Yvonne Hernandez-Kapila | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yvonne Hernandez-Kapila | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award 

Professor | UCLA | United States

Dr. Yvonne L. Hernandez-Kapila is a distinguished clinician-scientist, academic leader, and global research contributor recognized for her transformative work in oral biology, periodontology, and cancer biology. As Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the UCLA School of Dentistry and the Felix and Mildred Yip Endowed Chair in Dentistry, her research has significantly advanced understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying periodontal disease, oral cancer, and host-microbiome interactions. Her laboratory’s pioneering investigations into the oral-gut-brain axis, bacteriocin therapeutics, and oral virome have shaped new paradigms in microbial pathogenesis, inflammation, and regenerative oral health. A prolific author with more than a hundred peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes, Journal of Biological Chemistry, PLOS Pathogens, and Cell Death and Differentiation, Dr. Kapila’s work bridges fundamental discovery with translational innovation. She has served as principal investigator on multiple NIH-funded projects, including major initiatives exploring host–bacterial dynamics and microbiome modulation in oral and systemic disease contexts. Her editorial leadership extends across several international journals and major textbooks, including Periodontology 2000 and Newman and Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology, where she continues to shape scholarly discourse in the field. Dr. Kapila has received numerous prestigious honors recognizing her scientific excellence, mentorship, and contributions to dental research, including awards from the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology, and the American Association for Dental Research. A dedicated mentor, she has guided over a hundred trainees and junior faculty toward successful academic and research careers worldwide, championing inclusivity, rigorous scientific methodology, and leadership development. Through her interdisciplinary collaborations and global initiatives, Dr. Kapila continues to influence the future of oral health sciences, biomolecular therapeutics, and translational medicine, establishing herself as a leading voice in advancing oral-systemic health research on an international scale. She has 8347 citations from 146 documents with an h-index of 47.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. B. lactis HN019 modulates periapical inflammation and enhances cementum repair by increasing CEMP-1 expression in an animal model. (2025). Archives of Oral Biology.

2. The antimicrobial peptide nisin promotes host cell survival during SARS-CoV-2 infection. (2025). Virology Journal.

3. Nisin lantibiotic prevents NAFLD liver steatosis and mitochondrial oxidative stress following periodontal disease by abrogating oral, gut and liver dysbiosis. (2024). NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes.

4. Biological biomarkers of oral cancer. (2025). [Journal name not specified].

5. Nisin, a probiotic bacteriocin, modulates the inflammatory and microbiome changes in female reproductive organs mediated by polymicrobial periodontal infection. (2024). Microorganisms.

Wafa Tombari | Vaccines | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Wafa Tombari | Vaccines | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | University Hospital of Sahloul | Tunisia

Dr. Wafa Tombari, Ph.D., is an accomplished Assistant Professor and Research Scientist at the University Hospital of Sahloul, Sousse, specializing in infectious diseases with a focus on virology, vaccine development, and antimicrobial resistance. She holds a Doctoral Diploma in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences in Tunisia, a Master of Science in Microbiology, and a Certificate of Complementary Studies in Statistics and Epidemiological Methods from the Faculty of Medicine in Tunisia. With a distinguished academic and research career, Dr. Tombari has served as an Assistant Professor at both the High Institute of Medical Technologies and the University Hospital of Sahloul, where she has successfully led and collaborated on numerous national and international research projects. Her research integrates molecular biology, bioinformatics, and immunoinformatics to develop computational approaches for vaccine design, antiviral therapeutics, and the study of bacterial resistance mechanisms. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications in reputable international journals, including studies on mRNA-based vaccines for rabies virus and molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus species, highlighting her contributions to advancing biomedical innovation. Beyond her research, Dr. Tombari plays an active role in student mentorship, curriculum development, and scientific outreach, fostering collaboration and innovation within the academic community. Her expertise extends to reverse vaccinology, molecular cloning, and phylogenetic analysis, reflecting her multidisciplinary approach to infectious disease research. Dr. Tombari’s scholarly achievements and professional dedication exemplify her commitment to advancing global health through science and education. She has achieved 119 citations, published 10 scientific documents, and holds an h-index of 5, reflecting her academic influence and research excellence.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Tombari, W., Nsiri, J., Larbi, I., Guerin, J. L., & Ghram, A. (2011). Genetic evolution of low pathogenicity H9N2 avian influenza viruses in Tunisia: . Acquisition of new mutations. Virology Journal, 8(1), 467.

2. Tombari, W., Paul, M., Bettaieb, J., Larbi, I., Nsiri, J., Elbehi, I., Gribaa, L., & Ghram, A. (2013). Risk factors and characteristics of low pathogenic avian influenza virus isolated from commercial poultry in Tunisia. PLoS ONE, 8(1), e53524.

3. Boudaoud, A., Mamache, B., Tombari, W., & Ghram, A. (2016). Virus mutations and their impact on vaccination against infectious bursal disease (Gumboro disease). Revue Scientifique et Technique, 35(3), 875–897.

4. Kallel Sellami, M., Zitouni, M., Tombari, W., Ben Ayed, M., Abida, O., Laadhar, L., et al. (2007). Anti-desmoglein-1 antibodies are prevalent in Tunisian patients with hydatidosis and leishmaniasis. British Journal of Dermatology, 156(3), 591–593.

Achilleas Livieratos | Infectious Diseases Vaccines | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Achilleas Livieratos | Infectious Diseases Vaccines | Best Researcher Award

Medical Researcher | Stanford University | Greece

Dr. Achilleas Livieratos, PhD, MRSB, is a distinguished biomedical researcher whose work bridges immunology, infectious diseases, circadian biology, and artificial intelligence applications in health sciences. His research integrates advanced computational methods, including machine learning and multi-agent transformer frameworks, to enhance evidence generation, vaccine immunology, and drug safety analytics. He has published extensively in leading journals such as Vaccines, Pathogens, Viruses, eClinicalMedicine, and Value in Health, contributing to global understanding of immune response dynamics, precision medicine, and outcomes research. Notably, his development of MetaMind, an AI-driven framework for automated network meta-analyses, and his studies on circadian influences on influenza vaccine immunity have been recognized as groundbreaking contributions. His investigations into immune durability across respiratory viruses, including RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza, as well as his exploration of alternative therapies for long COVID, have significantly advanced clinical and translational knowledge. As a lead collaborator with Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Livieratos has directed international research initiatives on infectious disease modeling, biomarker discovery, and the application of AI in health outcomes research. His earlier work at the University of Oxford produced landmark discoveries in neurogenetics and circadian disruption, underpinning his multidisciplinary expertise. Through leadership in European Pharma and AI consortia, he continues to drive innovation in predictive health analytics and precision therapeutics, demonstrating an exceptional fusion of biomedical insight, computational innovation, and translational research impact.

Profiles : Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publication

Oliver, P. L., Sobczyk, M. V., Maywood, E. S., Edwards, B., Lee, S., Livieratos, A., et al. (2012). Disrupted circadian rhythms in a mouse model of schizophrenia. Current Biology, 22(4), 314–319.

Taylor, T. N., Potgieter, D., Anwar, S., Senior, S. L., Janezic, S., Threlfell, S., Ryan, B., et al. (2014). Region-specific deficits in dopamine, but not norepinephrine, signaling in a novel A30P α-synuclein BAC transgenic mouse. Neurobiology of Disease, 62, 193–207.

Wobst, H. J., Denk, F., Oliver, P. L., Livieratos, A., Taylor, T. N., Knudsen, M. H., et al. (2017). Increased 4R tau expression and behavioural changes in a novel MAPT-N296H genomic mouse model of tauopathy. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 43198.

Livieratos, A., Gogos, C., & Akinosoglou, K. (2024). Impact of prior COVID-19 immunization and/or prior infection on immune responses and clinical outcomes. Viruses, 16(5), 685.

Livieratos, A., Gogos, C., & Akinosoglou, K. (2024). Beyond antivirals: Alternative therapies for long COVID. Viruses, 16(11), 1795.

Dr. Eric Nilles | Immunoepidemiology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eric Nilles | Immunoepidemiology | Best Researcher Award

Harvard Medical School | United States.

Author Profile

Scopus Profile

Orcid Profile

Scholar Profile

🎓Education

Dr. Eric J. Nilles holds a B.S. in History (1996) and an M.D. in Medicine (2000) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He further specialized in Tropical Medicine and International Health with an M.Sc. from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in 2007, focusing on global health challenges.

💼Professional Experience

Dr. Nilles has extensive global healthcare experience, including roles as Attending Physician in emergency medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, and senior consultant positions in the U.A.E. He has worked with Médecins Sans Frontières in Sudan, Chad, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, managing infectious disease outbreaks and humanitarian crises. At the World Health Organization (WHO), he served as Team Leader for Emerging Disease Surveillance in the Pacific region, driving epidemic preparedness and response.

🔬Technical Skills

Dr. Nilles is proficient in epidemic preparedness, health systems strengthening, and humanitarian crisis response. His expertise extends to designing and implementing surveillance systems and response mechanisms for emerging infectious diseases.

🔬Research Interests

Dr. Nilles is passionate about infectious disease control, epidemic preparedness, and health system resilience in humanitarian settings. He actively explores the intersection of global health security and emergency response systems to combat emerging health threats.

📚Academic Contributions 

Dr. Nilles has held esteemed academic appointments, currently serving as an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He also holds a core faculty position at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, where he directs the Infectious Diseases and Epidemics Program. His teaching spans courses at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and mentoring future clinicians through Harvard Medical School programs.

🏆Awards & Recognition

Dr. Nilles has received numerous accolades, including the Humanitarian Service Award (2020) from the Global Emergency Medicine Academy and the Research and Scholarship Award (2023) from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine. His humanitarian efforts earned him the Friendship Award (2016) from Fiji’s Centres for Communicable Disease Control.

📘Teaching Experience

Dr. Nilles has contributed to education through innovative teaching methods, such as simulation exercises and specialized courses on post-disaster epidemics, humanitarian health programs, and diseases of the displaced. He engages with students at various levels, from medical undergraduates to MPH professionals and humanitarians worldwide.

Dr. Eric J. Nilles exemplifies dedication to clinical excellence, global health, and education, making a lasting impact on both local and international health landscapes.

📑Notable Publications 

“Seroepidemiology of human leptospirosis in the Dominican Republic: A multistage cluster survey, 2021”

Authors: Nilles, E.J., Paulino, C.T., Galloway, R., Kucharski, A., Lau, C.L.
Publication Year: 2024
Journal: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases

“Chikungunya Outbreak Risks after the 2014 Outbreak, Dominican Republic”

Authors: Loevinsohn, G., Then Paulino, C., Spring, J., Lau, C.L., Nilles, E.J.
Publication Year: 2024
Journal: Emerging Infectious Diseases

“Convergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody levels to a population immune setpoint”

Authors: Nilles, E.J., Roberts, K., de St Aubin, M., Lau, C.L., Kucharski, A.
Publication Year: 2024
Journal: eBioMedicine

“Effects of mobility, immunity and vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the Dominican Republic: a modelling study”

Authors: Finch, E., Nilles, E.J., Paulino, C.T., Lowe, R., Kucharski, A.J.
Publication Year: 2024
Journal: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas

“Hand hygiene perceptions, preferences, and practices among hospital staff in the Dominican Republic in the context of COVID-19: a qualitative study”

Authors: Craig, C.E., Schnorr, C.D., Then Paulino, C.J., Lozier, M.J., Nilles, E.J.
Publication Year: 2024
Journal: Infection Prevention in Practice

“Using Regional Sero-Epidemiology SARS-CoV-2 Anti-S Antibodies in the Dominican Republic to Inform Targeted Public Health Response”

Authors: Mario Martin, B., Cadavid Restrepo, A., Mayfield, H.J., Nilles, E.J., Lau, C.L.
Publication Year: 2023
Journal: Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease

“Longitudinal changes in hand hygiene adherence among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dominican Republic”

Authors: Daniel Schnorr, C., Roberts, K.W., Payano, E.C., Duke, W., Nilles, E.
Publication Year: 2024
Journal: PLOS Water