Aikaterini Sousamli | Behavioral Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Aikaterini Sousamli | Behavioral Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Aikaterini Sousamli | University of West Attica | Greece

Aikaterini Sousamli, Midwife, MSc, PhD Candidate at the University of West Attica, is a dedicated healthcare professional and researcher specializing in perinatal health, reproductive medicine, and family planning. She graduated with distinction from the University of Thessaly with an MSc in Primary Health Care and holds a degree in Midwifery from the TEI of Athens. Her doctoral research focuses on perinatal factors associated with the occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children and its impact on family dynamics. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has extensive professional experience as a midwife at the Larissa Health Center and as a research associate in national and international health projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, perinatal care, and global health indicators. She has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, covering topics such as maternal mental health, menopause, perinatal risk factors for ASD, and sexual health in women with chronic conditions. Her research has been widely cited, with an h-index of 5, 15 scientific documents, and 120 total citations, reflecting her growing academic influence. Active in scientific conferences across Europe, Africa, and Asia, she also serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, contributing to advancing evidence-based midwifery practice globally.

Profiles: Orcid | Research Gate

Featured Publications

Sousamli, A., Vidali, M., Dourou, P., Sarantaki, A., Deltsidou, A., & Vivilaki, V. (2025). Crafting kinship beyond biology: Maternal experiences in non-genetic family formation – A systematic review. MAEDICA – A Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Sousamli, A., Patronidou, D., Taskou, C., Athanasiadou, C.-R., Dourou, P., & Sousamli, A. (2025). The role of the maternal gut microbiome in regulating endocrine function during pregnancy and postpartum: Implications for neonatal health. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 27(1).

Sousamli, A., Malli, F., Tsaras, K., Dourou, P., Sarantaki, A., & Malliarou, M. (2025). Psychological burden, stress, depression, and resilience among midwives: An epidemiological study in Thessaly, Greece. Journal of Clinical & Basic Psychosomatics.

Sousamli, A., Malliarou, M., Sarantaki, A., Dourou, P., Malli, F., & Tsaras, K. (2025). Psychological burden and burnout among midwives: An epidemiological study in Thessaly, Greece. Journal of Clinical & Basic Psychosomatics.

Sousamli, A. E., & Dourou, P. D. (2025). The impact of menopause on sexual health: A cross-sectional study using data from women living in Northern Greece. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 26(3).

Sousamli, A. E., & Dourou, P. D. (2025). Association between menopause and quality of life: A cross-sectional study using data from women living in Northern Greece. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25(3).

Sousamli, A. E., & Dourou, P. D. (2024). Relationship between episiotomy and dyspareunia: A narrative review of the most recent literature. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 24(3).

Sousamli, A., Dragioti, E., Metallinou, D., Lykeridou, A., Dourou, P., Athanasiadou, C.-R., Anagnostopoulos, D., & Sarantaki, A. (2024). Perinatal and demographic risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorder: A national survey of potential predictors and severity. Healthcare, 12(20).

Camilla Bellone | Translational Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Camilla Bellone | Translational Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Camilla Bellone,  University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Camilla Bellone is a renowned neuroscientist whose academic and research career has been marked by excellence, innovation, and impact. From her foundational training in Italy to her leadership role in Geneva, she has made pioneering contributions to understanding the neural underpinnings of social behavior. Her work bridges basic science and clinical relevance, and she has played a vital role in training, mentorship, and international collaboration within the neuroscience community.

Profile

Google Scholar

 

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Camilla Bellone began her academic journey with a Master’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Milano in 2000. With a strong foundation in pharmacology and medical chemistry, she pursued her Ph.D. in “Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Medical Chemotherapy” at the same institution, completing it in 2006. Her early education shaped a robust scientific mindset, preparing her for a career at the intersection of neuroscience and pharmacology. These formative years set the tone for her later work on the molecular mechanisms that govern complex behaviors in both healthy and diseased states.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

After her doctoral studies, Dr. Bellone enhanced her research acumen through a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), gaining international exposure. She later returned to Switzerland, where she served as a scientist under the Ambizione Fellowship at the University of Geneva. Her academic path took a significant leap when she became an Assistant Professor at the University of Lausanne in 2014, followed by a transition to the University of Geneva in 2016. In 2020, she was promoted to Associate Professor in the Department of Basic Neuroscience, where she continues to lead cutting-edge investigations and mentor future neuroscientists.

🧠 Contributions and Research Focus

At the core of Dr. Bellone’s research lies a deep interest in the neurobiological basis of social behavior, with a particular focus on how these processes are disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders. Her lab explores the synaptic and circuit-level mechanisms that underpin social cognition, often using advanced molecular and behavioral techniques. Her work has provided critical insights into how alterations in neural plasticity and connectivity contribute to diseases such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. With over 40 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals like Nature Neuroscience and Neuron, Dr. Bellone’s research continues to advance the field of behavioral neuroscience.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Bellone’s scientific excellence has been recognized through several prestigious honors. In 2023, she received the EBBS Mid-Career Award and the Leenaards Scientific Prize for her collaborative project on cerebellar stimulation in schizophrenia. Earlier, she was elected to the distinguished FENS-KAVLI Network of Excellence in 2015, highlighting her position among Europe’s most promising neuroscientists. In 2014, she was honored with the Fondation du Prix Pfizer de la Recherche, marking an early milestone in her independent research career.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Beyond her lab, Dr. Bellone has made meaningful contributions to the academic and scientific community. She has delivered over 20 invited lectures at international conferences and institutions, sharing her discoveries with a global audience. As a dedicated mentor, she has guided eight master’s students and seven PhD candidates, nurturing the next generation of neuroscientists. Her commitment extends to active service on academic committees, grant review panels, and editorial boards, reflecting her role as a respected leader in the field.

👩‍🔬 Balancing Science and Life

A champion of work-life integration, Dr. Bellone has managed to thrive professionally while embracing motherhood. She took two career breaks following the birth of her three children, exemplifying resilience and balance in a demanding academic landscape. Her story is an inspiration to young scientists, especially women, striving to build careers in STEM while honoring personal life choices.

🔬 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Bellone’s work holds promise for transforming our understanding of social dysfunction in mental illness. Her innovative approaches—blending circuit neuroscience, pharmacology, and behavior—position her as a leading voice in the neurobiology of social behavior. With continued support from initiatives like the ERC Consolidator Grant, her research will likely pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions, leaving a lasting legacy in neuroscience and psychiatry.

Publication

  • Title: NMDA receptor subunit diversity: impact on receptor properties, synaptic plasticity and disease
    Author: P Paoletti, C Bellone, Q Zhou
    Year: 2013

 

  • Title: Cocaine triggered AMPA receptor redistribution is reversed in vivo by mGluR-dependent long-term depression
    Author: C Bellone, C Lüscher
    Year: 2006

 

  • Title: Rapid bidirectional switching of synaptic NMDA receptors
    Author: C Bellone, RA Nicoll
    Year: 2007

 

  • Title: Cocaine inverts rules for synaptic plasticity of glutamate transmission in the ventral tegmental area
    Author: M Mameli, C Bellone, MTC Brown, C Lüscher
    Year: 2011

 

  • Title: In vivo reprogramming of circuit connectivity in postmitotic neocortical neurons
    Author: A De la Rossa, C Bellone, B Golding, I Vitali, J Moss, N Toni, C Lüscher, …
    Year: 2013

 

  • Title: Mechanisms of synaptic depression triggered by metabotropic glutamate receptors
    Author: C Bellone, C Lüscher, M Mameli
    Year: 2008

 

  • Title: Effects of streptozotocin‐diabetes on the hippocampal NMDA receptor complex in rats
    Author: F Gardoni, A Kamal, C Bellone, GJ Biessels, GMJ Ramakers, F Cattabeni, …
    Year: 2002

 

  • Title: Neurons under T cell attack coordinate phagocyte-mediated synaptic stripping
    Author: G Di Liberto, S Pantelyushin, M Kreutzfeldt, N Page, S Musardo, R Coras, …
    Year: 2018

 

  • Title: mGluRs induce a long‐term depression in the ventral tegmental area that involves a switch of the subunit composition of AMPA receptors
    Author: C Bellone, C Lüscher
    Year: 2005

 

  • Title: SHANK3 controls maturation of social reward circuits in the VTA
    Author: S Bariselli, S Tzanoulinou, C Glangetas, C Prévost-Solié, L Pucci, …
    Year: 2016

 

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Bellone’s journey reflects a remarkable blend of scientific curiosity, academic leadership, and personal resilience. As she continues to explore the brain’s most intricate social circuits, her influence will undoubtedly expand across neuroscience, psychiatry, and therapeutic innovation. Her career serves as both a roadmap and an inspiration for emerging scientists navigating the evolving landscape of brain research.