Subodh Kumar | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Cell Biologist

Assist. Prof. Dr. Subodh Kumar | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Subodh Kumar | Texas Tech Univesrity Health Sciences Center El Paso | United States

Dr. Subodh Kumar is an Assistant Professor in Molecular and Translational Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), El Paso. With a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from PGIMER, India, and postdoctoral training in Neurobiology at TTUHSC, his work is rooted in understanding neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD). He has significantly contributed to identifying synapse-localized microRNAs and their mechanistic roles in AD pathology. Dr. Kumar is the recipient of the prestigious NIH K99/R00 Career Development Award and the Marsh Foundation Research Award. His translational research spans biomarker discovery, synaptic dysfunction, and multi-omics analysis. As a corresponding author on several high-impact publications, Dr. Kumar has developed miRNA-based therapeutic strategies and diagnostics. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and holds memberships in several professional neuroscience organizations. His ongoing research aims to translate molecular findings into innovative treatments for AD.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

✅ Strengths For The Award:

  1. Cutting-edge Research in Alzheimer’s Disease 🧠🧬: Dr. Kumar’s multi-omics and miRNA-focused studies provide novel insights into synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease—an area with significant global impact and scientific relevance.

  2. High-impact Publications 📚: His work has appeared in top-tier journals such as Molecular Psychiatry, NPJ Genomic Medicine, Redox Biology, and Human Molecular Genetics—a testament to research quality and scientific contribution.

  3. Leadership & Innovation 🧪: He is the corresponding author on many publications, highlighting leadership in collaborative research. His pioneering discovery of miRNAs like miR-455-3p and miR-502-3p as biomarkers has translational potential.

  4. Consistent Funding & Recognition 💰🏆: Secured prestigious awards like the NIH K99/R00 and Marsh Foundation Research Award, showing trust and acknowledgment from the scientific community.

  5. Mentorship & Editorial Involvement ✏️: Active as an Associate Editor and likely mentoring younger researchers, showcasing academic service and leadership.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Global Collaboration 🌍: Though his current work is impactful, forming more global or cross-institutional collaborations could increase the international visibility of his research.

  2. Public Science Communication 📢: There’s little mention of science outreach or public education; engaging with broader audiences could amplify his societal impact.

  3. Commercialization & Patents: While one patent is listed, further steps toward translational research or biotech partnerships could accelerate clinical applications.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Kumar began his academic journey at CCS University, Meerut, India, where he earned a B.S. in Biology (2004) and an M.S. in Biotechnology (2005). He pursued his doctoral studies at the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, where he earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology in 2014. His graduate research centered on liver-specific miRNAs in hepatitis C. He further expanded his expertise during a comprehensive postdoctoral training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Lubbock, from 2015 to 2021, focusing on neurobiology and Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms. His advanced education combined molecular biology, genomics, and translational neuroscience, laying a solid foundation for his innovative contributions to AD research. Dr. Kumar’s academic training has uniquely equipped him to explore complex disease pathways, develop miRNA-based biomarkers, and use multi-omics approaches for therapeutic target discovery in neurodegeneration.

🧪 Experience:

Dr. Subodh Kumar has nearly two decades of research and academic experience spanning molecular biology, neuroscience, and translational medicine. Currently an Assistant Professor at TTUHSC El Paso (2022–Present), he previously served as a Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow at TTUHSC Lubbock (2015–2022). His early career included roles as a Senior and Junior Research Fellow at ICMR, India, and as a tutor in Biotechnology. He has mentored multiple students and leads independent NIH-funded research investigating microRNA roles in Alzheimer’s disease. Notably, his pioneering studies on synapse-localized miRNAs and multi-omics integration have shed light on novel targets and mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis. He has also worked on liver-related miRNAs and their biomarker potential during hepatitis C virus infections. With a well-rounded profile combining teaching, laboratory research, and grant writing, Dr. Kumar’s experience reflects strong leadership in collaborative, interdisciplinary, and translational research.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Dr. Kumar has received numerous accolades throughout his career, highlighting both his scientific excellence and research impact. Most notably, he was awarded the NIH NIA K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award in 2020, supporting his pioneering work on microRNA in Alzheimer’s disease. In 2024, he received the Marsh Foundation Research Award at TTUHSC El Paso. His presentations and posters have been recognized at institutional and national levels, including the Best Oral Presentation Award at the 14th Annual Research Symposium (2022) and the Best Poster Award at the Healthy Aging and Dementia Symposium (2018). He has also received competitive fellowships and travel awards from prestigious Indian agencies such as CSIR and ICMR, including an International Travel Award and GATE fellowship. These honors reflect Dr. Kumar’s sustained excellence in translational neuroscience, innovation in biomarker discovery, and leadership in Alzheimer’s disease research.

🧬 Research Focus:

Dr. Subodh Kumar’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with particular emphasis on synapse-localized microRNAs (miRNAs). His lab explores how deregulated miRNAs like miR-501-3p, miR-502-3p, and miR-455-3p affect synaptic protein expression, GABAergic function, and mitochondrial dynamics. Dr. Kumar integrates multi-omics approaches—including transcriptomics, proteomics, and miRNA sequencing—on human brain-derived synaptosomes to uncover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. His group also uses lentiviral vector systems and stereotaxic injections in mouse models to manipulate miRNA expression in vivo. These findings help clarify miRNA-mRNA-protein interactions in AD progression. Dr. Kumar also explores the diagnostic potential of miRNAs using patient-derived samples (CSF, serum, fibroblasts). His research bridges basic neuroscience with clinical translation, aiming to develop miRNA-based therapeutics and non-invasive diagnostic panels for early AD detection. His work holds promise in reshaping our understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

📚 Publication Titles Top Notes:

  1. 🧠 Integrated multi-omics analyses of synaptosomes revealed synapse-associated novel targets in Alzheimer’s disease (Molecular Psychiatry, 2025)

  2. 🧬 MiRNA-501-3p and MiRNA-502-3p: a promising biomarker panel for Alzheimer’s disease (Clinical and Translational Medicine, 2025)

  3. 🧩 MicroRNA-502-3p Modulates the GABA A Subunits, Synaptic Proteins, and Mitochondrial Morphology in Hippocampal Neurons (Molecular Neurobiology, 2025)

  4. 🔬 MicroRNA-502-3p regulates GABAergic synapse function in hippocampal neurons (Neural Regeneration Research, 2024)

  5. 🧠 Synaptosome microRNAs regulate synapse functions in Alzheimer’s disease (NPJ Genomic Medicine, 2022)

  6. 🧪 MicroRNA-455-3p improves synaptic, cognitive functions and extends lifespan: relevance to Alzheimer’s disease (Redox Biology, 2021)

  7. 🧠 Novel MicroRNA-455-3p and its protective effects against abnormal APP processing and amyloid beta toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease (BBA, 2019)

  8. 🧬 MicroRNA-455-3p as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease: an update (Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2018)

  9. 🧪 MicroRNA-455-3p as a potential peripheral biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (Human Molecular Genetics, 2017)

  10. 🧫 Crosstalk between microRNA-122 and FOX family genes in HepG2 cells (Exp Biology & Medicine, 2017)

📌 Conclusion:

Dr. Subodh Kumar is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His research on microRNAs in neurodegeneration is groundbreaking, well-funded, and internationally recognized. With a robust publication record, academic leadership, and translational potential, he exemplifies the caliber expected of this distinction. Strategic enhancements in international outreach and translational ventures would further elevate his global impact.

Eunhee Lee | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Research Article Award

Posted on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Eunhee Lee | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Eunhee Lee, Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, K-MEDI hub, South Korea

Dr. Eun-Hee Lee, Ph.D., is a distinguished biomedical researcher with expertise in therapeutic ultrasound and neurobiology. Currently serving as Senior Researcher and Head of the Advanced Technology Department at the Medical Device Development Center, DGMIF, South Korea, she has consistently contributed to the advancement of focused ultrasound applications in neurological disorders. With over a decade of research experience spanning government institutions and clinical collaborations, Dr. Lee has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals on brain delivery mechanisms, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Her pioneering studies have deepened our understanding of the blood-brain barrier and the therapeutic potential of ultrasound. Her work stands at the forefront of translational neuroscience, aiming to enhance drug delivery and brain repair mechanisms. Dr. Lee’s dedication to impactful and clinically relevant research makes her a strong contender for the Best Research Article Award.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award

  1. Innovative Research Focus:
    Dr. Lee’s work on focused ultrasound (FUS)-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is at the cutting edge of neurotherapeutics and non-invasive brain drug delivery. Her investigations hold promise for treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injuries.

  2. Extensive Peer-Reviewed Publications:
    With over 15 high-quality, peer-reviewed articles published from 2019 to 2024 in reputable journals like Scientific Reports, Frontiers in Neuroscience, and Biomedicines, her research output reflects consistent and impactful contributions.

  3. Interdisciplinary Approach:
    Her integration of biomedical engineering, imaging, and neurobiology enhances the translational value of her findings. Numerical modeling and simulation studies further strengthen the clinical feasibility of her techniques.

  4. Clinical and Preclinical Impact:
    Dr. Lee’s work bridges preclinical models (rats, skull simulations) with potential human applications, offering real translational pathways for drug delivery across the BBB.

  5. Leadership and Collaboration:
    As the Head of the Advanced Technology Department at DGMIF, she demonstrates leadership in medical innovation and fosters collaboration between academia, hospitals, and research institutes.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement

  1. Greater International Collaboration:
    While her work is deeply embedded in Korean institutions, expanding partnerships internationally could amplify her research reach and global influence.

  2. Clinical Trial Transition:
    Much of her published work is preclinical. Advancing to clinical trials or human pilot studies would significantly increase the translational impact of her findings.

  3. Public Engagement and Visibility:
    Enhanced visibility through global neuroscience or biomedical engineering conferences could further validate and showcase her research excellence.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Eun-Hee Lee received all her academic training from Chonnam National University, Kwangju, South Korea. She earned her Ph.D. (2007–2010) and M.S. (2005–2007) in Biological Sciences and Technology, gaining extensive knowledge in cellular and molecular biology. Her B.S. in Genetic Engineering (2001–2005) laid the groundwork for her interest in biomedical innovations and neurogenetics. During her graduate and doctoral studies, she focused on cellular pathways and gene expression relevant to neurodegenerative diseases and molecular interventions. Her academic journey shaped her multidisciplinary perspective, merging genetics, bioengineering, and neurobiology. These foundations have enabled her to pursue cutting-edge research on the blood-brain barrier, drug delivery systems, and brain stimulation. Dr. Lee’s strong academic background provides her with the theoretical and technical expertise essential for high-impact research.

🧪 Experience:

Dr. Eun-Hee Lee has more than 14 years of progressive research experience. Since 2017, she has led the Advanced Technology Department at DGMIF, where she develops novel medical devices using therapeutic ultrasound. Prior to this, she worked as a Research Scientist at the Korea Atomic Energy Institute’s Advanced Radiation Technology Institute (2015–2017), where she explored radiation-mediated biological responses. Between 2013 and 2015, she contributed to TB and molecular microbiology research at the Korean Institute of Tuberculosis. Her postdoctoral fellowship (2011–2012) at the NIH’s Division of HIV/AIDS and Tumor Viruses expanded her expertise into virology and immunopathology. Dr. Lee’s multidisciplinary roles across leading institutions demonstrate her adaptability, leadership, and commitment to translational science. Her professional trajectory shows strong contributions to national research priorities in healthcare and medical technology.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Eun-Hee Lee’s research centers on focused ultrasound (FUS) as a non-invasive modality for drug delivery and neural repair. Her work explores ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption to enhance targeted therapeutic access to the brain. She also investigates ultrasound stimulation’s effects on neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, and neuroprotection in various neurological models including Alzheimer’s disease and spinal cord injury. Another significant area of focus includes numerical modeling of skull structures to improve the precision of transcranial FUS applications. Through collaborations with clinicians and physicists, Dr. Lee has produced evidence-based methodologies for safer, more effective BBB modulation. Her integrative approach, combining bioengineering, neuroimmunology, and computational simulation, is impactful in the field of therapeutic neuromodulation and has implications for treating neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular disorders.

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

  • 🧠 Numerical Investigation of Layered Homogeneous Skull Model for Simulations of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound (2024)

  • 🔥 The New Insight into the Inflammatory Response Following Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption (2022)

  • 🧪 Methylene Blue Delivery via Focused Ultrasound Reduces Neural Damage and Amyloid-Beta by AQP-4 Upregulation (2022)

  • 🐀 Novel Animal Model of Spontaneous Cerebral Petechial Hemorrhage Using Focused Ultrasound in Rats (2022)

  • ♻️ Ultrasound Stimulation Improves Inflammation Resolution and Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury (2022)

  • 🚑 Relationship Between Treatment Types and BBB Disruption in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Two Case Reports (2022)

  • 🧲 Effects of Transducer Displacement on Focused Ultrasound in the Rat Brain (2022)

  • 📉 BBB Disruption After Syncope: A DCE-MRI Case Report (2021)

  • 🧪 Verification of BBB Disruption Using Rat Model with Human Skull (2021)

  • 💧 Localized Water Molecule Transport Modulation Post-FUS BBB Disruption (2021)

  • 🚨 DCE-MRI for Evaluating BBB Disruption in Traumatic Brain Injury: Review (2021)

  • 🧬 TREM2 Promotes Natural Killer Cell Development in pNK Cells (2021)

  • 🌿 Gintonin Enhances Donepezil Brain Delivery via LPA and VEGF Receptors (2021)

  • 🔄 Cyclophilin A is a Ligand for TREM2 in Myeloid Cells (2021)

  • 🧠 Local Differences in BBB Permeability Induced by Focused Ultrasound (2020)

  • 💉 Advanced FUS Protocol Improves Doxorubicin Delivery in Rat Brain (2019)

  • 🔄 FUS-Induced Diminished P-glycoprotein via JNK Pathway in Cerebral Vessels (2019)

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Eun-Hee Lee is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Research Article Award. Her work is scientifically rigorous, clinically relevant, and methodologically innovative. The focus on ultrasound-mediated drug delivery through the BBB is a transformative area in neuroscience and drug delivery technology. Her comprehensive research output, leadership, and translational potential strongly position her among top contenders for recognition. Encouraging clinical application and broader dissemination will only enhance the already substantial value of her contributions.