Chao Peng | Neurodegenerative disease | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Chao Peng | Neurodegenerative disease | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Chao Peng, Department of Neurology UCLA, United States

“Prof. Chao Peng is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Neurology, UCLA, USA. His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly the transmission and spread of pathological proteins like alpha-synuclein and tau. Prof. Peng has received numerous awards and grants for his work, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation Grant and the CurePSP Grant.”

Profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits šŸŽ“

Dr. Chao Peng’s journey into the world of biomedical sciences began at Wuhan University, China, where he pursued a B.Sc. in Life Science (2002ā€“2006). His keen interest in developmental biology led him to Fudan University, Shanghai, China, where he earned his Ph.D. (2006ā€“2012) under the mentorship of Dr. Wufan Tao, with co-mentors Min Han, Yuan Zhuang, and Tian Xu. During his Ph.D. studies, he established groundbreaking piggyBac transposon-based genetic screening systems to identify metastasis genes, tumor suppressors, and drug resistance-related genes. His work also included generating Vps18 conditional knockout mice, which played a pivotal role in understanding late endocytosis in neural cell survival and dendrite development.

Professional Endeavors šŸ›ļø

Dr. Peng has had an illustrious career in neuroscience, focusing on molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. After completing his doctoral studies, he embarked on a rigorous postdoctoral fellowship (2013ā€“2018) at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Virginia Lee’s Laboratory, where he made seminal discoveries regarding the pathological Ī±-synuclein strains and their role in neurodegeneration. His tenure at Pennsylvania continued as a Research Associate (2018ā€“2019), where he refined methodologies for studying protein aggregation and transmission in neurodegenerative conditions.

In January 2020, Dr. Peng joined the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as an Assistant Professor. Here, his research delves into the molecular machinery of pathological Ī±-synuclein and tau transmission, their genetic and environmental risk factors, and their structural diversity in diseased brains. His work aims to develop novel disease models for neurodegenerative disorders, offering new therapeutic avenues.

Contributions and Research Focus šŸ”¬

Dr. Pengā€™s research is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of protein misfolding and aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinsonā€™s disease and tauopathies. Some of his most notable contributions include:

  • Pathological Ī±-synuclein strains: He demonstrated the biological and structural diversity of Ī±-synuclein strains, which has significant implications for diagnostics and targeted therapies.
  • Cross-seeding of pathological proteins: His studies revealed interactions between Ī±-synuclein, tau, and TDP-43, which may provide insight into disease progression and overlapping pathologies.
  • Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of Ī±-synuclein: He systematically examined PTMs and their role in protein aggregation, shedding light on their functional significance in disease pathogenesis.
  • Development of disease models: His work on oligodendrocyte-mediated Ī±-synuclein transmission has led to advanced models for studying Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and related disorders.
  • High-throughput screening systems: He has pioneered screening techniques to evaluate protein aggregation inhibitors, paving the way for potential therapeutics.

Accolades and Recognition šŸ†

Dr. Pengā€™s impactful research has been widely recognized in the scientific community. Some of his notable honors include:

  • Invited Speaker at Prestigious Conferences & Institutions: NIH (2024), University of Pennsylvania (2024), UT Southwestern (2023), Tiantan International Movement Disorder Symposium (2022), Kingā€™s College London (2020), Cornell University (2020), and more.
  • Editorial & Peer Review Contributions: He serves as a reviewer for renowned journals such as Science Translational Medicine, Nature Chemical Biology, and Molecular Neurodegeneration.
  • Highly Cited Publications: His studies have been published in Nature, Neuron, Nature Neuroscience, JBC, and Nature Reviews Neurology, influencing global research in neurodegeneration.

Publication Top Notes

Post-translational modifications of soluble Ī±-synuclein regulate the amplification of pathological Ī±-synuclein

Author: Zhang, S., Zhu, R., Pan, B., Xu, H., Olufemi, M., Gathagan, R., Li, Y., Zhang, L., Zhang, J., Xiang, Q., Kagan, E., Cao, X., Yuan, C., Kim, S., Williams, C., Magaki, S., Vinters, H., Lashuel, H., Garcia, B., Petersson, J., Trojanowski, J.Q., Lee, V.M.,* Peng, C.*

Journal: Nature Nueroscience

Year: 2023

Cellular milieu imparts distinct pathological Ī±-synuclein strains in Ī±-synucleinopathies

Author: Peng, C., Gathagan, R.J., Covell, D.J., Medellin, C., Stieber, A., Robinson, J.L., Zhang, B., Pitkin, R.M., Olufemi, M.F., Luk, K.C.,

Journal: Neurodegeneration

Year: 2018

 

 

Gina Martin | Neuroscience | Excellence in Innovation

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Gina Martin | Neuroscience | Excellence in Innovation

Dr Gina Martin, University of Wisconsin Whitewater, United States

Dr. Gina Martin is an Assistant Professor in Counselor Education & Supervision at the University of Wisconsin ā€“ Whitewater. She earned her Ph.D. from The University of Iowa (2021) with a dissertation on childhood adversity and emotional dysregulation. With an M.A. from The Family Institute at Northwestern University (2017) and a B.A. from Pepperdine University (2013), she is a licensed counselor in Wisconsin and Illinois and a National Certified Counselor. Her teaching spans foundational and advanced counseling courses, with notable contributions to course development and international education. Dr. Martinā€™s research includes innovative CBT methods and somatic experiencing clinical trials. šŸŒŸšŸ“ššŸ§ 

Publication profile

Google scholar

Education

Dr. Gina Martin earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from The University of Iowa in 2021, focusing on “Adverse Childhood Experiences and Emotional Dysregulation: Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Exploratory Study” šŸ§ šŸ“š. Prior to this, they completed an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The Family Institute at Northwestern University in 2017, where they honed their counseling skills šŸ—£ļøā¤ļø. They began their academic journey with a B.A. in English from Pepperdine University in 2013, setting a strong foundation for their professional career šŸ“–šŸŒŸ. Their diverse educational background underscores a commitment to understanding and supporting mental health.

Experience

Dr. Gina Martin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin ā€“ Whitewater since 2021, teaching diverse counseling courses such as Foundations, Lifespan Development, and Marriage & Family Counseling. They also serve on various committees and took on Program Coordinator duties in Fall 2022. In Summer 2024, Dr. [Name] led an immersive international course in Scotland. Previously, they rebuilt and developed courses at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, including asynchronous materials and creative content. As an Adjunct Instructor, they taught and developed courses on clinical practice and psychopathology, and supervised clinical practicums. šŸŒšŸ“ššŸŽ“

Presentations

Dr. G.C. Martin is a prominent figure in counseling and neuroscience, with a focus on military sexual trauma and innovative therapy methods. In October 2024, Martin will present on “Personal Guiding Theory Development” and “Military Sexual Trauma and nCBT” at NCACES Chicago, and on clinical supervision at WACES Tucson. Earlier in 2024, Martin spoke on neuroscience-informed CBT at the Summer Symposium and AMHCA Charlotte. Past presentations include novel eye-movement protocols at ACES Denver and trauma-informed supervision at ACES Seattle. Martin’s work bridges neuroscience with practical counseling, contributing significantly to the field. šŸ§ šŸ’¬šŸŽ¤

Awards

Award-winning educator with notable recognitions, including the UW Whitewater Graduate Teaching Award (May 2024) šŸ†. Nominated multiple times for COEPS Outstanding Advising Award (May 2023, January 2024) and COEPS McClellan Endowed Teacher of Distinction Award (May 2023, January 2024) šŸŒŸ. Honored with the Outstanding Supervisor Award from NCACES (October 2022) and a finalist for the Dissertation Excellence Award, The Professional Counselor, NBCC (April 2022) šŸ“š. Received the Audrey Qualls Travel Grant Award and Graduate College Student Research Award (2019) šŸŒ. Selected for the DARE to Discover Research Banner (January 2020) šŸ….

research focus

A practitioner’s guide to breathwork in clinical mental health counseling

Health outcomes following childhood maltreatment: an examination of the biopsychosocial model

Trauma-Informed Supervision Experiences: A Preliminary Phenomenological Study.

Couple conflict and music utilisation

The Eyes and Emotion Regulation: Helpful Tips for Counselors

Eye movements and emotions: Efficacy of novel eyeā€movement protocol TholĆ”ge

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Emotional Dysregulation: Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Exploratory Study

 

Maha Gasmi | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Maha Gasmi | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Manouba University, Tunisia.

Dr. Maha Gasmi is a dedicated research scientist with a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences Applied to Physical Activities and Sports from the University of Manouba, Tunisia. Her research focuses on the intricate relationships between physical activity, nutrition, and human behavior, particularly the effects of time-restricted eating on health biomarkers. As an Assistant Professor at the Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, she has taught various subjects, including Neuroscience, Muscle Strengthening Techniques, Physiology, Anatomy, and Exercise Physiology. Dr. Gasmi’s professional strengths lie in proficient project design and management, data analysis and interpretation, and the creation and deployment of research tools. She is recognized for her significant contributions to the field, having received the Experienced Reviewer Award from Taylor & Francis and the Award for Nutrition and Metabolism from the John M. Kinney NestlĆ© Nutrition and Elsevier Sciences. Dr. Gasmi is also skilled in a wide range of laboratory techniques and statistical analysis, making her a versatile and accomplished researcher.

Professional Profiles:

Education šŸŽ“

Dr. Maha Gasmi earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences Applied to Physical Activities and Sports with a focus on Sport Biology from the University of Manouba, Tunisia, at the Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said in 2021. Her research topic was centered on the effect of time-restricted eating on biochemical, immunological, psychological parameters, and physical performance, with a particular emphasis on the impact of advancing age. In 2020, she participated as an exchange student in the program of Human Kinesiology and Science at Beijing Sport University, China. Dr. Gasmi also holds a Masterā€™s degree in Biology, specializing in Fundamental and Applied Immunology, from the College of Sciences at El Manar University, Tunisia, obtained in 2014. Her master’s research focused on the production and characterization of Glycoprotein G Multiepitope Recombinant Rabies Virus. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology, Cell, and Biotechnology at the College of Sciences, El Manar University, Tunisia, in 2011.

Professional Experience

Dr. Maha Gasmi is currently serving as an Assistant Professor on contract at the Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia, since September 2023, where she teaches Neuroscience and Techniques of Muscle Strengthening. Prior to this, she held similar positions at the same institute, teaching Physiology and Exercise Physiology from September to December 2022, and General Anatomy, Functional Anatomy, and Exercise Physiology from September 2020 to December 2021. She also taught General Anatomy and Functional Anatomy from January to June 2019. Dr. Gasmi has been actively involved in a research project at the Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia, from 2021 to 2024, investigating the impact of judo training on bone mass parameters in adolescent boys. Her responsibilities include data collection, analysis, and collaboration with the research team to assess the effects of judo training on bone health.

šŸ”¬ Research Interest

Dr. Maha Gasmi’s research interests lie at the intersection of physical activity, nutrition, and human behavior. She is particularly focused on understanding how physical activity and nutrition influence physiological and psychological parameters. Her current research explores the impact of time-restricted eating on various health biomarkers, including its effects on muscle damage, body composition, lipid profiles, and physical performance in different age groups. Additionally, she investigates the role of physical activity in counteracting age-related immunological decline and its potential benefits for bone health through sports like judo. Dr. Gasmi is also interested in the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of medicinal plants and their potential applications in enhancing health and preventing diseases.

šŸ… Awards and Honors

Dr. Maha Gasmi has received notable recognition for her contributions to the field of nutrition and metabolism. In 2023, she was honored with the Experienced Reviewer Award from Taylor & Francis, acknowledging her expertise and dedication to academic peer review. Additionally, in 2019, she received the prestigious Award for Nutrition and Metabolism from the John M. Kinney NestlƩ Nutrition and Elsevier Sciences, which highlights her significant impact and advancements in her field of research.

šŸ§Ŗ Research Skills

Dr. Maha Gasmi possesses a diverse set of research skills that enable her to effectively design, manage, and execute scientific studies. She is proficient in various laboratory techniques, including enzymatic methods, spectrophotometry, flow cytometry, and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). Dr. Gasmi is adept at data collection and analysis, particularly in the context of studying the impact of physical activity and nutrition on human health. She is skilled in the use of statistical analysis software such as SPSS and EndNote for managing and interpreting research data. Her experience extends to the development and characterization of recombinant proteins, as demonstrated by her work on Glycoprotein G Multiepitope of Rabies Virus. Additionally, she is well-versed in the assessment of biomarkers related to muscle damage, antioxidant activity, and immune response, making her a versatile researcher capable of addressing complex scientific questions.

Publications

  1. Enhancing Cervical Cancer Survival through Innovative Radiotherapy Interventions: A Narrative Review
    • Authors: Sharma, A., Gasmi, M., Gautam, K.A., Melkani, D.
    • Year: 2023
  2. Effects of Acute and Chronic Exercise on Immunological Parameters in the Elderly Aged: Can Physical Activity Counteract the Effects of Aging?
    • Authors: Sellami, M., Gasmi, M., Denham, J., Padulo, J., Bragazzi, N.
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 130
  3. Time-Restricted Feeding Influences Immune Responses without Compromising Muscle Performance in Older Men
    • Authors: Gasmi, M., Sellami, M., Denham, J., Selmi, W., Khalifa, R.
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 40