Yunjie Zhao | Biological Networks | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Yunjie Zhao | Biological Networks | Research Excellence Award

Central China Normal University | China

Prof. Yunjie Zhao is a distinguished biophysicist who earned his Ph.D. in Biophysics from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2012, where he conducted pioneering research on computational prediction of non-coding RNA structures under the mentorship of Prof. Yi Xiao, following his B.S. in Physics from the same institution. He advanced his expertise as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at The George Washington University with Prof. Chen Zeng, contributing significantly to de novo protein design and bionetwork modeling. Since 2016, he has been a faculty member at Central China Normal University, becoming a full Professor in 2019, and has taught a wide range of courses including Machine Learning, Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, and Physics. Prof. Zhao is an active member of several professional societies, including the Chinese Physical Society and the Biophysical Society of China, and previously the American Physical Society. He serves as an editorial board member for leading journals such as Briefings in Bioinformatics, iScience, Pharmaceuticals, Life, Biomolecules, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, and Scientific Reports, and is a frequent reviewer for top-tier publications including Nature Biotechnology, Nature Reviews Genetics, Nature Machine Intelligence, Nature Communications, and Physical Review Letters. His research contributions are further reflected in multiple granted patents spanning protein–ligand binding site prediction, RNA contact prediction, plant lectin polymerization peptide inhibitors, and protein drug binding pocket prediction, underscoring his impactful contributions to computational biology and biophysics.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"RNA-protein interaction prediction using network-guided deep learning", H Liu, Y Jian, C Zeng, Y Zhao, Communications Biology 8 (1), 2025.

"Advances and Mechanisms of RNA–Ligand Interaction Predictions", C Zhuo, C Zeng, H Liu, H Wang, Y Peng, Y Zhao Life 15 (1), 2025.

"Decoding the effects of mutation on protein interactions using machine learning", W Xu, A Li, Y Zhao, Y Peng, Biophysics Reviews 6 (1), 2025.

"Advances in Methods for Accurate Prediction of RNA–Small Molecule Binding Sites: From Isolated to AI-Integrated Strategies", J Gao, C Zhuo, C Zeng, H Liu, Y Zhao, Pharmaceuticals 18 (10), 2025.

"Ab initio HIV-1 Tat–TAR interactions study using hybrid scoring-enhanced molecular modeling across subtypes", C Zeng, H Wang, J Gao, H Liu, C Zhuo, Y Zhao, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 27 (27), 2025.

Jianjun Deng | Biological Networks | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Jianjun Deng | Biological Networks | Research Excellence Award

Northwest University | China

Professor Jianjun Deng, Ph.D., is a distinguished scholar and Ph.D. supervisor at Northwest University, specializing in natural products, chronic disease prevention, food chemistry, nutrition, and bioactive lipids in cancer. He earned his Ph.D. in Food Biotechnology from China Agricultural University (2010), following an M.S. in Postharvest Biotechnology (2007) and a B.S. in Horticulture (2004) from Gansu Agricultural University. Since joining Northwest University in 2010, he has progressed from Lecturer to Associate Professor and is currently a Professor in the Department of Bioengineering, complemented by prestigious postdoctoral research experiences at The University of Hong Kong and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Deng has served as a fund reviewer for major national and provincial research programs and as a manuscript reviewer for leading journals in food science, nutrition, pharmacology, and molecular biology. He is an active member of several professional societies, including the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the American Chemical Society, the American Society for Virology, the Hong Kong Association of Scholars, and national nutrition societies. Widely recognized for his scientific contributions, he has received numerous honors such as the Hong Kong Scholar Award (2014), Young Science and Technology Star of Shaanxi Province (2013), Outstanding Young Academic Backbone and Outstanding Teacher of Northwest University, multiple science and technology awards, and medals in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions. Dr. Deng has an extensive portfolio of granted and pending patents in functional hydrogels, drug delivery systems, biomedical materials, fermentation devices, and food science innovations, alongside numerous conference presentations worldwide in areas including phytochemicals, virology, metabolic regulation, and chronic disease mechanisms. He is also an accomplished educator, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in food science and biotechnology, and has independently supervised fourteen M.S. students, contributing significantly to talent cultivation and scientific advancement.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Novel Eco-Friendly Extraction of Oat Bran Protein: A Multifaceted Analysis of Structure, Physicochemical, and Functional Properties", H Peng, Q Wang, Y Zhang, Y Zhao, W Zhang, Y Li, J Deng, H Yang, Food Hydrocolloids, 2025.

"Comparison of different ginsenosides with C-3 or C-6 sugar moieties on activities in alcohol-induced liver injury mice", W Wang, K Zhou, Z Fu, Y Huang, J Deng, D Fan, H Yang, Journal of Ginseng Research, 2025.

"Structural–Functional Characterization and Bioactive Potential of Alternative Grain Proteins: An In-Depth Comparison of Quinoa and Oat Proteins Isolates", Y Zhang, W Zhang, Y Zhao, Y Li, Z Zhang, H Yang, J Deng, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 73 (33), 2025.

"Valorization of broccoli waste: Unlocking its potential as a functional food ingredient for sustainable nutrition", Habtamu Ayalew Engida, Q Wang, Y Zhao, W Zhang, J Deng, H Yang, Journal of Advanced Research, 2025.

"Analysis on the difference of nutrient components of black wolfberry seed grown in different regions", Y Liu, W Zhang, Y Li, R Shen, S Wang, X Wang, J Deng, Z Xu, H Yang, Food Research International, 2025.

Olalekan Akinsulie | Biological Network | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Olalekan Akinsulie | Biological Network | Best Researcher Award

Washington State University | United States

Dr. Olalekan Akinsulie is a distinguished researcher with extensive expertise in immunology, molecular biology, and advanced analytical techniques. His proficiency spans tissue and cell culture, bacterial culture, antimicrobial resistance testing, and sophisticated single-cell analyses such as flow cytometry, cell sorting, immunomagnetic cell selection, and immunohistochemistry. He possesses strong molecular cloning skills, expertise in recombinant protein generation and purification through High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and advanced competence in Liquid-Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for protein identification. Dr. Akinsulie is also highly skilled in DNA extraction, PCR-based gene expression analysis, and microscopic imaging using both light and electron microscopy. His research integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and bioinformatics tools for disease surveillance, epidemiology, and genomic data interpretation. With robust programming and data analytics skills in R, Python, and Minitab, he effectively develops statistical models and data visualizations. Complementing his scientific expertise, Dr. Akinsulie brings over two decades of experience with Microsoft Office tools, excelling in document management, data analysis, and professional presentations—reflecting his commitment to precision, innovation, and research excellence.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Serological and molecular epidemiology of West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, and tick-borne encephalitis viruses in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis'", RO Adesola, FA Ajibade, D Hossain, AB Onoja, ST Agbaje, OC Akinsulie, Discover Viruses, 2025.

"COVID-19 and cholera co-infection and comorbidity in Africa and Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis", OC Akinsulie, Journal of Global Health Economics, 2025.

"Dermatophilosis: Current Advances and Future Directions", OG Banwo, OC Akinsulie, RO Adesola, OT Jeremiah, Acta Microbiologica Hellenica, 2025.

"Ticks and Tickborne Diseases in Global South Countries: Impact and Implications of Environmental Changes", S Shahzad, OC Akinsulie, I Idris, P Devnath, D Ajagbe, VA Aliyu, Frontiers in Tropical Diseases, 2025.

"Diphtheria in Nigeria: the participatory epidemiology we need", SC Ogunleye, MM Olorunshola, AT Aborode, OC Akinsulie IJS, Global Health, 2024.