Yuan Zhang | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Forensic Scientist

Prof. Yuan Zhang | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Director of kinesiology department | Nanjing Sport Institute | China

Yuan Zhang is a distinguished professor and the Director of the Kinesiology Department at the School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, China. He has dedicated his career to advancing research in exercise interventions for chronic diseases and mitochondrial regulation. With extensive academic and research experience, Professor Zhang has significantly contributed to the fields of sports science and health.

Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards

  • Extensive Research Contributions – Yuan Zhang has an impressive record of over 30 publications, including studies in high-impact journals such as Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, and Free Radical Biology & Medicine.
  • Significant Research Impact – His work on exercise interventions in chronic diseases, mitochondrial regulation, and metabolic health has contributed to advancing knowledge in sports science, kinesiology, and health.
  • International Collaboration – Zhang has conducted research abroad at York University in Canada, showing strong global research engagement.
  • Leadership and Academic Recognition – Currently serving as a Professor and Director at the Nanjing Sport Institute, demonstrating recognition as a leading expert in his field.
  • Funding and Grants – He has successfully secured multiple research grants from prestigious sources such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China, reflecting strong research credibility.

Education 🎓

Professor Zhang pursued his Bachelor of Education at Dalian University (2002-2006), followed by a Master of Education at East China Normal University (2006-2009). He further obtained his Doctor of Education from the same institution (2009-2013). Additionally, he undertook a joint doctoral program at York University, Canada, from 2010 to 2012, gaining international exposure to advanced research in kinesiology and health sciences.

Professional Experience 💼

Professor Zhang has a robust academic career. He started as an instructor at the Nanjing Sport Institute (2013-2018), later serving as a postdoctoral researcher at Shanghai Jiaotong University (2018-2022). He was promoted to Associate Professor at Nanjing Sport Institute (2018-2023) and currently holds the position of Professor (since 2023), contributing to teaching, research, and departmental leadership.

Research Interests On Biology 🔬

Professor Zhang specializes in exercise interventions for chronic diseases and mitochondrial regulation. His work focuses on understanding how physical activity influences cellular mechanisms, particularly in metabolic disorders such as diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). His research aims to develop effective exercise-based strategies for health improvement.

Awards and Recognitions 🏆

Professor Zhang has received several prestigious awards, including:

  • First Prize (2021): School-level teaching achievement award, Jiangsu, China.
  • Third Prize (2021): School-level teaching achievement award, Jiangsu, China.
  • Second Prize (2020): Third Teaching Competition for Young Teachers, Jiangsu Province.
  • Second Prize (2018): School-level teaching achievement award, Jiangsu, China.
  • Second Prize (2017): Micro-course teaching contest in colleges and universities of Jiangsu Province.

Publications 📖

  1. Xiang, M. et al. (2024)
    • Title: Effects of exercise, metformin, and combination treatments on type 2 diabetic mellitus-induced muscle atrophy in db/db mice: Crosstalk between autophagy and the proteasome
    • Journal: Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry
    • Citations: 5
  2. Yuan, X.-M. et al. (2024)
    • Title: Beneficial Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Dietary Changes Intervention on Hepatic Fat Accumulation in HFD-Induced Obese Rats
    • Journal: Physiological Research
    • Citations: 0
  3. Lu, J. et al. (2023)
    • Title: High-intensity interval training alleviates exhaustive exercise-induced HSP70-assisted selective autophagy in skeletal muscle
    • Journal: The Journal of Physiological Sciences
    • Citations: 1
  4. Liu, Y. et al. (2023)
    • Title: Changes of endoplasmic reticulum stress level in skeletal muscle during recovery acute exhaustive exercise
    • Journal: Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
    • Citations: 0
  5. Liu, J. et al. (2023)
    • Title: The combination of exercise and metformin inhibits TGF-β1/Smad pathway to attenuate myocardial fibrosis in db/db mice by reducing NF-κB–mediated inflammatory response
    • Journal: Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy
    • Citations: 15
  6. Zhang, Y. et al. (2022)
    • Title: Exercise and Metformin Intervention Prevents Lipotoxicity-Induced Hepatocyte Apoptosis by Alleviating Oxidative and ER Stress and Activating the AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway in db/db Mice
    • Journal: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
    • Citations: 18
  7. Zhang, Y. et al. (2022)
    • Title: Effects of different exercise on liver lipid accumulation and FGF21 secretion in obese rats
    • Journal: Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology
    • Citations: 1
  8. Lu, J. et al. (2021)
    • Title: Morphological and functional characterization of diabetic cardiomyopathy in db/db mice following exercise, metformin alone, or combination treatments
    • Journal: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
    • Citations: 9
  9. Zhang, Y. et al. (2020)
    • Title: The intersection of exercise and aging on mitochondrial protein quality control
    • Journal: Experimental Gerontology
    • Citations: 29
  10. Zhang, Y. et al. (2016)
  • Title: Absence of Bax and Bak: Implications for Autophagy and Alternative Mitochondrial Functions
  • Book: Autophagy: Cancer, Other Pathologies, Inflammation, Immunity, Infection, and Aging Volume 9: Human Diseases and Autophagosome
  • Citations: 0

Conclusion 🔍

Professor Yuan Zhang is a dedicated academician and researcher with profound contributions to exercise science. His work in chronic disease intervention and mitochondrial regulation has paved the way for innovative health strategies. Through his commitment to research, teaching, and mentorship, he continues to inspire the next generation of scholars in the field of kinesiology and sports health sciences.

Yelena Rakhimova | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Forensic Scientist

Assist. Prof. Dr. Yelena Rakhimova | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Chief Researcher | Institute of Botany and Phyto introduction | Kazakhstan

Yelena Rakhimova, Chief Researcher at the Laboratory of Mycology and Algology at the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, has dedicated her career to advancing the understanding of fungal and algal species. Since joining the institute in 1989, she has progressed from senior laboratory assistant to chief researcher, contributing significantly to the field of mycology. Her work explores the intricate relationships between plants and pathogenic fungi, with a particular focus on apple tree diseases.

Profile

Orcid

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards

  • Extensive Research Experience: Over three decades of research experience in the fields of mycology and algology.
  • Academic Contributions: Authored more than 200 papers, including 14 articles indexed in Scopus and 15 monographs, which are significant contributions to the study of fungi and plant diseases.
  • Leadership in Research Projects: Successful leadership and execution of national and international research projects, including collaborative efforts with scientists from Russia.
  • Educational Impact: Development of illustrated guides on fungal species used in educational processes, receiving international recognition and awards.

Education 🎓

Yelena Rakhimova holds a degree in biology from Kazakh State University’s Faculty of Biology, Department of Botany. She earned her PhD in 1994 with research on the ultrastructure of powdery mildew fungi and defended her doctoral thesis in 2009, focusing on plant-pathogen compatibility in apple trees. Her academic journey reflects a lifelong commitment to botanical sciences and applied research.

Experience

With over three decades of experience at the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Yelena has led numerous research initiatives, serving as project manager and principal executor for nine major studies. Her international collaborations have fostered knowledge exchange and innovation in mycological research. Additionally, she is an editorial board member for prominent journals and has guided graduate students in their thesis and dissertation work.

Research Interests On Biology🔬

Yelena’s primary research interests center around mycology, including fungal biodiversity, plant-pathogen interactions, and algal flora. Her studies have broadened understanding of fungal species in Kazakhstan’s ecosystems, leading to practical applications in agriculture and botany.

Awards and Recognitions 🏆

Yelena Rakhimova has been recognized for her contributions to science with certificates for publishing illustrated guides to fungi that have been showcased at international exhibitions, including Frankfurt and Sochi. Her works have earned accolades for being exemplary educational and informational resources.

Publications 📝

  • Annotated Checklist of Poroid Hymenochaetoid Fungi in Central Asia: Taxonomic Diversity, Ecological Roles, and Potential Distribution Patterns
    • Authors: Yusufjon Gafforov, Manzura Yarasheva, Xue-Wei Wang, Milena Rašeta, Yelena Rakhimova, Lyazzat Kyzmetova, Kanaim Bavlankulova, Sylvie Rapior, Jia-Jian Chen, Ewald Langer, et al.
    • Publication Year: 2025
    • Citations: As this article was published recently, citation data may not yet be available.
    • DOI: 10.3390/jof11010037
    • Source:
      MDPI
  • Studying of the Lichens Diversity in the Chulak Ridge
    • Authors: Yelena Rakhimova, Abibulla Ametov, Anel Myrzakhan
    • Publication Year: 2024
    • Citations: Citation data is not available.
    • DOI: 10.26577/eb.2024.v99.i2.02
  • An Annotated Checklist of Powdery Mildew Fungi (Erysiphaceae) in the Ile-Alatau Mountains (within Kazakhstan)
    • Authors: G. Sypabekkyzy, T. Bulgakov, M. Sedlářová, Y. Rakhimova, L. Kyzmetova, A. Assylbek
    • Publication Year: 2024
    • Citations: Citation data is not available.
    • DOI: 10.3844/ojbsci.2024.71.94
  • Records of New and Rare Species for Mycobiota of Southeastern Kazakhstan
    • Authors: Elena V. Rakhimova, Gulnaz Sypabekkyzy, Michaela Sedlářová, Asem M. Asylbek, Lyazzat A. Kyzmetova
    • Publication Year: 2023
    • Citations: Citation data is not available.
    • DOI: 10.14258/turczaninowia.26.4.15
  • Characteristics of Antagonistic Activity of Two Trichoderma Species New to Kazakhstan Against Soil Pathogens
    • Authors: Yelena Rakhimova, Assem Assylbek, Lyazzat Kyzmetova, Gulnaz Sypabekkyzy, Aitymbet Zhankeldy, Georgy Urmanov
    • Publication Year: 2023
    • Citations: Citation data is not available.
    • DOI: 10.3844/ojbsci.2023.441.450
  • Revision of the Species Composition of Slime Molds in the Ile Alatau (Kazakhstan)
    • Authors: Yelena Rakhimova
    • Publication Year: 2021
    • Citations: Citation data is not available.
    • DOI: 10.23880/oajmms-16000147
  • New to Kazakhstan Species of Zygomycetes in Forest Soil of Trans-Ili Alatau and Kungey Alatau
    • Authors: Elena V. Rakhimova, Asem M. Assylbek, Lyazzat A. Kyzmetova, Gulnaz Sypabekkyzy, Zhangeldy Aitymbet, Georgy A. Urmanov
    • Publication Year: 2021
    • Citations: Citation data is not available.
    • DOI: 10.14258/turczaninowia.24.3.12
  • Structure of Soil Fungi Complexes Associated with Rhizosphere of Woody Plants of the Zailisky Alatau (Kazakhstan)
    • Authors: Yelena Rakhimova
    • Publication Year: 2020
    • Citations: Citation data is not available.
    • DOI: 10.5943/CREAM/10/1/21
  • New Data for the Mycobiota of the Sugaty Mountains (Kazakhstan)
    • Authors: Yelena Rakhimova
    • Publication Year: 2020
    • Citations: Citation data is not available.
    • DOI: 10.31857/S0026364820020105
  • Diversity of Zygomycetes Associated with the Rhizosphere of Woody Plants from Ile-Alatau National Park (Kazakhstan)
    • Authors: Yelena Rakhimova
    • Publication Year: 2019
    • Citations: Citation data is not available.
    • DOI: 10.5943/cream/9/1/6

Conclusion

Yelena Rakhimova’s extensive contributions to mycology and algology research have cemented her reputation as a leading expert in her field. Through her dedication to education, research, and innovation, she continues to advance the understanding of fungal biodiversity and plant health management.