William Mills III | Translational Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. William Mills III | Translational Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. William Mills III, University of Virginia, United States.

William A. Mills III, known as Tré, is a dedicated neuroscientist whose academic and professional journey reflects a strong commitment to translational and interdisciplinary research. With foundational training from Virginia Tech and international exposure through studies in China, Tré has developed a deep expertise in neurovascular coupling and glial biology. His doctoral and postdoctoral research has significantly advanced our understanding of how microglia and aging influence the brain’s vascular systems. Through prestigious fellowships and awards, including the NIH K99/R00 and the AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship, Tré has proven his potential to become a leading figure in neuroscience. His work bridges multiple scientific disciplines and focuses on uncovering mechanisms that contribute to neurological aging and disease.

Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

William A. Mills III, fondly known as Tré, laid a solid foundation for his scientific career through rigorous and diverse academic training. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Virginia Tech in 2014, where he was actively involved in research labs focusing on virology, behavioral ecology, and disease ecology. His passion for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary learning was evident as he pursued Chinese language studies at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University from 2014 to 2015. This global academic exposure was followed by his Ph.D. in Translational Biology, Medicine & Health with a neuroscience focus at Virginia Tech (2015–2021), where he developed a strong interest in neurovascular and glial biology. These formative experiences created a well-rounded and curious scientist ready to tackle complex biomedical questions.

🧠 Professional Endeavors in Neuroscience

Tré’s professional journey took a pivotal turn when he joined the Eyo Lab at the University of Virginia as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in 2021. His research investigates the intricate role of microglia in regulating capillary basal tone and neurovascular coupling—an area that sits at the intersection of neuroimmunology and vascular biology. His graduate years in the Sontheimer Lab had already shaped his expertise in glial signaling pathways, particularly focusing on the effects of aging on gliovascular interactions involving EGFR and pSTAT3. These experiences underscore a continuous commitment to understanding the cellular mechanisms that underpin brain function and disease.

🧪 Contributions and Research Focus

Throughout his research career, Tré has contributed significantly to the field of neurovascular biology and glial cell research. His scientific curiosity has spanned from studying the cellular mechanics of viral encapsidation in early projects to evaluating semaphorin roles in cardiovascular pathology. Notably, his doctoral work on gliovascular plasticity and his current postdoctoral focus on microglia’s role in cerebral blood flow regulation highlight his interdisciplinary approach. By bridging neuroscience, immunology, and vascular biology, he is shedding light on the fundamental processes that maintain brain health and how their disruption leads to age-related and neurodegenerative diseases.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Tré’s outstanding research potential has been recognized by several prestigious institutions. He was awarded the American Heart Association Career Development Award (which he respectfully declined), the American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship (25POST1376070), and the UVA Brain Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. In addition, he secured training support through the UVA Cardiovascular Research Center T32 Training Grant, reflecting the strong institutional belief in his capabilities. Most notably, he earned the competitive NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, a mark of distinction for early-career researchers poised to transition to faculty positions.

🔬 Impact and Influence in Translational Neuroscience

Tré’s research contributions are highly translational in nature, linking basic cellular mechanisms to potential therapeutic implications in aging, stroke, and neurodegeneration. His work on microglial function in neurovascular coupling could provide new insights into how blood flow dysregulation contributes to cognitive decline and dementia. By exploring how aging alters glial and vascular interactions, Tré’s research holds the promise to inform interventions targeting the brain’s support systems to preserve function in aging populations. His influence is also visible through collaborative projects, lab mentorship, and participation in international research endeavors.

🌍 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Tré is poised to leave a lasting legacy in the field of neurovascular biology. With a trajectory marked by intellectual rigor, global awareness, and translational relevance, he is expected to lead pioneering studies that will redefine our understanding of brain support systems in health and disease. The foundation laid by his NIH K99/R00 award positions him well to establish an independent research program, where he will likely mentor future scientists and push the boundaries of neuroscience through integrative and innovative research methodologies.

🧬 A Champion of Interdisciplinary Science

A defining trait of Tré’s career is his seamless integration of diverse scientific fields—ranging from immunology and neuroscience to cardiovascular biology and behavioral ecology. This interdisciplinary ethos not only enriches his research output but also positions him as a bridge-builder in science, capable of uniting different perspectives to address complex biomedical challenges. His academic journey from microbiology and animal behavior to glial biology exemplifies a dynamic scientist committed to evolving with the science, while remaining grounded in his passion for discovery.

Publication

  • Title: Capillary-associated microglia regulate vascular structure and function through PANX1-P2RY12 coupling in mice
    Authors: K. Bisht, K.A. Okojie, K. Sharma, D.H. Lentferink, Y.Y. Sun, H.R. Chen, …
    Year: 2021

 

  • Title: Spatially expandable fiber-based probes as a multifunctional deep brain interface
    Authors: S. Jiang, D.C. Patel, J. Kim, S. Yang, W.A. Mills III, Y. Zhang, K. Wang, Z. Feng, …
    Year: 2020

 

  • Title: Astrocyte plasticity in mice ensures continued endfoot coverage of cerebral blood vessels following injury and declines with age
    Authors: W.A. Mills III, A.L.M. Woo, S. Jiang, J. Martin, D. Surendran, M. Bergstresser, …
    Year: 2022

 

  • Title: Lactobacillus rescues postnatal neurobehavioral and microglial dysfunction in a model of maternal microbiome dysbiosis
    Authors: Y. Lebovitz, E.A. Kowalski, X. Wang, C. Kelly, M. Lee, V. McDonald, R. Ward, …
    Year: 2019

 

  • Title: Potassium and glutamate transport is impaired in scar-forming tumor-associated astrocytes
    Authors: S.C. Campbell, C. Muñoz-Ballester, L. Chaunsali, W.A. Mills III, J.H. Yang, …
    Year: 2020

 

  • Title: LRRTM1 underlies synaptic convergence in visual thalamus
    Authors: A. Monavarfeshani, G. Stanton, J. Van Name, K. Su, W.A. Mills III, K. Swilling, …
    Year: 2018

 

  • Title: EphA4/Tie2 crosstalk regulates leptomeningeal collateral remodeling following ischemic stroke
    Authors: B. Okyere, W.A. Mills, X. Wang, M. Chen, J. Chen, A. Hazy, Y. Qian, J.B. Matson, …
    Year: 2020

 

  • Title: Nano-optoelectrodes integrated with flexible multifunctional fiber probes by high-throughput scalable fabrication
    Authors: S. Jiang, J. Song, Y. Zhang, M. Nie, J. Kim, A.L. Marcano, K. Kadlec, …
    Year: 2021

 

  • Title: The emergence of the calvarial hematopoietic niche in health and disease
    Authors: W.A. Mills III, M.A. Coburn, U.B. Eyo
    Year: 2022

 

  • Title: Using zebrafish to elucidate glial-vascular interactions during CNS development
    Authors: R.A. Umans, C. Pollock, W.A. Mills III, K.C. Clark, Y.A. Pan, H. Sontheimer
    Year: 2021

 

🧾 Conclusion

Tré stands out as a forward-thinking and highly skilled researcher whose contributions are shaping the future of neurovascular and glial research. His innovative approach, academic excellence, and recognition by top funding agencies underscore his suitability for leadership roles in neuroscience. As he transitions into an independent research career, Tré is expected to make enduring impacts on the scientific community through groundbreaking discoveries, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration. His trajectory is a testament to his dedication, curiosity, and potential to transform brain health research.

ROSA MOURAO | Neuropharmacology | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. ROSA MOURAO | Neuropharmacology | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. ROSA MOURAO, UNIVERSIDADES FEDERAL DO OESTE DO PARÁ, Brazil.

Prof. Dr. Rosa Helena Veras Mourão is a distinguished Brazilian biochemist and full professor at UFOPA, with a strong academic foundation in Biological Sciences and Plant Biochemistry. She earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Pernambuco, including a research fellowship at UNICAMP under Prof. Dr. Mário Saad. Her research centers on the biochemical properties of Amazonian medicinal plants, focusing on diabetes, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, essential oils, and the effects of Bothrops atrox venom.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Rosa Helena Veras Mourão embarked on her scientific journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Ceará in 1993. Her early academic choices reflected a deep curiosity about the natural world, especially the biochemical aspects of plant life. She soon pursued a Master’s degree in Plant Biochemistry at the same institution, which she completed in 1996. Her growing interest in health-related plant biochemistry led her to a doctoral program in Biological Sciences at the Federal University of Pernambuco, awarded in 2006. During her Ph.D., she was selected for a prestigious sandwich fellowship at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), where she conducted research under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Mário Saad, further sharpening her expertise in metabolic disorders like diabetes.

🧪 Professional Endeavors in Biochemistry

Currently a Full Professor at the Institute of Collective Health at the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA), Prof. Mourão has built a solid career blending academic research with community outreach. Her expertise lies in Biochemistry, particularly medicinal plants and their applications in treating chronic diseases. Her work consistently merges scientific rigor with social relevance, focusing on diabetes, antimicrobial resistance, anti-inflammatory responses, and the effects of Bothrops atrox venom. She has mentored numerous Master’s students through UFOPA’s Health Sciences and Natural Resources programs and also advises Ph.D. candidates under the REDE BIONORTE initiative, reflecting her pivotal role in academic mentorship and capacity building in the Amazon region.

🌿 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Mourão’s research delves into the pharmacological potential of Amazonian flora, particularly essential oils and plant extracts with therapeutic effects. Her contributions include advancing the standardization of bioactive extracts, evaluating their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and assessing their applicability in the treatment of diabetes. Her scientific investigations into Bothrops atrox venom have added critical insights to toxinology. Furthermore, her interdisciplinary approach bridges biochemistry with ethnopharmacology, respecting traditional knowledge systems while applying rigorous scientific methods to validate their efficacy.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Her commitment to research excellence earned her the prestigious CNPq Research Productivity Fellowship (PQ2), which she held until 2023. This national recognition highlighted her sustained contributions to Brazilian science, particularly in the fields of medicinal chemistry and natural products. In academic circles, her name appears under various bibliographic formats such as MOURÃO, R.H.V. and Rosa H. Mourão, indicating her prolific and diverse scholarly output. She is also active on national platforms such as the Lattes Curriculum system and holds an ORCID iD, further ensuring her work’s visibility and impact within global research communities.

🌎 Impact and Social Innovation

Beyond academia, Prof. Mourão is deeply involved in projects that fuse scientific knowledge with social innovation. She co-founded Deveras Amazônia, a startup that transforms Amazonian biodiversity into culinary experiences, and Xibé Oficial, a fashion-focused enterprise using natural dyes extracted from Amazonian plants. Her technological extension projects with local communities in Western Pará demonstrate her commitment to applying scientific research for social impact, focusing on sustainable development and strengthening regional production chains. Her work empowers Amazonian communities by integrating traditional knowledge with entrepreneurial strategies.

🔬 Legacy in Scientific Mentorship

Throughout her academic career, Prof. Mourão has mentored a generation of scientists who now contribute to fields as diverse as biochemistry, pharmacognosy, and public health. As a Master’s and Ph.D. advisor, she fosters critical thinking, innovation, and social responsibility in her students. Her guidance helps shape professionals capable of addressing both local health challenges and broader scientific questions. Her legacy lies not only in her publications and projects but also in the human capital she has developed over decades of service.

🌱 Future Contributions and Vision

Looking ahead, Prof. Rosa Helena Veras Mourão remains a beacon of interdisciplinary research in the Amazon. Her vision includes expanding collaborations that promote bioeconomic development rooted in sustainability, enhancing the integration of indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream science, and scaling up social-impact projects. With her strong academic foundation and unwavering dedication to public health and biodiversity, she continues to serve as an inspiring force in Brazilian science, forging a future where innovation, ecology, and equity go hand in hand.

Publication

1. Antifungal chemosensitization through induction of oxidative stress: A model for control of candidiasis based on the Lippia origanoides essential oil
Authors: Sandra Layse F. Sarrazin, Jean-Paul Bourdineaud, José Guilherme S. Maia, Rosa Helena V. Mourão, Ricardo B. Oliveira
Year: 2024

2. Lip balm made from butter extracted from bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) Amazonian fruit seeds: Development and characterization
Authors: Bruna Carvalho Cantal de Souza, Walberson da Silva Reatgui, Junior Avelino de Araújo, Rosa Helena Veras Mourão, Leopoldo C. Baratto, Gabriela B. dos Santos, Kariane M. Nunes
Year: 2024

3. Volatile Constituents of Some Myrtaceous Edible and Medicinal Fruits from the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Adenilson S. Barroso, Lais T. Massing, Chieno Suemitsu, Rosa Helena V. Mourão, Pablo L. B. Figueiredo, José Guilherme S. Maia
Year: 2024

4. Molecular modelling and anticholinesterase activity of the essential oil from three chemotypes of Lippia alba (Mill.)
Authors: Antônio Q. Silva Júnior, Gabriela dos Santos Rodrigues, Karina A. de Sousa, Leoneide E. M. Bouillet, Gabriela B. dos Santos, Adenilson S. Barroso, Rosa Helena Veras Mourão
Year: 2024

5. Seasonal Variation in Essential Oil Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Aniba canelilla
Authors: Ellen de Nazaré S. da Cruz, Luana de Sousa P. Barros, Bruna de Araújo Guimarães, Rosa Helena V. Mourão, José Guilherme S. Maia, William N. Setzer, Joyce Kelly da Silva, Pablo L. B. Figueiredo
Year: 2023

6. Distribution of Carapa Guianensis Associated to Topoclimatic Variables Indicating Potential Clusters for Cultivation in the State of Pará
Authors: Denison Lima Correa, Lucieta G. Martorano, Leila Sheila S. Lisboa, Carlos T. dos S. Dias, Alberdan S. Santos, Rosa Helena V. Mourão
Year: 2023

7. Seasonal Influence on Volatile Composition of Psidium friedrichsthalianum Leaves, Sampled in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Paulo V. L. Santos, Ellen de N. S. da Cruz, Jennifer de A. Nunes, Rosa Helena V. Mourão, Walnice M. O. do Nascimento, José Guilherme S. Maia, Pablo L. B. Figueiredo
Year: 2023

8. Seasonal Variability of a Caryophyllane Chemotype Essential Oil of Eugenia patrisii Vahl Occurring in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Ellen de N. S. da Cruz, Luana de S. Peixoto, Jamile S. da Costa, Rosa Helena V. Mourão, Walnice M. O. do Nascimento, José Guilherme S. Maia, William N. Setzer, Joyce Kelly da Silva, Pablo L. B. Figueiredo
Year: 2022

9. Atividade antioxidante de extratos de Myrciaria dubia (camu-camu)
Authors: Carlena Sinara M. da Silva, Rosa Helena Veras Mourão
Year: 2022

10. Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh (Myrtales: Myrtaceae): análise dos produtos elaborados a partir do seu fruto
Authors: Carlena Sinara M. da Silva, Rosa Helena Veras
Year: 2021

🧾 Conclusion

Prof. Rosa Helena Veras Mourão exemplifies a modern scientist whose work harmonizes rigorous biochemical research with social and environmental impact. Her commitment to advancing science in the Amazon, empowering communities, and nurturing future scholars positions her as a transformative figure in Brazilian research. Her legacy is defined not only by academic excellence but also by her visionary efforts to blend innovation with inclusivity, ensuring that science serves both nature and society.