Liao Jinfeng | Biological Networks | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Liao Jinfeng | Biological Networks | Research Excellence Award

Sichuan University | China

Liao Jinfeng, a Young Yangtze River Researcher and Doctoral Supervisor, currently serves as a Researcher at the West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University. He completed his undergraduate studies at the West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University (2006–2010), followed by a direct PhD at the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University (2010–2015) under the supervision of Professor Qian Zhiyong. He began his academic career as a Lecturer at the West China School of Stomatology (2015–2017), completed postdoctoral research under Professor Li Bei through the Hong Kong Polytechnic University “Hong Kong Scholars” Program (2017–2019), and subsequently served as an Associate Professor at the same institution (2017–2021). His major scientific contributions lie in the development of materials for maxillofacial bone tissue repair, leading 7 research projects including 3 funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Dr. Liao has published 52 SCI papers as corresponding or first author in top-tier journals such as Bone Res, Nano Lett, Bioact Mater, Int J Oral Sci, and J Nanobiotech, with 12 publications having an impact factor above 10, 2 cover articles, 6 highly cited papers, and 3 hot papers. His work has been cited 3605 times in prestigious journals including Chem. Rev., Chem. Soc. Rev., Adv. Drug Delivery System, and Adv. Mater., with 5 papers surpassing 100 citations and an outstanding H-index of 36. He has applied for 5 Chinese invention patents and was selected as a “Hong Kong Scholar” by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in 2016.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Bilayer hydrogel microneedles with mild photothermal effect promote infectious skin regeneration", Journal of Materials Chemistry, Gu, W.; Ye, X.; Xie, X.; Tan, B.; Qi, T.; Liao, J, 2025

"Development of a novel hyaluronic acid/alginate/RANKL degradable microneedle patch for accelerating bone remodeling and orthodontic tooth movement through promoting osteoclastogenesis", Shan, Y.; Jin, Y.; Zhang, X.; Tang, Y.; Lai, W.; Liao, J.; Wu, M.; Long, H.,  Journal article, 2025.

"Injectable Hydrogel as Intracanal Medication for Root Canal Disinfection", Cao, M.; Wu, D.; Tu, H.; Mou, B.; Kang, J.; Liao, J.; Yang, J, Journal of Dental Research, 2025.

"Photothermal sensitive nanocomposite hydrogel for infectious bone defects", Wu, Y.; Xie, X.; Luo, G.; Xie, J.; Ye, X.; Gu, W.; Mo, A.; Qian, Z.; Zhou, C.; Liao, J, Bone Research, 2025.

"Self-degradable nanoparticles hybrid hydrogel with cascade thermal control and spontaneous ion release for complex bone defect regeneration", Yang, S.; Zheng, Z.; Zhang, M.; Tan, B.; Zhang, X.; Chen, W.; Liao, J, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025.

Dejen Getaneh Feleke | Biological Networks | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Dejen Getaneh Feleke | Biological Networks | Editorial Board Member

Debre Tabor University | Ethiopia

Dr. Dejen Getaneh Feleke is an enthusiastic Ethiopian lecturer, clinician, and researcher dedicated to optimizing child health, with a strong academic portfolio that includes 38 publications-35 primary articles and 3 systematic reviews and meta-analyses-of which six are principal-authored and 21 are published in first-quartile (Q1) journals. He serves on the Editorial Board of PLOS ONE and contributes as a reviewer for several international journals, including PLOS ONE, AIDS and Behavior, Journal of Pediatrics and Infants, Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, and Journal of Nutritional Science, having reviewed more than 18 manuscripts. Beyond academia, he has led impactful community service initiatives supporting Ethiopian child and neonatal health. Since 2016, he has provided dedicated clinical care to sick neonates and children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and pediatric wards at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, contributing significantly to improving pediatric health outcomes in Ethiopia.

Profiles: Orcid

Featured Publications

"Magnitude and predictors of mild cognitive impairment among older populations in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis", Sintayehu Asnakew; Jessica Nealon; Ayele Semachew Kasa; Gashaw Walle Ayehu; Dejen Getaneh Feleke; Tigabu Munye Aytenew; Victoria Traynor, Translational Psychiatry, 2025.

"Prevalence and determinants of mental distress among patients admitted in medical and surgical wards of public hospitals in South Gondar zone, Ethiopia", Abraham Tsedalu Amare; Tekalign Amera Birlie; Dejen Getaneh Feleke; Tigabu Munye Aytenew; Yeshiambaw Eshetie; Berihun Bantie; Molla Azmeraw; Gashaw Walle Ayehu; Tamiru Alene; Yosef Gebremikael Dubale et al., Scientific Reports, 2025.

"Knowledge levels of health professional working in Ethiopia toward disaster preparedness, systematic review and meta-analysis", Sheganew Fetene Tassew; Temesgen Ayenew; Tadila Dires Nega; Berihun Bantie; Dejen Getaneh Feleke, International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 2024.

"Practice of non-pharmacological post-operative pain management and associated factors among nurses working in public referral hospitals of Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, 2019", Dejen Getaneh Feleke; Ermias Sisay Chanie; Sheganew Fetene Tassaw; Tadila Dires, International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 2024.

"Viral load undetectable state and predictors among children and adolescents living with HIV in South Gondar, Ethiopia, 2023: an 8-year retrospective cohort study, Ermias Sisay Chanie; Dejen Getaneh Feleke; Tigabu Desie Emiru; Abere Gebru Abuhay; Habtamu Shimels Hailemeskel; Astewle Andargie Baye; Berihun Bantie; Abraham Tsedalu Amare; Tadila Dires Nega; Denekew Tenaw Anley et al., BMJ Open, 2024.

Sarah F. Leibowitz | Biological Networks | Most Cited Article Award

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Dr. Sarah F. Leibowitz | Biological Networks | Most Cited Article Award

The Rockefeller University | United States

Author Profile

Scopus

Orcid ID

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Sarah F. Leibowitz began her scholarly journey with a strong foundation in behavioral neurobiology, setting the stage for a career centered on understanding complex brain-behavior relationships. Her educational path led her to specialize in the neurochemical regulation of behavior, which ultimately culminated in a Ph.D. and her current role at The Rockefeller University. Her early academic interests were shaped by the intersections of neuroscience, psychology, and biology, guiding her toward a focus on substance use and its developmental implications.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Currently serving as a Research Associate Professor at The Rockefeller University in the Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, Dr. Leibowitz has established herself as a leading researcher in the neurobiology of addiction. Her work bridges multiple substances of abuse—alcohol, nicotine, and highly palatable foods—by exploring shared neurochemical pathways and behavioral outcomes. Her expertise in rodent models enables her to dissect the neural circuits and neurotransmitter systems responsible for transitioning from casual substance use to dependency.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON BIOLOGICAL NETWORKS

Dr. Leibowitz's research examines how brain reward systems and emotional traits like novelty-seeking, impulsivity, and anxiety influence substance use. Her studies uncover neurochemical parallels across different substances—fat, alcohol, and nicotine—highlighting the common mechanisms that underpin addiction. More recently, she has delved into the developmental impacts of maternal substance use, revealing how exposure during gestation can lead to long-lasting changes in offspring brain architecture and behavior. Her focus on brain reprogramming, early detection of addiction risk, and preventive strategies positions her work at the cutting edge of behavioral neurobiology.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Leibowitz's investigations have significantly contributed to our understanding of how addiction develops and persists. Her insights into embryonic exposure effects have profound implications for public health, maternal care, and early intervention. Through translational models such as rodents and zebrafish, she has created pathways to study substance-induced neurodevelopmental disorders with broad biomedical relevance. Her collaborative efforts with scientists like Olga Karatayev and Adam Collier demonstrate her leadership in interdisciplinary research.

ACADEMIC CITES

Dr. Leibowitz’s scholarly work is highly regarded, as evidenced by her publications in top-tier journals like International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Addiction Biology, Journal of Neuroinflammation, Neuroscience, and Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Among her recent influential works are:

  • “Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (MCH): Role in Mediating Reward-Motivated and Emotional Behavior” (2025)

  • “Neurological Disorders Induced by Drug Use” (2024)

  • “Embryonic Ethanol Exposure and Behavioral Disturbances” (2022)
    Her articles are widely cited, reflecting her strong academic influence in behavioral neurobiology and substance abuse research.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Leibowitz is shaping a legacy as a pioneer in developmental addiction neuroscience. Her continued research into the chemokine and neuroimmune systems, especially in relation to maternal and embryonic exposure to addictive substances, is expected to inform future therapeutic and preventative approaches. As the societal burden of addiction and mental health grows, her work will likely influence policy, early childhood healthcare, and neuroscience-based interventions. Her ongoing projects aim to identify biomarkers of susceptibility and mechanisms for reversing early-life brain changes, ensuring that her contributions will remain vital in both academic and clinical spheres.

OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS

  • Collaborative Approach: Dr. Leibowitz works closely with a dynamic team of co-authors, fostering innovation across institutions and disciplines.

  • Animal Models as Research Tools: Her pioneering use of zebrafish and rodent models expands the toolkit for studying addiction and neurodevelopment.

  • Focus on Sex Differences: Several of her studies highlight sexually dimorphic responses in brain development and substance effects, addressing a critical gap in addiction science.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

"Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (MCH): Role in Mediating Reward-Motivated and Emotional Behavior and the Behavioral Disturbances Produced by Repeated Exposure to Reward Substances" 

  • Author: Olga Karatayev; Sarah F. Leibowitz
  • Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  • Year: 2025

"Neurological Disorders Induced by Drug Use: Effects of Adolescent and Embryonic Drug Exposure on Behavioral Neurodevelopment" 

  • Author: Olga Karatayev; Adam D. Collier; Stella R. Targoff; Sarah F. Leibowitz
  • Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  • Year: 2024

"Utility of the Zebrafish Model for Studying Neuronal and Behavioral Disturbances Induced by Embryonic Exposure to Alcohol, Nicotine, and Cannabis" 

  • Author: Adam D. Collier; Abdul R. Abdulai; Sarah F. Leibowitz
  • Journal: Cells
  • Year: 2023

"Role of Chemokine Cxcl12a in Mediating the Stimulatory Effects of Ethanol on Embryonic Development of Subpopulations of Hypocretin/Orexin Neurons and Their Projections" 

  • Author: Nushrat Yasmin; Adam D. Collier; Abdul R. Abdulai; Olga Karatayev; Boyi Yu; Milisia Fam; Sarah F. Leibowitz
  • Journal: Cells
  • Year: 2025

"Embryonic ethanol exposure induces ectopic Hcrt and MCH neurons outside hypothalamus in rats and zebrafish: Role in ethanol‐induced behavioural disturbances" 

  • Author: Adam D. Collier; Nushrat Yasmin; Guo‐Qing Chang; Olga Karatayev; Nailya Khalizova; Milisia Fam; Abdul R. Abdulai; Boyi Yu; Sarah F. Leibowitz
  • Journal: Addiction Biology
  • Year: 2025

George Goulielmos | Biological Networks | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Dr. George Goulielmos | Biological Networks | Best Academic Researcher Award

Medical School, University of Crete | Greece

Author Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

DR. GEORGE GOULIELMOS’S BIOGRAPHY

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. George Goulielmos began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Patras, Greece, between September 1980 and March 1985. His profound interest in the life sciences led him to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biology at the same institution, which he completed in December 1989. During his formative years as a scholar, he demonstrated a strong inclination toward evolutionary biology, notably contributing to a project on the experimental approach of speciation theory, supported by the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology. This foundational experience laid the groundwork for his later research pursuits in molecular biology, genetics, and immunology.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Goulielmos has held a multitude of prestigious academic and research positions across Europe. His career began with research appointments at the Institute of Marine Biology of Crete and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB). Between 1993 and 1997, he served as a postdoctoral researcher at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Germany and as a visiting scientist at the BIOZENTRUM, University of Basel, Switzerland. He later contributed significantly to the Department of Biology, University of Crete, and held positions in Neurology and Sensory Organs. His academic appointments evolved from Lecturer to Professor in Human Molecular Genetics at the School of Medicine, University of Crete, where he has served since 1999. Since April 2016, he has also led the Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics Section within the Internal Medicine Laboratory.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON BIOLOGICAL NETWORKS

Dr. Goulielmos's research focuses primarily on Human Molecular Genetics, with a specialized interest in autoimmune diseases, genetic epidemiology, and personalized medicine. He has made pivotal contributions to the study of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), endometriosis, and other complex diseases. His work incorporates genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics, and population genetics, integrating interdisciplinary tools to understand disease susceptibility and progression. He has collaborated with world-renowned scientists and institutions, applying cutting-edge technologies to dissect the genetic basis of autoimmunity and inflammation. He also participated in the European "External Quality Assessment" initiative, reinforcing the clinical reliability of molecular diagnostics.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Goulielmos has gained widespread recognition for his scholarly influence in molecular genetics and immunology. As a reviewer for over 100 international peer-reviewed journals, including Nature Communications, Scientific Reports, Human Molecular Genetics, and Rheumatology, he has played a crucial role in shaping the quality and direction of contemporary research. His editorial contributions to over 20 scientific journals and guest editorship for Clinical and Developmental Immunology further emphasize his standing in the academic community. Through his peer evaluations, mentorship, and collaborations, Dr. Goulielmos has significantly influenced both young researchers and the wider scientific discourse.

ACADEMIC CITES AND RECOGNITION

Dr. Goulielmos's academic works have been extensively cited in high-impact publications, particularly in the fields of autoimmune disease research and genetic epidemiology. His work is indexed in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, highlighting the global relevance of his findings. He is a respected reviewer for leading scientific institutes and funding bodies, including the Dutch Arthritis Association, the Wellcome Trust (UK), and the European University of Cyprus. His projects have received both national and European grants, under frameworks like FP5, FP6, FP7, and HEALTH (ALCOVE - Alzheimer Joint Action).

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

As a professor, researcher, editor, and collaborator, Dr. Goulielmos continues to build a legacy defined by academic excellence, scientific rigor, and collaborative innovation. His leadership of the Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics Section and mentorship of early-career scientists solidify his commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers. Looking forward, his work is poised to make further contributions to personalized medicine, particularly in tailoring treatments for complex autoimmune diseases through molecular and genetic profiling. His sustained involvement in international projects and his deep commitment to translational research ensure that his contributions will continue to influence both academic circles and clinical practice globally.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT HIGHLIGHTS

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS: Dr. Goulielmos has partnered with globally renowned researchers such as Prof. Timothy Niewold (NYU), Profs. Anne Barton and Jane Worthington (Manchester), and Prof. Andreas Radbruch (Berlin), enhancing research on autoimmune disorders.

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERSHIPS: He has held key editorial roles in journals such as Frontiers in Immunology, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, and Journal of Arthritis, advocating scientific quality and editorial integrity.

FUNDING AND GRANTS: He has successfully led research funded by Greek national programs (Thalis, Aristeia, Irakleitos) and EU Framework Programs (FP5, FP6, FP7), showcasing his ability to attract competitive funding and drive high-impact research.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

"Comment on: Enhancing current guidance for psoriatic arthritis and its comorbidities: recommendations from an expert consensus panel" 

  • Author: MI Zervou, GN Goulielmos
  • Journal: Rheumatology
  • Year: 2025

"Risk of Venous Thrombotic Events in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: Genetic Insights" 

  • Author: MI Zervou, GN Goulielmos
  • Journal: Journal of Cellular Immunology
  • Year: 2025

"Endometriosis and Sjögren's syndrome: Genetics insights on the observed bidirectional association of these diseases" 

  • Author: MI Zervou, GN Goulielmos
  • Journal: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
  • Year: 2025

"Comment on" beyond physical pain: A large-scale cohort study on endometriosis trends and mental health correlates"" 

  • Author: MI Zervou, GN Goulielmos
  • Journal: Journal of psychosomatic research
  • Year: 2024

"AB0002 The genetic background of ankylosing spondylitis indicates a strong correlation with other autoimmune diseases" 

  • Author: L Papageorgiou, M Zervou, T Zormpa, R Golfinopoulou, D Vlachakis
  • Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
  • Year: 2024