Saloni Singh | Microbial Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Saloni Singh | Microbial Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Saloni Singh, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, South Korea

Saloni Singh is a dedicated Ph.D. student at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, South Korea, specializing in microbiology and food safety. Originally from India, she has demonstrated excellence in research through her academic journey from a Gold Medalist in B.Sc. Microbiology to an award-winning M.Sc. scholar in Food Science and Technology under the Global Korea Scholarship. Her academic record is complemented by a growing portfolio of impactful publications focusing on pathogens, gut microbiota, and antimicrobial strategies. Saloni’s research is deeply rooted in public health improvement, particularly in understanding microbial interactions and resistance mechanisms. She has presented her findings in reputed journals and continues to push boundaries in microbiome-based therapeutic approaches. Beyond academics, she exhibits leadership, critical thinking, and a strong commitment to scientific innovation. Her interdisciplinary background and persistent research efforts make her a strong candidate for the Women Research Award, recognizing her as a rising talent in biosciences.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Academic Excellence 🎓

    • Gold Medalist in B.Sc. Microbiology with a GPA of 9.8/10

    • Global Korea Scholarship awardee during M.S. with Best Researcher recognition

    • Ph.D. scholar at a reputed South Korean university under leading academic mentorship

  2. Strong Research Profile 🔬

    • First-author publications in high-impact journals such as Pathogens, Microorganisms, and Life

    • Research contributions on critical public health issues: gut microbiota, foodborne pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance

  3. Interdisciplinary Impact 🌐

    • Bridging microbiology, immunology, food safety, and cancer therapy

    • Conducted in vitro studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews with international relevance

  4. Publication Record 📝

    • Five published research papers, including:

      • Campylobacter in poultry processing environments

      • Gut microbiota protection mechanisms against Salmonella Typhimurium

      • Emerging strategies using Clostridium species for anticancer therapy

  5. Global Experience & Recognition 🌍

    • Cross-cultural academic experience in India and South Korea

    • Collaboration with diverse teams and advisors in life science and food safety disciplines

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  • Field Engagement: Increasing participation in international conferences or presenting as an invited speaker would boost her scientific visibility and leadership profile.

  • Advanced Techniques: Expanding skill sets in omics-based platforms (e.g., metagenomics, transcriptomics) can enhance the depth of her microbiome research.

  • Patent or Product Development: Translating her findings into applicable biotech solutions or industry-oriented innovations could broaden her impact.

📘 Education:

Saloni Singh holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Patna Women’s College under Patna University, where she graduated with a stellar GPA of 9.8/10 and was awarded the Gold Medal for topping the university in 2021. Building upon her strong academic base, she pursued her Master of Science in Food Science and Technology at Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea. As a Global Korea Scholarship scholar (2021–2024), she worked under the mentorship of Prof. Ok Kyung Koo, excelling in gut microbiota research and winning the “Best Researcher Award.” Currently, she is a Ph.D. student at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, working under Prof. Seung-Oh Seo in the Department of Bioengineering. Her academic focus spans microbial pathogenesis, gut health, and food safety. Saloni’s rigorous training and global education have equipped her with deep scientific insight and research competence essential for advancing microbiological and biomedical innovations.

🧪 Experience:

Saloni Singh brings rich research experience across microbiology, food safety, and biotechnology. During her M.S. at Chungnam National University, she led a thesis project on gut microbiome dynamics during Salmonella Typhimurium infection, employing in vitro models to uncover microbial resistance mechanisms. Her experience includes working on high-impact studies, resulting in multiple first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals. As a Ph.D. candidate, she is delving into advanced therapeutic strategies using gut microbiota and spore-forming bacteria like Clostridium for cancer treatment. Saloni is adept in microbial culture, data analysis, systematic reviews, and immunological assays. Her cross-disciplinary experience extends to virology and antimicrobial resistance, as seen in her studies on Listeria monocytogenes and Influenza virus. Her scientific contributions have been recognized with academic awards and research excellence certifications. She continues to collaborate with international researchers, demonstrating both independent and team research capabilities. Her professional journey exemplifies commitment, skill, and innovation in life sciences.

🧬 Research Focus:

Saloni Singh’s research primarily revolves around microbial pathogenesis, gut microbiota-host interactions, and foodborne pathogen control. Her M.S. thesis explored how gut microbiota respond to Salmonella Typhimurium infections, providing insight into microbial defense mechanisms. She is particularly interested in how commensal bacteria modulate immune responses and offer protection against pathogenic invasion. Her current Ph.D. work extends this interest to the use of anaerobic spore-forming bacteria like Clostridium for anticancer strategies, integrating microbiome science with therapeutic innovation. Saloni also investigates antimicrobial resistance patterns in food environments and their public health implications, exemplified in her meta-analysis on Campylobacter contamination in South Korean poultry. Her methodology encompasses in vitro studies, systematic reviews, and data-driven meta-analyses, enabling her to derive translational insights. Her research contributes to developing preventive and therapeutic interventions by leveraging microbiota as a functional tool. Her long-term goal is to design microbiome-based solutions to combat infectious diseases and improve food safety standards globally.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📄 A Comprehensive Review Exploring the Protective Role of Specific Commensal Gut Bacteria against Salmonella – Pathogens, 2024

  2. 📊 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Campylobacter Species Contamination in Poultry, Meat, and Processing Environments in South Korea – Microorganisms, 2023

  3. 🧫 Identification of Bacteria from under Finger Nails – Int J Sci Res Sci Technol, 2020

  4. 🧬 Anti-Cancer Strategies Using Anaerobic Spore-Forming Bacteria Clostridium: Advances and Synergistic Approaches – Life, 2025

  5. 🧪 In Vitro Study Investigating Protective Role of Gut Microbiota Against Salmonella Typhimurium: Dynamics and Immune Modulation – (In press)

🔚 Conclusion:

Saloni Singh emerges as a promising and impactful early-career researcher whose academic journey, publication record, and topic relevance align strongly with the mission of the Best Researcher Award. Her dedication to improving global health through microbiome research and her continuous academic excellence position her as a worthy candidate for recognition. With a robust publication record, interdisciplinary approach, and a strong foundation in both theory and lab-based practice, she exemplifies the values of innovation, excellence, and scientific contribution. She not only deserves this award but will also serve as an inspiration for women in science globally.

Gary Chan | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Gary Chan | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Gary Chan , SUNY Upstate Medical University , United States

Dr. Gary Ching-Tao Chan is a distinguished professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY. He completed his Ph.D. in Immunology at the University of Alberta, Canada, under the supervision of Dr. Larry J. Guilbert. Dr. Chan’s research expertise lies in viral immunology, particularly in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and dengue virus (DENV). He has a robust research portfolio with numerous contributions to the field, focusing on viral-host interactions and immune modulation. His work has led to groundbreaking discoveries in HCMV pathogenesis, including viral modulation of autophagy and cell signaling pathways. Dr. Chan has held academic appointments at prestigious institutions, including Louisiana State University Health Science Center, where he contributed significantly to advancing viral immunology. His commitment to research excellence is reflected in his impactful publications and active grant support.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Prolific Research Contributions: Dr. Gary Chan has made significant contributions to the field of microbiology, particularly in the understanding of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and its complex interactions with the immune system. His work has been consistently published in top-tier peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Virology, Antiviral Research, and mBio, highlighting his influence in virology.

  2. Innovative and High-Impact Research: Dr. Chan’s research addresses fundamental aspects of viral pathogenesis, focusing on viral-host interactions, immune modulation, and viral replication. His innovative exploration into the molecular mechanisms of HCMV, such as the modulation of mTORC1 and the role of host transcription factors like HSF1, is groundbreaking and provides valuable insights for potential therapeutic strategies. His studies have also demonstrated significant contributions in understanding how viruses, including HCMV and Dengue virus, alter host cell signaling pathways, making his work crucial in antiviral research.

  3. Successful Grant Support: Dr. Chan has received substantial funding for his research, including multiple NIH R01 grants. His current projects, such as targeting the nuclear HSF1 for anti-HCMV strategies, are promising avenues for the development of novel antiviral therapies, further solidifying his standing as a leading researcher in his field.

  4. Recognition by Peers and Journals: His work has been widely recognized by peers in the field, as evidenced by the Journal of Virology Editor’s Pick in 2024 and the Journal of Virology Spotlight Article of Significant Interest in 2020. These accolades underline the impact and relevance of his research.

  5. Mentorship and Academic Leadership: As a Professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Dr. Chan contributes significantly to the academic and professional development of students and colleagues alike. His role in shaping the next generation of researchers, combined with his leadership in the field, highlights his commitment to advancing science.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader Impact Across Other Virus Families: While Dr. Chan’s research on HCMV is groundbreaking, exploring the broader spectrum of viral infections, including RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2, could expand his impact across viral disease research. By diversifying his focus, he could address other significant public health threats, further enhancing the breadth of his research.

  2. Increased Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Although Dr. Chan has successfully collaborated with various experts in the field of virology, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers from fields such as bioinformatics, computational biology, and structural biology could accelerate the development of novel antiviral therapies and improve the understanding of viral mechanisms.

  3. Public Engagement and Communication: Dr. Chan’s impactful research is highly technical, and while it has contributed to the scientific community, increased efforts in communicating his findings to the broader public could help in promoting awareness of viral infections and their treatment. Public engagement through media, outreach programs, or collaborative projects with health organizations could amplify his work’s societal impact.

Education:

Dr. Gary Chan earned his Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, from 1999 to 2005. His doctoral research focused on “Human cytomegalovirus-induced trophoblast apoptosis,” under the mentorship of Dr. Larry J. Guilbert in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology. Following his Ph.D., Dr. Chan pursued postdoctoral training at Louisiana State University Health Science Center (2006–2011) in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Under the guidance of Dr. Andrew Yurochko, his postdoctoral research expanded his expertise in virology and immune modulation. Dr. Chan’s extensive academic background, coupled with his training in cutting-edge viral immunology, has laid the foundation for his pioneering work on viral-host interactions, particularly with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), contributing to novel therapeutic strategies.

Experience:

Dr. Gary Chan is a Professor at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at SUNY Upstate Medical University, a role he has held since 2023. Prior to this, he was an Associate Professor at the same department from 2018 to 2023. Dr. Chan has a wealth of experience in virology and immunology, with a focus on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and dengue virus (DENV). He has been instrumental in advancing research on the molecular mechanisms of viral infections and their impact on the host immune system. Dr. Chan’s academic journey includes several years of postdoctoral training at Louisiana State University, where he contributed to significant findings in viral replication and immune responses. With a comprehensive background in molecular virology, cell biology, and immunology, Dr. Chan is recognized for his expertise in viral pathogenesis and therapeutic research.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Gary Chan has received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions for his research excellence. In 2024, his publication, Human cytomegalovirus modulates mTORC1 to redirect protein translation within quiescently infected monocytes, was selected as an Editor’s Pick by the Journal of Virology. Additionally, his article on HCMV-induced autophagy preventing necroptosis of infected monocytes was featured as a Spotlight Article of Significant Interest in 2020. His innovative research has earned him continuous recognition within the virology community, including numerous peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Chan’s research contributions have also attracted substantial NIH grant support, including an R01 from the NIAID, to explore novel anti-HCMV strategies targeting nuclear HSF1. His scholarly achievements, including the successful funding of multi-year research projects, underscore his dedication to advancing our understanding of viral diseases and their immune modulation.

Research Focus:

Dr. Gary Chan’s research primarily focuses on viral immunology, specifically human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and dengue virus (DENV). His work explores how these viruses manipulate host cellular processes, such as signaling pathways and immune responses, to promote viral replication and persistence. One of his major research areas is investigating the interactions between HCMV and monocytes, particularly how the virus modulates autophagy and apoptosis to avoid immune detection and promote its survival. Additionally, Dr. Chan’s research delves into the role of host transcription factors, such as HSF1, in regulating viral replication. His innovative work also involves creating bioswitches through protein and DNA engineering to combat HCMV. Through these projects, Dr. Chan aims to identify novel therapeutic targets to limit viral infections and improve antiviral strategies. His work is pivotal in advancing the understanding of how viral infections impact the host immune system and contribute to disease pathogenesis.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Targeting HSF1 prevents HCMV replication 🦠

  2. DENV infection induces differential immunotranscriptomic profiles 🦟

  3. B cell receptor enhancement of dengue virus infection 🧬

  4. Virion-associated US28 modulates Akt activity in monocytes 💉

  5. The harms of promoting the leak lab hypothesis for SARS-CoV-2 🧫

  6. HCMV modulates mTORC1 in infected monocytes 💪

  7. Virology – The path forward 🔬

  8. Inhibition of SIRT2 promotes HCMV-infected monocyte death ⚔️

  9. Virology under the Microscope – A call for rational discourse 📚

  10. Modulation of host cell signaling in HCMV latency 🧪

Conclusion:

Dr. Gary Ching-Tao Chan is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award due to his outstanding contributions to the field of virology, particularly in the area of human cytomegalovirus and its interaction with the immune system. His innovative research has shaped the understanding of viral pathogenesis, leading to potential therapeutic breakthroughs. With significant funding, prestigious recognition, and a strong academic presence, Dr. Chan continues to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge. While there are opportunities for expansion into other viral research areas and greater public outreach, his accomplishments make him a leading figure in microbiology and an excellent candidate for this award.