Emmanouel Nikolakakis | Chemistry and Materials Science | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Research Awards

Mr. Emmanouel Nikolakakis | Chemistry and Materials Science | Research Excellence Award

Democritus University of Thrace | Greece

Emmanouil Nikolakakis is a chemistry graduate with a strong research-oriented profile grounded in analytical chemistry, bioactive compound characterization, and the valorization of agri-food by-products for health-promoting applications. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the Democritus University of Thrace, where he developed solid expertise in organic, analytical, physical, and biochemical chemistry, supported by extensive hands-on laboratory training and a consistent academic record. His primary research interest lies in the recovery, characterization, and functional evaluation of bioactive compounds from natural matrices and food-processing residues. His undergraduate thesis focused on the recovering and valorization of bioactives with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic properties from Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) and its biowaste. Within this project, he applied advanced extraction methodologies, including modified Bligh–Dyer and Galanos–Kapoulas protocols, to isolate neutral, amphiphilic, and total lipid fractions from watermelon flesh, peel, pulp, and seeds. The biological activity of these extracts was systematically evaluated using in vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), platelet aggregation assays in human platelet-rich plasma, and inhibition studies of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) pathway.

 

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

  100
    90
    80
    70
    60
    50
    40
    30
    20
    10
      0

Citations
19

Documents
1

h-index
1

Citations

h-index

i10-index

View Scopus Profile

Featured Publications

Ylenia Della Rocca | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Research Awards

Prof. Ylenia Della Rocca | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award 

Link University | Italy

Ylenia Della Rocca is an Associate Professor of Histology and Embryology and Physiology whose research profile is internationally recognized in the fields of stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and advanced in vitro modeling for precision medicine. Her scientific activity is strongly interdisciplinary, integrating histology, embryology, molecular biology, biomaterials, and translational medicine, with a particular focus on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), extracellular vesicles, and 3D culture systems. Her core research line centers on the reprogramming of autologous human gingival mesenchymal stem cells into iPSCs and their differentiation toward functional cell types, especially cardiomyocytes and neural lineages. This work has led to innovative strategies for cardiac regeneration and personalized regenerative therapies, culminating in a patented non-integrative reprogramming and cardiomyogenic differentiation process. Through advanced molecular and morphological analyses, her studies elucidate the signaling pathways governing cell fate, inflammation, hypoxia response, and extracellular matrix remodeling. A distinctive element of her research is the development and application of organ-on-a-chip and tissue-on-a-chip platforms, including bone-on-a-chip and cardiac models, to study disease mechanisms, environmental pollutant toxicity, and therapeutic responses. Within national and international projects, she has contributed to the creation of physiologically relevant in vitro systems that reduce reliance on animal models while increasing translational relevance. Her work on environmental pollutants, such as bisphenol A and pesticides, has clarified their impact on inflammatory, apoptotic, and epigenetic pathways in stem cells and endothelial models.

View Orcid Profile

Featured Publications

Dinesh Veeran Ponnuvelu | Nanotechnology | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Research Awards

Assoc Prof Dr. Dinesh Veeran Ponnuvelu | Nanotechnology | Research Excellence Award 

Dhanlakshmi Srinivasan University | India

Dr. Dinesh Veeran Ponnuvelu is an accomplished researcher and academic with interdisciplinary expertise spanning nanoscience, precision sensors, MEMS/NEMS device fabrication, and smart agricultural technologies. With a strong foundation in agriculture and advanced training in nanotechnology, his research uniquely bridges fundamental nanoscale material science with real-world applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare diagnostics, and precision farming. He currently serves as Associate Professor at the School of Agricultural Sciences, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University, India, and has held prestigious international research positions in South Korea and Israel, reflecting the global relevance and impact of his work. Dr. Dinesh’s core research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and functional integration of hetero-nanostructured materials, particularly metal oxide–based core–shell and heterojunction nanostructures. These materials are engineered to achieve enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and low-temperature operability for gas sensing applications. His pioneering contributions in plasmonic nanostructures (ZnO@Ag, ZnO@Au, TiO₂–Au, graphene-supported systems) have advanced trace-level detection of environmentally and clinically important gases such as NO₂ and NH₃. He has also made significant progress in understanding spill-over sensitization, surface defect engineering, and nano-contact optimization for high-performance chemiresistive sensors. His recent work integrates microfluidics, 3D printing, and bio-inspired nanosystems to develop low-cost, portable, and scalable diagnostic devices, including breath analyzers and biomedical sensing platforms. These efforts align strongly with sustainable development goals, particularly in healthcare accessibility, food safety, and environmental protection.

Citation Metrics (Google Scholar)

1000
  900
  800
  700
  600
  500
  400
  300
  200
  100
    50
    30
    10
      0

Citations
742

Documents
23

h-index
17

Citations

h-index

i10-index

View Google Scholar Profile

Featured Publications

Zbigniew Rybak | Health Professions | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Research Awards

Prof. Zbigniew Rybak | Health Professions | Research Excellence Award

Wroclaw Medical University | Poland

Prof. Zbigniew Rybak, MD, Ph.D. is a distinguished surgeon, academic, and innovator whose career spans five decades of clinical excellence, research leadership, and medical education. He has been continuously affiliated with Wrocław Medical University from 1975 to 2025, where he has played a pivotal role in advancing experimental surgery, vascular surgery, and biomaterials research. From 2010 to 2022, he served as Head of the Department of Experimental Surgery and Biomaterials Research, leading interdisciplinary research that bridged surgical practice with biomedical engineering and translational medicine. His later appointment at the Pre-Clinical Research Centre (2022–2025) further strengthened preclinical innovation and surgical modeling. Prof. Rybak’s international experience includes clinical and research work at Rikshospitalet, The National Hospital of Norway (1979–1981), and collaboration with the Department for Cardiovascular, General and Transplantation Surgery at Oslo Medical University, significantly enriching his global surgical perspective. Prof. Rybak is a prolific medical innovator and holds five patents addressing critical needs in surgery and biomedical technology, including devices for anorectal disease diagnosis and treatment, biomedical glue, pharmaceutical carriers, nanochloroapatite preparation processes, and a medical bed design. These inventions reflect his commitment to translating research into practical, patient-centered solutions. His research interests focus on vascular surgery, chronic wound management, biomaterials, minimally invasive and endovascular therapies, and the development of hybrid surgical techniques. A recognized leader in medical education, Prof. Rybak has led international surgical training courses across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He has trained approximately 250 physicians in laser treatment of venous insufficiency, over 1,000 physicians in sclerotherapy since 2006, and 80 physicians in steam-based venous treatment techniques.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

3000
2000
1000
  500
  400
  300
  200
  100
    50
    30
    10
      0

Citations
2502

Documents
92

h-index
19

Citations

h-index

i10-index

View Scopus Profile

Featured Publications