Research Project

(*)

Cover letter

Dear Dr. Zang,

My name is Dr. Islam I. Omara, Associate Professor of Poultry Nutrition, Division of Nutrition, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza - Egypt. As an Associate Professor and researcher specialized in applied poultry nutrition, I have accumulated over 17-years in conducting research that focuses on maintaining a balance between improving nutrition, enhancing production and protecting the ecosystem. This practical experience I have gained throughout my professional career allowed me to be more effective and detail oriented when conducting poultry research. I also, became familiar with different practical methods of handling and managing poultry taken into consideration their surrounding environments. I obtained M.Sc. in lipid metabolism and Ph.D. in energy, amino acids (methionine), vitamins (folic acid and choline) methabolism. Moreover, I taught energy metabolism (Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids) for undergraduate and postgraduate students from 2007 until now

In addition to the applied and field experience, I have also gained more basic science experience, as I received formal training at Prof. André Chwalibog’s lab on the application of Nanoparticles of noble metals in animal (Poultry) production at Division of Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen - Denmark. This was a very rewarding experience that resulted in the publication of 4-review articles. Furthermore, helped to learn more on how nanotechnology would play a greater role on the nutrients bioavailability in target organs at both cellular and sub-cellular levels. Applying such a new technology would reduce dietary nutrients inclusion levels, enhance nutrients absorption, reduce nutrients levels in poultry waste, and consequently reduce the negative environmental contamination from poultry wastes. Upon finishing my post-doc at Copenhagen – Denmark, and returning to my home university in Cairo - Egypt, I was appointed a Coordinator of a Committee to establish Nutrigenomics and Nanotechnology Center (CUNNC) at the Faculty of Agriculture. The CUNNC will be the first genomics and nanotechnology research center in the Middle East and Africa regions. My key responsibility includes approaching leading corporations and agencies involved in these cutting-edge technologies to help us supporting this top priority university project, in order to make CUNNC active and running by 2016.

Currently, I am working as a post-doc in Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA, studying molecular basis of improving feeds for poultry: a nutrigenomics approach for a 6-months period ending in early 2016. My current research program is related to utilize modern techniques in studying nutrition genomics. Special regards are to genome-nutrient interactions including the role of nutrients and dietary components in regulating genome structure, expression and stability and the role of genetic variation on individual nutrient requirements. How this will reflect on nutrients transport, maintain healthy birds and consequently maintains economic production while reducing negative environmental impacts from farm livestock. It is really intriguing to know that your lab is interested in defining molecular mechanisms by which nutritional cues would orchestrate metabolic physiology across different tissues. I would be really interested in joining your lab to learn and get more hands on experience using cutting-edge tools and techniques to help me relate the nutrient regulation of glucose/lipid metabolism, fatty liver disease, energy balance, and body weight. This will enable me to take my research a step deeper in understanding those integral interactions to bird’s health and production. In this regard, my attached CV has a list of my publication which includes selected research papers that have come out from my lab tackling manipulation of dietary nutrients and its effect on metabolism and immune response in poultry. At the home front, this new technology will contribute to achieving our departmental goals and research and development for their application in early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes which is becoming very prevalent in amongst children and adults in Egypt and the region. I consider it a national duty for me to seek knowledge and develop expertise in these cutting edge technologies in animal and human research, and that what motivates me the most to apply for a scholarship in this emerging and exciting areas of research at your esteemed organization.

I hope that you’ll find my academic and research background has trained me well enough to step as a candidate to work at your lab. I would be very much interested in joining your lab filling up this postdoctoral position. Thank you for the consideration.

Kindest Regards,

Islam I. Omara

(2)

C.V.

Islam Omara

PERSONAL DATA:

Family Name : Omara.

First Name : Islam

Birth date : 4th January, 1976.

Nationality : Egyptian.

Gender : Male.

POSTAL ADDRESS:

Poultry Nutrition Research Lab (PNRL)

Poultry Nutrition Division, Department of Animal Production Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University

El-Gamma St., 12613. Giza, Egypt.

Mobile Tel. : (+2 ) 010********

Work Tel. : +202-********

Fax : +202-********

E-mail: : ******@**.***

EDUCATION:

- B.Sc. Agriculture Sciences, Poultry science, June 1997, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

- M.Sc. Agriculture Sciences, Poultry Nutrition, March 2002, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

(Title of M.Sc. thesis: Influence of dietary lipid sources on layer performance).

- Ph.D. Agriculture Sciences, Poultry Nutrition, Jan. 2006, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

(Title of Ph.D. thesis: Response of laying hens to some dietary nutrients levels). EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

- Demonstrator, Poultry Nutrition, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt (1998 – 2002).

- Assistant Lecturer, Poultry Nutrition, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt (2003 – 2005).

- Lecturer, Poultry Nutrition, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt (2006 – 2011).

- Associate Professor, Poultry Nutrition, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt (2012 – To present). POST-DOC MISSIONS:

- Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MHESR): Nanotechnology in Animal Sciences Training (Application of nanoparticles of noble metals in animal production) from 1st November 2008 to 29th January 2009, Division of Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

- United States Agency International Development (USAID): Molecular basis of improved feeds for poultry: a nutrigenomics approach from 26 September 2015 to 29 February 2016. Animal and Poultry Sciences Department, Virginia Polytechnic Institutes and State University, USA.

HONORS AND AWARDS:

- Honorary First Prize for best M.Sc. thesis in Animal Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 2002.

- Honorary First Prize for best Ph.D. thesis in Animal Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 2006.

- Honorary Second Prize of Arab Organization for Agriculture Development and scientific innovation, 2009, for a research publication entitled "Effect of dietary energy, methionine, choline and folic acid levels on layers performance".

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

I have been involved for over 17-years in conducting independent research on micronutrients and vitamins in poultry nutrition. My interest in eco-responsible research has grown over the years aiming at maintaining balance between improving nutrition and protecting the ecosystem, while controlling cost of production to reduce price of end products to the consumers. FUNDED PROJECTS:

1- Project Title: Influence of dietary lipid sources on laying hens performance (1999-2002). Laboratory Research Assistant

Poultry Nutrition Research Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. Activities: Carried out digestibility trials using novel methods. Analyzed diets, ingredients for crude protein, dry matter, ash, gross energy, and lipid. Manure was also analyzed to determine digestibility of various nutrients and their impact on surrounding the environment. Performed statistical analysis of data. Prepared reports and manuscripts.

2- Project Title: Response of Laying Hens to Some Dietary Nutrients Levels (2003-2007). Research and Development Associate

Poultry Nutrition Research Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. Activities: carried out an experiment on energy, folic acid, choline and methionine levels and development shell thickness by adding these nutrients and relation that with immune response. Prepared reports and manuscripts.

3- Project Title: Animal Feeding of a Sustainable System for Production (2012-2013). Activities: Principle investigator (Co-PI)

Poultry Nutrition Research Farm and Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. 4- Project title: Applying Nanotechnology in Rapid Detection of Feed-borne Pathogenic Bacteria

(2012-2014)

EXPERIENCE AND TEACHING:

Teaching the following courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students:

- Feedstuffs and preparation.

- Energy metabolism.

- Feed additives

- Feed contaminates.

- Computer applications in animal and poultry nutrition.

- Advanced poultry Nutrition.

- Feed analysis and evaluation.

- Minerals and vitamins in poultry nutrition.

Formulation specific species diets: for different types of poultry. MEMBERSHIPS:

- The Egyptian Poultry Science Association, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria Uni., Egypt. (1997 – Till now).

- The Egyptian Journal of Nutrition and Feeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams Uni., Egypt.(1997

– Till now).

- The Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo Uni., Egypt. (1997 – Till now).

- Science Alert (Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances and Asian Journal of Poultry Science. (2014-Till now)

CONFERENCES:

- Attended the Annual Scientific Conference for Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University.

- Attended the 3rd International Poultry Conference, April 2005. Hurghada, Egypt.

- The 3rd Annual Conference on Role of Biochemistry in Agriculture and Environment, 2006. Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

- The 4th Scientific Conference of New Technologies in Agriculture, November, 2009. Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

- The 5th International Conference on Scientific and Applied Research, December, 2009. Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

- The 3rd Egyptian conference of rabbit sciences, 30 October, 2010. Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

(completed and current graduate student supervision): Name of candidate Thesis title Degree

Islam Mohamed

Tork

APPLYING SOME NANOTECHNOLOGICAL

APPROACHES IN RAPID DETECTION OF

FEED-BORNE PATHOGENIC BACTERIA.

MS.c

Mostafa Maher

Selim

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF

PROTEIN, METHIONINE AND FOLIC ACID ON

PERFORMANCE OF QUAIL CHICKENS.

MS.c

Doaa Mohamed

Saber Mohamed

EFFECT OF SELECTED AGRO-INDUSTRIAL

BY-PRODUCTS AS PARTIAL SUBSTITUTES

FOR BARLEY ON GROWING RABBIT

PERFORMANCE

MS.c

Mahmoud Ahmed

Hassan

EFFECT OF SOME ENZYMES AND ORGANIC

ACIDS ON POULTRY PRODUCTIVE

PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL

POLLUTION

MS.c

Moamen Gamal

Abd Elazem

EFFECT OF SOME ANTIOXIDANTS ON

LAYING HENS PERFORMANCE

MS.c

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS:

1- O.M. El-Husseiny; A.Z. Soliman; M.O. Abd-Elsamee and I.I. Omara. (2002). Influence of dietary lipid sources and levls on laying hen performance, egg quality and nutrients utilization. Egypt. Poult. Sci., 22: 763-791.

2- O.M. El-Husseiny; A.Z. Soliman; M.O. Abd-Elsamee and I.I. Omara. (2005). Effect of dietary energy, methionine, choline and folic acid levels on layers performance. Egypt. Poult. Sci., 25: 931-956.

3- O.M. El-Husseiny, A.Z. Soliman, I.I. Omara and H.M.R. El – Sherif. (2008). Evaluation of dietary methionine, folic acid and cyanocobalamin (b12) and their interactions on laying hen performance. International Journal of Poultry Science 7 (5): 461-469. 4- O.M. El-Husseiny, M.O. Abd-Elsamee, I.I. Omara and A.M. Fouad. (2008). Effect of dietary zinc and niacin on laying hens performance and egg quality. International Journal of Poultry Science 7

(8): 757-764, 2008.

5- O.M. EL-Husseiny, M.O. Abd-Elsamee, M.I. Hassane and I.I. Omara. (2008). Response of egg production and egg shell quality to dietary vegetable oils. International Journal of Poultry Science 7 (10): 1022-1032.

6- Islam I. Omara and Ramy M. Romeilah. (2009). Energy and methionine utilization in laying hen diets supplemented with folic acid. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 5(4): 428-444.

7- El-Husseiny O., Fayed S.A. and Omara I.I. (2009). Response of layer performance to iron and copper pathway and their interactions. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 3(4): 4199-4213.

8- M. R. Ibrahim, H.M. El-Banna, I.I. Omara and Marwa A. Suliman. (2011). Evaluation of Some Citrus Pulp as Feedstuffs in Rabbit Diets. Pakistan J. of Nutrition, 10 (7): 667- 674. 9- Ghazalah, A. A., Abd-Elsamee, M. O., El-Manylawi, M. A. F. and Omara, I.I. (2011) Performance and nutrient utilization of laying hens fed different apparent metabolizable energy and microbial phytase levels. Egyptian J. Nutrition and Feeds. 14 (2): 279-287. 10- T.S.T. Seleem, M.A.F. El-Manylawi, Y.M. Ragab and I.I. Omara. (2012). Mature Californian rabbit performance as affected by prebiotic or/ and probiotics in drinking water. Egyptian J. Nutrition and Feeds. 14 (2): 239-250

11- I.I. Omara. (2012). Nutritive Value of Skimmed Milk and Whey, Added As Natural Probiotics in Broiler Diets. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production. 49(2):207-217. 12- I.I. Omara. (2012). Protein-Sparing Effect of Dl-Methionine and Choline Supplementation of Low-Protein Diets on Productivity in Laying Hens. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production. 49(2): 219-231

13- M.A.Ali, Taher A.Salah Eldin, Gihan M. El Moghazy, Islam M. Tork and I. I. Omara. (2014). Detection of E.coli O157:H7 in feed samples using gold nanoparticles sensor. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci., 3(6): 697-708.

International Reports Publications:

1- Omara, I.I., A. Chwalibog, and E. Sawosz. Application of nanoparticles of noble metals in animal production (Environmental considerations) (2009). University of Copenhagen, Denmark. www.ibhv.life.ku.dk/Faggrupper/FBE/Ernaering/Nanotechnology_in_poultry_production/Publicat ions.aspx

2- Omara, I.I., A. Chwalibog, and E. Sawosz. Application of nanoparticles of noble metals in animal production (Animal health considerations) (2009). University of Copenhagen, Denmark. www.ibhv.life.ku.dk/Faggrupper/FBE/Ernaering/Nanotechnology_in_poultry_production/Publicat ions.aspx

3- Omara, I.I., A. Chwalibog, and E. Sawosz. Application of nanoparticles of noble metals in animal production (Animal nutrition considerations) (2009). University of Copenhagen, Denmark. www.ibhv.life.ku.dk/Faggrupper/FBE/Ernaering/Nanotechnology_in_poultry_production/Publicat ions.aspx

4- Omara, I.I., A. Chwalibog, and E. Sawosz. Application of nanoparticles of noble metals in animal production (Animal products considerations) (2009). University of Copenhagen, Denmark. www.ibhv.life.ku.dk/Faggrupper/FBE/Ernaering/Nanotechnology_in_poultry_production/Publicat ions.aspx

MANUSCRIPTS:

1- Abd-Elsamee, M.O. and Omara, I.I. Use of skimmed milk and whey as a natural probiotics in laying hen diets.

2- Soliman, A.Z.M., Saber, M.D. and Omara, I.I. Effect of some non-conventional sources of energy on growing rabbit performance and feces characteristics. 3- Soliman, A.Z.M., Saber, M.D. and Omara, I.I. Effect of sugar beet pulp and orange pulp as partial substitutes for barley on growing rabbit performance. REFERENCE PERSONS:

Available upon request

(3)

Reference persons

Names and contact information for 3 references

1- Name of Reference Prof. Dr. Haitham Yakout

Position Professor

Department Animal and Poultry Sciences Department

Institution Virginia Polytechnic Institutes and State University City Blacksburg, Virginia

Country USA

Telephone Cell : +662-***-**** Work: +540-***-**** E.mail *******@********.**.***

2- Name of Reference Prof. DSc. André Chwalibog, R Position Professor

Department Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences. Institution Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. City Groennegaardsvej 3, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, C. Country Denmark

Telephone Cell : +45 40963573 Phone: +45 35333044 Fax: +45 35333020 E.mail ***@****.**.**

3- Name of Reference Prof. Dr. Rida A. Ali, Ph.D, FCN. Position Professor Emeritus

Department Department of Nutrition.

Institution University of Bridgeport

City Bridgeport, CT.

Country USA

Telephone +2-010-**-**-**-**

E.mail *******@*****.***

Contact this candidate