Gabriella Gould | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Ms. Gabriella Gould | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Bond University | Australia

Ms. Gabriella Gould is a dedicated physiotherapist and researcher with a focused expertise in musculoskeletal and vestibular physiotherapy, emphasizing evidence-based clinical assessment and rehabilitation strategies. Her research endeavors explore the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of physiotherapy interventions, with a particular emphasis on musculoskeletal conditions such as rotator cuff tendinopathy. Ms. Gabriella Gould’s most notable contribution is her systematic review on the use of diagnostic ultrasound for assessing rotator cuff tendinopathy, published in Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. This work rigorously synthesizes current methodologies, highlighting both the strengths and limitations of ultrasound as a clinical assessment tool, and provides clinicians with clear, evidence-based guidance for improved diagnostic accuracy. Her research approach integrates clinical insights with scientific rigor, bridging the gap between research evidence and practical physiotherapy applications. In addition to her publications, Ms. Gabriella Gould actively engages with the broader research community through professional memberships, contributing to the development of standardized assessment protocols and evidence-informed practice guidelines. Her research contributions extend to promoting patient-centered care by ensuring that diagnostic and rehabilitation strategies are both effective and accessible. By combining innovative research, systematic evidence evaluation, and a commitment to translational application, Gabriella Gould’s work not only enhances the scientific understanding of musculoskeletal assessment but also drives improvements in clinical practice, optimizing patient outcomes. Her ongoing research interests continue to focus on advancing diagnostic precision, validating therapeutic interventions, and supporting the integration of emerging technologies into physiotherapy practice, establishing her as a rising contributor to evidence-based musculoskeletal and vestibular physiotherapy research.

Profiles: ORCID | LinkedIn

Featured Publication

Gould, G., Macindoe, C., Wong, J., & Matthews, W. (2025). The use of diagnostic ultrasound for the assessment of rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.

Eduardo Vignoto Fernandes | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Eduardo Vignoto Fernandes | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Federal University of Jataí | Brazil

Prof. Dr. Eduardo Vignoto Fernandes, is a distinguished researcher in immunometabolism, human physiology, and applied health sciences, recognized for his multidisciplinary contributions integrating experimental pathology, human anatomy, and exercise science. With 28 Scopus-indexed publications, 119 citations, and an h-index of 5, his research advances understanding of metabolic, genetic, and physiological adaptations in healthy individuals and those with clinical or lifestyle-related conditions, including people living with HIV/AIDS. Fernandes has produced influential studies covering immunometabolism responses, exercise physiology, body composition, sports nutrition, metabolic syndrome, cancer immunopathology, and antiretroviral therapy effectiveness. His scientific output includes peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, and collaborative investigations published in respected journals such as Metabolites, Geriatrics, Sports, Current HIV Research, Molecular Biology Reports, and Discover Public Health. Fernandes leads and collaborates on research projects exploring exercise prescription, photo biomodulation, osteopathic interventions, muscle damage biomarkers, and functional health indicators such as handgrip strength. His expertise also extends to educational research on human anatomy, including remote versus in-person instruction and academic performance in health-science students. Through public health outreach initiatives, he contributes to community wellness by developing structured exercise programs and participating in One Health–aligned interdisciplinary actions. Supported by competitive funding from major Brazilian agencies, he conducts R&D focused on immunometabolism health, functional performance, and applied health interventions. His growing citation base, broad research themes, and sustained collaborations underscore his scientific relevance and expanding impact across exercise science, pathology, and applied health research.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

1. De Rossi, T., Lozovoy, M. A. B., da Silva, R. V., Fernandes, E. V., Geraldino, T. H., & others. (2011). Interações entre Candida albicans e hospedeiro. Semina: Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, 32(1), 15–28.

2. Weber, M. G., Dias, S. S., de Angelis, T. R., Fernandes, E. V., Bernardes, A. G., & others. (2021). The use of BCAA to decrease delayed-onset muscle soreness after a single bout of exercise: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Amino Acids, 53(11), 1663–1678.

3. Romanin, P., Palermo, R. L., Cavalini, J. F., Favaro, L. S., De Paula-Petroli, S. B., Fernandes, E. V., & others. (2019). Multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a tertiary hospital from Brazil: The importance of carbapenemase encoding genes and related resistance mechanisms. Microbial Drug Resistance, 25(9), 1365–1373.

4. Khan, S. A., Venancio, E. J., Ono, M. A., Fernandes, E. V., Hirooka, E. Y., Shimizu, C. F., & others. (2019). Effects of subcutaneous ochratoxin-A exposure on immune system of broiler chicks. Toxins, 11(5), 264.

5. Vitorino, R. W. S., Fornaziero, C. C., & Fernandes, E. V. (2020). Evaluation of performance and perception of learning in teaching human anatomy: Traditional method vs constructivist method. International Journal of Morphology, 38(1), 74–77.

Xiaowen Mao | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Xiaowen Mao | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Macau | Macau

Dr. Xiaowen Mao, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, where she leads translational research on cancer biology, immunotherapy, and tumor microenvironment modulation. She earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Hong Kong and her B.Sc. in Clinical Medicine from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. Her research focuses on extracellular vesicles, immune homeostasis, metabolic reprogramming in tumors, and hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis, integrating molecular, cellular, and translational approaches. Dr. Xiaowen Mao has led several high-impact projects as principal investigator, funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund, National Natural Science Foundation Young Scientist Fund, and FDCT Innovation and Technology Promotion. Her significant contributions include the development of broadly potent neutralizing antibodies targeting Nidogen 1 to inhibit tumor growth, elucidation of extracellular vesicle-mediated metabolic reprogramming in tumors, and advances in dendritic cell vaccine strategies. She holds a U.S. patent on Nidogen 1 as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma, serves as Guest Editor for Frontiers in Endocrinology, and is an ad-hoc reviewer for multiple high-impact journals. According to Scopus, she has 31 publications, 1,114 citations by 1,010 documents, and an h-index of 20. Dr. Xiaowen Mao’s work bridges fundamental research and clinical translation, delivering innovative therapies and advancing precision medicine in oncology, while demonstrating a profound impact on cancer biology, immunotherapy, and translational research.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

  • Xue, T. M., Yeung, C. L. S., Mao, X. W., Tey, S. K., Lo, K. W., Tang, H. N., Yun, J. P., & Yam, J. W. P. (2025). Development of a broadly potent neutralizing antibody targeting Nidogen 1 effectively inhibits cancer growth and metastasis in preclinical tumor models. Journal of Translational Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1515/jtim-2025-0008

  • Xia, L., Li, C. G., Zhao, J., Sun, Q. C., & Mao, X. W.* (2025). Rebalancing immune homeostasis in combating disease: The impact of medicine food homology plants and gut microbiome. Phytomedicine, 136, 156150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156150

  • Chen, Z., Yam, J. W. P., & Mao, X. W.* (2024). The multifaceted roles of small extracellular vesicles in metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironments. Proteomics, e2300021. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmic.202300021

  • Lee, K. W., Yam, J. W. P., & Mao, X. W.* (2023). Dendritic cell vaccines: A shift from conventional approach to new generations. Cells, 12(2147). https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12172147

  • Li, S., Delvecchio, M., Ramkumar, K., Mao, X. W., Sun, X. D., & Guo, S. Z. (2023). Editorial: Clinical and genetic determinants of diabetes and complications. Frontiers in Endocrinology.

Yan Bai | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yan Bai | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Yunnan University | China

Dr. Yan Bai is a highly accomplished postdoctoral researcher at the State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan and the Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China. She earned her PhD in Cell Biology from Yunnan University, MSc in Pharmacology from the Chinese PLA Medical Academy, and BSc in Pharmacy from Dali University, establishing a strong interdisciplinary foundation spanning pharmacology, microbiology, and cellular biology. Prior to her current role, she conducted research at the Chinese PLA General Hospital, focusing on combination therapies against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Her research primarily investigates mitochondrial homeostasis, tumor biology, and the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial genetic diseases, with particular attention to mitochondria-associated condensates (MATOs) as regulators of protein translation and mitochondrial integrity. Dr. Yan Bai has led and contributed to several major research projects, including grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Basic Research Program, and Yunnan Province Science and Technology initiatives. Her work has resulted in high-impact publications in journals such as Nature Aging (2025), Sci China Life Sci (2025), EMBO J (2024), and Biophys Rep (2024). According to Scopus, she has authored 10 publications, cited 177 times across 169 documents, with an h-index of 6, demonstrating both productivity and influence in her field. Through her interdisciplinary collaborations, innovative experimental approaches, and groundbreaking findings on mitochondrial regulation and aging, Dr. Yan Bai has made significant contributions to biomedical science, advancing understanding of mitochondrial biology, disease mechanisms, and translational biomedical applications.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Bai, Y., Ma, T., Zhao, S., Li, S., Wang, X., Li, J., Sun, W., Yang, Y., Liu, F., Shan, Q., Qin, Z., Liu, N., Zhang, J., Tian, F., Duan, M., Chen, S., Lai, F., Chen, Q., Wu, X., & Yang, C. (2025). Mitochondria-associated condensates maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and promote lifespan. Nature Aging.

Hao, Q., Bai, Y., Guan, R., Dong, R., Bai, W., Hamdy, H., Wang, L., Meng, M., Sun, Y., Shen, J., & Sun, J. (2025). VPS35/Retromer-dependent MT1-MMP regulation confers melanoma metastasis. Science China Life Sciences, 68(7), 1996–2009.

Hao, Q., Dong, R., Bai, W., Chang, D., Yao, X., Zhang, Y., Xu, H., Li, H., Kui, X., Wang, F., Wang, Y., Wang, C., Lei, Y., Chen, Y., Shen, J., Sang, L., Bai, Y., & Sun, J. (2024). Screening for metastasis-related genes in mouse melanoma cells through sequential tail vein injection. Biophysical Reports, 10(1), 15–21.

Liu, F., Li, T., Gong, H., Tian, F., Bai, Y., Wang, H., Yang, C., Li, Y., Guo, F., Liu, S., & Chen, Q. (2024). Structural insights into the molecular effects of the anthelmintics monepantel and betaine on the Caenorhabditis elegans acetylcholine receptor ACR-23. EMBO Journal, 43(17), 3787–3806.

Wang, T., Zhou, X., Bai, Y., Zhang, L., Li, L., & Wu, C. (2018). Antiepileptic effect of uridine may be caused by regulating dopamine release and receptor expression in corpus striatum. Brain Research, 1688, 47–53.

Bai, Y., Liu, B., Wang, T., Cai, Y., Liang, B., Wang, R., Liu, Y., & Wang, J. (2015). In vitro activities of combinations of rifampin with other antimicrobials against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 59(3), 1466–1471.

Liu, B., Bai, Y., Liu, Y., Di, X., Zhang, X., Wang, R., & Wang, J. (2015). In vitro activity of tigecycline in combination with cefoperazone-sulbactam against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Journal of Chemotherapy, 27(5), 271–276.

Xuanlong Chen | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Xuanlong Chen | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Fudan University | China

Mr. Xuanlong Chen is a promising researcher in forensic pathology with a strong academic foundation and a growing record of impactful contributions. Known for his dedication and meticulous approach to scientific inquiry, he has already demonstrated significant potential in advancing forensic research. His work combines cutting-edge molecular techniques with practical forensic applications, reflecting both innovation and a commitment to improving diagnostic accuracy in complex medico-legal cases. He has been recognized for academic excellence through multiple scholarships and awards, positioning him as a notable candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Education

Mr. Xuanlong Chen completed his Bachelor’s degree at Nanjing Medical University, China, where he developed a strong background in medical sciences and research methodology. Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s degree at Fudan University, focusing on forensic pathology and molecular forensic research. During his academic journey, he has received several university-level scholarships, been honored as an Outstanding Student, and awarded the prestigious National Scholarship, reflecting his consistent dedication to academic and research excellence.

Experience

As a graduate researcher, Mr. Xuanlong Chen has undertaken advanced projects that combine single-nucleus RNA sequencing and machine learning to identify potential biomarkers in sudden unexplained deaths among psychiatric patients. He has contributed to developing predictive identification models for sudden death cases, addressing critical challenges in forensic pathology. In addition, he has conducted comprehensive reviews on rare toxicological phenomena, such as bongkrekic acid poisoning, demonstrating both breadth and depth in his research. Although early in his career, his proactive approach and innovative methods reflect significant research maturity.

Research Interests

His primary research focus is forensic pathology, particularly investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying sudden unexplained deaths. He also explores toxicological studies and the identification of biomarkers for psychiatric-related mortalities. By integrating molecular biology, bioinformatics, and forensic analysis, he aims to develop practical diagnostic tools and predictive models that enhance forensic accuracy and provide valuable insights for medico-legal investigations.

Awards

Throughout his academic career, Mr. Xuanlong Chen has been recognized for excellence through multiple scholarships and university awards, including the highly competitive National Scholarship and several “Outstanding Student” honors. These accolades reflect his consistent academic performance, innovative research approach, and commitment to advancing knowledge in forensic pathology.

Publications

Mr. Xuanlong Chen has published several peer-reviewed articles in internationally recognized journals, reflecting his research contribution and growing scientific impact. His work includes studies on single-nucleus RNA sequencing and machine learning in forensic pathology and comprehensive reviews of toxicological phenomena. Selected publications include:

  • Title: Single-nucleus RNA sequencing and machine learning identify CACNA1A as a myocyte-specific biomarker for sudden unexplained death in schizophrenia
    Journal: Forensic Science International

  • Title: A comprehensive review on bongkrekic acid poisoning
    Journal: Journal of Forensic Medicine

Conclusion

Mr. Xuanlong Chen is a dedicated and innovative researcher whose academic accomplishments, publications, and contributions to forensic pathology exemplify excellence. His work in biomarker identification and toxicological studies demonstrates both scientific creativity and practical relevance, making him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His dedication, forward-thinking approach, and growing influence in forensic research underscore his potential to make significant contributions to the scientific community.