Michael Leoncio | Neuroscience & Education | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Michael Leoncio | Neuroscience & Education | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Michael Leoncio, NIcklaus Childrne’s Hospital, United States.

Dr. Michael Leoncio is a dedicated pediatric critical care physician whose academic and professional journey reflects a deep passion for child health. Beginning with a dual degree in Chemistry and Physical Therapy, he went on to earn his D.O. from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. His clinical training took him from a pediatric residency in New Jersey to specialized fellowships at Miami Children’s Hospital, focusing on both general and cardiac pediatric critical care. Throughout his career, Dr. Leoncio has made significant contributions in the high-intensity environment of pediatric ICUs, shaping protocols, mentoring new clinicians, and improving outcomes for countless children.

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Born in Hialeah, Florida, Dr. Michael Leoncio’s educational journey began with a strong dual foundation in Chemistry and Physical Therapy at the University of Miami, where he earned both his BHS and BA degrees. Driven by a passion for healing and science, he advanced to the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, obtaining his Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) in 2004. These formative years were marked by his unwavering dedication to medicine and a growing interest in pediatric health, setting the stage for his future specialization in pediatric critical care.

🏥 Professional Endeavors

Following medical school, Dr. Leoncio completed a pediatric internship and residency at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey. His experiences under the mentorship of Dr. Josh Rosenblatt solidified his commitment to caring for children facing complex health challenges. He then pursued advanced fellowship training in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine from July 2007 to June 2010 at Miami Children’s Hospital, under Dr. Balaganghadar Totapally. Continuing his pursuit of excellence, he further specialized with an additional year as a Clinical Fellow in Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Medicine, guided by Dr. Anthony Rossi. These rigorous training years provided Dr. Leoncio with extensive hands-on experience in managing critically ill children with cardiac conditions.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Leoncio’s fellowship years were not only defined by clinical mastery but also by his engagement in cutting-edge pediatric and cardiac intensive care research. Working within high-acuity settings, he contributed to innovations in the care of neonates and children requiring intensive monitoring and support. His clinical insights have contributed to protocol advancements in cardiac intensive care, especially in the nuanced management of post-operative pediatric patients.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his academic and professional career, Dr. Leoncio has garnered recognition for his commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care. His peers and mentors have consistently praised his diligence, leadership qualities, and dedication to the field of pediatric critical care. These commendations reflect not only his technical expertise but also his empathetic approach to both patients and their families during the most vulnerable times.

Publication

  • Prevalence of Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency among Children and Adolescents Declared Dead by Neurologic Criteria
    Cesar Esteban Larancuent; Valandrea Merilan; Michael Leoncio; Juan Manuel Lozano; Balagangadhar R. Totapally | 2025

 

  • Epidemiology and outcomes of children with accidental hypothermia: A propensity-matched study
    Totapally A; Leoncio M; Beltramo F; Keith Meyer; Raszynski A; Totapally BR | 2017

 

  • Serial cardiac troponin concentrations as marker of cardiac toxicity in children with status asthmaticus treated with intravenous terbutaline
    Kalyanaraman M; Bhalala U; Leoncio M | 2011

 

  • Therapeutic hypercapnia enhances the inflammatory response to endotoxin in the lung of spontaneously breathing rats
    Norozian FM; Leoncio M; Torbati D; Keith Meyer; Raszynski A; Totapally BR | 2011

 

🏁 Conclusion

Driven by compassion, expertise, and a vision for innovation, Dr. Leoncio stands as a beacon in the field of pediatric medicine. His commitment to critical care continues to inspire those around him and set new standards for excellence in child health. As he looks to the future, his ongoing efforts promise to elevate pediatric intensive care—ensuring that every child, no matter how critically ill, receives the best possible chance at recovery and life.

Camilla Bellone | Translational Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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.

🧪 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.