Yi Sun | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award China

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yi Sun | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

China Pharmaceutical University China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Yi Sun embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Nanjing Medical University (2006–2010), where she laid the foundation for her future work in pharmaceutical sciences. Her academic rigor led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the prestigious Peking University (2010–2016), where she cultivated a strong grounding in pharmacological mechanisms and experimental therapeutics. These formative years solidified her dedication to neuropharmacology and translational medicine.

🏛️ Professional Endeavors

Dr. Sun’s academic career began in 2016 as a Lecturer at China Pharmaceutical University, where she steadily rose through the ranks. In 2024, she was appointed both as an Associate Professor and a Xingyao Associate Researcher at the same institution, reflecting her dual impact in both research and education. Her work spans across pharmacological research, drug discovery, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, with a continual commitment to institutional growth and student mentorship.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Sun’s core research revolves around the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, especially in relation to Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive dysfunction. She has successfully led multiple grants, including a National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) project (81703520) focusing on the role of Nrf2 in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis, and a Key R&D Program of Ningxia grant (2019BFG02017) on sulfonamide lead compounds for cognitive disorders. Her current ongoing project investigates the antidepressant mechanisms of Keap1-Nrf2 protein interaction inhibitors. This demonstrates her keen interest in translational medicine, targeting neurological and metabolic dysfunctions.

🌟 Impact and Influence

Dr. Sun has made notable contributions to both scientific research and educational innovation. Her awards, such as the Special Prize in the National College Pharmacy Teaching Competitions and the First Prize in multiple ideological and political teaching contests, mark her as a leader in pedagogical innovation. Her research not only advances pharmacological science but also addresses pressing societal health challenges like aging-related cognitive decline.

📚 Academic Citations & Editorial Contributions

While specific citation metrics aren’t listed, Dr. Sun’s work has been recognized by national funding bodies and institutional stakeholders. Her editorial board roles in textbooks such as “Physiological Pharmacology” and “Pharmacology Experiment”, as well as her involvement with the journal Central South Pharmacy as a young editor, highlight her influence in shaping academic literature and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

🛠️ Technical Skills & Research Methods

Dr. Sun possesses comprehensive expertise in pharmacodynamic modeling, in vivo animal studies, cognitive function assays, and drug target interaction studies. Her work consistently employs molecular pharmacology techniques and biochemical pathway analyses, particularly targeting the Keap1-Nrf2 interaction. These technical proficiencies have allowed her to drive forward both mechanistic and applied pharmacological research.

👩‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Dr. Sun’s teaching portfolio is both diverse and decorated. She has received accolades including the “Teaching Newcomer Award” and the Best Style Award from China Pharmaceutical University. Her projects such as “Pharmacology Progress” and the “Pharmacology Course Ideological and Political Teaching Exploration” demonstrate a commitment to educational reform and the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) model. Additionally, she has been actively involved in textbook editing, MOOC development, and online course delivery, reflecting her adaptability in both traditional and modern teaching platforms.

🧑‍🎓 Student Mentorship and Development

Her mentorship record includes provincial-level projects under the College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program, showcasing her role in fostering student-led research. Notably, she guided a project on RIPK1 inhibitors and cognitive dysfunction, aligning with her research interests and encouraging translational thinking among students.

🧬 Academic and Scientific Community Engagement

Dr. Sun plays a vital role in China’s academic pharmacological landscape. She serves as a Youth Committee Member of the Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology Committees of the Chinese Pharmacological Society, and is also affiliated with the Lingzhi Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. These affiliations emphasize her interdisciplinary approach to medicine, integrating Western and traditional Chinese pharmaceutical sciences.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Sun’s work bridges molecular pharmacology, clinical relevance, and teaching innovation. Her current research and teaching reforms position her as a forward-looking scholar, aiming to integrate scientific discovery with educational excellence. Her ongoing and future contributions are expected to advance therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, and shape the next wave of pharmacology education in China and beyond.

📖Notable Publications

Design of anti-depressant phosphodiester amino acidic Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction inhibitors
Authors: Yi Sun*, Jue Wang*, Wenxin Ding*, Qingqing Qin*, Rui Wang, Ruizhi Yu, Jianyu Yan, Ruilin Hou, Guodong Liu, Xiangming Cai, Zhuo Qu, Wannian Zhang, Jianqiang Yu, Chengguo Xing, Chunlin Zhuang#
Journal: Redox Biology
Year: 2025

A potent phosphodiester Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction inhibitor as the efficient treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yi Sun*, Lijuan Xu*, Dongpeng Zheng, Jue Wang, Guodong Liu, Zixin Mo, Chao Liu, Wannian Zhang, Jianqiang Yu, Chengguo Xing, Ling He#, Chunlin Zhuang#
Journal: Redox Biology
Year: 2023

Discovery of a trifluoromethoxy cyclopentanone benzothiazole receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) inhibitor as the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Yi Sun*, Lijuan Xu*, Hongming Shao, Danni Quan, Zixin Mo, Jue Wang, Wannian Zhang, Jianqiang Yu, Chunlin Zhuang#, Ke Xu#
Journal: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Year: 2022

Adenosine A2A receptor antagonist SCH58261 improves the cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease model mice through activation of Nrf2 via an autophagy-dependent pathway
Authors: Yi Sun*, Chao Liu*, Ling He#
Journal: Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
Year: 2024

Direct inhibition of Keap1-Nrf2 Protein-Protein interaction as a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yi Sun*, Jiaxuan Huang*, Yufei Chen, Hao Shang, Wannian Zhang, Jianqiang Yu, Ling He, Chengguo Xing, Chunlin Zhuang#
Journal: Bioorganic Chemistry
Year: 2020

 

Samar Zailaie | RNA Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Mrs. Samar Zailaie | RNA Biology | Best Researcher Award

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Saudi Arabia

👨‍🎓Profiles

📚 Early Academic Pursuits

Samar Zailaie earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2009. She then pursued a Master of Science in Molecular Pathology at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, graduating in 2015. Her academic background laid a solid foundation in biochemistry and molecular pathology, which has been crucial for her subsequent research endeavors.

👨‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

She has held several significant positions at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) in Jeddah, where she currently works as a Research Associate and Lab Manager of Research since March 2023. She has also served as a Research Technician since April 2018. Her previous roles include Lab Coordinator and Human Biology Teacher at My Little House School, and a Research Lab Coordinator at the University of Alberta Hospital. These positions highlight her versatility and commitment to advancing healthcare through research and education.

🌱 Contributions and Research Focus

Her research primarily focuses on developing diagnostic biomarker panels for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. She is particularly interested in the role of non-coding RNAs, especially miRNAs, in chronic inflammation due to fat deposition in the liver. Additionally, her work on dysregulated serum miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for multiple sclerosis subtypes in the Saudi population emphasizes her dedication to understanding and combating complex diseases.

🌟 Impact and Influence

She has made a notable impact in the field of molecular pathology and medical research through her contributions to understanding diseases prevalent in the Saudi population. Her findings on miRNAs have the potential to influence diagnostic practices and improve patient outcomes in multiple sclerosis and liver diseases. She is also active in various committees, enhancing research safety and providing advisory support at King Abdulaziz University and the National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO).

📜 Academic Cites

She has published multiple research papers, contributing to the understanding of biomarkers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and multiple sclerosis. Her work is increasingly recognized in scientific literature, aiding in the advancement of diagnostic techniques and therapeutic strategies.

⚙️ Technical Skills

Samar possesses extensive laboratory skills, including:

  • Nucleic acid extraction from diverse sample types
  • Next-generation sequencing for gene mutations and transcriptomics
  • Chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA purification
  • Real-time PCR and mammalian cell culture
  • Tissue staining techniques (IHC, ISH, FISH) and immunoblotting These skills highlight her expertise in advanced molecular biology techniques essential for her research.

👩‍🏫 Teaching Experience

She has experience teaching Human Biology at the secondary level, specifically the Cambridge International GCSE curriculum. Her role as a lab coordinator also involved guiding students through practical lab sessions, fostering a strong understanding of biological sciences among her students.

🌱 Legacy

Her work is paving the way for better diagnostic practices in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the context of liver disease and multiple sclerosis. Her commitment to research and education ensures that she is not only contributing to scientific knowledge but also inspiring the next generation of scientists.

🔮 Future Contributions

Looking ahead, She aims to continue her research on biomarkers and their roles in various diseases, focusing on translational research that can directly benefit patient care. She aspires to expand her contributions to global research efforts, enhancing collaborative projects that address health challenges in the Middle East and beyond.

📖Notable Publications