Profile Details

Create Project

★★★★★

☆☆☆☆☆

USD 70 /hr

★★★★★

☆☆☆☆☆

Hire Dr. Victor M.

Cyprus

USD 70 /hr

Associate Professor & PhD Biochemist | Molecular Docking & Quorum Sensing Expert | Scientific Reviewer

Profile Summary

I am an Associate Professor of Medical Biochemistry with expertise in quorum sensing biology, in-silico drug discovery, microbial biochemistry, molecular toxicology, and host–microbe interactions. My research focuses on understanding bacterial communication systems and developing innovative anti-virulence strategies to mitigate infection without promoting antibiotic resistance. My primary research niche is Quorum Sensing Inhibition (QSI), in which I investigate bioactive compounds that disrupt bacterial signaling pathways involved in virulence, biofilm formation, and microbial pathogenicity. To achieve this, I integrate experimental and computational approaches, including molecular docking, virtual screening, homology modelling, receptor refinement, ADMET/toxicity prediction, and interaction profiling using platforms such as AutoDock Vina, PyRx, UCSF ChimeraX, PyMOL, and Discovery Studio. I also apply advanced biostatistical analyses using IBM-SPSS and GraphPad Prism to ensure robust and reproducible data interpretation. I also investigate how dietary additives, non-nutritive sweeteners, and microbial signaling molecules influence metabolism, oxidative stress, immunity, and disease outcomes. My work bridges fundamental biochemistry with translational biomedical science and functional health research. My ongoing projects include studies on polyol-induced disruption of bacterial quorum sensing and toxicity; functional impairment of albumin antioxidant capacity by artificial sweeteners; the impacts of sucralose on bacterial systems and microbial homeostasis; the discovery of structurally diverse Pseudomonas aeruginosa RhlR antagonists through consensus virtual screening; and the investigation of turmeric essential oil as an independent RhlR antagonist in LasR-mutant clinical P. aeruginosa. I hold a First-Class degree in Biochemistry and graduated with Distinction in both MSc and PhD degrees. I was also a Ginsburg Ingerman Fellow at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, where I specialized in anti-quorum sensing research methodologies. I have published over 25 peer-reviewed articles, supervise postgraduate research, and serve as a reviewer for journals including Trends in Food Science and Technology, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Discover Oncology, and Health Science Reports. I am open to collaborations in computational drug discovery, molecular docking and virtual screening, quorum sensing and antimicrobial research, biochemical toxicology, microbial biochemistry, scientific writing, data analysis, research design, and postgraduate mentorship. Whether supporting a biotechnology startup in lead optimization or assisting a postgraduate researcher with manuscript development, I strive to deliver scientifically rigorous, publication-quality outcomes grounded in integrity, reproducibility, and high research standards.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ☆ Chemoinformatics
• ☆ Biopolymers
• ☆ Computational Chemistry
• ☆ Computational Biology
• ☆ Biostatistics
• ☆ Biochemistry
• ☆ Biochemical Assays
• ☆ Structural Biology
• ☆ Enzyme Activity Assays
• ☆ Binding Assays
• ☆ Molecular Biology
• ☆ Biotechnology & Bioengineering
• ☆ Drug Discovery
• ☆ High Throughput Screening (HTS)
• ☆ Drug Target Identification
• ☆ Hit-to-Lead & Lead Optimization
• ☆ Medicinal Chemistry
• ☆ Drug Design
• ☆ Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Studies
• ☆ Clinical Trials
• ☆ Clinical Trials Data Analysis
• ☆ Clinical Laboratory Science
• ☆ Peer Review
• ☆ Research Methodology
• ☆ Survey Design & Methodology
• ☆ Fact Checking
• ☆ Medical Writing
• ☆ Technical & Scientific Writing
• ☆ Manuscript & Journal Article Writing
• ☆ Instructional Materials
• ☆ Experimental Protocols
• ☆ SOP & Protocol Writing
• ☆ Science Communication
• ☆ Literature Review
• ☆ Traditional/Narrative Literature Review
• ☆ Systematic Literature Review
• ☆ Scientific Proofreading & Editing
• ☆ Proofreading & Editing
• ☆ Course Content Writing
• ☆ Grant Writing

Services

• Writing
• Research
• Consulting
• Data & AI

Writing Clinical Trial Documentation, Medical Writing, Technical Writing, Newswriting, General Proofreading & Editing

Research Scientific and Technical Research, Systematic Literature Review

Consulting Scientific and Technical Consulting

Data & AI Statistical Analysis, Data Visualization, Big Data Analytics, Data Mining, Data Cleaning, Data Processing, Data Insights

Work Experience

Associate Professor

Near East University

December 2024 - Present

Assistant Professor

Near East University

March 2022 - December 2024

Lecturer

Near East University

September 2021 - March 2022

Teaching Assistant

Near East University

October 2016 - September 2021

Independent Researcher & Academic Consultant

Independent Practice (Self-Employed)

July 2013 - October 2016

Graduate Assistant

University of Uyo

July 2012 - July 2013

Tutor

Emotan College Kaduna

January 2012 - June 2012

Laboratory Analyst

ECWA Central Pharmacy

January 2011 - June 2011

Education

PhD, Medical Biochemistry (Medical Biochemistry)

Near East University

October 2017 - June 2021

MSc, Medical Biochemistry (Medical Biochemistry)

Near East University

February 2016 - June 2017

BSc, Biochemistry (Biochemistry)

Kaduna State University

October 2007 - April 2012

Certifications

• Certificate in Education (Education of Educator)

  NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY

  November 2021 - Present

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Victor Markus, Titilayomi Adewusi, Chidi W. Nwekwo, Ovgu Isbilen (2026). Computer‐Aided Identification and Molecular Interaction Analyses of Annona muricata Acetogenins Against LuxS . Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry.

Victor Markus, Abraham Abbey Paul, Robert S. Marks, Jude Caleb (2026). Smartphone Digital Image Colorimetry: An Affordable Easy-To-Use Technique . Analytical Letters.

Victor Markus, Franklin Ndah Tah, Abdullahi Umar Ibrahim, Meliz Yuvali, Sedra Alialsagher, Mehmet Ozsoz, Fadi Al-Turjman, Kamil Dimililer (2025). Perspective Of Professionals On The Future Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) In Diagnostic Medicine . INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN SIGNAL AND IMAGE SCIENCES.

Victor Markus, Jude Caleb, Calvin Venn, Salihu Ismail (2025). Deep Eutectic Solvent Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Prior to Smartphone Digital Image Colorimetry for the Determination of Iodate in Table Salt . Analytical Letters.

Victor Markus, Francisca Obianuju Okoro (2025). Artificial sweeteners and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A review of current developments and future research directions . Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.

Kabolobari Barielnu Bornu, Ulusoy Beyza, Kaya Yıldırım Fatma, Kaynarca Doruk, Marcus Victor (2024). Resistance of Saccharomyces boulardii to technological process, and its in-vitro probiotic properties . International Food Research Journal.

Victor Markus (2024). Artificial sweetener-induced dysbiosis and associated molecular signatures . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.

Victor Markus (2024). Gut bacterial quorum sensing molecules and their association with inflammatory bowel disease: Advances and future perspectives . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.

Victor Markus, Elizabeth Opawoye, Henry Gabriel Bishop (2024). Uropathogens and their antibiograms in asymptomatic bacteriuria among university students in Zaria, Nigeria . Science World Journal.

Victor Markus, Abraham Abbey Paul, Kerem Teralı, Nazmi Özer, Robert S. Marks, Karina Golberg, Ariel Kushmaro (2023). Conversations in the Gut: The Role of Quorum Sensing in Normobiosis . International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Victor Markus, Abraham Abbey Paul, Kerem Teralı, Nazmi Özer, Robert S. Marks, Karina Golberg, Ariel Kushmaro (2023). Conversations in the Gut: The Role of Quorum Sensing in Normobiosis . International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Markus, V., Paul, A.A., Teralı, K., Özer, N., Marks, R.S., Golberg, K., Kushmaro, A.(2023). Conversations in the Gut: The Role of Quorum Sensing in Normobiosis . International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 24. (4).

Victor Markus, Ozlem Dalmizrak, Oğuz Han Edebal, Mais Al-Nidawi, Jude Caleb (2023). Smartphone digital image colorimetry for quantification of serum proteins . Analytical Methods.

Victor Markus, Nazmi Özer, Özlem Dalmızrak, Kerem Teralı (2022). The Inhibition of Glutathione S-Transferases and Butyrylcholinesterase by Antidepressants: A Mini-Review on Enzyme-Drug Interactions . Current Enzyme Inhibition.

Victor Markus, Karina Golberg, Bat-el Kagan, Sigalit Barzanizan, Karin Yaniv, Kerem Teralı, Esti Kramarsky-Winter, Robert S. Marks, Ariel Kushmaro(2022). Anti-Virulence Activity of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM): A Bioactive Cruciferous Phytochemical with Accelerated Wound Healing Benefits . Pharmaceutics. 14. (5). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 967. {MDPI} {AG}

Victor Markus, Karina Golberg, Bat-el Kagan, Sigalit Barzanizan, Karin Yaniv, Kerem Teralı, Esti Kramarsky-Winter, Robert S. Marks, Ariel Kushmaro (2022). Anti-Virulence Activity of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM): A Bioactive Cruciferous Phytochemical with Accelerated Wound Healing Benefits . Pharmaceutics.

Golberg, K., Markus, V., Kagan, B.-E., Barzanizan, S., Yaniv, K., Teralı, K., Kramarsky-Winter, E., Marks, R.S., Kushmaro, A.(2022). Anti-Virulence Activity of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM): A Bioactive Cruciferous Phytochemical with Accelerated Wound Healing Benefits . Pharmaceutics. 14. (5).

Markus, V., Dalmızrak, Ö., Teralı, K., Özer, N.(2022). The Inhibition of Glutathione S-Transferases and Butyrylcholinesterase by Antidepressants: A Mini-Review on Enzyme-Drug Interactions . Current Enzyme Inhibition. 18. (2). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 82-91.

Victor Markus, Orr Share, Marilou Shagan, Barak Halpern, Tal Bar, Esti Kramarsky-Winter, Kerem Teralı, Nazmi Özer, Robert S. Marks, Ariel Kushmaro, et al. (2021). Inhibitory Effects of Artificial Sweeteners on Bacterial Quorum Sensing . International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Victor Markus, Orr Share, Marilou Shagan, Barak Halpern, Tal Bar, Esti Kramarsky-Winter, Kerem Teralı, Nazmi Özer, Robert S. Marks, Ariel Kushmaro, et al. (2021). Inhibitory Effects of Artificial Sweeteners on Bacterial Quorum Sensing . International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Victor Markus, Karina Golberg, Kerem Teralı, Nazmi Ozer, Esti Kramarsky-Winter, Robert S. Marks, Ariel Kushmaro(2021). Assessing the Molecular Targets and Mode of Action of Furanone C-30 on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing . Molecules. 26. (6). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1620. {MDPI} {AG}

Victor Markus, Karina Golberg, Kerem Teralı, Nazmi Ozer, Esti Kramarsky-Winter, Robert S. Marks, Ariel Kushmaro (2021). Assessing the Molecular Targets and Mode of Action of Furanone C-30 on <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> Quorum Sensing . Molecules.

Markus, V., Golberg, K., Teralı, K., Ozer, N., Kramarsky-Winter, E., Marks, R.S., Kushmaro, A.(2021). Assessing the molecular targets and mode of action of furanone c-30 on pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing . Molecules. 26. (6).

Markus, V., Share, O., Shagan, M., Halpern, B., Bar, T., Kramarsky-Winter, E., Teralı, K., &#214;zer, N., Marks, R.S., Kushmaro, A., et al.(2021). Inhibitory effects of artificial sweeteners on bacterial quorum sensing . International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22. (18).

Victor Markus, Orr Share, Kerem Teralı, Nazmi Ozer, Robert S. Marks, Ariel Kushmaro, Karina Golberg(2020). Anti-Quorum Sensing Activity of Stevia Extract, Stevioside, Rebaudioside A and Their Aglycon Steviol . Molecules. 25. (22). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 5480. {MDPI} {AG}

Victor Markus, Orr Share, Kerem Teralı, Nazmi Ozer, Robert S. Marks, Ariel Kushmaro, Karina Golberg (2020). Anti-Quorum Sensing Activity of Stevia Extract, Stevioside, Rebaudioside A and Their Aglycon Steviol . Molecules.

Markus, V., Share, O., Teralı, K., Ozer, N., Marks, R.S., Kushmaro, A., Golberg, K.(2020). Anti-Quorum Sensing Activity of Stevia Extract, Stevioside, Rebaudioside A and Their Aglycon Steviol . Molecules. 25. (22).

Markus, V., Teralı, K., Dalmizrak, O., Ozer, N.(2018). Assessment of the inhibitory activity of the pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin against human placental glutathione transferase P1-1: A combined kinetic and docking study . Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 61. Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 18-23.

CONFERENCE PAPER

Victor Markus (2025). Sucralose Disrupts LuxR-Type Quorum Sensing: Implications for Anti-Cariogenic Activity .

PREPRINT

Victor Markus, Abraham Abbey Paul, Robert S. Marks, Jude Caleb (2024). Smartphone Digital Image Colorimetry: An Affordable Easy-To-Use Approach for Hands-On Training in Resource-Limited Settings .

BOOK CHAPTER

Victor Markus, Abraham Abbey Paul, Kathelina Kristollari, Robert S. Marks (2023). Alginate-Based Applications in Biotechnology with a Special Mention to Biosensors . Alginate - Applications and Future Perspectives [Working Title].

Victor Markus (2022). Impact of Sucralose on Environmental Bacteria: Mechanistic Insights from Molecular Modeling .

Victor Markus (2022). Impact of Sucralose on Environmental Bacteria: Mechanistic Insights from Molecular Modeling . Environmental Earth Sciences.

BOOK

Markus, V. (2023). Believers in the Workplace. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. ISBN: 978-978-780-860-3.

Markus, V. (2014). Breaking the Shackles of Failure, Proven Principles, and Strategies for Academic Success, Impact Empire: Nigeria. ISBN: 978-978-52965-8-7.

WORKING PAPER

Smartphone Digital Image Colorimetry: An Affordable Easy-To-Use Approach for Hands-On Training in Resource-Limited Settings .