Esther Schenker | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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

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.