Africa Holguin | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Africa Holguin | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Africa Holguin | Microbiology – Investigador at Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria – IRYCIS, Spain

Dr. Africa Holguín is a globally respected virologist and the Head of the HIV-1 Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory at IRYCIS – Hospital Ramón y Cajal in Madrid, Spain. Her work has significantly advanced the global understanding of HIV genetic variability, antiretroviral resistance, and viral surveillance. She has been a leading figure in molecular virology research for over two decades and is especially recognized for her studies on non-B HIV-1 subtypes, viral quasispecies, and the epidemiological patterns of drug resistance mutations. With over 5,300 citations and more than 100 publications, Dr. Holguín is a key contributor to the global HIV research community and a scientific leader in infectious disease molecular diagnostics.

Academic Profile:

ORCID

Scopus

Google Scholar

Education:

Dr. Holguín completed her graduate studies in biological sciences with a specialization in virology and molecular biology. Her academic training emphasized molecular diagnostics and viral genomics, providing her with the tools to engage in complex viral surveillance projects. She later deepened her specialization in infectious diseases through advanced research training, equipping her to lead cross-disciplinary studies on the molecular epidemiology of HIV and other RNA viruses.

Experience:

With over 25 years of experience in clinical virology and molecular epidemiology, Dr. Holguín has led numerous high-impact national and international research projects. Her role as the head of a specialized research laboratory has allowed her to supervise a range of HIV-related studies, including drug resistance surveillance, viral genetic analysis, and epidemiological modeling. She collaborates with global health bodies and research consortia and has worked extensively on patient cohorts including immigrants, children, and treatment-naïve populations. She also provides expert input for public health decision-making and clinical guideline development.

Research Interests:

Dr. Holguín’s research focuses on the molecular evolution of HIV-1, especially non-B subtypes, and how natural genetic polymorphisms affect treatment outcomes. She investigates antiretroviral resistance, viral quasispecies, and genetic recombination events that impact diagnosis and therapy. Her interests extend to real-world applications, such as viral load testing accuracy and genotype interpretation systems. Recently, she has contributed to molecular surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, showcasing her adaptability and leadership in emerging infectious disease research.

Awards:

Dr. Holguín has received multiple accolades and recognitions for her contributions to virology and public health. Her work has influenced global HIV treatment strategies, and she has participated in advisory panels and policy-shaping discussions at the national and international level. She has also received institutional recognition for her mentorship and leadership in scientific research and has played a key role in developing Spain’s HIV molecular monitoring infrastructure.

Selected Publications 📚:

  1. 📘 “Global and regional molecular epidemiology of HIV-1, 1990–2015: a systematic review” – The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2019 – Cited by 457
  2. 📗 “Impact of HIV-1 subtype and antiretroviral therapy on protease and reverse transcriptase genotype” – PLoS Medicine, 2005 – Cited by 393
  3. 📙 “Pol gene quasispecies of HIV: mutations associated with drug resistance in untreated patients” – Journal of Virology, 1995 – Cited by 274
  4. 🧬 “Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins from the start of the pandemic to September 2020” – Viruses, 2021 – Cited by 113
  5. 📒 “High prevalence of HIV-1 subtype G and natural polymorphisms among immigrants in Madrid” – AIDS, 2002 – Cited by 98
  6. 📕 “Prevalence of HIV-1 non-B subtypes, syphilis, HTLV, and hepatitis in immigrant sex workers in Spain” – Journal of Medical Virology, 2004 – Cited by 83
  7. 📓 “Efficacy of antiretroviral therapy in individuals infected with HIV-1 non-B subtypes” – AIDS Reviews, 2006 – Cited by 81

Conclusion:

Dr. Africa Holguín’s remarkable research record, impactful collaborations, and long-term leadership in the field of HIV molecular epidemiology make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her commitment to scientific excellence, especially in the areas of viral resistance and subtype diversity, has contributed to meaningful advancements in clinical care and global health policy. With a strong citation record, consistent publication output, and a multidisciplinary approach to emerging infectious diseases, Dr. Holguín exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher whose work continues to shape the future of virology and public health.

 

 

Ms. Jingya Yang | Microbiology | Best Review Paper Award

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Ms. Jingya Yang | Microbiology | Best Review Paper Award

Ms. Jingya Yang | Microbiology – Yuxi Normal University, China

Dr. Jingya Yang is a dedicated and emerging scholar in plant sciences and fungal biotechnology, with an interdisciplinary research focus spanning environmental remediation, plant stress physiology, and bioactive compound discovery. Currently serving as a college teacher at the College of Chemistry, Biology, and Environment, Yuxi Normal University, she brings a solid academic foundation and productive research record to her role. Her scholarly contributions, especially in phytoremediation and natural product analysis, reflect a strong commitment to addressing ecological and pharmaceutical challenges through science. Notably, her 2025 review article on the Russula genus provides a comprehensive synthesis of therapeutic properties and highlights her strength in scientific communication and literature integration.

Profile:

Orcid 

🎓Education:

Dr. Yang obtained her Ph.D. in Botany from the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2019–2022), where she earned the prestigious CAS Outstanding Student Award. Her dissertation focused on chromosome-level genome assembly and comparative genomic analysis of Calotropis species, exploring their adaptive mechanisms under stress conditions. Prior to her doctorate, she completed a Master of Science in Horticulture at Yunnan University (2016–2018), where she was honored with the Yuehong Scholarship and the Postgraduate Scholarship. Her leadership and academic achievements were recognized through the Outstanding Student Leader award. She began her academic path with a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology from Dalian University (2012–2016), where she received the First Prize in the Biological Practice Skills Competition and an Academic Excellence Scholarship. Her educational background reflects consistent excellence in both theoretical learning and practical scientific application.

🧪Experience:

Since May 2022, Dr. Yang has been employed as a faculty member at Yuxi Normal University in Yunnan Province. In this role, she teaches undergraduate and graduate students, supervises student research, and leads projects in molecular biology, plant ecology, and environmental sciences. She has actively contributed to building the university’s research profile in plant and microbial studies. Her earlier experiences during graduate study included hands-on work with advanced omics platforms, collaborative research with multiple institutes, and the coordination of laboratory teams. Through these roles, she has developed a dynamic skill set that combines laboratory expertise, data analysis, and academic leadership.

🌿Research Interests:

Dr. Yang’s research spans several important areas in plant biology and applied biotechnology. Her primary interests include plant adaptation to environmental stress (especially heavy metal and salt stress), phytoremediation mechanisms, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. She has also expanded her focus to fungi, particularly in analyzing the pharmacological properties and bioactive compounds of medicinal mushrooms like Russula. Her goal is to integrate molecular biology, ecological restoration, and natural product pharmacology to create sustainable applications in agriculture, environmental science, and health care. She is also deeply invested in comparative genomics and the identification of secondary metabolites with therapeutic potential.

🏅Awards:

Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Yang has consistently been recognized for her achievements. She was awarded the CAS Outstanding Student Award during her doctoral studies at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, one of China’s highest academic honors for graduate students. During her master’s studies, she received the Postgraduate Scholarship, the Yuehong Scholarship (Third Prize), and was honored as an Outstanding Student Leader. In her undergraduate years, she won the Academic Excellence Scholarship and secured First Prize in the Biological Practice Skills Competition, showcasing her blend of academic rigor and practical competence.

📚Publications:

Dr. Yang has authored and co-authored several impactful publications in peer-reviewed journals, contributing both original research and scholarly reviews to her field:

🍄 “Unveiling the Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Potential of Russula: A Comprehensive Review” (Journal of Fungi, 2025) — This detailed review explores the pharmacological importance of Russula mushrooms, covering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Newly published; citations pending.
🔬 “Phytoremediation potential evaluation of three rhubarb species and comparative analysis of their rhizosphere characteristics in a Cd and Pb contaminated soil” (Chemosphere, 2022) — Focused on soil restoration using native species, this article demonstrates her field expertise. Cited by: 18 articles.
🌿 “Comparative transcriptomics analysis of the molecular mechanisms of roots and leaves of Calotropis gigantea in response to Cd stress” (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022) — This study highlights her work on stress response at the transcriptomic level. Cited by: 12 articles.
🍋 “Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal new insights into the role of abscisic acid in modulating mango fruit ripening” (Horticulture Research, 2021) — A collaborative work that applies omics to fruit physiology. Cited by: 25 articles.
🧬 “Transcriptomic profiling of Calotropis under salt and heavy metal stress reveals gene networks and candidate markers” (Plant Physiology Reports, 2023) — Identifies stress-related genes in desert plants. Cited by: 8 articles.
🌱 “Integrating metabolite profiling and environmental factors in rhizosphere dynamics under stress conditions” (Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2023) — Examines root-soil interactions under metal stress. Cited by: 10 articles.
🍇 “Secondary metabolite gene clusters in tropical plants: evolutionary insight and biotechnological potential” (Frontiers in Plant Science, 2024) — Focused on identifying novel bioactive pathways. Cited by: 5 articles.

📝Conclusion:

Dr. Jingya Yang exemplifies a strong candidate for the Best Review Paper Award, particularly for her 2025 review on the therapeutic potential of Russula. Her academic journey showcases discipline, innovation, and scientific integrity. The breadth and depth of her research reflect a deep understanding of both molecular mechanisms and ecological relevance. She brings together advanced omics tools, field-based insights, and literature synthesis to address key challenges in environmental and biological sciences. Recognizing her work through this award would highlight the importance of integrated plant–fungal research and support the contributions of emerging scientists in applied biology.