Mingyao Liu | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Mingyao Liu | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Mingyao Liu | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award | Professor | University of Toronto | Canada

Prof. Mingyao Liu, MD, MSc, is an internationally recognized biomedical scientist and academic leader renowned for his pioneering contributions to lung injury, transplantation immunology, and regenerative medicine. He currently serves as the James & Mary Davie Chair in Lung Injury, Repair and Regeneration at the University Health Network and as Director of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto, where he leads multidisciplinary teams advancing translational research in organ preservation and immunomodulation. Prof. Mingyao Liu obtained his M.D. and M.Sc. in Pathophysiology from the Second Military Medical University in Shanghai, China, followed by an intensive postdoctoral fellowship at the SickKids Research Institute in Toronto, Canada, where he began his journey into molecular mechanisms of lung disease and transplant biology. His professional experience spans decades of leadership roles, including Senior Scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and Full Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto, with cross-appointments in Medicine and Physiology. Prof. Mingyao Liu’s research interests focus on understanding ischemia-reperfusion injury, immune tolerance in organ transplantation, and cellular mechanisms driving lung regeneration. His laboratory employs advanced molecular biology, gene editing, single-cell transcriptomics, and ex vivo organ perfusion systems to identify therapeutic targets that improve graft survival and repair outcomes. His scientific expertise is further reflected through numerous publications in high-impact journals such as Transplantation, Scientific Reports, NPJ Digital Medicine, and The American Journal of Transplantation. Prof. Mingyao Liu has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Premier’s Research Excellence Award, and the Mel Silverman Mentorship Award, highlighting both his research excellence and commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists. As a dedicated member of numerous professional societies such as the American Thoracic Society, The Transplantation Society, and the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation, he plays a significant role in shaping global biomedical research discourse. Prof. Mingyao Liu’s career reflects a rare combination of innovative science, effective leadership, and lifelong mentorship, making him one of the foremost authorities in lung transplant biology. His continued contributions are shaping the future of regenerative medicine through translational discoveries that bridge laboratory innovation with clinical excellence, reinforcing his position as a global leader dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with severe pulmonary diseases.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Liu, M. (2025). Permissive immunosuppression facilitates the expansion of ex vivo administered regulatory T cells in the lung allograft. Scientific Reports. 1 citation.

  2. Liu, M. (2025). Ischemia/Reperfusion upregulates genes related to PANoptosis in human lung transplants. Transplantation. 3 citations.

  3. Liu, M. (2025). L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine alleviated ischemia-reperfusion injury and primary graft dysfunction in rat lung transplants. Transplantation. 2 citations.

  4. Liu, M. (2025). Ex vivo delivery of recombinant IL-10 to human donor lungs. JHLT Open. 0 citations.

  5. Liu, M. (2025). Protective effects of 10 °C preservation on donor lungs with lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. Conference Proceedings. 1 citation.

  6. Liu, M. (2024). Improving prognostic accuracy in lung transplantation using unique features of isolated human lung radiographs. NPJ Digital Medicine. 3 citations.

  7. Liu, M. (2024). Ischemia-reperfusion responses in human lung transplants at the single-cell resolution. American Journal of Transplantation. 5 citations.

 

Christina Pettan-Brewer | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr . Christina Pettan-Brewer | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Christina Pettan-Brewer | Medicine and Health Sciences | Associate Professor and Director | School of Medicine University of Washington | United States

Associate Professor Dr. Christina Pettan-Brewer is a distinguished veterinary scientist and global health leader whose career bridges research, education, and international policy. With advanced training in veterinary medicine, genetics, epidemiology, and One Health, she has contributed significantly to understanding zoonotic diseases, environmental health, and the genetic and molecular mechanisms of aging and disease. She serves as a key advisor and expert for international organizations including UNEP Nature for Health, WHO, PREZODE, and the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade, demonstrating her influence on global health strategies and pandemic prevention platforms. As Senior Editor of CABI One Health and Editor-in-Chief of Beyond One Ocean Health, she plays a pivotal role in advancing interdisciplinary scientific communication. Multilingual and internationally engaged, she combines her academic role at the University of Washington with mentorship, Fulbright program leadership, and advocacy for underrepresented groups in science, making her a recognized authority in One Health, planetary health, and global public health innovation.

Professional Profile 

Education  

Associate Professor Dr. Christina Pettan-Brewer has a strong and diverse educational background that reflects her interdisciplinary expertise. She began her academic journey in Brazil, earning a technical degree in Zoology and Clinical Pathology, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with honors from the Universidade Federal de Viçosa. She then pursued advanced studies in the United States at the University of California, Davis, completing a Master of Science in Wildlife and Zoological Medicine and Comparative Pathology while also receiving accreditation as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. To further strengthen her expertise in global health, she obtained a PhD in One Health and Global Health from the Federal University of Paraná in collaboration with the University of Colorado, specializing in Indigenous Health and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Her educational achievements, marked by honors and top performance, form the foundation of her career in veterinary medicine, public health, genetics, and planetary health.

Professional Experience

Associate Professor Dr. Christina Pettan-Brewer has built an impressive professional career that integrates academic leadership, research, and international advisory roles. She began her faculty journey as an Assistant Professor at Centenary University in New Jersey, where she developed curricula for pre-veterinary and pre-medicine programs while conducting research on avian pathology during the West Nile Virus outbreak. At the University of Washington School of Medicine, she has advanced through roles as Acting Instructor, Acting Assistant Professor, and now Associate Professor in the Department of Comparative Medicine, contributing extensively to research in genetics, zoonotic diseases, and One Health. Beyond academia, she has served as a senior advisor and technical expert for global organizations such as UNEP, WHO, PREZODE, and international veterinary associations, shaping global health strategies and pandemic preparedness. Her editorial leadership with CABI One Health and Beyond One Ocean Health further demonstrates her influence in scientific communication, while her Fulbright program advisory role highlights her dedication to mentoring and international academic exchange.

Research Interest

Associate Professor Dr. Christina Pettan-Brewer’s research interests lie at the intersection of veterinary medicine, public health, and planetary health, with a strong emphasis on the One Health approach. She focuses on zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases, pandemic prevention, and the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Her work extends to the genetic and molecular mechanisms of aging, chronic diseases, and susceptibility to toxins, as well as the health impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. She is particularly interested in Indigenous health, global health equity, and the role of wildlife and ecosystem preservation in preventing future pandemics. Through her interdisciplinary research, she seeks to advance collaborative solutions that strengthen global health systems, protect vulnerable populations, and promote sustainable, resilient communities

Award and Honor

Associate Professor Dr. Christina Pettan-Brewer has been recognized with numerous honors and prestigious appointments that highlight her global leadership in One Health and public health. She has served as a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) One Health Expert and Technical Advisory Group member for the Nature for Health initiative, representing Latin America and later co-chairing its expert committee. Her expertise has been sought by the World Health Organization’s Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, PREZODE’s International Data Working Group, and the Agence Nationale de la Recherche in France for evaluating pandemic prevention strategies. She has also been appointed as a Fulbright Program Adviser, National Scholar Program Ambassador, and Reviewer, reflecting her commitment to international education and research exchange. In addition, her editorial leadership roles as Senior Editor of CABI One Health and Editor-in-Chief of Beyond One Ocean Health stand as significant honors that demonstrate her influence in shaping global scientific dialogue. These achievements collectively underscore her distinguished reputation as a trusted advisor, scholar, and thought leader in global health.

Publications Top Noted

Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic in the Surveillance and Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Malaria: A Systematic Review

Year: 2025

Protecting Urban Wildlife Fauna, Fighting Zoonoses, and Preventing Biophobia in Brazil

Year: 2025

Conclusion

Dr. Christina Pettan-Brewer is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her career exemplifies global leadership, interdisciplinary research, and a strong commitment to advancing One Health, pandemic prevention, and planetary health. With a proven record of academic excellence, international collaboration, and impactful advisory roles, she stands out as a researcher whose work bridges science, policy, and education. Addressing minor improvements related to visibility of individual research outputs would further strengthen her profile, but her broad and meaningful contributions make her a compelling and deserving nominee for this recognition.