Atena Shojaie | Behavioral Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Atena Shojaie | Behavioral Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Atena Shojaie, Kerman university of medical sciences, Iran.

Atena Shojaie is a dedicated medical-surgical nursing professional with a Master’s degree from Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Her early academic journey was marked by a passion for integrating clinical care with research, particularly in neurology and rehabilitation. Over three years of working in critical care settings, including Neurology and ICU wards, she honed her clinical expertise while also serving as a valued clinical instructor. Her research focus on guided imagery as a therapeutic intervention for multiple sclerosis and MRI-induced anxiety has led to innovative practices currently in use at major hospitals. Atena’s academic contributions are beginning to gain recognition through citations and clinical adoption of her methods.

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Atena Shojaie began her journey in the field of healthcare with a strong academic foundation, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing followed by a Master of Science in Medical-Surgical Nursing from Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Her early academic interests revolved around holistic patient care and neuro-rehabilitation, which laid the groundwork for her later clinical and research endeavors. During her postgraduate studies, she demonstrated a deep commitment to understanding patient needs—especially those facing neurological challenges—while also refining her clinical skills in hospital environments.

đŸ„ Professional Endeavors

In the span of just three years, Atena accumulated extensive experience working in several critical hospital wards, including Neurology, Neurosurgery, and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Her hands-on experience with acute and chronic conditions shaped her clinical intuition and enhanced her ability to manage complex patient cases. Parallel to her clinical work, she embraced the role of a clinical instructor, mentoring nursing and emergency medical students with a balance of academic rigor and compassionate teaching. This dual role of caregiver and educator reflects her deep-seated dedication to both practice and pedagogy.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Atena’s research primarily centers on the intersection of psychological interventions and physical rehabilitation, with a particular emphasis on multiple sclerosis (MS). Her master’s thesis, “The Effectiveness of Guided Imagery on Walking and Balance Dysfunction in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis,” stands as a cornerstone of her academic work. The project demonstrated measurable improvements in gait and balance among MS patients and has since influenced ongoing clinical practices. Additionally, she completed a significant study on the “Anxiety of Patients Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),” showing how guided imagery can alleviate pre-procedure stress—further reflecting her commitment to patient-centered innovations.

🧠 Innovations in Mental Imagery

Atena Shojaie has been instrumental in translating academic research into practical tools for patient care. One of her notable innovations includes the creation of a guided imagery audio file, which is now regularly used in two major healthcare centers—Bahonar Hospital’s MRI department and Shafa Hospital’s MS Clinic. This therapeutic tool has not only improved the mental well-being of patients but also contributed to smoother clinical workflows, particularly in high-anxiety environments like radiology units.

📈 Impact and Influence

Although still early in her research career, Atena’s work has begun to gain scholarly recognition. With a citation index that includes three citations and an h-index of 1, her research is already laying the foundation for future studies in neuro-nursing and psychological rehabilitation. Her work continues to resonate with clinical teams and academics alike, especially those focused on non-pharmacological interventions for neurological conditions.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Atena’s clinical and research activities have earned her respect among her peers and mentors at Kerman University of Medical Sciences. While formal awards may still be on the horizon, her true recognition lies in the adoption of her guided imagery methods by major hospitals—an endorsement of both her scientific rigor and clinical insight. Her role as a trusted clinical instructor further affirms her reputation as a knowledgeable and compassionate professional.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

With a solid foundation in research and hands-on care, Atena Shojaie is poised to make enduring contributions to the field of neuro-rehabilitative nursing. Her vision includes expanding the use of therapeutic mental imagery in broader hospital settings and conducting multi-center studies to further validate its effectiveness. As she continues her academic and clinical journey, her legacy will likely be defined by a thoughtful fusion of science, compassion, and innovation—paving the way for future advancements in holistic patient care.

Publication

 

  • Anxiety of Patients Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): The Effectiveness of Guided Mental Imagery
    Authors: A. Shojaie, H. Amiri, T. Dehesh, B. Bagherian
    Year: 2024

 

  • The Effectiveness of Guided Imagery on Walking and Balance Dysfunction in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
    Authors: B.B. Atena Shojaie, Hoda Kamali, Monir Sadat Nematollahi, Zahra Imani Goghary
    Year: 2025

 

✅ Conclusion

Atena Shojaie exemplifies the new generation of nurse-researchers who bridge the gap between evidence-based practice and compassionate patient care. Her work in guided mental imagery not only addresses physical dysfunction but also supports patients’ emotional and psychological needs. As she continues to expand her research and clinical impact, Atena is well-positioned to influence future standards in neuro-nursing and non-pharmacological therapy. Her legacy will likely be defined by innovation, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of better outcomes for patients with neurological conditions.

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.

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🎓 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.

đŸ§Ș 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.

đŸ‘©â€đŸ”Ź 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 LĂŒscher
    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 LĂŒscher
    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 LĂŒscher, …
    Year: 2013

 

  • Title: Mechanisms of synaptic depression triggered by metabotropic glutamate receptors
    Author: C Bellone, C LĂŒscher, 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 LĂŒscher
    Year: 2005

 

  • Title: SHANK3 controls maturation of social reward circuits in the VTA
    Author: S Bariselli, S Tzanoulinou, C Glangetas, C PrĂ©vost-SoliĂ©, 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.