Rong Zhong | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Rong Zhong | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Rong Zhong, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

Professor Rong Zhong is an esteemed academic in the field of molecular and cancer epidemiology at Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. With a PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and postdoctoral training from Harvard Medical School, she has built a distinguished career in investigating genetic and environmental interactions in cancer development. Over the years, she has led 51 research projects, authored 169 peer-reviewed articles, and earned over 3,600 citations. Dr. Zhong’s collaborative work extends across national and international institutions, including Huazhong Agricultural University and the General Hospital of Central Theater Command. Recognized with the Natural Science Award of Hubei Province, she is also actively involved in several national scientific committees. Her commitment to advancing cancer prevention through precision medicine and early detection strategies reflects both her scientific acumen and societal impact, making her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Research Output

    • 169 SCI/Scopus-indexed publications, many in high-impact journals like Gastroenterology, Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, and Cancer Discovery.

    • Strong citation record with 3,697 citations on Web of Science, reflecting broad scientific influence.

  2. Innovative and Impactful Research

    • Focus on molecular and cancer epidemiology, particularly gene-environment interactions in gastrointestinal cancers, addressing a critical public health challenge.

    • Groundbreaking research on environmental risk factors (e.g., bisphenol A, tobacco smoke) and genetic susceptibility in cancer risk.

  3. Grants and Funding Leadership

    • Principal investigator of major national research projects, including National Natural Science Foundation of China grants and the Young Top-notch Talent Cultivation Program of Hubei Province.

  4. Recognition and Service

    • Recipient of the Natural Science Award of Hubei Province.

    • Serves on editorial boards of reputable journals such as Ebiomedicine and American Journal of Gastroenterology.

    • Active member in national scientific committees related to cancer prevention and epidemiology.

  5. Collaboration and Mentorship

    • Strong institutional and cross-disciplinary collaborations, including with Huazhong Agricultural University and military medical research institutions.

    • A demonstrated leader in mentoring young researchers in public health and biomedical science.

⚙️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Industry Engagement & Technology Transfer

    • Although she holds 2 patents, there is limited mention of industry consultancy or commercialization, which could strengthen real-world impact.

  2. International Policy Influence

    • Expanding her involvement in international advisory boards or global health policy initiatives could further elevate her research visibility and societal contribution.

  3. Science Communication & Public Engagement

    • Enhanced participation in public education, community outreach, or policy translation could help bridge science and society, especially in preventive oncology.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Rong Zhong earned her PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the prestigious Huazhong University of Science and Technology, where she built the foundation for her future research excellence. To further expand her academic perspective, she completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, USA—an experience that enriched her global outlook and enhanced her methodological rigor in public health research. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Zhong has demonstrated a passion for understanding complex interactions between genes and environmental exposures, particularly in relation to cancer epidemiology. Her education, characterized by a blend of rigorous Chinese academic training and Western research exposure, has laid a strong interdisciplinary base. This robust academic background has equipped her with a unique skill set to lead impactful research in molecular epidemiology and precision prevention of gastrointestinal cancers.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Rong Zhong currently serves as a Professor at the School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. With extensive experience in cancer epidemiology, she has successfully led national and provincial research initiatives including projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Young Top-notch Talent Cultivation Program of Hubei Province. Over the years, she has been instrumental in mentoring young scientists, shaping national health policies, and advancing cancer prevention strategies in China. She also serves on editorial boards of high-impact journals such as Ebiomedicine and American Journal of Gastroenterology. Her experience bridges research, academic leadership, and international collaboration, reflecting her multidimensional contribution to science and public health. Her advisory roles in national committees focused on cancer prevention and epidemiology further underscore her influence and thought leadership in the field.

🔬 Research Focus:

Professor Zhong’s primary research focus lies in molecular and cancer epidemiology, with an emphasis on gastrointestinal cancers. Her work aims to elucidate the gene-environment interactions that contribute to cancer risk, leveraging large-scale cohort and case-control studies. By integrating genomic data with environmental exposures (e.g., diet, pollutants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals), she develops predictive models that enable early screening and personalized prevention strategies for high-risk populations. Her recent studies investigate interactions between genetic polymorphisms and substances like bisphenol A, tobacco smoke, and gut microbiota, especially in relation to colorectal and breast cancer. These contributions bridge the gap between basic science and clinical translation, offering a pathway toward precision public health. Her research not only advances scientific knowledge but also holds tangible implications for national cancer screening guidelines and individualized preventive healthcare strategies.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📘 Western-Style Diet, pks Island-Carrying Escherichia coli, and Colorectal Cancer: Analyses From Two Large Prospective Cohort StudiesGastroenterology

  2. 🚬 In Utero and Childhood/Adolescence Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, Genetic Risk and Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality in AdulthoodAJRCCM

  3. 🧬 FOXA1 of regulatory variant associated with risk of breast cancer through allele-specific enhancer in the Chinese populationBreast Cancer

  4. 🧪 Genome-wide gene-bisphenol A, F and triclosan interaction analyses on urinary oxidative stress markersScience of The Total Environment

  5. 🧫 Urinary bisphenol A and its interaction with CYP17A1 rs743572 are associated with breast cancer riskChemosphere

  6. 🧠 Animal-eRNAdb: a comprehensive animal enhancer RNA databaseNucleic Acids Research

  7. 🔬 Hepatocellular carcinoma risk variant modulates lncRNA HLA-DQB1-AS1 expression via a long-range enhancer–promoter interactionCarcinogenesis

  8. 🧍‍♀️ Bisphenol A exposure, interaction with genetic variants and colorectal cancer via mediating oxidative stress biomarkersEnvironmental Pollution

  9. 🧾 Discovery and Features of an Alkylating Signature in Colorectal CancerCancer Discovery

  10. 🚨 Rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer — a call to actionNature Reviews Clinical Oncology

📌 Conclusion:

Professor Rong Zhong is an outstanding and highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her prolific output, innovative approaches to cancer risk assessment, and leadership in national scientific research firmly position her among the top-tier researchers in her field. Her contributions have laid the groundwork for precision public health, with real potential to transform early cancer detection and prevention strategies in China and globally.

Bilal Ahmad MIr | Microbial Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Mr.Bilal Ahmad MIr | Microbial Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Mr.Bilal Ahmad MIr | Jeonbuk National University | South Korea

Bilal Ahmad Mir is a dedicated Ph.D. scholar at the NSCL Lab, Jeonbuk National University, South Korea, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computational sciences. Born on May 7, 1993, Bilal has a diverse academic and research background encompassing data science, deep learning, computational biology, and chemistry. He combines technical acumen with innovative thinking to solve real-world scientific problems. Fluent in English, Urdu, and Kashmiri, Bilal’s research is published in leading international journals. He is well-versed in programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB, and Java, and excels in cloud computing technologies. His scholarly contributions span predictive modeling, neural networks, and intelligent systems. His enthusiasm for technological advancements and interdisciplinary research positions him as a strong candidate for prestigious research awards, reflecting both his scientific rigor and passion for discovery.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Interdisciplinary Expertise:
    Bilal’s work spans artificial intelligence, deep learning, computational biology, and chemistry, reflecting strong interdisciplinary depth. He has applied advanced ML models like CNNs, LSTMs, and GRUs across bioinformatics and synthetic chemistry, showing his adaptability and scientific creativity.

  2. Research Publications:
    He has published in high-impact journals such as Journal of Molecular Biology, Computational Biology and Chemistry, and Sustainability. These works demonstrate novelty and real-world relevance, e.g., sustainable solar energy prediction and enhancer identification in genomics.

  3. Technical Proficiency:
    Bilal is proficient in multiple programming languages (Python, R, MATLAB, Java, etc.) and research tools, which enhances his capability to design, implement, and optimize advanced computational models.

  4. Academic Progression:
    His academic journey from a B.Sc. through MCA to a Ph.D. in South Korea demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and global academic engagement.

  5. Early Research Experience:
    His MCA project on real-time facial recognition using Raspberry Pi and GSM modules showed practical innovation, integrating software and hardware for applied AI.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Citation and Impact Metrics:
    While Bilal has strong publications, more details on citations, h-index, or conference presentations would strengthen his profile for global competitive awards.

  2. Leadership in Projects:
    Future applications should highlight any mentoring, project leadership, or grant involvement, which are important indicators of research independence.

  3. Community Contribution:
    Participation in open-source contributions, academic societies, or organizing workshops/seminars would further showcase his community engagement and outreach efforts.

  4. Formal Language Polishing:
    Refinement in presenting his resume/CV with consistent formatting and professional tone would improve the impression in award submissions.

🎓 Education:

Bilal Ahmad Mir began his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Mathematics, Electronics, and IT from Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, graduating with 60% in 2016. He then pursued an MCA (Master of Computer Applications) at the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, where he excelled in courses like algorithms, AI, ML, data structures, and cloud computing, graduating with a CGPA of 7.76/10 in 2019. He is currently enrolled as a Ph.D. scholar at Jeonbuk National University, South Korea, in the Department of Electronics and Information Engineering. His doctoral work at the NSCL Lab integrates deep learning, computational chemistry, and molecular biology, contributing to high-impact publications. His solid academic foundation and continued pursuit of knowledge equip him with the interdisciplinary expertise necessary to tackle complex computational and AI challenges in life sciences and beyond.

🧪 Experience:

Bilal’s academic and research journey spans across domains of intelligent systems, AI, and computational biology. During his MCA, he completed a dissertation on a real-time “Intelligent Face Recognition System” using Raspberry Pi and Eigenface recognition, integrating image processing with GSM modules. As a Ph.D. researcher at NSCL Lab in South Korea, he has been involved in multiple projects focusing on neural networks, such as CNNs, LSTMs, and GRUs, for bioinformatics and organic chemistry applications. His hands-on experience in deep learning, data preprocessing, and predictive modeling has resulted in several peer-reviewed journal publications. He is proficient in Python, MATLAB, R, and Java and is experienced with research tools used for analyzing genetic and chemical data. Bilal’s versatility across both hardware (e.g., Raspberry Pi) and software research platforms positions him as a highly capable and adaptable scientist in the interdisciplinary field of AI-powered scientific research.

🏆 Awards and Honors:

Bilal Ahmad Mir has received multiple accolades that highlight his academic potential and creative engagement in both academic and extracurricular domains. He secured the 1st rank in a national-level quiz competition organized during the Digital India Week in 2015, reflecting his strong grasp of technical knowledge and current affairs. During his post-graduate studies, he was honored with the title of “Mr. Fresher” for the MCA batch of 2016 at the Islamic University of Science and Technology, recognizing his leadership and interpersonal qualities. His growing contribution to impactful scientific research has earned him recognition among academic peers. With peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals and ongoing contributions to AI-driven biological and chemical modeling, Bilal is on a trajectory of continued academic success. These honors reflect both his intellect and his dedication to continuous learning and innovation, making him a strong contender for prestigious awards such as the Best Researcher Award.

🔬 Research Focus:

Bilal Ahmad Mir’s research focus lies at the confluence of artificial intelligence, deep learning, and life sciences. He applies cutting-edge machine learning techniques—particularly CNNs, LSTMs, and GRUs—to computational biology and chemistry, aiming to solve intricate molecular problems. His key research areas include enhancer identification, RNA modification prediction, and retrosynthetic pathway modeling. Through deep learning architectures and stacked ensemble models, he enhances the accuracy of biological predictions and synthesis pathway generation. His recent work also explores sustainable energy research, applying AI to predict recombination losses in perovskite solar cells. Bilal’s interdisciplinary work is distinguished by its practical application to genomics, cheminformatics, and renewable energy, blending technical rigor with scientific curiosity. His aim is to use AI not only for theoretical insights but also for impactful innovations in healthcare, sustainable energy, and synthetic biology. This makes him a versatile and forward-thinking researcher in the modern AI landscape.

📚 Publication Titles Top Notes:

  1. 🧬 Improving enhancer identification with a multi-classifier stacked ensemble model – Journal of Molecular Biology, 2023

  2. 🔄 Sb-net: Synergizing CNN and LSTM networks for uncovering retrosynthetic pathways in organic synthesis – Computational Biology and Chemistry, 2024

  3. 🔋 Toward Sustainable Solar Energy: Predicting Recombination Losses in Perovskite Solar Cells with Deep Learning – Sustainability, 2025

  4. 🧪 GRU-Based Prediction of RNA 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine Modifications – 정보 및 제어 논문집

🧾 Conclusion:

Bilal Ahmad Mir is a highly promising and emerging researcher in the AI-bioinformatics interface. His dedication to interdisciplinary research, proven publication record, and hands-on approach to complex problems make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With ongoing contributions, especially in deep learning for biology and sustainable energy, and with slight enhancements in scientific communication and visibility, he is on a trajectory toward impactful global research leadership.

Mai Kadry | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mai Kadry | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mai Kadry  , NRC , Egypt

Dr. Mai Osman Mohamed Kadry is an Assistant Professor at the Therapeutic Chemistry Department of the National Research Centre in Egypt, specializing in molecular and biochemical research. With over two decades of experience, she has contributed significantly to the advancement of therapeutic chemistry. Dr. Kadry obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from Cairo University in 2016, focusing on oxidative injury mitigation through antioxidants. She has authored and co-authored multiple articles in prestigious journals. Her research is driven by a passion for finding therapeutic solutions to biochemical challenges, with a focus on molecular mechanisms and drug development.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

Dr. Mai Osman Mohamed Kadry has made significant contributions to the field of therapeutic chemistry, particularly in molecular and biochemical research. As an Assistant Professor at the National Research Centre (NRC), her dedication to scientific advancement is evident in her research on oxidative stress, drug-induced toxicity, and the potential of nanotechnology to mitigate such effects. Her work has been published in high-impact journals, showcasing her expertise in areas like cancer research, biochemistry, and drug development. Additionally, her comprehensive teaching experience in academic settings has strengthened her ability to impart knowledge to the next generation of researchers.

Areas for Improvement:

Although Dr. Kadry’s work is impressive, her research could further benefit from exploring more collaborative projects across different research centers and incorporating a broader range of interdisciplinary approaches. Engaging with cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven drug discovery or multi-omics data analysis could significantly expand her impact on therapeutic chemistry.

Education:

Dr. Mai Kadry’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Ain Shams University, graduating with honors in 2003. She later pursued an MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a focus on Biochemistry from Helwan University in 2008. Her doctoral research at Cairo University led to a PhD in Biochemistry in 2016, where she studied the amelioration of oxidative stress induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles in mice. This educational foundation has equipped her with a robust understanding of biochemistry, molecular biology, and drug therapy.

Experience:

Dr. Mai Kadry has a distinguished career at the National Research Centre (NRC) in Egypt, starting as an Assistant Researcher in 2004 and advancing to Assistant Professor in 2021. Over the years, she has contributed to groundbreaking research in therapeutic chemistry, particularly in the area of oxidative stress and drug toxicity. Dr. Kadry has also taught pharmacognosy at the Faculty of Pharmacy, 6 October University, and served on committees focusing on academic development. Her extensive teaching and research experience positions her as a leader in her field.

Research Focus:

Dr. Mai Kadry’s research focuses on therapeutic chemistry, exploring the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced toxicity, oxidative stress, and potential protective treatments. Her work investigates the impact of nanomaterials like titanium dioxide and their effects on cellular pathways. She also studies the synergistic potential of natural compounds to mitigate damage from toxins, using advanced biochemical methods to evaluate their efficacy. Additionally, Dr. Kadry has a keen interest in cancer research, focusing on autophagy signaling and the development of novel drug formulations.

Publications Top Notes:

  • “Titanium nanostructure mitigating doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity in rats via regulating major autophagy signaling pathways” 🧬💉
  • “Inflammatory mediators-induced DNA damage in liver and brain injury: Therapeutic approach of 5-Methoy-N-acetyltryptamine” 🧠💊
  • “Necroptosis and autophagy in cisplatinum-triggered nephrotoxicity: Novel insights regarding their prognostic and diagnostic potential” 💊🩺
  • “Resveratrol-based nano-formulations as an emerging therapeutic strategy for ovarian carcinoma” 🎗️💡
  • “miR-122-IGF-1R signaling allied through the dysregulated lncRNA MALAT-1 expression in gastric carcinoma” 🧬🦠
  • “Reciprocal crosslink among MeCP2/BDNF/CREB signaling pinpointed in autism spectrum disorder” 🧠🔬
  • “CRISPR-Cas9 genome and long non-coding RNAs as a novel diagnostic index for prostate cancer therapy” 🧬🧬
  • “Collaboration of Hprt/K-RAS/c-Myc mutation in the oncogenesis of T-lymphocytic leukemia” 🩸⚗️
  • “Thioctic acid shield against lipopolysaccharide depression and endoplasmic reticulum stress: GR7M/Homer/ATF6 signaling” 🧬🛡️
  • “Titanium dioxide nanostructure-loaded Adriamycin surmounts resistance in breast cancer therapy” 🧬🎗️

Conclusion:

Dr. Mai Osman Mohamed Kadry stands out as an exemplary researcher in her field. Her focus on therapeutic chemistry, particularly in relation to oxidative stress, toxicity, and nanotechnology, positions her as a promising candidate for the Researcher of the Year Award. Through her continued contributions and potential for further interdisciplinary collaboration, she will likely continue to make pivotal advancements in the field of molecular and biochemical research.