Anna Maria Pittaluga | Biological Networks | Top Researcher Award

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Prof. Anna Maria Pittaluga | Biological Networks | Top Researcher Award

University of Genoa | Italy

Anna Maria Pittaluga is a distinguished pharmacologist with a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Turin (1990), and MSc degrees in Pharmacy (1983) and in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology with honors (1982) from the University of Genova. She has built a long-standing academic career at the University of Genoa, where she has served as Assistant Professor (1993–2003), Associate Professor (2004–2019), and currently as Full Professor of Pharmacology since 2019. Earlier in her career, she gained international research experience as a Research Fellow at the Italian National Research Council (1990–1992) and as a Foreign Research Associate at Collège de France in Paris (1988–1989). Her scientific interests focus on neurotransmitter release mechanisms, receptor interactions, the effects of HIV-1 proteins and chemokines on central neurotransmission, synaptic function in multiple sclerosis, the neuro-immune interface, and the role of nutraceutics in brain health. She has led numerous national and international projects funded by the Italian Ministry of Research, Ministry of Health, and European programs, serving as principal investigator on studies addressing neuroinflammation, depression, synaptopathies, and the gut-brain axis. Proficient in English and French, in addition to her native Italian, Professor Pittaluga has made significant contributions to advancing pharmacological research with strong translational and clinical implications.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Correction: Vallarino et al. Healthy Properties of a New Formulation of Pomegranate-Peel Extract in Mice Suffering from Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis"

"Unveiling Niaprazine’s Potential: Behavioral Insights into a Re-Emerging Anxiolytic Agent"

"Complement tunes glutamate release and supports synaptic impairments in an animal model of multiple sclerosis"

"Anti-NMDA and Anti-AMPA Receptor Antibodies in Central Disorders: Preclinical Approaches to Assess Their Pathological Role and Translatability to Clinic"

"Presynaptic Release-Regulating Sphingosine 1-Phosphate 1/3 Receptors in Cortical Glutamatergic Terminals: Adaptations in EAE Mice and Impact of Therapeutic FTY720"

Dimitrios G. Tsoukas | Biological Networks | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Dimitrios G. Tsoukas | Biological Networks | Best Researcher Award

Mitera Hospital Athens | Greece

Author Profile

Scopus

Orcid ID

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Dimitrios G. Tsoukas began his academic journey with exceptional distinction, graduating with a Bachelor in Medicine from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Faculty of Medicine. His early academic excellence set the foundation for a career rooted in clinical precision and innovative thinking. His education emphasized not only traditional orthopaedic surgery but also introduced him to minimally invasive techniques, which would later define his clinical signature.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Tsoukas's professional career spans over two decades of dynamic clinical and academic leadership. Currently, he serves as the Director of the E’ Orthopaedic Clinic for Advanced Arthroscopic Sports and Regenerative Surgery at MITERA Hospital (HH Group). He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (USA) and has held numerous leadership positions at top hospitals across Greece and Cyprus. His pioneering efforts led to the founding of MIOSMED Center, an internationally recognized teaching hub endorsed by ISAKOS, ESSKA, and ICRS, and the Elite Regenerative Clinic Athens, a Lipogems SpA Center of Excellence. His clinical footprint spans not only orthopaedics but also women’s health, athletic injuries, and sports medicine innovation.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON BIOLOGICAL NETWORKS

Dr. Tsoukas is a distinguished authority in arthroscopic, minimally invasive, and regenerative orthopaedic surgery, with special emphasis on adipose-derived stem cell applications for arthritis and joint degeneration. His contributions include advanced biological techniques in cartilage regeneration, joint preservation, and tendon repair. He has played a leading role in global education by serving as a certified instructor for ESSKA, contributing to simulation-based medical training, and mentoring young surgeons. His research interests include low-cost arthroscopy simulators, stem cell therapies, sports injury prevention in children, and medical device innovation.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Tsoukas is recognized as a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in orthopaedics and regenerative medicine, actively shaping clinical best practices and treatment protocols. His influence is reflected through editorial board memberships, reviewer roles for high-impact journals like the British Journal of Sports Medicine and the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, and his participation in international regulatory and scientific committees. His appointment as a TEDx speaker in Kigali, Rwanda (2023) further underscores his role in global medical outreach and inspiration.

ACADEMIC CITES

As a scientific collaborator, Dr. Tsoukas has contributed to various institutions including the Athens University Medical School, Medical Physics Laboratory Simulation Center, and the European University of Cyprus. He has been involved in academic teaching, research, and publication, significantly advancing clinical education in Europe and the United States. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Stem Cell Research, and is a respected peer reviewer, ensuring academic rigor across multiple orthopaedic publications.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Dimitrios G. Tsoukas’s legacy is deeply embedded in medical innovation, education, and regenerative orthopaedics. As a fellow member of ICRS (2024) and an American Board of Regenerative Medicine Diplomat, he continues to push the boundaries of biological orthopaedic science. His ongoing leadership in global campaigns like “STOP Sports Injuries in Children” and collaborative research with biotechnology leaders like Terumo BCT, Arthrex, and Lipogems positions him as a visionary in the future of personalized, minimally invasive care. His legacy will endure through the institutions he built, the surgeons he trained, and the global initiatives he leads.

HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS

Dr. Tsoukas has received numerous accolades recognizing his contributions to orthopaedic science and Greek athletics. Among these are the Silver Award for Surgical Innovation at the Boussias Healthcare Business Awards 2021, the Med Professionals Honor for Stem Cell Innovation (2022), and several sports awards acknowledging his contributions to Greek basketball and volleyball. He holds the rare distinction of being enlisted in the Guinness World Records for medical contributions to the record-setting Athinaikos female basketball team.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT AFFILIATIONS AND LICENSES

Dr. Tsoukas maintains international medical licensure in Switzerland and Dubai, and continues to collaborate with organizations such as ECOSEP, CEV, and Smith & Nephew’s European Knee Advisory Board. These affiliations highlight his global reach and his role in shaping orthopaedic protocols across continents. His role as Head Doctor for National and Professional Teams underscores his credibility and trust within elite athletic circles.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

"Prospective Observational Study of a Non-Arthroscopic Autologous Cartilage Micrografting Technology for Knee Osteoarthritis" 

  • Author: Dimitrios Tsoukas; Ilie Muntean; Christos Simos; Ruben Sabido-Vera
  • Journal: Bioengineering
  • Year: 2023

Yuan Zhang | Pharmaceutical Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Yuan Zhang | Pharmaceutical Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Deputy Director at South China University of Technology, China📖

Dr. Yuan Zhang is a distinguished professor at South China University of Technology, where he serves in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering at the Guangzhou International Campus. Additionally, he contributes to the National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction. With a career marked by groundbreaking research in pharmaceutical sciences and nanotechnology, Dr. Zhang has established himself as a leading figure in drug delivery systems and cancer research.

Profile

Google Scholar Profile

Education Background🎓

Dr. Zhang completed his postdoctoral research fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 2013 to 2016, under the mentorship of Prof. Darrell J. Irvine, a National Academy of Medicine member and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2013, where he specialized in molecular pharmaceutics and nanotechnology. Before this, he received his M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Peking University in 2009, guided by Prof. Qiang Zhang, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Dr. Zhang also holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Economics from Peking University.

Professional Experience🌱

Dr. Zhang began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island from 2016 to 2019, where he excelled in advancing biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. Since 2019, he has been a professor at South China University of Technology, contributing significantly to research in tissue restoration and reconstruction while mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Research Interests🔬

Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on nanotechnology for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and cancer therapy. He explores innovative approaches to enhance the efficacy and precision of drug delivery systems, emphasizing translational research to improve patient outcomes. His contributions to molecular pharmaceutics and tissue restoration have opened new avenues in biomedical sciences, particularly in regenerative medicine and targeted therapeutics.

Author Metrics

Dr. Zhang’s research has led to numerous high-impact publications in leading journals, reflecting his expertise in drug delivery systems, nanotechnology, and cancer therapeutics. His work is widely cited, underscoring his influence and thought leadership in pharmaceutical sciences.

Publications Top Notes 📄

1. In Vivo Gene Delivery by Nonviral Vectors: Overcoming Hurdles

Authors: Y. Zhang, A. Satterlee, L. Huang
Journal: Molecular Therapy, 2012, 20(7), pp. 1298–1304
Citations: 470
Summary:
This paper discusses the challenges of in vivo gene delivery using nonviral vectors, emphasizing strategies to overcome barriers such as stability, targeting efficiency, and cellular uptake. The study highlights advancements in nanotechnology and biomaterials that enhance the potential of nonviral vectors for clinical applications in gene therapy.

2. Delivering Safer Immunotherapies for Cancer

Authors: L. Milling, Y. Zhang, D.J. Irvine
Journal: Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2017, 114, pp. 79–101
Citations: 305
Summary:
The paper reviews recent developments in cancer immunotherapies, focusing on minimizing systemic toxicity while enhancing efficacy. It explores strategies such as targeted delivery systems, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and nanocarriers to ensure safer and more effective immunotherapy solutions.

3. Nanoparticle Anchoring Targets Immune Agonists to Tumors Enabling Anti-Cancer Immunity Without Systemic Toxicity

Authors: Y. Zhang, N. Li, H. Suh, D.J. Irvine
Journal: Nature Communications, 2018, 9(1), Article 6
Citations: 215
Summary:
This study introduces a novel nanoparticle system for targeting immune agonists directly to tumors, thereby inducing a potent anti-cancer immune response. The method reduces systemic toxicity and enhances the therapeutic index of immune-based treatments, representing a breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy.

4. Biomimetic Diselenide‐Bridged Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles as an X‐Ray‐Responsive Biodegradable Carrier for Chemo‐Immunotherapy

Authors: D. Shao, F. Zhang, F. Chen, X. Zheng, H. Hu, C. Yang, Z. Tu, Z. Wang, Y. Zhang, et al.
Journal: Advanced Materials, 2020, 32(50), Article 2004385
Citations: 199
Summary:
The paper presents innovative mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles with diselenide bridges for X-ray-triggered chemo-immunotherapy. These nanoparticles are biodegradable, providing a controlled drug release system that combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy for enhanced anti-cancer efficacy.

5. Lipid-Coated Cisplatin Nanoparticles Induce Neighboring Effect and Exhibit Enhanced Anticancer Efficacy

Authors: S. Guo, Y. Wang, L. Miao, Z. Xu, C.M. Lin, Y. Zhang, L. Huang
Journal: ACS Nano, 2013, 7(11), pp. 9896–9904
Citations: 145
Summary:
This research develops lipid-coated cisplatin nanoparticles that induce a “neighboring effect,” enhancing anticancer efficacy. The study demonstrates the nanoparticles’ ability to selectively target cancer cells, improve drug delivery, and minimize off-target toxicity, making them a promising candidate for advanced chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Dr. Yuan Zhang exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher, with groundbreaking contributions to pharmaceutical sciences and nanotechnology. His work has significantly advanced the fields of drug delivery, cancer therapy, and tissue restoration, earning him high citation metrics and global recognition. By focusing more on translational research, interdisciplinary collaborations, and public engagement, Dr. Zhang could further amplify the real-world impact of his innovations.

Given his achievements, leadership roles, and potential for future contributions, Dr. Zhang is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award, making him a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor.