Alexander Zhgun | Engineering and Technology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Alexander Zhgun | Engineering and Technology | Research Excellence Award

Group of Fungal Genetic Engineering, Federal Research Center | Russia

Alexander Alexandrovich Zhgun is a senior researcher and head of the Fungal Genetic Engineering Group at the Federal Research Center “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with more than three decades of scientific contribution in biotechnology and cultural heritage protection. He earned his biology degree from Lomonosov Moscow State University and completed a PhD focused on cytochromes P450, building a strong foundation in molecular and fungal biotechnology. His academic career progressed from researcher to group leader, culminating in his appointment as head of the fungal genetic engineering group. His research interests center on molecular diagnostics of biodeterioration, metabolic engineering of fungal strains, secondary fungal metabolites, and biotechnological strategies for protecting historical paintings from microbial damage. Under his leadership, innovative diagnostic systems and preventive technologies for biodegradation of cultural heritage have been developed, alongside pioneering studies that reframe painting-destructive fungi as valuable biotechnological resources.  His scholarly impact includes an h-index reported in the range of 15–16 with corresponding citation records across major databases. Overall, his work bridges fundamental science and applied innovation, delivering lasting impact in biotechnology, antimicrobial discovery, and cultural heritage conservation.

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Featured Publications



Detection of Potential Biodeterioration Risks for Tempera Paintings in 16th-Century Exhibits from the State Tretyakov Gallery
A.A. Zhgun, D.A. Avdanina, K.V. Shumikhin, N.P. Simonenko, E.V. Lyubavskaya, et al.,
PLoS One, 15(4), e0230591, 2020. (Citations: 57)


A Novel L-Asparaginase from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus sibiricus: Heterologous Expression and Characterization
M.V. Dumina, A.A. Zhgun, M.V. Pokrovskaya, S.S. Aleksandrova, et al.,
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(18), 9894, 2021. (Citations: 41)


1,3-Diaminopropane and Spermidine Upregulate Lovastatin Production via LaeA Regulation in Aspergillus terreus
A.A. Zhgun, G.K. Nuraeva, M.V. Dumina, T.M. Voinova, et al.,
Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, 55(3), 243–254, 2019. (Citations: 37)


Application of Chitosan for Protection of 15th–16th Century Cultural Heritage Objects from Microbial Damage
A.A. Zhgun, D.A. Avdanina, B.T. Shagdarova, E.V. Troyan, et al.,
Materials, 15(21), 7773, 2022. (Citations: 12)

Lei Dong | Advanced Materials Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Lei Dong | Advanced Materials Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Northwestern Polytechnical University | China

Prof. Lei Dong is a leading materials scientist specializing in graphene-based technologies, energy storage, and ion-transport systems. He earned his PhD in Polymer Chemistry and Physics in 2015 and subsequently gained international research experience through postdoctoral and visiting appointments at major research-intensive universities, before progressing to faculty roles and attaining a full professorship. His academic career reflects a strong trajectory from fundamental two-dimensional (2D) materials synthesis to application-driven research in Li-ion batteries and ion-sieving membranes.  He has secured more than 10 competitive research grants and filed over 30 national invention patents, underscoring both scientific excellence and translational impact. His work has been recognized through multiple prestigious talent and innovation awards at the provincial level. Overall, Prof. Dong’s contributions significantly advance scalable 2D materials, high-performance energy storage, and membrane technologies, positioning him as a prominent figure in contemporary materials science and engineering.

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Featured Publications



Synthesis and Reduction of Large-Sized Graphene Oxide Sheets
L. Dong, J. Yang, M. Chhowalla, K. P. Loh.
Chemical Society Reviews, 2017


Interface-Confined Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Zero-Valent Metal Nanoparticles–Intercalated MoS₂
Z. Chen, K. Leng, X. Zhao, S. Malkhandi, W. Tang, B. Tian, L. Dong, et al.
Nature Communications, 2017


A Non-Dispersion Strategy for Large-Scale Production of Ultra-High-Concentration Graphene Slurries in Water
L. Dong, Z. Chen, X. Zhao, J. Ma, S. Lin, M. Li, et al.
Nature Communications, 2018


Spontaneous Exfoliation and Tailoring of MoS₂ in Mixed Solvents
L. Dong, S. Lin, L. Yang, J. Zhang, C. Yang, D. Yang, H. Lu.
Chemical Communications, 2014

Jun Hu | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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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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Featured Publications


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

Farid Barati | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Farid Barati | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Shahrekord University | Iran

Dr. Farid Barati (D.V.M, DVSc) is a distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Science at Shahrekord University, Iran, specializing in Theriogenology and reproductive physiology. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M) and Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) degrees, advancing his expertise in reproductive health, artificial insemination, and embryology. Over the years, he has served as a faculty member and research supervisor, contributing to numerous national and international projects. His research primarily focuses on reproductive endocrinology, assisted reproductive technologies, ovarian function, and the improvement of livestock fertility. Recognized for his scholarly excellence, Dr. Barati has received various institutional awards and honors for his research contributions and mentorship. His publications in reputed journals demonstrate his commitment to advancing veterinary reproductive medicine and animal health. Through his academic leadership and innovative studies, Dr. Barati continues to inspire future veterinarians and researchers, fostering scientific growth and sustainable livestock development worldwide.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Rasooli, A., Jalali, M. T., Nouri, M., Mohammadian, B., & Barati, F. (2010). Effects of chronic heat stress on testicular structures, serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations in developing lambs. Animal Reproduction Science, 117(1–2), 55–59.

Barati, F., Niasari-Naslaji, A., Bolourchi, M., Sarhaddi, F., Razavi, K., Naghzali, E., & Davachi, N. D. (2006). Superovulatory response of Sistani cattle to three different doses of FSH during winter and summer. Theriogenology, 66(5), 1149–1155.

Abbasi, Z., Tabatabaei, S. R. F., Mazaheri, Y., Barati, F., & Morovvati, H. (2013). Effects of sesame oil on the reproductive parameters of diabetes mellitus-induced male rats. The World Journal of Men’s Health, 31(2), 141–147.

Barati, F., Agung, B., Wongsrikeao, P., Taniguchi, M., Nagai, T., & Otoi, T. (2008). Meiotic competence and DNA damage of porcine oocytes exposed to an elevated temperature. Theriogenology, 69(6), 767–772.

Zakian, A., Nouri, M., Barati, F., Kahroba, H., Jolodar, A., & Rashidi, F. (2014). Vertical transmission of Theileria lestoquardi in sheep. Veterinary Parasitology, 203(3–4), 322–325.

Ahmed Fouly | Mechanical Engineering | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Fouly | Mechanical Engineering | Best Academic Researcher Award

College of Engineering, King Saud University | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Ahmed Fouly is an accomplished engineer and researcher with a robust interdisciplinary profile: he holds a PhD in Mechatronics and Robotics (2017) from the Egypt–Japan University of Science and Technology, and earlier earned an MSc and BSc in Production Engineering & Mechanical Design from Minia University. Over the years he has progressed through academic ranks to become Associate Professor at King Saud University and concurrently in Minia University. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles . 873 citations and a current h-index of 18 as per Google Scholar . His research spans materials science tribology and wear, mechatronics and MEMS, AI modeling, and contact modeling using FEA. His academic experience includes service as course instructor in mechatronics, robotics, control, sensors, mechanical design, and finite element analysis, and supervising numerous projects in biomedical composites and robotics. He has secured competitive research grants (e.g. from King Salman Center, oriented research programs) and won multiple awards including “scientific publication awards” over successive years, best conference paper awards, and institutional recognition for robotics design. In sum, Dr. Fouly is a dynamic scholar fusing engineering, materials, and intelligent systems, with strong publication impact and leadership in emerging interdisciplinary fields.

Profiles : Google Scholar | Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Fouly, A., Ibrahim, A. M. M., Sherif, E. S. M., FathEl-Bab, A. M. R., & Badran, A. H. (2021). Effect of low hydroxyapatite loading fraction on the mechanical and tribological characteristics of poly (methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites for dentures. Polymers, 13(6), 857.

Ahmadian, H., Fouly, A., Zhou, T., Kumar, A. S., Fathy, A., & Weijia, G. (2024). Investigating the valence balance of adding Nano SiC and MWCNTs on the improvement properties of copper composite using mechanical alloying and SPS techniques. Diamond and Related Materials, 145, 111113.

Fouly, A., & Alkalla, M. G. (2020). Effect of low nanosized alumina loading fraction on the physicomechanical and tribological behavior of epoxy. Tribology International, 152, 106550.

Fouly, A., Assaifan, A. K., Alnaser, I. A., Hussein, O. A., & Abdo, H. S. (2022). Evaluating the mechanical and tribological properties of 3D printed polylactic-acid (PLA) green-composite for artificial implant: Hip joint case study. Polymers, 14(23), 5299.

Fouly, A., Abdo, H. S., Seikh, A. H., Alluhydan, K., Alkhammash, H. I., Alnaser, I. A., … (2022). Evaluation of mechanical and tribological properties of corn cob-reinforced epoxy-based composites—theoretical and experimental study.

Wieslaw Macek | Astronomy and Astrophysics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Wieslaw Macek | Astronomy and Astrophysics | Best Researcher Award

Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw | Poland

prof. Dr. Wiesław Marian Macek is a distinguished Full Professor of Physical Sciences (since 2001) whose work bridges astrophysics, space physics, and applied mathematics. He earned his master’s degree in 1972 and PhD in physics in 1976 from the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, and obtained a habilitation in physical sciences (space physics) in 1988 at the same university. Over his career he has authored on the order of 100 original peer-reviewed articles in leading journals (Nature, Science, Astrophysical Journal, Physical Review Letters, JGR – Space Physics, MNRAS, among others) and a monograph The Origin of the World: Cosmos or Chaos? (2020). He participated in the Plasma Wave Science team on the Voyager mission to Neptune in 1989. His current research centers on nonlinear dynamics, deterministic chaos, fractal and multifractal structures in space plasmas, turbulence in magnetospheric and heliospheric environments, and the philosophical foundations of science. He has been recognized by his peers for sustained contributions to space plasma physics. In summary, Macek’s career exemplifies a rigorous blend of theoretical, observational, and conceptual inquiry, advancing our understanding of complexity in cosmic plasmas.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Wójcik, D., & Macek, W. M. (2025). Searching for universality of turbulence in the Earth’s magnetosphere. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics. Advance online publication.

Wójcik, D., & Macek, W. M. (2025, March 18). Testing for universality of Markov solar wind turbulence at the Earth’s magnetosphere on kinetic scales based on the MMS mission. EGUsphere.

Wójcik, D., & Macek, W. M. (2025, January 20). Probing small scale solar wind turbulence: Markovian analysis and scale interactions from inertial to kinetic regimes. EGUsphere.

Macek, W. M., & Wójcik, D. (2024, December 5). MMS observations of Markov turbulence in the magnetosheath on kinetic scales. ESSOAr.

Macek, W. M. (2024). Istota i granice poznania naukowego. In [Book title] (pp. xx–xx). Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Papieskiego Jana Pawła II.