Abdelhamid Benazzouz | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Abdelhamid Benazzouz | Neuronal Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Bordeaux University / Neurodegenerative Diseases Institute | France

Dr. Abdelhamid Benazzouz is a distinguished neuroscientist whose pioneering research has significantly advanced understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. His groundbreaking work during his Ph.D. led to the development of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus as a novel therapeutic approach for Parkinson’s disease, which was later translated into clinical application. His research focuses on elucidating the mechanisms of action of DBS, exploring the role of monoaminergic systems in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, and investigating pain mechanisms associated with the disorder. He has led numerous national and international research projects funded by organizations such as the Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. With over 120 publications, more than 24,000 citations, and multiple patents, his contributions span both basic and translational neuroscience. He also leads collaborative research efforts across France, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong to develop innovative therapeutic strategies. As Editor-in-Chief and founder of the Elsevier journal Deep Brain Stimulation, he continues to influence the global neuroscience community, driving forward advancements in neurostimulation, monoaminergic signaling, and the treatment of neurological disorders, particularly Parkinson’s disease and related pain syndromes.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications:

Krack, P., Batir, A., Van Blercom, N., Chabardes, S., Fraix, V., Ardouin, C., … & Benabid, A. L. (2003). Five-year follow-up of bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in advanced Parkinson’s disease. The New England Journal of Medicine, 349(20), 1925–1934.

Limousin, P., Krack, P., Pollak, P., Benazzouz, A. H., Ardouin, C., Hoffmann, D., … & Benabid, A. L. (1998). Electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in advanced Parkinson’s disease. The New England Journal of Medicine, 339(16), 1105–1111.

Limousin, P., Pollak, P., Benazzouz, A., Hoffmann, D., Le Bas, J. F., Perret, J. E., … & Benabid, A. L. (1995). Effect on parkinsonian signs and symptoms of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation. The Lancet, 345(8942), 91–95.

Benabid, A. L., Pollak, P., Gao, D., Hoffmann, D., Limousin, P., Gay, E., Payen, I., & Benazzouz, A. (1996). Chronic electrical stimulation of the ventralis intermedius nucleus of the thalamus as a treatment of movement disorders. Journal of Neurosurgery, 84(2), 203–214. Benazzouz, A., Gross, C., Féger, J., Boraud, T., & Bioulac, B. (1993). Reversal of rigidity and improvement in motor performance by subthalamic high-frequency stimulation in MPTP-treated monkeys. European Journal of Neuroscience, 5(4), 382–389.

Krack, P., Pollak, P., Limousin, P., Hoffmann, D., Xie, J., Benazzouz, A., … & Benabid, A. L. (1998). Subthalamic nucleus or internal pallidal stimulation in young-onset Parkinson’s disease. Brain: A Journal of Neurology, 121(3), 451–457.

Benabid, A. L., Pollak, P., Gross, C., Hoffmann, D., Benazzouz, A., Gao, D. M., … & Perret, J. (1994). Acute and long-term effects of subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson’s disease. Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, 62(1–4), 76–84.

Erna Van Niekerk | Spinal Cord Injury | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Erna Van Niekerk | Spinal Cord Injury | Best Researcher Award

University of California San Diego | United States

Dr. Erna A. Van Niekerk’s research focuses on advancing central nervous system (CNS) repair through the integration of molecular neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and translational neurobiology. Her work emphasizes uncovering molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive neural regeneration and developing innovative therapeutic strategies to promote recovery after CNS injury. With a strong background in physiology and neuroscience, she has contributed to understanding neuroplasticity, neural signaling pathways, and the molecular determinants of axonal growth and synaptic repair. Dr. Van Niekerk’s recent research explores computational and AI-based models to analyze large-scale neurobiological datasets, aiming to predict regenerative outcomes and optimize therapeutic targets. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental neuroscience with clinical applications, particularly in the development of bioengineered and data-driven interventions for neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Through her academic and industry experience, she has contributed to translational research efforts aimed at improving functional outcomes following neural damage and enhancing the precision of therapeutic design in neuroregeneration.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publications:

Zahavi, E. E., Koppel, I., Kawaguchi, R., Oses-Prieto, J. A., Briner, A., Monavarfeshani, A., Dalla Costa, I., van Niekerk, E., Lee, J., Matoo, S., Hegarty, S., Donahue, R. J., Sahoo, P. K., Ben-Dor, S., Feldmesser, E., Ryvkin, J., Leshkowitz, D., Ben-Tov Perry, R., Cheng, Y., … Fainzilber, M. (2025). Repeat-element RNAs integrate a neuronal growth circuit. Cell. Advance online publication.

van Niekerk, E., Kawaguchi, R., Marques de Freria, C., Groeniger, K., Marchetto, M. C., Dupraz, S., Bradke, F., Geschwind, D. H., Gage, F. H., & Tuszynski, M. H. (2022). Methods for culturing adult CNS neurons reveal a CNS conditioning effect. Cell Reports Methods, 2, 100255. 5

de Freria, C. M., van Niekerk, E., Blesch, A., & Lu, P. (2022). Neural stem cells: Promoting axonal regeneration and spinal cord connectivity. Cells, 10(12), 3296.

Poplawski, G. H. D., Kawaguchi, R., van Niekerk, E., Lu, P., Mehta, N., Canete, P., Lie, R., Dragatsis, I., Meves, J. M., Zheng, B., Coppola, G., & Tuszynski, M. H. (2020). Injured adult neurons regress to an embryonic transcriptional growth state. Nature, 581(7806), 77–82.

Wang, W., van Niekerk, E. A., Zhang, Y., Du, L., Ji, X., Wang, S., & Baker, D. E. (2007). Extracellular stimuli specifically regulate localized levels of individual neuronal mRNAs. The Journal of Cell Biology, 178(6), 965–980.

van Niekerk, E. A., Willis, D. E., Chang, J. H., Reumann, K., Heise, T., & Twiss, J. L. (2007). Sumoylation in axons triggers retrograde transport of the RNA-binding protein La. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(31), 12913–12918. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0705488104

Wang, W., van Niekerk, E., Willis, D. E., & Twiss, J. L. (2007). RNA transport and localized protein synthesis in neurological disorders and neural repair. Developmental Neurobiology, 67(9), 1166–1182.

van Niekerk, E. A., Tuszynski, M. H., Lu, P., & Dulin, J. N. (2016). Molecular and cellular mechanisms of axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, 15(2), 394–408.

Sajjad Muhammad | Neurosurgery | Cellular Senescence Award

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Prof. Dr. Sajjad Muhammad | Neurosurgery | Cellular Senescence Award

Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf | Germany

Prof. Dr. Sajjad Muhammad is a distinguished neurosurgeon and neuroscientist with extensive expertise in vascular neurosurgery, skull base surgery, and neuro-oncological surgery, having performed over 3,400 procedures. His research contributions span neurovascular pathology, brain tumor biology, and neuroinflammation, integrating clinical neurosurgery with molecular neuroscience. He has authored more than 135 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, including Nature Medicine, Nature Communications, Journal of Neuroscience, Stroke, Journal of Neuroinflammation, Critical Care Medicine, and Aging Cell. His scientific work, with a cumulative impact factor exceeding 500 and an h-index of 28, reflects a sustained focus on mechanisms of neuronal injury, cerebrovascular disease, and neurodegenerative processes. He has led and collaborated on numerous translational research projects investigating therapeutic strategies for stroke, brain tumors, and neuroinflammatory conditions. His findings have advanced understanding of neuronal survival pathways, microvascular dynamics, and the role of inflammation in central nervous system pathology. Dr. Muhammad’s research excellence has been recognized through multiple international awards and research grants, including the Heidelberg Young Investigator Award and grants from the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS). He continues to contribute to the advancement of neurosurgical science through clinical research, academic teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications:

Neyazi, M., Khajuria, R. K., & Muhammad, S. (2025). How I do it — focused Sylvian approach for clipping of middle cerebral artery aneurysms. Acta Neurochirurgica, 167, Article 9.

Khan, D., Fischer, I., Sahan, S., Hewera, M., Faust, K., & Muhammad, S. (2025). Platelet factor 4 and stromal cell-derived factor are novel prognostic biomarkers for cerebral vasospasm and mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 32371.

Paola Leone | Neuronal Cell Biology | Pioneer Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Paola Leone | Neuronal Cell Biology | Pioneer Researcher Award

Rowan-Virtua SOM and Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences of Rowan University | United States

Dr. Paola Leone is a neuroscientist and cell biologist whose work focuses on pediatric white matter diseases, mechanisms of myelination, and gene/cell‐based therapies to repair white matter pathology. After completing a doctoral degree in Neuroscience at the University of Padua (Italy), she undertook a post‑doctoral fellowship in Behavioral Neurobiology at Concordia University, Montreal, where early work included studies on dopamine receptors and opioid interaction in reward pathways. Over subsequent decades, her research has expanded to include using viral vector models, evaluating gene expression in glial and neuronal interactions, and metabolic demands in neurological disease models such as Alzheimer’s and leukodystrophies. According to institutional metrics, her department (Cell Biology at Rowan University) shows ~6,735 citations and an h‑index of 44 across roughly 176 articles (plus reviews and other contributions). Roan University These figures reflect both leadership in publications and influence in the neuroscience/cell biology community. Her scholarly contributions have significantly advanced understanding of neuron‑glia energetics, genetic regulation of myelination, and translational strategies for repair in white matter disease.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications:

  • “Blockade of D1 receptors by SCH 23390 antagonizes morphine- and amphetamine-induced place preference conditioning”

  • “5HT3 receptor antagonists block morphine and nicotine- but not amphetamine-induced reward”

  • “SCH 23390 blocks drug-conditioned place preference and place-aversion: anhedonia (lack of reward) or apathy (lack of motivation) after dopamine-receptor blockade?”

  • “Morphine-dopamine interaction: ventral tegmental morphine increases nucleus accumbens dopamine release as measured by in vivo microdialysis”

  • “Intrahippocampal injection of a HSV-1 vector expressing GluR6 induces spontaneous limbic seizures and CA1 and CA3 hyperexcitability”

  • “Differential involvement of ventral tegmental Mu, Delta and Kappa opioid receptors in modulation of basal mesolimbic dopamine release: In vivo microdialysis studies”

  • “Ventral mesencephalic & opioid are involved in modulation of basal mesolimbic dopamine neurotransmission: an anatomical localization study”

  • “Striatal tissue preparation facilitates early sampling in microdialysis and reveals an index of neuronal damage”

  • “Mesolimbic dopamine neurotransmission is increased by administration of µ-opioid receptor antagonists”

  • “Direct measurement of extracellular lactate in the human hippocampus during spontaneous seizures”

Lingyan Zhou | Cell Death Pathway | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Lingyan Zhou | Cell Death Pathway | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lingyan Zhou , Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University , China

Dr. Lingyan Zhou is a dedicated neuroscientist and clinician specializing in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Currently serving in the Department of Neurology at Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Dr. Zhou holds a doctorate and has made notable contributions to neurodegeneration research through high-impact publications and cutting-edge studies. Her work focuses on molecular mechanisms such as protein aggregation, homocysteinylation, and neuroprotection, with particular attention to α-synuclein and DJ-1. Dr. Zhou has co-authored more than 15 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals like Nature Communications, Science Advances, and Aging Cell, earning recognition for her insights into disease-modifying pathways. A researcher with a strong translational focus, she bridges the gap between bench and bedside, aiming to develop therapeutic strategies that can mitigate or reverse neurodegenerative processes. Her commitment to science and patient-centered research makes her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile:

Orcid

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Strong Publication Record in High-Impact Journals
    Dr. Zhou has consistently published in top-tier journals such as Nature Communications, Science Advances, Aging Cell, and Movement Disorders, reflecting the significance and innovation of her work. Many of these are Q1 journals with high impact factors.

  2. Focused Research on Neurodegeneration
    Her core focus on the molecular basis of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, especially novel mechanisms like N-homocysteinylation, STAT1-PARP1, and microRNA signaling, demonstrates depth and relevance to global health priorities.

  3. Translational Impact
    Her research bridges basic science and clinical application, particularly through studies on neuroprotection, early disease biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets.

  4. Early Career Excellence
    Despite being in the early stages of her career, Dr. Zhou has already authored or co-authored over 17 peer-reviewed publications, many as first or corresponding author, which is exceptional at this stage.

  5. Multidisciplinary Collaborations
    Dr. Zhou’s collaborations with experts across genetics, immunology, bioinformatics, and neurology highlight her integrative approach to complex diseases.

  6. International Visibility
    Multiple articles are indexed in PubMed, Crossref, and DOIs, showing her research has international academic presence and reach.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Greater International Exposure
    While her publication record is strong, further participation in international neuroscience conferences, workshops, or global consortia would enhance visibility and foster leadership roles.

  2. Grant Leadership and Independent Funding
    As she progresses, securing independent research funding and leading grant-funded projects will further demonstrate research independence and strengthen her candidacy for top-tier awards.

  3. Mentorship and Teaching Roles
    Involvement in structured mentorship or supervision of Ph.D./postdoctoral researchers could be better highlighted to show contributions to research training and capacity building.

  4. Innovation Translation Pathway
    Filing patents or initiating translational collaborations with biotech/pharma could underline the practical applicability of her findings.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Lingyan Zhou received her doctorate from Wuhan University, one of China’s leading research institutions, between September 2020 and June 2023. During her Ph.D. training, she developed expertise in molecular neuroscience and translational medicine, with a specific focus on the pathological mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Her research explored cellular stress pathways, protein misfolding, and epigenetic regulation in neurodegeneration, leading to multiple first-author publications in high-impact journals. Her academic background provided a solid foundation in experimental techniques such as immunohistochemistry, gene expression analysis, and in vivo disease modeling. The interdisciplinary approach at Wuhan University enriched her understanding of both clinical neurology and basic neuroscience. This rigorous academic training has equipped Dr. Zhou with the analytical and research skills necessary for advancing innovation in neurodegenerative disease treatment.

🧪 Experience:

Since July 2023, Dr. Lingyan Zhou has been serving in the Department of Neurology at Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, where she engages in both clinical practice and translational neuroscience research. Prior to that, she completed her doctoral studies at Wuhan University, where she developed a deep interest in the role of homocysteine metabolism and genetic regulation in Parkinson’s disease. Over her career, she has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to investigate molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and published extensively in internationally recognized journals. Her current position allows her to continue high-impact research while mentoring junior colleagues and participating in multi-center studies. Her combined experience in basic research, clinical neurology, and academic collaboration has established her as a key contributor in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, positioning her well for leadership roles and research recognition such as the Best Researcher Award.

🧠 Research Focus:

Dr. Lingyan Zhou’s research is centered on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Her work has shed light on pathological protein modifications, such as N-homocysteinylation of α-synuclein and DJ-1, which contribute to protein aggregation and neurotoxicity. Additionally, she investigates the neuroprotective roles of vitamins, retinoic acid, and microRNAs in slowing disease progression. Dr. Zhou is also exploring how infectious diseases like SARS-CoV-2 may trigger or exacerbate neurological disorders, expanding the understanding of systemic factors in brain health. Her studies leverage both in vitro and in vivo models to unravel pathways involving STAT1, PARP1, and Notch signaling. By identifying potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers, her research aims to guide the development of novel treatment strategies that could improve outcomes for patients suffering from movement disorders and cognitive decline.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 🧪 N-homocysteinylation of alpha-synuclein promotes its aggregation and neurotoxicity – Aging Cell (2022)

  2. 🧠 Association of vitamin B2 intake with cognitive performance in older adults: a cross-sectional study – J Transl Med (2023)

  3. 🧬 Homocysteine and Parkinson’s disease – CNS Neurosci Ther (2023)

  4. 🧴 Retinoic Acid Prevents alpha-Synuclein Preformed Fibrils-Induced Toxicity via Inhibiting STAT1-PARP1 Signaling – Mol Neurobiol (2023)

  5. 🧫 N-homocysteinylation of DJ-1 promotes neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease – Aging Cell (2024)

  6. 🦠 SARS-CoV-2: Underestimated damage to nervous system – Travel Med Infect Dis (2020)

  7. 💊 Potential therapeutic drugs for ischemic stroke based on bioinformatics analysis – Int J Neurosci (2019)

  8. 🧬 PTPN22 Gene Polymorphisms and Stroke Susceptibility – Dis Markers (2019)

  9. 🧪 IL-18 Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-analysis – Neuroreport (2019)

  10. 🚬 Aromatic hydrocarbon receptor links smoking and rheumatoid arthritis – Clin Exp Rheumatol (2020)

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Lingyan Zhou demonstrates an exceptional trajectory for a young neuroscience researcher. Her deep and original contributions to unraveling molecular mechanisms in neurodegeneration, particularly Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, make her highly deserving of recognition. The breadth and quality of her publication record—combined with her translational outlook—signal a rising star in neurodegenerative disease research.