Ali Attiq | Neuroinflammation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ali Attiq | Neuroinflammation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ali Attiq, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Dr. Ali Attiq, PhD, is a seasoned molecular pharmacologist and pharmacist specializing in immunopharmacology, inflammation, and drug discovery. Currently a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, he investigates epigenetic programming of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. ๐ŸŽ“ He earned his PhD in Pharmacy from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and has held leadership roles at MAHSA University and Superior University. ๐Ÿ… Dr. Attiq is the recipient of prestigious awards including the APEX Young Scholar 2025 and has published extensively in Q1 journals. He also supervises multiple postgraduate research projects focused on cancer immunotherapy and inflammatory diseases.

Publication Profile

Scopus

๐Ÿ’ผ Professional Experience

Dr. Ali Attiq brings extensive academic and leadership experience in pharmacology and toxicology. ๐Ÿงฌ Currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (Nov 2022โ€“Present), he teaches immunopharmacology and conducts pioneering research on epigenetic reprogramming of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿซ Previously, he was Head of Department and PhD Program Coordinator at MAHSA University (2019โ€“2022), where he led a skilled team, mentored faculty, and explored inflammation-related molecular pathways. ๐Ÿ”ฌ Earlier, at Superior University (2014โ€“2015), he taught clinical and applied pharmacology, guided research projects, and championed patient-centered care among pharmacy students.

๐ŸŽ“ Educational Background

Dr. Ali Attiq holds a PhD in Pharmacy with a focus on Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (2019), where he discovered novel anti-inflammatory compounds and developed in-vitro models for preclinical disease analysis. ๐Ÿ”ฌ He earned his M.Phil in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (2014), gaining expertise in FDA-approved assays such as the Ames test, gel electrophoresis, comet assay, and cytotoxicity testing. ๐Ÿงช His academic journey began with a PharmD from Hamdard University (2012), where he developed a strong foundation in patient-centered care and clinical pharmacology

๐Ÿ† Awards and Achievements

Dr. Ali Attiq has earned several prestigious accolades throughout his academic journey. ๐ŸŒŸ He was named an APEX Young Scholar (AYS) in 2025 by the Research Creativity and Management Office (RCMO), recognizing his excellence in research and innovation and commitment to future academic leadership. ๐ŸŽ“ In 2015, he secured 1st position as Best Oral Presenter at the 3rd International Conference on Enduring Health Sciences Research (ICEHSR) for his impactful masterโ€™s research. ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Earlier, in 2013, he received the esteemed Youth Initiative Award from the Government of Pakistan, becoming the youngest recipient of the Chief Minister Punjabโ€™s honor.

๐Ÿงช Research Focus

Dr. Ali Attiqโ€™s research is primarily rooted in immunopharmacology, with a special focus on inflammation, dysbiosis-induced disorders, and drug discovery. ๐Ÿ”ฌ He explores the molecular mechanisms of immune responses, particularly the epigenetic reprogramming of immune cells in the tumour microenvironment. ๐Ÿงฌ His work also delves into NF-ฮบB signaling, cytokine storms, and cardiovascular inflammation, such as in atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. โค๏ธโ€๐Ÿ”ฅ His publications reveal a deep interest in how early-life antibiotic exposures contribute to microbiome dysregulation and chronic diseases. ๐Ÿ’Š Through cutting-edge research, Dr. Attiq aims to design innovative therapies targeting inflammation at its molecular root.

Publication Top Notes

๐Ÿ“„ Neuroinflammation to neurodegeneration: Boulevard of broken nerves (2025)ย 
๐Ÿ“„ Early-Life Antibiotic Exposures: Paving the Pathway for Dysbiosis-Induced Disorders (2025)ย 
๐Ÿ“„ Sansevieria trifasciata extract: Antimicrobial & cytotoxic potential (2024)ย 
๐Ÿ“„ Cytokine Storm-Induced Thyroid Dysfunction in COVID-19 (2024)ย 
๐Ÿ“„ Interaction between Nuclear Receptor and Adrenergic Agonists in Hypertensive Rats (2024)ย 
๐Ÿ“„ Platinum-based chemotherapies & cisplatin resistance in NSCLC (2024)ย 
๐Ÿ“„ Hegemony of inflammation in atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (2024) โ€“ 58 citationsย 
๐Ÿ“„ Oxidative stress & reactive oxygen species in disorders (2023)ย 
๐Ÿ“„ Trinity of inflammation & immune signaling in tumor microenvironment (2023)ย 
๐Ÿ“„ Adiponectin receptor and renal vasculature in diabetes (2022)ย 
๐Ÿ“„ NF-ฮบB, inflammation & cytokine storm in COVID-19 (2021) โ€“ ~200+ citationsย 
๐Ÿ“„ Anti-cancer activities of lycopene (2021)

Frnaz Akbar | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Frnaz Akbar | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Frnaz Akbar, National University Of Modern Languages, Pakistan

Dr. Frnaz Akbar is a dedicated computer science and software engineering educationist, researcher, and web developer with over a decade of experience in teaching and web development. She has consistently contributed to building student knowledge in computer science and is committed to high-quality education. Her expertise spans artificial intelligence, data mining, precision agriculture, IoT, and blockchain. Dr. Akbar is currently pursuing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence at Air University, Islamabad, and has a strong publication record, including studies on deep learning, pattern recognition, and EEG-based Alzheimerโ€™s research. She has worked as a lecturer at NUML University and held teaching positions at prestigious institutions. Her technical proficiency includes MERN, Python, C++, and ASP.Net. Recognized for academic excellence, she has received multiple honors, including a Best Teacher Trophy and High Achiever Scholarships. Passionate about research and innovation, she continues to contribute significantly to computer science and AI.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education ๐ŸŽ“

Dr. Frnaz Akbar is currently pursuing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence at Air University, Islamabad, focusing on machine learning and deep learning applications. She holds an MS in Software Engineering (2018-2020) from Bahria University, Islamabad, and a Master’s in Information Technology (2015-2017) from PMAS ARID University, Rawalpindi, both with first-division honors. Her Bachelor’s in Computer Science (2013-2015) was completed at Punjab University, Lahore, where she received a Role of Honor Certificate. Additionally, she earned a B.Ed. (2020-2022) from Sarhad University, Islamabad Campus, further strengthening her educational expertise. Her academic journey began with HSSC and SSC from Islamabad College F-6/2, where she maintained outstanding academic performance. Throughout her education, she has demonstrated excellence, securing High Achiever Scholarships and academic awards. With expertise in AI, IoT, and software development, her education reflects a strong foundation in research, programming, and innovative computing technologies.

Experience ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿซ

Dr. Frnaz Akbar has extensive experience in academia and industry, specializing in computer science and software engineering. She is currently a Visiting Lecturer at NUML University, Islamabad, in the Department of Software Engineering. Previously, she served as a Senior Computer Science Teacher at IMCG F-10/2 (2017-2023) and ISS, G-13/1, Islamabad (2013-2017), where she mentored students and designed curricula. She has also been a Computer Tutor at Allama Iqbal Open University since 2020, providing part-time instruction. In addition to teaching, she worked as a Software Developer at K-Soft, Ministry of Defense, focusing on MIS applications. With expertise in AI, IoT, and software development, she has contributed significantly to research and education. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes innovation and hands-on learning, ensuring students acquire both theoretical and practical skills. She is passionate about integrating emerging technologies into education and has a proven track record of academic excellence.

Awards and Honors ๐Ÿ†

Dr. Frnaz Akbar has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to education and research. She received the Best Teacher Trophy from IMCG F-10/2, Islamabad, for her exemplary performance in student development and academic excellence. During her MS at Bahria University, she was appointed as a Teacher Assistant, reflecting her strong command over software engineering concepts. She secured a High Achiever Scholarship in every semester of her MSc IT at PMAS ARID University, Rawalpindi, showcasing her dedication to academic excellence. Her bachelor’s degree at Punjab University earned her a Role of Honor Certificate, highlighting her exceptional academic performance. In her early education, she was awarded a certificate for high attendance at IMCG F-7/2 and secured the second position in SSC. These accolades demonstrate her commitment to education, mentorship, and research, reinforcing her position as a leader in computer science and software engineering.

Research Focus ๐Ÿ”ฌ

Dr. Frnaz Akbar’s research interests revolve around cutting-edge technologies in artificial intelligence and data science. She specializes in AI-driven applications, including deep learning, data mining, and pattern recognition. Her work extends to precision agriculture, where she leverages AI for optimizing crop health analysis. She is also actively engaged in research on the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing, focusing on real-time data processing. Blockchain technology and its integration with AI for secure computing systems form another critical aspect of her research. One of her notable contributions is in healthcare AI, particularly Alzheimerโ€™s disease detection using EEG signal analysis. She has published and submitted multiple research papers on AI applications in medical diagnostics and agricultural automation. Her research is highly interdisciplinary, combining machine learning, neural networks, and computational modeling to solve real-world problems, making significant contributions to AI and software engineering domains. ๐Ÿš€

Publication Top Notes

๐Ÿ“– Optimized Approach in Requirements Change Management in Geographically Dispersed Environment (GDE), International Journal of Foundations of Computer Science, 2020

๐ŸŒฟ Identifying Lesions in Cotton Leaves Unconstrained Images using Deep Neural Network, Computers in Biology and Medicine, 2023 (Under Review)

๐Ÿง  Unlocking the Potential of EEG in Alzheimer’s Disease Research: Current Status and Pathways to Precision Detection, Foundations and Trends in Machine Learning, 2024 (Under Review)

๐Ÿ“Š Assessing the Effects of Alzheimer Disease on EEG Signals using the Entropy Measure: A Meta-analysis, IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, 2024 (Under Review)

Luca Faes | Computational neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Luca Faes | Computational neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Professor, University of Palermo, Italy

Prof. Luca Faes is a Full Professor at the Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Italy. He earned his MSc in Electronic Engineering (1998) from the University of Padova and a PhD in Electronic Devices (2003) from the University of Trento. His research focuses on biomedical signal processing, information dynamics, and physiological networks. He has held positions at institutions such as the Bruno Kessler Foundation, University of Trento, and has been a visiting researcher in the USA, Belgium, and Brazil. A recipient of multiple awards, including the IEEE Senior Member recognition, Prof. Faes has been named among the Worldโ€™s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University. He actively contributes to academic programs, Erasmus+ initiatives, and editorial boards in biomedical engineering.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Education

Prof. Luca Faes earned his Masterโ€™s degree (Italian Laurea) in Electronic Engineering cum laude from the University of Padova, Italy, in 1998 โš™๏ธ. He then pursued a PhD in Electronic Devices at the University of Trento, Italy, in 2003 ๐Ÿ…. His academic journey laid the foundation for his expertise in biomedical engineering, signal processing, and complex system analysis ๐Ÿ“ก. With a strong background in electronic systems and bioengineering applications, he has made significant contributions to research and academia, shaping the field of biomedical signal processing and physiological network dynamics ๐Ÿ”ฌ๐Ÿ“Š.

Professional Experience

Prof. Luca Faes has had a distinguished career in biomedical engineering and bioinformatics. He began as a Research Fellow (1999-2000) at ITC-irst, Trento, followed by a PhD at the University of Trento (2000-2003) ๐ŸŽ“. He held postdoctoral positions (2003-2013) at Trentoโ€™s Biophysics and BIOtech labs ๐Ÿงฌ. Later, he became a Researcher (2014-2017) at FBK and Professor at the University of Palermo (2018-present) ๐Ÿ…. His global research collaborations span USA, Belgium, and Brazil ๐ŸŒ. Recognized as an IEEE Senior Member (2019) and among the Worldโ€™s Top 2% Scientists (2021-2022), he is an esteemed expert in bioengineering and complex systems โš™๏ธ๐Ÿ“Š.

Academic Contributions

Prof. Luca Faes has played a pivotal role in academic development and international collaborations. He has been a Doctorate Committee Member at CiMeC, University of Trento (2016-2017) and later at Palermoโ€™s ICT Department (2018-present) ๐Ÿ“š. He co-organized the Biomedical Engineering Masterโ€™s Program and serves as Vice Coordinator & Tutor for the Bachelor’s Program ๐ŸŽ“. As an Erasmus+ Coordinator, he has fostered partnerships with universities across Europe ๐ŸŒ. He also leads the Biomedical Information Technologies Curriculum (2021-present) and organizes seminars with global scholars, strengthening biomedical and cybernetics engineering education ๐Ÿ“ก๐Ÿ“Š.

Teaching Contributions

Prof. Luca Faes has been actively involved in teaching since 1999, starting as a Teaching Assistant in General Physics II and Signal & Image Processing at the University of Trento ๐ŸŽ“. He has delivered specialized courses internationally, including Brazil ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท (2015), IEEE MOOC (2016), and Portugal ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น (2017). Since 2018, he has been a Tenured Professor at the University of Palermo, teaching Sensors, Biomedical Devices, and Statistical Analysis of Biomedical Signals ๐Ÿ“Š. His expertise in biomedical signal processing and sensor technology continues to shape future engineers in cybernetics and biomedical fields ๐Ÿค–๐Ÿ”ฌ.

๐Ÿง  Research Focus

Prof. Luca Faes specializes in computational neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and physiological signal processing. His research focuses on brain-heart interactions โค๏ธ๐Ÿง , nonlinear dynamics ๐Ÿ”„, entropy measures ๐Ÿ“Š, and causal inference in physiological systems. He applies Granger causality and transfer entropy to analyze cardiovascular variability, cerebrovascular function, and neural synchronization. His work contributes to wearable health technology โŒš, autonomic regulation studies, and physiological stress assessment โšก. He collaborates on machine learning ๐Ÿค– and high-order statistical modeling for biomedical applications. His interdisciplinary approach bridges neuroscience, physics, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. ๐ŸŒโœจ

Publication Top Notes

๐Ÿ“„ Measures and Models of Brain-Heart Interactions โ€“ IEEE Reviews in Biomedical Engineering, 2025 ย ๐Ÿง โค๏ธ

๐Ÿ“„ Chaotic Dynamics and Synchronization under Tripartite Couplings โ€“ Chaos, Solitons and Fractals, 2024 ย ๐Ÿ”„โšก

๐Ÿ“„ Comparison of Feature Selection Methods for Physiological Stress Classification โ€“ Physiological Measurement, 2024 ย ๐Ÿ“Š๐Ÿ“ˆ

๐Ÿ“„ Disentangling High-Order Effects in Transfer Entropy โ€“ Physical Review Research, 2024 | 3 citations ๐Ÿ”—๐Ÿ“ก

๐Ÿ“„ Assessing Granger Causality in Cerebrovascular Variability โ€“ IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 2024 | 2 citations ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿง 

๐Ÿ“„ Entropy Rate Measures for Time Series Complexity โ€“ Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, 2024 | 4 citations ๐Ÿ”ข๐Ÿ“‰

๐Ÿ“„ Wearable Ring-Shaped Biomedical Device for Physiological Monitoring โ€“ Biosensors, 2024 | 3 citations โŒš๐Ÿ“ก

๐Ÿ“„ Describing Cerebral Autoregulation via State Space Methods โ€“ Conference Paper, 2024 ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿ“ˆ

๐Ÿ“„ Decomposing Transfer Entropy in Cardiovascular Interactions โ€“ Conference Paper, 2024 โค๏ธ๐Ÿ“Š

๐Ÿ“„ Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Variability Entropy โ€“ Conference Paper, 2024 ย ๐Ÿšป๐Ÿซ€

 

Jacques-Olivier COQ | Brain development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jacques-Olivier COQ | Brain development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jacques-Olivier COQ, CNRS/aix Marseille Universitรฉ, France

Dr. Coq is a Senior Researcher at the CNRS, specializing in neuroscience, particularly sensorimotor plasticity and neurodevelopmental disorders. He holds a PhD from Aix Marseille Universitรฉ and has conducted postdoctoral research at UC San Francisco and Vanderbilt University. His work focuses on disorders like cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, and the effects of prenatal hypoxia/ischemia. He develops animal models for pathologies associated with neurodevelopment and investigates neuroprotection strategies using stem cells and other therapies. Dr. Coq has authored 61 publications and received multiple research grants and international awards. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ”ฌ

 

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education & Training ๐Ÿ“š

Dr. Jacques-Olivier Coq has a distinguished academic background in neuroscience. He completed his postdoctoral studies at the University of California, San Francisco, under the guidance of Professor Merzenich (2001-2002) and at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, with Professor Kaas (1999-2000). Dr. Coq earned his PhD in Neuroscience from Aix Marseille Universitรฉ, France (1998). He also holds Masterโ€™s degrees from Aix Marseille Universitรฉ and Universitรฉ de Bordeaux 1-2, with specializations in Neuroscience and Physiology (1993-1994). His expertise spans developmental neuroplasticity, sensorimotor integration, and neurodevelopmental disorders. ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ”ฌ

 

Grants and Awards ๐Ÿ†

Dr. Coq has secured 14 research grants since 2001, showcasing his ability to attract funding for his work. He has received multiple awards, including recognitions from the Institut de France and Aix Marseille Universitรฉ, further validating his research excellence.

Research Interests ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ”ฌ

Dr. Jacques-Olivier Coqโ€™s research focuses on cortical and spinal plasticity, particularly in relation to altered sensorimotor experiences during development and adulthood, perceptual abilities, and the effects of stroke and perinatal hypoxia/ischemia. His work involves developing animal models for pathologies such as Encephalopathy of Prematurity, Cerebral Palsy, spasticity, and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Using tools like mesenchymal stem cells and lactoferrin supplementation, he aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of these disorders and develop new neuroprotective strategies. His expertise includes cognition, learning, behavior, locomotion, and electrophysiology (in vivo/vitro patch-clamp and multi-electrode recordings). ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”ฌ๐Ÿ“ˆ

 

Conclusion

Dr. Jacques-Olivier Coqโ€™s extensive experience, impactful publications, international collaborations, and focus on pressing neurological conditions make him a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work not only advances our understanding of sensorimotor integration and neurodevelopmental disorders but also contributes to developing new therapeutic strategies, aligning well with the award’s objectives of recognizing outstanding research and innovation in the field.

 

Publication Top Notes

  • Environmental enrichment alters organizational features of the forepaw representation in the primary somatosensory cortex of adult rats – 156 citations, 1998 ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿง 
  • Experience-induced plasticity of cutaneous maps in the primary somatosensory cortex of adult monkeys and rats – 141 citations, 1996 ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ”„
  • Effects of sensorimotor restriction and anoxia on gait and motor cortex organization: implications for a rodent model of cerebral palsy – 100 citations, 2004 ๐Ÿšถโ€โ™‚๏ธโšก
  • Anatomical and functional organization of somatosensory areas of the lateral fissure of the New World titi monkey (Callicebus moloch) – 96 citations, 2004 ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿง 
  • Impact of neonatal asphyxia and hind limb immobilization on musculoskeletal tissues and S1 map organization: implications for cerebral palsy – 91 citations, 2008 ๐Ÿšผ๐Ÿฆต
  • Impact of prenatal ischemia on behavior, cognitive abilities, and neuroanatomy in adult rats with white matter damage – 81 citations, 2012 ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ’”
  • Tactile impoverishment and sensorimotor restriction deteriorate the forepaw cutaneous map in the primary somatosensory cortex of adult rats – 76 citations, 1999 ๐Ÿ–๏ธ๐Ÿ“‰
  • Prenatal ischemia deteriorates white matter, brain organization, and function: implications for prematurity and cerebral palsy – 67 citations, 2016 ๐Ÿง โณ
  • Neuroanatomical, sensorimotor, and cognitive deficits in adult rats with white matter injury following prenatal ischemia – 64 citations, 2012 ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿšจ
  • Sensorimotor experience modulates age-dependent alterations of the forepaw representation in the rat primary somatosensory cortex – 58 citations, 2001 ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ”„