Leandro Rodriguez-Viera | Molecular Mechanisms Signaling | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Leandro Rodriguez-Viera | Molecular Mechanisms Signaling | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Leandro Rodriguez-Viera | Universisdad de Cadiz | Spain

Dr. Leandro Rodríguez Viera is a marine biologist with dual Ph.D. degrees from the University of Havana (Cuba) and the University of Cádiz (Spain), specializing in digestive physiology and trophic ecology of marine organisms. With over 15 years of experience in biological and aquaculture research, he has significantly contributed to the understanding of nutrient metabolism and predation dynamics in marine ecosystems. His scientific trajectory is defined by interdisciplinary work combining enzymology, nutrition, and biodiversity. Dr. Rodríguez Viera has published extensively in high-impact journals and collaborates with research teams across Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He is also a co-recipient of the prestigious Cuban Academy of Sciences National Prize. His dedication to marine biology is evident through his active role in identifying invasive species and documenting marine biodiversity. His contributions enhance conservation efforts, sustainable aquaculture, and the ecological management of tropical marine environments.

Publication Profile: 

Google Scholar

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Orcid

Education:

Dr. Leandro Rodríguez Viera’s educational journey began with a Bachelor in Biology from the University of Havana in 2008, followed by a Master’s degree in Marine Biology and Aquaculture in 2010 from the same institution. He earned a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Havana in 2018, with research focused on digestive enzymology and metabolism in crustaceans. In parallel, he completed a second Ph.D., Cum Laude, from the University of Cádiz in Spain in 2017, strengthening his expertise in marine physiology and aquaculture. His academic training combines a strong foundation in molecular biology, comparative physiology, and aquatic animal nutrition, positioning him as a multidisciplinary expert in marine life sciences. This robust educational background underpins his successful career in scientific research and publications in diverse fields such as marine biodiversity, gelatinous zooplankton, and digestive physiology in aquatic species.

Experience:

Dr. Rodríguez Viera has over 15 years of research experience in marine biology, aquaculture, and marine ecology. He began his career focusing on the digestive physiology of the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), contributing to fundamental knowledge and diet development for aquaculture. His career spans collaborative projects with institutions like the University of Cádiz, ICMAN-CSIC, and international teams across Europe and the Caribbean. Dr. Rodríguez Viera has led or co-led several projects on nutrient digestion, enzymatic adaptations, and jellyfish–predator interactions. He is an active contributor to taxonomic, ecological, and metabolic studies involving fish, crustaceans, cnidarians, and tunicates. As a prolific author, he has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and guides. His interdisciplinary approach and regional focus on the Caribbean and Atlantic ecosystems make him a key scientific resource in marine trophic ecology, biodiversity documentation, and environmental monitoring programs.

Awards and Honors:

In 2019, Dr. Leandro Rodríguez Viera was honored with the National Prize of the Cuban Academy of Sciences for his contributions to digestive metabolism in the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), which directly influenced aquaculture diet formulation. This prestigious award recognized his team’s work spanning universities in Cuba, Spain, and research institutes like ICMAN-CSIC. His earlier works also garnered significant academic citations, demonstrating influence in biochemical, nutritional, and ecological fields. Additionally, his publications in PLoS One, Journal of Experimental Biology, Aquaculture, and Marine Biology have earned wide recognition. Dr. Rodríguez Viera’s research continues to be integral to understanding digestive enzyme dynamics, invasive species spread, and marine food web interactions. His multidisciplinary reach, innovative methodologies, and cross-border collaborations underscore his impact, making him a strong candidate for international recognition and research awards.

Research Focus:

Dr. Rodríguez Viera’s research centers on marine trophic ecology, with a special focus on nutritional physiology, digestion, and gelatinous zooplankton interactions. His pioneering studies on Panulirus argus laid the groundwork for aquaculture diets tailored to digestive enzyme profiles. In recent years, he has explored predator–prey relationships among jellyfish, sea anemones, and fish, contributing to the knowledge of underexplored ecological roles in gelatinous food webs. He is also engaged in biodiversity documentation, especially of cnidarians and tunicates in Cuban and Caribbean waters. His integrative approach combines biochemical assays, molecular analysis, ecological fieldwork, and taxonomic identification. His ongoing projects address species invasions, climate-induced bleaching, and nutrient assimilation in marine organisms. This work supports sustainable marine resource use and enhances our understanding of tropical marine ecosystems, biodiversity threats, and aquaculture development.

Publications Top Notes: 

  1.  One-carbon nutrients and genistein as nutritional programming effectors in juvenile gilthead seabream – Aquaculture (2025)

  2.  Diversity of ctenophores from the Cuban Exclusive Economic Zone – Marine Biology Research (2025)

  3. Review of benthic cnidarians as underappreciated gelatinous predators – Marine Biology (2025)

  4.  Novel predation of Scyphozoans by sea anemone Condylactis gigantea – Diversity (2025)

  5.  First Atlantic record of genus Timoides in Cuban Caribbean waters – Thalassas (2025)

  6.  Ichthyofauna of Ensenada de la Siguanea: Guide to common mangrove and seagrass fishes – Rev. Invest. Mar. (2024)

  7.  First occurrence of invasive jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata in the Dominican Republic – Bulletin of Marine Science (2024)

  8.  Opportunistic predation on hydromedusae by butterflyfish and crustaceans – Discover Oceans (2024)

  9.  Diversity of pelagic tunicates (Appendicularia & Thaliacea) from Cuba: A review – Marine Biodiversity (2024)

  10.  Asymmetrical bleaching of upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea in Cuba – Marine Biodiversity (2024)

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Dr. Leandro Rodríguez Viera is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award based on his significant contributions to marine biology, digestive physiology, and aquaculture. His dual doctoral qualifications, cross-institutional collaborations, and publication impact reflect a strong and sustained commitment to scientific excellence. With a research trajectory that spans fundamental science to applied marine ecology, Dr. Rodríguez Viera exemplifies the qualities of an innovative and impactful researcher. With continued focus on academic leadership and broader outreach, he is well-positioned to further advance scientific frontiers and make lasting contributions to marine science and aquaculture development.

Ranran Li | Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Ranran Li | Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Best Researcher Award

Ranran Li , Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , China

Dr. Ranran Li is an associate researcher at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in Shanghai, China. She earned her Ph.D. from the University Medical Center of Groningen, Netherlands, in 2015, before returning to Shanghai to focus on critical care medicine. Her research centers on sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Over the years, Dr. Li’s work has provided valuable insights into the role of metabolic disorders and post-translational modifications in regulating endothelial inflammation and coagulation during sepsis. She has published extensively in reputable journals and holds several patents. Her recent findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of sepsis and related complications, including endothelial dysfunction and organ injury.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

Dr. Ranran Li is a distinguished researcher with notable expertise in the mechanisms of sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction. Her work in identifying the role of metabolic disorders and post-translational modifications in sepsis has been pivotal in advancing the understanding of vascular inflammation and coagulation during critical illness. Her research has led to several high-impact publications and patents, showcasing her contributions to the field. Furthermore, Dr. Li’s interdisciplinary approach, combining metabolic biology, cell signaling, and translational medicine, has provided valuable therapeutic targets for the treatment of sepsis and endothelial dysfunction. Her collaborations with international experts enhance her work’s impact and broaden the scope of her research.

Areas for Improvements:

While Dr. Li’s research has been extensive and groundbreaking, future improvements could include increased collaborations with industry partners to accelerate the translation of her findings into clinical therapies. Expanding her professional network through international collaborations in other areas of critical care medicine could also provide new perspectives and avenues for innovation. Additionally, engaging in larger-scale clinical studies might help further validate her findings in human models.

Education

Dr. Ranran Li obtained her Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from the University Medical Center of Groningen, Netherlands, from 2011 to 2015. During her doctoral studies, she focused on the molecular mechanisms of sepsis and its impact on vascular endothelial dysfunction. Her Ph.D. research laid the foundation for her ongoing investigations into the pathophysiology of sepsis and endothelial injury. Following her Ph.D., she joined Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, in 2016 as an associate researcher in the Department of Critical Care Medicine. Here, Dr. Li furthered her research into sepsis, vascular inflammation, and metabolic disorders. She has developed an expertise in endothelial dysfunction and coagulation, specifically in the context of sepsis-induced organ injuries. Dr. Li’s comprehensive academic training, both in Europe and China, has significantly contributed to her innovative research work and international collaborations.

Experience:

Dr. Ranran Li has been serving as an associate researcher at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, since 2016. Prior to this, she earned her Ph.D. from the University Medical Center of Groningen in the Netherlands, where she focused on sepsis and endothelial dysfunction. In her current position, Dr. Li has worked extensively on understanding the mechanisms underlying sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction, with a particular focus on metabolic disorders and post-translational modifications. Her work has provided critical insights into the role of fatty acid metabolism, insulin resistance, and histone modifications in regulating endothelial inflammation and coagulation activation in sepsis. Dr. Li’s research has led to multiple publications in high-impact journals and the filing of patents for innovative therapeutic approaches. She collaborates with leading researchers in the Netherlands and has contributed significantly to the understanding of vascular injury and its therapeutic targets in sepsis.

Research Focus:

Dr. Ranran Li’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction, with a particular emphasis on metabolic disorders and post-translational modifications. She has been exploring how fatty acid metabolism, glucose-lipid metabolism, and protein acetylation influence endothelial cells during sepsis, leading to organ injury. Her research has highlighted the role of metabolic shifts, including the activation of pathways like AMPK/PKA, in endothelial inflammation and coagulation activation. Dr. Li has also studied the role of histone modifications, including lactylation, in promoting endothelial ferroptosis and dysfunction during sepsis-induced lung injury. She has been pioneering the exploration of metabolic signaling pathways and their potential as therapeutic targets for managing sepsis-related endothelial damage. Her work aims to identify novel strategies to prevent or mitigate vascular injury in septic patients. Dr. Li’s findings have led to both patents and high-impact publications in critical care and translational medicine.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Shiyuan He et al., Fatty acid synthesis promotes mtDNA release via ETS1-mediated oligomerization of VDAC1 facilitating endothelial dysfunction in sepsis-induced lung injury 🧬🫁 Cell Death and Differentiation, 2025
  2. Ranran Li et al., ATP-citrate lyase controls endothelial gluco-lipogenic metabolism and vascular inflammation in sepsis-associated organ injury 💉🧪 Cell Death and Disease, 2023
  3. Jie Liu et al., Designed microchannel-based lipid nanoparticles encapsulated siRNA targeting gasdermin D for sepsis management via pulmonary delivery 🧬💉 Nano Today, 2025
  4. Fangchen Gong et al., H3K14la drives endothelial dysfunction in sepsis-induced ARDS by promoting SLC40A1/transferrin-mediated ferroptosis 🧬🔥 MedComm, 2025
  5. Jiayin Cui et al., Herbal-based Xuebijing injection ameliorated vascular endothelial dysfunction via inhibiting ACLY/MYB/RIG-I axis in sepsis-associated lung injury 🌱💊 Phytomedicine, 2025
  6. Shasha Lu et al., GDF15 ameliorates sepsis-induced lung injury via AMPK-mediated inhibition of glycolysis in alveolar macrophage 💨🧪 Respiratory Research, 2024
  7. Rui Tian et al., Shenfu injection ameliorates endotoxemia-associated endothelial dysfunction and organ injury via inhibiting PI3K/Akt-mediated glycolysis 💉🫀 Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2024
  8. Yupeng Zhao et al., H3K18 lactylation-mediated VCAM1 expression promotes gastric cancer progression and metastasis via AKT-mTOR-CXCL1 axis 🎗️🧬 Biochemical Pharmacology, 2024
  9. Rui Tian et al., Metformin ameliorates endotoxemia-induced endothelial pro-inflammatory responses via AMPK-dependent mediation of HDAC5 and KLF2 💊💉 BBA-Molecular basis of disease, 2019
  10. Lei Pei et al., MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate sepsis-associated liver dysfunction by inhibiting macrophage glycolysis-mediated inflammatory response 🧬🩸 International Immunopharmacology, 2024

Conclusion:

Dr. Ranran Li is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award due to her outstanding contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying sepsis-related endothelial dysfunction. Her innovative research has not only provided deep insights into the pathophysiology of sepsis but has also uncovered potential therapeutic targets for treating this devastating condition. Her exceptional track record of high-quality publications, patents, and collaborative research, combined with her dedication to advancing critical care medicine, makes her an excellent candidate for this prestigious award.