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

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.

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Featured Publications

Muhammad Tahir Aleem | Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Tahir Aleem | Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award 

Shantou University Medical College | China

Dr. Muhammad Tahir Aleem is a highly accomplished early-career scientist in the field of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Molecular Parasitology, with a multidisciplinary research background spanning veterinary sciences, immunology, molecular biology, vaccine development, and zoonotic diseases. He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and an M.Phil. in Parasitology from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, and earned his Ph.D. from Nanjing Agricultural University, China, where his doctoral research focused on the role of progesterone receptors in the reproduction of Trichinella spiralis, a key area in parasite biology. He completed two postdoctoral fellowships: one in Molecular Parasitology and Chromosome Biology at Cleveland State University, USA, and another in Basic Medicine at Shantou University Medical College, China. Dr. Aleem has authored over 15 peer-reviewed articles, including several in Q1 journals such as Vaccines, International Immunopharmacology, and Biomedical Research International, contributing to a cumulative impact factor exceeding 148.14. His studies delve into advanced vaccine design (mRNA, DNA), host-parasite interactions, immunomodulation, and molecular docking techniques, reflecting a strong command of both theoretical and applied biomedical sciences. He has served as corresponding author on multiple publications, highlighting his leadership in collaborative research. His work has garnered over 400 citations, with an estimated h-index of 8–10, showcasing his growing impact in the international scientific community. Dr. Aleem’s research has far-reaching implications for both veterinary and human health, especially in the control of parasitic diseases, emerging zoonoses, and infectious disease prevention. He actively collaborates across institutions and countries, demonstrating a global outlook and commitment to scientific innovation. His contributions to membrane-associated progesterone receptor studies have opened new avenues for reproductive parasitology, while his recent work on mRNA and DNA vaccine platforms marks him as a forward-looking investigator. He also contributes to public health and translational medicine by addressing environmental pathogens and drug development challenges. Given his high-impact publications, international collaborations, cross-disciplinary research profile, and growing citation footprint, Dr. Muhammad Tahir Aleem stands out as a promising and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work not only advances veterinary and biomedical sciences but also paves the way for translational solutions to global health challenges.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

COVIDSurg Collaborative, & GlobalSurg Collaborative. (2021). Timing of surgery following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: An international prospective cohort study. Anaesthesia, 76(6), 748–758.

Sohail, M. U., Ijaz, A., Yousaf, M. S., Ashraf, K., Zaneb, H., Aleem, M., & Rehman, H. (2010). Alleviation of cyclic heat stress in broilers by dietary supplementation of mannan-oligosaccharide and Lactobacillus-based probiotic: Dynamics of cortisol, thyroid hormones and growth performance. Poultry Science, 89(9), 1934–1938.

Suleria, H. A. R., Butt, M. S., Khalid, N., Sultan, S., Raza, A., Aleem, M., & Abbas, M. (2015). Garlic (Allium sativum): Diet based therapy of 21st century – A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 5(4), 271–278.

Ijaz, A., Hussain, A., Aleem, M., Yousaf, M. S., & Rehman, H. (2009). Butylated hydroxytoluene inclusion in semen extender improves the post-thawed semen quality of Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Theriogenology, 71(8), 1326–1329.

Sultan, S., Huma, N., Butt, M. S., Aleem, M., & Abbas, M. (2018). Therapeutic potential of dairy bioactive peptides: A contemporary perspective. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 58(1), 105–115.

Jamil, M., Aleem, M. T., Shaukat, A., Khan, A., Mohsin, M., Rehman, T. U., Abbas, R. Z., Saleemi, M. K., Khatoon, A., Babar, W., Yan, R., & Li, K. (2022). Medicinal plants as an alternative to control poultry parasitic diseases. Life, 12(3), 449.

Adeel, M., Ijaz, A., Aleem, M., Rehman, H., Yousaf, M. S., & Jabbar, M. A. (2009). Improvement of liquid and frozen-thawed semen quality of Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) through supplementation of fat. Theriogenology, 71(8), 1220–1225.

COVIDSurg Collaborative, GlobalSurg Collaborative, Nepogodiev, D., et al. (2022). SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and venous thromboembolism after surgery: An international prospective cohort study. Anaesthesia, 77(1), 28–39.

Bajwa, H. U. R., Khan, M. K., Abbas, Z., Riaz, R., Rehman, T., Abbas, R. Z., Aleem, M. T., et al. (2022). Nanoparticles: Synthesis and their role as potential drug candidates for the treatment of parasitic diseases. Life, 12(5), 750.

Farooq, M., Durrani, F. R., Aleem, M., Chand, N., & Muqarrab, A. K. (2001). Egg traits and hatching performance of Desi, Fayumi and Rhode Island Red chicken. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 4(7), 909–911.

 

Zahra Gholi | Health Professions | Best Paper Award

Dr. Zahra Gholi | Health Professions | Best Paper Award

Researcher at Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Dr. Zahra Gholi is a distinguished health researcher affiliated with the Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center at Iran University of Medical Sciences. With a Ph.D. in nutrition sciences from Shahid Beheshti Medical Sciences, her expertise spans nutritional assessment, statistical analysis, and research methodology, particularly focusing on critically ill and bariatric surgery patients. Dr. Gholi has published several impactful articles and actively contributes to the radio program “Food, Health, Life.” Her research is recognized for its practical applications in improving patient care, and she is a member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). 🌟🔬📊

Professional Profiles:

🎓 Education

Dr. Zahra Gholi completed her PhD in Nutrition Sciences at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, one of Iran’s premier institutions. Her dissertation, titled “Examining the Nutritional Status of Critically Ill Elderly COVID-19 Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit,” earned an A score and was completed in 2022. This work led to the publication of several influential articles in the field. 🩺🎓📚

Professional Experience

Dr. Zahra Gholi is a dedicated health researcher at the Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences. She has conducted numerous research projects, with a particular focus on nutrition and bariatric surgery. Dr. Gholi has completed 12 research projects and is currently working on four ongoing studies. She is also involved in public outreach, participating as an expert in the radio program “Food, Health, Life.” Her contributions to the field are reflected in her publications and her active role in advancing nutrition science in critically ill and bariatric surgery patients. 🥼🔬📡

Research Interest

Dr. Zahra Gholi’s research interests are primarily focused on nutrition and its impact on health, particularly in the context of bariatric surgery, vitamin D, and chronic diseases. She is deeply involved in examining the nutritional status of critically ill patients, including elderly COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units. Her work aims to improve dietary patterns and nutritional interventions for patients undergoing bariatric surgery, with a goal to localize these practices in Iran. Dr. Gholi is passionate about exploring the connections between nutrition and chronic disease management to enhance patient outcomes and overall health. 🍏🩺🔬

Award and Honors

Dr. Zahra Gholi has been recognized for her outstanding contributions in the field of nutrition sciences. She received the Outstanding Researcher Award from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences for her exceptional research on the nutritional status of critically ill patients in 2022. Her work on dietary patterns for bariatric surgery patients earned her the Best Paper Award. Additionally, Dr. Gholi was honored with the Excellence in Health Communication Award for her expert participation in the radio program “Food, Health, Life,” where she shares valuable insights on nutrition and health with the public. These accolades underscore her dedication to advancing nutrition science and improving patient care through innovative research and effective communication. 🏆📚🎉

Research Skills

Dr. Zahra Gholi possesses a robust set of research skills pivotal to her field of nutrition sciences. She excels in nutritional assessment, employing advanced methodologies to evaluate the dietary needs of critically ill and bariatric surgery patients. Her expertise in statistical analysis enables her to interpret complex data accurately, ensuring her research findings are both reliable and impactful. Dr. Gholi is proficient in research design and methodology, which allows her to conduct rigorous studies that contribute significantly to her field. Additionally, her skills in scientific writing are evident from her numerous publications in reputable journals. She is also adept at collaborative research, often working with multidisciplinary teams to enhance the scope and application of her studies. 🌟🔬📊

Publications

  1. The characteristics of pre-diabetic patients associated with body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Iranian population
    Authors: Z Gholi, M Heidari-Beni, A Feizi, B Iraj, G Askari
    Journal: Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 28
  2. The effect of synbiotic supplementation on body composition and lipid profile in patients with NAFLD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial study
    Authors: A Asgharian, V Mohammadi, Z Gholi, A Esmaillzadeh, A Feizi
    Journal: Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal (IRCMJ)
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 26
  3. Fruit and vegetable intake, body mass index and waist circumference among young female students in Isfahan
    Authors: RS Ghalaeh, Z Gholi, SS Bank, L Azadbakht
    Journal: Journal of Education and Health Promotion
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 21
  4. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of delirium and mortality among critically ill, elderly COVID-19 patients
    Authors: Z Gholi, D Yadegarynia, H Eini-Zinab, ZV Shariatpanahi
    Journal: Complementary Therapies in Medicine
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 11
  5. Evaluating the relationship between attitudes and beliefs, influencing fast-food eating among students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences
    Authors: M Barati, A Yarmohammadi, S Mostafaei, Z Gholi, S Razani, SSM Hazave
    Journal: Journal of Health System Research
    Year: 2014
    Citations: 11
  6. The effect of vitamins B on improving the symptoms of migraine: An overview
    Authors: S Nematgorgani, Z Gholi, S Razeghi Jahromi, M Togha, F Karimzadeh
    Journal: Neurosci J Shefaye Khatam
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 7
  7. Fruit and vegetable intake associated with body mass index and waist circumference in young female students
    Authors: R Seyed Ghalaeh, Z Gholi, S Saraf Bank, L Azadbakht
    Journal: Journal of Health System Research
    Year: 2011
    Citations: 7
  8. Nitrite assessment in highly used processed meat products in growing age group in Isfahan city
    Authors: A Yarmohammadi, M Mirlohi, Z Paknahad, Z Gholi
    Journal: International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering
    Year: 2015
    Citations: 2
  9. Associations of body mass index with severe outcomes of COVID-19 among critically ill elderly patients: A prospective study
    Authors: Z Gholi, Z Vahdat Shariatpanahi, D Yadegarynia, H Eini-Zinab
    Journal: Frontiers in Nutrition
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 1
  10. Long-term Systemic Effects of Metabolic Bariatric Surgery: A Multidisciplinary Perspective
    Authors: MR Rajabi, M Rezaei, Z Gholi, S Mokhber, G Mohammadi-Farsani
    Journal: Heliyon
    Year: 2024