Siman Cai | Ultrasound | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Siman Cai | Ultrasound | Young Scientist Award

Peking Union Medical College Hospital | China

Dr. Siman Cai is a medical ultrasound specialist conducting advanced research in hemodynamic imaging and tumor diagnostics. She has focused on applying multiple innovative ultrasound technologies, including superb microvascular imaging and shear-wave elastography, to evaluate tumor vascular architecture and improve diagnostic accuracy. Her work has contributed to understanding the vascular patterns of gliomas, their differentiation grades, and molecular subtypes, as well as breast lesions, providing valuable quantitative indicators for distinguishing benign and malignant tumors. Dr. Cai has demonstrated the clinical relevance of these imaging modalities in both preoperative and intraoperative settings, enhancing tumor boundary identification and aiding in total tumor resection. Her publications highlight the diagnostic value of vascular indices and imaging-derived markers for precision oncology. Through her work, she has bridged technological innovation with clinical applications, advancing the accuracy of tumor diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment planning in neuro-oncology and breast cancer imaging.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Siman Cai received her professional doctorate in medical ultrasound from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, where she specialized in diagnostic imaging and clinical applications of ultrasound technologies. Her education emphasized understanding tumor biology and vascular physiology, equipping her with the skills to combine imaging innovation with clinical diagnostics. During her academic training, she focused on superb microvascular imaging, multiparametric ultrasound, and elastography to investigate the structural and functional characteristics of tumors. She gained experience in designing and implementing studies that integrate quantitative vascular indices with histopathological and molecular analyses. Her education provided a foundation for translational research, linking imaging findings to surgical and therapeutic outcomes. With rigorous training in both clinical ultrasound techniques and research methodology, Dr. Cai is well-prepared to advance precision diagnostics in oncology, particularly in the evaluation of gliomas and breast lesions, using state-of-the-art ultrasound modalities to enhance patient care.

Experience

Dr. Siman Cai is currently a resident doctor in medical ultrasound at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing, where she applies advanced ultrasound techniques in clinical practice. She has gained extensive experience performing intraoperative and diagnostic imaging for patients with brain tumors and breast lesions. Her work includes evaluating vascular architecture using superb microvascular imaging and shear-wave elastography to guide surgical decisions and improve diagnostic precision. Dr. Cai collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to integrate imaging findings into clinical workflows, contributing to accurate tumor grading, identification of molecular subtypes, and total tumor resection. She has also participated in clinical studies assessing quantitative vascular indices as predictive markers for tumor malignancy. Her professional experience bridges research and patient care, allowing her to implement novel imaging approaches in routine clinical practice and contribute to improving diagnostic efficiency and treatment outcomes. Her combined clinical and research expertise positions her as an emerging leader in ultrasound-based tumor diagnostics.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Siman Cai has been recognized for her innovative contributions to medical imaging and tumor diagnostics. Her work in superb microvascular imaging and shear-wave elastography has received attention in the oncology community for improving diagnostic accuracy in brain and breast tumors. She has contributed to multiple high-impact publications in respected journals, highlighting the clinical relevance of her research. Her achievements include advancing preoperative and intraoperative imaging approaches to support total tumor resection and precise tumor grading. Dr. Cai’s research has demonstrated the potential of ultrasound-based vascular indices as quantitative biomarkers for differentiating tumor malignancy and molecular subtypes. She is acknowledged for integrating cutting-edge imaging technologies into clinical practice, enhancing both research and patient care. Through her publications, clinical contributions, and innovative research methodologies, she has established herself as a promising expert in the field of ultrasound diagnostics and precision oncology, earning professional recognition among peers and mentors.

Research Focus

Dr. Siman Cai’s research focuses on applying advanced ultrasound imaging technologies to improve tumor diagnosis and treatment planning. She investigates the vascular architecture of gliomas and breast lesions using superb microvascular imaging, shear-wave elastography, and multiparametric ultrasound. Her work examines quantitative vascular indices, structural patterns, and microvascular features as diagnostic markers for differentiating benign and malignant tumors, identifying tumor boundaries, grading gliomas, and determining molecular subtypes. She explores intraoperative imaging techniques to assist total tumor resection and optimize surgical outcomes. Her research also evaluates the clinical value of integrating ultrasound-derived vascular indices with histopathology and molecular profiling. By bridging imaging innovation with clinical applications, Dr. Cai aims to enhance precision diagnostics and individualized treatment strategies. Her studies contribute to understanding tumor hemodynamics, improving diagnostic confidence, and providing non-invasive tools for monitoring tumor progression. Her ultimate goal is to advance ultrasound-based imaging as a reliable, accurate, and clinically actionable method in oncology.

 

Publications

 

Title: Role of Multiparametric Ultrasound in Predicting the IDH Mutation in Gliomas: Insights from Intraoperative B-Mode, SWE, and SMI Modalities
Year: 2025

Title: Clinical application of intraoperative ultrasound superb microvascular imaging in brain tumors resections: contributing to the achievement of total tumoral resection
Year: 2024

Title: Intraoperative shear-wave elastography and superb microvascular imaging contribute to the glioma grading
Year: 2023

Title: Association Between Vascular Index Measured via Superb Microvascular Imaging and Molecular Subtype of Breast Cancer
Year: 2022

Title: Relationship Between Serum Lipid Profiles and Carotid Intraplaque Neovascularization in a High–Stroke‐Risk Population: A Cross‐Sectional Study in China
Year: 2021

Conclusion

Dr. Siman Cai is an emerging expert in medical ultrasound, dedicated to advancing tumor diagnostics through innovative imaging technologies, translating research findings into clinical practice, and improving surgical precision and patient outcomes in neuro-oncology and breast cancer.

Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern | Liquid Biopsy | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern | Liquid Biopsy | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern is an Israeli scientist and Principal Investigator at the Scojen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Reichman University. She specializes in bioinformatics, systems biology, and synthetic biology. With a rich background spanning molecular genetics, computer science, and structural biology, she has held key positions in institutions such as Bar-Ilan University, Weizmann Institute of Science, and the Spanish National Research Centre. She is renowned for her pioneering work in liquid biopsies, chimeric RNAs, and non-invasive diagnostic tools. Dr. Frenkel-Morgenstern has published extensively, served on prestigious evaluation panels, and received numerous fellowships and awards, including the Miguel Servet Fellowship and the Rector Prize for Scientific Innovation. Her leadership in both academic and public scientific communities, combined with a strong record of mentorship and university service, highlights her influential presence in biomedical research. She is also the founder of the “Art in Science” session at ISMB, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary innovation.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Frenkel-Morgenstern earned her PhD in Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science under Prof. Shmuel Pietrokovski, specializing in bioinformatics and systems biology. Prior to that, she completed her MSc in Mathematics and Computer Science with a thesis in molecular biology from Bar-Ilan University, mentored by Prof. Ron Unger and Prof. Amihood Amir. Her undergraduate studies were also at Bar-Ilan University, where she earned a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science. Her multidisciplinary education seamlessly blends life sciences, computational modeling, and mathematical analysis, forming the foundation for her later innovations in biomedical research. This strong computational background, coupled with a deep understanding of molecular biology, positioned her to excel in complex systems analysis, machine learning, and genomics, leading to a distinguished academic and research career. Her training has enabled her to lead translational biomedical projects, particularly in the fields of cancer research, structural bioinformatics, and synthetic biology.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern has over two decades of academic and research experience. She is currently Principal Investigator and Senior Lecturer at Reichman University. Prior to this, she was a senior faculty member at Bar-Ilan University’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine for a decade. Internationally, she served as a staff scientist at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and was a postdoctoral fellow in the labs of Prof. Alfonso Valencia and Prof. Uri Alon. She has also been a scientific advisor and educator at the Weizmann Institute’s Davidson Institute. Dr. Frenkel-Morgenstern has taught a range of graduate-level courses in genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. She has been deeply involved in institutional governance, serving on data science boards, senate committees, and multiple departmental leadership roles. Her professional journey reflects a blend of research excellence, teaching dedication, and scientific outreach, including organizing the “Art in Science” initiative for ISMB/ECCB.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Frenkel-Morgenstern has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her research and innovation. She was awarded the Rector Prize for Scientific Innovation by Bar-Ilan University in 2021, and the Bioinfo4Women Fellowship by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center from 2016–2019. Her work on RNA sequencing earned her the Miguel Servet Fellowship (2011–2015), and she received international postdoctoral fellowships from Caja Navarra Foundation and Horvitz Foundation. Her academic contributions have been recognized through several Travel Awards from ISMB, ECCB, and RECOMB, and she earned Outstanding Poster Awards in international conferences. As a guest editor for leading journals and evaluator for major funding bodies (ERC, ISF, GIF, etc.), her influence extends beyond research to shaping the global scientific agenda. She also received the Excellent Lecturer Award (2017) at Bar-Ilan University and serves as an academic reviewer and thesis evaluator for institutions across Israel, Europe, and Asia, demonstrating global academic leadership.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Frenkel-Morgenstern’s research centers on liquid biopsy technologies, cell-free nucleic acids (cfDNA/cfRNA), and systems and synthetic biology. Her lab investigates molecular biomarkers for cancer, arthritis, and prenatal diagnostics, developing computational platforms that utilize next-generation sequencing, AI, and machine learning. She explores chimeric RNAs, chromosomal translocations, and non-optimal codon usage, linking genetic regulation with disease mechanisms. Her interdisciplinary work bridges microbiome analysis, metagenomics, genome profiling, and protein-protein interaction networks, with translational applications in personalized medicine. In addition, she applies big data analytics to understand the cell cycle, identify druggable targets, and improve early diagnostics using non-invasive methods. Dr. Frenkel-Morgenstern is also investigating novel areas such as the relationship between melanin, Vitamin D, and mRNA technologies, relevant to both clinical and cosmetic science. Her research is both hypothesis-driven and data-intensive, aiming to convert large-scale biological data into practical medical insights and biotechnology solutions with significant societal impact.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern is a leading scientist in bioinformatics and synthetic biology whose interdisciplinary research in liquid biopsies, systems biology, and AI-driven genomics continues to impact cancer diagnostics and translational medicine globally.

Publications

  • Applications for Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Non-Invasive Approach for Detecting Structural Variants, Fusions, and Oncoviruses

    Cancers
    2025-06 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.3390/cancers17121901
    CONTRIBUTORS: Mahua Bhattacharya; Dan Yaniv; Dylan P. D’Souza; Eyal Yosefof; sharon tzelnick; Rajesh Detroja; Tal Wax; Adva Levy-Barda; Gideon Baum; Aviram Mizrachi et al.

  • ChiTaRS 8.0: the comprehensive database of chimeric transcripts and RNA-seq data with applications in liquid biopsy

    Nucleic Acids Research
    2025-01-06 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae1126
    CONTRIBUTORS: Dylan DSouza; Lihi Bik; Olawumi Giwa; Shahaf Cohen; Hilit Levy Barazany; Tali Siegal; Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern

  • The applications of circulating cell-free DNA for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients as non-invasive diagnostics of structural variants, fusions and oncoviruses

    2023-11-30 | Preprint
    DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.29.23299177
    CONTRIBUTORS: Mahua Bhattacharya; Dan Yaniv; Eyal Yosefof; Sharon Tzelnick; Rajesh Detroja; Dylan P. D’Souza; Gidi Baum; Aviram Mizrachi; Gideon Bachar; Milana Frenkel Morgenster