Efthalia Zervoudi | Immunotherapy | Best Researcher Award

Efthalia Zervoudi | Immunotherapy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Efthalia Zervoudi, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Greece

Dr. Efthalia Zervoudi is a senior researcher at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute with a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Athens. Her research focuses on designing inhibitors targeting antigen-trimming aminopeptidases, contributing significantly to immunology and cancer biology. She has extensive experience in oncology and molecular biomarkers, having held positions at Cardiff University and University Hospital “Attikon.” Dr. Zervoudi has authored multiple influential publications and holds patents on aminopeptidase inhibitors. She has received prestigious fellowships, including the Welcome Trust ISSF fellowship, and continues to advance personalized medicine through innovative molecular diagnostic approaches.

Publication Profile

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Education

I completed my PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Athens (2012–2016) with top honors, focusing on designing inhibitors targeting antigen-trimming aminopeptidases. Before that, I earned my Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the same university (2010–2012), studying the specificity pockets of aminopeptidases involved in antigen processing. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Patras (2003–2008), where I researched proteoglycans in cancer patients under Prof. Dimitrios Vynios. 🎓 Prior to university, I graduated high school with a strong average score of 18.5/20, marking the start of my scientific path.

Experience

Dr. Efthalia Zervoudi is currently serving as a Senior Researcher at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute (2024–present), contributing to cutting-edge biomedical research. From 2019 to 2023, she was a Research Coordinator at the Oncology Unit of University Hospital “Attikon” in Greece. 🏥 Previously, she held a postdoctoral research position at Cardiff University’s School of Medicine (2016–2019), specializing in Infection and Immunity. 🔬 Between 2010 and 2015, she collaborated with the Protein Chemistry Lab at the National Centre for Scientific Research “DEMOKRITOS”, working on the project: “Rational design and development of inhibitors for targeting antigen-trimming aminopeptidases.”

Awards

Dr. Efthalia Zervoudi has received several prestigious fellowships and awards recognizing her impactful research. In 2020, she was awarded funding by the Hellenic Society of Oncology for her study on Endoplasmic Reticulum Associated Peptidases as tools to understand cancer. 🧪 In 2015, she received the esteemed Wellcome Trust ISSF Fellowship at Cardiff University. 🇬🇧 Earlier, in Fall 2014, the Hellenic Academy of Athens honored her with the “Axillea and Aikaterini Dionysopoulou” award for her groundbreaking work on rationally designed inhibitors enhancing antigen presentation and cytotoxic T-cell responses. 🔬🎖️ Her research continues to push scientific boundaries.

Research Focus

Dr. Efthalia Zervoudi is a leading researcher in immunology and molecular biology, with a focus on antigen processing, immune regulation, and aminopeptidase function. Her work explores how enzymes like ERAP1 and ERAP2 trim antigenic peptides for presentation by MHC class I molecules, enhancing cytotoxic T-cell responses—a crucial process in cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune disease research. 🧬 She also develops targeted inhibitors to modulate immune responses, contributing to vaccine design and tumor immunity. 🧪 Her research bridges biochemistry, structural biology, and immuno-oncology, with potential applications in personalized medicine.

Publication Top Notes

Rationally designed inhibitor targeting antigen-trimming aminopeptidases enhances antigen presentation and cytotoxic T-cell responses

Probing the S1 specificity pocket of the aminopeptidases that generate antigenic peptides

A common single nucleotide polymorphism in endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 induces a specificity switch that leads to altered antigen processing

Optimized peptide–MHC multimer protocols for detection and isolation of autoimmune T-cells

A role for naturally occurring alleles of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases in tumor immunity and cancer pre-disposition

Autoimmune disease-associated variants of extracellular endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 induce altered innate immune responses by human immune cells

3, 4-diaminobenzoic acid derivatives as inhibitors of the oxytocinase subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases with immune-regulating properties

Novel selective inhibitors of aminopeptidases that generate antigenic peptides

Dual molecular mechanisms govern escape at immunodominant HLA A2-restricted HIV epitope

A common SNP in ER aminopeptidase 2 induces a specificity switch that leads to altered antigen processing

HPV16 E6 Oncogene Contributes to Cancer Immune Evasion by Regulating PD-L1 Expression through a miR-143/HIF-1a Pathway

Correction: Konstantopoulos et al. HPV16 E6 Oncogene Contributes to Cancer Immune Evasion by Regulating PD-L1 Expression through a miR-143/HIF-1a Pathway. Viruses 2024, 16, 113

Prof. Peng SHI|Immunotherapy|Best Researcher Award

Prof. Peng SHI-Immunotherapy-Best Researcher Award

Prof. Peng SHI atCity University of Hong ,Hong Kong

Author Profile

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Peng Shi’s academic journey began with a solid foundation in electrical engineering, earning a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Wuhan University, China, in 2002. His keen interest in blending engineering with biological systems led him to pursue advanced studies in biomedical engineering at Columbia University, USA, where he earned both an M.Phil. in 2006 and a Ph.D. in 2009. At Columbia, Dr. Shi honed his expertise in interdisciplinary research, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to translational neuro-engineering and bioelectronics.

Professional Endeavors 👨‍🏫

Dr. Shi’s career reflects a trajectory of academic excellence and innovation. After completing his Ph.D., he served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA (2010–2011), where he worked alongside leading researchers to advance the frontiers of bioelectronics and synthetic biology.

In 2011, Dr. Shi joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the City University of Hong Kong as an Assistant Professor. His dedication and groundbreaking work earned him an early promotion to Associate Professor (with tenure) in 2016 and subsequently to Full Professor in 2020. Notably, these advancements highlight his exceptional contributions to his field within a remarkably short timeframe.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Shi is a pioneer at the intersection of neuroscience and engineering, leveraging cutting-edge methodologies like nano-/micro-fabrication, bioelectronics, synthetic biology, high-resolution microscopy, and artificial intelligence. His research addresses critical challenges in translational neuro-engineering, emphasizing the development of high-throughput technologies and bioelectronic platforms to create innovative therapeutic systems.

His prolific output includes more than 90 publications in prestigious journals such as Nature Reviews Materials, Nature Biomedical Engineering, PNAS, Science Advances, and Advanced Materials. These works underscore his influence in fields spanning materials science, bioengineering, and neurotechnology. Beyond academic publishing, Dr. Shi has filed 18 patents, with several granted in the US and China. Some of these patents have served as the technological foundation for two biotech spin-offs, ANRim Biotechnology Limited and Electro-Ohmics, exemplifying the translational impact of his research.

Accolades and Recognition 🏅

Dr. Shi’s excellence in research and innovation has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and appointments:

  • 2015: Awarded the 1000 Young Talent Program by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), a testament to his exceptional potential in scientific leadership.
  • 2018: Received the Special Recognition for Young Scholars from the World Cultural Council for his contributions to advancing global scientific understanding.
  • 2022: Appointed as Associate Editor of Brain Research (Elsevier), reflecting his influence in shaping the field of neuroscience.
  • 2023: Selected for the Biology and Medicine Panel of the Hong Kong RGC Joint Research Schemes, recognizing his leadership in biomedical research.

Dr. Shi has also delivered over 100 invited talks at global conferences, workshops, and academic institutions, further solidifying his reputation as a thought leader.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Dr. Shi’s innovations have a far-reaching impact, bridging the gap between basic research and clinical applications. His high-throughput bioelectronic platforms are revolutionizing therapeutic strategies, particularly in the realm of neuro-engineering. The biotech companies he co-founded, such as ANRim Biotechnology Limited, have secured significant funding, including RMB15M in angel investments, and are valued at HKD70M, demonstrating his success in translating academic research into viable commercial solutions.

As a grant referee for organizations like the NSFC, European Research Council, and Hong Kong UGC, Dr. Shi contributes to shaping the global research landscape. His expertise is further acknowledged through his role as a manuscript reviewer for leading publishers such as Nature, Wiley, and Elsevier.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌟

Dr. Peng Shi’s work is paving the way for the next generation of therapeutic technologies and bioelectronic systems. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and mentoring emerging scholars, he is shaping the future of biomedical engineering. His patents and spin-offs ensure that his innovations continue to benefit society, bridging the divide between academia and industry.

Looking forward, Dr. Shi is poised to expand his influence through groundbreaking discoveries in synthetic biology, neuro-engineering, and artificial intelligence, driving advancements in healthcare and enhancing human well-being. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire future researchers and innovators, cementing his status as a transformative figure in biomedical engineering.

Notable Publication

Multifunctional Hydrogel Electronics for Closed-loop Antiepileptic Treatment

  • Authors   :Yuan WANG; Guangyu ZHU; Shu Chen; Chenjie Xu; Kai Xie; Jin Qu; Peng SHI; xingdao he
  • Journal    : Science Advances
  • Year         :2024

Few-shot meta-learning applied to whole brain activity maps improves systems neuropharmacology and drug discovery

      • Authors   : Xuan Luo; Yanyun Ding; Yi Cao; Zhen LIU; Wenchong Zhang; Shangzhi Zeng; Shuk Han Cheng; Honglin Li; Stephen J
      • Journal    : iScience
      • Year         :2024

Integrated Piezoelectric Vascular Graft for Continuous Real-Time Hemodynamics Monitoring

  • Authors   : Zhiqiang Ma; Weibin Jia; Jing ZHANG; xingdao he; Shiyuan Liu; Mohamed Elhousseini Hilal; Xiang ZHOU
  • Journal    : Functional Materials
  • Year         :2024

Nanopores-templated CNT/PDMS Microcolumn Substrate for the Fabrication of Wearable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Sensors to Monitor Human Pulse and Blood Pressure

  • Authors   :Tao Zhang; Chuanjie Yao; Xingyuan Xu; Zhibo Liu; Zhengjie Liu; Tiancheng Sun; Shuang Huang.
  • Journal     : Materials Technologies
  • Year         :2024                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Deciphering the Temporal–Spatial Interactive Heterogeneity of Long Non-Coding RNAs and RNA-Binding Proteins in Living Cells at Single-Cell Resolution

  • Authors   : Deyuan Yang; Cheng Li; Yutong Kong; Yian Pei; Bing Miao; Gaole Dai; Pi Ding; Peng Shi; Zixun
  • Journal     : American Chemical Society
  • Year         :2024