Jia Liang | Neuroscience Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Jia Liang | Neuroscience Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Jinzhou Medical University | China

Prof. Jia Liang, Ph.D., is a distinguished neuroscientist and professor-level senior experimentalist at the Life Science Institute of Jinzhou Medical University, China. With over a decade of focused research in the field of neurobiology, her scientific journey has been defined by groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of cerebral ischemic injury and neuroprotection. Her work is widely recognized both nationally and internationally, marked by a robust portfolio of funded research projects, prolific publications, and collaborative engagements in translational neuroscience.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

Education

Prof. Liang began her academic pursuit with a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Medicine from Jinzhou Medical College. She further specialized in Physiology with a Master’s degree from Liaoning Medical University. Demonstrating a deep commitment to neurological sciences, she later completed her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Capital Medical University in Beijing, where she developed her foundational expertise in molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying stroke-related brain injury.

Experience

Her professional career commenced as an Assistant Experimentalist at the Central Laboratory of Jinzhou Medical University, where she quickly ascended the ranks to become a Senior Experimentalist and eventually a Professor-level Senior Experimentalist at the university’s Life Science Institute. She also broadened her international exposure during her post-doctoral fellowship at the Health Science Centre of the University of New Mexico in the United States, where she engaged in advanced neuroscience research. Throughout her tenure, Prof. Liang has been deeply involved in mentoring students, managing laboratory operations, and leading numerous high-impact research projects on stroke and neural injury.

Research Interest

Prof. Liang’s primary research interests lie in the molecular mechanisms of brain injury and neuroprotection, especially within the context of cerebral ischemia. Her work explores the role of zinc in brain-to-spleen immune pathways, blood-brain barrier integrity, autophagy, ferroptosis, and the application of stem cell-derived exosomes in stroke therapy. A key focus of her research is understanding the neurovascular unit’s dynamics and identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ischemic injury. Her innovative use of nanotechnology, exosome biology, and targeted gene/protein modulation has significantly contributed to modern stroke therapeutics and regenerative neurology.

Award and Funding

Prof. Liang has received consistent research funding from prestigious sources, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province.  She has also secured institutional and educational department grants focused on neuroprotection through mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes and the modulation of oxidative stress pathways. Her funding portfolio reflects both her scientific credibility and the practical relevance of her research in addressing pressing neurological health issues.

Publications

Brain Targeting Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles Enhance Ischemic Stroke Therapy via Efficient ROS Elimination and Suppression of Immune Infiltration
  • Authors: [Names not provided – please insert from source]

  • Journal: ACS Nano

  • Year: 2025

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 Involves in CD8⁺ T Cell Exhaustion in Glioblastoma via Regulating Tryptophan Levels
  • Authors: [Names not provided – please insert from source]

  • Journal: International Immunopharmacology

  • Year: 2024

β-1,4-Galactosyltransferase 1 Protects Against Cerebral Ischemia Injury in Mice by Suppressing Ferroptosis via the TAZ/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
  • Authors: [Names not provided – please insert from source]

  • Journal: CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics

  • Year: 2024

Conclusion

Prof. Jia Liang stands at the forefront of experimental neurobiology with her comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to stroke research. Her expertise spans molecular biology, immunology, stem cell therapy, and nanomedicine, allowing her to tackle complex neurovascular disorders with innovation and precision. With an extensive publication record in high-impact journals and an ever-expanding research network, she continues to influence the global neuroscience community through her discoveries, mentorship, and scientific leadership. Her future work promises to further unravel the intricacies of brain injury and recovery, ultimately paving the way for more effective treatments for stroke and related neurological conditions.

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

Esmee Verheul – Metabolites and Lipoproteins – Best Researcher Award 

Ms. Esmee Verheul - Metabolites and Lipoproteins - Best Researcher Award 

Leiden University Medical Center - Netherlands

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Ms. Esmee A.H. Verheul embarked on her medical journey in 2017 at the prestigious Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), one of the Netherlands' leading institutions in medical education and research. Her initial focus was on acquiring a robust foundation in medicine, which quickly evolved into a specialized interest in trauma surgery. By September 2020, she was deeply immersed in her master’s thesis within the Trauma Surgery department, investigating the crucial role of metabolites and vitamins in assessing the nutritional status of hospitalized patients. This period marked her first significant academic output, resulting in two published articles in reputable journals and presentations at major European surgical congresses.

Professional Endeavors and Research Focus On Metabolites and Lipoproteins

Following her master’s thesis, Esmee progressed to medical internships in September 2021 while continuing her research as a part-time PhD student. Her transition to a full-time PhD student came in April 2024 after earning her Master's degree in Medicine. During her internships, she further expanded her research portfolio, focusing on malnutrition in polytrauma patients—a group uniquely susceptible due to the hypermetabolic states post-injury. Her work has significantly contributed to understanding how malnutrition impacts recovery and hospital outcomes in these patients.

Contributions and Research Impact

Ms. Esmee has completed six research projects, with a total project funding of $44,500, demonstrating significant dedication and capability in handling funded research. Her findings underscore the prevalence of malnutrition among well-nourished polytrauma patients, which spikes significantly during their ICU stay and hospitalization. By identifying potential biomarkers such as lipoproteins, small metabolites, and CT-derived body composition parameters, her research offers new avenues for early diagnosis and nutritional intervention, aiming to enhance clinical outcomes and reduce hospital stay durations.

Accolades and Recognition

While still early in her career, Esmee has achieved notable academic and professional milestones. She has contributed to five conference presentations and published two journal articles indexed in SCI and SCIE, reflecting her active engagement with the scientific community. Her work has been recognized through her presentations at prestigious platforms such as the European Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery and the Annual Meeting of the Dutch Surgical Society.

Impact and Influence

Esmee's research is poised to influence clinical practices and policies regarding nutritional management in trauma surgery. Her insights into the malnutrition prevalent among polytrauma patients and the identification of biomarkers for nutritional assessment are critical contributions to the field. These findings have the potential to shift how nutritional support is integrated into patient care protocols, ultimately improving recovery outcomes and reducing complications associated with malnutrition.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking forward, Esmee is committed to continuing her research in trauma surgery, with a strong emphasis on improving patient outcomes through better nutritional strategies. Her ongoing PhD research and future studies will likely provide further critical data needed to refine and optimize treatment protocols for polytrauma patients. As she progresses in her career, Esmee's work is expected to form a significant part of her legacy in the field of trauma surgery—improving patient care through rigorous research and innovation.

In summary, Ms. Esmee A.H. Verheul stands out as a dedicated researcher and emerging leader in trauma surgery. Her academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to addressing complex medical challenges through innovative research. With her continued focus on malnutrition in polytrauma patients, Esmee is set to make lasting contributions to medical research and patient care.

Notable Publication