Sebastian Kelle | Clinical Trials | Distinguished Scientist Award

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Prof. Dr. Sebastian Kelle | Clinical Trials | Distinguished Scientist Award

Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité | Germany

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Kelle is an internationally recognized leader in cardiovascular imaging and one of the most influential experts in cardiac magnetic resonance worldwide. He completed extensive medical training across leading European institutions, including clinical internships in surgery, anesthesiology, and orthopedics, followed by comprehensive medical studies culminating in an M.D. degree. His academic excellence led him to advanced scientific qualifications, including a habilitation in cardiac magnetic resonance at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where he worked under the mentorship of eminent cardiovascular scientists. He also earned a doctorate in angiology with supervisory guidance from distinguished faculty at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.Prof. Kelle’s career reflects progressive leadership across major cardiovascular research centers. He serves as Head of Cardiovascular Imaging at the German Heart Center and Charité, in addition to leading the Cardiac MRI Department and directing the internationally renowned CMR Academy. His professional pathway includes key roles as professor of cardiac MRI, course director, director of the MRI Core Lab, assistant professor, senior research fellow, and clinical fellow across major German institutions. His global academic contributions were further enriched through prestigious postdoctoral and research fellowships at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.He holds multiple board certifications in cardiology, cardiac MRI, cardiac CT, general internal medicine, and hypertension, along with several Level-III accreditations from leading international societies. Prof. Kelle has served on influential committees and working groups of the German Cardiac Society, the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and the Charité Doctoral Committee, contributing extensively to scientific development, advocacy, and international outreach.His remarkable achievements have earned him significant professional recognition, including competitive research grants, travel fellowships, society honors, and prestigious awards from leading cardiovascular organizations. Prof. Kelle is also a fellow of several highly respected medical societies, highlighting his prominent standing in the global cardiovascular community.A prolific author, he has contributed to high-impact publications in fields such as myocarditis, inflammatory cardiomyopathies, hemodynamic assessment, myocardial tissue characterization, interstitial fibrosis, coronary endothelial function, and advanced prognostic imaging markers. His scientific insights have shaped current understanding of cardiac MRI’s role in diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic decision-making.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Anonymous. (2025). Atrial dysfunction: a contrast‑free marker for HFpEF in obese diabetics—insights from comprehensive CMR and serum biomarker analyses. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 24(1), 1‑12. (link unavailable)‑025‑xxxx‑x

Editorial. (2025). Mental stress, significant sex differences, and the substrate for cardiovascular disease: early insights from CMR. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 24(1), 13‑15. (link unavailable)‑025‑yyyy‑y

Anonymous. (2025). Longitudinal effects of lipid‑lowering treatment on high‑risk plaque features and pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation using serial coronary computed tomography. Diagnostics, 15(3), 210‑222. (link unavailable)

Anonymous. (2025). Myocardial strain measurements obtained with fast‑strain‑encoded cardiac magnetic resonance for the risk prediction and early detection of chemotherapy‑related cardiotoxicity compared to left ventricular ejection fraction. Diagnostics, 15(4), 350‑363. (link unavailable)

Anonymous. (2025). Rare isolated transthyretin amyloidosis of the left atrium: step‑wise multi‑modality evaluation by transoesophageal echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and single‑photon‑emission computed tomography. European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Imaging, 26(2), 180‑192. (link unavailable)

Mahmoud Hallal | Clinical Trials | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Mahmoud Hallal | Clinical Trials | Best Researcher Award

Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences | Lebanon

Prof. Mahmoud Hallal is a distinguished clinician, educator, and leader in the field of gastroenterology, renowned for his extensive expertise in internal medicine, hepatology, and advanced therapeutic endoscopy. He began his medical journey by earning a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Baghdad University, laying the foundation for a career marked by excellence, dedication, and continuous learning. He later pursued advanced clinical training in internal medicine at Makassed General Hospital in Beirut, a center affiliated with the American University of Beirut Medical Center, where he completed a comprehensive residency followed by a rotating internship that strengthened his clinical acumen and patient-centered approach.Driven by a deep interest in digestive health and liver diseases, Prof. Hallal completed intensive post-graduate fellowship training in gastroenterology at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. His advanced training included a specialized senior fellowship focused on liver diseases and an external university training program in France, where he developed high-level competency in therapeutic bilio-pancreatic procedures and invasive endoscopy, including ERCP. This period shaped his clinical expertise and positioned him among the region’s leading specialists in advanced endoscopic interventions.Prof. Hallal’s professional credentials include medical licensure as a physician, internist, and gastroenterologist in Lebanon. Over the course of his career, he has held several major hospital leadership roles, including serving as the head of gastroenterology and endoscopy departments and contributing as assistant chief of staff for academic development at Al Zahraa University Hospital Medical Center. He also held senior administrative and clinical leadership roles at Rassoul Al-Aazam Hospital, where he oversaw both internal medicine and gastroenterology divisions.An influential academic figure, Prof. Hallal serves as a clinical assistant professor of gastroenterology at the Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences. He has also served as a clinical instructor, lecturer, fellowship program coordinator, and undergraduate thesis mentor, shaping the next generations of physicians and gastroenterologists. His academic involvement extends to national and international conferences, where he is frequently invited as a speaker in Lebanon, Abu Dhabi, Turkey, Rome, and the United Kingdom.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Boutari, R., Zayour, N., Hmedeh, A. N., Bashashi, D. K., Assaf, F., Al Tahan, J., Zrara, N., Al-Mokdad, N., Al Khatib, O., Zreik, A., et al. (2025). Prevalence, risk factors, and endoscopic findings of Helicobacter pylori infection among Lebanese patients undergoing gastroscopy: A retrospective study from a single tertiary center.

Nagendra G-Drug Discovery and Development-Best Researcher Award-1013

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Dr. Nagendra G-Drug Discovery and Development-Best Researcher Award

REVA University-India

Author Profile `

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Nagendra Govindappa embarked on his academic journey with a strong inclination towards chemistry, which led him to pursue a Ph.D. at Bangalore University under the mentorship of Dr. V. V. Sureshbabu. His doctoral research focused on the design and synthesis of novel peptidomimetics and related intermediates. Noteworthy achievements during this period include the insertion of thioamide linkage into peptide backbones and the synthesis of isoselenocyanates for the development of selenourea peptidomimetics. These endeavors laid the groundwork for his subsequent contributions to the field of peptide chemistry.

Professional Endeavors

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Nagendra Govindappa continued his academic journey as an Associate Professor at REVA University, Bangalore. He expanded his research horizons through collaborations with esteemed institutions such as CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, and TUD, Germany. His tenure at these institutions further enriched his expertise in synthetic chemistry, natural product synthesis, and chemical biology. Notable projects include the total synthesis of Cyclosporin-O, development of one-pot protocols for glycopeptide synthesis, and the synthesis of anti-cancer agents targeting EGFR family proteins.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Nagendra Govindappa's research primarily revolves around the design, synthesis, and evaluation of peptides and peptidomimetics with diverse functionalities. He has pioneered the incorporation of various heterocycles such as oxadiazole, thiadiazole, tetrazole, and thiopeptides into peptide scaffolds, thereby expanding the chemical space of peptidomimetics. His innovative approaches have enabled the synthesis of bioactive molecules with potential applications in drug discovery and material science. Currently, he is focused on the total synthesis of natural peptides using advanced synthetic strategies and nanocatalysis.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Nagendra Govindappa's contributions to the field of peptide chemistry have garnered widespread recognition. He has published over 30 research articles in reputed journals, including notable contributions to journals with high impact factors. His research has been cited extensively, as evidenced by his impressive h-index of 12. Additionally, he holds two patents, underscoring the innovative nature of his work. His editorial appointments and professional memberships further signify his standing in the scientific community.

Impact and Influence on Drug Discovery and Development

Dr. Nagendra Govindappa's research has made significant contributions to the synthesis and functionalization of peptides and peptidomimetics. His work has not only expanded the synthetic toolbox available to chemists but has also provided insights into the structure-activity relationships of bioactive molecules. Moreover, his collaborations with international research groups have facilitated knowledge exchange and fostered scientific advancements on a global scale. His efforts have thus had a profound impact on the fields of chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences.

Following successful identification and optimization of lead compounds, the most promising candidates progress to preclinical development, where they undergo rigorous testing in laboratory and animal models to evaluate their safety and efficacy profiles. If a candidate demonstrates favorable results in preclinical studies, it advances to clinical development, which consists of a series of human trials designed to assess its safety, efficacy, and dosage regimen. Clinical trials are conducted in multiple phases, starting with small-scale Phase I trials to evaluate safety in healthy volunteers, followed by Phase II trials to assess efficacy and optimal dosage in patients with the target condition, and finally, Phase III trials to confirm safety and efficacy in larger patient populations. Upon successful completion of clinical trials, regulatory approval is sought, and if granted, the drug can be introduced to the market, where ongoing post-marketing surveillance ensures its continued safety and effectiveness.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As Dr. Nagendra Govindappa continues his academic journey, his legacy is poised to endure through his impactful research and mentorship. His innovative approaches to peptide synthesis and his dedication to advancing the frontiers of chemical biology serve as an inspiration to aspiring scientists. Moving forward, he aims to further explore the potential of peptidomimetics in drug discovery and materials science while nurturing the next generation of researchers through mentorship and collaboration. His unwavering commitment to scientific excellence ensures that his contributions will continue to shape the landscape of chemical research for years to come.

Drug discovery and development is a complex and multifaceted process aimed at identifying, synthesizing, and bringing to market new medications to address unmet medical needs or improve upon existing treatments. The process typically begins with target identification, where scientists pinpoint specific molecules, proteins, or pathways involved in a disease process that could serve as potential therapeutic targets. Once a target is identified, researchers embark on the drug discovery phase, which involves screening large libraries of compounds to find molecules that interact with the target in a desired way. This phase often employs techniques such as high-throughput screening and computer-aided drug design to identify promising lead compounds, which undergo further optimization to enhance their potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties.

Notable Publication