Prof. Jie Lu | Health Sciences | Best Scholar Award

Vice advisor, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, China

Dr. Jie Lu is a distinguished medical researcher and Associate Professor at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. With a strong background in internal medicine, endocrinology, and metabolism, Dr. Lu has made significant contributions to the field of hyperuricemia and gout research. His expertise in molecular and clinical studies has led to groundbreaking findings, including the development of a spontaneous hyperuricemia mouse model and critical insights into the relationship between hyperuricemia and metabolic disorders. His research has been widely recognized, earning him prestigious awards and global collaborations.

Publication Profile

Scopus
ORCID

🎓 Education

Dr. Jie Lu completed his MD and PhD in Internal Medicine from Qingdao University (2015-2018), following an MS in Endocrine and Metabolism (2012-2015) from the same institution. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s in Medicine from Shandong Second Medical University (2007-2012), laying a strong foundation for his career in medical research.

👨‍🔬 Experience

Dr. Lu has been serving as an Associate Professor at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University since 2022. Prior to this, he worked as a Research Fellow at the same institution (2018-2022), where he played a pivotal role in advancing hyperuricemia research. His international training experience spans institutions such as the University of Otago, Henry Ford Immunology Program in the USA, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, enriching his expertise in bioinformatics, immunology, and molecular biology.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Lu’s excellence in medical research has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards. In 2022, he received the 13th Qingdao Youth Science and Technology Award. His contributions to scientific progress earned him the First Award of Shandong Province Science and Technology Progress in 2020. Throughout his academic career, he has been honored with multiple scholarships, including the National Graduate Scholarship (2017), Excellent Student Scholarship (2016-2017), and Freshman Scholarship (2015). His outstanding performance as a researcher and student has been acknowledged with multiple “Excellent Graduate” awards from Shandong Province and Qingdao University.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Lu’s research is dedicated to understanding the clinical and molecular mechanisms of hyperuricemia and gout. His pioneering work in constructing a spontaneous hyperuricemia mouse model has provided invaluable insights into disease progression and treatment strategies. His studies explore the relationship between hyperuricemia and renal function, diabetes, and arterial sclerosis, with high-impact publications in leading journals such as Nature Reviews Rheumatology, Kidney International, and Diabetes. He has also been instrumental in identifying the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on gout attacks, proposing colchicine as a preventive treatment.

🏁 Conclusion

Dr. Jie Lu is a leading researcher in hyperuricemia and gout, with a remarkable academic and research career. His extensive publications, international collaborations, and pioneering research have significantly contributed to the medical field. Recognized for his scientific achievements, Dr. Lu continues to make impactful discoveries that shape the future of metabolic disease treatment.

📚 Publications

Colchicine prophylaxis is associated with fewer gout flares after COVID-19 vaccination – Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2022 🔗

Mouse models for human hyperuricaemia: a critical review – Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 2019 🔗

Knockout of the urate oxidase gene provides a stable mouse model of hyperuricemia associated with metabolic disorders – Kidney International, 2018 🔗

Hyperuricemia predisposes to the onset of diabetes via promoting pancreatic β-cell death in uricase-deficient male mice – Diabetes, 2020 🔗

Urate-lowering therapy alleviates atherosclerosis inflammatory response factors and neointimal lesions in a mouse model – The FEBS Journal, 2019 🔗

Superiority of low-dose benzbromarone to low-dose febuxostat in a prospective, randomized comparative effectiveness trial in gout patients with renal uric acid underexcretion – Arthritis Rheumatol, 2022 🔗

Metabolomics and Machine Learning Identify Metabolic Differences and Potential Biomarkers for Frequent Versus Infrequent Gout Flares – Arthritis Rheumatol, 2023 🔗

Profiling of Serum Oxylipins Identifies Distinct Spectrums and Potential Biomarkers in Young People with Very Early Onset Gout – Rheumatology (Oxford), 2023 🔗

Effects of fenofibrate therapy on renal function in primary gout patients – Rheumatology (Oxford), 2021 🔗

Trends in the manifestations of 9754 gout patients in a Chinese clinical center: A 10-year observational study – Joint Bone Spine, 2020 🔗

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:

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.
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.
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.
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:

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.
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.