Justin McMurray | Biomedical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Justin McMurray | Biomedical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Justin McMurray, PhD Candidate, Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, United States.

Dr. Justin McMurray is an accomplished biomedical engineer, researcher, and U.S. Air Force officer based in Bryan, Texas. With a career spanning over a decade across academia, industry, and military service, he specializes in the development of wearable biomedical devices and healthcare innovations. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University, Dr. McMurray leads interdisciplinary R&D teams and contributes to cutting-edge solutions for underserved populations. He is recognized for his technical ingenuity, leadership in medical device design, and numerous patents and peer-reviewed publications in biosensing and physiological monitoring technologies.

Publication Profile

Scopus

ORCID

Google Scholar

🎓 Education Background

Dr. McMurray has a robust educational foundation rooted in engineering and science. He earned a Ph.D. (2020–2025 expected) and a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (2020) from Texas A&M University. He previously completed his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (2019) from the same institution. His academic journey began with an Associate of Science in Chemistry with honors from Tarrant County College (2002). Dr. McMurray also earned a certificate in Engineering Project Management, reinforcing his interdisciplinary capabilities in innovation leadership and medical device development.

💼 Professional Experience

Justin McMurray brings diverse and hands-on engineering experience. As a PATHS-UP Fellow and graduate research assistant at Texas A&M, he develops advanced biomedical sensors for underserved communities. Simultaneously, he serves as a Medical Service Corps Officer in the U.S. Air Force, ensuring mission readiness in healthcare operations. His prior roles span engineering internships at Maxim Integrated, lab management in embedded signal processing, and positions at Cochlear, ISG Technologies, and National Oilwell Varco. His versatile background blends research, leadership, and innovation across academic, industrial, and military environments.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. McMurray’s impactful work has garnered multiple honors, including seven patent filings in biomedical innovations from 2020 to 2024. He is a recognized PATHS-UP Fellow, supported by the NSF-funded Engineering Research Center focusing on health equity technologies. As a U.S. Air Force officer, he continues to be acknowledged for his leadership and contributions to operational healthcare advancements. His patents reflect his technical excellence, while his publications in top-tier journals such as Biosensors and Advanced Materials Technologies highlight his research excellence in wearable biomedical systems.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. McMurray’s research is centered on wearable biomedical sensors, multimodal signal acquisition, and physiological monitoring for health diagnostics. He explores innovations in cuffless blood pressure monitoring, bioimpedance analysis, and photoplethysmography. His work integrates machine learning, signal processing, and embedded electronics to create precise, accessible healthcare devices. His projects often address the needs of underserved populations, guided by a mission to democratize health technology. His collaborations span interdisciplinary teams at Texas A&M and global industry partners, pushing the boundaries of real-time biosensing and smart healthcare systems.

📌 Conclusion

Dr. Justin McMurray exemplifies innovation and leadership in biomedical engineering, combining academic rigor, real-world problem solving, and national service. With a suite of patents, influential publications, and active leadership roles, he is advancing healthcare technology at the intersection of engineering and medicine. His work addresses critical gaps in patient monitoring, particularly in resource-limited environments. Through his continued service in the Air Force and academia, Dr. McMurray is committed to improving human health and mission efficiency using advanced, accessible biomedical technologies.

📚 Top Publication Notes

  1. A Novel Wearable Device for Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring Utilizing Strain Gauge Technology
    Biosensors, 2025 — A pioneering study on strain-gauge blood pressure devices.
    Cited by: 8 articles (as of mid-2025)

  2. Engineering a Point-of-Care Device for Multiplex Monitoring of Urinary Parameters
    IEEE Sensors Letters, 2025 — Highlights McMurray’s role in low-cost health diagnostics.
    Cited by: 5 articles

  3. Contact Pressure-Guided Wearable Dual-Channel Bioimpedance Device
    Advanced Materials Technologies, 2024 — Presents wearable bioimpedance solutions.
    Cited by: 12 articles

  4. Multiwavelength Photoplethysmography Signal Analysis
    SPIE Optical Diagnostics and Sensing XXIII, 2023 — Details optical wrist monitoring tech.
    Cited by: 10 articles

  5. A Wrist-Worn Strap with an Array of Electrodes
    IEEE EMBC, 2018 — One of his earliest contributions to robust physiological sensing.
    Cited by: 25 articles

 

Mr. yuxin fang | Biomedical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. yuxin fang | Biomedical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Candidate, chongqing university, China

Yuxin Fang is a dedicated doctoral candidate at Chongqing University, specializing in cutting-edge surgical navigation methods. With a strong background in biomedical engineering and computer-aided surgery, Yuxin has made significant strides in real-time 3D localization for surgical procedures. His pioneering work on electric field-based surgical navigation has bridged the gap between medical technology and precision surgery, achieving instrument positioning accuracy within 2mm in real tissues. Through interdisciplinary research and collaborations, Yuxin continues to push the boundaries of surgical automation, revolutionizing the way minimally invasive procedures are performed.

Publication Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Yuxin Fang is currently pursuing a PhD at Chongqing University, focusing on biomedical engineering and surgical navigation technology. His academic journey has been driven by a passion for integrating computer science, physics, and medicine to develop innovative solutions for real-world healthcare challenges.

🏆 Experience

With extensive research experience in medical technology, Yuxin has contributed to multiple groundbreaking projects, including electric field-based surgical navigation and automated surgical platforms. His expertise spans real-time 3D localization, biomedical instrumentation, and AI-driven surgical automation. He has also collaborated with the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick, UK, and the Center of Critical Care Medicine at Southwest Hospital, China, to refine and implement his research findings.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Yuxin’s contributions to biomedical engineering have been recognized through various academic and professional accolades. His innovative research has earned him international recognition, including editorial appointments with esteemed journals such as the International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology. His work is widely cited, demonstrating its impact on the field of surgical navigation.

🔬 Research Focus

Yuxin Fang’s research is centered on electric field-based surgical navigation, real-time 3D localization, and automated surgical systems. His work addresses a critical gap in precision surgery by developing radiation-free, high-accuracy navigation methods using miniaturized equipment. By integrating this technology into robotic surgical platforms, he is paving the way for next-generation, fully automated surgical procedures that enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes.

🔚 Conclusion

With an unwavering commitment to innovation, Yuxin Fang is shaping the future of surgical technology. His groundbreaking work in surgical navigation is setting new standards in medical precision, bridging the gap between engineering and healthcare. Through his research, collaborations, and academic contributions, Yuxin continues to make a lasting impact on the field of biomedical engineering and beyond. 🚀

📚 Publications

Maria Asunción Aguilar | Health Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Maria Asunción Aguilar | Health Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Catedrática de Universidad, Universitat de Valencia, Spain

👩‍🔬 Maria A. Aguilar (also known as Maria Asunción Aguilar) is a Full Professor at the University of Valencia in the Department of Psychobiology. With a research focus on psychopharmacology and physiological psychology, she has made significant contributions to understanding the brain mechanisms underlying addiction and stress resilience. Since November 2017, she has held the prestigious position of Catedrático at the University of Valencia.

Publication Profile

ORCID

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Research in Psychobiology: María A. Aguilar is a full professor of Psychobiology at the University of Valencia, focusing on neuropsychopharmacology and physiological psychology. Her work on the interaction between social stress, drug addiction, and brain function, particularly in the context of cocaine and MDMA, contributes valuable insights to women’s health and psychology, making her a strong contender.
  2. Prolific Publication Record: With 122 published works, Aguilar’s research covers cutting-edge topics such as the role of social stress in drug addiction and the therapeutic effects of substances like cannabidiol. These areas have significant implications for mental health treatments, relevant to women’s health challenges.
  3. Leadership and Experience: She has held prominent academic roles, including being a full professor since 2017 and previously a tenured professor since 2002. Her leadership in academic settings and sustained research output strengthens her profile for the award.
  4. Innovative Contributions to Neuroscience: Aguilar’s studies on glutamatergic receptors and their role in the brain’s response to social defeat and drug addiction present novel approaches to understanding mental health disorders, making her a thought leader in neuroscience.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Specific Focus on Women’s Health: Although her research addresses critical aspects of mental health, especially addiction and stress, a more direct focus on gender-specific issues in psychopharmacology, such as how these conditions uniquely impact women, could make her case stronger for an award dedicated to women’s research.
  2. Outreach and Public Engagement: While her academic contributions are significant, further involvement in public health initiatives or policy impact related to women’s mental health might enhance her candidacy. Increasing visibility in terms of applying her research to real-world settings could further strengthen her application.

Education

🎓 Maria A. Aguilar completed her specialization in Psychopharmacology and Physiological Psychology, with a focus on understanding the neural circuits involved in addiction and behavior. Her doctoral thesis was supervised by renowned experts Jose Miñarro and Vicente Simón.

Experience

💼 Maria A. Aguilar has had a distinguished academic career, starting as a Professor Titular at the University of Valencia in 2002 and later being promoted to Full Professor in 2017. Her teaching and research primarily focus on psychobiology, particularly studying addiction, drug abuse, and neuroplasticity.

Research Focus

🔬 Her research explores the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction and stress, especially focusing on drug-seeking behavior, neuroplasticity, and the role of glutamatergic receptors. She has conducted extensive studies on the effects of cocaine, MDMA, and cannabidiol on the brain’s reward systems.

Awards and Honors

🏅 Professor Aguilar has received various accolades throughout her career, including recognition for her groundbreaking research in psychopharmacology and neurobiology. She is a member of several professional organizations and continues to contribute to advancing the understanding of brain mechanisms in behavior.

Publication Top Notes

📝 Top Publications:

Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthesis Prevents the Effects of Intermittent Social Defeat on Cocaine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Male Mice (2024). Published in Pharmaceuticals DOI: 10.3390/ph17091203. Cited by: 6 articles.

Intermittent voluntary wheel running promotes resilience to the negative consequences of repeated social defeat in mice (2022). Published in Physiology & Behavior DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113916. Cited by: 12 articles.

Cannabidiol prevents priming- and stress-induced reinstatement of the conditioned place preference induced by cocaine in mice (2021). Published in Journal of Psychopharmacology DOI: 10.1177/0269881120965952. Cited by: 20 articles.

Role of NMDA and AMPA glutamatergic receptors in the effects of social defeat on the rewarding properties of MDMA in mice (2019). Published in European Journal of Neuroscience DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14190. Cited by: 15 articles.

Conclusion:

María A. Aguilar is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Women Award due to her extensive contributions to psychobiology, particularly in the study of drug addiction and stress-related behaviors. Her long academic career, leadership roles, and prolific publication record highlight her dedication to advancing research in neuroscience. To increase her chances of winning, focusing more on the gender-specific implications of her work and enhancing public outreach could further align her profile with the award’s goals.

Sandhya Panch | Health Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Sandhya Panch | Health Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor, University of Washington, United States

Dr. Sandhya R. Panch, MD, MPH, is an esteemed Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and the Medical Director of Transfusion at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. With a rich background in hematology and transfusion medicine, Dr. Panch has significantly contributed to both academic and clinical fields. Her extensive experience includes roles at the National Institutes of Health and various prestigious institutions, making her a leading expert in her specialty.

Profile

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Research Contributions: Dr. Sandhya R. Panch has a robust background in hematology and transfusion medicine, with numerous publications and ongoing research projects focusing on blood disorders and transfusion techniques. Her work spans both clinical and laboratory settings, which is crucial for community impact.
  2. Leadership and Academic Roles: She holds significant positions, such as Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and Medical Director at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to advancing medical knowledge and practice.
  3. Diverse Clinical and Research Experience: Her experience at prestigious institutions like the NIH Clinical Center and various roles in hematology and transfusion medicine highlight her ability to conduct impactful research that benefits the community.
  4. Grant and Funding Success: Dr. Panch has secured numerous research grants, including those from the NIH and pharmaceutical companies, indicating her capability to attract funding for significant projects that can lead to community improvements.
  5. Professional Recognition and Contributions: Her memberships and roles in leading hematology and transfusion medicine organizations, along with her peer review work for top journals, underline her expertise and recognition in the field.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Community Engagement: While her research is highly specialized and impactful within the medical community, expanding outreach and direct engagement with broader community health initiatives could further demonstrate her commitment to community impact.
  2. Public Awareness and Education: Increasing her involvement in public education and awareness campaigns related to blood disorders and transfusion medicine could enhance her visibility and impact on community health.
  3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encouraging more interdisciplinary research and collaboration with other fields, such as public health policy or social sciences, could broaden the scope and applicability of her research findings to address community health issues more comprehensively.

    Education 🎓📖

    Dr. Panch earned her MBBS from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute in India. She furthered her education with a Master’s in Public Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) from the University of Minnesota. Her postdoctoral training includes a residency in Internal Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital, followed by a Clinical Fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, where she also completed a Post-doctoral Research Fellowship in Molecular Hematopoiesis under the mentorship of Dr. Cynthia E. Dunbar.

    Experience 🏥👩‍⚕️

    Dr. Panch has held numerous prestigious positions throughout her career. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Washington and Medical Director of Transfusion at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Her previous roles include Assistant Research Physician at the NIH Clinical Center and Medical Director at the Center for Cellular Engineering. She has also served as an Attending Physician at NHLBI, NIH, and INOVA SCHAR Cancer Institute, contributing to both clinical practice and research.

    Research Interests 🔬🧬

    Dr. Panch’s research interests are deeply rooted in hematology and transfusion medicine. She focuses on improving hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization, understanding the impact of manufacturing-related parameters on CAR T-cell product quality, and exploring the safety and efficacy of various treatments for hematologic conditions. Her work aims to enhance patient outcomes through innovative therapeutic approaches and clinical trials.

    Awards 🏆🎖️

    Dr. Panch has received numerous awards and grants throughout her career, including the National Blood Foundation Early Career Award and the NIH Clinical Center Research Award for Staff Clinicians Program. She has been recognized for her contributions to hematology and transfusion medicine, reflecting her dedication to advancing medical research and patient care.

    Publications 📚🖇️