Michal Galek-Aldridge | Health Sciences | Best Scholar Award

Mr. Michal Galek-Aldridge | Health Sciences | Best Scholar Award

University Medical Center Utrecht | Netherland

Michał Gałek-Aldridge is a multilingual medical researcher and physician with a strong interdisciplinary background bridging molecular science, engineering, and regenerative medicine. Born on September 18, 1993, in Tucson, Arizona, he holds Polish nationality and is fluent in English, Dutch, Polish, and Russian, with advanced proficiency in French and beginner-level Portuguese. Michał’s academic journey spans multiple international institutions, including The British School of Warsaw, the Anglo-American School in Moscow, and the International School of Amsterdam, culminating in an International Baccalaureate (IB) bilingual diploma in 2011. He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Science and Technology at Delft University of Technology and Leiden University, completing his thesis on “The loading of chemotherapeutics in polymersome carriers” at the Reactor Institute Delft. During this period, Michał received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to study at Chalmers University in Sweden, where he expanded his expertise in nuclear chemistry, project management, waste management, and ecology. Driven by a passion for medicine, he subsequently earned both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Medicine at the University of Amsterdam, with clinical experience in orthopedic surgery at the UMC Amsterdam. Since 2021, Michał has been a PhD candidate at the University Medical Center Utrecht, focusing on the translation of regenerative surgical shoulder implants into clinical practice. His research integrates advanced therapies, 3D-printed medical devices, and regenerative medicine, while also addressing regulatory compliance, intellectual property assessment, and GMP evaluation for ATMP production. He actively supervises students at the 3D Lab, contributing to both academic and translational research. His work is supported by prominent supervisors including Prof. Michel van den Bekerom, Dr. Arthur van Noort, Dr. Bart van der Wal, and Prof. Jos Malda. Michał has contributed extensively to the scientific literature, publishing as first author on innovative orthopedic treatments and as co-author in high-impact journals, including The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, and JSES Reviews, Reports & Techniques. His research has spanned topics from patient-specific bone regenerative implants and congenital hip dislocation management to COVID-19 respiratory subphenotypes and ventilation strategies. Michał’s professional development is complemented by diverse certifications and conferences, including Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2018), ISO 13485, 3D printing in hospitals, and arthroscopy and arthroplasty courses. Outside of his professional endeavors, he maintains an active lifestyle through kickboxing, Muay Thai, skiing, kite surfing, and cooking. His combination of scientific rigor, clinical expertise, and entrepreneurial initiative positions him as a rising leader in regenerative medicine and medical innovation.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

van Spanning, S. H., van Iersel, T. P., Verweij, L. P. E., van Noort, A., Floor, S., Galek-Aldridge, M., van den Borne, M. P. J., Kleinlugtenbelt, Y. V., van den Bekerom, M. P. J., & van Deurzen, D. F. P. (2025). Lower education level is associated with failure to return to sport whereas bony Bankart lesions predict successful return to preinjury sport level after open Latarjet procedure. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery. Advance online publication.

 

July Villalba | Management and Accounting | Industry Impact Award

Prof. July Villalba | Management and Accounting | Industry Impact Award

Politecnico Grancolombiano | Colombia

Dr. July Alexandra Villalba Rodríguez, Ph.D. in Complex Thought (Multiversidad Real Edgar Morin, 2024), Magister in Innovation Management (Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, 2019), and Professional in International Business (Universidad Piloto de Colombia, 2014), has built a distinguished career as a program director, academic coordinator, and research-oriented educator. Her expertise bridges the domains of international business, innovation, and emerging technologies, fostering synergy between academia and industry. As a key academic partner in the Futurexpo Program, led by ProColombia, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and the Politécnico Grancolombiano, Dr. Villalba has played a pivotal role in empowering Colombian entrepreneurs and business leaders to adopt digital innovation in their export strategies. Her national lectures on “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Market Research” have reached over 3,200 participants, including entrepreneurs, students, and representatives from productive sectors across more than 33 municipalities in Colombia. This initiative aims to strengthen the export capabilities of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), democratizing access to cutting-edge technological tools. In conclusion, the Futurexpo initiative under Dr. Villalba’s academic leadership exemplifies research with measurable industrial, social, and economic impact. It not only enhances Colombia’s global competitiveness but also promotes the responsible and strategic use of artificial intelligence within local industries. This project stands as a testament to how innovation, education, and technology integration can collectively drive sustainable business growth and national progress.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Villalba Rodríguez, J. A. (2021). Ciudades globales e innovación: Partiendo del concepto a la realidad actual empresarial de Colombia. En Análisis de la transformación digital (Cap. 6).

Villalba Rodríguez, J. A. (2021). Del método científico a la innovación empresarial: Una reflexión compleja desde la transdisciplinariedad. Mundo FESC, (21). ISSN 2216-0388.

Villalba Rodríguez, J. A. (2021). Innovación: De la teoría a la realidad empresarial de Colombia. En Análisis de la transformación digital (Cap. 8).

Villalba Rodríguez, J. A. (2020). La responsabilidad social empresarial frente a los beneficios tributarios y la imagen corporativa. Apuntes Contables, (27).

Weiguang Ran | Optical Materials | Best Researcher Award | 13659

Mr. Weiguang Ran | Optical Materials | Best Researcher Award

Qufu Normal University | China

Dr. Ran Weiguang is a distinguished young associate professor at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, with a dynamic research agenda at the interface of inorganic functional materials and optoelectronic technology. Since joining Qufu Normal University in September 2019, Dr. Ran has made notable strides in teaching, research, and project leadership. His teaching portfolio spans courses such as Polymer Material Processing and Molding, Materials Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Experiment, and postgraduate-level literature analysis and industrial analytical technologies. In research, Dr. Ran’s interests are both deep and broad: he leads in the design and performance regulation of inorganic luminescent materials (including rare-earth and non-rare-earth phosphors), the development of LED lighting and display devices (narrow-band phosphors, efficient emitters), optical temperature sensing (ratiometric and near-infrared upconversion sensors), green synthesis and scale-up of organic small molecules, and wet electronic chemical materials—including applications in industrial wastewater treatment. Regarding scholarly output, Dr. Ran maintains a robust publication record. He has accumulated approximately 2233 citations by 1842 documents and achieved an h-index of 29. This reflects his strong influence across his work, especially as a relatively young researcher. Many of his publications appear in high-impact venues, contributing significantly to the fields of luminescent materials and optoelectronic devices. His portfolio demonstrates both depth—through targeted work on functional luminescent systems—and breadth—spanning synthesis, scale-up, device integration, and environmental applications. In the trajectory of his career, Dr. Ran Weiguang stands out for his balanced integration of fundamental materials science, device engineering, and applied environmental technologies. His ability to straddle multiple domains—optics, materials chemistry, environmental science—reflects maturity beyond his years. With substantial funding success, a growing citation footprint, and an expanding scope of research challenges ahead, Dr. Ran is well positioned to emerge as a leading international figure in functional materials and optoelectronics.

Profiles: ScopusOrcid

Featured Publications

Ran, W., Zhang, Z., Wang, F., Jiang, H., Shao, Y., Ma, X., Geng, J., & Yan, T. (2025). Theoretical and experimental investigation of BaY₂(MoO₄)₄:xSm³⁺ phosphors. Journal of Luminescence, 277, 120968.

Ran, W., Geng, J., Zhou, Z., Zhou, C., Wang, F., Zhao, M., & Yan, T. (2024). Narrow-band green phosphor RbK₂Na(Li₃SiO₄)₄:Eu²⁺ with excellent thermal stability and high efficiency for wide color gamut displays. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 12(47), 19148–19155.

Zhang, Z., Ran, W., Wang, F., Jiang, H., & Yan, T. (2024). Enhancement of photoluminescence properties in Na⁺ doped K₂BaPO₄F:Sm³⁺ phosphors. Ceramics International, 50(3, Part B), 5614–5623.

Ran, W., Zhang, Z., Ma, X., Shao, Y., Wang, F., Jiang, H., Gong, W., Guan, K., & Yan, T. (2024). Small Stokes shift and high thermostability in Ce³⁺ doped K₂BaPO₄F phosphors. Materials Research Bulletin, 170, 112574.

Song, M., Zhou, W., Wang, J., Wang, M., Zhao, J., & Ran, W. (2024). Full color luminescence and high efficient optical thermometric performance of Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺ in self-activated Na₂LuMg₂V₃O₁₂ garnet. Journal of Rare Earths. Advance online publication.

Ran, W., Zhang, Z., Ma, X., Sun, G., & Yan, T. (2023). A novel optical temperature sensor based on Boltzmann function in BiZn₂PO₆ phosphor. Journal of Luminescence, 255, 119562.

 

 

AMRUTA BALEKUNDRI | Analytical | Young Scientist Award | 13291

Dr. AMRUTA BALEKUNDRI | Analytical | Young Scientist Award

Dr. AMRUTA BALEKUNDRI, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, India

Dr. Amruta Balekundri is a skilled physiotherapist at KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, India, with a strong background in rehabilitation and patient care. Her expertise spans various fields, including orthopedic, neurological, and infertility treatments. Dr. Balekundri is committed to delivering high-quality care, working collaboratively with healthcare professionals, and continuously advancing her knowledge to ensure optimal patient outcomes. With her extensive experience and dedication, she plays a pivotal role in promoting health and well-being in her community.

Profile

Google Scholar

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Dr. Amruta Ravi Balekundri’s academic journey began at KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research in Belagavi, India, where she laid the foundation for her future in pharmaceutical sciences. Her academic excellence was evident from the beginning, culminating in her top position in her Master of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance) program. She earned a CGPA of 9.05/10 and was honored with the prestigious Dr. C.K Kokate Gold Medal for securing the highest marks in her post-graduation.

Dr. Balekundri’s academic pursuits didn’t stop there. She continued her academic excellence in her doctoral studies, pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences, where she focused on the advanced applications of pharmaceutical research. Throughout her education, she showcased a keen interest in both the theoretical and practical aspects of pharmaceutical sciences, positioning herself as a future leader in this field.

Professional Endeavors and Contributions 💼

Dr. Amruta Balekundri’s professional career has been equally distinguished. With a solid foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, she began her research on analytical methods, especially in High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and UV spectroscopy. Her expertise in the development and validation of these analytical methods has proved to be pivotal in the pharmaceutical industry, both for conventional and herbal medicines.

One of her key research areas involves the development and validation of analytical methods for pharmaceutical and herbal compounds, biomarkers, and extracts. Additionally, Dr. Balekundri has actively participated in the development and characterization of solid, semisolid, and nanoparticle formulations. She has also gained expertise in network pharmacology and molecular docking, areas in which she has made notable contributions to the understanding of the interactions between phyto-compounds and diseases.

Her work in pre-formulation research, where she has examined the physical and chemical properties of pharmaceutical ingredients to ensure stable and effective drug formulations, further underscores her diverse expertise. Dr. Balekundri’s contributions are bolstered by her experience with a range of scientific instruments, including UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and various chromatography techniques, as well as cutting-edge software like Design-Expert, Cytoscape, PyRx, and Discovery Studio for research analysis.

Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Balekundri’s research is multifaceted, incorporating analytical chemistry, molecular pharmacology, and formulation science. One of her primary research focuses is analytical method development, with a particular emphasis on HPTLC for the fingerprinting and quality assessment of herbal medicines. Her work in this area helps ensure the consistency, safety, and efficacy of natural products, contributing to the growing field of ethnopharmacology.

She has also contributed significantly to network pharmacology, where she explores the molecular interactions of phyto-compounds. This approach allows her to understand how natural compounds work within the body to fight diseases, opening up new avenues for drug discovery and natural therapies.

Another important focus of her research is formulation development, especially in the area of poly-herbal formulations. Dr. Balekundri has developed innovative formulations, including poly-herbal tablets and dispersible tablets, targeting specific health conditions such as digestive disorders. Her work in nanotechnology and nano-formulations further strengthens her position as a forward-thinking researcher in pharmaceutical sciences.

Accolades and Recognition 🏅

Dr. Balekundri’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. Throughout her career, she has earned numerous awards and honors for her academic and research excellence. Her early academic accomplishments include being awarded Ratan Tata Trust Scholarships for her excellent performance during her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She also earned a place in the Roll of Honor at both her undergraduate and postgraduate levels, a testament to her commitment to excellence.

Dr. Balekundri’s recognition extends beyond her academic institutions. She has presented her work at numerous national and international conferences, including the International Bioresource Conclave and Ethnopharmacology Congress (2023), the 9th International Congress of the Society for Ethnopharmacology (2022), and the International Conference on Traditional Medicine and Ethnobotany in Malaysia (2019), among many others. Notably, she won the Best Poster Award at the 6th International Congress of SFEC in 2019, further validating the quality and impact of her work.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Dr. Balekundri’s research and contributions have had a profound impact on both the academic and pharmaceutical communities. Her work on analytical quality by design for method development and formulation optimization has helped set new standards in the industry, particularly for the evaluation of herbal medicines and natural products. This work not only ensures the safety and efficacy of these products but also contributes to the global push for sustainable and natural healthcare solutions.

Her research into network pharmacology and molecular docking has bridged the gap between traditional herbal medicine and modern pharmaceutical sciences. By understanding how plant-based compounds interact with disease pathways at the molecular level, Dr. Balekundri has paved the way for future drug development strategies that integrate both conventional and alternative therapies.

Publication Top Notes

Quality control of the traditional herbs and herbal products: a review

Author: A Balekundri, V Mannur
 Journal: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Year: 2020
Author: N Kudatarkar, S Jalalpure, A Balekundri, B Kurangi
Journal: Liquid Chromatography & Related Technologies
Year: 2021

A SIMPLE AND VALIDATED HP-TLC METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ANALYSIS OF ETHNO-MEDICINE GALLIC ACID AND EUGENOL.

Author: AR Balekundri, VKS Mannur, MK Chouhan
Journal: Indian Drugs
Year: 2022