Prof. Aziza Alrafiah
Welcome to my website!
As an Associate Professor at King Abdul Aziz University, I am committed to excellence in teaching and research, focusing on Neuroscience. My academic journey, marked by a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and recognition as an award-winning researcher, has given me a unique interdisciplinary perspective. This perspective enriches my role as an educator and mentor, where I am dedicated to guiding future leaders and innovators and preparing students to excel in their respective fields.
My role as the Director of the Training and Skills Development Unit at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center is a testament to my commitment to bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. I lead initiatives that ensure our students are well-equipped to tackle modern industrial challenges, developing and implementing training programs that foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among students and the wider community.
My professional certifications, including Certified Innovation Professional (CInP), Certified Innovation Strategist (CInS), and Certified Design Thinking Professional (CDTP), reflect my commitment to continuous professional development and expertise in innovation. These qualifications enable me to integrate advanced methodologies and frameworks into our training programs, enhancing all participants’ learning experiences and outcomes.
Laboratory Quality Management: An Overview
2.1 Introduction to Quality Management in Laboratories Quality management systems (QMS) are pivotal to the daily operations of histopathology laboratories and general laboratories,
Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) Staining
Hematoxylin and eosin staining is the most commonly utilized histological stain due to its relative simplicity and capacity to highlight a vast array of tissue structures distinctl
Special Stains
Special stains are used to highlight specific tissue or cellular components in histopathology. The hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain is the primary screening test. Typical deta
Ziehl-Neelsen Stain
The Ziehl-Neelsen stain, also known as the acid-fast stain, is a microbiological technique used to identify acid-fast bacilli, particularly Mycobacterium species such as Mycobacter
Von Kossa Stain
The Von Kossa stain is a classical histological staining method primarily used to detect the presence of calcium salts in tissue sections, notably in pathological conditions like c
Verhoeff-van Gieson Stain
The Verhoeff-van Gieson (VVG) stain is a specialized histological staining method used primarily to examine tissue elastic fibers. Here’s a detailed look at how it works and its
The Gram Stain
The Gram stain is a fundamental technique used in microbiology to differentiate bacteria into two large groups based on their cell walls’ chemical and physical properties. Pr
Perl’s Prussian Blue Stain
Perl’s Prussian Blue stain, also known as iron stain, is a widely used histological technique for detecting ferric iron in tissues. It highlights the presence of hemosiderin,
Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)
The PAS Diastase stain diagnoses polysaccharide-related disorders, such as glycogen storage diseases. Diastase (α-amylase) is employed to depolymerize glycogen into smaller sugar
Education
- Doctorate in Neuroscience from the University of Sheffield, UK
- Master’s degree in histology from King Abdulaziz Univers
- Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from MIT Sloan School of Management
- Leadership Diploma from King Abdulaziz University
- University Teacher’s Diploma from King Abdulaziz University
Current Positions
- Founder of Al-Rafia Company for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in biomedical research
2. Director, Training and Skills Development Unit, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center,
King Abdulaziz University
3. Head of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit, College of Applied Medical Sciences
4. Associate Professor of Neuroscience, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University
Achievements
- The Golden Feather Award and securing first place in the innovation track at the Scientific Forum at King Abdulaziz University in 2024.
- HRH Prince Mohammed Al-Saud (the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in the UK) award for Saudi scholars. The award is given to postgraduate students for their outstanding academic/ scientific performance and novel discoveries or to students who have received awards in meetings and conferences during their course of study in 2014.
- Award for Academic Excellence and Excellence in the Doctoral Stage, highlighting her outstanding performance during my Ph.D. studies 2011-2015.
- Over forty scientific publications in top-tier journals
Experience
- Extensive experience designing and delivering impactful workshops, courses, and innovation programs driven by a passion for innovation.
- Experience in establishing medical research laboratories
- Supervising MSc students and PhD students.
- Teaching Histopathology.
- Coordinator of student graduation projects.
- Teaching Pathology.
Other professional participations
- Review research scientific Grants
- Examiner for master’s and doctoral degree
- Research Literature Analyst in Scientific Publishing