Shahin Zandieh | Medicine | Innovative Research Award

Prof. Dr. Shahin Zandieh | Medicine | Innovative Research Award

Professor | Hanusch-Krankenhaus | Austria

Prof. Dr. Shahin Zandieh is a medical imaging and diagnostic radiology specialist whose research spans musculoskeletal biomechanics, cardiovascular imaging, oncologic radiology, and advanced radiomics. With 49 publications, over 550 citations, and an h-index of 12, his scientific work reflects a strong interdisciplinary approach to clinical diagnosis, disease characterization, and imaging-guided evaluation of structural abnormalities. His contributions extend across orthopedic, cardiovascular, endocrine, and oncological systems through innovative use of MRI, CT, X-ray, and radiomic feature extraction.A notable component of Prof. Dr. Zandieh’s research focuses on orthopedic imaging and biomechanical assessment, including comparative studies such as the analysis of proximal chevron osteotomy versus Lapidus arthrodesis in managing hallux valgus deformities. His work provides clinically meaningful insights for surgeons, improving treatment selection, operative planning, and postoperative evaluation.In the field of cardiovascular imaging, he has explored rare cardiac pathologies such as “toothpaste tumor” manifestations of the mitral valve, enhancing the diagnostic awareness of uncommon presentations through multimodal radiologic evaluation. His studies also extend to endocrine-related morphologic changes, such as MRI-based radiomics used to detect cardiac variations influenced by autoimmune thyroid disorders—paving the way for AI-assisted diagnostic tools.Prof. Dr. Zandieh has also contributed to oncologic radiology, documenting rare metastatic patterns including giant ovarian metastasis from breast cancer. These case-based investigations broaden clinician understanding of atypical disease progression.Collectively, his research strengthens clinical imaging practice by integrating radiomics, rare-case documentation, biomechanics, and cross-system diagnostic strategies—advancing precision diagnosis, personalized treatment planning, and the broader field of radiological science.

Profiles: Scopus |ResearchGate

Featured Publications

Fezoulidis, N., Slavicek, J., Nonninger, J.-N., … , & Zandieh, S. (2025). Quantitative CT perfusion and radiomics reveal complementary markers of treatment response in HCC patients undergoing TACE.

Behanova, M., Sokhan, A., Haschka, J., … , & Kocijan, R. (2025). AI-supported opportunistic detection of vertebral fractures on routine CT scans: Diagnostic performance and clinical relevance.

Al-Taiee, B., Lamiss, M., Slavicek, J., … , & Zandieh, S. (2025). Disseminated miliary tuberculosis following intravesical BCG therapy: A rare but serious complication.

Kainz, B., Hergan, K., & Zandieh, S. (2025). Große Ovarialmetastase beim Mammakarzinom: Ein seltener Fall.

Prof. Dr. Shahin Zandieh’s work advances medical imaging by integrating radiomics, AI-supported diagnostics, and multimodal radiology to improve early disease detection, treatment response evaluation, and clinical decision-making. His contributions enhance patient safety, elevate diagnostic precision across oncology, cardiology, musculoskeletal, and infectious diseases, and support global healthcare innovation by translating advanced imaging technologies into practical, life-saving clinical applications.

Shinichiro Sawa | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shinichiro Sawa | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Kyushu University | Japan 

Dr. Shinichiro Sawa is a highly accomplished Japanese immunologist and medical researcher renowned for his pioneering work in immune regulation, autoimmunity, and inflammation. He currently serves as a Professor at the Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Japan, where he leads innovative studies in molecular and cellular immunology. Dr. Sawa began his academic journey at Osaka University, earning his Medical Degree (M.D.) in 2000 and subsequently his Ph.D. in Medicine in 2006 from the same institution, where he developed a strong foundation in biomedical sciences and experimental medicine. His professional trajectory includes significant academic roles as Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo (2011–2016) and Associate Professor at Hokkaido University’s Institute for Genetic Medicine (2016–2018) before joining Kyushu University in 2019. Dr. Sawa’s research interests center on understanding how immune cells, such as γδ T cells, fibroblasts, and plasma cells, interact with tissue environments to regulate immune tolerance, autoimmunity, and inflammatory diseases. His studies, published in prestigious journals such as Nature Immunology, Journal of Clinical Investigation, and Journal of Investigative Dermatology, have shed light on how fibroblasts contribute to central immune tolerance and how plasma cells promote osteoclastogenesis in autoimmune arthritis. His research skills encompass cellular immunology, molecular signaling analysis, animal modeling of immune diseases, flow cytometry, and translational immunopathology, demonstrating both depth and precision in experimental design and interpretation. Recognized for his scientific contributions, Dr. Sawa has received numerous academic honors and research recognitions throughout his career, reflecting his influence in the global immunology community. In conclusion, Dr. Shinichiro Sawa stands as a leading figure in immunological research, bridging basic science and clinical application to advance our understanding of immune homeostasis and to pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies against autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Nonaka, D., Yoshida, S., Nakano, K., Li, X., Okamura, T., Umemoto, E., Yamada, T., Watanabe, M., Jinno, S., Ito, M., Tsuda, M., Noguchi, N., Jiang, X.-J., Sumiya, E., & Sawa, S. (2025). Fibroblast-derived CSF1 maintains colonization of gut mucosal macrophage to resist bacterial infection. Mucosal Immunology.

  2. Onji, M., Sigl, V., Lendl, T., Novatchkova, M., Ullate-Agote, A., Andersson-Rolf, A., Kozieradzki, I., Koglgruber, R., Pai, T.-P., Lichtscheidl, D., Nayak, K., Zilbauer, M., Carranza García, N.-A., Sievers, L., Falk-Paulsen, M., Cronin, S. J. F., Hagelkruys, A., Sawa, S., Osborne, L. C., Rosenstiel, P., Pasparakis, M., Ruland, J., Takayanagi, H., Clevers, H., Koo, B.-H., & Penninger, J. M. (2025). RANK drives structured intestinal epithelial expansion during pregnancy. Nature, 637(8044), 156–166.

  3. Nitta, T., Tsutsumi, M., Nitta, S., Muro, R., Suzuki, E. C., Nakano, K., Tomofuji, Y., Sawa, S., Okamura, T., Penninger, J. M., & Takayanagi, H. (2020). Fibroblasts as a source of self-antigens for central immune tolerance. Nature Immunology, 21(10), 1172–1180.

  4. Nagashima, K., Sawa, S., Nitta, T., Tsutsumi, M., Okamura, T., Penninger, J. M., Nakashima, T., & Takayanagi, H. (2017). Identification of subepithelial mesenchymal cells that induce IgA and diversify gut microbiota. Nature Immunology, 18(6), 675–682.

  5. Onder, L., Mörbe, U., Pikor, N., Novkovic, M., Cheng, H.-W., Hehlgans, T., Pfeffer, K., Becher, B., Waisman, A., Rülicke, T., Gommerman, J., Müller, C., Sawa, S., Scandella, E., & Ludewig, B. (2017). Lymphatic endothelial cells control initiation of lymph node organogenesis. Immunity, 47(1), 80–92.

 

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.