Prof. Dr.  Canan G. Nebigil-Désaubry  – Cardiovascular – Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr.  Canan G. Nebigil-Désaubry  - Cardiovascular - Best Researcher Award

INSERM, UMR1260 University of Strasbourg - France

Author Profile 

ORCID 

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Canan G. Nebigil-Désaubry embarked on her academic journey with a pharm.d. from ankara university, where her interest in pharmacology and molecular biology began to take shape. she further pursued a ph.d. at the university of tennessee, delving deeper into molecular signaling pathways. her academic excellence and passion for biomedical research led her to postdoctoral training under nobel laureate professor robert lefkowitz at duke university, where she gained invaluable insights into g protein-coupled receptors (gpcrs), setting the stage for her future research.

Professional endeavors 💼

After completing her postdoctoral training, dr. nebigil-désaubry's career flourished as a senior scientist at the national institutes of health (nih) and later at the institute of genetics and molecular and cellular biology (igbmc). her exemplary work earned her an atip/avenir award, enabling her to join the european school of biotechnology (esbs) at the university of strasbourg. currently, she serves as the director of research at cnrs, inserm umr1260 regenerative nanomedicine, where she continues to make significant contributions to cardiovascular and metabolic research.

Contributions and research focus 🔬

Dr. Nebigil-désaubry's research primarily explores the role of gpcrs, particularly serotonin and prokineticin receptors, in cardiovascular development and disease. she established the critical Cardiovascular roles of these receptors in heart development and pathology, notably identifying the serotonin 5-ht2b receptor's pivotal role in embryonic cardiac development. her team was also the first to investigate prokineticin signaling in cardiac and metabolic disorders, revealing its potential as a therapeutic target for heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. her groundbreaking discovery of the first non-peptidic pkr1 agonist, is20, marked a significant milestone in cardioprotection and cardio-oncology.

Accolades and recognition 🏆

Dr. Nebigil-désaubry's innovative research has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious atip/avenir award. her contributions to cardiovascular and metabolic research are Cardiovascular recognized globally, with multiple drug discovery patents to her name. the inclusion of is20 in the international union of basic and clinical pharmacology (iuphar) guide to pharmacology as a selective pkr1 agonist further underscores the significance of her work in the scientific community.

Impact and influence 💡

The impact of dr. nebigil-désaubry's research extends beyond academic circles, influencing clinical practices and therapeutic strategies in cardiology and oncology. her identification of the Cardiovascular prokineticin/pkr1 signaling pathway as a regulator of epicardial adipose tissue development has provided new avenues for managing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (hfpef) and cardiometabolic disorders. her work in cardio-oncology aims to address the pressing need for early biomarkers and cardioprotective therapeutics in chemotherapy-induced heart failure.

Legacy and future contributions 🕊️

Dr. Nebigil-désaubry's legacy is one of innovation and excellence in cardiovascular research. her pioneering work in cardiac regeneration and metabolic disease management has laid the foundation for future advancements in precision medicine. with her recent development of a 3d cardiac organoid-tumor system, she is poised to accelerate drug discovery and biomarker identification, ultimately improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of regenerative medicine and cardio-oncology.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Flavaglines: Their Discovery from Plants Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Synthesis, and Drug Development Against Cancer and Immune Disorders
    Author(s): Dong Wang, Mustafa Ali Tezeren, Hussein Abou Hamdan, Peng Yu, Canan Nebigil-Désaubry, Laurent Désaubry
    Journal: Current Chinese Chemistry, 2022

  • Title: Prohibitin ligands: a growing armamentarium to tackle cancers, osteoporosis, inflammatory, cardiac and neurological diseases
    Author(s): Dong Wang, Redouane Tabti, Sabria Elderwish, Hussein Abou-Hamdan, Amel Djehal, Peng Yu, Hajime Yurugi, Krishnaraj Rajalingam, Canan G. Nebigil, Laurent Désaubry
    Journal: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2020

  • Title: SFPH proteins as therapeutic targets for a myriad of diseases
    Author(s): Dong Wang, Redouane Tabti, Sabria Elderwish, Amel Djehal, Nora Chouha, Franck Pinot, Peng Yu, Canan G. Nebigil, Laurent Desaubry
    Journal: Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2020

  • Title: Flavaglines as natural products targeting eIF4A and prohibitins: From traditional Chinese medicine to antiviral activity against coronaviruses
    Author(s): Canan G. Nebigil, Christiane Moog, Stéphan Vagner, Nadia Benkirane-Jessel, Duncan Smith, Laurent Désaubry
    Journal: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2020

  • Title: Prokineticin signaling in heart-brain developmental axis: Therapeutic options for heart and brain injuries
    Author(s): Laurent Désaubry, Anumantha Kanthasamy, Canan G. Nebigil
    Journal: Pharmacological Research, 2020

Dr. Michael Bekele Maru  – Civil Engineering – Best Paper Award

Dr. Michael Bekele Maru  - Civil Engineering - Best Paper Award

Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon Campus,2nd Engineering Complex,26220 - South Korea 

Author Profile 

GOOGLE SCHOLAR 

🎓 Early academic pursuits

Michael Bekele maru embarked on his academic journey at addis ababa university in ethiopia, where he earned a b.sc in civil, architectural, and environmental system engineering. his undergraduate thesis focused on the structural design of a multi-story building, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in structural engineering. his quest for advanced knowledge led him to sungkyunkwan university in south korea, where he pursued a combined m.sc and ph.d. in civil, architectural, and environmental system engineering. under the guidance of professor seunghee park, michael's dissertation on enhancing lidar data processing for building facade segmentation and 3d reconstruction showcased his innovative approach to integrating technology with civil engineering.

💼 Professional endeavors

Michael's professional journey began as a site engineer with addis gedle general contractor, where he honed his skills in quality supervision, project monitoring, and construction planning. his role as a project engineer at nasew construction plc further expanded his expertise in project synchronization, scheduling, and quality assurance. transitioning to academia, michael served as a graduate researcher at sungkyunkwan university's smart construction it lab, where he contributed significantly to optical sensor applications in structural health monitoring. currently, as a postdoctoral researcher at the same institution, he continues to explore cutting-edge technologies for structural assessment and digital twin applications.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Michael's research is characterized by its innovative use of lidar technology, computer vision, and augmented reality in structural health monitoring. his work on algorithmic-based damage Civil Engineering detection, 3d reconstruction techniques, and point cloud analysis has advanced the field significantly. he has developed detailed 3d models for crack detection, utilized lidar for shape change analysis, and integrated ar applications for real-time structural assessments. his ongoing projects include camera-lidar feature-based fusion for bridge monitoring, close-up imaging for crack assessment, and semantic-driven 3d model generation using ar.

🏆 Accolades and recognition

Michael's contributions to structural health monitoring have earned him recognition within the academic and engineering communities. his innovative research has been showcased in Civil Engineering numerous conferences and publications, highlighting his expertise in lidar technology, computer vision, and ar integration. his work has not only enhanced structural assessment methodologies but also set new standards for efficiency and accuracy in the field.

💡 Impact and influence

Michael's research has had a profound impact on the field of structural health monitoring, particularly in the integration of advanced technologies for damage detection and assessment. his Civil Engineering development of 3d reconstruction techniques and point cloud analysis has improved the accuracy and efficiency of structural evaluations, influencing both academic research and practical applications in civil engineering.

🌍 Legacy and future contributions

Michael Bekele maru's legacy is one of innovation, precision, and technological integration in civil engineering. his work continues to inspire future researchers and engineers, setting a benchmark for excellence in structural health monitoring. as he advances in his career, michael aims to further explore the potential of digital twins, augmented reality, and deep learning in structural assessments, contributing to safer and more efficient infrastructure management worldwide.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Comparison of depth camera and terrestrial laser scanner in monitoring structural deflections
    Author(s): MB Maru, D Lee, KD Tola, S Park
    Journal: Sensors, 2020

  • Title: Beam deflection monitoring based on a genetic algorithm using LiDAR data
    Author(s): MB Maru, D Lee, G Cha, S Park
    Journal: Sensors, 2020

  • Title: Improved building facade segmentation through digital twin-enabled RandLA-Net with empirical intensity correction model
    Author(s): MB Maru, Y Wang, H Kim, H Yoon, S Park
    Journal: Journal of Building Engineering, 2023

  • Title: Unsupervised domain adaptation-based crack segmentation using transformer network
    Author(s): DA Beyene, MB Maru, T Kim, S Park, S Park
    Journal: Journal of Building Engineering, 2023

  • Title: Improved building MEP systems semantic segmentation in point clouds using a novel multi-class dataset and local-global vector transformer network
    Author(s): Shuju Jing, Gichun Cha, Michael Bekele Maru, Byoungjoon Yu, Seunghee Park
    Journal: Journal of Building Engineering

Prof. Ji Chen – Structural engineering – Outstanding Contributions in Academia Award

Prof. Ji Chen - Structural engineering - Outstanding Contributions in Academia Award

Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences - China 

Author Profile

SCOPUS 

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Ji Chen's academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from the Hebei Institute of Building Science and Technology, China (1995–1999). He further pursued his passion for geological and physical sciences, earning a Master’s in Geological Engineering from Jilin University (1999–2002). His academic foundation was solidified with a Doctorate in Physical Geography from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2002–2007), which laid the groundwork for his future research in frozen soils and environmental engineering.

Professional endeavors 🏢

Dr. Chen is currently the Director of the Beiluhe National Observation and Research Station on Frozen Soil at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His role involves overseeing cutting-edge research on the environmental challenges posed by permafrost and frozen soil, particularly in relation to infrastructure projects in cold regions. He has also led various industry consultancy projects, such as studying the impact of glacier-frozen soil and snow cover on the Tibet Railway.

Contributions and research focus 🌍

Dr. Chen has made significant strides in studying the effects of frozen soils in alpine and plateau regions. His research on the long-term load test pile group in permafrost areas and the influence of glacier-frozen soil on major infrastructure projects demonstrates his commitment to bridging environmental science with Structural engineering practical applications. His projects focus on improving construction and environmental sustainability in freezing regions, with emphasis on railway infrastructure and mining areas.

Publications and scholarly impact 📚

Dr. Chen has published over 40 papers in prominent SCI journals, making substantial contributions to the understanding of permafrost and its interaction with engineering projects. His research has been featured in journals such as Cold Regions Science and Technology, Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, and The Structural engineering Journal of Geophysical Research. His scholarly work has shaped ongoing global discussions on the challenges of frozen soils in construction and ecological management.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Dr. Chen’s expertise has been widely recognized within the scientific community. He has received several prestigious awards and has been appointed to editorial boards of leading journals in his field. His contributions have been pivotal in advancing the research on frozen soils, particularly in relation to environmental Structural engineering challenges and engineering solutions in high-altitude and cold regions. Additionally, his involvement in national key research and development projects underscores his stature as a leading innovator.

Legacy and future contributions 🌱

Looking forward, Dr. Chen’s work promises to leave a lasting impact on both environmental science and engineering. His involvement in major national projects, such as the Integration of Monitoring and Data Fusion Technology for Hydroecological Temporal and Spatial Changes of Frozen Soils in Alpine Mining Areas, positions him at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for cold-region construction. His future contributions are poised to shape infrastructure projects in some of the most challenging environments on Earth, ensuring that development in these regions is both sustainable and safe.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Degradation of warm permafrost and talik formation on the Qinghai‒Tibet Plateau in 2006–2021
    Authors: Mei, Q.-H., Chen, J., Liu, Y.-Q., Wang, J.-C., Zhao, Y.-J.
    Journal: Advances in Climate Change Research, 2024, 15(2), pp. 275–284
  • Title: Advances in retrogressive thaw slump research in permafrost regions
    Authors: Li, Y., Liu, Y., Chen, J., Dong, T., Zhao, Y.
    Journal: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 2024, 35(2), pp. 125–142
  • Title: Long-term responses of permafrost to the dual impacts of climate warming and engineering disturbance along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway
    Authors: Jiang, G., Fu, Z., Gao, S., Liu, Y., Wu, Q.
    Journal: Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2024, 220, 104135
  • Title: Effect of Orientation and Skylight Area Ratio on Building Energy Efficiency in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
    Authors: Wang, Y., Qin, H., Wang, Y., Zhang, S., Song, H.
    Journal: Buildings, 2024, 14(3), 755
  • Title: Aboveground Biomass Mapping and Analysis of Spatial Drivers in the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau Permafrost Zone: A Case Study of the Beilu River Basin
    Authors: Wu, Y., Zhao, J., Chen, J., Zhao, Y., Miao, Z.
    Journal: Plants, 2024, 13(5), 686