Vanesa Sánchez-Martín | Ciencia de los Alimentos | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez-Martín | Ciencia de los Alimentos | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez Martín is a Spanish biologist and pharmacologist specializing in food science, pharmacognosy, and nutraceuticals. She earned her PhD in Pharmacy from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2020. Currently, she works as a postdoctoral researcher at the Food Bioscience Group (CIAL, UAM-CSIC), focusing on the health benefits and sustainability of novel foods. Her academic background is reinforced by a Master’s in Therapeutic Targets and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Universidad de Alcalá. With substantial teaching experience at both UCM and Universidad Europea de Madrid, she also contributes to thesis supervision and academic panels. She actively participates in scientific communication, congresses, and public outreach, such as Science Week. Dr. Sánchez Martín has authored peer-reviewed articles and engages in research on functional foods, immunomodulation, and metabolic health. Her multidisciplinary work bridges pharmacology, nutrition, and cellular signaling for sustainable healthcare innovations.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Sánchez Martín holds a PhD in Pharmacy (2017–2020) from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where she studied the molecular basis of antitumoral activity from hispanolone derivatives. She achieved the highest academic distinction: Summa Cum Laude. Prior to that, she completed a Master’s degree in “Therapeutic Targets in Cellular Signaling: Research and Development” (2014–2015) at Universidad de Alcalá, providing her with strong expertise in biomedical signaling pathways. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s in Biology (2010–2014), also from Universidad de Alcalá. She has taken over 15 specialized training courses, including bioinformatics, animal experimentation, pedagogy, and fluorescence imaging. Additionally, she has actively attended seminars in oncology, immunology, and molecular medicine at top Spanish institutions such as Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Her continuous training underlines her multidisciplinary foundation and strong alignment with the rapidly evolving fields of pharmacology, food science, and research methodology.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Sánchez Martín’s professional experience spans academic research, university-level teaching, and scientific communication. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), working under Dr. Dolores del Castillo on food bioactivity and novel sustainable foods. From 2021–2022, she was a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, UCM. Earlier, she served as an Associate Professor at Universidad Europea de Madrid, where she also coordinated the Human Genetics course. She has collaborated in practical teaching and seminars at UCM’s Veterinary Faculty. Beyond teaching, she has evaluated bachelor’s theses and supervised student research, including Erasmus+ interns. She has contributed to public outreach via Science Week and CSIC media and participated in international conferences like Food4Future and SEDCA. Her experience highlights a balance between research, education, and public engagement in biomedical and nutritional sciences.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Sánchez Martín has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout her academic and professional career. Her PhD was awarded Summa Cum Laude, a distinction reserved for top-performing doctoral researchers. She has been selected as an evaluator for undergraduate thesis defenses at prestigious institutions like the Basque Culinary Center, underscoring her academic leadership. Her work on sustainable food innovations has been featured by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), notably the widely cited report on anti-inflammatory compounds from coffee husk pulp. She has also actively contributed to high-level scientific outreach activities, including Science Week and seminars at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. In addition, her research group has been recognized in leading journals, and she has presented at major international conferences, including the Spanish Society of Nutrition (SEÑ). These accolades reflect her multidisciplinary impact across pharmacology, food science, and public health.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez Martín’s research bridges pharmacology, nutrition, and biotechnology, with a focus on the development of novel bioactive compounds for therapeutic and nutraceutical applications. Her doctoral work investigated the molecular mechanisms of antitumor agents derived from hispanolone. As a postdoctoral researcher, her studies center on food sustainability and metabolic health, particularly through the valorization of agri-food by-products like coffee leaves and cocoa pods. She co-authored research under review exploring the immunomodulatory properties of honey-propolis mixtures. Additionally, she investigates dietary impacts on inflammation and microbiota through natural compounds. Her expertise encompasses fluorescence imaging, cellular signaling, and high-throughput screening. Recent publications and conference presentations emphasize the pharmaceutical potential of functional foods. By combining pharmacological precision with nutritional applications, her research aims to address public health challenges through innovative, sustainable solutions.

Conclusion

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez Martín is a dedicated and multidisciplinary scientist whose research in pharmacology, food bioactivity, and sustainable nutrition bridges scientific innovation and public health, underscored by academic excellence, teaching contributions, international collaborations, and impactful outreach.

Publications

  • Bee products as an alternative for the preservation of nitrate and nitrite-reduced dry fermented sausages

    Food Bioscience
    2024 | Journal article
  • Coffee leaves: a natural source of compounds for reducing body fat accumulation

    The 5th International Electronic Conference On Foods
    2024 | Conference paper | Author
    SOURCE-WORK-ID:
  • Effect of in vitro human colonic fermented coffee melanoidins on colon cancer cell proliferation

    The 5th International Electronic Conference On Foods
    2024 | Conference paper | Author
    SOURCE-WORK-ID:
  • Novel foods for a sustainable health. Abstracts of the XXXIII Congress of the Spanish Society of Nutrition / Sociedad Española de Nutrición (SEÑ) and X Meeting of Young Researchers.

    Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry
    2024 | Conference paper | Author
    SOURCE-WORK-ID:

 

 

 

 

 

Yingna Le | Research on the Mechanism of Action of Active Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yingna Le | Research on the Mechanism of Action of Active Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine | Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate| Nanchang Medical College, china

Dr. Yingna Le is a Lecturer in Pharmacy at Nanchang Medical College’s School of Pharmacy, where she specializes in pharmacognosy and the authentication of Chinese medicinal materials. With a strong foundation in Chinese Materia Medica from Yunnan and Jiangxi Universities of Traditional Chinese Medicine, she combines traditional knowledge with modern scientific research. Dr. Le actively investigates the molecular mechanisms behind active ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), contributing to national and provincial research projects. Her work includes the study of hawthorn leaf flavonoids and kidney stone treatments through the lens of network pharmacology and gut-liver axis analysis. She has published in core Chinese and international journals, developed flipped classroom models, and innovated WeChat-based educational tools. A member of several professional societies, she is committed to advancing TCM education and research. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates experimental design, pharmacognosy, and data analysis to enrich teaching and contribute to the scientific community.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Yingna Le holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chinese Materia Medica. She earned her B.S. from Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2007, where she developed a strong understanding of traditional pharmacognosy and the foundational principles of Chinese medicine. She then pursued her M.S. from Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2008–2011), deepening her expertise in medicinal material authentication and TCM pharmacology. Her postgraduate studies provided her with skills in microscopic identification, phytochemical analysis, and TCM theory, setting the stage for her research and teaching career. This rigorous academic background enabled her to bridge the gap between traditional practices and contemporary scientific methods. Her educational journey laid the groundwork for her future roles in academia and research, where she continues to explore the integration of modern pharmacological techniques with ancient herbal wisdom. Dr. Le’s academic path demonstrates her dedication to excellence and innovation in the field of TCM.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Yingna Le currently serves as a Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy at Nanchang Medical College (2021–present), where she teaches Pharmacognosy and the Authentication of Chinese Medicinal Materials. Prior to this, she was a Teaching Assistant at the Jiangxi University of TCM Science and Technology College (2018–2021), where she began integrating innovative teaching strategies into traditional Chinese medicine education. Her academic career is marked by a dedication to improving teaching quality through flipped classrooms and the application of digital platforms like WeChat for student engagement and evaluation. In addition to teaching, Dr. Le has played pivotal roles in research, particularly as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on national and provincial research grants. She has completed five interdisciplinary projects between 2020 and 2022 and actively contributes to academic publications. Her blend of instructional innovation and research acumen makes her a respected figure in both educational and scientific circles in TCM.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Yingna Le has earned recognition through competitive research funding and influential academic appointments. She is the Principal Investigator of a Jiangxi Provincial Education Department grant for studying Lygodium japonicum’s mechanisms against kidney stones, and a Co-Investigator on a prestigious National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grant examining hawthorn leaf flavonoids in cardiovascular treatment. While specific award titles are not listed, her success in securing these high-level grants reflects her scientific credibility and innovation. Additionally, her involvement in five interdisciplinary education reform and material science projects (2020–2022) with substantial budgets highlights her leadership and collaborative spirit. Dr. Le also holds committee roles in key professional societies, including the TCM Processing Committee of the Jiangxi Pharmaceutical Association and the Digital Healthcare & Simulation Medicine Society of Jiangxi Province. These roles further affirm her status as a trusted contributor to the advancement of pharmacy education and research in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Yingna Le’s research centers on uncovering the mechanisms of action of active ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine using modern pharmacological approaches. Her work focuses on compounds such as hawthorn leaf flavonoids and their effects on cardiovascular health, particularly unstable plaques, through the LXR-α mediated modulation of iron-lipid metabolism in the gut-liver axis. She also investigates the therapeutic potential of Lygodium japonicum in kidney stone treatment via network pharmacology. Dr. Le employs a range of methodologies including phytochemical analysis, molecular mechanism studies, and pharmacognostic techniques. Her research approach integrates traditional herbal knowledge with systems biology to bridge classical TCM theory with modern biomedical science. She has a strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and has led or contributed to numerous research projects across pharmacology, education reform, and material science. Her contributions aim to validate and modernize the application of traditional remedies in contemporary clinical settings, making her work both culturally relevant and scientifically impactful.

Conclusion

Dr. Yingna Le blends traditional Chinese medical expertise with modern research to advance pharmacognosy and medicinal authentication. Through dedicated teaching, impactful research, and innovative education methods, she contributes significantly to TCM modernization.

Publications