Aleksandra Błachnio | Medicine | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Błachnio | Medicine | Research Excellence Award

Professor | Kazimierz Wielki University | Poland

Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Błachnio is a highly respected scholar in psychology, with a prolific publication record and substantial impact within gerontology, well-being, and social psychology. Her work includes 554 citations, numerous documents (books and articles), and reflects deep commitment to topics such as aging, quality of life in late adulthood, volunteerism among seniors, well-being, life satisfaction across the lifespan, tele-geriatrics, and cross-cultural analysis of psychological health. Her research interests span gerontology and aging psychology, quality-of-life and life-course studies, volunteer activity and social support in old age, psychological adjustment in later life, and mentalization and positive orientation in elderly patients. Among her core research skills are psychometric assessment, longitudinal and cross-sectional survey design, quality-of-life evaluation, social and health psychology methodology, and interdisciplinary analysis of aging and societal change. Her publications such as studies on “health in old age and patient approaches to telemedicine,” “volunteer activity in late adulthood,” and “subjective perception of life-course in old age and youth” showcase her dedication to improving elderly well-being and social inclusion. Her honors include academic recognition as a habilitated doctor in social sciences (psychology), and wide recognition among peers for her contributions to gerontological and social-psychological research. In conclusion, Aleksandra Błachnio stands out as a leading scholar whose enduring research enriches understanding of aging, social participation, and mental health — offering valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities working to enhance quality of life across generations.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

Ziolkowski, A., Blachnio, A., & Pachalska, M. (2015). An evaluation of life satisfaction and health–quality of life of senior citizens. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 22(1). Citations: 47

Litwic-Kaminska, K., Błachnio, A., Kapsa, I., Brzeziński, Ł., Kopowski, J., & others. (2023). Resilience, positivity and social support as perceived stress predictors among university students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(19), 6892. Citations: 41

Błachnio, A. (2012). Starość non profit. In Wolontariat na Uniwersytetach. Citations: 37

Błachnio, A. (2012). Starość non profit: Wolontariat na Uniwersytetach Trzeciego Wieku w Polsce i na świecie. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Kazimierza Wielkiego. Citations: 37

Błachnio, A. (2019). Potencjał osób w starości: Poczucie jakości życia w procesie starzenia się. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Kazimierza Wielkiego. Citations: 31

Manouchehr Ashrafpour | Medicine | Best Scholar Award

Dr. Manouchehr Ashrafpour | Medicine | Best Scholar Award

Faculty Member | Babol University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Dr. Manouchehr Ashrafpour is a prominent neuroscientist and biomedical researcher at Babol University of Medical Sciences, renowned for his extensive contributions to neuropharmacology, molecular neuroscience, and neurodegenerative disease research. He earned his advanced degrees in medical sciences and neuroscience, building a strong academic foundation that bridges cellular biology and clinical neurotherapeutics. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Ashrafpour has demonstrated exceptional expertise in experimental neurobiology, drug delivery systems, and the molecular mechanisms underlying brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. His research primarily focuses on the neuroprotective effects of natural bioactive compounds and nanotechnology-based formulations, including curcumin-, piperine-, arbutin-, and quercetin-loaded nanoparticles, which have shown promising results in reducing oxidative stress, glial activation, and neuronal degeneration. He possesses advanced research skills in animal modeling, histopathological assessment, biochemical analysis, neurobehavioral testing, and nanomedicine formulation, complemented by a strong command of cellular electrophysiology and molecular signaling studies. His professional experience encompasses collaborations with leading neuroscientists on projects exploring the role of vitamins, antioxidants, and receptor modulation (notably adenosine A2A receptor blockade) in promoting neural repair and functional recovery. Dr. Ashrafpour’s scholarly achievements are reflected in his strong Scopus record, which includes over 700 citations, numerous peer-reviewed documents, and an h-index of 17, underscoring his global academic influence. He has received recognition and academic honors for his innovative work in neurotherapeutic discovery and translational neuroscience, highlighting his commitment to improving treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. In conclusion, Dr. Manouchehr Ashrafpour stands as a distinguished figure in contemporary neuroscience, whose multidisciplinary approach—spanning nanotechnology, pharmacology, and neurobiology—continues to shape the future of neuroprotective medicine and inspire emerging researchers in biomedical sciences worldwide.

Profiles: ORCID | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

  1. Naeimi, R., Safarpour, F., Hashemian, M., Tashakorian, H., Ahmadian, S. R., & Ashrafpour, M. (2018). Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles ameliorate glial activation and improve myelin repair in lyolecithin-induced focal demyelination model of rat corpus callosum. Neuroscience Letters, 674, 1–10. Cited by 71.

  2. Mansoor, S. R., Hashemian, M., Khalili-Fomeshi, M., Ashrafpour, M., & Moghadamnia, A. A. (2018). Upregulation of klotho and erythropoietin contributes to the neuroprotection induced by curcumin-loaded nanoparticles in an experimental model of chronic epilepsy. Brain Research Bulletin, 142, 281–288. Cited by 52.

  3. Khalili-Fomeshi, M., Azizi, M. G., Esmaeili, M. R., Gol, M., Kazemi, S., & Ashrafpour, M. (2018). Piperine restores streptozotocin-induced cognitive impairments: Insights into oxidative balance in cerebrospinal fluid and hippocampus. Behavioural Brain Research, 337, 131–138. Cited by 49.

  4. Dastan, Z., Pouramir, M., Ghasemi-Kasman, M., Ghasemzadeh, Z., Dadgar, M., & Ashrafpour, M. (2019). Arbutin reduces cognitive deficit and oxidative stress in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease. International Journal of Neuroscience, 129(11), 1145–1153. Cited by 45.

  5. Dadgar, M., Pouramir, M., Dastan, Z., Ghasemi-Kasman, M., & Ashrafpour, M. (2018). Arbutin attenuates behavioral impairment and oxidative stress in an animal model of Parkinson’s disease. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 8(6), 533–540. Cited by 43.

 

 

Hugh Sampson | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hugh Sampson | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Professor of Pediatrics | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai | United States

Dr. Hugh A. Sampson, MD, is a distinguished physician-scientist and pediatric immunologist best known for his pioneering contributions in food allergy and immunopathogenesis, and is currently the Kurt Hirschhorn Professor of Pediatrics and Director Emeritus of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He earned a B.A. in Biology from Hamilton College in 1971, then obtained his M.D. from SUNY Buffalo in 1975, followed by a pediatric residency at Northwestern University / Children’s Memorial Hospital and an allergy/immunology fellowship at Duke University (1978–1980). Over his career, he has held leadership roles including chairing the Section on Allergy & Immunology of the American Academy of Pediatrics, serving as past President of AAAAI, holding editorial board positions in leading allergy/immunology journals, and directing national food allergy research consortia. His research interests encompass the pathogenesis of food-induced anaphylaxis, the molecular and immunologic characterization of allergenic food proteins and epitopes, genetics and immune regulation in food allergy, development of precision diagnostics (e.g. epitope-specific IgE/IgG4 profiles), and immunotherapy strategies (oral, epicutaneous, sublingual, and biologics such as anti-IgE) as well as novel therapeutic approaches. His research skills include translational and clinical trial design, immunologic assays (e.g. epitope mapping, serologic biomarkers), mechanistic in vitro and in vivo models, bioinformatics integration, large cohort epidemiologic and registry studies, and mentoring interdisciplinary teams. Among his many awards and honors are election to the National Academy of Medicine (Institute of Medicine) in 2003, the Brett Ratner Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Distinguished Scientist Award of AAAAI, memberships in honorary societies (Alpha Omega Alpha, Sigma Xi), and repeated recognitions from Research.com as a top immunology scientist. According to his institutional profile, his h-index (based on Scopus/Pure) is listed at ~85,982 (which appears anomalous and may reflect internal counting metrics), while bibliometric sources more conservatively report an h-index of ~147 with over 800+ publications; traditional citation counts exceed 100,000 across his work. In conclusion, Dr. Sampson’s career exemplifies a remarkable integration of basic immunology and clinical translation: his leadership, mentorship, and sustained high-impact scholarship have shaped the modern field of food allergy research, spawning diagnostic and therapeutic innovations and training generations of investigators in allergy and immunology.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID 

Featured Publications

  1. Rose, N. R., Milisauskas, V., & Sampson, H. A. (1975). Species-specific tissue antigens. III. Immunological relationships of enzymic antigens in various species. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 20, 359–370.

  2. Sampson, H. A., & Buckley, R. H. (1981). Human IgE synthesis in vitro: A reassessment. Journal of Immunology, 127, 829–834.

  3. Rich, K. C., Sampson, H. A., Edwards, N. L., & Fox, I. H. (1981). Familial hypogammaglobulinemia with variable serum immunoglobulins: Concordance with lymphocyte ecto-5′-nucleotidase deficiency. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 135, 795–798.

  4. Sampson, H. A., Walchner, A., & Baker, P. (1981). Recurrent pyogenic infections in individuals with absence of the second component of complement. Journal of Clinical Immunology, 2, 39–45.

  5. LoGalbo, P. R., Sampson, H. A., & Buckley, R. H. (1982). Symptomatic giardiasis in three patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia. Journal of Pediatrics, 101, 78–80.