767

Funding body: Hunter New England Local Health District

Funding body Hunter New England Local Health District
Project Team Doctor Zakia Sultana, Professor Roger Smith
Scheme John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2023
Funding Finish 2024
GNo G2301028
Type Of Funding C2400 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Other
Category 2400
UON Y

20221 grants / $9,853

Development of targeted liposomes to localize abnormal parathyroid glands$9,853

Funding body: School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of newcastle

Funding body School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of newcastle
Project Team

Yixue Qiao, Zakia Sultana
Scheme School of Medicine & Public Health Pilot Grant
Role Investigator
Funding Start 2022
Funding Finish 2022
GNo
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON N

20211 grants / $18,182

Mechanisms of release of placental extracellular vesicles containing corticotropin releasing hormone messenger RNA into maternal blood.$18,182

Funding body: John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust

Funding body John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust
Project Team

Zakia Sultana, Rajyalakshmi Kasi
Scheme Research Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2021
Funding Finish 2021
GNo
Type Of Funding C3112 - Aust Not for profit
Category 3112
UON N

20202 grants / $1,202,310

Placental Aging and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Understanding the Biochemical Pathway and the Mechanism of Aging of the Placenta Following Oxidative Stress$1,190,148

Funding body: The Haggarty Foundation

Funding body The Haggarty Foundation
Project Team Doctor Zakia Sultana
Scheme Research Funding
Role Lead
Funding Start 2020
Funding Finish 2027
GNo G2000485
Type Of Funding C3200 – Aust Not-for Profit
Category 3200
UON Y

Placental Aging and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Understanding the Biochemical Pathway and the Mechanism of Aging of Placental Cells Following Oxidative Stress$12,162

Funding body: Hunter New England Local Health District

Funding body Hunter New England Local Health District
Project Team

Zakia Sultana, Rajyalakshmi Kasi
Scheme John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2020
Funding Finish 2020
GNo
Type Of Funding C3112 - Aust Not for profit
Category 3112
UON N

20194 grants / $25,729

Understanding the Biochemistry and Molecular Mechanism of Aging of the Placenta in Pathologic Pregnancy$20,063

Funding body: John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust

Funding body John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust
Project Team Doctor Zakia Sultana, Dr Felicity Park
Scheme Research Grant
Role Lead
Funding Start 2019
Funding Finish 2019
GNo G1901078
Type Of Funding C3200 – Aust Not-for Profit
Category 3200
UON Y

Novel inhibitors of Aldehyde Oxidase 1 to prevent ultraviolet light induced skin aging and cancer$4,000

Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health

Funding body University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health
Scheme Small Grant Funding 2019
Role Lead
Funding Start 2019
Funding Finish 2019
GNo
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON N

Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science Strategic Support$1,000

A travel support to attend at the 66th Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation, Paris, France, March 12-16.

Funding body: PRC for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle

Funding body PRC for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle
Scheme Travel support
Role Lead
Funding Start 2019
Funding Finish 2019
GNo
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON N

Society of Reproductive Investigation Travel Award$666

A travel scholarship to attend at the 66th Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation.

Funding body: Society for Reproductive Investigation

Funding body Society for Reproductive Investigation
Scheme Travel support
Role Lead
Funding Start 2019
Funding Finish 2019
GNo
Type Of Funding International - Competitive
Category 3IFA
UON N
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Research Supervision

Number of supervisions

Completed1
Current1

Current Supervision

Commenced Level of Study Research Title Program Supervisor Type
2019 PhD Placental Release of Extracellular Vesicles Containing Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone mRNA during Human Pregnancy PhD (Reproductive Medicine), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor

Past Supervision

Year Level of Study Research Title Program Supervisor Type
2024 PhD Design, Synthesis and Bioactivity Screening of Small Molecules Based on Natural Product Scaffolds PhD (Clinical Pharm), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
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Research Opportunities

Seeking Research Students at All Levels

I am currently accepting research students at various levels, including third-year undergraduates, Honours, Masters, and PhD candidates. With expertise in Medical biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Reproductive Sciences, I am enthusiastic about guiding students in developing their skills and advancing knowledge in this area. If you’re interested in pursuing a project under my supervision, please feel free to reach out to discuss potential opportunities.

Other

School of Medicine and Public Health

1/1/2025 - 31/12/2028

Contact

Doctor Zakia Sultana
University of Newcastle
School of Medicine and Public Health
zakia.sultana@newcastle.edu.au

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Research Collaborations

The map is a representation of a researchers co-authorship with collaborators across the globe. The map displays the number of publications against a country, where there is at least one co-author based in that country. Data is sourced from the University of Newcastle research publication management system (NURO) and may not fully represent the authors complete body of work.

Country Count of Publications
Australia 22
Bangladesh 4
China 2
United Kingdom 2
United States 1
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Dr Zakia Sultana

Position

Haggarty Research Fellow
Mothers and Babies Research Centre
School of Medicine and Public Health
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing

Contact Details

Email zakia.sultana@newcastle.edu.au
Phone 0240220351

Office

Room HMRI3401
Building Hunter Medical Research Institute
Location John Hunter Hospital Site

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