Yi Zhang | Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yi Zhang | Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award 🏆

Director/Academic Vice President at Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University/Zhengzhou University School of Medical Sciences🎓

Prof. Yi Zhang is an internationally acclaimed expert in cell and tumor immunotherapy. Serving as Director of the Biotherapy Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, he also holds key leadership roles, including Academic Vice President of the Zhengzhou University School of Medical Sciences and Director of the Zhongyuan Cellular and Immunotherapy Laboratory. With 35 years of research experience across Belgium, the U.S., and China, Prof. Zhang has pioneered breakthrough therapies, such as genetically engineered CAR-T cells for solid tumors, and holds 16 patents. His work has made significant impacts in reducing immune suppression and improving cancer treatment efficacy worldwide.

Professional Profile 

Education 🎓:

Prof. Yi Zhang has a profound academic foundation in medical sciences, gained through decades of experience and study in Belgium, the United States, and China. His extensive education and training have built the groundwork for his pioneering research in cell and tumor therapy.

Work Experience 💼:

Prof. Zhang is the Director of the Biotherapy Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, where he also serves as the Academic Vice President for Zhengzhou University’s School of Medical Sciences and Director of the Zhongyuan Cellular and Immunotherapy Laboratory. Over a 35-year career, he has developed innovative therapies and led cutting-edge research in cell therapy, accumulating extensive clinical and academic expertise.

 

Skills 🔍

Known for his skills in genetically engineered cell therapies, Prof. Zhang is a leader in cellular engineering, particularly CAR-T cell technology. His groundbreaking work includes discovering a therapeutic target for solid tumors and developing gene-editing techniques to improve immune responses. His practical expertise in cell culture, immune cell enhancement, and patent development make him a pioneer in clinical biotherapeutics.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Prof. Zhang has received acclaim globally, being listed among the world’s top 100,000 scientists and recognized by both domestic and international peers for his contributions to immunotherapy. He has successfully converted seven patents, raising over 80 million RMB in transfer amounts, and is frequently invited to international conferences as a distinguished chair or guest of honor.

🤝 Memberships:

Prof. Zhang holds numerous prominent roles, such as Chairman of the Committee on Tumor Immunity and Biotherapy, Chinese Society of Immunology, and Deputy Chairman of the Cancer Biological Therapy Committee under the China Anti-Cancer Association. He also plays leadership roles in the Henan Anticancer Association and Henan Immunological Society, reflecting his commitment to advancing cell therapy on a national and global scale.

Teaching Experience 👩‍🏫:

Prof. Zhang has contributed significantly to training the next generation of scientists, collaborating with international colleagues to co-train PhD students and mentor young researchers. His commitment to academic growth is evident through his regular academic exchanges and collaborative projects with institutions in Canada, the U.S., and Europe.

Research Focus 🔬:

Prof. Zhang’s research is concentrated on tumor immunotherapy and cellular therapy, focusing on advancing CAR-T cell therapies for cancer. His achievements include creating novel immune cell treatments, reducing PD-1 expression to combat immune suppression, and conducting over 52 clinical trials for new cancer therapies, with 29 specifically targeting solid tumors.

Conclusion 

Prof. Yi Zhang stands as an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his substantial contributions to the field of cellular immunotherapy and cancer research. His achievements align closely with the award’s goals of recognizing innovation, impactful research, and contributions to society. With his strengths in pioneering therapy innovations and significant clinical applications, Prof. Zhang’s work exemplifies the award’s spirit, making him a distinguished candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

📚 Publilcation

  • “LFA-1 regulated by IL-2/STAT5 pathway boosts antitumor function of intratumoral CD8 + T cells for improving anti-PD-1 antibody therapy”
    • Year: 2024-12-31
    • Journal: OncoImmunology
  • “Characteristics and mechanisms of T‐cell senescence: A potential target for cancer immunotherapy”
    • Year: 2024-11
    • Journal: European Journal of Immunology
  • “CAR T Cells Engineered to Secrete IFNκ Induce Tumor Ferroptosis via an IFNAR/STAT1/ACSL4 Axis”
    • Year: 2024-10-03
    • Journal: Cancer Immunology Research
  • “A single-cell RNA-seq dataset describing macrophages in NSCLC tumor and peritumor tissues”
    • Year: 2024-10-01
    • Journal: Scientific Data
  • “Allogeneic CAR-T cells for cancer immunotherapy”
    • Year: 2024-09-24
    • Journal: Immunotherapy
  • “IL-24 improves efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy by targeting stemness of tumor cells”
    • Year: 2024-05-03
    • Journal: British Journal of Cancer
  • “Current advances in bacteria‐based cancer immunotherapy”
    • Year: 2024-02
    • Journal: European Journal of Immunology
  • “Emerging roles of plasmacytoid dendritic cell crosstalk in tumor immunity”
    • Year: 2023-10-09
    • Journal: Cancer Biology & Medicine
  • “Immunosenescence: molecular mechanisms and diseases”
    • Year: 2023-05-13
    • Journal: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
  • “Overcoming resistance to immunotherapy by targeting GPR84 in myeloid-derived suppressor cells”
    • Year: 2023-04-28
    • Journal: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy

Dr.Bahareh Azimi | biomedical | Best Researcher Award

Dr.Bahareh Azimi | biomedical | Best Researcher Award

PhD Scholar at  Chitkara University, India

Dr. Bahareh Azimi is a distinguished researcher in the field of Textile Engineering, specializing in Textile Chemistry and Fiber Science. With a passion for advancing materials science applications in medicine, she focuses on developing innovative therapeutic strategies using polymeric nanofibers and nanoparticles. Her research is dedicated to improving health outcomes through cutting-edge technology and materials.

 

Professional Profile 

🎓 Education

Dr. Bahareh Azimi holds a Ph.D. in Textile Engineering with a focus on Textile Chemistry and Fiber Science from Amirkabir University of Technology, completed between September 23, 2010, and November 23, 2014, in Tehran, Iran. She also has an equivalent Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering (Curriculum in Chemistry and Materials Engineering) issued by the University of Pisa, Italy. Additionally, Dr. Azimi earned her Master’s Degree in Textile Engineering (Textile Chemistry and Fiber Science) from Amirkabir University of Technology from September 23, 2007, to October 24, 2009, and completed her Bachelor’s degree in the same field at the University of Yazd from September 23, 2003, to September 6, 2007.

🏢 Work Experience

Dr. Azimi is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering at the University of Pisa since September 16, 2024. Her previous roles include a postdoctoral position in the Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular, and Critical Area Pathology at the University of Pisa, where she focused on manufacturing and characterizing piezoelectric polymer nanofibers for cochlear implants. She has also worked on circular management of operating room waste in orthopedics and traumatology and has contributed to various projects involving the production of polymeric and composite nanofibers. Notably, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the Brazilian National Research Council, where she developed polymeric films with luminescent nanocrystals for dosimetric applications.

🧬 Skills

Dr. Azimi possesses advanced skills in electrospinning technology, materials characterization, and the development of biomimetic scaffolds. Her expertise extends to polymer and composite materials for tissue engineering applications, particularly in regenerative medicine. She is proficient in both experimental and theoretical methodologies, allowing her to address complex biomedical challenges effectively.

Awards and Honors 🏆

In 2024, Dr. Azimi received funding for her project titled “Artificial Intelligence Enabled Electrospinning Approach to Fight Pulmonary Cancer” through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions-Seal of Excellence@UNIPI. This recognition underscores her innovative contributions to research and her commitment to addressing significant health challenges.

Membership 🤝

Dr. Azimi is an active member of various professional organizations related to Textile Engineering and materials science. Her memberships facilitate collaboration with peers and access to the latest advancements in her field, contributing to her continuous professional development.

Teaching Experience 📚

Dr. Azimi has experience in teaching and mentoring students in Textile Engineering, focusing on subjects related to textile chemistry and materials science. Her engaging teaching style and dedication to student success have made her a respected educator in her academic community.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Azimi’s current research includes developing biomimetic scaffolds for tissue regeneration, nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery systems for targeted therapy, and electroactive nanocomposites for electromechanical tissue engineering, particularly in the auditory system. She has been actively involved in nanomedicine, particularly exploring in vitro applications of piezoelectric ceramic nanomaterials such as zinc oxide, lithium niobate, and barium titanate nanoparticles, as well as their polymer composites for creating electrically sensitive cells. Her comprehensive research also addresses the development of devices from nano to macroscale, aimed at facilitating regeneration and modeling both normal and pathological tissues, with an emphasis on tissue engineering applied to electromechanically responsive tissues.

Conclusion 

Dr. Bahareh Azimi’s extensive research contributions, innovative methodologies, and dedication to advancing biomedical applications through materials science make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work has the potential to significantly enhance health outcomes, particularly in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. By addressing areas for improvement, such as public engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Azimi can further amplify her impact and leadership in research, reinforcing her candidacy for this prestigious recognition.

📚 Publication 

  • Antifouling Properties of Electrospun Polymeric Coatings Induced by Controlled Surface Morphology
    • Authors: Favrin, F.L., Zavagna, L., Sestini, M., Batoni, G., Danti, S.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Energy and Environmental Materials
  • Electrospun Fiber-Based Tubular Structures as 3D Scaffolds to Generate In Vitro Models for Small Intestine
    • Authors: Zavagna, L., Canelli, E.F., Azimi, B., Milazzo, M., Danti, S.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
  • Development and Characterization of Sodium Alginate-Based Bio-hybrid Super Absorbent Polymer with High Retention Capacity Suitable for Baby Diapers
    • Authors: Ismaeilimoghadam, S., Jonoobi, M., Hamzeh, Y., Seggiani, M., Danti, S.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Journal of Polymers and the Environment
  • Piezoelectric Yield of Single Electrospun Poly(acrylonitrile) Ultrafine Fibers Studied by Piezoresponse Force Microscopy and Numerical Simulations
    • Authors: Montorsi, M., Zavagna, L., Scarpelli, L., Danti, S., Labardi, M.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Polymers
  • Remnant polarization and structural arrangement in P(VDF-TrFE) electrospun fiber meshes affect osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells
    • Authors: Azimi, B., Labardi, M., Sorayani Bafqi, M.S., Persano, L., Danti, S.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Materials and Design
  • Recent advances in biomaterials for tissue-engineered constructs: Essential factors and engineering techniques
    • Authors: Norouzi, S., Saveh Shemshaki, N., Norouzi, E., Aboudzadeh, M.A., Bagherzadeh, R.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Materials Today Chemistry
  • Bacterial Cellulose Electrospun Fiber Mesh Coated with Chitin Nanofibrils for Eardrum Repair
    • Authors: Azimi, B., Rasti, A., Fusco, A., Danti, S., Lazzeri, A.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Tissue Engineering – Part A
  • Self-Powered Nanostructured Piezoelectric Filaments as Advanced Transducers for New Cochlear Implants
    • Authors: Mokhtari, F., Danti, S., Azimi, B., Varley, R.J., Razal, J.M.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Energy and Environmental Materials
  • Emerging Multiscale Biofabrication Approaches for Bacteriotherapy
    • Authors: Rovelli, R., Cecchini, B., Zavagna, L., Batoni, G., Danti, S.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Molecules
  • Application of Cellulose-Based Materials as Water Purification Filters; A State-of-the-Art Review
    • Authors: Azimi, B., Sepahvand, S., Ismaeilimoghadam, S., Jonoobi, M., Danti, S.
    • Year: 2024
    • Journal: Journal of Polymers and the Environment