Yingzi Yang | Biological Networks | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Yingzi Yang | Biological Networks | Research Excellence Award

Harvard School of Dental Medicine | United States

Prof. Yingzi Yang is a distinguished developmental biologist whose career spans leading institutions including Harvard Medical School and the National Institutes of Health. She earned her BS in Biology from Fudan University in 1988 and completed her PhD in Molecular Biology at the Sloan-Kettering Institute and Weill Medical College of Cornell University in 1996, followed by postdoctoral training with Andrew P. McMahon at Harvard University. She joined the NIH in 2000 as an Investigator and rose to Senior Investigator before being appointed Professor of Developmental Biology at Harvard Medical School in 2015, where she also serves as Principal Faculty of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and a member of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. Widely recognized for her contributions to Wnt signaling, skeletal biology, and developmental mechanisms, Prof. Yang has received numerous honors including the AAAS Fellowship, ASBMR Fellowship, the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award, multiple NIH Awards of Merit, and the Vincent du Vigneaud Award of Excellence. She has held major leadership roles such as President of the Chinese Biological Investigators Society (2022–2024), member of the NIH SBDD Study Section, and keynote speaker at national scientific meetings. Her extensive service includes high-level Harvard committees, NIH central tenure committees, Gordon Research Conference leadership, international symposium organization, and major grant review panels for NIH, NSF, and global scientific agencies. A respected scholar and reviewer for top-tier journals including Cell, Nature family journals, Science family journals, and Development, Prof. Yang is recognized worldwide for advancing fundamental understanding of developmental and stem cell biology and their implications for human disease.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Disrupting bile acid metabolism by suppressing Fxr causes hepatocellular carcinoma induced by YAP activation", Y Liu, J Zhu, Y Jin, Z Sun, X Wu, H Zhou, Y Yang, Nature Communications 16 (1), 2025.

"Fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome: state-of-the-art advances, pathogenesis, and basic/translational research", B Palmisano, C Berry, A Boyce, JF Charles, MT Collins, A Corsi, FA Fierro, Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 20 (1), 2025.

"Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction controls osteocyte maturation and dendrite development via a YAP-CCN-Src signaling axis", YJ Hu, X Wu, F Wang, Y Jin, Y Jin, Y Liu, Q Cong, Y Yang, Nature Communications, 2025.

"Injury-induced niche factors Cxcl12 and Shh/Ihh coordinate suture stem cell activation during calvarial bone regeneration", B Li, T Ouchi, J Liu, Y Yang, Science Signaling 18 (909), 2025.

"Neutralization of Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand reduces fibrosis and promotes osteoblast differentiation in a mouse model of fibrous dysplasia driven", RT Ormsby, Y Zhang, C Hodys, LA Wake, SM Perez, K Tsang, Y Yang, JBMR plus 9 (10), 2025.

Raquel Martín García | Biological Network | Best Research Article Award

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Dr. Raquel Martín García | Biological Network | Best Research Article Award

Puerta de Hierro University Hospital Majadahonda | Spain

Dr. Raquel Martín García is a highly accomplished neurologist specializing in movement and sleep disorders, with extensive academic and clinical expertise. She earned her Degree in Medicine and Surgery (2010–2016) and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery at the Autonomous University of Madrid. After completing her Neurology specialization at Puerta de Hierro University Hospital (2017–2021), she has since served as a Specialist Physician in the Movement Disorders Unit and the Sleep Unit at leading hospitals and research centers in Madrid, including the Sleep Research Institute and CISNe Comprehensive Sleep and Neuroscience Center. Dr. Martín García holds multiple postgraduate qualifications, including a Master’s in Movement Disorders, expert titles in Headaches and Neurosonology, and advanced certifications in cerebrovascular and hereditary neurological diseases. Her research contributions include several publications in prestigious international journals such as European Journal of Neurology, Brain Sciences, and Epilepsy & Behavior, as well as book chapters for Springer and the Oxford Handbook of Sleep and Sleep Disorders. She has actively presented her work at major neurology conferences, participated as a sub-investigator in numerous Phase II and III clinical trials on Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, and contributed to teaching and mentoring at the Autonomous University of Madrid. Recognized for her dedication to advancing neurological sciences, she received the STADA Fellowship from the AMN Movement Disorders Group in 2024.

Profiles: Scopus

Featured Publications

"Device-aided therapies (DATs) in Parkinson's disease (PD). The DATs-PD GETM Spanish Registry Protocol Study", Martín García R, Plos One, 2025.

Young-Jin Kim | Structural Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Young-Jin Kim | Structural Biology | Best Researcher Award

Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) | South Korea

Author Profiles

Scopus

Orcid ID

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Young-jin Kim’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in chemistry, completing a Bachelor of Science at Sungkyunkwan University, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. in Chemistry at KAIST, Korea. His early research pursuits were rooted in structural studies related to immunity, where he contributed significantly to understanding how structural integrity impacts infectious disease progression. These formative years not only provided rigorous training in molecular and structural biology but also shaped his focus toward the intricate dynamics of protein structures.

Professional Endeavors

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Kim pursued postdoctoral training at KAIST and later at the prestigious Rockefeller University, USA, under the mentorship of renowned structural biologists. These experiences expanded his expertise in advanced structural biology techniques such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). Currently, as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Dr. Kim leads a research group investigating membrane protein structures and their physiological relevance.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Kim’s research has centered on unraveling the mechanisms of ABC and SLC transporters—membrane proteins that play pivotal roles in drug resistance and cellular homeostasis. Notably, his groundbreaking discovery of the occluded conformation of human P-glycoprotein was a first in the field, advancing global understanding of drug efflux mechanisms. His ongoing projects include exploring the structural basis of multidrug resistance and elucidating plant circadian clock proteins through Cryo-EM and protein engineering approaches. Recent accomplishments include identifying the human OAT1 structure and its chloride-dependent drug transport mechanism, published in Structure (2025).

Impact and Influence

Dr. Kim’s work has had profound implications for both fundamental science and translational medicine. His structural studies on membrane transporters provide critical insights into drug design, particularly for overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer and infectious diseases. Beyond the laboratory, Dr. Kim has been an active contributor to the scientific community, serving as a committee member for the Women’s Life Science and Technology Forum and frequently delivering invited talks at prestigious conferences, workshops, and universities.

Academic Citations and Recognition

Dr. Kim’s contributions are reflected in his invited speaker roles across international symposia, including EASMB 2024, Soongsil University, Yeungnam University, and multiple workshops. His research achievements have been consistently recognized with awards, such as poster awards at NYKB and KOSUA meetings, a Hot Structure Poster Award by the Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology, and presentation honors as early as his graduate years. These accolades underscore his long-standing excellence and sustained trajectory of impactful scholarship.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Kim is poised to further shape the field of structural biology by pushing the frontiers of Cryo-EM to decode complex protein dynamics relevant to both human health and plant biology. His interdisciplinary approach—bridging structural biology, life sciences, and protein engineering—positions him to contribute not only to academic advancements but also to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. His legacy will be defined by groundbreaking discoveries in membrane protein biology and by mentoring the next generation of structural biologists at POSTECH.

Conclusion

Dr. Young-jin Kim exemplifies the qualities of a visionary researcher whose academic rigor, innovative discoveries, and global contributions have positioned him as a leader in structural biology. His early academic excellence, groundbreaking research on membrane transporters, and dedication to advancing both science and mentorship make him an outstanding candidate for recognition such as the Best Researcher Award. His trajectory promises enduring influence in science and medicine, reinforcing his role as a pioneer in the field.

Notable Publications

"Cryo-EM structures of human OAT1 reveal drug binding and inhibition mechanisms" 

  • Author: Hyung-Min Jeon; Jisung Eun; Kelly H. Kim; Youngjin Kim
  • Journal: Structure
  • Year: 2025

"Structural Basis for Activation of the Heterodimeric GABAB Receptor" 

  • Author: Kim Y, Jeong E, Jeong JH, Kim Y, Cho Y
  • Journal: Journal of Molecular Biology
  • Year: 2020

"Structural basis of the fanconi anemia-associated mutations within the FANCA and FANCG complex" 

  • Author: Lee, SG. Kim, HS. Yang, J. Shin, J. Kim, Y. Kim, J. Scharer, O. D. Kim, Y. Yeo, JE. Kim, HM. Cho, Y
  • Journal: Nucleic Acids Research
  • Year: 2020

"The application of helix fusion methods in structural biology" 

  • Author: Na-Young Kwon; Youngjin Kim; Jie-Oh Lee
  • Journal: Current Opinion in Structural Biology
  • Year: 2020

"Attachment of flagellin enhances the immunostimulatory activity of a hemagglutinin-ferritin nano-cage" 

  • Author: Lee, EB, Jeon, HM. Kim, CU, Park, SM, Cho, G, Kim, HJ, Kim, Y, Kim, DJ, Kim, Y. S., Lee, H, Lee
  • Journal: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine
  • Year: 2024