Herbeuval Jean-Philippe | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Innovator Award

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Dr. Herbeuval Jean-Philippe | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Innovator Award

Dr. Herbeuval Jean-Philippe | CNRS | France

Jean-Philippe Herbeuval is a French immunologist and CNRS Director of Research, renowned for pioneering contributions to translational immunology and biomedical innovation. A PhD holder in immuno-oncology, he completed a prestigious Fogarty Fellowship at the NIH, USA, where he earned the Norman P. Salzman Award. He founded and leads the CBMIT team at Université Paris Cité, integrating immunology, virology, and chemistry for therapeutic discovery. Herbeuval has launched two biotech companies: Ermium Therapeutics, based on anti-interferon therapies, and Elyris Pharma, centered on PDK1 as a novel anti-inflammatory target. With 9 patents (3 licensed), €8.8M in research funding, and >70 publications (h-index 28), his innovations span diagnostics to therapeutics. He also contributes to policy and innovation strategy through national and international committees. Recognized for his vision, leadership, and mentorship, Herbeuval exemplifies the intersection of academic research and impactful biotechnology entrepreneurship.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Exceptional Innovation in Immunology & Therapeutics

    • Discovered key therapeutic targets such as CXCR4 and PDK1.

    • Founded Ermium Therapeutics (2019) and Elyris Pharma (2024), securing over €12M in funding.

    • Holds 9 patents, with 3 already licensed — a key indicator of translational success.

  2. Proven Scientific Leadership

    • Director of Research (CNRS), Head of CBMIT at Université Paris Cité.

    • Established and led multiple interdisciplinary research teams and platforms (Cyto2BM, CBMIT).

    • Supervised 10 PhD students, 7 postdocs, and over 18 master’s students, many of whom reached elite positions.

  3. High-Impact Research Output

    • 70+ publications, including high-citation studies on interferon signaling in HIV.

    • Over 3,500 citations, h-index: 28 — showing strong impact and visibility.

  4. Strong National and International Recognition

    • Winner of the prestigious i-Lab National Innovation Prize (France, 2019).

    • Invited speaker at over 24 international conferences; reviewer for Nature Medicine and PNAS.

    • Advisor for funding agencies across the US (NIH), UK (MRC), China, and Brazil.

  5. Valuable Public and Government Engagement

    • CNRS Innovation Ambassador (2024) and expert for multiple national programs (ANRS, Campus France).

    • Actively engages in public science communication (TV, radio, press).

🔧 Areas for Improvement:

  1. Scaling Global Industry Impact

    • While Ermium and Elyris are high-potential, further proof of market adoption and therapeutic success will solidify his innovation leadership globally.

  2. Broader Patent Commercialization

    • More patents could potentially be moved from licensing to full-scale clinical trials or product development phases.

  3. Diversity of Therapeutic Areas

    • While the focus on interferon biology and immunomodulation is powerful, broader expansion into other disease domains (e.g., neuroinflammation, metabolic syndromes) could enhance reach.

🎓 Education:

Jean-Philippe Herbeuval earned his PhD in immuno-oncology in 2001 from Université Jean Monnet, Saint-Étienne, working under the INSERM network. He then pursued a highly competitive five-year Fogarty Postdoctoral Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, under Dr. Gene Shearer, focusing on the antiviral response to HIV. During this time, he earned multiple prestigious awards including the Norman P. Salzman Award and an NIH Young Scientist Cash Award. Upon returning to France, he secured a CNRS Junior PI position in 2006 and received his Habilitation to Direct Research (HDR) in 2008 from Université Paris Descartes. His rapid career progression continued with his appointment as Director of Research (2nd class) in 2013 and promotion to 1st class in 2019 at CNRS UMR8601. His educational path reflects an exceptional blend of scientific rigor, international exposure, and leadership in innovation.

💼 Experience:

Jean-Philippe Herbeuval brings over two decades of distinguished experience at the interface of academic research and biotech innovation. Starting with his postdoctoral fellowship at NIH (2001–2006), he led groundbreaking studies on interferon responses in HIV. Since 2006, he has served within CNRS, creating and leading the CBMIT interdisciplinary team. He established the Cyto2BM core facility and spearheaded multiple translational projects. As scientific founder of Ermium Therapeutics (2019) and Elyris Pharma (2024, in progress), he has successfully attracted venture capital and secured technology transfer agreements. His strategic involvement extends to national innovation committees (ANRS, CNRS, Campus France) and advisory roles. He has trained over 35 researchers and supervised major national/international grants. Notably, he combines deep scientific insight with an entrepreneurial mindset, as shown by his participation in Deeptech Founders and RISE programs. His experience spans leadership, translational science, investment negotiations, and scientific mentoring.

🔬 Research Focus:

Jean-Philippe Herbeuval’s research is centered on translational immunology, particularly type I interferons, autoinflammatory pathways, and host-pathogen interactions. His work explores immune dysregulation in infectious diseases such as HIV, SARS-CoV-2, dengue, and influenza, with a special focus on the immune-modulatory roles of dendritic cells and apoptotic pathways. He has identified novel therapeutic targets including CXCR4 and PDK1, leading to two biotech start-ups and multiple patents. His interdisciplinary CBMIT team integrates immunology, virology, medicinal chemistry, and computational modeling to develop innovative therapeutic strategies and biomarkers. He has a keen interest in immunomodulation, therapeutic interference with IFN pathways, and discovery of druggable checkpoints in innate immunity. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications, his scientific output has shaped current understanding of immune pathogenesis and opened new avenues for therapy in inflammatory and infectious diseases. His approach bridges fundamental research with practical applications in drug discovery and biotech development.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 🧬 HIV inhibits CD4+ T-cell proliferation by inducing indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in plasmacytoid dendritic cells

  2. ⚰️ CD4+ T-cell death induced by infectious and noninfectious HIV-1: role of type 1 interferon–dependent, TRAIL/DR5-mediated apoptosis

  3. 🚻 Sex differences in plasmacytoid dendritic cell levels of IRF5 drive higher IFN-α production in women

  4. 🧪 HIV-1 immunopathogenesis: how good interferon turns bad

  5. 🔄 Regulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and tryptophanyl-tRNA-synthetase by CTLA-4-Fc in human CD4+ T cells

  6. 🧠 Differential expression of IFN-α and TRAIL/DR5 in lymphoid tissue of progressor vs. nonprogressor HIV-1-infected patients

  7. 🧟 HIV turns plasmacytoid dendritic cells into TRAIL-expressing killer pDC via TLR7-induced IFN-α

  8. 🧬 Regulation of TRAIL on primary CD4+ T cells by HIV-1: role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells

  9. 💉 TRAIL in HIV-1–infected patients and its production by antigen-presenting cells

  10. 🧫 Recruitment of STAT3 for production of IL-10 by colon carcinoma cells induced by macrophage-derived IL-6

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Jean-Philippe Herbeuval stands out as a highly qualified and deserving candidate for the Best Innovator Award. His rare combination of scientific excellence, translational innovation, entrepreneurial leadership, and mentorship places him in the top tier of biomedical innovators. His work not only bridges science and industry but also directly contributes to addressing global health challenges. Continued support and recognition of his efforts will likely catalyze further innovation in therapeutic immunology.

Dagmar Schmid | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Dagmar Schmid | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Dagmar Schmid, HOCH, Health Ostschweiz, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Klinik für Psychosomatik und Konsiliarpsychiatrie, Switzerland

PD Dr. med. Dagmar A. Schmid is a German physician and internationally recognized expert in psychosomatic medicine, consultative psychiatry, and sleep research. Born in Neuburg/Donau in 1969, she currently serves as Chief Physician and Director at the Clinic for Psychosomatics, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Switzerland. With over two decades of experience across leading institutions in Germany and Switzerland, Dr. Schmid has made significant contributions to research on chronic pain, sleep disorders, stress, trauma, and Long COVID. Her integrative, evidence-based clinical approach bridges psychotherapy, neuroendocrinology, and psychosomatic care. She is also a passionate educator, holding lectureships at UZH, ETH, HSG, and USB, and is involved in curriculum development for medical training. A Fellow of the Max Planck Society, she holds a habilitation from the University of Zurich. Dr. Schmid combines research leadership, therapeutic innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, making her a compelling candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

✅ Strengths Supporting Suitability for the Award:

1. Outstanding Clinical-Scientific Integration

  • PD Dr. Schmid bridges psychiatry, psychosomatics, sleep medicine, and trauma, integrating clinical practice with impactful research.

  • Her work is deeply translational, evidenced by studies like CBT for narcolepsy, multimodal pain therapy, and psychotraumatology in somatic settings.

2. Highly Relevant and Timely Research Topics

  • Research on Long COVID, psychotraumatology, insomnia, and workplace mental health is at the forefront of global health challenges.

  • Interdisciplinary projects (e.g., with neurology, gynecology, immunology) reflect innovation and relevance to both women’s and public health.

3. International Recognition & Academic Output

  • Over 40 peer-reviewed publications, including in high-impact journals.

  • Multiple first-author papers, invited talks, and poster awards reflect peer validation.

  • Recipient of prestigious awards and fellowships (e.g., Max Planck Society, Heraeus Foundation).

4. Leadership and Mentorship

  • Clinic Director and Chief Physician since 2017.

  • Responsible for establishing therapy units and sleep diagnostics services.

  • Supervises dissertations, reflecting her mentorship commitment, especially valuable for empowering future women researchers.

5. Teaching & Outreach

  • Teaching roles at major Swiss institutions (ETH, UZH, HSG, USB).

  • Leadership in educational modules on psychosomatics, communication, and sleep disorders.

  • Speaker in national specialist curricula, enhancing knowledge dissemination.

6. Focus on Women’s Health

  • Specific projects on gynecological trauma, psychosomatics in oncology, and stress-related conditions affecting women’s mental and physical health.

⚠️ Areas for Potential Improvement or Future Growth:

1. International Visibility in Gender-Specific Medicine

  • While her research is highly relevant to women’s mental health, more direct engagement in gender-specific medical research networks or global women’s health collaborations would further strengthen her candidacy.

2. Research Leadership in Consortia

  • Leading international multicenter studies or EU-funded programs would enhance her influence on policy-level decisions in women’s mental health.

3. Visibility in Advocacy and Policy

  • Greater participation in public policy or healthcare advisory roles (e.g., for WHO or national bodies) on topics like Long COVID in women or trauma-informed care would expand her societal impact.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Schmid earned her medical doctorate at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, with a dissertation on hormone secretion and sleep EEG in depression. From 1998 to 2002, she held a prestigious scholarship from the Max Planck Society, further advancing her research in psychoneuroendocrinology. Her habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) was completed at the University of Zurich in 2023, titled “Psychophysiology in Psychosomatics Using Sleep as an Example”. She is a certified specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy in both Germany and Switzerland. Her therapeutic training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), EMDR trauma therapy, hypnotherapy, and CBASP for chronic depression. Dr. Schmid has also completed the GCP clinical research certification, the SIM expert certificate, and advanced training in psycho-oncology. Her interdisciplinary education forms the foundation of her clinical innovation and scientific impact.

💼 Professional Experience:

Dr. Schmid has held senior positions in top psychiatric and psychosomatic institutions. From 1998–2002, she worked at the Max Planck Institute, followed by clinical roles in Zurich and Basel. At Clienia Schlössli AG, she led psychotherapy and DBT programs, later joining the University Hospital Zurich, working in sleep medicine, liaison psychiatry, and emergency psychiatry. Since 2017, she is Chief Physician and Clinic Director for Psychosomatics and Consultant Psychiatry at the Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, where she also established a sleep diagnostics department. She’s active in training and supervising medical staff, conducting expert evaluations, and coordinating interdisciplinary care for Long COVID, trauma, and chronic pain. Since 2025, she has also been affiliated with the University Hospital Basel. Her professional journey reflects leadership in clinical development, patient-centered innovations, and academic collaboration.

🏆 Awards & Honors:

Dr. Schmid’s excellence in research and clinical work has been recognized with multiple awards. She received the prestigious Max Planck Society Fellowship (1998–2001) and the Heraeus Foundation Award in 2000. She has won poster prizes at national congresses for work in psychotraumatology (SAPPM/SPS 2022) and sleep-pain therapy (SGPP 2022). She holds the Certificate of Competence in Sleep Medicine, Psycho-Oncology, and is a certified CBT/DBT/IPT/EMDR therapist. She’s a frequent speaker in consultant psychiatry and psychosomatics curricula across Switzerland and Germany, and has led training programs for medical communication, CBT-insomnia, and trauma therapy. Her habilitation (2023) and over 40 peer-reviewed publications reflect sustained academic achievement. Additionally, she has supervised doctoral and master’s theses and collaborated in major clinical research projects, including Long COVID, narcolepsy, and psychosomatic gynecology. These honors and contributions underscore her qualification for the Research for Women Researcher Award.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Schmid’s research bridges psychosomatic medicine, neuroendocrinology, and sleep science, with emphasis on chronic pain, trauma, stress disorders, and Long COVID. Her work explores how hormonal rhythms, sleep patterns, and mental health interact—using sleep EEG, endocrine markers, and clinical interventions. She developed novel group therapies for narcolepsy, dizziness, and insomnia and led outcome evaluations for interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (IMPT). Her recent focus includes psychosocial recovery in healthcare workers post-COVID, and pilot studies on plasmapheresis in chronic fatigue syndrome. She also investigates cognitive outcomes, emotion regulation, and therapeutic online models, especially for vulnerable populations. Her research integrates clinical trials, neurobiology, and psychotherapy, contributing to evidence-based advancements in psychosomatic practice. She leads projects at the Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen and collaborates with researchers across neurology, gynecology, and internal medicine, making her research highly interdisciplinary and translational in nature.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  • 🧠 Increased GH Response to Apomorphine in Parkinson vs MSA (Arch Neurol, 2001)

  • 🍔 Ghrelin Stimulates Appetite, GH, ACTH, Cortisol in Normals (Sleep Res, 2005)

  • 🛌 Nocturnal Ghrelin Levels & Sleep EEG Correlation (Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2006)

  • 🌙 CRH1-Antagonist Improves Sleep EEG in Depression (J Psychiatr Res, 2004)

  • 🌀 Dizziness and Anxiety – A Psychosomatic Link (Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2020)

  • 😴 Ghrelin Promotes Deep Sleep in Humans (AJPEM, 2003)

  • 🧬 CRH Test, Sleep, and Depression Vulnerability (J Psychiatr Res, 2008)

  • 🧪 Cortisol and Sleep Depth in Depression (J Psychiatr Res, 2008)

  • 🦠 HPA Axis & Cytokines in Depression (J Psychiatr Res, 2003)

  • 🧬 Factors Affecting HPA Reactivity in Depression (Neuropsychopharmacology, 2003)

  • 🧘‍♀️ Long COVID & Mental Health in Healthcare Workers (In Prep, 2025)

  • 🛏 IMPT Effectiveness in Chronic Pain-Related Insomnia (In Progress)

  • 🎯 Group Therapy in Narcolepsy: Emotion Regulation & Acceptance (2021-2022)

  • 🎓 CBT-Insomnia Education for Non-Psychiatrists (Ongoing Teaching)

✅ Conclusion:

PD Dr. med. Dagmar A. Schmid is an exceptionally qualified and impactful candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her integrative, patient-centered research, particularly in sleep medicine, psychotraumatology, and Long COVID, directly contributes to improving women’s health. Combined with her extensive clinical leadership, educational outreach, and publication record, she exemplifies the spirit of this award.