Dr. Mary Tsikitis | Intermediate Filaments | Best Researcher Award

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. Huan Tang | Molecular Dynamics Simulations | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Huan Tang | Molecular Dynamics Simulations | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology | China

Professional Profile

Scopus

👨‍🏫 Academic and Professional Background

Dr. Huan Tang is a Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor in the School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. His academic journey includes a Bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering from Hunan University, a Master’s in Environmental Science and Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology, and a Doctorate in Municipal Engineering. He further enriched his expertise as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Massachusetts, where he conducted research under the mentorship of Professor Xing Baoshan. Dr. Tang’s career is distinguished by his contributions to environmental and municipal engineering through both research and teaching.

🔬 Research and Innovations

Dr. Tang’s research encompasses a blend of theoretical and applied environmental studies, with a special focus on the migration and transformation of pollutants in aqueous environments. He has led a total of 8 research projects (3 completed, 5 ongoing), reflecting his dedication and leadership in advancing environmental science.

Ongoing Research Projects:

2023-2026: National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program) – Project Leader

2023-2025: Shaanxi Province Overseas Scholars Science and Technology Activity Funding – Project Leader

2023-2025: Key Project, Shaanxi Province Department of Education – Project Leader

Completed Research Projects:

2020-2022: National Natural Science Foundation of China (Young Scientists Fund) – Project Leader

2019-2021: China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (General Program) – Project Leader

2020-2021: Shaanxi Province Science and Technology Department Youth Program – Project Leader

🌎 Research Focus and Impact

Dr. Tang’s work is focused on emerging pollutants such as microplastics across various environmental media. His research delves into the migration and transformation processes of these pollutants, developing risk control technologies through innovative methods, such as molecular dynamics simulation and quantum chemical calculations. His multi-scale approach has revealed intricate interfacial action mechanisms of pollutants, earning recognition and widespread citations in 54 countries from top institutions like Yale University, Columbia University, Tsinghua University, and Peking University.

🏅 Professional Memberships and Contributions

As a member of the Shaanxi Province Young Workers’ Association, Dr. Tang actively participates in initiatives aimed at young researchers in his region. His work has not only advanced understanding in his area but has also significantly contributed to environmental science as a whole, influencing policies and fostering international collaboration.

Publications Top Noted📄

Direct oxidation of adsorbed petroleum hydrocarbons by activating persulfate with Fe/Mn-SOM complex preformed in-situ for heavily contaminated soil remediation

Authors: Cao, Z., Xu, J., Dai, J., Liu, C., Tang, H.
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Year: 2024

Molecular-level insight into the behavior of metal cations and organic matter during the aggregation of polystyrene nanoplastics

Authors: Chen, Y., Tang, H., Li, H., Huang, T., Xing, B.
Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials
Year: 2024

Aggregation of graphene oxide upon the stripping of oxidized debris: An experimental and molecular dynamics simulation study

Authors: Yu, J., Li, W., Zhang, D., Huang, T., Tang, H.
Journal: Environmental Pollution
Year: 2024

Identifying the Stripping of Oxide Debris from Graphene Oxide: Evidence from Experimental Analysis and Molecular Simulation

Authors: Li, W., Tang, H., Zhang, D., Huang, T., Xing, B.
Journal: Environmental Science and Technology
Year: 2024

Enhanced degradation of Rhodamine B through activating peroxydisulfate by humic acid-Fe incorporated biochar: Kinetics and mechanism studies

Authors: Cao, Z., Xu, J., Tan, W., Li, H., Li, Y.
Journal: Journal of Molecular Liquids
Year: 2024