On Thursday, September 12, 2024, PhD candidate Noor Rasheed Zabala successfully defended her dissertation at 9:00 AM in the discussion hall of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry/Clinical Biochemistry. Her dissertation was titled: **"Evaluation of EPHX2 Gene Polymorphism, Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase (sEH), and Homocysteine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy"** **Study Objective:** The study aimed to examine the genotype of the **EPHX2** gene to identify the genetic variants (SNPs) (rs751141, rs4149243) in patients with diabetic nephropathy and diabetic patients without nephropathy in Iraq. It also compared the levels of homocysteine and soluble epoxide hydrolase in a sample of patients with diabetic nephropathy and diabetic patients without nephropathy. Additionally, the study analyzed the association of **EPHX2** genotypes with diabetic nephropathy, soluble epoxide hydrolase levels, and homocysteine levels. **Results:** The frequency of allele A of rs751141 was significantly lower in patients with diabetic nephropathy (4.3%) compared to those without nephropathy (P < 0.05), indicating that the presence of this allele is associated with a reduced risk of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, the **EPHX2** gene was linked to increased levels of soluble epoxide hydrolase, though no association was observed between the **EPHX2** rs4149243 genetic variant and susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in Iraqi individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The genotype and allele frequencies of this variant were similar in both groups. Additionally, homocysteine (Hcy) and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) levels were significantly higher in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) compared to those without nephropathy, suggesting their potential as early detection markers and for monitoring patients with diabetic nephropathy. The examination committee consisted of: - Prof. Dr. Astabrak Abdulrasool Kawiri – Chair - Prof. Dr. Ikhlas Khalid Hameed – Member - Asst. Prof. Dr. Moayad Basheer Hameed – Member - Asst. Prof. Dr. Raid Jasim Mohammed – Member - Asst. Prof. Dr. Hassan Hussein Taha – Member - Prof. Dr. Ria Suleiman Baban – Supervisor - Prof. Dr. Aref Sami Malik – Supervisor The dissertation was accepted with distinction. 
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