Jacqueline Yeboah | Biochemistry | Women Researcher Award

Ms. Jacqueline Yeboah | Biochemistry | Women Researcher Award

Tuskeegee University | United States

Jacqueline Afua Yeboah is a passionate researcher in Food and Nutritional Sciences, currently pursuing her M.S. in Food and Nutritional Science at Tuskegee University, Alabama, under the supervision of Dr. Norma Dawkins. Her graduate research focuses on “The Effect of Blueberries and Collard Greens Vegetable Diet on Selective Biomarkers of Obesity,” exploring dietary interventions for obesity management and cardiometabolic health. She earned her B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, where she graduated with Second Class Upper Division. Her undergraduate thesis investigated the nutritional and bioactive profiles of functional sports beverages derived from beetroot and coconut water blends. Jacqueline’s research interests span cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes, obesity, functional foods, glucose metabolism, and dietary biomarkers. She has served as a Teaching and Research Assistant at KNUST, where she supervised laboratory sessions, evaluated student projects, and conducted studies on sarcopenia, edible insects, and the effects of cooking oils on metabolic disorders. Her work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals such as Future Foods and Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. She is a member of the Institute of Food Technologists, Ghana Science Association, and Ghana Biochemistry Students Association. Jacqueline has earned accolades including 3rd Place at the South East IFT Product Development Competition (2025). Guided by her commitment to nutrition-driven disease prevention, Jacqueline aims to contribute innovative research that integrates functional foods and diet-based strategies to promote global health and wellness.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Amoah, I., Cobbinah, J. C., Yeboah, J. A., Essiam, F. A., Lim, J. J., Tandoh, M. A., & Rush, E. (2023). Edible insect powder for enrichment of bakery products – A review of nutritional, physical characteristics, and acceptability of bakery products to consumers. Future Foods, 8, 100251.

Amoah, I., Cairncross, C., Osei, E. O., Yeboah, J. A., Cobbinah, J. C., & Rush, E. (2022). Bioactive properties of bread formulated with plant-based functional ingredients before consumption and possible links with health outcomes after consumption – A review. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 77(3), 329–339.

Amoah, I., Cobbinah, J. C., Tawiah, P., Lim, J. J., Yeboah, J. A., & Rush, E. (2025). Glycaemic and satiety responses associated with the consumption of parboiled and braised rice: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 11(1), 2550070.

 

Nobendu Mukerjee | Biochemistry | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Nobendu Mukerjee | Biochemistry | Young Scientist Award

University of Houston | India

Nobendu Mukerjee is an emerging researcher in cancer biology and microbiology, dedicated to bridging bioinformatics and wet-lab research to uncover molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression and to develop novel therapeutic strategies. He holds an M.Sc. in Microbiology from West Bengal State University with an outstanding CGPA of 9.78, following a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Microbiology from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College. His research primarily focuses on exosome-mediated PROTAC delivery systems and phytochemical-based cancer therapies. During his academic journey, Nobendu has gained significant research experience at reputed institutions such as the A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (Singapore), Tripura University, St. Xavier’s College Kolkata, Sambalpur University, and Banaras Hindu University. His work explores therapeutic nanodelivery, protein–ligand interactions, and computational drug design aimed at targeted cancer treatments. As a first author in multiple high-impact publications across journals like Chemical Engineering Journal, Drug Discovery Today, ACS Applied Nano Materials, and Journal of Medical Virology, he has made valuable contributions to the fields of cancer therapeutics, exosome biology, and molecular medicine. His excellence has been recognized through prestigious fellowships, including the Singapore International Pre-Graduate Award (SIPGA) and the SPARK Fellowship from IIT Roorkee & BHU. Currently serving as a Lecturer at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Nobendu remains committed to advancing precision medicine through integrative bioengineering approaches. His vision is to translate laboratory innovations into clinically transformative cancer therapies that can reshape the future of oncology.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

  • Mukerjee, N., Maitra, S., Kaur, M., Rekha, M. M., Soothwal, P., Arora, I., Thorat, N. D., Sharma, P. K., & Kaushik, A. (2025). Click chemistry-based modified exosomes: Towards enhancing precision in cancer theranostics. Chemical Engineering Journal, 475, 160915.

  • Mohite, P., Puri, A., Munde, S., Yadav, V., Mukerjee, N., Patil, R., Mahindrakar, N., Siva Prasad, G. V., Verma, R., & Sinha, A. (2025). Exosome-mediated intercellular communication and PROTACs delivery: A dual approach for precision therapy in colon cancer. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 87, 106596.

  • Mukerjee, N., Maitra, S., Ghosh, A., Alexiou, A., & Thorat, N. D. (2024). Exosome-mediated PROTAC delivery for treatment of RNA viral infections and zoonosis. Drug Discovery Today, 29(5), 104044.

  • Dhar, R., Mukerjee, N., Mukherjee, D., Devi, A., Jha, S. K., & Gorai, S. (2024). Plant-derived exosomes: A new dimension in cancer therapy. Phytotherapy Research, 38(7), 7828.

  • Mukerjee, N., Maitra, S., & Sharma, R. (2024). Proteolysis-targeting chimeras in antiviral therapy: Leveraging influenza virus and exosome-mediated delivery for targeted protein degradation and therapeutic advancements. Drug Development Research, 85(4), 22145.

Bhavana Tiwari | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Bhavana Tiwari | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Bhavana Tiwari, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Berhampur, India

Dr. Bhavana Tiwari, Ph.D., is a distinguished Wellcome Trust-DBT India Alliance Intermediate Fellow at the Department of Biological Sciences, IISER Berhampur, Odisha, India. With an illustrious academic journey spanning a Ph.D. in Life Sciences and a postdoctoral tenure at UT Southwestern Medical Center, she has made groundbreaking contributions in genome security, transposons, and molecular biology. Dr. Tiwari’s innovative research on the regulation of LINE1 retrotransposon-derived R-loops and her work on p53-mediated processes has been recognized globally, including features in Science. A dedicated educator and a prolific scientist, she holds multiple prestigious fellowships and grants, underlining her exceptional impact in biochemistry and cellular research.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award: Dr. Bhavana Tiwari, Ph.D.

Dr. Bhavana Tiwari is an exemplary candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, reflecting her significant contributions to the field of life sciences, particularly in the study of transposons, genomic stability, and pathogen-host interactions. Her extensive academic background, professional experiences, impactful research, and numerous accolades underscore her suitability for this prestigious honor.

Dr. Tiwari’s academic journey, beginning with a Ph.D. in Life Sciences from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), India, demonstrates a deep-rooted commitment to scientific excellence. Her groundbreaking research on the role of PE_PPE protein families in Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis highlights her ability to address critical biomedical challenges. Her postdoctoral work at UT Southwestern Medical Center further established her as a global researcher, with a focus on transposons and genomic stability, resulting in high-impact publications featured in journals like Genes & Development and Current Biology.

🎓 Education

Dr. Bhavana Tiwari’s academic excellence began with a B.Sc. in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry from Banaras Hindu University (2006). She pursued an M.Sc. in Biotechnology at The M.S. University of Baroda (2008), deepening her knowledge of molecular mechanisms. Her Ph.D. in Life Sciences from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad (2015), marked a significant milestone, where her thesis focused on the PE_PPE protein family’s role in Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis. Guided by Dr. Raghunand R. Tirumalai, her doctoral research showcased her innovative approach to microbial studies. This robust educational foundation has been pivotal in her stellar scientific career.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Bhavana Tiwari’s career reflects her commitment to advancing science. Currently an Intermediate Fellow at IISER Berhampur (2023–present), she previously served as Visiting Faculty at the same institute (2022–2023). Her industry expertise includes roles as Senior Translation Scientist at C-CAMP, Bangalore (2021–2022), and Scientist at Immuneel Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru (2020–2021). Her postdoctoral tenure (2015–2020) at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, under Prof. John Abrams, focused on genome regulation and transposons. Dr. Tiwari’s seamless transition between academia and industry underscores her versatility and excellence in translational research.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

Dr. Bhavana Tiwari has been honored with numerous prestigious accolades. She is a recipient of the Wellcome Trust-DBT India Alliance Intermediate Fellowship (2023–2028) and the SERB Core Research Grant (2024–2027). Earlier, she earned the CSIR-ASPIRE Women Research Grant (2024–2027) and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Fellowship (2016–2018). Her academic achievements include DBT and CSIR fellowships during her postgraduate and doctoral studies. She also qualified for the GATE-2008 with 96.52 percentile. These recognitions highlight her outstanding contributions to biochemistry and molecular biology.

🌍 Research Skills On Biochemistry

Dr. Bhavana Tiwari’s research expertise spans genome security, transposons, retrotransposons, and cellular signaling pathways. She excels in exploring p53-mediated regulation and its role in silencing LINE1 retrotransposon-derived R-loops, contributing to genomic stability. Her proficiency in molecular biology, biochemistry, and computational modeling is complemented by her innovative approaches in translational research. Dr. Tiwari’s work on pathogen-host interactions and organelle communication underscores her interdisciplinary expertise. With a strong publication record, she continues to shape our understanding of molecular mechanisms in health and disease.

 📖 Publication Top Notes

  • The Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE proteins Rv0285 and Rv1386 modulate innate immunity and mediate bacillary survival in macrophages
    • Authors: BM Tiwari, N Kannan, L Vemu, TR Raghunand
    • Journal: PloS One
    • Citations: 117
    • Year: 2012
  • p53 directly represses human LINE1 transposons
    • Authors: B Tiwari, AE Jones, CJ Caillet, S Das, SK Royer, JM Abrams
    • Journal: Genes & Development
    • Citations: 91
    • Year: 2020
  • The Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein pair PE9 (Rv1088)–PE10 (Rv1089) forms heterodimers and induces macrophage apoptosis through Toll‐like receptor 4
    • Authors: B Tiwari, UM Ramakrishnan, TR Raghunand
    • Journal: Cellular Microbiology
    • Citations: 63
    • Year: 2015
  • An immunomodulatory role for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis region of difference 1 locus proteins PE35 (Rv3872) and PPE68 (Rv3873)
    • Authors: B Tiwari, A Soory, TR Raghunand
    • Journal: The FEBS Journal
    • Citations: 60
    • Year: 2014
  • Transposons, p53 and Genome Security
    • Authors: B Tiwari, AE Jones, JM Abrams
    • Journal: Trends in Genetics
    • Citations: 47
    • Year: 2018
  • Retrotransposons mimic germ plasm determinants to promote transgenerational inheritance
    • Authors: B Tiwari, P Kurtz, AE Jones, A Wylie, JF Amatruda, DP Boggupalli, …
    • Journal: Current Biology
    • Citations: 28
    • Year: 2017
  • Drosophila p53 directs nonapoptotic programs in postmitotic tissue
    • Authors: P Kurtz, AE Jones, B Tiwari, N Link, A Wylie, C Tracy, H Krämer, …
    • Journal: Molecular Biology of the Cell
    • Citations: 22
    • Year: 2019
  • Organelles are miscommunicating: Membrane contact sites getting hijacked by pathogens
    • Authors: P Paul, B Tiwari
    • Journal: Virulence
    • Citations: 3
    • Year: 2023
  • The Happy Hopping of Transposons: The Origins of V (D) J Recombination in Adaptive Immunity
    • Authors: RV Shridharan, N Kalakuntla, N Chirmule, B Tiwari
    • Journal: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
    • Citations: 1
    • Year: 2022
  • p53 mediated regulation of LINE1 retrotransposon derived R-loops
    • Authors: P Paul, A Kumar, AS Parida, AK De, G Bhadke, S Khatua, B Tiwari
    • Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry
    • Year: 2025