Belén Requena | Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Belén Requena | Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award

San Pablo CEU University | Spain

Belén Paula Fernández Requena is a biotechnologist and academic researcher specializing in metabolomics, bioanalysis, lipid metabolism, and advanced imaging technologies. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, a Master’s degree in Genetics and Cellular Biology, and a PhD in Health Sciences and Technology from CEU San Pablo University, where she is currently a full-time Profesor Contratado. Her doctoral work was conducted within the Excellence Research Group in Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), focusing on molecular and metabolic mechanisms relevant to human health. Her international research experience spans leading European institutions, including Julius-Maximilians Universität Würzburg, IMDEA Food Institute, and Maastricht University, where she trained in single-cell imaging under the supervision of Prof. Ron Heeren. Her research interests include lipidomics, epigenetic regulation of metabolism, extracellular vesicles, plant and insect signaling mechanisms, and host–pathogen interactions, particularly lipid alterations associated with Leishmania infection and therapeutic response. Her work has contributed to interdisciplinary advances across biotechnology, molecular biology, and translational health research. Through sustained international collaboration and methodological innovation, she continues to advance metabolomics-driven approaches with long-term impact in biomedical and biotechnological sciences.


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Featured Publications


Plasma miRNA–Metabolite Dysregulation in People with HIV with Cirrhosis Despite Successful HCV Cure
Ana Virseda-Berdices, Raquel Behar-Lagares, Juan Berenguer, Juan González-García, Belén Fernández Requena et al.,
Pharmaceuticals, 2026. (Journal Article)

Addressing the Untargeted Lipidomics Challenge in Urine Samples: Comparative Study of Extraction Methods by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS
Belén Fernández Requena, Carolina González-Riaño, Coral Barbas,
Analytica Chimica Acta, 2024. (WOS)

Comprehensive Lipidomic Analysis Reveals Further Insights into the Molecular Mechanism of Podocyte Lipotoxicity in Alport Syndrome
Amir Shabaka, Belén Fernández Requena, Carolina González-Riaño et al.,
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 2024. (WOS)

LiLA: Lipid Lung-Based ATLAS Built Through a Comprehensive Workflow Designed for Accurate Lipid Annotation
Belén Fernández Requena, Sajid Nadeem, Vineel P. Reddy et al.,
Communications Biology, 2024. (Nature Portfolio)

Liudmila Alexandrova | Biology and Life Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Liudmila Alexandrova | Biology and Life Sciences | Research Excellence Award

EIMB RAS | Russia

Liudmila A. Alexandrova is a senior researcher at the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences (EIMB RAS), with a distinguished career spanning molecular biology, bioorganic and medicinal chemistry. She graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University and completed postgraduate studies at EIMB RAS, followed by international postdoctoral research in Czechoslovakia and Germany as an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellow. Her research focuses on the mechanisms of action of antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal agents, with particular emphasis on the design and synthesis of nucleosides and nucleotides modified by heterocyclic bases and carbohydrate fragments.  She has contributed to and led competitive research projects, including a Russian Science Foundation grant  and has received two awards from the Russian Academy of Sciences. An experienced mentor, she has supervised four PhD dissertations and more than 35 diploma theses, currently guiding postgraduate researchers. Her scholarly record is documented through international research profiles underscoring her lasting contributions to antimicrobial drug discovery and nucleoside chemistry.


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Liudmila Alexandrova | Biology and Life Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Liudmila Alexandrova | Biology and Life Sciences | Research Excellence Award

EIMB RAS | Russia

Liudmila A. Alexandrova is a senior researcher at the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, with a distinguished career spanning several decades in molecular biology and medicinal chemistry. She received her education from Lomonosov Moscow State University and completed her postgraduate training at EIMB RAS. An Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, she has gained extensive international research experience through postdoctoral work in Czechoslovakia and Germany. Her scientific contributions include the design and synthesis of biologically active modified nucleosides and nucleotides, with a strong focus on antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal drug mechanisms. She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and holds five Russian patents, reflecting a substantial body of documented research output.  She has successfully supervised four PhD dissertations and over 35 diploma theses, while currently mentoring postgraduate researchers. Recipient of two Russian Academy of Sciences awards, her work has significantly advanced the development of novel bacterial and fungal growth inhibitors, establishing her as a respected contributor to biomedical and chemical research with lasting scientific influence.

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Featured Publications


The synthesis and antituberculosis activity of 5′-nor carbocyclic uracil derivatives
E. Matyugina, A. Khandazhinskaya, L. Chernousova, S. Andreevskaya, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 20(22), 6680–6686, 2012. (Citations: 82)


Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains H37Rv and MDR MS-115 by a new set of C5 modified pyrimidine nucleosides
E.R. Shmalenyuk, L.N. Chernousova, I.L. Karpenko, S.N. Kochetkov, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 21(17), 4874–4884, 2013. (Citations: 72)


2′-Deoxynucleoside 5′-triphosphates modified at α-, β- and γ-phosphates as substrates for DNA polymerases
L.A. Alexandrova, A.Y. Skoblov, M.V. Jasko, L.S. Victorova, A.A. Krayevsky, Nucleic Acids Research, 26(3), 778–786, 1998. (Citations: 68)


Oligonucleotide derivatives bearing reactive and stabilizing groups attached to C5 of deoxyuridine
A.S. Levina, D.R. Tabatadse, L.M. Khalimskaya, T.A. Prichodko, G.V. Shishkin, Bioconjugate Chemistry, 4(5), 319–325, 1993. (Citations: 49)


Colorimetric solid-phase minisequencing assay illustrated by detection of alpha 1-antitrypsin Z mutation
L. Harju, T. Weber, L. Alexandrova, M. Lukin, M. Ranki, A. Jalanko, Clinical Chemistry, 39(11), 2282–2287, 1993. (Citations: 47)

Ghasem Ahangari | Neuroscience | Excellence in Research

Prof. Ghasem Ahangari | Neuroscience | Excellence in Research

National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology | Iran

Professor Ghasem Ahangari is a senior academic and research leader in medical biotechnology, molecular immunology, and neuroimmunogenetics, with more than three decades of sustained contributions to translational biomedical science.  He holds academic training in medical technology, hematology, and molecular clinical immunology, with advanced research experience in internationally recognized institutions, including the Karolinska Institute. His professional career includes long-term faculty appointments, departmental leadership, institute directorships, and coordination of national and international scientific programs. His research interests center on complex disorders such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, neuroimmune and psychosomatic conditions, inflammation, neurotransmitter receptor signaling, and molecular diagnostics, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence in medical research. Professor Ahangari has authored numerous high-impact journal articles, books, and patents, supervised graduate researchers, and organized major scientific workshops and symposia. He is a recipient of multiple academic and research awards from national and international scientific bodies. Overall, his career reflects a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, academic leadership, and advancing precision medicine through molecular and systems-level approaches.

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Mohammad Hassan Sohouli | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Hassan Sohouli | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Tehran University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Dr. Mohammad Hassan Sohouli is an Assistant Professor and an accomplished researcher in Cellular and Molecular Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition, with a PhD completed from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran. His academic training integrates molecular nutrition, clinical nutrition, and public health, forming a strong foundation for translational and evidence-based research. He has been an active speaker at national and regional scientific conferences, and he has served as Chief Director at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center for Pediatric Nutrition and as a specialist clinical nutritionist at the Children Medical Center, Tehran. Dr. Sohouli has contributed to 148 completed and ongoing research projects and authored more than 141 articles in SCI- and  journals, accumulating over 1,306 citations, with an H-index of  19. His research interests focus on childhood obesity, NAFLD, dietary patterns, gut microbiota, cardiometabolic outcomes, pediatric and maternal nutrition, and public health nutrition, with extensive expertise in systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials. He has published three ISBN books, holds 13 patents, completed 68 consultancy projects, and received multiple recognitions as a top researcher, reflecting his sustained impact and leadership in nutrition science.

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Jun Hu | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Jun Hu | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine | China

Jun Hu is a medical researcher and lecturer specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)–based interventions for inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Trained as a Medical Doctor at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hu has developed a focused academic career combining mechanistic biomedical research with evidence-based evaluation of traditional therapies. His professional experience centers on teaching and research at a leading TCM institution, where he contributes to both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education while leading interdisciplinary studies. Hu’s research interests include herbal formulas, electroacupuncture, acupoint application, and moxibustion, with particular emphasis on asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, neuroinflammation, and immune regulation. He has played a key role in nationally funded research, including a National Natural Science Foundation of China project investigating autophagy-dependent ferroptosis mechanisms in moxibustion therapy for rheumatoid arthritis synovitis. His scholarly output includes peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals such as Biomolecules, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Mediators of Inflammation, and Journal of Ethnopharmacology. With an h-index of 7, more than 11 scientific publications, and over 95citations, his work demonstrates sustained academic influence. Overall, Jun Hu’s research bridges traditional medical theory and modern molecular science, advancing integrative strategies for chronic inflammatory disease management.

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Qufeng Xuanbi Formula inhibits benzo[a]pyrene-aggravated asthma via the AhR/ROS/ERK pathway

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2024 · DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117203

Mario Schiffer | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Mario Schiffer | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Erlangen University Hospital Department of Medicine 4 Nephrology and Hypertension | Germany

A leading figure in nephrology research, this scholar has built a distinguished career advancing the molecular understanding of proteinuria, glomerular diseases. Trained in molecular biology, internal medicine, and nephrology across top institutions, his academic journey spans medical education, residency, postdoctoral research in proteinuria, and progressive academic appointments culminating in a full professorship and departmental leadership. His research interests include podocyte biology, TGF-β and BMP signaling, nephrin turnover, slit diaphragm dynamics, zebrafish-based high-throughput screening, and mechanisms underlying diabetic and inflammatory kidney disease. He pioneered assays to study proteinuria in zebrafish, contributed to defining pathways of podocyte apoptosis, and advanced translational strategies linking basic science to clinical interventions in transplant nephrology. His work has been recognized with major honors such as the Heisenberg Professorship, New Investigator Awards, Franz Volhard Award, and multiple grants from leading scientific foundations. With extensive experience in clinical nephrology, scientific leadership roles, and multidisciplinary collaborations, he continues to drive innovation in kidney disease research and therapeutic development.

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Featured Publications

Bolanos‐Palmieri, P., Schenk, H., Bähre, H., Schroder, P., Staggs, L., Haller, H., & Schiffer, M. (2025). Kynurenine pathway dysregulation impairs podocyte morphology and bioenergetics in vitro and leads to glomerular dysfunction. The FASEB Journal.

Boi, R., Lassén, E., Johansson, A., Liu, P., Chaudhari, A., Tati, R., Müller-Deile, J., Schiffer, M., Ebefors, K., & Nyström, J. (2025). Cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 affects podocyte cytoskeleton dynamics in diabetic kidney disease. JCI Insight.

Bihlmaier, K., Willam, C., Herbst, L., Hackstein, H., Schiffer, M., Ströbel, A. M., Achenbach, S., Grampp, S., Bujok, K., Büstgens, F., et al. (2025). Rapid clinical effects of convalescent plasma therapy in severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Intensive Care Medicine.

Fueermann, F., Heller, K., Pavel, M., Herbst, L., Grützmann, R., & Schiffer, M. (2024). Pancreas transplantation as rescue therapy in a patient with type 1 diabetes and concurrent subcutaneous insulin resist.

Kraus, A., Skoczynski, K., Brötsch, M., Burzlaff, N., Leipziger, J., Schiffer, M., Büttner-Herold, M., & Buchholz, B. (2024). P2Y2R and cyst growth in polycystic kidney disease. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Ana Maria Abreu Velez | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ana Maria Abreu Velez | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Georgia Dermatopathology Associates | United States

Dr. Ana María Abreu Vélez, M.D., Ph.D., DSc, is a globally recognized dermatologist, immunohematologist, and biomedical researcher renowned for her leadership in autoimmune orphan diseases and multidisciplinary clinical research. With an impactful scholarly record including 72peer-reviewed publications, an h-index of 14, 659 citations. she has advanced scientific understanding across dermatology, immunology, toxicology, and tropical medicine. Her academic path includes a medical degree, a Doctorate in Science, and multiple postdoctoral fellowships spanning immunohematology, dermatopathology, and translational research. She has served in senior scientific and operational leadership roles, driving innovation, improving surveillance systems, and modernizing data-driven healthcare programs in national and international settings. Her research focuses on autoimmune blistering diseases, environmental toxicants, clinical trials, infectious diseases, and precision diagnostics. Her career includes leading major healthcare programs, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, mentoring multidisciplinary teams, and developing novel scientific frameworks. Widely respected for her analytical rigor and scientific contributions, Dr. Abreu continues to advance global health through research excellence, strategic leadership, and impactful biomedical innovation.

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Featured Publications

Abreu Velez, A. M., Ramirez-Posada, M., & Howard, M. S. (2025). Post translational modifications and protein-protein interactome of endemic pemphigus in El Bagre, Colombia: A new variant analysis. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 15(3).

Abreu-Velez, A. M., Ramos Muñoz, W., & Howard, M. (2025). Is Tunisian endemic pemphigus foliaceus a real entity or should these cases be reclassified with other autoimmune blistering diseases? Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 15(2).

Abreu Velez, A. M., Hashimoto, T., Upegui, Y. A., Vélez Arango, J. M., Olarte Aponte, A. M., Vega, J. A., & Howard, M. S. (2025). The pericardium cells junctions are a target for autoantibodies of patients affected by a variant of endemic pemphigus foliaceus in El Bagre and surrounding municipalities in Colombia, South America. Diagnostics, 15(8).

Abreu Velez, A. M., Hashimoto, T., Vélez Arango, J. M., Upegui‐Zapata, Y. A., Upegui‐Quiceño, E., Olarte Aponte, A. M., & Howard, M. S. (2025). New complex cell junctions in and around the intervertebral discs discovered using autoantibodies from patients affected by endemic pemphigus foliaceus in El Bagre, Colombia, South America. International Journal of Dermatology, 64(3).

Abreu Velez, A. M., Ramírez‐Posada, M., & Howard, M. S. (2024). Immunofluorescence findings in a reactivating lichenoid photoallergic chronic dermatitis (actinic reticuloid). Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 40(5).

Luciana Veras de Aquino Figueirôa | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Luciana Veras de Aquino Figueirôa | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

State University of Rio Grande do Norte | Brazil

Luciana Véras de Aquino Figueirôa is a Brazilian veterinary researcher and CNPq doctoral fellow whose academic journey reflects excellence in animal pathology and veterinary sciences. She holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine, a specialization in Small Animal Clinical Medicine and Surgery, a Master’s in Animal Production, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Animal Science at the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA). Her doctoral research investigates the neurotoxic effects of Bisphenol A on prefrontal cortex and hippocampal cells in rats, contributing to advancements in neurotoxicology and animal health. food safety, and animal health management. Her professional experience includes teaching pathology, conducting research on aquatic organism diseases, and promoting food quality and safety through inspection and training programs. Recognized for her commitment to veterinary pathology and scientific education, she continues to expand knowledge in neurotoxic effects and animal health monitoring. Her career embodies dedication to animal welfare, sustainable food safety, and veterinary innovation.

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Featured Publications

Figueirôa, L. V. de A., Teófilo, T. S., Batista, J. S., Feijó, F. M. C., & Ximenes Lima, J. T. A. (2024). Clinical and histopathological evidence of Hepatobacter penaei in Litopenaeus vannamei culture with high mortality. Archives of Veterinary Science, 29(3), e95315.

Campêlo, M. C. da S., Medeiros, J. M. S. de, Rebouças, L. de O. S., Figueirôa, L. V. A., Oliveira, P. V. C. de, Lima, P. de O., & Silva, J. B. A. da. (2020). Shelf life and consumer preference for sun dried meat produced with different levels of sodium chloride. Research, Society and Development, 9(10), e8297.

Figueirôa, L. V. A., Ximenes de Lima, J. T. A., & Feijó, F. M. C. (2013). Bacterioses em viveiros de camarão marinho em Mossoró-RN. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 35(2), 145–152.

Figueirôa, L. V. A., Batista, J. S., & Guzen, F. P. (2025). Análise do efeito do bisfenol A em células do córtex pré-frontal e do hipocampo cultivadas do rato. Journal of Veterinary Pathology and Animal Health Research, 12(1), 25–34.

Figueirôa, L. V. A. (2013). Anestesia em cães e gatos diabéticos: Uma revisão. Equalis Veterinary Journal, 8(3), 60–68.

Patricia Fernandes | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Patricia Fernandes | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro | Brazil

Patricia Dias Fernandes is a distinguished Full Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, recognized for her pioneering contributions to pharmacology and inflammation research.  she has established herself as a leading figure in experimental pharmacology. Her academic background and research career focus on preclinical models of chronic inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease, endometriosis, cancer, and SARS-CoV-2-induced pneumonia. She leads several multidisciplinary projects exploring novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic agents through integrative biochemical and omics approaches. Prof. Fernandes has registered multiple patents on innovative antiviral compounds, highlighting her translational impact from laboratory to clinical relevance. As an Associate Editor of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, she actively promotes scientific excellence and innovation in drug discovery. Her collaborations with prominent researchers worldwide, including Pierre Sirois, Fabio Boylan, and Claudio Viegas, strengthen her global scientific network. Recipient of numerous national and institutional recognitions, Prof. Fernandes continues to advance the field of pharmacology by searching for new bioactive and synthetic compounds to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, shaping the next generation of therapeutic strategies.

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Featured Publications

Franco, G. D. R. R., Gontijo, V. S., Viegas, F. P. D., Silva, M. D. F., Ortiz, C. J. C., Damásio, C. M., Silva, I. M. F., Campos, T. G., Reis, E. V. S., Clarindo, F. A., et al. (2025). Novel multifunctional cannabidiol-based analogues with in silico, in vitro, and in vivo anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect. Pharmaceuticals, 18(10), 1565.

Moraes, R. S. M., Botelho, A. B. M., Pinto, G. T. A., Rodrigues, S. C., Martins, M. T. M., Soares, D. L. A., Cruz, C. C., Pinto, A. D. A., Dias, F. R. F., Fernandes, P. D., et al. (2025). Chemistry, applications, and synthesis methods of indole derivatives: A comprehensive review. The Chemical Record. Advance online publication.

Guerra, F. S., Freitas, R. H. C. N., Moldovan, F., Rocha, D. R. D., Carvalho, R. S., & Fernandes, P. D. (2025). Design, synthesis, and bioactivity assessment of modified vemurafenib analog. Pharmaceuticals, 18(8), 1161.

de Souza, M. L., de Paiva, J. P. B., Franco, G. D. R. R., Gontijo, V. S., Alves, M. A., de Souza, H. M. R., Lontra, A. C. P., de Oliveira, E. A., Giorno, T. B. S., Guedes, I. A., et al. (2025). Design, synthesis, and evaluation of antinociceptive properties of novel CBD-based terpene-cinnamoyl-acyl-hydrazone analogues. Pharmaceuticals, 18(5), 755.

França, P. R. C., de Paiva, J. P. B., de Carvalho, R. R., Figueiredo, C. P., Sirois, P., & Fernandes, P. D. (2024). R-954, a bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist, as a potential therapy in a preclinical endometriosis model. Peptides, 171, 171294.