Marco A. Saraiva – Biophysics – Best Researcher Award

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Marco A. Saraiva – Biophysics – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Marco A. Saraiva distinguished academic and researcher in the field Biophysics. 

🌐 Professional Profile

Educations📚📚📚

He holds a Degree in Chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, which he completed in 2000 with a mark of 16/20. In 2008, he earned a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the same institution

Work Experience

He has a diverse and extensive professional experience in the field of chemistry. In 1999/2000, he undertook his final year research project in reaction kinetics and mechanistics at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, under the supervision of Professor Lídia Miguel Pinho Chumbinho de Albuquerque and Professor Maria Luísa Calisto de Jesus Moita, earning a mark of 19/20. During this time, he gained experience in conductimetry and multiparametric analysis. In 2001/2002, he conducted a research project on the reactivity of DNA codified amino acids analogues at the School of Sciences, University of Minho, Portugal, supervised by Professor Hernâni Maia, and gained expertise in reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). From 2003 to 2008, he pursued a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, focusing on mass spectrometry applied to the study of the Maillard reaction at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, under the supervision of Professor Maria Helena Florêncio and co-supervision of Professor Carlos Borges. He developed skills in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and hyphenated techniques such as LC-MS and GC-MS. In 2008/2009, he conducted post-doctoral studies in Molecular Biophysics at the Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, UK, under the supervision of Dr. Sophie E. Jackson, where he worked with ESI-MS (Q-TOF), absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, isothermal titration calorimetry, capillary electrophoresis, cell culture, and protein purification systems. From 2011 to 2016, he engaged in post-doctoral studies in photochemistry at the Center for Structural Chemistry, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, focusing on the structural and dynamic characterization of early stages in alpha-synuclein fibrillation in the presence of mannosylglycerate, under the supervision of Professor António L. Maçanita

Awards and Honours

He has received numerous grants and honors throughout his career. In 2000, he was awarded the Curricular grant PRODEP III/Measure 3/Action 3.2 from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, for a duration of three months. He then received a PhD grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portugal, under the reference SFRH/BD/3162/2000. Following his PhD, he was granted a post-doctoral fellowship by the FCT under the reference SFRH/BPD/37016/2007. Later, he received another post-doctoral grant from the Mass Spectrometry National Network (RNEM), Portugal, with the reference RNEM/DGH/022125 in 2018. His professional recognition includes an invitation to become a member of the Royal Society of Medicine (United Kingdom) in 2022. In 2023, he was selected for the “International Young Scientist Awards” under the category of “Best Researcher Award” and was also nominated for Full Membership in Sigma Xi (USA).

Research Interests

His research interests are focused on the study of reaction processes in solution, particularly through the identification, characterization, and monitoring of species formed in physiologically relevant reaction mixtures. He primarily investigates the reaction of specific amine targets with α-dicarbonyls, a key aspect of the Maillard reaction. Additionally, he is interested in probing the fundamentals of electrospray ionization (ESI) mechanisms, exploring the fundamental aspects of ESI mass spectrometric techniques. He is also gaining interests in molecular biophysics, particularly in the study of molecular chaperone systems and α-synuclein, utilizing advanced spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Xianfu Wu – Pharmaceutical Analysis Award – Best Researcher Award

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Xianfu Wu – Pharmaceutical Analysis Award – Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Xianfu Wu distinguished academic and researcher in the field Pharmaceutical Analysis.  Xianfu Wu was graduated with his Ph.D degree of medicinal chemistry from Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) in 2009. Then he joined the faculty at Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences as associate professor. In 2012, He moved to National Institutes for Food and Drug Control of National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Dr. Wu’s research interest is mainly focused on the studying on drug quality control and drug reference standards

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

He pursued his academic journey with a keen focus on medicinal chemistry, culminating in a Ph.D. from the Institute of Materia Medica at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College in 2009. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed a Master’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry at Shenyang Pharmaceutical University in 2006, building upon his foundational education in the Science of Chinese Materia Medica, which he obtained from Hubei University of Chinese Medicine in 2003. Throughout his educational endeavors, he demonstrated a deep-seated commitment to advancing his expertise in the field of medicinal chemistry, laying a solid groundwork for his future endeavors in pharmaceutical research and development.

 Work experiences

He assumed various roles within the academic and research spheres, showcasing his expertise and leadership capabilities. Since June 2012, he has served as a Professor, Master’s Supervisor, and Director of the Department at the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control under the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China. In this capacity, he has been instrumental in guiding research initiatives and overseeing the regulatory aspects of food and drug control in the country. Prior to this, from August 2009 to June 2012, he held the position of Research Associate at the Institute of Microbiology within the Chinese Academy of Sciences, contributing to advancements in microbiological research and fostering collaborations within the scientific community. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a dedication to excellence and a passion for furthering scientific knowledge and regulatory standards in his field.

Research Directions

He has been actively engaged in diverse research areas, showcasing his versatility and breadth of expertise. His investigations encompass a wide array of topics, including the exploration of new technologies and methodologies for enhancing drug quality control, reflecting his commitment to staying at the forefront of scientific advancements. Furthermore, his research delves into the application of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy within complex drug systems, highlighting his proficiency in utilizing advanced analytical techniques to elucidate molecular structures and dynamics. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to the field of drug quality control through his studies, demonstrating a meticulous approach to ensuring the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products. Moreover, his investigations into the bioactive substances and functional properties of natural medicines underscore his interest in harnessing the therapeutic potential of natural compounds for medicinal purposes. Through his multifaceted research endeavors, he continues to make significant strides in advancing our understanding of pharmaceutical science and its applications in healthcare.

Grants & Research Projects

He has secured several prestigious grants and research projects, showcasing his leadership in securing funding and his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge. Among these projects is the National Natural Science Foundation of China-funded research on the “Antitumor activity of benzophenone derived from endophytic fungi of the genus Pestalotiopsis” (Project No.: 81102338), highlighting his focus on exploring natural compounds for potential therapeutic applications. Additionally, he has led initiatives supported by the Technology Foundation of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of China, such as the project addressing the urgent need for “Chemical reference materials in safety testing of cosmetics in China” (Project No.: 2012104008), demonstrating his commitment to regulatory standards and consumer safety. Moreover, his involvement in projects aimed at improving the standards of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia Committee, including the identification of low molecular weight heparin series products by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (Project No.: 443) and the study on the determination technique of water-solid interaction in drug systems (Project No.: 2019Y16), underscores his expertise in pharmaceutical quality control and analytical techniques. Through his leadership and involvement in these projects, he continues to make significant contributions to the advancement of pharmaceutical science and regulatory standards in China.

Achievements

His achievements exemplify a distinguished career marked by significant contributions to pharmaceutical science and regulatory standards. Notably, he played a pivotal role in drafting Chinese Pharmacopoeia standards for nuclear magnetic resonance identification of three low molecular weight heparin products, namely dalteparin sodium, nadroparin calcium, and enoxaparin sodium, enhancing the quality control of these crucial pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, his research on the dynamic vapor adsorption method in pharmaceuticals and reference standards has laid a solid groundwork for its application and dissemination within the industry. His systematic exploration of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has yielded innovative methods for quantifying drug content, detecting impurities, and controlling residual solvents, thereby revolutionizing drug quality assessment. Additionally, his extensive work in natural product isolation has led to the discovery of over 90 compounds, including more than 30 novel ones, expanding the structural diversity of natural product compounds. Moreover, his leadership in developing over 130 new drug reference standards has provided indispensable support for the advancement of the drug industry and regulatory oversight, further solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in pharmaceutical research and development.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Rajni Aggarwal -Synthesis of ionic liquids – Women Researcher Award

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Rajni Aggarwal -Synthesis of ionic liquids – Women Researcher Award

Dr. Rajni Aggarwal distinguished academic and researcher in the field Synthesis of ionic liquids. She has accumulated significant teaching experience in the field of chemistry. This includes six months of teaching Organic Chemistry practicals for B.Sc. (HNs) Human Genetics semester I class from July 2011 to November 2012, and another six months teaching the same subject for B.Sc. (HNs) Electronics Technology semester I class from July 2012 to December 2012. Following this, she served for three years as a teacher of Chemistry at BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar, from 2015 to 2017. Furthermore, she contributed her expertise in the Department of Chemistry from 2022 to 2023, teaching Physical Chemistry to both undergraduate and postgraduate classes over a three-year period

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry (HNs) from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, obtained in 2007, followed by an M.Sc. in Chemistry (HNs) from the same institution in 2009. During her M.Sc., she conducted a project in inorganic chemistry under the guidance of Dr. T. S. Lobana in the Chemistry Department at GNDU, Amritsar. Subsequently, she pursued her Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, under the supervision of Professor Dr. Sukhprit Singh. Her doctoral research focused on the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of ionic liquids, as well as physical studies related to ionic liquids. Additionally, she has qualified for the Ph.D. Eligibility Test conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in August 2010, and the Graduate Aptitude Test conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, in March 2013.

🏆🏆Awards🏆🏆

 Recipient of UGC SAP Fellowship in science for meritorious student, India (2009 – 2014).

LABORATORY AND INSTRUMENTATION SKILLS

She possesses extensive knowledge and practical skills in various aspects of chemistry, particularly in the realm of organic and inorganic compounds. Her expertise includes conducting multistep organic reactions and monitoring them using techniques such as TLC, UV, fluorescence, NMR, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, she is proficient in purifying compounds through methods like liquid column chromatography and crystallization.

Furthermore, she is well-versed in the characterization of both organic and inorganic compounds using a wide range of analytical techniques, including NMR, IR, MS, UV-Visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments.

Moreover, she is adept in instrumentation techniques associated with NMR, IR, UV, fluorescence, as well as utilizing software such as Zetasizer for dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis and XRD analysis. Her proficiency in these areas enables her to contribute effectively to research and teaching endeavors within the field of chemistry.

CONFERENCES ATTENDED

She has actively participated in numerous national symposiums and seminars, showcasing her dedication to advancing knowledge in the field of chemistry. Notable among these are her poster presentations at the National Symposium on Chemistry in 21st Century held at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in December 2011, and the Chemical Constellation Cheminar-2012 at Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, in September 2012.

Additionally, she has presented her research findings at various prestigious events, including the 7th RSC-CRSI Symposium in Chemistry at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, in January 2013, and the 15th CRSI National Symposium in Chemistry at the same venue in February 2013. Furthermore, she participated in the National Symposium on Recent Trends in Chemistry held at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in March 2013.

Her commitment to scholarly discourse is evident through her attendance and contributions at the IVth, Vth, and VIth National Symposia on Advances in Chemical Sciences, all held at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in 2014, 2016, and 2017 respectively. These engagements underscore her active involvement in academic and research activities within the chemistry community.

 

📝🔬Publications📝🔬
  • R. Aggarwal, S. Singh, Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of surface properties of
    cyclohexyloxyoxoethylbipyridinium gemini amphiphiles, and a Comparison with single-tailed
    amphiphiles
  • R. Aggarwal, S. Singh, G. Hundal, Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of surface properties of
    cyclohexanoxycarbonylmethyl pyridinium and cyclohexanoxycarbonyl methyl imidazolium ionic
    liquids.
  • R. Aggarwal, P. Khullar, M. S. Bakshi, D. Mandial, A. Mahal, G. Ahluwalia. Bipyridinium and
    Imidazolium Ionic Liquids for Nanomaterials Synthesis; pH Effect, Phase Transfer Behavior, and
    Protein Extraction. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2017, 5(9), 7859-7870. (DOI:
    10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b01368)
  • R. Aggarwal. Comparison of physicochemical studies of single tailed and gemini cyclohexanoxy
    carbonyl pyridinium cationic amphiphiles. Journal of proteomics and bioinformatics. Volume 10 (7)
    178-185 (2017).
  • R. Aggarwal, S. Singh. Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of surface and thermal properties of
    3-cyclohexyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl pyridinium and imidazolium surface active ionic liquids. Journal of
    surfactant and Detergents, 2018, vol. 21, issue 1, (doi.org/10.1002/jsde.12002).
  • R. Aggarwal, S. Singh. Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of surface and thermal properties
    and cytotoxicity of 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl imidazolium bola-type gemini amphiphiles, Journal of
    surfactant and Detergents, 2018, volume 22 (1), (doi/10.1002/jsde.12203)
  • R. Aggarwal, T. S. Lobana, B. Thakur, R. J. Butcher, M. Zeller, J. P. Jasinki. Synthesis and structure of
    dinuclear palladium complexes with 1, 3-imidazoline-2-thione, Acta Cryst. (2023), E79.
  • R. Aggarwal, S. Singh.Synthesis, self-aggregation, thermal stability and cytotoxicity trends of
    alkyloxypropoxycyclohexane based pyridinium ionic liquids.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2024.124382.