Vipul Wayal | Immunology and Microbiology| Excellence in Research Award

Dr. Vipul Wayal | Immunology and Microbiology| Excellence in Research Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at Tunghai University, Taiwan

Dr. Vipul Rohidas Wayal is a dynamic postdoctoral researcher specializing in biotechnology, translational medicine, and pharmaceutical sciences. Currently affiliated with Tunghai University in Taiwan, he has demonstrated exceptional expertise in bioactive peptides, metabolic diseases, and immunomodulation. His research has led to several high-impact publications and internationally recognized patents, reflecting strong innovation and translational potential. With a solid academic foundation—holding a Ph.D. in Animal Science and Biotechnology and a Master’s in Pharmaceutics—Dr. Wayal brings interdisciplinary proficiency across advanced bioinformatics, molecular docking, and animal modeling. He has actively contributed to projects targeting MAFLD, T2DM, and atherosclerosis and participated in global scientific forums such as BIO Asia and the Taiwan Innotech Expo. Recognized with scholarships and innovation awards, he is also skilled in scientific writing, grant proposals, and technology transfer. Dr. Wayal’s research impact and forward-thinking approach position him as a promising candidate for honors recognizing excellence in scientific research and innovation.

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Education

Dr. Vipul Rohidas Wayal has a robust academic background, reflecting a consistent focus on biomedical research and pharmaceutical sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in Animal Science and Biotechnology from Tunghai University, Taiwan, where his thesis explored the ameliorative effects of bioactive oligopeptides on metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in murine models. His doctoral work integrated molecular biology, pharmacology, and biotechnology. Prior to this, he completed a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) in Pharmaceutics from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India. His master’s thesis focused on the development of silk protein-based topical sprays for wound healing. Dr. Wayal also holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Savitribai Phule Pune University, India, where he conducted research on herbal gel formulations for wound healing. Throughout his education, he has cultivated expertise in drug delivery, biotechnology, and disease modeling, laying a solid foundation for translational research and pharmaceutical innovation.

Professional Experience

Dr. Wayal brings diverse professional experience, combining academic research with industrial roles. He currently serves as a postdoctoral researcher at Tunghai University, Taiwan, where he is involved in projects focusing on novel fermented foods, immunomodulators, and bioactive peptides for metabolic disorders such as NAFLD and T2DM. His earlier academic experience includes extensive work in molecular biology techniques, animal experimentation, and peptide-based therapeutic research. Before transitioning fully into academia, he held several positions in the pharmaceutical industry in India, including Factory Manager at Equine Nutrients and R&D Production Manager at Fibroheal Woundcare Pvt. Ltd., where he was involved in the development and manufacturing of wound-care products. Additionally, he worked as a Manufacturing Officer at Fresenius Kabi, handling large-scale pharmaceutical production. These roles have equipped him with hands-on expertise in technology transfer, quality control, and product development, giving him a practical perspective that complements his research endeavors.

Research Interest

Dr. Vipul Wayal’s research interests lie at the intersection of biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, and translational medicine. He is particularly focused on the discovery and functional evaluation of bioactive peptides and proteins for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases such as MAFLD, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. His work integrates molecular docking, bioinformatics, in vivo modeling, and immunological assays to uncover therapeutic pathways and mechanisms, particularly involving Nrf2/HO-1, TLR4/NF-κB, and inflammasome signaling. Additionally, he is involved in the development of functional foods with cardiovascular and immunomodulatory benefits. His broad skill set includes protein purification, ELISA, flow cytometry, and various forms of chromatography and spectroscopy, which support his bench-to-bedside research approach. Dr. Wayal also emphasizes innovative drug delivery systems, especially in peptide-based therapeutics, and is passionate about bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications through patentable, scalable solutions.

Award and Honor

Dr. Vipul Wayal has received recognition for both his academic performance and innovative research contributions. He was awarded the Tunghai University International Student Scholarship consecutively for the academic years 2021–2022 and 2022–2023, acknowledging his academic excellence and research productivity during his doctoral studies. One of his most notable achievements includes receiving the Excellent Idea Certificate for his patented innovation on “Novel Small Molecule Peptides for Anti-MAFLD Activity,” which has been granted in Taiwan and Japan and filed in the United States. His participation in international expos and conferences, such as the Taiwan Innotech Expo and BIO Asia–Taiwan, further emphasizes his growing international profile. These honors reflect his commitment to advancing science through novel and applicable innovations. While his accolades are notable, they also signal his potential for future recognition as his research continues to expand and influence both academic and applied biomedical fields.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Vipul Rohidas Wayal exemplifies a rising biomedical scientist with an impressive combination of academic excellence, industrial experience, and innovative research. His work in bioactive peptides, metabolic disease therapeutics, and functional food development has resulted in impactful publications and internationally recognized patents. He possesses a wide range of technical skills, from molecular biology to in silico modeling, supported by a solid educational foundation and cross-disciplinary collaborations. With experience spanning academia and pharmaceutical industries, Dr. Wayal effectively bridges fundamental research and real-world applications. His contributions demonstrate both scientific rigor and translational value, making him a strong contender for recognition such as the BExcellence in Research Award. As he continues to lead and contribute to projects addressing global health challenges, his trajectory indicates not only a promising research career but also the capacity to impact public health through innovation and scientific excellence.

Publications Top Notes

  • Title: Novel bioactive peptides alleviate Western diet-induced MAFLD…
    Authors: V. Wayal, S.D. Wang, C.C. Hsieh
    Journal: International Immunopharmacology 148
    Year: 2025
    Citations: 8

  • Title: Bioactive dipeptides mitigate high-fat and high-fructose corn syrup diet-induced MAFLD…
    Authors: V. Wayal, C.C. Hsieh
    Journal: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 168
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 7

  • Title: ASSESSMENT OF WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF POTENT HERBAL EXTRACTS GEL IN ALBINO WISTAR RAT
    Authors: V. Wayal, T.N.V.
    Journal: Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research 15(08)
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 3

  • Title: Design, Development and Evaluation of Silk Based Film Forming Spray for Wound Healing
    Authors: V. Wayal, K. Nagasree, B.A. Vishwanath
    Journal: Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics 11
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 3

  • Title: Chicken meat hydrolysate improves acetaminophen-induced liver injury…
    Authors: V. Wayal, Z.E. Tsai, Y.H. Lin, Y.H. Lai, S.D. Wang, C.C. Hsieh
    Journal: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 21
    Year: 2025
    Citations: 1

  • Title: Immunomodulatory effects of type II arabinogalactans from Anoectochilus formosanus…
    Authors: Y.L. Huang, W.C. Lin, V. Wayal, C.C. Hsieh
    Journal: Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications
    Year: 2025

  • Title: Goat Whey Protein Hydrolysate Mitigates High-Fructose Corn Syrup-Induced Hepatic Steatosis…
    Authors: C.H. Shao, V. Wayal, C.C. Hsieh
    Journal: Preprints
    Year: 2025

  • Title: Type II Arabinogalactan from Anoectochilus Formosanus Dampens Allergic Airway Hyperresponsiveness…
    Authors: Y.L. Huang, V. Wayal, W.C. Lin, C.C. Hsieh
    Platform: SSRN Preprint
    Year: 2025

Eszter Virág | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Eszter Virág | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Scientific director at Research Institute For Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Hungary

Dr. Eszter Andrea Virág is a Hungarian biologist and senior researcher specializing in microbiology, plant science, and bioinformatics. She earned her PhD in Biology from the University of Pécs, focusing on antibiotic mechanisms, and later expanded her expertise with a degree in Computer Science Operational Engineering. With over 15 years of research experience, she has held key academic and leadership roles, including Scientific Director at the Research Institute of Medicinal Plants and Herbs and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Debrecen. Dr. Virág has led government-funded projects on plant-based pesticides, supervised numerous MSc and PhD students, and taught a wide range of courses across Hungarian universities. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges biology and computational science, contributing significantly to sustainable agriculture and environmental research. She is a recipient of several prestigious national awards and is an active member of scientific committees, reflecting her impact on Hungary’s research and academic landscape.

Professional Profile 

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Education

Dr. Eszter Virág holds a PhD in Biology from the University of Pécs, Hungary, awarded in 2012. Her doctoral research focused on the mechanism of action of the antibiotic primycin, demonstrating her foundational expertise in microbiology and antibiotic studies. She also earned a biology degree from the same university in 2008, where her thesis examined the effects of capsaicin on human platelets and yeast cell membranes. Recognizing the growing importance of computational methods in biology, she pursued further education in Computer Science Operational Engineering at the University of Pannonia, completing her absolutorium in 2022. Her thesis in this field addressed the integration of command-line bioinformatics tools with user-friendly graphical interfaces for agricultural and biological applications. Dr. Virág has also participated in several postgraduate training programs, including courses on next-generation sequencing, fluorescence sensing, and bioinformatics education, underlining her commitment to continuous learning and her multidisciplinary capabilities in life sciences and informatics.

Professional Experience

Dr. Eszter Virág’s professional journey spans research, leadership, and academia. She currently serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Debrecen’s Institute of ‘One Health’, where she contributes to interdisciplinary studies combining human, animal, and environmental health. Since 2018, she has been the Scientific Director of the Research Institute of Medicinal Plants and Herbs, where she leads research on plant-based bioactive compounds and their agricultural applications. Her previous roles include Senior Research Fellow at the University of Pannonia’s Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology (2014–2021) and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Biochemistry, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine. Early in her career, she worked as a pharmaceutical researcher at PannonPharma Ltd. Her experience encompasses scientific project management, research supervision, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Virág’s broad professional background demonstrates her ability to lead innovative research initiatives across both academic and applied science settings.

Research Interest

Dr. Virág’s research interests lie at the intersection of microbiology, plant science, and bioinformatics. She focuses on the genomic and transcriptomic analysis of plants, particularly in exploring the biological activities and nanoformulations of botanical extracts for agricultural and therapeutic use. Her work in developing plant-based pesticides aligns with the global movement toward sustainable farming. In the field of microbiology, she has investigated the effects of natural compounds on microbial communities and cell membrane dynamics. She is also actively involved in soil metagenomics, studying microbial biodiversity and function in various ecological contexts. Dr. Virág’s bioinformatics expertise supports the integration of large-scale biological data into practical solutions, particularly in agro-IT applications. Her multidisciplinary approach bridges laboratory science and computational analysis, making her research both cutting-edge and highly relevant to current challenges in agriculture, environmental protection, and public health. Her ability to combine wet lab and in silico methods enhances the impact and scope of her scientific contributions.

Award and Honor

Dr. Eszter Virág has received several prestigious recognitions for her research contributions. Notably, she was awarded the Mayor’s Fellowship of the city of Pécs in 2011 for outstanding research achievements. She later secured the Hungarian Academy of Sciences’ (MTA) Postdoctoral Fellowship for 2014–2016, reflecting her early promise and excellence in scientific investigation. She is a two-time recipient of the ÚNKP New National Excellence Program fellowship, awarded in 2016 and 2017, which supports top-performing Hungarian researchers. In 2017, she was honored as the Young Scientist of the Year by the Georgikon Faculty at Pannon University, acknowledging her research leadership and academic mentorship. In addition to these accolades, Dr. Virág is an active member of national scientific bodies, including the MTA Interdepartmental Scientific Committee on Bioinformatics and the Association of Hungarian Geneticists. These honors collectively underscore her national standing as a respected researcher and educator in Hungary’s scientific community.

Conclusion

Dr. Eszter Virág is an accomplished interdisciplinary researcher whose career blends biology, bioinformatics, and agricultural science. With a PhD in Biology and additional qualifications in computer science, she brings a holistic and forward-thinking perspective to her research. Her professional experience includes leadership roles in both academic institutions and applied research centers, where she has managed national projects and mentored students at various levels. Her scientific contributions—ranging from antibiotic mechanisms to plant-based pesticide development and genomic analysis—reflect a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and scientific rigor. She has earned multiple fellowships and awards that affirm her impact and recognition within the Hungarian research community. Dr. Virág’s ability to translate complex scientific knowledge into practical applications and her dedication to mentoring future researchers make her a strong candidate for recognition such as the Best Researcher Award. Her work continues to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of environmental and biological sciences.

Publications Top Notes

  • Title: Different expression pattern of flowering pathway genes contribute to male or female organ development during floral transition in the monoecious weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.
    Authors: KK Mátyás, G Hegedűs, J Taller, E Farkas, K Decsi, B Kutasy, N Kálmán, …
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 26

  • Title: tert‐Butyl hydroperoxide‐induced differing plasma membrane and oxidative stress processes in yeast strains BY4741 and erg5Δ
    Authors: Z Gazdag, G Máté, M Čertik, K Türmer, E Virág, I Pócsi, M Pesti
    Year: 2014
    Citations: 20

  • Title: Direct in vivo interaction of the antibiotic primycin with the plasma membrane of Candida albicans: an EPR study
    Authors: E Virág, J Belagyi, Z Gazdag, C Vágvölgyi, M Pesti
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 18

  • Title: Transcriptome datasets of β-Aminobutyric acid (BABA)-primed mono- and dicotyledonous plants, Hordeum vulgare and Arabidopsis thaliana
    Authors: G Hegedűs, Á Nagy, K Decsi, B Kutasy, E Virág
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 17

  • Title: Complex formation between primycin and ergosterol: Entropy–driven initiation of modification of the fungal plasma membrane structure
    Authors: E Virág, M Pesti, S Kunsági-Máté
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 15

  • Title: Characterization of β-lactamases and multidrug resistance mechanisms in Enterobacterales from hospital effluents and wastewater treatment plant
    Authors: C Mutuku, S Melegh, K Kovacs, P Urban, E Virág, R Heninger, R Herczeg, …
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 14

  • Title: Illumina sequencing of the chloroplast genome of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.)
    Authors: E Nagy, G Hegedűs, J Taller, B Kutasy, E Virág
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 13

  • Title: Competitive hydrogen bonds associated with the effect of primycin antibiotic on oleic acid as a building block of plasma membranes
    Authors: E Virág, M Pesti, S Kunsági-Máté
    Year: 2010
    Citations: 13

  • Title: In vivo direct interaction of the antibiotic primycin on a Candida albicans clinical isolate and its ergosterol-less mutant
    Authors: E Virág, Á Juhász, R Kardos, Z Gazdag, G Papp, Á Pénzes, M Nyitrai, …
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 12

  • Title: Illumina Sequencing of Common (Short) Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) Reproductive Organs and Leaves
    Authors: E Virág, G Hegedűs, E Barta, E Nagy, K Mátyás, B Kolics, J Taller
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 11

  • Title: Antifungal activity of the primycin complex and its main components A1, A2 and C1 on a Candida albicans clinical isolate, and their effects on the dynamic plasma membrane changes
    Authors: E Virág, J Belagyi, S Kocsubé, C Vágvölgyi, M Pesti
    Year: 2013
    Citations: 11

  • Title: Liposomal Formulation of Botanical Extracts may Enhance Yield Triggering PR Genes and Phenylpropanoid Pathway in Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
    Authors: G Hegedűs, B Kutasy, M Kiniczky, K Decsi, Á Juhász, Á Nagy, JP Pallos, …
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 10

  • Title: RNA-seq datasets of field soybean cultures conditioned by Elice16Indures® biostimulator
    Authors: K Decsi, B Kutasy, M Kiniczky, G Hegedűs, E Virág
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 10

  • Title: Detection of target-site herbicide resistance in the common ragweed: nucleotide polymorphism genotyping by targeted amplicon sequencing
    Authors: B Kutasy, Z Farkas, B Kolics, K Decsi, G Hegedűs, J Kovács, J Taller, …
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 9

  • Title: Natural immunity stimulation using ELICE16INDURES® plant conditioner in field culture of soybean
    Authors: K Decsi, B Kutasy, G Hegedűs, ZP Alföldi, N Kálmán, Á Nagy, E Virág
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 7

  • Title: Supplementation of the Plant Conditioner ELICE Vakcina® Product with β-Aminobutyric Acid and Salicylic Acid May Lead to Trans-Priming Signaling in Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
    Authors: E Virág, M Kiniczky, B Kutasy, Á Nagy, JP Pallos, L Laczkó, C Freytag, …
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 6

  • Title: Time-course gene expression profiling data of Triticum aestivum treated by supercritical CO2 garlic extract encapsulated in nanoscale liposomes
    Authors: B Kutasy, K Decsi, M Kiniczky, G Hegedűs, E Virág
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 6