Maria Pinelli | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Maria Pinelli | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Maria Pinelli | Radboud University Medical Center | Italy

Dr. Maria Pinelli is an Assistant Professor Junior (RTDa) at the Politecnico di Milano (Italy) in the Department of Management, Economics, and Industrial Engineering (ING-IND/35). Her academic and research work focuses on technological innovation in healthcare, with particular attention to Health Technology Assessment (HTA), innovation management in hospitals, and the integration of scanning and assessment processes to enhance healthcare value creation. She earned her Ph.D. from Politecnico di Milano in 2025 with a thesis titled “MedTech Innovation in Hospitals: Re-Framing the Integration between Scanning and Assessment and the Determinants of Value.” During her doctoral studies, she was a Visiting Ph.D. Student at Radboud University (Netherlands), collaborating on international research exploring hospital technology strategies. Her academic background also includes a Master’s Degree in Management Engineering with specialization in Sustainable Operations Management and Social Innovation and a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, both completed with honors. Dr. Pinelli has published extensively in high-impact international journals such as Health Policy, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, PLOS ONE, IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, and IJERPH. Her works contribute to understanding the strategic, clinical, and socio-economic evaluation of medical technologies and the role of digital transformation and sustainability in healthcare systems. She has been actively involved in teaching and coordinating courses such as Innovation in Health and Social Care, Healthcare Management, and Economia e Organizzazione Aziendale at Politecnico di Milano and Humanitas University. Her contributions extend to international conferences, including EURAM, ISPOR, IPDMC, and Health Technology Assessment International, where she presented cutting-edge research on hospital innovation, inclusive healthcare technologies, and decision-making frameworks. Dr. Pinelli also serves as a reviewer for several leading journals, including the Journal of Medical Internet Research and Health Services Management Research. Beyond academia, she has contributed to practitioner conferences addressing the impact of AI and MedTech innovation in healthcare. Through her multidisciplinary expertise, international collaboration, and commitment to advancing healthcare innovation, Dr. Maria Pinelli represents a new generation of scholars bridging management engineering and medical technology for sustainable, patient-centered care.

Profiles: Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

Pinelli, M., Moglia, A., Marsilio, L., Rossi, M., Lettieri, E., Mainardi, L., & Manzotti, A. (2023). Mixed reality and artificial intelligence: A holistic approach to multimodal visualization and extended interaction in knee osteotomy. IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, 10. https://doi.org/10.1109/JTEHM.2023.3335608

Pinelli, M., Manetti, S., & Lettieri, E. (2023). Assessing the social and environmental impact of healthcare technologies: Towards an extended social return on investment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 5224. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065224

Di Francesco, A., Pinelli, M., Lettieri, E., Toletti, G., & Galli, M. (2023). Towards a more inclusive society: The social return on investment (SROI) of an innovative ankle–foot orthosis for hemiplegic children. Sustainability, 15(5), 4361. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054361

Pinelli, M., Gerardi, C., Lettieri, E., Maioru, M., Marone, L., Bertoldi, L., Navanteri, G., Costantini, M., Botti, C., & Pellini, F. (2024). Comparison of indocyanine green with conventional tracers for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: A multidisciplinary evaluation of clinical effectiveness, safety, organizational and economic impact. PLOS ONE, 19(8), e0309336. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309336

Pinelli, M., Lettieri, E., Boaretto, A., Casile, C., Citro, G., Zazzaro, B., & Ravazzoni, A. (2022). Glucometer usability for 65+ type 2 diabetes patients: Insights on physical and cognitive issues. Sensors, 22(16), 6202. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22166202

Jyoti Srivastava | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jyoti Srivastava | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jyoti Srivastava | Moffitt Cancer Center | United States

Dr. Jyoti Srivastava, Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis at Moffitt Cancer Center, is an accomplished molecular biologist with over 18 years of pioneering experience spanning cancer biology, immuno-oncology, and therapeutic discovery. Her multidisciplinary research integrates molecular genetics, pharmacology, redox biology, and genomics to uncover mechanisms driving tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. At Moffitt, Dr. Srivastava has made groundbreaking discoveries in melanoma, elucidating how redox and nitrosylation signaling pathways modulate immune evasion and therapeutic resistance in NRAS-driven cancers. Her work has identified actionable targets and led to the development of innovative RNAi-, PROTAC-, and small-molecule–based therapeutics that have advanced toward preclinical and clinical evaluation. Previously at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals and Yale University, she spearheaded translational research programs that delivered clinical candidates for lung diseases and cancer, while uncovering novel oncogenic pathways such as AEG-1/MTDH in hepatocellular carcinoma and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Dr. Srivastava’s contributions—reflected in over 30 peer-reviewed publications, invited talks at major international conferences, and successful therapeutic innovations—underscore her leadership in bridging fundamental discoveries with clinical application, advancing next-generation strategies to combat cancer and chronic diseases.

Profiles: Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

Yoo, B. K., Santhekadur, P. K., Gredler, R., Chen, D., Emdad, L., Bhutia, S., … & Fisher, P. B. (2011). Increased RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) activity contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology, 53(5), 1538–1548. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.24221

Santhekadur, P. K., Das, S. K., Gredler, R., Chen, D., Srivastava, J., Robertson, C., … & Fisher, P. B. (2012). Multifunction protein staphylococcal nuclease domain containing 1 (SND1) promotes tumor angiogenesis in human hepatocellular carcinoma through a novel pathway involving NF-κB and miR-221. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287(17), 13952–13958. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M111.323899

Sarkar, D., & Fisher, P. B. (2013). AEG-1/MTDH/Lyric: Clinical significance. Advances in Cancer Research, 120, 39–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-401676-7.00002-0

Srivastava, J., Siddiq, A., Emdad, L., Santhekadur, P. K., Chen, D., Gredler, R., … & Fisher, P. B. (2012). Astrocyte elevated gene-1 promotes hepatocarcinogenesis: Novel insights from a mouse model. Hepatology, 56(5), 1782–1791. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.25841

Santhekadur, P. K., Akiel, M., Emdad, L., Gredler, R., Srivastava, J., … & Fisher, P. B. (2014). Staphylococcal nuclease domain containing-1 (SND1) promotes migration and invasion via angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and TGF-β signaling. FEBS Open Bio, 4, 353–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fob.2014.03.001

Ludovica Di Renzo | Research Excellence | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Ludovica Di Renzo | Research Excellence | Women Researcher Award 

Dr. Ludovica Di Renzo | Istittuto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale G.Caporale | Italy

Dr. Ludovica Di Renzo is an accomplished veterinary researcher specializing in marine animal health, wildlife pathology, and aquaculture sustainability. With a career devoted to understanding the effects of emerging diseases, pollutants, and environmental stressors on aquatic species, she has made significant contributions to marine ecosystem monitoring and animal welfare. Currently serving as a Researcher at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, she brings extensive experience in diagnostics of wild and stranded marine animals, including necropsy, histology, parasitology, cytology, and molecular diagnostics. Her research also extends to microplastics detection and the assessment of their biological impacts on marine organisms. Dr. Di Renzo holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), a PhD in Veterinary Medical Sciences, Public Health, and Animal Welfare, along with postgraduate specializations in Laboratory Animal Science and Medicine and dual second-level master’s degrees in Aquaculture of the Future and Healthcare Management and Administration. Her interdisciplinary background bridges veterinary pathology, marine ecology, and environmental biotechnology, positioning her at the forefront of integrated marine health research. She is the author and co-author of over 35 peer-reviewed scientific publications featured in leading journals such as Pathogens, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Environmental Pollution, Animals, PLoS One, and Scientific Reports. Her impactful work on cetacean diseases, sea turtle health, microplastics contamination, and zoonotic pathogens has earned her international recognition, contributing to global marine conservation efforts. Beyond her research, Dr. Di Renzo actively participates in national scientific boards and committees on aquaculture and wildlife health, providing expert advisory input for policy and conservation strategies. She has delivered numerous presentations at international conferences including the European Cetacean Society, World Marine Mammal Conference, and International Sea Turtle Symposium, sharing insights into the health challenges facing marine wildlife. Fluent in Italian and English, with intermediate Portuguese proficiency gained through Erasmus experience at the University of Lisbon, she also dedicates her time to volunteer work with Centro Studi Cetacei Onlus and Sub Loto, supporting marine rescue and rehabilitation initiatives. Dr. Ludovica Di Renzo’s scholarly impact is reflected in 36 documents, 318 citations, and an h-index of 11, underscoring her sustained contributions to advancing veterinary and marine science globally.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Di Renzo, L., Mariani, G., Matiddi, M., Silvestri, C., Chiesa, S., Petochi, T., Marino, G., Pizzurro, F., Fazio, S., Rossi, E., et al. (2025, October 6). First survey on sea turtles’ interactions in mussel farms in Italy. Animals, 15(19), 2909. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15192909

Pizzurro, F., Nerone, E., Di Domenico, M., Ancora, M., Mincarelli, L. F., Salini, R., Di Renzo, L., Fazio, S., & Recchi, S. (2025, April 3). Realistic environmental exposure of microplastics in European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis: Evaluation of accumulation and depuration under controlled conditions and molecular assessment of a set of reference genes. Water, 17(7), 1063. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17071063

Di Febo, T., Di Francesco, G., Grattarola, C., Sonsini, L., Di Renzo, L., Lucifora, G., Puleio, R., Di Francesco, C. E., Smoglica, C., Di Guardo, G., et al. (2025, January 2). Serological diagnosis of Brucella infection in cetaceans by rapid serum agglutination test and competitive ELISA with Brucella abortus and Brucella ceti as antigens. Pathogens, 14(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010026

Grattarola, C., Pietroluongo, G., Belluscio, D., Berio, E., Canonico, C., Centelleghe, C., Cocumelli, C., Crotti, S., Denurra, D., Di Donato, A., et al. (2024, September). Pathogen prevalence in cetaceans stranded along the Italian coastline between 2015 and 2020. Pathogens, 13(9), 762. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13090762

Di Renzo, L., De Angelis, M. E., Torresi, M., Mariani, G., Pizzurro, F., Mincarelli, L. F., Esposito, E., Oliviero, M., Iaccarino, D., & Di Nocera, F., et al. (2024, April 18). Genomic characterization of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species isolated from sea turtles. Microorganisms, 12(4), 817. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040817

Chien-Hung Yeh | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Chien-Hung Yeh | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Chien-Hung Yeh | Beijing Institute of Technology, China

Professor Chien-Hung Yeh, a tenured faculty member at Beijing Institute of Technology and a National High-Level Fellow, is renowned for his groundbreaking work in neuromodulation, cross-frequency coupling, and medical AI. With over 50 SCI publications, 15+ patents, and leadership in major national research projects, he has significantly advanced intelligent healthcare technologies. His collaborations span prestigious institutions like Harvard and Oxford, and his innovations influence clinical practices and brain-computer interface development. As a senior IEEE member and editorial board contributor, Professor Yeh exemplifies excellence in interdisciplinary biomedical engineering—making him a distinguished candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Academic Profile 

ORCID, Google Scholar

Education

Professor Chien-Hung Yeh holds a distinguished academic background, earning his doctoral degree through a joint supervision program between Harvard Medical School and National Central University. This unique cross-continental academic training provided him with a rich blend of cutting-edge biomedical knowledge and rigorous technological insight. His PhD research laid the groundwork for his later innovations in neuromodulation and cross-frequency coupling, with strong emphasis on translational science bridging engineering and clinical neuroscience. His academic journey reflects both depth and global perspective, equipping him with interdisciplinary tools essential for leadership in advanced healthcare technologies.

Experience

Professor Yeh currently serves as a tenured professor at Beijing Institute of Technology, one of China’s premier research universities. Over the years, he has gained extensive experience leading major national-level research projects, including initiatives funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), and the Beijing Municipal Health Commission. In addition to his academic role, he is actively engaged in consultancy and industry-academia collaborations, such as with Kao Corporation and Neuracle Technology Co., Ltd. He also chairs IEEE conferences and serves as a reviewer for various high-level funding agencies including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Science Foundation of China. His experience spans administration, research management, teaching, and policy advising, making him a key figure in biomedical innovation ecosystems.

Research Interests

Professor Yeh’s research is at the forefront of biomedical engineering, with core interests in cross-frequency coupling, neuromodulation, and artificial intelligence applications in medicine. He is internationally recognized for his pioneering work on dynamic brain signal processing, particularly in the development of algorithms for brain-computer interfaces and intelligent monitoring systems for neurological disorders. His contributions to waveform analysis and AI-driven health diagnostics have practical implications for epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disorders, and critical care. These interests are not only intellectually rigorous but also clinically transformative, aiming to close the gap between neuroscience theory and patient-centered innovation.

Awards

Throughout his career, Professor Yeh has received numerous prestigious recognitions. He has been honored as a National High-Level Fellow in China, a designation reserved for top-tier scientists making significant contributions to strategic research areas. His projects have received substantial support from national and municipal government bodies, reinforcing the value of his work to public health and innovation policy. He has also co-led a team that was named a runner-up in the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, a global competition to develop portable diagnostic devices capable of revolutionizing healthcare delivery. This accomplishment highlights the global applicability of his research. Furthermore, Professor Yeh’s editorial roles in leading journals, including Cyborg and Bionic Systems, Applied Sciences, and BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, along with his membership in key professional societies such as IEEE and the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering, reflect the academic community’s high regard for his expertise and leadership.

Publications

Amplitude modulation multiscale entropy characterizes complexity and brain states

Author: W Shi, H Feng, X Zhang, CH Yeh
Journal: Chaos, Solitons & Fractals
Year: 2023

A novel measure of cardiopulmonary coupling during sleep based on the synchrosqueezing transform algorithm 

Author: Y Wang, W Shi, CH Yeh
Journal: IEEE journal of biomedical and health informatics
Year: 2023

Waveform changes with the evolution of beta bursts in the human subthalamic nucleus

Author: CH Yeh, B Al-Fatly, AA Kuehn, AC Meidahl, G Tinkhauser, H Tan,
Journal: Clinical neurophysiology
Year: 2020

Generalized multiscale Lempel–Ziv complexity of cyclic alternating pattern during sleep

Author: CH Yeh, W Shi
Journal: Nonlinear Dynamics
Year: 2018

A comparison study on stages of sleep: Quantifying multiscale complexity using higher moments on coarse-graining

Author: W Shi, P Shang, Y Ma, S Sun, CH Yeh
Journal: Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation
Year: 2017

Quantifying spasticity with limited swinging cycles using pendulum test based on phase amplitude coupling

Author: CH Yeh, HWV Young, CY Wang, YH Wang, PL Lee, JH Kang, MT Lo
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering
Year: 2016

Spurious cross-frequency amplitude–amplitude coupling in nonstationary, nonlinear signals

Author: CH Yeh, MT Lo, K Hu
Journal: Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications
Year: 2016

On the computational complexity of the empirical mode decomposition algorithm 

Author: YH Wang, CH Yeh, HWV Young, K Hu, MT Lo
Journal: Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications
Year: 2014

Conclusion

Professor Chien-Hung Yeh exemplifies the ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award through his high-impact publications, transformative research, interdisciplinary expertise, and technological innovations. His leadership in both academic and applied research domains, coupled with international collaborations and continuous contributions to scientific advancement, makes him a deserving recipient of this recognition.