Li Chen | Metabolism | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Li Chen | Metabolism | Women Researcher Award

Chen Li is a distinguished researcher specializing in stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and aging-related diseases. She holds a PhD in Medical Biology from Aalborg University, Denmark, and has extensive international research experience, including positions at Aarhus University Hospital, the University of Southern Denmark, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States. Currently based at Guilin Medical College, she has led groundbreaking studies on stem cell factors, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. A recipient of multiple prestigious research grants, she is actively involved in developing innovative therapies for aging and degenerative conditions.

Prof. Dr. Li Chen | Guilin Medical College | China

🎓Education

  • Chen Li holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Microbial Engineering from the School of Life Sciences at Fudan University (1989-1993). She earned her Master of Science in Neurobiology from Fudan University School of Medicine (1997-2000). Pursuing further specialization, she completed her PhD in Medical Biology Stem Cell Research at Aalborg University, Denmark (2001-2005).

👨‍🏫Experience

  • Chen Li is currently a researcher at the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical College. She has extensive international experience, having served as a visiting scholar at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark in 2001. From 2004 to 2006, she worked as a research assistant at the Center for Medical Bioengineering, University of Southern Denmark, later joining the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States as a senior research fellow from 2006 to 2009. She continued her career at the University Hospital of Southern Denmark from 2009 to 2019, where she held a permanent assistant professorship, supervised PhD students, and contributed to stem cell and regenerative medicine research. Returning to China in 2020, she established her laboratory at Guilin Medical College and served as Vice Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences from 2020 to 2023.

🏆Awards and Recognitions

  • Chen Li has received multiple prestigious research grants and awards throughout her career. She has secured funding from the European Union, the Danish National Research Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, with her projects focusing on stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and aging-related diseases. Notably, she was awarded the Fellowship Award in Denmark, making her the sole winner of the year. Her research has also been supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, including several projects on stem cell factors and their impact on metabolic and degenerative diseases.

💡Skills and Certifications

  • Chen Li is highly skilled in medical biology, stem cell research, molecular endocrinology, and pharmacological testing. Her expertise includes the preparation, screening, and identification of chemical and biomolecular drugs. She has extensive experience in clinical disease application, particularly in relation to metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Her contributions to stem cell factor research and regenerative medicine have been widely recognized in both academic and clinical settings.

🔬 Research Focus

  • Chen Li’s research primarily revolves around stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and aging-related diseases. Her work explores the isolation, culture, differentiation, and regeneration of human mesenchymal stem cells. She investigates how stem cell factors influence the aging process and metabolism of various tissues and organs through the microenvironment and endocrine system. Her studies extend to osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. She is also involved in developing anti-aging monoclonal antibody drugs, natural Chinese medicine ingredients, and polymer-based stem cell protein factor-targeted therapies.

🌎Conclusion

  • Prof. Dr. Li Chen’s exceptional research achievements, leadership in scientific projects, and dedication to mentorship have significantly impacted stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Her extensive international collaborations and innovative healthcare solutions position her as a leading figure in her field. With a strong research portfolio and a history of groundbreaking discoveries, she is an ideal candidate for the Women Researcher  Award.

📖Publications

  • TAFA2 Induces Skeletal (Stromal) Stem Cell Migration Through Activation of Rac1-p38 Signaling
    Authors: Abbas Jafari, Adiba Isa, Li Chen, Nicholas Ditzel, Walid Zaher, Linda Harkness, Hans E. Johnsen, Basem M. Abdallah, Christian Clausen, Moustapha Kassem
    Journal: Stem Cells, 2019
  • Actin Depolymerization Enhances Adipogenic Differentiation in Human Stromal Stem Cells
    Authors: Li Chen
    Journal: Stem Cell Research, 2018
  • Global MicroRNA Profiling in Human Bone Marrow Skeletal-Stromal or Mesenchymal-Stem Cells Identified Candidates for Bone Regeneration
    Authors: Li Chen
    Journal: Molecular Therapy, 2018
  • Optimizing Osteogenic Differentiation of Ovine Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Osteogenic Induction Medium and FGFb, BMP2, or NELL1 In Vitro
    Authors: Li Chen
    Journal: Stem Cells International, 2018
  • Legumain Regulates Differentiation Fate of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and Is Altered in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
    Authors: Li Chen
    Journal: Stem Cell Reports, 2017

Mengliu Yang | Metabolism | Best Researcher Award

Assoc prof Dr. Mengliu Yang | Metabolism | Best Researcher Award

Global Recognition:
  • Her participation in significant global conferences, such as EASD, indicates her recognition in the international research community and her commitment to disseminating her findings.
Assoc Prof Dr. Mengliu Yang , Chongqing Medical University , China

Profile

Scopus

OrcID

🌱EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

  • Dr. Mengliu Yang began her academic journey at Chongqing Medical University, where her passion for cellular signaling in metabolic diseases was sparked. She later advanced her expertise under the mentorship of Professor John Whitehead at The University of Queensland, earning her Ph.D. with a focus on central nervous system-peripheral metabolic interactions. These foundational years equipped Dr. Yang with a multidisciplinary perspective, crucial for her later work in metabolic disease mechanisms and regulatory pathways.

💼 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

  • As an Associate Professor at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Dr. Yang leads a highly skilled team dedicated to advancing metabolic disease research. Her professional endeavors are backed by prestigious grants, including support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Novo Nordisk Talent Fund. Dr. Yang’s work stands out for its combination of clinical research, cellular biology, and real-world impact on disease management, particularly in areas affecting metabolic regulation and obesity.

🔬 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS 

  • Dr. Yang’s research is focused on the “gut-brain-liver” axis, where she has identified pivotal molecules like NUCB2/nesfatin-1 and zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) that influence insulin resistance and energy balance. Her team’s work also highlights the role of hypothalamic POMC and AgRP neurons in controlling central and peripheral metabolic processes, contributing to new treatment targets for conditions like Type 2 diabetes and obesity. With 23 high-impact publications in journals such as Nature Communications, EMBO Journal, and Diabetes Care, her findings are shaping the future of metabolic research.

📚 ACADEMIC CITES 

  • Dr. Yang’s research has garnered significant attention, reflected in her impressive citation metrics:

    • Total Citations: 3,410
    • h-Index: 36
    • i10-Index: 63

    These metrics underscore her work’s influence, particularly in understanding metabolic signaling pathways and advancing therapeutic options for metabolic disorders.

🌍 Impact and Influence

  • Dr. Yang’s influence extends globally through her presentations at major conferences, such as the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), and her editorial roles at Frontiers in Endocrinology and Frontiers in Public Health. Her contributions to clinical guidelines have furthered the field’s understanding of central-peripheral metabolic regulation, earning her recognition and a “Rising Star” distinction from the Chinese American Diabetes Association (CADA).

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

  • With three ongoing research projects and four completed, Dr. Yang’s work is paving the way for breakthroughs in metabolic disease treatment. Her ongoing patents are expected to bring new innovations to metabolic research and patient care. Dr. Yang’s collaborative work with esteemed colleagues like Oluf Borbye Pedersen from the University of Copenhagen and Chen Chen from the University of Queensland highlights her commitment to international research advancements.

📄Publications

  • AZGP1 in POMC neurons modulates energy homeostasis and metabolism through leptin-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation
    Authors: Qiu, S., Wu, Q., Wang, H., … Li, L., Yang, M.
    Journal: Nature Communications, 2024, 15(1), 3377
  • Enhancing precision targeting of ovarian cancer tumor cells in vivo through extracellular vesicle engineering
    Authors: Alharbi, M., Lai, A., Godbole, N., … Wu, S.Y., Salomon, C.
    Journal: International Journal of Cancer, 2024, 155(8), pp. 1510–1523
  • Empagliflozin rescues lifespan and liver senescence in naturally aged mice
    Authors: Long, J., Ren, Z., Duan, Y., … Luo, X., Liu, D.
    Journal: GeroScience, 2024, 46(5), pp. 4969–4986
  • Combined serum CTRP7 and CTRP15 levels as a novel biomarker for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus
    Authors: Xue, S., Ling, J., Tian, M., … Yang, M., Yang, G.
    Journal: Heliyon, 2024, 10(9), e30029
  • Hypothalamic P62 (SQSTM1) regulates energy balance by modulating leptin signaling
    Authors: Yang, S., Li, Y., Tian, M., … Li, L., Yang, M.
    Journal: Theranostics, 2024, 14(17), pp. 6605–6624