Assoc. Prof. Dr. Li Zeng | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Li Zeng | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore

🧠 Dr. Zeng Li is a renowned Senior Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at the National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore. With a strong background in biochemistry and molecular biology, Dr. Li has made significant contributions to understanding neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Her research focuses on translational studies, exploring the pathophysiology and potential therapeutic targets for these diseases.

Profile

scholar

🎓 Education

📚 Dr. Li holds a (link unavailable) in Biology from Beijing Normal University, China (1992), and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Glasgow, UK (1996). Her academic background has provided a solid foundation for her research career.

👨‍🔬 Experience

💼 Dr. Li has over two decades of research experience, including postdoctoral training in signal transduction and developmental biology at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR. She joined the National Neuroscience Institute in 2009, where she has been leading her research team, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases.

🔍 Research Interest

🔬 Dr. Li’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Her team explores the role of specific genes and microRNAs in disease progression and investigates potential therapeutic targets. They also use 3D cerebral organoids and induced pluripotent stem cells to model disease phenotypes.

Awards and Honors🏆

🏆 Dr. Li has received several awards for her research, including the Best Publish Award from the National Neuroscience Institute (2017 and 2022). Her work has been featured in prominent media outlets, such as The Straits Times and Globe Newswire, highlighting the impact of her research.

📚 Publications 

 

1. Tu H, et al. NOTCH2NLC GGC intermediate repeat with serine induces hypermyelination and early Parkinson’s disease-like phenotypes in mice. Mol. Neurodegener. 2024.
2. Jiang M, et al. The Effects of Extrinsic and Intrinsic Factors on Neurogenesis. Cells 2023.
3. Long YH, et al. Spatially informed clustering, integration, and deconvolution of spatial transcriptomics with GraphST. Nature Communication. 2023.
4. Kumar P, et al. Single-cell transcriptomics and surface epitope detection in human brain epileptic lesions identifies pro-inflammatory signaling. Nat Neurosci. 2022.
5. Zhang ZW, et al. APP Intracellular Domain Promotes Expression of LRRK2 Enabling a Feed-Forward Loop of Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease. Sci Signal 2022.

Conclusion

Dr. Zeng Li is an outstanding researcher in the field of neuroscience, with a strong track record of innovative research contributions and high-impact publications. Her dedication to translational research and collaboration with clinicians has the potential to transform our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. With some additional focus on public engagement and mentorship, Dr. Li is an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

James Melrose | Neural organisation and function | Best Researcher Award

Prof. James Melrose | Neural organisation and function | Best Researcher Award

Prof. The Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Australia

Dr. James Melrose is a renowned researcher in musculoskeletal diseases, with 35+ years of experience. He holds honorary positions at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales. His research focuses on tensional and weight-bearing tissues, including intervertebral discs, articular cartilage, and tendons. He has published 218 peer-reviewed papers, presented 240 research papers, and supervised three PhD candidates. Dr. Melrose has received numerous awards and grants, including five NHMRC-funded projects. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Medicine (UK) and has an H-index of 50.

Professional Profiles:

Biographical Sketch 📚

Dr. James Melrose is a renowned researcher in musculoskeletal diseases, with 35+ years of experience. He holds honorary positions at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales.

Early Life and Education 🎓

– Born: July 24, 1955, Glasgow, Scotland
– Nationality: Dual Australian/British Citizen
– Education:
– (link unavailable) (Hons) in Biochemistry, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland (1973-1977)
– PhD in Brewing and Biological Sciences, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland (1978-1982)

Research Experience 🔬

– Post-Doctoral Research (1983-2013)
– Research Officer, Senior Research Assistant, and Senior Research Officer at the University of Sydney
– Project Leader on five NHMRC-funded projects (1999-2013)

Current Research Interests 🔍

– Tensional and weight-bearing musculoskeletal tissues
– Intervertebral disc, articular cartilage, fibrocartilaginous meniscus, and tendon
– Matrix components and functional properties in health and disease
– Animal models and adult stem cells for therapeutic treatments

Achievements 🏆

– Published 218 peer-reviewed papers and 18 book chapters
– Presented 240 research papers (87 international)
– Supervised three PhD candidates and examined nine PhD theses
– H-index of 50, with over 9,000 citations
– Fellow of the Royal Society for Medicine (UK) since 2018

Current Positions 🏢

– Honorary Senior Research Associate, University of Sydney Honorary Professor, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of NSW

Strengths for the Award:

1. Extensive research experience (35+ years) in musculoskeletal tissues, including intervertebral disc, articular cartilage, fibrocartilaginous meniscus, and tendon.
2. Published 218 peer-reviewed research papers and book chapters, with over 9,000 citations and an H-index of 50.
3. Presented 240 research papers, including 87 international presentations.
4. Supervised three PhD candidates to completion and examined nine PhD theses.
5. Developed skills in microbial taxonomy, mycology, liquid fungal spore culture, biochemical isolation, antibody production, and immunological identification techniques.
6. Made significant contributions to understanding matrix components, cellular metabolism, and degeneration in musculoskeletal tissues.
7. Experienced in animal models and stem cell research for therapeutic applications.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Limited recent publications (since 2013) as an independent researcher.
2. Fewer collaborations with international researchers in recent years.
3. No mention of awards, patents, or commercialization of research findings.
4. Limited involvement in science communication, public outreach, or mentoring early-career researchers.

Conclusion:

Dr. James Melrose is an accomplished researcher with a strong track record in musculoskeletal tissue research. His extensive experience, publication record, and presentation history make him a suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. However, to strengthen his application, he could highlight recent research achievements, collaborations, and impact beyond academic publications. Additionally, demonstrating engagement in science communication, mentoring, and commercialization of research findings could further enhance his application.

✍️Publications Top Note :