Parvin Babaei | Neuropharmacology | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Parvin Babaei | Neuropharmacology | Women Researcher Award

Guilan University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Prof. Parvin Babaei is a distinguished physiologist and neuroscientist whose research bridges the complex domains of neuromolecular biology, neurophysiology, and behavioral sciences. She earned her Ph.D. in Physiology with a specialization in Neuromolecular Biology from the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Anokhin Institute of Normal Physiology in Moscow, following her M.Sc. in Human Physiology from the University of Tarbiat Modarres in Tehran and a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Guilan, Iran. Her academic foundation and scientific curiosity have driven her to explore the molecular and behavioral mechanisms underlying neurological and physiological functions in both animal and human models.Prof. Babaei’s scientific contributions encompass a broad spectrum of research areas including gene expression, neurobehavioral assessment, and experimental modeling of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and metabolic syndrome. She possesses advanced technical expertise in immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), stereotaxic surgery, behavioral and motor tracking with Ethovision software, and diverse learning and memory assessment tools such as the Morris Water Maze, passive avoidance, and object recognition tasks. Her experimental approach integrates molecular techniques with behavioral analysis to uncover the biological basis of stress, cognition, and neurodegeneration.She has made remarkable scholarly contributions with numerous impactful publications, such as Stress induced expression of c-fos in the rat brain: a comparison of averaging and individual analyses, Apamine increases excitability of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons, and Characteristics of c-fos gene expression in the brains of rats with different investigative and defensive behaviors. Her works like Mapping pattern of c-fos expression after seizure using immunoperoxidase staining, Effect of aerobic training on serum IgG and IgA of male students, Effect of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide on spontaneous activity of rat uterine smooth muscle, and Effect of training on visceral fat in ovariectomized rats reflect her interdisciplinary command across physiology, neuroscience, and exercise science.Throughout her career, Prof. Babaei has been recognized with numerous honors, including several “Best Researcher” awards from Guilan University of Medical Sciences and the Guilan Province, and distinction among the world’s top 2% scientists identified by Stanford University.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Damirchi, A., Hosseini, F., & Babaei, P. (2018). Mental training enhances cognitive function and BDNF more than either physical or combined training in elderly women with MCI: A small-scale study. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias®, 33(1), 20–29.

Kouhestani, S., Jafari, A., & Babaei, P. (2018). Kaempferol attenuates cognitive deficit via regulating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in an ovariectomized rat model of sporadic dementia. Neural Regeneration Research, 13(10), 1827–1832.

Babaei, P. (2021). NMDA and AMPA receptors dysregulation in Alzheimer’s disease. European Journal of Pharmacology, 908, 174310.

Fayaz, E., Damirchi, A., Zebardast, N., & Babaei, P. (2019). Cinnamon extract combined with high-intensity endurance training alleviates metabolic syndrome via non-canonical WNT signaling. Nutrition, 65, 173–178.

Babaei, P., Mehdizadeh, R., Ansar, M. M., & Damirchi, A. (2010). Effects of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement therapy on visceral adipose tissue and serum adiponectin levels in rats. Menopause International, 16(3), 100–104.

Song Guo Zheng | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Song Guo Zheng | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award

Chair Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine | China

Prof. Song Guo Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., is an internationally renowned immunologist and clinician-scientist specializing in rheumatology, molecular immunology, and translational medicine. He currently serves as Chair Professor and Dean of the School of Cell and Gene Therapy at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. With academic leadership roles across prestigious institutions in the U.S. and China, his pioneering work spans autoimmunity, cell therapy, and immunoregulation. A prolific author with over 110 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals, Prof. Zheng is also a highly decorated researcher and active leader in global immunology societies. His contributions continue to shape modern immunotherapy and precision medicine.

Publication Profile 

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Education 

Prof. Zheng earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Immunology from the University of Orleans, France (2011), and a Master’s in Pathology and Immunology from Shanghai Medical University (1992). He completed his M.D. at Anhui Medical University (1984). His clinical training included a residency in surgery at Chizhou City Hospital (1984–1989) and an internship at Shanghai Zhabei Hospital (1983–1984). He further pursued a pathology fellowship at Shanghai Medical University Cancer Hospital (1989–1993). These academic and clinical foundations laid the groundwork for a distinguished career in immunology, clinical research, and translational medicine across both China and the United States.

Experience 

Prof. Zheng currently serves as Chair Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Dean of the School of Cell and Gene Therapy (2023–Present). He previously held senior positions including the Ronald L. Whisler Chair in Rheumatology and Immunology at Ohio State University (2018–2022) and Director at Penn State University’s College of Medicine (2013–2018). His U.S. academic journey began at the University of Southern California as an assistant and associate professor (2004–2013), after postdoctoral work at USC and UCLA. With leadership in research, teaching, and clinical science, he has become a global authority in immunological therapeutics and rheumatology.

Awards

Prof. Zheng has received numerous prestigious honors, including the Outstanding Scientist Award (2023, USA) and the Distinguished Clinical Immunologist Award (2019, China). He was awarded the Edmund L. Dubois Award (2019), NIH STAR Award (2016–2021), and was Chair of NIH MOSS Study Section (2016). Notably, he earned the James R. Klinenberg Award for best immunologist in Southern California (2007) and the Freda Newton Memorial Scholar Award (2006). He is an elected member of The Henry Kunkel Society (2012) and a recipient of the ACR Investigator Award (2008–2010), reflecting his impactful and sustained contributions to clinical immunology.

Research Focus 

Prof. Zheng’s research centers on molecular immunology, particularly in autoimmune diseases, Treg/Th17 cell modulation, and immune tolerance mechanisms. He investigates immunometabolism, gene and cell therapy, and inflammatory signaling pathways with an emphasis on clinical translation. His studies on cytokines, nanomedicine, and immune checkpoint regulation aim to advance precision therapeutics for rheumatic and inflammatory diseases. He integrates cutting-edge techniques including single-cell sequencing, CRISPR-based modulation, and nano-drug delivery systems. His innovative research is highly cited and supports next-generation treatments for autoimmunity, cancer immunotherapy, and organ-specific inflammation, shaping global trends in immune-based medical interventions.

Publication Top Notes

Natural and induced CD4+ CD25+ cells educate CD4+ CD25− cells to develop suppressive activity: the role of IL-2, TGF-β, and IL-10

IL-2 is essential for TGF-β to convert naive CD4+ CD25− cells to CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and for expansion of these cells

Role of vitamin A in the immune system

Generation ex vivo of TGF-β-producing regulatory T cells from CD4+ CD25− precursors

Vitamin D and chronic diseases

TGF-β requires CTLA-4 early after T cell activation to induce FoxP3 and generate adaptive CD4+ CD25+ regulatory cells

Natural and TGF-β–induced Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells are not mirror images of each other

Role of TNF–TNF receptor 2 signal in regulatory T cells and its therapeutic implications

Cutting edge: Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells induced by IL-2 and TGF-β are resistant to Th17 conversion by IL-6

Hall of fame among pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-6 gene and its transcriptional regulation mechanisms

The ubiquitin ligase Stub1 negatively modulates regulatory T cell suppressive activity by promoting degradation of the transcription factor Foxp3

The role of the combination of IL-2 and TGF-β or IL-10 in the generation and function of CD4+ CD25+ and CD8+regulatory T cell subsets

Conclusion

Given his outstanding scientific productivity, leadership in global immunology communities, and groundbreaking research on immune regulation, Prof. Song Guo Zheng is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. His body of work demonstrates not only scientific depth and innovation but also sustained impact on the field of immunology and clinical medicine. With ongoing contributions and strategic improvements, he remains a central figure in advancing immune-based therapies and education worldwide.