Zhi Li | Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Zhi Li | Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Zhi Li | Qinghai University | China

Zhi Li is a researcher specializing in cellular biology, infection and immunity, host–pathogen interactions, vector and vector-borne diseases, and zoonoses. His work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying host responses to parasitic infections and the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases in animals. As an Assistant Professor at Qinghai University, he has contributed significantly to research on parasitic pathogens affecting livestock and wildlife in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau region. His studies have explored infections caused by Echinococcus shiquicus, Theileria annulata, and various fluke species, emphasizing their identification, transmission dynamics, and host interactions. Through collaborations with national and international researchers, he has published in leading journals such as Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, Parasitology Research, Parasites & Vectors, and Acta Tropica. His research integrates molecular biology, immunological assays, and field epidemiology to develop improved diagnostic tools and better understand pathogen adaptation in diverse ecological settings. By linking laboratory findings with field observations, Zhi Li’s work contributes to controlling zoonotic and vector-borne diseases that threaten both animal and human health, aligning with the global “One Health” approach that connects veterinary and biomedical research for sustainable disease management.

Profile: Orcid

Li, Z., Han, Y., Liu, J.-L., Zhang, X.-Y., Shen, X., Guo, Z.-H., Yin, H., Duo, H., & Fu, Y. (2025). High diversity of Piroplasm species carried by ticks from Qinghai, China. Acta Tropica, 250, 107907.

Fu, Y., Zhang, X., Li, Z., Shi, Z., Ma, X., Meng, R., Zhang, Q., Zhao, C., Guo, S., Ma, W., et al. (2023, November 23). Emerging Echinococcus shiquicus infection of Asian badgers in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2023, 6874033.

Fu, Y., Zhang, X., Li, Z., Meng, R., Duo, H., Shen, X., Ma, Y., & Guo, Z. (2023, July). Identification and prevalence of fluke infection in yak and Tibetan sheep around Qinghai Lake, China. Parasitology Research.

Zhang, X., Jian, Y., Li, Z., Duo, H., Guo, Z., & Fu, Y. (2023, February 25). Optimization of single-tube nested PCR for the detection of Echinococcus spp. Experimental Parasitology, 246, 108358.

Liu, J., Zhao, S., Li, Z., Zhang, Z., Zhao, B., Guan, G., Yin, H., & Luo, J. (2023, February 23). Activation of telomerase activity and telomere elongation of host cells by Theileria annulata infection. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14, 1123456.

Gokhan Uyanık | Neuropharmacology | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Gokhan Uyanık | Neuropharmacology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Gokhan Uyanık | Hatay Mustafa Kemal University | Turkey

Assistant Professor Gokhan Uyanık is a faculty member in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey. His academic expertise lies in veterinary obstetrics and gynecology, with a particular focus on reproductive physiology and fertility enhancement in small ruminants. His doctoral research explored the effects of GnRH and TAK-683 administration on fertility following estrus synchronization during the anestrus period in ewes, contributing to advancements in reproductive management and animal breeding efficiency. He has actively engaged in undergraduate teaching, guiding clinical applications and practical veterinary training in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Uyanık has authored 5 scientific documents that have received 7 citations, reflecting his growing contribution to the veterinary reproductive science community. His h-index stands at 2, indicating a developing yet impactful research trajectory. Through his integration of clinical practice, teaching, and experimental research, he aims to enhance understanding and management of reproductive disorders in animals. His academic presence is supported by international researcher identifiers, including ORCID and Scopus, ensuring global visibility and collaboration within the scientific community.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Gozer, A., Uyanik, G., Keceli, H. H., Kaya, U., and Ozkan, H. (2025). Upregulation of miR-125b and miR-23b in plasma might be related with the early pregnancy in Awassi ewes. Small Ruminant Research, 107579.

Cerci, E., Saribay, M. K., and Uyanik, G. (2025). Ineklerde Vitamin A, D ve E’nin fertilite uzerine etkisi: Derleme. Bahri Dagdas Hayvancilik Arastirma Dergisi, 14(1), 28–43.

Gozer, A., Bahan, O., Uyanik, G., Kaya, U., Arslanhan, E., Kucukkara, B., and Tatar, G. (2025). The effects of prepartum vitamin E/selenium and melatonin treatment on uterine involution of Awassi sheep in Hatay. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, 18(2), 104–111.

Uyanik, G. and Gozer, A. (2025). Effect of different doses of equine chorionic gonadotrophin on the pregnancy rates in the Awassi ewes in out-of-breeding season. 9th International Congress on Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 105–106.

Uyanik, G. (2024). Koyunlarda anostrus doneminde ostrus senkronizasyonu sonrasi GnRH veya TAK-683 uygulamasinin fertiliteye etkisi. Master’s thesis, Erciyes University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Kose, S. I., Erturk, A., Uyanik, G., and Ozturk, A. S. (2024). Evaluation of relationship between C-reactive protein, leukocyte count and platelet indices in dogs with leukocytosis. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, 17(3), 270–279.

Kose, S. I., Ozturk, A. S., Uyanik, G., Erturk, A., and Durgut, R. (2023). What is the latest status of cats’ health in Hatay (Turkey) province following the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic? Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, 16(3), 450–458.

Uyanik, G., Kose, S. I., and Ozturk, A. S. (2021). Can rheumatoid factor use in the diagnosis of osteomalacia in dogs: A case report.

Hui Zhang | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Hui Zhang | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Hui Zhang | Northwestern University | United States

Hui Zhang is a Professor in the Division of Biostatistics, Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he also holds appointments at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, and the Center for Epidemiology and Population Health. he serves as Director of the Northwestern Brain Tumor SPORE Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core and leads the Biostatistics and Data Management Core at the Mesulam Center. With a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Rochester, her academic foundation spans pharmacology, neurophysiology, and biology, reflecting her interdisciplinary expertise in biostatistics and biomedical research. His previous experience includes research roles at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she contributed significantly to clinical and statistical protocol development. Professor Zhang’s work focuses on statistical methodologies for cancer and neurological disease research, data integration, and bioinformatics applications. he is an active member of several professional societies, including the American Statistical Association and the International Chinese Statistical Association. A highly cited researcher, she has accumulated over 11,422 citations, an h-index of 43, and an i10-index of 100, demonstrating her substantial impact and leadership in the fields of biostatistics and medical data science.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Moss, A. J., Hall, W. J., Cannom, D. S., Klein, H., Brown, M. W., Daubert, J. P., et al. (2009). Cardiac-resynchronization therapy for the prevention of heart-failure events. New England Journal of Medicine, 361(14), 1329–1338.

Gunzler, D., Chen, T., Wu, P., & Zhang, H. (2013). Introduction to mediation analysis with structural equation modeling. Shanghai Archives of Psychiatry, 25(6), 390–394.

Wan, T., Jun, H. U., Pan, W. U., & Hua, H. E. (2015). Kappa coefficient: A popular measure of rater agreement. Shanghai Archives of Psychiatry, 27(1), 62–67.

Pu, J., Wang, S., Yin, Y., Zhang, G., Carter, R. A., Wang, J., Xu, G., Sun, H., Wang, M., et al. (2015). Evolution of the H9N2 influenza genotype that facilitated the genesis of the novel H7N9 virus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(2), 548–553.

Guy, C. S., Vignali, K. M., Temirov, J., Bettini, M. L., Overacre, A. E., Smeltzer, M., et al. (2013). Distinct TCR signaling pathways drive proliferation and cytokine production in T cells. Nature Immunology, 14(3), 262–270.

Shen, S., Chen, X., Cai, J., Yu, J., Gao, J., Hu, S., Zhai, X., Liang, C., Ju, X., Jiang, H., et al. (2020). Effect of dasatinib vs imatinib in the treatment of pediatric Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncology, 6(3), 358–366.

Sonabend, A. M., Gould, A., Amidei, C., Ward, R., Schmidt, K. A., Zhang, D. Y., et al. (2023). Repeated blood–brain barrier opening with an implantable ultrasound device for delivery of albumin-bound paclitaxel in patients with recurrent glioblastoma: A phase 1 trial. The Lancet Oncology, 24(5), 509–522.

Calixto Machado | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Calixto Machado | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Calixto Machado | Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery | Cuba

Calixto Machado is a Full Professor and Senior Researcher in Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology at the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Havana, Cuba, and a Corresponding Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. He completed his medical degree, followed by specialist training in neurology and clinical neurophysiology, and then earned his PhD. Over four decades he has led pioneering research on disorders of consciousness, brain death, stroke, autism, autonomic nervous system disorders and the neurological sequelae of SARS-CoV-2. He has published nearly 700 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and authored seven books; his work is recognised internationally through numerous symposia and awards. His Google Scholar profile lists an h-index of 37, and over 24 000 citations across his published documents.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

Machado, C. (2025, September 9). Jahi McMath case: A comprehensive and updated narrative. World Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 14(3), 107513.

Machado, C. (2022). The Jahi McMath case: First detailed study of her brain. Neurology India, 70(5), 22–35.

Giacino, J. T., Ashwal, S., Childs, N., Cranford, R., Jennett, B., Katz, D. I., Kelly, J. P., & others. (2002). The minimally conscious state: Definition and diagnostic criteria. Neurology, 58(3), 349–353.

Sloan, M. A., Alexandrov, A. V., Tegeler, C. H., Spencer, M. P., Caplan, L. R., & others. (2004). Assessment: Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 62(9), 1468–1481.

Machado, C. (2002). Brain death worldwide: Accepted fact but no global consensus in diagnostic criteria. Neurology.

Machado, C. (2007). Cerebral response to patient’s own name in the vegetative and minimally conscious states. Neurology, 69(7), 708.

Machado, C., Korein, J., Ferrer, Y., Portela, L., & others. (2007). The concept of brain death did not evolve to benefit organ transplants. Journal of Medical Ethics, 33, 197–200.

Machado, C. (2007). The concept of brain death did not evolve to benefit organ transplants. In C. Machado (Ed.), Brain death: A reappraisal (pp. 1–20). Springer.

Machado, C. (2007). Brain death: A reappraisal. Springer Science & Business Media.

Machado, C. (2007). The first organ transplant from a brain-dead donor. In C. Machado (Ed.), Brain death: A reappraisal (pp. 1–20). Springer.

Machado, C. (2010). Diagnosis of brain death. Neurology International, 2(1), e2.

Graf, W. D., Miller, G., Epstein, L. G., & Rapin, I. (2017). The autism “epidemic”: Ethical, legal, and social issues in a developmental spectrum disorder. Neurology, 88(14), 1371–1380.

Machado, C., Korein, J., Aubert, E., Bosch, J., Alvarez, M. A., Rodríguez, R., & others. (2007). Recognizing a mother’s voice in the persistent vegetative state. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 38(3), 124–126.

Lewis, A., Bernat, J. L., Blosser, S., Bonnie, R. J., Epstein, L. G., Hutchins, J., & others. (2018). An interdisciplinary response to contemporary concerns about brain death determination. Neurology, 90(9), 423–426.*

Kathrin Eichinger | Clinical Neuroscience | Outstanding Contribution Award

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Dr. Kathrin Eichinger | Clinical Neuroscience | Outstanding Contribution Award 

Dr. Kathrin Eichinger | Medizinische Universitat Wien | Austria

Dr. Med. Kathrin Eichinger is an Austrian physician specializing in Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology, currently serving as a Consultant in Child and Adolescent Medicine with subspecialty training in Neuropediatrics at the Medical University of Vienna. Her clinical and academic focus lies in neuroimmunology, with ongoing doctoral research in neuroscience examining acute necrotizing encephalitis. Dr. Eichinger’s experience spans several leading medical institutions, including Sankt Anna Children’s Hospital and the Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy in Eisenstadt, complemented by an observership in Neurointensive Care and Neuroimmunology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She has also contributed to clinical research through her involvement in the eSMART randomized controlled trial on electronic symptom management at the Medical University of Vienna. Her expertise is further supported by certification in pediatric EEG and active participation in numerous neuropediatric congresses and workshops across Europe. Multilingual in German, English, and Spanish, Dr. Eichinger combines her clinical acumen with strong research engagement, reflected in her growing academic footprint with an h-index of 3, five peer-reviewed documents, and approximately 45 citations. Her professional pursuits integrate advanced clinical training, translational neuroscience, and a dedication to improving pediatric neurocare.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

  • Eichinger, K., Breu, M., Renken, M., Siegert, S., Hilz, E., Glatter, S., Csaicsich, D., Boehm, M., Lechner, C., Kornek, B., et al. (2025). Complications of therapeutic plasma exchange in pediatric neuroimmune disorders. Children, 12(11), 1457.

  • Grasl, S., Janik, S., Dressler, A., Diehm, R., Gröppel, G., Eichinger, K., Grasl, M. C., Gstoettner, W., Feucht, M., Vyskocil, E., et al. (2021). Management and outcome of vagus nerve stimulator implantation: Experience of an otolaryngeal/neuropediatric cooperation. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 278(10), 3729–3738.

Maria -Camelia Stancioaica | Clinical Neuroscience |

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Ms. Maria -Camelia Stancioaica | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Maria -Camelia Stancioaica | Fundeni Clinical Hospital | Romania

Dr. Maria Camelia Stăncioaica is a dedicated Romanian hematologist affiliated with the Fundeni Clinical Institute in Bucharest, where she serves as the Acute Leukemia Program Coordinator. She holds an M.D. in Clinical Hematology and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the Carol Davila University of Medicine. Her professional development includes international experience through observership at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the USA and an internship at Pitié–Salpêtrière Hospital in France. Dr. Stăncioaica has contributed to advancing hematologic research through publications addressing acute leukemia, fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, and targeted therapies in acute myeloid leukemia. Her notable works include studies on FLT3 inhibitors, differentiation syndrome in pregnancy, and invasive fusariosis outbreaks. Actively engaged in global scientific dialogue, she has been a speaker and session chair at prominent hematology conferences across Europe. She also participates in several clinical trials as both principal and subinvestigator, focusing on novel therapeutic strategies in leukemia management. Dr. Stăncioaica’s research achievements are reflected in her 21 citations, 2 h-index, and 1 i10-index, underscoring her growing influence in clinical hematology. She is a member of the European Hematology Association and the Romanian Society of Hematology, contributing to both national and international medical communities.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Ghiaur, A., Doran, C., Gaman, M. A., Ionescu, B., Tatic, A., Cirstea, M., … Stancioaica, M. C. (2024). Acute promyelocytic leukemia: Review of complications related to all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide therapy. Cancers, 16(6), 1160.

2. Mohorea‐Neata, A. L., Ghita, M. C., Moroti, R., Ghiaur, A., Ionescu, B., Tatic, A., … Stancioaica, M. C. (2023). Invasive fusariosis in acute leukaemia patients—An outbreak in the haematology ward. Mycoses, 66(8), 705–710.

3. Droc, G., Stancioaica, M. C., Soare, C. G., Stefan, M. G., Ingustu, D., Martac, C., … Ghiaur, A. (2023). Acute promyelocytic leukemia and severe differentiation syndrome in pregnancy—A management challenge. Life, 13(5), 1141.

4. Coriu, D., & Stancioaica, M. C. (2023). Moving low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes from humans to mice: Is it truly that simple? Haematologica, 109(1), 8.

5. Stancioaica, M. C., Coriu, D., & Ghiaur, G. (2025). FLT3: A 35-year voyage from discovery to the next generation of targeted therapy in AML. Cancers.

Victoria Carter | Emerging Areas in Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Victoria Carter | Emerging Areas in Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Victoria Carter | VCA West Coast Vet Hospital | United States

Victoria Carter is a highly skilled small-animal internal-medicine clinician and researcher whose diverse training and leadership reflect her commitment to veterinary excellence. After earning a BSc (Hons) in Biological Science from the University of Guelph in Canada, followed by a DVMS (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery) from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh (where she received multiple awards including the CEVA Dermatology Prize and the Outstanding Student Leadership Award), she completed internships, a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania – Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, and now serves as one of the lead internal medicine clinicians at the VCA West Coast Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital in Fountain Valley, CA. Her clinical repertoire includes advanced endoscopic procedures (gastroduodenoscopy, ileocolonoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, cystoscopy/vaginoscopy and tracheoscopy) and she is experienced in high-volume inpatient and outpatient settings, collaborating across hospital services to tailor diagnostics and care plans for complex cases. Her research interests include immune-mediated diseases, such as primary immune-mediated neutropenia in the context of an earlier-diagnosed Evans syndrome in dogs (Carter & Silvestrini, Vet Rec Case Rep) and a retrospective international study on hypercobalaminaemic cats in progress under mentor Paolo Silvestrini MSc, PhD, DECVIM(CA). She has authored [DOCUMENTS-COUNT] publications, amassed [CITATIONS-COUNT] citations, and holds an h-index of [H-INDEX]. A native Canadian, fluent in English and French, she brings strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills — especially in high-pressure environments — and fosters a positive, collaborative veterinary team culture while building excellent relationships with clients and patients.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publication

Carter, V., & Silvestrini, P. (2025, September 24). Primary immune‐mediated neutropenia as part of a relapse of previously diagnosed Evans syndrome in a dog. Veterinary Record Case Reports.

Jane Paulsen | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Jane Paulsen | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Jane Paulsen | University of Wisconsin Madison | United States

Dr. Jane S. Paulsen, Ph.D., is a Professor of Neurology and Vice Chair for Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she also contributes to the Department of Neurosciences Graduate Program. Her expertise lies in cognitive, psychiatric, and imaging correlates of neuropsychiatric disorders, with a strong focus on the early detection of brain diseases and the development of innovative methods for clinical trials. She has significantly advanced the understanding of genetic discrimination and the discovery and validation of biological and clinical markers of brain disease, incorporating neuroimaging and omics-based outcomes into her research. Dr. Paulsen completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Iowa, followed by postdoctoral training in Neuropsychology at the University of California, San Diego, where she worked on Alzheimer’s and geriatric psychiatry research. Over her career, she has held key positions including Director of the Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Program at UCSD and has contributed extensively to advancing neuropsychological research and clinical applications. Her scholarly impact includes 4 published documents, 78 citations from 77 documents, and an h-index of 3, reflecting her influence in the fields of neurology, neuropsychology, and cognitive neuroscience.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Reserach Gate | linked In

Featured Publications

Sachdev, P. S., Blacker, D., Blazer, D. G., Ganguli, M., Jeste, D. V., Paulsen, J. S., & Petersen, R. C. (2014). Classifying neurocognitive disorders: The DSM-5 approach. Nature Reviews Neurology, 10(11), 634–642.

Ross, C. A., Aylward, E. H., Wild, E. J., Langbehn, D. R., Long, J. D., Warner, J. H., & Paulsen, J. S. (2014). Huntington disease: Natural history, biomarkers and prospects for therapeutics. Nature Reviews Neurology, 10(4), 204–216.

Paulsen, J. S., Langbehn, D. R., Stout, J. C., Aylward, E., Ross, C. A., Nance, M., & Shoulson, I. (2008). Detection of Huntington’s disease decades before diagnosis: The Predict-HD study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 79(8), 874–880.

Langbehn, D. R., Brinkman, R. R., Falush, D., Paulsen, J. S., Hayden, M. R., & International Huntington’s Disease Collaborative Group. (2004). A new model for prediction of the age of onset and penetrance for Huntington’s disease based on CAG length. Clinical Genetics, 65(4), 267–277.

Levy, M. L., Cummings, J. L., Fairbanks, L. A., Masterman, D., Miller, B. L., Craig, A. H., & Paulsen, J. S. (1998). Apathy is not depression. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 10(3), 314–319.

Sachdev, P., Kalaria, R., O’Brien, J., Skoog, I., Alladi, S., Black, S. E., Blacker, D., & Paulsen, J. S. (2014). Diagnostic criteria for vascular cognitive disorders: A VASCOG statement. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 28(3), 206–218.

Palmer, B. W., Heaton, R. K., Paulsen, J. S., Kuck, J., Braff, D., Harris, M. J., & Zisook, S. (1997). Is it possible to be schizophrenic yet neuropsychologically normal? Neuropsychology, 11(3), 437–446.

Plis, S. M., Hjelm, D. R., Salakhutdinov, R., Allen, E. A., Bockholt, H. J., Long, J. D., & Calhoun, V. D. (2014). Deep learning for neuroimaging: A validation study. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 8, 229.

Mohamed, S., Paulsen, J. S., O’Leary, D., Arndt, S., & Andreasen, N. (1999). Generalized cognitive deficits in schizophrenia: A study of first-episode patients. Archives of General Psychiatry, 56(8), 749–754.

Paulsen, J. S., Ready, R. E., Hamilton, J. M., Mega, M. S., & Cummings, J. L. (2001). Neuropsychiatric aspects of Huntington’s disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 71(3), 310–314.

Kareem Al-Khalil | Cognitive Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Kareem Al-Khalil | Cognitive Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kareem Al-Khalil | University of Wisconsin – Madison | United States

Kareem I. Al-Khalil is a Multimodal Imaging Scientist at the Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, with extensive expertise in human development, family sciences, and neuroscience. He earned his Ph.D. in Human Development & Family Sciences, focusing on differences in brain activation and connectivity among college students with varying mathematical abilities, and holds dual M.Sc. degrees in Psychology and Experimental Psychology, as well as a B.Sc. in Biology. His professional trajectory spans postdoctoral research and associate positions at Duke University School of Medicine and the Mind Research Network, where he contributed to understanding neurocognitive processes in psychiatric and behavioral contexts. He has also served as a research analyst, teaching assistant, and graduate instructor, gaining substantial experience in experimental design, psychometrics, and cognitive neuroscience. Al-Khalil’s research contributions include peer-reviewed publications on connectomics, brain network disruption in HIV and substance use, and structural connectivity alterations associated with chronic cannabis use. His work has garnered a total of 201 citations, with an h-index of 8 and an i10-index of 7, reflecting his influence in the fields of cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging. Through his research, he advances understanding of brain function, network connectivity, and cognitive processes in health and disease, integrating behavioral science with multimodal imaging approaches.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Linked In

Featured Publications

Al-Khalil, K., Vakamudi, K., Witkiewitz, K., & Claus, E. D. (2021). Neural correlates of alcohol use disorder severity among nontreatment‐seeking heavy drinkers: An examination of the incentive salience and negative emotionality domains of the … Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 45(6), 1200–1214.

Hou, J., Rajmohan, R., Fang, D., Kashfi, K., Al-Khalil, K., Yang, J., & Westney, W. (2017). Mirror neuron activation of musicians and non-musicians in response to motion captured piano performances. Brain and Cognition, 115, 47–55.

Niehuis, S., Reifman, A., Al-Khalil, K., Oldham, C. R., Fang, D., & O’Boyle, M. (2019). Functional magnetic resonance imaging activation in response to prompts of romantically disillusioning events. Personal Relationships, 26(2), 209–231.

Gonzales, J. U., James, C. R., Yang, H. S., Jensen, D., Atkins, L., & Thompson, B. J. (2016). Different cognitive functions discriminate gait performance in younger and older women: A pilot study. Gait & Posture, 50, 89–95.

Calderon-Delgado, L., Barrera-Valencia, M., Noriega, I., & Al-Khalil, K. (2020). Implicit processing of emotional words by children with post-traumatic stress disorder: An fMRI investigation. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 20(1), 46–53.

Noriega, I., Trejos-Castillo, E., Chae, Y., & Calderon-Delgado, L. (2021). Emotional memory processing in post‐traumatic stress disorder affected Colombian youth. International Journal of Psychology, 56(3), 387–393.

Kashfi, K., Al-Khalil, K., Hou, J., Fang, D., Anderson, R., Rajmohan, R., & Syapin, P. (2017). Hyper-brain connectivity in binge drinking college students: A diffusion tensor imaging study. Neurocase, 23(3–4), 179–186.

Kashfi, K., Fang, D., Hou, J., Al-Khalil, K., Anderson, R., Syapin, P. J., & O’Boyle, M. W. (2017). Spatial attention in binge-drinking and moderate-drinking college students: An fMRI investigation. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 35(3), 260–278.

Swartz, M., Burton, F., Vakamudi, K., Al-Khalil, K., Witkiewitz, K., & Claus, E. D. (2021). Age dependent neural correlates of inhibition and control mechanisms in moderate to heavy drinkers. NeuroImage: Clinical, 32, 102875.

Yue Ding | Cognitive Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yue Ding | Cognitive Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yue Ding | Shanghai Mental Health Center | China

Dr. Yue Ding is a distinguished neuroscientist and biomedical engineer whose research focuses on the neural mechanisms of music and rhythm-based interventions for affective and anxiety disorders, particularly in children and adolescents. With a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Tsinghua University and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Dalian University of Technology, Dr. Ding has extensive experience in both academic and industry settings, including leadership roles at Shanghai Mental Health Center, AI Institute at iFlytek, and Nielsen Consumer LLC, as well as a visiting scholar position at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Ding’s research integrates neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality to develop personalized interventions, including closed-loop music therapies, rhythm interactive training, and controllable music generation models, supported by numerous national and municipal grants. His work also explores neural oscillations in depression and anxiety, taste perception, and language impairments in Alzheimer’s patients. He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the Art Psychotherapy Committee, Music Psychology Committee, and editorial boards of prominent journals such as Scientific Reports and Frontiers in Psychiatry. With 17 published documents, Dr. Ding has garnered 228 citations and holds an h-index of 8, reflecting his influential contributions to the fields of neuroscience, neuroengineering, and mental health research.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | Linked In

Featured Publications

Ding, Y., Hu, X., Li, J., Ye, J., Wang, F., & Zhang, D. (2018). What makes a champion: The behavioral and neural correlates of expertise in multiplayer online battle arena games. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 34(8), 682–694.

Ding, Y., Hu, X., Xia, Z., Liu, Y. J., & Zhang, D. (2021). Inter-brain EEG feature extraction and analysis for continuous implicit emotion tagging during video watching. IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, 12(1), 92–102.

Ding, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhou, W., Ling, Z., Huang, J., Hong, B., & Wang, X. (2019). Neural correlates of music listening and recall in the human brain. Journal of Neuroscience, 39(41), 8112–8123.

Ding, Y., Chu, Y., Liu, M., Ling, Z., Wang, S., Li, X., & Li, Y. (2022). Fully automated discrimination of Alzheimer’s disease using resting-state electroencephalography signals. Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery, 12(2), 1063–1077.

Ding, Y., Gray, K., Forrence, A., Wang, X., & Huang, J. (2018). A behavioral study on tonal working memory in musicians and non-musicians. PLOS ONE, 13(8), e0201765.

Zhang, Y., Ding, Y., Huang, J., Zhou, W., Ling, Z., Hong, B., & Wang, X. (2021). Hierarchical cortical networks of “voice patches” for processing voices in human brain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118(44), e2103518118.