Dr. Permal Deo | Prostate Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer | Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia | Australia

Dr. Permal Deo is a distinguished food scientist and academic leader renowned for his contributions to nutrition, food biochemistry, and public health research. He holds a PhD in Food Biochemistry from Queen’s University Belfast, UK, where his doctoral work investigated the effects of food-derived advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) on oxidative stress and receptor activity in human cell lines. Complementing this, he earned a Master of Applied Science and Postgraduate Diploma from The University of Queensland, Australia, and a Bachelor of Science from The University of the South Pacific, Fiji. With over two decades of academic, research, and industry experience, Dr. Deo’s expertise encompasses food microbiology, food processing, functional foods, and the molecular pathways linking type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. His research emphasizes the bioactivity of natural plant compounds and nutraceuticals in combating oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as the antimicrobial and food safety applications of electrochemically activated solutions. An accomplished mentor and research leader, he has supervised numerous postgraduate students and attracted more than AUD 2.5 million in competitive funding from prestigious bodies including the Australian Research Council, Diabetes Australia, and Horticulture Innovation. His extensive collaborations with institutions such as CSIRO, Monash University, and the University of Adelaide have advanced understanding in genome stability, indigenous food systems, and sustainable nutrition technologies. Widely recognized for his scholarly impact and leadership, Dr. Deo has presented at global scientific conferences and published influential studies in leading journals. His enduring scientific legacy is reflected through 944 citations, 57 documents, and an h-index of 19, underscoring his influential role in advancing the frontiers of food biochemistry, nutritional science, and biomedical innovation.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

1. Snelson, M., Tan, S. M., Clarke, R. E., De Pasquale, C., Thallas-Bonke, V., Deo, P., … & Coughlan, M. T. (2021). Processed foods drive intestinal barrier permeability and microvascular diseases. Science Advances, 7(14), eabe4841. Cited by: 148

2. Sim, D. P., Khazandi, M., Chan, W. Y., Deo, P., & Trott, D. J. (2019). Antimicrobial activity of thyme oil, oregano oil, thymol and carvacrol against sensitive and resistant microbial isolates from dogs with otitis externa. Veterinary Dermatology. Cited by: 106

3. Deo, P., Hewawasam, E., Karakoulakis, A., Claudie, D. J., Nelson, R., & Vemulpad, S. (2016). In vitro inhibitory activities of selected Australian medicinal plant extracts against protein glycation, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and digestive enzymes linked to diabetes. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 16(1), 435. Cited by: 61

4. Bergamin, A., Mantzioris, E., Cross, G., Deo, P., Garg, S., & Hill, A. M. (2019). Nutraceuticals: Reviewing their role in chronic disease prevention and management. Pharmaceutical Medicine, 33(4), 291–309. Cited by: 60

5. Fenech, M., Knasmueller, S., Knudsen, L. E., Kirsch-Volders, M., Deo, P., … & Bonassi, S. (2021). “Micronuclei and Disease” special issue: Aims, scope, and synthesis of outcomes. Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research, 788, 108384. Cited by: 54

6. Ferro, S., Amorico, T., & Deo, P. (2018). Role of food sanitising treatments in inducing the ‘viable but nonculturable’ state of microorganisms. Food Control, 91, 321–329. Cited by: 54

Hongyu li | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Xinjiang medical university | China

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS

🎓EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hongyu Li embarked on her academic journey at Xinjiang Medical University, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree and subsequently completed a Ph.D. in 2021. Her formative years were marked by rigorous academic training and an early interest in the oncology of breast diseases, which laid the foundation for her future specialization in breast cancer metastasis research.

👩‍🏢PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Currently serving as an Associate Professor, Associate Chief Physician, and Doctor of Medicine at the Department of Breast Internal Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Dr. Li brings over a decade of clinical expertise to the field. Her clinical focus is on the early detection, diagnosis, and management of breast cancer. She has been honored with prestigious awards including the “Tianchi Talent” Youth Doctor Award (2022), the Outstanding Postdoctoral Special Funding (2023), and was selected for the “789 Talent” Training Program (2024), cementing her reputation as a High-Level Talent and Outstanding Young Physician.

🔬CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON BREAST CANCER

Dr. Li’s scientific inquiry is anchored in understanding the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis, with a specific focus on breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM)—a critical and poorly understood manifestation associated with poor prognosis. Her translational research bridges clinical challenges and bench-side investigations, aiming to identify novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for BCBM.

She adopts an integrative approach that translates clinical observations into mechanistic questions, enhancing the effectiveness of future treatments and diagnostic strategies for late-stage breast cancer.

📚IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Li’s work is contributing to shaping the clinical paradigms in breast cancer care within the Xinjiang region and beyond. Her research is improving understanding of metastatic processes, especially in underrepresented ethnic populations. She is also involved in institutional collaborations and has served in editorial capacities, reinforcing her influence in both academic and clinical oncology spheres.

💪LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Looking forward, Dr. Li aims to establish a dedicated translational research unit focused on metastatic breast cancer, particularly BCBM. She is committed to mentoring young researchers and expanding interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge molecular oncology with precision medicine. Her ultimate goal is to redefine treatment algorithms and enhance survival outcomes for patients with advanced-stage breast cancer.

🌍CONCLUSION

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hongyu Li stands as a beacon of translational oncology, seamlessly integrating clinical care with cutting-edge research. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge, commitment to public health, and strategic focus on a critically unmet need in oncology make her a deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award.