Philipp Kanske | Medicine | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Philipp Kanske | Medicine | Research Excellence Award

Professor | TUD Dresden University of Technology | Germany

Prof. Dr. Philipp Kanske is an internationally recognized expert in cognitive and affective neuroscience whose work bridges psychology, social cognition, neuroimaging, and mental health research. His research centers on empathy, compassion, emotion regulation, personality functioning, and the neurobiological mechanisms that shape human social behavior across the lifespan. He investigates how individuals perceive and respond to others’ emotions, how empathic stress is transmitted within families, and how interventions such as meditation and compassion training can induce functional neural plasticity and improve emotional well-being, particularly in older adults. His interests extend to personality organization in both clinical and non-clinical populations, disease progression in bipolar disorder, white-matter microstructure, attachment dynamics in couples, value integration for self and others, and ritual-based methods for strengthening human–nature connectedness in the context of sustainability transformations. Prof. Kanske is skilled in a wide range of methodologies including experimental psychology, behavioral analysis, longitudinal study design, cognitive testing, psychoneuroendocrinology, structural and functional MRI, and advanced statistical modeling. His contributions to research transparency and reproducibility are reflected in his leadership in developing the PECANS methodological framework for cognitive and neuropsychological studies. Throughout his career, he has received multiple awards and honors (as listed in Scopus’s “Awarded Grants” section), recognizing his innovative contributions to social neuroscience, aging research, and clinical psychology. According to Scopus Preview, he has 7,136 citations, 163 documents, and an impressive h-index of 43, underscoring his global scientific influence and sustained scholarly productivity. Overall, Prof. Dr. Philipp Kanske’s work provides significant insights into how emotional, neural, and relational processes shape human behavior, offering important implications for mental health, interpersonal functioning, and societal well-being, and solidifying his role as a leading figure in modern neuroscience and psychology.

ProfilesScopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Kanske, P., Heissler, J., Schönfelder, S., Bongers, A., & Wessa, M. (2011). How to regulate emotion? Neural networks for reappraisal and distraction. Cerebral Cortex, 21(6), 1379–138.
    Citations: 698

  2. Schurz, M., Radua, J., Tholen, M. G., Maliske, L., Margulies, D. S., Mars, R. B., … Kanske, P. (2021). Toward a hierarchical model of social cognition: A neuroimaging meta-analysis and integrative review of empathy and theory of mind. Psychological Bulletin, 147(3), 293–. Citations: 648

  3. Kanske, P., & Kotz, S. A. (2007). Concreteness in emotional words: ERP evidence from a hemifield study. Brain Research, 1148, 138–148. Citations: 630

  4. Preckel, K., Kanske, P., & Singer, T. (2018). On the interaction of social affect and cognition: Empathy, compassion and theory of mind. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 19, 1–6.
    Citations: 554

  5. Moshontz, H., Campbell, L., Ebersole, C. R., IJzerman, H., Urry, H. L., Forscher, P. S., … Kanske, P. (2018). The Psychological Science Accelerator: Advancing psychology through a distributed collaborative network. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, 1(4), 501–515. Citations: 499

Prof. Dr. Philipp Kanske’s work advances global scientific understanding of empathy, compassion, and emotion regulation by uncovering the neural and psychological mechanisms that drive healthy social functioning. His research enables evidence-based mental-health interventions, strengthens human well-being across communities, and supports interdisciplinary innovation in neuroscience, clinical psychology, aging research, and societal resilience.

 

Dimitrios Tsiachris | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Tsiachris | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

EP and Pacing Lab Director | National and Kapodestrian University of Athens | Greece

Dr. D. L. Tsiachris is a highly accomplished cardiovascular researcher and clinician whose work has profoundly influenced the fields of cardiac electrophysiology and interventional cardiology. With an extensive research portfolio encompassing 224 scientific publications, 4,004 citations, and a Scopus h-index of 34, his contributions have advanced the understanding and management of complex cardiac rhythm disorders. His primary research interests lie in atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, catheter ablation, and cardiac resynchronization therapy, with particular emphasis on novel energy-based interventions such as pulsed field ablation, cryoballoon technology, and radiofrequency systems. Dr. Tsiachris possesses exceptional research skills in clinical trial design, data synthesis, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis, enabling him to provide robust evidence supporting safer and more effective therapeutic strategies for patients with structural and electrical heart diseases. His investigations into leadless pacing systems, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, and the optimization of device-based therapies have contributed to personalized and precision-based cardiology. In addition, his studies on patient-reported outcomes and long-term ablation success rates bridge the gap between procedural innovation and patient-centered care. Recognized for his scientific leadership and collaborative excellence, Dr. Tsiachris has co-authored with more than 700 international researchers and continues to influence clinical practice guidelines through his impactful findings. Though his work is primarily published in high-impact journals such as Heart Rhythm, Europace, and Journal of Clinical Medicine, his commitment to advancing cardiovascular science stands as his greatest distinction. Honored for his research excellence and global contributions to electrophysiology, Dr. D. L. Tsiachris remains a driving force in redefining the standards of modern cardiac care through innovation, precision, and evidence-based practice.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Gatzoulis, K. A., Tsiachris, D., Arsenos, P., et al. (2019). Arrhythmic risk stratification in post-myocardial infarction patients with preserved ejection fraction: The PRESERVE EF study. European Heart Journal, 40(35), 2940–2949.

Gatzoulis, K. A., Vouliotis, A. I., Tsiachris, D., et al. (2013). Primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in a nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy population: Reappraisal of the role of programmed ventricular stimulation. Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 6(3), 504–512.

Gatzoulis, K. A., Tsiachris, D., et al. (2018). Programmed ventricular stimulation predicts arrhythmic events and survival in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. International Journal of Cardiology, 254, 175–181.

Silberbauer, J., Tsiachris, D., et al. (2014). Noninducibility and late potential abolition: A novel combined prognostic procedural end point for catheter ablation of postinfarction ventricular tachycardia. Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 7(3), 424–435.

Della Bella, P., Tsiachris, D., et al. (2013). Management of ventricular tachycardia in the setting of a dedicated unit for the treatment of complex ventricular arrhythmias: Long-term outcome after ablation. Circulation, 127(13), 1359–1368.

Dr. Mokgata A. Matjie’s research advances human resource and organizational management by promoting fairness, emotional intelligence, and performance excellence. His work strengthens institutional effectiveness, employee well-being, and leadership accountability—driving innovation in workplace culture and public sector transformation globally.

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.

 

 

Yigit Akin | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Yigit Akin | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Yigit Akin | Izmir Kâtip Celebi University School of Medicine | Turkey

Professor Yigit Akin is a distinguished urologist and academic leader specializing in uro-oncology, robotic surgery, and minimally invasive laparoscopy. He earned his M.D. from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 2004 and completed advanced training in robotics, laparoscopy, and uro-oncology at Klinikum Heilbronn, Germany, between 2013 and 2014. Currently, he serves as Head of Urology at Izmir Katip Celebi University, Turkey, leading one of the country’s premier uro-oncology centers. With over 210 peer-reviewed publications, 14 book chapters, and editorial board memberships in international journals, his contributions are well recognized in PubMed and IEEE-indexed forums. He has directed multiple multidisciplinary and international research projects, notably pioneering the extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using 3 trocars (#3trocarsELRP), with more than 1300 successful procedures. A global mentor in laparoscopic surgery, Prof. Akin has conducted live surgical workshops and training in over 10 countries, while also supervising international clinical fellows. His leadership extends to community-based medical training, editorial contributions, and professional memberships in leading medical and surgical associations. Prof. Akin is strongly positioned to lead next-generation cancer genetics and surgical innovation research. His expertise in developing novel laparoscopic techniques, combined with mentorship of global fellows, demonstrates the potential to advance robotic uro-oncology surgery, elevate Q1 journal contributions, and strengthen international collaborations that will shape the future of minimally invasive urology worldwide.

Profile: ORCID 

Featured Publications

orulmaz, E. M., Dönmez, K., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). Penil fraktür nedeniyle opere edilen hastaların klinik sonuçları ve komplikasyonlarla ilişkili faktörler: 10 yıllık sonuçlarımız. Androloji Bülteni.

Tekinaslan, H., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). Malekot kateter kırığına bağlı retroperitoneal yabancı cisim: Nadir bir olgu sunumu. Endouroloji Bülteni.

Dama, M., Yorulmaz, E. M., Özcan, S., Köse, O., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). AISI, SIRI, and MLR in predicting surgical outcomes after radical cystectomy: Revisiting inflammatory risk markers. Medicina, 61(10), 1756.

Dama, M., Yorulmaz, E. M., Özcan, S., Köse, O., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). Optimising imaging strategies in suspected urolithiasis: Effects on diagnostic and therapeutic timelines. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi.

Özcan, S., Dama, M., Yorulmaz, E. M., Köse, O., Görgel, S. N., & Akin, Y. (2025). Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and postoperative dysuria: A 20-year bibliometric perspective. Trends in Surgical Sciences.