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
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. Griffith University Cancer Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 2 Dec 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
2023
Journal Article
Gold-iron oxide nanoparticle: A unique multimodal theranostic approach for thrombosis
Fithri, Najma Annuria, Wu, Yuao, Cowin, Gary, Akhter, Fahima, Tran, Huong D.N., Tse, Brian, van Holthe, Nicholas Westra, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Peter, Karlheinz, Wang, Xiaowei, Truong, Nghia P. and Ta, Hang Thu (2023). Gold-iron oxide nanoparticle: A unique multimodal theranostic approach for thrombosis. Applied Materials Today, 31 101750, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.apmt.2023.101750
2023
Journal Article
Frontispiece - A Spiky Silver‐Iron Oxide Nanoparticle for Highly Efficient Targeted Photothermal Therapy and Multimodal Imaging of Thrombosis (Small 11/2023)
Vazquez‐Prada, Karla X., Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Wu, Yuao, Akther, Fahima, Tse, Brian W.C., Sokolowski, Kamil A., Peter, Karlheinz, Wang, Xiaowei, Xu, Zhi Ping (Gordon) and Ta, Hang Thu (2023). Frontispiece - A Spiky Silver‐Iron Oxide Nanoparticle for Highly Efficient Targeted Photothermal Therapy and Multimodal Imaging of Thrombosis (Small 11/2023). Small, 19 (11) 2370070. doi: 10.1002/smll.202370070
2023
Journal Article
Nanoceria: an innovative strategy for cancer treatment
Tang, Joyce L. Y., Moonshi, Shehzahdi S. and Ta, Hang T. (2023). Nanoceria: an innovative strategy for cancer treatment. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 80 (2) 46, 1-34. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-04694-y
2023
Journal Article
A spiky silver‐iron oxide nanoparticle for highly efficient targeted photothermal therapy and multimodal imaging of thrombosis
Vazquez‐Prada, Karla X., Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Wu, Yuao, Akther, Fahima, Tse, Brian W.C., Sokolowski, Kamil A., Peter, Karlheinz, Wang, Xiaowei, Xu, Gordon and Ta, Hang Thu (2023). A spiky silver‐iron oxide nanoparticle for highly efficient targeted photothermal therapy and multimodal imaging of thrombosis. Small, 19 (11) 2205744, 1-15. doi: 10.1002/smll.202205744
2022
Journal Article
Placenta‐derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of diseases: a clinically relevant source
Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Adelnia, Hossein, Wu, Yuao and Ta, Hang T. (2022). Placenta‐derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of diseases: a clinically relevant source. Advanced Therapeutics, 5 (10) 2200054, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/adtp.202200054
2022
Journal Article
Visualizing stem cells in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging
Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Wu, Yuao and Ta, Hang Thu (2022). Visualizing stem cells in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging. WIREs Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology, 14 (2) e1760, 1-20. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1760
2022
Journal Article
Freeze/thawed polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels: present, past and future
Adelnia, Hossein, Ensandoost, Reza, Shebbrin Moonshi, Shehzahdi, Gavgani, Jaber Nasrollah, Vasafi, Emad Izadi and Ta, Hang Thu (2022). Freeze/thawed polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels: present, past and future. European Polymer Journal, 164 110974, 110974. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110974
2021
Journal Article
Engineering chitosan nano-cocktail containing iron oxide and ceria: a two-in-one approach for treatment of inflammatory diseases and tracking of material delivery
Wu, Yuao, Cowin, Gary, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Tran, Huong D. N., Fithri, Najma Annuria, Whittaker, Andrew K., Zhang, Run and Ta, Hang T. (2021). Engineering chitosan nano-cocktail containing iron oxide and ceria: a two-in-one approach for treatment of inflammatory diseases and tracking of material delivery. Materials Science and Engineering C, 131 112477, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112477
2021
Journal Article
Influence of nanoparticles on the haemostatic balance: between thrombosis and haemorrhage
Tran, Huong D. N., Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Xu, Zhi Ping and Ta, Hang Thu (2021). Influence of nanoparticles on the haemostatic balance: between thrombosis and haemorrhage. Biomaterials Science, 10 (1), 10-50. doi: 10.1039/d1bm01351c
2021
Journal Article
Silver/iron oxide nano-popcorns for imaging and therapy
Rehman, Ateeque ur, Wu, Yuao, Tran, Huong D. N., Vazquez-Prada, Karla, Liu, Yajun, Adelnia, Hossein, Kurniawan, Nyoman D., Anjum, Muhammad Naeem, Moonshi, Shehzahdi S. and Ta, Hang T. (2021). Silver/iron oxide nano-popcorns for imaging and therapy. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 4 (10) acsanm.1c01571, 10136-10147. doi: 10.1021/acsanm.1c01571
2021
Journal Article
Chitosan nanococktails containing both ceria and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for reactive oxygen species-related theranostics
Wu, Yuao, Zhang, Run, Tran, Huong D. N., Kurniawan, Nyoman D., Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Whittaker, Andrew K. and Ta, Hang T. (2021). Chitosan nanococktails containing both ceria and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for reactive oxygen species-related theranostics. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 4 (4) acsanm.1c00141, 3604-3618. doi: 10.1021/acsanm.1c00141
2020
Journal Article
Correction to High F-content perfluoropolyether-based nanoparticles for targeted detection of breast cancer by 19F magnetic resonance and optical imaging
Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Wang, Wenqian, Ta, Hang Thu, Han, Yanxiao, Han, Felicity Y., Peng, Hui, Král, Petr, Rolfe, Barbara E., Gooding, J. Justin, Gaus, Katharina and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2020). Correction to High F-content perfluoropolyether-based nanoparticles for targeted detection of breast cancer by 19F magnetic resonance and optical imaging. ACS Nano, 14 (10), 14245-14246. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.0c07373
2018
Other Outputs
Innovative Approaches to Tracking of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: In Vivo Tracking of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using 19F MRI
Moonshi, Shehzahdi (2018). Innovative Approaches to Tracking of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: In Vivo Tracking of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using 19F MRI. PhD Thesis, Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2018.831
2018
Journal Article
High F-content perfluoropolyether-based nanoparticles for targeted detection of breast cancer by 19F magnetic resonance and optical imaging
Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Wang, Wenqian, Ta, Hang Thu, Han, Yanxiao, Han, Felicity Y., Peng, Hui, Král, Petr, Rolfe, Barbara E., Gooding, John Justin, Gaus, Katharina and Whittaker, Andrew Keith (2018). High F-content perfluoropolyether-based nanoparticles for targeted detection of breast cancer by 19F magnetic resonance and optical imaging. ACS Nano, 12 (9) acsnano.8b03726, 9162-9176. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b03726
2018
Journal Article
A unique 19F MRI agent for the tracking of non phagocytic cells in vivo
Moonshi, Shehzahdi S., Zhang, Cheng, Peng, Hui, Puttick, Simon, Rose, Stephen, Fisk, Nicholas M., Bhakoo, Kishore, Stringer, Brett W., Qiao, Greg G., Gurr, Paul A. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2018). A unique 19F MRI agent for the tracking of non phagocytic cells in vivo. Nanoscale, 10 (17), 8226-8239. doi: 10.1039/c8nr00703a
2018
Conference Publication
High F-Content Perfluoropolyether-based Polymers for Targeted Detection of Breast Cancer by 19F Magnetic Resonance and Optical Imaging
Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Ta, Hang T., Han, Yanxiao, Han, Felicity Y., Peng, Hui, Král, Petr, Rolfe, Barbara E. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2018). High F-Content Perfluoropolyether-based Polymers for Targeted Detection of Breast Cancer by 19F Magnetic Resonance and Optical Imaging. World Polymer Congress Macro 2018, Cairns QLD Australia, 1-5 July 2018.
2017
Journal Article
PFPE-Based Polymeric 19F MRI Agents: A New Class of Contrast Agents with Outstanding Sensitivity
Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Han, Yanxiao, Puttick, Simon, Peng, Hui, Magoling, Bryan John Abel, Reid, James C., Bernardi, Stefano, Searles, Debra J., Král, Petr and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2017). PFPE-Based Polymeric 19F MRI Agents: A New Class of Contrast Agents with Outstanding Sensitivity. Macromolecules, 50 (15), 5953-5963. doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01285
2016
Journal Article
Ion-responsive 19F MRI contrast agents for the detection of cancer cells
Zhang, Cheng, Moonshi, Shehzahdi Shebbrin, Peng, Hui, Puttick, Simon, Reid, James, Bernardi, Stefano, Bernhardt, Debra J. and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2016). Ion-responsive 19F MRI contrast agents for the detection of cancer cells. ACS Sensors, 1 (6), 757-765. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.6b00216
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Shehzahdi Moonshi is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
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