Tamara Braut | Cancer Cell Biology | Innovative Research Award

Prof. Dr. Tamara Braut | Cancer Cell Biology | Innovative Research Award

Prof. Dr. Tamara Braut | Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka/ENT Clinic, Clinical hospital centre Rijeka | Croatia

Professor Tamara Braut, MD, is a renowned Croatian otorhinolaryngologist and Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka. She serves as the Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Her clinical expertise and academic leadership have significantly contributed to advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers, particularly laryngeal carcinoma. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Braut is widely recognized for her work in molecular oncology, HPV-associated head and neck tumors, and translational medicine. A frequent collaborator on interdisciplinary and international projects, she is committed to personalized medicine and innovative approaches in clinical research. Her impressive portfolio of peer-reviewed publications, including case studies, multicenter analyses, and biomarker-based diagnostics, highlights her dedication to evidence-based practice and academic excellence. Professor Braut’s academic leadership and clinical insight place her among the top contributors in her specialty within Croatia and internationally.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

Strengths For Award:

  • Pioneering work in head and neck oncology and molecular diagnostics

  • Significant publication record in high-impact journals

  • Collaborative multicenter research and precision medicine orientation

  • Demonstrated leadership in academic and clinical settings

  • Integration of clinical insights with research innovation

Areas for Improvement:

  • Broaden research beyond oncology to explore ENT-related AI/technology

  • Increase international collaborations and visibility at global conferences

  • Expand into clinical trials for therapeutics in HPV+ cancers

🎓 Education: 

Prof. Tamara Braut received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the University of Rijeka, Croatia, where she also completed her specialization in Otorhinolaryngology. Her academic path was distinguished by an early interest in oncology, molecular pathology, and surgical innovation. She pursued postgraduate training and research with a focus on laryngeal and head and neck cancers. Throughout her education, she was actively involved in academic research, participating in numerous national and international conferences, which sharpened her analytical and investigative skills. She later obtained her PhD with a focus on molecular markers in squamous cell carcinoma. Over the years, she has pursued continuous professional development in precision medicine, oncology biomarkers, and evidence-based surgical practices. Her academic and clinical training has made her a highly competent physician-scientist, well-versed in both patient care and experimental research.

🧑‍🔬 Experience:

Prof. Tamara Braut has over two decades of experience in clinical and academic medicine. She currently serves as the Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka. Her career spans clinical work, academic leadership, surgical practice, and scientific research. She has treated complex cases involving laryngeal and head-neck cancers and has led multidisciplinary teams in oncology care. As an educator, she has supervised medical students, residents, and PhD candidates, many of whom now hold academic and clinical positions. Dr. Braut is a prolific researcher, contributing to over 40 peer-reviewed articles, case studies, and reviews. Her leadership in multicenter studies and her role as a principal investigator in several clinical research projects highlight her competence in collaborative and innovative medical research.

🔬 Research Focus:

Prof. Braut’s research focus lies at the intersection of head and neck oncology, molecular diagnostics, and personalized medicine. She has a keen interest in biomarker discovery, especially in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, and the role of EGFR signaling pathways in cancer progression. Her work includes translational research linking clinical findings with molecular data to improve prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. She has also explored the impact of hormonal therapies, gene expression markers like Ki-67 and IMP3, and novel imaging and diagnostic tools. In recent years, she has expanded her interest to gastroesophageal reflux disease and its implications in ENT disorders. Her contributions reflect a consistent commitment to advancing precision medicine, long-term patient follow-up, and multimodal treatment outcomes. She continues to integrate research into clinical practice, thereby fostering innovation and improved patient care in the otorhinolaryngology field.

📚 Publications List Top Notes:

  1. 🧬 Laryngeal SCC shows stronger Nectin-4 vs Nectin-2 expression – CIMB (2025)

  2. 🥗 GERD Management: From PPIs to Diet & Lifestyle – Gastrointest. Disord. (2025)

  3. 🔍 Advances in HPV-Positive Head & Neck Cancer Diagnostics – Biomolecules (2024)

  4. 🧪 Biomarkers in HPV+ Head and Neck SCC: Precision Medicine – Diagnostics (2024)

  5. 💉 Testosterone Therapy in Advanced Head & Neck SCC – Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. (2023)

  6. 🏥 Long-Term Care in Laryngeal Cancer: Multicenter Analysis – J Pers. Med (2023)

  7. 📊 5-Year Clinical Course in Laryngeal Tumors – Acta Clin. Croatica (2022)

  8. 🧫 Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis to Larynx: Rare Case – Medicina Flum (2021)

  9. 🧠 Posttraumatic Vernet Syndrome without Fracture: Case Study – Medicine (2021)

  10. ⚛️ Nuclear EGFR Expression = Poor Survival in Laryngeal Ca – AIMM (2021)

Conclusion:

Prof. Tamara Braut is highly deserving of the Innovative Research Award. Her work showcases originality, clinical relevance, and scientific depth. With a robust academic and clinical foundation, she continues to push the boundaries in ENT oncology and diagnostics.

 

Weifen Zhang | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Weifen Zhang | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Weifen Zhang , Shandong Second Medical University , China

Professor Weifen Zhang is a renowned scientist in pharmaceutical sciences, serving as a Professor at the School of Pharmacy, Shandong Second Medical University. She also directs the Shandong Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Materials and Regenerative Medicine and the Pharmaceutical Experimental Teaching Center. With over 50 SCI-indexed publications and 27 national and international patents, her contributions have significantly influenced the development of targeted drug delivery systems and smart biomaterials. A recipient of the State Council Special Allowance and recognized as a Shandong Provincial Outstanding Expert, Professor Zhang combines academic excellence with practical innovation. She has led and collaborated on numerous national-level research projects, focusing on novel therapeutic strategies for cancer, regenerative medicine, and nano-drug technologies. Additionally, she plays a prominent role in scientific publishing as a guest editor and reviewer for leading journals. Her dedication to interdisciplinary research continues to shape the future of pharmaceutical technology.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. 📚 High Research Productivity: Over 50 SCI-indexed publications in high-impact journals such as ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, and Science China Materials.

  2. 💡 Innovation & Intellectual Property: Holds 27 national and international patents, showing a strong translation of academic work into real-world applications.

  3. 🔬 Research Focus & Impact: Cutting-edge work in targeted drug delivery systems, intelligent biomaterials, and regenerative medicine, especially impactful in oncology.

  4. 🎯 Project Leadership: Principal Investigator for multiple nationally funded projects, managing significant funding amounts and driving original discoveries.

  5. 🌐 Academic Influence: Serves as a guest editor and reviewer for leading scientific journals, contributing to quality control and peer knowledge advancement.

  6. 📖 Educational Impact: Contributions to national-level textbooks like Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical English highlight her role in shaping future pharmaceutical education.

  7. 🤝 Industry Collaboration: Active collaborations with companies like NOIMAIER (Shandong) Medical Technology Co., Ltd, demonstrating practical application and outreach.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. 🌍 Global Outreach: While her influence is strong nationally, increased participation in international conferences, collaborations, and global visibility would further elevate her stature.

  2. 🎙️ Public Engagement: Enhanced involvement in science communication, including talks, public articles, or media, could broaden her societal impact.

  3. 🌐 Online Presence: A more visible online research profile (e.g., Google Scholar, ResearchGate, LinkedIn) could help in networking and research dissemination globally.

🎓 Education:

Professor Weifen Zhang received comprehensive training in pharmaceutical sciences, culminating in a doctorate in pharmacy or a related biomedical field (specific degree and institution not provided in the current profile). Her academic journey has been deeply rooted in advancing applied pharmaceutical research, especially in the field of drug delivery and intelligent materials. Her educational background laid the foundation for her specialization in nanoformulations, regenerative medicine, and drug resistance reversal. Professor Zhang has supplemented her academic credentials with continued professional development through her work with major national science foundations and governmental innovation programs. Her commitment to combining traditional pharmaceutical training with cutting-edge material science has enabled her to become a leader in translational research. Although the detailed degrees and institutions are not specified, her track record in high-impact research, publications, and academic leadership reflects a strong and diverse educational background.

🧪 Experience:

Professor Zhang brings over two decades of experience in pharmaceutical sciences, nanomedicine, and biomaterial engineering. She has served in multiple leadership roles, including Director of both the Shandong Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Materials and Regenerative Medicine and the Pharmaceutical Experimental Teaching Center at Shandong Second Medical University. As Principal Investigator on numerous high-profile projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and regional innovation programs, she has demonstrated excellence in both basic and translational research. Her industrial collaborations and consultancy projects, such as those with NOIMAIER Medical Technology, reflect her ability to translate scientific innovation into practical solutions. Her experience is also reflected in her active editorial and peer review contributions to top-tier journals, as well as her involvement in educational contributions through national textbook projects. Her academic, industrial, and clinical translational experiences make her a uniquely qualified and impactful researcher.

🔬 Research Focus:

Professor Weifen Zhang’s research is at the forefront of targeted drug delivery, intelligent biomaterials, and regenerative medicine. Her primary scientific focus involves developing novel nanoparticle-based platforms to improve therapeutic outcomes in diseases such as non-small cell lung cancer. She has led pioneering studies in dual-drug synergistic delivery, utilizing agents like quercetin and paclitaxel, aimed at overcoming drug resistance. Her lab also explores smart, biodegradable materials, such as Bletilla striata polysaccharide microneedles, for innovative therapeutic applications including hair regrowth and skin regeneration. In regenerative medicine, she is advancing bionic materials, such as mineralized collagen scaffolds, for orthopedic and dental use. Additionally, she works on plant-derived compounds, contributing to both pharmaceutical and agricultural solutions. Through interdisciplinary approaches, including nanotechnology, immunology, and pharmacokinetics, Professor Zhang’s work is positioned to influence both academic research and clinical practice. Her vision continues to shape the field of personalized and precision medicine.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📌 Bletilla striata polysaccharide-based dissolving microneedle patch integrated with nanoparticles for promoting hair regrowth

  2. 🧱 Composite scaffolds based on egg membrane and eggshell-derived inorganic particles promote soft and hard tissue repair

  3. 💉 Efficient chemo-immunotherapy leveraging minimalist electrostatic complex nanoparticle as “in situ” vaccine integrated tumor ICD and immunoagonist

  4. 🌿 A Chinese drug-compatibility-based approach to purslane hydrogels for acute eczema therapy

  5. 🔬 Dynamic Covalent Bond-Based Nanoassembly of Curcumin to Enhance the Selective Photothermal Therapy for Tumor Treatment

  6. 🧵 Multifunctional Nanofiber Membranes Constructed by Microfluidic Blow-Spinning to Inhibit Scar Formation at Early Intervention Stage

  7. 📄 Corrigendum to “Synergistically enhanced cancer immunotherapy by combining protamine-based nanovaccine with PD-L1 gene silence nanoparticle”

  8. 💉 Minimalist “in situ” tumor vaccine leveraging versatile dendrimer nanoplatform coordinated ICD and immunoagonist for boosted chemoimmunotherapy

  9. 🧬 A minimalist cancer cell membrane-shielded biomimetic nanoparticle for nasopharyngeal carcinoma active-targeting therapy

  10. ⚗️ Biodegradable Manganese-Containing Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Precisely Controlled Quercetin Delivery

 

📌 Conclusion:

Professor Weifen Zhang demonstrates exceptional qualifications for the Best Researcher Award. Her deep scientific contributions, robust patent portfolio, influential publications, and national leadership in pharmaceutical innovation mark her as a leader in biomedical research. With a few enhancements in global visibility and science communication, her already impressive profile could reach even greater heights.