Sophia Sonnewald | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sophia Sonnewald | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg | Germany

PD Dr. Sophia Sonnewald is an accomplished plant biochemist specializing in molecular physiology, stress adaptation, and crop improvement, with a strong focus on potato biology. She currently serves as Akademische Oberrätin (Academic Senior Adviser) and permanent Group Leader at the Department of Biology, Division of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany. Dr. Sonnewald earned her diploma in Biology from Humboldt University Berlin, followed by a doctorate under the supervision of Prof. Dr. E.M. Wiedenroth. Her doctoral work was supported by prestigious scholarships from the State of Berlin (NaFöG) and Humboldt University. She later completed her Habilitation in Biochemistry at FAU, further solidifying her expertise and academic leadership. Her postdoctoral research and early group leadership at the IPK Gatersleben laid the foundation for her later advancements in plant molecular biology. She led the “Molecular Physiology and Transcriptomics” group at FAU. Since 2016, she has held a senior scientific leadership role at FAU, mentoring young researchers and leading innovative studies on plant resilience under climate stress. Dr. Sonnewald’s research has produced significant insights into source–sink relationships, abiotic stress responses, and plant metabolic regulation. She has published 50 scientific articles, amassing over 3,526 citations with an h-index of 28 (Scopus, 2025), reflecting the depth and influence of her work. Her publications appear in leading journals such as Nature Plants, PNAS, Plant Physiology, and Current Biology. Her collaborative work on heat stress, tuberization, and multi-omics approaches in potato has positioned her as a prominent figure in applied plant science, contributing both to basic knowledge and agricultural sustainability.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  • Yeo, D. S. G., Eydam, J., Koch, L., Lackus, N., Reinert, S., Kauder, F., Bruckmueller, J., Luebeck, J., Sonnewald, S., & Sonnewald, U. (2025). SELF-PRUNING 6A promotes tuberization and heat tolerance but lowers immunity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Journal of Experimental Botany, eraf393.

  • Zrimec, J., Correa, S., Zagorščak, M., Petek, M., Bleker, C., Stare, K., Schuy, C., Sonnewald, S., Gruden, K., & Nikoloski, Z. (2025). Evaluating plant growth–defense trade-offs by modeling the interaction between primary and secondary metabolism. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 122(32), e2502160122.

  • Zagorščak, M., Schuy, C., Petek, M., Correa, S., Zrimec, J., Sonnewald, S., & Gruden, K. (2025). Integration of multi-omics data and deep phenotyping provides insights into responses to single and combined abiotic stress in potato. Plant Physiology, 197, kiaf126.

  • Kaier, A., Beck, S., Ingold, M., Corral Garcia, J. M., Reinert, S., Sonnewald, U., & Sonnewald, S. (2024). Identification of heat-stress-related regions by genome-wide association study in Solanum tuberosum L. Genomics, 116(6), 110954.

  • Koch, L., Lehretz, G. G., Sonnewald, U., & Sonnewald, S. (2024). Yield reduction caused by elevated temperatures and high nitrogen fertilization is mitigated by SP6A overexpression in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The Plant Journal, 117, 1702–1715.

Liu Yakun | Biochemistry | Best Innovation Award

Dr. Liu Yakun | Biochemistry | Best Innovation Award

The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Med, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Liu YaKun earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the prestigious Hebei Medical University. From the beginning of her academic journey, she displayed a deep commitment to women’s health and a strong passion for advancing clinical knowledge in gynecology. Her formative years were shaped by rigorous medical education, clinical rotations, and early exposure to research in gynecologic oncology.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Currently serving as the Associate Chief Physician at the Department of Gynecology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Dr. Liu also holds the significant position of Teaching Director. In this dual role, she combines her medical expertise with academic leadership, mentoring young doctors and medical students. Her clinical work is particularly focused on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of gynecologic tumors, and she is widely recognized for her meticulous approach and dedication to patient care.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Liu’s primary research area lies in gynecologic tumors, especially ovarian malignancies. In a groundbreaking study, she and her team became the first in the world to identify a rare germline BMP15 mutation as a causative factor in hereditary ovarian immature teratoma (OIT). Through a combination of cell line experiments and animal models, the pathogenicity of this mutation was verified, significantly advancing the understanding of the etiology of OIT. This work not only provided a crucial biomarker for genetic screening but also paved the way for future studies on ovarian malignant germ cell tumors.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Liu’s discovery has had a global impact, offering new insights into rare gynecologic cancers and influencing genetic screening protocols worldwide. Her pioneering research has opened new avenues in oncology, particularly in the identification and treatment of hereditary tumors in women, thus contributing significantly to precision medicine in gynecology.

📚 Academic Citations and Recognition

As a first author, Dr. Liu has published numerous papers in SCI-indexed and core medical journals, contributing high-impact literature to the field. She has led multiple research projects and was honored with the First Prize of the Hebei Medical Science and Technology Award, underscoring her scientific excellence and clinical relevance.

🧪 Technical Skills

Dr. Liu is proficient in a wide range of clinical and laboratory techniques, including tumor marker analysis, surgical oncology procedures, molecular biology experiments, and animal model development. Her work seamlessly integrates clinical practice with laboratory research, enabling her to translate bench-side findings into bedside applications.

👩‍🏫 Teaching Experience

As the Teaching Director of her department, Dr. Liu is deeply involved in medical education and mentoring. She designs and delivers advanced training modules for residents and interns, oversees their clinical rotations, and encourages them to participate in research. Her teaching style is both inspiring and practical, often merging clinical scenarios with research discussions to foster comprehensive learning.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Liu YaKun’s legacy is being built on a foundation of clinical innovation, academic excellence, and compassionate care. She aims to further explore genetic mutations in gynecologic oncology, contribute to personalized medicine, and mentor the next generation of gynecologists. Her future work will likely continue to bridge the gap between clinical practice and genetic research, reinforcing her standing as a trailblazer in women’s health.

📖Notable Publications

New insights into the ferroptosis and immune infiltration in endometriosis: a bioinformatics-based analysis

Authors: Lusha Liu, Feifei Han, Naiyi Du, Yakun Liu, Aihong Duan, Shan Kang, Bin Li
Journal: Frontiers in Immunology
Year: 2025

Incorporating genotype information in a precise prediction model for platinum sensitivity in epithelial ovarian cancer

Authors: Nai-Yi Du, Yan Li, Hui Zheng, Ya-Kun Liu, Lu-Sha Liu, Jianbang Xie, Shan Kang
Journal: Frontiers in Oncology
Year: 2025

Stratifin (SFN) Regulates Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Cytoskeletal Remodeling and Metastasis Progression Through LIMK2/Cofilin Signaling

Authors: Naiyi Du, Daojuan Li, Wei Zhao, Yakun Liu
Journal: Molecular Biotechnology
Year: 2024

The Diagnostic Significance of Combined Screening and Human Papillomavirus 16 and 18 Cycle Threshold Values for CIN2+ Cervical Lesions

Authors: Xue Bai, Ya-Kun Liu, Ya-Jing Jia, Dao-Juan Li, Nai-Yi Du
Journal: International Journal of Women’s Health
Year: 2024

Causal effects of genetically determined circulating metabolites on endometriosis: A Mendelian randomization study

Authors: Lusha Liu, Junping Yin, Yakun Liu, Bin Li, Shan Kang, Naiyi Du
Journal: Medicine
Year: 2024

LIMK1 promotes the development of cervical cancer by up-regulating the ROS/Src-FAK/cofilin signaling pathway

Authors: Yajing Jia, Yongping Li, Naiyi Du, Wei Zhao, Yakun Liu
Journal: Aging
Year: 2024