Xingyu Chen | Cancer Biology | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

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

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

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.

Azhar Mehmood | Cancer Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Dr. Azhar Mehmood | Cancer Genetics
| Best Researcher Award

Rawalpindi Medical University | Pakistan

Dr. Azhar Mehmood is a biochemistry and molecular biology researcher whose work spans cancer genetics, DNA damage response pathways, exosomal biomarker discovery, and infectious disease molecular diagnostics. His research contributions include extensive investigation of breast, gastric, thyroid, and head and neck cancers, with a strong emphasis on genetic polymorphisms, pathway deregulation, epigenetic mechanisms, and survival-associated molecular markers. He has explored the prognostic significance of DDR pathway genes, including ATM, ATR, Chk1, and SIRT3/FOXO3a/SOD2 regulatory axes, and conducted SNP-based risk analyses for various malignancies. His work on exosomal microRNAs—such as miR-19a/b, miR-144-3p, miR-4262, and the miR-17-92a cluster—has advanced understanding of their diagnostic and therapeutic potential in breast and brain tumors. His research background also includes contributions to molecular profiling of HCV persistence, viral immunology, and transfusion-transmitted infections. He has applied molecular techniques such as qPCR, LORD-qPCR, IHC, ELISA, genotyping, exosome characterization, and multiple biochemical assays to uncover disease mechanisms and improve diagnostic precision. His publications collectively highlight a strong focus on cancer risk assessment, biomarker identification, and translational molecular research aimed at supporting early detection, targeted therapy development, and improved patient outcomes across multiple cancer types.

Featured Publications

Haris, M. S., Hussain, M. Z., Mehmood, A., Kayani, M. A., & Mahjabeen, I. (2025). hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-4262 are exosomal biomarkers and function as tumor suppressors in HCMV positive brain tumor. Future Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1080/14796694.2025.2569097

Mehmood, A., Mahjabeen, I., Reed, S., Errington, R. J., Umar, M., Pervaiz, F., & Kayani, M. A. (2025). Association of DDR pathway proteins and breast cancer risk in a Pakistani population. Future Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1080/14796694.2025.2581508

Maonan Wang | Tumor metabolism | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Dr. Maonan Wang | Tumor metabolism | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Central south university, China

Maonan Wang is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, China. He holds a Ph.D. from Southeast University and completed a Joint-Ph.D. at the National University of Singapore. His research focuses on nanomedicine, tumor immunotherapy, and biomaterials for cancer treatment. Wang has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing to advances in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. His work involves innovative nano-delivery systems and biosynthesized nanomaterials. He has received multiple research accolades and actively collaborates on interdisciplinary biomedical projects.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Ph.D., Southeast University (2018-2022). Joint-Ph.D., National University of Singapore, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (2021-2022). M.D., Central South University (2015-2018). B.D., Changzhi Medical College (2011-2015). Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Central South University since August 2022.

💼 Experience

Assistant Professor, Central South University (2022-Present). Researcher, National University of Singapore (2021-2022). Ph.D. Researcher, Southeast University (2018-2022). Extensive experience in nanomedicine, cancer therapy, and biomaterials research. Collaborated on multiple interdisciplinary projects in pathology and biomedical engineering

🏆 Awards & Honors

Published in top journals like PNAS, Bioactive Materials, Nano Today, Coordination Chemistry Reviews. Recognized for groundbreaking work in nano-delivery systems and cancer therapeutics. Received multiple research grants and fellowships for contributions to biomedicine. Acknowledged for excellence in interdisciplinary biomedical research and innovation

🔬 Research Focus

Nanomedicine and cancer immunotherapy. Tumor-targeted drug delivery and nano-biomaterials. Biosynthesized nanoparticles for therapeutic applications. Photothermal PCR and rapid nucleic acid detection. Exploring tumor microenvironment and immune evasion mechanisms

🔹 Conclusion

Maonan Wang is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his high-impact publications, interdisciplinary expertise, and contributions to biomedical nanotechnology and cancer therapy. Strengthening his profile with grants, mentorship roles, and translational research impact could further bolster his competitiveness. 🚀

Publication

  • Title: In situ self-assembling Au-DNA complexes for targeted cancer bioimaging and inhibition
    Year: 2020
    Author: Maonan Wang, Yun Chen, Weijuan Cai, Huan Feng, Tianyu Du, Weiwei Liu, Hui Jiang, Alberto Pasquarelli, Yossi Weizmann*, Xuemei Wang*
    Citation: PNAS, 117: 308 (IF=11.1)

 

  • Title: Baiting bacteria with amino acidic and peptidic corona coated defect-engineered antimicrobial nanoclusters for optimized wound healing
    Year: 2024
    Author: Maonan Wang†, Houjuan Zhu†, Yuling Xue, Yanxia Duan, Hua Tian, Qi Liu, Yuzhu Zhang, Zibiao Li, Xian Jun Loh, Enyi Ye, Gang Yin, Xuemei Wang, Xianguang Ding, David Tai Leong*
    Citation: Bioactive Materials, 42: 628-643 (IF=18)

 

  • Title: An ultrafast and portable nucleic acid detection system based on photothermal PCR and real-time fluorescence detection
    Year: 2023
    Author: Liangxi Zhu, Jingzhou Zhao, Yile Fang, Zhukang Guo, Maonan Wang*, Nongyue He*
    Citation: Nano Today, 53: 102019 (IF=13.2)

 

  • Title: Advance of nano anticancer therapies targeted on tumor-associated macrophages
    Year: 2021
    Author: Maonan Wang, Jingzhou Zhao, Hongjie Xiong, Hongbing Lu, Hui Jiang, Xuemei Wang*
    Citation: Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 446: 214126 (IF=20.6)

 

  • Title: Tumor targeted nano-delivery system of therapeutic RNA
    Year: 2022
    Author: Maonan Wang, Jingzhou Zhao, Hui Jiang, Xuemei Wang*
    Citation: Materials Horizons, 9: 1111-1140 (IF=13.3)

 

  • Title: Bio-assembled smart nanocapsules for targeted delivery of KRAS shRNA and cancer cell bioimage
    Year: 2023
    Author: Maonan Wang, Zengchao Guo, Jiayu Zeng, Liu Liu, Yihan Wang, Jinpeng Wang, Hongbing Lu, Haijun Zhang, Hui Jiang, Xuemei Wang*
    Citation: Chinese Chemical Letters, 34: 107651 (IF=9.1)

 

  • Title: In situ biosynthesized gold nanoclusters inhibiting cancer development via the PI3K–AKT signaling Pathway
    Year: 2019
    Author: Maonan Wang†, Zeqian Yu†, Huan Feng, Jianling Wang, Lishan Wang, Yu Zhang, Lihong Yin, Ying Du, Hui Jiang, Xuemei Wang*, Jiahua Zhou*
    Citation: Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 7(35): 5336-5344 (IF=7.57)

 

  • Title: Biophysics involved in the process of tumor immune escape
    Year: 2022
    Author: Maonan Wang, Hui Jiang, Xiaohui Liu*, Xuemei Wang*
    Citation: iScience, 25: 104124 (IF=5.8)

 

  • Title: The long noncoding RNA AATBC promotes breast cancer migration and invasion by interacting with YBX1 and activating the YAP1/Hippo signaling pathway
    Year: 2021
    Author: Maonan Wang†, Manli Dai†, Dan Wang†, Ting Tang, Fang Xiong, Bo Xiang, Ming Zhou, Xiaoling Li, Yong Li, Wei Xiong, Guiyuan Li, Zhaoyang Zeng*, Can Guo*
    Citation: Cancer Letters, 512: 60-72 (IF=9.7)

 

  • Title: The regulatory networks of the Hippo signaling pathway
    Year: 2021
    Author: Maonan Wang, Manli Dai, Dan Wang, Wei Xiong, Zhaoyang Zeng*, Can Guo*
    Citation: Journal of Cancer, 12(20): 6216-6230 (IF=3.9)

 

  • Title: Additive Manufacturing in Orthopedics: A Review
    Year: 2022
    Author: Yingchao Zhao, Zhen Wang, Jingzhou Zhao, Mubashir Hussain, Maonan Wang*
    Citation: ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 8(4): 1367-1380 (IF=5.7)