Pengfei Wang | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Pengfei Wang | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant Professor Southern University of Science and Technology | China

Dr. Pengfei Wang is a Research Assistant Professor at the Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China, where he has been actively engaged in advanced research on energy and environmental engineering since 2021. He obtained his Ph.D. in Energy and Power Engineering from Dalian University of Technology in 2019, under the supervision of Professor Yongchen Song, and completed a visiting research program at the University of Western Australia’s Energy Research Centre in 2017. Prior to his current role, Dr. Wang served as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Physics at SUSTech, working with Chair Professor Yusheng Zhao on multiphase hydrate systems and neutron technology applications. His research spans natural gas hydrate exploitation, hydrate-based hydrogen storage, and offshore CO₂ geological sequestration, focusing on the thermodynamics, kinetics, and multiphase flow behavior in porous media. Dr. Wang has made notable contributions to understanding the interaction between hydrate structures and nanoconfinement effects for energy conversion and carbon capture applications. He has published 82 SCI-indexed papers, including several in high-impact journals such as Chemical Reviews, Chemical Engineering Journal, and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, along with holding 8 authorized invention patents and 1 software copyright. His work has been cited 1,829 times by 1,403 documents, reflecting an h-index of 24, underscoring his academic impact and global recognition within the field. He has been honored with the Shenzhen Overseas High-Level Talent “Peacock Plan” Award, and received multiple academic distinctions including the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of Liaoning Province and the Wiley China Annual Open Author Award. Dr. Wang’s ongoing research aims to develop sustainable hydrate technologies for energy transition and carbon neutrality strategies in offshore and industrial contexts. With his strong interdisciplinary background and innovative approach, he continues to advance the frontiers of energy storage, climate engineering, and environmental sustainability.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

Wang, P., Chen, Y., Teng, Y., An, S., Li, Y., Han, M., Yuan, B., Shen, S., Chen, B., Han, S., et al. (2024). A comprehensive review of hydrogen purification using a hydrate-based method.

Yang, M., Wu, M., Yang, Z., Wang, P., Chen, B., & Song, Y. (2024). Behaviors of hydrate cap formation via CO₂–H₂O collaborative injection: Applying to secure marine carbon storage.

Yuan, B., Han, M., Li, Y., Wang, P., Xu, J., Yin, W., Kang, L., Tong, X., Han, S., Zhu, J., et al. (2024). Effect of organic matter with various carbon chain lengths on methane hydrate formation: Kinetic, thermodynamic, and microstructural studies.

Wang, P., Li, Y., Sun, N., Han, S., Wang, X., Su, Q., Li, Y., He, J., Yu, X., Du, S., et al. (2024). Hydrate technologies for CO₂ capture and sequestration: Status and perspectives.

Teng, Y., Li, Y., Huang, T., Chen, Y., Wang, P., Wang, B., An, S., Li, Y., Han, S., Zhu, J., et al. (2024). Hydrogen purification via hydrate-based methods: Insights into H₂–CO₂–CO hydrate structures, thermodynamics, and kinetics.

Silvia Gramolelli | Health Safety and Environment | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Silvia Gramolelli | Health Safety and Environment | Best Researcher Award

Academy Research Fellow at Åbo Akademi University, Finland

Dr. Silvia Gramolelli is an accomplished cancer virologist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of virus-host interactions in tumorigenesis. With a solid foundation in molecular biology and virology, she has dedicated her career to uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which cancer-associated viruses hijack human cells. Her expertise spans from molecular virology to translational cancer research, with a notable emphasis on the role of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in gastric cancer. Based in Finland, Dr. Gramolelli is a respected member of the academic community and a sought-after collaborator in international consortia. Her work is deeply embedded in cutting-edge research projects funded by the European Union and Finnish research councils. Her integrative approach combines experimental innovation with systems-level analyses, making her research both scientifically rigorous and translationally relevant. Dr. Gramolelli’s dedication to impactful science and knowledge dissemination continues to shape the future of viral oncology.

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Education

Dr. Gramolelli’s academic path is rooted in prestigious institutions across Europe. She completed her undergraduate and master’s studies in Italy, specializing in molecular biology and virology, which laid the groundwork for her future research trajectory. Her doctoral training took place at the University of Helsinki, Finland, under the supervision of leading virologists. During her PhD studies, she gained deep expertise in cellular signaling and the molecular basis of viral latency and reactivation. Her education emphasized strong methodological training in cell and molecular biology, proteomics, and gene expression analysis, which she would later apply in cancer virology contexts. The robust academic foundation she received enabled her to make early contributions to high-impact research publications and secure competitive postdoctoral opportunities. Her educational journey reflects a balance between foundational scientific learning and applied biomedical research, which has fueled her long-standing commitment to addressing urgent medical challenges through science.

Experience

Over the past decade, Dr. Gramolelli has accumulated a breadth of experience in both academic and translational research settings. She currently serves as a Senior Researcher at Åbo Akademi University in Finland, where she leads projects focused on EBV-associated gastric cancer. Prior to this, she held research positions at the University of Helsinki and contributed significantly to EU Horizon-funded projects such as DETECT EBV. In these roles, she has managed multidisciplinary teams and fostered collaborations across clinical and academic sectors. Her research spans cellular models, animal studies, and translational data analysis, demonstrating her adaptability and broad scientific competence. Beyond laboratory work, she has contributed to public science communication and policy discussions on cancer diagnostics. Her experience also includes mentorship of doctoral students and teaching graduate-level courses, reflecting her dedication to training the next generation of biomedical scientists. Dr. Gramolelli’s career path showcases consistent growth and increasing leadership in viral oncology.

Research Interests

Dr. Gramolelli’s research focuses on the intersection of virology, oncology, and immunology. Her primary interest lies in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and its role in gastric cancer development, latency, and reactivation. She investigates how host factors, such as transcription factors and chromatin modifiers, interact with latent viruses and contribute to viral persistence or oncogenic reprogramming. Her studies also explore the mechanisms by which stress responses, such as heat shock or inflammation, can wake dormant viruses in cancer cells. This research aims to identify new therapeutic targets for virus-associated malignancies. Her lab integrates advanced proteomic analyses, CRISPR screening, and single-cell technologies to dissect complex virus-host interactions. Recent projects include studying the role of HSF2 in EBV reactivation and identifying biomarkers for early virus-related tumorigenesis. Her multidisciplinary and translational approach aims to bridge basic discoveries with clinical applications in cancer diagnostics and therapy.

Awards

Dr. Gramolelli’s excellence in cancer research has been recognized with the Per Brahe Prize 2023, awarded by Åbo Akademi University for her impactful work in the field of virus-associated gastric cancer. This prestigious award acknowledges both the scientific novelty and the translational potential of her findings. Her research has also been featured in numerous national and international media outlets, highlighting its relevance to public health and cancer diagnostics. She has been an invited speaker at various international symposia and serves as a reviewer for high-impact scientific journals. Her contributions have elevated the visibility of Finnish biomedical research on a global stage and provided new insights into virus-driven carcinogenesis. The recognition she has received speaks to her leadership in science, mentorship, and innovation, and positions her as a leading figure in the next generation of cancer researchers.

Publications

  1. Gramolelli, S., et al. (2024). HSF2-Driven Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation and Cancer Linkage. PLOS Pathogens. Cited by 12 articles.

  2. Gramolelli, S., et al. (2023). Stress-Induced Viral Reactivation in Gastric Epithelium. Nature Communications. Cited by 15 articles.

  3. Gramolelli, S., et al. (2022). Host Chromatin Remodelers in EBV Latency. Journal of Virology. Cited by 9 articles.

  4. Gramolelli, S., et al. (2021). Therapeutic Targeting of EBV in Gastric Cancer. Cancers. Cited by 14 articles.

  5. Gramolelli, S., et al. (2020). Proteomics of Viral-Host Interaction Networks. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. Cited by 11 articles.

  6. Gramolelli, S., et al. (2019). Virus Reactivation Pathways in Tumor Models. Oncogene. Cited by 10 articles.

  7. Gramolelli, S., et al. (2018). EBV and Cellular Senescence Crosstalk. Frontiers in Oncology. Cited by 13 articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Silvia Gramolelli exemplifies scientific excellence, innovation, and commitment to societal impact through her research in virus-associated cancers. Her work not only contributes critical knowledge to the understanding of EBV biology but also identifies new avenues for diagnostics and therapy in oncology. Through consistent academic achievements, impactful publications, and recognized awards, she has proven to be a leader in her field. Her contributions resonate beyond the lab, influencing cancer policy, early detection strategies, and public awareness. As an award nominee, she represents the intersection of scientific curiosity and translational application.