Amirul Hafiz Ahmad Abdullah | Neuroscience | Best Scholar Award

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Mr. Amirul Hafiz Ahmad Abdullah | Neuroscience
| Best Scholar Award

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Malaysia

Mr. Amirul Hafiz Ahmad Abdullah research focuses on the early mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration, with a particular emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease and the interplay between neurotrophic imbalance and programmed cell death pathways. Central to this work is the investigation of how dysregulation of BDNF and its precursor proBDNF contributes to synaptic vulnerability, cognitive decline, and the initiation of gasdermin-D–mediated pyroptosis during disease progression. Using aluminium-induced preclinical models that capture acute-to-chronic transitions, the research integrates behavioural assessments, molecular profiling, and transcriptomic analyses to map temporal changes in memory function, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotrophic signalling. Multi-omics approaches, including RNA sequencing, Western blotting, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry, are employed to link biochemical and cellular alterations with neurobehavioural outcomes, identifying potential early biomarkers that precede hallmark Alzheimer’s pathology. Additional work includes systematic reviews on pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and BDNF-related mechanisms across neurodegenerative disorders, as well as protocol development for synthesising evidence from animal studies. Complementary investigations explore oxidative stress responses, neuroprotective effects of exercise paradigms, and inflammatory pathways in toxin-induced neurological models. Collectively, these studies aim to clarify early molecular drivers of cognitive impairment and advance the discovery of diagnostic and therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

Featured Publications

Abdullah, A. H. A., Jufri, N. F., Masre, S. F., Rajab, N. F., Damanhuri, H. A., Roos, N. A. C., & Ibrahim, F. W. (2024). BDNF-altering cell death mechanisms of brain disorders: Pyroptosis and/or ferroptosis? A systematic review. Turkish Journal of Biochemistry, 49(4), 471–483. https://doi.org/10.1515/tjb-2024-0041

Sayuti, N., Ibrahim, F. W., Jufri, N. F., Masre, S. F., Abdullah, A. H. A., Raub, S. H. A., Azman, A. H. D., & Muhammed, M. H. (2024). Retrospective data analysis on the prevalence and demographic risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cases from a private laboratory in Malaysia. Tropical Biomedicine, 41(3), 257–263. https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.41.3.004

Abdullah, A. H. A., Anuar, H., Rosli, N. A., Faizal, H. H., Moothy, K., Fairof, M. H. Z., Jufri, N. F., Masre, S. F., Rajab, N. F., & Ibrahim, F. W. (2025). Aluminum exposure induces time-dependent cognitive decline, anxiety, and brain aluminum accumulation in rats. The Indonesian Biomedical Journal, 17(5), 416–425. https://doi.org/10.18585/inabj.v17i5.3746

İsmail Ibrahim | Neuroscience | Editorial Board Member

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Mr. Ismail Ibrahim | Neuroscience | Editorial Board Member

Fenerbahçe University | Turkey

Mr. Ismail Ibrahim is an emerging multidisciplinary researcher whose work spans neurobiology, physiotherapy, public health, clinical neuroscience, oncology, infectious diseases, and evidence-based rehabilitation sciences. His research portfolio includes numerous peer-reviewed publications, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, and multinational cross-sectional studies addressing critical clinical and epidemiological problems. He has contributed to major studies on post-COVID-19 health challenges, public responses to infectious disease outbreaks, vaccine awareness, and antimicrobial resistance, alongside impactful research on glioblastoma progression, neurodegenerative disorders, immuno-oncology, and advanced diagnostic techniques. His scientific output also extends to innovative investigations on stem-cell-based therapies, neuromodulation interventions such as tDCS and TMS, robotic-assisted rehabilitation technologies, cardiovascular robotic surgery, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, sports performance, and pediatric and adult neurological conditions. He has produced extensive work analyzing cancer outcomes using large clinical databases, explored radiological and thermographic diagnostic tools, and conducted comprehensive reviews on endocrine disorders, metabolic diseases, and neuroimmunological interactions. His submissions further highlight contributions to AI integration in healthcare, high-fidelity surgical simulation, endocrinology, neurorehabilitation, physiotherapy optimization, and global public health threats including Nipah virus and monkeypox. Through his broad research involvement across diverse medical and scientific disciplines, he demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing clinical evidence, improving patient outcomes, and informing healthcare innovation through rigorous, multidisciplinary inquiry.

Featured Publications

Shaheen, N., Shaheen, A., Ramadan, A., Hefnawy, M. T., Ramadan, A., et al. (2023). Appraising systematic reviews: A comprehensive guide to ensuring validity and reliability. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 8, 1268045.

Swed, S., Alibrahim, H., Bohsas, H., Jawish, N., Rais, M. A., Nasif, M. N., Hafez, W., et al. (2023). A multinational cross-sectional study on the awareness and concerns of healthcare providers toward monkeypox and the promotion of the monkeypox vaccination. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1153136.

Swed, S., Bohsas, H., Alibrahim, H., Rakab, A., Hafez, W., Sawaf, B., Amir, R. M., et al. (2023). Monkeypox post-COVID-19: Knowledge, worrying, and vaccine adoption in the Arabic general population. Vaccines, 11(4), 759

Carlota Jauregui Larranaga | Neurology | Best Researcher Award

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Carlota Jauregui Larranaga | Neurology | Best Researcher Award

Neurology Specialist, Donostia University Hospital, Spain

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Carlotta Jauregui Larrañaga is a neurologist and researcher with expertise in neurology, neuro-oncology, and clinical research. With a strong academic background and extensive experience in various medical institutions, she has made significant contributions to the field of neurology through her research and publications.

Profile

Orcid

Education

📚 Dr. Jauregui Larrañaga holds a degree in Medicine from the University of Navarra (2011-2017) and specialized in Neurology through the Formación Sanitaria Especializada en Neurología program at the Hospital Universitario de Navarra (2019-2023). She also completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Neurology from the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (2020-2023).

Experience

💼 Dr. Jauregui Larrañaga has worked as a Medical Resident in Neurology at the Hospital Universitario de Navarra and later as a Specialist Neurologist at the Hospital Universitario Donostia. She has also been involved in various research projects and collaborations, including external rotations in epilepsy and neuro-oncology units.

Research Interest

🔬 Dr. Jauregui Larrañaga’s research focuses on neurology, neuro-oncology, and clinical neuroscience. Her work explores the complexities of neurological disorders, including the use of advanced diagnostic techniques and therapeutic approaches.

Awards

– 2nd prize at the Annual Meeting of the Navarre Society of Neurology (2021)
– 1st prize for the presentation “Progressive Weakness and Split Hand: Not Everything is ALS” (2021)
– IV PUBLIBeCAS Award from the Spanish Society of Neurology for her work on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (2022)
– 3rd prize at the Annual Meeting of the Navarre Society of Neurology (2023)

Publications

Jauregui Larrañaga C, Ostolaza Ibañez A, Martín Bujanda M. Acute Transverse Myelitis Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Neurología. 2021. (link unavailable)
Jauregui C, Blanco-Luquin I, Macías M, Roldan M, Caballero C, Pagola I, Mendioroz M, Jericó I. Exploring the Disease-Associated Microglia State in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Biomedicines. 2023. (link unavailable)
Jauregui C, García M, Cabello J, Barceló MI, Bargay E, Gil MC, Bataller L, Velasco R, Erro E. Complexity of Neuro-Oncological Hospital Consultations: A Multicenter Study. Neurologia (Engl Ed). 2025. (link unavailable)

Conclusion

Carlota Jauregui Larrañaga is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her clinical expertise, research output, awards, and scientific communication skills mark her as an outstanding early-career neurologist with a promising future. With greater global exposure and continued scholarly activity, she is well-positioned to become a leader in neurological research.