Ping Yuan | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Prof Ping Yuan | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Prof Ping Yuan | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award | Principle Investigator | The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University | China 

Prof. Ping Yuan is a distinguished researcher and professor currently serving as Principal Investigator at the Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University (since January 2017), with prior appointments including Assistant Professor at the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong (2010–2016); Postdoctoral Fellow (Stem Cell) at the Genome Institute of Singapore (2006–2010); Research Associate in Molecular Biology at Princeton University (2004–2006); and Visiting Research Fellow in Pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston (2001). He earned his Ph.D. from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, National University of Singapore (completed 2004), after completing an M.S. in Microbiology at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a B.S. from the School of Biological Sciences, Central China Normal University. Over his career, Prof. Ping Yuan has secured multiple competitive research grants — including support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China for work on YAP-associated super-enhancers in stem cells (Grant 31970674, 2020–2023), inhibition of glioblastoma stem cell proliferation (Grant 8177110391, 2018–2021), and the role of DNA repair factor Rif1 in teratocarcinoma formation (Grant 81372162, 2014–2017), as well as funding from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong for building an in-vitro system to reconstitute female germ-lineage cells (Grant 479512, 2013–2016). His research interests center on cancer stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, epigenetic modification, and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), with research skills spanning molecular biology, stem cell biology, epigenetics, in vitro and in vivo functional assays, bioinformatics and genomics. Prof. Ping Yuan has contributed significantly to our understanding of how pathways such as Hippo-YAP regulate stem cell differentiation and how dysregulation may underlie cancer, particularly colorectal and other cancers. His recent work includes demonstration that interference with CAPG induces apoptosis and ferroptosis via the p53 pathway in colorectal cancer cells, and that UCKL1 plays a non-canonical role in ferroptosis defense in colorectal cancer, highlighting potential therapeutic targets. Through his sustained funding, leadership roles, and prolific output, Prof. Ping Yuan has established himself as a leading figure in the intersection of stem cell biology, epigenetics, and cancer research, influencing both basic stem cell science and translational oncology.

Profile:  scopus | ORCID 

Featured Publications

  1. CAPG interference induces apoptosis and ferroptosis in colorectal cancer cells through the P53 pathway. (2023). Molecular and Cellular Probes.

  2. Non-canonical role of UCKL1 on ferroptosis defence in colorectal cancer. (2023). EBioMedicine.

  3. Silence of a dependence receptor CSF1R in colorectal cancer cells activates tumor-associated macrophages. (2022). Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

  4. Lin28 inhibits the differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells to glial lineage cells through upregulation of Yap1. (2021). Stem Cells International.

  5. Hippo-YAP signaling controls lineage differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells through modulating the formation of super-enhancers. (2020). Nucleic Acids Research, 48(13), 7182–7196.

  6. CFTR constrains the differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells to intestine lineage cells. (2019). Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.

  7. Differentiation of female Oct4-GFP embryonic stem cells into germ lineage cells. (2018). Cell Biology International

Louisa Mokoena | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Louisa Mokoena | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Louisa Mokoena | Medicine and Health Sciences | Lecturer | University Of Johannesburg | South Africa

Dr. Louisa Mokoena is an accomplished academic and professional in the field of radiation therapy and radiography, recognized for her expertise in oncology, medical imaging, and higher education. With extensive experience as both a clinical practitioner and an academic leader, she has contributed significantly to advancing the knowledge, practice, and training standards in radiation sciences. Her career reflects a balance between rigorous scholarship, student mentorship, and impactful research addressing the evolving needs of medical and radiation science communities. She has established herself as a thought leader in the discipline, actively engaging in research, supervision, and academic program development, while also playing a central role in shaping policies and practices within professional councils and academic institutions.

Professional Profile 

Education

Dr. Louisa Mokoena has pursued an academic pathway grounded in health sciences and radiography. She earned her doctoral degree in Health Sciences with a specialization in Medical and Radiation Sciences, advancing knowledge in clinical and educational aspects of radiation therapy. Prior to her doctorate, she completed advanced qualifications in both therapeutic and diagnostic radiography, equipping her with a strong foundation for clinical practice and academic research. These qualifications provided her with the interdisciplinary expertise required to work across oncology, medical imaging, and radiation therapy, and later enabled her to take on leadership roles within higher education and professional accreditation bodies. Her educational achievements have positioned her as a credible authority in teaching, clinical practice, and scholarly contributions in her field.

Experience

Throughout her career, Dr. Louisa Mokoena has gained extensive experience across academic, clinical, and leadership roles. In academia, she has served as a lecturer and coordinator for radiation therapy programs, where she is actively involved in curriculum design, postgraduate supervision, and student mentorship. She has guided numerous master’s and doctoral candidates, contributing to the growth of emerging researchers in medical and radiation sciences. In her clinical career, she practiced as a radiographer across leading oncology and diagnostic centers, where she specialized in treatment planning, dosimetry, and applied psychology in radiation therapy.

Research Interest

Dr. Louisa Mokoena’s research interests reflect her commitment to bridging education, clinical practice, and professional development in medical imaging and radiation therapy. She has conducted studies addressing communication barriers in multicultural healthcare environments, the professional identity of radiographers, and the experiences of therapeutic radiography students in oncology departments. Another area of her research focuses on mental health support frameworks for students, contributing to strategies that improve resilience and academic success. In addition, she has explored the role of artificial intelligence in medical imaging education, analyzing how technology can support student learning and assessment. Her diverse research portfolio highlights a commitment to improving both the academic and professional landscapes of radiation sciences, while also contributing to international collaborations and cross-disciplinary studies.

Award

Dr. Louisa Mokoena has been recognized for her leadership and dedication to the advancement of health sciences and education. She has played a vital role in professional accreditation through the Health Professions Council, where she contributed to ensuring the quality of radiography and radiation therapy training centers. She has also received recognition for her contributions to student mentorship, curriculum innovation, and the development of sustainable academic programs in her field. Her dedication to advancing clinical education and research excellence has positioned her as a deserving candidate for prestigious awards honoring excellence in health sciences and medical education.

Selected Publication

  • Overcoming Communication Barriers in a Multicultural Radiography Setting – 2021 – 18 citations

  • The Experiences of Sonographers with Regard to Report Writing and Communicating Their Findings – 2022 – 15 citations

  • Diagnostic Radiographers’ Perceptions of Professional Identity in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa – 2024 – 12 citations

  • Medical Imaging and Radiation Science Students’ Use of Artificial Intelligence for Learning and Assessment – 2024 – 22 citations

  • Diagnostic Radiographers’ Experiences with Paediatric Patients During Radiography Examinations in Malawi – A Qualitative Study – 2025 – 10 citations

Conclusion

Dr. Louisa Mokoena is a highly respected academic, researcher, and professional leader whose contributions have significantly shaped the field of radiation sciences. Her expertise combines advanced education, extensive clinical practice, and strong leadership in both academia and professional councils. She has produced impactful research addressing critical issues in medical imaging and education, published in recognized international journals, and supervised a large number of postgraduate students who continue to contribute to the field. Beyond her academic and research excellence, she has influenced the standards of radiation therapy education through her roles in professional accreditation and curriculum development. Dr. Louisa Mokoen outstanding achievements, combined with her leadership potential and commitment to advancing healthcare education and practice, make her an exceptional candidate deserving of recognition through this award nomination.