Dr. Mary Tsikitis | Intermediate Filaments | Best Researcher Award

Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens | Greece

Dr. Mary Tsikitis is an accomplished molecular geneticist whose research bridges molecular oncology and regenerative medicine. She earned her B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Tufts University and completed her M.S. and Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she developed pioneering mouse models to study the tumor suppressor function of INI1/hSNF5, contributing to a PNAS 2005 publication. Her postdoctoral work at New York University’s Cancer Institute explored the molecular mechanisms of myogenesis, revealing key interactions between MyoD1, NFkB, E2f3b, and XBP1 pathways. At the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, she advanced from Senior Research Associate to Independent Investigator, focusing on cardiac regeneration, the role of Desmin in cardiomyogenic differentiation, and the therapeutic potential of α-crystallin in cardiomyopathies. Dr. Tsikitis has supervised numerous graduate and postgraduate researchers and contributed to biotechnology education at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her scientific excellence has been recognized with several honors, including the ELIDEK Postdoctoral Fellowship, ONASSIO Joint Grant, and multiple presentation awards. Through her interdisciplinary work, she continues to advance molecular insights into cardiac and muscular diseases, driving innovation in therapeutic regeneration.

Profiles: Orcid

Featured Publications

Tsikitis, M., Diokmetzidou, A., Liakopoulos, P., Karipidou, M., Kokkinopoulos, I., Vatsellas, G., Kloukina, I., Kolovos, P., & Capetanaki, Y. (2025). “Molecular insights into the role of desmin intermediate filament network in chromatin landscape, cardiomyocyte differentiation, and maturation.” Cell Death & Disease.

Kerdidani, D., Chouvardas, P., Rocanin Arjo, A., Giopanou, I., Ntaliarda, G., Guo, Y. A., Tsikitis, M., Kazamias, G., Potaris, K., Stathopoulos, G. T., et al. (2019). “Wnt1 silences chemokine genes in dendritic cells and induces adaptive immune resistance in lung adenocarcinoma.” Nature Communications.

Capetanaki, Y., Papathanasiou, S., Diokmetzidou, A., Vatsellas, G., & Tsikitis, M. (2015). “Desmin related disease: a matter of cell survival failure.” Current Opinion in Cell Biology.

Prof. Inho Bae | Biomaterials | Best Researcher Award

Chosun University | South Korea

Dr. Inho Bae is a distinguished Research Professor at Chosun University, renowned for his pioneering work in biomedical materials and cardiovascular stent technology. He earned his advanced degrees in materials science and biomedical engineering, building a strong foundation for his career in medical device innovation. Over the years, Dr. Bae has gained extensive research and academic experience, contributing significantly to the fields of biomaterials, polymer science, and cardiovascular therapeutics. His research focuses on developing advanced stent designs, drug delivery systems, and surface modification techniques to enhance anti-thrombogenicity and endothelialization. He has also led studies on polymer-free and biodegradable coating technologies, aiming to improve stent performance and patient safety through translational applications. His work bridges fundamental science with clinical impact, making meaningful advancements in biomedical engineering and healthcare innovation. Recognized for his achievements, Dr. Bae has received multiple honors including the Excellence in Biomedical Research Award, Patent Commercialization Award, Innovative Researcher Award, and Technology Transfer Achievement Award. His dedication to translational research and interdisciplinary collaboration continues to advance medical technology, shaping the future of cardiovascular treatment and biomaterials science.

Featured Publication

Drug release control and anti-inflammatory effect of biodegradable polymer surface modified by gas phase chemical functional reaction, Biomedical Materials (Bristol).