On Sunday, October 13, 2024, the PhD candidate **Jasim Mohammed Mohsen** from the Department of Microbiology successfully defended his dissertation titled: **"Detection of Candida albicans, Human Papillomaviruses (16 and 18), and P63 Protein in Archived Samples of Iraqi Patients with Oral Cancer."** **Study Background:** Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the oral cavity. It is typically associated with risk factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking, in addition to certain viral infections like human papillomavirus (HPV) strains, which are known to increase the risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancers. Furthermore, oral candidiasis (Candida albicans) has been linked to OSCC, although it remains unclear whether the fungus actively promotes OSCC development or if the presence of cancer facilitates fungal growth. Additionally, microbial infections may interfere with the function of the TP63 (Transformation-related Protein 63), a protein similar to p53, which is known to play a role in tumor formation in epithelial tissues. TP63 is also expressed in many benign and malignant tumors throughout the body, including those in the oral cavity. **Study Objective:** The aim of the study was to assess the expression of TP63 and to compare its qualitative and quantitative expression in normal buccal mucosa, epithelial dysplasia, and OSCC. The study also aimed to evaluate the association between TP63 expression and Candida albicans and/or HPV (types 16, 18) infections, which may contribute to the development and progression of OSCC. **Conclusions:** The current study's findings suggest a significant increase in TP63 expression in pre-cancerous and cancerous cases compared to normal oral mucosa. The highest levels of TP63 expression were observed in epithelial dysplasia and OSCC cases. The study also indicates that elevated TP63 expression in oral epithelia could serve as an indicator for pre-cancerous conditions, potentially enhancing carcinogenic susceptibility when combined with Candida albicans and high-risk HPV infections. These were observed in oral dysplasia samples, where an increase in TP63 expression was noted. The defense committee was composed of: - Prof. Dr. Thanaa Rashid Abdul Rahman (Chair) - Prof. Dr. Haidar Ahmed Shmran (Member) - Assist. Prof. Dr. Abdul Ameer Jassim Mohammed (Member) - Assist. Prof. Dr. Jaafar Mohammed Kazem (Member) - Assist. Prof. Dr. Nora Mustafa Kareem (Member) - Prof. Dr. Azhar Abdul-Fattah Ibrahim (Member and Supervisor) - Prof. Dr. Ban Jumaa Qasim (Member and Supervisor) The dissertation was successfully accepted with a grade of **Distinction**. 
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