Rita Abi Rached | Neuropharmacology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rita Abi Rached | Neuropharmacology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rita Abi Rached, University of Cagliari, Italy.

Rita Joseph Abi Rached has built a remarkable career at the intersection of food chemistry, biochemistry, and sustainability. From her foundational academic journey to her current research in agri-food by-product valorization, she has continuously sought innovative solutions to environmental and health-related challenges. Her expertise spans industry collaborations, cutting-edge research, and impactful scientific contributions, making her a leading figure in sustainable food science.

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Early Academic Pursuits – A Passion for Science

From an early age, Rita Joseph Abi Rached demonstrated an innate curiosity for the sciences, particularly in the fields of biochemistry and food chemistry. She embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Saint Joseph University of Beirut in 2017, where she cultivated a strong foundation in molecular sciences. Her passion for the chemical intricacies of food systems led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Food Chemistry in 2019, further refining her expertise in the biochemical properties of agro-food products. This academic dedication ultimately culminated in a Double Ph.D. in Life, Environmental, and Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Cagliari and Saint Joseph University of Beirut in 2024, marking a significant milestone in her scholarly endeavors.

🌱 Professional Endeavors – Bridging Academia and Industry 🌱

With an unwavering commitment to research, Rita transitioned from academia to professional scientific exploration. Her early training included hands-on experiences at Château Ksara, where she assessed grape phenolic maturity, and at Libby’s, where she gained insights into quality control and microbiological analyses. Further strengthening her industrial expertise, she worked as a lab researcher and research assistant at Saint Joseph University, refining her skills in polyphenol analysis and microbiological assessments. These experiences not only expanded her technical competencies but also paved the way for her role as a dedicated researcher at the University of Cagliari, where she currently investigates sustainable approaches to agri-food by-product valorization.

🤝 Contributions and Research Focus – Innovating for a Sustainable Future 🤝

Rita’s research is deeply rooted in sustainability and the innovative utilization of agricultural and industrial biomasses. Her current work revolves around the valorization of agro-industrial by-products, transforming waste into functional bioactive compounds for health and agriculture. She has actively contributed to groundbreaking projects such as BESTMEDGRAPE, which applied nanotechnological strategies to enhance Mediterranean grape derivatives, and MEDLENTISK, an Erasmus+ initiative that explored best practices for mastic tree fixed oil. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in TECNOCOVID, a project leveraging natural bioactives and nanotechnologies to combat COVID-19. Her most recent endeavor, NUTRINNOVA, focuses on utilizing nutriosomes derived from agro-industrial waste to mitigate dysbiosis, oxidative stress, and cognitive decline, further establishing her as a pioneer in sustainable food research.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition – A Scholar’s Journey 🏆

Throughout her career, Rita has garnered significant recognition for her impactful contributions to scientific research. Her work has been widely cited, with a citation index of 72 and an h-index of 4, reflecting her influence in the academic community. These achievements underscore the relevance of her studies in the fields of food science, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. Her research outputs continue to inspire new approaches to the responsible and efficient use of natural resources, positioning her as a respected voice in her domain.

🔍 Impact and Influence – Shaping the Scientific Landscape 🔍

As an advocate for innovative and sustainable research, Rita’s work has transcended the boundaries of traditional food science, merging interdisciplinary methodologies to address global challenges. By focusing on agri-food waste valorization, she has provided meaningful insights into reducing environmental impact while enhancing the nutritional and therapeutic value of food by-products. Her collaborations with industry leaders and academic institutions have reinforced her reputation as a key contributor to cutting-edge scientific advancements.

 

Publication

  • Title: Entrapment of Citrus limon var. pompia Essential Oil or Pure Citral in Liposomes Tailored as Mouthwash for the Treatment of Oral Cavity Diseases
    Author(s): L Palmas, M Aroffu, GL Petretto, E Escribano-Ferrer, O Díez-Sales, …
    Year: 2020

 

  • Title: Extraction, Characterization and Incorporation of Hypericum scruglii Extract in Ad Hoc Formulated Phospholipid Vesicles Designed for the Treatment of Skin
    Author(s): M Allaw, M Manconi, M Aroffu, F Marongiu, M Porceddu, G Bacchetta, …
    Year: 2020

 

  • Title: Optimization of Polyphenols Extraction from Purple Corn Cobs Using ß-Cyclodextrin as a Green Solvent
    Author(s): HN Rajha, S Khabbaz, R Abi Rached, E Debs, RG Maroun, N Louka
    Year: 2020

 

  • Title: From Grape By-Products to Enriched Yogurt Containing Pomace Extract Loaded in Nanotechnological Nutriosomes Tailored for Promoting Gastro-Intestinal Wellness
    Author(s): I Castangia, F Fulgheri, FJ Leyva-Jimenez, ME Alañón, ML Cádiz-Gurrea, …
    Year: 2023

 

  • Title: From Field to Waste Valorization: A Preliminary Study Exploring the Impact of the Wine Supply Chain on the Phenolic Profile of Three Sardinian Pomace Extracts
    Author(s): I Castangia, M Aroffu, F Fulgheri, R Abi Rached, F Corrias, G Sarais, …
    Year: 2024

 

  • Title: Innovation in Cannon Puffing Technology for the Homogenization of Bulk Treatment: Half‐Popped Purple Corn, a New Healthy Snack
    Author(s): HN Rajha, E Debs, R Abi Rached, K El Khoury, M Al‐Kazzi, R Mrad, …
    Year: 2021

 

  • Title: Exploring the Efficacy and Industrial Potential of Polyphenol Products from Grapes and Their By-Products
    Author(s): R Abi Rached, M Perra, ML Manca, HN Rajha, N Louka, RG Maroun, …
    Year: 2024

 

  • Title: A Preliminary Investigation on Hydrogel Disks Imbibed with Enriched Transfersomes as a Promising Tool to Promote the Cutaneous Deposition of Vaccine Antigens
    Author(s): M Aroffu, R Abi Rached, I Castangia, P Italiani, L D’Apice, …
    Year: 2024

 

  • Title: Preliminary Evaluation of the In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy of a Novel Nanovesicle-Doped Nanoemulsion Co-Loading Artemisinin and Quercetin as a Promising Strategy to Improve …
    Author(s): F Fulgheri, M Ramírez, L Román-Álamo, P Gasco, M Manconi, M Aroffu, …
    Year: 2025

 

  • Title: Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Grape Seed Extract-Loaded Hyalurosomes on Skin Wellness
    Author(s): RA Rached, M Habre, Y Salem, J Khodeir, M Allaw, I Castangia, …
    Year: 2025

 

🔗 Conclusion 🔗

With an unwavering passion for science and an unrelenting drive for discovery, Rita Joseph Abi Rached stands as a beacon of innovation, inspiring future generations to embrace sustainability, research, and the transformative power of science. Her legacy in food science and biochemistry will continue to shape the future of sustainable research, leaving a lasting impact on both academia and industry.

Haiteng Jiang | Mental Disorder | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Haiteng Jiang | Mental Disorder | Best Researcher Award 

Dr.  Haiteng Jiang, Zhejiang University, China.

Dr. Haiteng Jiang is a distinguished researcher specializing in systems neuroscience, brain-machine intelligence, and mental health screening. With a Ph.D. in Cognitive Artificial Intelligence and extensive postdoctoral experience at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Minnesota, he integrates brain imaging, genetics, and AI-driven computational modeling to study psychiatric and neurological disorders. Currently, he serves as a Principal Investigator at multiple prestigious institutions, including Zhejiang University and Liangzhu Laboratory. His research focuses on developing AI-based precision subtyping of psychiatric disorders and wearable device-based mental health screening, contributing to advancements in precision medicine.

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Haiteng Jiang began his academic journey with a strong foundation in engineering. He completed his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Automation at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunication, China. His passion for blending technology with biomedical applications led him to pursue a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Southeast University, Nanjing. During this period, he developed a keen interest in understanding the intersection of technology and brain science. This enthusiasm guided him to further his education with a PhD in Cognitive Artificial Intelligence from the prestigious Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour at Radboud University, The Netherlands, where he honed his skills in cognitive neuroscience and computational modeling.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Haiteng Jiang’s professional journey is marked by prestigious appointments and groundbreaking research. His postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Minnesota and Carnegie Mellon University provided him with the opportunity to delve deeper into biomedical engineering and systems neuroscience. In 2021, he joined Zhejiang University as an Assistant Professor at the Ministry of Education Frontier Science Center for Brain and Brain-Machine Integration. He concurrently holds Principal Investigator positions at the affiliated Mental Health Center, Liangzhu Laboratory, and the National Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence. His multifaceted roles highlight his dedication to advancing brain-machine interfaces and cognitive neuroscience.

🧠 Contributions and Research Focus

Haiteng Jiang’s research is at the forefront of systems neuroscience, seamlessly integrating multimodal brain functional imaging, genetic information, and speech signals. His innovative work combines experimental methodologies, computational modeling, and neural modulation to investigate cognition and brain disorders. A significant portion of his research revolves around mental health screening using wearable device-based methods and large language models. Additionally, his work on precision subtyping of psychiatric disorders through multimodal data aims to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his career, Haiteng Jiang has garnered recognition for his pioneering research and contributions to neuroscience. His dedication to the field has earned him several prestigious grants and fellowships. His research findings have been published in high-impact scientific journals, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in cognitive neuroscience and brain-machine interfaces. His commitment to excellence continues to inspire both peers and aspiring researchers.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Haiteng Jiang’s work has had a profound impact on the scientific community and beyond. His innovative approaches to mental health screening have the potential to transform early diagnosis and intervention for psychiatric disorders. By bridging the gap between neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and genetics, his research paves the way for personalized medicine and precision psychiatry. His influence extends to the next generation of scientists, whom he mentors through his various academic roles.

🔍 Legacy and Future Contributions

Haiteng Jiang’s legacy is one of relentless pursuit of scientific excellence and innovation. His contributions to systems neuroscience and brain-machine integration have set new benchmarks in the field. Moving forward, he aims to further develop AI-driven diagnostic tools and neurotechnologies that can enhance mental health care. His future endeavors promise to shape the landscape of neuroscience and improve the lives of individuals affected by psychiatric and neurological disorders.

 

Publication

 

  • Measuring directionality between neuronal oscillations of different frequencies
    H. Jiang, A. Bahramisharif, M.A.J. van Gerven, O. Jensen (2015)

 

  • Predictability of depression severity based on posterior alpha oscillations
    H. Jiang, T. Popov, P. Jylänki, K. Bi, Z. Yao, Q. Lu, O. Jensen (2016)

 

  • Noninvasive high-frequency oscillations riding spikes delineates epileptogenic sources
    Z. Cai, A. Sohrabpour, H. Jiang, S. Ye, B. Joseph, B.H. Brinkmann, G.A. Worrell, et al. (2021)

 

  • Interictal SEEG resting‐state connectivity localizes the seizure onset zone and predicts seizure outcome
    H. Jiang, V. Kokkinos, S. Ye, A. Urban, A. Bagić, M. Richardson, B. He (2022)

 

  • Mindfulness improves brain–computer interface performance by increasing control over neural activity in the alpha band
    J.R. Stieger, S. Engel, H. Jiang, C.C. Cline, M.J. Kreitzer, B. He (2021)

 

  • Structural–functional decoupling predicts suicide attempts in bipolar disorder patients with a current major depressive episode
    H. Jiang, R. Zhu, S. Tian, H. Wang, Z. Chen, X. Wang, J. Shao, J. Qin, J. Shi, et al. (2020)

 

  • Formation of visual memories controlled by gamma power phase-locked to alpha oscillations
    H. Park, D.S. Lee, E. Kang, H. Kang, J. Hahm, J.S. Kim, C.K. Chung, H. Jiang, et al. (2016)

 

  • Brain–heart interactions underlying traditional Tibetan Buddhist meditation
    H. Jiang, B. He, X. Guo, X. Wang, M. Guo, Z. Wang, T. Xue, H. Li, T. Xu, S. Ye, et al. (2020)

 

  • Modality-specific alpha modulations facilitate long-term memory encoding in the presence of distracters
    H. Jiang, M.A.J. van Gerven, O. Jensen (2015)

 

  • Multiple oscillatory push–pull antagonisms constrain seizure propagation
    H. Jiang, Z. Cai, G.A. Worrell, B. He (2019)

Conclusion

Dr. Haiteng Jiang is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his pioneering work in AI-driven neuroscience and mental health research. His interdisciplinary expertise, leadership roles, and contributions to psychiatric disorder classification position him as a strong contender. Strengthening his profile with additional publication metrics and funding details would further enhance his candidacy.