Zhichao Miao | Bioinformatics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Zhichao Miao | Bioinformatics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Zhichao Miao | Bioinformatics | Principal Investigator at Guangzhou Medical University | China

Prof. Zhichao Miao is a distinguished Principal Investigator and computational biologist whose expertise bridges bioinformatics, single-cell genomics, and RNA structural biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Bioinformatics from the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and his Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering from the Harbin Institute of Technology, laying a strong foundation in computational and molecular biology. Professionally, Prof. Miao has held esteemed research appointments at world-class institutions such as the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the United Kingdom, where he contributed to pioneering genomic data integration projects. Currently serving as Principal Investigator at Guangzhou National Laboratory and Adjunct Professor at Guangzhou Medical University, he leads innovative programs in AI-driven multi-omics, digital twin cell technology, and RNA informatics. His research interests center on computational modeling of gene expression, cross-species cell type mapping, and algorithmic optimization for biological data analysis. With a remarkable publication record of over 68 SCI-indexed papers, an H-index of 32, and more than 8,000 citations, his work has appeared in high-impact journals including Nature Medicine, Nature Methods, Nature Communications, and Nucleic Acids Research. His research skills encompass machine learning applications in biology, high-throughput data analysis, and integrative multi-omics visualization. Prof. Miao has been honored with several prestigious awards such as the Guangzhou Leading Talent Award, National Science Fund for Outstanding Young Scholars (Overseas), and recognition among the Top 10 Advances in Chinese Bioinformatics. Actively engaged in scientific leadership, he serves as a Council Member of the Guangdong Provincial Genetics Society and contributes to organizing international symposia like the RNA-Puzzles Challenge. In conclusion, Prof. Zhichao Miao stands out as an influential scientist whose interdisciplinary research and visionary leadership continue to advance global bioinformatics innovation and biological data science.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Sungnak, W., Huang, N., Bécavin, C., Berg, M., Queen, R., Litvinukova, M., … & Miao, Z. (2020). SARS-CoV-2 entry factors are highly expressed in nasal epithelial cells together with innate immune genes. Nature Medicine, 26(5), 681–687. Citations: 3006

  2. Polański, K., Young, M. D., Miao, Z., Meyer, K. B., Teichmann, S. A., & Park, J. E. (2020). BBKNN: fast batch alignment of single-cell transcriptomes. Bioinformatics, 36(3), 964–965. Citations: 843

  3. Popescu, D. M., Botting, R. A., Stephenson, E., Green, K., Webb, S., Jardine, L., … & Miao, Z. (2019). Decoding human fetal liver haematopoiesis. Nature, 574(7778), 365–371. Citations: 589

  4. Büttner, M., Miao, Z., Wolf, F. A., Teichmann, S. A., & Theis, F. J. (2019). A test metric for assessing single-cell RNA-seq batch correction. Nature Methods, 16(1), 43–49. Citations: 485

  5. Muus, C., Luecken, M. D., Eraslan, G., Sikkema, L., Waghray, A., Heimberg, G., … & Miao, Z. (2021). Single-cell meta-analysis of SARS-CoV-2 entry genes across tissues and demographics. Nature Medicine, 27(3), 546–559. Citations: 381

  6. Miao, Z., Adamiak, R. W., Antczak, M., Batey, R. T., Becka, A. J., Biesiada, M., … & Westhof, E. (2017). RNA-Puzzles Round III: 3D RNA structure prediction of five riboswitches and one ribozyme. RNA, 23(5), 655–672. Citations: 216

  7. Miao, Z., Westhof, E. (2017). RNA structure: advances and assessment of 3D structure prediction. Annual Review of Biophysics, 46(1), 483–503. Citations: 206

 

Álvaro Torres-Martos | Bioinformatics | Best Researcher Award

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Mr . Álvaro Torres-Martos | Bioinformatics | Best Researcher Award 

PhD student , University of Granada , Spain

Álvaro Torres-Martos is a dedicated Pre-Doctoral Fellow at the Center of Biomedical Research and “José Mataix Verdú” Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA), University of Granada. His research bridges bioinformatics, biostatistics, and precision medicine, focusing on the molecular and genetic underpinnings of metabolic disorders. Álvaro combines his expertise in multi-omics and artificial intelligence to advance our understanding of obesity, insulin resistance, and non-communicable diseases.

Profile

ORCiD

Strengths for the Award

  1. Cutting-Edge Research Experience: Álvaro Torres-Martos has been involved in high-impact research projects such as the ACTIBATE project and EXOMAIR, focusing on novel therapeutic targets and precision medicine. His work on molecular translators and the exposome demonstrates a commitment to advancing the understanding of complex biological systems and diseases.
  2. Academic Background and Progression: With a solid foundation in Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Álvaro’s transition from a Bachelor’s degree to a Master’s and then to a Pre-doctoral Researcher shows a strong academic trajectory. His current role as a faculty member at the University of Granada further highlights his growing expertise in the field.
  3. High-Quality Publications: Álvaro has published in reputable journals like Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Translational Psychiatry, showcasing his contributions to precision nutrition, machine learning applications, and metabolic health. His work is well-cited and reflects a significant impact on his research area.
  4. Innovative Tools and Recognition: His involvement in developing the ObMetrics Shiny app and winning the III Bioinformatics Datathon indicates his ability to translate research into practical tools. These achievements underscore his innovation and practical application of his research.
  5. Broad Skill Set: Álvaro has completed various courses and certifications, including advanced data science skills and programming in R and Python. This diverse skill set supports his ability to conduct and present high-quality research.

Areas for Improvement 

  1. Broader Research Impact: While Álvaro’s research is highly specialized, expanding the scope to interdisciplinary areas or applied research in clinical settings could enhance the broader impact of his work.
  2. Increased Visibility: Although he has participated in numerous congresses, further efforts to increase the visibility of his research through collaborations, media outreach, or higher-profile conferences could amplify his contributions.
  3. Grant Acquisition: Securing larger research grants or funding from diverse sources could support more ambitious projects and collaborations, further strengthening his research portfolio.

    Education 

    Álvaro earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Granada (UGR) in 2020. He then pursued a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) from 2021 to 2022. Currently, he is a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II at the University of Granada, where he continues his research and academic contributions.

    Experience 

    • 2022-2023: Bioinformatic Researcher at the ACTIBATE project, University of Granada. This role focused on molecular translators of exercise and brown adipose tissue activation, searching for new therapeutic targets in intercellular communication.
    • 2023-2026: Pre-doctoral Researcher for EXOMAIR, University of Granada. This project aims to analyze the exposome and omics using artificial intelligence to study their impact on obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic health.
    • 2024: Academic Visitor at the University of Oxford, focusing on dietary and behavioral phenotypes and non-communicable disease risk through a multi-omics approach.

    Research Interests 

    Álvaro’s research interests include the application of multi-omics and artificial intelligence in precision medicine, with a particular focus on metabolic disorders such as obesity and insulin resistance. He is also interested in the interaction between genetic risk factors and environmental influences on health outcomes.

    Awards 

    • Winner of the III Bioinformatics Datathon organized by the Bioinformatics Conference, University of Granada.
    • Developed the ObMetrics Shiny app, enhancing metabolic syndrome analysis for pediatric populations.

    Publications