Marco Leitzke | immunology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Marco Leitzke | immunology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Marco Leitzke, Helios clinics, Germany

Dr. Marco Leitzke, born in 1970 in Karl-Marx-Stadt, Germany, is a senior anesthesiologist and pioneering researcher in neuromodulation and post-viral syndromes. He has served as Senior Consultant in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at Helios Clinic Leisnig since 2015 and has extensive experience in pain therapy and palliative medicine. Renowned for his innovative studies on autonomic dysfunction, Dr. Leitzke has published extensively on cholinergic neurotransmission, COVID-19 coagulopathy, and vagus nerve stimulation. His recent focus on Long COVID as a disorder of disrupted acetylcholine signaling has gained significant scientific attention. With a dual career in clinical practice and experimental research, he bridges the gap between bedside and bench. His work earned him accolades, including a Poster Award at the 1st Long COVID Congress in Jena. Passionate about translational medicine, Dr. Leitzke continues to drive forward the understanding and treatment of complex neuroimmune disorders.

Publication Profile: 

Google Scholar

Scopus

Education:

Dr. Leitzke’s medical education and specialization reflect a deep commitment to anesthesiology and neurobiological research. He became a board-certified specialist in anesthesiology in 2006 and has built on this foundation with focused training in advanced pain management, ultrasound-guided interventions, and emergency medicine. He undertook specialized pain therapy training in 2015 and interventional pain techniques in 2014. In 2019, he began training as an Antibiotic Stewardship (ABS) expert physician, further demonstrating his holistic approach to patient safety and infection control. He also completed a transthoracic echocardiography course in 2018, showcasing his commitment to continuous learning and cross-disciplinary skills. This diverse academic background provides the basis for his translational research into neuroimmune and autonomic disorders, with a strong emphasis on clinical application. His combination of anesthesiology, ultrasound, pain therapy, and experimental neurobiology positions him as a uniquely skilled researcher bridging clinical practice and neuroscience.

Experience:

Dr. Marco Leitzke brings over two decades of clinical experience, predominantly in anesthesiology, intensive care, pain therapy, and palliative medicine. Since 2015, he has held the position of Senior Consultant at the Helios Clinic in Leisnig, where he leads interdisciplinary efforts in patient care and clinical innovation. Prior to this, he served as Senior Consultant at Asklepios Clinic Weißenfels from 2011 to 2014, while also operating as a freelance physician in Zeitz. His professional focus spans acute and chronic pain, complex anesthesia procedures, and critical care management, underpinned by a solid emergency medicine foundation gained since 2001. His hands-on experience with ultrasound-guided interventions, vagal modulation therapies, and autonomic diagnostics directly informs his research into the pathophysiology of post-viral syndromes. The integration of clinical insight and scientific exploration marks him as a dual-domain expert, fostering new therapeutic approaches rooted in both laboratory evidence and patient outcomes.

Research Focus:

Dr. Leitzke’s research centers on cholinergic neurotransmission and its impairment in acute and chronic post-viral conditions, particularly Long COVID. His central hypothesis suggests that autonomic dysfunction and neuromodulatory imbalance—specifically, disruption of the vagus nerve and acetylcholine pathways—underlie many post-viral symptoms. Through translational models using animal studies and human imaging, he explores therapeutic modulation, including vagal nerve stimulation and nicotine administration, to restore autonomic balance. His research extends to the role of NF-κB activation in COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, suggesting molecular pathways that link inflammation, clotting, and neuroimmune dysfunction. A hallmark of his work is the use of advanced imaging techniques (e.g., PET scans) to quantify cerebral receptor activity, particularly α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This integrative and experimental approach offers new perspectives on diagnostics and treatment in neuroimmune conditions, making his work highly relevant to both the scientific and medical communities in the era of post-COVID syndromes.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📖 Long COVID – A Critical Disruption of Cholinergic Neurotransmission? (Springer Nature, 2025)

  2. 📖 Is the Post-COVID-19 Syndrome a Severe Impairment of Acetylcholine-Orchestrated Neuromodulation That Responds to Nicotine Administration? (Springer Nature, 2023)

  3. 🏅 COVID-19 – The Ultimate NF-κB Rush and the Crucial Importance of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (Poster Award, Long COVID Congress, 2022)

  4. 🔬 Experimental Design for PET Detection of α7nAChR Under Gastric Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Piglets (DAS PLUS AN SCHUTZ, 2022)

  5. 🧠 The Viral Accelerated NF-κB Pathway and COVID-19-Associated Coagulopathy – A Case Report (Fortune Journals, 2021)

  6. 🧪 Afferent Vagal Stimulation via Gastric Electrical Stimulation Alters Sympathetic-Vagal Balance in Pigs – A Pilot Trial (Journal of Biological Regulators, 2021)

  7. ⚖️ Autonomic Balance Determines the Severity of COVID-19 Courses (Springer Nature, 2020)

  8. 🧮 A Semi-Automated Algorithm for Hypothalamus Volumetry in 3 Tesla MRI (Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 2018)

  9. 🧬 Image-Derived Input Function for (-)-[18F]Flubatine Using a Digital PET System (European Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2024)

  10. 💊 What Is the Impact of Nicotine on the Post-COVID-19 Syndrome? – A Case Series (Preprint, 2025)

Conclusion:

Dr. Marco Leitzke is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his pioneering contributions to understanding and treating Long COVID and neuroimmune disorders. His strong publication record, interdisciplinary approach, and clinical insight mark him as a leading figure in his field. With enhanced international collaboration and clinical validation of his findings, his impact could be even greater. Overall, his research is timely, innovative, and of substantial scientific and societal importance.

Fani Pantouli | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Fani Pantouli | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fani Pantouli, Cleveland Clinic Florida Research and Innovation Center, United States

Dr. Fani Pantouli is a passionate and results-driven research scientist with deep expertise in neuroscience, pharmacology, immunology, and oncology. A USA permanent resident, she currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Cleveland Clinic Florida Research and Innovation Center. Her work bridges cutting-edge vaccine development and cancer therapeutics, contributing significantly to preclinical and translational research. Dr. Pantouli’s scientific approach blends in vivo and in vitro techniques to uncover therapeutic pathways, particularly in head and neck cancer and viral immunology. Her interdisciplinary knowledge is reflected in a growing portfolio of peer-reviewed publications addressing pressing biomedical challenges, from COVID-19 immunity to neuropsychiatric disorders. She is known for her innovative methodologies, collaborative mindset, and unwavering dedication to advancing human health. Dr. Pantouli’s work is making a meaningful impact on personalized medicine and translational therapeutics, positioning her as a rising leader in biomedical research.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Multidisciplinary Expertise
    Dr. Pantouli integrates neuroscience, immunology, pharmacology, and oncology into her research, making her contributions uniquely cross-disciplinary and impactful.

  2. High-Impact Research in Vaccine Development
    Her postdoctoral work on COVID-19 and respiratory viruses, particularly her development of T-cell profiling and viral neutralization assays, directly informs global efforts in personalized vaccine design.

  3. Innovative Cancer Models
    She developed a novel in vivo murine model for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, advancing drug screening for p53-related targets. This is vital in understanding and treating cancers with p53 mutations.

  4. Robust Publication Record
    Dr. Pantouli has authored or co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals (e.g., Vaccines, Neuropsychopharmacology), with several under review in top-tier outlets like Science and Journal of Biological Psychiatry.

  5. Focus on Health Equity
    Her research into ethnic differences in immune response underscores a strong commitment to inclusive and equitable healthcare.

  6. Experience in Preclinical & Translational Research
    Her hands-on experience building disease models and testing therapeutic strategies bridges basic science and clinical application—core to translational medicine.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Independent Research Leadership
    While she has made significant contributions as a postdoctoral fellow, moving toward independent investigator roles (e.g., PI on grants) would strengthen her candidacy.

  2. Visibility and Recognition
    Increased presence in international symposia, keynote talks, or award recognitions would help boost her visibility within the scientific community.

  3. Mentorship and Community Involvement
    Involvement in mentoring junior researchers or leading educational outreach initiatives could further showcase her leadership potential.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Pantouli holds a Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology from the University of Surrey and St. George’s University of London, awarded between 2014 and 2017. Her doctoral studies explored neural mechanisms underpinning pharmacological and behavioral outcomes, laying a solid foundation for her current work in translational medicine. Prior to her Ph.D., she completed an MSc in Molecular Neuroscience from the University of Bristol in 2011, where she specialized in neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders. Her undergraduate studies were completed at the University of Bedfordshire in 2010, where she earned a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science. Dr. Pantouli’s academic trajectory reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary learning and a focus on brain and immune system interactions. Her education combines rigorous training in molecular biology, pharmacology, and neuroscience, empowering her to address complex biomedical questions with a systems-level perspective.

🧪 Experience:

Dr. Pantouli is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in Vaccine Development Research at the Cleveland Clinic Florida Research and Innovation Center (June 2023 – Present), where she investigates T cell immune responses and develops viral neutralization assays for respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Cancer Research Lab at the same institute (January 2022 – June 2023), where she created innovative murine models of head and neck cancer to evaluate therapeutic efficacy targeting mutant p53. Her research integrates advanced in vivo systems and immune profiling to enhance drug discovery and vaccine evaluation. With a decade-long track record across academia and clinical research centers, Dr. Pantouli has developed robust platforms for translational research, immunotherapeutics, and precision medicine. Her skills span experimental design, animal modeling, immunoassays, and bioanalysis, equipping her to tackle critical gaps in infectious disease and oncology treatment strategies.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Pantouli’s research is centered on translational medicine, focusing on vaccine development, immunotherapy, and molecular pharmacology. Her current projects address immune modulation in viral infections, especially COVID-19, and the development of preclinical assays for vaccine and drug evaluation. She also leads research in oncology, particularly targeting p53 mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using in vivo models. Her earlier academic work examined the neural and behavioral effects of neuropeptides and receptor modulators in models of autism and Fragile X Syndrome, showing a consistent interest in neuroimmune interactions. She employs a multidisciplinary approach—blending pharmacological, molecular, and immunological tools—to explore how targeted therapies can be optimized for diverse populations. Her work is vital for advancing personalized medicine, especially for aging populations and ethnically diverse cohorts, where vaccine efficacy and immune response can differ significantly.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  • 🧫 Ethnic differences in COVID-19 T cell immunity responses across variants from Wuhan to Omicron – Accepted in Vaccines

  • 🧠 Evaluation of SR-17018 and oxycodone in the conditioned place preference paradigm using peanut butter chip vehicle – In preparation, Neuropharmacology

  • 🧬 Generation of antigen-specific paired heavy-light chain antibody sequences using large language models – Submitted to Science

  • 💉 COVID-19 Vaccination Enhances the Immunogenicity of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in the Elderly – Vaccines (2025)

  • 🧩 Tilted striatofugal balance and mGluR4 modulation in the Fmr1 mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome – Under review, Journal of Biological Psychiatry

  • 👃 Acute, chronic and conditioned effects of intranasal oxytocin in mu opioid receptor knockout mice: social context matters – Neuropsychopharmacology (2024)

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Fani Pantouli is a highly promising and impactful scientist whose research spans some of the most critical health challenges of our time—infectious diseases, cancer, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her technical expertise, innovative model development, and deep understanding of immune and neural systems make her an excellent nominee for the Best Researcher Award.

Xiaoyan Wang | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Paper Award

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Ms. Xiaoyan Wang | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Paper Award

Ms. Xiaoyan Wang | Fudan University | China

Dr. Xiaoyan Wang is a dedicated cardiologist and postdoctoral fellow at Fudan University with a strong background in both clinical practice and cardiovascular research. With over a decade of academic training and medical experience, she has built expertise in ventricular remodeling, percutaneous coronary interventions, and immune responses in heart diseases. Under the mentorship of esteemed scholars such as Dr. Yunzeng Zou and Academician Yaling Han, she has published extensively in high-impact journals, reflecting her commitment to scientific advancement. Dr. Wang is currently a scholar in Harvard Medical School’s Global Clinical Scholars Research Training program and also serves as a section editor for the AME Clinical Trials Review. She actively contributes to academic communities, notably by organizing the “Excellent Academic Research Communication Club.” Her work bridges translational medicine and clinical application, aiming to improve cardiovascular patient outcomes through innovative, evidence-based approaches.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Outstanding Academic Credentials: Dr. Wang has earned her PhD from the prestigious Fudan University and is currently in the Harvard Medical School’s Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program, signaling a top-tier academic and global research profile.

  2. Dual Research Strength in Basic and Clinical Sciences: She demonstrates an exceptional ability to bridge molecular mechanisms (e.g., immune pathways, cGAS-STING, miRNAs, circular RNAs) with clinical relevance (e.g., myocardial infarction prognosis, anemia impact in PCI), making her work highly translational.

  3. High-Impact Publications: First-author or co-first-author in peer-reviewed journals such as Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, Angiology, and Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, with publications tackling cutting-edge cardiovascular topics.

  4. Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Focus: Contributions across institutions and disciplines—partnering with bioinformaticians, clinicians, and molecular scientists—demonstrate strong collaboration skills.

  5. Recognition & Editorial Role: Multiple awards (CPSF Fellowship, Super Postdoc at Fudan) and an editorial position at AME Clinical Trials Review show leadership and peer acknowledgment.

🛠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. More First-Author Lead on Recent Papers: Although she holds strong co-first authorships and collaborative contributions, maintaining or increasing sole first-author outputs on impactful papers would further strengthen individual scholarly identity.

  2. Increased International Conference Visibility: While she has presented at JCS, continued or expanded visibility in global cardiovascular congresses (e.g., AHA, ESC, ACC) would enhance recognition.

  3. Grant Leadership: Future grant applications as a principal investigator (rather than team member) could affirm her leadership in project design and execution.

🎓 Education :

Dr. Xiaoyan Wang holds a Ph.D. from Fudan University’s Zhongshan Hospital (2016–2019), where she conducted fundamental research on ventricular remodeling under Dr. Yunzeng Zou’s mentorship, supported by prestigious national fellowships. She earned her Master’s degree from Dalian Medical University (2013–2016), focusing on clinical research in percutaneous coronary intervention, under Academician Yaling Han. Her academic foundation was laid with a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine from Fujian Medical University (2007–2012). Currently, she is advancing her research and clinical skills in the prestigious Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program at Harvard Medical School (2024–2025), blending in-person and online modules. Her multi-tiered education reflects a deep integration of basic science, translational medicine, and clinical practice in cardiovascular health, equipping her to lead high-impact research and patient care initiatives.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Wang is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Fudan University (since 09/2023), working under Prof. Yunzeng Zou. She is also the organizer of the Excellent Academic Research Communication Club, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue. From 07/2022 to 07/2023, she served as a cardiologist at Shanghai Jiaotong University’s Ruijin Hospital, and from 2019 to 2022, as a resident in internal medicine at Zhongshan Hospital. In 2024, she began contributing as a section editor for AME Clinical Trials Review, enhancing the quality and visibility of clinical trial research. Her experience spans clinical cardiology, postdoctoral research, editorial responsibilities, and academic leadership. These roles have solidified her ability to translate scientific knowledge into medical practice, particularly in the cardiovascular field.

🏆 Awards & Honors:

Dr. Wang has received numerous accolades recognizing her academic excellence and research impact. In 2023, she was awarded both the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (CPSF) and the prestigious Super Postdoctoral Fellowship of Fudan University, underscoring her leadership in postdoctoral research. Her communication and writing skills were acknowledged with the Third Prize in the 8th “Buchang Cup” Young Physician Essay Contest (2019). She also presented Late Breaking Cohort Studies at the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS) Annual Meeting 2019, reflecting international recognition of her scientific contributions. These honors reflect her potential as a rising leader in cardiovascular medicine and support her suitability for the Best Paper Award.

🔬 Research Focus :

Dr. Wang’s research focuses on cardiovascular disease mechanisms, particularly immune system regulation, ventricular remodeling, and the molecular basis of heart failure. Her Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies have addressed the cGAS-STING pathway, miRNA biomarkers, circular RNAs, and inflammation-related signaling in cardiovascular dysfunction. She has also explored clinical prognostic models, such as CHA2DS2-VASc scoring, and interventions including left atrial appendage occlusion and shock wave therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy. Her dual interest in basic science and clinical outcomes allows her to design translational research that bridges laboratory findings and therapeutic advancements. With a strong publication record and ongoing involvement in global research training at Harvard Medical School, her work aims to inform precision medicine strategies in cardiology.

📚 Publication Titles Top Notes:

  1. 🧠 The immune system in cardiovascular diseases: from basic mechanisms to therapeutic implications

  2. 🔗 The connection of immune response and cGAS-STING pathway in cardiovascular disease

  3. 🐭 Left ventricular response in hypertrophy-to-failure transition: roles of Akt, β-arrestin-2, and CaMKII

  4. 💉 Circulating miRNAs in hypertension: diagnostic value and bioinformatics analysis

  5. 🧪 Galectin-3 inhibition improves endothelial progenitor function via autophagy suppression

  6. 🔄 Circular RNA in cardiovascular disease

📌 Conclusion:

Dr. Xiaoyan Wang is highly suitable for the Research for Best Paper Award. Her profile reflects a rare and valuable integration of basic cardiovascular science and clinical innovation, with high-impact, well-cited publications and ongoing international training. Her trajectory, marked by excellence, discipline, and collaborative leadership, meets and exceeds the criteria for this award.