Dr. Sana Kouba | Intracellular Signalling | Best Researcher Award
Postdoctoral Researcher of University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Dr. Sana-Salomé Kouba is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Geneva, specializing in intracellular signaling and cancer research. Her diverse experience includes roles at Penn State College of Medicine and the University of Picardie, where she investigated topics such as the S-acylation of STIM1 splice variants and the role of Orai and TRP channels in cancer progression. Dr. Kouba holds a Ph.D. from the University of Tours, and her research has earned her several awards, including poster accolades at international conferences and travel grants. She is proficient in advanced techniques like calcium imaging, molecular biology, and cell biology, and has made significant contributions to science education through her teaching and creation of instructional materials. Her strong technical skills, combined with her dedication to research and outreach, position her as a notable figure in her field.
Dr. Sana-Salomé Kouba’s educational journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon, in 2013. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Pharmacology, Physiopathology, and Neurobiology at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, France, graduating in 2015. Building on her foundation, Dr. Kouba completed her doctoral studies at the University of Tours, France, from 2016 to 2020. Her PhD research, conducted within the INSERM U1069 Nutrition Croissance et Cancer (N2C) unit, was supervised by Dr. Marie Potier-Cartereau and Prof. Mohamed Trebak. Her academic background reflects a strong emphasis on biochemistry, pharmacology, and cancer research, equipping her with a robust skill set and deep expertise in her field.
Dr. Sana-Salomé Kouba is a distinguished researcher currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, focusing on intracellular signaling and cancer research under the guidance of Prof. Nicolas Demaurex. Her prior experience includes roles as a Teaching and Research Assistant at the University of Picardie in France, where she investigated cellular and molecular mechanisms in cancer. She also worked as a Research Visiting Scholar at Penn State College of Medicine, studying mitochondrial calcium uniporters in ovarian cancer. Dr. Kouba has held various research positions, including internships at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology and the Laboratory of Molecular Physiomedicine in France, contributing to projects on potassium channels and sodium/proton exchangers. Her broad experience spans molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology, reflecting her expertise in advanced scientific techniques and research.
Dr. Sana-Salomé Kouba’s research interests are centered on intracellular signaling and its implications in disease, particularly cancer. She investigates the S-acylation of STIM1 splice variants and its role in skeletal muscle function and cancer, focusing on the modulation of CRAC channels. Her work explores the role of Orai and TRP channels in cancer growth and progression, as well as the mitochondrial calcium uniporter’s influence on ovarian cancer cell migration. Dr. Kouba’s research also delves into the biochemical and pharmacological characterization of ion channels and transporters, including potassium channels and sodium/proton exchangers. Her expertise spans advanced techniques such as calcium imaging, molecular biology, and cell biology, aiming to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer and other diseases. Her research contributes to a deeper understanding of cellular processes and the development of potential therapeutic targets.
Dr. Sana-Salomé Kouba exhibits a diverse and comprehensive skill set in research that underscores her expertise and versatility. She is proficient in advanced techniques such as calcium imaging, molecular biology (including DNA/RNA extraction, cloning, PCR, and qPCR), and biochemistry methods like immunoprecipitation and cell surface biotinylation. Her expertise extends to cell biology techniques, including cell culture, confocal and TIRF microscopy, immunofluorescence, and proximity ligation assays. Dr. Kouba is also skilled in flow cytometry and has extensive experience with software tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, ImageJ, GraphPad, FlowJo, and Zotero. Her ability to produce and edit educational content, including instructional videos and visual games, highlights her commitment to science communication and education. These skills, combined with her research experience across multiple prestigious institutions, demonstrate her capability to contribute significantly to her field.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Sana Kouba has garnered notable recognition in her scientific career, reflecting her significant contributions to research and education. In 2023, she received the Poster Award at both the FASEB Calcium and Cell Function Conference in Dublin, Ireland, and the Life Science Switzerland (LS2) Annual Meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, highlighting her impactful research presentations. Her previous accolades include travel grants for academic conferences, such as the European Calcium Society Meeting in Hamburg, Germany, and the Academic Travel Scholar Program in the United States. These awards and grants underscore Dr. Kouba’s active engagement with the scientific community and her commitment to advancing her field through high-quality research and presentations. Her achievements not only recognize her individual contributions but also emphasize her role in disseminating crucial scientific knowledge and fostering professional development in her areas of expertise.
Sana-Salomé Kouba is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award due to her impressive range of research experience, significant contributions to cancer research, teaching accomplishments, and skills in advanced scientific techniques. Her awards and travel grants reflect her active participation and recognition in the scientific community.
Publications Top Notes
- S-Acylation of Ca2+ Transport Proteins: Molecular Basis and Functional Consequences
- Authors: R Néré, S Kouba, A Carreras-Sureda, N Demaurex
- Year: 2024
- Citations: 3
- S-Acylation of Ca2+ Transport Proteins in Cancer
- Authors: S Kouba, N Demaurex
- Year: 2024
- Pivotal Role of the ORAI3-STIM2 Complex in the Control of Mitotic Death and Prostate Cancer Cell Cycle Progression
- Authors: S Kouba, P Buscaglia, M Guéguinou, O Mignen, M Potier-Cartereau
- Year: 2023
- Citations: 3
- Acid Adaptation Promotes TRPC1 Plasma Membrane Localization Leading to Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation and Migration through Ca2+ Entry and Interaction with PI3K/CaM
- Authors: J Schnipper, S Kouba, F Hague, H Pedersen, S-F Ouadid-Ahidouch
- Year: 2022
- Citations: 3
- Crosstalk Between Ca2+ Signaling and Cancer Stemness: The Link to Cisplatin Resistance
- Authors: S Kouba, F Hague, A Ahidouch, H Ouadid-Ahidouch
- Year: 2022
- Citations: 6
- The TRPC1 Channel Forms a PI3K/CaM Complex and Regulates Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation in a Ca2+-Independent Manner
- Authors: J Schnipper, S Kouba, F Hague, H Pedersen, S-F Ouadid-Ahidouch
- Year: 2022
- Citations: 3
- Data Pertaining to Aberrant Intracellular Calcium Handling During Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer
- Authors: D O’Reilly, T Downing, S Kouba, C Vandier, P Buchanan
- Year: 2022
- CaV1.3 Enhanced Store Operated Calcium Promotes Resistance to Androgen Deprivation in Prostate Cancer
- Authors: D O’Reilly, T Downing, S Kouba, C Vandier, P Buchanan
- Year: 2022
- Citations: 9
- Orai3 Calcium Channel Regulates Breast Cancer Cell Migration Through Calcium-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms
- Authors: M Chamlali, S Kouba, L Rodat-Despoix, A Schwab, H Ouadid-Ahidouch
- Year: 2021
- Citations: 14
- Synthetic Alkyl-Ether-Lipid Promotes TRPV2 Channel Trafficking Through PI3K/Akt-Girdin Axis in Cancer Cells and Increases Mammary Tumour Volume
- Authors: M Guéguinou, R Felix, S Marionneau-Lambot, C Vandier, M Potier-Cartereau
- Year: 2021
- Citations: 6
