Xingyu Chen | Cancer Biology | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Xingyu Chen | Cancer Biology | Young Scientist Award

Research Bioinformatician | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | United States

Dr. Xingyu Chen is a research bioinformatician and computational oncologist specializing in sex chromosome genomics, cancer immunology, and precision medicine. His work has revealed the Loss of the Y Chromosome (LOY) as a causal driver of cancer immune evasion in men, demonstrating its role in tumor progression, immune dysfunction, and therapy resistance. He pioneered the development of the world’s first Sex Chromosome-Aware Genomic Large Language Model, integrating AI with genomic data to enhance cancer diagnostics and guide precision therapies. His research combines multi-omics analysis, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and deep-learning models to uncover mechanisms of tumor evolution, T-cell exhaustion, and sex-specific cancer vulnerabilities. Chen has contributed to high-impact publications in journals such as Nature, Oncogene, and International Journal of Molecular Sciences, with 800 citations, an h-index of 15, and multiple first/co-first author contributions, reflecting his influence in the field. His work extends to translational applications, including LOY-informed cellular therapies and radiogenomic predictive algorithms for bladder cancer, leading to patentable innovations. He has also mentored trainees, co-supervised projects, and collaborated with international institutions to advance integrative cancer genomics and AI-driven therapeutics. Overall, his research advances the understanding of male-biased cancer mechanisms and supports the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, bridging fundamental biology, computational modeling, and clinical applications to improve outcomes for men with cancer.

Featured Publications

Abdel-Hafiz, H. A., Schafer, J. M., Chen, X., Xiao, T., Gauntner, T. D., Li, Z., … et al. (2023). Y chromosome loss in cancer drives growth by evasion of adaptive immunity. Nature, 619(7970), 624–631.

Jin, Y., Wang, Z., He, D., Zhu, Y., Chen, X., & Cao, K. (2021). Identification of novel subtypes based on ssGSEA in immune‐related prognostic signature for tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Medicine, 10(23), 8693–8707.

Ayesha Ahmed | Cancer Biology | Research Excellence Award

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Ms. Ayesha Ahmed | Cancer Biology | Research Excellence Award

Roosevelt University | United States

Ms. Ayesha Ahmed is an emerging pharmacist and pharmaceutical sciences researcher with a strong interdisciplinary foundation spanning clinical practice, pharmaceutical manufacturing, research coordination, and academic support. Her academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to advancing global healthcare through evidence-based practice, scientific inquiry, and collaborative learning. She has contributed to research projects that integrate stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and analytical evaluation, enabling the development of targeted research approaches within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Her scientific interests encompass drug formulation, regulatory science, clinical pharmacy, and translational research aimed at improving therapeutic outcomes. She has co-authored publications exploring corrosion-resistant polymer modifications for industrial applications, barriers and enablers influencing community pharmacists’ participation in deprescribing initiatives, and molecular insights into CRP interactomes related to cellular signaling and tumorigenicity. These works demonstrate her ability to engage with both laboratory-based and clinical-conceptual research, bridging basic science with healthcare practice. She possesses strong communication and instructional skills refined through academic tutoring roles, where she supported learners in developing scientific writing, analytical reasoning, and pharmacy-related competencies. Her international training exposure has strengthened her understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, regulatory frameworks, and quality-assurance practices within diverse healthcare systems. Motivated by a passion for patient-centered care, interdisciplinary research, and global health development, she continues to expand her expertise through advanced study in pharmaceutical sciences. She aims to contribute to innovations in drug development, clinical decision-making, and pharmacy practice through research that supports safety, effectiveness, and equitable access to healthcare.

Featured Publication

Gerhardt, A., Nanakaliy, D., Shah, H. D., Sarfaraz, S., Madigan, C., Downing, M., Elliott, R. P., Dipto, R., Vrapciu, B., Noetzel, J. W., et al. (2025). Evaluating the CRP interactome: Insights into possible novel roles in cellular signaling and tumorigenicity. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 47(12), Article 1003.

Elshazly, M., Wilkinson, J., Jawad, S., Ahmed, A., ElGeed, H., & Yusuff, K. B. (2025). Enablers and barriers to community pharmacists’ readiness to implement deprescribing of inappropriate medications for older adults in Qatar. PLOS ONE, 20(1), Article e0316363.

EVANKA MADAN | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr EVANKA MADAN | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr EVANKA MADAN, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, India

Dr. Evanka Madan is a distinguished Consultant and Assistant Professor at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India. With a robust background in biochemistry and molecular biology, she has achieved significant acclaim in her field. Her research spans drug discovery for parasitic diseases, focusing on Leishmania and malaria. Dr. Madan has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Young Scientist Fellowship by ICMR-DHR and the Best Young Researcher Award at the Science Conclave cum NBRCOM. She has also made substantial contributions through international collaborations, including research stints at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. Dr. Madan’s work has been featured in prominent journals, reflecting her commitment to advancing biomedical research and therapy.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  1. Research Excellence: Dr. Madan’s research has significantly advanced our understanding of diseases like Leishmania and cardiovascular issues. Her work on identifying novel drug targets and mechanisms in infectious diseases and cancer demonstrates her high-impact research capabilities.
  2. Recognition and Awards: Dr. Madan has received numerous accolades, including the Young Scientist Fellowship from ICMR-DHR and several Best Paper and Poster Awards. This recognition underscores her contributions to the field and her potential for community impact.
  3. International Experience: Her research experience spans prestigious institutions globally, including Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and she has been involved in international conferences, enhancing her visibility and collaborative opportunities.
  4. Public Engagement: Dr. Madan has delivered public scientific lectures and talks at international conferences, demonstrating her commitment to communicating scientific knowledge to the broader community.
  5. Technical Proficiency: Her expertise in both molecular and computational biology equips her to address complex biological questions, further strengthening her research’s potential for community impact.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Community Outreach: While Dr. Madan’s research is highly specialized, further engagement with community-based projects and local health initiatives could amplify the direct benefits of her work to the general public.
  2. Application of Research Findings: Emphasizing how her research findings are translated into practical applications or interventions that directly benefit community health would strengthen her candidacy. Demonstrating more concrete examples of her research’s impact on public health policies or local health practices could be beneficial.
  3. Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Expanding collaborations beyond her immediate field could offer new perspectives and enhance the applicability of her research findings. Collaborations with social scientists or public health experts might enhance the community relevance of her work.

Education

Dr. Evanka Madan earned her PhD in Biochemistry from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, in 2015. She completed her MSc in Medical Biotechnology from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, in 2010, where she was the top-ranked student. Her undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences were completed at Sri Venkateshwara College, Delhi University, in 2008, securing third position. Her academic foundation is further supported by her early education at Delhi Public School, where she excelled in the CBSE curriculum.

Experience

Dr. Madan has extensive experience in biochemistry and molecular biology. As a Senior Scientist at Dhiti Life Sciences, she focused on recombinant antigens and monoclonal antibodies. Her role as a CSIR Scientist Pool Officer at Jawaharlal Nehru University involved investigating druggable targets in Leishmania. Previous roles include a Postdoctoral Fellowship at JNU, Research Associate positions at NII and IGIB, and a PhD tenure at AIIMS. Her research encompasses host-pathogen interactions, molecular characterization, and drug discovery, underscoring her expertise in parasitology and cancer biology.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Madan’s accolades include the prestigious Young Scientist Fellowship by ICMR-DHR (2021-24) and the Best Young Researcher Award at the Science Conclave cum NBRCOM, 2023. She has received multiple best presentation and poster awards at international conferences, such as the ICID Conference in Sydney and the National Congress of Parasitology. Additionally, she has been honored with travel grants from CSIR, ICMR, and DST for global conferences, highlighting her contributions to research and science communication.

Research Focus

Dr. Madan’s research primarily focuses on parasitic diseases, particularly Leishmania and malaria. Her work involves the molecular characterization of pathogen-host interactions, drug target identification, and pre-clinical evaluations. Recent studies explore the role of sphingosine kinase in Leishmania and the impact of arginine sensing in host-pathogen dynamics. Dr. Madan’s research also extends to cancer biology, with investigations into the FAT1 gene’s role in glioma and its influence on tumor biology and inflammation.

Publication Top Notes

Identification of a De Novo Peptide against Palmitoyl Acyltransferase 6 to Block Survivability and Infectivity of Leishmania donovani πŸ¦ πŸ”¬

Screening of Traditional Medicinal Plant Extracts and Compounds Identifies a Potent Anti-Leishmanial Diarylheptanoid from Siphonochilus aethiopicus 🌿🦠

Targeting an Essential Plasmodium Cold Shock Protein to Block Growth and Transmission of Malaria Parasite πŸ¦ πŸ’‰

Cuscuta reflexa Possess Potent Inhibitory Activity Against Human Malaria Parasite: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study 🌿🦠

Host-Erythrocytic Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Regulates Plasmodium Histone Deacetylase Activity and Exhibits Epigenetic Control over Cell Death and Differentiation 🦠🧬

Rapid Diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Using a Point-of-Care Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Device πŸ¦ πŸ”¬

Host SUMOylation Pathway Negatively Regulates Protective Immune Responses and Promotes Leishmania donovani Survival πŸ¦ πŸ”¬

Chromatin-Remodeling Factor BRG1 Is a Negative Modulator of L. donovani in IFNΞ³ Stimulated and Infected THP-1 Cells πŸ¦ πŸ”¬

Conclusion

Dr. Evanka Madan’s extensive research achievements, recognition in the field, and international experience position her as a strong candidate for the Research for Community Impact Award. Her work addresses critical health issues, and her expertise has the potential to significantly benefit community health. By enhancing her focus on community engagement and translating research into practical health solutions, she could further strengthen her impact. Overall, Dr. Madan’s contributions make her a commendable candidate for this award.

Ramesh Pothuraju | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Assist Prof Dr. Ramesh Pothuraju | Cancer Biology | Best Researcher Award

 

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ«Professional Profile 🌟

πŸ”¬ Accomplished Scientist with a strong research background, currently serving as Scientist C and Ramanujan Faculty Fellow at the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology in Kerala, India. Formerly, I held positions as an Instructor and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the United States, showcasing my commitment to international research endeavors. My academic journey includes a Ph.D. from the National Dairy Research Institute in India, complemented by a wealth of teaching and research experience. Recognized with accolades such as the DST-Ramanujan re-entry fellowship and an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award, I am deeply passionate about Biochemistry, Molecular & Cell Biology, Immunology, and exploring diverse facets of health, including obesity and gastrointestinal health. πŸŒπŸ” #ScientificResearch #Biotechnology #Biochemistry #HealthScience

🌐 Professional Profiles

 

πŸ”¬ Research Experience

Scientist C Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala, India,(December 2023 – Present), Ramanujan Faculty Fellow Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala, India (July 2023 – December 2023) Instructor University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, United States (February 2020 – April 2023 Postdoctoral Fellow University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, United States (February 2016 – January 2020 Senior Research Fellow National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India (October 2015 – February 2016)

πŸŽ“ Education

Ph.D. (2015) National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India, M.S. (2009) National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India, B.S. (2004) Sri KrishnaDevaraya University, Anantapur, India

πŸ† Awards and Honors

2023 DST-Ramanujan Re-entry Fellowship (Awarded), 2022 Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Symposium, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA, 2013 Qualified ICAR-ASRB, National Eligibility Test (NET), 2009 – 2013 Awarded Institutional Fellowship for doctoral studies at National Dairy Research Institute, India, 2006 – 2009 Awarded Institutional Fellowship for master studies at National Dairy Research Institute, India

πŸ“š Teaching and Research Interest

πŸ§ͺ Biochemistry, Molecular & Cell Biology, Immunology, Research techniques, Obesity, Functional foods, Prebiotics, Probiotics, Gut microbiota, Intestinal homeostasis, Mucin biology, Β Irritable bowel diseases, Colorectal cancer, Transgenic mouse models for cancers

 

πŸ“šTop Noted Publication

Barkeer S*, Pothuraju R*, Malakar P, Pimental TC, Siddiqui JA. Nair SA.
Gum Acacia Dietary Fiber: Significance in Immunomodulation, Inflammatory Diseases and Cancer.
Phytotherapy Research, 2024, DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8125 (IF: 7.2).

 

Jean Wilson E, Sirpu Natesh N, Ghadermazi P, Pothuraju R, Shanmugam M, Prajapati DR, Pandey S, Kaifi JT, Dodam JR, Bryan J, Lorson CL, Watrelot AA, Foster JM, Mansel TJ, Joshua Chan SH, Batra SK, Subbiah J, Rachagani S.
Red cabbage juice-mediated gut microbiota modulation improves intestinal epithelial homeostasis and ameliorates colitis.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 539; doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010539 (IF: 5.6).

 

Sharma, T Sirpu Natesh N, Pothuraju R, Batra SK and Rachagani S.
Gut microbiota: a non-target victim of pesticide-induced toxicity.
Gut Microbes. 2023, 15(1):2187578. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2187578 (IF: 12.2).

 

Sharma G, Sultana A, Abdullah KM, Pothuraju R, Nasser MW, Batra SK, Siddiqui JA.
Epigenetic regulation of bone remodeling and bone metastasis.
Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2022, S1084-9521(22)00294-4, doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.11.002 (IF: 7.3).

 

Pothuraju R, Pai P, Chaudhary S, Siddiqui JA, Cox JL, Kaur S, Rachagani S, Roy HK, Bouvet M and Batra SK.
Depletion of transmembrane mucin 4 (Muc4) alters intestinal homeostasis in a genetically engineered mouse model of colorectal cancer.
Aging. 2022, 14(5):2025-2046. doi: 10.18632/aging.203935 (IF: 5.2)
(Highlighted in front cover page).

 

Muniyan S, Pothuraju R, Seshacharyulu P and Batra SK.
Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 in cancer: Beyond the cellular phenotype.
Cancer Letters. 2022, doi.org/10/1016/j.canlet.2022.215664 (IF: 9.7).

 

Sharma G, Pothuraju R, Kanchan RK, Batra SK, Siddiqui JA.
Chemokines network in bone metastasis: Vital regulators of seeding and soiling.
Semin Cancer Biol. 2022, S1044-579X(22)00024-4, doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.003 (IF: 14.5).

 

Siddiqui JA, Seshacharyulu P, Muniyan S, Pothuraju R, Khan P, Vengoji, R, Chaudhary S, Maurya S, Lele S, Jain M, Datta K, Nasser MW, Batra SK.
GDF15 promotes prostate cancer bone metastasis and colonization through osteoblastic CCL2 and RANKL activation.
Bone Research, 2022. 10(1):6, doi.org/10.1038/s41413-021-00178-6 (IF: 12.7).

 

Siddiqui JA, Pothuraju R, Khan P, Sharma G, Muniyan S, Seshacharyulu P, Muniyan S, Jain M, Nasser MW, Batra SK.
Pathophysiological role of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in obesity, cancer, and cachexia.
Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews. 2021. 64:71-83, doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.11.002 (IF: 13).

 

Athira S, Mann B, Sharma R, Pothuraju R, Bajaj RK.
Preparation and characterization of iron-chelating peptides from whey protein: An alternative approach for chemical iron fortification.
Food Research International, 2021, 141, 110133, doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110133 (IF: 8.1)