Pramod Bhasme | Microbiology | Best Review Paper Award

Dr. Pramod Bhasme | Microbiology | Best Review Paper Award 

McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine | India

Dr. Pramod Bhasme is a distinguished researcher specializing in microbiology, molecular biology, and regenerative medicine, with expertise in bacterial pathogenesis, biofilm regulation, and wound healing. He earned his B.Sc., M.Sc., and M.Phil. in Microbiology from Karnatak University Dharwad, India, where he studied bacteriocins and mastitis-related pathogens, before completing a Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, under Prof. Ma Luyan. His doctoral research focused on quorum sensing, virulence regulation, and biofilm disruption in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. He later held a postdoctoral fellowship at Indiana University and currently serves as a Postdoctoral Associate at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh. His work explores electroceutical technologies, bacteriophage therapy, senescence biology, and wound-healing strategies using transgenic models. Dr. Bhasme’s research interests include quorum sensing inhibition, cyclic-di-GMP signaling, protein engineering, and macrophage–keratinocyte interactions, with a strong focus on translational medicine. A recipient of the CAS-TWAS President’s Fellowship, he has published in leading journals such as Nature Communications, ACS Nano, Environmental Microbiology, JoVE, and mLife. With 11 publications, 231 citations across 211 documents, and an h-index of 8, he is recognized as an emerging leader in infection biology and regenerative medicine.

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Featured Publications

Sharma, A., Anthony, A. J., Gnyawali, S., Bhasme, P., et al. The mitochondrial bioenergetics of functional wound closure is dependent on macrophage to keratinocyte exosomal crosstalk. ACS Nano. (Accepted).

Zhang, Y., Bhasme, P., et al. Dual functions: A coumarin-chalcone conjugate inhibits cyclic-di-GMP and quorum sensing signaling. mLife, 2(3), 284–293.

El Masry, M., Bhasme, P., et al. Swine model of biofilm infection and invisible wound. Journal of Visualized Experiments, (196).

Pal, D., Ghatak, S., Bhasme, P., et al. Identification of a physiologic vasculogenic fibroblast state to achieve tissue repair. Nature Communications, 14(1), 1129.

Xu, A., Wang, D., Bhasme, P., et al. Mutations in WspA lock the Wsp signal system into an active state. Environmental Microbiology.

 

Ohad Gal-Mor | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award 

Head the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory | TAU and Sheba Medical Center | Israel

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor is a distinguished microbiologist and academic leader specializing in infectious diseases and bacterial pathogenesis. He is Head of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at Sheba Medical Center and a Full Professor in the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at Tel Aviv University. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of Salmonella virulence, persistence, and host adaptation. He has also contributed to the study of antimicrobial resistance and bacterial evolution, bridging fundamental microbiology with global public health. In addition to his scientific achievements, Prof. Gal-Mor has held influential leadership positions, including Director of the Nehemia Rubin Program for Excellence in Biomedical Research and Chair of the Biomedical Academic Research Institute at Sheba Medical Center. Through his research, teaching, and mentorship, he has shaped the careers of many young scientists and continues to contribute to advancing knowledge in microbiology and infectious diseases worldwide.

Professional Profile

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Education

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor pursued his academic training at Tel Aviv University, where he developed a strong foundation in molecular microbiology and life sciences. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the Faculty of Life Sciences, focusing on core areas of biological and molecular systems. Following this, he was accepted into a prestigious direct-track doctoral program, earning his Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology from the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology. His doctoral research was dedicated to exploring microbial genetics and the mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions, providing the groundwork for his later contributions to bacterial pathogenesis. This rigorous training prepared him for postdoctoral research in Canada, where he worked with world-leading scientists and refined his expertise in host-pathogen studies. His educational background reflects both scientific rigor and an interdisciplinary approach, equipping him with the tools to investigate complex questions of microbial evolution, infection biology, and molecular regulation.

Experience

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor has an extensive record of academic and research leadership in microbiology. After earning his Ph.D., he pursued postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia in Canada, focusing on host-pathogen interactions in the laboratory of Professor Brett Finlay. He then advanced to a Research Associate role at the same institution before returning to Israel, where he became Director of the Enterobacteriaceae National Center at the Ministry of Health. Since then, he has established and led the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at Sheba Medical Center, driving innovation in infectious disease research. At Tel Aviv University, he progressed from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor and is now a Full Professor. He has served as Secretary of the Israel Society for Microbiology and Section Editor for the journal Virulence. His professional journey highlights an exceptional blend of academic scholarship, research leadership, and international collaboration.

Research Interests

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor’s research focuses on microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and bacterial evolution. His studies primarily investigate Salmonella enterica, with particular emphasis on genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance, and adaptation to host environments. He explores how horizontally acquired elements, plasmids, and regulatory pathways contribute to virulence and persistence in both human and animal hosts. By integrating molecular biology, microbiology, and genomics, his group uncovers mechanisms that allow bacteria to survive within hosts, evade immune responses, and adapt to different ecological niches. He also investigates the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant strains, addressing pressing issues in public health. His use of genomic sequencing, transcriptomics, and advanced infection models ensures that his research remains at the forefront of modern microbiology. Ultimately, his work aims to inform the development of novel antimicrobial strategies, vaccines, and prevention approaches, advancing both fundamental science and translational medicine.

Awards and Recognition

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor has received recognition for his research excellence and leadership in the field of microbiology. His publication in PLoS Pathogens was highlighted as the Featured Image of the Month and selected as Paper of the Month by the German Society of Hygiene and Microbiology, showcasing his international impact. He has served in leadership roles such as Secretary of the Israel Society for Microbiology and Director of the Nehemia Rubin Program for Excellence in Biomedical Research at Sheba Medical Center, reflecting his dedication to advancing both science and education. His appointment as Chair of the Biomedical Academic Research Institute demonstrates the trust placed in his leadership within Israel’s largest medical center. These honors highlight his contributions not only as a researcher but also as a mentor and leader, recognized nationally and internationally for advancing the study of bacterial pathogenesis and infectious diseases.

Top Noted Publications

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor has published extensively in leading international journals, making significant contributions to bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance research. Selected publications include:

Title: The transcriptional regulation of the horizontally acquired iron uptake system, yersiniabactin and its contribution to oxidative stress tolerance and pathogenicity of globally emerging salmonella strains.
Journal: Gut Microbes
Year: 2024

Title: Persistent Salmonella infections in humans are associated with mutations in the BarA/SirA regulatory pathway.
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe
Year: 2024

Title: A new Salmonella enterica serovar that was isolated from a wild sparrow presents a distinct genetic, metabolic and virulence profile.
Journal: Microbes and Infection
Year: 2024

Title: The emergence of a multidrug resistant Salmonella Muenchen in Israel is associated with horizontal acquisition of the epidemic pESI plasmid.
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Year: 2022

Title: Intracellular Salmonella Paratyphi A is motile and differs in the expression of flagella-chemotaxis, SPI-1 and carbon utilization pathways in comparison to intracellular S. Typhimurium.
Journal: PLoS Pathogens
Year: 2022

Title: The ancestral stringent response potentiator, DksA has been adapted throughout Salmonella evolution to orchestrate the expression of metabolic, motility, and virulence pathways.
Journal: Gut Microbes
Year: 2022

Title: Pathoadaptation of the passerine-associated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium lineage to the avian host.
Journal: PLoS Pathogens
Year: 2021

Title: Emergence of new variants of antibiotic resistance genomic islands among multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica in poultry.
Journal: Environmental Microbiology
Year: 2020

Title: The plasmid-encoded Ipf and Klf fimbriae display different expression and varying roles in the virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis in mouse vs. avian hosts.
Journal: PLoS Pathogens
Year: 2017

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Ohad Gal-Mor stands out as a highly suitable nominee for the Best Researcher Award. His work addresses critical challenges in global health, particularly the rise of antibiotic resistance and the evolution of bacterial pathogens, issues of major concern for both science and society. His scientific rigor, combined with international recognition and leadership, justifies his candidacy as an exemplary researcher whose contributions have advanced the frontiers of microbiology and infectious disease research.

Suraj Pal | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Suraj Pal | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award 

Suraj Pal, at Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana- Ambala, India.

Suraj Pal is a dedicated microbiologist and research enthusiast with a strong academic background and a passion for understanding microbial and viral behavior. He has published work on the therapeutic potential of Aloe vera and actively pursues research on microbial applications to combat environmental and health challenges. With experience in customer care, he has developed skills in problem-solving and teamwork. Suraj is driven to make impactful contributions to microbiology, aiming to inspire future generations through innovative solutions for a sustainable tomorrow.

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Education 📜🎓

Suraj Pal is currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Microbiology at Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University) in Mullana, Ambala, where he has maintained an impressive CGPA of 9.17 and 9.14 in his first and second semesters, respectively, and is expected to graduate in June 2025. Previously, he completed a B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Sciences from Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Jhanjeri, Mohali, with a CGPA of 7.66 in 2023. His academic journey began with a solid foundation at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sagga Karnal, where he achieved an 88% score in his Senior School Certificate Examination (2020) and an 88.6% in his Secondary School Examination (2018).

Professional Experience 🌍💼

Suraj has hands-on experience in customer service, having worked as a Customer Care Executive at Teleperformance Private Limited in Mohali, India. During this six-month role, he developed key communication and problem-solving skills, learning to identify and address customer issues effectively and build rapport through empathy. His responsibilities included data management using Excel, maintaining a record of daily interactions, and supporting team collaboration to achieve high service standards.

Research Interests 🔬🧬

Driven by his passion for microbiology, Suraj’s research interests focus on microbial solutions for pressing environmental and health challenges. Key areas of interest include exploring microbial access to nutrients to delay eutrophication, studying antimicrobial effects of plant secondary metabolites, investigating the role of microbes in industrial processes, and developing microbial alternatives to antibiotics. He is particularly fascinated by molecular recombinant microbes for producing eco-friendly, biodegradable products and has a keen interest in recombinant vaccines.

Publication Top Notes 📚📅

Title: The Effect of Aloe vera on Skin and Its Commensals: Contribution of Acemannan in Curing Acne Caused by Propionibacterium acnes

  • Authors: Suraj Pal, Mayank Raj, Medha Singh, Kumar Saurav, Chetan Paliwal, Subhasish Saha, Anil Kumar Sharma, and Manoj Singh.
  • Published In: Microorganisms
  • Publisher: MDPI
  • Volume/Issue: Volume 12, Issue 10
  • Year of Publication: 2024
  • DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12102070
  • Abstract: This article explores the efficacy of acemannan, a compound in Aloe vera, for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects on acne-causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. It evaluates Aloe vera‘s potential to serve as a sustainable and natural remedy, balancing skin flora and reducing acne inflammation.

Title: Effect of Aloe vera Leaf Extract on Normal Skin Commensalism

  • Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
  • Conference: 4th International Conference on Recent Trends in Life Sciences and Biotechnology (ICRTLSB-2K23)
  • Organized By: International Association of Zoologists
  • Dates: December 12–14, 2023
  • Location: Conference proceedings published in IAZ with ISBN: 978-93-6056-834-8
  • Abstract: This presentation delved into how Aloe vera leaf extract influences the commensal bacteria of healthy skin, showing its potential to balance skin microbiota, benefiting overall skin health.

Conclusion

Suraj Pal is a promising candidate for the Best Researcher Award in Microbiology due to his strong academic background, dedication to meaningful research, and impactful work on Aloe vera’s role in skincare. His research addresses practical challenges and aligns with sustainable health solutions, making him well-suited for recognition in his field. While building on his current achievements by expanding his publication record and deepening technical skills could further enhance his impact, his innovative research interests and commitment to improving public health and environmental sustainability make him a compelling choice for the award.