Paola Pontrelli | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paola Pontrelli | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Biology and Life Sciences | University of Bari Aldo Moro | Italy

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paola Pontrelli is a female scientist specializing in experimental biology with emphasis on renal pathophysiology, transplantation immunology, and molecular mechanisms in kidney disease. She holds a PhD in clinical pathology / experimental biology from the University of Bari Aldo Moro and/or affiliated institutions (PhD granted after high-quality doctoral work in molecular and immunologic mechanisms underlying renal injury, graft rejection, and kidney transplantation). Over her academic and professional career she has held roles such as Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences / Experimental Biology, has been involved in major research units at the University of Bari and related transplant and nephrology centers, and has collaborated extensively at national and international levels, participating in multidisciplinary projects on dialysis, graft rejection, bio-molecular profiling, immune signalling, complement activation and chronic kidney disease. Her work draws on strong research interests including diabetic nephropathy, antibody-mediated rejection of kidney transplants, inflammation and immune modulation in dialysis and transplant settings, interferon signatures, metabolic dysregulation in immune cells, and molecular biomarker discovery. She has developed research skills in transcriptomics / gene expression profiling, proteomics / phosphoproteome analyses, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, microarray, quantitative PCR, bioinformatic pathway analysis, handling patient samples (dialysis, transplant) and in vitro/in vivo experimental models. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paola Pontrelli has authored 97 documents, 2,676 Citations, 30 h-index, reflecting a robust scholarly output and impact.

Profile:  Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. “Dialysis-related systemic microinflammation is associated with specific genomic patterns”, 2008 — ~31 citations

  2. “Local synthesis of interferon-alpha in lupus nephritis is associated with type I interferons signature and LMP7 induction in renal tubular epithelial cells”, 2015 — ~64 citations

  3. “GENE EXPRESSION PROFILES IN CD8+ T CELLS IN CHRONIC ANTIBODY-MEDIATED REJECTION (CAMR) OF KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION”, 2018 — citation

  4. “Plasma-derived extracellular vesicles from kidney transplant patients with antibody-mediated rejection induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and senescence in tubular epithelial cells by modulating complement activation”, 2022 — citation

  5. “A type I interferon signature characterizes chronic antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplantation”, 2015 — citation

 

Sohel Shaikh | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sohel Shaikh | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Manager | Pellucid Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd | India

Dr. Sohel Shaikh is a bioprocess development scientist with extensive expertise in microbial fermentation, upstream process optimization, and technology transfer, backed by over a decade of research and industrial R&D leadership. He has successfully developed probiotics, recombinant enzymes, fermentation-based APIs, and nutraceutical products, ensuring compliance with international regulatory standards such as USFDA, Health Canada, and KFDA. His work spans high-cell-density fermentation, strain improvement, biotransformation, and statistical process optimization, with proven ability to translate lab-scale innovations into pilot and commercial-scale manufacturing. In addition to leading R&D teams, he has also managed microbiology QC operations, demonstrating strong cross-functional collaboration and regulatory documentation skills. With multiple peer-reviewed publications focusing on probiotics, gut microbiome modulation, and therapeutic applications, Dr. Shaikh continues to contribute meaningfully to advancements in microbial biotechnology, human health, and industrial bioprocess innovation.

Professional Profile 

Education  

Dr. Sohel Shaikh is a bioprocess development scientist with extensive expertise in microbial fermentation, upstream process optimization, and technology transfer, backed by over a decade of research and industrial R&D leadership. He has successfully developed probiotics, recombinant enzymes, fermentation-based APIs, and nutraceutical products, ensuring compliance with international regulatory standards such as USFDA, Health Canada, and KFDA. His work spans high-cell-density fermentation, strain improvement, biotransformation, and statistical process optimization, with proven ability to translate lab-scale innovations into pilot and commercial-scale manufacturing. In addition to leading R&D teams, he has also managed microbiology QC operations, demonstrating strong cross-functional collaboration and regulatory documentation skills. With multiple peer-reviewed publications focusing on probiotics, gut microbiome modulation, and therapeutic applications, Dr. Sohel Shaikh continues to contribute meaningfully to advancements in microbial biotechnology, human health, and industrial bioprocess innovation.

Professional Experience

Dr. Sohel Shaikh has built a rich professional career spanning research, development, and industrial leadership in microbial biotechnology and bioprocess innovation. He is currently serving as Manager of R&D at Pellucid Lifesciences, Ahmedabad, where he leads scientific and regulatory teams in probiotic development, fermentation process optimization, scale-up strategies, and regulatory submissions. He has also managed the Microbiology QC department, ensuring compliance with cGMP standards and overseeing quality testing and audits. Prior to this, he worked as Technical Manager (R&D) at Sunways Bioscience, Mumbai, driving product development of enzymes, probiotics, and antibiotics from concept to commercialization. His earlier roles include Assistant Manager (R&D) at Unique Biotech, Hyderabad, where he led upstream process development for recombinant enzymes and probiotics, and Research Associate (R&D) at Concord Biotech, Ahmedabad, where he worked on microbial fermentation process optimization and oncology-related bioproducts. He began his career as a Project Fellow at North Maharashtra University, where he contributed to a UGC-sponsored project alongside his doctoral research. Throughout his career, Dr. Sohel Shaikh has demonstrated strong expertise in technology transfer, regulatory compliance, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration, consistently bridging the gap between research innovation and industrial application.

Research Interest

Dr. Sohel Shaikh’s research interests lie at the intersection of microbial biotechnology, bioprocess development, and health-focused applications of probiotics and fermentation-derived products. He is particularly focused on upstream microbial process optimization, high-cell-density cultivation, strain improvement, and biotransformation to enhance productivity and efficiency in industrial fermentation. His work emphasizes the development of probiotics with therapeutic potential, recombinant enzymes, and fermentation-based APIs, along with nutraceutical formulations for human and animal health. He is also deeply engaged in exploring the gut microbiome and its role in modulating health outcomes, including gastrointestinal and neurological conditions, through the gut-brain axis. In addition, his interests extend to statistical process design, scale-up strategies, regulatory compliance, and technology transfer, with the overarching goal of translating laboratory research into commercially viable and clinically relevant biotechnological innovations.

Award and Honor

Dr. Sohel Shaikh has earned recognition for his significant contributions to microbial biotechnology and industrial bioprocess development through impactful research and leadership in R&D. His work on probiotics, recombinant enzymes, and fermentation-based APIs has led to multiple peer-reviewed publications, highlighting his role in advancing science with direct applications in healthcare and nutraceutical industries. He has been actively involved in regulatory submissions to international authorities such as the USFDA, Health Canada, KFDA, and others, which reflects both scientific excellence and global compliance expertise. His achievements in successfully leading cross-functional teams, driving process innovations, and contributing to translational research outcomes stand as honors that showcase his professional excellence and reinforce his suitability for prestigious recognitions such as the Best Researcher Award.

Publications Top Noted

Exploring Role of Bacillus coagulans BCP92™ in Modulation of Depressive-Like Behavior: Unraveling Microbiome Gut-Brain Axis
Year : 2025

Efficacy and Safety Assessment of Probiotic Bacillus coagulans (Heyndrickxia coagulans) BCP92 for Treatment of Diarrhea
Year : 2024

Role of Bacillus coagulans (Heyndrickxia coagulans) BCP92 in Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Year : 2024

In-silico Analysis of Probiotic Attributes and Safety Assessment of Probiotic Strain Bacillus coagulans BCP92 for Human Application
Year : 2024

Production of Biodegradable Polymer from Agro-Wastes in Alcaligenes sp. and Pseudomonas sp.
Year : 2021

Siderophore Production in Groundnut Rhizosphere Isolate, Achromobacter sp. RZS2 Influenced by Physicochemical Factors and Metal Ions
Year : 2019

Induced Systemic Resistance by 2,4-Diacetylphloroglucinol Positive Fluorescent Pseudomonas Strains Against Rice Sheath Blight
Year : 2018

Conclusion

Dr. Sohel Shaikh’s combination of industrial experience, regulatory expertise, research innovation, and publication record makes him a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. His contributions directly impact healthcare, food security, and biotechnology industries, aligning well with the objectives of fostering impactful and translational research. With a strengthened focus on academic outreach, high-impact publications, and intellectual property generation, he can further elevate his profile and make an even stronger case for this prestigious recognition.