Nicole Matejka | Oncology | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Nicole Matejka | Oncology | Best Researcher Award

University of the Bundeswehr Munich | Germany

Nicole Matejka is a biophysics researcher specializing in biomedical radiation physics and cellular imaging, with a strong publication record in cancer cell communication via tunneling nanotubes. Her research explores the mechanisms through which glioblastoma cells use nanotube-mediated networks to enhance radiation resistance and tumor progression. She has authored three peer-reviewed papers in Cells, Frontiers in Oncology, and Radiation Oncology, These publications include high-impact studies on α-particle radiation effects and live-cell microscopic characterization of intercellular networks. In total, her document count stands at 3 indexed papers, all as lead or co-author, reflecting a focused and productive research trajectory in cellular biophysics. Her findings have been presented at prestigious conferences, including the International Congress of Radiation Research and the German Society for Medical Physics, where she received multiple awards such as the Radiation Research Society Trainee Travel Award and the European Radiation Research Society Best Poster Award. Through rigorous experimentation and advanced imaging techniques, Matejka’s contributions significantly advance understanding of radiation-induced intercellular communication in cancer biology.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Matejka, N., Amarlou, A., Neubauer, J., Rudigkeit, S., & Reindl, J. High-resolution microscopic characterization of tunneling nanotubes in living U87 MG and LN229 glioblastoma cells. Cells, 13(5), 464

Rudigkeit, S., Matejka, N., Sammer, M., Walsh, D. W. M., Dollinger, G., & Reindl, J. Beam optimization of a heavy ion microbeam for targeted irradiation of mitochondria in human cells. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 549, 20–27

Matejka, N., & Reindl, J. Perspectives of cellular communication through tunneling nanotubes in cancer cells and the connection to radiation effects. Radiation Oncology,

Analisa Difeo | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

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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

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.