Karen Kikuta | Developmental Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Karen Kikuta | Developmental Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Karen Kikuta | UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine | United States

Ms. Karen Kikuta is an accomplished MD Candidate at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine with expertise in neuroscience, immunology, and global health research. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience with minors in Public Health and Biology from Santa Clara University and conducted advanced immunological studies at Stanford University’s Binns Program for Cord Blood Research, investigating immune cell subsets using flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing. Her work has resulted in publications in high-impact journals, including Frontiers in Immunology and the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. Karen has contributed to seven major research projects spanning neurodevelopment, infectious disease, and translational medicine, notably pioneering studies on antenatal Zika virus exposure and its long-term neurobehavioral and cardiac outcomes in children. Her research portfolio includes 2 published documents, 45 citations, and an h-index of 2. She has presented findings at national and international conferences, reflecting her dedication to bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical application. As a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Neurological Association, Karen is committed to integrating scientific innovation with compassionate care to advance understanding and treatment of neuroinfectious and developmental disorders.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Research Gate | Linked In

Featured publication

Kikuta, K., Hernandez, C. J., Dunshee de Abranches, A., Damasceno, L., de Britto, J. A., Jardim Duarte, C., Vasconcelos, Z., Zin, A., Brasil, P., Moreira, M. E., & Nielsen-Saines, K. (2025). Academic and social-behavioral assessment in a prospective cohort of normocephalic school-aged children with antenatal Zika virus exposure. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 159, Article 108026.

Wilfred Angie Abia | Developmental Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Wilfred Angie Abia | Developmental Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Wilfred Angie Abia |  University of Yaounde 1 | Cameroon

Wilfred Angie Abia is an accomplished biochemist and food safety toxicologist whose career bridges Africa and Europe through impactful teaching, research, and international collaborations. His academic foundation in medical biochemistry, nutrition, and toxicology has evolved into a distinguished career specializing in food contaminants, mycotoxin biomonitoring, fraud detection, and risk assessment. He has held influential postdoctoral and leadership positions in projects addressing agri-food safety and consumer health protection. His contributions span mycotoxicology, food fraud prevention, One Health research, and climate-related food safety challenges. Beyond research, he plays an important role as a senior lecturer and mentor, advancing both academic excellence and professional training in food safety.

Profile

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Orcid
Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits

Wilfred Angie Abia began his academic journey with a strong foundation in biochemistry, focusing on medical laboratory technology, nutritional sciences, and food safety. His doctoral studies at the University of Yaoundé I provided him with advanced expertise in food contaminants, safety, and biomonitoring of multimycotoxin exposures. His early academic years were marked by interdisciplinary training that connected biochemistry, nutrition, toxicology, and public health, setting the stage for his specialized career in agri-food safety and toxicology.

Professional Endeavors

His professional career spans teaching, research, and project management across multiple institutions and international collaborations. He has held postdoctoral fellowships and senior research positions in Africa, Europe, and the United Kingdom, where he advanced projects on food safety, toxicology, and fraud detection. His work at Queen’s University Belfast included leadership roles in large-scale European initiatives, where he served as both a researcher and project manager. As a Senior Lecturer of Biochemistry and Food Safety/Toxicology at the University of Yaoundé I, he combines teaching, mentorship, and research with program coordination responsibilities, shaping the next generation of food safety professionals.

Contributions and Research Focus

Abia’s research focuses on food contaminants, safety, and human health with a special emphasis on mycotoxicology. He has pioneered studies in exposure assessment, biomarker development, and human biomonitoring, particularly in vulnerable populations. His work extends to food integrity, authenticity, fraud detection, and traceability, ensuring consumer health protection. He has contributed significantly to toxicological risk assessments of chemicals in food, drugs, and the environment, while also addressing broader themes such as climate change, food security, and the One Health approach. His unique contributions include research into the neurotoxicology of mycotoxins, highlighting the intersection of food safety and neuroscience.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his career, Abia has been recognized through prestigious international research fellowships and visiting scholar positions in leading research centers across Europe and Africa. His involvement in high-impact projects such as MycoMarker and FoodSafer underscores his leadership in global food safety initiatives. His achievements are further strengthened by professional certifications, including specialized training in food fraud prevention, which demonstrate his commitment to continuous professional growth and excellence in his field.

Impact and Influence

His work has had a profound impact on advancing food safety research, shaping policies, and protecting public health. By bridging biochemistry with toxicology, agri-food safety, and environmental sciences, he has influenced how food contaminants and fraud are detected and managed. His role as a lecturer and mentor ensures that his expertise is transmitted to students and young researchers who will continue to advance the field. His contributions also extend to policy and science diplomacy, where he actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration for sustainable solutions in food and health security.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Abia’s legacy lies in his dedication to safeguarding food systems, advancing toxicological research, and promoting interdisciplinary approaches that connect human, animal, and environmental health. His work in mycotoxin biomonitoring and neurotoxicology offers critical insights into the hidden health risks of food contamination. Looking ahead, his future contributions are likely to expand in areas of food fraud prevention, climate-smart agriculture, and One Health frameworks, ensuring resilient food systems for global populations. His combination of research excellence, teaching, and science diplomacy positions him as a thought leader in shaping the future of food safety and toxicology.

Publications

  • Title: Determination of multi-mycotoxin occurrence in cereals, nuts and their products in Cameroon by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
    Authors: WA Abia, B Warth, M Sulyok, R Krska, AN Tchana, PB Njobeh, MF Dutton, …
    Year: 2013

  • Title: Mycotoxin exposure in rural residents in northern Nigeria: A pilot study using multi-urinary biomarkers
    Authors: CN Ezekiel, B Warth, IM Ogara, WA Abia, VC Ezekiel, J Atehnkeng, …
    Year: 2014

  • Title: Development and validation of a rapid multi‐biomarker liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method to assess human exposure to mycotoxins
    Authors: B Warth, M Sulyok, P Fruhmann, H Mikula, F Berthiller, R Schuhmacher, …
    Year: 2012

  • Title: Bio-monitoring of mycotoxin exposure in Cameroon using a urinary multi-biomarker approach
    Authors: WA Abia, B Warth, M Sulyok, R Krska, A Tchana, PB Njobeh, PC Turner, …
    Year: 2013

  • Title: Ultra-sensitive, stable isotope assisted quantification of multiple urinary mycotoxin exposure biomarkers
    Authors: B Šarkanj, CN Ezekiel, PC Turner, WA Abia, M Rychlik, R Krska, M Sulyok, …
    Year: 2018

  • Title: Low doses of mycotoxin mixtures below EU regulatory limits can negatively affect the performance of broiler chickens: A longitudinal study
    Authors: O Kolawole, A Graham, C Donaldson, B Owens, WA Abia, J Meneely, …
    Year: 2020

  • Title: Urinary analysis reveals high deoxynivalenol exposure in pregnant women from Croatia
    Authors: B Šarkanj, B Warth, S Uhlig, WA Abia, M Sulyok, T Klapec, R Krska, …
    Year: 2013

Conclusion

Wilfred Angie Abia’s work exemplifies a rare integration of scientific expertise, international leadership, and educational impact. His contributions to food safety, toxicology, and agri-food research not only safeguard public health but also strengthen global food systems. With his continued focus on innovation, interdisciplinary approaches, and capacity building, he stands as a key figure in shaping the future of food safety science and policy worldwide.

Elissavet Kollia | Developmental Neuroscience |Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Elissavet Kollia | Developmental Neuroscience |Best Researcher Award 

Ms. Elissavet Kollia, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

Ms. Elissavet Kollia is a distinguished pediatrician and researcher specializing in pediatric neurology. With an exceptional academic background, she graduated from the Medical School of the Democritus University of Thrace and pursued advanced postgraduate studies in Clinical Pediatrics and Nursing-Research. Her extensive clinical training, from pediatrics specialization to her current role at Konstantopouleio General Hospital “Agia Olga,” has solidified her expertise in child healthcare. Additionally, her research focuses on movement disorders in pediatric patients with early-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, contributing valuable insights to the field. Her dedication extends beyond clinical practice, as seen in her voluntary medical work and commitment to mentoring young professionals.

Profile

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

From an early age, Elissavet Kollia demonstrated exceptional academic abilities, graduating from the 4th General Lyceum of Agia Paraskevi with an outstanding general grade of “excellent 19.2.” Her passion for medicine led her to the Medical School of the Democritus University of Thrace, where she was admitted in September 2007. With dedication and perseverance, she successfully earned her medical degree in July 2013, achieving a commendable grade of “very good 8.33.” Shortly after, she obtained her license to practice as a doctor in Greece and later in Munich, Germany, reflecting her international medical competence.

🏥 Professional Endeavors

Ms. Kollia’s professional journey has been marked by extensive clinical training and hands-on experience in pediatrics. She began her specialization at the Pediatric Clinic of the General Hospital of Karpenisi from June 2014 to October 2016. Her commitment to healthcare extended beyond hospitals as she served as a rural doctor at the Primary Health Care Center of Agios Nikolaos, Evrytania, actively participating in emergency care at the General Hospital of Karpenisi. Her expertise deepened when she became a scientific associate at the Pediatric Neurology Unit of the First Pediatric Clinic of the National University of Athens. She then pursued her residency in pediatrics at the First University Pediatric Clinic – Children’s Hospital “Agia Sophia” from November 2018 to May 2022, ultimately obtaining her specialty title in June 2022. Currently, she is serving as a pediatrician at the Konstantopouleio General Hospital “Agia Olga,” continuing her mission to provide excellent pediatric care.

📝 Contributions and Research Focus

Ms. Kollia’s dedication to medical research has significantly contributed to the field of pediatric neurology. Her postgraduate studies in “Clinical Pediatrics and Nursing-Research,” completed with an exceptional grade of “Excellent 9.31,” strengthened her academic foundation. Her ongoing doctoral dissertation at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens focuses on movement disorders in pediatric patients with early-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, a field crucial for advancing neurological care in children. Her research efforts have led to an upcoming publication in the European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, further establishing her as a valuable contributor to the scientific community.

🌟 Accolades and Recognition

Ms. Kollia’s unwavering commitment to medicine has been recognized through her outstanding academic achievements and professional milestones. From excelling in her graduate and postgraduate studies to securing prestigious residency and specialization opportunities, she has consistently demonstrated excellence in her field. Her acceptance into renowned institutions and her involvement in vital research projects underline her credibility and expertise in pediatric neurology.

💪 Impact and Influence

Beyond her clinical and academic contributions, Dr. Kollia has actively participated in voluntary medical programs, extending her expertise to underserved populations. She contributed to emergency case observations at the Children’s Hospital “Agia Sophia” and participated in medical landing programs in remote islands, showcasing her dedication to public health. Her influence extends to mentoring young medical professionals, sharing her knowledge, and contributing to the medical community’s growth.

💡 Legacy and Future Contributions

With a passion for advancing pediatric neurology, Dr. Kollia continues to shape the future of medical research and patient care. Her work in understanding movement disorders in children with epileptic encephalopathy holds the potential to improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in pediatric neurology. As she progresses in her career, her contributions to both clinical practice and scientific research will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the medical community and the lives of the children she treats.

 

Publication

  • Title: The genetic etiology in cerebral palsy mimics: the results from a Greek tertiary care center
    Authors: V Zouvelou, D Yubero, L Apostolakopoulou, E Kokkinou, M Bilanakis, …
    Year: 2019

 

  • Title: MOTOR PHENOTYPING IN A GREEK COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH NEONATAL AND INFANTILE ONSET DEVELOPMENTAL AND EPILEPTIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
    Authors: E Kollia, E Kokkinou, C Outsika, G Koltsida, V Zouvelou, A Vontzalidis, …
    Year: 2025

 

🌟 Conclusion

Ms. Kollia’s journey exemplifies the perfect blend of academic excellence, professional expertise, and compassionate patient care. Through her research and clinical endeavors, she continues to advance the understanding and treatment of pediatric neurological disorders. Her unwavering dedication to improving children’s health positions her as a leading figure in pediatric medicine. With her vision for excellence and continued contributions, she is set to leave a lasting impact on the medical field, inspiring future generations of healthcare professionals.