Helton Santiago | Inflammation | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Helton Santiago | Inflammation | Research Excellence Award

Federal University of Minas Gerais | Brazil

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Helton Santiago is a distinguished immunologist whose career bridges clinical research, infectious disease immunology, and vaccine development. He earned his medical degree followed by a master’s and Ph.D. in Immunology of Infectious Diseases, later completing advanced postdoctoral training in leading U.S. institutions, where he deepened his expertise in parasitic diseases, allergy, and immune regulation. Over the years, he has held key academic and research positions, including roles at renowned universities and national research institutes, contributing to major programs in dengue, Zika, COVID-19, helminth infections, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. His experience spans directing clinical trials, leading Phase I–III vaccine studies, developing early-stage vaccine candidates, and conducting translational research on regulatory T cells, cytokines, biomarkers, allergy, inflammation, and cancer immunology. His scientific leadership is reflected in service on ethics committees, biosafety boards, IRBs, and clinical trial oversight groups. Dr. Santiago’s innovative contributions have earned multiple national and international awards, including recognitions for medical innovation, scientific merit, and outstanding doctoral research. His work continues to advance understanding of immune mechanisms and support the development of groundbreaking vaccines and therapeutic strategies, reinforcing his role as a prominent figure in global immunology and translational medicine.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Bafica, A., Santiago, H. C., Goldszmid, R., Ropert, C., Gazzinelli, R. T., & Sher, A. (2006). “TLR9 and TLR2 signaling together account for MyD88-dependent control of parasitemia in Trypanosoma cruzi infection” in The Journal of Immunology.

Diemert, D. J., Pinto, A. G., Freire, J., Jariwala, A., Santiago, H., Hamilton, R. G., Periago, M. V., Loukas, A., Tribolet, L., Mulvenna, J., Correa-Oliveira, R., Hotez, P. J., & Bethony, J. M. (2012). “Generalized urticaria induced by the Na-ASP-2 hookworm vaccine: implications for the development of vaccines against helminths” in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Canesso, M. C. C., Lemos, L., Neves, T. C., Marim, F. M., Castro, T. B. R., Veloso, É. S., Queiroz, C. P., Ahn, J., Santiago, H. C., Martins, F. S., Alves-Silva, J., Ferreira, E., Cara, D. C., Vieira, A. T., Barber, G. N., Oliveira, S. C., & Faria, A. M. C. (2018). “The cytosolic sensor STING is required for intestinal homeostasis and control of inflammation” in Mucosal Immunology.

Dos Santos, P. V. A., Roffê, E., Santiago, H. C., Torres, R. A., Marino, A. P. M. P., Paiva, C. N., Silva, A. A., Gazzinelli, R. T., & Lannes-Vieira, J. (2001). “Prevalence of CD8⁺ αβ T cells in Trypanosoma cruzi-elicited myocarditis is associated with acquisition of CD62L⁻LFA-1⁺VLA-4⁺ activation phenotype and expression of IFN-γ” in Microbes and Infection.

Santiago, H. C., Feng, C. G., Bafica, A., Roffe, E., Arantes, R. M., Cheever, A., Taylor, G., Vieira, L. Q., Aliberti, J., Gazzinelli, R. T., & Sher, A. (2005). “Mice deficient in LRG-47 display enhanced susceptibility to Trypanosoma cruzi infection associated with defective hemopoiesis and intracellular control of parasite growth” in The Journal of Immunology.

Bethony, J. M., Simon, G., Diemert, D. J., Parenti, D., Desrosiers, A., Schuck, S., Fujiwara, R., Santiago, H., & Hotez, P. J. (2008). “Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of the Na-ASP-2 hookworm vaccine in unexposed adults” in Vaccine.

Salah Abusnana | Obesity | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Salah Abusnana | Obesity | Best Researcher Award

University of Sharjah Center for Diabetes | United Arab Emirates

Prof. Salah Abusnana is an accomplished clinician, academic leader, and researcher in diabetes, endocrinology, and internal medicine, with over three decades of clinical practice and significant contributions to medical education and healthcare management. He earned his MSc in Neuroendocrinology, PhD from Imperial College London, and advanced postgraduate qualifications including MRCP and CCST in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Internal Medicine. His extensive career spans senior clinical positions across major London university hospitals and leading roles in the UAE as Senior Consultant, Head of Diabetes and Endocrine Department, Professor, Deputy Chair of Clinical Sciences, Medical Director at RCDR, and Chief Medical Officer at SKMCA. His research focuses on neuroendocrinology, obesity, appetite regulation, diabetes care, and metabolic disorders, leading to numerous peer-reviewed publications and the establishment of fully structured research units and national-level programs. He has supervised MSc and PhD scholars and played key roles in developing diabetes guidelines, PHC training programs, and national research initiatives. A recognized leader, he contributed significantly to hospital commissioning, curriculum development, and clinical service expansion. Widely respected for his work, he continues to advance diabetes research, education, and clinical excellence through leadership roles and collaborative initiatives.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Ramakrishnan, R.K., Srivastava, A., Rajan, R., Abusnana, S., & Mussa, B.M. (2024). “Investigating the role of an immediate early gene FOS as a potential regulator of autophagic response to hypoglycemia in embryonic hypothalamic neurons.” Clinical and Translational Science.

Hassanein, M., Sabbour, H., Al Awadi, F., Abusnana, S., Afandi, B., Al Kaabi, J., Bashier, A., Cosentino, F., El Tamimi, H., Farghali, M., et al. (2023). “Cardiometabolic Guidelines: Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Management in Patients with Dysglycemia.” Dubai Diabetes and Endocrinology Journal.

Alnimer, A., Bhamidimarri, P.M., Talaat, I.M., Alkhayaal, N., Eltayeb, A., Ali, N., Abusnana, S., Hamoudi, R., & Bendardaf, R. (2023). “Association Between Expression of Vitamin D Receptor and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor Among Breast Cancer Patients.” World Journal of Oncology.

Zakaria, H., Abusanana, S., Mussa, B.M., Al Dhaheri, A.S., Stojanovska, L., Mohamad, M.N., Saleh, S.T., Ali, H.I., & Ismail, L.C. (2023). “The Role of Lifestyle Interventions in the Prevention and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.” Medicina.

Mussa, B.M., Srivastava, A., Al-Habshi, A., Mohammed, A.K., Halwani, R., & Abusnana, S. (2021). “Inflammatory Biomarkers Levels in T2DM Emirati Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy.” Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy.

Bendardaf, R., Saheb Sharif-Askari, F., Saheb Sharif-Askari, N., Guraya, S.Y., AlMadhi, S.A., & Abusnana, S. (2020). “Incidence and Clinicopathological Features of Breast Cancer in the Northern Emirates: Experience from Sharjah Breast Care Center.” International Journal of Women’s Health.

Saheb Sharif-Askari, F., Saheb Sharif-Askari, N., Halwani, R., Abusnana, S., Hamoudi, R., & Sulaiman, N. (2020). “Low Vitamin D Serum Level Is Associated with HDL-C Dyslipidemia and Increased Serum Thrombomodulin Levels of Insulin-Resistant Individuals.” Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy.

Mussa, B.M., Schauman, M., Ramalingam, V., Skaria, S., & Abusnana, S. (2019). “Personalized intervention to improve stress and sleep patterns for glycemic control and weight management in obese Emirati patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled clinical trial.” Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy.

Yong-Keun Jung | Biomolecules | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Chemistry Awards

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.