Maria Carmela Ferrante | microplastics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Maria Carmela Ferrante | microplastics | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor, University of Naples Federico II, Shanxi University, Italy

Dr. Maria Carmela Ferrante is an esteemed Associate Professor of Veterinary Toxicology at the University of Naples Federico II. Since 2018, she has specialized in food and environmental toxicology, exploring the molecular mechanisms of toxicity from natural and chemical pollutants. With over 50 JCR-indexed publications and extensive project leadership, she has made significant contributions to toxicological research. 📚 Her academic service includes teaching, supervising, and policy development roles, while actively participating in scientific societies like SIFTVET, CIRB, and IPAM. 🏛️

Professional Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Ferrante holds a solid academic background in veterinary medicine and toxicology from the University of Naples “Federico II”. 📘 She has further advanced her expertise through various specialized programs, aligning her academic pursuits with her passion for environmental health and toxicology. Her continuous education has laid the groundwork for groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.

💼 Experience

With a career beginning in 1999, Dr. Ferrante has held several academic, administrative, and scientific leadership positions. She is head of the Veterinary Toxicology Section Laboratory (RADoR), serves on multiple institutional boards, and has represented faculty in strategic committees. 🧪 Her hands-on experience spans laboratory research, academic leadership, and international collaborations.

🔬 Research Interests

Her core research lies in environmental and food toxicology, especially cellular and molecular mechanisms of pollutants such as microplastics and endocrine disruptors. 🌍 She investigates the effects of xenobiotics on immune, metabolic, and neurological systems in animals. Her studies also focus on N-acylethanolamines and lipid signaling in inflammation-related metabolic disorders.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Ferrante’s work has earned prestigious grants and recognition, including a top-ranked EFSA Framework Partnership Award for novel food risk assessment (2025). She has been actively involved in several national and EU-funded projects, addressing issues like mycotoxins, microplastics, and toxic metal exposure. Her extensive contributions place her as a top contender for the Women Research Award and Best Researcher Award. 🥇

📚 Top Noted Publications

Polystyrene microplastic exposure modulates gut microbiota and gut-liver axis in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), Science of The Total Environment, 2024 – 📄 Cited by 1

Co-Micronized Palmitoylethanolamide and Rutin Associated With Hydroxytyrosol Recover Diabesity-Induced Hepatic Dysfunction in Mice, Phytotherapy Research, 2024 – 📄 Cited by 3

Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and adipocyte lipid dysfunctions, Toxicology, 2025 – 📄 Cited by 0

Possible Applications of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in Ecotoxicology, Conference Paper – 📄 Cited by 0

Conclusion

Given her sustained excellence in scientific research, publication impact, leadership in large-scale toxicology projects, and global collaborations, Dr. Maria Carmela Ferrante is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. Her outstanding contributions to environmental and food toxicology research—particularly concerning pollutants and endocrine disruptors—position her as a deserving recipient who exemplifies innovation, scholarly rigor, and commitment to advancing scientific knowledge for environmental safety and public health. 🌍🏆📚

Dhananjayan Venugopal | Environmental Toxicology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Dhananjayan Venugopal | Environmental Toxicology | Best Researcher Award

Scientist, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC), Puducherry, India

Dr. V. Dhananjayan is a dedicated Scientist-C at the ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC), Puducherry, specializing in vector biology and control. With over two decades of experience in environmental toxicology, he has significantly contributed to research on occupational health hazards and biomonitoring. His commitment to public health and environmental safety is evident in his extensive fieldwork, projects, and scholarly publications that address real-world toxicological concerns. 🌿🧪

Profile

Google Scholar

Education 🎓

Dr. Dhananjayan earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore in 2009, after completing dual M.Sc. degrees in Environmental Science (2001) and Chemistry. His technical skill set is enriched with diplomas in Industrial Pollution Control and Software Commercial Applications, showcasing a blend of scientific knowledge and applied technologies. 📘🔬💻

Experience 💼

With a progressive career starting as a Research Fellow at SACON (2001), Dr. Dhananjayan has worked across several ICMR institutes including NIOH and ROHCS, holding roles from Research Assistant to Technical Officer, and later Scientist-B and Scientist-C. His journey reflects a robust portfolio in occupational health, toxicology, and environmental monitoring, complemented by teaching and coordination roles. 🧑‍🏫⚗️🧬

Research Interest 🔍

His core research interests lie in biomonitoring of pesticide exposure, toxicological assessments, DNA damage studies, and environmental health risks among vulnerable occupational groups. He has spearheaded and co-led numerous projects on PCBs, PAHs, heavy metals, and nanopesticide technology, striving to translate science into policy and prevention. 🧫🌱🔍

Awards 🏆

Dr. Dhananjayan is a recipient of the DST-SERB Young Scientist Award under the Fast Track Scheme and the prestigious TICA Fellowship by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency. These honors recognize his contribution to environmental toxicology and his international collaborative research efforts. 🎖️🌍🇹🇭

Publications 📄

Risk assessment and contaminant characterization of PCBs, PAHs, and heavy metals – Marine Pollution Bulletin, In press 🔗Link

Nanopesticides for targeted pest and disease management – Agriculture Nanotech, In press 🔗Link

Personal Exposure to PAH and Inhalation Risk Assessment – Aerosol Sci. Eng., 2025 🔗Link

Occupational injuries among tribal fishing communities – Journal of Agromedicine, 2024 🔗Link

Environmental exposure to heavy metals in air – Spatial Modeling & Ecological Risk, 2024 🔗Link

Assessment of Particulate and Gaseous Fluoride – Nature Env. & Pollution Tech., 2023 🔗Link

Organochlorine pesticides in bird eggs – RSC Issues in Toxicology, 2023 🔗Link

Geospatial variations in heavy metals and pesticides – Environ. Monit. Assess., 2023 🔗Link

Urinary Fluoride Monitoring in Industrial Workers – Indian J. of Science & Technology, 2022 🔗Link

Pesticide exposure in developing countries (collaborative paper) – Multiple international citations 🔗Link

Conclusion

Dr. V. Dhananjayan is an outstanding researcher with a strong background in environmental science and occupational health. His extensive research experience, impressive publication record, and leadership in research projects make him an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With some focus on interdisciplinary collaborations, international partnerships, and knowledge translation, Dr. Dhananjayan’s work could have an even greater impact.

Mrs. Ruwani Suraweera | Toxicology | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Ruwani Suraweera | Toxicology | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral student, Queensland University of Technology, Australia

🎓 Dr. Ruwani Kaushalya Suraweera is a dedicated academic and researcher specializing in formulation development, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical technology. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Queensland University of Technology, Australia, she has made significant contributions to pharmacy education and research in Sri Lanka. Her expertise spans clinical sciences, nanotechnology, and innovative pharmaceutical practices. A distinguished scholar and pharmacist, Dr. Suraweera is recognized for her impactful publications, awards, and professional affiliations.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

📚 Dr. Suraweera holds a Ph.D. candidacy at Queensland University of Technology, Australia (2023–present). She completed her M.Phil. in Chemical Sciences (2017–2022) with exceptional grades at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Her undergraduate achievement, a B.Pharm (Honours) with a GPA of 3.65, earned her the distinction of being the best performer in her batch. Additionally, she has earned certifications in marketing, quality management systems, and first aid.

Experience

💼 Dr. Suraweera has a rich academic career as a Lecturer in Pharmacy at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2014–2023), where she also served as a Temporary Lecturer earlier. Her work focuses on teaching, research, and mentoring students in advanced pharmaceutical practices. She has also contributed to academia through her roles in curriculum development and clinical training.

Research Interests

🔬 Dr. Suraweera’s research explores cutting-edge topics in pharmaceutical sciences, including formulation development, drug delivery systems, and nanotechnology applications in healthcare. She is passionate about developing innovative therapeutic solutions to improve patient outcomes.

Awards

🏆 Dr. Suraweera has received multiple prestigious grants and scholarships, such as the University Research Grant (2016) and ITEC scholarship from the Government of India. Her academic excellence has been acknowledged with university scholarships and awards for exceptional performance in pharmacy and chemistry.

Publications

Ruwani K. Suraweera, et al. (2024). Development and Characterization of Spray-Dried Combined Levofloxacin–Ambroxol Dry Powder Inhaler Formulation. Pharmaceutics, 16(12). [Cited by articles in PubMed]
Read the publication

Navanjana T.P. Uyangoda, et al. (2022). Investigation of the Use of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products for COVID-19 Prevention. Sri Lankan Journal of Health Sciences, 1(2). [Cited by articles in Scopus]

Sathya S, et al. (2017). Formulation Development of Cream Incorporating Extracts of Glycyrrhia glabara. Pharmaceutical Journal of Sri Lanka, 7(1). [Cited in local archives]

Suraweera RK, et al. (2015). Assessing the Characterizations of Ketoprofen Loaded and Unloaded Virgin Coconut Oil-based Creamy Nanoemulsion. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 8(1). [Cited by 15 articles]