I completed my PhD in Life Sciences and Biotechnology at the University of Sassari, Italy, funded by EU and Italian Government grants, with part of my research conducted at the University of Glasgow, UK. My doctoral research focused on gut microbiome ecology in autoimmune disease, particularly the role of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in multiple sclerosis.

This work developed my interest in understanding how the gut microbiome influences human health.

Currently, I am a project scientist in the Hildebrand Lab, where my research focuses on the fungal microbiome, with a broader interest in microbial persistence and host–microbe interactions.

Key publications

Ashraf, H., Rezasoltani, S., Feizabadi, M. M., Jasemi, S., Aghdaei, H. A., Bakudezfouli, Z., & Sechi, L. A. (2025). On exploring cross-sectional stability and persistence of microbiome in a multiple body site colorectal cancer dataset. Frontiers in Microbiology, 16, 1449642. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1449642

Ashraf, H., Dikarlo, P., Masia, A., Zarbo, I. R., Solla, P., Ijaz, U. Z., & Sechi, L. A. (2024).
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection, and its impact on gut microbiome of individuals with multiple sclerosis. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 24027.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74975-4 10.1038/s41598-024-74975-4

Ashraf, H., Dikarlo, P., Masia, A., Zarbo, I. R., Solla, P., Ijaz, U. Z., & Sechi, L. A. (2024). Network analysis of gut microbial communities reveals key genera for a multiple sclerosis cohort with
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection. Gut Pathogens, 16(1), 1-12.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-024-00627-7

Ashraf, Hajra, et al. “Comparative evaluation of chemically and green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles: Their in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anticancer potential towards HepG2 cell line.” Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry 13, no. 2 (2023): 243-261. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40097-021-00460-3

Ashraf, Hajra, Davide Cossu, Stefano Ruberto, Marta Noli, Seyedesomaye Jasemi, Elena Rita Simula, and Leonardo A. Sechi. “Latent Potential of Multifunctional Selenium Nanoparticles in
Neurological Diseases and Altered Gut Microbiota.” Materials 16, no. 2 (2023): 699. DOI: 10.3390/ma16020699