Karin N Westlund | Chronic Pain Relief | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Karin N Westlund | Chronic Pain Relief | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Karin N. Westlund High is a distinguished neuroscientist and physiologist, currently a Distinguished Professor at UNM School of Medicine and a Research Physiologist at NM VA Health Care. 🇺🇸 She is recognized for her groundbreaking work in pain mechanisms and translational neurobiology. 📚 Her leadership as Vice Chair for Research and longstanding academic contributions span over four decades, advancing the fields of anesthesiology, neuroscience, and chronic pain treatment. 🧠💉

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Westlund High earned a B.A. (Zoology) 🎓 from the University of Texas at Austin (1975), followed by an M.A. in Zoology (1976). She received her Ph.D. in Physiology & Biophysics from UTMB Galveston in 1981. 🧪 During her graduate and postdoctoral years, she developed strong expertise in pain pathways and biophysics. 🧬 Her education laid a solid foundation for her influential career in academic medicine and neuroscience research. 📖🧠

Experience 👨‍🏫

From 1982 to the present, Dr. Westlund High has held key roles: tenured professor at UTMB Galveston, University of Kentucky, and UNM. 🏫 She was also Vice Chair for Research at UNM Anesthesiology (2017–2024) and served in VA medical systems in KY & NM. 🏥🧪 She led cell biology graduate programs, taught extensively in medicine and dentistry, and contributed to national research ethics. 🧑‍🏫🧠

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Westlund High is the recipient of over 20 prestigious honors, including the Frederick W.L. Kerr Award (2008) 🏆, Innovator of the Year (2023), and multiple NIH awards. 💡 She’s been honored for teaching, research excellence, and innovation, including winning EQUALIZE Pitch Competition and a U.S. patent award (2025). 🇺🇸 She has served on editorial boards and grant panels globally, shaping pain research. 🌍🔬

Research Interests 🔬

Her research centers on pain neurobiology 🔍—investigating trigeminal nerve injury, chronic pain, neuroinflammation, and targeted therapeutic antibodies. 🧠💊 With deep NIH and VA support, she has led studies using translational animal models to discover novel pain relief methods. 🐭⚗️ Her work impacts both clinical and preclinical pain management, with over 40 years of translational insights and innovation. 💥📈

Publications 
  • Role of HDAC5 Epigenetics in Chronic Craniofacial Neuropathic Pain

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences
    2024-06 | Journal article | Author
    CONTRIBUTORS: Sifong Elise Hui; Karin N Westlund
  • Pluripotential GluN1 (NMDA NR1): Functional Significance in Cellular Nuclei in Pain/Nociception

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences
    2023-08 | Journal article | Author
    CONTRIBUTORS: Terry A. McNearney; Karin N Westlund
  • Rapid Generation and Molecular Docking Analysis of Single-Chain Fragment Variable (scFv) Antibody Selected by Ribosome Display Targeting Cholecystokinin B Receptor (CCK-BR) for Reduction of Chronic Neuropathic Pain

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences
    2023-07 | Journal article | Author
    CONTRIBUTORS: Adinarayana Kunamneni; Marena A. Montera; Ravi Durvasula; Dr Sascha Alles; Sachin Goyal; Karin N Westlund

Jolanta Dorszewska | Neurobiology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Jolanta Dorszewska | Neurobiology | Women Researcher Award

Professor Jolanta Dorszewska is a globally recognized neuroscientist and pharmacologist based at Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland 🧠🇵🇱. She leads the Laboratory of Neurobiology, exploring the molecular and genetic basis of neurodegenerative diseases 🧬. With over 35 years of academic experience, her work spans neurochemistry, clinical neurology, and genetic research in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease 🧪. A prolific author, she has contributed to 80+ research papers, 50+ reviews, and 30+ book chapters 📚. She serves on editorial boards of top neuroscience journals and holds leadership roles in national and international neurological societies 🌍.

Profile

Education 🎓

Prof. Dorszewska earned her M.Sc. in Pharmacy with distinction from Poznan University of Medical Sciences in 1987 🏅. She completed board certifications in Pharmaceutical Analytics (1990 & 1997) and received her Ph.D. in 1996 🧪. In 2004, she qualified as an Associate Professor and achieved full Professorship in 2016 🎓. Her academic growth includes training in medical genetics from 2012 to 2020 🧬. Her education reflects an evolving blend of pharmacy, neurobiology, and genetics, forming the foundation of her current research excellence 💡.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Prof. Dorszewska began as an Assistant in the Dept. of Pharmacy (1987-88), then in Clinical Neurochemistry (1988-96) at PUMS 👩‍🔬. She was a Research Scientist in New York (1999–2000) 🗽 and has led the Laboratory of Neurobiology since 2004 🧠. She became Full Professor in 2022 🏛️. She also lectured at the National High Medical School in Pila (2012–2018) 📖. Her career blends hands-on research, global collaboration, and dedicated academic leadership 📚. She continues to mentor, publish, and drive innovations in neurology and neurochemistry 🚀

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Awards and Honors:
Prof. Dorszewska is a Local Honorary Member of the 12th World Congress on Controversies in Neurology (2018) 🌐. She has served as Guest Editor for 6 prestigious theme issues and holds editorial roles in top-tier journals like Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience and Current Alzheimer Research 📘. A section and associate editor for journals across the USA, UK, and Poland 🌍, she’s a key figure in scientific publishing 🖋️. She’s affiliated with the Polish Academy of Sciences and international neurological societies and has co-edited 5 books 📚.

Research Interests 🔬

Research Focus:
Her research spans lipid metabolism in hypoxia 🧫, cerebral sterols 🧠, neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine) 🧪, apoptosis in aging and disease (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) 💔, and gene polymorphisms (MTHFR, MAO-B, PARK) 🧬. She investigates homocysteine metabolism, catecholamine pathways, and molecular changes in neurodegeneration 🧠. Since 2009, she’s focused on genetic mutations (PARK, APOE), biomarkers (ASN, microRNAs), and migraine genetics ⚙️. She uses advanced techniques like HPLC, PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry 🔍. Her interdisciplinary work integrates neurobiology, pharmacogenomics, and molecular neuroscience in tackling brain diseases 🚀.

Publications 
  • Genetic variants of ZNF746 and the level of plasma Parkin, PINK1, and ZNF746 proteins in patients with Parkinson’s disease

    IBRO Neuroscience Reports
    2025-06 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Jolanta Dorszewska; Jolanta Florczak-Wyspiańska; Bartosz Słowikowski; Wojciech Owecki; Oliwia Szymanowicz; Ulyana Goutor; Mateusz Dezor; Paweł P. Jagodziński; Wojciech Kozubski
  • Kinesiotherapeutic Possibilities and Molecular Parameters in Multiple Sclerosis

    Sclerosis
    2025-04-03 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Katarzyna Wiszniewska; Małgorzata Wilk; Małgorzata Wiszniewska; Joanna Poszwa; Oliwia Szymanowicz; Wojciech Kozubski; Jolanta Dorszewsk
  • Unraveling the Role of Proteinopathies in Parasitic Infections

    Biomedicines
    2025-03-03 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Mikołaj Hurła; Damian Pikor; Natalia Banaszek-Hurła; Alicja Drelichowska; Jolanta Dorszewska; Wojciech Kozubski; Elżbieta Kacprzak; Małgorzata Paul
  • Expression of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor and Early Oxidative DNA Damage in Aging Rat Brain—The Effects of Memantine

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences
    2025-02-14 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Małgorzata Anna Lewandowska; Agata Różycka; Teresa Grzelak; Bartosz Kempisty; Paweł Piotr Jagodziński; Margarita Lianeri; Jolanta Dorszewska

Tran Chau My Thanh | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Tran Chau My Thanh | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Tran Chau My Thanh, a dedicated researcher at Duy Tan University, Vietnam 🇻🇳, holds a medical degree and Ph.D. from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy 🎓. Her work bridges the gap between clinical medicine and molecular biology 🧬. With a strong passion for translational research, she focuses on using bioinformatics and genomic tools for early diagnosis and targeted therapy development for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders 💉. Through CRISPR/Cas9 and RNA networks, she aims to revolutionize patient-specific treatment pathways 🚀. Her extensive lab experience, scholarly publications, and ongoing innovations make her a promising leader in biomedical science 🏅.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Thanh earned her Medical Degree (M.D.) from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy 🏥 and went on to complete her Doctorate (Ph.D.) in the same prestigious institution 🎓. Her education was deeply rooted in both clinical and research training, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of human health and disease 🧠. Throughout her academic journey, she focused on genomics, molecular medicine, and biotechnology 🔬. The rigorous curriculum and hands-on exposure in advanced labs trained her in modern diagnostic tools and therapeutic innovations ⚙️. She also mastered computational biology and molecular interactions, forming a solid foundation for her groundbreaking work in RNA regulation and gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 🧪.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Thanh brings rich experience as a medical doctor and academic at Duy Tan University 🏫. Her research career spans multiple roles in molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, and therapeutic innovation 🧬. She has led studies on disease biomarkers, participated in international collaborations 🌐, and worked extensively with cell lines, recombinant DNA, and next-gen sequencing data 🔍. Her proficiency in wet lab and dry lab environments empowers her to integrate experimental biology with computational modeling 🧫💻. Alongside mentoring students and publishing SCI-indexed research, she contributes to translational medicine by connecting bench science to bedside applications, helping advance precision medicine for critical illnesses 💡.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Thanh is a nominee for the Young Scientist Award by the International Cognitive Scientist Awards 🧠🏆. Her impactful work on circular RNAs, miRNAs, and disease biomarker networks has garnered international recognition 🌍. She’s been acknowledged in high-impact journals for discoveries related to coronary heart disease and cancer diagnostics 📖. Her scholarly articles are indexed in SCI and Scopus, and she continues to influence the biomedical community through conference presentations, peer reviews, and academic collaborations 🤝. As a rising figure in molecular biology, her research promises transformative outcomes for early disease detection and targeted therapies 🧬✨.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Thanh’s research explores circRNA/miRNA/mRNA interactions, protein-protein networks, and gene function analysis 🧬🧠. She is driven by the quest to discover novel biomarkers for early diagnosis of complex diseases such as cancer, stroke, and diabetes 💊. Her focus includes CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, molecular docking, and simulations for drug discovery and target validation 💻🧪. She also builds interaction networks to map LncRNA/CircRNA/miRNA/gene/protein-drug relationships, contributing to personalized medicine approaches 🎯. Through bioinformatics, she decodes gene expression dynamics and immune infiltrations to enable efficient diagnostics and therapeutics 💡. Her ultimate goal is to bridge computational biology with translational research for global health improvement 🌐💚.

Publications 

1. Hsa_circRNA_0000284 acts as a ceRNA to participate in coronary heart disease progression
by sponging miRNA-338-3p via regulating the expression of ETS1
2. Identification of hsa_circ_0001445 of a novel circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network as
potential biomarker for coronary heart disease
3. Potential diagnostic value of serum microRNAs for 19 cancer types: a meta-analysis of
bioinformatics data

Ata Jahangir Moshayedi | Brain Stimulation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ata Jahangir Moshayedi | Brain Stimulation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ata Jahangir Moshayedi is an Associate Professor at Jiangxi University of Science and Technology 🇨🇳 with a PhD in Electronic Science 🎓 from Savitribai Phule Pune University 🇮🇳. He is a prolific academic 🧠 with over 90 publications 📚, three authored books 📖, two patents 🧾, and nine copyrights 📝. A distinguished member of IEEE ⚡, ACM 💻, Instrument Society of India 🧪, and Speed Society of India 🚀, he contributes to editorial boards 🗞️ and international conferences 🌐. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges robotics 🤖, AI 🤖, VR 🕶️, and embedded systems 🔧, driving innovation in education and technology 🚀.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Moshayedi earned his PhD in Electronic Science from Savitribai Phule Pune University 🇮🇳, specializing in robotics and automation 🤖. His educational path is deeply rooted in multidisciplinary technologies like embedded systems 🔧, machine vision 👁️, and AI 🧠. With academic training grounded in both theory 📘 and application 🛠️, he cultivated expertise across digital systems 💡 and bio-inspired robots 🦾. He integrates engineering principles with computer science 💻 to develop cutting-edge innovations in virtual and intelligent systems 🌍. His educational achievements laid the foundation for his impactful career in academic research and mentoring 📈.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Moshayedi has served as Associate Professor at Jiangxi University of Science and Technology 🇨🇳 since 2018. He leads modules in Robotics 🤖, Embedded Systems 💻, and Digital Image Processing 📷. He supervises UG and PG research 🧪, formulates grant proposals 💡, and serves as a module leader and tutor across advanced computer engineering courses 🧑‍🎓. His role includes designing learning materials 📘, aligning curriculum with accreditation standards 🎯, and evaluating student performance 🎓. He has extensive teaching experience in C/C++ programming 💾, algorithm analysis 📊, and mobile app programming 📱, ensuring comprehensive academic development.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

🥇2024: Best Mentor, Jiangxi University 👨‍🏫 | 🏅2022: Book Award (Unity in Embedded System Design and Robotics) 📖 | 🥉2022: 3rd National & 1st Provincial Prize, Handy Pipe Detector, China Computer Design Competition 🛠️ | 🥉2021: 3rd National & 2nd Provincial, PEA Project (Pandemic Exam Assistant) 🧪 | 🏆2021: Innovation Award, Iran National Festival 🌍 | 🥉2021: 3rd National & 2nd Provincial, RDK Cloud Robot, Intelligent Service Robot Challenge ☁️🤖 — All reflecting his excellence in guiding innovation, mentoring students 👨‍🎓, and advancing global tech competitions 🌐.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Moshayedi’s research integrates robotics 🤖, AI 🧠, and embedded systems 🔧. His work on bio-inspired robots 🐜, mobile robot olfaction 👃, and sensor modeling 🧪 explores intelligent perception and environmental interaction 🌫️. He develops machine vision-based systems 👁️, virtual reality environments 🕶️, and smart embedded architectures 🖥️. His focus on plume tracking 🌬️ and cloud robotics ☁️ brings autonomous systems closer to real-world application. Merging theory and practice 🔍, his research propels innovation across intelligent systems, cyber-physical interaction 🌐, and real-time automation, making significant strides in modern engineering and applied AI 🤖.

Publications 

Ali Osman | Life Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ali Osman | Life Science | Best Researcher Award

👨‍🔬 Prof. Ali Osman Mohamed Osman Khalil is a distinguished biochemist specializing in agricultural sciences. 🎓 He earned his PhD in Biochemistry from Zagazig University, Egypt, in 2012. 🏫 Currently, he serves as a Professor at the Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University. 📚 With over 130 international publications and an impressive h-index of 33 (Google Scholar), his research has significantly impacted agricultural biochemistry. 🏅 He has received prestigious awards, including the Egyptian State Prize for Encouragement in Agricultural Sciences (2014) and First Class Scientific Franchise from the President (2017). 🌱 His research focuses on environmentally friendly bioproducts, plant disease control, and biochemical applications in agriculture. 🌍 He is an active member of international scientific societies and serves as an external reviewer for renowned journals. ✨ Prof. Khalil has also collaborated on major scientific projects, contributing to advancements in biochemistry and sustainable agriculture.

Profile

Education 🎓

📜 Prof. Khalil holds a PhD in Biochemistry (2012) from Zagazig University, Egypt, with excellence. 🏆 His academic journey started with a B.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences-Biochemistry (2004), followed by an M.Sc. in Biochemistry (2008), both earned with distinction. 🎯 His studies focused on the biochemical mechanisms in agriculture, leading to his expertise in plant sterols, post-harvest protection, and biochemical applications in food science. 🔬 He has undertaken international fellowships, including INRA-France (2007-2008) and Umeå University-Sweden (2023-2024), enriching his research in clinical microbiology, infection, and immunology. 🌍 His educational background has provided a strong foundation for his pioneering research in agricultural biochemistry and food technology.

Experience 👨‍🏫

🔬 Prof. Khalil has over 20 years of academic experience at Zagazig University, Egypt. 📚 He began as a Teaching Assistant (2004-2008), then progressed to Assistant Lecturer (2008-2012) and Lecturer (2012-2017). 🎓 His expertise led to his promotion as an Assistant Professor (2017-2022) and later Professor (2022-present) in Biochemistry. 🏛️ His teaching covers biochemical applications in agriculture, plant metabolism, and molecular biochemistry. 🏅 He has supervised numerous postgraduate students, fostering the next generation of scientists. 🔍 As a principal investigator and collaborator in several international projects, he has worked on plant disease control, bioproduct development, and oxidation mechanisms. 📑 His editorial contributions include reviewing for top journals like LWT-Food Science and Technology, International Dairy Journal, and the African Journal of Agricultural Research. 🌍 His extensive research and teaching experience have solidified his reputation as a leading expert in biochemistry.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

🎖️ Prof. Khalil has received numerous awards for his outstanding contributions to biochemistry and agricultural sciences. 🏅 In 2017, he was honored with the First Class Scientific Franchise by the Egyptian President for his scientific achievements. 🏆 He won the Egyptian State Prize for Encouragement in Agricultural Sciences (2014) and the Zagazig University Prize for Encouragement in Agricultural Sciences (2017). 🍏 His research excellence was recognized with the George Steno Award for Best Applied Research in Pomology (2017). 🌍 His global impact in plant biochemistry is further demonstrated by his international fellowships at INRA-France (2007-2008) and Umeå University-Sweden (2023-2024). 💡 As a member of esteemed scientific societies, including the American Chemical Society and Egyptian Botanical Society, he actively contributes to advancing agricultural research. 📚 His accolades reflect his dedication to innovation, sustainability, and scientific excellence in biochemistry

Research Interests 🔬

🌿 Prof. Khalil’s research primarily revolves around biochemical applications in agriculture, including post-harvest disease control, plant metabolism, and sustainable bioproducts. 🧪 His h-index of 33 (Google Scholar) and 132 SCOPUS-indexed publications highlight his impactful work. 🔍 As the Principal Investigator of projects like “Fighting Plant Fungi Post-Harvest Using Environmentally Friendly Bioproducts”, he explores innovative solutions for agricultural sustainability. 🌱 His research extends to plant sterol oxidation, polymerization, and antiviral strategies for plant protection. 📊 His expertise in biochemical pathways and molecular interactions has led to the development of novel biochemical strategies to enhance crop productivity and food safety. 🌍 His international collaborations, including a Spanish-Egyptian research project on molecular modeling, further advance his contributions to biochemistry, plant pathology, and environmental sustainability. ✨ His work bridges biochemistry and agriculture, making significant strides toward sustainable farming solutions

4Publications 

1. Eskandrani, A. A., Alsubaie, N., Bawahab, A. A., Abd-Elhakim, Y. M., Ibrahim, R. E.,
Khamis, T., Osman, A,… & Mohamed, A. A. R. (2025). Whey protein hydrolysate from
camel mitigates hypoxia-induced renal and gill damage in Nile Tilapia: Effects on stress, HIFα, apoptosis, inflammation, and metabolic pathways. Aquaculture, 742256.
2. Alsubaie, N., Mohamed, A. A. R., Metwally, M. M., Khamis, T., Osman, A., Alotaibi, B. S.,
… & Ibrahim, R. E. (2025). Alkalinity exposure induced growth inhibition, intestinal
histopathological changes, and down-regulated nutrient transporter expression in Nile Tilapia:
The ameliorative role of dietary camel whey protein hydrolysates. Comparative Biochemistry
and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 111074.
3. Alsubaie, N., Ibrahim, R. E., Bawahab, A. A., Mohamed, A. A. R., Abd-Elhakim, Y. M.,
Khamis, T., Osman, A., … & Ghannam, H. E. (2025). Ameliorative role of camel protein
hydrolysates diet against alkaline stress in Oreochrmis niloticus: Hematology, immune
responses and their regulating genes expression, and histopathological assays. Veterinary
Research Communications, 49(2), 79.
4. Dahran, N., Alotaibi, B. S., Abd-Elhakim, Y. M., Ibrahim, R. E., Metwally, M. M., Khamis,
T.,El-Far, A., Osman, A., … & Mohamed, A. A. R. (2025). Effects of camel whey protein
hydrolysate on growth, nutrient metabolism, and tight junction protein gene expression in
Oreochromis niloticus under hypoxia stress. Aquaculture International, 33(2), 137.
5. Elsheikh, M., Osman, A., Edris, S., Dawam, W., Sitohy, M., & Sabeq, I. (2024). Soybean
Glycinin’s Antibacterial Properties Provide a Feasible Natural Alternative for Improving the
Overall Quality and Shelf-Life of Beef Steaks and Combating Foodborne Pathogens. Food
and Bioprocess Technology, 1-16.
6. Amer, S. A., Ibrahim, R. E., Younis, E. M., Abdel-Warith, A. W. A., Osman, A., Davies, S.
J., & Shakweer, M. S. (2025). Potential of using kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) protein
hydrolysate as a plant protein supplement in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets: effects
on growth, hematology, histology, and blood biochemical parameters. Aquaculture
International, 33(1), 95.
7. Amer, S. A., Behairy, A., Moustafa, A. A., Eltanahy, A., Younis, E. M., Abdel-Warith, A. W.
A., Osman, A., … & Tolba, S. A. (2024). Effects of dietary Arthrospira platensis phycocyanin
on growth, fatty acid assessment of breast muscles, hematobiochemical, immunological
responses, and hepatic histomorphology in broiler chickens. Journal of Applied
Phycology, 36(6), 3367-3380.
8. Ibrahim, R. E., Elshopakey, G. E., Aly, M. Y., Abdelwarith, A. A., Younis, E. M., AbdElhakim, Y. M., Khamis, T., Osman, A., … & Mohamed, A. A. R. (2024). Camel whey
protein hydrolysate diet mitigates alkaline stress–induced biochemical disorders and restores
the target of rapamycin, MAPK pathway, and autophagy-related gene expression in Nile
tilapia. Aquaculture International, 32(7), 9911-9932.
9. Sitohy, M., Enan, G., Abdel-Shafi, S., El-Wafa, N. A., El-Gazzar, N., Osman, A., & Sitohy,
B. (2024). Mapping pathogenic bacteria resistance against common antibiotics and their
potential susceptibility to methylated white kidney bean protein. BMC microbiology, 24(1),
49.
10. Amer, S. A., Rahman, A. N. A., ElHady, M., Osman, A., Younis, E. M., Abdel-Warith, A.
W. A., … & Ibrahim, R. E. (2024). Use of moringa protein hydrolysate as a fishmeal replacer
in diet of Oreochromis niloticus: effects on growth, digestive enzymes, protein transporters
and immune status. Aquaculture, 579, 740202.
11. Imbabi, T. A., El‐Sayed, A. I., Radwan, A. A., Osman, A., & Abdel‐Samad, A. M. (2024).
Prevention of aflatoxin B1 toxicity by pomegranate peel extract and its effects on growth,
blood biochemical changes, oxidative stress and histopathological alterations. Journal of
Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 108(1), 174-184.

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

 

Xiuwei Zhang | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Xiuwei Zhang | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Xiuwei Zhang, PhD, is a researcher at Hefei University of Technology, specializing in traffic behavior and psychology. She holds a doctoral degree from Hefei University of Technology, where her work focuses on improving traffic safety through behavioral psychology methods. Zhang’s research addresses critical issues such as driver behavioral changes and children’s perception of street crossing hazards. She is deeply involved in advancing traffic safety by understanding how people interact with traffic environments, with an emphasis on psychological cognition. Zhang has also contributed significantly to the field through several published papers and patents, aiming to enhance both driver and pedestrian safety. With an established academic career and passion for traffic psychology, Zhang aims to provide actionable solutions to improve road safety globally.

Profile

Education 🎓

Xiuwei Zhang completed her undergraduate studies at Qingdao University of Science and Technology. She pursued her master’s and doctoral degrees at Hefei University of Technology, where she focused on traffic behavior and psychology. During her time at Hefei, Zhang developed a deep understanding of how psychological factors influence road safety, particularly in the context of driver behavior and children’s traffic hazard perception. Her academic training has allowed her to integrate cognitive psychology with transportation safety, paving the way for innovative solutions to reduce traffic-related accidents. Zhang’s educational background in this interdisciplinary field has made her a strong proponent of using behavioral psychology to improve urban traffic environments, with her research significantly contributing to traffic safety science.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Xiuwei Zhang has experience conducting impactful research on traffic psychology at Hefei University of Technology, where she has worked on driver behavior, risk perception, and children’s safety while crossing streets. She contributed to multiple key projects, such as the optimization of urban road intersections using intelligent detection and the evolution of driver’s risk perception in co-driving vehicles. Zhang participated in developing local and national standards, such as the “Evaluation Standard for Driver Takeover Ability of Autonomous Vehicles.” Her patents include solutions for assessing and preventing conflicts between human-vehicle interactions in signal intersections. Additionally, Zhang’s academic role extends to reviewing papers for Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behavior. She is an active participant in cutting-edge research projects, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Anhui Province’s housing and urban development projects, focusing on making roads safer through innovative traffic designs and behavioral analysis.

Research Interests 🔬

Xiuwei Zhang’s research focuses on traffic behavior and psychology, with particular attention to driver behavior, children’s traffic safety, and cognitive biases in road environments. Her work aims to enhance the perception of road hazards, particularly among children, and to improve road safety through behavioral psychology techniques. One of her significant contributions is the study of children’s perception of street-crossing risks under visually occluded conditions, providing valuable insights into how environmental factors impact traffic behavior. Zhang’s research on driver behavior changes, particularly in co-driving scenarios with automated vehicles, seeks to develop better risk perception strategies to improve safety on the roads. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates traffic safety with cognitive science, making her work influential in both the practical and theoretical aspects of traffic safety. Zhang’s innovations also extend to the design of intelligent traffic systems and road intersections, contributing to the future of urban road safety in smart cities.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Xiuwei Zhang has received several prestigious awards and honors during her academic career, including the “Outstanding Graduate of the School Class of 2024” and multiple scholarships, such as the School Second Class Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year. Her excellence as a volunteer was recognized when she was named the “Outstanding Red Cross Volunteer” of Qingdao West Coast New District in 2018. Zhang’s consistent academic achievements are highlighted by her scholarships across multiple years and her significant contributions as a member of the Auto Traffic College Institute Graduate Student Association. These accolades reflect her dedication to research, teaching, and community service. Zhang’s awards demonstrate her potential as a leader in traffic safety research and behavioral psychology, highlighting her academic excellence and contributions to improving road safety.

Publications 📚

Kawthar Diab | Biology and Life Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Kawthar Diab | Biology and Life Science | Best Researcher Award

 

Profile

Education

She holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Ain Shams University, awarded in March 2009, with her research focusing on the protective role of medicinal plants against the genotoxic effects induced by hydrocortisone in mice. Prior to that, she earned an M.Sc. in Experimental Zoology from Zagazig University in May 2003, where she conducted cytogenetic and immunogenetic studies on cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, with a particular focus on their effects on reproduction in rats. She completed her B.Sc. in Zoology from Al-Azhar University in May 1996, graduating with a “very good” grade. Her postdoctoral research includes a six-month fellowship at Tokai University, Japan, in the Department of Bioscience, School of Agriculture, from June to December 2014. Additionally, she pursued another six-month postdoctoral fellowship in the Cancer Pharmacology Division at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India, from March to September 2012.

Work experience

She has actively participated in international workshops and conferences, including the Fluorescence Microscopy workshop “FluoMicro@ICGEB” at the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in New Delhi, India, from October 2nd to 4th, 2019. Additionally, she was a speaker at the 6th Rajabhat University National and International Research and Academic Conference, held virtually on August 17-18, 2020, where she presented her research on the Cancer Chemopreventive Activity of Himalayan Plants. In terms of academic supervision, she has guided Ph.D. student Amr Mohammed Abo-Elhamd Ahmed, an Assistant Researcher at the Department of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. His research focuses on the biochemical and therapeutic evaluation of selected Lamiaceae family plants for prostate disease treatment.

Research project

She has actively contributed to several local and international research projects, playing key roles in various studies. From 2005 to 2008, she was a member of a National Research Centre (NRC) project investigating the genotoxic effects of environmental pollution and veterinary drugs (Project No. 7110613). Between 2010 and 2013, she participated in an NRC-funded project on the production and evaluation of bioactive metabolites and hypolipidemic agents derived from marine sponge and coral endophytic microorganisms against carcinogenic pathogens, liver, and colon cancer (Project No. 9100302).

Her research extended to environmental toxicology, where she contributed to a Science & Technology Development Fund (STDF) project (2012-2014) evaluating mango byproducts as antioxidants against genetic damage caused by lead pollution (Project No. 4782). From 2017 to 2019, she served as a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on an NRC project studying the anti-hepatotoxic and antigenotoxic properties of plant extracts and their safety for use (Project No. 11010345). During the same period, she was also a member of an NRC project exploring the effects of nanoparticles in tissue culture applications (Project No. 11030108).

Her expertise further contributed to projects applying OMICS technology to enhance food safety in Egypt (2020-2022, Project No. 12050305) and exploring new pharmaceutical raw materials for prostate disease treatment (2020-2022, Project No. 12060108). Additionally, she collaborated with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences on a research project (2020-2022) focused on improving the production of therapeutic ingredients in Lamiaceae plants for prostate disease treatment using biotechnology techniques.

Publication

 

  • Zaied FA, Zabal M, Diab KA (2003): Cytogenetic and Imuunogenetic studies of cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in rats. Zagazig University Journal, (IX):133–156.
  • Fahmy MA,Diab KA (2009): In vivo genotoxicity studies of cefotaxime.Cytologia, 74 (4):417–425.
  • Diab KA, Hassan ZM. (2011): Assessment of the antigenotoxic activity of white sesame extract (Sesamum indicum) against vincristine induced genotoxicity in mice. Comunicata Scientiae, 2(3)126-134.
  • Diab KA and Aboul-Ela E I (2012): In vivo comparative studies on antigenotoxicity of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pits extract against DNA damage induced by N-Nitroso-N-methylurea in mice. Toxicology International, 19 (3):279-286.
  • Diab KA,Elmakawy AI, Abd El-Moneim OM, Sharaf HA (2012): Assessment of genotoxicity and histopathological changes induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) in male mice.  Journal of Cytology & Histology, 3(5): 153.
  • Khalil WKB, Ghal IS, Diab KA,Elmakawy AI (2014): Antitumor activity of Moringaoleifera leaf extract against Ehrlich solid tumor. International Journal of Pharmacy, 4(3): 68-82.
  • Elmakawy AI, Abd El-Moneim OM, Diab KA,Sharaf HA (2014) Evaluation of male-mediated reproductive toxicity induced by polyethylene glycol in mice. World Applied Sciences Journal, 31 (8): 1478-1487.

 

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