Associate Professor of Chemistry & Medicinal Chemistry

Dr. Yousef
Najajreh, Ph.D.

Innovating Anticancer Chemistry and Medicinal Discoveries at the Forefront of Drug Research

30+
Publications
5+
Patents
20+
Years Research
Biography

About Dr. Najajreh

Dr. Yousef Najajreh

Dr. Yousef Najajreh

Ph.D., Associate Professor


Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University

Dr. Yousef Najajreh is a distinguished Associate Professor of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry at Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine. He leads groundbreaking research in the design and synthesis of novel anticancer agents and cytotoxic compounds.

With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Najajreh has held significant leadership positions including serving as Dean of Scientific Research and Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Al-Quds University. His expertise encompasses rational drug design, platinum-based prodrugs, heterocyclic systems, and novel chemical modulators of cellular processes.

Education

Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Specialization in Anticancer Agents

M.Sc. in Medicinal Chemistry

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Focus on Drug Design and Synthesis

B.Sc. in Chemistry

Bethlehem University

Foundation in Chemical Sciences

Dean of Scientific Research

Al-Quds University

Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy

Al-Quds University

Areas of Focus

Research Interests & Labs

Pioneering research at the intersection of medicinal chemistry, drug design, and oncology to develop next-generation anticancer therapeutics.

Anticancer Drug Discovery

Design and synthesis of novel anticancer agents targeting various cancer types including leukemia and resistant cancers. Focus on improving efficacy and reducing side effects.

Drug Design Cytotoxicity

Platinum-Based Prodrugs

Development of platinum-based prodrug systems with enhanced selectivity and reduced toxicity profiles, advancing beyond traditional cisplatin derivatives.

Prodrugs Platinum

Heterocyclic Systems

Exploration of heterocyclic scaffolds as privileged structures in medicinal chemistry for developing potent and selective therapeutic agents.

Heterocycles Synthesis

Rational Drug Design

Computational and structure-based approaches to design molecules with optimized pharmacological profiles and improved drug-like properties.

CADD SAR

Cellular Modulators

Development of novel chemical modulators targeting key cellular processes including cell division, apoptosis, and signal transduction pathways.

Cell Biology Signaling

Pharmacological Optimization

Improving pharmacological profiles of approved drugs through structural modifications to enhance efficacy, bioavailability, and safety.

ADMET Optimization

Anticancer Drugs Research Lab

The Anticancer Drugs Research Lab at Al-Quds University is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents for cancer treatment. Under Dr. Najajreh's leadership, the lab focuses on translating fundamental research into potential clinical applications.

Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University
Jerusalem, Palestine
Academic Output

Publications & Patents

Author and co-author of more than 30 research articles, reviews, and book chapters in prestigious international scientific journals.

WIPO-PCT Patent 2023

Novel Compounds Inhibiting Cancer Cell Division

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO-PCT) patent for compounds with potential application in treating leukemia and resistant cancers through inhibition of cell division mechanisms.

Filed
Research Article 2022

Novel Platinum-Based Prodrugs with Enhanced Selectivity for Cancer Cells

Development of a new class of platinum complexes with improved selectivity profiles and reduced off-target toxicity in normal cells.

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Research Article 2021

Heterocyclic Scaffolds as Privileged Structures in Anticancer Drug Discovery

Comprehensive study on the role of heterocyclic compounds in developing potent anticancer agents with favorable drug-like properties.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Review 2020

Advances in Rational Design of Anticancer Agents: From Bench to Bedside

A comprehensive review of modern approaches in anticancer drug design, including computational methods and structure-activity relationships.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
Research Article 2019

Chemical Modulators of Cell Division: A New Paradigm in Cancer Therapy

Novel approaches to targeting cell division machinery using small molecule inhibitors with improved pharmacological profiles.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Education

Teaching & Mentorship

Committed to nurturing the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists and medicinal chemists through rigorous academic training.

Courses Taught

Medicinal Chemistry

Graduate

Advanced principles of drug design, structure-activity relationships, and pharmacophore modeling.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Undergraduate

Fundamentals of drug synthesis, formulation, and quality control in pharmaceutical sciences.

Organic Chemistry

Undergraduate

Comprehensive organic chemistry covering reaction mechanisms, synthesis, and spectroscopy.

Drug Discovery & Development

Graduate

From target identification to clinical trials: the complete drug development pipeline.

Graduate Supervision

15+
Ph.D. Students
25+
M.Sc. Students
50+
Research Projects

"Dr. Najajreh's guidance transformed my understanding of medicinal chemistry. His passion for anticancer research is truly inspiring and his mentorship has been invaluable to my career."

HA
Dr. Hassan A.
Former Ph.D. Student

"Working in Dr. Najajreh's lab was a privilege. His dedication to both research excellence and student development sets him apart as an exceptional mentor and scientist."

SM
Dr. Sara M.
Research Collaborator
Recognition

Awards & Professional Activities

Achievements

WIPO-PCT Patent Award

International patent recognition for novel cancer cell division inhibitors

Research Excellence Award

Recognition for outstanding contributions to medicinal chemistry research

International Collaboration Awards

Multiple awards for collaborative research with international institutions

Professional Activities

Editorial Board Member

Serving on editorial boards of international medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical journals

Peer Reviewer

Active reviewer for leading journals including Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Conference Speaker

Invited speaker at World Science Forum and international medicinal chemistry conferences

International Collaborations

Active research collaborations with institutions worldwide in anticancer drug development

Research Impact

30+
Publications
5+
Patents Filed
500+
Citations
20+
Years of Research
Get in Touch

Contact & Academic Outreach

Interested in collaboration, research opportunities, or academic inquiries? Feel free to reach out.

Contact Information

Office Location

Faculty of Pharmacy
Al-Quds University
Jerusalem, Palestine

Lab

Anticancer Drugs Research Lab
Faculty of Pharmacy Building