John Dundon | Medicine and Dentistry | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. John Dundon | Medicine and Dentistry | Research Excellence Award 

Orthopedic Research Institute of New Jersey | United States

Dr. John M. Dundon is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and clinician–scientist with a distinguished research profile focused on adult reconstruction, total hip and knee arthroplasty, surgical innovation, and value-based orthopedic care. As a Full Partner at Tri-County Orthopedics and previously at the Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey, Dr. Dundon combines high-volume clinical practice with impactful academic research aimed at improving surgical precision, patient outcomes, and healthcare efficiency in joint replacement surgery. A central theme of Dr. Dundon’s research is the optimization of total joint arthroplasty through advanced technologies, including computer-assisted navigation, imageless systems, and smart implants. His work has demonstrated that navigation-assisted techniques significantly improve component positioning accuracy in complex primary and revision total hip arthroplasty, directly contributing to reduced complications, improved biomechanics, and better long-term implant survival. He has also explored objective gait analysis using smart implants, showing how real-time data can guide early postoperative interventions and enhance functional recovery following total knee arthroplasty. Dr. Dundon has made notable contributions to perioperative care pathways and health systems research. His studies on multimodal pain management protocols have shown that opioid use, patient-controlled analgesia, and femoral nerve blocks can be safely reduced or eliminated without compromising patient comfort, aligning surgical practice with modern opioid-sparing strategies. Additionally, his work on bundled payment models and quality metrics has provided evidence that structured care initiatives can significantly improve outcomes while reducing readmissions and healthcare costs. The development of the Readmission Risk Assessment Tool (RRAT) further highlights his commitment to predictive analytics and patient optimization in arthroplasty. His research portfolio also addresses implant biomechanics, tribocorrosion, femoral stem sizing, leg-length discrepancy correction, and postoperative imaging utilization, reflecting a comprehensive approach to both technical and clinical challenges in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Dundon has authored influential review articles and textbook chapters, including contributions to Orthopedic Knowledge Update and The Adult Hip, which serve as key references for practicing surgeons and trainees worldwide. With an extensive record of peer-reviewed publications, national and international presentations, and leadership roles within major orthopedic societies such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Dr. Dundon is widely recognized for bridging evidence-based research and clinical excellence. His research profile reflects sustained innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a clear commitment to advancing the safety, effectiveness, and value of modern joint replacement surgery.

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Featured Publications

Shuying Shen | Health Professions | Excellence in Innovation Award

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Prof. Shuying Shen | Health Professions | Excellence in Innovation Award 

 Zhejiang University | China

Dr. Shuying Shen is a distinguished research fellow at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated with the Medical College of Zhejiang University, where she has established a strong research presence in musculoskeletal biology, molecular regulation, and osteoarthritis pathology. She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2017 and her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Bioscience in 2012, both from Zhejiang University. Dr. Shen’s research has been continuously supported by major competitive grants, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China Excellent Young Scholars Fund, multiple NSFC General Programs, and the Zhejiang Provincial Outstanding Youth Project. Her funded projects focus on elucidating mechanisms of protein post-translational modification, chondrocyte aging, metabolic reprogramming in osteosarcoma, and non-classical regulatory pathways in chondrocyte physiology, reflecting her deep engagement with both degenerative diseases and cancer biology. Dr. Shen has made influential contributions to the understanding of noncoding RNA functions in osteoarthritis progression, osteosarcoma development and metastasis, and organ size regulation. Her work reveals how circular RNAs, microRNAs, and RNA–protein interactions shape cellular senescence, lipid metabolism, autophagy, and energy homeostasis. She has also advanced knowledge on the interplay between metabolic remodeling and epigenetic regulation in cartilage degeneration. Her publications demonstrate innovative approaches combining molecular biology, functional genomics, epigenetics, and translational models to uncover therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, and malignancies. Dr. Shen has published 87 peer-reviewed papers, including 50 as first or corresponding author, in top-tier journals such as Nature Aging, Science Translational Medicine, Cell Research, Nature Communications, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, PNAS, Advanced Science, Molecular Cancer, Bone Research, and Molecular Therapy. Her research has been cited more than 3,000 times, and she holds an H-index of 37, underscoring her strong scientific influence. Through her pioneering discoveries—such as the regulation of chondrocyte senescence by palmitoylation, the role of fatty acid oxidation in osteoarthritis, circRNA-mediated metabolic control, and noncoding RNA networks in osteosarcoma—Dr. Shen has significantly advanced the field of musculoskeletal molecular medicine. Her long-term research goal is to develop novel diagnostic markers and targeted therapies for osteoarthritis and related degenerative diseases through a deeper understanding of RNA regulation, protein modifications, and metabolic homeostasis.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Wang, K., He, W., Gong, Z., Gao, J., Gao, T., Pan, N., Wu, D., Yang, Y., Li, Z., Zhao, X., Ji, M., & Shen, S. Y. (2025). ZDHHC11-mediated palmitoylation alleviates chondrocyte senescence and serves as a therapeutic target for osteoarthritis. Nature Aging.

Mei, Z., Yilamu, K., Ni, W., Shen, P., Pan, N., Chen, H., Su, Y., Guo, L., Sun, Q., Li, Z., Huang, D., Fang, X., Fan, S., Zhang, H., & Shen, S. Y. (2025). Chondrocyte fatty acid oxidation drives osteoarthritis via SOX9 degradation and epigenetic regulation. Nature Communications, 16(1), 4892.

Gong, Z., Zhu, J., Chen, J., Feng, F., Zhang, H., Zhang, Z., Song, C., Liang, K., Yang, S., Fan, S., Fang, X., & Shen, S. Y. (2023). CircRREB1 mediates lipid metabolism–related senescent phenotypes in chondrocytes through FASN post-translational modifications. Nature Communications, 14(1), 5242.

Li, Z., Zhang, W., Wei, X. Y., Hu, J. Z., Hu, X., Liu, H., Lu, J., Shen, S. Y., & Ji, M. L. (2025). TRIM15 drives chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression. Science Translational Medicine, 17(791), eadq1735.

Shen, S. Y., Guo, X. C., Yan, H., Lu, Y., Ji, X. Y., Li, L., Liang, T. B., Zhou, D. W., Zhao, J. C., Yu, J. D., Gong, X. G., Zhang, L., & Zhao, B. (2015). A miR-130a–YAP positive feedback loop promotes organ size and tumorigenesis. Cell Research, 25(9), 997–1012.

Shen, S. Y., Wu, Y. Z., Chen, J. X., Xie, Z., Huang, K. M., Wang, G. L., Yang, Y. T., Ni, W. Y., Chen, Z. J., Shi, P. H., Ma, Y., & Fan, S. W. (2019). CircSERPINE2 protects against osteoarthritis by targeting miR-1271 and ETS-related gene. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 78(6), 826–836.

Shen, S. Y., Yang, Y. T., Shen, P. Y., Ma, J., Fang, B., Wang, Q. X., Wang, K. F., Shi, P. H., Fan, S. W., & Fang, X. Q. (2021). circPDE4B prevents articular cartilage degeneration and promotes repair by acting as a scaffold for RIC8A and MID1. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 80(9), 1209–1219.

Shen, S. Y., Liang, Y., Zhao, Y., Hu, Z., Huang, Y., Wu, Y., Liu, Y., Fan, S., Wang, Q., & Xiao, P. (2024). Dietary supplementation of vitamin B1 prevents the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(30), e2408160121.

Farrah Liu | Lymphatics | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Farrah Liu | Lymphatics | Best Researcher Award

Stanford University , United States

Profile

google scholar

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Farrah C. Liu began her academic journey with distinction, graduating as the Valedictorian of Montville Township High School among a class of approximately 350 students. Her early promise was recognized through accolades such as the National Merit Scholarship Award (2012). She continued to excel academically at The College of New Jersey, where she was enrolled in a prestigious 7-year BS/MD program in partnership with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. During this period, Farrah was honored with Phi Beta Kappa membership and consistently made the Dean’s List, underscoring her intellectual rigor. She broadened her academic horizons with a study abroad program at the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spring 2015, gaining international perspective and enriching her academic versatility.

🩺 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Liu’s medical training commenced at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where she earned her MD in 2019. Her medical education was marked by scholarly excellence, earning her recognition such as the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society induction and multiple merit-based scholarships. She began her postgraduate clinical training as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident at Stanford University School of Medicine in 2019. Her residency, which spans from 2019 to 2025, places her at the forefront of one of the most competitive and technically demanding specialties in medicine. Dr. Liu’s training is backed by active California medical licensure and DEA certification.

🧪 Contributions and Research Focus

Farrah C. Liu’s contributions to academic medicine began even before her residency. As a Research Fellow at Columbia University Medical Center in 2015, she worked under the mentorship of Dr. Kenneth P. Olive, Ph.D., at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research interests have remained robust, evidenced by multiple awards recognizing her scientific contributions. These include the Best Paper Award at the 2024 Mount Sinai DIEPDive, and the Stanford Plastic Surgery Thuss Research Award. Her scholarly work has also been featured on the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal Club Podcast in 2021, an acknowledgment of the clinical relevance and quality of her research.

🌟 Impact and Influence

Farrah’s growing influence in the field of plastic surgery is evident through her numerous leadership and advocacy recognitions. She was named an ASPS Advocacy Summit Future Leader Scholar in 2023 and served as a Stanford Troxel Fellow and a PlastyPAC Leader from 2022 to 2023. She also excelled in national forums, earning the Top Individual Score in the ASPS Residents Bowl (2023). These achievements reflect her ability to synthesize clinical acumen with advocacy and innovation, actively shaping the future of her specialty.

📚 Academic Cites and Recognition

Throughout her career, Dr. Liu has received honors for both research and leadership. She is a recipient of the Alpha Omega Alpha Research Recognition Award (2019), highlighting the academic value of her contributions. Her research poster earned Best Research Poster at the New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons Meeting (2018), and her undergraduate and medical studies were supported by multiple scholarships, including the Sylvia and David Schwab Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the Joseph and Marguerite DiSepio Scholarship. Her memberships in honor societies such as Alpha Epsilon Lambda and Phi Beta Kappa further confirm her scholarly achievements.

💻 Technical Skills

Dr. Liu’s work in high-level surgical and academic environments has equipped her with advanced technical and clinical skills, particularly in plastic and reconstructive surgical techniques. Although not explicitly listed, her success in competitive surgical environments and featured podcast articles suggest proficiency in medical writing, surgical planning, data analysis, and potentially research tools such as statistical software, imaging platforms, and academic databases.

👩‍🏫 Teaching and Mentorship Experience

While formal teaching roles are not explicitly listed, Farrah's leadership roles—such as Vice President of Interprofessional Communications in Alpha Epsilon Lambda and her repeated participation in resident summits—suggest active involvement in mentorship, education, and peer training. Her participation in Leadership Education in Advancing Diversity (LEAD) Scholar Program (2022-2023) further supports her role in fostering inclusive learning environments and training the next generation of healthcare professionals.

🧬 Legacy and Future Contributions

Farrah C. Liu’s trajectory reflects a deep commitment to clinical excellence, academic scholarship, and medical leadership. Her work in plastic and reconstructive surgery is likely to influence both clinical practice and future research innovations. With continued dedication, she is poised to become a transformative leader—especially in merging surgical innovation with diversity-focused leadership and patient advocacy. Her legacy will likely span multiple domains: groundbreaking surgical techniques, impactful mentorship, and pioneering research that elevates patient care outcomes.

📚 Selected Publications

Title: Facial fractures as a result of falls in the elderly: concomitant injuries and management strategies
Authors: FC Liu, JN Halsey, NC Oleck, ES Lee, MS Granick
Journal: Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction
Year: 2019

Title: Traumatic falls in the pediatric population: facial fracture patterns observed in a leading cause of childhood injury
Authors: NC Oleck, AA Dobitsch, FC Liu, JN Halsey, TMT Le, IC Hoppe, ES Lee, MS Granick
Journal: Annals of Plastic Surgery
Year: 2019

Title: Sports-related pediatric facial trauma: analysis of facial fracture pattern and concomitant injuries
Authors: AA Dobitsch, NC Oleck, FC Liu, JN Halsey, IC Hoppe, ES Lee, MS Granick
Journal: The Surgery Journal
Year: 2019

Title: Motor vehicle collision injuries: An analysis of facial fractures in the urban pediatric population
Authors: TMT Le, NC Oleck, FC Liu, JN Halsey, IC Hoppe, ES Lee, MS Granick
Journal: Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
Year: 2020

Title: Implications of facial fracture in airway management of the adult population: what is the most effective management strategy?
Authors: TMT Le, NC Oleck, W Khan, JN Halsey, FC Liu, IC Hoppe, ES Lee, MS Granick
Journal: Annals of Plastic Surgery
Year: 2019

Prof. Abdolkarim Sheikhi | Vaccine | Best Innovation Award

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Prof. Abdolkarim Sheikhi | Vaccine | Best Innovation Award

Queens University, Canada.

Abdolkarim Sheikhi is an Iranian immunologist and professor at Dezful University of Medical Sciences. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, he has made significant contributions to the field of immunology, particularly in NK cell activity, immune responses, and molecular immunology. He has held key academic positions, supervised numerous research projects, and has been actively involved in establishing laboratories and clinical centers. His expertise extends to advanced immunological techniques, teaching, and scientific society memberships.

Profile

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🎓 Education

Abdolkarim Sheikhi earned his B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Shahid Chamran University, Iran (1985–1989), followed by an M.Sc. in Medical Immunology from Tarbiat Modarres University, Iran (1989–1992), where he researched Natural Killer (NK) activity assays in cancerous patients and normal individuals. He then completed his Ph.D. in Medical Immunology at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran (1996–2002), focusing on the influence of soluble HLA molecules on NK cells, particularly their quantity and role in malignant peritoneal and pleural effusions, shedding light on immune interactions in cancer progression.

💼 Experience

Professor Abdolkarim Sheikhi has had a distinguished academic career in Immunology, currently serving as a Professor at the Department of Immunology, Dezful University of Medical Sciences (2016–Present). Before this, he was an Associate Professor at the same institution (2010–2016) and at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (2009–2010). His journey in academia began as an Assistant Professor (2002–2009) and an Academic Staff Member (1992–2002) at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. In addition to his teaching and research, he has held Visiting Scientist positions at Queen’s University (Canada), Universitätsklinikum Kiel (Germany), and VUmc University (Netherlands), contributing to global immunology research.

🔬 Research Interests

Immunology: Natural Killer (NK) cells, immune regulation, immune responses in infections and cancers

Molecular Immunology: sHLA molecules, T cell activation, antigen presentation

Autoimmune Diseases & Allergies

Cancer Immunotherapy & Monoclonal Antibodies

🏆 Awards

Tehran University of Medical Sciences – Research grant for autologous LAK cell therapy in cancer

Shahed University of Medical Sciences – Study on the effect of garlic extract on RAGE expression in diabetic patients

📚 Selected Publications

Sheikhi, A., Baghaie, L., Rahbarizadeh, F., Safarzadeh Kozani, P., Moradian, C., Davidi, M., Baharifar, N., Kaboli, G., Sheikhi, M., Li, Y., et al. (2025).
Novel sACE2-Anti-CD16VHH Fusion Protein Surreptitiously Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Variant Spike Proteins and Macrophage Cytokines, and Activates Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity.
Vaccines.

Yazdanpanah‐Samani, M., Ramezani, A., Sheikhi, A., Mostafavi‐Pour, Z., Erfani, N. (2024).
Anti‐PD‐L1 Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural Killer Cell: Characterization and Functional Analysis.
APMIS.

Akbarian, S., Sheikhi, M., Khedri, P., Baharifar, N., Khalaf Shamsabadi, F., Davidi, M. R., Khazaei, H. A., Assarian, H., Sheikhi, A. (2023).
The Correlation Between Humoral Immune Responses and Severity of Clinical Symptoms in COVID-19 Patients.
Epidemiology and Infection.

Momtazan, S., Ramezani, S., Momeni, A., Sheikhi, A. (2023).
The Potential Benefits of Ginger in Cancer Therapy.
Trends in Medical Sciences.