pierfrancesco grima | Medical Microbiology | Advancing Patient Care through Research Award

Dr. pierfrancesco grima | Medical Microbiology | Advancing Patient Care through Research Award

Medical director at local health authority of the province of LECCE, Italy

Dr. Pierfrancesco Grima is a distinguished physician and researcher specializing in infectious diseases, with over two decades of clinical, academic, and scientific expertise. His career spans across major hospitals and research institutions in Italy, with a focus on HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, and infectious comorbidities. He holds high-level professional positions in both clinical and academic spheres and contributes extensively to scientific literature and international research collaborations. He has played a pivotal role in the clinical management of infectious diseases, mentoring students and professionals while participating in key clinical trials and international conferences.

profile

scopus

Education

Dr. Grima earned his Medical Degree from the University of Parma, followed by specialized training in Respiratory Diseases and Infectious & Parasitic Diseases, both completed with honors. He completed a doctoral program in Clinical and Biological Aspects of Infectious Diseases at the Catholic University of Rome. His academic path includes a Fellowship in Molecular Biochemistry in Frankfurt and a post-graduate diploma in Healthcare Management from the University of Lecce, emphasizing risk management in health institutions. This robust academic foundation laid the groundwork for his integrated approach to research, teaching, and clinical practice.

Experience

Since 2017, Dr. Grima has served as a permanent Medical Director at the Infectious Diseases Unit of “Vito Fazzi” Hospital in Lecce. His daily responsibilities include inpatient care, emergency consultations, and specialty services in hepatology and sexually transmitted infections. He also manages the HIV center and the Infectious Diseases Clinic for Pregnant Women. Prior to this, he worked for over 16 years at the Galatina Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Unit. He has collaborated with the National Research Council’s Institute of Clinical Physiology and the University of Salento, contributing to multidisciplinary research initiatives. Additionally, Dr. Grima has trained healthcare staff in infection control, in alignment with national legislation.

Research Interest

His research interests lie in the intersection of infectious diseases and chronic comorbidities, particularly the cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive complications of HIV. He has investigated antiretroviral therapy effectiveness, liver fibrosis, and biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis. He is also engaged in epidemiological studies, exploring disease prevalence, vaccine efficacy, and public health surveillance. Dr. Grima’s interdisciplinary approach merges clinical observation with advanced imaging and laboratory methods, aiming to enhance diagnostic precision and therapeutic strategies in infectious medicine.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Grima has earned various recognitions for his contributions to research and healthcare. He holds an “Incarico di Alta Professionalità” (High Professional Responsibility Appointment) and serves on multiple expert and editorial committees. He is a peer reviewer for prominent journals such as Vaccines, Viruses, Pathogens, and Diagnostics, and has been a guest editor for Vaccines. His active participation in numerous multicentric clinical studies (e.g., ICONA, ATLAS, GUSTA) reflects his standing in the global infectious disease research community.

Publications

Dr. Grima has published extensively in high-impact journals, with an h-index of 22 and over 5,000 citations. Below are seven notable publications:

Grima P. et al. “Increased ophthalmic artery resistance index is associated with cognitive impairment in HIV-infected patients.” J Infect, 2012; cited by 97 articles.

Grima P. et al. “Altered phosphate metabolism in HIV-1-infected patients with metabolic syndrome.” Scand J Infect Dis, 2012; cited by 58 articles.

Fabbiani M, Grima P. et al. “Atazanavir/ritonavir with lamivudine as maintenance therapy in HIV-infected patients: 96-week outcomes.” J Antimicrob Chemother, 2018; cited by 74 articles.

Grima P. et al. “Ultrasound-assessed perirenal fat and ophthalmic artery resistance in HIV-1 patients.” Cardiovasc Ultrasound, 2010; cited by 63 articles.

Guido M, Grima P. et al. “Human metapneumovirus and bocavirus in respiratory infections.” Virology, 2011; cited by 88 articles.

Grima P. et al. “Routine ultrasound-guided vs. echo-assisted biopsy in chronic hepatitis.” Radiol Med, 2008; cited by 35 articles.

Ciccarelli N, Grima P. et al. “Liver fibrosis and cognitive impairment in HIV patients.” Infection, 2019; cited by 66 articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Grima’s multidimensional expertise—ranging from patient bedside care to policy-level interventions and groundbreaking research—makes him exceptionally suited for the Research for Advancing Patient Care through Research Award. His translational approach to infectious disease management, coupled with his consistent academic output, has had a lasting impact on both individual patient outcomes and the broader medical community. His work exemplifies how research can directly elevate standards of care, particularly in vulnerable and complex patient populations.

Foroogh Nejatollahi | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Foroogh Nejatollahi | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Dr. Foroogh Nejatollahi is a distinguished Iranian-Canadian immunologist renowned for her contributions to cancer immunotherapy and antibody engineering. With over three decades of academic and research experience, she has significantly advanced the field of immunodiagnostics and human recombinant antibodies. Her career spans key professorial roles and impactful publications that have positioned her as a leader in cancer biology and molecular immunology. She is the inventor of patented antibody-based therapeutics and continues to inspire through her groundbreaking work in antibody design for oncology.

profile

scopus

Education

Dr. Nejatollahi began her academic journey with a BSc in Biology from Shiraz University in 1985. Her passion for life sciences led her to complete an MSc in Microbiology at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 1990, where she later returned as a faculty member. Her academic excellence culminated in a PhD in Pathological Sciences from the University of Manchester, UK, in 2002. This robust academic foundation underpins her extensive research into human antibodies and immune responses against cancer and infectious diseases.

Experience

Over a rich academic tenure, Dr. Nejatollahi served as a Professor at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2015 until her early retirement in 2022. Her previous roles included Associate Professor (2011–2015) and Assistant Professor (2007–2011). Earlier in her career, she was a tutor in Microbiology and Immunology at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Beyond teaching, she has mentored PhD, MSc, and MD students, delivering courses in immunology, molecular biology, vaccine technology, and antibody engineering, shaping the next generation of scientists and clinicians.

Research Interest

Her multidisciplinary research interests encompass immunobiology, immunodiagnostics, pathobiology, infection and immunity, and human recombinant antibodies. A major focus of her work lies in cancer biology, especially in developing antibody-based diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Dr. Nejatollahi’s research is notable for using phage display technology to isolate single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) and targeting specific cancer biomarkers like HER2, HER3, EGFR, and CD146. These contributions have propelled advances in cancer-targeted immunotherapy and personalized medicine.

Awards

Dr. Nejatollahi holds the US Patent No. US10905771B2 for her invention titled “Anti-MUC18 Human Immunotoxin and Applications Thereof,” a remarkable milestone that exemplifies her innovation in therapeutic antibody development. Her scientific excellence has been acknowledged through numerous conference presentations, both internationally and nationally, including in Canada, the UK, Italy, and Iran. She has represented Iran at global events on cancer therapeutics, HIV/AIDS, and antibody technology, marking her presence as a thought leader in immunological science.

Publications

Among her extensive body of work, the following are key publications with high citation relevance:

Nejatollahi F. et al. (2002). “Neutralizing human recombinant antibodies to human cytomegalovirus gB and gH.” FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology, 34:237–244. [Cited by 81 articles]

Nejatollahi F. et al. (2012). “Down-regulation of VEGF expression by anti-HER2/neu single chain antibodies.” Medical Oncology, 26:378–383. [Cited by 54 articles]

Nejatollahi F. et al. (2013). “Deregulation of HER2 downstream signaling in breast cancer cells by a cocktail of anti-HER2 scFvs.” Oncology Research, 20(8):333–340. [Cited by 37 articles]

Nejatollahi F. et al. (2013). “Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of anti-Prostate Stem Cell scFv antibody on prostate cancer cells.” Journal of Oncology, 2013:839831. [Cited by 29 articles]

Nejatollahi F. et al. (2014). “Triple blockade of HER2 by a cocktail of scFv antibodies in breast cancer.” Tumor Biology, 35(8):7887–7895. [Cited by 45 articles]

Mohammadi M., Nejatollahi F. et al. (2016). “In silico analysis of tag polypeptides in scFv antibodies.” Journal of Theoretical Biology, 402:100–106. [Cited by 23 articles]

Nejatollahi F. et al. (2017). “Anti-FZD7 scFv antibody inhibits cell growth in colorectal cancer.” Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 181:379–390. [Cited by 31 articles]

Conclusion

In conclusion, Professor Foroogh Nejatollahi exemplifies the highest standards of academic excellence, research innovation, and clinical relevance. Her multi-faceted contributions to antibody engineering, cancer immunotherapy, and infectious disease diagnostics not only advance scientific frontiers but also hold transformative potential in medicine. Her scholarly impact, patent portfolio, and mentorship legacy make her a distinguished and deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award. Her career stands as a beacon of dedication to translational research and global scientific collaboration.