Fatin Atrooz | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Fatin Atrooz | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral fellow at University of Houston, United States

Dr. Fatin Y. Atrooz is a dedicated researcher and educator with expertise in behavioral neuroscience, substance use disorders, and minority health disparities. Currently, she serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Houston, College of Pharmacy and an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Houston Downtown. Her research focuses on identifying the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms underlying substance addiction, stress, and mental health disorders. With over two decades of experience in neuroscience, genetics, and public health research, Dr. Atrooz has contributed significantly to her field through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and editorial roles. She has also been actively involved in teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, mentoring students, and participating in professional development programs. Her passion for scientific discovery and education continues to drive her research aimed at addressing critical public health challenges, particularly in underserved populations.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Atrooz holds a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience (2018) from the University of Houston, College of Pharmacy, where she investigated the behavioral and biochemical effects of early-life sleep deprivation in rodents. She earned her Master of Science in Biology (Genetics, 1999) and Bachelor of Science in Biology (1996) from Yarmouk University, Jordan. Her master’s research focused on the antimutagenic effects of Coumarin on chromosomal damage induced by pharmaceutical agents. In addition, she completed a Harvard Catalyst certification in Applied Biostatistics, equipping her with advanced data analysis skills in SPSS, R, and GraphPad Prism. Her multidisciplinary education has enabled her to integrate molecular biology, neuroscience, and statistical modeling to advance understanding in addiction research and mental health disparities.

Professional Experience

Dr. Atrooz is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Houston, where she conducts research on substance use, addiction, and neurobehavioral disorders. She is also an Adjunct Faculty at University of Houston Downtown, teaching Genetics and Human Anatomy & Physiology. Previously, she worked as a Senior Cytogenetics Lab Technologist (2001-2009) at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan, specializing in chromosomal analysis and molecular diagnostics. She also served as a Research Assistant at Yarmouk University and later at the University of Houston, gaining hands-on experience in rodent behavioral neuroscience, stereotaxic surgery, and neuropharmacology. Her extensive experience in both academic and clinical settings has provided her with a unique perspective on translational research, bridging laboratory findings with real-world health applications.

Research Interests

Dr. Atrooz’s research focuses on behavioral neuroscience, addiction, and minority health disparities. She investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying stress, addiction, and mental health disorders, with a particular interest in substance use among minority populations. Her work involves rodent models of addiction, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology to explore how early-life stress and environmental factors contribute to addiction vulnerability. Additionally, she conducts public health research on mental health disparities among immigrant and refugee populations, examining social determinants of health and substance use patterns. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates neuroscience, genetics, and public health, aiming to develop targeted interventions to improve mental health outcomes in underserved communities.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Atrooz has received numerous awards for her contributions to research and academia. She was awarded the prestigious 2023 NIDA Diversity Scholars Network Program Award, recognizing her work in addiction research. She also received the 2023 Research Centers for Minority Institutions (RCMI) Professional Development Fellowship and 2021 Postdoctoral Fellow Travel Award from the University of Houston. Her excellence in research was recognized with the 2019 Best Oral Presentation Award (Postdoctoral Category) at the University of Houston and the 2019 Excellent Paper Award at the International Conference on Science, Technology, and Management (ICSTM) in Dubai. Additionally, she was selected for the 2016 Future Fellow-to-Faculty Award, highlighting her potential as a leading researcher and educator. Her continuous dedication to research, mentorship, and public health has solidified her reputation as a distinguished scholar in her field.

Conclusion

Dr. Fatin Y. Atrooz is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given her diverse research expertise, strong publication record, multiple awards, and commitment to minority health research. Strengthening grant acquisition, independent research leadership, and high-impact publications would further solidify her as a top-tier researcher in her field.

Publications Top Noted

  • Atrooz, F., Khabour, O.F., Almomani, F., Alfurjani, B.H., Salim, S. (2024)
    Title: Education and socioeconomic status as predictors of refugee mental health: insights from a study of Jordan-based Syrian refugee sample
    Journal: Frontiers in Public Health
    Citations: 0
  • Li, Y., Zhang, S., Tang, C., Salim, S., Wu, T. (2024)
    Title: Autoimmune and neuropsychiatric phenotypes in a Mecp2 transgenic mouse model on C57BL/6 background
    Journal: Frontiers in Immunology
    Citations: 1
  • Atrooz, F., Majd, Z., Alrousan, G., Abughosh, S., Salim, S. (2023)
    Title: Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Houston residents
    Journal: PLOS Global Public Health
    Citations: 1
  • Atrooz, F., Aljararwah, S.M., Chen, T.A., Khabour, O.F., Salim, S. (2023)
    Title: Understanding Mental Health Status of Syrian Refugee and Jordanian Women: Novel Insights from a Comparative Study
    Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Citations: 10
  • Atrooz, F., Aljararwah, S.M., Acquati, C., Khabour, O.F., Salim, S. (2023)
    Title: Breast Cancer Beliefs and Screening Practices among Syrian Refugee Women and Jordanian Women
    Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Citations: 1
  • Zeidat, S., Fatima, B., Yazdanfard, S., Abughosh, S., Salim, S. (2022)
    Title: Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Sample of Houston-Based Middle Eastern and North African Residents
    Journal: Hygiene
    Citations: 1
  • Bian, W.-J., Atrooz, F., Patel, S., Rababa’h, A.M. (2022)
    Title: Editorial: Sleep Deprivation, Circadian Misalignment and Addiction Vulnerability in Adolescents
    Journal: Frontiers in Neuroscience
    Citations: 0
  • Alrousan, G., Hassan, A., Pillai, A.A., Atrooz, F., Salim, S. (2022)
    Title: Early Life Sleep Deprivation and Brain Development: Insights From Human and Animal Studies
    Journal: Frontiers in Neuroscience
    Citations: 15
  • Atrooz, F., Alrousan, G., Hassan, A., Salim, S. (2022)
    Title: Early-Life Sleep Deprivation Enhanced Alcohol Consumption in Adolescent Rats
    Journal: Frontiers in Neuroscience
    Citations: 7
  • Atrooz, F., Chen, T.A., Biekman, B., Bick, J., Salim, S. (2022)
    Title: Displacement and Isolation: Insights from a Mental Stress Survey of Syrian Refugees in Houston, Texas, USA
    Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Citations: 11

 

Esther Schenker | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Esther Schenker | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Director, independant researcher, France

Esther Schenker is a Swiss pharmacist and biochemist with a distinguished career in the pharmaceutical industry and biomedical research. With a PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, she has made significant contributions to neuroscience and drug discovery. As a Project Leader at the Institut de Recherches Servier (France), she led major initiatives such as EU-AIMS (autism spectrum disorders) and IMPRiND (protein misfolding). Her expertise spans the design and testing of innovative compounds for neurodegenerative diseases and neuroprotection. 🌍🧠💊

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education:

Esther Schenker earned her PhD in Pharmacy from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Zurich, Switzerland) in 1986. She also holds a Federal Diploma in Pharmacy from the University of Basel (Switzerland) and a Bachelor’s degree from Basel (Switzerland) in 1975. 🎓📚

Experience:

With over 30 years of experience, Esther has held various significant positions in the pharmaceutical industry. From 1999 to 2010, she was the Head of Biological Studies at the Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier (France), overseeing neuroscience drug discovery projects. She has also led innovative research projects, including work in neuroprotective therapies, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. As a post-doctoral researcher in biochemistry and endocrinology, Esther developed expertise in insulin signaling and receptor activity. 💼🧬🔬

Research Interests:

Esther’s research focuses on neuroscience, particularly neurodegenerative diseases, drug discovery, and neuroprotective therapies. She has a keen interest in studying protein misfolding, the molecular mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and the development of novel therapeutic compounds. Her work has influenced the advancement of treatments in neuroprotection and neuropsychiatric disorders. 🧠🔍🔬

Awards:

Esther Schenker has been recognized for her innovative contributions to biomedical research. Some of her achievements include participation in key IMI projects and leadership in successful preclinical drug discovery programs targeting neurodegenerative diseases. 🌟🏆

Publications:

Takillah S., Jérémie Naudé J., Didienne S., Sebban C., Decros B., Schenker E., Spedding M., Mourot A., Mariani J., Faure P. (2017)
“Acute Stress Affects the Expression of Hippocampal Mu Oscillations in an Age-Dependent Manner.”
Front. Aging Neurosci. Link

Rahman A, Lamberty Y, Schenker E, Cella M, Languille S, Bordet R, Richardson J, Pifferi F, Aujard F. (2017)
“Effects of acute administration of donepezil or memantine on sleep-deprivation-induced spatial memory deficit in young and aged non-human primate grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus).”
PLoS One Link

Rame, M., Caudal, D., Schenker, E., Svenningson, P., Spedding, M., Jay, TM., Godsil BP. (2017)
“Clozapine counteracts a ketamine-induced depression of hippocampal-prefrontal neuroplasticity and alters signaling pathway phosphorylation.”
PLoS One Link

Artigas F., Schenker E., Celada P., Spedding M. (2016)
“Defining the brain circuits involved in psychiatric disorders: IMI-NEWMEDS.”
Nat Rev Drug Discov. Link

Deguil J, Auffret A, Schenker E, Aujard F, Lamberty Y, Bartrès-Faz D, Herrero MT, Blin O, Micallef J, Richardson JC, Bordet R. (2016)
“Conclusive Article: Sorting the Good from the Bad: The Different Approaches to Predict Cognitive Properties of New Symptomatic Drug Candidates for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Early Development.”

Cinzia Volonté | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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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.