Yuan Zhang | Biology | Best Researcher Award

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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.

Chia-Chi Key | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

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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.