My Portfolio

Dr. Afshin Zand is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pécs Medical School in Hungary. Originally from Tehran (born 1990), he obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Pécs in 2016. Building on his pharmacy background, he pursued a PhD in Health Sciences with a focus on epigenetics and nutrigenetics, particularly the influence of dietary compounds on gene regulatory mechanisms.

His doctoral investigations revealed how synthetic dyes like Tartrazine can significantly alter DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) in both animal models and human cell lines. In contrast, Betanin and Curcumin showed promising protective and chemopreventive potential, indicating possible roles in reducing UV-induced DNA damage and regulating epigenetic pathways. Dr. Zand has published several peer-reviewed articles, including in *Nutrients* and *Toxins*, amassing a collective Impact Factor of over 50 and an h-index of 4.

In addition to his research, Dr. Zand has an extensive teaching portfolio at both the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Medical School. He has served as course director and lecturer in Pharmacology, Public Health, and Biochemistry, among other subjects, and conducts classes in Hungarian, German, and English. Beyond academia, he has practical experience in community and clinical pharmacy, as well as a background in patient safety roles. This multifaceted expertise underscores his commitment to linking frontline research, education, and hands-on practice in the realm of public health and epigenetic regulation.