Yidong Wei | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yidong Wei | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yidong Wei , Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University , China

Dr. Yidong Wei, M.D., Ph.D., FACC, is a distinguished professor and the Chief of Cardiology at Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University. He also holds a clinician management role at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford. With a strong foundation in both clinical and translational research, Dr. Wei has built an internationally recognized career focused on interventional cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology, and cardiovascular epidemiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, reflecting his global academic influence. Known for bridging clinical care with bench-side discovery, his work has advanced understanding in myocardial infarction, heart failure, and calcium signaling in cardiomyocytes. With numerous high-impact publications and leadership in multicenter registries like NOAFCAMI-SH, Dr. Wei’s contributions are widely cited and clinically relevant. His dual academic and clinical roles across China and the UK highlight his dedication to innovation, international collaboration, and excellence in cardiovascular medicine.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. High-Impact Research Output:
    Dr. Wei has authored or co-authored more than 18 recent peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals such as Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews, Redox Biology, Cardiovascular Diabetology, and ESC Heart Failure. Many of these works are already cited, indicating early academic impact and relevance.

  2. Dual Focus – Basic and Clinical Science:
    His research bridges the gap between molecular mechanisms (e.g., calcium signaling, TRIM21, PTEN) and clinical cardiology (e.g., atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, cardiac remodeling), highlighting a robust translational focus.

  3. Leadership and Collaboration:
    He serves as Chief of Cardiology at Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital and a Clinician Manager at the University of Oxford, demonstrating international leadership and cross-border collaboration.

  4. Registry Leadership (NOAFCAMI-SH):
    His work through the NOAFCAMI-SH registry provides real-world evidence on cardiovascular disease progression, risk prediction, and treatment response—critical for patient-centered care.

  5. Prestigious Recognition:
    Dr. Wei is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), a title reserved for top-tier cardiovascular professionals with sustained excellence.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader International Research Leadership:
    While Dr. Wei has strong China–UK collaborations, leading global multicenter clinical trials or international consortia would further solidify his standing.

  2. Public Engagement and Knowledge Translation:
    Though academically prolific, increased involvement in public health education or policy advocacy could amplify the real-world impact of his research.

  3. Mentorship Track Record Visibility:
    Highlighting mentorship of junior researchers and postdocs more explicitly in profiles and bios would enhance his case for a holistic academic leadership award.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Wei began his medical education at Henan Medical University, where he completed clinical training with a focus on cardiovascular medicine. Driven by a passion for research, he pursued and completed his Ph.D. in 2004, with a specialization in cardiac electrophysiology and calcium signaling pathways. His graduate studies were complemented by advanced basic science training at the University of Kentucky, USA, a leading institution in biomedical research. Between 2004 and 2006, Dr. Wei completed postdoctoral research, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction and electrophysiology. His educational background reflects a balanced integration of rigorous clinical education and innovative research development, equipping him with the tools necessary to bridge bedside care with laboratory insights. This foundation has allowed Dr. Wei to contribute to both academic medicine and cutting-edge cardiovascular research, distinguishing him as a leader with comprehensive and global training in the field.

🏥 Experience:

With over two decades of experience, Dr. Yidong Wei serves as Professor and Chief of the Department of Cardiology at Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University. His role extends internationally, acting as Clinician Manager at the University of Oxford’s Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism. His clinical expertise spans interventional cardiology, acute coronary syndromes, and electrophysiological interventions, while his research roles emphasize trial design, biomarker discovery, and cellular cardiology. He has led and contributed to large-scale registries like NOAFCAMI-SH, generating evidence that informs guidelines for myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation. His professional experience combines healthcare leadership, cross-border academic collaboration, and impactful research. As a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, he is actively engaged in academic societies and peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Wei’s experience reflects an enduring commitment to patient care, innovation in research, and mentorship of future cardiology leaders, marking him as a high-impact contributor in his field.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Yidong Wei’s research lies at the intersection of clinical cardiology and molecular medicine. He focuses on interventional cardiology, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and calcium signaling pathways in cardiac myocytes. A major theme in his work is the electrophysiological basis of heart failure and age-related changes in ventricular function. Using techniques like patch clamping, calcium imaging, laser confocal microscopy, and molecular biology, he investigates calcium channel regulation and excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac cells. Clinically, he leads research through the NOAFCAMI-SH registry, analyzing systemic inflammation, hyperglycemia, atrial fibrillation, and long-term cardiac outcomes. His work advances the understanding of post-infarction remodeling and atrial pathology. Combining basic science with real-world data, Dr. Wei’s research bridges gaps in translational cardiology and offers therapeutic targets for chronic cardiac conditions. His integrative approach makes him a pioneer in translating bench findings into bedside impact, with potential to redefine cardiac care strategies globally.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📈 Association of stress hyperglycemia ratio with atrial fibrillation and outcomes in myocardial infarction

  2. 🧪 Prognostic implications of systemic immune-inflammation index in MI patients with and without diabetes

  3. 🧬 TRIM21 deficiency protects heart post-MI by reducing oxidative stress

  4. 🫀 4S-AF scheme for characterizing atrial fibrillation after myocardial infarction

  5. 🔬 TRIM21 worsens cardiac injury via M1 macrophage polarization post-MI

  6. 🧮 Stress hyperglycemia and outcomes in MI with and without diabetes mellitus

  7. 💉 ZPI protects endothelium via PI3K/Akt pathway activation against ox-LDL

  8. 📊 Atrial fibrillation’s prognosis across heart failure subtypes post-MI

  9. 🕒 Five-year outcomes post left atrial appendage occlusion

  10. 🧫 PTEN and serum deprivation-induced cytotoxicity via PI3K/AKT pathway

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Yidong Wei stands out as a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His contributions to cardiovascular research—spanning cutting-edge basic science to influential clinical trials—are both innovative and impactful. His leadership roles, international presence, and translational focus align perfectly with the goals of this prestigious recognition. Given his trajectory, Dr. Wei is not only a leader in current cardiovascular research but also a driver of future scientific breakthroughs.

Yimin Zhu | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Yimin Zhu | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Yimin Zhu , Suzhou Institute of Nanotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , China

Prof. Yimin Zhu is a distinguished researcher in bioengineering, specializing in cancer therapies, biomaterials, and peptide screening platforms. With a background in both clinical medicine and biotechnology, she bridges the gap between medical applications and cutting-edge biotechnological innovations. Prof. Zhu completed her master’s in Clinical Medicine from Tianjin Medical University in 1996 and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the National University of Singapore in 2005. She has made significant contributions to cancer immunotherapy, drug delivery systems, and biomarker identification. Prof. Zhu’s work has led to over 30 first-author/co-corresponding publications in leading scientific journals, and she holds more than 20 patents. She currently holds a professorship at Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, CAS, where her research continues to advance cancer treatments through novel molecular mechanisms and drug delivery platforms.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Interdisciplinary Expertise: Prof. Yimin Zhu has a unique blend of clinical medicine and advanced biotechnology expertise, making her well-suited to bridge the gap between medical practice and cutting-edge cancer research. Her background in both the clinical and research fields allows her to tackle cancer therapies from multiple angles.
  2. Impactful Research: Prof. Zhu’s research focuses on critical areas in cancer therapy, such as peptide-based immunotherapy, tumor mechanisms, drug delivery systems, and biomarker discovery. She has published over 30 high-impact papers in leading journals, showcasing her leadership in the field.
  3. Innovative Contributions: She has made substantial contributions to developing peptide-based bispecific CAR T cells and innovative drug delivery systems, with several patents granted. These innovations hold great promise for advancing cancer therapy and improving patient outcomes.
  4. Support and Funding: Prof. Zhu has successfully secured substantial research funding, including multiple grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, supporting her groundbreaking research in cancer immunotherapy and biomaterial development.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader Outreach: Although Prof. Zhu has made impressive advancements in cancer research, expanding her work’s visibility to a broader audience in the medical and biotechnology communities, as well as among the general public, could increase the impact of her innovations.
  2. Collaboration and Mentorship: Further expanding interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly with social scientists or clinicians in oncology, could strengthen the practical application of her research and increase its translation into clinical practice. Additionally, mentoring young women in STEM could increase her contribution to fostering diversity in the field.
  3. Public Engagement: Enhancing communication efforts to present her research in a more accessible format for non-experts could be a significant avenue for impact, particularly in terms of attracting additional funding and public interest in her cancer-focused work.

Education:

Prof. Yimin Zhu’s educational journey reflects her interdisciplinary approach to bioengineering and medical science. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Medicine from Tianjin Medical University in 1996, where she initially focused on medical practice, gaining hands-on experience as a resident and consultant in Neurology. Her passion for scientific research led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the National University of Singapore, completed in 2005. This transition to biochemistry allowed her to explore molecular biology, cancer research, and biotechnology. Prof. Zhu’s postdoctoral work at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in Chemical Engineering, further honed her expertise in nanotechnology, bioengineering, and therapeutic innovations. This broad educational foundation, combining clinical experience with cutting-edge research, has uniquely positioned her as a leader in cancer bioengineering and drug delivery systems.

Experience:

Prof. Yimin Zhu’s diverse experience spans both clinical medicine and high-impact research. Between 1996 and 2000, she worked as a resident and consultant doctor in Neurology, which provided a strong foundation in patient care and medical science. Transitioning to research, she served as a research fellow at the National University of Singapore from 2003 to 2005, focusing on biochemistry and cancer-related molecular mechanisms. Prof. Zhu further developed her expertise during her postdoctoral training in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she explored the intersection of chemical engineering, nanotechnology, and therapeutic interventions. Since joining the Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics in 2008, she has been a professor, where she leads innovative research in peptide-based cancer therapies, immunotherapy, and drug delivery systems. Her extensive academic background and practical experience have earned her numerous patents and substantial research funding.

Research Focus:

Prof. Yimin Zhu’s research primarily focuses on bioengineering for cancer treatment, peptide screening platforms, and targeted drug delivery systems. Her work involves identifying molecular mechanisms behind tumor cell behavior and developing innovative methods for cancer diagnosis and therapy. She is dedicated to advancing cancer immunotherapy, particularly through the development of peptide-based bispecific CAR T cells targeting key proteins like EGFR and tumor stroma. Prof. Zhu’s research aims to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments while minimizing side effects. Her studies also explore the development of smart delivery systems, such as extracellular vesicle-based nanodrugs, to improve the precision and effectiveness of drug delivery to tumor sites. Additionally, her work delves into the identification of cancer biomarkers, offering new ways to predict tumor metastasis and optimize treatment regimens. By combining molecular biology, nanotechnology, and biotechnology, Prof. Zhu’s research holds great promise for advancing personalized cancer care.

Publications Top Notes:

  • The peptide-based bispecific CAR T cells target EGFR and tumor stroma for effective cancer therapy 🧬
  • Develop a PD-1-blockade peptide to reinvigorate T-cell activity and inhibit tumor progress 💉
  • Natural killer cells contribute to ‘hot’ tumor regression in the allergic inflammatory environment 🦠
  • Identification of cancer protein biomarker based on cell specific peptide and its potential role in predicting tumor metastasis 🔬
  • Extracellular Vesicle‐Based Nanodrug Delivery 💊
  • Inhibition of Autophagy Promotes the Elimination of Liver Cancer Stem Cells by CD133 Aptamer-Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin 🧫
  • Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen Der p 22: Cloning, expression, IgE-binding in asthmatic children, and immunogenicity 🌿
  • Reforming the Chimeric Antigen Receptor by Peptide Towards Optimized CAR T Cells With Enhanced Anti-Cancer Potency and Safety 🦠
  • Smart delivery of poly-peptide composite for effective cancer therapy 💡
  • The inhibition of ABCB1/MDR1 or ABCG2/BCRP enables doxorubicin to eliminate liver cancer stem cells ⚙️

Conclusion:

Prof. Yimin Zhu’s research excellence, particularly in cancer therapy, peptide-based immunotherapy, and novel drug delivery systems, positions her as a highly deserving candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her interdisciplinary approach, groundbreaking innovations, and leadership in publishing high-impact scientific papers make her a trailblazer in the field of bioengineering. By addressing the areas for improvement, particularly in outreach and mentorship, Prof. Zhu could amplify her contributions even further, inspiring the next generation of women scientists and advancing the fight against cancer.