Feng-Zhu Wang | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang , Sun Yat-sen University , China

Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang is an Associate Professor at the School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, China. He earned his Ph.D. in Botany from the same institution under Prof. Shi Xiao and has focused his research on plant immunity and mycorrhizal symbiosis. After his Ph.D., Dr. Wang pursued postdoctoral research with Prof. Jian-Feng Li, contributing significantly to CRISPR-based gene editing and plant-pathogen interactions. With over 7 co-first-author publications and experience as a corresponding author, he demonstrates both innovation and leadership in plant biology. His research has been published in esteemed journals, including Nature Communications and Trends in Plant Science. Now leading his lab, Dr. Wang is committed to advancing agricultural biotechnology through molecular tools and sustainable practices. His achievements in plant immunity, stress tolerance, and CRISPR tools place him as a key figure in contemporary plant science.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  • 🧬 Extensive expertise in plant immunity and symbiotic relationships, critical for sustainable agriculture.

  • 🧪 Consistent high-impact publications in journals like Nature Communications and Trends in Plant Science.

  • 💡 Developed innovative tools like dual-function CRISPR systems, highlighting technological creativity.

  • 👩‍🏫 Strong academic foundation with continuous roles in postdoc, research, and teaching, demonstrating leadership and growth.

  • ✍️ Serves as corresponding or co-first author in multiple works, showing project ownership and contribution depth.

🔍 Areas for Improvement:

  • 🌍 Could benefit from international collaborations to increase global visibility.

  • 🎓 Expanding mentorship activities and outreach could enhance influence on future scientists.

  • 🗣️ More presence in conferences or workshops would elevate public engagement and field leadership.

🎓 Education:

Feng-Zhu Wang completed both his undergraduate and doctoral studies at Sun Yat-sen University, China, a prestigious institution known for life science research. He earned a B.Sc. in Biotechnology between 2009 and 2013, where he developed foundational knowledge in molecular biology and genetics. His Ph.D., pursued from 2013 to 2018 in the Department of Botany under Prof. Shi Xiao, focused on plant stress responses, particularly involving immunity and symbiosis. His educational journey emphasized hands-on lab techniques, scientific writing, and experimental design. Through intensive academic training and mentorship, Dr. Wang cultivated skills in gene regulation, CRISPR-Cas systems, and plant-microbe interactions. This solid academic foundation provided the groundwork for his impactful research contributions and prepared him for advanced exploration into genetic mechanisms driving plant resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang’s academic career is firmly rooted in Sun Yat-sen University, where he has continuously advanced through roles in education and research. After completing his Ph.D. in 2018, he undertook postdoctoral training from 2018 to 2024 under Prof. Jian-Feng Li, focusing on advanced molecular biology tools, plant-pathogen interactions, and CRISPR gene editing. He contributed to developing innovative dual-function CRISPR systems and molecular assays for plant biology. In May 2024, he was appointed Associate Professor in the Department of Biology. His experience spans project leadership, scientific writing, collaboration, and mentoring young researchers. As both a co-first and corresponding author on multiple papers, Dr. Wang demonstrates a proactive role in scientific innovation and dissemination. His experience reflects a seamless integration of research development, experimental practice, and academic progression within one of China’s leading universities.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Wang’s research revolves around two main areas: plant immunity mechanisms and mycorrhizal symbiosis, both crucial to improving plant resilience and productivity. He investigates how plants detect and defend against fungal pathogens through receptor-mediated signaling pathways and how beneficial fungi assist plants in nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. His work also dives deep into genetic engineering using CRISPR-Cas systems, developing tools for efficient multigene editing and Cas9-free selection in model organisms like Arabidopsis thaliana. By combining bioinformatics, molecular genetics, and cell biology, Dr. Wang aims to understand how immune responses are regulated and how plants can balance defense and symbiosis. This dual focus supports sustainable agriculture and provides insight into fundamental plant biology. His contributions are not only theoretical but also technological, offering tools that can be used in practical breeding and crop enhancement strategies worldwide.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 🧪 Nepenthes chitinase NkChit2b-1 confers broad-spectrum resistance to chitin-containing pathogens and insects in plants – Advanced Biotechnology, 2025

  2. 🧬 A dual-function selection system enables positive selection of multigene CRISPR mutants and negative selection of Cas9-free progeny in Arabidopsis – aBIOTECH, 2024

  3. 🔍 Hidden prevalence of deletion-inversion bi-alleles in CRISPR-mediated deletions of tandemly arrayed genes in plants – Nature Communications, 2023

  4. 🍄 Hide-and-seek: Chitin-triggered plant immunity and fungal counterstrategies – Trends in Plant Science, 2020

  5. 🔗 Split Nano luciferase complementation for probing protein-protein interactions in plant cells – Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 2020

  6. 🌾 Alternative splicing and translation play important roles in hypoxic germination in rice – Journal of Experimental Botany, 2019

  7. 💧 Natural variation in the promoter of rice Calcineurin B-like Protein10 affects flooding tolerance during seed germination among rice subspecies – Plant Journal, 2018

  8. ☣️ OsARM1, an R2R3 MYB transcription factor, is involved in regulation of the response to arsenic stress in rice – Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017

🔚 Conclusion:

Dr. Feng-Zhu Wang stands out as a promising and accomplished researcher. With an impressive portfolio of impactful publications and strong academic roots in plant biology, they are highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. A few enhancements in outreach and collaboration could further elevate their global scientific profile.

Paola Cynthia Demeni Emoh | Endophytic fungi | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Mrs. Paola Cynthia Demeni Emoh | Endophytic fungi | Young Scientist Award

Mrs. Paola Cynthia Demeni Emoh , University of Yaoundé 1 , Cameroon

Cynthia Paola Demeni Emoh is a Ph.D. candidate in Medical Microbiology at the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. She has a keen interest in the antimicrobial properties of natural products and their potential applications in treating infectious diseases like malaria and pneumonia. Cynthia also serves as a part-time lecturer, teaching microbiology practicals at her university. She is an active researcher and has contributed to multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses, focusing on infectious diseases. Her collaborations with international networks, such as the AGNES and YaBiNaPA programs, have expanded her research reach. Cynthia is also a member of the American Society of Microbiology and a contributor to various scientific journals. With her solid academic background and dedication to scientific advancement, Cynthia continues to strive for excellence in both her research and teaching roles.

Publication Profile:

Orcid

Strengths for the Award:

Cynthia Paola Demeni Emoh is an outstanding candidate for the Research for Young Scientist Award due to her extensive academic background, innovative research, and significant contributions to microbiology. Her work on endophytic fungi and infectious diseases, particularly malaria, demonstrates her commitment to addressing public health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Her experience with systematic reviews and meta-analyses further highlights her expertise in synthesizing global data to drive scientific advancements.

Areas for Improvement:

While Cynthia has established a strong foundation in microbiology, she could benefit from additional experience in interdisciplinary research, particularly in translational science. Collaborations with clinicians or public health experts could broaden her research’s practical applications and improve its potential for real-world impact.

Education:

Cynthia’s educational journey began at the University of Yaoundé I, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology in 2016. She later pursued a Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology at the same institution, which she completed in 2019. During her master’s program, she focused on assessing the antibacterial properties of endophytic fungi isolated from Alstonia boonei and Greenwayodendron suaveolens, particularly their effectiveness against pneumonia bacteria. Building on her master’s research, Cynthia is now a Ph.D. candidate in Medical Microbiology at the University of Yaoundé I. Her Ph.D. research, initiated in 2020, examines the antiplasmodial activity of endophytic fungi extracts from Alstonia boonei and their modes of action. Cynthia’s academic trajectory is shaped by a solid foundation in microbiology, driven by her interest in infectious diseases and their treatment. She has also earned a Baccalaureate in Life Sciences from François Xavier Vogt College in Yaoundé.

Experience:

Cynthia’s professional experience spans both teaching and research in microbiology. She has been a part-time lecturer at the University of Yaoundé I since October 2018, where she is responsible for the practical component of microbiology courses. She has also contributed significantly as an assistant researcher at the Biotechnology Centre of the University of Yaoundé I in 2019, where she worked on phytopathology. Cynthia’s research experience extends beyond Cameroon, having completed an internship at the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin in 2023, focusing on applied microbiology and pharmacology. Additionally, she interned at the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon in 2022 and 2023, contributing to malaria research. She has been a member of various research groups, including the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis team led by Dr. Kenmoe Sebastien at the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon. Cynthia’s research output and collaborations have strengthened her expertise in microbiology, especially in the areas of infectious diseases and natural products.

Research Focus:

Cynthia’s research focuses on investigating the antimicrobial properties of endophytic fungi extracts, with particular emphasis on their antiplasmodial and antibacterial activities. Her Ph.D. research centers on the antiplasmodial effects of fungi isolated from Alstonia boonei, a plant known for its medicinal properties. She explores how these fungal extracts can serve as alternative treatments for malaria by assessing their activity against Plasmodium falciparum. Cynthia’s earlier work, during her Master’s program, also centered on the antibacterial properties of endophytic fungi from Alstonia boonei and Greenwayodendron suaveolens and their ability to combat pneumonia bacteria. In addition to her laboratory studies, she has contributed to systematic reviews and meta-analyses, analyzing the prevalence, risk factors, and epidemiology of various infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Cynthia’s research is driven by the need for novel antimicrobial agents, especially against drug-resistant pathogens and emerging diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Assessment of the antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity effects of ethyl acetate extracts against Plasmodium falciparum strains (2025) 🦠🧪
  2. Morphological and molecular characterization of endophytic fungi isolated from Alstonia boonei De Wild (2025) 🔬🍄
  3. Stage-Dependent Release of Plasmodium Falciparum Homolog of T-Cell Immunomodulatory Protein and Suppression of Macrophage-Inflammatory Protein-1 (2025) 🦠💉
  4. Isolation, identification of endophytic fungi from Codiaeum variegatum and assessment of anti-amoebic and anti-inflammatory potential (2024) 🍄🌱
  5. Systematic review with meta-analysis of the global host range of Mycobacterium ulcerans (2024) 🌍🦠
  6. Hepatitis B, C, and D virus infections and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Africa (2022) 🦠🌍
  7. Global prevalence and case fatality rate of Enterovirus D68 infections (2022) 🌍🦠
  8. Systematic review of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus epidemiology in humans and animals (2021) 🩸🦠
  9. Worldwide epidemiology of Lassa virus in humans and rodents (2020) 🌍🦠
  10. Influence of confounding factors on associations between viral LRTI and subsequent wheezing development (2021) 🧳👶

Conclusion:

Cynthia is a promising young researcher with a clear focus on addressing critical health issues. Her dedication to advancing scientific knowledge, particularly in the fight against infectious diseases, makes her an excellent candidate for the Research for Young Scientist Award.