Hani Serag | Nanomedicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hani Serag | Nanomedicine | Best Researcher Award

Director, Division of Global Partnerships at University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) | United States

Dr. Hani Serag is a physician and public health specialist with extensive experience in health systems research, global health, and addressing health disparities. Currently serving as Director of the Division of Global Partnerships and Assistant Professor at the Department of Population Health and Health Disparities, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), he leads multiple programs on chronic disease prevention, HIV screening, and global health diplomacy. With a strong history of academic, research, and policy leadership, Dr. Serag has collaborated with international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society networks to strengthen healthcare equity, health policy, and global partnerships.

Publication Profile 

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Education 

Dr. Hani Serag earned his MD (M.B., B.Ch) from the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. He holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, South Africa, focusing on health systems research, monitoring and evaluation, health promotion, and primary healthcare. He further enhanced his expertise with advanced training in epidemiology, health care finance, biostatistics, and both quantitative and qualitative public health research methods through certificate programs at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. His academic training integrates medicine, epidemiology, and public health with a global and systems-oriented perspective.

Experience 

Dr. Hani Serag has held key academic and leadership roles at UTMB, including Assistant Professor in Population Health and Endocrinology and Director of Global Partnerships. He has served as Principal Investigator for programs on chronic disease prevention, HIV screening, and international educational collaborations. His professional record includes consultancy and teaching engagements with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). He previously served as Global Coordinator and Associate Global Coordinator for the People’s Health Movement, leading international initiatives on primary healthcare, social determinants of health, and global health governance. His work bridges academia, policy, and practice.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Hani Serag contributions have been recognized through academic appointments across diverse disciplines including population health, internal medicine, pediatrics, and global health. His role as an Associate Member of the Graduate Faculty at UTMB highlights his mentorship of graduate students. He has been invited by WHO and PAHO for technical consultancies, curriculum development, and training programs, reflecting his international recognition in health systems and migration health research. Through his leadership in convening UTMB’s Annual Conference on Migration and Health and directing global health education initiatives, Dr. Serag has earned respect as a distinguished public health leader advancing health equity worldwide.

Research Focus 

Dr. Hani Serag research focuses on advancing health system responsiveness, reducing disparities, and integrating preventive care into clinical settings. His work emphasizes chronic disease prevention, HIV screening, and global health governance. He has designed and implemented multi-stakeholder programs that address the social determinants of health and promote patient-centered models of care. His scholarly contributions include health policy research, health systems evaluation, and migration and health studies. He has actively developed curricula, technical reports, and peer-reviewed publications to build capacity in health equity and health policy. His ongoing research strengthens global partnerships and evidence-based strategies in population health.

Publication Top Notes

Covid-19 pandemic and the social determinants of health

Explaining covid-19 performance: what factors might predict national responses?

High‐protein vs. standard‐protein diets in overweight and obese patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus: findings of the Pro‐HEART trial

Improving the collection of race, ethnicity, and language data to reduce healthcare disparities: a case study from an academic medical center

Cultural diversity impacts caregiving experiences: a comprehensive exploration of differences in caregiver burdens, needs, and outcomes

Racial and geographic variation in leg amputations among Texans

Relative social standing and suicide ideation among Kenyan males: the interpersonal theory of suicide in context

Racial disparities in type of heart failure and hospitalization

Social determinants of health in countries in conflict and crises: the eastern Mediterranean perspective

Subjective social standing and conflict tactics among young Kenyan men

Illustrating the impact of commercial determinants of health on the global COVID-19 pandemic: Thematic analysis of 16 country case studies

Enabling structural resilience of street-involved children and youth in Kenya: reintegration outcomes and the Flourishing Community model

Understanding caregiver challenges: A comprehensive exploration of available resources to alleviate caregiving burdens

Coronavirus disease 2019, diabetes, and inflammation: A systemic review

Exploring the impact of ACA on rural‐urban disparity in oral health services among US noninstitutionalized adults

The association between mental well-being and school attendance among Palestinian adolescent refugees in UNRWA schools

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