Kai Yuan | Biology | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kai Yuan | Biology | Research Excellence Award

Associate Professor | Peking University | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kai Yuan is an internationally recognized researcher at Peking University whose work significantly advances neuroscience, psychiatric epidemiology, molecular signaling, and translational mental health research. With an exceptional 8,438 citations, 244 Scopus-indexed documents, and a strong h-index of 47, he stands among the most impactful scholars in neurobiology and psychiatric disorder research. His research interests span addiction memory consolidation, brain network dynamics, fMRI-based cognitive and emotional processing, depression and anxiety burden forecasting, cancer cell signaling, neuroimmune mechanisms, and human behavior under stress. Dr. Yuan’s research skills are wide-ranging and include advanced neuroimaging analytics, molecular and cellular assays, biomarker profiling, psychophysiological modeling, machine-learning–based disease prediction, and multidisciplinary clinical collaboration, often demonstrated through publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Translational Psychiatry, BMC Medicine, Communications Biology, and Journal of Affective Disorders. Although Scopus Preview does not list formal award entries, Dr. Yuan’s prolific productivity, more than 980 global co-authors, and consistent contributions to open-access, high-visibility research reflect his standing as a leading scientist whose work is frequently recognized by the international research community. His studies on psychiatric disorder mechanisms, memory retrieval-extinction processes, cancer proliferation pathways, and long-term cognitive outcomes of viral infections directly support advancements in clinical treatment strategies, public health decision-making, and precision medicine. In conclusion, Dr. Kai Yuan’s research continues to shape global understanding of the human brain and mental health, providing foundational insights that drive innovation across neuroscience, psychiatry, and biomedical science, while strengthening the scientific infrastructure for future therapeutic breakthroughs.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Yu, Y. F., Jia, T. Y., Lin, X., Bao, Y. P., Chang, S. H., Sun, J., Gao, T., Shi, J., Ai, S. Z., & Yuan, K.* (2025). Unveiling causal relationship between white matter tracts and psychiatric disorders. Communications Biology, 8(1), 1221.

  2. Xu, A., Yuan, K.#, Xue, S., Lu, W., Wu, X., Liu, W., Xue, Q., Liu, L., Hu, J., Guo, L., Zhang, Y., Hu, X., Chun Wong, G. T., Lu, L., & Huang, C. (2025). Laminin–dystroglycan mediated ferroptosis in hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion-induced cognitive impairment through AMPK/Nrf2. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 230, 1–16.

  3. Chen, X., Li, Z., Han, Y., Yang, L., Han, Q., Cao, L., Guan, X., Liu, S., Meng, S., Liu, X., Lu, L., Zhang, Z., & Yuan, K.* (2025). A coordinated and enhanced brain network supports the persistence of long-term cocaine memory. Translational Psychiatry, 15(1), 444.

  4. Liu, X.#, Yuan, K.#, Lu, T., Lin, X., Zheng, W., Xue, Y., Shi, J., Lu, L., & Han, Y. (2023). Preventing incubation of drug craving to treat drug relapse: From bench to bedside. Molecular Psychiatry, 28(4), 1415–1429.

  5. Yue, J. L.#, Yuan, K.#, Bao, Y. P., Meng, S. Q., Shi, L., Fang, Q., Guo, X. J., Cao, L., Sun, Y. K., Lu, T. S., Zeng, N., Yan, W., Han, Y., Sun, J., Shi, J., Kosten, T. R., Xue, Y. X., Wu, P., & Lu, L.* (2022). [Title missing—please provide the exact article title to complete APA formatting]. EBioMedicine, 85, 104283.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kai Yuan’s pioneering research at the intersection of neuroscience, psychiatry, and translational medicine is advancing global understanding of brain circuitry, mental health disorders, and addiction biology. His work contributes to science by uncovering causal neural mechanisms that shape cognition, behavior, and psychiatric vulnerability, supports society through improved diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for depression, addiction, and neurological injury, and drives global innovation by integrating advanced neuroimaging, molecular signaling, and computational analytics to inform next-generation precision mental healthcare.

 

Huili Ye | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Huili Ye | Biology | Best Researcher Award

Associated Researcher at Lanzhou University Second Hospital, China

Dr. Huili Ye is an emerging researcher in the fields of tumor immunotherapy, epigenetics, and the tumor microenvironment, with a strong focus on gastric cancer. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in General Surgery at Lanzhou University while serving as an Assistant Researcher and Master’s supervisor at The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University. Dr. Ye has led and contributed to multiple nationally funded and provincial projects, including studies on CAR-T cell therapy, lipid metabolism reprogramming, and novel immunotherapeutic strategies. Her research output is distinguished by high-impact publications in renowned journals such as Cancer Research, Nature Communications, Science Advances, and Gastroenterology, reflecting both depth and international collaboration. Beyond her scientific work, she is actively engaged in academic mentorship, interdisciplinary initiatives, and fostering innovative approaches in translational oncology. With her blend of academic rigor, leadership capacity, and collaborative vision, Dr. Ye represents a promising force in advancing future cancer research.

Professional Profile

Scopus Profile  

Education

Dr. Huili Ye has pursued an impressive academic journey across some of China’s leading institutions. She began her scientific training at the School of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, earning a Bachelor’s degree, where she built a strong foundation in biological sciences. To deepen her expertise, she joined Zhejiang University, completing a Master’s degree in Cell Biology, focusing on molecular and cellular processes with translational potential. Driven by her passion for advancing cancer research, Dr. Ye is currently completing her Doctoral studies in General Surgery at Lanzhou University’s Second Clinical Medical College. Her doctoral research integrates clinical perspectives with molecular biology, emphasizing tumor biology and innovative treatment strategies. Through this trajectory, she has built a rare combination of laboratory research skills and clinical insight, equipping her to contribute to the frontiers of tumor immunology, cancer epigenetics, and translational medicine with both depth and precision.

Experience

Dr. Ye has gained extensive academic and professional experience that bridges laboratory science with clinical application. she has served as an Assistant Researcher and Master’s Supervisor at The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, actively guiding graduate students while leading her independent research initiatives. She has secured competitive funding as Principal Investigator on projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and institutional innovation programs. Additionally, she has played key roles in large-scale provincial projects, such as the development of targeted immunotherapies for gastrointestinal tumors, strengthening her expertise in collaborative, multidisciplinary research. Dr. Ye has worked with international scholars from Europe and Japan, enhancing the global relevance of her studies. Her publication record in highly ranked journals highlights her ability to carry research from concept to impactful discovery. This experience reflects a dynamic blend of scientific innovation, clinical translation, mentorship, and international collaboration.

Research Interest

Dr. Ye’s research interests lie at the forefront of cancer biology and translational medicine, with a particular emphasis on tumor immunotherapy, tumor epigenetics, and the tumor microenvironment. Her work explores how molecular mechanisms drive immune escape, treatment resistance, and tumor progression, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets. She has made significant contributions to the study of PICH-mediated mechanisms in gastric cancer, uncovering pathways linked to lipid metabolism, S-phase transition, and chemoresistance. Furthermore, Dr. Ye is advancing innovative CAR-T cell therapies and nanobody-based delivery systems, positioning her research at the intersection of immunology and precision oncology. By integrating basic molecular biology with clinical applications, her projects are designed to accelerate the development of targeted interventions that improve treatment outcomes for gastrointestinal malignancies. Her ongoing investigations highlight not only her scientific creativity but also her determination to contribute meaningful solutions to one of medicine’s most pressing global challenges.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Ye’s academic journey has been marked by prestigious research grants, impactful publications, and recognition from the scientific community. She has successfully secured funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, underscoring the novelty and importance of her independent research. Her leadership in institutional and provincial innovation projects highlights her standing as a promising investigator in oncology. Several of her peer-reviewed papers have been published in top-tier international journals, including Cancer Research, Science Advances, Nature Communications, and Gastroenterology, reflecting both the quality and global relevance of her work. Beyond research, her role as a Master’s degree supervisor represents recognition of her academic mentorship and leadership potential. These achievements showcase her ability to drive high-impact discoveries, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and train future researchers. Together, they affirm her status as an emerging leader in cancer research and position her strongly for competitive international honors and awards.

Publication Top Notes

  • Title: ULBP2 CAR-T cells enhance gastric cancer immunotherapy by inhibiting CAF activation
    Authors: Wentao Zhang; Wen Ren; Shuyan Guo; Haobo Han; and a total of 18 authors
    Year: 2025

Conclusion

Dr. Huili Ye embodies the qualities of a dedicated and innovative researcher whose work significantly advances the fields of cancer biology and immunotherapy. Her journey reflects a rare combination of strong academic foundation, international collaborations, and translational research achievements. By successfully leading funded projects and publishing in highly reputed journals, she demonstrates both scientific rigor and visionary impact. As an educator and mentor, she is nurturing the next generation of biomedical scientists while contributing to the academic community at large. Her exploration of novel therapies, such as CAR-T approaches for gastric cancer, showcases her ability to merge cutting-edge science with clinical application. Looking ahead, Dr. Ye is well positioned to expand her influence through global collaborations, keynote contributions, and editorial involvement, further amplifying her leadership. These accomplishments and her clear trajectory of growth make her highly deserving of recognition as a Best Researcher Award recipient.