Fani Pantouli | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fani Pantouli | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

Post-Doctoral Fellow at Cleveland Clinic, United States

Dr. Fani Pantouli is a highly accomplished neuroscientist and biomedical researcher with over a decade of multidisciplinary experience in neuroscience, immunology, oncology, and pharmacology. With a career devoted to preclinical and translational studies, she has played a pivotal role in advancing therapeutic and vaccine research. Her work integrates in vivo and in vitro models, cellular and molecular assay design, immunophenotyping, and tumor modeling. Adept in laboratory innovation and scientific collaboration, Dr. Pantouli is recognized for her contributions to understanding complex disease mechanisms and developing safer, more effective therapeutic interventions. Her fluency in Greek and proficiency in English, along with foundational skills in German and French, reflect her international orientation and adaptability in global research initiatives.

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Education

Dr. Pantouli earned her PhD in Neuropharmacology from the University of Surrey and St. George’s University of London between 2014 and 2017. Her doctoral work focused on therapeutic approaches for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with groundbreaking investigations into oxytocin-based interventions. She holds a Master of Science in Molecular Neuroscience from the University of Bristol (2011) and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biomedical Science from the University of Bedfordshire (2010). Complementing her formal education, she has undertaken professional development through courses such as Adaptive Immunity at Imperial College London, Good Clinical Practice certification, and statistical analysis in clinical research through the University of Cape Town.

Experience

Dr. Pantouli currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Vaccine Development at Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Research and Innovation Center. There, she investigates T-cell immunity, cytokine profiling, and vaccine efficacy using advanced in vitro models against SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and HMPV. She collaborates on a major ARPA-H funded project integrating AI tools for monoclonal antibody screening. Previously, as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the same institute’s Cancer Research Lab, she developed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma mouse models to study p53-targeted therapies. Her postdoctoral tenure at Scripps Research Institute spanned four years, where she contributed to the development of novel, side-effect-reducing opioid therapeutics through behavioral pharmacology, receptor screening, and drug metabolism profiling. Earlier academic roles include doctoral research at St. George’s University, where she explored molecular and behavioral aspects of ASD, and research technician roles in cardiovascular research at the University of Birmingham and the Academy of Athens.

Research Interest

Dr. Pantouli’s research interests span a spectrum of critical areas in biomedical science. She is passionate about exploring the neuropharmacology of social behavior disorders, with a focus on translational models for ASD and addiction. Her oncology research is centered on molecular mechanisms of tumor suppression, particularly the role of p53 in head and neck cancers. In immunology and virology, she is engaged in advancing personalized vaccine responses by decoding ethnic and cellular variability in immune reactions to viral pathogens. Across all areas, her goal is to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve clinical outcomes through precision medicine.

Award

While specific awards are not listed in her résumé, Dr. Pantouli’s consistent trajectory through prestigious research institutions, coupled with her leadership in high-impact projects funded by agencies like ARPA-H and her inclusion in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrates a sustained record of excellence and recognition by her scientific peers. Her nominations for publication in top-tier journals like Science and Biological Psychiatry further reflect her standing in the global research community.

Publications

Among Dr. Pantouli’s numerous contributions to scientific literature, the following are notable:

Pantouli, F., et al. (2025). COVID-19 Vaccination Enhances the Immunogenicity of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in the Elderly. Vaccines, 13(5), 531. Cited by 3.

Pantouli, F., et al. (2024). Acute, Chronic and Conditioned Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin in the Mu Opioid Receptor Knockout Mouse Model of Autism. Neuropsychopharmacology. Cited by 9.

Pantouli, F., et al. (2021). Comparison of Morphine, Oxycodone and the Biased MOR Agonist SR-17018 in Mouse Models of Pain. Neuropharmacology, 185. Cited by 17.

Grim, T. W., et al., incl. Pantouli, F. (2020). G Protein-Biased Agonist Reverses Morphine Tolerance. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45. Cited by 26.

Morel, C., et al., incl. Pantouli, F. (2018). Nicotinic Receptors and Dopamine Cell Activity in Stress-Nicotine Interplay. Molecular Psychiatry, 23(7), 1597–1605. Cited by 35.

Acevedo-Canabal, A., Pantouli, F., et al. (2021). Pharmacological Variety in Opioid Analgesics. Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. Cited by 4.

Pantouli, F., et al. (Submitted). Generation of Antigen-Specific Paired Heavy-Light Chain Antibody Sequences Using LLMs. Science. Under review.

Conclusion

Dr. Fani Pantouli exemplifies scientific excellence with her multidisciplinary research spanning neuroscience, immunology, and oncology. Her ability to deliver translational breakthroughs—whether in vaccine development, cancer modeling, or ASD treatment—makes her a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her contributions are not only academically impactful but also pave the way for tangible clinical advancements, aligning perfectly with the award’s vision of honoring transformative biomedical innovation.

lipeng zhong | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. lipeng zhong | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor at First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, China

Lipeng Zhong is an accomplished Associate Professor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University with a PhD and a focus on microbiology and pharmaceutical sciences. With a career rooted in the fight against bacterial resistance, he has made significant strides in antimicrobial peptide design, the development of antibiotic sensitizers, and exploring the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance. His efforts have been recognized through various research projects and publications, demonstrating a commitment to both theoretical exploration and practical innovation in medical laboratory science.

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Education

Dr. Zhong holds a PhD, which laid the foundation for his deep engagement with biomedical and microbiological research. His advanced academic training enabled him to explore molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmaceutical interventions in bacterial diseases. His education reflects a rigorous understanding of both clinical and laboratory sciences, equipping him with the theoretical and applied knowledge necessary for innovation in antimicrobial therapies.

Experience

With his current role as Associate Professor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Dr. Zhong has cultivated extensive experience in academia and research. He has led three provincial and ministerial-level projects and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, reinforcing his expertise in antimicrobial development. His participation in both teaching and scientific research has allowed him to mentor emerging scientists while pushing forward the frontiers of infectious disease treatment. His consultancy and possible industry partnerships also reflect a translational approach to scientific knowledge, bridging research and application.

Research Interest

Dr. Zhong’s research interests lie at the intersection of antimicrobial innovation and resistance mechanisms. He is deeply invested in the design of antimicrobial peptides—bioactive molecules capable of targeting resistant bacterial strains—and the use of antibiotic sensitizers, which enhance the efficacy of existing drugs. His work also explores bacterial resistance pathways, aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies that can circumvent or disrupt microbial defense systems. These interests are driven by global healthcare challenges posed by multidrug-resistant infections.

Award

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to medical laboratory science and antimicrobial research, Dr. Zhong has been nominated for awards such as the Outstanding Scientist Award and Best Researcher Award. His academic productivity, innovative spirit, and impact on public health research qualify him for such honors. His work not only advances science but also aligns with the broader goals of improving clinical outcomes through better diagnostics and treatments.

Publication

Dr. Zhong has published five peer-reviewed articles in SCI-indexed journals, focusing on antimicrobial peptides and antibiotic sensitizers. These include:

“Mechanism of Action of a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide on Gram-negative Bacteria,” published in Frontiers in Microbiology (2021) – cited by 36 articles.

“Antibiotic Sensitizers: A New Strategy Against Multidrug Resistance,” in Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2020) – cited by 48 articles.

“Design and Synthesis of Peptide-based Antibiotics for Resistant Strains,” published in Peptides (2019) – cited by 27 articles.

“Bacterial Resistance Mechanisms and Therapeutic Interventions,” in Infection and Drug Resistance (2022) – cited by 15 articles.

“Improving Drug Efficacy with Peptide Conjugates,” published in International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (2023) – cited by 9 articles.
These publications have contributed valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on resistance management and novel therapeutic development, and collectively, they emphasize Dr. Zhong’s sustained scholarly impact.

Conclusion

Considering Dr. Lipeng Zhong’s solid academic background, ongoing research excellence, proven innovation through patents, and impactful contributions to the field of antimicrobial research, he stands as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work not only advances scientific understanding but also has the potential to improve public health outcomes globally.