Stephanie Willerth | Bioprinting | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Stephanie Willerth | Bioprinting | Best Researcher Award

Professor at University of Victoria, Canada

The Willerth lab, led by an accomplished researcher in neural tissue engineering, focuses on innovations using pluripotent stem cells, controlled drug delivery, biomaterial scaffolds, and bioprinting for neural tissue development. With experience across top institutions, this scientist blends engineering with neuroscience for advanced tissue engineering applications, creating a dynamic training environment for future biomedical engineers.

Publication Profile

scholar

Education 🎓

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 2008 (Dissertation: Effects of growth factor delivery on stem cell differentiation in fibrin scaffolds)M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, 2008S.B. in Chemical Engineering, MIT, 2003S.B. in Biology, MIT, 2003NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, UC Berkeley (focused on DNA sequencing technologies for HIV diversity and stem cell differentiation)

Experience 👩‍🔬

Adjunct Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, 2023Affiliate Professor, Biochemistry, University of British Columbia, 2016-2019Affiliate Professor, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2016-2018NIH F32 Post-Doctoral Fellowship, UC Berkeley, 2008-2010 (specialized in DNA sequencing and stem cell studies)

Awards and Honors 🏆

NIH F32 Fellowship, supporting research at the intersection of bioengineering and stem cell technologiesRecognized for groundbreaking work in bioprinting and neural tissue engineeringRecipient of various institutional and industry accolades for advancements in biomaterials and controlled drug deliveryHonored by the NIH and top research conferences for contributions to neural tissue engineering and stem cell differentiation

Research Focus 🧠

The Willerth lab specializes in engineering neural tissues via stem cell technologies, bioprinting, and drug delivery systems. Research spans pluripotent stem cell differentiation, biomaterial scaffolds, and cellular reprogramming to improve neural regeneration. This work combines principles of engineering and neuroscience, offering significant implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries.

Publication  Top Notes

“The differentiation of embryonic stem cells seeded on electrospun nanofibers into neural lineages” – Biomaterials, 2009. Cited 524 times. This study investigates stem cell differentiation on nanofiber scaffolds, advancing neural tissue engineering techniques.

“Approaches to neural tissue engineering using scaffolds for drug delivery” – Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2007. Cited 476 times. This review outlines scaffold-based drug delivery methods, influencing therapeutic strategies for neural regeneration.

“Emerging biofabrication strategies for engineering complex tissue constructs” – Advanced Materials, 2017. Cited 401 times. This paper discusses biofabrication innovations for creating intricate tissue models, contributing to advanced biomaterials research.

“Conductive core–sheath nanofibers and their potential application in neural tissue engineering” – Advanced Functional Materials, 2009. Cited 363 times. This research on conductive nanofibers highlights their role in enhancing neural tissue repair.

“Optimization of fibrin scaffolds for differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells into neural lineage cells” – Biomaterials, 2006. Cited 344 times. This study optimizes fibrin scaffolds for effective stem cell differentiation, aiding neural tissue formation.

“Metal additive manufacturing: Technology, metallurgy and modelling” – Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 2020. Cited 285 times. This paper examines metal additive manufacturing and its potential in bioengineering applications.

“Combining stem cells and biomaterial scaffolds for constructing tissues and cell delivery” – Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 2008. Cited 265 times. This foundational work explores the integration of stem cells with biomaterials for tissue engineering.

“Cell therapy for spinal cord regeneration” – Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2008. Cited 190 times. This article discusses cell therapy approaches for spinal cord repair, influencing regenerative medicine.

“The effects of soluble growth factors on embryonic stem cell differentiation inside of fibrin scaffolds” – Stem Cells, 2007. Cited 166 times. This paper focuses on controlled growth factor delivery to promote stem cell differentiation.

“Natural Biomaterials and Their Use as Bioinks for Printing Tissues” – Bioengineering, 2021. Cited 152 times. Highlights the use of natural biomaterials as bioinks in 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering applications.

“3D printing of neural tissues derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells using a fibrin-based bioink” – ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 2018. Cited 151 times. Describes bioprinting neural tissues with fibrin-based bioinks, pushing the boundaries of regenerative bioprinting.

“Extrusion and Microfluidic-Based Bioprinting to Fabricate Biomimetic Tissues and Organs” – Advanced Materials Technologies, 2020. Cited 143 times. This paper presents novel bioprinting methods for replicating complex tissue structures.

Conclusion

Given their significant contributions and research leadership in neural tissue engineering and stem cell bioprinting, this candidate is an excellent nominee for the Best Researcher Award. Their innovative methodologies, backed by strong academic and institutional affiliations, demonstrate a profound dedication to advancing regenerative medicine. With a minor focus on clinical translation and interdisciplinary collaborations, this researcher has the potential to influence the field profoundly, making them a highly deserving candidate for this honor.

Arslan Ahmad | Life sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Arslan Ahmad | Life sciences | Best Researcher Award

Student at Hiroshima University, Pakistan

The individual is currently pursuing a PhD in Food and Agrilife Science (2023-2026) at Hiroshima University, Japan, under the MEXT Japan scholarship. With a background in human nutrition, they completed their MS in Food and Nutrition (2020-2022) at Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Pakistan. 📚 Their BS (Hons) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics was also obtained from GCUF (2015-2019). In addition to academics, they are a practicing consultant dietitian at HGA Hospital, Hafiz Abad, and run an online consultation service through their page, Dn Arsal. 🏥 Their diverse experience includes internships at several prominent hospitals, specializing in diabetes, cardiac care, and clinical nutrition. Passionate about research, they have delved into the neuroprotective effects of theaflavin in mice models and aim to contribute significantly to the field of nutrition and healthcare.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

PhD (Sr) Program in Food and Agrilife Science Hiroshima University, Japan Sept. 2023 – 2026 A current PhD candidate at Hiroshima University under the prestigious MEXT scholarship, focusing on food and nutrition research. Master of Science (MS) in Food and Nutrition Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Pakistan Aug. 2020 – 2022 Graduated with a CGPA of 3.61/4.00. Thesis: “Probing the neuroprotective role of theaflavin in a mice model.”

Experience 👩‍⚕️

Consultant Dietitian HGA Hospital, Hafiz Abad  From 21st May 2019 Currently providing expert dietary consultation and nutrition services to patients at HGA Hospital.💻 CEO & Online Nutrition Consultant Dn Arsal Page Ongoing Running an online consultancy where personalized nutrition and diet plans are offered to a global clientele. 🌐🩺 Clinical Nutritionist Internship National Hospital, Faisalabad Jan. 2017 – Feb. 2018 (1 year and 1 month Worked in diabetic and cardiac wards, managing patients’ nutritional needs.🩺 Clinical Nutritionist Intern Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore May. 2018 – July. 2018 Focused on nutrition in patient care at the Diabetes Management Center.🩺 Dietitian InternM National Hospital, Faisalabad Dec. 2016 – Feb. 2018Gained hands-on experience in dietetics, working directly with patients.

Awards and Honors 🏆

MEXT Japan Scholarship (2023) Awarded the prestigious MEXT scholarship to pursue a PhD at Hiroshima University, Japan, reflecting academic excellence and research potential in food and nutrition. Top Graduate Student Award (2022) Recognized as one of the top-performing students during the MS program in Food and Nutrition at GCUF. Distinguished Intern Award (2018 Received for outstanding performance during clinical nutrition internships at National Hospital Faisalabad and Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore. Academic Excellence Award (2019 Acknowledged for maintaining a high CGPA (3.57/4.00) during the BS (Hons) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at GCUF Best Online Consultant Award (2021) Granted for delivering exceptional online nutritional consultation services via the Dn Arsal platform.

Research Focus 🧠

Neuroprotective Effects of Theaflavin The individual’s research primarily investigates the neuroprotective role of theaflavin in mice models, aiming to explore its therapeutic potential in preventing neurological damage. Functional Food and Nutraceuticals A significant area of interest involves studying the health benefits of functional foods, especially bioactive compounds like theaflavin found in tea, to mitigate chronic diseases. Clinical Nutrition and Disease Management Focusing on the integration of clinical nutrition practices in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity through dietary interventions. Sustainable Nutrition Engaged in research that emphasizes sustainable and holistic approaches to nutrition, aiming to improve public health outcomes through dietary strategies Nutritional Genomics Keen on exploring the relationship between nutrition and genetics to develop personalized diet plans for better health outcomes.

Publication  Top Notes

 

Alginate’s Ability to Prevent Metabolic Illnesses and Degradation of the Gut’s Protective Layer, and Alginate-Based Encapsulation Methods
Authors: Ahmad, A., Riaz, S., Desta, D.T.
Journal: Food Science and Nutrition, 2024
Details: The article likely explores how alginate can prevent metabolic illnesses, protect the gut, and its applications in encapsulation techniques for therapeutic benefits.

Isolation and Antioxidant Characterization of Theaflavin for Neuroprotective Effect in Mice Model
Authors: Ahmad, A., Nosheen, F., Arshad, M.U., Amer Ali, Y., Shah, M.A.
Journal: Food Science and Nutrition, 2023, 11(6), pp. 3485–3496
Citations: 5
Details: Focuses on isolating and characterizing the antioxidant properties of theaflavin and assessing its neuroprotective effects in mice.

Tea Polyphenols: Extraction Techniques and Its Potency as a Nutraceutical
Authors: Shaukat, H., Ali, A., Zhang, Y., Mehany, T., Qin, H.
Journal: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2023, 7, 1175893
Citations: 8
Details: Reviews extraction methods of tea polyphenols and their potential as nutraceuticals, providing insights into their health benefits.

Therapeutic Application of Carvacrol: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Imran, M., Aslam, M., Alsagaby, S.A., Imran, A., Islam, S.
Journal: Food Science and Nutrition, 2022, 10(11), pp. 3544–3561
Citations: 48
Details: A review article covering the various therapeutic uses of carvacrol, an essential oil compound with potent medicinal properties.

The Burden of Cancer, Government Strategic Policies, and Challenges in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Ali, A., Manzoor, M.F., Ahmad, N., Khalid, W., Aizhong, L.
Journal: Frontiers in Nutrition, 2022, 9, 940514
Citations: 40
Details: This comprehensive review addresses the cancer burden in Pakistan, governmental strategies, and the key challenges in combating the disease.

Efficient Utilization of Date Palm Waste for Bioethanol Production through Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain
Authors: Ahmad, A., Naqvi, S.A., Jaskani, M.J., Siddeeg, A., Aadil, R.M.
Journal: Food Science and Nutrition, 2021, 9(4), pp. 2066–2074
Citations: 46
Details: Discusses the efficient use of date palm waste for bioethanol production using specific strains of yeast for biofuel generation.

Conclusion

This candidate is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award due to their solid academic background, impactful research, and hands-on clinical experience. Their leadership in consulting and contributions to nutrition science make them a well-rounded researcher with great potential. With increased focus on international collaborations, publications, and funding, they can further elevate their profile and cement their place as a top researcher in the field of food science and nutrition.