B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry
Islamic Azad University, Iran

M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry
Islamic Azad University, Iran

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry
University of Malaya, Malaysia

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), University of Malaya, Malaysia

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya, Malaysia

Medicinal Chemistry

Organic Chemistry I

General Chemistry (Laboratory)

Mojtaba obtained his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Malaya, Malaysia, in 2018. During his Ph.D. studies, he was appointed as a Research Assistant at the Department of Chemistry of University of Malaya. Hence, he was involved in several research projects in the field of synthetic carbohydrate chemistry. Mojtaba's research work earned him an internal research grant, highlighting the quality and importance of his research contributions. He was also the laboratory manager of Professor Heidelberg's research laboratory at the University of Malaya for more than 5 years. After completing his Ph.D., Mojtaba joined Professor Juan's research team as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT) in Kuala Lumpur from 2019 to 2020. During this time, he began working on an international research project between France and Malaysia, which received technical and financial support from Oleon, one of the world's leading manufacturers of oleochemicals. In 2020, Mojtaba returned to Professor Heidelberg's research lab at the University of Malaya's Department of Chemistry as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and spent a year working on a project focused on the synthesis of novel branched glycolipids and investigate their potential for drug delivery systems. Mojtaba has over 5 years of teaching experience at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Mojtaba's research interests focus on the synthesis, functionalization, and application of novel bioconjugates, particularly glycolipids, which possess potential chemical, biological, and behavioral impacts. Mojtaba seeks to combine his solid knowledge of organic chemistry with broad experience in chemical synthesis, covering both carbohydrates and lipids, two antipodes of renewable classes of raw materials. His research pursuits include advanced chemical and biological aspects such as biorthogonal click chemistry, targeted drug delivery, and the bioconjugation of nanoparticles.

1. Tabandeh, M., Cheng, C.K., Centi, J., Show, P. L., Chen, W., Ling, T. C., Ong, H. C., Ng, E., Juan*, J.C. & Lam, S. S. “Recent advancement of deoxygenation of fatty acids via homogeneous catalysis for biofuel production”. Molecular Catalysis, 523, 2022, 111207.

2. Sadeghpour, M., Yusoff*, R., Aroua M. K., Tabandeh, M. “Modification of polyethylene glycol with choline chloride and evaluation of the CO2 absorption capacity of their aqueous solutions”. Greenhouse Gases: Science & Technology, 2018, 8(2), 324-334.

3. Tabandeh, M., Salman, A. A., Goh, E. W., Heidelberg*, T., & Hussen, R. S. D. “Renewable resources-based approach to biantennary glycolipids”. Chemistry and Physics of Lipids, 2018, 212, 111-119.

4. Tabandeh, M., Goh, E. W., Salman, A. A., Heidelberg*, T., & Hussen, R. S. D. “Functionalized glycolipids for potential bioconjugation of vesicles”. Carbohydrate Research, 2018, 469, 14-22.

5. Salman, A. A., Tabandeh, M., Heidelberg*, T., Hussen, R. S. D., & Ali, H. M. “Alkyl-imidazolium glycosides: non-ionic—cationic hybrid surfactants from renewable resources”. Carbohydrate Research, 2015, 412, 28–33.

6. Salman, A. A., Tabandeh, M., Heidelberg*, T., & Duali Hussen, R. S. “Functional glycolipid-crown-ethers by click chemistry”. Carbohydrate Research, 2015, 406, 41–45.

1. Oral Presentation: Mojtaba Tabandeh & Thorsten Heidelberg, “Novel Biantennary Glycolipids for Targeting Vesicular Drug Delivery Systems”, International Conference in Organic Synthesis (ICOS), (21-24 August 2016), Riverside Majestic Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

2. Poster Presentation: Mojtaba Tabandeh, Goh Ean Wai & Thorsten Heidelberg, “Synthesis of Functionalized Glycolipids for Vesicular Delivery System”, UM111-Chemistry Symposium, (3rd March 2016), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

3. Poster Presentation: Mojtaba Tabandeh, “Using the Interphase Catalysts Produced by Sol Gel Process in Organic Reactions”, National Congress on Modern Findings of Chemistry and Medicine, (4-5 March 2009), Islamic Azad University, Iran.

4. Oral Presentation: Mojtaba Tabandeh & Ramin Rezaei, “Ring Opening Reaction of Epoxides with Alkoxide Ions Supported on Silica Gel under Solvent-Free Conditions”, 3rd Iranian National Congress on Chemistry, (30-31 May 2007), Islamic Azad University, Iran.