Hongru Li | Brain Metastasis | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Hongru Li | Brain Metastasis | Best Researcher Award

Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital | China

Dr. Hongru Li, MD/PhD, is a distinguished clinician-scientist and Chief Physician in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University. With a career dedicated to advancing respiratory medicine and oncology, his expertise lies in lung cancer, metastasis mechanisms, and innovative therapeutic strategies. Over the years, he has combined clinical excellence with groundbreaking research, focusing on molecular pathways and targeted therapies. Dr. Li has published extensively in reputable journals, contributing to understanding brain and bone metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer. His leadership extends to supervising clinical innovation projects funded by national and provincial research grants. Recognized as an outstanding respiratory scholar, he has made notable contributions in translational medicine, bridging laboratory findings with patient care. His research on nanoliposomes, ceramide pathways, and genetic susceptibility in lung cancer exemplifies his commitment to improving treatment outcomes and patient survival in respiratory oncology.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Hongru Li’s academic foundation is firmly rooted in medicine and specialized respiratory science. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at Fujian Medical University, where he developed his core clinical knowledge and interest in pulmonary health. To deepen his expertise, he pursued postgraduate studies in respiratory medicine at Fujian Medical University, gaining hands-on exposure to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in pulmonary and critical care. His academic journey culminated with a PhD in Respiratory Medicine from Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, where he focused on molecular mechanisms of lung cancer progression and metastasis. His doctoral research provided a solid grounding in translational medicine, integrating clinical insights with cellular and molecular biology. This comprehensive educational background has enabled him to pursue a career balancing patient care with high-impact research, positioning him as a leader in respiratory medicine, oncology, and translational research with a strong focus on innovation and clinical application.

Experience

Dr. Hongru Li has accumulated extensive clinical and academic experience at Fujian Provincial Hospital, where he has advanced through progressive leadership roles in respiratory and critical care medicine. Starting as a resident doctor, he gained experience in managing complex respiratory cases, developing proficiency in critical care interventions. He then served as an attending doctor, where he refined his clinical judgment and mentored junior staff. His expertise led to his appointment as Associate Chief Physician, where he oversaw specialized clinical programs and research initiatives. Currently, as Chief Physician, Dr. Li leads the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, managing advanced patient care, research collaborations, and clinical training. His responsibilities span from clinical decision-making to developing research projects funded by provincial and national agencies. With deep involvement in translational research, he bridges laboratory discoveries with real-world patient care, positioning him as both a skilled clinician and an innovative medical researcher.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Hongru Li has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to clinical medicine, research innovation, and academic excellence. Early in his career, he received the Excellent Graduate Award and Excellent Postgraduate Award from Fujian Medical University, reflecting his academic dedication and professional promise. His trajectory of excellence was further reinforced with the prestigious Outstanding Youth Respiratory Scholar Award for Clinical Innovation in China, acknowledging his groundbreaking research and leadership in respiratory medicine. These honors underscore his commitment to advancing lung cancer research, patient care, and translational medicine. His ability to secure competitive research funding and lead innovative studies further reflects his recognition as a trusted expert in his field. In addition, his patents and numerous peer-reviewed publications highlight the impact of his scientific contributions. These accolades collectively demonstrate not only his academic excellence but also his role as a leading physician-researcher shaping the future of respiratory and oncology medicine.

Research Focus

Dr. Hongru Li’s research centers on the molecular mechanisms driving lung cancer progression and metastasis, with particular emphasis on brain and bone metastases in non-small cell lung cancer. He explores signaling pathways, genetic susceptibility, and the role of lipids and ceramide metabolism in tumor development. His studies have investigated proteins such as livin, RPTOR, and ceramide synthase in regulating tumor proliferation, apoptosis, and metastatic spread. Through innovative approaches, including nanoliposome-based therapies, he seeks to inhibit cancer metastasis and improve treatment responses. He has also examined genetic polymorphisms and signaling cascades, such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt pathways, to understand cancer susceptibility and therapy resistance. His translational research aims to transform laboratory findings into clinical applications, offering new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Supported by national and provincial grants, his work significantly contributes to advancing precision medicine, improving survival, and developing novel treatment strategies for patients with lung cancer.

 

Publications

 

Title: KLF9 Inhibits Brain Metastasis of Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer by Regulating Ceramide Synthase 1 Synthesis
Year: 2025

Title: Efficacy of Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation in Early to Mid-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in the Era of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Year: 2024

Title: Development and validation of a nomogram model based on blood-based genomic mutation signature for predicting the risk of brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer
Year: 2024

Title: Antibacterial effect of phage cocktails and phage-antibiotic synergy against pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae
Year: 2024

Title: Clinical application value of metagenome next-generation sequencing in pulmonary diffuse exudative lesions: a retrospective study
Year: 2024

Title: Successful treatment of severe lung cancer caused by third-generation EGFR-TKI resistance due to EGFR genotype conversion with afatinib plus anlotinib
Year: 2024

Title: RPTOR blockade suppresses brain metastases of NSCLC by interfering the ceramide metabolism via hijacking YY1 binding
Year: 2024

Conclusion

Dr. Hongru Li exemplifies the integration of clinical expertise and research innovation, dedicated to advancing respiratory and cancer medicine through groundbreaking studies, translational discoveries, and compassionate patient care.

Natalia Baran | Cancer Research | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Assist. Prof. Dr. Natalia Baran | Cancer Research | Best Researcher Award

Leading Attending at InselSpital Bern, Switzerland.

Dr. Natalia Baran is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Leukemia at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she focuses on developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in leukemia. Her expertise lies in understanding how metabolic reprogramming can lead to drug resistance and contribute to leukemia progression. With a medical background and extensive experience in both clinical and research settings, Dr. Baran has been at the forefront of studies that aim to modulate metabolic pathways to enhance anti-leukemic responses. By combining insights from molecular biology, immunology, and clinical practice, she is actively working toward discovering innovative treatments for leukemia. Dr. Baran’s research holds great promise in advancing leukemia therapy, particularly by targeting metabolic reprogramming in the context of therapy resistance. Her multidisciplinary approach, integrating clinical data with laboratory research, makes her a key figure in leukemia research.

Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

Orcid

Education:

Dr. Natalia Baran completed her undergraduate studies in Biotechnology, earning a Master of Science degree in 2006 from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology in Poland. She further pursued medical education and obtained her Medical Doctor (MD) degree from Wroclaw Medical University in 2007. Driven by her passion for research, Dr. Baran earned a Ph.D. in Medicine from the University of Bonn in 2015. Her doctoral research laid the foundation for her current focus on leukemia and metabolic reprogramming. In addition, Dr. Baran underwent extensive postdoctoral training at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she honed her expertise in hematology and oncology, contributing significantly to translational research in leukemia. Her diverse educational background, blending science and medicine, has shaped her comprehensive approach to cancer research.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Baran has a rich professional experience that bridges clinical practice and cutting-edge research. After completing her MD, she pursued clinical residencies in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology at prestigious German institutions, including the University of Heidelberg and the University of Bonn. This clinical experience laid the groundwork for her subsequent focus on leukemia research. In 2016, she joined MD Anderson Cancer Center as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Leukemia. During her postdoctoral tenure, Dr. Baran worked closely with Dr. Marina Konopleva, exploring the role of metabolic pathways in leukemia resistance. By 2022, she had transitioned to an Assistant Professor role, continuing her translational research in leukemia, with a particular emphasis on identifying novel therapeutic strategies. Her clinical and research experiences synergize to enhance her contributions to the leukemia research community.

Research Interests:

Dr. Baran’s research is primarily centered on exploring metabolic vulnerabilities and their role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Her work seeks to understand the mechanisms through which metabolic reprogramming in leukemia cells contributes to drug resistance and tumor progression. Dr. Baran is particularly interested in how modulating the metabolic environment can enhance the effectiveness of leukemia therapies. By focusing on the interplay between metabolism and leukemic cell survival, she aims to identify new therapeutic strategies that target metabolic pathways to overcome resistance to traditional treatments. Her research also explores how immune modulation can be integrated with metabolic interventions to develop more efficient leukemia therapies.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Baran has received recognition for her contributions to leukemia research, although specific awards are not detailed in available sources. However, her research has been featured prominently in major scientific forums, including the Annual Metabolism in Cancer Symposium organized by MD Anderson. Her work has earned her respect within the scientific community, as evidenced by her continued role as an Assistant Professor and her involvement in prestigious cancer research initiatives. Dr. Baran’s impact is evident in her ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application, aiming to revolutionize leukemia treatment.

Skills:

Dr. Baran’s research skills encompass a wide range of techniques in molecular biology, cell culture, and metabolic analysis. She is highly proficient in studying the metabolic pathways that drive leukemia, using state-of-the-art technologies such as high-resolution metabolic flux analysis, RNA sequencing, and advanced cell imaging. Dr. Baran is skilled at integrating basic science with clinical data, ensuring that her research translates into practical therapeutic interventions. Her expertise in immunology further complements her research in leukemia, allowing her to investigate the potential of combining metabolic therapies with immune modulation to improve patient outcomes. Her interdisciplinary approach is a key strength in her ongoing work in leukemia research.

Publication Top Notes

A Selective BCL-XL PROTAC Degrader Achieves Safe and Potent Antitumor Activity

  • Authors: S Khan, X Zhang, D Lv, Q Zhang, Y He, P Zhang, X Liu, D Thummuri, et al.
  • Journal: Nature Medicine
  • Volume: 25(12), Pages 1938–1947
  • Cited by: 515
  • Year: 2019

Targeting a Cytokine Checkpoint Enhances the Fitness of Armored Cord Blood CAR-NK Cells

  • Authors: M Daher, R Basar, E Gokdemir, N Baran, N Uprety, AK Nunez Cortes, et al.
  • Journal: Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology
  • Volume: 137(5), Pages 624–636
  • Cited by: 226
  • Year: 2021

Inhibiting Glutaminase in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Metabolic Dependency of Selected AML Subtypes

  • Authors: P Matre, J Velez, R Jacamo, Y Qi, X Su, T Cai, SM Chan, A Lodi, et al.
  • Journal: Oncotarget
  • Volume: 7(48), Pages 79722
  • Cited by: 194
  • Year: 2016

Complex I Inhibitor of Oxidative Phosphorylation in Advanced Solid Tumors and Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Phase I Trials

  • Authors: TA Yap, N Daver, M Mahendra, J Zhang, C Kamiya-Matsuoka, et al.
  • Journal: Nature Medicine
  • Volume: 29(1), Pages 115–126
  • Cited by: 182
  • Year: 2023

Molecular Pathways: Hypoxia-Activated Prodrugs in Cancer Therapy

  • Authors: N Baran, M Konopleva
  • Journal: Clinical Cancer Research
  • Volume: 23(10), Pages 2382–2390
  • Cited by: 126
  • Year: 2017

Combining AFM13, a Bispecific CD30/CD16 Antibody, with Cytokine-Activated Blood and Cord Blood–Derived NK Cells Facilitates CAR-Like Responses Against CD30+ Malignancies

  • Authors: LN Kerbauy, ND Marin, M Kaplan, PP Banerjee, MM Berrien-Elliott, et al.
  • Journal: Clinical Cancer Research
  • Volume: 27(13), Pages 3744–3756
  • Cited by: 117
  • Year: 2021

Clonal Selection and Therapy Resistance in Acute Leukemias: Mathematical Modelling Explains Different Proliferation Patterns at Diagnosis and Relapse

  • Authors: T Stiehl, N Baran, AD Ho, A Marciniak-Czochra
  • Journal: Journal of The Royal Society Interface
  • Volume: 11(94), Article ID 20140079
  • Cited by: 106
  • Year: 2014

Activation of RAS/MAPK Pathway Confers MCL-1 Mediated Acquired Resistance to BCL-2 Inhibitor Venetoclax in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

  • Authors: Q Zhang, B Riley-Gillis, L Han, Y Jia, A Lodi, H Zhang, S Ganesan, R Pan, et al.
  • Journal: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
  • Volume: 7(1), Article ID 51
  • Cited by: 104
  • Year: 2022

Conclusion:

Dr. Natalia Baran is a prominent researcher whose work in leukemia has the potential to transform therapeutic approaches, especially through targeting metabolic pathways. Her strong academic background, combined with extensive clinical and research experience, enables her to address one of the most pressing challenges in leukemia treatment: drug resistance. By focusing on metabolic reprogramming, Dr. Baran is paving the way for innovative strategies to combat leukemia and improve patient outcomes. Her expertise in integrating basic research with clinical applications ensures that her contributions will have a lasting impact on the field of oncology, particularly in the development of new, more effective therapies for leukemia.