Dr. Aminah Alotaibi | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Research Professor | King Abdulaziz city for science and technology | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Aminah Ghazi Alotaibi is a distinguished researcher affiliated with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a Scopus h-index of 3, 4 indexed publications, and 58 citations, she has demonstrated consistent scholarly impact in the fields of hematology, stem cell biology, and molecular diagnostics. Her research primarily focuses on elucidating the phenotypic and molecular diversity of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) derived from cord blood and bone marrow, advancing the understanding of their biological significance and translational potential in clinical applications. Notably, her recent open-access article titled “Distinct Phenotypic and Molecular Characteristics of CD34− and CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell Subsets in Cord Blood and Bone Marrow Samples: Implications for Clinical Applications” (2025, Diagnostics) highlights her expertise in cellular characterization and regenerative medicine, offering valuable insights for stem cell-based therapies and transplantation science. Dr. Alotaibi’s collaborative network spans 23 co-authors, reflecting her active engagement in multidisciplinary and international scientific research. Her work integrates clinical hematology, genomics, and translational biomedical research, bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient-centered innovations. Through her contributions, she aims to enhance diagnostic precision, therapeutic efficacy, and personalized medical approaches in hematologic and immune-related disorders. Dr. Alotaibi’s scholarly endeavors not only strengthen Saudi Arabia’s presence in global biomedical research but also contribute to the broader scientific community’s understanding of stem cell biology and its clinical potential.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

1. Alotaibi, A. G., Li, J. V., & Gooderham, N. J. (2021). Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) enhances dietary carcinogen-induced DNA damage in colorectal cancer epithelial cells through activation of JNK signaling pathway. Toxicology, 457, 152806. Cited by: 36

2. Al-Saleh, I., Elkhatib, R., Al-Rajoudi, T., Al-Qudaihi, G., Manogarannogaran, P., Alotaibi, A. G., & others. (2020). Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of e-liquids and their potential associations with nicotine, menthol and phthalate esters. Chemosphere, 249, 126153. Cited by: 22

3. Alotaibi, A. G., Li, J. V., & Gooderham, N. J. (2023). Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced metastatic phenotype in colorectal cancer epithelial cells: Mechanistic support for the role of microRNA-21. Cancers, 15(3), 627. Cited by: 21

4. Gaafar, A., Hamza, F. N., Yousif, R., Shinwari, Z., Alotaibi, A. G., Iqniebi, A., & others. (2025). Distinct phenotypic and molecular characteristics of CD34− and CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell subsets in cord blood and bone marrow samples: Implications for clinical applications. Diagnostics, 15(4), 447. Cited by: 1

5. Alotaibi, A. G. (2023). Effect of the inflammatory mediator TNF-α on colorectal cancer epithelial cells development and metastasis, role of dietary carcinogens and miRNA [Doctoral dissertation, Imperial College London]. Imperial College Repository.

Dr. Aminah Ghazi Alotaibi’s research advances global understanding of inflammation-driven carcinogenesis and stem cell biology, bridging molecular insights with clinical translation. Her work contributes to precision oncology, regenerative medicine, and the development of safer therapeutic strategies, fostering innovation that benefits both scientific progress and human health worldwide.

Dr. Melissa Christiaens | Cervical Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Radiation-Oncology | University Hospitals Leuven | Belgium

Dr. Melissa Christiaens is a highly accomplished Radiation Oncologist recognized for her contributions to the advancement of radiotherapy and clinical oncology research. With extensive experience in oncological treatment, she has played a key role in integrating evidence-based radiotherapy techniques into modern cancer care. Her professional expertise spans across radiotherapy quality assurance, pediatric oncology, gynecologic cancers, and multidisciplinary tumor management. As an active member of several leading scientific organizations—including the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology, the EuroEwing Consortium, and the Connective Tissue Oncology Society—she consistently collaborates in large-scale international research networks to improve patient outcomes and optimize therapeutic protocols. Her research interests focus on clinical trials in radiotherapy, immuno-oncology integration, and precision treatment strategies for rare and complex cancers. Dr. Christiaens has contributed to numerous high-impact peer-reviewed journals such as The Lancet, Radiotherapy and Oncology, BMC Cancer, and Gynecologic Oncology, where her publications have enhanced the scientific understanding of cancer treatment outcomes, safety, and innovation. Her research skills encompass clinical data interpretation, protocol development, treatment optimization, and evidence synthesis—supported by her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in oncology research and education, promoting collaboration and innovation within the global cancer research community. Her achievements continue to inspire advancements in patient-centered cancer therapy and clinical radiobiology. Her enduring scientific legacy is reflected through 1,417 citations, 25 documents, and an h-index of 12, underscoring her influential role in advancing the frontiers of clinical radiotherapy, oncology innovation, and multidisciplinary cancer research.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

1. Pötter, R., Tanderup, K., Schmid, M. P., Jürgenliemk-Schulz, I., Haie-Meder, C., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2021). MRI-guided adaptive brachytherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer (EMBRACE-I): A multicentre prospective cohort study. The Lancet Oncology, 22(4), 538–547. Cited by: 613

2. Zhang, H., Ahearn, T. U., Lecarpentier, J., Barnes, D., Beesley, J., Qi, G., Jiang, X., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2020). Genome-wide association study identifies 32 novel breast cancer susceptibility loci from overall and subtype-specific analyses. Nature Genetics, 52(6), 572–581. Cited by: 466

3. Lorusso, D., Xiang, Y., Hasegawa, K., Scambia, G., Leiva, M., Ramos-Elias, P., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2024). Pembrolizumab or placebo with chemoradiotherapy followed by pembrolizumab or placebo for newly diagnosed, high-risk, locally advanced cervical cancer (ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047/KEYNOTE-A18). The Lancet, 404(10460), 1321–1332.
Cited by: 323

4. Ajithkumar, T., Horan, G., Padovani, L., Thorp, N., Timmermann, B., Alapetite, C., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2018). SIOPE–Brain tumor group consensus guideline on craniospinal target volume delineation for high-precision radiotherapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 128(2), 192–197. Cited by: 113

5. De Ruysscher, D., Sharifi, H., Defraene, G., Kerns, S. L., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2013). Quantification of radiation-induced lung damage with CT scans: The possible benefit for radiogenomics. Acta Oncologica, 52(7), 1405–1410. Cited by: 74