Na Li | Neurology and Nursing Science | Women Researcher Award

Mrs. Na Li | Neurology and Nursing Science | Women Researcher Award

Inner Mongolia People’s Hospital  | China

Li Na is a dedicated researcher at Inner Mongolia People’s Hospital in Hohhot, China, recognised for her contributions to clinical pharmacology and evidence-based medicine. Her academic background in medicine and pharmacology has provided a strong foundation for her work in translational research focused on improving therapeutic outcomes for neurological and cardiovascular diseases. Professionally, she has been involved in advanced clinical investigations, particularly systematic reviews and meta-analyses assessing the efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions such as fingolimod in acute ischemic stroke. Her research interests span drug efficacy evaluation, neuroprotective mechanisms, and the integration of novel pharmacotherapies into clinical practice. Skilled in biostatistics, data synthesis, and the use of analytical tools for evidence evaluation, she demonstrates a methodical and data-driven approach to medical research. With several publications indexed in Scopus and a growing citation record, she maintains an active academic profile and collaborates with national and international teams. Her work has earned recognition within the field, reflecting both scientific rigour and clinical relevance. Committed to advancing modern pharmacology and patient care, Li Na continues to bridge clinical insight with research innovation, contributing meaningfully to the evolving landscape of pharmacological science and translational medicine.

Profile: scopus

Featured Publications

Yuanjin Zhang | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yuanjin Zhang | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Peking University Third Hospital | China

Dr. Yuanjin Zhang is a distinguished neurologist and chief physician at Peking University Third Hospital, recognized for her pioneering work in neurotherapeutics, neurodegeneration, and digital medicine. Educated and trained at Peking University Health Science Center, she combines strong clinical expertise with innovative research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and AI-driven healthcare technologies. Her professional journey bridges academic medicine and industry, where she has led numerous multi-center clinical and translational projects focused on diabetic neuropathy, stroke, and cognitive disorders. Dr. Zhang’s research interests encompass neurological and vascular sciences, digital biomarkers, mHealth platforms, and precision neurorehabilitation. She possesses advanced skills in clinical data analytics, bioinformatics, AI algorithm development, and translational neurotechnology, supported by extensive NIH and NSFC-funded collaborations. Her contributions to journals such as BMC Neurology, Scientific Reports, and JMIR MHealth UHealth highlight her global impact on digital neurotherapeutics. As a reviewer for leading journals and an active member of national neurology and neuroscience societies, she promotes interdisciplinary collaboration across China’s medical and research communities. Honored for her leadership and scientific innovation, Dr. Zhang continues to shape the future of neurology through AI-enabled clinical care and patient-centered neurotechnology, embodying excellence in research, mentorship, and translational impact.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Amalia Papanikolopoulou | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Amalia Papanikolopoulou | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Research Article Award

Athens Naval Hospital | Greece

Dr. Amalia Papanikolopoulou is a distinguished Greek medical professional and researcher with a strong interdisciplinary background in medicine, pharmacy, and clinical pharmacology. She earned her PhD from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where she also obtained master’s degrees in Clinical Pharmacy and Tumors of the Chest, and holds both medical and pharmacy degrees from the same institution. Her professional career bridges pharmacy and medicine, having served as a hospital pharmacist and head of pharmacology at Athens Medical Center before specializing as a resident doctor in internal medicine and hematology at major hospitals in Athens. Dr. Papanikolopoulou’s research interests encompass infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, pharmacogenomics, hematologic malignancies, and oncologic pharmacotherapy. She has participated in multiple international and national clinical trials as a study coordinator and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications with a notable citation record and h-index, reflecting her scholarly impact. Her research skills include clinical data analysis, pharmacovigilance, infection control, and evidence-based therapeutic evaluation. Dr. Papanikolopoulou is an active member of several national and international medical and pharmacological societies and has received multiple awards for her contributions at Panhellenic conferences. Her professional journey exemplifies dedication to translational medicine, bridging clinical practice with research to advance patient care and therapeutic innovation.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Levent Tumkaya | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Levent Tumkaya | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Ondokuz Mayis University | Turkey

Prof. Levent Tümkaya is a distinguished academic and medical researcher whose career reflects deep expertise in the field of basic medical sciences with a strong focus on cellular biology, physiology, and pathology. He completed his doctoral studies at Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine after earning his postgraduate degree at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, where he developed a solid foundation in medical and life sciences. Over the course of his career, he has advanced from research assistant to assistant professor, associate professor, and later full professor, holding academic appointments at both Recep Tayyip Erdogan University and Ondokuz Mayis University. His research interests include the biological effects of electromagnetic fields, mechanisms of cellular damage and repair, radiotherapy-induced organ injury, reproductive health, and strategies for enhancing nutrient bioavailability. He has authored several scientific articles published in high-impact journals indexed in SCI and related databases, demonstrating his strong research skills in experimental design, histopathological analysis, and biomedical investigation. Prof. Tümkaya has received recognition through his extensive scholarly contributions and his active role in advancing medical research and education. His career reflects dedication to both teaching and scientific innovation, and his continuing work positions him as a leading scholar making significant contributions to medical science and public health.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Diwakar Singh | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Diwakar Singh | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

University clinic of Dentistry | Medical University of Vienna | Austria

Dr. Diwakar Singh is a distinguished dental professional specializing in functional orthodontics, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and craniofacial orthodontics. With a strong foundation in dental surgery from India, he advanced his academic journey in Austria, where he trained under globally renowned experts like Prof. Rudolf Slavicek and Prof. Sadao Sato. Currently a PhD candidate and clinical research assistant at the Center for Clinical Research, Medical University of Vienna, he contributes to pioneering approaches in conservative TMJ therapy and functional occlusion. He also serves as a visiting lecturer at prestigious institutions including Fujian Medical University, Ningbo Stomatology Hospital in China, and as a consultant in Cyprus. His clinical expertise encompasses periodontal rehabilitation, orthodontics, prosthodontics, implant prosthetics, and TMD management. Alongside his clinical and research endeavors, Dr. Singh is deeply committed to teaching, conducting advanced hands-on courses and lectures worldwide, establishing himself as an influential figure in functional orthodontics and interdisciplinary dentistry.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Diwakar Singh’s academic path reflects his dedication to advanced dental sciences. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in Punjab, India, and soon after pursued international specialization in functional orthodontics. At Danube University Krems, Austria, he completed a postgraduate diploma on TMJ functional diagnosis with Prof. Rudolf Slavicek, followed by advanced training as an Academic Expert in Craniofacial Functional Orthodontics. Under the mentorship of Prof. Sadao Sato, he mastered the MEAW technique for treating complex temporomandibular dysfunctions. His Master of Science in Dental Science focused on craniofacial orthodontics, producing an innovative thesis on sequential guidance and periodontitis assessment using 3D scanning technologies. Further certifications include controlled mandibular repositioning under Dr. Alain Landry and prosthetic rehabilitation training through the Vienna School of Interdisciplinary Dentistry (VieSID). Currently, as a PhD candidate at the Medical University of Vienna, his research explores internal derangements of the TMJ, combining clinical excellence with digital diagnostic innovations

Experience

Dr. Diwakar Singh’s professional journey spans clinical practice, research, and academic instruction across multiple countries. Since 2008, he has collaborated with Prof. Xiaohui Rausch-Fan in Vienna, treating complex periodontal, orthodontic, prosthodontic, and TMJ disorder cases, including full-mouth rehabilitation. His global expertise is reflected in his role as guest doctor at the Clinical Division of Prosthodontics, Medical University Vienna, and as senior visiting lecturer at Fujian Medical University in China. He also serves as visiting consultant for TMJ cases at Kokkinos Pediatric and Orthodontic Clinic in Cyprus and as lecturer at Ningbo Stomatology Hospital, China. At the Medical University of Vienna, he contributes as a clinical research assistant and practical instructor, guiding students in condylography, occlusion analysis, and advanced TMJ therapy. With more than a decade of teaching experience, Dr. Singh has conducted numerous international workshops and lectures, becoming a recognized authority in interdisciplinary dentistry and functional rehabilitation

Awards and Honors

Dr. Diwakar Singh has received recognition for his contributions to functional orthodontics, TMJ therapy, and interdisciplinary dental education. His international academic engagements, including roles in Austria, China, and Cyprus, highlight the esteem he commands among peers and institutions. He has been invited to present lectures, posters, and case studies at numerous international conferences, including IADR and ISDR assemblies, where his work on functional diagnosis and controlled mandibular repositioning has been widely appreciated. His collaborative research has been published in respected journals such as Bioengineering and Diagnostics, with significant impact on clinical protocols for TMD management. He is also a co-author of an authoritative textbook on temporomandibular disorders and has contributed a book chapter on craniofacial imaging and diagnosis, further establishing his academic presence. His recognition lies not only in formal awards but in his global teaching invitations, research collaborations, and pioneering role in advancing the Vienna Concept for TMDs.

Research Focus

Dr. Diwakar Singh’s research focuses on the biomechanics, diagnosis, and conservative management of temporomandibular joint disorders. He emphasizes functional occlusion rehabilitation, integrating digital scanning, condylography, and 3D imaging to enhance diagnostic precision and treatment planning. His expertise in controlled mandibular repositioning has led to innovative, non-invasive therapeutic strategies for neuro-muscular dysfunctions and internal TMJ derangements. He actively explores applications of splint therapy, MEAW orthodontics, and full-mouth rehabilitations, bridging clinical practice with research. His published works include clinical and MRI-based assessments of TMD patients, evaluation of articular eminence morphology, and studies on craniofacial imaging in orthodontic malocclusions. Through collaborations with leading experts worldwide, he advances the Vienna Concept, a holistic interdisciplinary approach to occlusion and TMD management. His contributions to books and international journals underscore his commitment to translational research that benefits both clinicians and patients, promoting functional stability, oral health, and quality of life in complex dental conditions.

 

Publications

 

Controlled Mandibular Repositioning: A Novel Approach for Treatment of TMDs
Year: 2025

Clinical and MRI-Based Assessment of Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders Treated by Controlled Mandibular Repositioning
Year: 2024

Temporomandibular joint osseous morphology of class I and class II malocclusions in the normal skeletal pattern: a cone-beam computed tomography study
Year: 2021

Is there an association between temporomandibular disorders and articular eminence inclination? A systematic review
Year: 2020

 

Conclusion

Dr. Diwakar Singh stands as a globally recognized dental professional whose career unites clinical expertise, academic teaching, and pioneering research in TMJ disorders, functional orthodontics, and craniofacial rehabilitation, making him an influential figure in advancing interdisciplinary dentistry worldwide.

Camille Blackman | Neurology and Gender-Affirming Care | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Camille Blackman | Neurology and Gender-Affirming Care | Best Researcher Award

Camille Blackman is a dedicated medical student and multidisciplinary researcher with a passion for advancing gender-affirming healthcare and surgical education. Currently pursuing her MD at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, she brings a diverse background in anthropology, emergency medicine, and clinical research. Camille’s clinical experiences range from working as an EMT and physical therapist assistant to serving as a medical assistant in dermatology. Her current research at Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health centers on surgical outcomes, educational innovation, and health equity. She has published and presented nationally on topics like craniofacial surgery, sexual medicine, and transgender health. Outside of medicine, she is a nationally competitive runner and co-founder of Nameless Track Club. Camille also contributes to mentoring, leadership development, and medical education reform. Fluent in English and French, she exemplifies a well-rounded, compassionate, and forward-thinking physician in training.

Profile

🎓 Education

Camille Blackman’s academic journey reflects her interdisciplinary strength and commitment to health equity. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from Northwestern University (2012–2016), where she was also a Division 1 athlete. To transition into a medical career, she completed a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at DePaul University (2016–2017). Camille is currently a Doctor of Medicine (MD) candidate at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, expected to graduate in 2026. Her medical education is enhanced by participation in the Surgical Exploration and Discovery (SEAD) program and leadership in multiple mentorship initiatives. Her academic excellence is evidenced by her involvement in high-impact research, her role as an M3 mentor, and her selection for honors like Academic All-Big Tens. Throughout her academic path, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to inclusion, excellence in scholarship, and innovation in clinical care, especially for underserved populations such as the transgender and gender-diverse community.

🧪 Experience

Camille Blackman has built a robust portfolio of healthcare experience over nearly a decade. As a current research trainee at the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health, she contributes to cutting-edge projects focused on surgical outcomes and health equity. Prior to that, she worked as a medical assistant at the Illinois Dermatology Institute (2020–2023), a physical therapist assistant at RUSH Rehabilitation (2018–2021), and an EMT at Medical Express Ambulance (2018–2020). Her roles have spanned both emergency and outpatient care, giving her a comprehensive clinical foundation. In addition to her hands-on experience, she’s actively involved in medical education as a mentor and peer leader at UICOM. Camille also volunteers in both clinical and community settings, including Face the Future Foundation and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. Her practical and research experience across diverse settings reinforces her trajectory as a future physician-leader in gender-affirming and reconstructive surgery.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Camille Blackman has been recognized for both academic and athletic excellence. She is a recipient of the prestigious Academic All-Big Ten award (2013–2016) and earned the John and Rita Canning and Dinn Brothers Student-Athlete Scholarships while at Northwestern University. In athletics, she is a Tracksmith-sponsored elite runner and has posted competitive times in major races, including a 2:48 marathon and top finishes in the Chicago 13.1 and Shamrock Shuffle. Her early accolades include the Western Massachusetts Athlete of the Year and the Tommy Cochary High School Mile Grant. As a medical student, she was selected for the Surgical Exploration and Discovery (SEAD) program and received a $25,000 pilot grant from the Hopkins Business of Health Initiative as a co-investigator for transgender health systems innovation. Her honors reflect a rare combination of scientific acumen, athletic discipline, and community impact, affirming her multifaceted contributions to medicine and public health.

🔬 Research Focus

Camille Blackman’s research centers on gender-affirming care, surgical education, and health disparities. At the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health, she explores clinical outcomes related to chest masculinization and hormone therapy, and contributes to the development of transgender health infrastructure. She has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications on subjects such as craniofacial surgery techniques, body mass index implications in gender-affirming surgeries, and innovative educational approaches like clay modeling in anatomy instruction. Camille’s forthcoming book chapters on vaginoplasty and transgender care centers further establish her as an emerging scholar in surgical education and gender health equity. She has presented her work at high-profile conferences, including the Plastic Surgery Research Council and the Sexual Medicine Society of North America. Through her research, Camille aims to enhance inclusivity, clinical outcomes, and the surgical learning experience, particularly in areas where historically marginalized populations have faced significant healthcare gaps.

Conclusion

Camille Blackman is a future physician and trailblazer in gender-affirming healthcare whose interdisciplinary expertise, clinical compassion, and research innovation are advancing inclusive medicine, educational reform, and equity in surgical outcomes.

Publications

Forshing Lui | Neurology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Forshing Lui | Neurology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. For-Shing Lui, a U.S. citizen and licensed neurologist in California, the UK, and Hong Kong, is an esteemed academic and clinician with over four decades of international experience in neurology and internal medicine, currently serving as Professor of Neurology at California Northstate University College of Medicine (CNUCOM), where he contributes significantly to medical education, curriculum development, and professional regulatory boards.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Lui completed his M.B.B.S. from the University of Hong Kong in 1978, followed by an internal medicine residency (1978–1982) at the same institution; he then undertook neurology fellowship training at Newcastle General Hospital, UK (1982–1984), and a neurology residency at UC Davis (1995–1999), also serving as Chief Resident; his qualifications include being a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh), Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Lui has served as Expert Consultant and Reviewer for the Medical Board of California, Professor and Course Director at CNUCOM since 2014, Chair of Clinical Sciences, and Vice Chair of Education; formerly, he was Staff Neurologist and Chief of Neurology at Kaiser Permanente, Clinical Professor at UC Davis, and practiced as a neurologist and internist in Hong Kong; his roles spanned clinical practice, academic leadership, curriculum design, quality assurance, and international consultancy.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Lui received the 2022 A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award from the American Academy of Neurology, the ITLE University Distinguished Teacher Award in 2021, and multiple CNUCOM Professor of the Year Awards (2019–2023); his national recognitions include listings in America’s Top Physicians and Sacramento Magazine’s Top Doctors; he won the Croucher Fellowship (1982), John Anderson Gold Medal (1978), and several medical school scholarships for academic excellence, including the Li Shu Fan Prize in Pharmacology.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Lui’s academic and clinical interests lie in neurology education, vascular neurology, neuroimaging, and multiple sclerosis, with a deep commitment to medical pedagogy and curriculum leadership; his research integrates neurodiagnostic techniques with clinical neurology, particularly in imaging-based teaching, and he has presented regularly at neuroradiology conferences and contributed to educational innovation in neurology training at both Kaiser Permanente and CNUCOM, reflecting a lifelong dedication to mentoring, patient care, and advancing neurologic knowledge.

Elsa Pittaras | Neuroscience | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Elsa Pittaras | Neuroscience | Women Researcher Award

Elsa Pittaras is a Basic Life Research Scientist at Stanford University, specializing in neuroscience, cognition, and sleep research. With expertise in molecular biology, neuroanatomy, pharmacology, and behavior, she has extensively studied decision-making processes in mice. Her research has contributed significantly to understanding sleep deprivation’s effects on cognition and memory in Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease models. She has published multiple papers as both first and last author, showcasing her leadership in neuroscience. Elsa’s goal is to advance research on mood disorders, cognition, and neurochemistry, aspiring to become an independent researcher in the U.S. 🇺🇸🔬🧠

Profile

Education 🎓

Elsa Pittaras earned a B.S. in Physiology from the University of Caen (2010), an M.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Paris Sud and ENS Cachan (2012), and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Neuro-PSI and the Biomedical Research Unit of the French Army (2016). Her multidisciplinary foundation in biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics from Châtelet, Douai (2009) laid the groundwork for her neuroscience expertise. Throughout her education, she focused on decision-making, sleep deprivation, and neurochemical mechanisms in cognition. 🧠📚🎓

Experience 👨‍🏫

Elsa Pittaras has been a Basic Life Research Scientist at Stanford University since 2022, focusing on cognitive enhancement in Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease models. She was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford (2017-2022), investigating sleep and circadian rhythms’ effects on memory. Previously, she conducted research at the Biomedical Research Unit of the French Army (2016-2017) and completed her Ph.D. at Neuro-PSI. Her career includes internships in neuroscience at Neuro-PSI (2011-2012) and clinical observations at CHU Caen (2010). 🏛️🧬🧪

Research Interests 🔬

Elsa’s research explores decision-making, memory, and sleep in neurodevelopmental disorders. She pioneered the Mouse Gambling Task, revealing individual decision-making strategies. Her Ph.D. identified neurochemical markers of decision-making behaviors and the effects of sleep deprivation. At Stanford, she investigates sleep’s impact on cognition in Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s models, aiming to improve memory and sleep quality through pharmacological interventions. Her work bridges behavioral neuroscience with neurochemistry to enhance cognitive function. 🧠💡🛌

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Elsa has received prestigious grants, including the Jerome Lejeune Research Grants (2019, 2020), the Fyssen Foundation Research Grant (2017), and travel awards for conferences such as T21RS (2021) and Advances in Sleep and Circadian Science (2019). She was also recognized by the French Society for Research and Sleep Medicine (2014) and received a European Neuroscience Federation travel award (2016). 🏅

Publications 

  • Selectively Blocking Small Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels Improves Cognition in Aged Mice.

  • Short-term γ-aminobutyric acid antagonist treatment improves long-term sleep quality, memory, and decision-making in a Down syndrome mouse model

  • Behavioral and Neuronal Characterizations, across Ages, of the TgSwDI Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease.

  • Inter-individual differences in cognitive tasks: focusing on the shaping of decision-making strategies

  • Handling, task complexity, time-of-day, and sleep deprivation as dynamic modulators of recognition memory in mice

  • Enhancing sleep after training improves memory in down syndrome model mice

 

said Pournaghash-tehrani | Neuroscience | Best Faculty Award

Dr. said Pournaghash-tehrani | Neuroscience | Best Faculty Award

 

Profile

  • Googlescholar
  • Researchgate

Education

Said Pournaghash-Tehrani earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology in 1993 from The American University in Washington, D.C., where he also completed his Master of Arts in Psychology in 1990. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Distributive Science from the same institution, which he obtained in 1986. Fluent in English and German, he also has familiarity with French. He can be reached via email at spournaghash@yahoo.com or by telephone at 011-98-09122074388.

Work experience
  • Said Pournaghash-Tehrani has extensive academic and research experience in psychology. He served as a Research Associate in 2001 at the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. In 2002, he took a sabbatical as a researcher at the Department of Psychology, Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, focusing on cross-cultural studies related to Iranian attitudes towards the West. Since 2002, he has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Tehran University, having previously held the same position at Azzahra University in Tehran from 1996 to 2001. Additionally, he was a member of the Scientific Council on Energy and Economic Studies at the Institute for International and Political Studies (IPIS) from 1998 to 2000, where he also worked as a political researcher. His early academic career included serving as a Teaching and Research Assistant at The American University’s Department of Psychology from 1987 to 1990, where he contributed to courses such as Introduction to Psychology, Neuroscience Seminar, Psychopharmacology, Neuropsychology, Biological Basis of Behavior, and Learning and Behavior.

Books

Fundamentals of Clinical Psychopharmacology, (2007); Samt Publications
-Drugs and Behavior, (2004); Samt Publications.
-Physiological Psychology, Tehran University Publication.
-Intimacy; Alzahra University Publication.
-Theories of Addiction, Alzahra University Publication.

Conference Presentations

Said Pournaghash-Tehrani has contributed extensively to neuroscience and psychology research, presenting his findings at prestigious conferences such as the Society for Neuroscience and the Eastern Psychological Association. His work has focused on drug discrimination learning, conditioned taste aversion, and the effects of opioids and their antagonists. In 1987, he co-authored studies assessing the discriminative stimulus properties of naloxone and the failure of cholecystokinin to counteract morphine sulfate’s effects. His later research explored the antagonism of morphine stimuli, the role of buprenorphine in opiate-naive and dependent animals, and the impact of RO15-4513 on ethanol-induced taste aversion. He has collaborated with notable researchers, including A.L. Riley, contributing to investigations on diazepam exposure and behavioral toxicology. His presentations in New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Boston, and other major research venues highlight his significant role in advancing psychopharmacology and behavioral neuroscience.

Publication

Marcelo Luis Berthier | Neuroscience| Best Researcher Award

Prof. Marcelo Luis Berthier | Neuroscience| Best Researcher Award

 

Unversidad de Málaga, Spain

Profile

Education

Marcelo Luis Berthier obtained his degree in Medicine (1972-1976) and completed residency training in Neurosurgery (1977-1980), later specializing in Neurology (1980). He served as a staff neurologist at the Institute of Neurological Research, FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina (1980-1989), before becoming a research fellow in the Department of Neurology at Clinic Hospital of Barcelona, Spain (1989-1990). From 1991 to 2000, he was a staff neurologist and physician in charge of the Behavioural Neurology Unit at the Clinic University Hospital of Malaga. He earned a PhD in Neuroscience (cum laude) from the University of Malaga and coordinated the Group of Behavioural Neurology and Dementia of the Spanish Neurological Society (2004-2006). In 2004, he founded and directed the Unit of Cognitive Neurology and Aphasia at the Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, University of Malaga, leading it until 2023. Additionally, he served as the director of the Consolidated Research Group on Cognitive Neuroscience: Aphasia and Related Disorders (UNCA, C-12) at the Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA – Plataforma BIONAND).

Work experience

Dr. Marcelo L. Berthier Torres has led and contributed to several groundbreaking research projects in cognitive neurology and aphasia. As a co-investigator, he participated in the Telerehabilitation in Aphasia project (2021-2023), which evaluated the effectiveness of telerehabilitation compared to face-to-face therapy and identified predictive biomarkers of response, funded by the Junta de Andalucía. He also served as the principal investigator for a study on the efficacy of combined treatment with donepezil, intensive rehabilitation, and transcranial direct current stimulation in chronic post-stroke aphasia (2016-2019), funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Additionally, he has contributed to the Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento “Frontera”, an initiative under the FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020 program, which investigates brain biomarkers for individualized treatment approaches in chronic post-stroke aphasia

Areas of Research

Dr. Marcelo L. Berthier Torres has made significant contributions to the treatment of post-stroke aphasia and speech-language disorders. He conducted the first open-label and randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials investigating the use of cognitive-enhancing drugs (donepezil and memantine) alone and in combination with standard aphasia therapy or intensive language-action therapy (ILAT) in chronic post-stroke aphasia. His pioneering studies stimulated international research on aphasia pharmacotherapy, leading to clinical translation. Today, donepezil and memantine, alone or combined with therapy, are widely used off-label for post-stroke aphasia and language disturbances associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and primary progressive aphasia.

Publication

  • Revisiting the boundaries of different altered accents profiles

    Cortex
    2025-03 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Marcelo L. Berthier; Ignacio Moreno-Torres; Jo Verhoeven; Guadalupe Dávila
  • Turning the Spotlight to Cholinergic Pharmacotherapy of the Human Language System

    CNS Drugs
    2023-07 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Guadalupe Dávila; María José Torres-Prioris; Diana López-Barroso; Marcelo L. Berthier
  • Pharmacotherapy for post-stroke aphasia: what are the options?

    Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
    2023-07-24 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Marcelo L. Berthier; Guadalupe Dávila
  • Brain structural and functional correlates of the heterogenous progression of mixed transcortical aphasia

    Brain Structure and Function
    2023-05-31 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Diana López-Barroso; José Paredes-Pacheco; María José Torres-Prioris; Guadalupe Dávila; Marcelo L. Berthier
  • Controlling the past, owning the present, and future: cholinergic modulation decreases semantic perseverations in a person with post-stroke aphasia

    Aphasiology
    2022-11-02 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Marcelo L. Berthier; Daniel Santana-Moreno; Álvaro Beltrán-Corbellini; Juan C. Criado-Álamo; Lisa Edelkraut; Diana López-Barroso; Guadalupe Dávila; María José Torres-Prioris