Karel Saksl | Material science | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karel Saksl | Material science | Best Researcher Award

Dean of the faculty | Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling Technical university of Kosice | Slovakia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karel Saksl is a leading Slovak materials scientist with over two decades of pioneering research and academic leadership in advanced materials engineering. Since 2021, he has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling at the Technical University of Košice, Slovakia, where he directs strategic research initiatives in sustainable materials and hydrogen technologies. Concurrently, since 1997, he has been a leading scientist at the Institute of Materials Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, where his work focuses on the design, synthesis, and structural analysis of biodegradable materials, thermoelectric materials, Li-ion battery components, and metallic alloys for hydrogen storage. His earlier international experience includes postdoctoral research at HASYLAB, DESY Hamburg, investigating highly disordered materials under extreme conditions, and at the Technical University of Denmark (2001), where he developed amorphous and quasicrystalline materials under nonequilibrium conditions. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Saksl has authored over 169 papers with 2,402 citations and an H-index of 25. His scientific leadership extends to European XFEL governance and numerous national and EU research projects, reflecting his commitment to advancing materials science for energy, environment, and biomedical applications.

Featured Publication 

Saksl, K., Kočiško, R., Petroušek, P., Matvija, M., Fujda, M., Csík, D., Molčanová, Z., Ballóková, B., Cuperová, I., & Gáborová, K. et al. (2025). Room-temperature superplasticity in a biodegradable Zn-0.1Mg alloy. Metals.

Mihok, F., Gáborová, K., Puchý, V., & Saksl, K. (2025). Accessible thermoelectric characterization: Development and validation of two modular room temperature measurement instruments. Inorganics.

Hodorová, M., Csík, D., Fedoročková, A., Gáborová, K., Džunda, R., Sučik, G., Kromka, F., & Saksl, K. (2025). High-entropy perovskite La(Co0.2Mn0.2Fe0.2Ni0.2Cu0.2)O3 as a material for lithium-ion batteries. Applied Sciences.

Ueda, T., Yoshida, S., Dangwal, S., Gondek, Ł., Fukami, K., Kučerová, L., Saksl, K., Edalati, K., & Tsuji, N. (2025). Effect of lattice defects on hydrogen storage properties of HfNbTiZr medium entropy alloy. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

Kočiško, R., Milkovič, O., Petroušek, P., Sučik, G., Csík, D., Saksl, K., Petryshynets, I., Kovaľ, K., & Diko, P. (2025). Microstructural and mechanical characterization of Co-free AlxTixCrFe2Ni high-entropy alloys. Metals.

Cuperová, I., Fujda, M., Kočiško, R., Petroušek, P., Molčanová, Z., Matvija, M., Džunda, R., Ballóková, B., Csík, D., & Gáborová, K. et al. (2025). Significant enhancement of strength and ductility in bioresorbable Zn–0.1Mg alloy via ECAP processing. Inorganics.

Hengheng Xia | Energy Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Hengheng Xia | Energy Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

R&D Director | National Engineering Research Center for Supercapacitor for Vechicles, Shanghai Aowei Technology Development Co, Ltd | China

Dr. Hengheng Xia  is a distinguished Senior Engineer and R&D Director at the National Engineering Research Center for Supercapacitor for Vehicles, Shanghai Aowei Technology Development Co., Ltd., with over a decade of experience advancing energy storage technologies. His research focuses on the design, optimization, and commercialization of supercapacitors, high-power lithium/sodium-ion batteries, and high-performance electrolytes. Over the years, he has made substantial contributions to the field, authoring 16 scientific papers published in SCI and Chinese core journals, with 64 citations across 64 documents, 7 indexed publications, and an h-index of 3. His expertise extends beyond academic research into innovation and standardization, as evidenced by 46 patent applications, active participation in drafting 3 technical standards, and co-authoring 2 professional monographs that contribute to industrial and academic knowledge exchange. Among his representative works, his featured publication “Quasi-commercial pouch sodium-ion battery capacitors achieve extended high-power cyclability through activated carbon hybrid cathode design with presodiation-free anodes” highlights his pioneering efforts in developing practical sodium-ion capacitor systems with enhanced cyclability and energy efficiency. Other notable studies explore the optimization of organic electrolytes in Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors and the functionalization of carbon nanotubes for improved electrochemical activity. Through his innovative research and leadership, Dr. Hengheng Xia has played a pivotal role in bridging materials science and industrial application, driving forward China’s progress in sustainable and high-performance energy storage technologies.

Profile : Scopus | Research Gate

Featured Publication

Xia, H., [Other authors if available]. (2024). Optimization of mass matching and organic electrolytes for Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors based on LiMn₂O₄ cathode and AC anode with commercial-level mass loading. Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry.

Percy Moyaba | Entomology | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Percy Moyaba | Entomology | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research | South Africa

Mr. Percy Moyaba is a dedicated researcher at the Agricultural Research Council–Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR), specializing in insects of veterinary importance, particularly Stomoxys and tsetse flies, which serve as mechanical and biological vectors of Trypanosoma parasites. His research focuses on vector ecology, molecular detection of trypanosomes, and radiation biology of tsetse flies. He has contributed to several national and international research projects, co-authoring multiple high-impact scientific papers on tsetse fly distribution, endosymbionts, and control strategies in northeastern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Mr. Percy Moyaba has presented his findings at prominent scientific gatherings, including the International Conference on Entomology in Kyoto, the PARSA Congress, and the South African Veterinary and Paraveterinary Congress. His academic background includes advanced degrees in Environmental Sciences with a specialization in Integrated Pest Management, and he is currently completing his Ph.D. at North-West University.

Profile : ORCID | Research Gate

Featured Publication

Moyaba, P., Modise, S. A., Esterhuizen, J., Suganuma, K., Inoue, N., Thekisoe, O., & Taioe, M. O. (2025). Stomoxys species richness and apparent densities at different land-use setups in North-Eastern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Insects, 16(10), 1049.

Moyaba, P. (2021). Prevalence of Trypanosoma and Sodalis in wild populations of tsetse flies: Impact on SIT programmes for tsetse eradication (Preprint).

Moyaba, P. (2021). A distribution model for Glossina brevipalpis and Glossina austeni in Southern Mozambique, Eswatini, and South Africa for enhanced area-wide integrated pest management approaches. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 15(11), e0009989.

Moyaba, P. (2020). Gamma irradiation and male Glossina austeni mating performance. Insects, 11(8), 522.

Moyaba, P. (2017). Evaluation of radiation sensitivity and mating performance of Glossina brevipalpis males. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 11(3), e0005473.

 

Malin Kugele | Microbeam Radiotherapy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Malin Kugele | Microbeam Radiotherapy | Best Researcher Award

Clinic and Polyclinic for Radiotherapy |  Rostock University | Germany

Dr. Malin Kugele is a distinguished Medical Physicist and researcher at the Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, and a research project participant at the Department of Medical Radiation Physics, Lund University, Sweden. She earned her Ph.D. in Medical Radiation Physics from Lund University, following her Hospital Physicist Degree. Her doctoral thesis, Surface Guided Radiotherapy, explored innovations in real-time surface imaging systems to enhance patient positioning accuracy and treatment precision in modern radiotherapy. Dr. Malin Kugele ’s research focuses on surface-guided radiotherapy, motion management, deep inspiration breath hold, and FLASH radiotherapy, contributing significantly to improving clinical accuracy and patient safety. She has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Radiotherapy and Oncology, Medical Physics, and Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, accumulating an h-index of 11 and over 545 citations. Dr. Malin Kugele has served on key international committees, including the ESTRO-ACROP guideline writing group for SGRT and the AAPM Task Group 302, and currently chairs the Swedish National Guidelines for Breathing Adapted Radiotherapy. She is also active in postgraduate supervision and international scientific outreach, frequently invited to lecture at major conferences including ESTRO, ASTRO, and AIFM. Her work continues to advance the field of precision radiotherapy through technological innovation, clinical application, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Profile : ORCID | Google Scholar | Research Gate

Featured Publication

Kügele, M., Mannerberg, A., Nørring Bekke, S., Alkner, S., Berg, L., Mahmood, F., Thornberg, C., Edvardsson, A., Bäck, S. Å. J., Behrens, C. F., & Ceberg, S. (2019). Surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT) improves breast cancer patient setup accuracy. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 20(12), 61–68.

Freislederer, P., Batista, V., Öllers, M., Buschmann, M., Steiner, E., Kügele, M., et al. (2022). ESTRO-ACROP guideline on surface guided radiation therapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 173, 188–196.

Mannerberg, A., Kügele, M., Hamid, S., Edvardsson, A., Petersson, K., Gunnlaugsson, A., Bäck, S. Å. J., Engelholm, S., & Ceberg, S. (2021). Faster and more accurate patient positioning with surface guided radiotherapy for ultrahypofractionated prostate cancer patients. Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 19, 41–45.

Ebru Dengiz Ozcan | Cement and Concrete Sector | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Ebru Dengiz Ozcan | Cement and Concrete Sector | Women Researcher Award

Istanbul | Istanbul Technical University | Turkey

Dr. Ebru Dengiz Ozcan is an accomplished professional with over 18 years of experience in the concrete, cement, and construction chemicals sector. Based in Turkey, she has built a distinguished career bridging technical expertise and managerial leadership across multiple roles in Istanbul’s construction industry. Dr. Ebru Dengiz Ozcan earned her Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from Istanbul Technical University  in May 2025, where her doctoral research focused on cement grinding chemicals and their industrial applications. She also holds both a Master’s (2007–2009) and Bachelor’s degree (2002–2006) from Kütahya Dumlupınar University, following her secondary education at Samsun Anadolu Lisesi and Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in the United States. Throughout her career, she has served as Quality Control Manager at Karaman Beton San. ve Tic. A.Ş., overseeing concrete recipe design, laboratory operations, and technical compliance; and as Sales Manager at Molekül Yapı Kimyasalları, Pascal Yapı Kimyasalları, and Chryso Kat Katkı Malz., where she specialized in concrete and cement chemical admixtures, providing technical and commercial support to concrete plants and cement factories. Dr. Ebru Dengiz Ozcan’s expertise spans quality assurance, concrete technology, product development, and regional sales management. Having relocated to her hometown of Samsun to support her family’s educational environment, she now seeks to contribute her deep technical knowledge and industry experience to leading organizations in the region, fostering innovation and sustainable development in the concrete and cement sectors.

Profile : ORCID | Research Gate

Featured Publication 

Özcan, E. D. (2025). Optimization of cement grinding chemicals for performance and sustainability in concrete production (Doctoral dissertation, Istanbul Technical University).

 

Valeriia Lebedeva | Triple-Negative Breast Cancer | Best Review Paper Award

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Ms. Valeriia Lebedeva | Triple-Negative Breast Cancer | Best Review Paper Award

Miltenyi Biotec | Germany

Ms. Valeriia Lebedeva is a young biomedical researcher specializing in translational medical research, immunology, and cell therapy. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Translational Medical Research at Heidelberg University, Germany (2022–present), where her thesis focuses on optimizing CAR T-cell therapy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics with a specialization in Medical Physics and Bioinformatics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Russia (2018–2022), where she developed her thesis on optimizing anti-CD19 CAR genetic constructs. Ms. Valeriia Lebedeva has gained valuable research experience through positions at Miltenyi Biotec and the National Research Center for Hematology, with prior internships in cell signaling and molecular immunology. Her research skills include flow cytometry, cell culturing, PCR, Western blotting, and bioinformatics using Python and R. She has presented at multiple international conferences and was awarded a Gold Medal at iGEM 2021. Ms. Valeriia Lebedeva has two peer-reviewed publications and has been cited once, holding an h-index of 1.

Profile : Scopus | ORCID | Research Gate

Featured Publication

Minin, A., Lebedeva, V., et al. (2022). Novel cost-efficient protein-membrane based system for cells co-cultivation and modeling the intercellular communication. Biotechnology and Bioengineering.

Trunin, A. O., Lebedeva, V., et al. (2021). Organizational and managerial decisions to combat the spread of COVID-19. Vrach (Doctor), 32(7).

Luis Alberto San José Manso | Bladder cancer Best Review Paper Award

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Dr. Luis Alberto San José Manso | Bladder cancer | Best Review Paper Award

Section Head | La Princesa University Hospital | Spain

Dr. Luis Alberto San José Manso is a distinguished Spanish urologist currently serving as the Acting Head of the Urology Department at Hospital Universitario de La Princesa in Madrid, Spain. With over two decades of professional experience, he has significantly contributed to the advancement of uro-oncology, particularly in prostate cancer research and management. Dr. Luis Alberto San José Manso earned his medical degree from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1997 and later specialized through postgraduate training in Uro-oncology at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (2017) and in Advanced Prostate Cancer at the University of Salamanca (2019). He further enhanced his expertise in healthcare administration by completing dual master’s degrees in Clinical Management and Medical Quality at Tech Universidad Tecnológica in 2023. As a clinical researcher and co-investigator in numerous international phase II and III oncology trials, he has collaborated on multidisciplinary projects focused on biomarkers, immunotherapy, and translational urology. Dr. Luis Alberto San José Manso also serves as a mentor for urology residents and an active member of the La Princesa Health Research Institute (IIS). His scholarly work spans more than 30 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Urology, The Journal of Urology, and Frontiers in Immunology.

Profile : Scopus | Research Gate 

Featured Publication

  • Sánchez Ramírez, A., Calleja Hermosa, P., Viegas Madrid, V., López-Fando Lavalle, L., & San José Manso, L. A. (2023). Artificial urinary sphincter for neurogenic bladder: A vesicovaginal approach. Urogynecology, 29(8), 696.

  • Méndez Carrascosa, E., Vera, E. C., Aldave, D., Romero Laorden, N., & San José Manso, L. A. (2022). Feasibility of multidisciplinary translational CAPRICE project: Study protocol and workflow. Annals of Oncology, 33(suppl_8), S1383–S1430.

  • Zapatero Laborda, A., Roch, M., Castro Tejero, P., Murillo, M. T., & San José Manso, L. A. (2021). MRI-guided focal boost to dominant intraprostatic lesion using volumetric modulated arc therapy in prostate cancer: Results of a phase II trial. British Journal of Radiology, 95(1131).

  • Romero Laorden, N., Zapatero, A., San José Manso, L., Lozano Mejorada, R., Pacheco, M. I., Rivera, L., & Colomer, R. (2018). “PRIME Study”: Searching for immune biomarkers in advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients treated with standard therapy. Annals of Oncology, 29, vi19–vi20.

  • Brime Menéndez, R., San José Manso, L. A., López Farré, A., & Olivier Gómez, C. (2011). Effect of vardenafil treatment in the plasma proteome of patients with erectile dysfunction and diabetes mellitus. Urology, 78(3), S77–S78.

Abdelhalim Trabelsi | Vaccinology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Abdelhalim Trabelsi | Vaccinology | Best Researcher Award

Head of Microbiology Department | University Hospital Sahloul Sousse | Tunisia

Prof. Abdelhalim Trabelsi is a distinguished Tunisian microbiologist and virologist whose career has significantly advanced viral disease surveillance and molecular epidemiology in Africa. He earned his Pharm.D. from the University of Monastir (1984), a National Diploma in Medical Biology from the University of Tunisia (1989), and a Diploma in Medical Virology from the Institut Pasteur of Paris (1992). Over the past three decades, he has held several leadership roles, including Director of the Microbiology Department at the University of Monastir, Head of the Virology Unit at Farhat Hached University Hospital, and Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir. As a WHO adviser and member of the African Rotavirus Network, Prof. Abdelhalim Trabelsi has contributed to major public health programs focused on rotavirus surveillance, molecular typing, and vaccine preparedness across Africa. His prolific research includes 59 publications, with 872 citations across 741 documents and an h-index of 17, reflecting his lasting impact on virology and infectious disease research. His recent studies explore SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity, rotavirus molecular evolution, and adenovirus epidemiology, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to translational virology and global health improvement.

Profile : Scopus |Research Gate  

Featured Publication

Trabelsi, A., et al. (1995). Evaluation of an enterovirus group-specific anti-VP1 monoclonal antibody in comparison with neutralization and PCR for rapid identification of enteroviruses in cell culture. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 33, 2454–2457.

Trabelsi, A., et al. (2000). Distribution of rotavirus VP7 serotypes and VP4 genotypes circulating in Sousse, Tunisia, from 1995 to 1999. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 38(9), 3415–3419.

Moussa, A., Bennour, H., Fodha, I., Ben Hamida-Rebaï, M., & Trabelsi, A. (2016). Distribution of rotavirus VP7 and VP4 genotypes circulating in Tunisia from 2009 to 2014: Emergence of the genotype G12. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 65, 1–8.

Ben Hadj Fredj, M., Heylen, E., Zeller, M., Fodha, I., Matthijnssens, J., & Trabelsi, A. (2013). Feline origin of rotavirus strain, Tunisia, 2008. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 19, 630–634.

Ben Ahmed, M., Bellali, H., Gdoura, M., Zamali, I., & Trabelsi, A. (2022). Humoral and cellular immunogenicity of six different vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in adults: A comparative study in Tunisia. Vaccines, 10, 1189

Andrea Akkawi | Transcription | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Andrea Akkawi  | Transcription | Young Scientist Award

PhD | Centre National de la Recherche scientifique | France

Mr. Andrea Akkawi is a dedicated researcher in molecular and cellular biology, currently holding an individual ANRS fellowship at the Institut de Génétique Humaine, UMR 9002, Montpellier, in the Gene Regulation team led by R. Kiernan (DR1 CNRS). Her work focuses on elucidating the role of PAXT complex proteins in controlling the abundance and polyadenylation of PROMPT non-coding RNAs and their broader influence on gene regulation. She earned her PhD in Biology and Health (2017–2020) under the supervision of M. Mougel (DR2 CNRS, HDR) and S. Laine (MCU UM) at the Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier, where she investigated the accessory P50 protein of Murine Leukemia Virus in viral replication, cell transformation, and RNA export. Mr. Andrea Akkawi holds a Master’s degree in Functional Genomics and Proteomics from Université Saint Joseph, Beirut (2014–2016), where she studied antibiotic resistance mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a Bachelor’s in Laboratory Medical Sciences (2011–2014). She has over 49 scholarly documents with 50 citations, an h-index of 4, and her work has appeared in journals including Nature Communications, Retrovirology, and BMC Biology. Mr. Andrea Akkawi is also experienced in student mentorship, ATAC-seq and sRNA-seq techniques, and has participated in several international conferences.

Profile : Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publication 

  • Contreras, X., Depierre, D., Akkawi, C., Srbic, M., Helsmoortel, M., Nogaret, M., LeHars, M., Salifou, K., Heurteau, A., Cuvier, O., & Kiernan, R. (2023). PAP associates with PAXT nuclear exosome to control the stability of PROMPT ncRNAs. Nature Communications, 14, 6745.

  • Akkawi, C., Feuillard, J., Diaz, F. L., Godefroy, N., Belkhir, K., Mougel, M., & Laine, S. (2023). Murine leukemia virus (MLV) P50 protein induces cell transformation via transcriptional regulatory function. Retrovirology, 20, 16.

  • Grasso, G., Akkawi, C., Franckhauser, C., Nait-Saidi, R., Bello, M., Barbier, J., & Kiernan, R. (2022). NF90 interacts with components of RISC and modulates association of Ago2 with mRNA. BMC Biology, 20, 194.

  • Zhao, W., Akkawi, C., Mougel, M., & Ross, S. R. (2020). Murine leukemia virus P50 protein counteracts APOBEC3 by blocking its packaging. Journal of Virology, 94, e00032-20.

  • Mougel, M., Akkawi, C., Chamontin, C., Feuillard, J., Pessel-Vivares, L., Socol, M., & Laine, S. (2020). NXF1 and CRM1 nuclear export pathways orchestrate nuclear export, translation and packaging of murine leukemia retrovirus unspliced RNA. RNA Biology, 17, 528–538.

Liwei Tian | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Liwei Tian | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dean | Guangdong University of Science and Technology | China

Prof. Liwei Tian is a distinguished professor and accomplished researcher specializing in computer science and intelligent systems. He holds a Ph.D. and serves as the Assistant to the President and Dean of the School of Computer Science at Guangdong University of Science and Technology. He is a senior network planning designer, senior information system project manager, and master’s supervisor at South China Normal University. Prof. Liwei Tian is a senior member of the China Computer Federation, vice chairman of its Dongguan branch, and an active member of several national committees, including the Intelligent Simulation Optimization and Scheduling Committee and the Discrete and Intelligent Computing Committee. He directs multiple key laboratories and research centers, such as the Kunpeng+ Intelligent Manufacturing Key Laboratory and the AIOT Edge Computing Engineering Technology Research Center. With 61 publications, 152 citations from 149 documents, and an h-index of 5, his research contributions span artificial intelligence, IoT, and intelligent manufacturing. Prof. Liwei Tian has led major provincial research projects and earned several prestigious awards, including the Huaxia High-tech Industry Innovation Award and multiple Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Awards. He has also authored and co-edited four textbooks and holds two software copyrights.

Profile : Scopus | Research Gate

Featured Publication 

  • Tian, L. (2023). Research on Intelligent Manufacturing Based on AI and IoT Integration. Journal of Intelligent Systems, 32(4), 567–578.

  • Tian, L., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Optimization of Edge Computing for Industrial IoT Applications. IEEE Access, 10, 11845–11856.

  • Tian, L. (2021). Simulation and Scheduling in Smart Factories: A Machine Learning Approach. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 156, 107295.