Nozuko Blasich | HIV and Mycology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Nozuko Blasich | HIV and Mycology | Best Researcher Award

Quality Control Technologist, National Health Laboratory Service South Africa

Nozuko Blasich is a Clinical Pathology Medical Technologist specializing in laboratory diagnostics, quality control, and biomedical research. She holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Technology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Science, focusing on fungal pathogens and their public health impact. Her research on cryptococcal meningitis has influenced World Health Organization (WHO) policies. She has published in high-impact journals, presented at international conferences, and serves as a peer reviewer. Passionate about improving diagnostic accuracy, she explores point-of-care tests for infectious diseases.

Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Nozuko Blasich earned her Master of Science in Biomedical Technology, with research focusing on cryptococcal meningitis, significantly contributing to global health policies. She is currently a PhD candidate in Biomedical Science, investigating fungal pathogens and their environmental prevalence. Her academic journey emphasizes microbiology, clinical diagnostics, and public health.

Experience 🧑‍🏫

She serves as a Quality Control Technologist at the National Health Laboratory Service, ensuring diagnostic accuracy and laboratory efficiency. With expertise in mycology, she has worked extensively on cryptococcal antigen screening and HIV diagnostics.

 Awards & Honors 🏆

She has received recognition for her contributions to medical mycology, including best researcher awards and grants for her impactful studies on fungal pathogens and diagnostic advancements.

Research Interests 🔬

Her research explores fungal infections, laboratory diagnostics, and point-of-care testing to enhance public health interventions. She investigates diagnostic methodologies, antimicrobial resistance, and epidemiology to improve early detection and treatment outcomes.

Publications 📚

  1. Evaluating the Accuracy of Multiple Rapid Diagnostic Tests for HIV Detection in Serum Samples Analysed During Point-of-Care Proficiency Testing Assessments (2025) – Nozuko P. Blasich, Jerom Okot, Artur Ramos, Mduduzi B. Buthelezi, Dumisani F. Shabangu, Mahlatse M. Maleka, Sarvashni Moodliar, Nqobile Ngoma, Tendesayi Kufa

 

  1. Retrospective Assessment of a National Reflex Cryptococcal Antigen Screening Program in South Africa Through Interlaboratory Comparison of Lateral Flow Assay Results (2022) – Nozuko P. Blasich, Lindi M. Coetzee, Charlotte Sriruttan, Daniel DeSanto, Gregory S. Greene, Deborah K. Glencross, Nelesh P. Govender

 

  1. Association of Semi-Quantitative Cryptococcal Antigen Results in Plasma with Subclinical Cryptococcal Meningitis and Mortality Among Patients with Advanced HIV Disease (2021) – Nozuko P. Blasich, Rachel M. Wake, Ivy Rukasha, Yvonne Prince, Nelesh P. Govender

 

  1. Cryptococcus neoformans: Diagnostic Dilemmas, Electron Microscopy and Capsular Variants (2018) – Nozuko P. Blasich, Monica Birkhead, Serisha D. Naicker, Ivy Rukasha, Juno Thomas, Charlotte Sriruttan, Shareef Abrahams, Grisselda S. Mavuso, Nelesh P. Govender

 

Anastasia Kovrizhina | Medicinal chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Anastasia Kovrizhina | Medicinal chemistry | Women Researcher Award

PhD Reseracher, Tomsk Polytechnic University Russia

Anastasia Kovrizhina is a Russian researcher specializing in organic chemistry and biotechnology. She holds a Ph.D. from National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, where she focuses on molecular modeling and the synthesis of biologically active compounds. Currently, she is a researcher at Tomsk Polytechnic University and serves as a scientist secretary. Her work includes the development of novel kinase inhibitors and fluorocarbon aza-heterocycles for anticancer treatments. She has been actively involved in international collaborations, including research internships at Montana State University, USA, and Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russia. With an h-index of 7, she has published extensively in high-impact journals and has presented at numerous international and national conferences. She has received multiple prestigious scholarships and awards, including the Baden-Württemberg State Scholarship and the Government Scholarship of the Russian Federation. Her expertise spans chemical synthesis, biological assays, computational chemistry, and quantum calculations.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Anastasia Kovrizhina earned her Ph.D. (2019-2023) in Organic Chemistry from National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, specializing in molecular modeling and drug synthesis. She completed her Master’s degree (2017-2019) in Biotechnology at the same institution, where she studied organic and applied chemistry. During her studies, she participated in an academic exchange at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, where she took courses in bioinformatics, bioprocessing, and enzymology. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree (2013-2017) in Biotechnology from National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, with a strong foundation in chemistry, physics, and humanities. Her academic journey has been complemented by advanced training in computational chemistry, quantum calculations, and SAR/QSAR analysis. She has also gained international exposure through scholarships and research projects focused on innovative drug development. Her multidisciplinary education allows her to integrate experimental and computational approaches for pharmaceutical and medical applications.

Experience 🧑‍🏫

Anastasia Kovrizhina is currently a researcher at Tomsk Polytechnic University, specializing in the synthesis of biologically active compounds. She also serves as a scientist secretary at the School of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies and is an active member of the Council of Young Scientists. She has undertaken research internships at the Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry (2020) and Montana State University, USA (2019), where she collaborated on immunology and organic chemistry projects. Her work includes grant-funded research on kinase inhibitors, fluorocarbon aza-heterocycles, and polymer scaffolds for cardiovascular applications. She has supervised undergraduate and master’s students and has taught courses in professional English and organic chemistry. Her expertise includes molecular modeling, chemical synthesis, and computational chemistry. She has contributed to multiple research projects under the Russian Science Foundation and has been instrumental in developing innovative drug delivery systems for anticancer treatments.

 Awards & Honors 🏆

Anastasia Kovrizhina has received several prestigious awards, including the First Degree Diploma (2024) for her research on indenoquinoxalinone oxime (IQ-1). She won the 5th All-Russian Research Competition (2020) for her work on indenoquinoxaline derivatives. She was honored with the 3rd Degree Medal for “Achievements for Tomsk Polytechnic University” and the BAYHOST Scholarship for studying German (2020). She received the Baden-Württemberg State Scholarship (2018-2019) and the Russian Government Scholarship (2018-2019). Her participation in international conferences has been recognized with numerous accolades. She has also secured multiple research grants, including the Russian Science Foundation grants for developing kinase inhibitors and fluorocarbon aza-heterocycles as anticancer agents. Her scientific contributions to drug discovery and pharmaceutical chemistry have positioned her as a promising young researcher in her field.

Research Interests 🔬

Anastasia Kovrizhina’s research focuses on the synthesis and molecular modeling of biologically active compounds, particularly kinase inhibitors and fluorocarbon aza-heterocycles for anticancer treatments. She has pioneered the development of JNK kinase inhibitors based on indenoquinoxaline scaffolds, which have potential anti-inflammatory applications. Her work has demonstrated that IQ-1 salts enhance the efficacy of cerebral ischemia treatment. She has conducted pharmacokinetic studies on IQ-1 absorption in the gastrointestinal tract to optimize drug formulation. Her expertise extends to computational chemistry, quantum calculations, and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. She is also involved in developing supramolecular complexes for innovative drug delivery. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates synthetic chemistry, computational modeling, and biological assays to advance pharmaceutical research. She has contributed significantly to drug design, molecular docking studies, and the synthesis of novel heterocyclic compounds for targeted therapies.

Publications 📚

  1. Title: 6,8-Dibromo-11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinolin-11-one
    Year: 2024
    Author: Anastasia R. Kovrizhina, Dauren Tolegen, Dmitry I. Pavlov, Andrei S. Potapov, Andrei I. Khlebnikov
    Citations: Not available
    Article: Molbank

 

  1. Title: Evaluation of Nitric Oxide-Donating Properties of 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one Oxime (IQ-1) by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
    Year: 2024
    Author: Viacheslav V. Andrianov, Igor A. Schepetkin, Leah V. Bazan, Khalil L. Gainutdinov, Anastasia R. Kovrizhina, Dmitriy N. Atochin, Andrei I. Khlebnikov
    Citations: Not available
    Article: Molecules

 

  1. Title: Dose proportionality and bioavailability of quinoxaline-based JNK inhibitor after single oral and intravenous administration in rats
    Year: 2024
    Author: Galina A. Frelikh, Elena A. Yanovskaya, Alexander P. Lakeev, Galina A. Chernysheva, Vera I. Smolyakova, Anastasia R. Kovrizhina
    Citations: Not available
    Article: Xenobiotica

 

  1. Title: Neuroprotective Effects of Tryptanthrin-6-Oxime in a Rat Model of Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia
    Year: 2023
    Author: Mark Plotnikov, Galina A. Chernysheva, Vera I. Smol’yakova, Oleg I. Aliev, Anna M. Anishchenko, Olga A. Ulyakhina, Eugene S. Trofimova, Anastasia A. Ligacheva, Nina D. Anfinogenova, Anton Osipenko et al.
    Citations: Not available
    Article: Pharmaceuticals

 

  1. Title: Novel Tryptanthrin Derivatives with Selectivity as c–Jun N–Terminal Kinase (JNK) 3 Inhibitors
    Year: 2023
    Author: Igor A. Schepetkin, Oleksander S. Karpenko, Anastasia R. Kovrizhina, Liliya N. Kirpotina, Andrei I. Khlebnikov, Stepan I. Chekal, Alevtyna V. Radudik, Maryna O. Shybinska, Mark T. Quinn
    Citations: Not available
    Article: Molecules

 

  1. Title: Quantification of a promising JNK inhibitor and nitrovasodilator IQ-1 and its major metabolite in rat plasma by LC–MS/MS
    Year: 2022
    Author: Alexander P. Lakeev, Galina A. Frelikh, Elena A. Yanovskaya, Anastasia R. Kovrizhina, Vladimir V. Udut
    Citations: Not available
    Article: Bioanalysis

 

  1. Title: Poly(ϵ-caprolactone) Scaffolds Doped with c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Inhibitors Modulate Phagocyte Activation
    Year: 2019
    Author: K.S. Stankevich, I.A. Schepetkin, S.I. Goreninskii, A.K. Lavrinenko, E.N. Bolbasov, A.R. Kovrizhina, L.N. Kirpotina, V.D. Filimonov, A.I. Khlebnikov, S.I. Tverdokhlebov et al.
    Citations: Not available
    Article: ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering

 

JAYAPRAKASH BEHERA| Medicinal chemistry | Young Scientist Award

Mr. JAYAPRAKASH BEHERA| Medicinal chemistry | Young Scientist Award

Research scholar, CSIR-IIIM JAMMU, India

Jayaprakash Behera, an emerging researcher in Chemistry and Materials Science, holds a PhD from CSIR-IIIM Jammu under AcSIR. He is currently a Project Associate for CSIR Aroma Mission Phase-III. With a background in Polymer Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, he has worked on various research projects at prestigious institutions like IIT Guwahati and IIT Delhi. His innovative research has earned him multiple national and international accolades, including world records and recognition for contributions in scientific development.

Publication Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education 

PhD: CSIR – IIIM Jammu (continuing). M.Phil. Polymer Chemistry & Material Science, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (2020). M.Sc. Organic Chemistry, Galgotias University (2017). B.Sc. Chemistry, BJB Autonomous College, Utkal University (2013)

💼 Experience 

Jayaprakash has served as Project Associate for CSIR Aroma Mission Phase-III (2023–present) and Phase-II (2021–2023). He worked as JRF in a DST-funded project at Malaviya National Institute of Technology (2017-2019) and undertook major and minor projects at IIT Delhi and IIT Guwahati. He has also contributed significantly to national and international exhibitions and research projects on medicinal and nano-based products.

🏆 Awards & Honors 

Jayaprakash has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam National Star Award, Young Scientist Award, City Excellence Award, Global Icon Award, and Rabindranath Tagore Hall of Fame Award. He is also a five-time world record holder, recognized by the London Book of World Records, USA Book of World Records, and more. Additionally, he has received accolades for his innovative ideas and contributions from CSIR and other organizations.

🔬 Research Focus 

Jayaprakash’s research revolves around Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, and Nanotechnology, focusing on skin and hair-related solutions, nanoparticle seed coatings, and medicinal products. His work includes nano formulations for agricultural use, innovative medicinal soaps for skin issues, and skin and hair care solutions. He has authored multiple international articles and patents on his discoveries, contributing to the advancement of green chemistry and sustainable material science.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Nano boron nitride laminated poly (ethyl methacrylate)/poly (vinyl alcohol) composite films imprinted with silver nanoparticles as gas barrier and bacteria resistant packaging
    • Year: 2024
    • Authors: J Behera, S Patra, S Nazrul, SK Sharma, D Kumar, MK Verma, AK Katare, …
    • Citations: 2

 

  1. Bioassay-guided fractionations of Cannabis sativa extract and HPLC-assisted purifications of anti-proliferative active fractions lead to the isolation of 16 known and …
    • Year: 2024
    • Authors: Y Nalli, S Bharti, T Amin, R Singh, J Behera, SS Bhayye, YP Bharitkar, …
    • Citations: 2

 

  1. Correction: Bioassay-guided fractionations of Cannabis sativa extract and HPLC-assisted purifications of anti-proliferative active fractions lead to the isolation of 16 known …
    • Year: 2024
    • Authors: Y Nalli, S Bharti, T Amin, R Singh, J Behera, SS Bhayye, YP Bharitkar, …

 

  1. Phytochemical investigation of anti-proliferative active fractions of Cannabis sativa leads to isolate a new Compound Canniprene A and other bioactive compounds through …
    • Year: 2023
    • Authors: Y Nalli, S Bharti, T Amin, R Singh, J Behera, A Goswami, MK Verma

Wafaa Mhaira | Synthesis Application | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Wafaa Mhaira | Synthesis Application | Best Researcher Award

University Cadi Ayyad, Faculté des Sciences Semlalia Marrakech, Morocco

Wafaa Mhaira, is a Moroccan national residing in Marrakech. She is currently unmarried and pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at Cadi Ayyad University, specializing in materials chemistry and process optimization.

Professional Profile 

🎓Education

Wafaa is currently a 4th-year PhD student in Chemistry at Cadi Ayyad University (2021–present), focusing on materials chemistry and process optimization. She holds a Master’s degree in Inorganic Materials Chemistry (2020–2021), graduating at the top of her class. Wafaa completed her Bachelor’s in Chemistry in 2020 and a Scientific Baccalaureate in Physical Sciences in 2017, both from the Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Marrakech.

💼Experience

Wafaa has gained valuable experience through various scientific internships, including roles in Thermal Analysis, SEM, and FTIR at the Analysis and Characterization Center (CAC) between 2021 and 2023. She also teaches practical sessions on solid-state chemistry, sintering, and chemical kinetics at her university.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Wafaa has earned several accolades for her academic and research achievements, including the Best Oral Presentation Award at the Eighth International Symposium on Dielectric Materials and Applications (2024). She also won second prize at the 3rd International School on Advanced Materials (InSAM’3, 2023).

🔬 Research Focus

Wafaa’s research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of semiconductor oxide materials for photocatalytic applications, particularly in the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants like sulfamethoxazole. She investigates the structural, electrical, optical, and microstructural properties of doped BiMeVOx compounds for enhanced photocatalysis.

Conclusion

Wafaa Mhaira’s dedication to advancing material science, along with her innovative contributions to the study of photocatalytic materials, makes her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her academic excellence, technical expertise, and recognition at international forums reflect her exceptional potential for future contributions to the field. With further interdisciplinary collaborations and broader applications of her research, Mhaira is poised to make significant strides in materials chemistry and related industries.

Publications Top Noted

  • Structure, thermal stability and microstructural properties of Bi4V2-x(Cu-Li)xO11-7x/4 solid solution (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.3)
    Materialia | 2025-03 | DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2024.102333

 

  • Investigation of the structural and microstructural properties of copper and tantalum substituted BiMeVOx compounds with enhanced oxygen ion conductivity: Bi4V2-xCux/2Tax/2O11-3x/4 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5)
    Ceramics International | 2024-11 | DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.08.111

 

  • Structural study and photocatalytic activity of BiMeVOx materials Bi4V2-xCux/2Tax/2O11-3x/4
    Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry | 2024-08 | DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2024.115629

 

  • Structural and Optical Properties of Bi4Six/2Gex/2V2-xO11-x/2 Compounds: Effect of Double Substitution and Phase Transitions
    Silicon | 2024-07 | DOI: 10.1007/s12633-024-03035-3

 

  • Electrical conductivity characterization of Bi4V2O11 doped with sulfur prepared by hydrothermal process
    Journal of the European Ceramic Society | 2024-03 | DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2023.11.003

 

  • Influence of Si4+ and Ga3+ Doped in the BiSiGaVOx System on the Structure and Ionic Conductivity
    Silicon | 2024-02 | DOI: 10.1007/s12633-023-02759-y

 

 

Antonios Kousaxidis | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

 Mr. Antonios Kousaxidis | Medicinal Chemistry |Best Researcher Award

 Mr at School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

A seasoned educator and researcher with extensive experience in physics, holding positions from Assistant to Associate Professor at IAU, Urmia, and Urmia University of Technology. Specialized in teaching a range of undergraduate to Ph.D. courses including Quantum Mechanics, Laser Physics, and Nonlinear Dynamical Systems. Proficient in Maple and Matlab programming with a strong background in finite element method analysis. Led impactful research projects in chaotic systems, cancer treatment, and national security, earning multiple awards including the Kharazmi Scientific Festival Second Prize. A recognized leader in academia with a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and education.

Profile

  1. Scopus

🎓 Education:

Master’s Degree in Medicinal Chemistry: (9.85/10) from Departments of Chemistry, Medicine, Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece. Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry: (7.76/10) from Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.

Personal Skills:

Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry: Training in synthetic organic chemistry and biochemistry applied to drug design, with experience in several areas of synthetic methodology using retrosynthetic approaches. Metal-Based Coupling Reactions: Excellent knowledge and practice of metal-based coupling reactions in modern organic chemistry. Synthetic Routes Optimization: Training in synthetic routes optimization using one-pot reactions during master’s thesis. Analytical Methods: Proficient in NMR, IR, UV, and mass spectrometry for identifying organic compounds. Small Molecule Synthesis: Synthesis of small molecule organic compounds and isolation by recrystallization. Purification and Separation: Excellent knowledge and practice in chromatographic methods like column, preparative, and thin-layer chromatography for purifying and separating organic compounds. Biochemical Protocols: Good practice in using biochemical protocols for enzyme kinetics experiments. Drug Discovery Programs: Extensive experience in drug discovery programs, structure-based drug design, molecular docking, and SAR estimation models using in silico methods (Discovery Studio, Chimera, LigandScout, PyMOL, OpenBabel, ADMET). Scientific Manuscripts: Proficient in writing and preparing scientific manuscripts.

💻 Software Skills:

Office Suite (ECDL degree) – Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. Calculative and predictive programs like MestReNova, Topspin DataAnalysis, ChemDraw Ultra, MedChem Designer, and BioLoom.

Research Focus:

A. Kousaxidis primarily focuses on the design and synthesis of novel compounds with therapeutic potential, particularly targeting enzymes such as aldose reductase (ALR2) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). The research also encompasses antimicrobial agents, lipoxygenase inhibitors, and therapeutic strategies for conditions like diabetes mellitus and sepsis.

Publications Top Notes 📝

  • A Molecular Hybridization Approach for the Design of Selective Aldose Reductase (ALR2) Inhibitors and Exploration of Their Activities Against Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B)
    • Authors: Kousaxidis, A., Petrou, A., Rouvim, P., Nicolaou, I., Geronikaki, A.
    • Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 1271
    • Article Number: 134116
    • Citations: 3
    • Summary: This study presents a hybridization approach to develop selective ALR2 inhibitors and investigates their potential activities against PTP1B, highlighting their dual therapeutic potential.

 

  • Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Indazole Carboxamides of N-Substituted Pyrrole Derivatives as Soybean Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
    • Authors: Lavrentaki, V., Kousaxidis, A., Theodosis-Nobelos, P., Koutsopoulos, K., Nicolaou, I.
    • Journal: Molecular Diversity
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 2
    • Summary: This paper discusses the synthesis and evaluation of novel indazole carboxamides, demonstrating significant inhibitory activity against soybean lipoxygenase.

 

  • N-Derivatives of (Z)-Methyl 3-(4-Oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidene)methyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylates as Antimicrobial Agents—In Silico and In Vitro Evaluation
    • Authors: Petrou, A., Geronikaki, A., Kartsev, V., Nicolaou, I., Vizirianakis, I.S.
    • Journal: Pharmaceuticals
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 16
    • Issue: 1
    • Article Number: 131
    • Citations: 4
    • Summary: This open-access article evaluates the antimicrobial activity of new N-derivatives, supported by both in silico and in vitro methods.

 

  • Non-acidic Bifunctional Benzothiazole-Based Thiazolidinones with Antimicrobial and Aldose Reductase Inhibitory Activity as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Sepsis
    • Authors: Kousaxidis, A., Kovacikova, L., Nicolaou, I., Stefek, M., Geronikaki, A.
    • Journal: Medicinal Chemistry Research
    • Year: 2021
    • Volume: 30
    • Issue: 10
    • Pages: 1837-1848
    • Citations: 13
    • Summary: This research explores benzothiazole-based thiazolidinones with dual activity, suggesting a promising approach for treating sepsis.

 

  • Aldose Reductase and Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitors as a Promising Therapeutic Approach for Diabetes Mellitus
    • Authors: Kousaxidis, A., Petrou, A., Lavrentaki, V., Nicolaou, I., Geronikaki, A.
    • Journal: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
    • Year: 2020
    • Volume: 207
    • Article Number: 112742
    • Citations: 39
    • Summary: This review highlights the potential of targeting ALR2 and PTP1B as a therapeutic strategy for diabetes, emphasizing recent advances and future perspectives.