AFSOON MOKTAR, PhD, MBA, CT

2104 Club Vista Place, Louisville, Kentucky 40245

502.291.3865
afsoon1@aol.com

QUALIFICATIONS PROFILE

High-powered, dynamic, and assertive professional, offering broad-based experien

ce in Biology, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical studies, complemented with stron
g educational foundation. Possess stellar reputation in developing new and innov
ative product concepts and communicating it from a scientific point of view. Ade
pt in coordinating clinical testing requirements and executing ex vivo human stu
dies. Exemplify in-depth knowledge in cell-based assays, cell culture, multi-col
or flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and imaging. Demonstrate outstanding
problem solving, organization and communication skills coupled with proven effec
tiveness to working and establishing productive relationships with multidiscipli
nary teams. Possess a keen eye for detail with proven capability to multitask in
fiercely competitive and challenging environment. Bilingual in English and Pers
ian.

EDUCATION
PHD CANDIDATE, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cancer Prevention and
Control
- University of Louisville, Louisville, KY: 2006–2010
PhD Research Work: Effect of cigarette smoking as an important co-factor in cont
ributing to progression of cervical / vaginal cancer; encompasses both in vitro
and human studies to investigate the role of cigarette smoking on DNA damage and
repair
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY - University of Louisville, Lou
isville, KY: 2004–2006
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - Ballermine University, Louisville, KY: 2001–2003
BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCE, CYTOTECHNOLOGY - University of Louisville, Louisvill
e, KY: 1995–1997
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING - University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran: 1989–1992

SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
- Ensured strict compliance with all safety and infection control policies
, procedures, and regulations
- Identified and implemented quality control procedures to determine accur
acy of cytological diagnoses along with quality and appropriateness of cytoprepa
ratory techniques
- Categorized all unusual findings in preparations such as presence of bac
teria, fungi, viruses, yeasts, parasites and changes secondary to therapy, nutri
tional disorders, and others
- Executed a full range of procedures including the cytodiagnosis of benig
n and malignant conditions as seen in urine, bodily fluids and cerebrospinal flu
id; uterine, cervical, and vaginal smears; needle aspirations; and tumors and ti
ssue imprints
- Supervised the research and development of molecular diagnostic projects
including the execution of clinical study plans
- Provided expert oversight to assay development and quantitative methods
for the detection of nucleic acids utilizing PCR, RT-PCR (Real-Time PCR), Flow C
ytometry, ImageStream, Comet assay, DNA amplification and nucleic acid chemistry
- Exemplified outstanding in vitro molecular biology skills (cell culture)
with ex vivo human research experiences

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE - LOUISVILLE, KY
PRN CYTOTECHNOLOGIST, DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY 1998–2005
BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY - LOUISVILLE, KY
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, CYTOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM 2003–2004
MEDICAL LABORATORY CONSULTANTS - LOUISVILLE, KY
PRN CYTOTECHNOLOGIST 2000–2004
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE - LOUISVILLE, KY (2001–2003)
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR 2003
INSTRUCTOR 2001–2003
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE - LOUISVILLE, KY
INSTRUCTOR, CYTOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM 1999–2001
JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM - LOUISVILLE, KY
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER 1998–1999
SHAHID RAJAII CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL - KARAJ, IRAN
REGISTERED NURSE 1992–1993

CONTINUING EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

- American Society of Cytotechnolgy, 51st Annual National Scientific Meeti
ng, Orlando, FL: Nov 2003
- Kentuckiana Cytology Society, Louisville, KY: Oct 2003, Mar 2003, and Oc
t 2000
- Professional Education and Training on SurePath Technology, Burlington,
NC: Sep 2002
- Kentucky Pathology Society State Meeting, Louisville, KY: Sep 2000
- Annual Cytopathology Conference, Louisville, KY: Mar 1999

AWARDS and HONORS

- Nursing and Health Science Careers Fair Committee, Bellarmine University
: Apr 2002
- Dean’s List / Dean’s Scholar, University of Louisville: 1995–1997
- Volunteer Service Award, Baptist Home East Nursing Home: 1995–2002
- Clinical Pathology Associates (CPA) Student Award: 1997
- Outstanding Graduating Student in School of Allied Health Sciences: 1997

BOARD CERTIFICATION
- Certified Cytotechnologist, CT (ASCP), American Society of Clinical Path
ologists
 > Board of Registry: May 1997 # 11782

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Member, American Association of Cancer Research: 2006–2007 and 2008–Present
- Member, AED Pre-medical Honor Society: 1998–Present
- Member, Golden Key National Honor Society: 1996–Present
- Member, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society: 1996–Present
- Newsletter Editor / Local Arrangement Chair, Kentuckiana Cytology Societ
y: 2002–2004
- Member, American Society for Cytopathology: 2002–2003
- Member, American Society for Cytotechnology: 2001–2002

PRESENTATIONS
- Expected Annual Meeting Presentation, American Association of Cancer Res
earch, Washington, DC: April 2010
- Research of Louisville, Louisville, KY: Oct 2008
- James Graham Brawn Cancer Center Retreat, Louisville KY: Nov 2008
- Annual Meeting Presentation, American Association of Cancer Research, Lo
s Angeles, CA: Apr 2007
- American Society of Cytopathology, San Diego, CA: Nov 2005
- Cytomorphology of Endocervical Adenocarcinoma, Kentuckiana Cytology Soci
ety, Louisville, KY: Oct 2000

PUBLICATIONS
ARTICLE:
Moktar A, Ravoori S., Vadhanam MV, Gairola GC, and Gupta RC Cigarette Smoke-Indu
ced DNA Damage and Repair Detected by the Comet Assay in HPV-Transformed Cervica
l Cells; Int J Oncol. 2009 Dec; 35(6):1297-304
Moktar A, Singh R, Vadhanam MV, Gairola GC, Lillard JW, and Gupta RC Cigarette s
moke condensate-induced oxidative DNA damage and its removal in cervical cancer
cell lines; Int J Cancer. 2010, in press

ABSTRACTS:
Unverferth M, Moktar A. (2005) An Alternative Approach to Ten Percent Rescreen o
f Gynecologic Specimens as a Quality Control Method: Is 100% Prescreening a Solu
tion?; ActaCytologica
Moktar A, Ravoori S., Vadhanam MV, Gairola GC, and Gupta RC (2007) Cigarette Smo
ke-Induced DNA Damage Detected by Comet Assay in HPV-Transformed Cervical cells;
Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res., 48, Abst. # 3478
Moktar A, Parker LP, Gordinier ME, Metzinger DS, and Gupta RC (2008) DNA Strand
Breaks in Human Vaginal Cells as Determined by Comet Assay; Proc. Am. Assoc. Can
cer Res., 49, Abst. # 583 p. 137
Moktar A, Singh R, Lillard JW, Vadhanam MV and Gupta RC (2008) Detection of 8-ox
odG in Cigarette Smoke Condensate-Treated Human Ectocervical Cells by Image Base
d Flow Cytometry; Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res., 49, Abst. # 3141 p. 745
Ravoori S., Vadhanam MV, kausar H, Moktar A, Vuppalapati PK, Schultz D, Gupta RC
(2008) Effect of Select Berries on Estrogen-Induced Mammary Tissue Proliferatio
n; Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res., 49, Abst. # 3821 p. 905
Moktar A, Manicka V. Vadhanam, Rajesh Singh, C. Gary Gairola, James W. Lillard,
and Ramesh C. Gupta (2010) Cigarette Smoke Condensate-Induced Oxidative DNA Dama
ge and its Removal in Cervical Cancer Cell Lines; Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res