Erika Azorin-vega | Qualitative Research | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Erika Azorin-vega | Qualitative Research | Women Researcher Award

Instituto Nacional De Investigaciones Nucleares | Mexico

Erika Patricia Azorín Vega is a distinguished researcher at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, specializing in radiopharmaceuticals and their applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Experimental Biology from Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, a Master’s in Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Bio-Physiology and Neurosciences from CINVESTAV-IPN, with research focused on cellular interactions with extracellular matrices and tumor cell biology. Since 2013, she has led pioneering work in radiopharmaceutical development, resulting in four international patents and over 80 scientific publications with nearly a thousand citations. Her academic contributions include directing multiple undergraduate and graduate theses, reviewing projects for national and international funding agencies, and participating in thesis evaluations globally. She has served as a professor and invited lecturer at several universities, delivering specialized courses in radiobiology, dosimetry, and medical physics, both nationally and internationally. Her research interests encompass radiopharmaceutical design, cancer radiotherapy, metabolomics, and radiation protection. Recognized for her excellence in scientific communication, she has delivered numerous conferences and outreach presentations to advance knowledge in nuclear medicine. Erika’s work continues to shape the field of radiopharmaceutical research and the training of highly skilled professionals in medical physics and biotechnology.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Jiménez-Mancilla, N., Ferro-Flores, G., Santos-Cuevas, C., & et al. (2013). Multifunctional targeted therapy system based on 99mTc/177Lu-labeled gold nanoparticles-Tat(49–57)-Lys3-bombesin internalized in nuclei of prostate cancer. Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals, 56(13), 663–671.

Ferro-Flores, G., Luna-Gutiérrez, M., Ocampo-García, B., Santos-Cuevas, C., & et al. (2017). Clinical translation of a PSMA inhibitor for 99mTc-based SPECT. Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 48, 36–44.

Mendoza-Nava, H., Ferro-Flores, G., Ramírez, F. M., Ocampo-García, B., & et al. (2016). 177Lu-dendrimer conjugated to folate and bombesin with gold nanoparticles in the dendritic cavity: A potential theranostic radiopharmaceutical. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2016(1), 1039258.

Azorín-Vega, A. V. E., Ferro-Flores, G., & Ocampo-García, B. E. (2014). Multifunctional radiolabeled nanoparticles for targeted therapy. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 21(1), 124–138.

Mendoza-Nava, H., Ferro-Flores, G., Ramírez, F. M., Ocampo-García, B., & et al. (2017). Fluorescent, plasmonic, and radiotherapeutic properties of the 177Lu–dendrimer-AuNP–folate–bombesin nanoprobe located inside cancer cells. Molecular Imaging, 16, 1536012117704768.

Hongyan Jin | Bioinformatics | Young Researcher Award

Ms. Hongyan Jin | Bioinformatics | Young Researcher Award

Tarim University | China

Ms. Hongyan Jin dedicated and accomplished biologist with a strong foundation in plant molecular biology, bioinformatics, and physiological research. Holds a Master’s degree in Biology from Tarim University, with a cumulative GPA of 87.64, earning recognition as an Outstanding Graduate and recipient of multiple university-level scholarships. Academic training includes advanced courses in plant physiology, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and biostatistics. Experienced in genome-wide identification and analysis of gene families, particularly the SnRK2 gene family in Populus euphratica, and proficient in total RNA extraction and qRT-PCR techniques. Research focuses on plant responses to abiotic stresses, integrating computational and experimental approaches to explore stress-responsive gene functions. Published research in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, highlighting expertise in genome-wide bioinformatics analysis and molecular plant biology. Fluent in English (CET-6) and holds a Mandarin proficiency certificate, demonstrating strong communication skills. Recognized for academic excellence, diligence, and integrity, with a proactive and detail-oriented approach to research and professional responsibilities. Committed to continuous learning and tackling scientific challenges with rigor and persistence. Possesses a clear understanding of professional knowledge, strong integrative abilities, and a collaborative mindset, making significant contributions to plant biology and stress response research.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

(2025). The identification and characterization of the PeGRF gene family in Populus euphratica Oliv. heteromorphic leaves provide a theoretical basis for the functional study of PeGRF9. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

(2025). Genome-Wide Identification of the SnRK2 Gene Family and Its Response to Abiotic Stress in Populus euphratica

(2024).Comparative Genomics Analysis of the Populus Epidermal Pattern Factor (EPF) Family Revealed Their Regulatory Effects in Populus euphratica Stomatal Development

Alisa Becin | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Alisa Becin | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad | Serbia

Mrs. Alisa P. Bećin is a committed Research Assistant at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences in Serbia. With an academic foundation in molecular biology and a specialized focus on molecular physiology, she is actively engaged in advanced biomedical research, particularly in the area of male reproductive endocrinology. Her work bridges the domains of chronobiology, mitochondrial dynamics, and circadian rhythm regulation, contributing to the understanding of male fertility and reproductive health at the molecular and cellular levels. Alisa’s dedication to experimental rigor and interdisciplinary integration has made her a rising researcher in the European scientific community. She is affiliated with multiple scientific laboratories including the Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling (LaRES) and the Laboratory for Chronobiology and Aging (ChronAge), where she contributes to both academic research and student mentoring.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

ORCID

Education

Alisa holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biology, specializing in Molecular Biology from the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Her consistent academic progression laid the groundwork for her ongoing doctoral studies, where she is investigating the circadian regulation of mitochondrial function in Leydig cells and spermatozoa. Her PhD research is embedded within a broader molecular physiology program, focused on decoding the influence of biological clocks on cellular energetics and reproductive functions.

Experience

Since 2019, Alisa has been a vital part of the scientific research team at the Faculty of Sciences, initially as a Junior Researcher and subsequently as a Research Assistant. In her role, she actively participates in laboratory-based investigations, coordinates experimental protocols, and supervises student activities. Her teaching involvement spans several critical subjects in physiology and endocrinology, including Chronobiology, Neuroendocrinology, Animal Physiology, and Endocrinology. Alisa’s dual role in research and academia reflects her commitment to both advancing scientific knowledge and nurturing future scholars. Through collaborations with senior researchers and project leaders, she contributes to experimental design, data analysis, and scholarly publications in high-impact journals.

Research Interest

Alisa’s research interests are deeply rooted in the exploration of circadian biology, particularly how internal biological clocks govern male reproductive physiology. Her work investigates molecular clocks within the testes, mitochondrial dynamics in Leydig cells, and their role in steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. She is especially focused on the interplay between the central clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus) and peripheral clocks, exploring how lifestyle-induced desynchronization affects fertility outcomes. By examining hormonal signaling pathways and mitochondrial bioenergetics, her studies seek to inform chronotherapeutic interventions and address the rising concern of idiopathic infertility in young adult populations. Her scientific approach integrates endocrinology, cell signaling, and chronobiology, establishing her as a multidisciplinary researcher with translational potential.

Research and Publications

Alisa has contributed significantly to peer-reviewed scientific literature, with several publications in indexed journals such as Journal of Comparative Physiology B, BioFactors, European Journal of Cell Biology, Life, and Frontiers in Endocrinology. Her recent works include groundbreaking insights into how constant light and circadian desynchrony disrupt the endocrine and mitochondrial functions of Leydig cells and spermatozoa. These studies advance the understanding of environmental impacts on reproductive health and are influential in the fields of reproductive biology and endocrinology. Her citation index reflects a growing recognition of her work, with 31 citations and an h-index of 3, as recorded in Scopus.

Research Projects

Alisa has been actively involved in both national and provincial research projects. Notably, she is part of an ongoing project funded by the Provincial Secretariat for Higher Education and Scientific Research, which investigates how lifestyle factors influence male fertility. She also contributed to a long-term project supported by the Serbian Ministry of Science, focusing on molecular mechanisms and signal transduction pathways in Leydig cells under homeostatic stress. Her role in these projects includes experimental planning, molecular assays, and interdisciplinary collaboration with endocrinologists and molecular biologists.

Awards and Memberships

Her professional excellence is further recognized through her membership in respected scientific bodies such as the Biochemical Society of Serbia, the Serbian Society for Molecular Biology (MolBioS), and the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (SRBR). These affiliations underscore her active engagement with the international scientific community and her contribution to ongoing dialogues in reproductive and chronobiological research. She has completed professional certifications, including one in R Programming for Data Analytics in Bioinformatics, reflecting her capability in data-driven biological research and bioinformatics.

Publications

Adaptation under constant light or dark: a challenge to the pineal

Authors: Alisa P. Bećin, Milica Trkulja, Aleksandra Bradasevic, Ivana Jokanovic, Dijana Z. Travicic, Marija L. J. Medar, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: Journal of Comparative Physiology B
Year: 2025

REVERBA couples the circadian clock to Leydig cell steroidogenesis

Authors: Aleksandar Z. Baburski, Alisa P. Bećin, Dijana Z. Travicic, Marija L. J. Medar, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: BioFactors
Year: 2024

Circadian desynchrony disturbs the function of rat spermatozoa

Authors: Dijana Z. Travicic, Maja V. Pavlovic, Marija L. J. Medar, Alisa Bećin, Mia Cetnik, Dusan Lalosevic, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: European Journal of Cell Biology
Year: 2023

Dependence of Leydig cell’s mitochondrial physiology on luteinizing hormone signaling

Authors: Marija L. J. Medar, Danilo Z. Marinkovic, Zorana Kojic, Alisa P. Bećin, Ivana M. Starovlah, Tatjana Kravic-Stevovic, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: Life
Year: 2021

Growing up under constant light: a challenge to the endocrine function of the Leydig cells

Authors: Danilo Z. Marinkovic, Marija L. J. Medar, Alisa P. Bećin, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: Frontiers in Endocrinology
Year: 2021