Abdelwahed Sameh
Abdelwahed Sameh, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Associate Professor

Phone (936) 261-3192 Email: shabdelwahed@pvamu.edu
Office: Room 230F, E.E. O’Banion Science Building, Suite 230 W 100 L.W. Minor Street, Prairie View, TX 77446

Education 

Ph.D – Marquette University, WI, USA 2006
M.Sc – Cairo University, Egypt, 1999
B.Sc – Cairo University, Egypt, 1995

Work History

  • Assistant Professor, Prairie View A&M University (2018 – Present).
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Texas A&M University (2009 – 2018)
    Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University (2008 – 2009)
    Postdoctoral Fellow, Marquette University (2006 – 2008)
  • PhD, Marquette University (2001 – 2006)
  • Research Assistant, Cairo University (1997 – 1999).

Awards and Honors

  • RISE Award – Prairie View A&M University, 2024
  • NSF CHE MRI Grant Award 2023

Memberships

  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • Faculty Senate – Prairie View A&M University

Teaching Interests

Courses Taught

CHEM 1112: General Chemistry Laboratory II (Freshman Level)
CHEM 1203: General Chemistry Laboratory (Freshman Level)
CHEM 2203: Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (Sophomore Level)
CHEM 2204: Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (Sophomore Level)
CHEM 2303: Organic Chemistry I (Sophomore Level)
CHEM 2304: Organic Chemistry II (Sophomore Level)
CHEM 4303: Biochemistry (Senior Level)
CHEM 5453: Biochemistry (Graduate Course)

Research 

Research Projects

  1. Development of Novel Antimicrobial Agents

This research focuses on synthesizing innovative antimicrobial compounds to combat drug-resistant pathogens. By targeting structural optimization of benzofuran-pyrazole and thiopyrimidin-benzenesulfonamide derivatives, this project aims to enhance both potency and safety profiles against various bacterial strains. Advanced bioassays guide the evaluation of these molecules, with the ultimate goal of contributing new, effective options in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

  1. Electrochemical Analysis for Molecular Characterization

This project explores the electrochemical properties of π-stacked polyfluorene and other conjugated organic molecules to understand their electron transfer mechanisms. Using techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence, the study provides insights into how these molecules facilitate energy transfer and charge separation. This work has implications for designing high-performance materials in molecular electronics, energy storage, and sensing applications.

  1. Targeted Cancer Therapy: Kinase Inhibitors

Focusing on quinazoline-based inhibitors, this project explores selective protein kinase inhibitors in oncogenic signaling pathways critical to cancer cell survival. Through computational modeling and synthesis, the research optimizes compounds for selectivity and efficacy, potentially reducing side effects. This targeted approach enhances our understanding of kinase roles in cancer, with a broader goal of advancing precision oncology treatments.

Journal Articles

  1. Khalifa, A., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Design, Synthesis, and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Thiopyrimidin-Benzenesulfonamide Compounds.” Molecules, 2024, 29(19), 4778.
  2. Abdel-Mohsen, H. T., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Advances in Quinazoline-Based Protein Kinase Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy.” Molecules, 2024, 29, 875.
  3. Junaid, A., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Role of TRANSKETOLASE LIKE-1 in Cancer: Metabolic and Therapeutic Insights.” Cancer Informatics, 2024.
  4. Rathore, R., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Design of Polyfluorene Wires for Electron and Energy Transfer.” Molecules, 2023, 28(9), 3717.
  5. Syam, Y. M., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “PARP-1 Inhibitors: Design and Computational Analysis.” Molecules, 2022, 27(15), 4924.
  6. Ivanov, M., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Charge-Transfer in π-Conjugated Cation Radicals.” Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2017, 121(3), 1552-1561.
  7. Vura-Weis, J., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Molecular Triplet Energy Transfer in π-Stacked Fluorenes.” Science, 2010, 328(5985), 1547-1550.
  8. Rathore, R., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Electron Transfer in π-Stacked Polyfluorenes.” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2003, 125(29), 8712-8713.
  9. Qi, H., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Electrochemistry of π-Stacked Poly(fluorenemethylene).” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2012, 134(39), 16265-16274.
  10. Abzhanova, A., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Excimeric States in Polyfluorene Derivatives.” Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A, 2019, 374, 125-130.
  11. Rathore, R., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Calix[4]arene Derivative for Nitric Oxide Sensing.” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2004, 126(42), 13582-13583.
  12. Chatterjee, A., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Radical Mechanisms in Thiamin Biosynthesis.” Angewandte Chemie, 2010, 49(46), 8653-8656.
  13. Talipov, M., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Molecular Cable Platform Synthesis.” Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2016, 81(4), 1627-1634.
  14. Isita, J., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Oxidative Cascade in Roseoflavin Biosynthesis.” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2016, 138(27), 8324–8327.
  15. Mehta, A. P., Abdelwahed, S. H., et al. “Vitamin B12 Biosynthesis Mechanisms.” Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2018, 140(40), 12798–12807.

Conference Proceedings

  1. Abdelwahed, S. H. ” Design, Synthesis, and Antimicrobial Evaluation.” Southwest Regional Meeting of the ACS, Waco City, TX 2024
  2. Abdelwahed, S. H. “New Benzofuran-Pyrazole Antimicrobials: Design and Synthesis.” TexSyn VI Conference, Texas A&M University, 2024.
  3. Abdelwahed, S. H. “SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors.” Southwest Regional Meeting of the ACS, Oklahoma City, 2023.
  4. Abdelwahed, S. H. “Chemistry’s Role in Medicinal and Enzymatic Pathways.” 11th Young Researcher Conference, Texas A&M University, 2023.
  5. Abdelwahed, S. H. “PARP-1 Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy.” 28th Congress of the International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry, UCSB, 2022.
  6. Abdelwahed, S. H. ” Enzyme Structure for TKTL-1 Modulators.” Texas Enzyme Mechanisms Conference, Austin, TX, 2020.