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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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

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.

Profile : Orcid

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.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

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).

Avinash Kumar | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Avinash Kumar | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Long Island University Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | United States

Assist. Prof. Dr. Avinash Kumar, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY. With a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the University of Pune, India, his doctoral work focused on biochemical and biophysical characterization of class II α-mannosidases. He completed postdoctoral research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and National Center for Cell Science, India, investigating transcriptional and post-translational programs driving prostate cancer progression. His research aims to develop personalized and precision medicine strategies targeting metastatic and high-risk prostate cancer, including health disparities in African American men. Dr. Kumar utilizes high-throughput single-cell genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics in combination with genetically engineered and xenograft mouse models, patient tissues, and complementary cell line studies. He has mentored numerous graduate, undergraduate, and Pharm.D. students, directed the Molecular Imaging Core at LIU, and actively serves on institutional committees and as a reviewer for top journals. Dr. Kumar has published 28 peer-reviewed articles, 5 book chapters, and over 20 conference abstracts, with an h-index of 17 , 873 citations, and 29 publications. He has received multiple fellowships, awards, and research grants and continues to advance translational cancer therapeutics through rigorous preclinical and mechanistic studies.

Profile : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

“Reprogrammed Lipid Metabolism-Associated Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in Prostate Cancer”

“The Therapeutic Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Gnetin C, a Natural Compound from the Melinjo Plant,     Preclinical Mouse Model of Advanced Prostate Cancer”

“AI & experimental-based discovery and preclinical IND-enabling studies of selective BMX inhibitors for       development of cancer therapeutics”

“Data from Dietary Pterostilbene for MTA1-Targeted Interception in High-Risk Premalignant Prostate Cancer”

“Supplementary Figure 1-2; Supplementary Table 1-4 from Dietary Pterostilbene for MTA1-Targeted Interception   in   High- Risk Premalignant Prostate Cancer”

Yan Ding | Biology and Life Sciences | Excellence in Research

Prof. Yan Ding | Biology and Life Sciences | Excellence in Research

China Medical University | China

Dr. Yan Ding is a biomedical researcher with a doctorate from China Medical University, Shenyang. Her academic training includes a Bachelor’s degree from Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, a Master’s and PhD from China Medical University. Since 2013, she has progressed through roles in experimental research—assistant experimentalist, experimentalist, and since 2022, senior experimentalist—at the Institute of Metabolic Disease Research & Drug Development and the College of Basic Medical Science. Her research focuses on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying lung injury, inflammation, epithelial sodium transport, miRNA regulation, pulmonary fibrosis and herbal / natural compounds’ effects. She has published numerous first-author papers addressing roles of miRNAs (e.g. miR-130a-3p, miR-199a-3p, miR-21), luteolin’s therapeutic potential, regulation of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. she has an h-index of 6 with 143 citations overall. Throughout her career, she has also contributed to studies of lung fluid clearance, regulatory mechanisms during viral infections, and herbal monomers in edematous disorders. Awards include recognition for excellence in experimental work (institutional). In conclusion, Dr. Ding is an emerging researcher building a solid track record in pulmonary molecular biology, with demonstrated expertise in miRNAs, ion channel regulation, and translational potential in lung disease therapy.

Profile : Google scholar

Featured Publications

“Factors influencing the provision of public health services by village doctors in   Hubei and Jiangxi provinces,
China”

“Practical actions for fostering cross-disciplinary global health research: lessons from a narrative literature         review”

“Healthcare seeking behaviour among Chinese elderly”

“A cost-effectiveness analysis of three components of a syndromic surveillance system for the early warning of   epidemics in rural China”

“Qualitative study exploring lessons from Liberia and the UK for building a people-centred resilient health system response to COVID-19”