Zhirong Tan | Gene Regulation Epigenetics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Zhirong Tan | Gene Regulation Epigenetics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Zhirong Tan  , Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , China

Professor Zhirong Tan is a leading Chinese expert in pharmacogenomics and clinical pharmacology. Currently a professor at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, he also serves as the Director of the Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratory and Deputy Director of the Drug Analysis Center. He has been instrumental in over 300 clinical trials, pushing forward the frontiers of precision medicine, especially in colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. With over 20 SCI papers, multiple patents, and co-authorship of four books, he’s widely recognized for his work in pharmacokinetics and biomarker discovery. A national GCP and GMP inspector, Prof. Tan actively contributes to pharmaceutical regulation and innovation in China. His academic and industry partnerships reflect a robust foundation in translational research and real-world drug development.

Publication Profile: 

Google Scholar

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Research Contributions
    Prof. Zhirong Tan has made outstanding contributions to clinical pharmacology, pharmacogenetics, and metabolomics over two decades. His research has provided critical insights into drug metabolism, biomarker discovery, and precision medicine, especially in colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

  2. Prolific Publication Record
    With over 22 SCI-indexed publications (first or corresponding author) and 6 CSCD papers, Prof. Tan’s research has achieved over 3550 citations and an H-index of 33 on Web of Science—evidence of the high impact and recognition of his work.

  3. Strong National & Industry Collaborations
    He has participated in or led 300+ clinical trials and secured 5 “Million+” industry-funded projects, reflecting strong ties with both academia and industry. His leadership in national-level projects, such as the “Major New Drug Development” program, showcases his influence in China’s healthcare innovation.

  4. Intellectual Property and Innovation
    With 3 granted patents and 3 under review, Prof. Tan’s ability to translate research into practical applications is evident. His individualized esomeprazole dosing regimen highlights innovation at the clinical level.

  5. Regulatory & Policy Contributions
    As a national GCP/GMP inspector, he plays a pivotal role in drug trial ethics and compliance in China. He also holds leadership roles in pharmacogenomics committees, further demonstrating his commitment to public health advancement.

  6. Academic Mentorship and Editorial Work
    In addition to research, Prof. Tan contributes as a journal reviewer, co-author of four textbooks, and mentor to the next generation of scientists, reinforcing his role as a thought leader in the field.

🔍 Areas for Improvement:

  1. International Visibility
    While Prof. Tan’s national presence is remarkable, further international collaborations, invited keynotes at global conferences, or leading roles in global consortia could enhance his visibility and expand the influence of his work.

  2. Broader Publication Range
    Publishing more frequently in top-tier international journals (e.g., Nature, The Lancet, NEJM) would increase the global academic reach of his findings.

  3. Open Science & Data Sharing
    As the field moves toward transparency, incorporating open-access publications and shared data repositories could boost both reproducibility and citations.

🎓 Education:

Professor Zhirong Tan obtained his Ph.D. from Central South University, a premier Chinese institution, where he laid the groundwork for his expertise in clinical pharmacology and pharmacogenomics. He later pursued postdoctoral research at the School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, one of the top pharmaceutical research institutions in the United States. This international experience enabled him to gain a global perspective in drug metabolism, biomarker identification, and translational pharmacology. His academic training focused on cutting-edge methodologies such as metabolomics, pharmacokinetics, and precision medicine. Through continuous education and research, he has built a reputation as a highly skilled pharmacologist whose work bridges basic research and clinical applications.

💼 Experience:

With a research career spanning over two decades since 1998, Professor Zhirong Tan has led and participated in numerous national-level and provincial-level projects, including China’s National Science and Technology Major Projects. He currently holds multiple leadership positions at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. Over the years, he has completed major research grants from NSFC, the Hunan Province, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. As a GCP and GMP inspector, Prof. Tan has overseen more than 300 clinical trials, ensuring drug development meets regulatory and ethical standards. His experience also extends to industry collaboration, with successful execution of 5 “Million+” funded projects and influential roles in pharma-academic alliances. A frequent peer reviewer and contributor to international journals, his work influences both the scientific community and regulatory frameworks.

🔬 Research Focus:

Professor Tan’s primary research focus lies in clinical pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, and metabolomics, particularly for colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. His work aims to identify and validate biomarkers for disease diagnosis, drug efficacy, and toxicity prediction. A major contributor to China’s “Major New Drug Development” initiative, he has developed personalized esomeprazole dosing regimens by studying genetic polymorphisms, SNPs, and microRNA interactions. His research also explores the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease using metabolomic profiling, offering insights into early detection and potential therapeutics. He applies advanced bioanalytical methods to understand inter-individual variability in drug metabolism and therapeutic response. His projects have real-world clinical implications, transforming how drugs are prescribed, regulated, and monitored. Through his pioneering work, Prof. Tan contributes significantly to the evolution of precision medicine in China.

📚 Publication Top Notes:

  1. 📊 Role of BCRP 421C>A polymorphism on rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics in healthy Chinese males

  2. ❤️ Gly389Arg polymorphism of β1‐adrenergic receptor and cardiovascular response to metoprolol

  3. 💊 CYP2C19 ultra-rapid metabolizer genotype affects voriconazole pharmacokinetics

  4. 🧬 HLA‐B35:01 allele as biomarker for Polygonum multiflorum–induced liver injury*

  5. 🌿 Repeated berberine administration inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans

  6. 💉 Effect of SLCO1B1 polymorphism on pharmacokinetics of nateglinide

  7. 🧪 Assessment of cytochrome P450 activity by five‐drug cocktail approach

  8. ☕ Plasma caffeine metabolite ratio linked to CYP1A2 polymorphisms

  9. 🔬 Inducibility of CYP1A2 by omeprazole associated with genetic polymorphism

  10. 🧫 Ile118Val polymorphism of CYP3A4 affects simvastatin lipid-lowering efficacy

📝 Conclusion:

Professor Zhirong Tan is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His record of scientific excellence, clinical innovation, and regulatory leadership clearly positions him as a key contributor to modern pharmacology. His integrated approach—spanning basic science, clinical trials, and health policy—has had a measurable impact on patient care and drug development in China.

While there is room to further expand his global footprint, his accomplishments to date already demonstrate the caliber, commitment, and consistency expected of a world-class researcher.

Alexej Abyzov | Gene Regulation Epigenetics | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Alexej Abyzov | Gene Regulation Epigenetics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alexej Abyzov , Mayo Clinic , United States

Dr. Alexej Abyzov is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics at the Mayo College of Medicine and a consultant at the Mayo Clinic’s Department of Quantitative Health Sciences. He is also an adjunct professor at Yale University and a graduate faculty member at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Abyzov’s research focuses on computational biology and bioinformatics, particularly in understanding genomic variability, somatic mosaicism, and the genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders. He has made substantial contributions to the study of human genome structure and its impact on health. Dr. Abyzov has led numerous research projects funded by NIH and has published extensively in high-impact journals. He is a respected speaker, having presented at international conferences and workshops. Beyond his research, Dr. Abyzov is involved in mentorship and community service, contributing to education and outreach efforts in science and technology.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award:

Dr. Alexej Abyzov’s work exemplifies excellence in the field of Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology. His remarkable research contributions span areas such as genetic variation, neurodevelopment, and the understanding of neuropsychiatric diseases. He has been an integral part of cutting-edge projects like investigating somatic mosaicism in schizophrenia and modeling autism in organoids. His ability to bridge the gap between computational techniques and biological applications is demonstrated in his extensive list of high-impact publications, many of which have been published in top-tier journals like Science and Nature. Furthermore, his leadership role in symposia and collaborations with renowned institutions such as Yale University and the University of Minnesota showcases his influence in the scientific community.

Areas for Improvement:

Although Dr. Abyzov has an impressive track record, expanding the outreach of his work into more interdisciplinary collaborations and ensuring greater engagement with clinical applications could enhance the direct societal impact of his findings. Additionally, increasing public-facing communication of his research could foster more public awareness and policy implications, given the importance of his work in understanding neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders

Education:

Dr. Alexej Abyzov holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics, which laid the foundation for his career in computational biology. He began his academic journey with a focus on bioinformatics, later earning a tenure-track faculty position in 2014 at Mayo College of Medicine. In 2020, he was promoted to Associate Professor in Biomedical Informatics. Dr. Abyzov is also an adjunct professor at Yale University’s Child Study Center, where he continues to collaborate on research projects involving neurodevelopmental disorders. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Abyzov has been involved in shaping educational curricula and mentoring students and researchers, providing opportunities for both hands-on research and professional development. He has served as a graduate faculty member at the University of Minnesota, emphasizing his broad academic influence. His educational background is complemented by ongoing work in the development of new bioinformatics tools and approaches for genomics research.

Experience:

Dr. Alexej Abyzov’s career has been marked by continuous growth and contributions in the field of biomedical informatics. He is currently an Associate Professor at Mayo College of Medicine and a Consultant in the Department of Quantitative Health Sciences at Mayo Clinic. Since 2016, he has also served as an adjunct professor at Yale University and has been a part of the Graduate Faculty at the University of Minnesota. His experience includes supervising summer interns, Ph.D. students, and post-doctoral fellows. Dr. Abyzov’s work in bioinformatics has helped lead groundbreaking studies on somatic mosaicism, genetic mutations, and neurodevelopmental disorders. He has actively participated in a number of international collaborations, including co-chairing a symposium at the Molecular Psychiatry Association and providing consulting services for personalized medicine projects. Through his diverse teaching and research roles, Dr. Abyzov has significantly advanced the field of computational biology and genomics.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Alexej Abyzov has received numerous accolades throughout his career, reflecting his significant contributions to the field of biomedical informatics. He was elected as a member of the New York Academy of Sciences in 2008, a prestigious recognition for his early career achievements. In 2007, he became a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, acknowledging his academic excellence. Dr. Abyzov was also inducted into the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) in 2005, further solidifying his position as a leader in the field of bioinformatics. These recognitions underscore his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge, especially in genomics and computational biology. Dr. Abyzov’s honors serve as a testament to his ability to drive meaningful research, collaborate with other leading scientists, and contribute to educational initiatives, all while maintaining a strong commitment to community outreach and mentorship.

Research Focus:

Dr. Alexej Abyzov’s research focuses on bioinformatics, computational biology, and human genomics, with an emphasis on understanding the role of genetic and somatic mutations in health and disease. His work has greatly advanced the understanding of somatic mosaicism, particularly in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder and Tourette syndrome. He is also deeply involved in exploring the molecular mechanisms behind genetic mutations in the brain, investigating how these mutations may contribute to mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. Dr. Abyzov is known for developing innovative tools and methodologies for analyzing large-scale genomic data, including CNVpytor and CRISPR-Cas editing. His research also explores transgenerational transmission of mutations, revealing insights into how genetic variations are passed down through generations. By combining computational biology with experimental data, Dr. Abyzov’s work provides critical insights into the genetic basis of complex diseases, offering potential pathways for personalized medicine and targeted treatments.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Interneuron loss and microglia activation in Tourette disorder 🔬🧠 (2025)

  2. Transgenerational transmission of post-zygotic mutations in human germline 🔬👶🧬 (2024)

  3. Somatic mosaicism in schizophrenia reveals prenatal mutational processes 🧠🧬 (2024)

  4. Genome-wide analysis of copy number with CNVpytor in igv.js 💻📊 (2024)

  5. Resolving the 22q11.2 deletion with CTLR-Seq 🧬🔍 (2024)

  6. Characterization of enhancer activity using MPRA and forebrain organoids 🧬🔬 (2024)

  7. Genomic resources of the Brain Somatic Mosaicism Network for neuropsychiatric diseases 🧠🧬 (2023)

  8. Modeling idiopathic autism in forebrain organoids reveals imbalances in excitatory neurons 👶🧠 (2023)

  9. Clonally Selected Lines After CRISPR-Cas Editing Are Not Isogenic 🧬⚙️ (2023)

  10. Efficient reconstruction of cell lineage trees for cancer and cell ancestry 🧬🧪 (2023)

Conclusion:

Dr. Alexej Abyzov is an ideal candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award due to his profound contributions to the understanding of genetic and somatic variation, his leadership in major collaborative research efforts, and his ongoing influence in shaping the field of Biomedical Informatics. His ongoing work and future potential make him a standout figure for this prestigious recognition.