Titas Mandal | Virology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Titas Mandal | Virology | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Scientist, University of Potsdam, Germany.                    

Dr. Titas Mandal is a dedicated researcher specializing in Molecular Biotechnology, currently working as a Post-Doctoral Scientist at the University of Potsdam, Germany. His work mainly focuses on lipid-virus interactions, using advanced fluorescence techniques to study Hepatitis C virus assembly. With expertise in biophysical methods, molecular biology, and microscopy, Dr. Mandal is contributing significant insights into viral pathogenesis and membrane biophysics.

Professional Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Mandal earned his PhD in Molecular Biotechnology from the University of Potsdam, Germany, in December 2024 🎓. He also holds a Master of Technology (M.Tech) and Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Biotechnology from KIIT University, India , completed in 2017 and 2016, respectively. His education reflects a strong foundation in advanced molecular and biophysical research.

💼 Experience

Dr. Mandal has extensive research experience, including his current Post-Doctoral position at the University of Potsdam, focusing on Hepatitis C virus assembly 🦠. He also worked as a Doctoral Researcher (2020–2024) in the same lab, investigating lipid-virus interactions. Earlier, he served as a Research Assistant at NISER & NIT Rourkela, India (2018–2019), where he studied bacterial membrane vesicle fusion with host membranes, showcasing his interdisciplinary expertise.

🔬 Research Interests

His research interests center on viral assembly mechanisms, lipid-protein interactions, and membrane biophysics 🧪. He uses techniques like Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, and lipid model membranes to explore virus-host interactions, aiming to unravel molecular mechanisms of viral infections and lipid droplet biology.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Mandal has received several prestigious honors 🌟, including the Best Poster Prize at the Molecular Biophysics Symposium (2022) and a Travel Award for the International Membrane Biophysics Meeting (2022), both organized by the German Biophysical Society. He also secured the Doctoral Scholarship (2020) from the University of Potsdam, qualified the GATE exam twice (2016, 2017), and earned a Summer Research Fellowship (SRFP, 2015) from the Indian Academy of Sciences.

📚 Top Noted Publications

“Anionic phospholipids modulate Hepatitis C virus core protein assembly on lipid membranes”
Submitted to Biophysical Journal (Cell Press)
🔗 Read Preprint (2025)

“Interactions between Hantavirus Nucleoprotein and Glycoproteins: a quantitative fluorescence microscopy study”
Viruses, July 2025
🔗 Read Article

“Biophysical methods for the study of lipid droplet models” (Manuscript submitted)

“A comparison of lipid diffusive dynamics in monolayers and bilayers in the context of interleaflet coupling”
BBA Biomembranes, October 2024
🔗 Read Article

“Challenges in the Accurate Modelling of Lipid Dynamics in Monolayers and Bilayers”
BioRxiv (2024)
🔗 Read Preprint

“Lipid specificity of the Fusion of Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles with the Host Membrane”
ACS Journal of Physical Chemistry B, July 2024
🔗 Read Article
(Equal second authorship)

Conclusion

Based on his strong academic background, advanced technical skills, impactful research on viral biophysics, multiple awards, and active involvement in teaching and supervision, Dr. Titas Mandal is highly suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award 🏅. His current trajectory and promising contributions to virology and membrane biophysics make him a worthy candidate. Continued development in independent research leadership and broader interdisciplinary collaborations will further strengthen his future candidacy for top-tier international recognitions.

PANAGIOTA TSIATSIOU | Virology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. PANAGIOTA TSIATSIOU | Virology | Best Researcher Award

Director of the Hematology Laboratory, AHEPA University Hospital, Greece

Dr. Panagiota Tsiatsiou is a distinguished medical biopathologist with over two decades of extensive experience in clinical microbiology and hematology diagnostics. She currently serves as the Director of the Hematology Section at AHEPA University Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece. Renowned for her dedication to precision medicine, she has played a pivotal role in modernizing hematological laboratory protocols, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her expertise spans molecular diagnostics, hemoglobinopathies, and hemostasis, and she actively mentors future medical biopathologists through structured clinical training programs. 🏥🧬📊

Professional Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Tsiatsiou received her M.D. from the School of Health Sciences at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1988–1995). She completed her rural medical service in Evros (1996–1997) and specialized in Medical Biopathology at Theageneio Anticancer Hospital of Thessaloniki (1997–2002), earning board certification in 2002. 📚👩‍🔬 She holds three master’s degrees: in Health Services Management (Hellenic Open University), Public Health (National School of Public Health), and Biomedical Sciences in Diagnosis and Therapy (Democritus University of Thrace & IHU), each supported by robust thesis research on blood donor psychology, foodborne infections, and FV Leiden mutations respectively. 📖🔍🧪

💼 Experience

From 2003 to 2020, Dr. Tsiatsiou held various laboratory positions within Greece’s National Health System, contributing to critical microbiological investigations. Since 2011, she has worked at AHEPA University Hospital, where she was appointed Director of the Hematology Section in 2018. 🏥💉 Her primary responsibilities include the diagnostic evaluation of hemoglobinopathies, coagulation disorders, and molecular hematology. She also oversees training programs for medical residents and was instrumental in managing laboratory diagnostics for COVID-19 hemostasis complications. 🔬🦠📈

🔬 Research Interests

Her research interests lie in hematological molecular diagnostics, hemoglobinopathy prevalence, and biomarkers in infectious diseases, particularly in the context of COVID-19. She is deeply involved in translational research, focusing on the role of angiopoietins and genetic mutations such as FV Leiden in disease prognosis and diagnostics. 🧬🩸📊 Her work aims to bridge clinical application and molecular understanding, particularly in the domains of public health risk profiling and diagnostic accuracy.

🏆 Awards

While specific awards were not enumerated, Dr. Tsiatsiou’s sustained leadership, scientific output, and her appointment as Director of a major hematology unit underscore her professional excellence. 🏆📜 Her postgraduate honors and impactful roles during the COVID-19 crisis speak to a career rooted in public service, scientific integrity, and innovation in diagnostic science. 🌟🔖👩‍⚕️

📚 Top Noted Publications

Tsiatsiou, P. (2024). Angiopoietins as Predictor Indexes in COVID-19 Patients in Delta and Omicron Waves, Current Issues in Molecular Biology.
🔗 Read the Article – Published in 2024, Current Issues in Molecular Biology – Cited in ongoing research evaluating COVID-19 biomarkers.

Conclusion

Dr. Panagiota Tsiatsiou is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in fields of Medical Biopathology, Hematology Diagnostics, and Public Health Research. Her academic rigor, clinical leadership, and contributions to health systems resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic distinguish her as a multidisciplinary expert and public health advocate. With further emphasis on international collaboration and high-impact publishing, her research legacy will continue to grow. She is both a deserving nominee and a role model for future medical scientists. 🌟🔬🥇

Meng Ling Moi | Virology | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr Meng Ling Moi | Virology | Women Researcher Award

Prof, The University of Tokyo, Japan 🩺

Dr. Meng Ling Moi is a renowned virologist specializing in the prevention of tropical and emerging virus diseases. She has made significant contributions in viral pathogenesis, diagnostics, vaccine development, and epidemiology. Dr. Moi’s research has led to the successful creation of in vitro and in vivo models for evaluating vaccines for flavivirus and COVID-19. She is also a key figure in global efforts to control high-threat pathogens such as Zika and SARS-CoV-2, working closely with international organizations like WHO and GOARN. Her expertise spans across surveillance, transmission, and the development of rapid diagnostic tools.

Profile

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Education 🎓

Dr. Moi holds a Ph.D. from Tsukuba University, Japan (2010), specializing in virology. She also completed her M.Sc. in 2006 from the same institution, and her B.Sc. in Environmental Science from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2002 with First Class Honors. Her extensive education in virology has been crucial in shaping her career and contributions to the field of tropical disease research.

Experience 🧑‍🔬

Dr. Moi’s career includes significant roles, including Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Medicine (2021-present) and External Expert Panel Member at the WHO COVID Global Reference Laboratory (2020-present). She has held leadership roles in virology and tropical medicine, including serving as Deputy Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical and Emerging Virus Diseases. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge in viral infections, diagnostics, and vaccine development.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Moi’s primary research interests lie in viral pathogenesis, transmission, and the development of vaccines for tropical viruses like dengue, Zika, and SARS-CoV-2. She is also focused on the surveillance of viral emergence, population immunity, and the epidemiology of virus outbreaks. Additionally, her work includes developing in vitro and in vivo models to understand the immune responses to viral infections and improving diagnostics for emerging diseases.

Awards 🏆

Dr. Moi’s groundbreaking research has earned her numerous accolades, including the Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize in 2020 and the Female Researcher Award from the Japanese Society of Tropical Medicine in 2019. She also received the Young Researcher Award (Sugiura Prize) in 2018 and the Best Paper Award from Nagasaki University in the same year. Dr. Moi is also recognized for her contributions to science with awards like the Young Scientist Award (2016) and the Incentive Prize for Medicine from the MSD Life Science Foundation.

Publications 📚

Dr. Moi has published extensively on topics related to virology and vaccine development, with notable works in top-tier journals. Some of her key publications include:

“Marmosets as a non-human primate model for evaluation of candidate dengue vaccines” – J Gen Virol, 2017. Link

“Zika virus infection and microcephaly in Vietnam” – Lancet Infect Dis, 2017. Link

“Utility of an In-Vitro Micro-Neutralizing Test for Dengue Virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, and Zika Virus Serology” – Pathogens, 2023. Link

Conclusion

In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Meng Ling Moi is an exemplary nominee for the Women Researcher Award, as her exceptional achievements in virology have contributed significantly to global health advancements. Her groundbreaking work in viral pathogenesis, diagnostics, and vaccine development, along with her leadership in international projects, positions her as a role model for aspiring researchers. Dr. Moi’s continued dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and her contributions to tackling high-threat pathogens make her a highly deserving recipient of this prestigious award.