Forshing Lui | Neurology | Best Researcher Award

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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.

Publications

Alaa Abd-Elsayed | Neuromidulation | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed | Neuromidulation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed 🇺🇸 is an American board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison 🏥, recognized for his leadership, groundbreaking research 🔬, and compassionate patient care 💉, with a prolific academic career as a professor, director, and global speaker 🎤, blending clinical excellence, innovation, and education 📚 in pain management, with over two decades of medical service and leadership roles across Egypt 🇪🇬 and the U.S. 🇺🇸, while holding numerous prestigious certifications 🏅, published research, and leadership awards 🏆, he stands as a dedicated pioneer in improving chronic pain therapy 🔥 and anesthesiology practice worldwide 🌍.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Alaa’s academic journey began at Assuit University 🇪🇬, earning his MBBCh 🩺 in 2000 & MPH 🎓 in 2006; postgrad, he trained extensively in the U.S. 🇺🇸, completing internships, anesthesiology residency, and a pain medicine fellowship 🏥 at the University of Cincinnati 🎯, and a Clinical Research Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic 🧪; board-certified in anesthesiology & chronic pain medicine 💊, and a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) 🏆, he capped his academic prowess with an Executive MBA 🎓 in 2023, mastering both medicine & healthcare leadership 🧠, and attending diverse leadership programs 💼 from AAPL, UW Health, and Faulkner University, cementing a strong foundation in clinical care and strategic innovation ⚡.

Experience 👨‍🏫

With over 20 years in medicine 🩺, Dr. Alaa has held roles from intern 👨‍⚕️ in Egypt 🇪🇬 to Associate Professor 📖, First Division Chief, and Medical Director at UW-Madison 🇺🇸; he’s led UW Health Pain Services 🔥, pioneering chronic pain medicine management 💊; his journey spanned positions at Assuit University, Cleveland Clinic, and University of Cincinnati 🏥; he’s served as chief fellow, staff anesthesiologist, researcher 🔬, educator 📚, and leader, combining advanced clinical practice 🏆 with administrative excellence 💼, mentoring future physicians while driving cutting-edge research 🚀 and pain medicine innovations 🌟.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Alaa’s distinguished career is crowned with awards 🌟 like the Raj/Racz Excellence Award 🥇, Physician of the Year 🏅, America’s Top Doctors 👏, Fellow of ASA 🧠, and recognition as a World Expert 🌍 in pain by Expertscape; multiple top research, poster 🖼️, and abstract prizes 🧾 from ASIPP, MARC, ASPN, ASA, INS & WSA 🏆 highlight his prolific contributions, while his books 📚 were ranked among the best in anesthesiology and pain medicine 💊; his research has shaped clinical practices 🌡️ and his leadership has been applauded across national and global stages 🎤, underlining his impact as a clinician, educator, and thought leader 💡.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Alaa’s research explores pain management innovation 🔥, neuromodulation ⚡, spinal cord stimulation 🧠, dorsal root ganglion therapies 💉, and anesthesiology outcomes 🧾; he’s passionate about translating bench-to-bedside discoveries 🏥, optimizing patient-centered chronic pain therapies 💊, and advancing perioperative safety 🌡️; his peer-reviewed publications 📚, clinical trials 🧪, and systematic reviews ⚗️ have influenced global practices 🌍, securing his place among top 0.05% scholars worldwide 🏆; his scientific vision combines clinical evidence, bioethics, and real-world health solutions for pain relief and anesthetic care 🧠💡.

Publications 

Tran Chau My Thanh | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

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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

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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 

Yuanyuan Li | Movement Disorder | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yuanyuan Li | Movement Disorder | Best Researcher Award

🧠 Dr. Yuanyuan Li is a dedicated neurologist and researcher specializing in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease and REM sleep behavior disorder. She obtained her Ph.D. in Neurology from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and has been actively involved in cutting-edge research at Ruijin Hospital’s Department of Neurology. As a project leader, she has explored the role of α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons, investigating its transport pathways and impact on cell viability. Dr. Li has authored multiple high-impact publications in renowned journals such as Neurology and J Neuroinflammation. Her work has contributed significantly to understanding the early biomarkers of neurodegenerative disorders. She has received prestigious awards, including the National Scholarship for Doctoral Students and the Outstanding Graduate Award from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. With numerous conference presentations and accolades, Dr. Li continues to drive forward advancements in neurodegenerative disease research. ✨📚

Profile

Education 🎓

🎓 Dr. Yuanyuan Li completed her Ph.D. in Neurology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, where she focused on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease and REM sleep behavior disorder. Her doctoral research emphasized the role of α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons, uncovering its impact on neurodegeneration. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Li consistently demonstrated excellence, earning the First-Class Academic Scholarship and the Meritorious Student Award. She was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate and received the prestigious National Scholarship for Doctoral Students. Beyond coursework, she actively engaged in translational research, bridging laboratory findings with clinical applications. Her education has provided a strong foundation in neurobiology, molecular neuroscience, and clinical neurology. With a passion for uncovering early biomarkers of neurodegeneration, Dr. Li’s educational background has shaped her into a leading researcher in the field. 📖🧬

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Yuanyuan Li has extensive research experience at Ruijin Hospital’s Department of Neurology, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. As a principal investigator, she led the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Doctoral Innovation Fund project, studying α-synuclein’s transport mechanisms in dopaminergic neurons and its effects on cell viability. Her expertise spans biomarker discovery, neuroinflammation, and disease progression in neurodegenerative disorders. She has collaborated on numerous high-impact studies published in Neurology, J Neuroinflammation, and NPJ Parkinson’s Disease. Dr. Li has also presented her findings at major conferences, including the National Neurology Conference and the Oriental Neurology Conference. Her experience in both basic and clinical research allows her to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient applications, advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. 🏥🧠

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Yuanyuan Li has received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to neurology and neuroscience research. She was awarded the National Scholarship for Doctoral Students, recognizing her academic excellence and groundbreaking research. She also received the Outstanding Graduate Award and the Meritorious Student Award from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Her outstanding academic performance earned her the First-Class Academic Scholarship, demonstrating her dedication to advancing neurological research. Dr. Li has been recognized for her contributions at major conferences, winning the “Excellent Paper Presentation” award at the Oriental Neurology Conference. Additionally, she secured First Prize for Poster Presentation at the “Bo Ji Yi Yuan” Academic Forum. Her accolades reflect her commitment to advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease. These honors highlight her as a rising star in the field of neurology. 🏅📜

Research Interests 🔬

🧪 Dr. Yuanyuan Li’s research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on Parkinson’s disease, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), and α-synuclein pathology. Her work explores the molecular mechanisms driving these disorders, particularly the role of α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons, its transport pathways, and its impact on cell viability. She has also investigated immune biomarkers, neuroinflammation, and genetic variants associated with Parkinson’s progression. Dr. Li’s studies have contributed to identifying predictive markers for early-stage neurodegenerative diseases, aiding in early diagnosis and potential therapeutic interventions. Through her publications in top journals like Neurology, J Neuroinflammation, and NPJ Parkinson’s Disease, she has advanced knowledge in the field. Her work integrates clinical and experimental neuroscience, bridging gaps between laboratory findings and real-world applications. Dr. Li’s research continues to shape the understanding of neurodegenerative disorders and their early detection. 🧬🔍

 

4Publications 

  • Gene Polymorphisms of Parkinson’s Disease Risk Locus and Idiopathic REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

    Biomedicines
    2025-03-24 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13040788
    CONTRIBUTORS: Min Zhong; Yang Jiao; Aonan Zhao; Mengyue Niu; Jinjun Ran; Jun Liu; Yuanyuan Li

  • Understanding Causal Relationships Between Imaging-Derived Phenotypes and Parkinson’s Disease: A Mendelian Randomization and Observational Study

    Biomedicines
    2025-03-18 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13030747
    CONTRIBUTORS: Yichi Zhang; Min Zhong; Zhao Yang; Xiaojin Wang; Zhongxun Dong; Liche Zhou; Qianyi Yin; Bingshun Wang; Jun Liu; Yuanyuan Li et al.

  • Understanding Causal Relationships between Imaging-Derived Phenotypes and Parkinson’s Disease: A Mendelian Randomization and Observational Study

    2025-02-05 | Preprint
    DOI: 10.20944/preprints202502.0350.v1
    CONTRIBUTORS: Yichi Zhang; Min Zhong; Zhao Yang; Xiaojin Wang; Zhongxun Dong; Liche Zhou; Qianyi Yin; Bingshun Wang; Jun Liu; Yuanyuan Li et al.

  • Network disruption based on multi-modal EEG-MRI in α-synucleinopathies

    Frontiers in Neurology
    2024 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3389/FNEUR.2024.1442851
    WOSUID: WOS:001304283700001
    CONTRIBUTORS: Wang, Chunyi; Hu, Jiajia; Li, Puyu; Zhang, Ming; Zhou, Liche; Luo, Ningdi; Zhu, Xue; Yin, Qianyi; Zhong, Min; Zhou, Xinyi et al.

Gerardo Fernandez | Eye tracking | Excellence in Innovation

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Dr. Gerardo Fernandez | Eye tracking | Excellence in Innovation

Gerardo Abel Fernández 🇦🇷, born on October 29, 1976, in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, is a researcher specializing in neuroscience and cognitive science 🧠. He is a professor and adjunct researcher at CONICET, focusing on eye movement-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases 👀. His work integrates philosophy, cognitive psychology, and technology to advance Alzheimer’s diagnosis 🏥.

Profile

Education 🎓

🎓 Gerardo Abel Fernández obtained a degree in Philosophy (2003) from Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Argentina, with a specialization in Logic and Epistemology. He later pursued a PhD in Philosophy (2011) at UNS, with his thesis titled “Dynamic word processing during reading: Mental strategies driving visual exploration”, earning a perfect 10/10 with special mention. His academic journey includes postdoctoral research as a fellow at AGENCIA (ANPCYT) and the DAAD Max Planck Institute in Berlin. His educational background bridges philosophy, neuroscience, and cognitive psychology, forming a solid foundation for his pioneering research in eye movement analysis and Alzheimer’s biomarkers. His expertise in cognitive science and technological innovation has led to the development of diagnostic tools for early neurodegenerative disease detection. 📚🔍🧠

Experience 👨‍🏫

💼 Dr. Gerardo Abel Fernández has extensive experience in neuroscience research and technological innovation. He served as a Professor of Audiovisual Language at UNS (2011–2013) and is currently an Adjunct Researcher at CONICET, focusing on non-endemic degenerative pathologies. He has worked as a Visiting Scholar at Heriot-Watt University and Strathclyde University (UK), contributing to the development of eye-tracking biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Fernández is also a scientific reviewer for prestigious journals like PlosOne, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and Neuropsychologia. As CTO of Viewmind, he leads biocognitive and functional performance measurement innovations. He has patented cognitive evaluation methods and received grants from institutions like ANPCYT and DAAD. His interdisciplinary expertise spans cognitive neuroscience, machine learning applications in diagnostics, and technological development for neurodegenerative disease assessment. 🏅🔬👁️

Research Interests 🔬

🔬 Dr. Gerardo Abel Fernández specializes in cognitive neuroscience, neurodegenerative disease biomarkers, and eye-tracking technology. His research focuses on early Alzheimer’s detection through oculomotor behavior analysis. He has developed innovative methods to study visual exploration, reading difficulties, and memory impairments in neurodegenerative conditions. His work integrates machine learning and artificial intelligence for cognitive assessment tools. As a Visiting Scholar in the UK, he contributed to developing biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. His patented eye-tracking system has clinical applications in detecting mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, exploring predictive eye movement models and their correlation with cognitive decline. His cutting-edge research bridges philosophy, neuroscience, and technology, offering non-invasive diagnostic solutions for early-stage neurodegeneration. His ultimate goal is to revolutionize cognitive healthcare through technological innovation. 🧠👁️📊

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

🏆 Dr. Gerardo Abel Fernández has received numerous awards for his contributions to neuroscience, cognitive evaluation, and Alzheimer’s diagnostics. His eye-tracking research for Alzheimer’s detection earned the Dr. José Borda Clinical Psychiatry Prize at the 22nd International Congress of Psychiatry. He won the Novartis Innovation Award for his work on measuring cognitive performance in health and disease. As CTO of Viewmind, his team received international recognition, including the Fit4Start Luxembourg Award for health applications and the Medica Innovation Prize in Düsseldorf. His research and patented cognitive evaluation equipment have been acknowledged by ANMAT (Argentina’s National Administration of Drugs, Foods, and Medical Technology) and INPI (Argentina’s National Patent Office). Dr. Fernández’s groundbreaking innovations in neurocognitive assessments have positioned him as a leading figure in technological advancements for early Alzheimer’s detection. 🏅🧠🔬

Publications 📚

  • Oculomotor behaviors and integrative memory functions in the alzheimer’s clinical syndrome

    Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
    2021 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3233/JAD-201189

  • A non-invasive tool for attention-deficit disorder analysis based on gaze tracks.

    ACM International Conference Proceeding Series
    2019 | Conference paper
    DOI: 10.1145/3309772.3309777

  • Microsaccadic behavior when developing a complex dynamical activity

    Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
    2018 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170057

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85053731401

Carmela Conte | Neurodegenerative diseases | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Dr. Carmela Conte | Neurodegenerative diseases | Best Researcher Award

 

Profile

Education

Carmela Conte obtained her Master’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Perugia on November 3, 1994. She then pursued a Ph.D. in Medical Embryology through a joint program between the Universities of Perugia and Ferrara, completing it between December 30, 1996, and January 19, 2000. Following this, she specialized in Chemistry and Food Technology at the University of Perugia, earning her specialization between November 1, 2000, and November 1, 2002. Most recently, on September 29, 2023, she received National Habilitation as an Associate Professor in Biochemistry. She currently serves as an Aggregate Professor in her field.

Work experience

Since September 7, 2007, Carmela Conte has been serving as an Aggregate Professor in Biochemistry at the University of Perugia, where she teaches courses in General and Systematic Biochemistry, Medical Applied Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she participated in a Teaching and Training Mobility Program at VUMC Medical University of Amsterdam from June 24 to July 5, 2019, where she worked on a research project investigating the role of Toll-like receptors in Parkinson’s disease. She has been a member of the European Society for Neurochemistry since 2007 and, since March 17, 2022, has also been affiliated with the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Research Activity

Carmela Conte’s research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on animal models, signal transduction, molecular biology, and cell biology. Her specific research topics include the role of Toll-like receptors in Parkinson’s disease, neuroinflammation, synucleinopathies, oxidative stress, and Parkinson’s disease. Since September 7, 2007, she has been actively involved in editorial work, serving as a Reviewer Editor for Frontiers in Neuroscience (Neurodegeneration section) and as an ad hoc reviewer for several journals, including Amino Acids, The Cerebellum, Free Radical Research, Biomolecules, PLOS One, Experimental Gerontology, Molecules, Cells, Neurochemical Research, Neuroscience, Pharmacological Reports, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Viruses, and the Journal of Biotechnology. Additionally, she has been a Guest Editor for Molecules and Cells, overseeing special issues and topic collections on neurodegenerative diseases. She has presented her research at numerous scientific meetings and conferences, including the 2009 Meeting of the European Society for Neurochemistry in Leipzig, the 2019 European Biotechnology Congress in Valencia, the 2021 European Biotechnology Congress in Sofia, the 2022 National Meeting of the Sphingolipid Club, and the 2023 Meeting of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, where she discussed findings related to Toll-like receptor 4, alpha-synuclein accumulation, and sphingomyelinase activity in Parkinson’s disease models.

Publication

Suleyman Yildizdal | Craniosynostosis | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Suleyman Yildizdal | Craniosynostosis | Best Researcher Award

 

 

Profile

Education

He completed his education at Org. Kenan Evren School from 2000 to 2008, followed by Gaziantep Anadolu High School from 2008 to 2012. He then pursued his medical training at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine from 2012 to 2018. After earning his medical degree, he continued his specialization in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery as a resident at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine from November 2018 to February 2024. In April 2024, he joined Ankara Research and Training Hospital, where he continues to work in the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery.

 

Work experience

He has participated in various courses and workshops to enhance his expertise in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. He attended the Resident Ethics Course at Hacettepe University’s Department of History of Medicine and Medical Ethics on January 10-11, 2019. He also completed the 5th Basic Residency School organized by the Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery in Bolu, Turkey, from January 22-25, 2020. Further advancing his skills, he took part in the 15th Advanced Residency School in Antalya, Turkey, from April 20-24, 2023. Additionally, he attended the 1st Cadaver Course of Craniofacial Anomaly and Maxillofacial Surgery at Hacettepe University on September 3-4, 2022, and the 1st Cadaver Course of Orthognathic Surgery at Koc University Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, on September 7-8, 2022.

In addition to his clinical and surgical training, he has contributed to academic literature by co-authoring book chapters. He co-wrote Age-Related Changes in Trunk Aesthetics in Beauty, Aging, and Anti-Aging (1st ed., Elsevier, 2022) alongside G. G. Üstün and S. Yıldızdal. He also contributed to Dudak ve Damak Yarıkları Hacettepe Ekip Yaklaşım, co-authoring “Apert and Crouzon Syndrome” with İbrahim Vargel.

Awards

He has achieved remarkable academic success, securing 16th place in the National Examination for Specialty in Medicine among over 18,000 participants. Additionally, he ranked 571st in the National Student Selection and Placement Examination out of more than 2 million candidates.

He has actively participated in national meetings within his field, contributing to discussions and advancements in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. He attended the 41st National Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Meeting in Samsun, Turkey, from October 26-30, 2019. He also participated in the National Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Eastern Mediterranean Meeting on Cleft Lip and Palate, held in Gaziantep, Turkey, from February 7-9, 2020. Furthermore, he attended the 43rd National Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Meeting in Antalya, Turkey, from November 10-14, 2021.

 

Publication

Michal Schwartz | Neurodegenerative diseases | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Dr. Michal Schwartz | Neurodegenerative diseases | Best Researcher Award

Michal Schwartz (born 1 January 1950) is a professor of neuroimmunology at the Weizmann Institute of Science. She is active in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly utilizing the immune system to help the brain fight terminal neurodegenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.[3][1]

Schwartz’s studies have shown that the immune system supports a healthy brain’s function and is vital for healing and protecting the brain in case of injury or disease.[4]

Schwartz coined the term protective autoimmunity[5] and discovered roles for immune cells in repair and neurogenesis. She has been the elected chair of the International Society of Neuroimmunology (ISNI) since 2016.[6]

In 2023 Schwartz received the honorary Israel Prize for Life Sciences.

 

Profile

Education

Schwartz gained her Bachelor of Science in chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1972. She received her Ph.D in Immunology in 1977 at the Weizmann Institute of Science, where she would later spend the majority of her career. She also spent time at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, researching nerve regeneration.[when?

 

Work experience

At the Weizmann Institute, she progressed from senior scientist in the Department of Neurobiology to full professor in 1998, and was then awarded the Maurice and Ilse Katz Professorial Chair in Neuroimmunology in 2016.[7] Schwartz’s work in neuroimmunology has encompassed a wide range of pathologies in the central nervous system (CNS), including injury, neurodegeneration, mental dysfunction, and aging. She coined the term protective autoimmunity and demonstrated the role of immune cells such as macrophages and T cells in spinal cord repair. She also identified specific brain areas for ‘cross talk’ between the CNS and the immune system. This cross-talk is important for recruiting immune cells and maintaining a healthy brain, and the disruption of this cross-talk can play a role in brain aging and neurodegenerative disease. She also showed this role in pregnancy and fetal brain development, where immune disruption in the mother can be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in their children. Another focus of her work has been on repurposing cancer immunotherapies such as PD-1 blockers to treat neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Macrophages

The Schwartz team discovered that bone marrow-derived macrophages are needed for central nervous system (CNS) repair. The brain-resident myeloid cells (the microglia), and infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages are not redundant populations, despite their myeloid phenotype, and display distinct functions in resolution of brain inflammation.[8][9][10]

Autoimmunity

In her research, Schwartz discovered that the ability to cope with sterile CNS injuries requires support in the form of an adaptive immune response mediated by CD4+ T cells that recognize CNS antigens. She coined the concept of protective autoimmunity, to distinguish this response from autoimmune disease, in which the anti-self response escapes control. Over the years, it became clear that adaptive immunity is needed to facilitate the recruitment of immunoregulatory cells, including bone marrow-derived macrophages and FoxP3 regulatory T cells, though the balance between regulatory T cells and effector memory cells is different in the periphery versus the brain.[11][12][13]

Brain Homeostasis

Schwartz’s team discovered the role of adaptive systemic immune cells, and specifically T cells recognizing brain antigens (Protective autoimmune T cells), in supporting the cognitive capacity of the healthy brain, for lifelong neurogenesis, and functional brain plasticity. These observations paved the way for numerous additional discoveries in which the brain-immune axis was described.[14][15][16]

The Choroid Plexus

Schwartz’s team identified the brain’s choroid plexus (CP) within the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier as an immunological interface between the brain and the immune system. It serves as a niche that hosts immune cells, and as a physiological entry gate for leukocytes. Focusing on this unique niche within the brain led the Schwartz group to propose that IFN-γ holds the key to regulating CP gateway activity. Her team further showed that in brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases (studied using both mouse models and human samples), dysfunction of this interface is determined both by signals originating in the brain, and signals from the aged immune system, which led to the identification of Type-I Interferon (IFN-I) at the CP as a negative player, affecting the fate of the aging brain in general, and of microglia, in particular. A similar IFN-I signature at the CP was subsequently discovered by others in Alzheimer’s disease and in the postmortem brains of infected patients who died from COVID-19.[17][14][10]

Immunotherapy

The discovery that adaptive immunity plays a key role in brain function and repair, the need for bone marrow-derived macrophages to resolve local brain inflammation, the fact that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and all forms of dementia are mainly age-related diseases, and the fact that the immune system is particularly affected by aging all led Schwartz to propose a new treatment for combating dementias. Schwartz suggested empowering systemic immunity, using a form of immunotherapy by modestly blocking the inhibitory immune checkpoint PD1/PD-L1 pathway.[citation needed] This treatment drives an immune-dependent cascade of events, that allows the harnessing of bone marrow-derived macrophages and regulatory T cells to help clear toxic factors from the diseased brain, and to arrest the local inflammation, thereby providing a comprehensive multi-factorial therapy through modification of multiple elements that go awry in AD. Schwartz’s patents for developing such immunotherapy for AD are licensed to a small Biopharma company, Immunobrain Checkpoint. The company is awaiting a clinical trial in AD patients, supported in part by the National Institute of Aging, the US National Institutes of Health, and The Alzheimer’s Association.[18][19][20][21][22][23]

Publication

1. Rachmian N, Medina S, Cherqui U, Akiva H, Deitch D, Edilbi D, Croese T, Salame T, Peralta Ramos
J, Cahalon L, Krizhanovsky V, Schwartz M. 2024. Senescent microglia conserved in aging and
Alzheimer’s disease exhibit elevated TREM2 protein levels. Nat Neurosci 27: 1116-24
2. Tsitsou-Kampeli A, Suzzi S, Kenigsbuch M, Satomi A, Strobelt R, Singer O, Feldmesser E, Purnapatre
M, Colaiuta SP, David E, Cahalon L, Hahn O, Wyss-Coray T, Shaul Y, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2023.
Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase at the choroid plexus contributes to brain immune homeostasis. Cell Rep
Med: 101278
3. Suzzi, S. Croese T., Ravid A., Gold O., Clark A., Medina A., Kitsberg D., Adam M., Vernon K., Kohnert
E., Shapira I., Malitsky S., Itkin M., Brandis A., Mehlman T., Salame T., Colaiuta S., Cahalon L.,Slyper
M., Greka A., Habib N., Schwartz M. 2023. N-acetylneuraminic acid links immune exhaustion and
accelerated memory deficit in diet-induced obese Alzheimer’s disease mouse model 2023. Nat. Commun.
14:1293.
4. Kenigsbuch M, Bost P, Halevi S, Chang Y, Chen S, Ma Q, Hajbi R, Schwikowski B, Bodenmiller B, Fu
H, Schwartz M*, Amit I* (equal contribution, and corresponding authors). 2022. A shared diseaseassociated oligodendrocyte signature among multiple CNS pathologies. Nat Neurosci 25: 876-86.
5. Dvir-Szternfeld R, Castellani G, Arad M, Cahalon L, Colaiuta SP, Keren-Shaul H, Croese T, Burgaletto
C, Baruch K, Ulland T, Colonna M, Weiner A, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2022. Alzheimer’s disease
modification mediated by bone marrow-derived macrophages via a TREM2-independent pathway in
mouse model of amyloidosis. Nature Aging 2: 60-73 (citations:17).
6. Ben-Yehuda H, Arad M, Peralta Ramos JM, Sharon E, Castellani G, Ferrera S, Cahalon L, Colaiuta SP,
Salame TM, Schwartz M. 2021. Key role of the CCR2-CCL2 axis in disease modification in a mouse
model of tauopathy. Mol Neurodegeneration 16: 39. (citations:20).
7. Cohen M, Giladi A, Raposo C, Zada M, Li B, Ruckh J, Deczkowska A, Mohar B, Shechter R, Lichtenstein
RG, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2021. Meningeal lymphoid structures are activated under acute and chronic
spinal cord pathologies. Life Sci Alliance 4: e202000907.
8. Habib N, McCabe C, Medina S, Varshavsky M, Kitsberg D, Dvir-Szternfeld R, Green G, Dionne D,
Nguyen L, Marshall JL, Chen F, Zhang F, Kaplan T, Regev A, Schwartz M. 2020. Disease- associated
astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease and aging. Nat Neurosci 23: 701-6. (citations:617).
9. Ben-Yehuda H, Matcovitch-Natan O, Kertser A, Spinrad A, Prinz M, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2020.
Maternal Type-I interferon signaling adversely affects the microglia and the behavior of the offspring
accompanied by increased sensitivity to stress. Mol Psychiatry 25: 1050-67 (Cover page).
10. Kertser A,Baruch K, Deczkowska A,Weiner A,Croese T, Kenigsbuch M,CooperI, Tsoory M,Ben- Hamo
S, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2019. Corticosteroid signaling at the brain-immune interface impedes coping with
severe psychological stress. Sci Adv 5: eaav4111. (citations:32).
11. Rosenzweig N, Dvir-Sternfeld R, Tsitsou-Kampeli A, Keren-Shaul H, Ben-Yehuda H, Weill-Raynal P,
Cahalon L, Kertser A, Baruch K, Amit I, Weiner A, Schwartz M. 2019. PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade
harnesses monocyte-derived macrophages to combat cognitive impairment in a mouse model of tauassociated dementia. Nat Commun. 10: 465. (citations:141).
12. Deczkowska A, Matcovitch-Natan O, Tsitsou-Kampeli A, Ben-Hamo S, Dvir-Szternfeld R, Spinrad A,
Singer O, David E, Winter RD, Smith KL, Kertser A, Baruch K, Rosenzweig N, Terem A, Prinz M,
Villeda S, Citri A, Amit I, Schwartz M. 2017. Mef2C restrains the microglial inflammatory response and
is lost in brain ageing in an IFN-I-dependent manner. Nat Commun 8: 717. (citations:212).
13. Cohen M, Ben-Yehuda H, Porat Z, Raposo C, Gordon S, Schwartz M. 2017. Newly formed endothelial
2
cells regulate myeloid cell activity following spinal cord injury via expression of CD200 ligand. J
Neurosci 37: 972-85.

said Pournaghash-tehrani | Neuroscience | Best Faculty Award

Posted on by sciencefather

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