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

Published on by Forensic Scientist

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.

Jie Huang | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Forensic Scientist

Dr. Jie Huang | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Oxford | United Kingdom

Dr. Jie Huang (黄杰), is a distinguished plant biologist currently serving as a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Biology, University of Oxford. His research focuses on molecular plant–pathogen interactions, alternative splicing, and effector biology. Dr. Huang has made substantial contributions to our understanding of how pathogens manipulate plant immune responses and has published widely in high-impact journals.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Awards✨

1. Strong Academic Background & Training

  • PhD from Nanjing Agricultural University under a leading expert, Prof. Suomeng Dong.

  • Postdoctoral experience at the prestigious University of Oxford, a global hub for biological sciences.

2. Consistent and High-Impact Research Output

  • Multiple first-author and corresponding-author publications in top-tier journals such as Nature Communications, Advanced Science, The Plant Cell, Molecular Plant, and New Phytologist.

  • His research appears in elite plant biology and molecular journals, indicating significant peer recognition and impact.

3. Innovation in Research

  • Pioneered discoveries related to alternative splicing in plant immunity, plant-pathogen interactions, and protein-peptide interactions, a critical frontier in molecular plant pathology.

  • Integration of computational tools (AlphaFold-Multimer) in cross-kingdom interaction studies, reflecting interdisciplinary sophistication.

4. Competitive Funding Record

  • Secured prestigious funding from national (NSFC), provincial, and postdoctoral foundations in China as Principal Investigator, demonstrating independent scientific leadership.

5. International Collaboration & Mobility

  • Experience at institutions in China, the UK, and the USA, showcasing global integration and collaborative capacity.

  • Short-term training and collaborative publications with international partners, enhancing his scientific network and adaptability.

🎓 Education

 Dr. Huang began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science from Anhui Agricultural University (2009–2013). He then pursued his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at Nanjing Agricultural University (2013–2018), where he was mentored by the esteemed Prof. Suomeng Dong. His doctoral research laid a strong foundation for his expertise in host–pathogen molecular dynamics.

🧪 Experience

 Following his Ph.D., Dr. Huang worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Nanjing Agricultural University (2018–2021), continuing under Prof. Dong’s supervision. In 2019, he broadened his global research exposure as a visiting scholar at Colorado State University with Prof. Anireddy Reddy. Since January 2022, he has been advancing his research at the University of Oxford under Prof. Renier A. L. van der Hoorn, contributing to frontier studies in plant proteomics and immunity.

🔬 Research Interests On Biological Sciences

🌿 Dr. Huang’s research delves into:

  • Alternative splicing in plant immunity

  • Effector biology in oomycete pathogens

  • Protease-targeting mechanisms at the plant–pathogen interface

  • Use of AlphaFold and other computational tools to predict protein interactions
    His work bridges molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biotechnology for improving crop resistance strategies.

🏆 Awards and Funding

 As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Huang has secured several prestigious research grants, including:

  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31901862)

  • Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (SBK2019040604)

  • Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities (KYQN202009)

  • China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2018M640494)

  • Special Postdoctoral Science Fund (2020T130306)

These awards reflect his scientific rigor and innovative research in plant molecular biology.

📚 Publications

1. A Phytophthora effector manipulates host histone acetylation and reprograms defense gene expression to promote infection
Authors: L Kong, X Qiu, J Kang, Y Wang, H Chen, J Huang, M Qiu, Y Zhao, G Kong, …
Year: 2017
Cited by: 144

2. An oomycete plant pathogen reprograms host pre-mRNA splicing to subvert immunity
Authors: J Huang, L Gu, Y Zhang, T Yan, G Kong, L Kong, B Guo, M Qiu, Y Wang, …
Year: 2017
Cited by: 120

3. Phytophthora effectors modulate genome-wide alternative splicing of host mRNAs to reprogram plant immunity
Authors: J Huang, X Lu, H Wu, Y Xie, Q Peng, L Gu, J Wu, Y Wang, ASN Reddy, …
Year: 2020
Cited by: 84

4. The Activation of Phytophthora Effector Avr3b by Plant Cyclophilin is Required for the Nudix Hydrolase Activity of Avr3b
Authors: G Kong, Y Zhao, M Jing, J Huang, J Yang, Y Xia, L Kong, W Ye, Q Xiong, …
Year: 2015
Cited by: 84

5. The Phytophthora sojae RXLR effector Avh238 destabilizes soybean Type2 GmACSs to suppress ethylene biosynthesis and promote infection
Authors: B Yang, Y Wang, B Guo, M Jing, H Zhou, Y Li, H Wang, J Huang, Y Wang, …
Year: 2019
Cited by: 71

6. AlphaFold-Multimer predicts cross-kingdom interactions at the plant-pathogen interface
Authors: F Homma, J Huang, RAL van der Hoorn
Year: 2023
Cited by: 69

7. Pathogen manipulation of chloroplast function triggers a light-dependent immune recognition
Authors: C Gao, H Xu, J Huang, B Sun, F Zhang, Z Savage, C Duggan, T Yan, …
Year: 2020
Cited by: 65

8. Cleavage of a pathogen apoplastic protein by plant subtilases activates host immunity
Authors: S Wang, R Xing, Y Wang, H Shu, S Fu, J Huang, JK Paulus, M Schuster, …
Year: 2021
Cited by: 40

9. Natural allelic variations provide insights into host adaptation of Phytophthora avirulence effector PsAvr3c
Authors: J Huang, L Chen, X Lu, Q Peng, Y Zhang, J Yang, BY Zhang, B Yang, …
Year: 2019
Cited by: 32

10. Phytophthora sojae apoplastic effector AEP1 mediates sugar uptake by mutarotation of extracellular aldose and is recognized as a MAMP
Authors: Y Xu, Y Zhang, J Zhu, Y Sun, B Guo, F Liu, J Huang, H Wang, S Dong, …
Year: 2021
Cited by: 31

📝 Conclusion

🌟 Dr. Jie Huang is a rising star in plant molecular biology, combining classical genetics, proteomics, and cutting-edge computational tools to unravel the complexities of plant immunity and pathogen virulence. His international collaborations, funding success, and impactful publications position him as a strong nominee for any prestigious research award recognizing scientific excellence in plant sciences.