Valentina Mihaylova | Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Valentina Mihaylova | Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Medical University-Plovdiv | Bulgaria

Mrs. Valentina Mihaylova is a dedicated researcher and specialist in medical chemistry with a strong focus on cellular metabolism, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and autoimmune diseases. With an h-index of 2, she has authored five scientific publications, which have collectively garnered 14 citations, reflecting her growing impact in medical biology and clinical research. Her work encompasses the study of markers of oxidative stress and insulin resistance in chronic autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, cellular metabolic profiling in children with autism spectrum disorders, and the evaluation of therapeutic effects in rheumatoid arthritis through mitochondrial function and bioenergetic metabolism. Mrs. Mihaylova’s research also explores intestinal permeability, systemic inflammation, and the pharmacological effects of treatments such as methotrexate and JAK inhibitors on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. She has actively contributed to numerous national and international conferences, presenting pioneering findings on the role of mitochondria, autophagy, and inflammation in autoimmune and rheumatologic conditions. Her academic and professional trajectory, spanning positions from clinical chemist to Master of Medical Chemistry at the Medical University of Plovdiv, is marked by a commitment to advancing knowledge in medical biology and translational research. Through her multidisciplinary approach, Mrs. Mihaylova continues to elucidate complex biochemical mechanisms underlying disease pathology and therapeutic responses, establishing herself as an emerging contributor to the field of medical and clinical biochemistry.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Mihaylova, V., Tomov, D., Karalilova, R., Batalov, Z., Batalov, A., Sarafian, V., & Kazakova, M. (2025). Effects of methotrexate and tofacitinib on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in human synovial cells in vitro. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(17), 8173.

Tomov, D. G., Levterova, B. A., Mihaylova, V. N., Troev, D. M., Miteva, M. Z., Uzunova, Y. I., & Orbetzova, M. M. (2024). Influence of the increase in intestinal permeability and microbiota change in the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis: A systematic review. Endocrine and Metabolic Science, 100195.

Mihaylova, V., Kazakova, M., Batalov, Z., Karalilova, R., Batalov, A., & Sarafian, V. (2023). JAK inhibitors improve ATP production and mitochondrial function in rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study. Rheumatology International.

Kazuto Ikemoto | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kazuto Ikemoto | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company | Japan

Dr. Kazuto Ikemoto is a distinguished researcher and Senior Scientist at the Niigata Research Laboratory of Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., Japan. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Nagasaki University, he has made significant contributions to the fields of chemistry, food functionality, biotechnology, and semiconductor cleaning technologies. His extensive research portfolio includes 25 published documents, reflecting a deep engagement in both industrial and scientific innovation. Dr. Ikemoto’s scholarly influence is evidenced by 453 citations from 291 documents and an h-index of 13, underscoring the consistent impact of his research within the scientific community. His work bridges fundamental chemistry with practical industrial applications, advancing methodologies in material science and biochemical processes. Recognized for his outstanding achievements in corporate research, Dr. Ikemoto received the prestigious JSBBA Award for Corporate Researchers in 2023, highlighting his dedication to innovation and excellence. Through his pioneering studies and leadership at Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, he continues to drive advancements that contribute to technological development and sustainability, reinforcing his reputation as a leading figure in applied chemical research and industrial biotechnology.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Koshizawa, T., Numaguchi, T., Tamakoshi, M., Sato, Y., Hashimoto, K., Mohamad Ishak, N. S., & Ikemoto, K. (2025). High-spermidine-producing yeast strain for autophagy-promoting applications. Processes.

Koshizawa, T., Numaguchi, T., Tamakoshi, M., Sato, Y., Hashimoto, K., Mohamad Ishak, N. S., & Ikemoto, K. (2025). High-spermidine-producing yeast strain for autophagy-promoting applications [Preprint].

Mohamad Ishak, N. S., & Ikemoto, K. (2025). Direct HPLC method for reduced pyrroloquinoline quinone in functional and biological matrices [Preprint].

Sugimoto, J., Ikemoto, K., Nagamatsu, K., Mino, A., & Nakamura, F. (2025). ピロロキノリンキノンジナトリウム(PQQ)摂取後の20から65歳の健康な大人に対する認知機能と安全性の評価 [Preprint]. Jxiv, JST preprint server.

Ikemoto, K. (2025). 長寿物質(老化を抑制する物質) [Preprint]. Jxiv, JST preprint server.

Tamakoshi, M., Suzuki, T., Nishihara, E., Nakamura, S., & Ikemoto, K. (2023). Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt improves brain function in both younger and older adults. Food & Function.

Ikemoto, K., Imaruoka, S., & Mohamad Ishak, N. S. (2023). From the kitchen to the lab: Discovery and application of food catalysts to promote the coupling of quinone with amines [Preprint].

Mohamad Ishak, N. S., Numaguchi, T., & Ikemoto, K. (2023). Antiviral effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone through redox catalysis to prevent coronavirus infection. ACS Omega.

Tsuji, S., Ikemoto, K., & Akagawa, M. (2022). PQQの体脂肪減少機能 [Preprint]. Jxiv, JST preprint server.

Mohamad Ishak, N. S., Ikemoto, K., Kikuchi, M., Ogawa, M., Akutagawa, K., & Akagawa, M. (2021). Pyrroloquinoline quinone attenuates fat accumulation in obese mice fed with a high-fat diet, Daphnia magna supplied with a high amount of food, and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. ACS Food Science & Technology.

Saihara, K., Kamikubo, R., Ikemoto, K., Uchida, K., & Akagawa, M. (2017). Pyrroloquinoline quinone, a redox-active o-quinone, stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway. Biochemistry.

Ikemoto, K., Sakamoto, Y., Tanaka, R., Ogata, K., Matsushita, N., & Nakamura, S. (2017). Unusual ionic bond and solubility mechanism of NanPQQ (n = 0–4) crystals. Crystal Growth & Design.

Feifei Feng | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Feifei Feng | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award 

The Second Hospital of Shandong University | China

Author Profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Feifei Feng embarked on her academic journey in clinical medicine, obtaining a Master's degree through a seven-year program at Zhejiang University (2005-2012). She continued her education with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in Internal Medicine from Qilu Medical College, Shandong University (2017-2020). Her academic training laid a robust foundation in both clinical and research aspects of internal medicine, particularly focusing on respiratory and critical care.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Feng's professional career has been marked by her role as an Associate Chief Physician in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at the Second Hospital of Shandong University (09/2022 - Present). In this capacity, she is responsible for the daily consultation and treatment of patients with respiratory and critical care needs. Her work emphasizes the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases, with a particular focus on lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Feng's research has significantly contributed to understanding and treating respiratory diseases. Her research focus includes:

*Silicosis and Pulmonary Fibrosis: Dr. Feng has extensively studied the pathogenesis of silicosis and the therapeutic effects of compounds like Tanshinone IIA in attenuating silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

*Cancer Therapy: Her work on the inhibitory effects of polyphyllins and their role in enhancing chemosensitivity of cancer cells to treatments like cisplatin has been groundbreaking.

*Signaling Pathways: She has delved into the molecular mechanisms underlying disease processes, such as the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, EMT, NOX4 inhibition, and Nrf2/ARE signaling activation.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Feng's contributions to the field have been widely recognized through numerous publications in high-impact journals. Some of her notable works include:

"Role of TRIM59 in regulating PPM1A in the pathogenesis of silicosis and the intervention effect of tanshinone IIA" (Biomed Pharmacother, 2024).

"Tanshinone IIA attenuates silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis via Nrf2-mediated inhibition of EMT and TGF-β1/Smad signaling" (Chem Biol Interact, 2020).

Impact and Influence

Dr. Feng's research has had a profound impact on the medical community's understanding of respiratory diseases and their treatment. Her studies on the molecular pathways involved in pulmonary fibrosis and cancer therapy have opened new avenues for developing targeted treatments. By elucidating the mechanisms of disease and identifying potential therapeutic agents, her work has contributed to improved patient outcomes and advanced the field of respiratory medicine.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Feng continues to make strides in her field through her ongoing clinical practice and research. Her dedication to understanding complex respiratory diseases and finding innovative treatments ensures that her contributions will have a lasting impact. Future research endeavors are likely to build on her current work, exploring new therapeutic targets and improving the quality of care for patients with respiratory diseases. Her legacy will be marked by her commitment to advancing medical science and improving patient health outcomes.

 

Notable Publications

Role of TRIM59 in regulating PPM1A in the pathogenesis of silicosis and the intervention effect of tanshinone IIA 2024

Inhibitory effects of polyphyllins I and VII on human cisplatin-resistant NSCLC via p53 upregulation and CIP2A/AKT/mTOR signaling axis inhibition 2019 (26)

Tanshinone IIA attenuates silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis via Nrf2-mediated inhibition of EMT and TGF-β1/Smad signaling 2020 (52)

Polyphyllin I induces apoptosis and autophagy in temozolomide-resistant glioma via modulation of NRF2 and MAPK-signaling activation 2023 (2)

Ginsenoside Rb1 Alleviates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation and Fibrosis by Suppressing Central Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization-, Leucine-Rich Repeat-, and Pyrin Domains-Containing Protein Three Inflammasome Activation and the NF-κB Pathway 2022 (8)

Detection and significance of exosomal mRNA expression profiles in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningeal carcinomatosis 2021 (6)

Astragaloside IV alleviates silica‑induced pulmonary fibrosis via inactivation of the TGF‑β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway 2021 (23)