Terin Adali | Tissue Engineering | Excellence in Research Award

Published on by Biotechnology Scientist

Prof. Dr. Terin Adali | Tissue Engineering | Excellence in Research Award

Faculty of Medicine at  Girne American University | Cyprus

Prof. Dr. Terin Adalı is a leading scholar in biomedical engineering whose scientific contributions span biomaterials, tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensors, and polymer science, supported by a Scopus record of 392 citations, 25 documents, and an h-index of 12. Her research focuses on the synthesis, modification, and biocompatibility assessment of natural and synthetic polymers-including silk fibroin, chitosan, polyethylene glycol derivatives, and gellan gum-based systems-for regenerative medicine and therapeutic applications. She has extensively explored silk fibroin as a non-thrombogenic biomaterial, developing advanced hydrogels, injectable matrices, and composite scaffolds with applications in cartilage regeneration, ocular therapy, and sustained drug release. Her studies on PEG–DNA complexes, nanoparticle-encapsulated anticancer agents, and antibiotic-loaded biomaterials have contributed to improved targeted delivery and enhanced cellular outcomes. She has also developed polymer-based electrochemical biosensors for disease detection and micro/nanoparticles for biomedical imaging and cancer therapy. Her publications in high-impact journals demonstrate excellence in material characterization, spectroscopic analysis, cell viability assays, hemocompatibility studies, and the integration of AI-driven modeling techniques for medical diagnostics. She has contributed significantly to the understanding of scaffold–cell interactions, natural polymer reinforcement, and biodegradable material performance under physiological conditions. Her recent work includes advanced hydrogels for macular degeneration treatment and predictive models for osteoporosis using CT/MRI-based deep learning. Through her extensive scientific output, interdisciplinary collaborations, and role in shaping biomedical materials research, Prof. Dr. Terin Adalı has established a strong international presence and continues to advance innovative biomaterial technologies with impactful clinical potential.

Profiles : Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Adali, T., Kalkan, R., & Karimizarandi, L. (2019). The chondrocyte cell proliferation of a chitosan/silk fibroin/egg shell membrane hydrogels. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 124, 541–547. (Cited by: 50)

Adalı, T., & Uncu, M. (2016). Silk fibroin as a non-thrombogenic biomaterial. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 90, 11–19. (Cited by: 50)

Yilmaz, E., Adali, T., Yilmaz, O., & Bengisu, M. (2007). Grafting of poly(triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) onto chitosan by ceric ion initiation. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 67(1), 10–18. (Cited by: 43)

Bahramzadeh, E., Yilmaz, E., & Adali, T. (2019). Chitosan-graft-poly(N-hydroxy ethyl acrylamide) copolymers: Synthesis, characterization and preliminary blood compatibility in vitro. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 123, 1257–1266. (Cited by: 40)

Adali, T., & Yilmaz, E. (2009). Synthesis, characterization and biocompatibility studies on chitosan-graft-poly(EGDMA). Carbohydrate Polymers, 77(1), 136–141. (Cited by: 40)

 

Yuanyuan Zhang | Tissue Regeneration | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Biotechnology Scientist

Dr. Yuanyuan Zhang | Tissue Regeneration | Best Researcher Award

Associate Dean at Wake Forest School of Medicine, United States

Dr. Yuanyuan Zhang is an accomplished Associate Professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, currently based at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Zhang has made significant contributions to the fields of regenerative medicine, urology, and tissue engineering. Her expertise lies at the intersection of cell biology and urological reconstruction, with a focus on developing bioengineered tissues for clinical application. As a physician-scientist, her translational research bridges basic science and therapeutic innovation, earning her a reputation for advancing the frontiers of regenerative urology. She has served in numerous academic, clinical, and research roles across China, Switzerland, New Zealand, and the United States, contributing globally to the advancement of urologic tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Zhang began her educational journey at Jiangxi Medical College (Nanchang University), where she earned her M.D. equivalent in 1982 and her M.S. in Biological Sciences in 1989. Her master’s research, under the mentorship of Dr. Shi-ping Peng, investigated the protective effects of ginsenosides on renal ischemia, establishing a foundation in nephrology and cellular protection. She later pursued a Ph.D. in Biomedicine at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, where she focused on co-culturing bladder urothelial and smooth muscle cells on small intestinal submucosa for potential tissue engineering applications. This early work laid the groundwork for her future contributions to organ regeneration and bioengineering.

Experience

Dr. Zhang’s clinical training includes multiple residency and fellowship programs in China, including the 2nd and 1st affiliated hospitals of Jiangxi Medical College and advanced fellowships in endourology in Guangzhou and Shanghai. She furthered her expertise in renal transplantation and nephrology during her fellowship at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Between 1997 and 2000, she completed postdoctoral training at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, a critical period in which she refined her research in pediatric urology and regenerative techniques. These cumulative experiences enriched her clinical and academic perspectives, supporting her transition to high-impact research and teaching roles in the U.S.

Research

Dr. Zhang’s research interests center around urological tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, stem cell applications, and biomaterials. Her pioneering investigations into the reconstruction of the bladder and urethra using cell-seeded scaffolds have contributed to the evolution of functional tissue substitutes. Additionally, she explores stem cell differentiation, extracellular matrix bioactivity, and translational strategies for clinical urologic repair. Her laboratory work is aimed at solving complex challenges in tissue replacement and organ repair, with a particular emphasis on pediatric and reconstructive urology.

Awards

Dr. Zhang has received numerous accolades and has been recognized through various international and national research initiatives. Her contributions have made her a frequent reviewer for the NIH NIDDK since 2009, and she has evaluated proposals for prestigious agencies including the Sick Kids Foundation of Canada and The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development. These appointments reflect her standing in the global scientific community and her commitment to advancing medical research through peer evaluation and mentorship.

Publications

Among her impactful publications, several stand out for their scientific merit and citations. In Tissue Engineering Part A (2005), her work titled “Tissue-engineered bladder: A novel approach for reconstruction” has been cited over 600 times, demonstrating the field’s reliance on her innovation. Another key paper, “Urothelial cell growth on small intestinal submucosa” published in Biomaterials (2003), received over 400 citations. Her 2007 publication in Stem Cells on “Stem cell-seeded scaffolds for urethral regeneration” continues to be cited extensively (300+ citations). Additional notable works include articles in Nature Clinical Practice Urology (2008), Journal of Urology (2006), and Regenerative Medicine (2010), each reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. Her research has also informed clinical trial design and inspired further investigation into bladder regeneration and functional scaffold development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Yuanyuan Zhang exemplifies excellence in academic medicine, translational research, and international collaboration. With a strong foundation in clinical urology and a visionary approach to tissue engineering, she continues to advance regenerative therapies that hold the potential to transform patient care. Her publications, global training background, and consistent contributions to peer-reviewed grant evaluation underscore her as a leader in the field. As an educator, researcher, and clinician, Dr. Zhang’s work resonates across disciplines and borders, making her a highly deserving nominee for recognition in regenerative medicine and biomedical innovation.