Yuwei Chen | Neurodegenerative | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yuwei Chen | Neurodegenerative | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yuwei Chen | Neurodegenerative | Assistant Professor at Xi’an Medical University | China

Dr. Yuwei Chen is a dedicated scholar in Food Science whose research focuses on nutrition, neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, and functional food interventions, demonstrating strong commitment to advancing public health through evidence-based nutritional strategies. She earned her Ph.D. in Food Nutrition from Northwest A&F University, where she further strengthened her scientific foundation following a Master’s degree in Food Science and Engineering at the same institution, including an academic exchange at the Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Engineering. Throughout her professional career, Dr. Yuwei Chen has served as a Lecturer in the Teaching and Research Section of Food Science and Engineering at the School of Public Health, Xi’an Medical University, developing expertise in experimental design, biochemical analysis, nutritional intervention models, and the study of systemic inflammation and amyloidogenesis in relation to neurodegenerative diseases. Her research interests include functional food factors, dietary bioactives, lipid metabolism, memory impairment mechanisms, and the health-promoting properties of plant-derived compounds. She possesses strong research skills in cell and animal model experimentation, nutritional biochemistry, molecular pathway analysis, and evaluation of bioactive food components, integrating these competencies to produce impactful research outputs. Dr. Yuwei Chen has authored several peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals, contributing to areas such as medium-chain fatty acids, plant sterols, green tea catechins, fat replacers, and anti-inflammatory food components. Her academic journey is further distinguished by recognition for research productivity and interdisciplinary collaborations, highlighting her commitment to scientific excellence. With continuous engagement in teaching, research supervision, and scholarly dissemination, Dr. Yuwei Chen remains focused on expanding her contributions to food science innovation, nutritional health interventions, and translational research that addresses emerging public health challenges, positioning her as a promising researcher dedicated to advancing the understanding of diet-related disease prevention and functional food development.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications 

Chen, Y. (2021). Medium chain fatty acids: Extraction, isolation, purification, bioactive properties and application. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
Chen, Y. (2020). Green tea catechin: Does it lower blood cholesterol? IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
Chen, Y. (2020). Use of starch-based fat replacers in foods as a strategy to reduce dietary intake of fat and risk of metabolic diseases. Food Science & Nutrition.
Chen, Y. (2019). Is plant sterols a good strategy to lower cholesterol? Journal of Oleo Science.
Chen, Y. (2017). Sesamol supplementation prevents systemic inflammation-induced memory impairment and amyloidogenesis via inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
Chen, Y. (2017). Chicoric acid supplementation prevents systemic inflammation-induced memory impairment and amyloidogenesis via inhibition of NF-κB. The FASEB Journal.
Chen, Y. (2017). Effects of sesamol on LPS-induced memory impairment and β-amylase accumulation (Master’s research output). Northwest A&F University.

 

Cristiano Riger | Neurodegenerative | Academic Luminary Achievement Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Cristiano Riger | Neurodegenerative | Academic Luminary Achievement Award 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Cristiano Riger | Neurodegenerative | Professor at Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro | Brazil

Assist. Prof. Dr. Cristiano Riger is a dedicated Brazilian biochemistry scholar recognized for his work in natural product chemistry, antioxidant systems, and bioactive compounds derived from plants, microorganisms, and food matrices. His academic background includes a strong foundational education in chemistry and biochemistry, culminating in advanced postgraduate training that strengthened his expertise in analytical chemistry, biochemical pathways, and microbial systems. Throughout his professional career, Assist. Prof. Dr. Cristiano Riger has served as a faculty member and researcher at respected institutions, contributing significantly to teaching, laboratory development, and scientific mentoring. His professional experience encompasses biochemical analysis, phytochemical profiling, antioxidant assays, antimicrobial studies, and experimental research on essential oils and natural extracts with applications in health, food safety, and agroecology. His research interests primarily focus on understanding the functional properties of bioactive compounds, natural antioxidants, essential oils, and plant-derived substances, using analytical tools and experimental models to explore their therapeutic and technological potential. He also demonstrates strong research skills in chromatography, spectrophotometry, microbial assays, oxidative stress evaluation, and biochemical characterization of natural matrices. Assist. Prof. Dr. Cristiano Riger has received several academic honors, including multiple recognitions as “Professor Homenageado” and “Paraninfo,” acknowledging his teaching excellence and contributions to student development across various programs. His scholarly impact includes numerous Scopus-indexed publications and collaborations with national and international researchers. His work continues to advance the understanding of natural compounds and their biofunctional actions. In conclusion, Assist. Prof. Dr. Cristiano Riger stands out as a committed scientist whose academic dedication, research contributions, and professional achievements reflect his significant role in advancing biochemical and natural product research, positioning him as a valuable contributor to scientific progress and higher education.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Riger, C. J. (2024). Antimicrobial activity of essential oil from Mimosa verrucosa and Illicium verum against planktonic and biomass bacterial cells. Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais.

  2. Riger, C. J. (2024). Evaluation of the pulicidal potential of the essential oil of Curcuma zedoaria. Phytochemistry Letters. 

  3. Riger, C. J. (2023). Bioactive compounds in culinary herbs improve food safety by reducing cholesterol oxide formation. SSRN.

  4. Riger, C. J. (2023). Lemongrass essential oil: Scientific bases for an agroecological approach to seed protection. Industrial Crops and Products. 

  5. Riger, C. J. (2022). Bioactive compounds of parsley, chives, and their mixture as promising antioxidant and anti-cholesterol oxidation agents. Food Research International. 

  6. Riger, C. J. (2022). Biquinho pepper: Bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacities in fish balls during frozen storage. Food Bioscience.

  7. Riger, C. J. (2021). Determination of the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of Eugenia copacabanensis and Myrciaria tenella leaves. Chemistry and Biodiversity. 

 

Daniela Batallas | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

Mrs. Daniela Batallas | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award 

Mrs. Daniela Batallas | Neuroscience | Predoctoral Researcher at University of Valencia | Spain

Mrs. Daniela Batallas is a dedicated and emerging scholar in the field of Neurosciences, currently serving as a Predoctoral Researcher at the University of Valencia under the prestigious Talent Attraction Fellowship. With a strong academic foundation in psychology and psychobiology, Mrs. Batallas has cultivated deep expertise in exploring the cognitive, affective, and neurobiological mechanisms underlying minimal hepatic encephalopathy, stress, and memory processes. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the Technical University of Loja (UTPL), Ecuador, and a Master’s Degree in Basic and Applied Neurosciences from the University of Valencia, Spain, where she is presently pursuing her Ph.D. in Neurosciences. Her professional experience includes lecturing at UTPL in areas such as developmental psychology, psychophysiology, and experimental psychology, and conducting advanced neuropsychological research at the Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF). Mrs. Batallas has contributed to several SCOPUS-indexed journals such as Behavioural Brain Research, Quality of Life Research, and Brain, Behavior & Immunity – Health, addressing topics including neuroplasticity, inflammation, and stress biomarkers. Her research skills encompass neuropsychological assessment, experimental design, statistical analysis, and psychobiological data interpretation, supported by active participation in international congresses and symposiums. Recognized for her academic excellence, she has received numerous honors including the Best Graduate in Psychology Award (UTPL), Luis Vives Scholarship, and Talent Attraction Fellowship. As a peer reviewer for the journal Stress and Health, Mrs. Batallas demonstrates her commitment to advancing rigorous scientific inquiry. Her ongoing projects, supported by national and international research grants, emphasize translational neuroscience and the biological basis of cognitive dysfunction. In conclusion, Mrs. Daniela Batallas exemplifies a rising scientific leader whose interdisciplinary approach, research innovation, and commitment to mental health and cognitive science mark her as a promising contributor to the global neuroscience community.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Batallas, D. A., Rodríguez-Hernández, V., Hidalgo, V., & Salvador, A. (2024). Loneliness during the post-confinement period: The significance of social living conditions for stress biomarkers and memory. Behavioural Brain Research, 459, 114771.

  2. Batallas, D. A., Gallego, J. J., Casanova-Ferrer, F., Fiorillo, A., & Rivas-Diaz, P. (2025). Blood ammonia and eye-hand coordination negatively affect health-related quality of life in women with minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Quality of Life Research, 34(6), 1669–1682.

  3. Batallas, D. A., Gallego, J. J., Casanova-Ferrer, F., López-Gramaje, A., & Salvador, A. (2025). Sex differences in the mediating role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor between inflammation and memory in cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health, 100998.

  4. Giner Pérez, L., Gallego, J. J., Gimènez-Garzó, C., Batallas, D., et al. (2025). The analysis of the gut microbiome during liver disease progression led to the identification of biomarkers for related mild cognitive impairment. Frontiers in Microbiology, 16, 1670512.

  5. Vaca-Gallegos, S. L., Peñaherrera-Aguirre, M., Batallas, D., et al. (2025). Alone and under pressure: The transdiagnostic role of loneliness, stress, and psychological inflexibility in university students. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1642529.

  6. Rodríguez-Hernández, V., Batallas, D., Hidalgo, V., & Salvador, A. (2025). Exploring the heart rate variability response to persuasive health messages. Journal of Psychophysiology.

  7. Guerra, V. L., Quizhpe, L. I. A., Quinde, L., Calva, W. C., & Batallas, D. (2022). Quejas subjetivas de memoria y su relación con el estrés percibido y consumo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios: rol mediador de la sintomatología prefrontal. Neuropsicología Latinoamericana, 14(2), 11–20.