Dr. Qingtao Sun | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

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.

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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 cachexiaDr. 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

 

Prof. SABARINATHAN KG | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. SABARINATHAN KG | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. SABARINATHAN KG , TAMIL NADU AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, India

Dr. K. G. Sabarinathan is an accomplished Associate Professor and Head of the Agricultural Microbiology Department at the Agricultural College & Research Institute, Madurai. With a stellar academic background, he has dedicated his career to agricultural microbiology, focusing on microbial technologies, nanotechnology, and plant-microbe interactions. Dr. K. G. Sabarinathan has spearheaded several groundbreaking research projects funded by prestigious organizations such as DBT, DST, and Tamil Nadu Government. His pioneering work includes innovative microbial processing technologies and sustainable farming practices. He is also a mentor, guiding students toward advanced research and international achievements. Dr. . K. G. Sabarinathan’s contributions to science and academia are recognized through numerous national and international awards.

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Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. K. G. Sabarinathan is an outstanding candidate for the “Best Researcher Awards” due to his extensive contributions to the field of agricultural microbiology and sustainable farming. With over two decades of experience, his pioneering research has advanced microbial technologies, including the development of bioinoculants, liquid biofertilizers, and nanotechnology-based delivery systems. His innovative work on the phyllo sphere microbiome has provided sustainable solutions for mitigating drought stress in crops, which is vital in addressing climate challenges. Dr. . K. G. Sabarinathan has led numerous externally funded projects, collaborated internationally, and produced a significant body of impactful publications. His recognition through multiple awards and honors, such as the “Excellence and Innovation Award” and the “International Young Scientist Award,” underscores his academic and societal contributions.

🎓Education:

Dr. K. G. Sabarinathan has an exemplary academic record, earning his B.Sc. in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in 1999 with a CGPA of 8.39. He pursued an M.Sc. in Agricultural Microbiology at TNAU, graduating in 2002 with a stellar CGPA of 9.18. His passion for research led him to obtain a Ph.D. in Agricultural Microbiology in 2005 from the same institution, where he achieved a remarkable CGPA of 9.37. Dr. . K. G. Sabarinathan further honed his expertise through a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship in Biophysics and Molecular Biology at UAEM, Mexico, in 2007. His diverse academic background has equipped him with a strong foundation in microbiology, molecular biology, and agricultural innovation, making him a sought-after expert in his field.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. K. G. Sabarinathan has over 20 years of experience in teaching, research, and administration in agricultural microbiology. Currently serving as the Head of the Agricultural Microbiology Department at the Agricultural College & Research Institute, Madurai, he has significantly contributed to advancing sustainable agricultural practices. Dr. . K. G. Sabarinathan has successfully guided numerous postgraduate and doctoral students, fostering innovative research in microbial technologies and plant-microbe interactions. He has led over ten externally funded projects, including initiatives supported by DBT, DST, and Tamil Nadu Government, focusing on nanotechnology applications, biofertilizers, and phyllosphere microbiomes. Dr. . K. G. Sabarinathan’s leadership in academia is complemented by his dedication to capacity-building programs, particularly those benefiting rural communities and promoting entrepreneurship in agriculture.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. K. G. Sabarinathan’s exceptional contributions have been recognized with numerous awards. In 2020, he received the Scientist Award from the Vasantharaj David Foundation for his groundbreaking work in plant-microbe interactions. The same year, TNAU honored him with the Best Researcher Award. His innovative approach to microbial technologies earned him the Excellence and Innovation Award 2021. He has also been lauded for his presentation skills, receiving Best Oral Presentation Awards at the Global Rice Conference (2021), International Tamil Conference (2024), and International Conference on Precision Horticulture (2024). Dr. . K. G. Sabarinathan’s international acclaim is reflected in his International Young Scientist Award 2024 from the International Multidisciplinary Research Foundation. These accolades underscore his dedication to advancing agricultural microbiology and empowering future researchers.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. K. G. Sabarinathan’s research spans several innovative areas in agricultural microbiology. He has pioneered the development of microbial technologies, including bioinoculants and liquid biofertilizers, to enhance sustainable farming practices. His groundbreaking work in nanotechnology includes designing electrospun nano-matrix delivery systems for plant growth-promoting bacteria. Dr. . K. G. Sabarinathan has extensively explored the phyllo sphere microbiome to mitigate drought stress in rice through microbial interactions. Additionally, he has worked on enhancing the shelf life of Palmyrah Neera, benefiting rural livelihoods. His research emphasizes the regulation of zinc transporter genes through rhizospheric microbiomes, addressing nutritional deficiencies in crops. By bridging fundamental research with practical agricultural applications, Dr. . K. G. Sabarinathan’s work contributes to global efforts toward climate-smart and sustainable farming.

Publication Top Notes:

Title: Plant hemoglobins: what we know six decades after their discovery
Authors: V Garrocho-Villegas, SK Gopalasubramaniam, R Arredondo-Peter
Journal: Gene
Citations: 141
Year: 2007

Title: Mitigation of drought stress in rice crop with plant growth‐promoting abiotic stress‐tolerant rice phyllosphere bacteria
Authors: D Arun K, KG Sabarinathan, M Gomathy, R Kannan, D Balachandar
Journal: Journal of Basic Microbiology
Citations: 83
Year: 2020

Title: Antibacterial and toxicity evaluation of C-phycocyanin and cell extract of filamentous freshwater cyanobacterium
Authors: KG Sabarinathan, Ganesan
Journal: European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
Citations: 67
Year: 2008

Title: Microbial mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance-a review
Authors: M Gomathy, KG Sabarinathan
Journal: Agricultural Reviews
Citations: 60
Year: 2010

Title: Advances in nanotechnology as a potential alternative for plant viral disease management
Authors: P Dutta, A Kumari, M Mahanta, KK Biswas, A Dudkiewicz, D Thakuria, …
Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
Citations: 53
Year: 2022

Title: The Foliar Application of Rice Phyllosphere Bacteria induces Drought-Stress Tolerance in Oryza sativa (L.)
Authors: AK Devarajan, G Muthukrishanan, J Truu, M Truu, I Ostonen, …
Journal: Plants
Citations: 49
Year: 2021

Title: Rice straw recycling: A sustainable approach for ensuring environmental quality and economic security
Authors: A Kumar, AK Nayak, S Sharma, A Senapati, D Mitra, B Mohanty, …
Journal: Pedosphere
Citations: 34
Year: 2023

Title: Nanotechnological approaches for management of soil-borne plant pathogens
Authors: P Dutta, A Kumari, M Mahanta, GK Upamanya, P Heisnam, S Borua, …
Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
Citations: 26
Year: 2023

Title: Microbial rejuvenation of polluted environment
Authors: DG Panpatte, YK Jhala, CO Adetunji
Journal: Springer
Citations: 25
Year: 2021

Title: Isolation, screening and identification of virulent isolates of Bipolaris oryzae causing rice brown spot and Sarocladium oryzae causing sheath rot disease
Authors: G Sobanbabu, KG Sabarinathan, VK Parthiban, V Ramamoorthy
Journal: International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences
Citations: 25
Year: 2018