Hongjin Liu | Cancer Cell Biology | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Hongjin Liu | Cancer Cell Biology | Research Excellence Award

National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College | China

Hongjin Liu is a medical oncologist whose research centers on cancer biology, therapeutic resistance, and tumorigenesis. His work spans molecular oncology, hepatocellular carcinoma, and mechanisms of somatic mutagenesis across human tissues. He has contributed to high-impact studies published in Nature and Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, including investigations uncovering the landscape of somatic mutations in normal tissues and the critical role of VAV2 in DNA repair and radiotherapy resistance. His research also explores noncoding RNA–mediated regulatory networks in liver cancer, notably identifying the oncogenic function of ELF3-AS1 through its modulation of the miR-98-5p/CPSF4 axis. Collectively, his publications provide important insights into genomic instability, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and potential molecular targets for improving therapeutic outcomes. His translational research aims to bridge molecular mechanisms with clinical oncology to support precision cancer treatment and advance strategies for overcoming therapy resistance.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications: 

1. Ge, P., Niu, S., Fang, M., Xu, Q., Zhang, W., Xu, J., Yang, F., Wang, Y., Shi, T., & Liu, H. (2025). ELF3-AS1 promotes the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inhibiting miR-98-5p/CPSF4 axis. Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids.

2. Zhang, W., Liu, Z., Liu, H., Huang, Z., Huang, X., Xu, L., Che, X., & Zhan, Z. (2025). The impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors on prognosis in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with TACE and lenvatinib: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Immunology.

3. Liu, W., Miao, C., Zhang, S., Liu, Y., Niu, X., Xi, Y., Guo, W., Chu, J., Lin, A., Liu, H., Yang, X., Chen, X., Zhong, C., Ma, Y., Wang, Y., Zhu, S., Liu, S., Tan, W., Lin, D., & Wu, C. (2021). VAV2 is required for DNA repair and implicated in cancer radiotherapy resistance. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 6(9), 2906–2919.

4. Li, R., Di, L., Li, J., Fan, W., Liu, Y., Guo, W., Liu, W., Liu, L., Li, Q., Chen, L., Chen, Y., Miao, C., Liu, H., Wang, Y., Ma, Y., Xu, D., Lin, D., Huang, Y., Wang, J., Bai, F., & Wu, C. (2021). A body map of somatic mutagenesis in morphologically normal human tissues. Nature, 597(7876), 398–403.

5. Chen, Y., Zeng, Q., Liu, X., Fu, J., Zeng, Z., Zhao, Z., Liu, Z., Bai, W., Dong, Z., & Liu, H. (2018). LINE-1 ORF-1p enhances the transcription factor activity of pregnenolone X receptor and promotes sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Cancer Management and Research, 10, 6345–6358.

Yanqi Dang | Cancer Cell Biology | Editorial Board Member

Published on by Cell Biologist

Mr. Yanqi Dang | Cancer Cell Biology | Editorial Board Member

Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032 | China

The researcher focuses on the epigenetic regulation of metabolic diseases and tumorigenesis, with major contributions in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnostics, mechanisms, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based interventions. In early CRC detection, the team performed transfer RNA (tRNA) sequencing and identified two key tRFs—tRF-Tyr-GTA-081 (downregulated) and tRF-Ala-AGC-060 (upregulated)—whose combined diagnostic model demonstrated strong performance for colorectal neoplastic lesions and cancer, outperforming traditional markers such as CEA and CA199. Multi-omics analyses of mRNAs, miRNAs and circRNAs identified three circRNAs with predictive value for adenoma–carcinoma transition. Through DNA hydroxymethylation sequencing, ZW10 emerged as a prognostic-related marker, and its circulating hydroxymethylation level showed high accuracy for early CRC detection. Mechanistic studies revealed that METTL3 regulates CRB3 in an m6A-dependent manner to modulate HIPPO signaling, while DNMT3B- and TET2-mediated epigenetic modifications jointly control PGC-1α to promote CRC progression. In therapeutic research, Scutellaria baicalensis Tang, Sijunzi Tang, and related monomers are under investigation for anti-CRC effects. In metabolic disease research, Ling-Gui-Zhu-Gan decoction and cinnamaldehyde were shown to improve steatosis and insulin resistance in NAFLD, supporting the TCM concept of “phlegm-beverage.” Current studies focus on lean NAFLD, demonstrating that METTL14 regulates TIM3 to influence disease development, and that GJLZ decoction alleviates steatosis and inflammation by enhancing this pathway.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications:

Ma, J., …, & al. (2025). Regulation of histone H3K27 methylation in inflammation and cancer.

Varsha Rathore | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Varsha Rathore | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233 | Taiwan

Dr. Varsha Rathore’s research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer cell migration, invasion, and survival, with a particular emphasis on the role of CASK (Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Serine Protein Kinase) in prostate cancer progression. Her doctoral work explores how CASK promotes tumor cell motility and invasiveness independent of TGF-β signaling, contributing to a deeper understanding of tumor metastasis. Additionally, she investigates the involvement of NLRX1 in regulating proliferation, invasion, and survival pathways in prostate cancer cells, offering insights into novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Her expertise spans cell culture, molecular biology, and biochemical assays, including protein expression, purification, ubiquitination, kinase, and PARylation assays, as well as metabolic analysis using Seahorse technology. She has presented her findings at international conferences, including the 19th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and the 38th Joint Academic Conference on Biomedicine. Through her research, Dr. Rathore contributes significantly to the field of molecular oncology and pharmacology, advancing knowledge on how signaling proteins orchestrate cancer progression and identifying potential molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications:

Rathore, V., Cheng, C.-Y., Lin, C.-Y., Chang, C.-R., & Lin, W.-W. (2025). CASK promotes prostate cancer progression via kinase-dependent activation of AKT. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 311(Pt 2), 143965.

Rathore, V., & Lin, W.-W. (2025). Decoding SIGLEC12 in bladder cancer: In silico profiling of expression, tumor–immune interactions, and prognostic impact. Medicina, 61(11), 1894.

Mishra, M., Rathore, V., Sahu, S., & Sahoo, H. (2019). The contribution of nanostructures towards the wing patterning of yellow Catopsilia pomona: How it differs from the lime. Microscopy, 68(4), 289–300.

Sunila Pradeep | Ovarian Cancer | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Sunila Pradeep | Ovarian Cancer | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Sunila Pradeep | The Medical College of Wisconsin | United States

Dr. Sunila Pradeep, Ph.D., is an accomplished Associate Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, with over two decades of academic and research experience in immunology, oncology, and translational medicine. Originating from India, Dr. Pradeep began her journey in microbiology before delving deep into cancer research. Her multidisciplinary work bridges basic science with clinical relevance, particularly in ovarian and uterine cancers. Having trained in globally recognized institutions like the Weizmann Institute (Israel) and MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA), she has cultivated a robust research portfolio. Her impact in biomedical sciences is well-established. Dr. Pradeep’s ongoing work on extracellular vesicles, tumor microenvironment, and therapy resistance showcases her commitment to solving real-world clinical problems. A recipient of numerous national and international honors, she is a role model for aspiring women in science, blending scientific rigor with compassionate mentorship.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

Education:

Dr. Sunila Pradeep’s academic path began in India, where she completed her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Microbiology at Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Her passion for biomedical sciences led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Immunology at the University of Calicut, Kerala, under the mentorship of Dr. Girija Kuttan, where she began her exploration into natural compounds with anti-cancer properties. Her graduate studies laid a strong foundation in experimental biology and immunomodulation. Eager to expand her research horizons globally, she pursued postdoctoral training at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, and later at the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas, USA, where she transitioned into translational cancer research. This diverse academic journey spanning three countries has given Dr. Pradeep a unique global perspective, rigorous research training, and an innovative approach to solving complex oncological challenges.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Sunila Pradeep has more than 18 years of research experience in oncology and immunology. Her professional career began with a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Weizmann Institute, where she explored molecular signaling in cancer progression. She then advanced to a key fellowship role at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, focusing on therapeutic resistance in ovarian cancer. Since joining the Medical College of Wisconsin as an Associate Professor, she has established herself as a leading researcher in ovarian tumor microenvironments, metastasis mechanisms, and extracellular vesicle biology. Her role extends beyond research—she is also a dedicated mentor to graduate students and postdocs, and contributes to several multidisciplinary cancer initiatives. Dr. Pradeep’s scientific rigor, grant success, and translational insights have made her a sought-after collaborator. Her efforts to bridge laboratory research with clinical application reflect her commitment to improving outcomes for women suffering from gynecologic cancers.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Pradeep’s distinguished career has been marked by several prestigious awards. She received the Fr. Gabriel Award from the Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala, recognizing her excellence in immunology research. During her tenure at MD Anderson Cancer Center, she was honored with the Trainee Excellence Award, reflecting her high-impact work in cancer biology. Her promising contributions to ovarian cancer research earned her the Scholar-in-Training Award from the Marsha Rivkin Center Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research—a significant achievement for emerging leaders in gynecologic oncology. These accolades underscore her strong scientific foundation, innovation, and leadership in translational oncology. Beyond individual awards, her prolific publication record and active engagement in scientific communities amplify her impact. Dr. Pradeep’s recognition across three continents emphasizes her global footprint and her consistent commitment to advancing women’s health through science.

Research Focus:

Dr. Sunila Pradeep’s research revolves around understanding tumor biology, metastasis, angiogenesis, immunomodulation, and drug resistance in gynecologic cancers, particularly ovarian and uterine cancers. She investigates the role of extracellular vesicles, tumor-derived signals, and the tumor microenvironment in driving cancer progression and therapy evasion. Her lab explores novel biomarkers and targets for overcoming VEGF resistance, improving chemotherapy response, and modulating the immune system to suppress tumor growth. Her translational work includes identifying new combination therapies (e.g., selinexor with eribulin) and examining gut microbiota’s role in estrogen signaling—connecting metabolic and hormonal networks with cancer biology. She is also involved in cutting-edge research on RNA-binding proteins, such as FXR1, and their roles in mRNA translation in cancer. With cross-disciplinary collaborations and NIH-supported studies, her focus bridges fundamental discovery with real-world clinical applications. Her ultimate goal: to make therapies more precise, personalized, and effective for women with cancer.

Publications Top Notes: 

  1. Immunomodulatory and antitumor activity of Piper longum Linn. and piperine

  2. Protective effect of Piper longum fruit ethanolic extract on radiation-induced damages in mice

  3. Expression of VEGF and VEGF receptors in tumor angiogenesis and malignancies

  4. Protective effect of Thuja occidentalis against radiation-induced toxicity in mice

  5. Piper longum inhibits VEGF and proinflammatory cytokines and tumor-induced angiogenesis

  6. Antimetastatic activity of Thuja occidentalis in a mouse model

  7. Inhibition of carcinogenesis by homeopathic drugs

  8. Effect of homeopathic medicines on transplanted tumors in mice

  9. Dynamized preparations in cell culture

  10. Phosphomimetic mutants of PEDF with enhanced antiangiogenic activity as anticancer agents

Conclusion:

Overall, Dr. Sunila Pradeep is highly qualified and a strong candidate for a Best Researcher Award in ovarian cancer research. Her prolific publication record, substantial citation impact, and focus on innovative cancer biology and treatment research provide a solid foundation for recognition. By highlighting her leadership contributions, translational impact, and broader scientific engagement, she can further strengthen her nomination. Her work clearly advances the field of ovarian cancer and serves as a model for impactful biomedical research, making her a deserving contender for such a prestigious award.