Prof Dr. Marko Vincekovic | Biomolecules | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Marko Vincekovic | Biomolecules | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Marko Vincekovic | University of Zagreb Faculty of Agricukture | Croatia

Professional Profile

Orcid

💼Professional Experience

Marko Vinceković began his career on January 7, 2003, as an Assistant at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Chemistry. During this time, he focused on colloid and interface chemistry as a junior researcher while also serving as a lecturer. His work combined education and research, setting a strong foundation for his academic journey. In June 2009, he was promoted to Senior Assistant, continuing his contributions to research and teaching at the same institution.

On July 7, 2010, Marko was appointed as an Assistant Professor, where he expanded his academic influence through lectures and innovative research in colloid and interface chemistry. His dedication and expertise led to further promotion, and on July 13, 2013, he became a Senior Research Associate, advancing his research to include the encapsulation of active components while continuing his lecturing responsibilities.

By December 7, 2016, Marko was recognized as an Associate Professor, solidifying his leadership in teaching and research. He played a significant role in mentoring students and pushing the boundaries of colloid and interface chemistry. His current position as a Full Professor, starting April 6, 2022, involves both leading-edge research and inspiring education. His work remains centered on encapsulation of active components and the broader field of colloid and interface chemistry.

🌍 Social Skills and Competencies

Marko is known for his excellent social skills and adaptability. He has demonstrated a strong ability to collaborate in multicultural environments, often working in teams to achieve remarkable results. His involvement in international projects has further enhanced his interpersonal skills. Marko is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Croatian Chemical Society, European Microscopy Society, and European Colloid Society, showcasing his engagement with the global scientific community.

📋 Organizational Skills and Competencies

Marko possesses exceptional organizational skills, which have been pivotal in his academic and research endeavors. He has successfully managed the Laboratory at the Department of Chemistry and led several national and international research projects. He has also played an integral role in drafting project proposals, such as TEMPUS and FP7 initiatives, and contributed to the development of guidelines for student projects at the University of Zagreb. Notably, he served as the Head of the Department of Chemistry in 2015 and participated in the accreditation process for the Faculty of Agriculture.

🛠️ Technical Skills and Competencies

Marko is highly skilled in operating advanced laboratory instruments, including the Malvern Zetasizer NanoZS, rotational and oscillatory rheometer, optical and confocal laser scanning microscopes, UV/VIS spectrophotometer, and tensiometer. These technical skills have been essential in supporting his research in colloid and interface chemistry.

💻 Computer Skills

Marko has a strong command of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and is proficient in the SAS program for statistical analysis and the Linux operating system for advanced computing needs.

Publications Top Noted📚

Development of Alginate Composite Microparticles for Encapsulation of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis

Authors: Marko Vinceković, Lana Živković, Elmira Turkeyeva, Botagoz Mutaliyeva, Galiya Madybekova, Suzana Šegota, Nataša Šijaković Vujičić, Anđela Pustak, Tanja Jurkin, Marta Kiš et al.

Journal: Gels

Year: 2024

Amplifying Synthesis of Health-Promoting Metabolites in Tomatoes via Stimulation with Encapsulated Biological and Chemical Agents in Hydroponic and Soil Cultivation

Authors: Slaven Jurić, Kristina Vlahoviček-Kahlina, Sanja Fabek Uher, Marko Vinceković

Journal: Food Bioscience

Year: 2024

Novel Copper Alginate Microspheres as Ecological Fungicides

Authors: Marko Vinceković, Slaven Jurić, Kristina Vlahoviček-Kahlina, Adrijana Novak, Dario Ivić, Laura Hazler, Tanja Jurkin, Arijeta Bafti, Nataša Šijaković Vujičić

Journal: Sustainability

Year: 2024

Novel Zinc/Silver Ions-Loaded Alginate/Chitosan Microparticles Antifungal Activity Against Botrytis cinerea

Authors: Marko Vinceković, Slaven Jurić, Kristina Vlahoviček-Kahlina, Katarina Martinko, Suzana Šegota, Marijan Marijan, Ana Krčelić, Lidija Svečnjak, Mislav Majdak, Ivan Nemet et al.

Journal: Polymers

Year: 2023

Prof. Xinhua Xiao | Biomolecules | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Xinhua Xiao | Biomolecules | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Peking Union Medical Hospital | China

Professional Profiles

Scopus

🌟 Academic Profile and Leadership Roles

Dr. Xinhua Xiao, MD, PhD, is a Professor and medical doctor at the Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, part of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. With a distinguished career in endocrinology and diabetes research, Dr. Xiao serves as the General Secretary of the Diabetes Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. He is also the Director of the Diabetes Committee under the Chinese Research Hospital Association and the Chinese Elder Health Care Association. Additionally, he holds a pivotal role as a Steering Committee Member of the Chinese Diabetes Society, where he leads the Diabetes Nutrition Study Group.

🔬 Research Focus and Expertise

Dr. Xiao’s primary research delves into the effects and mechanisms of early-life nutrition on metabolic health in later life, providing critical insights into preventive care and disease management. He has also extensively studied the genotypic characteristics of specific types of diabetes, particularly Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) and Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM). These investigations have significantly contributed to understanding these rare yet impactful forms of diabetes.

🌐 Global Influence and Collaboration

Dr. Xiao’s work bridges clinical practice and academic research, making him a respected figure both nationally and internationally. His leadership and scholarly activities have fostered collaborations that push the boundaries of endocrinology and diabetes care.

Publications Top Noted📚 

Landscapes of maternal and neonatal gut microbiome and plasma metabolome signatures and their interaction in gestational diabetes mellitus

Authors: Liu, J.; Zhai, X.; Ding, L.; Ma, L.; Xiao, X.

Journal: Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry

Year: 2024

Metabolomics analysis of serum and urine in type 1 diabetes patients with different time in range derived from continuous glucose monitoring

Authors: Ma, L.; Liu, J.; Deng, M.; Zhang, Q.; Xiao, X.

Journal: Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome

Year: 2024

Cord blood ceramides facilitate early risk identification into childhood metabolic health

Authors: Zheng, J.; Lam, S.M.; Jiang, B.; Xiao, X.; Shui, G.

Journal: National Science Review

Year: 2024

Circulating exosomal circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in a familial partial lipodystrophy type 3 family with a novel PPARG frameshift mutation c.418dup

Authors: Zhou, L.; Li, S.; Ren, J.; Zhang, Q.; Xiao, X.

Journal: American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism

Year: 2024

Efficacy and safety of metformin extended-release (IV) in type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with other three-generation extended-release metformin: a systemic review and network meta-analysis

Authors: Rao, C.; Yu, J.; Cui, L.; Xiao, X.

Journal: Chinese Journal of Diabetes Mellitus

Year: 2024

Prof Dr. Steven Townsend, Biomolecules, Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Steven Townsend, Biomolecules, Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Steven Townsend, Vanderbilt University, United States

Professional Profiles

Google Scholar

Scopus

Orcid

🌟Summary

Dr. Steven D. Townsend is the Stevenson Professor of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University, where he also holds appointments in Medicine, Health, and Society, as well as Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. Known for his groundbreaking research in organic chemistry and dedication to teaching, Dr. Townsend has received numerous accolades, including the Camille-Dreyfus Teacher Scholar and the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship. He actively contributes to the scientific community through various editorial and advisory roles.

🎓Educational Background

MBA (2023-Present) – University of Tennessee, Knoxville
NCI Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2011-2014) – Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center & Columbia University
Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (2005-2010) – Vanderbilt University
B.S. in Chemistry (2001-2005) – Oakland University

💼Professional Experience

Professor of Medicine, Health, and Society (2024-Present) – Vanderbilt University
Stevenson Professor of Chemistry (2022-Present) – Vanderbilt University
Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (2022-Present) – Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Professor of Chemistry (2022) – Vanderbilt University
Associate Professor of Chemistry (2021) – Vanderbilt University
Assistant Professor of Chemistry (2014-2021) – Vanderbilt University

🔬Research Interests

Organic Synthesis: Creating and analyzing complex organic compounds.
Biomedical Applications: Applying chemistry to solve medical and microbiological problems.
Microbiome Research: Exploring the impact of microbiomes on health.

🏆Honors and Awards

2024-2026 Special Creativity Extension – National Science Foundation
2023 Provost’s Faculty Grant for Culminating Projects in Immersion
2022 Thieme Chemistry Journal Award
2021 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow
2020 Camille-Dreyfus Teacher Scholar

📝Professional Activities

Associate Editor – Science Advances
Member, NIH Study Section – Chemical Synthesis & Biosynthesis (CSB)
Editorial Advisory Board – Organic Letters, Journal of Organic Chemistry, ACS Central Science

Publications Top Noted📚

Total Synthesis of Tabernanthine and Ibogaline: Rapid Access to Nosyl Tryptamines

Authors: Hughes, A.J.; Townsend, S.D.

Journal: European Journal of Organic Chemistry

Year: 2024

A Human Milk Oligosaccharide Prevents Intestinal Inflammation in Adulthood via Modulating Gut Microbial Metabolism

Authors: Schalich, K.M.; Buendia, M.A.; Kaur, H.; Townsend, S.D.; Yan, F.

Journal: mBio

Year: 2024

Total Synthesis of Ervaoffine J and K

Authors: Hughes, A.J.; Townsend, S.D.

Journal: Chemistry – A European Journal

Year: 2024

Oxidative Construction of Unusual Indole-Derived Intermediates en Route to Conodusine A

Authors: Hughes, A.J.; Townsend, S.D.

Journal: Tetrahedron Letters

Year: 2024

Synthesis of a Phosphoethanolamine Cellulose Mimetic and Evaluation of Its Unanticipated Biofilm Modulating Properties

Authors: Adams, C.E.; Spicer, S.K.; Gaddy, J.A.; Townsend, S.D.

Journal: ACS Infectious Diseases

Year: 2024

Environmental Toxicant Exposure Paralyzes Human Placental Macrophage Responses to Microbial Threat

Authors: Stephens, V.R.; Moore, R.E.; Spicer, S.K.; Osteen, K.G.; Gaddy, J.A.

Journal: ACS Infectious Diseases

Year: 2023

 

Dr. Sabine Pellett, Biomolecules, Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sabine Pellett, Biomolecules, Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States

Professional Profile

Google Scholar

Scopus

🎓Educational Background

B.S. in Biology
University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (1995)

M.A. in Biology
Portland State University, Portland, OR (1997)

Ph.D. in Environmental & Molecular Toxicology
University of Wisconsin-Madison (2004)

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Food Microbiology & Toxicology
University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005-2007)

💼Professional Experience

Research Associate Professor
Department of Bacteriology, UW-Madison (July 2023 – present)

Limited PI Status
Department of Bacteriology, UW-Madison
(2013, 2015, 2018, and renewed in 2021)

Instructional Staff
Bacteriology, UW-Madison (Spring 2020)

Senior Scientist
Bacteriology, UW-Madison (2016-2023)

Associate Scientist
Bacteriology, UW-Madison (2012-2016)

Researcher
Bacteriology, UW-Madison (2010-2012)

Associate Researcher
Bacteriology, UW-Madison (2007-2010)

Research Associate
Food Microbiology and Toxicology, UW-Madison (2005-2007)

Research Assistant
Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, UW-Madison (1998-2004)

Teaching Assistant
Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, UW-Madison (2001)

🔬Research Interests

Botulinum Neurotoxin research and its applications in treating diseases.

Development of vaccines against botulism.

Investigation of the mechanisms of bacterial toxin action.

Food safety, specifically detection and analysis of foodborne pathogens.

🏆Grants and Awards:

Past

NIH Grants:
Participated in and co-managed multiple NIH-funded projects focused on botulinum neurotoxin research, including studies on novel therapeutic approaches, vaccine development, and toxin characterization.

Agilent Microarray Award (2013):
Received a small grant to test Agilent’s microarray platform.

USDA Agricultural Research Service Grants:
Co-investigator on projects related to the development of detection technologies and therapeutics for botulinum neurotoxins.

Current

NIH R01AI118389 (2020-2025):
Vaccines Against Botulism (co-PI)

NIH R01AI139306-01A1 (2019-2024):
Characteristics of Botulinum Neurotoxins that Determine Potency (PI)

USDA Agricultural Research Service (2020-2025):
Development of Detection Technologies and Therapeutics for Botulinum Neurotoxins (co-PI)

WEDC-SEED (D2P):
Optimization of botulinum neurotoxin production for pharmaceutical use (PI)

📝Publication Top Noted

Botulinum neurotoxin X lacks potency in mice and in human neurons

Authors: Gregg, B.M., Matsumura, T., Wentz, T.G., Fujinaga, Y., Pellett, S.

Journal: mBio

Year: 2024

Recent Developments in Vaccine Design: From Live Vaccines to Recombinant Toxin Vaccines

Authors: Gupta, S., Pellett, S.

Journal: Toxins

Year: 2023

Special Issue: Gram-Positive Bacterial Toxins

Authors: Sharma, S., Pellett, S., Morse, S.A.

Journal: Microorganisms

Year: 2023

Botulinum Neurotoxin A4 Has a 1000-Fold Reduced Potency Due to Three Single Amino Acid Alterations in the Protein Receptor Binding Domain

Authors: Tepp, W.H., Bradshaw, M., Gardner, A.P., Barbieri, J.T., Pellett, S.

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Year: 2023

Transformation of a Metal Chelate into a “Catch and Anchor” Inhibitor of Botulinum A Protease

Authors: Lin, L., Patel, E.N., Nielsen, A.L., Pellett, S., Janda, K.

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Year: 2023

How Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain A1 Maintains Stable Association with the Intracellular Neuronal Plasma Membrane

Authors: Gardner, A.P., Barbieri, J.T., Pellett, S.

Journal: Toxins

Year: 2022