Biographies
Turdikulova Shahlo Utkurovna was born on April 28, 1973 in the city of Tashkent.
Education:
Graduated from the Faculty of Biology of the Tashkent State University. Mirzo Ulugbek (1995)
From 2002 to 2005, she completed her doctoral studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Academic degree, title:
Doctor of Biological Sciences (2009), Professor (2019).
Professional activity:
From 2010 to 2012 - Deputy Director of the Institute of Biochemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In 2017 - 2018 - Deputy Director of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
From 2018 to present — Director of the Center for Advanced Technologies under the Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
From 2020 to present - First Deputy Minister of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Sh. Turdikulova carries out scientific activities in several areas of biology and has made a significant contribution to the development of molecular biotechnology and molecular genetics in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Futhermore, she pays great attention to increasing the intellectual potential of young people. In this sense, she created her own scientific school in molecular genetics and molecular biotechnology. During her career she has published over 160 scientific papers, including 2 textbooks and 2 monographs, over 30 international articles. Her “h-index” is 14, and statistics of citations by other scientists is 2291. It should be noted that Sh.Turdikulova has the highest overall impact factor in the Republic of Uzbekistan, which is 149.5.
As a result of the study of human genetics by a group of scientists led by Sh.Turdikulova identified more than 350 genetic markers, of which 212 are genes predisposed to various diseases, and 28 are genes that are markers of hereditary diseases. These data are essential in diagnosing diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disease, cancer, and other diseases. More than 8,000 samples of unique DNA from members of different nationalities living in the Republic of Uzbekistan have been collected, and on this base the DNA bank has been created.
In 2017, the scientific article “The connection of the genetic, cultural and geographic landscapes of Transoxiana” was published in the largest scientific journal Scientific Reports (Nature group), in which for the first time studied and presented new data about of a genetics of the peoples who lived in ancient Transoxia (now Central Asia).
Sh.U. Turdikulova is the only scientist in the Republic of Uzbekistan who has published four articles in one of the most authoritative general scientific journals in the world- “Nature”.
Under her leadership, a full cycle of biotechnology was introduced, that is, the use of genetically engineered drugs used in medicine, anticancer and antimicrobial drugs, glucose oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, scorpion peptide (chlorotoxin), defensin antimicrobial peptide, were first obtained by gene transfer.
Sh. Turdikulova is a member of several international institutions and funds: NATO, FP-7 and the head of grants from the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Development Bank. He is the national representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the European Union's Horizon-2020 research program in the field of health.
In the position of the First Deputy Minister of Innovative Development, Sh. Turdikulova actively coordinates the activities of the whole ministry, as well as subordinate organizations. Along with her position in the Ministry, she is the director of the Center for Advanced Technologies under the Ministry of Innovative Development. Under her leadership, the center developed the first molecular diagnostics (PCR) system in the Republic of Uzbekistan to detect the COVID-19.
Also under her leadership, the Center for Advanced Technologies, the Research Institute of Virology of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Chinese company Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical Co.Ltd conducted phase 3 clinical trials of a new vaccine against coronavirus ZF-UzVac-2001 to prevent the spread of infection "Covid-19" in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Under her leadership, a domestic vaccine against coronavirus is being developed, based on the latest biotechnology methods.
For many years, along with her scientific career, Mrs. Turdikilova carries out academic activities. She is a professor at the National University of the Republic of Uzbekistan's Department of Biotechnology, where she teaches general and specialized courses such as "Fundamentals of Biotechnology," "Genetic and Cell Engineering," "Biotechnology of Biologically Active and Medicinal Substances," and "Nano-Biotechnology."
Under the supervision of Sh. Turdikulova, 1 DSc and 3 PhD students have successfully graduated.
Awards:
In 2009, she won the Young Scientist of the Year competition held by TWAS (World Academy of Sciences).
In 2018, she received the Scopus Award-2018 in the category "Women in Science".
In 2018, she was awarded by the State Award of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the order of "Frendship".
