Amy Vincent – Neuromuscular disease Award – Best Researcher Award

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Amy Vincent – Neuromuscular disease Award – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Amy Vincent distinguished academic and researcher in the field Neuromuscular Disease. She has held various academic appointments, starting as a PhD student at Newcastle University’s Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research from September 2013 to May 2017, where she investigated the pathogenesis of mitochondrial dysfunction in mitochondrial and other myopathies. Following this, she continued her research as a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the same institution until June 2019, before being awarded the Sir Henry Wellcome Post-doctoral Fellowship, a position she held until June 2023. During her fellowship, she delved deeper into mitochondrial research at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research. Currently, she serves as an Academic Track Fellow at Newcastle University’s Translational and Clinical Research Institute, a position she has held since July 2023. Additionally, she expanded her academic horizons with a brief stint as a Visiting Research Scholar at Dr. Picard’s lab, Columbia University Medical Centre, Columbia University, New York, USA, in July 2016 to September 2016. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to advancing understanding in the field of mitochondrial research.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She has demonstrated her commitment to academic mentorship through her supervision of MRes and PhD students. Notably, she supervised Alexandra Urquart, who completed her MRes in 2023 at Newcastle University, and Max Piotrowicz, who completed his MRes in 2021 at the CDT Newcastle University. As a main supervisor, she guided several PhD candidates to successful completions, including Dr. Charlotte Warren in 2019 under the MRC program, Dr. Julie Faitg in 2021 under Wellcome, and Dr. Valeria Di Leo in 2022, also under Wellcome. Currently, she oversees the progress of Dr. Tiago Gomes, a self-funded PhD candidate expected to complete in 2024, and Jane Tweedy, a PhD candidate under the MRC DiMEN DTP program, with an expected completion year of 2027. Additionally, she has provided additional supervision to several PhD candidates, including Dr. Matthew Hunt, who completed his PhD in 2020 under the NIHR BRC program, Dr. Megan McNiff, who completed hers in 2021 under Wellcome, and Dr. Alex Bury, who completed his in 2022 under the MRC DiMEN DTP program. Currently, she supports Atif Khan and Jordan Childs, both PhD candidates expected to complete in 2023 and 2024 respectively, under the CDT Newcastle University program, as well as Maria Roxana, a PhD candidate expected to complete in 2026 under the BBSRC DTP program at Aberdeen. Her dedication to nurturing the next generation of researchers is evident in her diverse and extensive supervision portfolio.

Professional membership:

She is an active member of several prestigious organizations, including The Royal Society of Biology since 2022 and The Biochemical Society since 2018. Additionally, she was a member of The Genetics Society from 2015 to 2017. Engaging in scholarly discourse and knowledge dissemination, she has participated in numerous conferences and courses worldwide. Notable among these are her award lecture on “Mitochondria and Neurodegeneration” in Nottingham, UK, in 2023, and her role as an invited speaker at the EuroPhys satellite meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2022. She has also presented her research at various international conferences, including the EMBO Muscle formation, maintenance, regeneration, and pathology conference in Chantilly, France, in 2022, and the Keystone Symposium on Mitochondria in Ageing and Age-related disease in Colorado, USA, in 2019. Her contributions extend to poster presentations at conferences such as Euromit in Cologne, Germany, in 2017, and the Mitochondrial Medicine Symposium in Seattle, USA, in 2016. Furthermore, she has actively participated in training courses, including the Expansion Microscopy and lattice light sheet microscopy course at Janelia Farm Research Campus, USA, in 2016, and the Introduction to teaching and learning in higher education course in Newcastle, UK, in 2015. Through her involvement in these academic activities, she continues to advance knowledge and foster collaboration within her field.

Public engagementand outreach:

She actively engages in science communication and outreach activities, demonstrating her commitment to sharing scientific knowledge with diverse audiences. Noteworthy engagements include Soapbox Science 2022, where she likely delivered a public talk to promote science in everyday settings, and her participation in STEM Day at Hancock Museum in 2022, where she likely contributed to educational initiatives in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Moreover, she delivered a science talk to Newcastle Royal Grammar School Medical Society in 2022, likely inspiring students with her expertise. Serving as a STEM Ambassador since 2017, she has been dedicated to promoting STEM subjects and careers, fostering interest and enthusiasm among young people. In 2021, she represented the Biochemical Society at Voice of the Future, advocating for science policy issues. Notably, she organized the Cell Detectives stand on muscle pathology and patient diagnosis in August 2019, demonstrating her commitment to patient engagement and education. As the Engagement Lead for the MRC Centre for Ageing and Vitality from August 2017 to July 2018, she likely spearheaded various public engagement initiatives related to ageing research. Furthermore, she organized events like “Fit as a Falcon” in June 2018, focusing on nutrition and exercise education for school children, and the Lily Foundation Family Weekend in the same year, where she likely provided research information to patients and their families. Additionally, she organized a stand about mitochondrial disease at the Blue Dot Festival at Jodrell Bank in July 2017, raising awareness about this condition. Her dedication to science communication is evident in her involvement in events such as Science Uncovered in 2015 and 2014, where she organized stands and participated in discussions with the general public, and Mitochondrial Matters in 2014, where she likely conducted informative sessions for participants. Through these efforts, she contributes significantly to bridging the gap between scientific research and the wider community.

She has received several prestigious awards and recognitions throughout her career, highlighting her outstanding contributions to the field of biochemistry and cellular analysis. In 2023, she was honored with the Biochemical Society Early Career Award, underscoring her exceptional achievements and promising trajectory within the discipline. The previous year, in 2022, she was bestowed with the MDUK President’s Award for Early Career Researcher of the Year, a testament to her significant impact and dedication to advancing research in the field. Additionally, her research prowess was recognized at the Practicalities of Cellular Analysis Conference in March 2017, where she clinched the first-place poster prize, showcasing her ability to communicate and disseminate research findings effectively. Furthermore, her talent and potential were acknowledged early in her career when she was awarded the World Muscle Society (WMS) Early Career Research Fellowship at the WMS Congress in 2015, held in Brighton. This fellowship, which included a monetary sum of 400 euros, was granted to her based on the merit of her abstract, further affirming her promising contributions to the field of muscle research.

 

Reviews and Book Chapters
  1. Di Leo, V., Gomes, T., Vincent, A.E. (2023) “Interactions of mitochondrial and skeletal muscle biology in mitochondrial myopathy” Biochemical Journal. DOI: 10.1042/BCJ20220233.*Corresponding author
  2. Tuppen, H., Reeve, A.K., Vincent, A.E. (2022) “Detection of mitochondrial DNA Deletions”. Methods in Molecular Biology. *Corresponding author.
  3. Gomes, T., Ng, Y.S., Pickett, S.J., Turnbull, D.M., Vincent, A.E. (2021) “Mitochondrial DNA disorders: From pathogenic variants to preventing transmission” Human Molecular Genetics.*Corresponding author
  4. Bury, A., Vincent, A.E., Turnbull, D.M., Actis, P., Hudson, G. (2020) “Mitochondrial Isolation: When size matters”. Wellcome Open Research.
  5. Lawless, C., Greaves, L., Reeve, A.K., Turnbull, D.M., Vincent, A.E. (2020) “The rise and rise of mitochondrial DNA mutations”. Open Biology. 10:200061.*Corresponding author
  6. Frazier, A.E, Vincent, A.E., Turnbull, D.M,, Thorburn, D.R., Taylor, R.W. (2020) “Assessment of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes in cells and tissues.” Methods in Cell Biology. Chapter 5; p121-156.
  7. Ahmed, S.T., Butterworth, L., Russell, O.M, Turnbull, D.M., Vincent, A.E. (2018) “Diagnosis and treatment of mitochondrial myopathies”. 15(4): 943-953.*Corresponding author
  8. Vincent A.E., et al. (2018) “Multilevel heterogeneity of respiratory chain deficiency”. The Journal of Pathology. 246(3), 261-265.
  9. Vincent, A.E. et al. (2017) “Mitochondrial nanotunnels.” Trends in Cell Biology. 27(11); 787-799.
  10. Vincent, A.E. et al. (2016) “Expanding our understanding of mtDNA deletions”. Cell Metabolism. 24(1); 3-4.
📝🔬Publications📝🔬

 

1.     Vincent, A.E. et al. “A stagewise response to mitochondrial dysfunction in mitochondrial DNA maintenance disorders.” (2024) BBA Molecular mechanisms of disease. In Press. *Corresponding author.

2.     Peruzzotti-Jametti, L., Willis, C.M, Kzrak, G., Hamel, R., Pirva, L., Ionescu, R-B, Reisz, J.A., Prag, HA., Garcia-Sergura, M.E., Wu, V., Xiang, Y., Barlas, B., Casy, A.M., van der Bosch, A.M.R, Nicaise, A.M., Roth, L., Batces, G.R., Huang, H., Prasad, P., Vincent, A.E. et al. “Mitochondrial complex I activity in microglia sustains neuroinflammation”. (2024) Nature. Online ahead of print.

3.     Pinol-Jurado, P., Verdu-Diaz, J., Fernandez-Simon,E., Dominguez-Gonxalez, C., Hernandez-Lain, A. Lawless, C., Vincent, A. et al. “Imaging mass cytometry analysis of Becker muscular dystrophy muscle samples reveales different stages of muscle degeneration.” (2024) Scientific reports. 14;3368.

4.     Fatig, J., Davey, T., Laws, R., Lawless, C., Tuppen, H., Fitton, E., Turnbull, D., Vincent, A.E.“Mitochondrial morphology and function in mitochondrial disease.” (2023) Biorixivpreprint.*Corresponding Author.

5.     Di Leo, V., Lawless, C., Roussel, M., Gomes, T.B., Gomran, G.S., Russell, O.M., Duchesne, E., Vincent, A.E. (2023) “Resistance Exercise Training Rescues Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Skeletal Muscle of Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1”. J Neuromuscul Dis. *Corresponding Author.

6.     Chen, C., McDonald, D., Blain, A., Mossman, E., Atkin, K., Marusich, M.F., Capaldi, R., Bone, L., Smith, A., Filby, A., Erskine, D., Russell, O., Hudson, G., Vincent, A.E.,et al. (2023) “Parkinson’s disease neurons exhibit alterations in mitochondrial quality control proteins.” NPJ Parkinson’s Disease. 9(1)120.

7.     Jackson, C.B., Marmyleva, A., Awashpersad, R., Monteuuis, G., Takayuki, M., Zamboni, N., Tatsuta, T., Vincent, A.E. et al (Preprint). “De Novo serine biosynthesis is protective in mitochondrial disease”.

8.     Khan, A., Lawless, C., Vincent, A.E., et al (2022). “Explainable Deep learning to Profile Mitochondrial Disease Using High Dimensional Protein Expression Data.”arXiv.

9.     Lhuissier, C., Wagner, B.E., Vincent A., et al. (2022). “Case report: Thirty-year progression of an EMPF1 encephalopathy due to defective mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission cased by novel de novo heterozygous DNM1L variant.” Frontiers in Neurology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.937885.

10.  The AIMM Trial Group (2022). “Acipimox in Mitochondrial Myopathy (AIMM): study protocol for a randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled, adaptive design trial of the efficacy of Acipimox in adult patients with mitochondrial myopathy.” Trials. 23(1).

11.  Hunt, M., McNiff, M.M., Vincent A.E. et al. (2022) “Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction antiretroviral therapy: a single cell analysis. AIDS”.Epub ahead of print.

12.  Sachdeva A., Hart, C., Carey, C., Vincent, A.E. et al. (2022) “Automated quantitative high-throughput multiplex immunofluorescence pipeline to evaluate OXPHOS defects in formalin-fixed human prostate tissue.” Scientific Reports. 12:6660.

13.  Bury, A., Pyle, A., Marcuccio, F., Turnbull, D., Vincent, A. et al. (2021) “A subcellular cookie cutter for spatial genomics in tissue”.Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.*Joint Corresponding

14.  Mito, T., Vincent, A.E.,Faitg, J., Taylor, R.W., Khan, N., McWilliam, T.G., Suomalainen, A. “Mosaic dysfunction of mitophagy in mitochondrial disease”. Cell Metabolism.34: 1-12.

15.  Chen, C., McDonald, D, Blain, A., Sachdeva, A., Bone, L., Smith, A.L.M., Warren, C., Pickett, S.J., Hudson, G., Filby, A., Vincent, A.E. et al. (2021) “Astrocytic changes in mitochondrial OXPHOS proteins in Parkinson’s Disease”. Movement disorders. 1-14.

16.  Faitg, J., Lacefield, C., Davey, T., White, K., Laws, R., Kosmidis, S., Reeve, A.K., Kandel, E.R., Vincent, A.E.*, Picard, M*. (2021) “3D Neuronal Mitochondrial Morphology in Axons Dendrites and Somata of the Ageing mouse Hippocampus”. Cell Reports. 36:109509. *Joint Corresponding

17.  Chen, C., McDonald, D, Blain, A., Sachdeva, A., Bone, L., Smith, A.L.M., Warren, C., Pickett, S.J., Hudson, G., Filby, A., Vincent, A.E. et al. (2021) “Imaging mass cytometry reveals generalized deficiency in OXPHOS complexes in Parkinson’s disease”. npj Parkinson Disease.39(2021).

18.  Zhang, L., Evans, A., von Ruhland, C., Draman, M.S., Edkins, S., Vincent, A.E. et al. (2020) “Distinctive deatures of orbital adipose tissue (OAT) in Graves’ Orbitopathy”. International Journal of Medical Sciences. 21(23):9145

19.  Warren, C., McDonald, D, Capaldi, R., Deehan, D., Taylor, R.W., Filby, A. Turnbull, D.M., Lawless, C, Vincent A.E. (2020) “Decoding mitochondrial heterogeneity in single muscle fibres by Imaging Mass Cytometry”. Scientific Reports. 10:15336*Corresponding Author.

20.  Yarnell, A.J., Granic, A., Waite, S., Hollingworth, H.G., Warren, C., Vincent, A.E. et al. (2020) “The feasibility of muscle mitochondrial respiratory chain phenotyping across the cognitive spectrum in Parkinson’s disease”. Experimental Gerontology. 138:110997.

Tizita Endale Elcho – Soil science Award – Best Researcher Award

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Tizita Endale Elcho – Soil science Award – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tizita Endale Elcho  distinguished academic and researcher in the field  Soil Science. She is a seasoned researcher specializing in the fields of land degradation, soil quality, and soil erosion, boasting over a decade of expertise in conducting thorough research, crafting insightful analyses, and publishing findings in reputable academic journals. Moreover, she brings more than six years of valuable experience in teaching and mentoring both undergraduate and postgraduate students, guiding them through the complexities of their theses.

During her tenure from 2014 to 2017, she assumed the role of laboratory coordinator at the College of Agriculture Science, Arba Minch University. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, facilitating lecture demonstrations, and managing monitoring and evaluation processes.

Her proactive nature allows her to excel independently, showcasing a remarkable ability to stay motivated and meet deadlines even in demanding situations. With a practical mindset and a logical approach to problem-solving, she demonstrates a strong capability to perform efficiently, ensuring successful outcomes even under significant pressure.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She holds a Doctor of Bioscience Engineering (PhD) degree from KU Leuven and Ghent University in Belgium, earned between 2018 and 2023. Her doctoral research focused on assessing the soil degradation status and processes of agricultural fields across an elevation gradient in the Southern Ethiopian Rift, culminating in her PhD thesis.

Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed her Master of Science (MSc) in Soil Science at Haramaya University in Ethiopia from 2012 to 2014, graduating with a commendable CGPA of 3.64 out of 4.00. Her commitment to academic excellence was evident during her undergraduate years at Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Natural Resource Management from 2006 to 2008, graduating with distinction and achieving a CGPA of 3.46 out of 4.00.

Employment History

She served as a Soil and Water Conservation Expert at the Gamo Gofa Zone Agriculture and Rural Development Office in Arba Minch from 2008 to 2010. In this role, she played a crucial part in scheduling and conducting training sessions for local communities, particularly farmers, on the implementation of soil and water conservation practices. Additionally, she supervised developmental agents across various Kebeles within the Arba Minch district agriculture and rural development office, ensuring the effective dissemination of knowledge and practices. Her responsibilities extended to mobilizing communities to embrace innovative technologies such as water harvesting, watershed management, and integrated soil fertility management, contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Lecturer and laboratory coordinator at the College of Agricultural Sciences, Arba Minch  University, Arba Minch (2014 – 2023)

Achievements and responsibilities:

  • Conduct basic and applied research with several teams on soil-related issues.
  • Advise both undergraduate and postgraduate students on their final-year research.
  • Train developmental agents and natural resources management experts with the collaboration of Mercy Corps.
  • Lecture several courses such as Fundamental Soil Science, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Land Degradation and Rehabilitation, Integrated Watershed Management, Research Methodology, Biodiversity Conservation, and Environmental Impact Assessment.
  • Organize and facilitate research symposiums at the university level.
  • Coordinate all laboratory activities of the college.
  • Prepare laboratory guidelines for the relevant bodies of the colleges including departments.
  • Prepare activities and financial plans as well as reports for the college laboratory office.
  • Arranging laboratory equipment and supplies, guide and follow up technical assistance in laboratory activities.
📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Laurent Lagadic – Chemical Environmental Safety Award – Industry Impact Award

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Laurent Lagadic – Chemical Environmental Safety Award – Industry Impact Award

Dr. Laurent Lagadic distinguished academic and researcher in the field Chemical Environmental Safety. Laurent is a Member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) since 1995. He was the Chair of the Scientific Committee and co-organiser of the 15th and 26th SETAC Europe Annual Meetings (~2000 delegates each). He was elected in 2012 as the Vice-President of SETAC-Europe and officiated as President from May 2013 to May 2014. He joined the SETAC World Council from 2012 to 2015. Laurent left the SETAC Europe Council in May 2015 but is still involved in different activities of the Society, including the Endocrine Disruption Testing and Risk Assessment Interest Group (EDTRA IG) and the Sounding Board of SETAC Europe for EFSA’s Stakeholder Bureau.

His dedication to advancing the field of ecotoxicology and his commitment to education, mentorship, and collaboration make Laurent Lagadic a respected leader in his field, with a profound impact on both scientific research and environmental policy.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

He holds a BSc in Organism and Population Biology from the University of Paris XI, Orsay, France (1985), an MSc in Experimental Ecology from the University of Pau & Pays de l’Adour, France (1986), a PhD in Fundamental Toxicology from the University of Paris XI, Orsay, France (1991), and a Habilitation (Accreditation to supervise research; HDR) from the University of Rennes 1, France (1999).

His professional experience includes roles such as Scientific Assistant granted by Sandoz, Basel, Switzerland (1988-1991), Scientific Trainee granted by Bayer AG, Monheim, Germany (1989-1990), Post-doctoral Fellow at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK (1991-1992), Junior Scientist at the Seine-Normandie Water Agency, Paris, France (1992-1994), Senior Scientist (CR1) at the French National Institute for Agriculture Research (INRA), Rennes, France (1994-2003), Research Director (DR2) at INRA, Rennes, France (2003-2014), Scientific Manager, Senior Science Fellow – Aquatic Ecotoxicology at Bayer AG, R&D, Crop Science Division, Monheim, Germany (2014-2020), and currently, he serves as Scientific Manager, Senior Science Fellow – Environmental Safety Assessment and Strategy (ESAS) at Bayer AG, R&D, Crop Science Division, Monheim, Germany.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Throughout his illustrious career, Laurent Lagadic has been recognized with several prestigious honors and awards for his outstanding contributions to the field of ecotoxicology:

  • He was awarded the Dufrenoy Research Fellowship from the French Agriculture Academy, Paris, in 1989, in recognition of his early research endeavors.
  • In 1991, Laurent was granted the esteemed Lavoisier Post-doctoral Fellowship by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During this fellowship, he resided at the Maison Française d’Oxford, furthering his research and academic collaborations.
  • His significant contributions to the field were acknowledged with the AstraZeneca Best Publication Award of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Europe Geographic Unit, in 2011. This award highlights his excellence in scientific publication and research dissemination within the European ecotoxicology community.

Professional experience:

He has held various significant positions throughout his career, including roles at esteemed organizations such as Sandoz in Basel, Switzerland, where he served as a Scientific Assistant from 1988 to 1991. Following this, he embarked on a Scientific Trainee position at Bayer AG in Monheim, Germany, from 1989 to 1990.

Continuing his journey, Laurent Lagadic transitioned to a Post-doctoral Fellow role at Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, UK, where he further honed his research skills from 1991 to 1992. Subsequently, he joined the Seine-Normandie Water Agency in Paris, France, as a Junior Scientist from 1992 to 1994, contributing to environmental research initiatives.

His career then flourished at the French National Institute for Agriculture Research (INRA) in Rennes, France, where he served in various capacities. Initially, he held the position of Senior Scientist (CR1) from 1994 to 2003, followed by a promotion to Research Director (DR2) from 2003 to 2014, where he provided leadership in ecological research endeavors.

In 2014, he transitioned to Bayer AG’s R&D, Crop Science Division, based in Monheim, Germany, assuming the role of Scientific Manager and Senior Science Fellow specializing in Aquatic Ecotoxicology. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in developing strategies for assessing the environmental impact of agricultural products.

Currently, he continues to excel at Bayer AG, where he serves as a Scientific Manager and Senior Science Fellow specializing in Environmental Safety Assessment and Strategy (ESAS), contributing his expertise to furthering environmental sustainability efforts within the Crop Science Division.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Hemamalini Rawindran – Life Cycle Analysis Award – Best Researcher Award

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Hemamalini Rawindran – Life Cycle Analysis Award – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hemamalini Rawindran distinguished academic and researcher in the field Life Cycle Analysis. As a Research Officer at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS in 2023, she was primarily engaged in a project funded by Yayasan UTP focused on analyzing the nutritional values of protein-rich microalgae-palm kernel expeller bio-composite feeds. Additionally, she conducted Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies pertaining to membrane utilization for remediating microalgal wastewater and the upcycling of microplastics in marine environments.

Transitioning to her role as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia from September 2023 to the present, she has been actively involved in a HiCoE project grant. Her responsibilities include the development of a solid matrix polymer inclusion membrane, where she is tasked with creating a mathematical model to evaluate electrodriven ion flux into the membrane. Moreover, she conducts sustainable metric analyses on the polymer inclusion membrane and assesses ion migration using a dual casting solution approach. In addition to her research duties, she is also involved in reviewing technical papers and converting findings into coherent paragraphs for publication.

 

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She holds a PhD in Science by Research (Grade A) from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, completed between 2020 and 2023, which was funded by the prestigious HiCoE grant focusing on the thermochemical conversion of biomass. During her doctoral studies, she notably contributed to the development of a novel attached microalgal system and spent three months on a Fellowship under AMTEC at UTM. She demonstrated remarkable productivity by authoring 7 papers and co-authoring 20 papers. Additionally, she supervised 7 Final Year Project (FYP) students, resulting in 3 Q1 and 1 Q2 publications. Furthermore, she actively participated in educational activities, conducting laboratory sessions and tutorials for undergraduate (UG) students. She also provided assistance to UG students in virtual reality and augmented reality STEM-based classes, showcasing her commitment to fostering learning environments. Her academic excellence was recognized with the High Achiever Award and Graduate on Time (GOT) award.

Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed her Master’s in Science by Research (Grade B) at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS from 2016 to 2019. This program, funded by a PETRONAS Research grant, focused on the elimination of surfactants in produced water from Enhanced Oil Recovery. During this time, she authored 2 papers and gained valuable experience through conducting laboratory and tutorial sessions for foundation students. She also spent one year on attachment at AMTEC, UTM, focusing on membrane development.

Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology from Tunku Abdul Rahman College / Campbell University, USA, which she completed from 2011 to 2014. Her Final Year Project (FYP) explored the effect of carbonated beverages on human tooth density, and she graduated with Second Upper Class honors.

Research Colloborations

She has actively engaged in various collaborations with prestigious institutions such as the University of Tasmania (UTas), Australia, Petronas Research Sdn Bhd, Aston University, UK, and AMTEC at UTM. Notably, her collaborative efforts have led to significant contributions in several areas.

One of her notable achievements includes the development of a polymer inclusion membrane using a dual-solution casting approach, aimed at enhancing membrane technology. Additionally, she conducted a comprehensive review on the environmental sustainability aspects, focusing on the greenness of polymer inclusion membranes.

Moreover, she demonstrated her commitment to sustainability by repurposing spent coffee grounds for cultivating attached microalgae, as highlighted in Aston University’s bulletin. This innovative approach garnered attention for its eco-friendly application.

Her research findings have been published in high-impact journals, including a notable publication in a Q1 journal with an Impact Factor (IF) of 15.9 (RSER) in 2017-2018, focusing on the development of PVDF-TiO2 membrane for treating oil and gas surfactant-rich wastewater. Additionally, her work during a three-month fellowship in 2021 resulted in publications in two journals: one with a Q2 IF of 2.6 (Molecular Biotechnology) and another with a Q1 IF of 8.9 (Environmental Research), focusing on the development of a PET membrane from waste drinking bottles for treating microalgal harvested wastewater.

Furthermore, she successfully completed a mini-project funded by Petronas Research Sdn Bhd (PRSB), where she developed a membrane validation method for Petronas surfactants using HPLC. This endeavor resulted in the development of a membrane capable of treating surfactant-rich produced water with an impressive 98% rejection rate, as published in a Q1 journal with an IF of 11.1 (JCP).

Throughout her collaborations and individual projects, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and dedication to advancing sustainable membrane technologies and addressing environmental challenges in various industrial sectors.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Shareef Mahdi- Network Science Award – Best Researcher Award

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Shareef Mahdi- Network Science Award – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shareef Mahdi distinguished academic and researcher in the field Network Science. He is a highly motivated and dedicated doctor currently in his first year of general surgery specialty training (ST3) in the West Midlands. His clinical interests encompass oesophagogastric surgery, along with emergency general surgery, major trauma, and global/humanitarian surgery. Academically, his goal is to complete a PhD/DPhil with a focus on oesophageal or gastric cancer during the early phase of being a registrar (ST3-5), then rejoin training in the clinical academic route as an Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL) with the aim of achieving Senior Lectureship as a Consultant. He is also keen on medical education, leadership, and management. His long-term aspiration is to undergo training in all aspects of elective oesophagogastric surgery and emergency general and major trauma surgery, and to become a substantive consultant surgeon in the NHS, while maintaining a global perspective and engaging in humanitarian surgery abroad.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

He completed his education at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, achieving a Master of Science with Distinction in Trauma Sciences (Military and Humanitarian) from 2020 to 2022. Prior to that, he earned a First-Class Honours iBSc in Prehospital Medicine from 2017 to 2018 and completed his MBBS in Medicine with a Final Year Merit from 2013 to 2019. In terms of postgraduate exams and courses, he successfully completed the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Provider Course in November 2021, passed the MRCS Part B Exam in September 2021, and attended the East of England Foundation School Train The Trainer (TTT) Course in December 2020. He also passed the MRCS Part A Exam in September 2020 and completed the Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) Course in March 2020.

 

Research, Clinical Audit and Quality Improvement Experience

Research at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (RLUH) – 2021 to 2023
• Research as part of the upper GI cancer group including basic science project looking into the utility of PDL1 checkpoint inhibition in the adjuvant setting
for patients with resected junctional adenocarcinoma and a pyloric drainage network meta-analysis (February 2022 to present)
• Quality Improvement Project looking into management of Gallstone Disease at RLUH (February 2022 to present)
• Audit of pre-operative anaemia assessment and management in upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery (May to August 2022)
• Retrospective cohort study looking into outcomes of robotic colorectal cancer surgery patients at RLUH (October 2021 to September 2022)
Research at the Centre for Trauma Sciences, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry – 2021 to 2022
• Prevalence of chronic pain after severe lower limb injury (SLLI): a systematic review and meta-analysis in partial fulfilment of MSc Dissertation (October
2021 to September 2022)
Research at the Lister Hospital – 2019 to 2021
• Retrospective cohort study highlighting changes in practice in the management of appendicitis due to COVID-19 – work submitted for publication in the
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons (England).
• Retrospective cohort study examining documentation practice of hernia repairs over a decade – work presented at the Association of Surgeons in Training
(ASiT), March 2016 and Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI), July-August 2020 conferences. Accepted for publications in the Annals
of the Royal College of Surgeons (England).
Research at the Institute of Prehospital Care, London’s Air Ambulance – 2017 to 2018
• Systematic Literature Review titled ‘The Definition and Categorisation of Preventable Prehospital Trauma Deaths: Recommendation for Uniform Reporting’
in partial fulfilment of iBSc Dissertation (January 2018 to June 2018)
Research at the Royal London Hospital – 2015 to 2019
• SNAP-2: Epidemiology of Critical Care provision after surgery (EpiCCS) – July 2018 – Data collection for a multi-centre collaborative study looking at provision
of specialist care after major surgery. Contributed to data collection.
• Surgical education piece of work, in the form of a survey assessing the use of Snapchat as a means of streaming surgical procedures for training – work
presented nationally at the Global Surgical Frontiers conference at The Royal College of Surgeons, England, March 2017
• Closed loop audit on peripheral line care and patient safety on surgical wards in a large tertiary centre – work presented internationally at European Society
for Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ESTES) conference, May 2017
• Closed loop audit assessing the association between patient recall of consultant and nurse names and the presence of those names on boards near the
patients’ beds, in relation to the ‘#hellomynameis campaign – work presented nationally at ASiT conference, March 2016

Leadership, Management and Teaching Experience

  1. In his leadership, management, and teaching roles, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering growth and development in various settings. Currently serving as the Junior Trainees Lead at Roux Group since February 2023, he actively encourages junior trainees to pursue careers in upper gastrointestinal or hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. He is also involved in organizing national conferences and training events. His tenure as the Staff and Associate Specialists Council (SASC) Representative at the Mersey Junior Doctor Committee (MJDC) from September 2021 to September 2022 involved advocating for colleagues at local, regional, and national levels. As a Foundation Representative for the Surgical Trainees in East of England Research (STEER) Collaborative from October 2020 to July 2021, he played a key role in organizing research activities and facilitating data collection. Additionally, his experience as Course Lead for the Surgical Skills SSC from December 2016 to July 2021 highlights his ability to design and implement educational programs effectively. He has also contributed significantly to community initiatives, such as his role as Expansion Officer at StreetDoctors Ltd from May 2018 to November 2018, where he conducted research on youth violence trends and helped expand the organization’s reach. Furthermore, his leadership roles within Barts and The London Surgical Society demonstrate his proficiency in organizing events and implementing mentorship schemes for aspiring surgeons. As a Team Leader and Project Manager at Medify Ltd from June 2015 to August 2016, he led a project aimed at providing fairer access to medical school through data collection and application support initiatives. Through these experiences, he has honed skills in leadership, communication, organization, and project management, which will undoubtedly contribute to his future endeavors in surgery and academia.

Awards and Achievements

• The Gordon Cassie Postgraduate Fund (2020)
• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) Africa Elective Bursary (2019)
• Institute of Medical Ethics (IME) Prize for ‘Best Poster Presentation’ at ASiT Conference (2016)
• Rod Flower Vacation Research Scholarship (2014)
• Ian Hart Vacation Research Scholarship (2013)

 

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

• Mahdi, S., Stoner, R.S., Wyatt, J., De’Ath, H., Perkins, Z. 2024. Prevalence of chronic pain after severe lower limb injury (SLLI): a
systematic review and meta-analysis. Injury.
• CholeCovid Collaborative. Mahdi, S. (collaborator), et al. 2022. Global overview of the management of acute cholecystitis during the
COVID-19 pandemic (CHOLECOVID study). Brit J Surg Open. 6 (3)
• STARSurg Collaborative. Mahdi, S. (collaborator), et al. 2022. Impact of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing
major gastrointestinal surgery on 1-year survival and renal outcomes: a national multicentre cohort study. Brit J Surg Open. 5(6)
• Farquharson, B., Sivarajah, V., Mahdi, S., Bergman, H., Jeyarajah, S. 2021. Where is the nerve? Review of operation note
documentation practice for inguinal hernia repair. Ann Roy Coll Surg.
• Sivarajah, V., Farquharson, B., Mahdi, S., Cathcart, P., Jeyarajah, S. 2020. Chronic groin pain following open inguinal hernia repair –
Has consenting practice improved? Ann Roy Coll Surg.
• GlobalSurg Collaborative. Mahdi, S. (collaborator), et al. 2019. Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation
following left-sided colorectal resection. Brit J Surg Open. 3(3): 403-414
• GlobalSurg Collaborative. Mahdi, S. (collaborator), et al. 2019. Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality
after emergency laparotomy. Brit J Surg. 106(2): e103-e112

. Prevalence of chronic pain after severe lower limb injury (SLLI): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hao Liang – Resource Allocation in Wireless Communications Award – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Network Science

Hao Liang – Resource Allocation in Wireless Communications Award – Best Researcher Award

Mr. Hao Liang distinguished academic and researcher in the field Resource Allocation in wireless Communications. He currently serves as a Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) Engineer within the Technical Support Department of the Guangxi Sub-bureau of the Middle South China Regional Air Traffic Management Bureau of Civil Aviation Administration of China. Additionally, he holds the title of Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and fulfills the role of Senior Information System Project Manager.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

He received his B.E. degree in electronic information engineering from Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guangxi, China, in 2017, and his M.E. degree in electronics and communications engineering from Xidian University, Xi’an, China, in 2020.

Research Interests

His research interests encompass 5G AeroMACS, Full-duplex Communications, Non-orthogonal Multiple Access, Interference Management, and Resource Allocation in Wireless Communications.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Grazia Onorato- Systematic risk in financial Market- Women Researcher Award

Published on by Network Science

Grazia Onorato- Systematic risk in financial Market

Dr.  Grazia Onorato distinguished academic and researcher in the field Systematic risk in financial Market.  She possesses proficiency in Italian as her native language and holds a B2 level in English, as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Her computer skills include ECDL certification and proficiency in MS Office 2013 (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), as well as Internet browsers like Explorer and Google Chrome. In terms of additional qualifications, she has conducted seminars on various topics related to climate risk management and European regulations at the Department of Economics of the University of Foggia. She has also participated in doctoral courses and webinars organized by prestigious institutions such as the Banca d’Italia and the Value Reporting Foundation, covering subjects ranging from mathematical finance to sustainability reporting. Through these activities, she has demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and professional development in her field.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations: 📚🎓

She is a Research Fellow at the University of Foggia’s Department of Economics (SSD SECS-P/11) since June 22, 2022, working on the project titled “Fintech and the Innovation Process in Financial Intermediation.” Prior to this, she completed her Ph.D. in Economics and Management with a focus on Management and Technology at the University of Bari Aldo Moro, defending her thesis entitled “Climate Risk in the Financial System: Impacts and Implementation for Banks and Insurances” in May 2023. She also participated in the ADEIMF 2022 Summer School on “Methods and Techniques of Research in Banking and Finance” at the University Parthenope in September 2022, and she attended a course on Econometric Analysis at the University of Calabria’s Summer School in July 2021. She achieved her Master’s degree in Economics and Finance with the highest honors (110/110 cum laude) from the University of Foggia in October 2019. Additionally, she completed a 24 CFU educational path in anthropo-psychopedagogical disciplines and teaching methodologies in January 2018.

“Global Summit of Integrated Reporting Communities“, organizzato dalla Value
Reporting Foundation (VRF) il 13 ottobre 2021.
– Webinar “The evolution of sustainability reporting” organizzato da Meditari
Accountancy Research il 22 ottobre 2021.
– Webinar organizzato dalla Fondazione O.I.B.R. in collaborazione con AIFIRM dal titolo
“La complessità informativa della sostenibilità: dalla disclosure ai rating ESG e creditizi”,
martedì 14 dicembre 2021.
– Seminario tenuto dal prof. Francesco Campobasso, in modalità telematica, dal titolo
“Corporate financial distress and bankruptcy”, organizzato dal Dipartimento di
Economia, Management e Diritto dell’Impresa dell’Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo
Moro, il giorno 16 dicembre 2021.
– Convegno ABI dal titolo “L’integrazione dei fattori di rischio climatici e ambientali”,
30-31 marzo e 1° aprile 2021.
– Convegno ABI dal titolo “L’integrazione dei Fattori di Rischio Climatici e Ambientali
nelle banche LSI: i passaggi necessari, gli impatti e le prospettive”, il 10 e 11
maggio 2022.
– Scuola Estiva di Economia e Diritto in “Rischi, regolamentazione e stabilità finanziaria.
Criticità e prospettive” – Operatori ed accademia a confronto. Cagliari, 26-30 giugno
2023, Facoltà di Scienze Economiche, Politiche e Giuridiche.
– Corso ABI dal titolo “Audit ESG: il ruolo della funzione audit e le principali attività” – 3
e 4 ottobre 2023.
– Seminario annuale ABI dal titolo “Funzioni aziendali di controllo. La sfida del Risk
(Re)mapping”- 15 e 16 novembre 2023.

Publication

 

Panagiotis Karanis – Biomedical Research – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Network Science

Panagiotis Karanis – Biomedical Research

Dr. Panagiotis karanis  distinguished academic and researcher in the field Biomedical research, infectious diseases, climate changes.  Professor Karanis is a resourceful and dedicated professor with an impressive academic background,
excellent publication record and significant teaching experiences in the fields of Emerging Infectious
Parasitic and Tropical Diseases and Human Anatomy. Possesses excellent interpersonal and liaison skills
with the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships. Possesses mature administrative and
managerial skills and solid experience in science policy and public health. Enjoys worldwide collaborating
in a productive and successful team and thrives in challenging environments. He was 1000 Talent Plan
Expert (2014-2017) in Qinghai, China.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations: 📚🎓

Professor Dr. Panagiotis Karanis has held various esteemed positions in the field of anatomy and biomedicine, showcasing an extensive and distinguished career spanning several decades. From 2019 to the present, he serves as a Professor of Anatomy and the Coordinator of the Unit of Anatomy & Morphology at the Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus. His contributions extend globally, as he has been an international advisor, consultant, and visiting professor at numerous universities.

During the period from 2014 to 2018, Professor Karanis held the position of Professor and Director of the Centre of Biomedicine and Infectious Diseases at the State Key Laboratory for Plateau Ecology and Agriculture at Qinghai University in Xining, China. His expertise was recognized internationally, as he was selected as a Foreign Expert in the 1000 Talent Plan, Recruitment Program of Foreign Experts (RPFE) for non-ethnic Chinese experts in China.

Earlier in his career, from 2009 to the present, Professor Karanis made significant contributions as a Professor of Anatomy at the Medical School, University of Cologne, Germany. Prior to this, he served as an Associate Professor and later as a Full Professor at the National Research Centre for Protozoan Diseases (NRCPD) in Japan from 2006 to 2007.

The trajectory of Professor Karanis’s career is marked by academic achievements. In 1999, he received Venia legendi in Parasitology (PD Dr.) and completed his Habilitation in Clinical-Theoretical Medicine at the Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Germany. His academic journey began with a PhD in Parasitology, focusing on ‘UV-Disinfection of Protozoan Parasites’ at the University of Bonn in 1992. Earlier, in 1987, he earned a Diploma in Biology from the University of Bochum, Germany.

Professor Karanis’s educational background is diverse, including studies in Biology at the Universities of Bielefeld, Düsseldorf, and Bochum from 1980 to 1986. He also pursued complementary studies of Medicine at the Universities of Bochum and Cologne, completing the pre-clinical medical curriculum. His commitment to academia and research has made him a respected figure in the international scientific community, contributing significantly to the fields of anatomy, biomedicine, and parasitology.

Research Interests: 🧬🔬

Biomedical research, infectious diseases, climate changes,Applications of Network Science and Graph Analytics in Social, Biological, and Technological Networks

Awards and Achievements: 🏆👏

  •  Prof. Karanis is included on the annual list of 100,000 top scientists worldwide and, correspondingly, in
    the top 2 per cent of scientists in their field, according to a team of researchers at Stanford University in
    the USA. The updated 2020 list is based on a range of citation metrics that provides standardized data
    across those fields and subfields, in arriving at the (2019) single year impact result of more than 8,000,000
    scientists worldwide.
  • Gained worldwide administrative and managerial skills and experiences in science policy and public
    health. Successfully established 5 Laboratories / Institutions in Bonn / Germany (Waterborne and Vectorborne
    Parasitic Diseases), Thessaloniki / Greece (Leishmania and Sandflies), Cologne / Germany (Medical and
    Molecular Parasitology), Obihiro / Japan (Unit for Diseases Control and Genetics), Xining / China (Centre
    of Biomedicine and Infectious Diseases; the laboratory was promoted from the Chinese Government toState Key Laboratory of the Qinghai Province in China, 2016). The laboratories in Germany, Japan and
    China achieved an international reputation
  • Developed worldwide effective cooperations between many countries, in particular betweenEuropean
    and Asian countries
  •  Consultant at Qatar National Research Foundation and Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
  • Academic program review for the Master of Science in Biomedical Science, College of Health
    Sciences at Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, September 2018
  • Consultant” at Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
  • Nominated as “Advisory Board Member” of the “Centre of Excellence for Medical Research and
    Innovative Products (CEMRIP)” in Thailand.
  • Nominated “National Distinguished Expert” and “State Specially Recruited Expert” of China
  • Selected in 1000 Talent Plan, the Recruitment Program of Foreign Experts (RPFE) for non-ethnic Chinese
    experts, China, 2014, leading into ongoing innovative and promising collaborations with China
  • Invitation for Short Term – Fellowship – Program for Malaria Research in Japan by JSPS (Japanese
    Society of Promotion of Science), 12th January – 11th March 2014

Career Summary 

Dr. Panagiotis Karanis is a distinguished parasitologist with a wealth of expertise and a prolific career spanning several prestigious institutions across the globe. Serving as a Guest Professor at the University of Padova in Italy during 2019 and 2020, as well as a Consultant at the College of Public Health in Qatar in 2018, he contributed significantly to the field of parasitology. Dr. Karanis has been a Consultant at Walailak University in Thailand since 2017, where he has provided guidance and international supervision for PhD students.

His academic endeavors include roles as an Invited Professor at the University of Alexandroupolis and the University of Ioannina in Greece, where he delivered lectures on infectious diseases to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Notably, from 2014 to 2018, Dr. Karanis held the position of Professor and Director of the Centre of Biomedicine and Infectious Diseases at Qinghai University in China.

As a Foreign Expert in the 1000 Talent Plan Recruitment Program, he played a pivotal role in elevating the laboratory to the State Key Laboratory for Plateau Ecology and Agriculture of the Qinghai Province. Dr. Karanis’s contributions extended to advising the Chinese government on research ideas, particularly in waterborne and vectorborne diseases, and his efforts in developing Cryptosporidium culture assays for drug testing garnered recognition and funding from prestigious institutions such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. His comprehensive involvement in academia, research, and international collaborations underscores his commitment to advancing the field of parasitology and infectious diseases.

 

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