Sakarie Mustafe Hidig | Cancer Cell Biology | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Sakarie Mustafe Hidig | Cancer Cell Biology | Research Excellence Award

Zhejiang University School of Medicine | United Kingdom

Dr. Sakarie Mustafe Hidig is a General Surgeon, Clinical Researcher, and Editor-in-Chief affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine and the Research Center at Hargeisa Group Hospital. He serves as the UK Country Coordinator for the International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) and is an active member of the China Medical Association, Somali Medical Association, and the Scholars Academic and Scientific Society. Dr. Hidig has earned multiple international honors, including the SHEN Best Researcher Awards, GCDMSE-2024, and ISSN Research Awards. With over 70 published papers, 280+ SCI editorial handling experiences, and 14 research projects, his work spans general, gastrointestinal, trauma, emergency, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic surgery. He also contributes as an editor for major journals such as PLOS One Medicine, Annals of Medicine and Surgery, Obesity Surgery, and JMIR Public Health and Surveillance. His research interests include surgical oncology, hepatology, pancreatic cancer, and public health.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

40

30

20

10

0

Citations
12

Documents
7

h-index
2

Citations
Documents
h-index



View Scopus Profile

Featured Publication

Luminita Paraoan | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Dr. Luminita Paraoan | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Manchester Metropolitan University | United Kingdom

Professor Luminita Paraoan is a leading molecular and ocular cell biologist whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) function, degeneration, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Her pioneering work integrates omics-based analyses, molecular genetics, and cell biology to uncover how cellular stress responses, proteostasis, and intercellular communication contribute to retinal aging and disease. Paraoan has made significant discoveries on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways, particularly the PERK/EIF2AK3 axis, and the regulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy in RPE cells. Her studies have also revealed novel insights into p53/p63 effector PERP, Cystatin C, and visual cycle gene regulation in aging and disease contexts. Through collaborative research, she has explored stem cell protection mechanisms, PI3K/AKT signaling inhibition, and multi-omic signatures of aging across cancers and ocular tissues. Supported by over £4 million in external funding, her work has advanced understanding of molecular targets for retinal and neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Paraoan leads the Ocular Molecular Biology and Mechanisms of Disease Group, mentoring numerous postdoctoral and doctoral researchers internationally, and continues to shape the field of vision science and molecular ophthalmology.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications:

Suwanmanee, G., Kheolamai, P., Tantrawatpan, C., Grimes, D., Matei, I. V., Paraoan, L., & Manochantr, S. (2025). Fucoxanthin protects placenta-derived human mesenchymal stem cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by modulating genes involved in DNA damage repair, ER stress response, and p53-induced apoptosis. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 16(1), 497.

Jantalika, T., Manochantr, S., Kheolamai, P., Tantikanlayaporn, D., Pinlaor, S., Saijuntha, W., Paraoan, L., & Tantrawatpan, C. (2025). Human chorion and placental mesenchymal stem cells conditioned media suppress cell migration and invasion by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway in cholangiocarcinoma. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 31472.

Matei, I. V., & Paraoan, L. (2024). Aging retinal pigmented epithelium: Omics-based insights into vision decline. Aging (Albany NY), 16(12), 10201–10202.

Carlsson, E., Sharif, U., Supharattanasitthi, W., & Paraoan, L. (2023). Analysis of wild type and variant B cystatin C interactome in retinal pigment epithelium cells reveals variant B. Cells, 12(5), 713.

Dhirachaikulpanich, D., Lagger, C., Chatsirisupachai, K., de Magalhães, J. P., & Paraoan, L. (2022). Intercellular communication analysis of the human retinal pigment epithelial and choroidal cells predicts pathways associated with aging, cellular senescence, and age-related macular degeneration. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 14, 1016293.

Saptarshi, N., Porter, L. F., & Paraoan, L. (2022). PERK/EIF2AK3 integrates endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy responses in immortalised retinal pigment epithelial cells. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 13324.

Alexander Tsankov | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexander Tsankov | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai | United States

Alexander Tsankov is a leading researcher in computational biology and cancer genomics, known for his contributions to single-cell and spatial transcriptomics. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Plan II Honors and Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT. His research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression and tissue remodeling, with an emphasis on glioblastoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and colorectal cancer. Dr. Tsankov has published extensively in top-tier journals such as Nature, Nature Communications, Cancer Discovery, Nature Genetics, and Immunity. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, with an h-index of 36 and more than 15,000 citations according to Google Scholar. His work has earned him several prestigious honors, including the NIH NRSA postdoctoral fellowship and the NSF graduate fellowship. Dr. Tsankov frequently serves as a senior or corresponding author, highlighting his leadership in the field of computational oncology and single-cell genomics.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

  • “Learning the cellular origins across cancers using single-cell chromatin landscapes”

  • “Cellular and spatial atlas of TP53-associated tissue remodeling defines a multicellular tumor ecosystem in lung adenocarcinoma”

  • “Single cell profiling of human airway identifies tuft-ionocyte progenitor cells displaying cytokine-dependent differentiation bias in vitro”

  • “Single-cell dissection of the genotype-immunophenotype relationship in glioblastoma”

  • “Glioblastoma shift from bulk to infiltrative growth is guided by plexin-B2-mediated microglia alignment in invasive niches”

  • “Oncofetal reprogramming drives phenotypic plasticity in WNT-dependent colorectal cancer”

  • “NOTCH1 drives sexually dimorphic immune responses in hepatocellular carcinoma”

  • “Microglia and monocyte-derived macrophages drive progression of pediatric high-grade gliomas and are transcriptionally shaped by histone mutations”

  • “Single cell view of tumor microenvironment gradients in pleural mesothelioma”

  • “Hypoxia drives shared and distinct transcriptomic changes in two invasive glioma stem cell lines”

Mohammad reza Atashzar | Cancer stem cell | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Mohammad reza Atashzar | Cancer stem cell | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mohammad reza Atashzar, Dep of immunology, Fasa university of medical sciences ( FUMS ), Iran

Dr. Mohammad Reza Atashzar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology at Fasa University of Medical Sciences (FUMS), Iran. With an enduring passion for tumor immunology, stem cells, vaccine design, and immunotherapy, he has made significant contributions through both basic and translational research. Dr. Atashzar earned his PhD in Immunology from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and has since engaged in teaching, mentoring, and publishing extensively in high-impact journals such as The Lancet Oncology, Frontiers in Immunology, and Current Molecular Medicine. His innovative research spans exosome-based therapy, cancer biomarkers, cytokine profiling, and radiogenomics. Dr. Atashzar has also contributed to international collaborations across Germany, Finland, and the UK, showcasing a global outlook in biomedical science. An awardee of the KAI 2022 International Travel Grant and recognized as the Top Researcher at FUMS in 2021, he remains deeply committed to advancing immunological sciences for clinical and therapeutic benefit.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

Google Scholar

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Research Contributions
    Dr. Atashzar has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals including The Lancet Oncology, Frontiers in Immunology, Current Molecular Medicine, and Computers in Biology and Medicine. His work spans critical fields like cancer immunology, exosome therapy, stem cell immunomodulation, and vaccine research.

  2. High-Impact Publications
    Several of his papers have significant citation counts—556 for Frontiers in Immunology, 284 for Journal of Cellular Physiology, and 207 for The Lancet Oncology, reflecting strong influence and relevance in the scientific community.

  3. International Recognition and Collaborations
    He has participated in international conferences (UK, China, Korea, Denmark, Spain, Italy) and collaborated with global institutions such as the University of Helsinki, University of Kiel, and GBD Collaborators, demonstrating a global research footprint.

  4. Innovation and Patents
    He has contributed to translational science through a published book on immunopharmacology and a pending patent for a microbiology loop sterilizer device, showing practical application of his research.

  5. Awards and Editorial Involvement
    Recognized with the International Travel Award (KAI 2022) and Top Researcher of FUMS (2021), and serving on editorial boards of scientific journals—further affirming his active role in academic development and peer review.

  6. Interdisciplinary Research Scope
    His research merges clinical immunology, oncology, AI-based prognostic tools, and cellular therapy, making his work not only innovative but also future-oriented.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Increase in First or Senior Author Publications
    While his contributions are numerous, strengthening his authorship role in key studies would amplify his recognition as a principal investigator.

  2. Patent Commercialization & Technology Transfer
    Moving from patent design to real-world implementation or licensing could significantly raise the translational value of his research.

  3. Higher Grant Involvement
    More participation in national/international grant-funded programs or consortiums would enhance the scale and visibility of his research.

  4. Focused Research Niche
    Narrowing focus slightly (e.g., prioritizing tumor immunology or exosome-based therapies) could help build a globally recognized brand in a specialized field.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Atashzar completed his undergraduate and master’s studies in Immunology at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS), Shiraz, Iran. Building on his foundational expertise, he pursued his PhD in Immunology at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. His doctoral thesis—“Investigation of the Effects of B16F10 Derived Exosomes Enriched with miRNA-211 in Induction of Antitumor Response in the Mouse Model of Melanoma”—reflected his early interest in cancer immunotherapy and translational research. Throughout his academic journey, Dr. Atashzar displayed a strong inclination toward exploring novel immune pathways and cell-based therapies. His formal education has laid a robust foundation for his ongoing work in immunological sciences, particularly in relation to tumor microenvironment, cytokine profiling, exosomes, and vaccine innovation. He has also undertaken continuous learning through collaborations and international scientific conferences, allowing him to integrate cutting-edge methodologies into his research and teaching repertoire.

🧪 Professional Experience:

Dr. Mohammad Reza Atashzar currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Immunology at Fasa University of Medical Sciences, with additional teaching responsibilities at Larestan University of Medical Sciences. He has accumulated over a decade of experience in academic instruction and biomedical research. His research portfolio includes multiple funded projects, notably in cancer immunology, cytokine regulation, diabetes-related immune responses, and exosome-based therapeutics. Dr. Atashzar has worked closely with international teams in Germany, Finland, and the UK, facilitating interdisciplinary approaches and innovations in clinical immunology. He is an editorial board member for reputed journals such as The International Journal of Neuroscience and Journal of International Medical Research. In parallel, he actively contributes to conference presentations worldwide, covering topics from cancer stem cells to immune biomarkers. His hands-on laboratory experience, combined with a global research network, enables him to lead and mentor in advanced areas like CAR-T cell therapy and personalized immunotherapy.

🧬 Research Focus:

Dr. Atashzar’s research is centered on tumor immunology, exosome-based therapies, cancer stem cells, CAR-T cell technology, cytokine profiling, and immunopharmacology. He has a keen interest in how immune cells—particularly T cells, NK cells, and regulatory B cells—can be harnessed for cancer therapy. His notable projects have explored the immunomodulatory effects of miRNA-enriched exosomes, the role of TLR4 polymorphisms in diabetes, and cytokine alterations in addiction and radiation-exposed individuals. He is also pioneering in translational research areas such as vaccine design, radiogenomics, and bio-immune device development. Dr. Atashzar integrates bioinformatics and machine learning for predictive modeling, evident in his contributions to COVID-19 prognostic modeling using CT radiomics. His work is driven by the goal of personalized immunotherapy and the identification of novel biomarkers for cancer progression and immune regulation. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, he aims to bridge the gap between immunological research and clinical application.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 🧬 Cancer stem cells: A review from origin to therapeutic implications – Journal of Cellular Physiology

  2. 🧪 Tumor‐Derived Exosomes Enriched by miRNA‐211a Promote Antitumor Immune Response in B16F10 Tumor‐Bearing Mice – APMIS

  3. 🔬 The effects of tumor-derived exosomes enriched with miRNA-211a on B16F10 cells – Contemporary Oncology

  4. 💉 The effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus on organ metabolism and the immune system – Frontiers in Immunology

  5. 🧠 Pyrin and hematopoietic interferon-inducible nuclear protein domain proteins: innate immune sensors for cytosolic and nuclear DNA – Critical Reviews in Immunology

  6. 🧪 Reduced levels of T-helper 17-associated cytokines in serum of breast cancer patients – Central European Journal of Immunology

  7. 🧫 The Role of IL‐6, IL‐10 and CRP in Gastrointestinal Cancers – Cell Biology International

  8. 🌍 The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019 – The Lancet Oncology

  9. 🖥️ COVID-19 prognostic modeling using CT radiomic features and ML algorithms – Computers in Biology and Medicine

  10. 🌡️ Mesenchymal stromal cells in bone marrow niche of multiple myeloma – Cancer Cell International

📌 Conclusion:

Dr. Mohammad Reza Atashzar is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His body of work reflects a deep commitment to scientific advancement in cancer immunology, immunotherapy, and bio-innovation. He combines strong academic output with international engagement, cross-disciplinary impact, and teaching contributions. With growing influence in both research and translational domains, Dr. Atashzar is poised to further elevate biomedical research in Iran and globally.