Zhi Guo | Stem Cell Research | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Dr Zhi Guo | Stem Cell Research | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr Zhi Guo | Department of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital | China

Dr. Zhi Guo is a distinguished expert in hematology with over 25 years of clinical and academic experience. Currently serving as Director, Academic Leader, Chief Physician, and Professor at the Department of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, he has been instrumental in advancing hematologic malignancy treatments in China. With extensive expertise in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, Dr. Guo has successfully performed more than 1,300 transplant cases. He began his career at the PLA Army General Hospital, serving there for nearly two decades before transitioning to his current role. A prolific researcher, he has authored over 10 peer-reviewed publications and five books, contributing substantially to the understanding of CAR-T therapy, gut microbiota, and transplantation immunology. He is an active member of major national and international hematology associations and plays a vital role in formulating clinical consensus and guidelines in China.

publication profile:

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

Dr. Zhi Guo exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding medical researcher and clinician. With nearly 25 years of clinical experience in hematology and over 20 years in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, he stands out as a national leader in this field. His performance of more than 1,300 transplants, along with a strong academic footprint, including 10 SCI-indexed publications in 2024–2025, demonstrates both depth and innovation in his research. He has also contributed to national expert consensus and clinical guidelines, particularly in CAR-T therapy and intestinal microecology. Dr. Guo’s leadership roles across national academic committees and his active membership in the American Society of Hematology further highlight his international impact and collaborative influence.

Areas for Improvement:

While Dr. Guo’s achievements in clinical practice and research are significant, opportunities exist to increase global visibility by expanding his research collaborations internationally and publishing in higher-impact journals beyond regional scopes. Additionally, while five books have been authored, the addition of patents or translational innovations could enhance his profile in the realm of research commercialization and practical medical technologies.

Education :

Dr. Zhi Guo holds a strong academic background in clinical medicine and medical research. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine from Tongji Medical College in 2000. Subsequently, he pursued his postgraduate medical studies at the Third Military Medical University, completing it in 2007. His academic journey culminated with the attainment of a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Wuhan University of Science and Technology. His education laid a strong foundation in hematology and clinical research methodologies. Each step in his educational path was marked by an emphasis on academic rigor and clinical competence, preparing him for a leadership role in medical science and hematologic research. His multidisciplinary background has enabled him to integrate clinical insights with advanced laboratory-based innovations, contributing to national-level guidelines and the development of cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapies and transplantation techniques.

Experience :

Dr. Zhi Guo brings nearly 25 years of clinical, academic, and leadership experience in the field of hematology. He began his professional journey at the PLA Army General Hospital, where he served from 2000 to 2018. During this period, he honed his clinical and procedural expertise in managing complex hematologic disorders. Since 2018, he has been leading the Department of Hematology at Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital as Director, Academic Leader, and Chief Physician. His rich experience includes more than 1,300 hematopoietic stem cell transplantations, encompassing autologous, allogeneic, and CAR-T integrated therapies. His leadership extends beyond clinical care, as he also mentors postgraduate medical students and leads multiple national and institutional research projects. Dr. Guo’s practical experience is balanced with his strategic contributions to medical consensus formulation and research-driven policy initiatives in cancer and immune-hematological disorders.

Research Focus :

Dr. Zhi Guo’s research centers on hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, particularly the integration of cellular immunotherapy such as CAR-T cell treatments. His recent work includes pioneering anti-CD19, anti-CD7, and anti-BCMA CAR-T therapies for lymphomas and leukemias. Additionally, he has investigated the interplay between microbiota and immune modulation in transplantation, highlighting the role of gut and oral microbiomes in patient outcomes. His contributions have influenced the development of clinical guidelines for microbiota-related diagnostics and treatments in oncology. With more than 10 high-impact journal publications and ongoing projects in translational medicine, Dr. Guo’s work combines laboratory innovation with patient-centered applications. He has also authored expert consensus documents and national guidelines, helping shape China’s hematology and transplantation protocols. His commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, clinical innovation, and translational research underscores his leading role in advancing modern hematology.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. 🧬 In vitro validation of anti-CD19 CAR-T cells with LSD1 shRNA for DLBCL – Front Immunol, 2025

  2. 🩸 Case of T-ALL treated with chemo + anti-CD7 CAR-T (retroviral vector) – Front Immunol, 2025

  3. 👶 Shaping oral/intestinal microbiota & immunity in first 1,000 days of life – Front Pediatr, 2025

  4. 💩 Fecal microbiota transplantation in acute GVHD treatment – J Cancer Res Ther, 2024

  5. 🔬 Chinese consensus on gut microecology lab standards – Exp Ther Med, 2024

  6. 🧪 2024 Chinese guidelines for intestinal microecology in cancer – J Cancer Res Ther, 2024

  7. 🧫 First MM case treated with ASCT + anti-BCMA CAR-T (retrovirus) – Heliyon, 2024

  8. 🧾 Rapid response in relapsed FL to anti-CD19 CAR-T with CMV – Int Immunopharmacol, 2024

  9. 🦷 Prognostic impact of oral microbiome in cancer survival – meta-analysis – Syst Rev, 2024

  10. 🧍‍⚕️ Expert consensus on gut microbiome & hematopoietic stem cell transplantation – Clin Transplant, 2024

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Dr. Zhi Guo is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His combination of clinical excellence, academic leadership, and impactful research in hematology and stem cell transplantation positions him among the top contributors in this specialized field. With ongoing research in CAR-T cell therapies, microbiota influence on transplantation, and immuno-oncology, Dr. Guo continues to shape the future of hematologic cancer care. Recognizing his contributions with this award would be both fitting and encouraging for continued innovation in this vital area of medicine.

 

Philippe Menasché | Stem Cell Research | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Philippe Menasché | Stem Cell Research | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Philippe Menasché, AP-HP, France

Prof. Philippe Menasché, born on August 10, 1950, is a pioneering French cardiovascular surgeon and regenerative medicine researcher. Renowned globally for his work in cell therapy and heart failure, he performed the world’s first fetal stem cell transplantation in a human heart. With over four decades in medicine, he has blended surgical excellence with translational research, bridging the gap between bench and bedside. A professor since 1988, his leadership spans multiple roles—from senior hospital surgeon to director of major research teams at INSERM and the Carpentier Foundation. He has served as scientific advisor to health authorities and remains an active contributor to high-impact publications and international collaborations. A recipient of prestigious honors such as the Prix Galien and the Earl Bakken Award, Prof. Menasché continues to shape the future of cardiovascular regenerative therapy.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Pioneering Clinical Innovation

    • Performed the first-in-man fetal stem cell transplantation for cardiac repair.

    • Led translational research turning basic stem cell science into clinical applications.

  2. Extensive Academic and Research Leadership

    • Over four decades of experience as a cardiovascular surgeon and academic leader.

    • Directed major units at INSERM, Carpentier Foundation, and Paris Hospitals.

  3. Global Recognition and Awards

    • Recipient of highly prestigious scientific prizes such as the Prix Galien (2016) and Earl Bakken Award (2011).

    • Recognized by top French and international medical societies.

  4. Recent and Relevant Research Impact

    • Active contributor to multicenter trials including ISCHEMIA, STROMA-CoV-2, and TRAUMACELL.

    • Publications in high-impact journals on cardiac regeneration, cell therapy, and stem cell-derived secretomes.

  5. Leadership in Science Policy and Ethics

    • President of the Medical and Scientific Council at France’s Agency of Biomedicine.

    • Advisor to the French Minister of Health (2005–2007), influencing national bioethics and translational policy.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader International Integration

    • While internationally recognized, deeper ongoing collaboration with North American and Asian biomedical consortia could further elevate global influence.

    • The upcoming visiting professorship at Columbia University (2025) is a strong step in this direction.

  2. Integration of AI & Digital Health

    • Limited evidence of work in AI-guided regenerative medicine, machine learning in cardiac diagnostics, or digital health integration in therapeutic development.

    • These areas represent major future growth potential in cardiac care.

  3. Mentorship Visibility

    • While his scientific contributions are vast, greater emphasis on training and mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists would bolster his legacy.

📚 Education:

Prof. Menasché’s academic foundation is rooted in two pillars of French higher education. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the Faculté de Médecine de Paris in 1979, graduating with honors, including the coveted Internship Golden Medal. He then pursued deeper inquiry into biomedical science, culminating in a Doctorate in Science (PhD) from Université Paris-Orsay in 1987. His dual training in clinical medicine and scientific research provided the ideal springboard for a career that integrates patient care with innovation. In 1988, he became a Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, reflecting his command of both technical skill and academic leadership. His scholarly progression has also led to visiting roles abroad, including a forthcoming appointment as Visiting Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University in 2025. This cross-disciplinary education empowers his unique contribution to both surgical practice and regenerative cardiovascular therapies.

🏥 Experience:

Prof. Menasché began his medical journey in 1973 as an intern in Paris hospitals, ascending to Senior Staff Surgeon in 1988—a position he still holds. From 1995 to 2007, he served as Director of Research at the Surgical School of the Greater Paris Academic Hospitals. His research leadership extended to INSERM, where he directed Unit U633 and co-led regenerative therapy teams. He headed the Laboratory of Biosurgical Research at the Carpentier Foundation from 2002 to 2018. In parallel, he has played influential roles on regulatory and advisory boards, including as President of the Medical and Scientific Council of France’s Agency of Biomedicine. A dedicated member of multiple medical and scientific societies, Prof. Menasché has edited prestigious journals and contributed to over a dozen major clinical trials and collaborative studies. His experience combines clinical excellence, institutional leadership, and innovative research in heart failure and cell therapy.

🧬 Research Focus:

Prof. Menasché’s research is centered on regenerative medicine for cardiovascular diseases, particularly using stem cells and secretomes to repair damaged heart tissue post-myocardial infarction. His team explores therapeutic strategies involving pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, mesenchymal stromal cells, and extracellular vesicles to promote myocardial regeneration and immune modulation. He has led pioneering first-in-human trials, including the use of cell-derived secretomes in heart failure patients. His investigations bridge fundamental science with translational application, often conducted in multicenter randomized controlled trials. His work also intersects with neurological conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, using cell-based therapies to address neuroinflammation. Prof. Menasché is also involved in evaluating the safety and efficacy of stem cell-based interventions in ARDS, including COVID-19-associated cases. A central member of the European Society of Cardiology’s regenerative medicine group, he is advancing personalized and precise treatments for heart failure through novel biologics and bioengineering tools.

📄 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 🫀 Revitalizing the heart: strategies and tools for cardiomyocyte regeneration post-myocardial infarction

  2. 💉 Trials and tribulations of cell therapy for heart failure: an update on ongoing trials

  3. 🫀📊 Evaluating the Appropriate Use Criteria for Coronary Revascularization in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease Using Randomized Data From the ISCHEMIA Trial

  4. 🧠🧪 Effects of intravascular administration of mesenchymal stromal cells…after traumatic brain injury (TRAUMACELL)

  5. 💓🧫 Relationship Between Severity of Ischemia and Coronary Artery Disease for Different Stress Test Modalities in the ISCHEMIA Trial

  6. 🦠🫁 Treatment of COVID-19-associated ARDS with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (STROMA-CoV-2)

  7. 🧬💗 Head-to-head comparison of relevant cell sources of small extracellular vesicles for cardiac repair

  8. 🫀💉 First-in-man use of a cardiovascular cell-derived secretome in heart failure – Case report

  9. 🧬🫀 Human PSC-derived cardiac cells and their products: therapies for cardiac repair

  10. 🫀🫄 Impact of Complete Revascularization in the ISCHEMIA Trial

📝 Conclusion:

Prof. Philippe Menasché is exceptionally qualified for the Best Researcher Award. His groundbreaking work in cardiac regeneration, commitment to translational medicine, and lasting contributions to surgical science and healthcare policy make him a uniquely impactful figure. His track record is not only defined by scientific innovation but also by societal relevance, particularly in addressing heart failure—a leading global health burden.