Cinzia Volonté | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Cinzia Volonté | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dirigente di Ricerca, CNR-Istituto Analisi dei Sistemi e Informatica, Italy

Dr. Cinzia Volonté is a distinguished neuroscientist and expert in microglia, currently ranked among the top 0.073% of global experts in the field. Her exceptional career includes being named a top Italian scientist in neurosciences and holding several prestigious appointments, including EU Expert and ANVUR GEV Expert Evaluator. 🌟

Publication Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  1. Distinguished Research Record:Dr. Volonté has a robust publication record with 141 total publications and high citation metrics (h-Index of 49 on Google Scholar, 43 on Web of Science, and 44 on Scopus). Her research in microglia and neurodegeneration is highly influential, reflected in her ranking as a top expert in the field and significant citations.
  2. Leadership and Recognition:She holds prominent positions, such as Research Director at CNR and Director of the Cellular Neurobiology Unit, indicating strong leadership and a long-standing commitment to her field.Her accolades include being ranked among the top Italian scientists in neurosciences and being nominated as an EU Expert, which underscores her recognition in the scientific community.
  3. Innovative Research Focus:Dr. Volonté’s research on purinergic and histaminergic signaling in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and MS is cutting-edge. Her work involves developing novel therapeutic strategies, showcasing her contribution to advancing treatment options.
  4. Editorial and Evaluation Roles:Her extensive involvement in editorial boards and as a project evaluator highlights her influence and the trust placed in her expertise by various scientific and funding bodies.
  5. Patent Contributions:Dr. Volonté holds patents related to the prevention of cerebral ischemia and cytotoxicity, reflecting her practical impact on applied research and therapeutic development.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Impact and Interdisciplinary Work:While Dr. Volonté’s work is highly specialized, expanding her research to interdisciplinary fields or more diverse areas of neuroscience could enhance her impact and applicability across different scientific and medical domains.
  2. Public Engagement and Outreach:Increasing efforts in public science communication and outreach could help in making her research more accessible to a broader audience, including non-specialists and policymakers.
  3. Collaborative Research Initiatives:Building more collaborative projects with researchers outside her primary field of expertise could lead to new insights and innovations, fostering interdisciplinary approaches.

 

Education

Dr. Volonté earned her qualifications as a Full Professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from MIUR ASN-DD in 2013. Her academic journey has been marked by significant contributions to the fields of neuroscience and molecular biology. 🎓

Experience

Dr. Volonté has extensive experience as a Project Evaluator for various international research agencies, including the European Science Foundation and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. She has served as a scientific committee member and organizer for multiple conferences and has been involved in editorial responsibilities for leading journals. 🧠

Research Focus

Her research delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in ALS and MS. Dr. Volonté is particularly focused on purinergic and histaminergic signaling pathways, aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies using advanced models and cell cultures. 🔬

Awards and Honours

Dr. Volonté has received several notable awards, including the Luca Barone Award from the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei in 1984 and 1983. She was also honored with the Young Scientist Lectureship Award by the International Society for Neurochemistry in 1993. 🏆

Publication Top Notes

Skaper SD, Volonté C. MiRNAcles in the Brain: What to Wish and What to Fear. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets., 14(2), 155-156 (2015). DOI: 10.2174/187152731402150305113941

Volonté C, Apolloni S, Parisi C. MicroRNAs: Newcomers into the ALS Picture. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets., 14(2), 194-207 (2015). DOI: 10.2174/1871527314666150116125506

Volonté C, Parisi C, Apolloni S. New kid on the block: Does histamine get along with inflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets., 14(5), 677-86 (2015). DOI: 10.2174/1871527314666150225143921

Conclusion

Dr. Cinzia Volonté is a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Best Research Award due to her significant contributions to neuroscience, particularly in understanding neurodegeneration and developing novel therapeutic approaches. Her extensive publication record, high citation metrics, and leadership roles reflect her exceptional expertise and influence in her field. While there are opportunities to enhance the broader impact of her work and increase public engagement, her accomplishments and ongoing research make her a strong contender for this prestigious award.

Vivian Chioma | Neurobiology of Addiction | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vivian Chioma | Neurobiology of Addiction | Best Researcher Award

Resident Physician, Medical University of South Carolina, United States

Dr. Vivian Chioma is a distinguished neuroscientist and medical professional, currently serving as an Adult Neurology Resident at the University of Pennsylvania. With a strong foundation in neuroscience and a passion for advancing medical research, Dr. Chioma has made significant contributions to understanding neurological disorders. She has received numerous accolades for her work, reflecting her dedication to both scientific discovery and mentorship.

Profile Link:

Dr. Vivian Chioma – University of Pennsylvania

Education:

Dr. Chioma earned her Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD) from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 2022 through the prestigious Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). She also holds a Bachelor of Sciences in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Neuroscience, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in 2014.

Experience:

Dr. Chioma’s postgraduate training includes an internship in Internal Medicine/Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania in 2022, followed by her current role as an Adult Neurology Resident. Her research has been published in several leading journals, and she has presented her findings at numerous national and international conferences.

Research Interests:

Dr. Chioma’s research interests are centered around the neurological mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and their associated behavioral and cellular changes. She focuses on synaptic plasticity, neuropharmacology, and the impact of drugs on the brain, aiming to develop better therapeutic strategies for addiction and other neurological conditions.

Awards:

Dr. Chioma has received a multitude of awards, including the Distinguished Graduate Student Award from MUSC’s College of Graduate Studies (2022), the American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Diversity Scholarship Award (2021), and the John Richard Sosnowski Award (2021). Her extensive list of accolades underscores her excellence in both research and mentorship.

Publications Top Notes📚

Jones F J.S., Magee R, Boylan K, Chioma V, Little J, Orthmann-Murphy J. Fulminant intracranial hypertension in acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (Weston-Hurst Syndrome). 2024 (in preparation).

Garcia-Keller C, Hohmeister M, Seidling K, Beloate LN, Chioma VC, Spencer SM, Kalivas PW, Neuhofer D. ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol self-administration induces cell-type specific adaptations in the nucleus accumbens core. Addiction Biology, 2023. doi: 10.1111/adb.13286.

Chioma VC, Kruyer AK, Bobadilla AC, Angelis A, Ellison Z, Hodebourg Ritchy, Scofield MD, Kalivas PW. Heroin Seeking and Extinction from Seeking Activate Matrix Metalloproteinases at Synapses on Distinct Subpopulations of Accumbens Cells. Biological Psychiatry, 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.12.004.

Kruyer AK, Chioma VC, Kalivas PK. The Opioid-Addicted Tetrapartite Synapse. Biological Psychiatry, 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.05.025.

Garcia-Keller C, Neuhofer D, Bobadilla AC, Spencer S, Chioma VC, Monforton C, Kalivas PW. Extracellular Matrix Signaling Through β3 Integrin Mediates Cocaine Cue-Induced Transient Synaptic Plasticity and Relapse. Biological Psychiatry, 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.03.982.