Chia-Chi Key | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Chia-Chi Key | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Department of Internal Medicine | Wake Forest University School of Medicine | United States

Dr. Chia-Chi Chuang Key, Ph.D., is an accomplished Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. With a focus on Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Immunologic Diseases, Dr. Key has contributed significantly to translational research and metabolic science, paving the way for innovative treatments in lipid metabolism and obesity-related disorders.

Profile

Google Scholar

Scopus

Orcid

Strengths for the Awards

  • Academic Background and Career Progression:
    Dr. Key holds a Ph.D. in Nutrition, coupled with postdoctoral training in lipid sciences at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Her career trajectory includes roles such as instructor, tenure-track assistant professor, and a research-track assistant professor, demonstrating sustained academic growth.
  • Research Contributions:
    Dr. Key’s work focuses on crucial topics such as lipid metabolism, inflammation, and diabetes, with significant findings published in high-impact journals (e.g., Journal of Lipid Research, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). Her research has practical implications for understanding metabolic disorders and improving public health.
  • Funding and Grants:
    She has secured competitive research grants, including a Department of Defense (DOD) grant on CRISPR-based adipose therapeutics and an NIH SPLENDOR-NC Pilot Grant. Her involvement as a co-investigator in R01 studies highlights her collaborative research efforts.
  • Recognition and Awards:
    Dr. Key’s accolades, such as the Research Excellence Award (2020, 2021), Translational Research Academy Scholar (2022), and SPLENDOR-NC Scholar (2023), reflect her contributions and recognition within her field.

Education 🎓

Dr. Key began her academic journey at Taipei Medical University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (2003). She then obtained a Master’s degree in Toxicology from the National Taiwan University College of Medicine (2005). She furthered her education with a Ph.D. in Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2012), where her dissertation focused on the anti-inflammatory effects of grape polyphenols on human adipocytes and obese mice.

Experience 💼

Dr. Key’s professional journey includes roles as a Research Technician at the National Taiwan University and a Graduate Assistant at UNC Greensboro. She later joined Wake Forest University School of Medicine, transitioning from Instructor to Assistant Professor, contributing to both molecular medicine and translational science. She also served as Core Director of the Metabolic Phenotyping Shared Resource (2021–2024), showcasing her leadership and expertise in metabolic research.

Research Interests On Molecular Biology 🔬

Dr. Key’s research is centered on lipid metabolism, obesity-related diseases, and translational approaches to improving metabolic health. Her investigations delve into the mechanisms of lipid transport and the role of adipose tissue in metabolic disorders, exploring therapeutic potentials in Type 2 Diabetes and obesity.

Awards 🏆

Dr. Key’s excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Graduate Student of the Year Award (2012), the Research Excellence Award from Wake Forest University School of Medicine (2020, 2021), and her recognition as a Translational Research Academy Scholar (2022). Her work has also earned her travel stipends and acknowledgment for outstanding scientific publications.

Publications 📚

  • Saturated fatty acid-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance in adipose tissue: mechanisms of action and implications
    • Authors: A. Kennedy, K. Martinez, C.C. Chuang, K. LaPoint, M. McIntosh
    • Year: 2009
    • Citations: 651
  • An abundant dysfunctional apolipoprotein A1 in human atheroma
    • Authors: Y. Huang, J.A. DiDonato, B.S. Levison, D. Schmitt, L. Li, Y. Wu, J. Buffa, T. Kim, …
    • Year: 2014
    • Citations: 422
  • Potential mechanisms by which polyphenol-rich grapes prevent obesity-mediated inflammation and metabolic diseases
    • Authors: C.C. Chuang, M.K. McIntosh
    • Year: 2011
    • Citations: 291
  • Quercetin is equally or more effective than resveratrol in attenuating tumor necrosis factor-α–mediated inflammation and insulin resistance in primary human adipocytes
    • Authors: C.C. Chuang, K. Martinez, G. Xie, A. Kennedy, A. Bumrungpert, A. Overman, …
    • Year: 2010
    • Citations: 279
  • A polyphenol-rich fraction obtained from table grapes decreases adiposity, insulin resistance and markers of inflammation and impacts gut microbiota in high-fat-fed mice
    • Authors: B. Collins, J. Hoffman, K. Martinez, M. Grace, M.A. Lila, C. Cockrell, …
    • Year: 2016
    • Citations: 133
  • Hyperglycemia enhances adipogenic induction of lipid accumulation: involvement of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt, and …
    • Authors: C.C. Chuang, R.S. Yang, K.S. Tsai, F.M. Ho, S.H. Liu
    • Year: 2007
    • Citations: 115
  • Xanthones from mangosteen inhibit inflammation in human macrophages and in human adipocytes exposed to macrophage-conditioned media
    • Authors: A. Bumrungpert, R.W. Kalpravidh, C.C. Chuang, A. Overman, K. Martinez, …
    • Year: 2010
    • Citations: 113
  • Alterations of a cellular cholesterol metabolism network are a molecular feature of obesity-related type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
    • Authors: J. Ding, L.M. Reynolds, T. Zeller, C. Müller, K. Lohman, B.J. Nicklas, …
    • Year: 2015
    • Citations: 109
  • Table grape consumption reduces adiposity and markers of hepatic lipogenesis and alters gut microbiota in butter fat-fed mice
    • Authors: J. Baldwin, B. Collins, P.G. Wolf, K. Martinez, W. Shen, C.C. Chuang, W. Zhong, …
    • Year: 2016
    • Citations: 107
  • Conjugated linoleic acid reduces adiposity and increases markers of browning and inflammation in white adipose tissue of mice [S]
    • Authors: W. Shen, C.C. Chuang, K. Martinez, T. Reid, J.M. Brown, L. Xi, L. Hixson, …
    • Year: 2013
    • Citations: 106

Conclusion

Dr. Chia-Chi Chuang Key exemplifies a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and clinical applications in metabolic health. Through her leadership, research, and teaching, she continues to inspire progress in understanding and treating complex metabolic disorders.

Fusheng Liu | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fusheng Liu | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor | Xi’an Jiaotong University | China

🌟 Dr. Fusheng Liu is an Assistant Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University, China. With a rich academic background spanning over a decade, his expertise lies in biomechanics, particularly in the theory and numerical computation of multi-physical field coupling and the mechanical behavior of composite materials. His groundbreaking research has significantly contributed to understanding myocardial fibrosis and pain sensation mechanics.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Strengths for the Awards

1️⃣ Academic Excellence:
Dr. Liu holds a robust academic foundation with a PhD, MA, and BA from Xi’an Jiaotong University, where his studies focused on advanced mechanics, solid mechanics, and structural analysis. His doctoral research, titled “Theoretical Investigation into the Coupling Behaviour of Mechanoelectrical Tissue in Myocardial Fibrosis”, has paved the way for deeper insights into cardiac tissue dynamics.

2️⃣ Research Contributions:

  • Published seven high-quality journal articles in esteemed publications such as the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Biophysical Journal, and Scientific Reports. These works reflect his expertise in modeling biomechanical processes and cellular interactions.
  • His research on fibroblast-cardiomyocyte interactions and myocardial fibrosis provides critical insights for medical science and targeted therapies.

3️⃣ Industry Collaboration and Innovation:
Dr. Liu successfully partnered with Siemens to develop a market-ready facial beauty device, showcasing his ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications.

4️⃣ Recognition and Citations:
With 125 citations on ResearchGate, his work has demonstrated tangible academic impact and recognition within the research community.

5️⃣ Research Focus:
Dr. Liu’s exploration of multi-physical field coupling, mechanical behavior of composite materials, and experimental mechanics places him at the forefront of innovative research in biomechanics.

Education

🎓 Educational Journey

  • PhD in Mechanics (2015-2022), Xi’an Jiaotong University
    Thesis: “Theoretical Investigation into the Coupling Behaviour of Mechanoelectrical Tissue in Myocardial Fibrosis”
  • MA in Solid Mechanics (2013-2015), Xi’an Jiaotong University
  • BA in Structural Analysis of Engineering Structures (2009-2013), Xi’an Jiaotong University

Experience

💼 Professional Background

  • 2023–Present: Assistant Researcher, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China
  • 2022–2023: Assistant Researcher, China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre
  • Collaboration with Siemens: Developed a facial beauty device integrating biomechanics with engineering, enabling product optimization.
  • Active participant in global cardiovascular disease research projects, presenting findings at international conferences.

Research Interests On Biology

🔬 Core Areas

  • Mechanics of Multi-Physical Field Coupling (Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Electric Fields)
  • Mechanical Behavior of Composite Materials
  • Quantitative Analysis and Experimental Mechanics Measurements

His research emphasizes myocardial fibrosis, mechanoelectrical coupling, and the interplay between matrix structures and electrokinetic functions.

Awards

🏆 Award Nomination

Dr. Liu is nominated for the Best Researcher Award for his innovative work in myocardial fibrosis and biomechanics, providing valuable insights for pathological understanding and targeted treatments.

Publications

📚 Key Research Contributions

  1. “Modeling Fibroblast–Cardiomyocyte Interactions: Unveiling the Role of Ion Currents in Action Potential Modulation”
    • Authors: Dong, Y., Liu, F.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0
  2. “A new model of myofibroblast-cardiomyocyte interactions and their differences across species”
    • Authors: Liu, F., Wu, H., Yang, X., Lu, T.J., Xu, F.
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 3
  3. “Translation of a coated rigid spherical inclusion in an elastic matrix: Exact solution, and implications for mechanobiology”
    • Authors: Chen, X., Li, M., Liu, S., Xu, F., Lu, T.J.
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: 6
  4. “Engineering mechanical-electrical cell microenvironment in myocardium using advanced biomaterials” (in Chinese)
    • Authors: Xu, F., Zhang, X., Bao, X., Li, Y., Lu, T.
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 1
  5. “The race to the nociceptor: mechanical versus temperature effects in thermal pain of dental neurons”
    • Authors: Lin, M., Liu, F., Liu, S., Lu, T.J., Xu, F.
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 3
  6. “Paracrine effects of adipose-derived stem cells on matrix stiffness-induced cardiac myofibroblast differentiation via angiotensin II type 1 receptor and smad7”
    • Authors: Yong, K.W., Li, Y., Liu, F., Xu, F., Huang, G.
    • Year: 2016
    • Citations: 53
  7. “Effect of viscoelasticity on skin pain sensation”
    • Authors: Liu, F., Li, C., Liu, S., Lu, T., Xu, F.
    • Year: 2015
    • Citations: 11

Conclusion

Vision and Impact
Dr. Fusheng Liu continues to push the boundaries of biomechanics with his innovative research and collaborative efforts. His dedication to advancing the understanding of myocardial fibrosis and tissue mechanics positions him as a leader in his field, inspiring future researchers and clinicians alike.