Antonella Santuccione Chadha | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Antonella Santuccione Chadha | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Antonella Santuccione Chadha, Women` s Brain Foundation,  Switzerland.

Dr. Antonella Chadha Santuccione is a highly accomplished clinical pathologist, neuroscientist, and executive leader with notable expertise in clinical trial management and cognitive behavioral therapy. Born in Italy and based in Switzerland, she has held executive roles and board memberships across biotech and healthcare organizations. She is also the founder and pro-bono CEO of the Women’s Brain Foundation, emphasizing her commitment to neuroscience and gender-specific brain health.

Profile

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📚 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Antonella Chadha Santuccione’s academic foundation is deeply rooted in medical science and behavioral therapy, reflecting her passion for understanding the human mind and body. Born on June 13, 1974, in Penne, Italy, she pursued her education in medicine, earning her MD with specialization in Clinical Pathology. Furthering her academic rigor, she attained credentials from FMH and MEBEKO and completed a CAS in Clinical Trial Management. With an eye toward holistic care and human psychology, she expanded her studies to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Her diverse training laid the groundwork for a multifaceted approach to clinical neuroscience, bridging biology, diagnostics, and therapeutic psychology.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

Throughout her professional journey, Dr. Santuccione has combined her clinical acumen with entrepreneurial vision. After relocating to Switzerland, she took on advisory roles in several neuro-focused start-ups including Bottneuro, Altoida, Pipra, ReconnectLab, and EqualCare, where she played a pivotal role in aligning scientific discovery with patient-centered innovation. Serving as an Executive Director and Board Member across multiple initiatives, she brought together cross-disciplinary teams to push the frontiers of diagnostics and digital health. Her pro-bono leadership as the Founder and CEO of the Women’s Brain Foundation further demonstrates her commitment to addressing gender disparities in brain health research and care.

🧠 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Santuccione’s work focuses on the intersection of neuroscience, gender-specific medicine, and clinical innovation. Her research advocacy highlights the importance of considering sex differences in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, a field historically underexplored. By promoting personalized approaches to brain health, she has helped shape how researchers and clinicians think about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment across genders. Her insights into cognitive decline, early diagnostic markers, and patient-centric treatment frameworks have influenced both academic thought and clinical practice. Additionally, her work in start-ups integrates AI and data-driven technologies to monitor cognitive health, marking her as a forerunner in digital neuroscience.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Santuccione’s contributions have earned her widespread acclaim both within Switzerland and internationally. She was selected among the Top 100 Business Women in Switzerland from 2018 to 2023, a testament to her sustained influence in science and innovation. In 2019, she was named Woman of the Year by Women in Business CH through a public election, highlighting her societal impact beyond the scientific community. The World Sustainability Award in 2020 and the Bold Women Award Switzerland in 2022 recognized her efforts in building ethical, inclusive scientific models. Most recently, she received the Empowering Women Award 2024 and was featured among the Women to Watch 2025, celebrating her as a role model for future leaders.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Beyond her clinical and scientific achievements, Dr. Santuccione has become a global advocate for change in the healthcare landscape. Her work challenges the traditional silos of medicine, psychology, and technology, offering integrative solutions that are ethical and inclusive. She has empowered countless women in STEM through her foundation, speaking engagements, and mentorship programs. Her influence extends into public policy discussions and public health awareness campaigns, where she brings attention to the need for gender equity and individualized treatment in brain disorders. She is not only a scientist but a communicator who bridges science and society.

💡 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Antonella Chadha Santuccione is a trailblazer shaping the next era of neuroscience through compassion-driven research and visionary leadership. Her legacy lies in her determination to dismantle systemic barriers in medicine—especially those that affect women—and in creating frameworks where innovation serves the individual. With ongoing roles in biotech leadership, nonprofit work, and public advocacy, she is set to further influence global conversations around brain health, mental wellness, and gendered research. Her career is a beacon for aspiring researchers who believe that science should serve humanity with empathy, precision, and equity.

🧬 A Champion for Brain Science and Humanity

Dr. Santuccione embodies the rare synthesis of scientific brilliance, leadership excellence, and humanitarian vision. Her work underscores a commitment to better understanding the human brain—not only through the lens of pathology, but also through the lens of experience, gender, and empathy. As she continues her journey, she stands as a symbol of what it means to be a 21st-century neuroscientist: grounded in evidence, driven by innovation, and devoted to people.

Publication

1. Title: Women’s brain health and brain capital
Authors: Laura Castro-Aldrete, Megan Greenfield, Erin Smith, Harris A. Eyre, Mariapaola Barbato, Lucy Pérez, Antonella Santuccione Chadha
Year: 2025

2. Title: Abortion and Miscarriage on Twitter: Sentiment and Polarity Analysis from a gendered perspective
Authors: Olivier Philippe, María Flores Rodero, Claire Yohalem Furtick, Laura Planas Simón, Maria Teresa Ferretti, Antonella Santuccione Chadha, Laia Subirats Maté, Davide Cirillo, María José Rementeria
Year: 2024

3. Title: Inducing prion protein shedding as a neuroprotective and regenerative approach in pathological conditions of the brain: from theory to facts
Authors: Matamoros-Angles A, Mohammadi B, Song F, Shafiq M, Brenna S, Puig B, Glatzel M, Altmeppen HC
Year: 2023

4. Title: Global synergistic actions to improve brain health for human development
Authors: Owolabi MO, Leonardi M, Bassetti C, Jaarsma J, Hawrot T, Makanjuola AI, Dhamija RK, Feng W, Straub V, Camaradou J, et al.
Year: 2023

5. Title: Sex and gender considerations in Alzheimer’s disease: The Women’s Brain Project contribution
Authors: Laura Castro-Aldrete, Moser MV, Putignano G, Ferretti MT, Schumacher Dimech A, Antonella Santuccione Chadha
Year: 2023

6. Title: Towards AI-driven longevity research: An overview
Authors: Marino N, Putignano G, Cappilli S, Chersoni E, Antonella Santuccione Chadha, Calabrese G, Bischof E, Vanhaelen Q, Zhavoronkov A, Scarano B
Year: 2023

7. Title: Amyloid precursor protein (APP) and amyloid β (Aβ) interact with cell adhesion molecules: Implications in Alzheimer’s disease and normal physiology
Authors: Pfundstein G, Nikonenko AG, Sytnyk V
Year: 2022

8. Title: Prions induce an early Arc response and a subsequent reduction in mGluR5 in the hippocampus
Authors: Ojeda-Juárez D, Lawrence JA, Soldau K, Pizzo DP, Wheeler E, Aguilar-Calvo P, Khuu H, Chen J, Malik A, Funk G, et al.
Year: 2022

9. Title: Digital biomarkers and sex impacts in Alzheimer’s disease management – potential utility for innovative 3P medicine approach
Authors: Harms RL, Ferrari A, Meier IB, Martinkova J, Santus E, Marino N, Cirillo D, Mellino S, Catuara Solarz S, Tarnanas I, et al.
Year: 2022

🏁 Conclusion

Dr. Antonella Chadha Santuccione’s career is a model of interdisciplinary excellence, innovation, and advocacy. Her ability to blend neuroscience research with executive leadership and public engagement sets her apart as a visionary in brain health. She not only advances the scientific understanding of neurodegeneration but also actively reshapes how gender and equity are addressed in medical research. With a lasting legacy in both scientific and humanitarian domains, she is exceptionally well-suited for high-level recognition such as the Best Researcher Award and remains a powerful voice shaping the future of neuroscience globally.

 

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.

🧪 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.

 

Nawal Al-Subaie | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Assist Prof Dr. Nawal Al-Subaie | Clinical Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Nawal Al-Subaie,  Princess Noura University, Saudi Arabia

Nawal Al Subaie is a dedicated Clinical Pharmacist with extensive experience in clinical and academic roles at esteemed institutions, including Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) and Princess Noura University (PNU). She holds a PhD in Clinical Pharmacy from DMU, UK, and a Master’s in International Practice and Policy from UCL, London. With a career spanning leadership, clinical care, and education, she has made significant contributions to pharmacy practice, quality control, and chronic disease management. Her commitment to continuous learning is reflected in numerous specialized courses and symposiums, along with frequent contributions to global conferences.

 

profile

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🎓 Educational Background

PhD in Clinical Pharmacy,DMU Leicester, United Kingdom.MSc in Clinical Pharmacy (International Practice and Policy)
,UCL School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom.Bachelor’s Degree in Hospital Pharmacy,King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

💼 Working Experience

Deputy in Charge of Pharmacy Division.Family and Community Medicine.Lead Pharmacist. Wazarat Health Centre (WHC).Clinical Pharmacist,Chronic Disease Clinic, WHC.Clinical Instructor / Trainer,Continuous education for pharmacy students at King Saud University, Princess Noura University, Northern Border University.Quality Control Representative Pharmacy, WHC.Part-time Lecturer,Clinical Ocular Pharmacology, King Saud University.JCI Accreditation Awardee,Primary Care Team.In-Charge of Clinical Pharmacist Ambulatory Care Clinics, PSMMC, 2020–2022.Assistant Professor,Princess Noura University (PNU), May 2022 – Present.

🏫 Training Courses / Symposiums

2015 – 2019: PhD Student (Diabetes and Exercise)Pharmacy School, DMU, UK.2014: TOT Course Leicester, UK.2016: Phlebotomy Course Nottingham, UK.2016: First Aid CourseLeicester, UK.2022: ASHP Diabetes Management Certificate Course January – December 2022.

🌍 Conferences Attended & Contributions

2024: Attended the 4th Saudi Society of Clinical Pharmacist Annual International Conference (September).2024: Presented Poster at Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference.2023: Oral Presentation at Neurology Conference, Dubai (March).2023: Judge, Pharmacy Research Day, PNU Research Center (May).2022: Attended First Saudi Society of Clinical Pharmacist Annual International Conference (September)(and many more from 2000 to 2024)

🤲 Voluntary Work

University orientation for new students, DMU. Diabetes Awareness Day, in collaboration with Diabetes UK. Trained students at DMU on ELISA and Randox machine for blood sample analysis. Assisted pharmacy students with projects and dissertations, DMU

🏅 Professional Memberships

Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (ID: 09-R-P-0295492)

📚 Publications

  1. Statins Use in Alzheimer Disease: Bane or Boon from Frantic Search and Narrative Review
    Authors: N. Alsubaie, H.M. Al-Kuraishy, A.I. Al-Gareeb, B. Alharbi, M. De Waard, …
    Year: 2022

 

  1. Discussing Pathologic Mechanisms of Diabetic Retinopathy & Therapeutic Potentials of Curcumin and β-glucogallin in the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy
    Authors: M. Rohilla, S. Bansal, A. Garg, S. Dhiman, S. Dhankhar, M. Saini, S. Chauhan, …
    Year: 2023

 

  1. The Potential Therapeutic Effect of Metformin in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Severe COVID-19
    Authors: H.M. Al-Kuraishy, A.I. Al-Gareeb, A.A. El Kholy, E. El-Khateeb, A. Alexiou, …
    Year: 2023

 

  1. The Effects of a Combined Exercise Programme Aerobic and Resistance on Blood Glucose, Incretin, Metabolic and Inflammatory Mediators that Could Control the Diabetes and Improve …
    Author: N. Alsubaie
    Year: 2019

 

  1. Corrigendum to “Discussing Pathologic Mechanisms of Diabetic Retinopathy & Therapeutic Potentials of Curcumin and β-glucogallin in the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy”
    Authors: M. Rohilla, S. Bansal, A. Garg, S. Dhiman, S. Dhankhar, M. Saini, S. Chauhan, …
    Year: 2024

 

  1. Impact of Clinical Pharmacist Diabetes Clinic on the Improvement of Health Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Subjects
    Authors: N. AlSubaie, M. Alsallal, S. AlTwaijri, A. AlOtaibi, B. AlHarbi, M. AlEissa, …
    Year: 2022

 

  1. The Effects of a Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Programme on Insulin Resistance Among Prediabetes Subjects
    Authors: B. Alharbi, N. Alsubaie, T.S. Sahota, M.J. Taylor
    Year: 2019

 

  1. The Effects of a Combined Exercise Programme (Aerobic and Resistance) on Blood Glucose and Incretin Hormone That Could Control the Diabetes in Type 2 Diabetes
    Authors: N. Alsubaie, B. Alharbi, T.S. Sahota, M.J. Taylor
    Year: 2019

 

  1. The Effects of a Combined Exercise Programme (Aerobic and Resistance) on Blood Glucose, and Incretin Hormone That Could Control the Diabetes in Type 2 Diabetes
    Authors: B.M. Alharbi, N.S. Alsubaie, T.S. Sahota, M.J. Taylor
    Year: 2019

 

  1. The Impact of Moderate Combination Exercise on HbA1c, IL-6, and TNF in Type 2 Diabetic and Non-diabetic Subjects: An Interventional Non-randomized Clinical Trial
    Authors: B. Alharbi, N. Alsubaie, T.S. Sahota, M.J. Taylor
    Year: 2019

 

 Conclusion

Dr. Al Subaie’s career showcases a deep commitment to enhancing patient care, advancing pharmaceutical education, and contributing to international health discussions. Her background in both hands-on clinical care and academic research equips her with a well-rounded perspective, making her a valuable asset in clinical and educational settings alike. She continues to make strides in diabetes management, chronic disease care, and pharmacy education, with her work recognized through multiple presentations, awards, and professional memberships.