Bozena Futoma-Koloch | Immunology and Microbiology | Best Faculty Award

Dr. Bozena Futoma-Koloch | Immunology and Microbiology | Best Faculty Award 

University of Wroclaw | Poland

Dr. Bożena Futoma-Kołoch is an accomplished microbiologist whose research integrates microbial pathogenesis, antimicrobial resistance, and host–pathogen interactions, with a particular focus on Salmonella enterica. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Wrocław, where she has built a coherent and internationally recognized research program grounded in molecular microbiology, immunology, and environmental microbiology. Her scientific work has substantially advanced understanding of how environmental stressors especially disinfectants, antiseptics, and human serum—shape bacterial virulence and survival. A central theme of her research is the phenomenon of cross-resistance, whereby exposure to biocides influences bacterial tolerance to antibiotics and serum-mediated immune defenses. Through detailed phenotypic and proteomic analyses, Dr. Futoma-Kołoch has demonstrated that changes in outer membrane proteins (OMPs) play a pivotal role in mediating resistance to serum complement, antibiotics, and disinfectants. These findings have provided new mechanistic insights into bacterial adaptation and have identified OMPs as promising biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in the fight against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Her habilitation work, “Effect of disinfectants and serum on the phenotype associated with virulence in non-typhoid Salmonella enterica strains” (2024), represents a significant milestone, consolidating years of systematic research into how chemical and immunological pressures modulate virulence-associated traits. This research has strong translational relevance for public health, food safety, and infection control, particularly in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance and widespread biocide use. Dr. Futoma-Kołoch is also actively engaged in interdisciplinary and applied research. Dr. Futoma-Kołoch’s scholarly output includes influential review articles that are widely cited and shape current thinking on bacterial virulence, serum resistance, and antimicrobial defense mechanisms. Her leadership in international collaborations, participation in COST Actions, and service as an editor and reviewer for high-impact journals further attest to her standing in the global microbiology community. Overall, her research profile reflects originality, continuity, and significant impact on both basic science and applied infectious disease research.

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Featured Publications


Biological activity of quaternary ammonium salts and resistance of microorganisms to these compounds

– World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2021 | Cited by: 57

 

Mr. Hussm Rostum | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Hussm Rostum | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Miskolc University, Institute of Automation and Info-communication, Hungary.

Hussam Rostum is a PhD candidate and researcher at the University of Miskolc in Hungary, specializing in computer vision for autonomous drone navigation. With a strong background in telecommunications and electronics, he blends academic excellence with hands-on experience as a part-time software engineer at FIEK. Hussam is known for developing cutting-edge solutions in industrial automation, biomedical imaging, and human–machine interfaces. Fluent in Arabic and English, he brings international insight into interdisciplinary research projects, merging software innovation with engineering systems.

Profile

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🎓 Education

Hussam holds a BSc and MSc in Telecommunication and Electronic Engineering, equipping him with deep theoretical and practical knowledge in signal processing, system design, and electronics. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Information Science at the University of Miskolc, focusing on AI-based vision systems for autonomous drone operations.

💼 Experience

Hussam serves as an Assistant Researcher and Part-time Software Engineer at FIEK, where he builds C# monitoring software, implements PLC-to-PC communications, and automates data workflows using Linux, Docker, and Excel. His professional journey includes work as a Full Stack Developer and Telecom Engineer, with experience in GUI development, DevOps collaboration, and .NET technologies.

🔬 Research Interests

📸 Computer Vision & Image Processing

🤖 Autonomous Systems & Drone Navigation

🩺 Biomedical Imaging & Oxygen Saturation Estimation

🔬 Optical System Design (Zemax)

⚙️ Industrial Automation & Data Visualization

🧠 Human–Machine Interfaces & Sensor Integration

📚 Selected Publications

Enhancing Machine Learning Techniques in VSLAM for Robust Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Navigation
📅 2025-04-02 | 📰 Electronics
📌 Focus: Improving Visual SLAM with machine learning for UAVs in complex environments.
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/electronics14071440
👥 Co-author: József Vásárhelyi

Comparing the Effectiveness and Performance of Image Processing Algorithms in Face Recognition
📅 2024-05-22 | 📚 Conference Paper
📌 Focus: Evaluation of various image processing techniques for face recognition applications.
🔗 DOI: 10.1109/ICCC62069.2024.10569864
👥 Co-author: József Vásárhelyi

FPGA Implementation in Mobile Robot Applications: State of the Art Review
📅 2023-12-20 | 📰 Multidiszciplináris Tudományok
📌 Focus: Overview of FPGA-based systems in robotics.
🔗 DOI: 10.35925/j.multi.2023.2.21
👥 Co-authors: Omar M. Salih, Noha Hammami

An Overview of Energies Problems in Robotic Systems
📅 2023-12-14 | 📰 Energies
📌 Focus: Challenges in energy management for robotic systems.
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/en16248060
👥 Co-authors: József Vásárhelyi, Omar M. Salih, Rabab Benotsname

A Review of Using Visual Odometry Methods in Autonomous UAV Navigation in GPS-Denied Environments
📅 2023-12-01 | 📰 Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
📌 Focus: Use of visual odometry for UAVs in GPS-denied settings.
🔗 DOI: 10.2478/auseme-2023-0002
👥 Co-author: József Vásárhelyi

 

 

 

 

Dr. Natascia Bruni | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Natascia Bruni | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Candioli Pharma srl, Italy.

Natascia Bruni is an experienced regulatory compliance and quality management professional with over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and feed supplements industries. Currently, she serves as the Compliance Unit Director, Qualified Person, and QPPV at Acel Pharma srl, where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring regulatory compliance, managing product registrations, and overseeing pharmacovigilance activities. Throughout her career, Natascia has worked across various sectors, including pharmaceutical companies (human and veterinary), focusing on quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and strategic business compliance. She is well-versed in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and has made substantial contributions to corporate governance, legal risk management, and quality audits.

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Education 🎓

Natascia Bruni's educational background demonstrates her deep expertise in both scientific and management fields, which has greatly contributed to her successful career in regulatory affairs and quality management. She completed her degree in Chemistry (Nuclear) at the University of Turin from 1991 to 1996, earning the highest distinction with a final vote of 110/110 con lode. This solid foundation in chemistry equipped her with a thorough understanding of chemical processes and analytical methods, which would later be pivotal in her regulatory and quality assurance roles in the pharmaceutical industry.

In addition to her scientific education, Natascia pursued specialized training in Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance for Drugs between 2001 and 2002, sharpening her skills in the complex regulatory frameworks governing drug safety and compliance. This training became essential in her role as a Qualified Person and QPPV in various pharmaceutical companies, where she led efforts to ensure products met both safety and regulatory standards.

Furthermore, Natascia completed a Business Management Course from 2015 to 2018, which enhanced her leadership, strategic planning, and operational management abilities. This course helped her integrate business and regulatory perspectives, allowing her to lead teams and drive organizational success in compliance-related activities.

Natascia also deepened her technical expertise by attending the School in Technology Enhanced Chemical Synthesis from 1996 to 1999, where she learned advanced techniques in chemical synthesis that continue to inform her work in pharmaceutical and feed supplement regulatory processes. Her multi-disciplinary education has provided a strong foundation for her leadership role in compliance and regulatory affairs, combining scientific rigor with strategic management skills.

Experience 💼

Compliance Unit Director - Qualified Person - QPPV (2012–Present), Acel Pharma srl (Candioli Group), Beinasco (Torino)
Responsible for ensuring the regulatory compliance of raw materials and finished products, overseeing registration/approvals, and managing import/export activities. Works closely with various departments to ensure that all products sold comply with national and international regulations.

Quality Unit Manager & Qualified Person (2007–2012), Olon Spa (Fidia Group), Rodano (MI) and Settimo Torinese (To)
Led the harmonization of QA/QC and regulatory procedures across two sites, ensuring GMP and regulatory compliance for the company’s product portfolio. Managed communications with health authorities and conducted quality audits for suppliers.

Chemistry Department Responsible (1997–1999), Antibiotic Spa, Settimo Torinese (To)
Conducted independent research and developed experimental procedures within the research project scope.

Researcher (1996–1997), Antibiotic Spa, Settimo Torinese (To)
Developed analytical methods and processes in the field of pharmaceutical research.

Research Interests 🔬

Regulatory Compliance in Pharmaceutical Products 📜

Natascia is particularly interested in the regulatory compliance of both raw materials and finished products in the pharmaceutical industry. Her work emphasizes the critical importance of navigating complex regulatory frameworks and ensuring that all pharmaceutical products, especially those used in veterinary medicine, comply with the highest standards of food safety, quality control, and marketing.

Pharmacovigilance & Product Registration 💊

A key area of Natascia's research is in pharmacovigilance, particularly focusing on the monitoring and reporting of adverse effects for drugs, ensuring products maintain safety and compliance throughout their lifecycle. She explores the processes involved in product registration, striving to streamline the approvals and regulatory checks necessary for market entry, particularly in international markets.

Process Improvement Methodologies 🔧

Natascia is also keen on exploring process improvement methodologies within the regulatory compliance space. Her work in this area aims to enhance operational efficiency, reduce legal risks, and strengthen internal control structures. By continuously improving regulatory and operational processes, she contributes to creating a safer and more efficient regulatory environment for pharmaceutical companies, particularly in the feed supplement and veterinary drug sectors.

Awards 🏅

University Senate Award: Best Academic Graduate (1996)
Awarded for excellence in academic performance by the Presidency Council of the Italian Chamber.

OPTIME Award: Best Experimental Dissertation of the Year (1996)
Recognized by the Industrial Union for outstanding research work.

Publications 📚

"Molecular Characterization of the Gorgonzola Cheese Mycobiota and Selection of a Putative Probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii for Evaluation as a Veterinary Feed Additive" Published in Applied Microbiology, 2024, 4(2), pp. 650–664.

"Efficacy of a Dietary Supplement in Dogs with Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial"
Published in PLoS ONE, 2022, 17(2), e0263971.

"Chronic Kidney Disease and Dietary Supplementation: Effects on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress", Published in Veterinary Sciences, 2021, 8(11), 277.
"Chronic Intestinal Disorders in Humans and Pets: Current Management and the Potential of Nutraceutical Antioxidants as Alternatives", Published in Animals, 2022, 12(7), 812.

Mr. Yi Cui | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yi Cui | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Stanford University, United States.

Mr. YI Cui is a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University. He holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). YI's research delves into the cutting-edge fields of materials science, particularly focusing on phase segregation dynamics in mixed halide perovskites and twisted epitaxial growth of gold nanodiscs in 2D materials. His innovative work has earned him recognition in the field of nanotechnology and energy materials.

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Education 🎓

YI Cui is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, California, under the guidance of Professors Yi Cui and Bob Sinclair (Jan. 2021 - Jun. 2025). Prior to this, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, where he was part of the prestigious Special Class for the Gifted Young, Department of Chemical Physics (Aug. 2016 - Jun. 2020).

Experience 💼

YI Cui has worked on groundbreaking research projects, including studying phase segregation dynamics in mixed halide perovskites using advanced cryo-EM techniques and pioneering twisted epitaxial growth methods for nanodiscs in 2D materials. His projects span from energy materials to nanotechnology, making significant contributions to understanding the behavior of materials at the atomic level. He has gained extensive research experience through collaborations with top professors at Stanford and USTC, focusing on the development of innovative materials for energy applications.

Research Interests 🔬

Phase segregation dynamics in mixed halide perovskites, particularly through cryogenic electron microscopy.

Twisted epitaxial growth of gold nanodiscs within twisted bilayer 2D materials, such as molybdenum disulfide.

Investigation of advanced materials for energy storage, such as lithium metal batteries and solid-state electrolytes.

Developing novel techniques for characterizing and manipulating materials at the atomic and nanoscale.

Publications Top Notes📚

Design Principles of Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphases for Lithium-Metal Anodes, Cell Reports Physical Science, 2020
Contributors: Yu Zhiao, Cui Yi, Bao Zhenan. Link

Transient Voltammetry with Ultramicroelectrodes Reveals the Electron Transfer Kinetics of Lithium Metal Anodes, Adv. Energy Lett., 2020, Contributors: Boyle David, Kong Xian, Pei Allen, Rudnicki Paul, Shi Feifei, Huang William, Bao Zhenan, Qin Jian, Cui Yi. Link

Atomic-level insights into strain effect on p-nitrophenol reduction via Au@Pd core-shell nanocubes as an ideal platform
Journal of Catalysis, 2020-01-01, Contributors: Cui, Yi; Ma, Kaibo; Chen, Zhao; Yang, Jinlong; Geng, Zhigang; Zeng, Jie. Link

Dynamic Structure and Chemistry of the Silicon Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Visualized by Cryogenic Electron Microscopy, Matter, 2019, Contributors: Huang William, Wang Jiangyan, Braun R Michael, Zhang Zewen, Li Yuzhang, Boyle T David, McIntyre C Paul, Cui Yi. Link