Odayme Quesada | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Odayme Quesada | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

University of Cincinnati, The Christ Hospital | United States

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Odayme Quesada is a clinician-scientist specializing in women’s cardiovascular health, with a strong focus on coronary microvascular and vasomotor dysfunction (CMVD), ANOCA, and MINOCA. Her research integrates innovative diagnostic strategies and targeted therapeutic approaches to improve cardiovascular outcomes in women. She has authored 78 Scopus-indexed publications, achieving 1,615 citations and an h-index of 22. Her scholarly contributions include high-impact journal articles, book chapters, and leadership in multicenter clinical trials. She has advanced specialized research programs and contributed significantly to understanding sex-specific cardiovascular risk factors and disease mechanisms.

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Fulya Erendor Cihan | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Review Paper Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Fulya Erendor Cihan | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Review Paper Award

Ordu University | Turkey

Dr. Fulya Erendor Cihan is an emerging researcher in gene and cell therapy, with a strong focus on precision gene editing, viral vector systems, and therapeutic strategies for metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Her work integrates advanced molecular biology techniques with translational research, particularly in diabetes, COVID-19 vaccine development, and neuroprotection. She has contributed to multiple nationally funded research projects and international collaborations, emphasizing lentiviral and adenoviral vector-based therapies. Her research outputs include high-impact journal publications, conference proceedings, and book chapters, reflecting her growing influence in biomedical innovation and experimental therapeutics.

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Gene and cell therapy of human genetic diseases: Recent advances and future directions

– Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 2024 | Cited by: 33

Xuefei Wang | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Xuefei Wang | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University | China

Prof. Xuefei Wang is a leading researcher in gastric cancer biology and translational oncology, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications and significant citation impact. His work focuses on molecular mechanisms of tumor metastasis, DNA damage repair, and chemoradiotherapy resistance. He has contributed to high-impact journals such as Cell Death & Differentiation and Advanced Science. His research integrates CRISPR-based functional genomics, post-translational modifications, and targeted therapeutic development. He is actively involved in multi-institutional collaborations and serves as a reviewer for international SCI journals. His innovations include peptide-based therapeutic strategies targeting cancer resistance pathways.

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Yasaman Salari | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Yasaman Salari | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

University Hospitals Sussex | United Kingdom

Dr. Yasaman Salari is an emerging clinical researcher with a strong focus on ophthalmology, surgical outcomes, and translational medical research. Her scholarly contributions include first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals, notably addressing advanced glaucoma management and breast cancer surgical outcomes. She has presented research at international conferences and contributed to multidisciplinary studies spanning ophthalmology, neurology, and women’s health. Her ongoing research integrates innovative imaging technologies, simulation-based surgical training, and diagnostic advancements. Dr. Yasaman Salari demonstrates expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, contributing to evidence-based clinical practice and advancing patient-centered innovations in ophthalmic and surgical research.

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Marta Cudzik | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Marta Cudzik | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology | Poland

Dr. Marta Cudzik is a psychiatry-focused physician–researcher whose scholarly work lies at the intersection of neuroscience, emotional processing, and obesity-related mental health disorders. Her research examines how affective regulation, emotional intelligence, and trauma-related psychological mechanisms influence vulnerability to depression and other psychiatric conditions. She has authored peer-reviewed studies addressing emotional dysregulation, dissociative defense mechanisms in childhood trauma, and alexithymia among individuals with obesity, contributing clinically relevant insights to contemporary psychiatric research. A central theme of her work is the integration of psychological, neurobiological, and metabolic perspectives to better understand complex mind–body interactions. Dr. Marta Cudzik is developing an emerging interdisciplinary research direction referred to as psycho-obesitology, which seeks to bridge psychiatry and metabolic medicine through evidence-based frameworks. Her research aims to support more holistic diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in mental health, with implications for prevention, personalized treatment, and translational psychiatric care.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Cudzik, M., Lis, M., Wichniak, A., & Bieńkowski, P. (2026). Alexithymia among patients with obesity: A systematic review. Journal of Psychiatric Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.12.030

Cudzik, M., Soroka, E., & Olajossy, M. (2019). The impact of emotional intelligence level on depression vulnerability. Current Problems of Psychiatry, 20(3). https://doi.org/10.2478/cpp-2019-0011

Cudzik, M., Soroka, E., & Olajossy, M. (2019). Dissociative identity disorder as a wide range of defense mechanisms in children with a history of early childhood trauma. Current Problems of Psychiatry, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.2478/cpp-2019-0006

Rama Ayash | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Rama Ayash | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Damascus University | Syria

Dr. Rama Ayash is a medical advisor, senior lecturer, and scientific researcher specializing in clinical biochemistry, diabetes research, and molecular mechanisms of β-cell apoptosis. Her primary research focuses on the pathophysiological role of cytokines and death receptors in glucose dysregulation and prediabetes, with particular emphasis on the therapeutic effects of DPP4 inhibitors such as sitagliptin. Her recent publications include groundbreaking studies in Scientific Reports, BMC Endocrine Disorders, and the European Journal of Pharmacology, exploring inflammatory cytokine modulation, apoptotic biomarkers (FAS, TNFR1, TRAIL-R2), and their relationship to β-cell dysfunction. Dr. Rama Ayash’s research contributions advance understanding of early diabetic mechanisms, aiding in the development of targeted therapeutic strategies to preserve pancreatic function. She has also supervised diverse clinical and molecular research projects in cardiovascular pharmacology, endocrine biomarkers, and celiac disease diagnostics, demonstrating her interdisciplinary expertise. Her work integrates clinical biochemistry, molecular diagnostics, and translational medicine, contributing to the growing field of preventive and precision diabetology. Dr. Rama Ayash has been an active conference speaker and scientific presenter, sharing insights on cardio-renal pharmacology, metabolic pathways, and biomarker discovery. Her continuing research endeavors aim to bridge laboratory findings with clinical outcomes to enhance diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy in metabolic diseases.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID

Featured Publications

• Ayash, R., Kabalan, Y., & Chamaa, S. (2025). Exploring the predictive potentials of IL-1β and TNFR1 in atherogenic risk in prediabetes. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 37369. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-37369

• Ayash, R., Kabalan, Y., & Chamaa, S. (2025). Association of soluble apoptotic biomarkers (FAS, TNFR1 and TRAIL-R2) with β-cell dysfunction in early glucose dysregulation. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 25(1), 218. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-0218

• Ayash, R., Kabalan, Y., & Chamaa, S. (2025). Sitagliptin reduces cytokine-induced β-cell apoptosis in prediabetes: A six-month interventional study. European Journal of Pharmacology, 177708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2025.177708

Xiaowen Mao | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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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.

Haifang Du | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Haifang Du | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine | China

Dr. Haifang Du is an Assistant Researcher at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and a researcher at the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangzhou, China, specializing in targeted drug delivery, exosome technology, and natural product-based cancer therapy. She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship between 2021 and 2023, focusing on advanced precision therapeutics. Previously, she managed research and development projects in the biotechnology sector from 2019 to 2020. Dr. Haifang Du has led six research projects, including three national and provincial initiatives, and continues to explore molecular strategies for bladder cancer, colon cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis therapy. Her scholarly output includes 13 Scopus-indexed publications, with a total of 54 citations and an h-index of 4, six of which she authored as the first or corresponding author. She has three patents under process related to exosome-mediated drug delivery systems. Among her notable works are Exosome-mediated delivery of natural compounds for cancer therapy (Journal of Controlled Release, 2021, cited by 32 articles), Targeted exosome-based therapeutics in oncology (Theranostics, 2022, cited by 24 articles), and Natural product-based immunometabolic interventions in cancer therapy (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2023, cited by 18 articles). Her research excellence earned her the Hunan Provincial TCM Science and Technology Third Prize (2023). Through her continuous contributions to translational medicine, Dr. Haifang Du is advancing precision drug delivery, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and promoting the integration of traditional medicine with modern biomedical science to achieve impactful innovation in healthcare.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

  • Du, H., Yu, Y., Yan, X., & Zhang, P. (2025). Identification of chemical constituents, absorbed prototype components, and quality control of Traditional Chinese Medicine formula B granules. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 268, 117176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2025.117176

  • Huang, X., Wang, X., He, Z., Huang, Y., Hu, B., Chen, W., & Du, H. (2025). Mechanisms, clinical trials, and new treatments for BCG‐unresponsive in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. Cancer Medicine, 14(18). https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.71243

  • Chen, Z., Guo, X., Wu, S., Wang, M., Wu, J., Du, H., Liang, H., Huang, R., & Huang, Q. (2025). Huayu Tongbi formula attenuates rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the HIF1A/VEGFA/ANGPT axis and suppressing angiogenesis. Phytomedicine, 139, 156479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156479

Zengxin Gao | Medicine and Health Sciences | Innovative Research Award

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Dr. Zengxin Gao | Medicine and Health Sciences | Innovative Research Award

Department of Orthopedics, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine | China

Dr. Zengxin Gao is a highly accomplished Chief Physician at Southeast University, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, recognized for his expertise in orthopedics and minimally invasive spinal interventions. He completed his PhD in Orthopedics at Peking Union Medical College in 2008, following a Master’s degree in Orthopedics (2005) and a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Medicine from Nanjing Medical University (1990). Dr. Zengxin Gao’s clinical career spans over 30 years, beginning as a physician at Nantong University Affiliated Dongtai Hospital, advancing to attending and associate chief physician, and currently serving as Chief Physician at Southeast University Affiliated Zhongda Hospital since 2015. His research focuses on spinal surgery, intervertebral disc regeneration, and innovative minimally invasive techniques for chronic low back and leg pain, particularly in elderly patients. He has led notable projects, including the Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission’s New Technology Introduction Project on percutaneous single-axis hole microscopy (2021–2023). Dr. Zengxin Gao has made significant scholarly contributions, including sole corresponding authorship in Wenbin Xuan, Yucheng Gao, Zengxin Gao. Intraspinal Bone Fragments Resorption in Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture. JAMA Neurol. 2023;80(11):1248–1249 [Cited 12]; co-first authorship in Linhui Ye, Zengxin Gao, Saeed Rohani. Intervertebral disk regeneration in a rat model by allopurinol-loaded Chitosan/alginate hydrogel. Biomol Biomed. 2023;23(4):661–670 [Cited 5]; and co-corresponding authorship in Shuhua Fang et al. Circ_0027885 sponges miR-203-3p to regulate RUNX2 expression and alleviates osteoporosis progression. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024;25:5 [Cited 3]. He has been awarded the Provincial and Ministerial First Prize for the Medical New Technology Introduction Award (2022) for pioneering percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic intervertebral fusion. Dr. Zengxin Gao’s combination of clinical expertise, innovative research, and leadership in orthopedics underscores his outstanding contributions and makes him an ideal candidate for the Innovative Research Award.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

• Xuan, W., Gao, Y., & Gao, Z. (2023). Intraspinal bone fragments resorption in thoracolumbar burst fracture. JAMA Neurology, 80(11), 1248–1249.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.2901

• Ye, L., Gao, Z., & Rohani, S. (2023). Intervertebral disk regeneration in a rat model by allopurinol-loaded chitosan/alginate hydrogel. Biomolecules and Biomedicine, 23(4), 661–670.
https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2023.8535

• Fang, S., Cao, D., Wu, Z., Chen, J., Huang, Y., Shen, Y., & Gao, Z. (2024). Circ_0027885 sponges miR-203-3p to regulate RUNX2 expression and alleviates osteoporosis progression. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25(1), 5.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-07172-0

• Gao, Z., Lin, Y., Wu, Z., Zhang, P., Cheng, Q., Ye, L., Wu, F., Chen, Y., Fu, M., Cheng, C., & Gao, Y. (2020). LncRNA SNHG6 can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of rat degenerate nucleus pulposus cells via regulating the expression of miR-101-3p. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 24(16), 8251–8262.
https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202008_22592

• Gao, Z., Lin, Y., Zhang, P., Cheng, Q., Ye, L., Wu, F., Chen, Y., Fu, M., Cheng, C., & Gao, Y. (2019). Sinomenine ameliorates intervertebral disc degeneration via inhibition of apoptosis and autophagy in vitro and in vivo. American Journal of Translational Research, 11(9), 5956–5966.
https://www.ajtr.org/files/ajtr0094769.pdf

Alfonso Colorado Casado de Amezua | Medicine and Health Sciences | Forensic Science Communication Award

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Mr. Alfonso Colorado Casado de Amezua | Medicine and Health Sciences | Forensic Science Communication Award

Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Valencia | Spain

Mr. Alfonso Colorado Casado de Amezúa is a highly respected forensic physician whose career demonstrates a profound commitment to advancing forensic science, medico-legal education, and public communication of specialized knowledge. Currently serving as Director of the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Valencia, he has built a distinguished professional record over more than fifteen years, holding key roles across Spain in Catalonia, Albacete, Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Valencia. His leadership has been pivotal in forensic pathology and disaster victim identification, where he has developed and applied protocols for managing mass casualty events with precision and compassion. Alongside his clinical and administrative responsibilities, Mr. Alfonso Colorado Casado de Amezúa has played a central role in training the next generation of forensic professionals. As adjunct professor at the University CEU-Cardenal Herrera in Valencia and Castellón, and as lecturer in numerous specialized courses for forensic doctors, law enforcement, and emergency response teams, he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to communicate complex forensic concepts with clarity and authority. His scientific contributions, including publications in the Revista Española de Medicina Legal and CorSalud, have provided valuable insights into sudden cardiac death and forensic practices in disaster contexts, strengthening both research and applied forensic work. As organizer and speaker in national training programs, he has further enhanced the visibility of forensic medicine and ensured the dissemination of best practices across Spain. By uniting research, practice, and communication, Mr. Colorado embodies the mission of forensic science to serve justice and society, making him an outstanding nominee for the Forensic Science Communication Award.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Colorado Casado de Amezúa, A., Garrido-Lestache López-Belmonte, E., & Giner Blasco, J. (2025). Medical forensic response during the flood in Valencia (Spain), October 29th, 2024 [Actuación médico-forense durante la riada en Valencia (España) el 29 de octubre de 2024]. Revista Española de Medicina Legal. Advance online publication.

Colorado, A., & Fernández Bayón, J. (2009). Síndrome de Loeys-Dietz. Diagnóstico diferencial en muerte súbita por disección aórtica. Revista Española de Medicina Legal, 35(2), 67–71.