Yue Dong | Neurodegeneration | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yue Dong | Neurodegeneration | Best Researcher Award

Hebei Hospital of Xuanwu Hospital | China

Dr. Yue Dong is a research scientist specialising in Alzheimer’s disease, neuromodulation, and translational neuroscience, with work rooted in uncovering metabolic, molecular, and circuit-level mechanisms of cognitive vulnerability while advancing non-invasive brain-stimulation technologies. She holds a medical degree from Hebei Medical University and a doctoral degree in biomedical engineering from the University of California, Irvine, followed by postdoctoral training at leading American institutions, where she deepened her expertise in neurodegeneration, electrophysiology, multi-omics analysis, network imaging, and cellular–circuit physiology. Her professional experience spans neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and clinical translation, and she currently serves as a researcher at Hebei Hospital of Xuanwu Hospital, contributing to precision neuromodulation research. Her interests include Alzheimer’s pathology, brain aging, sleep–memory interactions, synaptic resilience, photobiomodulation, and AI-enabled wearable stimulation systems. She is skilled in multi-omics profiling, fluorescence lifetime imaging, fMRI and EEG analytics, metabolic modelling, and neuromodulation parameter optimisation. Her work has earned recognition through competitive national and provincial research grants, talent awards, and leadership roles in professional societies. Dr. Dong’s career reflects a commitment to advancing mechanistic discovery and real-world clinical innovation, with the overarching goal of transforming neuromodulation into accessible, scalable brain-health technology for future therapeutic applications.

Profile: Googlescholar

Featured Publications

David Blum | Neurodegeneration | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Dr. David Blum | Neurodegeneration | Best Academic Researcher Award

Inserm | France

Dr. David Blum is a leading physiologist and neuroscientist specialising in neurodegeneration, serving as a research director at Inserm within a prominent laboratory dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease and tauopathies. He completed his academic training in physiology and neuroscience, building a strong foundation that guides his work on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders. His professional experience includes extensive leadership in research programmes focused on Tau biology, metabolic regulation, neuroinflammation, and purinergic signalling, with particular emphasis on adenosine pathways. His research interests centre on understanding how Tau pathology disrupts memory, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function, as well as exploring environmental, metabolic, and epigenomic contributors to disease progression. He possesses advanced research skills in experimental neuroscience, molecular physiology, genetic models, biomaterial applications, and translational approaches linking bench discoveries to clinical insights. Dr. Blum has been recognised through international collaborations, scientific contributions, and participation in excellence centres dedicated to neurodegenerative disease research. His honours reflect his influential role in advancing knowledge on Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and related disorders. Overall, he stands as a highly respected scientist whose integrative work continues to shape current understanding of neurodegenerative mechanisms and supports the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Mohamed Taha Moutaoufik | Neurodegenerative Diseases | Best Research Article Award

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Prof. Mohamed Taha Moutaoufik | Neurodegenerative Diseases | Best Research Article Award

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University | Morocco

Dr. Mohamed Taha Moutaoufik is an accomplished Moroccan molecular biologist and Assistant Professor at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, with a strong foundation in cell and molecular biology acquired through advanced studies at Université Laval and Université Ibn Zohr. His professional experience spans roles as a Research Associate and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Regina in Canada, where he contributed to cutting-edge research on protein interactions, mitochondrial biology, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. His scholarly involvement includes memberships in prestigious societies such as the Human Proteome Organization and the Mediterranean Neuroscience Society. Dr. Moutaoufik’s research interests center on proteomics, neurodegeneration, mitochondrial interactomes, and molecular mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. He demonstrates expertise in multi-omics data integration, bioinformatics, protein-protein interaction mapping, and advanced molecular techniques. As an editor for Frontiers in Chemistry and related journals, he has overseen significant contributions to molecular biosciences. His numerous awards, including fellowships from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Parkinson Canada, reflect his research excellence and leadership in biomedical science. Overall, Dr. Moutaoufik exemplifies a dynamic researcher whose interdisciplinary work bridges molecular biology and neuroproteomics, advancing scientific understanding of cellular mechanisms and their implications for precision medicine.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Anett Hudák | Neurodegeneration | Women Researcher Award

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Ms. Anett Hudák | Neurodegeneration | Women Researcher Award

Anett Hudák is a skilled molecular biologist with deep expertise in neurobiology, virology, and molecular pathology. She earned her MSc in Molecular Biology from the University of Debrecen with a specialization in biomedical sciences and pharmacology. Over the years, she has significantly contributed to the understanding of cellular communication, amyloid pathology, and viral entry mechanisms through her work on syndecans. With professional experience spanning academia and industry, Anett currently serves as a molecular biologist at Pharmacoidea Ltd., where she leads impactful research on Alzheimer’s disease, SARS-CoV-2, and neurodegeneration. Her publications in high-impact journals like Scientific Reports and International Journal of Molecular Sciences reflect her strong research acumen. Anett’s extensive training in laboratory techniques, radiation protection, and animal experimentation, along with her dedication and collaborative mindset, make her a valued asset in translational biomedical research. She continues to drive discovery at the intersection of molecular biology and therapeutic innovation.

Profile

🎓 Education

Anett Hudák began her academic journey at Benka Gyula Lutheran Primary School and graduated from Andrássy Gyula Secondary School. She completed her BSc in Biology with a specialization in Laboratory Operations at the University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Science and Technology. She further pursued an MSc in Molecular Biology at the University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Medicine, specializing in Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacology. During her studies, she also received extended-level radiation protection training from the University of Debrecen’s Radiation Protection Service. Anett later earned a Certification in Laboratory Animal Science from the Institutional Animal Welfare Committee at Semmelweis University. Her academic formation has been enriched by intensive hands-on research training in various biomedical techniques including PCR, genotyping, electrophoresis, immunohistochemistry, and animal experimentation. This solid educational background has laid the groundwork for her successful transition into a career in academic and industrial molecular biology research.

🧪 Experience

Anett Hudák has a rich portfolio of research and laboratory experience, beginning with her early work on HPV detection in cervical cancer diagnostics at the Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Debrecen. She expanded her expertise during her research internship at the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, where she investigated IL-1RI’s role in inflammatory pain models. From 2012 to 2014, she gained proficiency in cell biology techniques including immunofluorescence and Western blotting. She worked as a laboratory biologist at the Institute of Physiology, Semmelweis University (2015–2016), contributing to studies on lymphangiogenesis in embryonic development. Since 2016, she has been a molecular biologist at Pharmacoidea Ltd., conducting translational research on syndecans in viral transmission, amyloid aggregation, and neurodegenerative diseases. Her contributions to scientific conferences and collaborative publications demonstrate her ability to lead and participate in high-impact research projects that bridge molecular science and therapeutic development.

🏅 Awards and Honors

While formal awards are not extensively listed in Anett Hudák’s CV, her achievements are evident through her selection for prominent speaking roles and poster presentations at respected conferences such as the Pannonia Congress of Pathology (2014), MÉT 2015, and FAMÉ 2016. Her research has consistently been showcased in these forums, highlighting its relevance and impact. Furthermore, Anett’s work has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals like Scientific Reports and International Journal of Molecular Sciences, indicating recognition by the scientific community. Her collaborative publications with international experts, such as Martin Hofmann-Apitius and Mimoun Azzouz, underscore her respected standing in biomedical research. Anett’s ability to lead first-author publications and contribute significantly to multi-author research reflects a level of distinction that is often synonymous with academic honors. Her rising trajectory in neurodegenerative and virology research suggests she is well-positioned for future scientific accolades and leadership roles.

🔬 Research Focus

Anett Hudák’s research centers on the role of syndecans in cellular communication, neurodegenerative disease pathology, and viral entry mechanisms. Her work has significantly contributed to understanding how these membrane proteins facilitate the internalization and aggregation of amyloid-β, α-synuclein, and tau—key proteins involved in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. She also explores how syndecans enable SARS-CoV-2 entry, including variants like Delta and Omicron, offering insights into COVID-19 pathogenesis and therapeutic intervention. Recent studies delve into the interaction between apolipoproteins and syndecans and how these pathways impact cellular events relevant to amyloid disorders. Her use of tissue decolorization, single-cell resolution imaging, and endocytosis analysis has positioned her research at the forefront of molecular neuroscience and virology. Anett’s interdisciplinary approach, spanning molecular biology, cell signaling, and pathology, not only addresses fundamental mechanisms but also aims to inform novel therapeutic strategies for infectious and neurodegenerative diseases.

✅ Conclusion

Anett Hudák is a dedicated and impactful molecular biologist whose research on syndecans, neurodegeneration, and viral entry has advanced both basic science and translational applications in biomedicine.

Publications

Jesus Avila | Tauopathies | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Jesus Avila | Tauopathies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jesus Avila is a distinguished cognitive scientist and Professor ad honorem at the Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM-CSIC), Spain. He obtained his degree in Chemistry and PhD in Molecular Biology from Universidad Complutense Madrid, focusing on RNA polymerase in B. subtilis. His postdoctoral research at NIH, USA, centered on the SV40 virus. Throughout his prolific career, Dr. Avila has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding the neuronal cytoskeleton, particularly tau protein, its role in Alzheimer’s disease, and tauopathies. With over 694 published journal articles, 33 books, 4 patents, and collaborations across the USA, France, UK, Germany, and Spain, his work is internationally recognized. He serves on editorial boards of prestigious journals including EMBO J, FEBS Letters, Neuroscience, and Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (Deputy Editor). Dr. Avila is a member of EMBO, Academia Europaea, AAAS, and Royal Academies of Sciences and Medicine of Spain.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Jesus Avila pursued his higher education at Universidad Complutense Madrid (UCM), earning a degree in Chemistry. He further specialized by completing a PhD in Molecular Biology at UCM, where his research focused on the B. subtilis RNA polymerase system. This solid foundation in molecular biology provided him with the expertise to investigate complex neurobiological mechanisms. He then advanced his academic career with postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, where he studied the SV40 virus—a crucial step that introduced him to advanced molecular virology and neurobiology techniques. This diverse academic background enabled him to establish a globally recognized research portfolio in neurodegeneration, particularly tau protein’s role in neuronal function and dysfunction.

Experience

Dr. Avila has an illustrious career spanning several decades at the Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM-CSIC), where he has led pioneering research into the neuronal cytoskeleton, tau protein dysfunction, and neurodegenerative diseases. His early research at NIH on SV40 virus provided him with robust molecular expertise, which he translated into comprehensive studies on tauopathies and Alzheimer’s disease upon returning to Spain. Dr. Avila has successfully led over 30 major research projects, consulted on 8 industry collaborations, and published 694 peer-reviewed articles. His work includes the authorship of 33 books and the filing of 4 patents. Through sustained collaborations with global leaders in neuroscience from the USA, France, UK, Germany, and Spain, he has significantly advanced the understanding of aging and cognitive decline. His academic leadership and editorial roles underscore his vast experience in guiding both research and scientific discourse.

Research Interests

Dr. Avila’s research primarily investigates the neuronal cytoskeleton, with a central focus on tau protein and its role in neurodegeneration. Beginning with tau’s structural function in neurons, his work has expanded to explore how tau dysfunction contributes to Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. Utilizing molecular and cellular approaches, including advanced mouse models, he has dissected the pathological mechanisms linking tau pathology to cognitive decline. Recognizing aging as the principal risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, his current investigations target neuronal rejuvenation strategies to mitigate age-associated neurodegeneration. His integrative approach combines molecular biology, neurogenetics, and translational models, contributing significantly to the understanding of disease progression and potential therapeutic interventions. Through over 694 publications, 33 books, multiple patents, and international collaborations, Dr. Avila has substantially advanced the field of cognitive neuroscience, particularly in understanding and combating tau-mediated cognitive disorders.

Awards

Dr. Avila’s exemplary contributions have earned him numerous prestigious honors. He is an elected member of EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization), Academia Europaea, AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science), and both the Royal Academies of Sciences and Medicine of Spain—testament to his global recognition and scientific excellence. His editorial appointments with highly respected journals such as EMBO J, FEBS Letters, Neuroscience, and his role as Deputy Editor of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease further validate his authority in cognitive and neurodegenerative research. His citation index surpasses 100 on Scopus, reflecting the significant influence of his work. His extensive collaborations with leading international research teams highlight his status as a respected leader in the global scientific community. The combination of his research excellence, mentorship, and leadership has positioned him as one of the foremost experts in cognitive science and neurobiology.

Conclusion

Dr. Jesus Avila’s distinguished career combines pioneering research on tau protein and Alzheimer’s disease, extensive international collaborations, over 694 publications, leadership roles in major journals, multiple prestigious memberships, and an unwavering focus on neuronal rejuvenation strategies, positioning him as a world-leading cognitive scientist whose work continues to advance global understanding of neurodegeneration.

 Publications

  • Protein tau phosphorylation in the proline rich region and its implication in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

    Experimental Neurology
    2025 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.115049

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85208758184

    Part ofISSN: 10902430 00144886
    CONTRIBUTORS: Merino-Serrais, P.; Soria, J.M.; Arrabal, C.A.; Ortigado-López, A.; Esparza, M.Á.G.; Muñoz, A.; Hernández, F.; Ávila, J.; DeFelipe, J.; León-Espinosa, G.

  • Retrotransposon Protein L1 ORF1p Expression in Aging Central Nervous System

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences
    2025-05-04 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/ijms26094368
    CONTRIBUTORS: Laura Vallés-Saiz; Aaron Abdelkader-Guillén; Jesús Ávila; Félix Hernández

  • Shapeshifter W-Tau Peptide Inhibits Tau Aggregation and Disintegrates Paired Helical Filaments

    Biochemistry
    2025-04-15 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00809
    CONTRIBUTORS: Indalo Domene-Serrano; Raquel Cuadros; Vega García-Escudero; Francisco Vallejo-Bedia; Ismael Santa-María; Laura Vallés-Saiz; Félix Hernandez; Jesús Avila

  • Peptide Family Promotes Brain Cell Rejuvenation and Improved Cognition through Peripheral Delivery

    ACS Omega
    2025-04-08 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c10849
    CONTRIBUTORS: Alejandro Anton-Fernandez; Indalo Domene-Serrano; Raquel Cuadros; Rocio Peinado-Cahuchola; Margarita Sanchez-Pece; Felix Hernandez; Jesus Avila

  • Partial reprogramming by cyclical overexpression of Yamanaka factors improves pathological phenotypes of tauopathy mouse model of human Alzheimer\’s disease

    Progress In Neurobiology
    2025-04-01 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2025.102743

    SOURCE-WORK-ID:

    CSIC-GB950859

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85219079150

    Part ofISSN: 0301-0082
    CONTRIBUTORS: Alejandro Anton-Fernandez; Ruiz de Alegría, Álvaro; Mariscal-Casero, Ana; Roldán-Lázaro, Marta; Peinado-Cauchola, Rocío; Jesus Avila; Felix Hernandez

  • Hippocampal rejuvenation by a single intracerebral injection of one‐carbon metabolites in C57BL6 old wild‐type mice

    Aging Cell
    2025-01 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1111/acel.14365
    CONTRIBUTORS: Alejandro Antón‐Fernández; Rocío Peinado Cauchola; Félix Hernández; Jesús Ávila

  • Intron retention as a productive mechanism in human MAPT: RNA species generated by retention of intron 3

    eBioMedicine
    2024 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104953

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85181837483

    Part ofISSN: 23523964
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ruiz-Gabarre, D.; Vallés-Saiz, L.; Carnero-Espejo, A.; Ferrer, I.; Hernández, F.; Garcia-Escudero, R.; Ávila, J.; García-Escudero, V.

  • Involvement of the cellular prion protein in seeding and spreading of sarkosyl-derived fractions of Alzheimer´s disease in Prnp mutant mice and in the P301S transgenic tauopathy mice model

    bioRxiv
    2024 | Other
    DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.20.576414

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85184321414

    Part of ISSN: 26928205
    CONTRIBUTORS: Sala-Jarque, J.; Gil, V.; Andrés-Benito, P.; Lidón, L.; Yanac-Huertas, R.E.; López-León, C.F.; Hernández, F.; Ávila, J.; Lanciego, J.L.; Soriano, J. et al.

Carmela Conte | Neurodegenerative diseases | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Dr. Carmela Conte | Neurodegenerative diseases | Best Researcher Award

 

Profile

Education

Carmela Conte obtained her Master’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Perugia on November 3, 1994. She then pursued a Ph.D. in Medical Embryology through a joint program between the Universities of Perugia and Ferrara, completing it between December 30, 1996, and January 19, 2000. Following this, she specialized in Chemistry and Food Technology at the University of Perugia, earning her specialization between November 1, 2000, and November 1, 2002. Most recently, on September 29, 2023, she received National Habilitation as an Associate Professor in Biochemistry. She currently serves as an Aggregate Professor in her field.

Work experience

Since September 7, 2007, Carmela Conte has been serving as an Aggregate Professor in Biochemistry at the University of Perugia, where she teaches courses in General and Systematic Biochemistry, Medical Applied Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she participated in a Teaching and Training Mobility Program at VUMC Medical University of Amsterdam from June 24 to July 5, 2019, where she worked on a research project investigating the role of Toll-like receptors in Parkinson’s disease. She has been a member of the European Society for Neurochemistry since 2007 and, since March 17, 2022, has also been affiliated with the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Research Activity

Carmela Conte’s research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on animal models, signal transduction, molecular biology, and cell biology. Her specific research topics include the role of Toll-like receptors in Parkinson’s disease, neuroinflammation, synucleinopathies, oxidative stress, and Parkinson’s disease. Since September 7, 2007, she has been actively involved in editorial work, serving as a Reviewer Editor for Frontiers in Neuroscience (Neurodegeneration section) and as an ad hoc reviewer for several journals, including Amino Acids, The Cerebellum, Free Radical Research, Biomolecules, PLOS One, Experimental Gerontology, Molecules, Cells, Neurochemical Research, Neuroscience, Pharmacological Reports, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Viruses, and the Journal of Biotechnology. Additionally, she has been a Guest Editor for Molecules and Cells, overseeing special issues and topic collections on neurodegenerative diseases. She has presented her research at numerous scientific meetings and conferences, including the 2009 Meeting of the European Society for Neurochemistry in Leipzig, the 2019 European Biotechnology Congress in Valencia, the 2021 European Biotechnology Congress in Sofia, the 2022 National Meeting of the Sphingolipid Club, and the 2023 Meeting of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, where she discussed findings related to Toll-like receptor 4, alpha-synuclein accumulation, and sphingomyelinase activity in Parkinson’s disease models.

Publication

Suleyman Yildizdal | Craniosynostosis | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Suleyman Yildizdal | Craniosynostosis | Best Researcher Award

 

 

Profile

Education

He completed his education at Org. Kenan Evren School from 2000 to 2008, followed by Gaziantep Anadolu High School from 2008 to 2012. He then pursued his medical training at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine from 2012 to 2018. After earning his medical degree, he continued his specialization in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery as a resident at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine from November 2018 to February 2024. In April 2024, he joined Ankara Research and Training Hospital, where he continues to work in the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery.

 

Work experience

He has participated in various courses and workshops to enhance his expertise in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. He attended the Resident Ethics Course at Hacettepe University’s Department of History of Medicine and Medical Ethics on January 10-11, 2019. He also completed the 5th Basic Residency School organized by the Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery in Bolu, Turkey, from January 22-25, 2020. Further advancing his skills, he took part in the 15th Advanced Residency School in Antalya, Turkey, from April 20-24, 2023. Additionally, he attended the 1st Cadaver Course of Craniofacial Anomaly and Maxillofacial Surgery at Hacettepe University on September 3-4, 2022, and the 1st Cadaver Course of Orthognathic Surgery at Koc University Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, on September 7-8, 2022.

In addition to his clinical and surgical training, he has contributed to academic literature by co-authoring book chapters. He co-wrote Age-Related Changes in Trunk Aesthetics in Beauty, Aging, and Anti-Aging (1st ed., Elsevier, 2022) alongside G. G. Üstün and S. Yıldızdal. He also contributed to Dudak ve Damak Yarıkları Hacettepe Ekip Yaklaşım, co-authoring “Apert and Crouzon Syndrome” with İbrahim Vargel.

Awards

He has achieved remarkable academic success, securing 16th place in the National Examination for Specialty in Medicine among over 18,000 participants. Additionally, he ranked 571st in the National Student Selection and Placement Examination out of more than 2 million candidates.

He has actively participated in national meetings within his field, contributing to discussions and advancements in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. He attended the 41st National Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Meeting in Samsun, Turkey, from October 26-30, 2019. He also participated in the National Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Eastern Mediterranean Meeting on Cleft Lip and Palate, held in Gaziantep, Turkey, from February 7-9, 2020. Furthermore, he attended the 43rd National Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Meeting in Antalya, Turkey, from November 10-14, 2021.

 

Publication

Michal Schwartz | Neurodegenerative diseases | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Dr. Michal Schwartz | Neurodegenerative diseases | Best Researcher Award

Michal Schwartz (born 1 January 1950) is a professor of neuroimmunology at the Weizmann Institute of Science. She is active in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly utilizing the immune system to help the brain fight terminal neurodegenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.[3][1]

Schwartz’s studies have shown that the immune system supports a healthy brain’s function and is vital for healing and protecting the brain in case of injury or disease.[4]

Schwartz coined the term protective autoimmunity[5] and discovered roles for immune cells in repair and neurogenesis. She has been the elected chair of the International Society of Neuroimmunology (ISNI) since 2016.[6]

In 2023 Schwartz received the honorary Israel Prize for Life Sciences.

 

Profile

Education

Schwartz gained her Bachelor of Science in chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1972. She received her Ph.D in Immunology in 1977 at the Weizmann Institute of Science, where she would later spend the majority of her career. She also spent time at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, researching nerve regeneration.[when?

 

Work experience

At the Weizmann Institute, she progressed from senior scientist in the Department of Neurobiology to full professor in 1998, and was then awarded the Maurice and Ilse Katz Professorial Chair in Neuroimmunology in 2016.[7] Schwartz’s work in neuroimmunology has encompassed a wide range of pathologies in the central nervous system (CNS), including injury, neurodegeneration, mental dysfunction, and aging. She coined the term protective autoimmunity and demonstrated the role of immune cells such as macrophages and T cells in spinal cord repair. She also identified specific brain areas for ‘cross talk’ between the CNS and the immune system. This cross-talk is important for recruiting immune cells and maintaining a healthy brain, and the disruption of this cross-talk can play a role in brain aging and neurodegenerative disease. She also showed this role in pregnancy and fetal brain development, where immune disruption in the mother can be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in their children. Another focus of her work has been on repurposing cancer immunotherapies such as PD-1 blockers to treat neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Macrophages

The Schwartz team discovered that bone marrow-derived macrophages are needed for central nervous system (CNS) repair. The brain-resident myeloid cells (the microglia), and infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages are not redundant populations, despite their myeloid phenotype, and display distinct functions in resolution of brain inflammation.[8][9][10]

Autoimmunity

In her research, Schwartz discovered that the ability to cope with sterile CNS injuries requires support in the form of an adaptive immune response mediated by CD4+ T cells that recognize CNS antigens. She coined the concept of protective autoimmunity, to distinguish this response from autoimmune disease, in which the anti-self response escapes control. Over the years, it became clear that adaptive immunity is needed to facilitate the recruitment of immunoregulatory cells, including bone marrow-derived macrophages and FoxP3 regulatory T cells, though the balance between regulatory T cells and effector memory cells is different in the periphery versus the brain.[11][12][13]

Brain Homeostasis

Schwartz’s team discovered the role of adaptive systemic immune cells, and specifically T cells recognizing brain antigens (Protective autoimmune T cells), in supporting the cognitive capacity of the healthy brain, for lifelong neurogenesis, and functional brain plasticity. These observations paved the way for numerous additional discoveries in which the brain-immune axis was described.[14][15][16]

The Choroid Plexus

Schwartz’s team identified the brain’s choroid plexus (CP) within the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier as an immunological interface between the brain and the immune system. It serves as a niche that hosts immune cells, and as a physiological entry gate for leukocytes. Focusing on this unique niche within the brain led the Schwartz group to propose that IFN-γ holds the key to regulating CP gateway activity. Her team further showed that in brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases (studied using both mouse models and human samples), dysfunction of this interface is determined both by signals originating in the brain, and signals from the aged immune system, which led to the identification of Type-I Interferon (IFN-I) at the CP as a negative player, affecting the fate of the aging brain in general, and of microglia, in particular. A similar IFN-I signature at the CP was subsequently discovered by others in Alzheimer’s disease and in the postmortem brains of infected patients who died from COVID-19.[17][14][10]

Immunotherapy

The discovery that adaptive immunity plays a key role in brain function and repair, the need for bone marrow-derived macrophages to resolve local brain inflammation, the fact that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and all forms of dementia are mainly age-related diseases, and the fact that the immune system is particularly affected by aging all led Schwartz to propose a new treatment for combating dementias. Schwartz suggested empowering systemic immunity, using a form of immunotherapy by modestly blocking the inhibitory immune checkpoint PD1/PD-L1 pathway.[citation needed] This treatment drives an immune-dependent cascade of events, that allows the harnessing of bone marrow-derived macrophages and regulatory T cells to help clear toxic factors from the diseased brain, and to arrest the local inflammation, thereby providing a comprehensive multi-factorial therapy through modification of multiple elements that go awry in AD. Schwartz’s patents for developing such immunotherapy for AD are licensed to a small Biopharma company, Immunobrain Checkpoint. The company is awaiting a clinical trial in AD patients, supported in part by the National Institute of Aging, the US National Institutes of Health, and The Alzheimer’s Association.[18][19][20][21][22][23]

Publication

1. Rachmian N, Medina S, Cherqui U, Akiva H, Deitch D, Edilbi D, Croese T, Salame T, Peralta Ramos
J, Cahalon L, Krizhanovsky V, Schwartz M. 2024. Senescent microglia conserved in aging and
Alzheimer’s disease exhibit elevated TREM2 protein levels. Nat Neurosci 27: 1116-24
2. Tsitsou-Kampeli A, Suzzi S, Kenigsbuch M, Satomi A, Strobelt R, Singer O, Feldmesser E, Purnapatre
M, Colaiuta SP, David E, Cahalon L, Hahn O, Wyss-Coray T, Shaul Y, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2023.
Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase at the choroid plexus contributes to brain immune homeostasis. Cell Rep
Med: 101278
3. Suzzi, S. Croese T., Ravid A., Gold O., Clark A., Medina A., Kitsberg D., Adam M., Vernon K., Kohnert
E., Shapira I., Malitsky S., Itkin M., Brandis A., Mehlman T., Salame T., Colaiuta S., Cahalon L.,Slyper
M., Greka A., Habib N., Schwartz M. 2023. N-acetylneuraminic acid links immune exhaustion and
accelerated memory deficit in diet-induced obese Alzheimer’s disease mouse model 2023. Nat. Commun.
14:1293.
4. Kenigsbuch M, Bost P, Halevi S, Chang Y, Chen S, Ma Q, Hajbi R, Schwikowski B, Bodenmiller B, Fu
H, Schwartz M*, Amit I* (equal contribution, and corresponding authors). 2022. A shared diseaseassociated oligodendrocyte signature among multiple CNS pathologies. Nat Neurosci 25: 876-86.
5. Dvir-Szternfeld R, Castellani G, Arad M, Cahalon L, Colaiuta SP, Keren-Shaul H, Croese T, Burgaletto
C, Baruch K, Ulland T, Colonna M, Weiner A, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2022. Alzheimer’s disease
modification mediated by bone marrow-derived macrophages via a TREM2-independent pathway in
mouse model of amyloidosis. Nature Aging 2: 60-73 (citations:17).
6. Ben-Yehuda H, Arad M, Peralta Ramos JM, Sharon E, Castellani G, Ferrera S, Cahalon L, Colaiuta SP,
Salame TM, Schwartz M. 2021. Key role of the CCR2-CCL2 axis in disease modification in a mouse
model of tauopathy. Mol Neurodegeneration 16: 39. (citations:20).
7. Cohen M, Giladi A, Raposo C, Zada M, Li B, Ruckh J, Deczkowska A, Mohar B, Shechter R, Lichtenstein
RG, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2021. Meningeal lymphoid structures are activated under acute and chronic
spinal cord pathologies. Life Sci Alliance 4: e202000907.
8. Habib N, McCabe C, Medina S, Varshavsky M, Kitsberg D, Dvir-Szternfeld R, Green G, Dionne D,
Nguyen L, Marshall JL, Chen F, Zhang F, Kaplan T, Regev A, Schwartz M. 2020. Disease- associated
astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease and aging. Nat Neurosci 23: 701-6. (citations:617).
9. Ben-Yehuda H, Matcovitch-Natan O, Kertser A, Spinrad A, Prinz M, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2020.
Maternal Type-I interferon signaling adversely affects the microglia and the behavior of the offspring
accompanied by increased sensitivity to stress. Mol Psychiatry 25: 1050-67 (Cover page).
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Wei Jiang | Cognitive and neuropathology | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

 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

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