Overview
Background
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:
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Nanomedicine formulation and characterisation
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Translational immunology and preclinical model development (humanised mice)
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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.
Availability
- Dr Shehzahdi Moonshi is:
- Available for supervision
Research interests
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Liposomal Nanomedicine for Autoimmune Therapy
I develop and optimise liposomal nanotherapies that co-encapsulate disease-specific peptides and immune modulators for targeted lymph-node delivery. My work focuses on formulation stability, biodistribution, and clinical-scale manufacture of precision nanomedicines for autoimmune disease.
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Translational Immunology and Preclinical Models
I use humanised and SKG mouse models to study immune regulation, macrophage modulation, and therapeutic tolerance induction. These models enable preclinical testing and translation of antigen-specific immunotherapies toward clinical application.
Research impacts
Dr Shehzahdi (Sheb) Moonshi’s research bridges nanomedicine and immunology to create next-generation, antigen-specific immunotherapies (ASI) that retrain—rather than suppress—the immune system in autoimmune diseases such as psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Collaborating with clinical and industry partners, she has helped advance this technology from lab-scale formulation to GMP-compatible manufacture, demonstrating real-world feasibility for clinical use.
At TRI, Dr Moonshi leads the optimisation of immune-targeted liposomal platforms that enhance drug stability, precision, and safety. These innovations are now being extended to other autoimmune conditions, creating a scalable platform for personalised tolerance-inducing therapies.
Her research impact extends beyond the laboratory through:
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Partnerships with clinicians and biotechnology companies to accelerate clinical translation.
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Active consumer engagement to align therapeutic design with patient priorities.
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Mentorship and collaboration that build Australia’s capacity in nanomedicine and translational immunology.
Together, these efforts are helping redefine how autoimmune diseases are treated—paving the way for safer, more durable, and targeted immune tolerance therapies.
Works
Search Professor Shehzahdi Moonshi’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Impact of material characteristics on nanoparticle penetration and retention in thrombi: implications for thrombolysis
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, 13 (22), 6458-6469. doi: 10.1039/d5bm01192b
2025
Journal Article
Vascular-protective effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles complexed with iron oxide and methotrexate: reversing atherosclerosis in a murine model
Wu, Yuao, Tran, Huong D. N., Sajin, Dimple, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Fithri, Najma Annuria, Kurniawan, Nyoman and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). Vascular-protective effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles complexed with iron oxide and methotrexate: reversing atherosclerosis in a murine model. ACS Nano Medicine acsnanomed.5c00036. doi: 10.1021/acsnanomed.5c00036
2025
Journal Article
Preparation of protein-encapsulated nanoparticles using polysuccinimide-oleylamine for sustained protein release
Chen, Xiangxun, Luu, Cuong Hung, Cha, Haotian, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Zhang, Jun, Nguyen, Nam-Trung and Ta, Hang Thu (2025). Preparation of protein-encapsulated nanoparticles using polysuccinimide-oleylamine for sustained protein release. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 8 (40), 19658-19667. doi: 10.1021/acsanm.5c04092
2025
Journal Article
A programmable shape memory bioscaffold incorporating doxorubicin for postoperative chemotherapy and enhanced bone regeneration
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
2025
Journal Article
Multi-organ-on-a-chip: the gut and inflammatory diseases
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
2025
Journal Article
Advancements in using polymeric nanoparticles for blood-brain barrier penetration in neurological disorders
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
2025
Journal Article
Nanomaterials in cancer starvation therapy: pioneering advances, therapeutic potential, and clinical challenges
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
2025
Journal Article
"Therapies through gut:" targeted drug delivery for non-gastrointestinal diseases by oral administration
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
2025
Journal Article
An intimal-lumen model in a microfluidic device: potential platform for atherosclerosis-related studies
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
2025
Journal Article
Branched silver-iron oxide nanoparticles enabling highly effective targeted and localised drug-free thrombolysis
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
2025
Journal Article
A methotrexate labelled dual metal oxide nanocomposite for long-lasting anti-cancer theranostics
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
2024
Conference Publication
Polysuccinimide-based nanoparticle: A nanocarrier with drug release delay and zero burst release properties for effective theranostics of cancer.
Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Vazquez-Prada, K. X., Adelnia, H. and Hang Thu Ta (2024). Polysuccinimide-based nanoparticle: A nanocarrier with drug release delay and zero burst release properties for effective theranostics of cancer.. Griffith University Cancer Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 4 December 2023.
2024
Journal Article
Modeling foam cell formation in a hydrogel-based 3D-intimal model: a study of the role of multi-diseases during early atherosclerosis
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) e2300463, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/adbi.202300463
2024
Journal Article
Polysuccinimide-based nanoparticle: a nanocarrier with drug release delay and zero burst release properties for effective theranostics of cancer
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, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.apmt.2024.102150
2024
Conference Publication
Polysuccinimide-based nanoparticle: a nanocarrier with drug release delay and zero burst release properties for effective theranostics of cancer
Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Vazquez-Prada, K. X., Adelnia, H. and Ta, Hang Thu (2024). Polysuccinimide-based nanoparticle: a nanocarrier with drug release delay and zero burst release properties for effective theranostics of cancer. 4th Griffith ECR Cross-Institute Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 20 April 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Preparation of protein-loaded nanoparticles based on polysuccinimide-oleylamine for sustained protein release: A two-step nanoprecipitation method
Chen, Xiangxun, Moonshi, Shehzahdi, Nguyen, Nam-Trung and Ta, Hang Thu (2024). Preparation of protein-loaded nanoparticles based on polysuccinimide-oleylamine for sustained protein release: A two-step nanoprecipitation method. Nanotechnology, 35 (5) 055101. doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad0592
2023
Journal Article
Photothermal nanomaterials for theranostics of atherosclerosis and thrombosis
Vazquez-Prada, Karla X., Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Xu, Zhi Ping and Ta, Hang Thu (2023). Photothermal nanomaterials for theranostics of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Applied Materials Today, 35 101967, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.apmt.2023.101967
2023
Journal Article
A bioactive disintegrable polymer nanoparticle for synergistic vascular anticalcification
Adelnia, Hossein, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Wu, Yuao, Bulmer, Andrew C., Mckinnon, Ryan, Fastier-Wooller, Jarred William, Blakey, Idriss and Ta, Hang Thu (2023). A bioactive disintegrable polymer nanoparticle for synergistic vascular anticalcification. ACS Nano, 17 (19), 18775-18791. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03041
2023
Conference Publication
Spiky silver–iron oxide nanohybrid for effective dual-imaging and synergistic thermo-chemotherapy
Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Vazquez-Prada, K. X., Tang, J. and Ta, Hang Thu (2023). Spiky silver–iron oxide nanohybrid for effective dual-imaging and synergistic thermo-chemotherapy. World Molecular Imaging Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 5-9 September 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Spiky silver–iron oxide nanohybrid for effective dual-imaging and synergistic thermo-chemotherapy
Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Vazquez-Prada, Karla X., Tang, Joyce, Westra van Holthe, Nicholas J., Cowin, Gary, Wu, Yuao, Tran, Huong D. N., Mckinnon, Ryan, Bulmer, Andrew C. and Ta, Hang Thu (2023). Spiky silver–iron oxide nanohybrid for effective dual-imaging and synergistic thermo-chemotherapy. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 15 (36), 42153-42169. doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c04696
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Shehzahdi Moonshi is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
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