Dr Shehzahdi Moonshi

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Frazer Institute

s.moonshi@uq.edu.au

Researcher biography

Dr Shehzahdi (Sheb) Moonshi is a nanobiologist and translational immunology researcher at the University of Queensland's Frazer Institute and Translational Research Institute (TRI). Her research focuses on developing antigen-specific immunotherapies (ASI) and nanoparticle-based precision medicines to treat autoimmune diseases such as psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

At TRI (2025), she has translated this skillset to optimise antigen-specific liposomal nanotherapies for in vitro stability and evaluate their biodistribution and efficacy in vivo using preclinical models of autoimmune disease. She has also developed unique expertise in creating scalable, immune-targeted delivery platforms for clinical translation through close collaboration with a Clinical Drug Manufacturing Organisation for the scale-up and manufacture of ASITI-RA, a rheumatoid arthritis antigen-specific immunotherapy.

Her broader expertise spans:

Nanomedicine formulation and characterisation
Translational immunology and preclinical model development (humanised mice)
Collaborative, consumer-partnered, and clinician-led translational research

Dr Moonshi's goal is to advance precision immunotherapies that restore immune tolerance and transform outcomes for people with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Publications

Journal Articles (16)

Conference Paper (1)

Journal Articles

Chen, Xiangxun, Cha, Haotian, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Nguyen, Nam-Trung and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). Impact of material characteristics on nanoparticle penetration and retention in thrombi: implications for thrombolysis. Biomaterials Science. doi: 10.1039/d5bm01192b

Nguyen, Hong-Phuc, Nguyen, Quynh-Nhu Doan, Phong, Thanh-Ngan Le, Luu, Ngoc Hong T., Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Trieu, Hien Ngoc, Le, Vinh-Han Dac, Nguyen, Thanh-Mai Ngoc, Phan, Diep, Luu, Cuong Hung and Phan, V. H. Giang (2025). A programmable shape memory bioscaffold incorporating doxorubicin for postoperative chemotherapy and enhanced bone regeneration. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 13 (40), 12949-12966. doi: 10.1039/d5tb01552a

Sajin, Dimple, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Cha, Haotian, Akther, Fahima, Zhang, Jun, Nguyen, Nam-Trung and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). Multi-organ-on-a-chip: the gut and inflammatory diseases. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering, 11 (9), 5330-5342. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5c00208

Wu, Yuao, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S. and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). Advancements in using polymeric nanoparticles for blood-brain barrier penetration in neurological disorders. ACS Applied Bio Materials, 8 (6), 4416-4431. doi: 10.1021/acsabm.4c01956

Tran, Nam Anh, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Lam, Alfred K., Lu, Cu Tai, Vu, Cong Quang, Arai, Satoshi and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). Nanomaterials in cancer starvation therapy: pioneering advances, therapeutic potential, and clinical challenges. Cancer and Metastasis Reviews, 44 (2) 51. doi: 10.1007/s10555-025-10267-1

Ray, Subarna, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S. and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). "Therapies through gut:" targeted drug delivery for non-gastrointestinal diseases by oral administration. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 14 (17) 2403162. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202403162

Akther, Fahima, Sajin, Dimple, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Pickett, Jessica, Wu, Yuao, Zhang, Jun, Nguyen, Nam-Trung and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). An intimal-lumen model in a microfluidic device: potential platform for atherosclerosis-related studies. Lab On a Chip, 25 (3), 354-369. doi: 10.1039/d4lc00868e

Vazquez-Prada, Karla X., Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Wu, Yuao, Peter, Karlheinz, Wang, Xiaowei, Xu, Zhi Ping and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). Branched silver-iron oxide nanoparticles enabling highly effective targeted and localised drug-free thrombolysis. Biomaterials Science, 13 (7), 1683-1696. doi: 10.1039/d4bm01089b

Tang, Joyce L. Y., Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Wu, Yuao, Cowin, Gary, Vazquez- Prada, Karla X., Tran, Huong D. N., Bulmer, Andrew C. and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). A methotrexate labelled dual metal oxide nanocomposite for long-lasting anti-cancer theranostics. Materials Today Bio, 30 101377, 101377. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101377

Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Vazquez-Prada, Karla X., Adelnia, Hossein, Westra van Holthe, Nicholas J., Wu, Yuao, Tang, Joyce, Bulmer, Andrew C. and Ta, Hang Thu (2024). Polysuccinimide-based nanoparticle: a nanocarrier with drug release delay and zero burst release properties for effective theranostics of cancer. Applied Materials Today, 37 102150, 102150. doi: 10.1016/j.apmt.2024.102150

Akther, Fahima, Sajin, Dimple, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Wu, Yuao, Vazquez-Prada, Karla X and Ta, Hang Thu (2024). Modeling foam cell formation in a hydrogel-based 3D-intimal model: a study of the role of multi-diseases during early atherosclerosis. Advanced Biology, 8 (4) 2300463, e2300463. doi: 10.1002/adbi.202300463

Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Adelnia, Hossein, Wu, Yuao and Ta, Hang T. (2022). Placenta‐derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of diseases: a clinically relevant source. Advanced Therapeutics, 5 (10) 2200054, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/adtp.202200054

Adelnia, Hossein, Ensandoost, Reza, Shebbrin Moonshi, Shehzahdi, Gavgani, Jaber Nasrollah, Vasafi, Emad Izadi and Ta, Hang Thu (2022). Freeze/thawed polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels: present, past and future. European Polymer Journal, 164 110974, 110974. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110974

Wu, Yuao, Cowin, Gary, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Tran, Huong D. N., Fithri, Najma Annuria, Whittaker, Andrew K., Zhang, Run and Ta, Hang T. (2021). Engineering chitosan nano-cocktail containing iron oxide and ceria: a two-in-one approach for treatment of inflammatory diseases and tracking of material delivery. Materials Science and Engineering C, 131 112477, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112477

Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Han, Yanxiao, Puttick, Simon, Peng, Hui, Magoling, Bryan John Abel, Reid, James C., Bernardi, Stefano, Searles, Debra J., Král, Petr and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2017). PFPE-Based Polymeric 19F MRI Agents: A New Class of Contrast Agents with Outstanding Sensitivity. Macromolecules, 50 (15), 5953-5963. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01285

Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Peng, Hui, Puttick, Simon, Reid, James, Bernardi, Stefano, Bernhardt, Debra J. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2016). Ion-responsive 19F MRI contrast agents for the detection of cancer cells. ACS Sensors, 1 (6), 757-765. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.6b00216

Conference Paper

Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Ta, Hang T., Han, Yanxiao, Han, Felicity Y., Peng, Hui, Král, Petr, Rolfe, Barbara E. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2018). High F-Content Perfluoropolyether-based Polymers for Targeted Detection of Breast Cancer by 19F Magnetic Resonance and Optical Imaging. World Polymer Congress Macro 2018, Cairns QLD Australia, 1-5 July 2018.