Meijing Piao | Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Life Science

Dr. Meijing Piao | Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Jeju National University | China

Dr. Meijing Piao is a Research Professor at Jeju National University’s Jeju Natural Medicine Research Center, specializing in the study of environmental pollutants such as fine particulate matter, ultraviolet radiation, and nanoparticles, focusing on their molecular mechanisms and oxidative stress–related effects on the human body. Her work also explores the physiological activities of natural products and their defense mechanisms against oxidative damage. She has authored 163 SCI-indexed publications, including 39 as first author and 124 as co-author, accumulating 4,985 citations according to Web of Science. Her research excellence has been recognized globally, ranking among the “Top 2% of Scientists in the World” by Stanford University and Elsevier. Two of her highly cited papers include one on silver nanoparticles’ cytotoxicity in human hepatocytes, cited 585 times, and another on the skin damage caused by ultrafine particulate matter, cited 271 times. Her research outcomes have also led to seven patent applications and substantial contributions to the field of environmental toxicology and natural product pharmacology. With 15 completed and one ongoing research project funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea, her work demonstrates strong continuity, impact, and innovation, significantly advancing knowledge in life science and toxicological research.

Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Piao, M. J., Kang, K. A., Lee, I. K., Kim, H. S., Kim, S., Choi, J. Y., Choi, J., & Hyun, J. W. (2011). Silver nanoparticles induce oxidative cell damage in human liver cells through inhibition of reduced glutathione and induction of mitochondria-involved apoptosis. Toxicology Letters, 201(1), 92–100.

Piao, M. J., Ahn, M. J., Kang, K. A., Ryu, Y. S., Hyun, Y. J., Shilnikova, K., Zhen, A. X., et al. (2018). Particulate matter 2.5 damages skin cells by inducing oxidative stress, subcellular organelle dysfunction, and apoptosis. Archives of Toxicology, 92(6), 2077–2091.

Zhang, R., Piao, M. J., Kim, K. C., Kim, A. D., Choi, J. Y., Choi, J., & Hyun, J. W. (2012). Endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling is involved in silver nanoparticles-induced apoptosis. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 44(1), 224–232.

Kim, K. C., Kang, K. A., Zhang, R., Piao, M. J., Kim, G. Y., Kang, M. Y., Lee, S. J., Lee, N. H., et al. (2010). Up-regulation of Nrf2-mediated heme oxygenase-1 expression by eckol, a phlorotannin compound, through activation of Erk and PI3K/Akt. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 42(2), 297–305.

Kang, K. A., Piao, M. J., Ryu, Y. S., Hyun, Y. J., Park, J. E., Shilnikova, K., Zhen, A. X., et al. (2017). Luteolin induces apoptotic cell death via antioxidant activity in human colon cancer cells. International Journal of Oncology, 51(4), 1169–1178.

Annamaria Biroccio | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Annamaria Biroccio | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute | Italy

Dr. Annamaria Biroccio, PhD (Microbiology, University of Messina) is a Senior Investigator at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRE-IFO), Rome, with over two decades of experience in cancer molecular biology and telomere research. Her work focuses on elucidating the mechanisms regulating telomere function and their implications in cancer progression, alongside developing pharmacological strategies targeting telomeres for anticancer therapy. She has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing over 115 peer-reviewed papers on telomere biology, DNA damage response, and targeted therapies. According to her CV, Dr. Biroccio holds an H-index of 44, reflecting substantial influence in the field, with more than 6124 citations across her publications. Her research leadership is underscored by principal investigator roles in major national and international grants, including AIRC, CNR, and EU FP7 programs. She is also co-owner of two patents related to telomere-targeting therapeutics for triple-negative breast cancer. In recognition of her contributions, she has received multiple awards such as the Mascia Brunelli Award and Young Investigator Award. Beyond research, Dr. Biroccio has significantly contributed to scientific training as a tutor for numerous national fellowship programs and serves on editorial boards of prominent cancer research journals

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Researcher ID 

Featured Publications

Dinami, R., Petti, E., Ostano, P., Iachettini, S., Rizzo, A., Maresca, C., Zizza, P., Di Vito, S., Porru, M., D’Angelo, C., Sibilio, P., De Nicola, F., Russo, R., Di Benedetto, A., Palange, A., Fanciulli, M., Chambery, A., Gilson, E., & Biroccio, A. (2025). Multi-omics analyses integration reveals a novel TRF2–miR-181a-5p–S100A10 regulatory axis in colon cancer. Cellular and Molecular Biology Letters, 30(1), 121.

Petti, E., Di Vito, S., Dinami, R., Porru, M., Marchesi, S., Lohuis, J., Zizza, P., Iachettini, S., Salvati, E., D’Angelo, C., Rizzo, A., Maresca, C., Ascione, F., Di Benedetto, A., Buglioni, S., Sacconi, A., Ostano, P., Li, Q., Stoppacciaro, A., Leonetti, C., van Rheenen, J., Maiuri, P., Scita, G., & Biroccio, A. (2025). TRF2 interaction with nuclear envelope is required for cell polarization and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Death & Disease, 16(1), 224.

Pirota, V., Iachettini, S., Platella, C., Zizza, P., Fracchioni, G., Di Vito, S., Carachino, A., Battistini, F., Orozco, M., Freccero, M., Biroccio, A., & Doria, F. (2025). Naphthalene diimide–naphthalimide dyads promote telomere damage by selectively targeting multimeric G-quadruplexes. Nucleic Acids Research, 53(7), gkaf301.

Russomanno, P., Zizza, P., Cerofolini, L., D’Aria, F., Iachettini, S., Di Vito, S., Amato, J., Fragai, M., Pagano, B., & Biroccio, A. (2025). Expanding the functions of KHSRP protein: Insights into DNA G-quadruplex binding. Advanced Science, 12(8), e2410086.

Pirota, V., Salvati, E., Risoldi, C., Manoli, F., Rizzo, A., Zizza, P., Biroccio, A., Freccero, M., & Manet, I. (2025). Core-extended naphthalene diimide dyads as light-up probes with targeted cytotoxicity toward tumor cells. Biomolecules, 15(2), 311.

Abate Yesigat Taye | Life Sciences Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Life Science

Dr. Abate Yesigat Taye | Life Sciences Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Hawassa University | Ethiopia

Dr. Abate Yesigat Taye, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Hawassa University, has demonstrated remarkable scholarly productivity and impact through his extensive research contributions. With an h-index of 1, 15 peer-reviewed publications, and over 220 citations, Dr. Abate’s work reflects consistent academic engagement in the fields of financial inclusion, gender and development, digital finance, and macroeconomic policy. His publications in reputed journals such as Diaspora Studies, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, and Advances in Agriculture highlight his expertise in econometric modeling, policy evaluation, and inclusive development strategies. Beyond publication output, Dr. Abate has served as principal investigator and consultant on numerous national and international projects, collaborating with government institutions, donor organizations, and academic partners to translate research into actionable policy. His leadership roles in academic coordination, curriculum development, and training programs further amplify his contribution to capacity building and socioeconomic advancement in Ethiopia. With strong quantitative research skills and an expanding citation footprint, Dr. Abate’s academic influence continues to grow, positioning him as a promising researcher whose future work is poised to contribute significantly to sustainable economic development and evidence-based policy innovation across Africa.

Featured Publications

Abebe, R., Yesigat, A., Afesha, N., Fedilu, A., Girma, M., Abayneh, Y., Welearegay, H., Mulatu, M., & Xiao, X. (2025). A cross‐sectional descriptive study on the challenges and prospects in livestock production and marketing in the pastoral areas: The case of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia. Advances in Agriculture, 2025(1), Article 5454471. https://doi.org/10.1155/aia/5454471

Bogale, M., Yesigat, A., Jibat, N., Hadis, S., & Tafese, T. (2024, December 18). How do governance conditions influence knowledge diaspora engagement in the development agenda of Ethiopia? Diaspora Studies. https://doi.org/10.1163/09763457-bja10131

Yesigat, A., & Awoke, W. (2024, November 9). Determinants of rural women economic empowerment: The case of Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 16(7), 929–939. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2024.2398295

Yesigat, A., Bogale, M., Jibat, N., Hadis, S., & Tafese, T. (2024, July 11). Needs and potentials of professional diaspora engagement in knowledge, skills and technology transfer in Ethiopia. Diaspora Studies, 17(1), 1–23.