Wei Jiang | Cognitive and neuropathology | Women Researcher Award

 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

Muhammad Waheed Rasheed | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Muhammad Waheed Rasheed | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant at COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Pakistan

Muhammad Waheed Rasheed is a dedicated mathematician and researcher known for his contributions to cryptography, fuzzy graph theory, and QSPR analysis. His academic and professional pursuits focus on creating innovative solutions to global challenges, particularly in molecular descriptors, graph theory, and their applications in chemistry and physics. With a passion for research and education, Mr. Rasheed embodies excellence in both theoretical and applied mathematics. His publications in high-impact journals like Frontiers in Chemistry and Frontiers in Physics reflect his ability to bridge disciplines and address real-world problems. As a motivated and dependable team player, he thrives in collaborative environments while excelling independently. His research outputs, which span drug efficacy studies and complex mathematical modeling, contribute significantly to scientific advancements and underscore his role as a rising star in the global mathematical community.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Mr. Rasheed earned an MS in Mathematics (2021–2023) and a BS (Hons) in Mathematics (2017–2021) from the University of Education Lahore, Pakistan, achieving CGPAs of 3.64/4.00 and 3.61/4.00, respectively. His coursework encompassed advanced topics such as algebraic graph theory, numerical methods, Galois theory, real analysis, and differential geometry. This robust educational foundation equipped him with the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to excel in multidisciplinary research areas, including graph theory and mathematical modeling.

Work Experience 💼

Muhammad Waheed Rasheed is an accomplished researcher with expertise in cryptography, fuzzy graph theory, and QSPR analysis. His work focuses on molecular descriptors, graph labeling, energy graphs, and metric dimensions, addressing challenges in networking and drug efficacy analysis. With five impactful publications in journals like Frontiers in Chemistry and Frontiers in Physics, he demonstrates excellence in both independent and collaborative research. His ability to tackle complex problems and deliver innovative solutions highlights his readiness for advanced research roles in academia and industry.

Research Interests

Mr. Rasheed’s research interests include cryptography, group theory, fuzzy graph theory, and QSPR analysis. He focuses on molecular descriptors, graph labeling, energy graphs, and metric dimensions, aiming to address critical issues in mathematics and its applications in healthcare and networking.

Research Skills

Muhammad Waheed Rasheed’s research interests lie at the intersection of advanced mathematics and real-world applications. He specializes in cryptography, fuzzy graph theory, and group theory, with a strong emphasis on molecular descriptors, graph labeling, energy graphs, and metric dimensions. His work extends to QSPR (Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship) analysis, where he investigates the properties of chemical compounds, such as alkaloids and medications, to improve therapeutic efficacy and understand their thermodynamic behavior. He is particularly passionate about exploring the role of graph theory in networking and healthcare, focusing on innovative solutions to complex problems. Through his interdisciplinary research, Mr. Rasheed aims to contribute significantly to global challenges, combining theoretical insights with practical applications in chemistry, physics, and beyond.

📚 Publications

Neighborhood Face Index: A New QSPR Approach for Predicting Physical Properties of Polycyclic Chemical Compounds

  • Authors: A. Raza, M.W. Rasheed, A. Mahboob, M. Ismaeel
  • Journal: International Journal of Quantum Chemistry
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 124(24), e27524
  • Citations: 0

Block Cipher Construction Using Minimum Spanning Tree from Graph Theory and Its Application with Image Encryption

  • Authors: M.W. Rasheed, A. Mahboob, M. Bilal, K. Shahzadi
  • Journal: Science Progress
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 107(4)
  • Citations: 0

Entropy Measures of Dendrimers Using Degree-Based Indices

  • Authors: A. Ovais, F. Yasmeen, M. Irfan, M.W. Rasheed, S. Kousar
  • Journal: South African Journal of Chemical Engineering
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 50, pp. 168–181
  • Citations: 0

Computing Connection-Based Topological Indices of Carbon Nanotubes

  • Authors: E.U. Haq, A. Mahboob, M.W. Rasheed, S. Sattar, M. Waqas
  • Journal: South African Journal of Chemical Engineering
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 48, pp. 121–129
  • Citations: 0

QSPR Analysis of Physicochemical Properties and Anti-Hepatitis Prescription Drugs Using a Linear Regression Model

  • Authors: A. Mahboob, M.W. Rasheed, A.M. Dhiaa, I. Hanif, L. Amin
  • Journal: Heliyon
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 10(4), e25908
  • Citations: 5

Approximating Properties of Chemical Solvents by Two-Dimensional Molecular Descriptors

  • Authors: A. Mahboob, M.W. Waheed Rasheed, I. Hanif, I. Siddique
  • Journal: International Journal of Quantum Chemistry
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 124(1), e27305
  • Citations: 3

Role of Molecular Descriptors in QSPR Analysis of Kidney Cancer Therapeutics

  • Authors: A. Mahboob, M.W. Rasheed, I. Hanif, L. Amin, A. Alameri
  • Journal: International Journal of Quantum Chemistry
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 124(1), e27241
  • Citations: 9

Face Irregular Evaluations of Family of Grids

  • Authors: J.H.H. Bayati, A. Ovais, A. Mahboob, M.W. Rasheed
  • Journal: AKCE International Journal of Graphs and Combinatorics
  • Year: 2024 (In Press)
  • Citations: 0

Enhancing Breast Cancer Treatment Selection Through 2TLIVq-ROFS-Based Multi-Attribute Group Decision Making

  • Authors: M.W. Rasheed, A. Mahboob, A.N. Mustafa, Z.A.A. Ali, Z.H. Feza
  • Journal: Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 7, 1402719
  • Citations: 0

QSAR Modeling with Novel Degree-Based Indices and Thermodynamics Properties of Eye Infection Therapeutics

  • Authors: M.W. Rasheed, A. Mahboob, I. Hanif
  • Journal: Frontiers in Chemistry
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 12, 1383206
  • Citations: 0

Conclusion 

Muhammad Waheed Rasheed is a talented researcher whose academic achievements and innovative research demonstrate a promising career in mathematics and its applications. His dedication, interdisciplinary focus, and impactful publications make him a strong candidate for prestigious accolades and research opportunities.

 

Ling Mei | Cognitive Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ling Mei | Cognitive Science | Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Wuhan University of Science and Technology, China

Dr. Ling Mei is an accomplished researcher in artificial intelligence and cognitive science, with a robust academic and professional background. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from Sun Yat-sen University, one of China’s top universities, and completed a prestigious visiting scholar program at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Currently serving as a tenured faculty and master’s supervisor, Dr. Mei has published 16 papers, including 7 in SCI-indexed journals, contributed to nine books, and has three national invention patents granted. Recognized as a Provincial Research Talent of China in 2024, he work integrates advanced computational models with societal needs, such as urban planning and public safety. Dr. Mei has collaborated internationally with top-tier institutions like UBC and Carnegie Mellon University, cementing he reputation as a leader in he field.

Profile

Google Scholar

Orcid

Education 🎓

Dr. Mei earned he Ph.D. in Engineering from Sun Yat-sen University in 2021, a prestigious institution ranked among China’s top 10 universities. He academic journey also includes a year-long visiting scholar program at the Department of Computer Science, UBC, as part of the National Outstanding Young Researchers Program. This international exposure provided he with cutting-edge knowledge and interdisciplinary skills, enabling he to excel in artificial intelligence and cognitive science.

Work Experience 💼

Currently, Dr. Mei is a tenured faculty member and master’s supervisor at a leading Chinese university. He experience includes overseeing multiple research projects, consulting on seven industry-sponsored projects, and serving as a reviewer for the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS FOR VIDEO TECHNOLOGY. He has also been instrumental in fostering international collaborations with institutions like UBC and CMU, contributing to impactful research publications and patents.

Awards and Honors

In 2024, Dr. Mei was recognized as a Provincial Research Talent of China, highlighting he exceptional contributions to science and technology. He has also earned accolades through he impactful patents and high-quality publications.

Research Interests

Dr. Mei’s research focuses on artificial intelligence, pedestrian trajectory prediction, and public safety strategies. He innovations include the LSN-GTDA framework, which integrates behavioral and stochastic factors for better uncertainty management. He interdisciplinary approach bridges cognitive science, computational models, and societal applications, ensuring he work’s relevance and impact.

Research Skills

Dr. Mei possesses advanced skills in AI modeling, thermal diffusion processes, and signal and system theory. He expertise includes patent development, SCI journal publications, and interdisciplinary collaborations. He is adept at integrating computational techniques with practical applications, as seen in he trajectory prediction research.

📚 Publications

Crowd Density Estimation via Global Crowd Collectiveness Metric

  • Journal: Drones
  • Date: 2024-10-28
  • DOI: 10.3390/drones8110616
  • Contributors: Ling Mei, Mingyu Yu, Lvxiang Jia, Mingyu Fu

More Quickly-RRT: Improved Quick Rapidly-Exploring Random Tree Star Algorithm Based on Optimized Sampling Point with Better Initial Solution and Convergence Rate*

  • Journal: Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence
  • Date: 2024-07
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.engappai.2024.108246
  • Contributors: Xining Cui, Caiqi Wang, Yi Xiong, Ling Mei, Shiqian Wu

Learning Domain-Adaptive Landmark Detection-Based Self-Supervised Video Synchronization for Remote Sensing Panorama

  • Journal: Remote Sensing
  • Date: 2023-02-09
  • DOI: 10.3390/rs15040953
  • Contributors: Ling Mei, Yizhuo He, Farnoosh Fishani, Yaowen Yu, Lijun Zhang, Helge Rhodin

Illumination-Invariance Optical Flow Estimation Using Weighted Regularization Transform

  • Journal: IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology
  • Date: 2020-02
  • DOI: 10.1109/TCSVT.2019.2890861
  • Contributors: Ling Mei, Jianhuang Lai, Xiaohua Xie, Junyong Zhu, Jun Chen

Feature Visualization Based Stacked Convolutional Neural Network for Human Body Detection in a Depth Image

  • Type: Book Chapter
  • Year: 2018
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-03335-4_8
  • Contributors: Xiao Liu, Ling Mei, Dakun Yang, Jianhuang Lai, Xiaohua Xie

Conclusion 

Dr. Ling Mei is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award due to he robust academic background, impactful research, and significant contributions to AI and cognitive science. To further enhance he candidacy, increasing citation influence and emphasizing community impact would solidify he position as an exemplary researcher deserving of recognition. 🌟