Samar Rezq, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department:
SOM-Pharmacology/Toxicology
Email:
srezq@umc.edu
Work Phone:
(601) 984-1852
Biography
Dr. Samar Rezq earned her B.Sc. (2005) and M.Sc. (2010) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Zagazig University, Egypt. In 2012, she received a Ph.D. scholarship from the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from East Carolina University in 2016. She subsequently served as a Lecturer at Zagazig University before returning to the United States, where she completed a postdoctoral fellowship (2019–2021) and served as an Instructor at UMMC.
Dr. Rezq is an Assistant Professor at UMMC, where her research investigates the molecular mechanisms linking sex hormone imbalance, metabolic dysfunction, and cardiorenal disease. Her work focuses on androgen-mediated renal injury, leptin–JAK/STAT3 signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and sex-specific mechanisms of metabolic disease, with emerging interests in brain health and cognition.
Her honors include the Dean Franklin Young Investigator Award from Harvard Bioscience (2026), APS Endocrinology and Metabolism Section Research Recognition Award (2020), APS Renal Section Research Recognition Award (2021), WIN Leadership Junior Faculty Award (2021), and ASBMB Faculty Travel Award (2022). She also received multiple APS/ASN, Endocrine Society, ASN, and other national research and travel awards.
Dr. Rezq is actively engaged in professional service and leadership through the American Physiological Society and Endocrine Society.
Education
| Brody School of Medicine, ECU, PhD, Pharmacology and Toxicology | 2016 |
| Zagazig university, MS, Pharmacology and Toxicology | 2010 |
| Zagazig University, BS, Pharmacy | 2005 |
Current Positions
| Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry | 07/2022 - Present |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, Mississippi 39216 | |
Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments
| Instructor, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry | 06/2021 - 06/2022 |
| Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry | 01/2019 - 05/2021 |
Sponsored Program Funding
| Extramural, Role of JAK/STAT3 Signaling in Excess Androgen-induced Renal Injury in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, American Heart Association | 04/2025 - 03/2028 |
Publications
Comparative Study | |
| Sobeh M, Rezq S, Cheurfa M, Abdelfattah MAO, Rashied RMH, El-Shazly AM, Yasri A, Wink M, Mahmoud MF, Thymus algeriensis and Thymus fontanesii: Chemical Composition, In Vivo Antiinflammatory, Pain Killing and Antipyretic Activities: A Comprehensive Comparison. Biomolecules, 2020 Apr 13;10(4) | 2020 |
Journal Article | |
| de Souza AMA, Kautzky-Willer A, Romero DG, Yanes Cardozo LL, Ahmed SB, Rezq S, Challenges and knowledge gaps in sex differences in cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome across the lifespan. Biology of sex differences, 2026 May 12;17(1) | 2026 |
| Abdelhameed AM, Eissa MA, Thompson K, Edwards KS, Hoang NH, Rezq S, Cornelius DC, Romero DG, Yanes Cardozo LL, Adiponectin Receptor Agonist AdipoRon Ameliorates the Metabolic Complications in a Hyperandrogenic Rat Model of PCOS. Endocrinology, 2025 Dec 5;167(1) | 2025 |
| Basnet J, Rezq S, Huffman AM, Asala TE, Yanes Cardozo LL, Romero DG, Androgen Receptor PROTAC ARV-110 Ameliorates Metabolic Complications in a Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Endocrinology, 2025 May 19;166(7) | 2025 |
| Basnet J, Eissa MA, Cardozo LLY, Romero DG, Rezq S, Impact of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Gut Microbiome and Hormonal Regulation. Gastrointestinal disorders (Basel, Switzerland), 2024 Dec;6(4):801-815 | 2024 |
| Rezq S, Huffman AM, Basnet J, Alsemeh AE, do Carmo JM, Yanes Cardozo LL, Romero DG, MicroRNA-21 modulates brown adipose tissue adipogenesis and thermogenesis in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome. Biology of sex differences, 2024 Jul 10;15(1):53 | 2024 |
| Osman NA, Soltan MK, Rezq S, Flaherty J, Romero DG, Abdelkhalek AS, Dual COX-2 and 15-LOX inhibition study of novel 4-arylidine-2-mercapto-1-phenyl-1H-imidazolidin-5(4H)-ones: Design, synthesis, docking, and anti-inflammatory activity. Archiv der Pharmazie, 2024 May;357(5):e2300615 | 2024 |
| Huffman AM, Rezq S, Basnet J, Romero DG, Biomarkers in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Current opinion in physiology, 2023 Dec;36 | 2023 |
| Elsayed S, Abdelkhalek AS, Rezq S, Abu Kull ME, Romero DG, Kothayer H, Magic shotgun approach to anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapy: Synthesis of novel thienopyrimidine monomers/heterodimer as dual COX-2 and 15-LOX inhibitors endowed with potent antioxidant activity. European journal of medicinal chemistry, 2023 Nov 15;260:115724 | 2023 |
| Abdelkhalek AS, Kothayer H, Rezq S, Orabi KY, Romero DG, El-Sabbagh OI, Synthesis of new multitarget-directed ligands containing thienopyrimidine nucleus for inhibition of 15-lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenases, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. European journal of medicinal chemistry, 2023 Aug 5;256:115443 | 2023 |
| Kothayer H, Rezq S, Abdelkhalek AS, Romero DG, Elbaramawi SS, Triple targeting of mutant EGFR(L858R/T790M), COX-2, and 15-LOX: design and synthesis of novel quinazolinone tethered phenyl urea derivatives for anti-inflammatory and anticancer evaluation. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry, 2023 Dec;38(1):2199166 | 2023 |
| Huffman AM, Syed M, Rezq S, Anderson CD, Yanes Cardozo LL, Romero DG, Loss of microRNA-21 protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Archives of toxicology, 2023 Jul;97(7):1907-1925 | 2023 |
| El-Sayed SS, Rezq S, Alsemeh AE, Mahmoud MF, Moxonidine ameliorates cardiac injury in rats with metabolic syndrome by regulating autophagy. Life sciences, 2023 Jan 1;312:121210 | 2023 |
| Alsemeh AE, Ahmed MM, Fawzy A, Samy W, Tharwat M, Rezq S, Vitamin E rescues valproic acid-induced testicular injury in rats: Role of autophagy. Life sciences, 2022 May 1;296:120434 | 2022 |
| Mahmoud NM, Elshazly SM, Rezq S, Geraniol protects against cyclosporine A-induced renal injury in rats: Role of Wnt/β-catenin and PPARγ signaling pathways. Life sciences, 2022 Feb 15;291:120259 | 2022 |
| Hamoud MMS, Osman NA, Rezq S, A A Abd El-Wahab H, E A Hassan A, Abdel-Fattah HA, Romero DG, Ghanim AM, Design and Synthesis of Novel 1,3,4-Oxadiazole and 1,2,4-Triazole Derivatives as Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors with Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages. Bioorganic chemistry, 2022 Jul;124:105808 | 2022 |
| Huffman AM, Rezq S, Basnet J, Yanes Cardozo LL, Romero DG, SARS-CoV-2 Viral Entry Proteins in Hyperandrogenemic Female Mice: Implications for Women with PCOS and COVID-19. International journal of molecular sciences, 2021 Apr 25;22(9) | 2021 |
| Ghanim AM, Rezq S, Ibrahim TS, Romero DG, Kothayer H, Novel 1,2,4-triazine-quinoline hybrids: The privileged scaffolds as potent multi-target inhibitors of LPS-induced inflammatory response via dual COX-2 and 15-LOX inhibition. European journal of medicinal chemistry, 2021 Jul 5;219:113457 | 2021 |
| Badr S, Rezq S, Abdelghany RH, Endogenous β-endorphin plays a pivotal role in angiotensin II-mediated central neurochemical changes and pressor response. Chemico-biological interactions, 2021 Jun 1;342:109475 | 2021 |
| Yanes Cardozo LL, Rezq S, Pruett JE, Romero DG, Androgens, the kidney, and COVID-19: an opportunity for translational research. American journal of physiology. Renal physiology, 2021 Feb 1;320(2):F243-F248 | 2021 |
| Rezq S, Huffman AM, Basnet J, Yanes Cardozo LL, Romero DG, Cardiac and Renal SARS-CoV-2 Viral Entry Protein Regulation by Androgens and Diet: Implications for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and COVID-19. International journal of molecular sciences, 2021 Sep 9;22(18) | 2021 |
| Rezq S, Hassan R, Mahmoud MF, Rimonabant ameliorates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats: Involvement of autophagy via modulating ERK- and PI3K/AKT-mTOR pathways. International immunopharmacology, 2021 Nov;100:108140 | 2021 |
| Rezq S, Mahmoud MF, El-Shazly AM, El Raey MA, Sobeh M, Anti-Inflammatory, Antipyretic, and Analgesic Properties of Potamogeton perfoliatus Extract: In Vitro and In Vivo Study. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2021 Aug 10;26(16) | 2021 |
| Sakr A, Rezq S, Ibrahim SM, Soliman E, Baraka MM, Romero DG, Kothayer H, Design and synthesis of novel quinazolinones conjugated ibuprofen, indole acetamide, or thioacetohydrazide as selective COX-2 inhibitors: anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anticancer activities. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry, 2021 Dec;36(1):1810-1828 | 2021 |
| Rezq S, Alsemeh AE, D'Elia L, El-Shazly AM, Monti DM, Sobeh M, Mahmoud MF, Thymus algeriensis and Thymus fontanesii exert neuroprotective effect against chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain in rats. Scientific reports, 2020 Nov 25;10(1):20559 | 2020 |
| Hegazy N, Rezq S, Fahmy A, Renin-angiotensin system blockade modulates both the peripheral and central components of neuropathic pain in rats: Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P and nitric oxide. Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology, 2020 Dec;127(6):451-460 | 2020 |
| Elshazly SM, Alsemeh AE, Ahmad EAA, Rezq S, CoQ10 exerts hepatoprotective effect in fructose-induced fatty liver model in rats. Pharmacological reports : PR, 2020 Aug;72(4):922-934 | 2020 |
| Sobeh M, Mahmoud MF, Rezq S, Abdelfattah MAO, Mostafa I, Alsemeh AE, El-Shazly AM, Yasri A, Wink M, Haematoxylon campechianum Extract Ameliorates Neuropathic Pain via Inhibition of NF-κB/TNF-α/NOX/iNOS Signalling Pathway in a Rat Model of Chronic Constriction Injury. Biomolecules, 2020 Mar 2;10(3) | 2020 |
| Rezq S, Nasr AM, Shaheen A, Elshazly SM, Doxazosin down-regulates sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 and exerts a renoprotective effect in rat models of acute renal injury. Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology, 2020 May;126(5):413-423 | 2020 |
| Sobeh M, Mahmoud MF, Rezq S, Alsemeh AE, Sabry OM, Mostafa I, Abdelfattah MAO, El-Allem KA, El-Shazly AM, Yasri A, Wink M, Salix tetrasperma Roxb. Extract Alleviates Neuropathic Pain in Rats via Modulation of the NF-κB/TNF-α/NOX/iNOS Pathway. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 2019 Oct 12;8(10) | 2019 |
| Hegazi NM, Sobeh M, Rezq S, El-Raey MA, Dmirieh M, El-Shazly AM, Mahmoud MF, Wink M, Characterization of phenolic compounds from Eugenia supra-axillaris leaf extract using HPLC-PDA-MS/MS and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and pain killing activities in vivo. Scientific reports, 2019 Jul 31;9(1):11122 | 2019 |
| Sobeh M, El-Raey M, Rezq S, Abdelfattah MAO, Petruk G, Osman S, El-Shazly AM, El-Beshbishy HA, Mahmoud MF, Wink M, Chemical profiling of secondary metabolites of Eugenia uniflora and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pain killing and anti-diabetic activities: A comprehensive approach. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2019 Aug 10;240:111939 | 2019 |
| Sobeh M, Rezq S, Sabry OM, Abdelfattah MAO, El Raey MA, El-Kashak WA, El-Shazly AM, Mahmoud MF, Wink M, Albizia anthelmintica: HPLC-MS/MS profiling and in vivo anti-inflammatory, pain killing and antipyretic activities of its leaf extract. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 2019 Jul;115:108882 | 2019 |
| Kothayer H, Ibrahim SM, Soltan MK, Rezq S, Mahmoud SS, Synthesis, in vivo and in silico evaluation of novel 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives as potential anticonvulsant agents. Drug development research, 2019 May;80(3):343-352 | 2019 |
| Sakr A, Kothayer H, Ibrahim SM, Baraka MM, Rezq S, 1,4-Dihydroquinazolin-3(2H)-yl benzamide derivatives as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents with an improved gastric profile: Design, synthesis, COX-1/2 inhibitory activity and molecular docking study. Bioorganic chemistry, 2019 Mar;84:76-86 | 2019 |
| Ghareeb MA, Sobeh M, Rezq S, El-Shazly AM, Mahmoud MF, Wink M, HPLC-ESI-MS/MS Profiling of Polyphenolics of a Leaf Extract from Alpinia zerumbet (Zingiberaceae) and Its Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Nociceptive, and Antipyretic Activities In Vivo. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2018 Dec 7;23(12) | 2018 |
| Rezq S, Abdel-Rahman AA, Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla EP3 Receptor Mediates the Sympathoexcitatory and Pressor Effects of Prostaglandin E2 in Conscious Rats. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, 2016 Nov;359(2):290-299 | 2016 |
| Rezq S, Abdel-Rahman AA, Central GPR109A Activation Mediates Glutamate-Dependent Pressor Response in Conscious Rats. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, 2016 Feb;356(2):456-65 | 2016 |
Editorial | |
| Beltz AM, Tronson NC, Singh M, Rezq S, Sex still matters for the brain and mental health across the lifespan. Biology of sex differences, 2025 May 13;16(1):32 | 2025 |
| Shawky NM, Soliman E, Abdel-Rahman AA, Rezq S, Editorial: Cardiorenal dysregulation in endocrine disorders: innovative mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Frontiers in pharmacology, 2023;14:1275919 | 2023 |
Presentations
| Poster Presentation, MicroRNA-21 Modulates Brown Adipose Tissue Adipogenesis and Thermogenesis in a Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, New Trends in Sex and Gender Medicine (2021), Virtual | 10/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Role of the JAK/STAT3 Pathway in Obesity-Induced Renal Injury in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Experimental Biology (2022), Philadelphia, PA | 04/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, The neuroprotective effect of a novel 1,4-Dihydroquinazolin-3(2H)-yl benzamide derivative against chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain in rats., Experimental Biology (2022)., Philadelphia, PA | 04/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Effect of obesity on androgen-induced renal injury in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Role of JAK/STAT3 pathway, Basic Research Forum for Emerging Kidney Scientists (2021), Virtual | 11/2021 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Effect of obesity on androgen-induced renal injury in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Role of the JAK/STAT3 pathway., Women in Nephrology (WIN) Leadership Conference, Virtual | 09/2021 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Androgens and Diet Regulation of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Entry Proteins: Implications for COVID-19 Cardiorenal Outcomes Severity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 2021, Virtual | 04/2021 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, MicroRNA-21 Modulates White Adipose Tissue Browning and Altered Thermogenesis in a Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Endo2021/Endocrine Society, Virtual | 03/2021 |
| Poster Presentation, MicroRNA-21 Modulates White Adipose Tissue Browning and Altered Thermogenesis in a Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, AE-PCOS virtual meeting (2020), Virtual | 11/2020 |
| Poster Presentation, The adipose tissue depot-specific role of microRNA-21 in polycystic ovary syndrome-mediated metabolic derangements, Experimental Biology (2020)., San Diego, CA. | 04/2020 |
| Poster Presentation, Activation of the Prostanoid EP3 Receptor Mediates Central Nicotinic Acid-Evoked Pressor Response in Conscious Rats, Experimental Biology (2015), Boston, MA | 04/2015 |
| Poster Presentation, Central Nicotinic Acid Administration Increases Blood Pressure in Conscious Rats., Experimental Biology (2014), San Diego, CA. | 04/2014 |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| One-Year Protein Analysis Instrument Grant Program (Abby System), Bio-Techne | 2026 |
| Dean Franklin Young Investigator Award, Harvard Bioscience | 2026 |
| Outstanding abstract award from Endocrinology Society-ENDO annual meeting, Endocrinology Society | 2025 |
| Travel award to attend Acute Kidney Injury: From Bench to Bedside Conference, American Society of Nephrology | 2025 |
| Travel award to attend Fundamentals of Proteomics workshop, IDeA National Resource for Quantitative Proteomics-University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | 2025 |
| Top Talks People’s Choice Award, APS/ASN-sponsored Basic Research Forum for Emerging Kidney Scientists | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt VIBRANT travel award-Metabolic Physiology Meeting, Vanderbilt University | 2024 |
| Top Talks People’s Choice Award, ASN/APS sponsored Basic Research Forum for Emerging Kidney Scientists | 2022 |
| Outstanding Abstract Award, Endocrine Society | 2022 |
| Early Career Faculty Travel Award, American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) | 2022 |
| Leadership Junior Faculty Award (WIN conference 2021)., Women in Nephrology | 2021 |
| Renal Section Research Recognition award, American Physiology Society | 2021 |
| Business Advantage Program for Professionals-Else Scholarship, Millsaps College | 2020 |
| Endocrinology and Metabolism Section Research Recognition award, American Physiology Society | 2020 |
| 15th Annual ECU Neuroscience Symposium award, East Carolina University, NC | 2013 |
| Fully Funded PhD Scholarship, Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education | 2012 |
Professional Membership and Service
| American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), Member | 2021 - Present |
| American Society of Nephrology (ASN), Member | 2021 - Present |
| Endocrine Society, Member | 2020 - Present |
| American Heart Association (AHA), Member | 2020 - Present |
| American Physiology Society (APS), Member | 2019 - Present |
Committee Service
| American Physiology Society (APS)-Endocrinology and Metabolism Section Award subcommittee., Steering Comittee Member | 2021 - Present |
| Postdoctoral Studies Advisory Committee, Member | 2021 - Present |
| APS-E&M-Trainee Advisory Subcommittee, Member | 2020 - Present |
Community Service
| Editorial Duties, Guest Editor, Frontiers in Pharmacology: Cardiovascular and Smooth Muscle Pharmacology, Renal Pharmacology | 02/2022 - Present |
| Editorial Duties, Review Editor, Frontiers in Pharmacology: Ethnopharmacology | 12/2021 - Present |
| Manuscript reviewer, Review manuscripts for the following journals:1. Journal of Inflammation Research (IF: 6.922). 2. Molecular Medicine (IF: 6.354). 3. Frontiers in Pharmacology (IF: 5.810). 4. Biology of Sex Differences (IF: 5.027). 5. International Journal of Nanomedicine (IF: 5.115). 6. Journal of Translational Medicine (IF: 4.098). 7. Journal of Endocrinology (IF: 4.041). 8. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism (IF: 3.469). 9. Drug Design, Development and Therapy (IF: 3.216). 10. Journal of Pain Research (IF: 3.133). 11. Metabolic Brain Disease (IF: 2.726). 12. Cell Biochemistry & Function (IF: 2.63). 13. Experimental and Molecular Pathology (IF: 2.280). 14. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology (IF: 2.24). 15. World Journal of Surgical Oncology (IF: 1.966). 16. Future Cardiology (IF: 1.150). | 2019 - Present |
Directed Student Learning
| Master's Thesis Committee Member, Role of Imidazoline and cannabinoid receptors in hepatic reperfusion injury induced in normal and insulin resistant rats: remote effect on brain. Advised: Rana Kadous | 2018 - Present |
| Research Advisor, Role of Imidazoline and cannabinoid receptors in hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury induced in normal and insulin resistant rats Advised: Reham Hassan | 2018 - Present |
| Master's Thesis Committee Member, Neuroprotective effect of vildagliptin and metformin in metabolic syndrome-induced in rats: role of vitamin D Advised: Noha Alaa | 2018 - Present |
| Master's Thesis Committee Member, Investigating the role of endogenous opioids in blood pressure control. Advised: Safy Karam | 2018 - Present |
| Master's Thesis Committee Member, Mechanisms involved in RAAS modulation of neuropathic pain induced in rats. Advised: Nora Hegazy | 2018 - 2021 |
| Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Renal protective effects of doxazosin and nebivolol in experimental models of renal injury in rats. Advised: Ahmed Abdelhameed | 2017 - 2020 |