Cheng Ji | Regenerative Medicine | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cheng Ji | Regenerative Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Jiangsu University | China

Dr. Cheng Ji, an Associate Professor at Jiangsu University Medical College, has established a strong research foundation in the field of stem cell extracellular vesicles (EVs) and renal tissue regeneration. With an h-index of 23, he has authored 30 SCI-indexed publications that have collectively garnered over 1,200 citations, reflecting his impactful contributions to regenerative medicine and translational nanobiotechnology. His ongoing investigations center on the mechanistic roles of mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs in mitigating acute and chronic kidney injury, focusing on fibrosis prevention through ubiquitination pathways. Dr. Ji has successfully completed two research projects and continues work on three ongoing studies, complemented by five industry collaborations that bridge academic discovery with clinical application. His book, Extracellular Vesicles: From Bench to Bedside, exemplifies his leadership in knowledge dissemination, while six patents highlight his commitment to innovation. As a member of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV), Dr. Ji actively contributes to global collaborative research networks. His integrative work on magnetically modified dual-targeted stem cell EVs to combat chronic kidney fibrosis positions him as a frontrunner for the Best Researcher Award, with a research vision that unites molecular insight and therapeutic advancement.

Featured Publications

Jin, C., Wu, P., Wu, W., Chen, W., Liu, W., Zhu, Y., Wu, Q., Chen, B., Ji, C., & Qian, H. Therapeutic role of hucMSC-sEV-enriched miR-13896 in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury through M2 macrophage polarization. Cell Biology and Toxicology.

Wang, M., Yang, D., Li, L., Wu, P., Sun, Y., Zhang, X., Ji, C., Xu, W., Qian, H., & Shi, H.  A dual role of mesenchymal stem cell derived small extracellular vesicles on TRPC6 protein and mitochondria to promote diabetic wound healing. ACS Nano.

Ji, C., Zhang, J., Shi, L., Shi, H., Xu, W., Jin, J., & Qian, H. Engineered extracellular vesicle-encapsulated CHIP as novel nanotherapeutics for treatment of renal fibrosis. npj Regenerative Medicine.

Zhang, J., Gu, J., Wang, X., Ji, C., Yu, D., Wang, M., Pan, J., Santos, H. A., Zhang, H., & Zhang, X. Engineering and targeting neutrophils for cancer therapy. Advanced Materials.

Zhang, J., Yu, D., Ji, C., Wang, M., Fu, M., Qian, Y., Zhang, X., Ji, R., Li, C., & Gu, J. Exosomal miR-4745-5p/3911 from N2-polarized tumor-associated neutrophils promotes gastric cancer metastasis by regulating SLIT2. Molecular Cancer.

Andrea Smidler | Gene Editing | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Andrea Smidler | Gene Editing | Best Researcher Award

University of California San Diego | United States

Dr. Andrea L. Smidler is an accomplished molecular entomologist and genetic engineer whose research focuses on innovative CRISPR-based tools for vector control, particularly in Anopheles gambiae, the primary malaria vector. According to her Scopus profile (Author ID: 36626227000), she has published 18 scientific documents, achieving an impressive h-index of 14 and accumulating over 2008 citations, reflecting her growing influence in genetic biocontrol research. Her recent high-impact works include “Engineering gene drive docking sites in a haplolethal locus in Anopheles gambiae” (Scientific Reports, 2025), “CRISPR technologies for the control and study of malaria-transmitting Anopheline mosquitoes” (Parasites and Vectors, 2025), and “Eliminating malaria vectors with precision guided sterile males” (PNAS, 2024). Through collaborations with leading scientists such as Omar Akbari, George Church, and Flaminia Catteruccia, Dr. Smidler has advanced CRISPR-mediated gene drive and sterilization systems that aim to eradicate malaria at its source. Her consistent publication record across top-tier journals—including Science, PNAS, and Cell—and her citation metrics underscore her pioneering contributions to synthetic biology, public health genetics, and entomological engineering. Dr. Smidler continues to be a key innovator in developing genetic solutions for vector-borne disease elimination.

Featured Publications

Smidler, A., Abernathy, D., Marrogi, E., Mameli, E., Akbari, O., Church, G., Esvelt, K., & Catteruccia, F. (2025, October 8). Engineering gene drive docking sites in a haplolethal locus in Anopheles gambiae. Scientific Reports.

Smidler, A., & Akbari, O. (2025, July 3). CRISPR technologies for the control and study of malaria-transmitting Anopheline mosquitoes. Parasites and Vectors.

Gendron, W. A. C., Raban, R., Mondal, A., Sánchez, C. H. M., Smidler, A., Zilberman, D., Ilboudo, P. G., D’Alessandro, U., Marshall, J. M., & Akbari, O. S. (2025, July 18). Evaluating the cost of malaria elimination by Anopheles gambiae precision guided SIT in the Upper River region, The Gambia. PLOS Global Public Health.

Smidler, A., Apte, R., Pai, J., Chow, M., Chen, S., Antoshechkin, I., & Akbari, O. (2024, June 25). Eliminating malaria vectors with precision guided sterile males. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Smidler, A., Marrogi, E., Kauffman, J., Paton, D., Westervelt, K., Church, G., Esvelt, K., Shaw, W., & Catteruccia, F. (2024, February 19). CRISPR-mediated germline knockouts for genetic sterilization of male Anopheles gambiae. Scientific Reports.

Abdallah Rajabu Makale | Life Sciences Innovation | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Abdallah Rajabu Makale | Life Sciences Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute (TARI) | Tanzania

Mr. Abdallah Rajabu Makale presents a strong academic and research background in Agronomy and Crop Science, though it does not include any recorded h-index, total documents count, or citation counts. From the document, he has seven (7) published research papers listed under the “Publications” section, which represent his total research documents. These publications span from 2017 to 2024, including journal articles in Heliyon, American Journal of Plant Science, Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, International Journal of Science and Research, and a TFCG Technical Paper. However, the CV does not provide any citation metrics or h-index data. His professional record includes progressive research positions at the Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute (TARI) – Naliendele, where he currently serves as Research Officer. He has been recognized with awards for “Best Researcher” and “Best Worker in Research Activities” reflecting excellence in agricultural research and community engagement. His expertise covers project proposal development, data analysis, and dissemination of agricultural innovations to stakeholders. Although citation analytics and h-index values are not provided, the documented evidence of research productivity, peer-reviewed publications, and sustained contribution to cashew and agronomy research demonstrates his growing scholarly impact within Tanzania’s agricultural research framework.

Featured Publications

Jeckoniah, J., Makale, A. R., Kabanza, A. R., Nguya, N., Amanzi, N., Uisso, A., & Doggart, N. (2024). Gender equality and social inclusion baseline analysis for the LONG FALLOWS project, Lindi Region, Tanzania. TFCG Technical Paper No. 52.

Makale, A. R., Mourice, S. K., & Kapinga, F. A. (2024). Assessment of farmers’ knowledge on the foliar fertilizer use for improved cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) productivity in south-eastern Tanzania. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 101092.

Mbasa, W. V., Kapinga, F. A., Nene, W. A., Makale, A. R., Ngiha, K. N., & Bashiru, R. A. (2024). Distribution, characterization, and chemical management of noxious shrub weed (Dichapetalum stuhlmannii Engl) in cashew in southeastern Tanzania. Heliyon, 10(7), e28207.

Makale, A. R., Nene, W. A., Kapinga, F. A., Kabanza, A. K., & Nassary, E. K. (2023). Effect of weeding methods and weeding time on flushing and flowering of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) in south-eastern Tanzania. Heliyon, 9(9), e20230909.

Makale, A. R., Mourice, S. K., & Kapinga, F. A. (2023). Spatial-temporal variability in under-canopy soil fertility and nutritional contents of cashew trees in Makonde Plateau of southeastern Tanzania. Heliyon, 9(11), e20231111.