Prof. Dr. Ismail Zainol | Nano Collagen | Excellence in Research Award

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Prof. Dr. Ismail Zainol | Nano Collagen | Excellence in Research Award

Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris | Malaysia

Prof. Dr. Ismail Zainol is a distinguished researcher and academician specializing in polymer science, composites, and biomedical materials. He holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Composites from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. With extensive experience leading and contributing to numerous research projects, his work primarily focuses on the development of natural hydroxyapatite and collagen-based biomaterials, green chemistry applications, wound dressing scaffolds, dental composites, and polymeric drug delivery systems. He has spearheaded innovative studies on biogenic nano-hydroxyapatite from fish scales for biomedical and cosmetic applications, as well as chitosan-collagen composites for tissue engineering and water filtration. Prof. Dr. Zainol has been recognized internationally and nationally with multiple gold, silver, and bronze awards, including accolades from ITEX, PECIPTA, SIIF, and SIRIM Berhad, reflecting his contributions to sustainable materials, biomedical innovation, and chemical engineering. His research not only bridges scientific innovation and practical applications but also enhances environmental sustainability and human health. Through his pioneering work and dedication to academic excellence, he continues to make a significant impact on polymer science, biomaterials, and green technology, inspiring future research and innovation in these fields.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Mudhafar, M.; Alsailawi, H.A.; Zainol, I.; Zorah, M.; Abdulraheem, M.N.; Hasan, M.M.; Lahhob, Q.R.; Oudha, H.A.A.; Ali, A.M. (2024). “Extraction, identification of chemical constituents, and in vitro evaluation against cells and bacterial pathogens of the leaves of Polyalthia rumphii.” Journal of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research.

Mudhafar, M.; Zainol, I.; Alsailawi, H.A.; Karhib, M.M.; Zorah, M.; Alnagdi, F.H.; Hamzah, M.S. (2023). “Bioactive chemical constituents of three crude extracts of Polyalthia sclerophylla using GC-MS and phytochemical screening and their antibacterial and cytotoxicity activities.” Eurasian Chemical Communications.

Mudhafar, M.; Alsailawi, H.A.; Zorah, M.; Karhib, M.M.; Zainol, I.; Kadhim, F.K. (2023). “Biogenic synthesis and characterization of AgNPs using CEPS: Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities.” Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences.

Anene, F.A.; Jaafar, C.N.A.; Mohamed Ariff, A.H.; Zainol, I.; Mohd Tahir, S.; Abdul Razak, B.; Salit, M.S.; Anene-Amaechi, J. (2023). “Biomechanical properties and corrosion resistance of plasma-sprayed fish scale hydroxyapatite (FsHA) and FsHA-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia coatings on Ti–6Al–4V alloy for biomedical applications.” Coatings.

Mudhafar, M.; Zainol, I.; Alsailawi, H.A.; Zorah, M.; Karhib, M.M.; Mahmood Mahdi, N. (2023). “Preparation and characterization of FsHA/FsCol beads: Cell attachment and cytotoxicity studies.” Heliyon.

Anene, F.A.; Jaafar, C.N.A.; Zainol, I.; Ariff, A.H.M.; Tahir, S.M. (2022). “Evaluation of corrosion inhibition of plasma sprayed FsHA/YSZ coating on β-titanium (Ti-13Nb-13Zr) alloy using electrochemical techniques.” Journal of Biomimetics, Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering.

Aiza Jaafar, C.N.; Zainol, I.; Izyan Khairani, M.I.; Dele-Afolabi, T.T. (2022). “Physical and mechanical properties of tilapia scale hydroxyapatite-filled high-density polyethylene composites.” Polymers.

Mudhafar, M.; Zainol, I.; Alsailawi, H.A.; Aiza Jaafar, C.N. (2022). “Synthesis and characterization of fish scales of hydroxyapatite/collagen–silver nanoparticles composites for the applications of bone filler.” Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society.

Dr. Véronique Eparvier | Chemistry of Natural Product | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Véronique Eparvier | Chemistry of Natural Product | Best Researcher Award

CNRS | France

Dr. Véronique Eparvier is a CNRS Research Director at the Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles (ICSN–CNRS) in France, where she leads the Functional Chemistry–Chemical Ecology team and serves as Deputy Coordinator of the Natural Substances–Medicinal Chemistry Department. She also established and manages the ICSN Symbiotic Microorganism Strain Library. She holds a PhD in Natural Products Chemistry and an Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR), along with Master’s degrees in Agro-resource Sciences and Anthropology. Her professional career spans over a decade of research at CNRS, including leading the “Chemodiversity of the Flora of French Guiana” program. Her research focuses on the interface of natural product chemistry, chemical ecology, and metabolomics, emphasizing interactions between microorganisms and plants or insects to identify bioactive metabolites of pharmacological and agrochemical interest and to elucidate their ecological roles. She applies integrative approaches combining analytical chemistry, metabolomic profiling, and ecological insights. Dr. Eparvier’s work has resulted in numerous publications, patents, conference presentations, and invited lectures. Her achievements have been recognized with awards such as the Air Liquide Trophy for Scientific Research. Through her research and outreach, she significantly advances knowledge in natural substances, chemical ecology, and interdisciplinary biotechnology.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Levasseur, M.; Santerre, C.; Segret, J.; Elie, N.; Genty, C.; Estevez, Y.; Amusant, N.; Houël, E.; Eparvier, V.; Touboul, D. (2023). “Composition of antifungal volatile organic compounds in Sextonia rubra fruit by molecular networks.” Comptes Rendus Chimie.

Hebra, T.; Eparvier, V.; Touboul, D. (2023). “Nitrogen Enriched Solid-State Cultivation for the Overproduction of Azaphilone Red Pigments by Penicillium sclerotiorum SNB-CN111.” Journal of Fungi.

Levasseur, M.; Hebra, T.; Elie, N.; Guérineau, V.; Touboul, D.; Eparvier, V. (2022). “Classification of Environmental Strains from Order to Genus Levels Using Lipid and Protein MALDI-ToF Fingerprintings and Chemotaxonomic Network Analysis.” Microorganisms.

Hebra, T.; Pollet, N.; Touboul, D.; Eparvier, V. (2022). “Combining OSMAC, metabolomic and genomic methods for the production and annotation of halogenated azaphilones and ilicicolins in termite symbiotic fungi.” Scientific Reports.

Hebra, T.; Pollet, N.; Touboul, D.; Eparvier, V. (2022). “Combining OSMAC, Metabolomic and Genomic Methods on Termite Symbiotic Fungi for the Production and Annotation of Halogenated Azaphilones and Ilicicolins.” Research Square, preprint.

Houël, E.; Ginouves, M.; Azas, N.; Bourreau, E.; Eparvier, V.; Hutter, S.; Knittel-Obrecht, A.; Jahn-Oyac, A.; Prévot, G.; Villa, P.; et al. (2022). “Treating leishmaniasis in Amazonia, part 2: Multi-target evaluation of widely used plants to understand medicinal practices.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

Sorres, J.; Hebra, T.; Elie, N.; Leman-Loubière, C.; Grayfer, T.; Grellier, P.; Touboul, D.; Stien, D.; Eparvier, V. (2022). “Antiparasitic Ovalicin Derivatives from Pseudallescheria boydii, a Mutualistic Fungus of French Guiana Termites.” Molecules.

Dr. Chinenyenwa Fortune Chukwuneme | Computational Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Chinenyenwa Fortune Chukwuneme | Computational Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

University of South Africa | South Africa

Dr. Chinenyenwa Fortune Chukwuneme is a dedicated researcher in biology and biotechnology whose work spans microbial ecology, metagenomics, and drug discovery. She earned her PhD in Biology from North-West University, South Africa, focusing on metagenomic analyses of microbial communities and functional genes in maize rhizosphere soils. She also holds an MSc in Biology (cum laude) from the same institution, where she studied the role of actinomycetes in alleviating drought stress in maize, and earlier completed degrees in Microbiology and Industrial Chemistry. Her professional journey includes roles as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of South Africa, where she investigates the therapeutic potential of Berberis vulgaris alkaloids against human and viral protein targets, and as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Vaal University of Technology, where she applied advanced sequencing technologies to cancer research. She has also contributed to malaria drug target discovery as a Research Associate at North-West University and published extensively in microbial biotechnology. Her research interests encompass metagenomics, microbial-plant interactions, molecular drug discovery, and computational biology. Recognized with several awards, including NRF postdoctoral grants and international travel fellowships, she continues to advance impactful research aimed at improving agriculture, health, and drug discovery.

Author Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Chukwuneme, C.F., & Babalola, O.O. (2025). “Microbial diversity and function in the rhizosphere microbiome: Driving forces and monitoring approaches.” Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment.

Chukwuneme, C.F., & Gildenhuys, S. (2025). “Systems analysis of Berberis vulgaris alkaloids unveils their functional synergy and drug-like potential.” Computational Biology and Chemistry.

Adeniji, A.A., Chukwuneme, C.F., Conceição, E.C., Ayangbenro, A.S., Wilkinson, E., Maasdorp, E., de Oliveira, T., Babalola, O.O., & Núñez-Montero, K. (2025). “Unveiling novel features and phylogenomic assessment of indigenous Priestia megaterium AB-S79 using comparative genomics.” Microbiology Spectrum.

Rayise, S.S., Chukwuneme, C.F., Takaidza, S., & Ssemakalu, C. (2024). “A holistic view on erectile dysfunction: South African medicinal plants as sustainable alternative therapies.” Journal of Natural Remedies.

Chukwuneme, C.F., Ayangbenro, A.S., Venturi, V., Glick, B.R., & Babalola, O.O. (2024). “Potential innovations from the application of beneficial soil microbes to promote sustainable crop production.” Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia.

Amoo, A.E., Olanrewaju, O.S., Babalola, O.O., Ajilogba, C.F., Chukwuneme, C.F., Ojuederie, O.B., & Omomowo, O.I. (2023). “The functionality of plant-microbe interactions in disease suppression.” Journal of King Saud University – Science.

Ayangbenro, A.S., Chukwuneme, C.F., Ayilara, M.S., Kutu, F.R., Khantsi, M., Adeleke, B.S., Glick, B.R., & Babalola, O.O. (2022). “Harnessing the rhizosphere soil microbiome of organically amended soil for plant productivity.” Agronomy.

Dr. Walmik Gaikwad | Conjugate Vaccines | Breakthrough Research Award

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Dr. Walmik Gaikwad | Conjugate Vaccines | Breakthrough Research Award

Inventprise Inc. Redmond, WA, US | United States

Dr. Walmik Gaikwad is a skilled biotechnologist and manufacturing leader with more than two decades of experience spanning academic research, industrial R&D, and large-scale vaccine production. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University, where his doctoral work focused on developing conjugation processes for Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides with carrier proteins. He earned his M.Tech. in Biotechnology from Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, specializing in bioremediation of phenolic compounds, and his B.Tech. in Chemical–Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemicals from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, where he explored the synthesis of chromenone derivatives. Professionally, Dr. Gaikwad has led projects across upstream, downstream, and conjugation process development with extensive expertise in cGMP and GLP environments. His career includes key roles at Inventprise Inc., Redmond, where he currently manages vaccine manufacturing operations, and the Serum Institute of India, where he contributed significantly to multivalent conjugate vaccine R&D and production, regulatory audits, and technology transfer. His research interests lie in vaccine development, process optimization, and bioprocess scale-up under stringent quality frameworks. Recognized for his strategic leadership, regulatory acumen, and scientific rigor, Dr. Gaikwad continues to advance innovation in global vaccine manufacturing.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Simultaneous purification and depolymerization of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2 capsular polysaccharides by trifluoroacetic acid

Purification of capsular polysaccharides isolated from S. pneumoniae serotype 2 by hydrogen peroxide and endonuclease

Effect of trifluoroacetic acid on the antigenicity of capsular polysaccharides obtained from various Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes

Partial depolymerization of capsular polysaccharides isolated from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2 by various methods

Methods for simultaneous fragmentation and purification of bacterial polysaccharides

Method for obtaining purified bacterial polysaccharides

Prof. Jianli Liu | Chemical Toxicology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Jianli Liu | Chemical Toxicology | Best Researcher Award

Liaoning University | China

Prof. Jianli Liu is a distinguished researcher and educator in the field of biotechnology and medical genetics, with a strong academic foundation spanning from a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biotechnology at Shenyang Agricultural University to a Ph.D. in Medical Genetics from China Medical University, where his doctoral work focused on CDK2 expression regulated by STK15 in laryngeal carcinoma. He began his academic career as a tutor at Liaoning University, advancing through the roles of lecturer and associate professor, and currently serves as a professor at the Life Science School of Liaoning University. Prof. Liu’s research interests lie in molecular mechanisms of disease, cellular signaling pathways, and the protective effects of natural products such as polysaccharides, anthocyanins, and polyphenols against environmental stressors including high glucose and PM2.5-induced damage. He has led multiple nationally funded projects, including those supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and regional innovation programs, focusing on lung disease, β-cell protection, heavy metal pollution control, and therapeutic potentials of bioactive compounds. Recognized for his impactful contributions, Prof. Liu continues to advance interdisciplinary research bridging biotechnology, medicine, and environmental health, while inspiring future scientists through his teaching and mentorship.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Study on the causality of cathepsin on autoimmune diseases and cancer: evidence from mendelian randomization analysis

Cadmium induces the secretion of SASP factors regulated by MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in HEK293 cells: A possible mechanism of acute kidney damage induced by cadmium

Genetic Association of Chronic Pains and Analgesics With Telomere Length: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Cadmium exposure induces inflammation, oxidative stress and DNA damage in HUVEC and promotes THP-1 adhesion: A possible mechanism on the formation of atherosclerotic plaque

Assessments of Pollution Status and Human Health Risk of Potentially Toxic Elements in Primary Crops and Agricultural Soils in Guanajuato, Mexico

Association between cadmium exposure and the risk of cardiovascular outcomes: a meta-analysis