Analisa Difeo | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Life Science

Dr. Analisa Difeo | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

University of Michigan | United States

Dr. Analisa Difeo’s extensive scientific portfolio demonstrates a robust record of impactful contributions to cancer biology, reflected in her h-index of 37, 84 documents, and 4693 citations. Her research primarily explores the molecular mechanisms driving ovarian and gynecological cancers, focusing on microRNA regulation, tumor stemness, and chemoresistance. She has authored and co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, including publications in leading journals such as Cancer Research, Nature Communications, Cancer Cell, Journal of Clinical Investigation, and Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. Her studies on miR-181a signaling, PP2A activation, and tumor immune response have provided innovative translational insights and laid the foundation for therapeutic strategies targeting ovarian cancer recurrence. Beyond her publications, Dr. Difeo has received multiple competitive research grants from the NIH, DoD, and major foundations, supporting her leadership in precision oncology. She also holds patents related to cancer biomarkers and therapeutic compositions, underscoring her commitment to clinical impact and innovation. With sustained funding, high citation impact, and significant scholarly output, her record establishes a strong foundation for leadership in translational cancer research and mentorship in molecular oncology

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Research Gate

Featured Publications

Avelar, R. A., Gupta, R., Carvette, G., da Veiga Leprevost, F., Colina, J., Teitel, J., Nesvizhskii, A., O’Connor, C., Hatzoglou, M., & Difeo, A. (2024, March 28). Integrated stress response plasticity governs normal cell adaptation to chronic stress via the PP2A–TFE3–ATF4 pathway [Preprint].

Lee, R. T., Yang, P., Alahmadi, A., McQuade, J., Yuan, E., Difeo, A., Narla, G., & Kaseb, A. (2021). Mistletoe extract Viscum Fraxini-2 for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A case series. Case Reports in Oncology, 14(2), 729–738.

Nagaraj, A. B., Knarr, M., Sekhar, S., Connor, R. S., Joseph, P., Kovalenko, O., Fleming, A., Surti, A., Nurmemmedov, E., Beltrame, L., et al. (2021). The miR-181a–SFRP4 axis regulates Wnt activation to drive stemness and platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. Cancer Research, 81(16), 4081–4095.

Huvila, J., Cochrane, D. R., Ta, M., Chow, C., Greening, K., Leung, S., Karnezis, A. N., Difeo, A., & Huntsman, D. G. (2021, November). STING pathway expression in low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary: An unexpected therapeutic opportunity? The Journal of Pathology: Clinical Research, 7(6), 537–547.

O’Connor, C. M., Leonard, D., Wiredja, D., Avelar, R. A., Wang, Z., Schlatzer, D., Bryson, B., Tokala, E., Taylor, S. E., Upadhyay, A., et al. (2020). Inactivation of PP2A by a recurrent mutation drives resistance to MEK inhibitors. Oncogene, 39(9), 1832–1847

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.