Yu-Young Lee | Natural Product-based Neuropharmacology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Yu-Young Lee | Natural Product-Based Neuropharmacology | Best Researcher Award

National Institute of Crop Science | South Korea

Dr. Yu-Young Lee is a distinguished scientist at the National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Korea, with a specialization in the chemistry of natural products and crop quality evaluation. Her career reflects a deep commitment to advancing agricultural sciences, particularly in improving the nutritional and functional value of food crops through innovative biochemical approaches. She has significantly contributed to research on soybeans, oats, wheat, rice, and peanuts, focusing on bioactive compounds and their roles in human health. With her extensive international collaborations, including research experiences at the USDA and Tufts University, she has established herself as a global leader in agricultural biochemistry and crop quality science. Her numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals showcase her expertise in natural product chemistry, food functionality, and crop science. Through her research, Dr. Lee continues to bridge the gap between agriculture and human nutrition, aiming to improve both food quality and global health.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Yu-Young Lee pursued her academic journey at Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea, where she completed her studies in agricultural biology and life sciences. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Biology, building a solid foundation in crop science and plant research. She then advanced her studies by completing a Master’s degree in Agriculture and Life Science, focusing her research on the isolation of oleanane triterpenes and trans-resveratrol from the root of peanuts, highlighting her early interest in natural products and bioactive compounds. Her academic path culminated in a Ph.D. in Agriculture and Life Science, where she concentrated on the development of tocochromanol compound-enhanced soybeans and the evaluation of their biological activities. This advanced work demonstrated her pioneering vision of integrating crop science with health-promoting biochemical innovations. Her educational background reflects her dedication to merging agricultural productivity with food science to enhance nutritional and functional values of crops.

Experience

Dr. Yu-Young Lee has built a distinguished career as a scientist at the National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Korea, where she has contributed extensively to crop quality research and evaluation. Her role encompasses investigating natural compounds in crops and developing methods to enhance their nutritional and functional properties. She has conducted international research as an invited scientist at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University and at the Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory at USDA-ARS, gaining global perspectives on agricultural and nutritional sciences. Her research extends across multiple crops, including soybeans, oats, wheat, rice, and peanuts, where she explores bioactive compounds and their potential benefits for human health. She has led and collaborated on numerous projects focusing on food quality, safety, and functionality, establishing herself as a trusted authority in agricultural biochemistry and crop research. Her professional journey reflects a balance of national service and global collaboration.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Yu-Young Lee’s outstanding contributions to agricultural science and natural product chemistry have earned her recognition within Korea and internationally. Her invited appointments as a visiting scientist at world-renowned institutions such as Tufts University and the USDA-ARS underscore her respected position in the global research community. She has received honors through research collaborations and publications in high-impact journals, reflecting her strong academic and scientific reputation. Her work on enhancing soybean, oat, and rice quality with bioactive compounds has been widely acknowledged for its originality and relevance to both food science and human health. She has been instrumental in developing innovative methodologies for analyzing crop quality, which has advanced national agricultural programs. By bridging crop science and nutrition, her work has supported food security initiatives while improving the value of staple crops. Her career stands as a testament to her dedication, excellence, and the impact of her scientific endeavors.

Research Focus

Dr. Lee’s research focuses on the chemistry of natural products and their application in improving crop quality and human health. She investigates bioactive compounds such as tocochromanols, avenanthramides, polyphenols, and triterpenes, aiming to enhance the nutritional and functional value of staple crops. Her studies span multiple crops, including soybeans, oats, rice, wheat, and peanuts, where she analyzes their biochemical properties, antioxidant potential, and biological effects. A key aspect of her work is developing functional foods through biochemical enrichment, such as tocochromanol-enhanced soybeans and germinated oat extracts with neuroprotective effects. She also explores food processing methods, post-harvest improvements, and crop germplasm evaluation to optimize both quality and safety. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates agricultural science, plant biochemistry, and nutritional research, making her contributions vital to global health and food security. By linking agricultural outputs with human well-being, she pioneers innovative strategies for functional crop development and sustainable food systems.

 

Publications

 

Title: Standardization of Germinated Oat Extracts and Their Neuroprotective Effects Against Aβ1-42 Induced Cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y Cells
Year: 2025

Title: Oat Extract Avenanthramide-C Reverses Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation Decline in Tg2576 Mice
Year: 2021

Title: Oat (Avena sativa) Extract against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Human Keratinocytes
Year: 2021

Title: Influences of hydrothermal and pressure treatments on compositional and hydration properties of wheat bran and dough mixing properties of whole wheat meal
Year: 2021

Title: Development of Nano Soy Milk through Sensory Attributes and Consumer Acceptability
Year: 2021

Title: Avenanthramide-C Restores Impaired Plasticity and Cognition in Alzheimer’s Disease Model Mice
Year: 2020

Title: Oat germination and ultrafiltration process improves the polyphenol and avenanthramide contents with protective effect in oxidative damaged HepG2 cells
Year: 2019

Title: Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of rice cooked with different proportions of black soybeans and cooking methods
Year: 2018

Title: Assessment of microbial safety and quality changes of brown and white cooked rice treated with atmospheric pressure plasma
Year: 2018

Title: Black soybeans protect human keratinocytes from oxidative stress-induced cell death
Year: 2018

Conclusion

Dr. Yu-Young Lee is a pioneering agricultural scientist whose expertise in natural product chemistry, crop quality enhancement, and functional food development continues to make a profound impact on global agriculture and human nutrition.

Gerd Fabian Volk | Cognitive Rehabilitation | Outstanding Scientist Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Gerd Fabian Volk | Cognitive Rehabilitation | Outstanding Scientist Award

apl. Prof. Dr. med. habil. Gerd Fabian Volk (👶1978, Wertheim am Main) is a leading German otolaryngologist 👨‍⚕️, currently serving as Senior Physician and Head of the Facial Nerve Center in Jena 🏥. With a deep commitment to clinical excellence, academic teaching 📚, and innovative research 🧪, he has significantly contributed to the fields of neurolaryngology, facial nerve disorders, and ultrasound diagnostics 🧠🗣️. His work bridges cutting-edge imaging 🖼️ and functional diagnostics for head-neck disorders. Living in Jena with his family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧, he actively supports patient education through YouTube 📹, coordinates national workshops, and advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration 🤝. Volk is a respected speaker 🎤, faculty member at international dissection courses ✂️🧠, and an initiator of hybrid symposia. He balances leadership with education, translating research into real-world clinical impact 🌍💡.

Profile

Education 🎓

Studied human medicine at Westfälische Wilhelms Universität Münster (1999–2006) 🎓🩺, earning his state exam. In 2007, he completed his doctorate (Dr. med.) with a thesis on axonal regeneration in retinal ganglion cells in primates and rats 🧬🐒🐀. He achieved board certification in ENT (2012) 👂👃🧠 and earned his postdoctoral qualification (habilitation) in 2017 with pioneering research on quantitative imaging of facial muscles 🖼️💪. His venia legendi was granted by Friedrich Schiller University Jena in otorhinolaryngology 📜👨‍🏫. Further qualifications include DEGUM Level II (2018) for ultrasound, clinical trial leadership certification (2009), animal research leadership certification (2002), and interdisciplinary leadership training at UKJ 🏅📊. His broad educational background underpins his medical, scientific, and didactic work, combining clinical care, diagnostics, and teaching for the next generation of ENT specialists 👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️👨‍🏫.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Since 2013, Dr. Volk leads the Facial Nerve Center in Jena and co-founded the Tinnitus Center 👨‍⚕️🔊. He is currently Senior Physician at the ENT Department, University Hospital Jena and member of the steering committee for the Center for Rare Diseases Jena (since 2024) 🧩🧬. He previously held rotational research fellowships in radiology and neurology (2008–2013) and has organized national ENT courses since 2009 🧠🎓. With consistent academic teaching since 2012, he has led cadaver dissection courses, neurolaryngology workshops, and ultrasound diagnostics trainings 🧑‍🏫💻. He is an active contributor to ethics commissions and rare disease networks 👥⚖️. His work merges clinical ENT practice, surgical skill, and educational outreach through digital platforms (e.g., YouTube, www.lemg.org) 🌐📹. A devoted mentor, he organizes monthly PhD symposia and integrates hybrid teaching formats, balancing high-level medical care with forward-thinking academic initiatives 📚🏥🎯.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Recipient of multiple national prizes, including the 1st Poster Prize by the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (2019) 🥇📊 for Parkinson-related facial muscle imaging, and the DEGUM Head-Neck Section Award for his habilitation research (2018) 🧠🏅. Awarded competitive IZKF research fellowships in neurology and radiology (2008–2013) 🧬🔬. Recognized leader in rare disease diagnostics and member of Germany’s CRANIO-Net for rare craniofacial disorders (since 2022) 🧩👶. Since 2020, he contributes to the Ethics Commission of the University Hospital Jena ⚖️. He is speaker for ENT indications in the Botulinumtoxin Working Group of the German Society of Neurology (since 2022) 💉🧠. Nominated for professorial posts in Bielefeld, Halle, and Charité Berlin between 2019–2023 🏛️📚. Volk’s sustained excellence across clinical care, diagnostics, research, and education has earned him national recognition and leadership roles in academic ENT medicine 🧠🏥✨.

Research Interests 🔬

Prof. Volk’s research centers on facial nerve diagnostics and therapy 🧠🧑‍⚕️, neurolaryngology, and ultrasound imaging of head-neck structures 🖼️. He specializes in quantitative imaging of facial muscles for conditions like facial paralysis and Parkinson’s disease 🤖🧠. His work combines clinical neurophysiology, MRI analysis, and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) 📈💬. He also pioneers educational innovations in hybrid learning, simulation-based teaching, and cadaver dissection techniques for ENT and neurology professionals 🧑‍🏫🧪. Through platforms like www.lemg.org and dedicated YouTube channels 📹, he disseminates knowledge on advanced diagnostics such as salivary duct endoscopy, voice disorders, and botulinum toxin use 💉. A strong advocate for interdisciplinary networks and rare disease research, he leads initiatives in patient-centered care, including organizing the “Fazialis-Nerv-Tag” and supporting patient education 🤝❤️. His translational research aims to enhance diagnostic precision and develop novel rehabilitation strategies for complex craniofacial disorders 🧬🔧.

Publications 

  • Electromyography as an Objective Outcome Measure for the Therapeutic Effect of Biofeedback Training to Reduce Post-Paralytic Facial Synkinesis

    Healthcare
    2025-03-04 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13050550
    CONTRIBUTORS: Isabell Hahnemann; Julia Fron; Jonas Ballmaier; Orlando Guntinas-Lichius; Gerd Fabian Volk

  • Evaluation of the Effects of an Electromyography-Based Bio-Feedback Training of Patients with Post-Paralytic Facial Synkinesis Using Electromyography Amplitudes as Objective Outcome Measure

    2024-12-16 | Preprint
    DOI: 10.20944/preprints202412.1326.v1
    CONTRIBUTORS: Isabell Hahnemann; Julia Fron; Jonas Ballmaier; Orlando Guntinas-Lichius; Gerd Fabian Volk

  • Deceleration of denervated facial muscle atrophy through functional electrical stimulation: a sonographic quantification in patients with facial nerve paralysis

    European Journal of Translational Myology
    2024-11-13 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2024.13162
    CONTRIBUTORS: Gabriel Meincke; Johannes Krauß; Maren Geitner; Anna-Maria Kuttenreich; Dirk Arnold; Jonas Ballmaier; Thomas Lehmann; Winfried Mayr; Orlando Guntinas-Lichius; Gerd Fabian Volk

Mehmet Okur | Working Memory Intervention | Memory Mastery Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Mehmet Okur | Working Memory Intervention | Memory Mastery Award

Dr. Mehmet Okur is a researcher and educator specializing in special education, learning disabilities, and cognitive interventions. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Special Education and a Ph.D. in Special Education. As the founder of the Mega-Cognition Center, he develops innovative tools to support cognitive development, attention, and learning difficulties. His research includes early screening tools for learning disabilities, ADHD interventions, and processing speed assessments. Dr. Okur has contributed significantly to special education, collaborating with experts worldwide to advance cognitive and educational research. His work bridges theory and practice, enhancing learning outcomes for individuals with diverse needs.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Mehmet Okur holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Special Education, providing a strong foundation in both analytical and educational sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in Special Education, focusing on cognitive development, learning disabilities, and ADHD. His doctoral research contributed to the development of innovative assessment tools for early detection of learning disabilities. His academic journey includes interdisciplinary studies, integrating cognitive neuroscience with educational psychology. He continuously enhances his expertise through professional training and collaborative research, ensuring his contributions to special education remain cutting-edge and impactful.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Mehmet Okur has extensive experience in special education, cognitive research, and intervention program development. As the founder of the Mega-Cognition Center, he designs educational tools for children with learning disabilities and ADHD. His work includes developing the ÖGEBTÖ screening tool, processing speed interventions, and attention assessment tests. He collaborates with institutions and researchers to enhance cognitive and learning strategies. Additionally, he has consulted on educational projects, conducted training workshops, and contributed to national and international research initiatives, making a significant impact on special education and cognitive science.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Mehmet Okur’s research revolves around learning disabilities, ADHD, cognitive interventions, and early screening tools. He has developed innovative assessment methods like ÖGEBTÖ for early detection of learning disabilities and interventions to improve processing speed. His work also focuses on executive function training, attention development, and working memory enhancement. He collaborates with cognitive scientists and educators to refine assessment tools and intervention strategies. His research bridges neuroscience and education, aiming to create effective solutions for children with learning challenges, ultimately enhancing their cognitive and academic performance.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Mehmet Okur has received recognition for his contributions to special education and cognitive research. His development of the ÖGEBTÖ screening tool earned industry and academic acclaim. He has been honored for his work in cognitive interventions, receiving nominations for prestigious awards like the Memory Mastery Award. His contributions to learning disability research, ADHD interventions, and cognitive assessment tools have been acknowledged by professional societies. His dedication to advancing educational methodologies and his commitment to improving cognitive development continue to earn him accolades in the field.

Publications 📚