Matteo Palermo | Neuroanatomy | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Matteo Palermo | Neuroanatomy | Best Researcher Award 

Mr. Matteo Palermo, Policlinico A. gemelli, Italy.

Matteo Palermo is an emerging medical scholar from Italy currently pursuing his medical degree at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome. With a dual high school diploma from Italy and the USA, he demonstrated academic brilliance early on, which has been consistently recognized through multiple national and institutional awards. His professional engagements span prestigious neurosurgical institutions, including the Mayo Clinic and the Carlo Besta Institute. Matteo has already authored multiple peer-reviewed research publications in top-tier neurological and neurosurgical journals, focusing on hydrocephalus, intracranial hypertension, glioma imaging, and spinal hypotension treatment. His work reflects a commitment to clinical excellence, research depth, and global collaboration.

Profile

Google Scholar

 

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Matteo Palermo’s academic journey began with a deep commitment to excellence from a young age. Born and raised in Gravina in Puglia, Italy, he demonstrated a strong affinity for science and mathematics during his formative years at Liceo Scientifico Giuseppe Tarantino, earning a high school diploma in 2021. Matteo expanded his educational exposure internationally by attending Edgar High School in Wisconsin, USA, in 2018–2019, where he obtained a U.S. high school diploma and participated in national-level mathematics competitions, securing 29th place out of 50 participants. His early achievements laid a robust foundation for his future in medicine, strengthened by recognition from the Italian Ministry of Education and supported by a €16,000 academic grant.

🏥 Professional Endeavors

Currently pursuing a degree in medicine at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome (2021–2027), Matteo has actively immersed himself in professional experiences that transcend academic learning. His early exposure to clinical environments began with prestigious internships and observerships in neurosurgery at globally renowned institutions. In 2024, he joined the Mayo Clinic in Rochester under the mentorship of Dr. Giuseppe Lanzino. His long-term neurosurgical internship at the Carlo Besta Institute in Milan, led by Dr. Francesco Prada, further reinforced his dedication to neurological sciences. Matteo also trained under Dr. Alessandro Olivi at Gemelli Hospital in 2025, engaging directly with surgical innovation and patient care.

🧠 Contributions and Research Focus

Matteo’s passion for neurosurgery is reflected in his impressive contributions to academic research. He has co-authored several high-impact studies, often in collaboration with experts like Dr. Trevisi, Dr. Prada, and Dr. Sturiale. His work delves into intricate neurological conditions such as idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus and idiopathic intracranial hypertension, particularly in pregnancy—addressing both clinical and surgical dimensions. His research on advanced neuroimaging techniques, including superb microvascular ultrasound in gliomas, stands at the frontier of neuro-oncological diagnostics. His recent meta-analyses, including one on targeted versus nontargeted epidural blood patches for spontaneous intracranial hypotension, showcase a methodological precision and a deep commitment to evidence-based practice.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his academic journey, Matteo has received numerous honors that highlight his consistent excellence. He was awarded the Best Medical Student Award at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025), an acknowledgment of both academic prowess and professional dedication. His distinction as the Faculty Representative of the Medicine and Surgery degree course in 2025 demonstrates his leadership qualities and the trust vested in him by peers and faculty alike. Earlier accolades, such as the Italian Student Excellence Award by the Ministry of Education and Excellence Student Awards during high school, further underline a pattern of sustained high achievement.

🌐 Impact and Influence

Matteo’s work in neurosurgery has begun to make a visible impact not only through scholarly publications but also through his collaborative roles in high-profile research institutions. His systematic reviews and responses in respected journals like Neurosurgical Review, European Journal of Neurology, and Acta Neurochirurgica have contributed to shaping current conversations around neurointerventions and treatment strategies. As a global research intern and contributor, Matteo’s growing influence is expanding beyond national borders, signaling a future as a thought leader in neuroclinical research.

📚 Legacy and Future Contributions

Even at this early stage, Matteo Palermo is carving out a promising legacy in the field of neuroscience and neurosurgery. His clear focus on integrating research, clinical application, and surgical excellence positions him as a future pioneer in the treatment of complex neurological conditions. With a solid base in both European and American medical systems and mentorship under globally respected neurosurgeons, Matteo’s future contributions are likely to influence neurosurgical standards, patient outcomes, and cross-disciplinary innovations for years to come.

🌟 Vision for Medical Research

Driven by a mission to bridge gaps between clinical neurosurgery and translational neuroscience, Matteo’s research vision is both ambitious and impactful. His ongoing focus on refining diagnostic and therapeutic techniques—particularly through systematic analysis and technological innovation—reflects a strong alignment with the future of precision medicine. Whether advancing shunt technologies for hydrocephalus or exploring maternal-fetal outcomes in neurological conditions, his commitment to enhancing the quality of care and knowledge dissemination is at the heart of his scholarly identity.

Publication

  • Advancing treatment strategies for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a systematic review on studies comparing ventricular and lumbo-peritoneal shunts
    M. Palermo, G. Trevisi, F. Signorelli, F. Doglietto, A. Albanese, A. Olivi, …
    2025

 

  • Targeted Versus NonTargeted Epidural Blood Patch for Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
    M. Palermo, C.L. Sturiale, S. D’Arrigo, G. Trevisi
    2025

 

  • Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review on Clinical Course, Treatments, Delivery and Maternal‐Fetal Outcome
    M. Palermo, G. Trevisi, S. D’Arrigo, C.L. Sturiale
    2025

 

🏁 Conclusion

Matteo Palermo exemplifies the qualities of a future leader in the field of neurosurgery and neuroscience research. His early achievements, international exposure, and advanced research contributions mark him as an exceptional talent in academic medicine. With a solid foundation, continual academic distinction, and a vision for translational impact, Matteo is poised to make lasting contributions to the medical and scientific community. His trajectory strongly supports his candidacy for recognition, including honors such as the Best Researcher Award.

Ged Smith | Systems Neuroscience | Outstanding Educator Award

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Dr. Ged Smith | Systems Neuroscience | Outstanding Educator Award

Dr. Ged Smith,  UK AFT, United Kingdom.

Dr. Ged Smith is a highly esteemed Consultant Systemic/Family and Couples Psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience in clinical practice, academic teaching, and international consultation. His early academic journey began with a B.Ed from Liverpool University, followed by advanced degrees culminating in a Professional Doctorate from Birkbeck University and the Institute of Family Therapy. Throughout his career, Dr. Smith has made influential contributions through clinical supervision, research publication, and educational leadership. He is widely published in top-tier journals and is the longstanding Editor of “Context,” the UK’s principal family therapy journal. He also holds senior roles in professional organizations such as the Association for Family Therapy (AFT) and the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA). Dr. Smith’s work bridges therapeutic practice with systemic theory, making significant impact on the field both nationally and internationally.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Ged Smith began his academic journey at Liverpool University, where he earned his Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in 1980, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to learning and teaching. His growing interest in social care and mental health led him to pursue a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) at the University of Cardiff, which he completed in 1988. Deepening his expertise in systemic practices, Dr. Smith undertook a Master of Science (MSc) in collaboration with the Institute of Family Therapy (IFT) and Birkbeck University, London in 1996. His academic excellence culminated in the attainment of a Professional Doctorate from the same institutions in 2011, solidifying his scholarly contributions to systemic and family therapy.

🧠 Professional Endeavors in Systemic Therapy

Dr. Smith’s career spans over 25 years of clinical experience in both Merseyside and London, where he has provided systemic and family therapy across diverse communities. As a UKCP Registered Systemic Psychotherapist and AFT Accredited Supervisor, he currently supervises more than 30 mental health and social care professionals. His professional influence extends across clinical settings, educational platforms, and governmental agencies, making him a sought-after consultant for Social Services and Care Agencies in the North West of England. His dedication to systemic thinking is evident in his role as a Live Supervisor on the Manchester Family Therapy Qualifying Course, where he brings practical and ethical insight to emerging therapists.

📝 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Smith has been an unwavering contributor to the dissemination of systemic knowledge, both as a prolific writer and respected editor. As the long-standing Editor of “Context,” the UK’s leading Family Therapy Journal, he has significantly influenced the field’s intellectual discourse. His research focus centers on transformative and relational practices in systemic therapy, engaging with contemporary themes in mental health. His published work appears in globally respected journals such as the Journal of Family Therapy, Family Process (USA), Human Systems, and the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. Notably, he contributed chapters to Systemic Therapy as Transformative Practice (2017), reflecting his commitment to therapeutic innovation and social justice.

📚 Academic Leadership and Teaching Excellence

Dr. Smith has played a vital role in academic mentorship and systemic education. A revered Visiting Lecturer at the Tavistock Clinic London, and universities including Manchester, Exeter, and Hull, he continues to influence systemic thinking across academic and clinical boundaries. In his role as an External Doctoral Supervisor at the University of Bedfordshire, he nurtures the next generation of systemic scholars. His expertise in integrating theory with practice has made him a preferred speaker and educator at family therapy training courses throughout the UK.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Smith’s long-standing contributions to systemic therapy have earned him national and international recognition. As Chair of AFT Publishing for over 20 years, he has guided the ethical and academic standards of family therapy literature in the UK. He also represents the UK at the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA) meetings, further elevating the UK’s presence on the global systemic stage. His respected status in the field is not only a result of his academic output but also his unwavering dedication to supervision, teaching, and ethical therapeutic practice.

🌍 Global Engagement and Influence

A distinguished conference speaker and workshop presenter, Dr. Smith has shared his insights on systemic and psychological approaches to mental health at international platforms. His presentations emphasize both clinical depth and sociocultural relevance, addressing topics like family systems, relational ethics, and collaborative practices in therapy. By integrating global perspectives into his work, Dr. Smith continues to expand the reach and relevance of systemic psychotherapy.

🧬 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Ged Smith’s career represents a profound legacy of relational practice, scholarly excellence, and ethical leadership. As systemic therapy continues to evolve in response to modern challenges, his work sets a benchmark for future generations. With his continued supervision of doctoral candidates, editorial leadership, and international teaching, he remains at the forefront of shaping the future of family therapy. His vision is clear: to maintain systemic practice as not only a clinical method but a transformative social discourse that can empower families, communities, and practitioners alike.

Publication

  • Title: So, You’re Doing a Family Therapy Course……
    Author: Ged Smith
    Year: 2025

 

  • Title: A 1.5‐Order Therapy: Between Knowing and Not‐Knowing
    Author: Ged Smith
    Year: 2023

 

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Ged Smith exemplifies excellence in systemic and family psychotherapy through a unique blend of scholarly depth, clinical wisdom, and passionate teaching. His enduring influence on the development of family therapy—through publications, supervision, and organizational leadership—makes him a key figure in shaping contemporary mental health practices. As a researcher, educator, and clinician, he has created a meaningful legacy grounded in relational ethics and transformative therapeutic approaches. Dr. Smith’s continued contributions will undoubtedly inspire future practitioners and scholars committed to holistic, systemic care.

Alex Armstrong | Systems Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Alex Armstrong | Systems Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Alex Armstrong, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, United States.

Alex Armstrong is an emerging leader in the field of systems neuroscience with a rich academic background and a global research footprint. Starting with a strong foundation in pharmacology from the University of Manchester and early research experience in China, he has built an interdisciplinary career that bridges experimental, computational, and translational neuroscience. His Ph.D. work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, under the guidance of Prof. Yurii Vlasov, focuses on the neural mechanisms of perceptual decision-making using innovative tools like tactile virtual reality and localized lesioning techniques. He has also played integral roles in teaching, mentoring, and collaborative NIH-funded research involving cutting-edge neural probes. His contributions span from fundamental neuroscience to neuroengineering, with multiple international presentations and a growing reputation in both academic and applied research communities.

Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Alex Armstrong’s journey into the world of neuroscience began with a strong academic foundation in Pharmacology at the University of Manchester, where he earned a BSc (Honors) degree in 2017. During his undergraduate studies, he delved into the neural effects of psychoactive substances, leading a research project examining the influence of various drugs on receptive fields in the rat lateral geniculate nucleus. His academic curiosity was not confined to the lab; Alex actively mentored disadvantaged youth in science and mathematics through the CityWise charity, demonstrating an early commitment to both education and societal impact. His academic appetite took a global turn when he received a competitive scholarship to Nanjing Medical University in China. There, he shadowed urologists and contributed to prostate cancer research by processing tumor samples and supporting manuscript preparation under the mentorship of Dr. Jian Lin. This early immersion into translational research laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in systems neuroscience.

🧠 Research Focus and Innovation

Currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Alex Armstrong is at the forefront of neuroscience research under the mentorship of Professor Yurii Vlasov, a member of the National Academy of Engineering. His research seeks to unravel the neural underpinnings of perceptual decision-making using advanced technologies. Alex has pioneered the development of a novel tactile virtual reality system tailored for mice, enabling precise behavioral and neural investigations in ecologically valid scenarios. His contributions also include designing a localized lesioning technique to dissect the causal roles of specific cortical regions with unmatched spatial and temporal resolution. This work reflects his deep integration of behavior, electrophysiology, histology, and computational modeling — a rare confluence of skills that pushes the boundaries of systems neuroscience.

🔬 Professional Endeavors and Laboratory Leadership

Alex’s career includes impactful positions across globally renowned institutions. Prior to his doctoral studies, he served as a Research Technician at University College London, working in auditory neuroscience labs with PIs Jennifer Linden and Nicholas Lesica. There, he independently managed experiments related to auditory perception and hearing aid technology, leading both behavioral training and neural recordings. At UIUC, his laboratory involvement extends beyond individual research: he performs surgeries, manages mouse colonies, trains new graduate and undergraduate researchers, and leads collaborative NIH-funded projects investigating simultaneous electrical and chemical neural activity during seizures. Alex is a dependable pillar in the lab, bridging experiment and innovation through hands-on mentorship and project leadership.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Alex’s academic and scientific contributions have been recognized at multiple levels. He has presented his work through nine conference talks and poster presentations at premier forums including Barrels, the Society for Neuroscience, and AREADNE between 2021 and 2024. His visibility within the academic community extends to teaching, where he was entrusted as a Teaching Assistant for the competitive Neural Interface Engineering course (ECE421) in 2024 and 2025, guiding over 50 students through workshops, lessons, and exam reviews. His role on the UIUC neuroscience seminar committee in 2022 further demonstrated his leadership in promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, as he invited top neuroscientists from across the world to contribute to the university’s vibrant intellectual atmosphere.

🧪 Scientific Contributions and Methodological Advancements

One of Alex Armstrong’s most significant contributions lies in his ability to blend experimental neuroscience with computational modeling. His proficiency spans advanced analytical methods including Generalized Linear Models (GLM), Drift Diffusion Models (DDM), Dimensionality Reduction, and DyNetCP, positioning him at the intersection of theory and practice. His work not only provides high-resolution insights into brain function but also informs the design of next-generation neural interface devices. His leadership in testing novel neural probes capable of simultaneously recording both electrical and chemical signals underlines his commitment to tool development in neuroscience — a field critical to brain–machine interface technologies and precision neuromodulation.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Alex Armstrong’s research has both immediate and long-term scientific value. By enhancing our understanding of the cortical mechanisms underlying decision-making, his work informs the broader fields of psychology, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence. His contributions to probe testing during seizure dynamics have implications for epilepsy research, potentially opening doors for better diagnostics and treatment strategies. Furthermore, his global academic experience — spanning the U.K., U.S., and China — contributes to his inclusive scientific perspective and ability to work across cultural and institutional boundaries. He has not only advanced science but also nurtured future researchers through consistent mentoring and training roles.

🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Alex Armstrong is poised to become a leading figure in systems neuroscience, particularly in decoding the neural basis of cognition and behavior. With a solid foundation in experimentation, programming, and tool development, he is uniquely equipped to tackle the grand challenges of brain science in the 21st century. His efforts are steadily laying a legacy of open, interdisciplinary research, bridging the biological and engineering aspects of neuroscience. Whether through innovative VR paradigms for animal behavior, high-density probe validation, or collaborative research across continents, Alex continues to pave the way for future breakthroughs in understanding the human brain.

Publication

  • Title: Targeting AXL overcomes resistance to docetaxel therapy in advanced prostate cancer
    Authors: JZ Lin, ZJ Wang, W De, M Zheng, WZ Xu, HF Wu, A Armstrong, JG Zhu
    Year: 2017

 

  • Title: Compression and amplification algorithms in hearing aids impair the selectivity of neural responses to speech
    Authors: AG Armstrong, CC Lam, S Sabesan, NA Lesica
    Year: 2022

 

  • Title: The hearing aid dilemma: amplification, compression, and distortion of the neural code
    Authors: A Armstrong, CC Lam, S Sabesan, NA Lesica
    Year: 2020

 

  • Title: Nonlinear sensitivity to acoustic context is a stable feature of neuronal responses to complex sounds in auditory cortex of awake mice
    Authors: M Akritas, AG Armstrong, JM Lebert, AF Meyer, M Sahani, JF Linden
    Year: 2024

 

  • Title: Contextual modulation is a stable feature of the neural code in auditory cortex of awake mice
    Authors: M Akritas, AG Armstrong, JM Lebert, AF Meyer, M Sahani, JF Linden
    Year: 2023

 

  • Title: Neuropeptides in the Extracellular Space of the Mouse Cortex Measured by Nanodialysis Probe Coupled with LC-MS
    Authors: K Li, W Shi, Y Tan, Y Ding, A Armstrong, Y Vlasov, J Sweedler
    Year: 2025

 

  • Title: Neural correlates of perceptual decision making in primary somatosensory cortex
    Authors: A Armstrong, Y Vlasov
    Year: 2025

 

  • Title: Perceptual decision-making during whisker-guided navigation causally depends on a single cortical barrel column
    Authors: AG Armstrong, Y Vlasov
    Year: 2025

 

 

✅ Conclusion

Alex Armstrong exemplifies the next generation of neuroscientists—technically skilled, globally experienced, and intellectually versatile. His ability to merge behavioral neuroscience with advanced computational tools and engineering innovations positions him at the forefront of brain research. As he continues to contribute to our understanding of neural dynamics and brain–machine interfaces, Alex is set to leave a lasting impact on neuroscience and its applications in medicine and technology. His trajectory reflects not just scientific excellence, but also a commitment to mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation-driven discovery.