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.

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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.

AWAD ALI ALI SHEHATA | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. AWAD ALI ALI SHEHATA | Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Project leader at Technical University of Munich, Germany

Prof. Dr. Awad A. Shehata is a highly respected veterinary scientist with extensive academic, research, and project leadership experience in microbiology, avian diseases, and antimicrobial alternatives. Currently a project leader at the Technical University of Munich and a private docent at Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Germany, he combines scientific rigor with innovation in One Health and veterinary biotechnology. With over 105 peer-reviewed publications, 4 patents, and numerous international collaborations, Dr. Shehata has established himself as a thought leader in tackling antimicrobial resistance and developing next-generation diagnostic tools and vaccines.

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Education

Dr. Shehata’s educational journey began with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from Alexandria University, Egypt (1998), followed by a Master’s degree in Avian and Rabbit Diseases from Sadat City University (2005). He obtained his Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from Leipzig University, Germany (2011), focusing on truncated influenza sequences for vaccination. In 2015, he completed his habilitation with pioneering research linking intestinal dysbiosis and glyphosate to visceral botulism. He later earned advanced certifications, including Dipl. European College of Poultry Veterinary Science (2024), biological safety, GMP, quality management, and FELASA animal research qualifications.

Experience

Spanning over two decades, Dr. Shehata’s professional experience includes roles such as associate professor at Sadat City University, R&D manager at MIVAC Egypt, and project leader positions in both academia and industry across Egypt and Germany. From 2010 to 2016, he served as a researcher at Leipzig University’s Virology Institute. Since 2023, he has led projects at the Technical University of Munich focusing on membrane biochemistry and metabolic profiling in avian pathogens. His teaching portfolio spans institutions such as Regensburg, Leipzig, and Sadat City University, offering courses in microbiology and avian diseases in both English and German.

Research Interest

Dr. Shehata’s core research interests lie in developing alternatives to antimicrobials, studying the molecular epidemiology of avian pathogens, and leveraging 13C-labelling for metabolic pathway analysis. His work in recombinant peptide vaccines and metabolic drift live attenuated vaccines represents a paradigm shift in veterinary immunization. He actively explores the use of phytogenic and bioactive compounds to counter multidrug-resistant pathogens in poultry. A staunch advocate for multidisciplinary collaboration, he coordinates projects across Germany, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, and Algeria.

Award

Dr. Shehata has received prestigious recognition, including a scholarship from the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and a travel grant for the 4th European Congress of Virology in Italy. His leadership in the PRIMA Project (1.8 million EUR funding) and the “Alternatives to Antimicrobials” project (450,000 EUR funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research) reflect his impactful contributions. He is also an editorial member and reviewer for high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Microbiology and Veterinary Research.

Publication

Dr. Shehata has published over 105 peer-reviewed articles, 38 book chapters, and 3 textbooks. Here are 7 selected publications:

Shehata AA, et al. (2023) – “An Overview of the Use of Bacteriophages in the Poultry Industry,” Frontiers in Microbiology. Cited by 30 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2022) – “Diversity of Coronaviruses with Attention to SARS-CoV-2,” Animals. Cited by 20 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2020) – “Salmonella Enteritidis Vaccine Candidate,” Heliyon. Cited by 18 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2020) – “COVID-19 Pandemic Review,” J Clin Med. Cited by 55 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2022) – “Probiotics for Gut Health in Poultry,” Microorganisms. Cited by 27 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2021) – “Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Furin Cleavage Sites,” Archives of Virology. Cited by 19 articles.

Shehata AA, et al. (2015) – “Development of Broadly Reactive H5N1 Vaccine,” Vaccine. Cited by 40 articles.

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Awad A. Shehata epitomizes the excellence expected from a recipient of the Best Researcher Award. His career is marked by scientific rigor, translational impact, global collaboration, and unwavering commitment to solving pressing issues in infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. His innovations in vaccine development and natural antimicrobial alternatives have the potential to reshape veterinary public health, making him an outstanding candidate deserving of this recognition