Esmaa Bouhamida | Molecular and Cellular Biology | Cell Biology Research Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Esmaa Bouhamida | Molecular and Cellular Biology | Cell Biology Research Award

Fondazione Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata (VIMM) | Italy

The candidate’s research centers on understanding how mitochondrial signaling, hypoxia-responsive pathways, and cell-cycle regulatory networks collectively influence cardiac regeneration and cardiovascular disease. Their work investigates how hypoxia-inducible factors, particularly HIF-1α, modulate mitochondrial function during ischemic injury, with the broader goal of identifying mechanisms that could restore or enhance the regenerative potential of adult cardiac tissue. Through advanced molecular and cellular approaches, their studies explore how metabolic rewiring, mitochondrial stress responses, and oxygen-sensing pathways govern cardiomyocyte survival, proliferation, and reprogramming.

Building on expertise in molecular biology, signal transduction, and genetics, the researcher has expanded their focus to include the interplay between mitochondrial homeostasis and protein-quality control mechanisms in muscle tissues. Their postdoctoral work examines signaling pathways that regulate proteostasis and their impact on muscle integrity under physiological and pathological conditions. This integrated approach bridges cardiac regeneration, mitochondrial dynamics, and muscle biology, enabling the identification of therapeutic targets relevant to heart failure, ischemia, and degenerative muscle disorders.

Their long-term vision is to develop interventions that combine mitochondrial modulation, gene therapy, and cellular reprogramming strategies to promote tissue repair and functional recovery in cardiovascular disease. Their contributions have been recognized through competitive scientific evaluations at international cardiovascular and stem-cell research forums.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications:

Bouhamida, E., Vadakke-Madathil, S., Mathiyalagan, P., Ranjan, A. K., Khan, A., Sherman, M. P., & others. (2025). Single nucleus transcriptomics supports a role for CCNA2-induced human adult cardiomyocyte cytokinesis. bioRxiv.

Bouhamida, E., Vadakke-Madathil, S., Mathiyalagan, P., Ranjan, A. K., Sherman, M. P., & others. (2025). Cyclin A2 induces cytokinesis in human adult cardiomyocytes and drives reprogramming in mice. npj Regenerative Medicine, 10(1), 47.

Kimberly Gilmour | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Kimberly Gilmour | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Women Researcher Award

Great Ormond Street Hospital | United Kingdom

Kimberly Coughlan Gilmour is a leading expert in immunology, molecular diagnostics, and cell-based therapeutic development. Her early academic work contributed foundational insights into cytokine signaling, particularly the regulation of the Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 (IRF-1) gene and the signal transduction pathways activated by prolactin and interleukin-2. During her postdoctoral research, she investigated mechanisms governing thymocyte proliferation and differentiation using retroviral manipulation of murine thymic organ cultures, advancing understanding of T-cell development.

Gilmour has played a pivotal role in the evolution of clinical immunology diagnostics, leading the development of national services for the molecular diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency disorders. She has been instrumental in translating complex research methodologies—including gene expression analysis, retroviral and lentiviral transduction, and thymus tissue culture—into routine clinical tools that directly inform patient management. Her work supports post-treatment monitoring for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, and targeted antibody-based interventions.

As a leader in cell therapy, she has overseen the implementation of advanced cellular manufacturing processes and supervised the clinical authorization of personalized therapeutic products. Her career integrates immunogenetics, translational science, and cellular therapy innovation, significantly shaping clinical practice for paediatric patients with rare and complex immune disorders.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications:

  • Maimaris, J., Roa-Bautista, A., Sohail, M., et al. (2025). Griscelli Syndrome Type 2: Comprehensive analysis of 149 new and previously described patients with RAB27A deficiency. Journal of Clinical Immunology, 45(50).

  • Author(s) Unknown. (2025). Safety and diagnostic utility of brain biopsy and metagenomics in decision-making for patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) and unexplained neurological manifestations. Journal of Clinical Immunology, 45, 86.

  • Booth, C., Masiuk, K., Vazouras, K., Fernandes, A., Xu-Bayford, J., Campo Fernandez, B., Roy, S., Curio-Penny, B., Arnold, J., Terrazas, D., Reid, J., Gilmour, K. C., Adams, S., Mediavilla, E. A., Mhaldien, L., O’Toole, G., Ahmed, R., Garabedian, E., Malech, H., De Ravin, S. S., Moore, T. B., De Oliveira, S., Pellin, D., Lin, T.-Y., Dang, T. T., Cornetta, K., Hershfield, M. S., Hara, H., Thrasher, A. J., Gaspar, H. B., & Kohn, D. B. (2025). Long-term safety and efficacy of gene therapy for adenosine deaminase deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 393(15), 1486–1497.

  • Guardo, D., Mishra, A. K., Rashed, H., Gilmour, K. C., Adams, S., Pinner, D., Sauer, M., Vora, A., Veys, P., Pavasovic, V., Rao, K., & Qasim, W. (2025). Long-term outcomes of genome-edited “universal” CAR19 T cells for relapsed/refractory B-ALL at a single pediatric center. Blood Advances, 9(18), 4750–4754.

 

Wan Wan Lin | Inflammation | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Wan Wan Lin | Inflammation | Best Researcher Award

Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, NTU | Taiwan

Dr. Wan-Wan Lin is a leading researcher in the fields of pharmacology and immunology, with a strong focus on cellular signaling and innate immune mechanisms. Her work has significantly advanced understanding of signal transduction pathways and their regulation of inflammation and cell death. She has made notable contributions to the study of pattern recognition receptors, inflammasomes, and cytokine-mediated immune responses, particularly in the context of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. Dr. Lin’s research explores how mitochondrial dynamics and redox balance influence inflammatory signaling and programmed cell death, providing key insights into the molecular basis of immune regulation and inflammatory diseases. Her studies have also shed light on the crosstalk between cellular stress responses and immune activation, offering potential therapeutic targets for controlling excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Recognized for her excellence in research, Dr. Lin has received multiple national awards and continues to contribute to the advancement of pharmacological sciences through her editorial and academic roles. Her integrative approach bridges pharmacology, immunology, and cell biology, driving innovations in the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation and innate immunity.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications:

Lin, W.-W., Lee, C.-Y., Tsai, M.-C., & Tsaur, M.-L. (1985). Pharmacological study on angusticeps-type toxins from mamba snake venoms. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 233, 491–498.

Lin, W.-W., Chang, P.-L., Lee, C.-Y., & Joubert, F. J. (1987). Pharmacological study on phospholipases A₂ isolated from Naja mossambica mossambica venom. Proceedings of the National Science Council, Republic of China B, 11, 155–163.

Lin, W.-W., Lee, C.-Y., & Burnett, J. W. (1988). Effect of sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) venom on isolated rat aorta. Toxicon, 26, 1209–1212.

Chiou, S.-H., Lin, W.-W., & Chang, W.-P. (1989). Sequence characterization of venom toxins from Thailand cobra. International Journal of Peptide and Protein Research, 34, 148–152.

Lee, C.-Y., Lin, W.-W., Chen, Y.-M., & Lee, S.-Y. (1989). Is direct cardiotoxicity the primary cause of death following intravenous injection of the basic phospholipase A₂ from Naja nigricollis venom? Acta Physiologica et Pharmacologica Latinoamericana, 39, 383–391.

Lee, C.-Y., & Lin, W.-W. (1989). Two subtypes of acetylcholinesterase isoenzymes distinguishable by Angusticeps-type toxin F7. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Comparative Pharmacology and Toxicology, 92, 279–281.

Lin, W.-W., Lee, C.-Y., & Chuang, D.-M. (1989). Cross-desensitization of endothelin- and sarafotoxin-induced phosphoinositide turnover in neurons. European Journal of Pharmacology, 166, 581–582.

Lin, W.-W., Chen, Y.-M., Lee, S.-Y., Nishio, H., Kimura, T., Sakakibara, S., & Lee, C.-Y. (1990). Cardiovascular effects of two disulfide analogues of sarafotoxin S6b. Toxicon, 28, 911–923.

Lin, W.-W., Lee, C.-Y., Yasumoto, T., & Chuang, D.-M. (1990). Maitotoxin induces phosphoinositide turnover and modulates glutamatergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor function in cultured cerebellar neurons. Journal of Neurochemistry, 55, 1563–1568.

Lin, W.-W., & Lee, C.-Y. (1990). Biphasic effects of endothelin in the guinea-pig ileum. European Journal of Pharmacology, 176, 57–62.

Nestor Garcia | Cellular Stress Response | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Nestor Garcia | Cellular Stress Response | Best Academic Researcher Award

CONICET | Argentina

Dr. Néstor Horacio García, MD, PhD, is a physician-scientist specializing in nephrology and vascular research with a strong focus on renal physiology, hypertension, and phosphate homeostasis. He earned his medical and doctoral degrees from the National University of Córdoba, complemented by advanced research training at the Henry Ford Hospital in the United States, where he investigated mechanisms related to hypertension and vascular regulation. His postdoctoral fellowship at the Mayo Foundation in Rochester, Minnesota, further deepened his expertise in phosphate metabolism and kidney function. Dr. García has served as a Research Clinical Associate in the Nephrology Department at Sanatorium Mayo, Córdoba, where he has acted as Principal Investigator for multiple pharmaceutical protocols and clinical studies. He has also contributed to Inspiranox Therapeutics Corporation as a medical scientist and clinical research consultant, engaging in translational and therapeutic innovation. His research explores the pathophysiology of kidney disease, the molecular regulation of blood pressure, and protective mechanisms against diabetic renal dysfunction. Recognized nationally and internationally, Dr. García has received multiple awards for excellence in basic nephrology research, including honors from the Argentine Society of Hypertension and the Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (SLANH).

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications:

García, N. H. (2021). An intensive follow-up in subjects with cardiometabolic high-risk. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.

García, N. H. (2021). Effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on stroke and atrial fibrillation in diabetic kidney disease. Stroke, 52(5), e125–e132.

García, N. H. (2020). Monosialoganglioside GM1 reduces toxicity of Ptx and increases anti-metastatic effect in a murine mammary cancer model. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 10645.

García, N. H. (2020). Ibuprofen, a traditional drug that may impact the course of COVID-19: New effective formulation in nebulizable solution. Medical Hypotheses, 144, 110079.

García, N. H. (2020). Eicosapentaenoic acid prevents salt sensitivity in diabetic rats and decreases oxidative stress. Nutrition, 79–80, 110644.

Divya Sharma | Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Divya Sharma | Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Best Researcher Award

Amity University, Punjab | India

Dr. Divya Sharma is an accomplished researcher and academic in Computer Science and Engineering, specializing in information security, cyber vulnerabilities, and electronic medical image protection. She completed her B.Tech. in CSE from Shaheed Udham Singh College of Engineering & Technology, Mohali, followed by an M.Tech. in CSE from Rayat & Bahra Institute of Engineering & Biotechnology, Kharar, and earned her Ph.D. from Chitkara University in 2025 with a CGPA of 9.15. Over her career, she has contributed significantly to the field of cybersecurity, publishing research on electronic medical image security and hybrid edge-based steganography with three-layered cryptography, presented at conferences including ICOECA-2024, CUDC-2023, and ADSSS-2023. She has actively engaged in faculty development, attending programs on cyber vulnerabilities, emerging engineering trends, and ICT-based classroom communication. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Technology at Panjab University SSG Regional Center, Hoshiarpur. Dr. Sharma’s work has been recognized for its impact, with multiple papers cited in peer-reviewed venues, reflecting her growing scholarly influence. She has also participated in numerous short-term courses and industry training programs, enhancing her expertise in relational databases, VB.NET, and applied data science, contributing to both teaching excellence and research innovation.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications:

Sharma, D. (2024, April 18–19). Electronic medical images security and privacy techniques. In 4th International Conference on Expert Clouds and Applications (ICOECA-2024), RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, India.

Sharma, D. (2024). Hybrid security of EMI using edge-based steganography and three-layered cryptography. In Applied Data Science and Smart Systems (pp. 278–290). CRC Press.

Sharma, D., & Prabha, C. (2023, May 5–6). Security and privacy aspects of electronic health records: A review. In 2023 International Conference on Advancement in Computation & Computer Technologies (ICACCT). IEEE.

Sharma, D., & Kawatra, R. (2022, July 29–30). Security techniques implementation on big data using steganography and cryptography. In ICT Analysis and Applications (pp. 279–302). Springer Nature Singapore.

Sharma, D. (2015, Sept 4–5). Implementing chi-square method and even mirroring for cryptography of speech signal using MATLAB. In 1st International Conference on Next Generation Computing Technologies (NGCT-2015) (pp. 394–397). IEEE.

Sharma, D. (2015, Dec 21–22). Steganography of speech signal into an image. In 2nd International Conference on Recent Advances in Engineering and Computational Sciences (RAECS-2015) (pp. 1–4). IEEE.