Nasrin Mehranfard | Neurodegeneration | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Nasrin Mehranfard | Neurodegeneration | Best Researcher Award

Researcher, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute Iran

 Nasrin Mehranfard is a physiologist specializing in neurodegenerative disorders, ion channels, and synaptic plasticity. She earned her B.Sc. in Midwifery from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, followed by an M.Sc. in Physiology from the same institution.  She completed her Ph.D. in Physiology at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.  Her research focuses on electrophysiology, neuroplasticity, and behavioral neuroscience.  She has attended multiple national and international neuroscience and physiology congresses.  She has taught physiology at various universities, including Tehran University and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. She has published research on electrophysiology and behavioral neuroscience.  She has expertise in whole-cell patch clamp recording, deep brain stimulation, and stereotaxic surgery. She has contributed to neuroscience books and helped set up electrophysiological labs in Iran.

 

Publication Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education

B.Sc. in Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.  M.Sc. in Physiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.  Ph.D. in Physiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Specialized in neurophysiology, focusing on electrophysiology and behavioral neuroscience. Ranked 2nd in the Ph.D. General Entrance Exam of Physiology in Iran. Completed training in behavioral neuroscience, electrophysiological recording, and neuroplasticity techniques. Attended international neuroscience and physiology congresses, including IBRO School of Neuroscience in China. Conducted extensive research on ion channels and synaptic plasticity. Developed expertise in brain ischemia/reperfusion models and hippocampal tissue preparation. Authored book chapters on neuroscience techniques, including passive avoidance learning and whole-cell patch clamp methods.

💼 Experience

Lecturer of Physiology at Arak University of Medical Sciences, Khomein Faculty. Instructor of Physiology at Jahade Daneshgahee, affiliated with Tehran University. Electrophysiology Researcher at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Faculty member at Ghom University of Medical Sciences, Iran.  Lecturer at Behbahan Azad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.  Instructor at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, teaching physiology to nursing and midwifery students.  Neuroscience researcher at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Assisted in establishing intracellular patch-clamp recording and field potential recording laboratories. Set up Morris Water Maze and behavioral neuroscience labs for advanced neurophysiology research. Conducted training workshops on electrophysiological techniques and behavioral neuroscience.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Ranked 2nd in the National Ph.D. Entrance Exam for Physiology in Iran. Won a travel grant to attend IBRO School of Neuroscience in Beijing, China. Speaker at multiple national and international neuroscience congresses. Awarded for contributions to electrophysiology and behavioral neuroscience research. Recognized for setting up electrophysiology labs at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Published research on synaptic plasticity and ion channels in high-impact journals. Authored book chapters on neuroscience techniques.
Selected as an instructor for international neuroscience workshops.Recognized for developing experimental models in neurophysiology research. Contributor to neuroscience education and curriculum development in Iran.

🔬 Research Focus

 Neurodegenerative disorders and their impact on synaptic plasticity. Electrophysiological recordings, including whole-cell patch clamp and field potential methods. Role of ion channels in neurological diseases. Deep brain stimulation techniques and their effects on neural activity. Experimental models of ischemia/reperfusion injury in the brain.
Behavioral neuroscience, including formalin test, Morris Water Maze, and shuttle box studies. Pharmacological interventions in neurological disorders. Synaptic transmission and plasticity mechanisms in the hippocampus. Translational research linking basic neuroscience to clinical applications. Development of novel electrophysiological and behavioral neuroscience methodologies.

Publication Top Notes

  • Honey protects against chronic unpredictable mild stress induced-intestinal barrier disintegration and hepatic inflammation

 

  • Negative relationship between brain α1A-AR neurotransmission and βArr2 levels in anxious adolescent rats subjected to early life stress

 

  • Norepinephrine, neurodevelopment and behavior

 

  • Effects of chronic scheduled-caloric dietary on ghrelin secretion and food intake in adult male rats
    • Year: 2019
    • Authors: Halabian, Alireza; Mehranfard, Nasrin; Radahmadi, Maryam; Ghasemi, Maedeh
    • Citation: Physiology and Pharmacology, WOSUID: WOS:000488628800006

 

  • Mechanisms underlying anticonvulsant and proconvulsant actions of norepinephrine

 

  • Modulatory effect of ventromedial hypothalamic D2 receptors on leptin and glucose concentration
    • Year: 2018
    • Authors: Ghasemi, Maedeh; Mehranfard, Nasrin; Alaei, HojjatAllah
    • Citation: Physiology and Pharmacology, WOSUID: WOS:000441094000007

 

  • Decrease of high voltage Ca2+ currents in the dentate gyrus granule cells by entorhinal amyloidopathy is reversed by calcium channel blockade
    • Year: 2017
    • Authors: Pourbadie, Hamid Gholami; Naderi, Nima; Delavar, Hadi Mirzapour; Hosseinzadeh, Mahshid; Mehranfard, Nasrin; Khodagholi, Fariba; Janahmadi, Mahyar; Motamedi, Fereshteh
    • Citation: European Journal of Pharmacology, DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.11.032

 

  • Epilepsy-associated alterations in hippocampal excitability
    • Year: 2017
    • Authors: Navidhamidi, Mojdeh; Ghasemi, Maedeh; Mehranfard, Nasrin
    • Citation: Reviews in the Neurosciences, DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2016-0059

 

  • Calcium channel blockade attenuates abnormal synaptic transmission in the dentate gyrus elicited by entorhinal amyloidopathy
    • Year: 2016
    • Authors: Pourbadie, Hamid Gholami; Naderi, Nima; Janahmadi, Mahyar; Mehranfard, Nasrin; Motamedi, Fereshteh
    • Citation: Synapse, DOI: 10.1002/syn.21915

 

  • Vagal nerve stimulation for refractory epilepsy: A brief review

 

  • Chronic administration of ghrelin regulates plasma glucose and normalizes insulin levels following fasting hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia
    • Year: 2015
    • Authors: Goshadrou, Fatemeh; Kazerouni, Faranak; Mehranfard, Nasrin; Sadeghi, Bahman
    • Citation: General and Comparative Endocrinology, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.07.001

 

 

Di Ma | Neuroinflammation | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Di Ma | Neuroinflammation | Best Researcher Award

Charge of the Neuroscience Center, First hospital of Jilin University China

Di Ma, a female associate professor at the Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, has expertise in neuroimmunology. With a focus on inflammatory injuries in cerebral ischemia and neurodegenerative diseases, she is highly engaged in academic research and clinical training.

Publication Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Ph.D. in Neurology, Nagoya University, Japan (2009-2012). Master’s degree in Immunology, Bethune Medical College, Jilin University (2006-2008). Bachelor’s degree, Bethune Medical College, Jilin University (2001-2006)

💼 Experience

Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University (2018-present). Lecturer, Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University (2014-2018). Postdoctoral Tutor, Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University (2014-2019)

🏆 Awards & Honors

2018: The First Xue Qizhen Excellent Youth Award. Multiple grants from National Nature Science Foundation, Jilin Province, and Chinese Scholarship Council

🔬 Research Focus

Di Ma’s research focuses on the regulation of connexin 43 in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injuries and inflammatory responses. She studies the effects of ischemic preconditioning and gap junction proteins in neuroprotection.

Conclusion

Di Ma is a promising researcher with significant expertise in neuroimmunology and neurology. Her work addresses vital issues in cerebral ischemia and neuronal degeneration, and her accomplishments in research funding, mentorship, and innovative approaches make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. However, to further advance her career, expanding her collaborative efforts, increasing her global presence, and focusing on translating her research into clinical applications could increase the impact of her contributions on both scientific and clinical communities.

Publication Top Notes

Sara Uldry Júlio | Neurophysiology and Pain Research| Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sara Uldry Júlio | Neurophysiology and Pain Research| Best Researcher Award

 Dr at Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland 

Dr. Sara Uldry Júlio is a postdoctoral researcher at the Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. With dual citizenship in Switzerland and Portugal, she completed her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2024, focusing on the physiology and pathophysiology of intra-epidermal evoked potentials. Her research contributes to spinal cord injury recovery, blending her technical expertise with clinical applications. Beyond research, Dr. Júlio has been an active medical technical assistant and has mentored students and interns. She is passionate about neurophysiology and has a strong record of international collaborations and scientific publications.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Júlio earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Zurich in 2024, researching intra-epidermal electrically evoked potentials. Before that, she completed a Master of Science in Biology, with a major in Neuroscience from ETH Zurich, Switzerland (2019), and conducted research in various renowned institutions like the City College of New York and Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from ETH Zurich (2017) and graduated with an Abitur from the German School of Lisbon, Portugal (2013).

💼 Experience

Dr. Júlio has been a postdoctoral researcher at the Spinal Cord Injury Center since February 2024, continuing her groundbreaking research in spinal cord injury neurophysiology. She also worked as a medical technical assistant in the Neurophysiology department at Balgrist University Hospital since August 2020. Dr. Júlio’s early experience includes research assistant positions at the Institute of Molecular Systems Biology at ETH Zurich, the Spinal Cord Injury Center, and IES Ltd. She has participated in diverse research projects across Switzerland, Portugal, and the USA.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Júlio was awarded the University of Zurich Candoc Grant (2022-2023), which funded her Ph.D. research with 57,546 CHF. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications and presented her work at prestigious international conferences, such as the European Pain Federation and the Zurich Neuroscience Center. Her research on intra-epidermal electrically evoked potentials has been widely recognized for its potential clinical applications in spinal disorders. Additionally, Dr. Júlio has supervised master’s students and interns, contributing significantly to academic leadership.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Júlio’s research is centered on neurophysiology, particularly intra-epidermal electrically evoked potentials and their application in spinal cord injury diagnostics and treatments. Her work investigates the nociceptive specificity and clinical applicability of these potentials in conditions like degenerative cervical myelopathy. Dr. Júlio’s interdisciplinary studies also include the neurophysiological underpinnings of pain perception and student attentional engagement using eye tracking and brain activity. She aims to bridge basic research with clinical applications in spinal cord disorders.

📜 Conclusion

Dr. Sara Uldry Júlio is a promising and accomplished researcher, whose work in neuroscience and spinal cord injury research has already garnered significant recognition. Her leadership, mentorship, and successful publication record make her an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award, especially in the field of neurophysiology. Continued expansion of her independent research projects and teaching portfolio could further solidify her reputation as a leading scientist in the field.

Publications Top Notes

  • Intra-epidermal electrically evoked potentials are sensitive to detect degenerative cervical myelopathy suggesting their spinothalamic propagation
    Authors: Júlio, S.U., Schneuwly, M., Scheuren, P.S., Hubli, M., Schubert, M.
    Journal: Clinical Neurophysiology
    Year: 2024
    Cited by: 0

 

  • Intra-epidermal evoked potentials: A promising tool for spinal disorders?
    Authors: Lütolf, R., Júlio, S.U., Schubert, M., Hubli, M.
    Journal: Neurophysiologie Clinique
    Year: 2022
    Cited by: 4

 

Johns Saji | Alzheimers Disease | Best Researcher Award

Johns Saji | Alzheimers Disease | Best Researcher Award

Johns Saji is a Biotechnology graduate specializing in Regenerative and Stem Cell Technologies, with expertise in molecular and cellular biology. Currently a Research Assistant at Johns Hopkins University, he focuses on stem cell-based studies for Alzheimer’s disease, CRISPR gene editing, and confocal imaging. He holds a Master’s in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and another in Molecular Biology from Queen’s University Belfast. His research spans epigenetics, synthetic biology, and bioplastic synthesis. With multiple publications, a patent, and awards for academic excellence, Johns is passionate about cutting-edge biotechnological applications in healthcare and sustainability.

🌐 Professional Profiles:

🎓 Education

Johns Hopkins University (2023–Present): M.Sc. Biotechnology in Stem Cell & Regeneration Technology (Courses: Stem Cell Biology, Gene Therapy, Advanced Cell Biology, Cell Culture). Queen’s University Belfast (2019–2020): M.Sc. Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Research: Epitope Mapping of Mycobacterium avium). GPA: 3.41. Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha (2016–2019): B.Sc. Botany (Research: Antibacterial Comparison of Plectranthus amboinicus and P. hadiensis). GPA: 3.72.

💼 Professional Experience

Research Assistant, Johns Hopkins University (2023–Present): Stem cell modeling for Alzheimer’s, CRISPR gene editing, mouse handling, confocal imaging. Research Intern, Nirmala College (2021–2022): Studied flood impact on biodiversity, synthesized biodegradable bioplastics, researched plant microRNA roles in drought resilience.

🏅 Awards & Honors

Best Student Award (2019): Nirmala College Muvattupuzha, for academic excellence and leadership. UGC Certifications: Advanced Diploma in Rural Eco-Technology & Eco-Management. Patent: “IoT-Based Automated Filling & Packing Machine” (Published, India).

🔬 Research Focus

  • Stem Cell Technology: iPSC differentiation, neurodegeneration studies. CRISPR & Gene Editing: Knock-in/knock-out models, epigenetic regulation. Sustainability Research: Biodegradable bioplastics from agricultural waste. Neuroscience: Alzheimer’s disease modeling, microglia research.  Microbial Biotechnology: MicroRNA roles in plant and human diseases.

 Publication

  • Title: Insights into the Coffee microRNAs: Present and Future perspectives
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Johns Saji, Shibin Mohanan

 

  • Title: Mangrove conservation: Is it a need?
    Year: 2023
    Authors: Johns Saji, Geena George

 

  • Title: Genome editing in Streptomyces
    Year: In Press
    Authors: Johns Saji, Shibin Mohanan