Dr. Jennifer Deger | Alzheimer’s Disease | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Computational Biologists

Dr. Jennifer Deger | Alzheimer's Disease | Young Scientist Award

Baylor College of Medicine | United States

Jennifer Deger is a medical scientist in training at Baylor College of Medicine, pursuing an MD-PhD with a primary research focus on uncovering the genetic and molecular mechanisms driving neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Her work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience to better understand neuronal degeneration and identify therapeutic targets for neurological disorders. Under the mentorship of Hugo Bellen and Joshua Shulman, she investigates genetic risk factors and molecular pathways that contribute to brain aging and cognitive decline. With a strong foundation in neuroscience and writing from The University of Texas at Austin, she combines analytical precision with effective scientific communication. Her research experience spans model organism studies and translational approaches linking molecular findings to clinical relevance. Jennifer’s contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the BRASS Scholarship and the Sharon E. Plot Mentorship Award for outstanding scientific promise and leadership. Her creative and technical excellence was highlighted when her immunofluorescence images were featured on the BCM MSTP symposium abstract book cover. She has earned top presentation and poster awards at institutional and national symposia, demonstrating her clarity and impact as a communicator of science. Dedicated to mentorship and service, Jennifer plays an active role in fostering collaboration and inclusivity within the scientific community. Her leadership has been acknowledged through awards for community service and educational contributions. She continues to pursue research that bridges discovery and clinical practice, aiming to advance therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disease. Through her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to scientific progress, she represents the next generation of physician-scientists transforming neuroscience and precision medicine.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Deger, J. M., Hannan, S. B., Gu, M., Strohlein, C. E., Goodman, L. D., Pasupuleti, S., Shaik, Z., Ma, L., Li, Y., Li, J., et al. (2025). Revealing the nervous system requirements of Alzheimer disease risk genes in Drosophila. The American Journal of Human Genetics.

Deger, J. M., Hannan, S. B., Gu, M., Strohlein, C. E., Goodman, L. D., Pasupuleti, S., Shaik, Z., Ma, L., Li, Y., Li, J., et al. (2025, July 30). Revealing the nervous system requirements of Alzheimer’s disease risk genes in Drosophila.

Hill, E. J., Robak, L. A., Al-Ouran, R., Deger, J., Fong, J. C., Vandeventer, P. J., Schulman, E., Rao, S., Saade, H., Savitt, J. M., et al. (2022). Genome sequencing in the Parkinson disease clinic. Neurology Genetics.

Deger, J., Goethe, E. A., LoPresti, M. A., & Lam, S. (2021). Intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants: A historical review. World Neurosurgery.

Deger, J. (2018). A druggable genome screen identifies modifiers of alpha-synuclein levels via a tiered cross-species validation approach. Journal of Neuroscience.

Deger, J. (2015). The interrelationship of proteasome impairment and oligomeric intermediates in neurodegeneration. Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Karolina Stępień | Extracellular Matrix | Best Researcher Award 

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Dr. Karolina Stępień | Extracellular Matrix | Best Researcher Award 

Medical University of Silesia | Poland

Dr. Karolina Stępień is a molecular biologist and medical scientist specializing in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its role in connective tissue and vascular diseases, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Her research explores the molecular architecture and remodeling of the ECM, focusing on collagens, elastin, metalloproteinases, and thrombospondins to understand vascular wall degeneration and identify biomarkers for prognosis and therapy. Beyond vascular pathology, she has contributed to studies on osteogenesis imperfecta and the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in gene therapy and regeneration, as well as on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pediatric craniopharyngioma as a predictor of tumor recurrence. Her work, published in leading journals such as International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Biomolecules, and Journal of Applied Genetics, advances knowledge of ECM-driven disease mechanisms and molecular medicine. As an educator at the Medical University of Silesia, she teaches molecular biology and genetics, integrating research and clinical application. Leading the “BIOMOLEK” Scientific Club, she mentors young researchers in ECM biology and molecular diagnostics. She actively participates in international scientific collaborations and conferences, strengthening the global exchange of knowledge in vascular and molecular pathology. Through her interdisciplinary research, teaching, and mentorship, Dr. Stępień continues to bridge fundamental molecular science with translational therapeutic innovation, shaping the future of biomedical research and education.

 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Marzieh kashkouli | Insect Symbionts | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Marzieh kashkouli | Insect Symbionts | Best Researcher Award

Isfahan University of Technology | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Marzieh Kashkouli is a distinguished researcher in biotechnology and pest control, specializing in microbial symbionts in insects, biological pest management, and insect genomics. Her work has advanced understanding of host–microbe interactions and sustainable agriculture, including the discovery of the bacterial symbiont Candidatus Pantoea persica. She focuses on manipulating insect symbionts for eco-friendly pest control and studying molecular mechanisms of pest resistance, integrating molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics. Dr. Kashkouli has authored numerous international publications and a book chapter, and collaborated on projects investigating genome reduction in symbionts and pesticide resistance in whiteflies. Her research explores symbiont effects on insect physiology and plant defense, bridging molecular insights with applied pest management. With extensive laboratory and analytical expertise, she contributes to biological control strategies, uncovers novel microbial interactions, and reveals evolutionary patterns among insect symbionts. She has led international collaborations and mentored numerous students, fostering the next generation of researchers in biotechnology and entomology. As a reviewer and invited speaker, she actively shapes scientific discourse and promotes innovation in sustainable agriculture. Her leadership and multidisciplinary research continue to advance biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, and the integration of molecular biology with applied pest science, providing practical solutions for global agricultural challenges. Dr. Kashkouli remains dedicated to expanding knowledge of insect–microbe interactions, driving forward translational research with significant ecological and economic impact.

Profile: Orcid 

Publications

Kashkouli, M., Castelli, M., Floriano, A. M., Bandi, C., Epis, S., Fathipour, Y., Mehrabadi, M., & Sassera, D. (2021). Characterization of a novel Pantoea symbiont allows inference of a pattern of convergent genome reduction in bacteria associated with Pentatomidae. Environmental Microbiology.

Kashkouli, M., Fathipour, Y., & Mehrabadi, M. (2021). The crucial role of the endosymbiont Pantoea sp. in morphology and mating of the pistachio green stink bug, Brachynema germari (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology.

Kashkouli, M., Fathipour, Y., & Mehrabadi, M. (2020). Habitat visualization, acquisition features and necessity of the gammaproteobacterial symbiont of pistachio stink bug, Acrosternum heegeri (Hem.: Pentatomidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research.

Kashkouli, M., Fathipour, Y., Mehrabadi, M., & Hulcr, J. (2019). Heritable gammaproteobacterial symbiont improves the fitness of Brachynema germari Kolenati (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Environmental Entomology.

Kashkouli, M., Fathipour, Y., & Mehrabadi, M. (2019). Potential management tactics for pistachio stink bugs, Brachynema germari, Acrosternum heegeri and Acrosternum arabicum (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): High temperature and chemical surface sterilants leading to symbiont suppression. Journal of Economic Entomology.

Kashkouli, M., Khajehali, J., & Poorjavad, N. (2014). Impact of entomopathogenic nematodes on Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) life stages in the laboratory and under semi-field conditions. Journal of Biopesticides.

 

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hong Chen | Reproductive Endocrinology | Best Researcher Award 

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hong Chen | Reproductive Endocrinology | Best Researcher Award 

Northwest A&F University | China

Dr. Hong Chen, an Associate Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, has made significant contributions to the field of reproductive biology and endocrinology. She earned her Doctor of Agronomy in Basic Veterinary Medicine from Nanjing Agricultural University (2014–2019) and has since been actively engaged in both teaching and research. Her primary research interests encompass animal reproductive endocrinology, autophagy, and cell death, with a special focus on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing testosterone synthesis in livestock. Over the years, Dr. Chen has successfully completed or is currently involved in five research projects, including three consultancy or industry-sponsored projects, reflecting her strong collaboration with both academic and applied veterinary sectors. She has published twelve peer-reviewed journal articles in reputed SCI and Scopus-indexed journals, contributing to the advancement of reproductive biology and veterinary science. Her publications have received increasing recognition, with a citation index resulting in an h-index of 16 on ResearchGate, demonstrating the impact and influence of her work within the scientific community. Although she has not yet published books or patents, her research outcomes have enriched the understanding of cellular dynamics in endocrine regulation. One of her notable contributions revealed that Leydig cells in dairy goats exhibit distinct morphological characteristics across developmental stages, influencing testosterone synthesis. Her team further discovered that autophagy and organelle interactions—particularly between lipid droplets and mitochondria—play essential roles in regulating testosterone production. This pioneering work was featured in her representative publication titled “Lipid droplets-mitochondria interaction involved in testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells of dairy goats (Capra hircus)”, which exemplifies her dedication to elucidating the cellular processes underlying reproductive physiology. A committed member of the Animal Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology Section of the Chinese Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine (CAAV), Dr. Hong Chen continues to advance research that bridges molecular mechanisms with applied veterinary science, contributing to improved reproductive health and productivity in animal systems.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Chen, H., Zhao, F., Chen, K., Guo, Y., Liang, Y., Zhao, H., & Chen, S. (2022, July). Exposure of zebrafish to a cold environment triggered cellular autophagy in zebrafish liver. Journal of Fish Diseases.

Chen, H., Chen, K., Zhao, F., Guo, Y., Liang, Y., Wang, Z., Liu, T., & Chen, S. (2022, March). Macroautophagy involved in testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells of male dairy goat (Capra hircus). Theriogenology.

Chen, H., Chen, K., Zhao, F., Guo, Y., Liang, Y., Wang, Z., Liu, T., & Chen, S. (2021, June 1). Macroautophagy involved in testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells of male dairy goats (Capra hircus) [Preprint]. Research Square.

Chen, H., Liang, Y., Han, Y., Liu, T., & Chen, S. (2021, March). Genome‐wide analysis of Toll‐like receptors in zebrafish and the effect of rearing temperature on the receptors in response to stimulated pathogen infection. Journal of Fish Diseases.