Carlos Alberto Pastore | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Carlos Alberto Pastore | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Heart Institute of the Hospital das Clínicas of FMUSP | Brazil

Prof. Carlos Alberto Pastore is a distinguished cardiologist and researcher from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, internationally recognized for his pioneering work in electrocardiology and vectorcardiography. As a Professor and Medical Collaborator at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), he has significantly advanced diagnostic methods for cardiac electrical diseases, cardiac mapping, and non-invasive electrocardiographic techniques. His research specializes in surface electrocardiographic mapping, high-resolution ECG, microalternans of the T wave (mTWA), and vectorcardiographic analysis of ventricular activation and repolarization abnormalities. Prof. Carlos Alberto Pastore has played a vital role in refining diagnostic criteria for arrhythmogenic disorders, ventricular hypertrophy, and cardiac resynchronization therapy, and he has applied artificial neural networks and machine learning in ECG-based cardiopathy detection in collaboration with the Federal University of Technology of Paraná (UTFPR). At InCor – Heart Institute (Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP), he has held major roles including Director of the Clinical Unit of Resting Electrocardiography, Medical Director of Telemedicine, and Vice-President of the Zerbini Foundation, contributing to translational cardiology and digital health innovation. He also served as President (2013–2015) of the International Society of Electrocardiology (ISE) and is a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC). According to Scopus (Author ID: 7006635654), Prof. Carlos Alberto Pastore has authored 53 scientific publications, received 1,014 citations from 948 documents, and holds an h-index of 12. His research has appeared in leading journals including the Journal of Electrocardiology, Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, and JACC, making him one of Brazil’s leading authorities in clinical electrocardiology and cardiovascular diagnostics.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

• de Luna, A. B., Brugada, J., Baranchuk, A., Borggrefe, M., Breithardt, G., & Pastore, C. A. (2012). Current electrocardiographic criteria for diagnosis of Brugada pattern: A consensus report. Journal of Electrocardiology, 45(5), 433–442.* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2012.06.004

• de Luna, A. B., Platonov, P., Cosio, F. G., Cygankiewicz, I., Pastore, C., Baranowski, R., … & Spodick, D. (2012). Interatrial blocks: A separate entity from left atrial enlargement: A consensus report. Journal of Electrocardiology, 45(5), 445–451.* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2012.06.008

• Pastore, C. A., Pinho, J. A., Pinho, C., Samesima, N., Pereira Filho, H. G., & Mansur, A. P., et al. (2016). III Diretrizes da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre análise e emissão de laudos eletrocardiográficos. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, 106(4 Suppl 1), 1–23.* https://doi.org/10.5935/abc.20160054

• Santos, I. S., Goulart, A. C., Brandão, R. M., Santos, R. C. O., Bittencourt, M. S., Sitnik, D., … & Pastore, C. A. (2015). One-year mortality after an acute coronary event and its clinical predictors: The ERICO study. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, 105(1), 53–64.* https://doi.org/10.5935/abc.20150049

• Digby, G. C., Kukla, P., Zhan, Z. Q., Pastore, C. A., Piotrowicz, R., Schapachnik, E., … & Baranchuk, A. (2015). The value of electrocardiographic abnormalities in the prognosis of pulmonary embolism: A consensus paper. Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 20(3), 207–223.* https://doi.org/10.1111/anec.12235

Zhiwei Zhong | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Zhiwei Zhong | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University | China

Dr. Zhiwei Zhong’s research focuses on molecular oncology, nanomedicine, and biomarker discovery in complex diseases such as pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, thyroid eye disease, and venous thromboembolism. His studies integrate bioinformatics, molecular biology, and nanotechnology to uncover therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers. Zhong has contributed to several high-impact publications in PLOS One, Cancer Cell International, Oncology Reports, Digestive Diseases and Sciences, and SN Applied Sciences. His notable works include identifying key extracellular proteins (EGFR, CD44, and CXCL8) as potential biomarkers in thyroid eye disease, elucidating the regulatory role of lncRNA FTX in suppressing NAFLD progression to hepatocellular carcinoma via Kupffer cell polarization, and exploring nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for targeted thrombolysis and cancer therapy. He has also investigated tumor suppressor mechanisms involving KLF9 and CHD1L in pancreatic cancer, providing insights into tumor proliferation, invasion, and survival pathways. His research contributions advance the understanding of molecular pathogenesis, precision diagnostics, and targeted nanotherapeutic strategies in human diseases.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. He, S., Nie, H., Yin, X., & Zhong, Z. (2025, April). Identification of key extracellular proteins as the potential biomarkers in thyroid eye disease. PLOS ONE, 20(4), e0322415. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322415

Nicolas Leuenberger | Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Nicolas Leuenberger | Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Swiss laboratory for Doping Analyses | Switzerland

Dr. Nicolas Leuenberger is a distinguished Privat-docent and Research Manager at the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Hospital of Lausanne. With a proven track record in forensic science and anti-doping research, he has contributed significantly to advancing methodologies for detecting blood doping and other performance-enhancing practices. His leadership in managing research projects, mentoring graduate students, and fostering international collaborations has positioned him as an influential figure in forensic and biomedical sciences.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Nicolas Leuenberger holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and advanced qualifications in forensic and medical sciences, which laid the foundation for his career in anti-doping research. His academic background integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, and forensic medicine, enabling him to explore novel biomarkers of blood manipulation and enhance anti-doping practices worldwide.

Experience

With extensive experience as Research Manager at the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, Dr. Nicolas Leuenberger oversees both research operations and biological unit management. He directs master’s and PhD projects, guiding students from experimental design to thesis completion. As part of the LAD management team, he coordinates grant applications, establishes ISO-accredited protocols, and supervises multidisciplinary collaborations with hospital units and global anti-doping laboratories. His consultancy roles with Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG, the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, and the World Anti-Doping Agency further demonstrate his expertise and international recognition.

Research Interests

Dr. Nicolas Leuenberger’s research focuses on the discovery of innovative biomarkers for blood doping, particularly through the fields of ironomics and transcriptomics. His pioneering work on erythroferrone and hepcidin as indicators of blood manipulation has reshaped anti-doping science. Currently, he is advancing mRNA biomarker detection from dried blood spots, enabling more accurate detection of autologous blood transfusions and micro-dose EPO administration. His commitment lies in developing cutting-edge forensic tools that safeguard the integrity of sports and public health.

Awards

Dr. Nicolas Leuenberger has been widely recognized for his contributions to forensic and anti-doping science. His editorial appointment as Associate Editor of Frontiers in Sport and Active Living and his membership in the Swiss Haematology Society underscore his professional standing. He has also been invited as an expert reviewer for the World Anti-Doping Agency and other international bodies, reflecting his global impact on anti-doping policy and scientific innovation.

Publications

Dr. Nicolas Leuenberger has authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals, significantly contributing to anti-doping and forensic biomarker research. A selection of his highly cited works includes:

1. Detection of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in human anti-doping control: Past, present and future
Journal: Drug Testing and Analysis
Published on: July 2012

2. Circulating microRNAs as Biomarkers for Detection of Autologous Blood Transfusion
Journal: PLoS ONE
Published on: June 2013

3. Circulating microRNAs: The Future of Biomarkers in Anti-doping Field
Journal: Drug Testing and Analysis
Published on: December 2015

4. Autologous Blood Transfusion in Sports: Emerging Biomarkers
Journal: Transfusion Medicine Reviews
Published on: May 2016

5. mRNA Biomarkers in Dried Blood Spots May Improve Detection of Autologous Blood Micro-Transfusions Using an Individualized Approach
Journal: Haematologica
Published on: August 2025

6. High Pretransplant Levels of Erythroferrone Are Predictive for 1-Year All-Cause Mortality and Acute Cellular Rejection after Heart Transplantation
Journal: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Published on: January 2025

7. New Transcriptomic Biomarkers for Detection of the Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rHuEPO) MirCERA in Horses
Journal: Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Published on: September 2024

8. Comparison between standard hematological parameters and blood doping biomarkers in dried blood spots within the athlete population of Swiss Sport Integrity
Journal: Haematologica
Published on: September 2024

Conclusion

Dr. Nicolas Leuenberger exemplifies scientific excellence through his pioneering research in anti-doping biomarker discovery, his leadership at the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, and his dedication to mentoring the next generation of forensic scientists. His contributions have not only advanced the global fight against blood doping but also strengthened the integrity of competitive sports. For these reasons, he is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.