Yong-Keun Jung | Biomolecules | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Yong-Keun Jung | Biomolecules | Best Researcher Award

Seoul National University | South Korea

Prof. Yong-Keun Jung is a distinguished molecular biologist and neurodegeneration researcher recognized for his pioneering contributions to understanding cell death, autophagy, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. He earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology and Biology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, following an M.S. in Molecular Biology and a B.S. in Zoology from Seoul National University. After completing postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School, he served as a professor at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, where he also chaired the Department of Life Science and directed major academic programs such as the BK21 initiative. At Seoul National University, he held several leadership roles, including Director of the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Vice President of the Bio-MAX Institute, and President of the Korea Society for Neurodegenerative Disease. His research focuses on molecular pathways of neurodegeneration, protein homeostasis, autophagy regulation, and therapeutic target discovery. As an editor and editorial board member for leading international journals, he has significantly shaped scientific discourse in biophysics, biochemistry, and molecular neuroscience. With numerous academic honors and contributions, Prof. Jung continues to influence the global research community, concluding a career marked by innovation, leadership, and lasting scientific impact.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Park, G., Kim, N., Kim, S.-Y., Lee, H., Li, C.M., Seol, J.H., Choi, S.-Y., & Jung, Y.-K. (2025). “TUSC3 regulates ERMA-mediated Mg²⁺ uptake for synaptic function and neurodevelopment” in Nature Communications.

Kim, Y., Kim, N., Lee, W., Kim, Y., Kim, D., Park, J., & Jung, Y.-K. (2025). “More 26S and 30S proteasomes are beneficial in proteinopathy” in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Li, C.M., & Jung, Y.-K. (2025). “ER quality control through reticulophagy and protein secretion” in Autophagy.

Baek, S., Chang, J.-W., Yoo, S.-M., Choo, J., Jung, S., Nah, J., & Jung, Y.-K. (2024). “TMEM9 activates Rab9-dependent alternative autophagy through interaction with Beclin1” in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences.

Kang, J., Li, C.M., Kim, N., Baek, J., & Jung, Y.-K. (2024). “Non-autophagic Golgi-LC3 lipidation facilitates TFE3 stress response against Golgi dysfunction” in The EMBO Journal.

Li, C.M., Kang, J., Baek, J., Kim, Y., Park, H., & Jung, Y.-K. (2024). “Cytosolic FKBPL and ER-resident CKAP4 co-regulates ER-phagy and protein secretion” in Nature Communications.

Kim, S.-H., Cho, Y.-S., Kim, Y., Park, J., Yoo, S.-M., Gwak, J., Kim, Y., Gwon, Y., Kam, T., & Jung, Y.-K. (2023). “Endolysosomal impairment by binding of amyloid beta or MAPT/Tau to V-ATPase and rescue via the HYAL-CD44 axis in Alzheimer disease” in Autophagy.

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. Hardik Varu | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Hardik Varu | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Subhash University, Junagadh | India

Dr. Hardik Varu is an accomplished chemist and academician with expertise in analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry from Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University, Junagadh, focusing on “Method Development, Validation and Analytical Studies of Bioactive Compounds,” following a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Dr Subhash University, Junagadh, he has previously worked as a Teaching Assistant at his alma mater, contributing to both undergraduate and postgraduate education. His teaching spans Regulatory Affairs, Spectroscopy & Chromatography, and Pharmaceutical Technology. Dr. Varu possesses extensive technical expertise in operating advanced instrumentation, including UV-Vis spectrophotometers, FTIR, fluorescence spectrophotometers, flame photometers, and UHPLC systems, alongside proficiency in scientific software such as Origin, ChemDraw, Mnova, and research database tools. His research interests focus on analytical method development, bioactive compound analysis, and pharmaceutical applications. Recognized for his excellence, he has received awards including Academic Excellence, fellowships, and multiple SSIP grants, as well as conference distinctions. With a commitment to academic innovation, research advancement, and mentorship, Dr. Varu continues to contribute significantly to the scientific community.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Vavaiya, P.P.; Malviya, N.J.; Alshehri, A.A.; Alqarni, M.; Varu, H.L. (2026). “The reaction of Ninhydrin Revisited: applications in quantification of analytes, active pharmaceutical ingredients and amino acids” in Journal of Molecular Structure.

Varu, H.L.; Parmar, H.N.; Vadhel, H.D.; Ambasana, M.A. (2025). “A Comprehensive Review of Analytical Methodologies for Memantine Hydrochloride” in Journal of Analytical Chemistry.

Varu, H.L.; Bapodra, A.H.; Ambasana, M. (2024). “First Order Derivative Spectroscopic Evaluation of Carfilzomib in Parenteral Preparation” in Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Vachhani, D.; Parekh, J.H.; Patra, S.; Varu, H.L.; Soni, M.; Jebaliya, H.J. (2024). “Green Analytical Method Development and Validation Studies of Viloxazine Hydrochloride in Pure and Commercial Products Using UV-Vis Spectroscopy” in Journal of Applied Spectroscopy.

Varu, H.L.; Nariya, P.B.; Patel, A.S.; Gadher, M.; Makhasana, M.; Lunagariya, K.; Tirvedi, B.; Ambasana, M.A. (2024). “High-performance thin-layer chromatography‒spectrodensitometric determination of diltiazem hydrochloride and its commonly occurring degradation impurity” in Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC.

Varu, H.L.; Kapuriya, N.P.; Bhalodia, J.J.; Bapodra, A.H.; Ambasana, M.A. (2024). “Kinetic Spectrophotometric Determination of Memantine Hydrochloride Based on the Formation of Its Dinitrochlorobenzene Adduct” in Journal of Analytical Chemistry.

Joshi, R.J.; Dholariya, M.P.; Chothani, S.R.; Chamakiya, C.A.; Varu, H.L.; Karmur, M.B.; Maliwal, D.; Pissurlenkar, R.R.S.; Bapodra, A.H.; Patel, A.S.; et al. (2024). “Synthesis, antidiabetic activity and in silico studies of benzo[b]thiophene based small molecule α-amylase inhibitors” in Journal of Molecular Structure.

Dr. Sharon Kiprotich | Physics | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sharon Kiprotich | Physics | Best Researcher Award

Murang’a University of Technology | Kenya

Dr. Sharon Kiprotich is an accomplished physicist and materials scientist whose academic and professional journey exemplifies excellence in experimental and applied physics. She earned her Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Physics from the University of the Free State, South Africa, graduating with distinction, after completing her B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physics at the same institution and a B.Ed. (Science) in Physics and Mathematics from Kenyatta University, Kenya. Currently serving as a Senior Lecturer in Physics at Murang’a University of Technology, she has also held roles as Lecturer, Research Assistant, and Secondary School Educator, contributing extensively to academic instruction, mentorship, and research. Her administrative responsibilities include serving as Department Chair, Program Coordinator for postgraduate studies, and member of multiple academic committees. Dr. Kiprotich’s research interests span condensed matter physics, material sciences, experimental spectroscopy, semiconductor characterization, thin film technology, and nanomaterial fabrication. She is an active member of professional bodies such as the Materials Research Society, African Materials Research Society, and the Physical Society of Kenya. Recognized for her scholarly contributions and leadership, Dr. Kiprotich continues to advance research in emerging materials and technologies, fostering scientific innovation and education across Africa’s growing research landscape.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Bethwel Kiprotich, Peter Waithaka, Sylvia Opiyo, & Sharon Kiprotich. (2025). Green Synthesis of Ga-Doped SnO₂ Nanoparticles: Effects of Ga Doping Concentrations on the Structural and Optical Properties. Journal of Photonic Materials and Technology.

Simon Waweru Gakuru, Sharon Kiprotich, Peter Waithaka, & Francis B. Dejene. (2025). Synergetic Effects of Zn:Fe-Codoped TiO₂ Nanoparticles on the Structural, Optical, and Morphological Properties. physica status solidi (a).

Nancy Kiprotich, Peter Waithaka, Sharon Kiprotich, & John Njagi. (2025). Effects of Tin Doping Concentration on the Structural and Optical Properties of Cadmium Oxide Nanoparticles. Advances in Materials.

Joan Jepngetich, Peter W. Njoroge, Sylvia Opiyo, & Sharon Kiprotich. (2025). Synthesis and Characterization of Ag-ZnO Using Citrus reticulata Peel Extract. Materials Research Express.

Samuel Ndungu Waithira, Ali Halake Wako, Simba Nyamato, & Sharon Kiprotich. (2024). Effects of Synthesis Temperature on the Structural and Optical Properties of CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ Nanoparticles. Scientific African.

Simon Gakuru, Sharon Kiprotich, & Peter Waithaka. (2024). Structural and Optical Properties of Fe-Doped TiO₂ Nanoparticles: Investigation of Effects of Different Doping Concentrations. Advances in Materials.

Anati N. Nkaule, Sharon Kiprotich, Leandre B. Brandt, Thomas Gerber, Abram M. Madiehe, Nandipha L. Botha, & Martin O. Onani. (2023). Effects of Reaction Temperature and Cadmium Source on the Optical, Morphological, and Cytotoxic Properties of CdSe/ZnSe Quantum Dots. ChemistrySelect.