Omar El-Halfawy

Dr. Omar El-Halfawy is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Chemogenomics and Antimicrobial Research at the University of Regina's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research focuses on addressing the global antibiotic crisis through interdisciplinary approaches combining microbiology, biochemistry, and chemical biology.

Key research directions include uncovering novel antibiotic resistance mechanisms, studying interbacterial interactions, and discovering antivirulence agents. His lab employs infection-mimetic conditions to identify resistance determinants and virulence factors active during infections. Recent efforts target the chemical resistome and small molecule interactions influencing bacterial survival.

Funding support includes the Canada Research Chair program. Ongoing projects investigate traditional Indigenous remedies, synthetic antibacterial compounds, and polyamine-based resistance modulation strategies. The lab actively seeks students and collaborators to advance antimicrobial discovery and combat drug-resistant pathogens.

• Lab locations: Laboratory Building Rooms 262 (office) and 313 (lab)
• Focus areas: 1. Virulence determinants under host conditions | 2. Interbacterial competition dynamics | 3. Chemical modulation of bacterial physiology