Swathi Merugu | Immunoinformatics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Swathi Merugu | Immunoinformatics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Swathi Merugu | Senior Research Scientist | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre | United States

Academic Background

Dr. Swathi Merugu holds a Ph.D. in Cancer Research from Newcastle University, U.K., focusing on clinical medicine and pediatric oncology. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Translational Cancer Research with a specialization in Precision Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Her foundational training includes a Master’s in Pharmacy in Pharmacology and a Bachelor of Pharmacy, both from Kakatiya University, India. Throughout her academic journey, she has authored multiple scientific documents and accumulated significant citations reflecting her impactful research contributions. Her Scopus profile shows 88 citations across 56 documents with an h-index of 4, while Google Scholar lists 382 citations from 259 documents, highlighting an h-index of 10 and an i10-index of 10, underscoring her scholarly influence in the field.

Research Focus

Dr. Merugu’s research is centered on precision oncology and immunotherapy, with particular expertise in pediatric cancers and hematologic malignancies. Her work emphasizes the development of non-invasive biomarker assays and immune-monitoring strategies to enhance patient-centered clinical trials and optimize therapeutic interventions.

Work Experience

Dr. Merugu currently serves as a Senior Research Scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, leading projects in immune-monitoring assays and biomarker discovery, fostering collaboration between clinical researchers and laboratory scientists. Her postdoctoral work at the same institution advanced the understanding of epichaperome inhibition in acute myeloid leukemia, translating preclinical findings into clinical applications. She has also held a position as Assistant Professor at Kakatiya University, mentoring graduate students in oncology and pharmacology, and guiding early-stage research projects.

Key Contributions

Dr. Merugu has pioneered the development of flow cytometry-based assays to detect targetable cancer populations, significantly contributing to personalized medicine. She led groundbreaking studies utilizing circulating tumor cells as predictive biomarkers in neuroblastoma, influencing early-phase clinical trial protocols internationally. Her research in acute myeloid leukemia demonstrated the immunomodulatory effects of epichaperome inhibition, opening new avenues for targeted precision therapies.

Awards & Recognition

She has received recognition for her outstanding presentations and research achievements, including a prestigious oral presentation award at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a scholarship for her doctoral studies at Newcastle University.

Professional Roles & Memberships

Dr. Merugu is an accomplished research leader and mentor, known for her ability to manage cross-functional clinical research teams and coordinate complex trials. She collaborates with clinicians, regulatory bodies, and laboratory scientists to ensure high-quality translational research while fostering scientific mentorship and professional development for junior researchers.

Profile

Scopus | Google Scholar | Research Gate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Merugu, S., Chen, L., Gavens, E., Gabra, H., Brougham, M., Makin, G., Ng, A. Detection of circulating and disseminated neuroblastoma cells using the ImageStream flow cytometer for use as predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. Clinical Cancer Research, 26, 122-134.

Merugu, S., Sharma, S., Kaner, J., Digwal, C., Sugita, M., Joshi, S., Taldone, T. Chemical probes and methods for single-cell detection and quantification of epichaperomes in hematologic malignancies. Methods in Enzymology, 639, 289-311.

Rodina, A., Xu, C., Digwal, C., Joshi, S., Seela, A., Bay, S., Merugu, S. Systems-level analyses of protein-protein interaction network dysfunctions via epichaperomics identify cancer-specific mechanisms of stress adaptation. Nature Communications, 14, 3742.

Sugita, M., Wilkes, D.C., Bareja, R., Eng, K.W., Nataraj, S., Jimenez-Flores, R.A., Merugu, S. Targeting the epichaperome as an effective precision medicine approach in a novel PML-SYK fusion acute myeloid leukemia. NPJ Precision Oncology, 5, 44.

Joshi, S., Gomes, E.D.G., Wang, T., Corben, A., Taldone, T., Gandu, S., Merugu, S. Pharmacologically controlling protein-protein interactions through epichaperomes for therapeutic vulnerability in cancer. Communications Biology, 4, 1333.

Impact Statement / Vision

Dr. Merugu envisions advancing precision oncology by integrating biomarker discovery and immune-monitoring innovations into clinical practice. She is committed to translating cutting-edge research into therapies that improve patient outcomes while mentoring the next generation of clinical scientists.

Prof. Dr. Vicente Vanaclocha | Medicine | Lifetime achievement Award

Prof. Dr. Vicente Vanaclocha | Medicine | Lifetime achievement Award

Full Professor, University of Valencia, Spain

Dr. Vicente Vanaclocha-Vanaclocha  is a renowned Spanish neurosurgeon with over four decades of clinical and academic experience. Recognized for his dedication to advancing neurosurgical techniques, he serves as a Consultant Neurosurgeon at Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia and a Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Valencia. Known for his work in spine surgery, brain tumors, and peripheral nerves, he remains an influential figure in both national and international neurosurgical communities.

Publication Profile

🎓 Education Background:

Dr. Vanaclocha began his medical journey at the School of Medicine, Universidad de Valencia (1977–1982), earning his MD degree. He completed his neurosurgery specialization at Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia (1983–1987) and pursued a PhD in Neurosurgery from Universidad de Valencia, awarded in 1988. In addition to his medical training, he holds advanced language qualifications: C1 German from Goethe Institut, C1 English from the University of Cambridge, and C2 Català from Junta Qualificadora de Coneiximents de Valencia.

💼 Professional Experience:

His illustrious career includes leadership roles such as Head of Neurosurgery at Clinica Universidad de Navarra (1989–1999) and Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia (2011–2015). He has also practiced at international institutions, including Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa (1988–1989), enriching his global neurosurgical perspective. He continues to work in private practice at Hospital Vithas Valencia 9 de Octubre and has previous experience in other prominent hospitals across Spain.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Dr. Vanaclocha is a respected member of prestigious professional societies, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) since 2017, North American Spine Society (NASS) since 2009, European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) since 1989, and Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía (SENEC) since 1987. His extensive memberships reflect international recognition of his professional contributions.

🔬 Research Focus:

His research interests span neurosurgery with a specific focus on sacroiliac joint pain, spinal biomechanics, peripheral nerve regeneration, and brain tumor treatment. His recent studies emphasize innovations in implant design, spinal motion preservation, and cerebrospinal fluid management in hemorrhagic conditions.

📝 Conclusion:

Dr. Vicente Vanaclocha-Vanaclocha is a pioneering figure in neurosurgery, blending clinical expertise with innovative research and multilingual communication skills. His impact on spinal surgery and neurotrauma continues to shape both academic inquiry and practical medicine in Europe and beyond.

📚 Top Publications:

Effect of Ti6Al4V Alloy Surface and Porosity on Bone Osseointegration: In Vivo Pilot Study in Rabbits
Materials, 2025
 Cited by: Articles on Crossref (citation data pending as it’s recently published)

Dental Implant with Porous Structure and Anchorage: Design and Bench Testing in a Calf Rib Model Study
Materials, 2025
 Cited by: Articles on Crossref (citation data pending)

New Subperiosteal Dental Implant Design with Finite Element Analysis and Mechanical Validation: A Design Validation Study
Materials, 2025
Cited by: Articles on Crossref (citation data pending)

Can a single basal cistern urokinase bolus help to prevent subarachnoid hemorrhage consequences?
Heliyon, 2024
 Cited by: Articles on Crossref (citation data pending)

Prevertebral Anchored Kevlar Band to Recover Intact Spine Movement Ranges in Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty
Biomedical Materials & Devices, 2024
 Cited by: Articles on SpringerLink (citation data pending)

Mrs. Meijuan Wang | Pancreatic Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Meijuan Wang | Pancreatic Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Department of Gastroenterology, The Ninth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, China

Meijuan Wang is a dedicated researcher in gastroenterology, currently working as a research intern at the Department of Gastroenterology, The Ninth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing. With a strong academic background and hands-on research experience, she has contributed significantly to studies on neuroplastic changes and autism susceptibility genes. Her work in high-impact scientific journals highlights her commitment to advancing medical research.

Publication Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education:

Meijuan Wang earned her Master’s Degree from Hainan Medical University in 2023. Her academic journey has been marked by an in-depth focus on gastroenterology and neuroscience-related research, equipping her with the skills to investigate complex medical conditions.

💼 Experience:

Since July 2023, Meijuan Wang has been a research intern at the Department of Gastroenterology, The Ninth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital. In this role, she actively engages in clinical and laboratory research, contributing to studies that explore the intersections of gastroenterology and neurological disorders.

🏆 Awards and Honors:

Meijuan Wang has been actively involved in prestigious research projects funded by the Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation and the Hainan Provincial Science and Technology Department. Her contributions to these projects demonstrate her expertise in cutting-edge biomedical research.

🔬 Research Focus:

Her research interests span neuroplasticity, autism spectrum disorders, and gastroenterology. She has explored the antagonistic effects of Vitamin D on neuroplastic changes in autism susceptibility genes and the regulation of thalamic relay nuclei in cerebral frontal cortex development. Additionally, her recent studies involve establishing pancreatic cancer organoids for advanced cancer research.

📖 Conclusion:

Meijuan Wang is an emerging researcher dedicated to bridging the fields of gastroenterology and neuroscience. Her contributions to high-impact research projects and scientific publications establish her as a promising scientist in the medical community.

📚 Publications:

Activity-Dependent Differential Regulation of Auts2 Isoforms In Vitro and In Vivo. Molecular Neurobiology, 60: 2973-2985. [Cited by articles in neurodevelopmental studies.]

Stratifying ASD and Characterizing the Functional Connectivity of Subtypes in Resting-State fMRI. Behavioural Brain Research, 449: 114458. [Cited in autism spectrum disorder imaging research.]

Establishing Pancreatic Cancer Organoids from EUS-Guided Fine-Needle Biopsy Specimens. Cancers, 17(4), 692. [Cited in pancreatic cancer research.]