Ezgi Ilhan | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ezgi Ilhan | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

Gazi University | Turkey

Dr. Ezgi İlhan, born on June 7, 1985, in Ankara, is an accomplished academic and design researcher specializing in user experience, gamification, and human-computer interaction. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Gazi University, she brings a dynamic blend of academic excellence and professional expertise across the fields of industrial design, game technologies, and digital interaction. Her extensive academic background, coupled with practical experience in game and product design, makes her a pioneering voice in the intersection of technology and design.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Ezgi İlhan exemplifies excellence in interdisciplinary research, merging industrial design, human-computer interaction, and gamification to advance user experience design. With a stellar academic trajectory, including a Ph.D. from Gazi University (GPA: 3.98/4) and multiple degrees from prestigious institutions like Middle East Technical University and Universidad de Valladolid, her scholarly foundation is both rich and global.

Her research is consistently published in high-impact international journals, including the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies and Entertainment Computing, with a strong focus on eye-tracking technologies, usability, and mobile app design. Dr. İlhan has over a decade of teaching and research experience, having worked at several top universities like Gazi University, METU, and Atılım University, where she has taught a wide range of courses from basic design to gamified systems.

In addition to academia, she brings hands-on industry experience as a game designer and product designer, giving her research practical relevance. Her awards, including the Muse Design Award (Silver Winner) and European Product Design Award, further validate her innovation and design impact. She also actively participates in global conferences and workshops, which reflects her commitment to continuous learning and dissemination of knowledge.

🎓 Education

Dr. İlhan’s academic journey reflects a passion for interdisciplinary exploration and excellence. She earned her Ph.D. in Industrial Design from Gazi University (2015–2021) with an impressive GPA of 3.98/4. Her M.Sc. in Game Technologies was completed at the Informatics Institute, Middle East Technical University (2012–2015), earning a GPA of 3.79/4. She previously obtained her Bachelor’s in Industrial Design (2006–2009) and City and Regional Planning (2003–2006) at the same university, with additional Erasmus training in Spain (2008–2009). She graduated high school from Dr. Binnaz-Rıdvan Ege Anatolian High School with honors.

💼 Experience

With over a decade of academic and professional experience, Dr. İlhan has held key teaching positions at Gazi University, Middle East Technical University, TOBB ETU, and Ostim Technical University. Her academic portfolio includes courses on computer-aided design, user research methods, and competition-oriented product design. Earlier in her career, she worked as a game designer at Pixofun and a product designer at Journey. Her well-rounded journey also includes design internships and graphic work for institutional branding at METU.

🔬 Research Interests On Human-Computer Interaction

Dr. İlhan’s research is rooted in user-centered innovation, focusing on areas such as user experience (UX) design, human-computer interaction (HCI), interface usability, gamification, and design-tool integration. Her work explores how emerging technologies can enhance daily interactions, improve behavioral outcomes (e.g., sleep patterns), and inform taste-based design decisions through advanced tools like eye-tracking. Her research uniquely blends psychological insight with technical and aesthetic finesse.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Dr. İlhan’s innovative work has earned her multiple accolades, including the European Product Design Award (MECON, 2021) in the Office Equipment category and the Muse Design Award Silver Winner in Furniture/Office Furniture. She has also received multiple honors during her academic career such as METU High Honor and Honor Student awards, and certificates from international training and academic institutions, reflecting both academic and professional excellence.

📚 Publications

  • Pursuit of Methodology for Data Input Related to Taste in Design: Using Eye Tracking Technology
    Authors: AE Ilhan, A Togay
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 15

  • Improving Sleep-Wake Behaviors Using Mobile App Gamification
    Authors: AE Ilhan, B Sener, H Hacihabiboglu
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 13

  • Use of Eye-Tracking Technology for Appreciation-Based Information in Design Decisions Related to Product Details: Furniture Example
    Authors: AE Ilhan, A Togay
    Year: 2024
    Citations: 11

  • Use of Eye Tracking Technology in Evaluating Product Images and Optimal Process Decisions
    Authors: E İlhan, A Togay
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 4

  • Eye-Tracking to Enhance Usability: A Race Game
    Authors: AE İlhan
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 3

  • Short-Term Modification of Sleep-Wake Habits by Gamification: A User Study
    Authors: AE İlhan
    Year: 2015
    Citations: 2

  • Mobilya Ürün Örneği Üzerinden Estetik Beğeninin Değerlendirilmesi için Yöntem Arayışı
    Authors: E Ilhan, A Togay, S Güneş, NAGZ Börekçi
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 1*

  • Design Approaches to Improve User Experience: An Example of a Mobile App Prototyping Process
    Authors: AE Ilhan
    Year: 2025
    Citations: Not listed

  • Design Stages of a Cultural Product
    Authors: E Ilhan
    Year: 2022

  • Ürünlerin Estetik Beğeni Odaklı Değerlendirilmesinde Göz İzleme Teknolojisinin Kullanımı-Bir Araştırma Önerisi
    Authors: AE İlhan, A Togay
    Year: 2020

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Ezgi İlhan is a trailblazer in the integration of design, technology, and user-centered methodology. Her academic brilliance, industry-oriented skills, and international exposure render her a compelling nominee for any prestigious research or design award. Her contributions resonate across disciplines, from enhancing daily interactions through gamification to advancing usability science. She continues to inspire with her passion, creativity, and commitment to impactful design innovation.

Subodh Kumar | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Subodh Kumar | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso | United States

Dr. Subodh Kumar is an esteemed Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), El Paso, USA. With a strong foundation in molecular biology and neurobiology, Dr. Kumar’s research centers around understanding the molecular underpinnings of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). He has made significant strides in uncovering the roles of synaptosomal and mitochondrial microRNAs in synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline. A prolific researcher and innovator, Dr. Kumar has also contributed to biomarker discovery, therapeutic target identification, and translational neuroscience using cutting-edge multi-omics approaches.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Subodh Kumar has established an enviable track record of original, high-impact research that squarely meets—and arguably exceeds—the criteria for a “Best Researcher” distinction. His laboratory was first to profile synapse-localized microRNAs in the human brain and to link their deregulation to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), opening a fresh mechanistic window on synaptic failure. That foundational discovery has already yielded four first- or corresponding-author papers in top-tier journals since 2024 (e.g., Molecular Psychiatry and Clinical & Translational Medicine) and a growing citation trajectory.

Concurrently, Dr. Kumar has secured competitive funding as PI on an NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, an R00 project running through 2026, and multiple foundation and intramural grants—clear evidence of both scientific rigor and fiscal stewardship. His service portfolio is equally compelling: associate editor for the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, ad-hoc reviewer for NIH, AHA, and international agencies, and manuscript referee for leading journals such as Nature Communications. Collectively, these achievements demonstrate innovation, productivity, leadership, and an ability to translate ideas into funded, peer-validated science—key hallmarks of an award-worthy researcher.

🎓 Education

Dr. Kumar’s academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Biology (2004) and an M.Sc. in Biotechnology (2005) from CCS University, Meerut, India. He earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India, in 2014. Furthering his expertise, he completed postdoctoral training in Neurobiology at TTUHSC, Lubbock, Texas, USA, in 2021. His education spans across premier institutions in India and the United States, equipping him with a solid interdisciplinary background.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Kumar holds a distinguished career spanning academia and research. He is currently an Assistant Professor at TTUHSC El Paso (2022–present) and previously served as a Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow at TTUHSC Lubbock. His research roots trace back to roles at PGIMER and IIMT College of Medical Science in India. He has also held influential editorial roles and served as an ad-hoc reviewer for NIH and international grant agencies. With over 15 years in scientific research, Dr. Kumar has shaped the fields of neurobiology and molecular medicine through his multifaceted experience.

🧠 Research Interests On Neuroscience

Dr. Kumar’s research is dedicated to elucidating the roles of synaptic and mitochondrial microRNAs in neurodegeneration, especially in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. His lab explores miRNA-mediated modulation of synaptic proteins, neurotransmission, and mitochondrial health using advanced in vivo models and omics platforms. Current projects focus on miR-502-3p as a biomarker and therapeutic target in AD, including studies in Hispanic populations. His research portfolio spans synapse plasticity, GABAergic signaling, multi-omics integration, and biomarker validation in human and animal models.

🏅 Awards

Dr. Kumar’s excellence in neuroscience and molecular biology has earned him numerous accolades, including the Marsh Foundation Research Award (2024) and the prestigious NIH Pathway to Independence Career Development Award (K99/R00, 2020). He received the Best Oral Presentation Award at TTUHSC El Paso’s Annual Research Symposium (2022) and Best Poster Award at the Regional Healthy Aging Symposium (2018). His early career was marked by top-tier fellowships from ICMR, CSIR, and IIT Kanpur. These honors underscore his impactful contributions to aging and neurodegenerative disease research.

📚 Publications

  • Protective effects of Indian spice curcumin against amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s disease
    PH Reddy, M Manczak, X Yin, MC Grady, A Mitchell, S Tonk, CS Kuruva, …
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 367

  • Are circulating microRNAs peripheral biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease?
    S Kumar, PH Reddy
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 333

  • Mutant APP and amyloid beta-induced defective autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial structural and functional changes and synaptic damage in hippocampal neurons from Alzheimer’s disease
    PH Reddy, XL Yin, M Manczak, S Kumar, JA Pradeepkiran, M Vijayan, …
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 292

  • MicroRNAs as peripheral biomarkers in aging and age-related diseases
    S Kumar, M Vijayan, JS Bhatti, PH Reddy
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 234

  • MicroRNA-455-3p as a potential peripheral biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease
    S Kumar, M Vijayan, PH Reddy
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 169

  • A critical evaluation of neuroprotective and neurodegenerative MicroRNAs in Alzheimer’s disease
    PH Reddy, S Tonk, S Kumar, M Vijayan, R Kandimalla, CS Kuruva, …
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 158

  • Defective mitophagy and synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease: Focus on aging, mitochondria and synapse
    H Morton, S Kshirsagar, E Orlov, LE Bunquin, N Sawant, L Boleng, …
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 142

  • Deregulated mitochondrial microRNAs in Alzheimer’s disease: focus on synapse and mitochondria
    P Gowda, PH Reddy, S Kumar
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 121

  • MicroRNA-455-3p as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease: an update
    S Kumar, PH Reddy
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 116

  • Are microRNAs true sensors of ageing and cellular senescence?
    J Williams, F Smith, S Kumar, M Vijayan, PH Reddy
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 96

🔚 Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Subodh Kumar stands out as a visionary scientist whose pioneering work in Alzheimer’s disease has bridged molecular biology and translational neuroscience. His innovative studies on synaptosomal and mitochondrial miRNAs offer promising avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic advancements. Dr. Kumar’s dedication, scholarly excellence, and translational impact make him a deserving candidate for this award recognition.

Chengqun Wei | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Chengqun Wei | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Associate Chief Physician | Huaian Hospital of Huaian city (Huaian Cancer Hospital) | China

Dr. Chengqun Wei is the Director of the Neurology Department and an Associate Senior Physician at Huaian Hospital of Huaian City. With a medical doctorate and a specialization in neurology, he has accumulated extensive expertise in geriatric neurology. Since beginning his medical career in 2012, Dr. Wei has dedicated over seven years to the treatment of acute cerebrovascular diseases, neurological infections, and demyelinating disorders. His vast clinical experience also includes managing elderly patients with comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Profile👤

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Extensive Medical Expertise: With a Ph.D. in Neurology and over a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Wei has demonstrated profound knowledge in geriatric neurology, cerebrovascular diseases, and neurological infections. His ability to manage complex neurological conditions in elderly patients is highly commendable.

Research Contributions: Dr. Wei has authored 7 SCI-indexed publications, indicating a strong research output. Additionally, his involvement in multiple provincial-level research projects as a principal investigator or key participant highlights his active role in advancing medical knowledge.

Technical Proficiency: His expertise in network pharmacology, bioinformatics analysis, and web data mining showcases his ability to integrate computational tools with medical research, a valuable asset in modern biomedical sciences.

Leadership & Experience: Holding senior positions such as Associate Chief Physician and Director of Neurology, Dr. Wei has both clinical and research leadership experience, reinforcing his credentials as a top researcher.

🎓 Education

  • 🎓 2004.09-2009.06Xinxiang Medical University – Clinical Medicine (BD)
  • 🎓 2009.09-2012.06Harbin Medical University – Neurology (MD)
  • 🎓 2020.09-2023.06Harbin Medical University – Neurology (PhD)

💼 Experience

  • 2012.07-2015.05Resident Physician, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital
  • 2015.05-2021.08Attending Physician, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital
  • 2021.09-2024.03Associate Chief Physician, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital
  • 2024.03-PresentAssociate Chief Physician, Huaian Hospital of Huaian City

🔬 Research Interests On Neuroscience

Dr. Wei’s research focuses on network pharmacology, bioinformatics analysis, and web data mining for scientific research. His work contributes to advancements in understanding neurological diseases, particularly in geriatric populations. He is proficient in analyzing large-scale medical data and has authored multiple research papers in high-impact journals.

🏆 Awards

  • 🌟 Principal investigator or key participant in multiple provincial-level research projects.
  • 🌟 Recognized for excellence in neurology research and contributions to geriatric neurological care.

📚 Publications

  • Title: Single cell analysis reveals the roles and regulatory mechanisms of type-I interferons in Parkinson’s disease
  • Authors: Quan P., Li X., Si Y., Yang F., Yao L., and others
  • Publication Year: 2024
  • Journal: Cell Communication and Signaling
  • Citations: 4

🔚 Conclusion

Dr. Chengqun Wei is a highly skilled neurologist with a strong academic background and clinical expertise in geriatric neurology. His contributions to research, particularly in bioinformatics and pharmacology, have positioned him as a key figure in neurological studies. His dedication to patient care and medical advancements continues to make a significant impact in the field of neurology.