Vahid Rashedi | Alzheimer’s disease | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Dr. Vahid Rashedi | Alzheimer’s disease | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vahid Rashedi 👨‍⚕️, an esteemed Assistant Professor of Gerontology at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences 🇮🇷, has made outstanding global contributions in aging, cognition, and psychogeriatrics 🌍🧠. With a Ph.D. in Gerontology (2017) 🎓 and extensive editorial duties across high-impact journals 📚, he’s actively involved as a Senior Collaborator with the Global Burden of Disease Project at IHME, University of Washington 🇺🇸. Recognized as a Top 1% scientist by Stanford University in 2024 🏅, he combines academic excellence, innovation, and impactful research. His interdisciplinary work spans gerontology, rehabilitation, mental health, and cognitive science, cementing his status as a global leader in aging research 🌐💡.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Rashedi began his academic path with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences 🎓🦾, focusing on geriatric care and assistive technology. He earned his Ph.D. in Gerontology with distinction in 2017 🥇, building expertise in psychogeriatrics, mental health, and cognitive decline. His academic training was rooted in interdisciplinary frameworks linking medicine, psychology, and social work 🔬💬. This diverse education empowered him to bridge clinical insights with research, enabling innovative health solutions for elderly populations 👵👴. He complements formal education with global scientific memberships and ongoing collaborations with prestigious institutes, such as IHME 🌎, emphasizing lifelong learning and cutting-edge research.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Rashedi has over a decade of rich academic and research experience, currently serving as Assistant Professor at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences 🏫. Since 2019, he has been a Senior Collaborator at IHME, University of Washington, contributing to the Global Burden of Disease project 📊🌐. He has authored 126 indexed journal articles 📑, published a book 📖, and holds four patents, including rehabilitation innovations like the vibrating ankle-foot orthosis 🦿. He is a prolific editorial board member and associate editor for over 10 international journals 📘🖋️. His work in psychogeriatrics and cognition has garnered global recognition, highlighting his leadership and mentoring roles 👨‍🏫🏅.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Rashedi is recognized globally for his scientific excellence, notably ranked in the Top 1% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University in 2024 🌟📈. He holds editorial roles in Frontiers, CGJ, and the Journal of Gerontology, reflecting scholarly esteem 📚. He is a trusted reviewer for numerous high-impact journals and was honored with national and international awards 🥇. His patented inventions in geriatric rehabilitation demonstrate a blend of innovation and clinical value 💡🏥. His GSA, APA, and ISTAART memberships validate his international standing 👏🌐. These honors underscore his unwavering dedication to improving elderly lives through evidence-based science and collaboration 🤝

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Rashedi’s research delves into psychogeriatrics, mental health, and cognitive disorders in aging populations 🧠👴. As part of the Global Burden of Disease team at IHME 🌍, he contributes to global health analytics, shaping international aging policies 📊. His innovations include assistive devices with therapeutic functions, bridging technology and clinical rehabilitation 🛠️⚙️. With 63 research projects and over 26,000 citations 🔍📈, his scholarly output is extensive and impactful. He leads investigations on dementia, geriatric depression, and cognitive resilience, supported by his roles in editorial boards and scientific societies 🧬📘. His mission is to translate research into real-world health solutions for aging communities 🌟🩺.

Publications 

Tran Chau My Thanh | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Dr. Tran Chau My Thanh | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Tran Chau My Thanh, a dedicated researcher at Duy Tan University, Vietnam 🇻🇳, holds a medical degree and Ph.D. from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy 🎓. Her work bridges the gap between clinical medicine and molecular biology 🧬. With a strong passion for translational research, she focuses on using bioinformatics and genomic tools for early diagnosis and targeted therapy development for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders 💉. Through CRISPR/Cas9 and RNA networks, she aims to revolutionize patient-specific treatment pathways 🚀. Her extensive lab experience, scholarly publications, and ongoing innovations make her a promising leader in biomedical science 🏅.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Thanh earned her Medical Degree (M.D.) from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy 🏥 and went on to complete her Doctorate (Ph.D.) in the same prestigious institution 🎓. Her education was deeply rooted in both clinical and research training, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of human health and disease 🧠. Throughout her academic journey, she focused on genomics, molecular medicine, and biotechnology 🔬. The rigorous curriculum and hands-on exposure in advanced labs trained her in modern diagnostic tools and therapeutic innovations ⚙️. She also mastered computational biology and molecular interactions, forming a solid foundation for her groundbreaking work in RNA regulation and gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 🧪.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Thanh brings rich experience as a medical doctor and academic at Duy Tan University 🏫. Her research career spans multiple roles in molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, and therapeutic innovation 🧬. She has led studies on disease biomarkers, participated in international collaborations 🌐, and worked extensively with cell lines, recombinant DNA, and next-gen sequencing data 🔍. Her proficiency in wet lab and dry lab environments empowers her to integrate experimental biology with computational modeling 🧫💻. Alongside mentoring students and publishing SCI-indexed research, she contributes to translational medicine by connecting bench science to bedside applications, helping advance precision medicine for critical illnesses 💡.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Thanh is a nominee for the Young Scientist Award by the International Cognitive Scientist Awards 🧠🏆. Her impactful work on circular RNAs, miRNAs, and disease biomarker networks has garnered international recognition 🌍. She’s been acknowledged in high-impact journals for discoveries related to coronary heart disease and cancer diagnostics 📖. Her scholarly articles are indexed in SCI and Scopus, and she continues to influence the biomedical community through conference presentations, peer reviews, and academic collaborations 🤝. As a rising figure in molecular biology, her research promises transformative outcomes for early disease detection and targeted therapies 🧬✨.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Thanh’s research explores circRNA/miRNA/mRNA interactions, protein-protein networks, and gene function analysis 🧬🧠. She is driven by the quest to discover novel biomarkers for early diagnosis of complex diseases such as cancer, stroke, and diabetes 💊. Her focus includes CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, molecular docking, and simulations for drug discovery and target validation 💻🧪. She also builds interaction networks to map LncRNA/CircRNA/miRNA/gene/protein-drug relationships, contributing to personalized medicine approaches 🎯. Through bioinformatics, she decodes gene expression dynamics and immune infiltrations to enable efficient diagnostics and therapeutics 💡. Her ultimate goal is to bridge computational biology with translational research for global health improvement 🌐💚.

Publications 

1. Hsa_circRNA_0000284 acts as a ceRNA to participate in coronary heart disease progression
by sponging miRNA-338-3p via regulating the expression of ETS1
2. Identification of hsa_circ_0001445 of a novel circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network as
potential biomarker for coronary heart disease
3. Potential diagnostic value of serum microRNAs for 19 cancer types: a meta-analysis of
bioinformatics data

Jeevitha Gowda R | Cognitive impairment | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Ms. Jeevitha Gowda R | Cognitive impairment | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor, Alliance University, United Kingdom

🧠 Dr. Jeevitha Gowda R is a dedicated research scholar specializing in cognitive neuroscience and public health, with a strong focus on dementia prevention. She has expertise in developing cognitive screening tools, conducting neuropsychological assessments, and designing neuroscience-based interventions to enhance brain health. Currently serving as a Guest Faculty and Research Associate, she is passionate about bridging research with real-world applications. With proficiency in EEG, ERP, and data analysis, her work emphasizes cognitive aging, behavioral psychology, and mental well-being. Her research contributions include multiple conference presentations, publications, and cognitive training programs. She has received prestigious recognitions, including Best Paper Awards and research fellowships. Her commitment extends to community mental health programs, where she collaborates with NGOs and research institutions. Through her work, she aims to advance cognitive neuroscience and improve public health outcomes. 📚🔬

Profile

Education 🎓

🎓 Dr. Jeevitha Gowda R holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience and Public Health from Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru (Thesis Submitted), focusing on developing cognitive tools for early dementia detection in primary healthcare settings. She earned a Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience from JSS Academy of Higher Education, Mysuru (2018), ranking among the top 3 students, with coursework in neural cognition, psychological assessment, and clinical interventions. Her dissertation explored mental fatigue due to sleep deprivation using EEG and ERP. She completed her Bachelor’s in Life Sciences from JSS College for Women, Mysuru (2016), excelling in biochemistry, microbiology, and environmental psychology. Additionally, she trained at the Defence Institute of Psychological Studies (DRDO) and Narayana Health, Bengaluru, gaining hands-on experience in EEG, neuropsychological assessments, and cognitive therapy. Her interdisciplinary education combines neuroscience, psychology, and public health, preparing her for impactful research and innovation in brain health. 🧠📖

Experience 👨‍🏫

💼 Dr. Jeevitha Gowda R has extensive experience as a Research Associate at the Centre for Integrative Health and Well-Being (2020–Present), where she develops neuropsychological intervention tools and conducts cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs. She also serves as a Senior Research Associate at Brighter Minds, focusing on cognitive enhancement and neuroscience-based training programs. As a Guest Lecturer at Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (2021–Present), she teaches biostatistics, neurophysiology, and psychology. Her past clinical internships at DRDO and Narayana Health provided her with hands-on expertise in EEG, ERP, and neuropsychological assessments. She has conducted research on cognitive impairment, dementia screening, and sleep deprivation’s effects on cognition. Additionally, she has authored 50+ neuroscience articles, presented at international conferences, and collaborated with NGOs for mental health awareness. Her diverse experience integrates academic, clinical, and research-based expertise to advance cognitive neuroscience and public health. 🏥📊

Research Interests 🔬

🔬 Dr. Jeevitha Gowda R’s research bridges cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and public health, focusing on early dementia detection, cognitive aging, and neuropsychological interventions. She specializes in developing culturally relevant cognitive screening tools for primary healthcare, improving accessibility to dementia diagnostics. Her work explores neuropsychological assessments, EEG-based cognitive analysis, and behavioral interventions for enhancing mental well-being. She has conducted studies on sleep deprivation, cognitive impairment, and neurofeedback therapy. She collaborates with institutions like DRDO, Narayana Health, and Brighter Minds to implement neuroscience-driven programs. Her research extends to the psychological well-being of dementia caregivers, neurocognitive training for brain health, and integrating technology into mental health solutions. Through interdisciplinary studies and global research collaborations, she aims to advance early dementia detection methods and improve cognitive health strategies. Her work contributes to policy-making, clinical psychology, and public health initiatives. 🏥📊

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

🏆 Dr. Jeevitha Gowda R has received multiple accolades for her contributions to cognitive neuroscience and public health research. She won the Best Paper Award at the Epidemiology Foundation of India Conference (2023, Goa) for her groundbreaking work on dementia screening. Her research paper on cognitive tool validation earned a Special Mention at the International Dementia Conference (DEMCON-2024, IISC Bangalore). During her master’s, she ranked among the top 3 dissertations at JSS Academy of Higher Education. She was awarded the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) by Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (2022–2024) for her Ph.D. research. She has also secured research grants for projects on dementia detection and cognitive enhancement. Recognized for her impactful contributions, she collaborates with prestigious institutions, including DRDO and Narayana Health, to advance neuropsychological research. Her work continues to shape innovations in mental health and aging. 🎖️🧠

Publications 📚

  • Jeevitha Gowda R, Anish Mehta, Krishnamurthy Jayanna. (2025).
    Dementia: A Public Health Challenge in India. South Eastern European
    Journal of Public Health, 29–43. Retrieved from
    hps://www.seejph.com/index.php/seejph/article/view/3295 (Scopus)

  • Jeevitha Gowda R. The Impact of Cultural Beliefs and Stigma on
    Dementia Care and Diagnosis: A Scoping Review, 25 November 2024,
    PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square
    hps://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5519592/v1
  • Jeevitha Ramesh, Parimala Guruprasad (2024) Factors Affecting the
    Psychological Well-Being of Caregivers of Dementia Patients: A
    Thematic Review. Journal of Neurology Research Reviews & Reports.
    SRC/JNRRR-260
  • Development and Validation of Cognitive Screening Tools for
    Dementia Detection in Primary Care Seings: An Exploratory Pilot
    Study – Under review at International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
    (Corresponding Author)
  • Burden of Cognitive Impairment Including Dementia, and Associated
    Risk Factors Among the Rural Population of South Karnataka, India –
    Under review at Journal of Public Health Research. (Corresponding
    Author)
  • Impact of Training Module on Lifestyle and Healthy Behaviours: An
    Exploratory Pilot in India – Under review at Journal Explore.
    (Co-Author)

Wei Jiang | Cognitive and neuropathology | Women Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

 Dr. Wei Jiang | Cognitive and neuropathology | Women Researcher Award

Medical University of South Carolina , United States

Her academic focus includes microbiome, B cell/autoantibody interactions, and disease pathogenesis, with particular emphasis on HIV, addictive drugs, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She is involved in several clinical and translational research projects, including R01DA059854 (Jiang & Sheng), investigating the impacts of drug abuse on autoantibodies and immune reconstitution in HIV. She also works on CSRD Merit I01 CX002422, exploring B cell-mediated immunological failure in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy. Additionally, she contributes to NIDA-funded studies, such as R01DA055523, examining the oral microbiome’s effect on cognition in HIV-infected cannabis users, and R01DA059538, investigating HIV persistence in cocaine users. Furthermore, she collaborates on a Translational Science Award project exploring the oral microbiome’s impact on cognition in Alzheimer’s disease.

 

 

Profile

Education:

She earned her M.S. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Case Western Reserve University, Medical School, Cleveland, USA, in 2012. Prior to that, she completed a Postdoctoral fellowship at Case Western Reserve University, Medical School, Cleveland, USA, in 2008. She holds an M.S. in Immunology from Capital Medical University, Beijing, China, which she completed in 2001. She also received her M.D. in Internal Medicine from Capital Medical University, Beijing, China, in 1997.

BRIEF RESEARCH INTEREST STATEMENT:

She has 8 years of clinical experience in infectious diseases and 22 years of translational research experience in disease immunopathogenesis. As a corresponding author, she has published 52 peer-reviewed articles on microbiome and disease immunopathogenesis in high-profile journals like Microbiome, Arthritis & Rheumatology, J Autoimmunity, and EbioMedicine, bringing her total number of peer-reviewed publications to 101. As a physician-scientist, she has served as Principal Investigator on five R01 grants from NIAID or NIDA, along with a VA clinical merit grant, focusing on microbiomes, drug abuse, autoimmunity, and HIV immunopathogenesis. Her research primarily focuses on two major areas. The first is understanding the role of B cell perturbation and autoantibodies in disease pathogenesis, particularly in HIV and SLE. In 2017, her team first determined that autoimmunity impacts antiretroviral therapy outcomes in HIV without inducing autoimmune disease. This concept was later corroborated in studies on COVID-19. Her team is currently developing monoclonal autoantibodies and inhibitors to prevent anti-CD4 autoantibody binding, aiming to improve CD4+ T cell recovery and reduce morbidity in HIV patients. The second area of focus is the role of microbiomes in disease pathogenesis, including HIV, SLE, and drug abuse. She has identified the impact of disease-associated pathobionts on immune perturbations and disease progression, with findings validated in animal models. Her microbiome research is supported by R01DA055523.

TRAINING, PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

She currently serves on the Appointment, Promotion & Tenure (APT) committee in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina, a position she has held since 2024. She was promoted to Full Professor with tenure in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine at the same institution in 2023. She has been a Faculty Senator for the College of Medicine and a Research Health Scientist at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center since 2022. Additionally, she is a member of the Translational Science Laboratory IAC (2020-2022) and the MUSC College’s Curriculum Committee (2019-Present). She has held various positions at MUSC, including Associate Professor (2018-2022) and Assistant Professor (2012-2018) in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Since 2018, she has been a member of the Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC and has served on the award committee for the Advancement, Recruitment, and Retention of Women in Science. Her academic career began as an Instructor (2008-2012) and Research Associate (2002-2008) at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.

AWARDS

She received her Chinese Board of Internal Medicine certification in Infectious Diseases in July 1997 and was certified as an Attending Medical Doctor in Infectious Diseases in November 1999 (No: 10203C089758). In July 1997, she also earned a Teacher Qualification from the Educational Institute, National Educational Committee in China (No: 971100071069382). Her licensure is from Beijing, China.

She has received several awards throughout her career, including the Laboratory Travel Grant from the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) in 2019, the MUSC High Impact Research Publication Award in 2019, and multiple travel grants from AAI for various international immunology congresses. She was awarded the Early Career Faculty Travel Grant by AAI and ECI in 2018 and 2017, and received the Travel Award and HIV Section Chair recognition at the 2016 International Congress of Immunology. In 2015, she was honored with the MUSC Foundation Developing Scholar Award and an Early Career Faculty Travel Grant from AAI. Her earlier achievements include multiple Young Investigator Awards from the 13th and 15th Conferences on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (2006, 2008) and the Keystone Meeting on HIV Pathogenesis (2006, 2008). Additionally, she was recognized as an Outstanding Student Leader for five consecutive years during her medical school years from 1986 to 1991.

OTHER EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

She has held several key professional roles and memberships throughout her career. Since 2024, she has been serving as a mentor for the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship (FLMF) Program. She is a member of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology 2024 committee and has been a Treasurer Elect for the Association of Chinese Virologists in America from 2022 to 2024. She has been a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) since 2021 and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) since 2020. She has also been serving on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology since 2019 and is a member of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology. Additionally, she has been part of the Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America (SCBA) and the American College of Rheumatology since 2018. She has contributed as an award committee member for the Advancement, Recruitment, and Retention of Women in Science at the Medical University of South Carolina since 2017 and is an associate member of the Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC.

She is also an active member of the MUSC Oral Health Center, College of Dental Medicine, and the Medical University of South Carolina College of Graduate Studies. Her previous memberships include being part of the American Association of Immunologists from 2011 to 2021, the Center for AIDS Research from 2008 to 2012, and the AIDS Clinic Trial Group since 2008. Her certification in Chinese Board of Internal Medicine in Infectious Diseases dates back to 1997, along with her teacher qualification from the Educational Institute, National Educational Committee, China.

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

She is currently leading several impactful research projects. As the Principal Investigator (PI) on R01DA059854 (9/30/2024-5/31/2029), funded by NIDA with a total of $3,924,302, she is studying the impacts of drug abuse-mediated inflammatory perturbations on affinity maturation of anti-CD4 autoantibodies and poor immune reconstitution from ART in HIV. This project aims to understand the role of cocaine in autoimmunity and immune recovery in HIV patients. Her role in this project is as PI (25% effort).

She is also a multiPI on R01DA059538 (9/30/2023-7/31/2028), with a total of $1,724,585 from NIDA, investigating host gene isoforms contributing to HIV persistence in cocaine users. The study focuses on identifying gene isoforms associated with HIV infection in elite controllers and its implications for cocaine users. Her role is PI (25% effort).

In addition, she is the PI on I01CX002422 (3/1/2022-2/28/2026), funded by the VA Medical Center CSRD Merit with a total of $1,195,899. This project examines the mechanism of autoreactive B cell-mediated immunological failure in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy despite virologic suppression. She is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of anti-CD4 IgG-producing B cells and the pathologic effects of anti-CD4 autoantibodies. Her role is PI with 62.5% effort.

Additionally, she is involved as multiPI on R01DA055523 (9/30/2022-7/31/2027), with a total funding of $1,731,992, where she is working alongside Fitting to investigate the effects of microbiome-related mechanisms on H

 Publication