Zerrin Kutlu | Molecular | Excellence in Research Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zerrin Kutlu | Molecular | Excellence in Research Award

Researcher at Ataturk University | Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zerrin Kutlu is a distinguished biochemist whose research excellence is demonstrated through her impactful contributions to oxidative stress biology, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, metabolic disorders, and therapeutic drug discovery. With 211 citations across 198 documents, 15 publications, and a Scopus h-index of 9, she has established a credible scientific footprint in translational biochemistry and experimental pharmacology. Her research spans ischemic heart injury, diabetes-related complications, sepsis-induced organ damage, ferroptosis, and antioxidant-based cytoprotective strategies. She has extensively studied avasopasem manganese (a SOD mimetic), ER-stress modulators, nanoformulations for wound healing, and bioactive natural compounds with therapeutic potential. Her experimental work includes the elucidation of molecular pathways such as unfolded protein response mechanisms, inflammatory cascades, prostaglandin receptor signaling, and oxidative injury biomarkers. She has authored SCI/SCI-Expanded articles and contributed multiple book chapters reflecting her sustained scientific productivity. Her involvement in dermocosmetic innovation and boron-based bioactive molecule development illustrates strong translational impact. Her research outputs demonstrate originality, advanced methodology, and significant biomedical relevance, solidifying her suitability for the Excellence in Research Award.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Dumlu, F. A., Aydin, T., Odabasoglu, F., Berktas, O. A., Kutlu, Z., Erol, H. S., … (2019). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of jervine, a steroidal alkaloid from rhizomes of Veratrum album. Phytomedicine, 55, 191–199. (Cited by: 46)

Koc, K., Geyikoglu, F., Cakmak, O., Koca, A., Kutlu, Z., Aysin, F., Yilmaz, A., … (2021). The targets of β-sitosterol as a novel therapeutic against cardio-renal complications in acute renal ischemia/reperfusion damage. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, 394(3), 469–479. (Cited by: 44)

Karaoğlan, E. S., Albayrak, A., Kutlu, Z., & Bayır, Y. (2018). Gastroprotective and antioxidant effects of Eremurus spectabilis Bieb. methanol extract and its isolated component isoorientin on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer. Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 33, 609–618. (Cited by: 30)

Akpinar, E., Kutlu, Z., Kose, D., Aydin, P., Tavaci, T., Bayraktutan, Z., Yuksel, T. N., … (2022). Protective effects of idebenone against sepsis-induced acute lung damage. Journal of Investigative Surgery, 35(3), 560–568. (Cited by: 25)

Kutlu, Z., Celik, M., Bilen, A., Halıcı, Z., Yıldırım, S., Karabulut, S., Karakaya, S., … (2020). Effects of umbelliferone isolated from the Ferulago pauciradiata Boiss. & Heldr. plant on cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis model in rats. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 127, 110206. (Cited by: 21)

Ning Zhang | Molecular biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ning Zhang | Molecular Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Liaocheng university | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ning Zhang, a distinguished neuroscientist of Mongolian ethnicity, is a member of the Communist Party and currently focuses her research on neuroinflammatory immunity and myelin regeneration. She earned her doctoral degree in Neuroscience from Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Germany, in November 2015. Dr. Zhang’s research primarily investigates the regulatory mechanisms of neuroinflammation and immune responses in neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing the processes of remyelination and neuronal repair. Her studies further explore the intricate interactions among glial cells in the central nervous system during both development and disease progression. She is also deeply engaged in identifying novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative conditions and developing bioactive interventions aimed at mitigating neuronal damage. Dr. Zhang has made substantial contributions to the field through her publications and scientific discoveries, advancing understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neural repair. Her work bridges fundamental neuroscience with translational approaches to improve clinical outcomes in neurodegenerative disorders. According to her Scopus profile, Dr. Zhang has authored 62 scientific documents, which have collectively garnered 868 citations across 667 publications, reflecting a significant impact in the global neuroscience community. She maintains an h-index of 19, demonstrating both the depth and influence of her research contributions in neuroinflammatory and regenerative neuroscience.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Zhang, N., et al. (2025). Ketogenic diet attenuates microglia-mediated neuroinflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via HDAC3 inhibition to activate mitophagy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Food & Function. 3 citations

Zhang, N., et al. (2025). Exogenous ketogenic supplements can mitigate the susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease induced by chronic sleep deprivation: Emerging role of Sirt1 in ferroptosis. Food Science and Human Wellness. 0 citations

Zhang, N., et al. (2025). Cetirizine platinum(IV) complexes with antihistamine properties inhibit tumor metastasis by suppressing angiogenesis and boosting immunity. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry. 3 citations

Zhang, N., et al. (2024). Dynamic effects of ketogenic diet on autophagy and cell cycle in a mouse model of CT26+ colon cancer. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 0 citations

Zhang, N., et al. (2024). Phase separation investigation of Axitinib in supersaturated solution. Crystals. 0 citations

Yu Fang | Molecular biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Yu Fang | Molecular biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Full Professor at Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter | China

Dr. Yu Fang is a distinguished chemist whose research lies at the interface of materials chemistry and supramolecular science, particularly in the design and synthesis of Porous Coordination Cages (PCCs) and Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs). His work focuses on developing advanced porous materials for applications in catalysis, gas storage, molecular recognition, and energy conversion. Dr. Fang has made significant contributions to understanding host–guest chemistry, self-assembly mechanisms, and structure–property relationships in coordination materials. His innovative research has been widely recognized in leading journals such as Nature Communications, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Chemical Society Reviews. Through collaborative projects and pioneering insights, Dr. Fang’s studies have bridged molecular design and functional materials engineering, influencing both academic and industrial research in advanced materials. He has published extensively, contributing to the development of next-generation coordination architectures with tailored porosity and dynamic behavior for chemical and environmental applications. With 7132 citations and an h-index of 26 according to his Scopus profile, Dr. Fang’s scientific impact reflects both productivity and quality, positioning him as a leading figure in coordination chemistry and materials innovation.

Profile: Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Liang, Y., Yang, X., Wang, X., Guan, Z.-J., Xing, H., & Fang, Y. (2023). Nature Communications, 14, 5223.

Su, Z., Liu, K.-K., Xu, Y.-Q., Yan, B., Wang, S., Guan, Z.-J., Zou, Y., & Fang, Y. (2024). Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 64(9), e202420945.

Peng, Y., Yuan, L., Liu, K.-K., Jin, S., & Fang, Y. (2024). Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 64(12), e202423055.

Liang, Y., Xie, G., Liu, K.-K., Jin, M., Chen, Y., Yang, X., Guan, Z.-J., Xing, H., & Fang, Y. (2024). Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 64(1), e202416884.

He, H.-H., Yuan, J.-P., Cai, P.-Y., Wang, K.-Y., Feng, L., Kirchon, A., Li, J., Zhang, L.-L., Zhou, H.-C., & Fang, Y. (2023). Journal of the American Chemical Society, 145, 17164–17175.

Fang, Y., Powell, J., Li, E., Wang, Q., Perry, Z., Kirchon, A., Yang, X., Xiao, Z., Zhu, C., Zhang, L., Huang, F., & Zhou, H.-C. (2019). Chemical Society Reviews, 48(17), 4707–4730.

Liang, Y., Li, E., Wang, K., Guan, Z.-J., He, H.-H., Zhang, L.-L., Zhou, H.-C., Huang, F., & Fang, Y. (2022). Chemical Society Reviews, 51, 8378–8405.

Daria Maria Monti | Biochemistry | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Prof. Daria Maria Monti | biochemistry | Best Academic Researcher Award

Associate Professor at University of Naples Federico II, Italy

Daria Maria Monti (DMM) is an accomplished Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Sciences at the University of Naples Federico II, with an impressive track record in cellular biology and biochemistry. She is widely recognized for her investigations into the cytotoxic effects of noble metal compounds and the antioxidant properties of natural extracts, as well as her more recent work on microalgae as a source of bioactive molecules. DMM has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and has earned an h-index of 32, with more than 2700 citations to date, reflecting her significant contributions to the scientific community. Her academic and research influence extends globally through numerous speaking engagements and collaborative projects.

Profile

Scopus

Education

DMM’s educational foundation in biochemical sciences laid the groundwork for her future in biomedical research. She pursued advanced postdoctoral training internationally, notably at the Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, under the mentorship of esteemed scientists Prof. Vallee and Prof. Riordan from 1999 to 2001. Her education continued with a visiting scientist position at Tufts Medical Center’s Molecular Oncology Research Institute in 2012, where she explored molecular responses in cancer biology. These formative experiences helped hone her expertise in oxidative stress and therapeutic compounds.

Experience

Over the years, DMM has accumulated extensive experience in both academic and applied research settings. Her primary appointments have involved cellular biology and biochemistry, with a growing emphasis on natural antioxidants and cytotoxic agents. Beyond laboratory research, she has served as an evaluator for multiple national and European scientific projects, and as a reviewer for numerous high-impact international journals. DMM has been deeply involved in academic mentorship, acting as a tutor and co-supervisor for students in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology and Health Biotechnology programs. Since 2014, she has also contributed to the PhD School in Biotechnology, mentoring several doctoral candidates across multiple academic cycles.

Research Interest

DMM’s research interests are deeply rooted in understanding the mechanisms of oxidative stress and cellular defense systems. Her work delves into the cytotoxic impacts of noble metal-based compounds, such as gold and platinum complexes, often used in cancer therapies. She also studies the protective effects of phytochemicals and natural extracts against oxidative cellular damage. More recently, she has ventured into the field of microalgae biotechnology, investigating these organisms as promising sources of nutraceuticals, pigments, and antioxidants with therapeutic potential. Her research bridges fundamental cell biology with translational applications in medicine and biotechnology.

Award

DMM’s scientific achievements have garnered multiple accolades. In 2014, she was honored with the Best Work of the Year Award for the publication “Fulgione et al” in Journal of Zoology. Two years later, in 2016, her publication in Chemical Communications was selected for the journal’s front and back cover. In 2019, her article in Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine became the most downloaded piece in its category. In 2020, another of her works featured in ChemMedChem was recognized as part of the “Cancer Research Hot Topic Series,” while her collaborative research published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta – Bioenergetics was highlighted by Elettra Synchrotron Light Laboratory for its scientific impact.

Publication

DMM has published widely in leading journals, with her most impactful works including:

  1. Monti et al., Nanomed: Nanotechnol Biol Med, 2019, 20, 101997 – Most downloaded article in Nanomedicine (Cited by 134 articles)
  2. Petruk et al., ChemMedChem, 2019, 14, 594 – Selected for Cancer Research Hot Topic Series (Cited by 98 articles)
  3. Ferraro et al., Chem Commun, 2016, 52, 9518 – Featured on front and back cover (Cited by 110 articles)
  4. Fulgione et al., J Zool, 2014, 294(2), 122-128 – Awarded Best Work of the Year (Cited by 87 articles)
  5. Ferraro et al., BBA Bioenerg, 2020, 1861, 148236 – Recognized by Elettra Synchrotron (Cited by 65 articles)
  6. Monti et al., Int J Mol Sci, Special Issue: Microalgae Biotechnology, 2022 – Guest editor and author (Cited by 42 articles)
  7. Petruk et al., Molecules, 2021, Special Issue: Antioxidants and Aging – Co-editor and contributor (Cited by 39 articles)

Conclusion

Daria Maria Monti stands out as a dynamic researcher and dedicated educator in the field of biochemical and cellular sciences. Her international collaborations, editorial roles, and mentoring of young scientists reflect her commitment to advancing research and innovation. Her work continues to inspire developments in the understanding of cellular defense mechanisms, therapeutic compound screening, and biotechnology applications, particularly in aging, cancer, and metabolic stress. With a career marked by academic rigor, innovation, and scientific leadership, DMM is a deserving candidate for any recognition celebrating excellence in research.