Kuwait University | Kuwait
Dr. Laila Jaragh-Alhadad is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Kuwait University, with extensive expertise in clinical bio-analytical chemistry and anticancer drug discovery. She earned her Ph.D. from Cleveland State University, USA, focusing on the in-vitro evaluation of HSP27 inhibitors through the HER2 pathway for ovarian cancer therapy. Prior to that, she received her M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Chemistry from Kuwait University, specializing in petroleum chemistry. Dr. Jaragh-Alhadad’s research centers on the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of novel anticancer agents that target key cancer-related proteins such as HSP27, HER2, and tubulin. Her work integrates both in silico and in vitro approaches to design dual-targeted therapies that aim to overcome drug resistance and enhance therapeutic efficacy in female cancers. She is also a pioneer in developing nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems using low-density lipoprotein (LDL), liposomes, and cholesterol conjugates to improve drug specificity and reduce systemic toxicity. She has led several competitive research grants supported by Kuwait University’s Research Sector, including projects on dual HSP27-HER2 inhibitors, triazole derivatives, and novel SIRT2 inhibitors. Her research output includes over 23 peer-reviewed publications indexed in Scopus, with 303 total citations across 275 documents, and an H-index of 12, reflecting the scientific impact and relevance of her work in molecular oncology and nanotechnology-based therapeutics. In recognition of her contributions, Dr. Jaragh-Alhadad has received numerous honors, including Best Research Awards at international conferences in Oxford, the USA , and the International Chemistry Research Awards. She is also a recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award from Kuwait University. Dr. Jaragh-Alhadad serves as a national and international editor for the Kuwait Journal of Science and Nanotechnology. She holds memberships in several professional organizations, including the Kuwait Chemical Society and the American Institute of Professional Studies.
Featured Publications
Saleh, M. M., El-Moselhy, T., El-Bastawissy, E., Ibrahim, M. A. A., Sayed, S. R. M., Hegazy, M.-E. F., Efferth, T., Jaragh-Alhadad, L. A., & Sidhom, P. A. (2023). The mystery of titan hunter: Rationalized striking of the MAPK pathway via newly synthesized 6‐Indolylpyridone‐3‐Carbonitrile derivatives. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 259, 115675.
Elkamhawy, A., Jaragh-Alhadad, L., Mekheimer, R. A., Abdullah, O., Abd-Elmonem, M., Moustafa, M. S., Abdel-Hameed, A., Mohamed, T. M., & Sadek, K. U. (2023). Visible-light-assisted base-catalyzed, one-pot synthesis of highly functionalized cinnolines. Green Processing and Synthesis, 12, 20230121.
Zaky, O. S., Hisham, M., Abd-Elmonem, M., Yahia, R., Jaragh-Alhadad, L. A., Mekheimer, R. A., Abuo-Rahma, G. E. A., Moustafa, M. S., Ebied, M. M., & Sadek, K. U. (2025). A novel one-pot microwave-assisted green synthesis of pyridinyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine hybrids as potent antimicrobial agents. BMC Chemistry, 19, 200.
Jaragh-Alhadad, L. A. (2025). Nano LDL drug delivery systems of triazole derivatives: Synthesis, characterization, anticancer evaluation and in silico investigation targeting HER2 and β-tubulin proteins. Andrology, 14(1), Article 1000351.
Zaky, O. S., Hisham, M., Abd Elmonem, M., Yahia, R., Jaragh-Alhadad, L. A., Mekheimer, R. A., Abuo Rahma, G. E. A., Moustafa, M. S., Ebied, M. M., & Sadek, K. U. (2025). A novel one-pot microwave-assisted green synthesis of pyridinyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine hybrids as potent antimicrobial agents. BMC Chemistry, 19, 200.