Dr. Qingtao Sun | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Qingtao Sun | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Qingtao Sun , Biochemistry , Postdoc at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, United States

Dr. Qingtao Sun is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), working under the mentorship of Prof. Bo Li. With a strong foundation in neuroscience and biomedical photonics, Dr. Sun is recognized for his contributions to brain-wide mapping, neural circuitry, and neuroimmune interactions. Originally from Weihui, Henan, China, he earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences and Ph.D. in Biomedical Photonics from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST). His Ph.D. research dissected long-range inputs to GABAergic neurons in the mouse prefrontal cortex. Prior to joining CSHL, he served as an Assistant Investigator at the HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics. Dr. Sun’s prolific research output includes impactful publications in Nature Neuroscience, Nature Communications, and Neuron. His work bridges advanced imaging with neurobiology to uncover mechanisms of behavior, motivation, and disease. He has been honored with prestigious awards including the CSHL Postdoc Scientific Breakthrough Award.

Professional Profile :         

Orcid

Scopus 

Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Qingtao Sun, currently a postdoctoral research associate at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), has established himself as an outstanding young neuroscientist with a robust academic foundation and impactful research trajectory. With a Ph.D. in Biomedical Photonics from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, his work has consistently bridged advanced imaging techniques with complex neurobiological questions, particularly focusing on GABAergic neurons, neural circuitry, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer cachexia. Dr. Qingtao Sun is highly suitable for the “Best Researcher Award.” His interdisciplinary expertise, innovation in neuroimaging and neurocircuitry, publication record, and recognized scientific impact place him among the top-tier emerging neuroscientists. He represents the ideal candidate who merges cutting-edge methods with real-world biomedical relevance, making transformative contributions to brain science.

🎓Education:

Dr. Qingtao Sun began his academic journey at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (2009–2013) from the School of Life Science and Technology. He pursued his doctoral degree in Biomedical Photonics (2013–2019) at the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, HUST. His Ph.D. thesis, titled “Dissection of long-range inputs to three types of GABAergic neurons in mouse medial prefrontal cortex,” was supervised by Prof. Hui Gong. Throughout his education, Dr. Sun was actively engaged in neuroimaging, circuit dissection, and computational neuroscience. His training included in-depth exposure to advanced microscopy, whole-brain imaging techniques, and connectomics, which laid the foundation for his later work in brain function and neurocircuitry. He has seamlessly integrated interdisciplinary approaches, combining biology, optics, and computation in neuroscience research, making him an exceptional contributor in the field of systems neuroscience and brain mapping.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Qingtao Sun is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), where he joined in February 2021. At CSHL, he works under the guidance of Prof. Bo Li, focusing on motivation, social behavior, and neuroimmune interactions using cutting-edge circuit-level neuroscience approaches. Prior to this role, Dr. Sun was an Assistant Investigator at the HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics from June 2020 to February 2021. There, he contributed to high-resolution whole-brain imaging and analysis of neuronal circuits. His expertise spans in vivo and ex vivo imaging, large-scale brain mapping, neural tracing, and functional manipulation using optogenetics and chemogenetics. Dr. Sun has collaborated with leading neuroscientists globally and has co-authored numerous high-impact publications. His career trajectory reflects a deep commitment to exploring neural mechanisms underlying behavior and disease through interdisciplinary methodologies in neuroscience.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. Qingtao Sun has been consistently recognized for his excellence in both academic and scientific research endeavors. During his doctoral studies at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, he received the National Scholarship in 2014 for outstanding academic performance. He was honored multiple times as an Outstanding Graduate Student Cadre in 2014, 2016, and 2017 for his leadership and contributions to student initiatives. In 2020, he earned the Outstanding Dissertation Award in Biomedical Engineering for his impactful doctoral work on GABAergic neurons and brain circuitry. Most recently, he received the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Postdoc Scientific Breakthrough Award in 2025, a prestigious acknowledgment of his contributions to neuroscience at the postdoctoral level. These awards underscore Dr. Sun’s dedication to advancing scientific understanding and his innovative approach to neuroscience research. His accolades reflect both his academic rigor and his pioneering research in brain science.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Qingtao Sun’s research lies at the intersection of systems neuroscience, circuit mapping, and disease modeling. His primary focus is on understanding how specific brain circuits govern behaviors such as motivation, social interaction, and appetite regulation. He specializes in dissecting long-range neuronal inputs to GABAergic interneurons, with a particular emphasis on the medial prefrontal cortex. At Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, he explores neuromodulatory mechanisms through the pallido-amygdala cholinergic circuit and the role of area postrema neurons in cancer cachexia. His work integrates advanced imaging techniques, including light-sheet microscopy and dual-color tomography, with molecular tools like optogenetics and viral tracing. He also investigates neuronal disruptions in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Through his interdisciplinary approach combining optics, connectomics, and behavior, Dr. Sun is unraveling complex neuronal networks at synaptic and systems levels. His research advances both fundamental neuroscience and its translational potential for psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Publication Top Notes:

​Cell-type-specific striatal modulation of amygdalar acetylcholine in salience assignment

​Dynorphin modulates motivation through a pallido-amygdala cholinergic circuit

​Unlocking opioid neuropeptide dynamics with genetically encoded biosensors

​Area postrema neurons mediate interleukin-6 function in cancer cachexia

​Long-range Connectome of Pyramidal Neurons in the Sensorimotor Cortex

​The Mesoscopic Connectome of the Cholinergic Pontomesencephalic Tegmentum

​Acetylcholine deficiency disrupts extratelencephalic projection neurons in the prefrontal cortex in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease​

​Dissection of the long-range projections of specific neurons at the synaptic level in the whole mouse brain

Multicolor high-resolution whole-brain imaging for acquiring and comparing the brain-wide distributions of type-specific and projection-specific neurons with anatomical annotation in the same brain

 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Adeniyi Stephen Adefegha | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Adeniyi Stephen Adefegha | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Adeniyi Stephen Adefegha | Biochemistry | Associate Professor at Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria 

Dr. Stephen Adeniyi Adefegha is a distinguished Nigerian biochemist with expertise in applied biochemistry, molecular immunology, and biochemical toxicology  in Ile-Oluji, Nigeria, he currently serves as a Reader and Prima Facie Qualified Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). Dr. Adefegha’s academic journey is marked by excellence, with a Ph.D. in Applied Biochemistry and two prestigious postdoctoral fellowships in Brazil. He has conducted significant international research in Germany, Italy, and Brazil, and has received multiple fellowships and global recognitions for his work. As a mentor, external examiner, and active member of several scientific societies, he plays a critical role in shaping future biochemists. He is ranked among the top 2% of most cited scientists globally (Stanford List) and remains an influential voice in African and global biochemistry circles.

Professional Profile :         

Google Scholar

Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Stephen Adeniyi Adefegha is a distinguished biochemist with a global research footprint and a prolific academic career. With a Ph.D. in Applied Biochemistry and two international postdoctoral fellowships—in Molecular Immunology and Biochemical Toxicology—he has significantly advanced understanding in areas like antioxidant biochemistry, nutritional pharmacology, and biochemical toxicology. He has over 15 years of teaching and research experience, progressing from Assistant Lecturer to Reader, and has been Prima Facie qualified for Professorship in 2024 at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. His international exposure includes fellowships and research roles in Brazil, Germany, Italy, and recently in Germany under the prestigious Humboldt Fellowship. Dr. Adefegha exemplifies the qualities of a world-class researcher—with strong publication metrics, consistent international recognition, impactful research on human health and nutrition, and a history of mentoring young scientists. His research visibility, global collaborations, and scientific contributions position him as a highly deserving candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.”

🎓Education:

Dr. Adefegha’s academic foundation is anchored in strong institutions across Nigeria, Brazil, and Germany. He obtained his B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Ado-Ekiti (2004), followed by an M.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Ibadan (2008). He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Biochemistry from FUTA in 2014. His postdoctoral training included two programs: one in Molecular Immunology at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil (2016) and another in Biochemical Toxicology at the same institution (2020). He was also a Humboldt Visiting Scholar at Leibniz University Hannover, Germany (2022). Additionally, he participated in the prestigious IAEA-ICTP STEP programme in Italy (2010) and held a doctoral fellowship at TU Dresden, Germany (2011–2012). These diverse experiences have shaped his global research perspective and contributed to his international standing in the field of biochemistry.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Adefegha has over 15 years of teaching and research experience. He began his academic career as an Assistant Lecturer in 2009 at FUTA and rose through the ranks to become a Reader in 2021, and in 2024, he qualified prima facie for Professorship. His international research experiences are equally significant. He conducted doctoral research at Technical University Dresden, Germany, participated in IAEA-ICTP training in Italy, and held two postdoctoral fellowships at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil. As an external examiner, he has evaluated postgraduate theses at institutions like UNISA (South Africa) and FUNAAB. He also served as an undergraduate examiner at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo. Dr. Adefegha has taught numerous courses in biochemistry, toxicology, food chemistry, and biotechnology, making him a respected mentor and educator in Nigerian academia and beyond.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. Adefegha has received numerous national and international accolades recognizing his academic excellence. He was ranked among the most cited Nigerian scientists (2021–2024) by SciVal and listed among the top 2% of most cited scientists worldwide by Stanford University. In 2022, he was awarded the prestigious Georg Forster Research Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany. Earlier honors include the CAPES-PRINT Visiting Scholarship and TWAS-CNPQ Postdoctoral Fellowship in Brazil. He received the IAEA-ICTP STEP Award in 2010 and both the Nigeria–Sao Tome Principe and Federal Government Scholarship Awards for his postgraduate and undergraduate studies respectively. These recognitions underscore his international research impact, academic excellence, and scientific leadership. His achievements reflect a strong commitment to advancing biochemical sciences, and he remains a sought-after collaborator and speaker in global research circles.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Adefegha’s research interests span applied biochemistry, nutritional biochemistry, phytochemistry, molecular immunology, and biochemical toxicology. His work focuses on exploring functional foods, natural antioxidants, and bioactive compounds from medicinal plants for therapeutic applications, especially in oxidative stress-related diseases. He investigates how plant-based interventions can modulate molecular pathways and mitigate neurotoxicity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. His international collaborations have contributed significantly to understanding food-derived phytochemicals and their mechanisms of action. Dr. Adefegha’s research is both translational and interdisciplinary, combining biochemical assays with molecular and cellular techniques. With a deep commitment to global health improvement and sustainable therapeutic development, his contributions are impactful in addressing both local and global health challenges. His mentorship, publications, and international partnerships reflect a passionate vision for biochemistry-driven solutions to real-world problems.

Publication Top Notes:

Title: Caffeic and chlorogenic acids inhibit key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes (in vitro): a comparative study
Citations: 376

Title: Comparative study on the inhibitory effect of caffeic and chlorogenic acids on key enzymes linked to Alzheimer’s disease and some pro-oxidant induced oxidative stress in rats (in vivo)
Citations: 359

Title: Influence of gallic acid on α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties of acarbose
Citations: 278

Title: Functional foods and nutraceuticals as dietary intervention in chronic diseases; novel perspectives for health promotion and disease prevention
Citations: 235

Title: Inhibitory effects of aqueous extract of two varieties of ginger on some key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes in vitro
Citations: 172

Title: Antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects of dietary clove (Syzygium aromaticum) bud powder in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetes model in rats
Citations: 156

Title: Antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of gallic and protocatechuic acids: a structure–function perspective
Citations: 139

Title: In vitro inhibition activity of polyphenol-rich extracts from Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry (Clove) buds against carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes
Citations: 138

Title: Distribution of Phenolic Contents, Antidiabetic Potentials, Antihypertensive Properties, and Antioxidative Effects of Soursop (Annona muricata L.) Fruit Parts In Vitro
Citations: 136

Title: Inhibition of key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes and sodium nitroprusside-induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas by water extractable phytochemicals from some tropical spices
Citations: 135

Title: Cooking enhances the antioxidant properties of some tropical green leafy vegetables
Citations: 122

Title: Enhancement of total phenolics and antioxidant properties of some tropical green leafy vegetables by steam cooking
Citations: 87