Salah Eddine El Herrag

Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria | +213 770 206 233 | [email protected]
in/salah-eddine-el-herrag

Professional Summary

PhD-trained biomedical scientist specializing in colorectal cancer, cancer biology, immunotherapy, and clinical/epidemiological research. My doctoral research integrated clinical characterization of colorectal cancer with the investigation of predictive biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Experienced in clinical data analysis, statistical methods, systematic evidence synthesis, and translational interpretation of cancer research. My current research direction focuses on mechanistic and spatial approaches to cancer biology, particularly tumour–microenvironment interactions and metastatic disease.

Research interests

• Colorectal cancer
• Cancer immunology and immunotherapy
• Tumor–microenvironment interactions
• Metastatic disease and metastatic niches
• Predictive biomarkers of immunotherapy response
• Translational cancer biology
• Spatial and single-cell approaches to cancer research

Education

Thesis: Étude de la prise en charge des cancéreux par immunothérapie et analyse épidémiologique du cancer colorectal à Sidi Bel Abbès
English Title: “Study of Cancer Care Using Immunotherapy and Epidemiological Analysis of Colorectal Cancer in Sidi Bel Abbès.”
Research focus: colorectal cancer epidemiology, immunotherapy, predictive biomarkers, clinical-pathological characteristics, immune checkpoint inhibitors. 
Ranked 1^st among 70 candidates in the national written entrance examination for doctoral training in Cell Biology and Pathology; selected as the first of six candidates admitted to the PhD program.   

Thesis: Association between Metabolic Syndrome and its Components with Colorectal Neoplasia: A Meta-Analysis

Research experience

• Conducted research on colorectal cancer epidemiology, clinical-pathological characteristics, immunotherapy, and predictive biomarkers.
• Conducted a retrospective cohort study of 255 patients with colorectal cancer at the Sidi Bel Abbès cancer center, investigating clinical, pathological, molecular, and treatment-related characteristics.
• Conducted systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and umbrella reviews of cancer and immunotherapy literature.
• Applied descriptive and inferential statistics, logistic regression, and other multivariable modelling approaches using R.
• Authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications in oncology, epidemiology, nutrition, and public health.
• Collaborated with researchers across multidisciplinary and international research teams.

Publications

Research articles

• El Herrag S.E., Moulessehoul S., El Mehadji D., Yekrou D., Khaled M.B. (2024). Epidemiological insights into colorectal cancer in northwestern Algeria. Ecancermedicalscience, 18:1684. https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2024.1684
• Faris M.A.I., Abdelrahim D.N., El Herrag S.E., Khaled M.B., Shihab K.A., AlKurd R., Madkour M. (2025). Cardiometabolic and Obesity Risk Outcomes of Dawn-to-Dusk, Dry Intermittent Fasting: Insights from an Umbrella Review. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.03.006
• Abdelrahim D.N., El Herrag S.E., Khaled M.B., Radwan H., Naja F., Alkurd R., … Faris M.A.I.E. (2023). Changes in energy and macronutrient intakes during Ramadan fasting: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. Nutrition Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuad141
• Coats L., Aboul-Enein B.H., Dodge E., Benajiba N., Kruk J., Khaled M.B., … El Herrag S.E. (2022). Perspectives of Environmental Health Promotion and the Mediterranean Diet: A Thematic Narrative Synthesis. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 17(1), 85–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/19320248.2020.1777242

Conference Communications

• El Herrag, S. E., Harir, N., & Moulessehoul, S. (2025). AI-based prediction of functional impacts of colorectal cancer-associated SNPs. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/F3SZU
• El Herrag, S. E., El Mehadji, D., Yekrou, D., Moulessehoul, S., & Khaled, M. B. (2023). Demographic, Clinical, and Molecular Landscape of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Algeria: A Retrospective Analysis. Djillali Liabes University. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5R4UC
• El Herrag, S. E., El Mehadji, D., Yekrou, D., Moulessehoul, S., & Khaled, M. B. (2023). Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Algeria: A Call for Tailored Management Based on Clinical and Molecular Insights. Djillali Liabes University. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5R4UC
• El Herrag, S. E., & Khaled, M. B. (2019). Tumor PD-L1 expression and Nivolumab efficacy in the treatment of cancer: a meta-analysis of phase III randomized clinical trials. In 3rd International Conference on Biotechnology and Cancer (ICBC) (p. 106). The Higher School of Biological Sciences of Oran. http://www.essb-oran.dz/index.php/fr/conference-book

Research expertise & methods

Cancer research

• Colorectal cancer
• Cancer epidemiology
• Clinical-pathological research
• Cancer immunotherapy
• Predictive biomarker research

Evidence synthesis

• Systematic reviews
• Meta-analyses
• Umbrella reviews
• Evidence appraisal

Quantitative research

• Clinical data analysis
• Regression modelling

Computational & statistical skills

R: Proficient in statistical and epidemiological analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics, data management and visualization, regression modelling, survival analysis, genetic epidemiology, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, umbrella reviews, and genetic association analysis.

Key packages: tidyverse, ggplot2, gtsummary, survival, lme4/lmerTest, meta, metafor, metaumbrella, blavaan, lavaan, mediation, VGAM, bayesplot, SNPassoc, HardyWeinberg.

Scientific communication

• Scientific writing
• Peer review
• Manuscript preparation
• Academic editing 

Teaching experience

Courses include:

• Molecular Oncology
• Gene and Cell Therapy
• RNA Silencing
• Signal Transduction
• Research Methodology / Bibliographic Research

Activities include:

• Designed and delivered Master’s-level lectures and tutorials in advanced topics including Gene and Cell Therapy, Molecular Oncology, RNA Silencing, and Signal Transduction.
• Developed course materials and research-oriented learning activities, and mentored students in research methodology, data interpretation, academic writing, and thesis/dissertation preparation.
• Assessed student performance through assignments, presentations, and examinations, providing structured and constructive feedback.

Peer review

Reviewer for international peer-reviewed journals including Nutrition Reviews, Cancer Cell International, Frontiers in Public Health, and BMC Nutrition.

Expert roles and responsibilities

Member of the Organizing Committee, 4^th National Seminar of Biology and Health (SNBS), Djillali Liabes University — 2023.
Member of the Organizing Committee, 1^st National Scientific Day, Djillali Liabes University — 2025.

Editorial experience

• Streamlined the peer-review coordination process by serving as the primary liaison among authors, reviewers, and editorial board members, reducing turnaround times and ensuring the timely publication of manuscripts.
• Enhanced manuscript quality control through meticulous proofreading and strict adherence to journal standards, resulting in a reduction in post-publication corrections and elevating the journal’s reliability and reputation.
• Ensured adherence to AMA and ICMJE guidelines.
• Contributed to the evaluation and screening of submissions, gaining comprehensive insights into emerging trends across nutrition and biomedical sciences that informed editorial strategies and enriched scientific content. 

Languages

English: Fluent

French: Fluent

Arabic: Native

ORCID