Alessia Muzi | Immunology | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Alessia Muzi | Immunology | Women Researcher Award

Principal investigator | Takis srl | Italy

Dr. Alessia Muzi is an accomplished Italian scientist and Principal Investigator at Takis Srl, leading pioneering research in oncology, monoclonal antibody engineering, and translational biotechnology. With over 20 years of experience, she has contributed significantly to therapeutic antibody development, vaccine innovation, and cancer immunotherapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Neurosciences from the University of Sacred Heart “Agostino Gemelli” and advanced degrees in Medical Biotechnology and Regulatory Medicine from the Universities of Rome “Tor Vergata” and “Sapienza.” As Head of the Monoclonal Antibody Laboratory at Takis, Dr. Muzi oversees cutting-edge projects focused on recombinant protein design and tumor-targeting antibodies. Her research bridges molecular biology and clinical applications, aiming to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments and immunotherapies. Recipient of the FISA-2022-00899 Award for bispecific antibody development, she has co-authored 33 publications with an h-index of 20 and 1,121 citations across 1,018 documents. Dr. Muzi’s scientific leadership, regulatory expertise, and commitment to translational medicine have established her as a leading figure in Italian biomedical innovation and a driving force in advancing therapeutic strategies for oncology and infectious diseases.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

Novel Humanized Anti-HER3 Antibodies: Structural Characterization and Therapeutic Activity. (2025). Antibodies. Cited by 12.

Isolation and Characterization of Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. (2024). Antibodies. Cited by 25.

A Linear DNA Vaccine Candidate Encoding SARS-CoV-2 RBD in Domestic Cats. (2023). Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev. Cited by 9.

A First-in-Human Trial of COVID-eVax DNA Vaccine. (2022). Mol Ther. Cited by 40.

Persistent B Cell Memory After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination. (2022). Cell Host Microbe. Cited by 58.

COVID-eVax: Electroporated DNA Vaccine Candidate Encoding SARS-CoV-2 RBD. (2022). Mol Ther. Cited by 65.

The Nuts and Bolts of SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD Heterologous Expression. (2021). Biomolecules. Cited by 33.

FABIANA FOSCA FERRARA | Immunology | Best Industrial Research Award

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Dr. Fabiana Fosca | Immunology | Best Industrial Research Award 

Senior Researcher | Takis srl | Italy

Dr. Fabiana Fosca Ferrara has earned distinguished recognition for her outstanding contributions to molecular biology and translational research. She was honored with the Best Ph.D. Thesis of the Year in Italy by FISV – Federazione Italiana Scienze della Vita, acknowledging her pioneering work in morphogenetic and cytological sciences. At Takis Srl, she has been an integral member of award-winning research teams advancing vaccine and antibody innovation in preclinical oncology and immunotherapy. Her FELASA European certifications and continuous professional training demonstrate her strong commitment to scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, and humane research practices. Dr. Ferrara has also played a key role in several European-funded projects and intellectual property developments that promote biomedical advancement. With 2,154 citations from 1,898 documents, 19 publications, and an h-index of 14, she exemplifies a career defined by research excellence, ethical leadership, and sustained impact in biotechnology and life sciences.

Profile: Scopus| ORCID

Featured Publications

Ferrara, F. F., et al. “Novel humanized anti-HER3 antibodies: Structural characterization and therapeutic activity.” Antibodies. – Cited by 12.

Ferrara, F. F., et al. “Isolation and characterization of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.” Antibodies. – Cited by 25.

Ferrara, F. F., et al. “COVID-eVax, an electroporated DNA vaccine candidate encoding SARS-CoV-2 RBD.” Molecular Therapy. – Cited by 180.

Ferrara, F. F., et al. “Novel benzazole derivatives endowed with potent antiheparanase activity.” Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. – Cited by 92.

Ferrara, F. F., et al. “Histone deacetylase-targeted treatment restores retinoic acid signaling in AML.” Cancer Research. – Cited by 550.

 

Moutih Rafei | Immunology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Moutih Rafei | Immunology | Best Researcher Award 

Full Professor | University of Montreal | Canada

Dr. Moutih Rafei is a Full Professor at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology. With extensive expertise in cellular and molecular immunology, he has significantly advanced the fields of immuno-oncology, vaccine engineering, and immune modulation. He earned his Ph.D. in Experimental Medicine from McGill University, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship in Molecular Biology at Université de Montréal, where he later established his own research laboratory. His group focuses on developing novel immune-based therapeutic strategies, several of which are progressing toward clinical application. Dr. Rafei has authored numerous high-impact publications, book chapters, and patents, contributing both to academic knowledge and industrial innovation. His leadership extends to mentoring young scientists and serving as an editor for scientific journals. His work continues to influence immunological research and therapeutic development, addressing complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious conditions.

Professional Profile

Scopus

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Education

Dr. Rafei completed his B.Sc. Honours in Immunology at McGill University, conducting an honours thesis on Giardia lamblia transmission-blocking DNA vaccines. He pursued his Ph.D. in Experimental Medicine at McGill University, working under the supervision of Dr. Jacques Galipeau on fusokine design as a novel therapeutic strategy for immunosuppression. Following this, he undertook a post-doctoral fellowship at Université de Montréal under Dr. Claude Perreault, where he specialized in innate and classical CD8 T-cell development and maturation. Complementing his scientific training, he also completed a Mini-Entrepreneurship Program at the HEC-Poly-UdeM Entrepreneurship Centre, gaining strategic and managerial skills applicable to biotech ventures. This combination of academic depth and entrepreneurial insight has enabled Dr. Rafei to successfully navigate the interface between fundamental research and its translation into clinical and industrial solutions, shaping his career as both an academic leader and biotech innovator.

Experience

Dr. Rafei holds extensive academic and industrial experience, combining innovative research with strategic leadership in biotechnology. As a Full Professor at Université de Montréal, he leads a dynamic research program focused on immune engineering and translational immunotherapy. His industrial roles include serving as Chief Scientific Officer at Defence Therapeutics, where he oversaw pre-clinical development of oncology and vaccine programs, and Head of Discovery at Medicenna Therapeutics, managing the IL-2 Superkine program currently in clinical trials. He is also the Founder and CEO of Axiom Services Inc., providing consulting and R&D guidance to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. His responsibilities have included directing large-scale pre-clinical studies, preparing regulatory submissions for clinical trials, and presenting research at major international conferences. Through his dual academic and industry roles, Dr. Rafei has successfully bridged fundamental science and applied product development, positioning himself as a key contributor to innovation in immuno-oncology.

Research Interest

Dr. Rafei’s research centers on developing advanced immunotherapies for severe diseases, particularly cancer. His work covers T-cell biology, fusokine engineering, and mesenchymal stromal cell-based vaccines. He has pioneered the design of engineered mesenchymal stromal cells capable of presenting antigens for cancer immunotherapy, developed non-IL1Ralpha-binding IL-2 variants for oncology, and advanced γδ T-cell-based therapeutic platforms. He also leads projects utilizing the proprietary Accum® technology to enhance the targeted delivery of antibody-drug conjugates, cancer vaccines, and infectious disease vaccines. Additionally, his group explores genetic and pharmacological strategies to convert mesenchymal stromal cells into antigen-presenting cells, expanding potential treatments for oncology, autoimmune diseases, and transplantation. Integrating molecular biology, immune engineering, and translational medicine, his research aims to transform fundamental discoveries into effective, scalable, and clinically relevant therapies that address unmet medical needs in immunology.

Awards

Dr. Rafei has received more than twenty awards and recognitions that highlight his exceptional contributions to the fields of immunology and translational medicine. These honors acknowledge his pioneering work in cytokine and fusokine engineering, vaccine development, and mesenchymal stromal cell-based immunotherapies. His ability to integrate molecular innovations into practical clinical applications has earned him recognition in both academic and industrial sectors. Awards have also acknowledged his role as a mentor, fostering the growth of emerging scientists, and his leadership in driving collaborative research across disciplines and borders. His keynote presentations at prestigious international conferences further demonstrate his influence and leadership in the scientific community. The breadth of these awards reflects his sustained commitment to excellence, innovation, and the advancement of immune-based strategies for the treatment of complex and life-threatening diseases.

Top Noted Publications

Dr. Rafei has authored over sixty high-impact peer-reviewed articles, five reviews, two book chapters, one monograph, and holds six patents. His research has been published in leading journals such as Molecular Cancer, Frontiers in Immunology, and Cancer Immunology Research. With a citation index exceeding two thousand, his work has influenced both academic research and industry practices in immuno-oncology. His publications cover diverse topics, including engineered mesenchymal stromal cells for cancer vaccination, cytokine-fusion proteins, and novel delivery systems using the Accum® technology. In addition to original research, he has contributed reviews synthesizing developments in immune-based therapies.

Title: Mesenchymal stromal cells ameliorate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by inhibiting CD4 Th17 T cells in a CC chemokine ligand 2-dependent manner – M Rafei, PM Campeau, A Aguilar-Mahecha, M Buchanan, P Williams, et al.

Journal: The Journal of Immunology

Year: 2009

Cited by 462.

Title: Mesenchymal stromal cell–derived CCL2 suppresses plasma cell immunoglobulin production via STAT3 inactivation and PAX5 induction – M Rafei, J Hsieh, S Fortier, MY Li, S Yuan, et al.

Journal: Blood

Year: 2008

Cited by 309.

Title: Cell therapy: types, regulation, and clinical benefits – AEH El-Kadiry, M Rafei, R Shammaa.

Journal: Frontiers in Medicine

Year: 2021

Cited by 238.

Title: Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis – M Rafei, E Birman, K Forner, J Galipeau.

Journal: Molecular Therapy

Year: 2009

Cited by 204.

Title: Nociceptor neurons affect cancer immunosurveillance – M Balood, M Ahmadi, T Eichwald, A Ahmadi, A Majdoubi, et al.

Journal: Nature

Year: 2022

Cited by 200.

Title: A granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating factor and interleukin-15 fusokine induces a regulatory B cell population with immune suppressive properties – M Rafei, J Hsieh, S Zehntner, MY Li, K Forner, et al.

Journal: Nature Medicine

Year: 2009

Cited by 170.

Title: Inflammatory monocytes promote progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and can be therapeutically targeted via CCR 2 – K Mojumdar, F Liang, C Giordano, C Lemaire, G Danialou, et al.

Journal: EMBO Molecular Medicine

Year: 2014

Cited by 155.

Title: Characterization of Gaucher disease bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells reveals an altered inflammatory secretome – PM Campeau, M Rafei, MN Boivin, Y Sun, GA Grabowski, et al.

Journal: Blood

Year: 2009

Cited by 112

Conclusion

Dr. Moutih Rafei’s exceptional contributions to immunotherapy, translational science, and biotechnology innovation position him as an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His career demonstrates a rare combination of groundbreaking scientific insight, creative problem-solving, and the capacity to turn laboratory discoveries into impactful therapies. Recognizing his achievements through this award would honor his significant contributions and encourage further advancements that have the potential to transform patient care globally.

Yingjie Nie | Immunology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Yingjie Nie | Immunology | Best Researcher Award 

professor, at HK UNIVERSITY SHENZHEN HOSPITAL, China.

Dr. Yingjie Nie is a distinguished immunologist based at HK University Shenzhen Hospital 🏥. With a Postdoctoral specialization in tumor immunology and a PhD in autoimmune diseases, she is passionately devoted to advancing human health through immunotherapy. Her pioneering work bridges tumor immunotherapy and psychological health, offering innovative solutions for patients facing autoimmune disorders and cancer. As a mentor, Dr. Nie supervises postdoctoral, PhD, and MPhil students 👩‍🔬. Her impactful research is featured in leading scientific journals, earning her over 300 citations 📚. With collaborations across institutions like NIH and MACAU University, she exemplifies interdisciplinary innovation. Her book, Invisible Enemies: Leading You to Know about the Novel Coronavirus, reflects her public health engagement. A member of AIA, Dr. Nie’s dedication is transforming how we understand and treat immune-based diseases.

Professional Profile

Scopus

ORCID

🎓 Education 

Dr. Yingjie Nie’s educational foundation lies at the intersection of immunology and medical innovation 🧠. She earned her PhD focusing on autoimmune diseases, exploring their root mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Following her doctorate, she undertook a Postdoctoral Fellowship in tumor immunology, specializing in dendritic cell modulation and immunopsychology 🧬. Her educational trajectory has provided the bedrock for a research career that addresses complex interactions between immunity and mental health. She is now actively involved in mentoring MPhil, PhD, and postdoctoral candidates, guiding the next generation of medical scientists. Her dual expertise enables her to cross traditional disciplinary lines and spearhead unique approaches to disease treatment, from molecular immunology to clinical applications.

💼 Experience 

Currently positioned at HK University Shenzhen Hospital, Dr. Yingjie Nie brings extensive experience in clinical immunology and academic leadership 🏫. She has established herself as an expert in tumor immunotherapy and autoimmune pathology. In addition to her robust research background, Dr. Nie plays a vital academic role by supervising graduate and postdoctoral researchers. Over the years, she has cultivated collaborations with prestigious institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), HK University, and MACAU University 🌍. Her professional journey is underscored by her ability to integrate laboratory research with patient-centered therapeutic applications. Dr. Nie’s reputation in scientific and clinical communities stems from her comprehensive understanding of immune regulation, mental health integration, and translational research in disease control.

🔬 Research Interest 

Dr. Yingjie Nie’s research is centered on the convergence of tumor immunotherapy, autoimmune diseases, and immunopsychology 🔬🧠. She investigates how dendritic cells can be manipulated to enhance immune response in both cancer and chronic immune dysfunctions. A key theme in her work is the psychological dimension of immunotherapy—exploring how psychological therapies can support immunological outcomes, especially in patients with tumors or autoimmune conditions 💡. Her current project, “Immunotherapy Combined with Psychological Therapy,” aims to bring a more holistic treatment framework to immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, she examines autophagy’s role in the tumor microenvironment and the regulatory influence of HMGN proteins. Through molecular and translational approaches, Dr. Nie seeks to unlock new therapeutic paradigms and deepen our understanding of immune-behavior connections.

🏆 Awards 

Dr. Yingjie Nie’s contributions to biomedical science have positioned her as a rising leader in tumor immunotherapy and autoimmune disease research 🏆. She is now nominated for the International Top Pharmaceutical Award, honoring her pioneering work in integrating psychological health with immunotherapy. Her influence spans both academic and public domains, exemplified by her authorship of the book Invisible Enemies, an accessible guide to the novel coronavirus (ISBN: pending). With over 300 citations and numerous publications in high-impact journals, Dr. Nie’s scientific output is recognized by global research communities 🌟. Though still early in her accolades journey, her collaborations with institutions such as NIH and HK University, as well as her mentorship of young researchers, reflect her role as a transformative figure in healthcare innovation.

📚Top Noted Publications 

Dr. Yingjie Nie’s scholarly work has appeared in prominent journals indexed by SCI and Scopus 🌐. Selected publications include:

1. Nanocarrier-mediated targeting of immune pathways for cancer therapy

Journal: International Journal of Nanomedicine (2022)
Citations: 45
Link: (Read here)

Summary:
This paper reviews and presents advances in nanocarrier-based systems for selectively targeting immune cells and modulating immune pathways to enhance cancer immunotherapy. It emphasizes nanoparticle engineering for delivering antigens, adjuvants, and immune checkpoint inhibitors with improved specificity, reduced toxicity, and enhanced tumor microenvironment penetration. Special focus is given to liposomes, polymeric micelles, and dendrimers.

Key Points:

  • Nanocarriers can improve bioavailability and stability of immunotherapeutics.

  • Facilitates co-delivery of multiple agents for synergistic effects.

  • Clinical translation challenges include scalability and immunogenicity.

2. Autophagy regulation in dendritic cells and its role in tumor immunity

Journal: Cell Communication and Signaling (2021)
Citations: 38
Link: (Read here)

Summary:
This paper explores how autophagy mechanisms in dendritic cells (DCs) influence antigen presentation and immune activation against tumors. It demonstrates that autophagy enhances cross-presentation of tumor antigens and affects T-cell priming. Disruptions in autophagy pathways can compromise DC function and immune surveillance in cancer.

Key Points:

  • Autophagy is essential for MHC class I antigen presentation in DCs.

  • Tumor-induced autophagy inhibition weakens anti-tumor T-cell responses.

  • Therapeutic modulation of autophagy could restore immune competence.

3. Psychoneuroimmunology and combined immunotherapy approaches

Journal: EMBO Molecular Medicine (2020)
Citations: 61
Link: (Read here)

Summary:
This interdisciplinary study integrates psychoneuroimmunology with oncology, proposing that psychological stress and neuroendocrine signaling affect immune response efficacy. It reviews how the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system modulate immune checkpoints, offering rationale for combining stress-modulation strategies (e.g., beta-blockers, cognitive therapy) with immunotherapy.

Key Points:

  • Stress hormones like cortisol suppress T-cell activity.

  • Sympathetic signaling can impair antigen-presenting cell function.

  • Integrative therapies may enhance immunotherapy outcomes.

4. HMGN proteins in tumor immunosuppression

Journal: Science Signaling (2019)
Citations: 78
Link: (Read here)

Summary:
This research uncovers a novel immunosuppressive role of HMGN (High Mobility Group Nucleosome-binding) proteins in the tumor microenvironment. HMGN1 and HMGN2 are shown to influence gene expression in immune cells, particularly suppressing pro-inflammatory responses and dendritic cell maturation.

Key Points:

  • HMGN overexpression correlates with T-cell exhaustion.

  • Targeting HMGN proteins may reinvigorate immune responses.

  • Suggests biomarker potential of HMGN in cancer prognosis.

5. Dendritic cells and autoimmune triggers in systemic lupus

Journal: International Journal of Biological Sciences (2018)
Citations: 83
Link: (Read here)

Summary:
This foundational paper examines the role of dendritic cells in initiating and perpetuating autoimmune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It details how dysregulated DC subsets lead to improper antigen presentation, loss of self-tolerance, and B-cell hyperactivation.

Key Points:

  • Plasmacytoid DCs in lupus produce excessive type I interferons.

  • Deficient negative feedback in myeloid DCs leads to chronic inflammation.

  • Targeted DC modulation is a promising therapeutic avenue in SLE.

Conclusion

Dr. Yingjie Nie demonstrates strong potential and suitability for the Best Researcher Award. Her interdisciplinary focus, notable publications, academic mentorship, and innovative exploration of combining immunotherapy with psychological care mark her as a valuable contributor to pharmaceutical and medical sciences.