Jana Behunova | Medical | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jana Behunova | Medical | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jana Behunova-Specialist in Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna/Institute of Medical Genetics, Austria.

Dr. Jana Behunova, M.D., Ph.D., is a distinguished Slovak medical geneticist and pediatrician currently based in Vienna, Austria. Born in Košice, Slovakia, she has dedicated over two decades to the academic, clinical, and research dimensions of medical genetics and pediatrics. She earned both her medical and doctoral degrees in Slovakia and has gained global insights through international fellowships in Sweden, the USA, Israel, and the Czech Republic. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Dr. Behunova combines teaching, patient care, and genetic counseling with a passion for rare disorders and congenital malformations.

Publication Profile

🎓 Education Background

Dr. Jana Behunova’s academic journey began at the Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Medicine, Košice, where she earned her M.D. between 1990 and 1996. She continued her advanced studies in medical genetics and pediatrics through doctoral programs at the same institution and later at Comenius University in Bratislava, completing her Ph.D. between 2002 and 2008. Her academic excellence is further complemented by certifications in Pediatrics (I and II) and Medical Genetics, recognized across the European Union. This robust educational foundation paved the way for her specialization in genetic disorders, clinical pediatrics, and rare disease research across Europe and beyond.

🏥 Professional Experience

Dr. Behunova’s professional career commenced with residency roles in Prešov and Košice, Slovakia, where she trained in pediatrics. From 1999 to 2012, she served as Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University. Her academic pursuits then led her to the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, where she has held a long-standing role as Assistant Professor at the Institute of Medical Genetics since 2012. Her diverse experience spans clinical diagnostics, academic instruction, genetic counseling, and research leadership. Dr. Behunova’s multidisciplinary experience reflects her dedication to pediatric and genetic healthcare, both in her native Slovakia and internationally.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Jana Behunova has been honored for her contribution to European research networks and rare disease policies. She played a pivotal role in the Europlan project, contributing to the development of national guidelines for rare diseases in Slovakia. She also authored contributions to the 2011 Report on Rare Disease Activities in Europe by the EU Committee of Experts. Her international collaborations with renowned experts in Israel, Sweden, the USA, and Austria, alongside participation in elite training seminars such as the Salzburg Open Medical Institute and the ESHG’s genetic counseling programs, further underline her recognition as a leader in her field.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Behunova’s research lies at the intersection of medical genetics, pediatric anomalies, and congenital malformation syndromes. She has contributed to significant projects such as the analysis of facial cleft-related syndromes using micro-CT on historical specimens and studies on gene polymorphisms in orofacial clefts. Her work also delves into neural tube defects, jaundice syndromes in Roma populations, and birth defects in fetal archives. Through collaborations with eminent institutions across Europe and the USA, Dr. Behunova investigates how genetic variations influence developmental disorders, positioning her at the forefront of translational genetics and syndromic research within pediatric medicine.

🧾 Conclusion

Dr. Jana Behunova exemplifies dedication, innovation, and excellence in medical genetics and pediatrics. Her international training, bilingual fluency, and extensive contributions to research and education place her among Europe’s respected clinician-scientists. From Slovakia to Austria, and across borders, she continues to advance the understanding of rare diseases, congenital syndromes, and genetic counseling. With a passion for both clinical practice and academic mentoring, Dr. Behunova’s lifelong commitment impacts patients, students, and the broader scientific community alike. Her work not only advances healthcare standards but also enriches the global conversation on genetics and pediatric disorders.

📚 Top Publications Notes

Dr. Lova Kajuluri | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lova Kajuluri | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Mass General Brigham, United States

Lova Prasadareddy Kajuluri is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Charlestown, USA. He is recognized for his significant contributions to cardiovascular research, particularly in understanding vascular calcification and its potential treatments. With a strong background in biotechnology, Kajuluri has advanced in his research career through various prestigious roles in both India and the United States. He holds a Doctorate in Science from the CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, and has received multiple research grants to further his studies in cardiovascular diseases. 🚀

Publication Profile

Education Background

Kajuluri’s educational journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry from Andhra University in 2007. He continued to pursue a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Andhra University, followed by a Ph.D. in Science from CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, India. His academic excellence has paved the way for several postdoctoral positions, starting from his research fellowship at Boston University to his current position at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he continues to explore novel therapies in cardiovascular research. 🎓📚

Professional Experience

Kajuluri’s professional career began as a Research Fellow at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute in India, focusing on Leishmaniasis and actin-related proteins. He transitioned to postdoctoral research at Boston University, where he led studies on vascular smooth muscle contraction and calponin. His current role as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at MGH involves leading studies on vascular calcification, gene therapy, and identifying therapeutic targets to treat cardiovascular diseases. His extensive research in these areas contributes significantly to the advancement of vascular health. 🔬🧑‍🔬

Awards and Honors

Kajuluri has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. Notably, he was awarded the Research Fellowship from the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India (2011-2016). He has also been a part of several funded research projects, including those supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, USA. His dedication to advancing cardiovascular and infectious disease research has earned him recognition from the scientific community. 🏆🎖️

Research Focus

Kajuluri’s research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular calcification, a condition that contributes to cardiovascular diseases. His current studies explore gene therapies to treat vascular calcification in infants, as well as the role of histone deacetylases in vascular health. Additionally, his earlier work in Leishmaniasis has expanded his expertise to parasitology and cellular biology. His work bridges cardiovascular research and therapeutic innovation, offering potential treatments for critical vascular conditions. ❤️🧬

Conclusion

Lova Prasadareddy Kajuluri’s career is a testament to his commitment to advancing science in cardiovascular health and infectious diseases. Through his research, he continues to provide invaluable insights into vascular calcification and gene therapy, offering hope for future treatments in these fields. 🌟🔬

Publication Top Notes

Epigenetic Regulation of Human Vascular Calcification. Genes, 2025, 16, 506. DOI

Calponin 1 inhibits agonist-induced ERK activation and decreases calcium sensitization in vascular smooth muscle.  Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, January 28, 2024. PubMed

Treatment of calcific arterial disease via enhancement of autophagy using GSK343.  iScience, October 28, 2023. PubMed

Intracellular localization of MyosinXXI discriminates Leishmania spp and Leptomonas seymouri.  Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, May 14, 2022. PubMed

Actin-related protein 4: An unconventional negative regulator of mitochondrial calcium in protozoan parasite Leishmania.  Mitochondrion, Jan 2022. PubMed

Vascular aging, the vascular cytoskeleton and aortic stiffness.  Exploration of Medicine, June 2021. PubMed

The uterine myocyte, contractile machinery and proteins of the myometrium and their relationship to the dynamic nature of myometrial function.  Current Opinion in Physiology, February 2020. ScienceDirect

A twinfilin-like protein coordinates karyokinesis by influencing mitotic spindle elongation and DNA replication in Leishmania.  Molecular Microbiology, April 2016. PubMed

Oligomerization of coronin: Implication on actin filament length in Leishmania. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken, N.J.), December 2015. PubMed