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

Jing Li | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Prof Dr. Jing Li | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Shenyang University of Technology | China

Dr. Jing Li is a distinguished Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor at Shenyang University of Technology, specializing in electrical machines and apparatus, arc physics, gas-discharge theory, and simulation modeling. With a career dedicated to advancing the science behind electrical switching devices and circuit protection, her research integrates theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and engineering application—particularly in areas involving complex arc discharge dynamics, thermal behavior, and switching reliability of electrical apparatus under extreme operating conditions. Dr. Li has made substantial contributions to the understanding of arc interruption mechanisms, arc-fluid interaction phenomena, contact erosion processes, and high-altitude circuit breaker behavior, addressing pressing challenges relevant to next-generation power systems, high-voltage DC applications, and emerging smart-grid infrastructure. Her research excellence is demonstrated through her role as Principal Investigator for major funded programs, including one National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) project, one province-level major R&D initiative, and six general research projects supported by government science and education agencies. Additionally, she has participated in more than twenty national, provincial, and collaborative research grants, highlighting her strong research leadership and interdisciplinary engagement within China’s advanced electrical engineering research ecosystem. Dr. Li’s achievements have been recognized through numerous prestigious honors, including the Mechanical Science and Technology Progress Award (Second and Third Prizes) and the Liaoning Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize). Dr. Li has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed journal papers, with publications appearing in high-impact international and national journals such as the Chemical Engineering Journal, International Journal of Thermal Sciences, Physics of Fluids, Chinese Physics B, Plasma Science and Technology, Proceedings of the CSEE, and Transactions of the China Electrotechnical Society. Her most recent work includes advanced modeling of arc formation, droplet splashing behavior, fluid-chemical coupling during current interruption, and structural improvements in circuit breaker performance, reflecting deep insight into plasma-material interaction and multiphysics coupling. In addition to her research, Dr. Li serves as a reviewer for leading journals including Physics of Fluids, Proceedings of the CSEE, and Electrical Appliances & Energy Efficiency Management, demonstrating her recognition as a leading expert in the field. Through her scholarly work, project leadership, and contributions to scientific evaluation, Professor Jing Li continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the science and engineering of modern electrical protection systems and applied plasma physics.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Duan, W., Li, J., Yang, J., Huang, C., Fu, S., Li, Z., & Li, T. (2025). Experimental and numerical study of metal droplet splashing effects on direct current air arc interruption. Physics of Fluids. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0288531

Duan, W., Li, J., Gao, W., Shi, B., Liu, S., & Cao, Y. (2025). Investigation on heat transfer and fluid flow of arc-flash phenomenon in DC molded case circuit breakers: Model optimization and structural improvement. International Journal of Thermal Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2025.109919

Xing, C., Liu, S., Li, Y., Xu, J., & Li, J. (2025). Degradation stage division and identification of AC contactor’s contact system. IEEE Sensors Journal. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2025.3527471

Duan, W., Li, J., Bao, Y., Huang, H., Yang, J., Liu, S., & Cao, Y. (2025). Interaction between arc root stagnation-transition and contact erosion during direct current air circuit breaker interruption. Physics of Fluids. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0239389

Li, J., Yin, Y., Peng, S., Liu, S., Fu, Y., & Yu, L. (2025). The improvement of self-excited small current breaking of SE-DCCB by magnetic field reconstruction based on the evolution mechanism of arc root transition. Physics of Plasmas. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0230317

Peng, S., Li, J., Liu, S., & Cao, Y. (2024). Research on the liquid metal bridge formation process at contact separation moment of DC air circuit breaker. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.2024.3357755

Li, J., Peng, S., Yi, C., Huang, H., Cao, Y., Liu, S., & Zhou, Z. (2024). Optimization research on DC air circuit breaker at high altitudes based on arc root stagnation and arc reverse movement phenomena. Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42835-023-01633-6