Stefan Oliver | Cryogenic Electron Tomography | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Stefan Oliver | Cryogenic Electron Tomography | Best Researcher Award

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory | United States

Dr. Stefan L. Oliver is a leading virologist and structural biologist whose research focuses on understanding virus–host interactions and the structural organization of viral complexes within infected cells. As Lead Scientist at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, he directs laboratory operations and research programs centered on the tomographic reconstruction and segmentation of macromolecular assemblies in situ, particularly investigating the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) using advanced cryo-focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (cryoFIB/SEM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). His work integrates cutting-edge imaging technologies with molecular virology to elucidate the ultrastructural mechanisms of viral infection, replication, and pathogenesis. At the Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Oliver’s research advances the understanding of viral morphogenesis and host cell remodeling during infection, contributing to the broader field of structural virology. His studies provide critical insights into how viral particles assemble and interact with cellular machinery at the nanoscale level. In addition to his research, Dr. Oliver serves as an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology – Virology and has guest-edited a special issue of Viruses on “Virus-Induced Syncytia,” highlighting his active role in advancing scholarly communication within the virology research community.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications:

Oliver, S. L., Chen, M., Engel, L., Hecksel, C. W., Zhou, X., Schmid, M. F., Arvin, A. M., & Chiu, W. (2025). Cryogenic electron tomography redefines herpesvirus capsid assembly intermediates inside the cell nucleus. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.06.27.661840

Engel, L., Zaoralova, Z., Dunn, A. R., & Oliver, S. L. (2025). Extracellular filaments revealed by affinity capture cryoelectron tomography of lymphocytes. Nature Communications, 16, 9802. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64795-z

Zhou, M., Vollmer, B., Machala, E., Chen, M., Grünewald, K., Arvin, A. M., Chiu, W., & Oliver, S. L. (2023). Targeted mutagenesis of the herpesvirus fusogen central helix captures transition states. Nature Communications, 14(1), 7958. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43011-w

Alexander, L. T., Lepore, R., Kryshtafovych, A., et al. (2021). Target highlights in CASP14: Analysis of models by structure providers. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics. https://doi.org/10.1002/prot.26247

Oliver, S. L., Xing, Y., Chen, D. H., Roh, S. H., Pintilie, G. D., Bushnell, D. A., Sommer, M. H., Yang, E., Carfi, A., Chiu, W., & Arvin, A. M. (2021). The N-terminus of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein B has a functional role in fusion. PLoS Pathogens, 17(3), e1008961. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1008961

Zhou, M., Kamarshi, V., Arvin, A. M., & Oliver, S. L. (2020). Calcineurin phosphatase activity regulates varicella-zoster virus-induced cell-cell fusion. PLoS Pathogens, 16(11), e1009022. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1009022

Oliver, S. L., Xing, Y., Chen, D., Roh, S. H., Pintilie, G. D., Bushnell, D. A., Sommer, M. H., Yang, E., Carfi, A., Chiu, W., & Arvin, A. M. (2020). A glycoprotein B-neutralizing antibody structure at 2.8Å uncovers a critical domain for herpesvirus fusion initiation. Nature Communications, 11(1), 4141. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17911-0

Yang, E., Gardner, M. R., Zhou, A. S., Farzan, M., Arvin, A. M., & Oliver, S. L. (2018). HIV-1 inhibitory properties of eCD4-Igmim2 determined using an Env-mediated membrane fusion assay. PLoS ONE, 13(10), e0206365. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206365

Yang, E., Arvin, A. M., & Oliver, S. L. (2017). The glycoprotein B cytoplasmic domain lysine cluster is critical for varicella-zoster virus cell-cell fusion regulation and infection. Journal of Virology, 91(4), e01707-16. https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.01707-16

Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe | Cell Structure Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe | Cell Structure Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe | Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute | Nigeria

Engr. Dr. Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe is a seasoned Senior Research Officer at the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Nigeria. With over nine years of progressive research experience, he specializes in food processing, postharvest technology, and agricultural nanotechnology. He is a trailblazer in developing electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices aimed at extending the shelf-life of fruits such as bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes. His research integrates innovative preservation technologies to enhance food quality and sustainability. A COREN-certified engineer and postgraduate fellow, Dr. Gbabe has collaborated internationally, notably with the Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology in India. With extensive publications and conference contributions, he is an advocate of research-driven food security and sustainable packaging. He brings a multidisciplinary edge to the evolving field of agricultural innovation, focusing on reducing postharvest losses and increasing storage efficiency in sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Innovative Research in Agricultural Nanotechnology

    • Pioneered the development of electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices for fruit shelf-life extension — an emerging and impactful technology in food preservation.

  2. Strong Publication Record 

    • Over a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers published across international and national platforms with DOIs, indicating high-quality scholarly contribution.

  3. Hands-On International Collaboration 

    • Completed a research internship at TNAU, India, and collaborated with renowned global experts like Prof. K.S. Subramanian in nanoscience.

  4. Multi-disciplinary Skills 

    • Expertise in advanced instrumentation (FTIR, GC-MS, SEM, TEM) and statistical tools (R, SPSS) shows broad technical competence.

  5. Real-world Application & Societal Impact 

    • Focuses on postharvest technologies to reduce food losses, enhance food safety, and support smallholder farmers and artisans.

  6. Leadership and Mentorship

    • Supervises junior staff, fabricators, and trainees, and contributes to capacity building through training workshops.

  7. Recognized Academic Achievement 

    • Recipient of the Benue State University Postgraduate Fellowship (2020–2025).

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Technology Commercialization and Patenting

    • While research output is strong, translating research into commercial products or patents could increase impact.

  2. Broader International Visibility

    • Participation in more international consortia or grants (e.g., EU Horizon, USAID, FAO) could elevate the global footprint.

  3. Expanded Multidisciplinary Outreach

    • Could integrate more with biotech and AI in agri-research, especially in smart packaging and AI-driven postharvest solutions.

Education:

Dr. Gbabe is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Food Processing and Technology at Benue State University, Makurdi (2020–2025), with a research focus on developing electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices for fruit preservation. He holds a Master of Engineering in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (2017–2019), where his thesis explored eco-building materials using rice husk and sawdust. His undergraduate and professional training background is further enhanced by a Certificate in Computer Appreciation (2010), an internship at the Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology, TNAU, India (2023), and registration with COREN (2024). Dr. Gbabe is also a member of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE-M2207), demonstrating a strong foundation in both academic knowledge and regulatory standards in engineering and food technology. His educational pursuits reflect a consistent drive toward sustainability, innovation, and technological adaptation in agricultural systems.

Experience:

Dr. Gbabe serves as a Senior Research Officer at NSPRI since 2016, where he leads projects on postharvest technology, storage engineering, and food shelf-life enhancement. His duties span experimental design, research data analysis, technical report writing, equipment fabrication supervision, and stakeholder training. He has been instrumental in developing novel postharvest technologies and electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices for fruit preservation. In 2023, he completed a research internship at the Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology, TNAU, India, gaining hands-on experience in nanotoxicity, food nanotechnology, and biosafety. Dr. Gbabe is known for his interdisciplinary collaboration, capacity-building initiatives, and extensive field and lab-based research. He also coordinates training programs for artisans, farmers, and students. His rich professional journey is marked by impactful project execution, community-focused technology dissemination, and consistent contributions to national and international research publications.

Research Focus:

Dr. Gbabe’s research is centered on postharvest loss reduction, sustainable food preservation, and agricultural nanotechnology. He is pioneering the use of electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices to extend the shelf-life of perishable fruits like bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes—a major advancement in food storage technology. His work addresses the chemical and biological challenges in postharvest handling, integrating advanced techniques such as FTIR, GC-MS, SEM, and TEM to monitor quality and degradation. He is also exploring green materials for packaging and eco-friendly building solutions using agricultural waste like rice husks and sawdust. His international collaboration with TNAU, India, expanded his research in nanotoxicity and food safety. With a focus on experimental design, interdisciplinary innovation, and practical application, Dr. Gbabe contributes to the development of scalable, cost-effective technologies tailored for African agricultural ecosystems. His goal is to enhance food security through intelligent preservation methods and sustainable postharvest engineering.

Publication Top Notes:

  1.  Effect of Hexanal Nano-fiber Matrix on Quality Parameters of Tomato Fruits during Storage

  2.  Development of Novel Hexanal Nano-fibre Matrix by Electrospinning for Shelf-life Extension of Mango Fruits

  3.  Implication of Different Storage Techniques on Physical Attributes of African Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

  4.  Maize Grains Milling Efficiency: A Performance Analysis of a Hammer Mill

  5.  Insecticidal and Toxicity Studies of Heliotropium Indicum Leaf Extracts for Stored Grain Pest Control

  6.  Commercial Utilization of Inert Atmosphere Silo for Maize Storage

  7.  Chemical and Physico-chemical Properties of OFSP Chips Dried Using Solar Dryers

  8.  Evaluation of the Use of Rice Husk in Producing Eco-Building Materials

  9.  Pros and Cons of AI Thermal Imaging in Postharvest Handling of Agricultural Products

  10.  Development of Hexanal Electrospun Nano-fiber Matrix for Banana Preservation

Conclusion:

Engr. Dr. Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe is an exemplary researcher who combines scientific rigor, technological innovation, and practical application in the field of food systems and agricultural engineering. His pioneering work in nanotechnology, coupled with his leadership in postharvest technology, makes him exceptionally deserving of the Best Researcher Award.