PANAGIOTA TSIATSIOU | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. PANAGIOTA TSIATSIOU | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Dr. PANAGIOTA TSIATSIOU, AHEPA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, Greece

Dr. Panagiota Tsiatsiou is a dedicated medical biopathologist with over two decades of service in the Greek National Health System. Born on March 17, 1969, in Thessaloniki, Greece, she earned her M.D. from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has specialized in hematology diagnostics, molecular biology, and public health. Since 2011, she has served in the Hematology Section at AHEPA University Hospital and was appointed Director in 2018. Her role extends beyond diagnostics to include leadership, training of residents, and managing lab operations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With three Master’s degrees and active participation in scientific publications and conferences, Dr. Tsiatsiou continues to bridge clinical practice and research. Her work on angiopoietins and biomarkers in COVID-19 patients demonstrates her commitment to innovative healthcare solutions and translational medicine.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

Orcid

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Clinical and Laboratory Expertise
    Over 20 years of experience in microbiology and hematology laboratories, with advanced specialization in Medical Biopathology, PCR techniques, and molecular hematology.

  2. Research Impact in COVID-19
    Lead author in two recent international peer-reviewed publications (2024, 2025) on angiopoietins and endothelial damage in COVID-19—topics of significant relevance in post-pandemic biomedical research.

  3. Academic Qualifications
    Holder of three Master’s degrees in Health Services Management, Public Health, and Biomedical Sciences—demonstrating a strong interdisciplinary foundation and commitment to academic excellence.

  4. Mentorship and Leadership
    Director of the Hematology Section at AHEPA University Hospital since 2018; deeply involved in resident training and lab coordination, especially during the pandemic, proving strong leadership under crisis.

  5. Scientific Contribution

    • 6 publications (4 international, 2 Greek)

    • 99 scientific papers

    • Participation in 158 scientific conferences, workshops, and seminars—highlighting strong engagement with the research community.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Global Visibility
    While research quality is high, international recognition could be improved by targeting higher-impact journals and expanding collaborations outside Greece.

  2. Grants and Funding Leadership
    CV does not specify involvement in research grant acquisition or project funding management—which are often critical metrics in high-level research awards.

  3. Innovation and Patents
    There is no mention of patents, technological innovation, or industry partnerships, which could further enhance her scientific portfolio.

  4. Broader Publication Scope
    Expanding beyond COVID-19-related studies to publish more widely in hematologic and molecular diagnostics would strengthen her long-term research narrative.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Tsiatsiou holds a solid educational background in medicine and public health. She completed her M.D. at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1988–1995), followed by rural service and specialization in Medical Biopathology at Theageneio Anticancer Hospital, obtaining her board certification in 2002. She pursued a Master’s in Health Services Management (2005–2008) at the Hellenic Open University, focusing on blood donor psychology. She furthered her expertise with a Master’s in Public Health at the National School of Public Health, where she studied foodborne infections. Additionally, she obtained a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Diagnosis and Therapy, focusing on genetic mutations like FV Leiden. Her academic trajectory reflects a deep interdisciplinary approach—combining clinical knowledge, health systems, and research.

🏥 Experience:

Dr. Tsiatsiou’s clinical career spans more than 20 years, primarily within Greece’s National Health System. From 2003 to 2020, she served in various microbiology labs, refining her diagnostic skills. Since July 2011, she has worked in the Hematology Section at AHEPA University Hospital, leading the unit since 2018. Her expertise includes hemostasis, hemoglobinopathies, and molecular testing, and she has been instrumental in staff training and lab management. She led the hemostasis lab during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring continuity and quality of diagnostics under pressure. Her dedication to resident education in both Medical Biopathology and General Medicine has made her a respected mentor. Dr. Tsiatsiou’s leadership has elevated the lab’s scientific output, and her involvement in over 150 conferences showcases her engagement with ongoing medical developments.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Tsiatsiou’s research is centered on hematology diagnostics, hemostasis disorders, and molecular markers in infectious diseases. Her most recent work investigates endothelial damage and angiopoietin levels as predictors in COVID-19 patients during the Delta and Omicron waves. This research bridges laboratory medicine with clinical outcomes, offering vital insights into disease severity and prognostics. She also explores genetic predispositions, such as FV Leiden mutations, in thrombotic risk profiling. Her postgraduate theses and training in PCR and molecular hematology underscore her commitment to translational science. With 6 peer-reviewed publications and 99 scientific papers, her academic output is diverse and impactful. Dr. Tsiatsiou’s multidimensional research contributes not only to hematology but also to public health and epidemiology, making her work highly relevant in modern medicine and worthy of recognition.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📄 Biomarkers of Endothelial Damage and Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients, Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2025

  2. 📄 Angiopoietins as Predictor Indexes in COVID-19 Patients in Delta and Omicron Waves, Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024

  3. 📄 Thesis: Trends, Attitudes, and Motivations of Blood Donors and Non-Donors – Hellenic Open University

  4. 📄 Thesis: Foodborne Infections in Urban and Rural Populations of Central Macedonia – National School of Public Health

  5. 📄 Thesis: Prevalence of FV Leiden Mutation in a Tertiary Hospital – Democritus University of Thrace & IHU

  6. 📄 Additional 99 scientific papers and 158 participations in academic events

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Panagiota Tsiatsiou is a highly qualified and impactful researcher with significant contributions in hematology, molecular diagnostics, and public health. Her recent publications in Current Issues in Molecular Biology show scientific depth and relevance, especially regarding the clinical progression of COVID-19. She is an excellent candidate for a national or institutional Best Researcher Award, particularly in medical diagnostics and laboratory medicine.

Ju Cao | Medical Laboratory Science | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Ju Cao | Medical Laboratory Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Ju Cao , The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , China

Ju Cao is a renowned professor at The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China, and a leading expert in the field of infectious diseases and sepsis. As a graduate supervisor and professor, Dr. Cao has been recognized for his significant contributions to scientific and technological innovation in China. His research primarily focuses on the development and application of biomarkers in diagnosing and understanding organ damage in infectious diseases, especially sepsis. Over the years, Dr. Cao has published over 30 SCI papers in prestigious international journals and holds several patents. He serves as an editorial board member of The Clinical Respiratory Journal and is actively involved in national and international research collaborations. His innovative work has garnered attention for its potential to improve patient outcomes through early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis and other infectious diseases.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

Ju Cao is a distinguished scholar in the field of infectious diseases and sepsis, contributing significantly to the identification and development of biomarkers for diagnosing, monitoring, and prognosticating these conditions. As a professor at The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, he has demonstrated leadership and excellence in both research and academic mentorship. He has published over 100 research articles, including impactful works in high-profile journals such as Sci Transl Med, Am J Respir Crit Care Med, and Gut Microbes. His work on immune regulatory mechanisms, molecular diagnostics, and therapeutic biomarkers has proven essential for advancing the treatment and prevention of sepsis and related infections. Furthermore, Ju Cao’s collaboration in major national and international research projects has led to numerous groundbreaking findings in the field.

Areas for Improvement:

While Ju Cao’s focus on diagnostic biomarkers is highly impactful, there may be room for a deeper integration of translational research that bridges the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications. Additionally, more interdisciplinary collaborations that extend his research into other infectious diseases or global health challenges could enhance the scope and application of his work.

Education:

Dr. Ju Cao holds a distinguished academic background in the medical field, with a focus on immunology and clinical diagnostics. His early education in medicine laid a solid foundation for his career, later transitioning to advanced studies in immunology and infectious diseases. After completing his medical degree, Dr. Cao pursued postgraduate research in biomarker development, focusing on the intersection of immune responses and infectious diseases. He has continually enhanced his expertise through various international collaborations and research initiatives, particularly in sepsis, organ damage, and immune system modulation. His commitment to advancing the understanding of infectious diseases has been bolstered by his ongoing contributions to both academic and practical applications in medical diagnostics. Dr. Cao’s educational journey is a testament to his dedication to advancing medical science and improving patient care through innovative research and leadership in his field.

Experience:

Dr. Ju Cao is a professor at The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, where he has played a key role in research, mentorship, and clinical advancement. He is recognized as a leading talent in scientific and technological innovation in China. With a research career spanning several years, Dr. Cao has been the principal investigator for numerous national and international research projects focusing on infectious diseases and sepsis. He has contributed to over 30 influential publications in prominent international journals, including Am J Respir Crit Care Med, EMBO Mol Med, and Plos Pathog. In addition to his research accomplishments, Dr. Cao holds leadership roles in several professional societies, including the Chinese Society of Laboratory Medicine and the Chinese Medical Doctor Association. His expertise in biomarker discovery has significantly influenced the clinical management of infectious diseases and sepsis, making him a respected figure in the medical community both nationally and globally.

Research Focus:

Dr. Ju Cao’s research focuses on the diagnosis and prognosis of infectious diseases, particularly sepsis, and the role of biomarkers in these processes. His work has significantly contributed to understanding the molecular mechanisms behind organ damage in sepsis, with a primary emphasis on immune system regulation. Dr. Cao’s studies explore the development and application of biomarkers to improve early diagnosis, monitor therapeutic responses, and predict patient outcomes in sepsis and other infectious diseases. Through his research, he has contributed to uncovering immune regulatory pathways and identifying novel therapeutic targets, such as interleukins and other immune modulators. His ongoing projects include exploring the roles of interleukin-27, CXCL13, and progranulin in the progression and treatment of sepsis. Additionally, Dr. Cao is involved in advancing the clinical application of these biomarkers to help improve survival rates and treatment efficacy for patients suffering from severe infections, making a lasting impact on global healthcare.

Publication Top Notes:

  1. “Bone morphogenetic protein 9 is a candidate prognostic biomarker and host-directed therapy target for sepsis” 🌟
  2. “Progranulin protects against Clostridioides difficile infection by enhancing IL-22 production” 🔬
  3. “Progranulin Plays a Central Role in Host Defense during Sepsis by Promoting Macrophage Recruitment” 🦠
  4. “Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage differentiates bacteria from influenza or COVID-19 in hospitalized adults with community-acquired pneumonia” 💉
  5. “Interleukin-37 as a biomarker of mortality risk in patients with sepsis” ⚠️

Conclusion:

Ju Cao is undoubtedly a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His extensive research output, leadership in the field, and contributions to the understanding and treatment of infectious diseases and sepsis highlight his exceptional expertise and dedication. His innovative approach to diagnostics and therapy, coupled with his consistent track record of influential publications, makes him a deserving nominee for this prestigious award.