Narendra Bagri | Clinical Trials | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narendra Bagri | Clinical Trials | Best Researcher Award

All India Institute of Medical Sciences | India

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narendra Bagri is a distinguished clinician and academician in the field of pediatric rheumatology, presently serving as Additional Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India. A graduate and postgraduate of the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, he has built a remarkable career through a blend of clinical excellence, teaching, and groundbreaking research in pediatric autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. He completed the prestigious PRES EMERGE Fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, UK, under the mentorship of Prof. A.V. Ramanan, enhancing his expertise in advanced pediatric rheumatologic care and translational research.Dr. Bagri’s scientific contributions encompass numerous impactful publications addressing critical aspects of pediatric inflammatory diseases, musculoskeletal imaging, and immunological mechanisms underlying juvenile idiopathic arthritis. His research includes the longitudinal analysis of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children temporally related to COVID-19, the evaluation of pulse dexamethasone therapy in non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and the technical and interpretive insights into pediatric musculoskeletal ultrasound. He has also authored work on the utility of musculoskeletal ultrasound in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the forgotten figure in the history of methotrexate, sympathetic blocks for Raynaud’s phenomena in pediatric rheumatological disorders, and the conception of a national biologics registry for pediatric rheumatology.As a principal investigator and collaborator in multiple funded research projects by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Dr. Bagri has contributed extensively to the understanding of synovial fluid proteomics, biomarker discovery, and immune-pathogenic mechanisms in childhood arthritis. His pioneering efforts include the development of transitional care services, collaborative rheumatology clinics, and the initiation of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections and synovial biopsies.Dr. Bagri is a life member of several professional bodies, including the Indian Rheumatology Association, the Pediatric Rheumatology European Society, and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, he has received multiple academic honors, travel grants, and leadership roles in national guideline formulation, including contributions to WHO and IAP documents on pediatric inflammatory syndromes. His dedication to research, patient care, and education continues to shape the evolution of pediatric rheumatology in India and beyond.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Bagri, N. K., Jose, B., Shah, S. K., Bhutia, T. D., Kabra, S. K., & Lodha, R. (n.d.). Impact of malnutrition on the outcome of critically ill children. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 82(7), 601–605.

Sivasubbu, S., & Scaria, V. (n.d.). Genomics of rare genetic diseases—experiences from India. Human Genomics.

Basu, S., Kumar, A., Kapoor, K., Bagri, N. K., & Chandra, A. (n.d.). Neonatal endogenous endophthalmitis: A report of six cases. Pediatrics.

Bagri, N., Saha, A., Chandelia, S., Dubey, N. K., Bhatt, A., Rai, A., & Bhattacharya, S. (n.d.). Fireworks injuries in children: A prospective study during the festival of lights. Emergency Medicine Australasia.

Bagri, N. K., Yadav, D. K., Agarwal, S., Aier, T., & Gupta, V. (n.d.). Pericardial effusion in children: Experience from tertiary care center in northern India. Indian Pediatrics.

Kumar, A., Bagri, N. K., Basu, S., & Asthana, R. K. (n.d.). Zinc supplementation for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: A randomized controlled trial. Indian Pediatrics.

Bagri, N. K., Deepak, R. K., Meena, S., Gupta, S. K., Prakash, S., Setlur, K., Satapathy, J., Chopra, K., Upadhyay, A. D., Ramakrishnan, S., Lodha, R., Dar, L., Trikha, A., & Kabra, S. K. (n.d.). Outcomes of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children temporally related to COVID-19: A longitudinal study. Rheumatology International.

Gupta, D., Thakral, D., Kumar, P., Kabra, S. K., Lodha, R., Kumari, R., Mohanty, S. K., … & Bagri, N. K. (n.d.). Primary immunodeficiency disorders among north Indian children. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics.

Gaetan Ligat | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gaetan Ligat | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gaetan Ligat at Toulouse University | France

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gaetan Ligat is a molecular virologist and principal investigator at Toulouse University, affiliated with INSERM UMR1291 and CNRS UMR5051. He leads the ViNeDys team at the Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, focusing on host–human cytomegalovirus interactions in brain tumors and therapeutic innovation. With extensive research and teaching experience across France, he has contributed to advancing antiviral strategies, mentoring young scientists, and promoting scientific communication. He is actively engaged in international collaborations, scientific societies, and community outreach, while securing multiple research grants to strengthen translational virology and oncology research.

Publication Profile 

Google Scholar

Education 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gaetan Ligat pursued his scientific training at Limoges University, France. He earned a Master of Science degree in Genetics and Physiology, which laid the foundation for his research career. He then advanced to doctoral studies at INSERM UMR1092, Limoges University, where he specialized in Molecular Virology, completing his PhD with distinction. His academic formation emphasized molecular biology, virus-host interactions, and translational virology, providing expertise in genetics, physiology, and applied biomedical sciences. This strong educational background enabled him to develop a career bridging fundamental research and therapeutic applications, particularly in virology, cancer biology, and innovative antiviral treatment strategies.

Experience 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gaetan Ligat is Associate Professor of Virology at Toulouse University, where he also serves as Principal Investigator and group leader of the ViNeDys team at the Infinity Institute. His work focuses on host–HCMV interactions and therapeutic innovation in brain tumors. Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at INSERM UMR1110 in Strasbourg, specializing in antiviral strategies. He began his research as a Master’s and PhD candidate at INSERM UMR1092, Limoges. Alongside research, he has coordinated training programs, practical courses, and supervised over 20 students. He is deeply involved in scientific societies, equality initiatives, and international collaborations.

Awards and Honors 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gaetan Ligat has received numerous prestigious recognitions, including the National Thesis Prize from the French Society of Microbiology and fellowships from the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis (ANRS). He was awarded an ESCMID Research Grant, travel grants from the French Society of Microbiology, and registration bursaries for international congresses. His successful fundraising as principal investigator includes support from cancer foundations, patient associations, and Inserm/Regional PhD funding. These honors reflect both his scientific excellence and commitment to translational virology and oncology research. His awards highlight his impact on advancing antiviral and therapeutic research.

Research Focus 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gaetan Ligat research focuses on the molecular biology of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and its interaction with host cells, particularly in brain tumor environments. His work aims to understand how viral mechanisms contribute to disease progression and to identify novel therapeutic targets. He develops innovative antiviral strategies, including peptides and antibodies targeting HCMV protein interactions. His research also explores inflammatory responses, host-pathogen dynamics, and translational approaches for cancer treatment. Through collaborative projects and funded research programs, he seeks to bridge fundamental virology with therapeutic innovation, advancing the fight against viral infections and HCMV-related diseases in oncology.

Publication Top Notes

The human cytomegalovirus terminase complex as an antiviral target: a close-up view

Capsid assembly modulators as antiviral agents against HBV: molecular mechanisms and clinical perspectives

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)–apolipoprotein interactions and immune evasion and their impact on HCV vaccine design

Hepatitis B virus–host interactions and novel targets for viral cure

Hepatitis B virus core variants, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma

Targeting viral cccDNA for cure of chronic hepatitis B

The Yin and the Yang of extracellular vesicles during viral infections

Structures and divergent mechanisms in capsid maturation and stabilization following genome packaging of human cytomegalovirus and herpesviruses

Contrasting effect of new HCMV pUL54 mutations on antiviral drug susceptibility: benefits and limits of 3D analysis

Interferon‐Induced Transmembrane Proteins Mediate Viral Evasion in Acute and Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Identification of a short sequence in the HCMV terminase pUL56 essential for interaction with pUL89 subunit

Identification of amino acids essential for viral replication in the HCMV helicase-primase complex