Rzgar Jaafar

Kort præsentation

The research association with Professor Kurt Buchmann during my M.Sc. and Ph.D. study at the Department of Animal Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen/Denmark has helped me in building a strong intimate relationship to the field of fish biology and diagnosis and control of fish diseases. I have contributed to teaching of fish parasitology, fish bacteriology, fish immunology, and fish vaccinology at Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, been mentor for several Bachelor and M.Sc. students, and managing of experimental fish keeping facilities.  

My scientific career (2010-2019) had a focus on a range of different projects including of immune reactions in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fish against parasites from protozoans to metazoans. I have been involved in a series of field and experimental studies investigating the host reactions in rainbow trout infected with flagellates (Ichthyobodo necator), ciliates (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), monogeneans (Gyrodactylus salaris) and nematodes (Anisakis simplex). I have conducted a range of different projects including vaccination of rainbow trout fish and conducting an experimental feeding study elucidating the effects of dietary supplementation of pharmaceutical products, feed additives, immunostimulants and vaccines on modulation of the fish immune system and the susceptibility of fish to various parasitic and bacterial infections.

In my M.Sc. thesis work, I investigated the effects of dietary β-1,3-glucan on innate immune parameters of juvenile rainbow trout and on susceptibility to the skin-parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), the study published under the title: Dose Dependent Effects of Dietary Immunostimulants on Rainbow Trout Immune Parameters and Susceptibility to the Parasite Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis. In another study, we have attempted to investigate the epidermal response of rainbow trout to the parasitic flagellate Ichthyobodo necator. The study published under the title: Epidermal response of rainbow trout to Ichthyobodo necator: immunohistochemical and gene expression studies indicate a Th1-/Th2-like switch. Recently, we have conducted a transcriptomic analysis of immunity in rainbow trout gills infected by ciliate parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.

In my Ph.D. a series of in vivo experiments conducted to investigate the importance of vaccine administration with special focus on injection (intraperitoneal), immersion (dip vaccination or bath), or oral vaccine exposure against enteric redmouth disease caused by a Gram-negative bacterium (Yersinia ruckeri) and to dissect the mechanisms underlying the protection in vaccinated fish upon challenge by studying the cellular and humoral components of the innate and adaptive immune system. The outcome of my Ph.D.  study was 5 published articles in peer reviewed journals.

CV

Personal information 

• Date of birth: 26.04.1981
• Sex: Male
• Status: Single and no kids
• Nationality: Danish
• Country of origin: Iraq

Education

2018 (March-July)

• Civilian Interpreter Course.

2013-2017

• Ph.D. In Immunology and Infectious Diseases from Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. http://healthsciences.ku.dk/

2012-2013

• M.Sc. one year in Biology/ Microbiology from Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. http://www.science.ku.dk/english/

2008-2011

• M.Sc. full degree in Parasitology from Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. http://healthsciences.ku.dk/

2001-2006

• B.V.M. and S. from College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul and Duhok, Iraq. http://web.uod.ac/ac/c/cvm/

Work experience

2017-Now

• PostDoc at Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

2016-2017

• Internship at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany during my Ph.D. study.

2011-2013

• Research assistant at Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Teaching and supervisor for Bachelor and M.Sc. students in fish immunology and vaccinology, fish bacteriology and parasitology at Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Ph.D. courses

1. Innate and Adaptive - Immunity: Host Pathogen interactions             2. Practical course in cellular immunology

3. Fish Immunology/Vaccination Workshop                                             4. Diagnosis and Control of Fish Diseases

5. Basic flow cytometry and cell sorting                                                   6. Advanced Methods in Microscopy

7. Academic Writing                                                                                   8. Academic literacies: Writing in the Disciplines

9. Introduction to University Pedagogy

The following are some highlights of my qualifications and experience

• Being mentor for several Bachelor and M.Sc. students.
• Teaching of fish bacteriology, parasitology, immunology and vaccinology.
• Master of establishing and designing/executing in vivo and in vitro experiments for conducting complex research projects, microbial identification and classification, isolating and maintaining cultures of microorganisms.
• Master of different immunochemical and molecular techniques including: Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, In Situ Hybridization, Flow cytometry, Q-PCR, PCR, DGGE, Gene expression analysis, cloning and sequencing.

• Master of different immunization strategies assisted by multidisciplinary project groups, assay development and method validation.
• Maintained laboratory integrity and quality by introducing and enforcing mandatory weekly cleaning and maintenance procedures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a good understanding of and respect for cultural differences and the capacity to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

Professional Affiliation

• Affiliated with Danish Fish Immunology Research Centre and Network (DAFINET) http://www.dafinet.dk/

Membership

• Member of the International Student Mentor Program (ISMP) at Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen (2011-2017) http://www.science.ku.dk/mentor ‘the program was winner of the International Study Environment Award and I been selected to receive the award on behalf of the program in 2015’ http://international.ku.dk/newsletter/2015/award-to-ismp/
• Member of Karate club Kyokushinkai Copenhagen http://www.karateklub.com/

References

From Denmark:

1) Kurt Buchmann                                                       2) Per Walter Kania

Professor                                                                      Associate Professor

University of Copenhagen                                         University of Copenhagen

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences                  Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Mobile: +45 23983065                                                  Mobile: +45 93565317

E-mail: [email protected]                                            E-mail: [email protected]

From Germany:

Uwe Fischer

PD Dr.

Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany

Institute of Infectology (IMED)

Mobile: +49 38351 7-1175/-1105

E-mail: [email protected]

Personal Profiles Rezkar M. Jaafar

• Research Gate:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rzgar_M_Jaafar
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rzgar-m-jaafar-741ba976/
• University of Copenhagen: http://research.ku.dk/search/?pure=en%2Fpersons%2Frezkar-jaafar-mohammad(741bde7b-a43b-46c8-b95c-01cc232cf07e)%2Fcv.html