Dr. Nik Kuznetsov | Aging biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Nik Kuznetsov | Aging biology | Best Researcher Award

KI, UAEU, Sweden.

Dr. Nik Kuznetsov is a molecular biologist with extensive expertise in genomics, transcriptomics, and molecular diagnostics. With a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, he has contributed significantly to biomedical research, space medicine, and drug discovery. His work spans gene expression profiling, biomarker discovery, personalized medicine, and microgravity research, with applications in immunology, aging, and neuroscience. Currently, he serves as a Senior Visiting Research Scientist at the United Arab Emirates University, continuing his cutting-edge research in human health and space biology.

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🎓 Education

Nik Kuznetsov holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, where he specialized in advanced genomic applications and molecular mechanisms in cellular responses. Prior to this, he earned an M.Sc. in Biochemistry, gaining expertise in protein interactions, enzymatic pathways, and molecular signaling. His academic foundation was built with a B.Sc. in Cell Biology, focusing on cellular structures, genetic regulation, and biochemical processes. His multidisciplinary education has enabled him to contribute significantly to research in molecular genetics, bioinformatics, and space biomedicine.

🧪 Professional Experience

A highly experienced molecular biologist, currently serving as a Senior Visiting Research Scientist at United Arab Emirates University, with a strong background in molecular genetics, biotechnology, and drug discovery. Previously, he worked as a Senior Research Specialist & Lab Manager at Karolinska Institute, Sweden (2014–2022), where he managed laboratory operations and contributed to cutting-edge biomedical research. His industry experience includes serving as a Senior Scientist in Drug Discovery & Development at InDex Pharmaceuticals, Sweden (2012–2013) and as a Research Scientist at InDex Pharmaceuticals AB & InDex Diagnostics AB (2002–2011), where he played a crucial role in molecular diagnostics and therapeutic innovations. His academic career began with postdoctoral fellowships at the Karolinska Institute (1999–2001) and the Marie Curie Research Institute, UK (1997–1998), supported by the Royal Society. His expertise encompasses molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology, with a strong focus on translational research and pharmaceutical development.

🔬 Research Interests

Genomics & Transcriptomics: RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, RIP-seq, gene expression profiling

Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics: DNA-protein interactions, biomarker discovery

Space Biology & Aging: T-cell response in microgravity, neurodegeneration in astronauts

Personalized Medicine: Drug discovery, nucleic acid-based therapies

Immunology & Inflammation: Role of T-cells in disease and adaptive immune responses

🏆 Awards & Fellowships

2023: Best Presentation Award, UAE Microbiome 2023, Abu Dhabi, UAE

2018 – 2021: Swedish National Space Agency Research Grant, Sweden

2015 – 2020: Travel Grant Awards, Karolinska Institute, Sweden

1997 – 1998: Royal Society Postdoctoral Fellowship, UK

📚 Selected Publications

Kuznetsov NV (2025). Expression of the p53 network aging-associated genes "shaken, not stirred" in a 3-week microgravity simulation human study. bioRxiv.

Kuznetsov NV, et al. (2025). An Update on Neuroaging on Earth and in Spaceflight. IJMS.

Kuznetsov NV, et al. (2025). Hallmarks of Brain Plasticity. Biomedicines.

Kuznetsov NV, et al. (2023). Reappraisal of the concept of accelerated aging in neurodegeneration and beyond. Cells.

Kuznetsov NV, et al. (2023). Exposure of volunteers to microgravity by dry immersion results in gene expression changes and adaptation of T cells. Science Advances.

 

 

Dr. Jad El Masri | Medical Research | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Jad El Masri | Medical Research | Young Scientist Award

American University of Beirut, Lebanon.

Dr. Jad El Masri is a postdoctoral research fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. With a strong background in clinical research, pathology, and neuroscience, he has contributed significantly to oncology, epidemiology, and neurosurgery. Holding an MD and multiple master’s degrees, he is set to complete his PhD in Clinical Research and Pathology in 2025. With over 45 completed research projects and 43 publications, Dr. El Masri has been recognized for his work in cancer biomarkers, epidemiological risk factors, and computational biology.

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🎓 Education

Dr. Jad El Masri has a diverse academic background spanning clinical research, pathology, neuroscience, and medical sciences. He is currently completing his PhD in Clinical Research & Pathology at Université Paris-Est (2022–2025) while holding multiple master’s degrees in Human Morphology, Clinical Investigation, and Neuroscience from leading institutions, including the American University of Beirut and Lebanese University. In addition, he earned his Medical Degree (MD) from Lebanese University (2018–2024) and holds a Biochemistry License Degree (2017–2020). His academic journey began with a French Baccalaureate in Science from Rawdat Fayhaa Secondary School (2001–2016).

💼 Experience

Dr. Jad El Masri is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard (2025–Present) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (2024–Present), where he focuses on oncology and computational biology. His clinical experience includes multiple internships across hospitals in Lebanon and Germany (2022–2024), gaining hands-on expertise in various medical disciplines. Additionally, he completed elective neurosurgery rotations at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) and Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, further strengthening his specialization in neurosurgery and brain cancer research.

🔬 Research Interests

Oncology – Brain cancer, genetic biomarkers, metastasis

Epidemiology – Risk factors, diet effects, environmental exposure

Neurosurgery – Computational biology, single-cell DNA sequencing

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Young Scientist Award – Recognized for contributions to neuroscience research

Editorial Board Member – Journal of Public Health Research

Professional Memberships – European Stroke Organization, Congress of Neurological Surgeons

📚 Selected Publications

1️⃣ Social media medical misinformation: Impact on mental health and vaccination decision among university students
📖 Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971-), 192(1), 291-301 (2023)
📄 DOI | Cited by: 34

2️⃣ Menstrual abnormalities post-COVID vaccination: A cross-sectional study on adult Lebanese women
📖 Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971-), 192(3), 1163-1170 (2023)
📄 DOI | Cited by: 27

3️⃣ Contribution of Arab world in transplant research: A PubMed-based bibliometric analysis
📖 Transplant Immunology, 101432 (2021)
📄 DOI | Cited by: 23

4️⃣ Cancer research activity in the Arab world: A 15-year bibliometric analysis
📖 Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 97(1), 26 (2022)
📄 DOI | Cited by: 22

5️⃣ Contribution of Arab countries to familial Mediterranean fever research: A PubMed-based bibliometric analysis
📖 Rheumatology International, 42(1), 95-100 (2022)
📄 DOI | Cited by: 22

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ana Filipa Pires | Drug Delivery Systems | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ana Filipa Pires | Drug Delivery Systems | Best Researcher Award

Institute of Telecommunications, Portugal.

Ana Filipa Soares Pires is a Junior Researcher specializing in biomaterials and bioelectronic devices at Instituto de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Técnico. Her research focuses on creating systems that respond to stimuli like light, electricity, and magnetism to guide cell behavior for tissue regeneration. She is particularly interested in drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, nanoparticles, and hydrogels, and has made groundbreaking contributions to bioelectronics and personalized medicine. Ana's work on biodegradable LEDs for real-time monitoring of anticancer drugs has propelled innovations in precision medicine and tissue engineering.

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Education 🎓

Ana Filipa Soares Pires holds a Ph.D. in Radiation Biology and Biophysics, where she specialized in biomaterials and bioelectronics. Her educational background also includes Master's Fellowships in Pharmacokinetic Analysis (PEstOE/EEI/LA0008/2014), focusing on the pharmacokinetics of nanostructured films, and in Textile Electrode Design (2014), where she innovated designs using cotton and silk electrodes to collect electrical signals from living tissue. Her education laid the foundation for her pioneering work in bioelectronics, tissue engineering, and drug delivery systems.

Experience  💼

Ana's research experience spans multiple interdisciplinary projects, including the development of drug delivery systems, tissue scaffolds, and biosensors. She has collaborated with leading researchers from institutions such as IFSCAR (Brazil) and Synchrotron Facilities (Denmark), and her work is published in prestigious journals like European Polymer Journal and Fungal Biology. As a guest editor, Ana has also contributed to the scientific community by editing special issues and reviewing for top-tier journals.

Research Interests 🔬

Biomaterials & Bioelectronics: Developing biodegradable LEDs for real-time monitoring of anticancer drugs.

Drug Delivery Systems: Improving the precision and safety of therapeutic treatments using liposomes, nanoparticles, and hydrogels.

Tissue Engineering: Engineering conducting scaffolds for neural tissue regeneration.

Molecular Interactions: Exploring the interaction between catechins and cellular membranes for their antioxidant effects.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Ana has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to bioelectronics and biomaterials. Some notable projects she has worked on include:

European Innovation Council, EIC PathFinder (2022-2025)

Co-PI for "Magnetic field-assisted MSCs-based therapies" (La Caixa Foundation, 2022)

Master Fellow in Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Nanostructured Films

Selected Publications 📚

Heparinized Acellular Hydrogels for Magnetically Induced Wound Healing Applications

Authors: Pires, F., Silva, J.C., Ferreira, F.C., Portugal, C.A.M.
Journal: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Year: 2024, Volume: 16(8), Pages: 9908–9924
Citations: 4

Indium-gallium-zinc-oxide Based Semitransparent Electrodes on Flexible Substrates for Biodegradable Electronics

Authors: Pompilio, M., Gharehbagh, J.S., Krik, S., Ciocca, M., Cacialli, F.
Conference: 6th IEEE International Flexible Electronics Technology Conference, IFETC 2024 - Proceedings
Year: 2024

Magnetic-Responsive Liposomal Hydrogel Membranes for Controlled Release of Small Bioactive Molecules—An Insight into the Release Kinetics

Authors: Pereira, L., Ferreira, F.C., Pires, F., Portugal, C.A.M.
Journal: Membranes
Year: 2023, Volume: 13(7), Article: 674
Citations: 5

The Impact of Blue Light in Monolayers Representing Tumorigenic and Nontumorigenic Cell Membranes Containing Epigallocatechin-3-gallate

Authors: Pires, F., Magalhães-Mota, G., Geraldo, V.P.N., Oliveira, O.N., Raposo, M.
Journal: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Year: 2020, Volume: 193, Article: 111129
Citations: 19

Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on DMPC Oxidation Revealed by Infrared Spectroscopy

Authors: Pires, F., Rodrigues, B., Magalhães-Mota, G., Ribeiro, P.A., Raposo, M.
Conference: Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture)
Year: 2020