Makiko Mitsunami | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Makiko Mitsunami | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Makiko Mitsunami, Integrated Center for Women’s Health, Japan

Dr. Makiko Mitsunami is a dedicated physician-scientist specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive epidemiology. Born in Shiga, Japan, she obtained her MD from Jichi Medical University in 2008 and earned an MMSc from Harvard Medical School in Clinical Investigations. She later completed her PhD at Jichi Medical University, further enriching her academic prowess. Her professional journey includes rigorous clinical residency and postdoctoral research fellowships at prestigious institutions such as the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Mitsunami’s research explores the intersection of nutrition, environmental health, and reproductive outcomes, with a strong focus on plant-based diets, infertility, and hormonal biomarkers. Her numerous grants and awards—including multiple research fundings from the Fuji Protein Foundation—underscore her impactful work. As a research associate at Harvard, she continues to mentor students and contribute to groundbreaking studies, advocating for women’s reproductive health globally through science and public health interventions.

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Suitability Summary for Research for Best Researcher Award

Dr. Makiko Mitsunami is an exemplary candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award based on her robust academic background, extensive clinical and research experience, and impactful contributions to medical science, particularly in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive health. She holds an MD, MMSc in Clinical Investigations, and a PhD, combining rigorous clinical training with advanced research expertise from prestigious institutions such as Jichi Medical University and Harvard Medical School. This strong educational foundation supports her credibility and authority in her field.

Throughout her career, Dr. Mitsunami has balanced clinical responsibilities and academic pursuits, holding roles from junior resident to senior medical staff and research fellow. Her postdoctoral research experience at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health highlights her commitment to advancing public health knowledge, particularly in areas such as nutrition, environmental health, and epidemiology, under the guidance of notable principal investigators. Her leadership experience as Associate Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Higashi-Ohmi General Medical Center further demonstrates her ability to integrate research with clinical practice and manage healthcare delivery effectively.

🎓 Education 

Dr. Makiko Mitsunami embarked on her academic journey at Jichi Medical University, where she earned her MD in 2008, followed by postgraduate residency training in obstetrics and gynecology across multiple medical centers in Japan. Pursuing a passion for clinical research, she enrolled in Harvard Medical School’s Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc) in Clinical Investigations, graduating in May 2021. She culminated her academic accomplishments with a PhD in Medicine from Jichi Medical University in 2023, reflecting a robust blend of clinical acumen and research excellence. Her academic path was enriched with prestigious international training experiences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she contributed to studies on nutrition, epidemiology, and environmental health. Her cross-disciplinary education and commitment to women’s health have made her a prominent figure in reproductive medicine and global health. Her educational background empowers her ongoing contributions to cutting-edge research and healthcare improvement.

💼 Professional Experience 

Dr. Mitsunami’s professional experience spans clinical practice, academic appointments, and cutting-edge public health research. She began her career as a junior and senior resident in obstetrics and gynecology across several hospitals in Japan, including Otsu Red Cross and Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital. From 2012 to 2015, she served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of General Surgery, later becoming Associate Director of the Ob-Gyn department at Higashi-Ohmi General Medical Center. Her passion for research led her to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she currently serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Research Associate under esteemed mentors such as Dr. Jorge Chavarro and Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah. Her research addresses nutrition, endocrine health, infertility, and environmental exposures. She has also contributed significantly to student training and curriculum development. Her diverse professional background uniquely positions her at the intersection of clinical medicine and impactful research.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

Dr. Makiko Mitsunami has been widely recognized for her contributions to reproductive medicine and clinical research. Early in her career, she received the Young Investigator’s Award in 2012 from the Society for Study of the Kidney in Pregnancy for her work on cardiomyopathy in dialysis patients. She has been awarded multiple competitive research grants from the Fuji Protein for Research Foundation between 2021 and 2025, totaling over $30,000 in support of her investigations into soy-based diets and reproductive health. In 2023, she was honored with the JMSA Scholarship from the Japanese Medical Society of America. Notably, she secured a prestigious Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship for her research on plant-based diets and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, valued at $69,776. Additionally, she was selected as a Rose Service Learning Program Fellow at Harvard in 2024. These accolades reflect her growing global impact and academic excellence.

🌍 Research Skill On Medicine

Dr. Mitsunami brings a multifaceted research skill set to the field of reproductive medicine, grounded in clinical expertise and public health methodology. Her core research skills include epidemiologic study design, statistical data analysis, and translational research in human reproduction. She excels in linking environmental exposures and dietary patterns—especially plant-based diets—to hormonal health and fertility. Her work leverages biomarker analyses such as Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels to evaluate ovarian reserve, endometriosis risk, and menopausal timing. Through her affiliations at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, she collaborates across departments of nutrition, epidemiology, and environmental health, contributing to multidisciplinary studies. Fluent in Japanese and English, she conducts culturally sensitive research on fertility awareness among Japanese populations in the U.S.. Her ability to secure funding, lead research protocols, and co-author impactful publications highlights her as a capable and forward-thinking researcher improving global reproductive outcomes.

📖 Publication Top Notes

  • Access to HPV vaccination in Japan: Increasing social trust to regain vaccine confidence
    Authors: K Kunitoki, M Funato, M Mitsunami, T Kinoshita, MR Reich
    Journal: Vaccine
    Volume(Issue): 39 (41), Pages: 6104-6110
    Citations: 42
    Year: 2021

  • Association of gestational diabetes with subsequent long-term risk of mortality
    Authors: YX Wang, M Mitsunami, JAE Manson, AJ Gaskins, JW Rich-Edwards, …
    Journal: JAMA Internal Medicine
    Volume(Issue): 183 (11), Pages: 1204-1213
    Citations: 37
    Year: 2023

  • Women’s and men’s intake of omega-3 fatty acids and their food sources and assisted reproductive technology outcomes
    Authors: A Salas-Huetos, M Arvizu, L Mínguez-Alarcón, M Mitsunami, …
    Journal: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
    Volume(Issue): 227 (2), Pages: 246.e1-246.e11
    Citations: 32
    Year: 2022

  • Paternal adherence to healthy dietary patterns in relation to sperm parameters and outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies
    Authors: A Salas-Huetos, L Mínguez-Alarcón, M Mitsunami, M Arvizu, JB Ford, …
    Journal: Fertility and Sterility
    Volume(Issue): 117 (2), Pages: 298-312
    Citations: 23
    Year: 2022

  • Physical activity before pregnancy and the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
    Authors: M Arvizu, L Minguez-Alarcon, JJ Stuart, M Mitsunami, B Rosner, …
    Journal: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM
    Volume(Issue): 4 (2), Article: 100556
    Citations: 19
    Year: 2022

  • Pre-pregnancy menstrual cycle regularity and length and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: prospective cohort study
    Authors: YX Wang, S Wang, M Mitsunami, JAE Manson, JW Rich-Edwards, …
    Journal: Diabetologia
    Volume(Issue): 64 (11), Pages: 2415-2424
    Citations: 14
    Year: 2021

  • A dietary score representing the overall relation of men’s diet with semen quality in relation to outcomes of infertility treatment with assisted reproduction
    Authors: M Mitsunami, A Salas-Huetos, L Mínguez-Alarcón, JA Attaman, JB Ford, …
    Journal: F&S Reports
    Volume(Issue): 2 (4), Pages: 396-404
    Citations: 12
    Year: 2021

  • Prepregnancy healthy lifestyle and adverse pregnancy outcomes
    Authors: S Wang, M Mitsunami, E Ortiz-Panozo, CW Leung, JAE Manson, …
    Journal: Obstetrics & Gynecology
    DOI: 10.1097
    Citations: 11
    Year: 2022

  • Men’s dietary patterns in relation to infertility treatment outcomes among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization
    Authors: M Mitsunami, A Salas-Huetos, L Mínguez-Alarcón, JA Attaman, JB Ford, …
    Journal: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
    Volume(Issue): 38 (9), Pages: 2307-2318
    Citations: 11
    Year: 2021

  • Women’s adherence to healthy dietary patterns and outcomes of infertility treatment
    Authors: A Salas-Huetos, M Mitsunami, S Wang, L Mínguez-Alarcón, …
    Journal: JAMA Network Open
    Volume(Issue): 6 (8), Article: e2329982
    Citations: 10
    Year: 2023

 

Maximino Redondo | Health Professions | Best Scholar Award

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Prof. Dr. Maximino Redondo | Health Professions | Best Scholar Award

Prof. Dr. Maximino Redondo, Universidad de Málaga, Spain

Dr. Maximino Redondo Bautista is an accomplished Spanish physician and professor, with an extensive career in clinical laboratory medicine and health research. Since 1993, he has served as a Medical Specialist at Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol in Málaga, while concurrently advancing academia as a full-time professor at the University of Málaga. With six recognized research sexennia and leadership of the hospital’s Research Unit, Dr. Redondo has made significant strides in translational medicine, oncology, and chronic disease studies. He has led 18 competitive research projects supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and regional health bodies. His international collaborations and contributions to multicenter studies have shaped evidence-based healthcare practices in Spain. Through consistent involvement in national research networks like REDISSEC and RICAPPS, he promotes innovation, training, and the implementation of real-world healthcare solutions.

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🌟 Assessment of Suitability for the Research for Best Scholar Award: Dr. Maximino Redondo Bautista

Summary of Suitability:

Dr. Maximino Redondo Bautista stands as a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Best Scholar Award, bringing decades of academic, clinical, and research excellence to the forefront. With a strong dual appointment as a Medical Specialist at the Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol since 1993 and a Full Professor (Catedrático) at the University of Málaga since 2023, his contributions straddle both advanced medical practice and academic leadership.

Dr. Redondo earned his Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Granada in 1991, along with specialized academic training in Epidemiology and Clinical Research. His professional journey reflects a consistent climb, with long-term involvement in academia and research, having held multiple professorial roles and received continuous competitive research funding. Over the years, he has served as Principal Investigator in 18 competitive research projects funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the Andalusian Health Council.

🎓 Education

Dr. Redondo holds a Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Granada (1991), which laid the groundwork for his specialization in clinical analysis and translational medical research. He also earned a University Expert Degree in Epidemiology and Clinical Research from the same university in 2000. His academic journey began with a residency (MIR) in Clinical Analysis at the University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves (1986–1990), followed by key professional training in top Spanish medical centers. Over the years, he has cultivated a strong background in biomedical sciences and public health, supported by further academic certification and participation in national programs. His extensive formal education, complemented by teaching roles since 1992, has empowered him to nurture emerging scientists, shape academic curricula, and contribute to policy-oriented research in health sciences.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Maximino Redondo has more than three decades of experience in clinical medicine, research, and higher education. Since 1993, he has worked as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist at Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol. In academia, he has been a professor at the University of Málaga since 1992, most recently serving as Chair Professor in the Department of Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry, and Immunology. He also served as a Tenured Professor and Associate Professor over the years. His extensive career includes significant research leadership: serving on competitive programs at Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the Andalusian Health Council. He coordinates national research networks, leads clinical studies, and contributes to translational research initiatives. Dr. Redondo’s integrated professional approach bridges patient care, scientific inquiry, and academic excellence, shaping policy and fostering innovation in health service delivery.

🏅 Awards and Recognition 

Dr. Redondo has been widely recognized for his exceptional contributions to biomedical research, health policy, and academic mentorship. His work has earned six officially recognized sexenios de investigación (six-year research productivity periods), a distinguished mark in Spanish academia. He has led 18 competitive research projects and was repeatedly selected for national Intensification Programs by both Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the Andalusian Ministry of Health. Dr. Redondo played a central role in the REDISSEC and RICAPPS research networks, coordinating multicenter studies and leading national healthcare strategies. His efforts have translated research findings into impactful healthcare practices and evidence-based policy reforms. As a principal investigator and mentor, he has contributed to researcher training programs and advanced Spain’s health system through innovation and collaborative research. His influence spans medical education, diagnostics, and national public health frameworks.

🌍 Research Skills On Health Professions

Dr. Redondo excels in translational research, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, and health services evaluation. His primary focus lies in oncology, chronic illness management, and the integration of research findings into real-world clinical practice. His skillset includes designing multicenter studies, applying evidence-based medicine, and leveraging laboratory diagnostics to inform health policies. As a senior researcher and group leader in the RICAPPS (RD21/0016/0015 and RD24/0005/0016) and REDISSEC networks, he coordinates collaborative research among hospitals, universities, and institutes across Spain. He also mentors early-career researchers, promotes interdisciplinary partnerships, and strengthens knowledge translation in healthcare. His ability to secure competitive funding and lead innovative health projects demonstrates scientific and managerial expertise. Dr. Redondo also contributes to editorial, evaluation, and strategic committees, ensuring the long-term sustainability and impact of research initiatives aimed at improving public health outcomes.

📖 Publication Top Notes

  • 🔬 Overexpression of clusterin in human breast carcinoma
    Authors: M. Redondo, E. Villar, J. Torres-Muñoz, T. Tellez, M. Morell, C.K. Petito
    Citation: The American Journal of Pathology, 157(2), 393–399.
    Year: 2000

  • 🧪 Immunotherapy: a challenge of breast cancer treatment
    Authors: M. García-Aranda, M. Redondo
    Citation: Cancers, 11(12), 1822.
    Year: 2019

  • 🧫 Expression of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in prostatic adenocarcinoma and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia
    Authors: C. Marchal, M. Redondo, M. Padilla, J. Caballero, I. Rodrigo, J. Garcia, et al.
    Citation: Histology and Histopathology, 2004.
    Year: 2004

  • 🧠 Deletion of lysophosphatidic acid receptor LPA1 reduces neurogenesis in the mouse dentate gyrus
    Authors: E. Matas-Rico, B. Garcia-Diaz, P. Llebrez-Zayas, D. López-Barroso, L. Santin, M. Redondo, et al.
    Citation: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 39(3), 342–355.
    Year: 2008

  • 💉 Bcl-2 inhibition to overcome resistance to chemo- and immunotherapy
    Authors: M. García-Aranda, E. Pérez-Ruiz, M. Redondo
    Citation: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(12), 3950.
    Year: 2018

  • 🧬 Presence of HPV 16 sequences in laryngeal carcinomas
    Authors: M. Perez-Ayala, F. Ruiz-Cabello, F. Esteban, A. Concha, M. Redondo, et al.
    Citation: International Journal of Cancer, 46(1), 8–11.
    Year: 1990

  • 🧻 The substance P/NK-1 receptor system: NK-1 receptor antagonists as anti-cancer drugs
    Authors: M. Muñoz, R. Coveñas, F. Esteban, M. Redondo
    Citation: Journal of Biosciences, 40, 441–463.
    Year: 2015

  • 🫁 Expression of HLA class I and II antigens in bronchogenic carcinomas: its relationship to cellular DNA content and clinical-pathological parameters
    Authors: M. Redondo, A. Concha, R. Oldiviela, A. Cueto, A. Gonzalez, F. Garrido, et al.
    Citation: Cancer Research, 51(18), 4948–4954.
    Year: 1991

  • 🔬 NK-1 receptor antagonists induce apoptosis and counteract substance P-related mitogenesis in human laryngeal cancer cell line HEp-2
    Authors: M. Muñoz, M. Rosso, F.J. Aguilar, M.A. González-Moles, M. Redondo, et al.
    Citation: Investigational New Drugs, 26, 111–118.
    Year: 2008

  • 🎯 Protein kinase targets in breast cancer
    Authors: M. García-Aranda, M. Redondo
    Citation: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(12), 2543.
    Year: 2017