Sara Carloni | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Sara Carloni | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Humanitas University, Italy

Dr. Sara Carloni is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology at Humanitas University, Italy. Her career spans over a decade of cutting-edge research into microbial pathogenesis, microbiota-host interactions, the gut-brain axis, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A pivotal figure in translational microbiology, Dr. Carloni has contributed substantially to both experimental and clinical microbiology. Her breakthrough discovery of a choroid plexus vascular barrier associated with intestinal inflammation, published in Science (2021), has positioned her as a global leader in microbiota and neuroinflammation studies. As a corresponding or leading author on multiple high-impact publications and a frequent speaker at international conferences, she continues to influence the future of biomedical sciences.

Publication Profile 

Scopus

Orcid

Educational Background 🎓

Dr. Sara Carloni has cultivated a robust academic foundation in microbiology and biotechnology through progressive and interdisciplinary training across prestigious institutions. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnologies in 2009 from a joint program between Università degli Studi di Milano and Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Spain. She then completed her Master’s degree in Biotechnology at Università degli Studi di Milano in July 2011. Driven by a keen interest in microbial research, she pursued a Ph.D. in Biological and Molecular Sciences with a specialization in Molecular Microbiology, which she completed in May 2015 at Università degli Studi di Milano. Following her doctorate, she engaged in several postdoctoral fellowships: first at Università degli Studi di Milano (2015), focusing on small RNA-mediated mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa; then at the European Institute of Oncology (2016–2017), investigating microbiota in intestinal and oncologic disorders; and subsequently at Humanitas University (2018–2021), where she delved into the gut-brain axis and intestinal inflammation. Her academic journey culminated in her appointment as Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology (RTDA) at Humanitas University in 2021.

Professional Experience 💼

  • Assistant Professor (RTDA)
    Humanitas University (2021–Present)

    • Teaching and research in Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology (MED/07)

    • Supervising PhD and MD students; leading microbiota and AMR research units

  • Postdoctoral Fellow
    Humanitas University (2018–2021)

    • Investigated gut-brain axis, choroid plexus, and intestinal inflammation

  • Postdoctoral Fellow
    European Institute of Oncology (IEO) (2016–2017)

    • Microbiota in IBD and tumorigenesis; explored colitis-brain interaction

  • Postdoctoral Fellow
    Università degli Studi di Milano (2015)

    • Studied quorum sensing and small RNAs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Research Interests 🔬

  • Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) and Vascular Barriers

  • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

  • Host-Microbiota Interactions

  • Microbial Metabolites and Neuroinflammation

  • Translational Microbiology

  • Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles (bEVs)

  • Artificial Intelligence in Microbial Diagnostics

Awards and Honors🏆✨

  • Invited Speaker at premier international conferences including:

    • Digestive Disease Week (2024)

    • ECCO Congress (2024)

    • Potsdam Symposium on Mucosal Immunology (2023)

    • IFHNOS World Congress Moderator (2023)

  • Leader of research units in:

    • PNRR-INF-ACT (One Health & AMR Surveillance)

    • PNRR-NBFC (Human Wellbeing & Microbial Biodiversity)

    • 5X1000 Humanitas (IBD and Psychiatric Comorbidities)

  • Visiting Professor, Institut Pasteur – Leadership in microbiota-host interaction and bEVs research

Conclusion🌟

Dr. Sara Carloni stands out as an innovative and collaborative microbiologist, contributing significantly to modern biomedical research. With over 19 peer-reviewed publications, an H-index of 11, and over 1200 citations, she merges basic science discoveries with clinical applications, particularly in AMR surveillance and gut-brain communication. Her multidisciplinary and translational approach places her at the forefront of microbiology, making her a strong contender for high-level research recognitions and global scientific leadership.

Publications 📚

  1. 🍼 Maternal gut microbiota influences immune activation at the maternal-fetal interface affecting pregnancy outcome
    🗞 Nature Communications
    📅 2025-05-09 | 🔗 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58533-8
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Silvia Giugliano, Andrea Gatti, Martina Rusin, Tilo Schorn, Silvia Pimazzoni, Michela Calanni-Pileri, Valentina Fraccascia, Sara Carloni, Maria Rescigno

  2. 🧫 Epidemiology and resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from blood samples in septic patients at emergency department admission: A 6-year single-centre retrospective analysis from Northern Italy
    🗞 Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance
    📅 2025-03 | 🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.12.023
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Valeria Cento, Sara Carloni, Riccardo Sarti, et al.

  3. 🤰 Role of the maternal gut microbiota in immune activation at the maternal-fetal interface: Impact on preeclampsia
    📄 Preprint
    📅 2023-05-30 | 🔗 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2845955/v1
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Maria Rescigno, Silvia Giugliano, Sara Carloni, Tilo Schorn

  4. 🧠 Unveiling the gut-brain axis: Structural and functional analogies between the gut and the choroid plexus vascular and immune barriers
    🗞 Seminars in Immunopathology
    🔗 DOI: 10.1007/S00281-022-00955-3
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Sara Carloni, Maria Rescigno

  5. 🦠 Gut vascular barrier impairment leads to intestinal bacteria dissemination and colorectal cancer metastasis to liver
    🗞 Cancer Cell
    🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.03.004
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Bertocchi, A., Carloni, S., et al.

  6. 🧠 Identification of a choroid plexus vascular barrier closing during intestinal inflammation
    🗞 Science
    🔗 DOI: 10.1126/science.abc6108
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Carloni, S., Bertocchi, A., et al.

  7. 🧪 SARS-CoV-2 serology in 4000 health care and administrative staff across seven sites in Lombardy, Italy
    🗞 Scientific Reports
    🔗 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91773-4
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Sandri, M.T., Carloni, S., et al.

  8. 🧫 Complement C3aR loss drives colorectal cancer by modulating gut microbiota
    🗞 Journal of Immunology
    🔗 WOS: WOS:000589972400485
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Guglietta, Silvia, Carloni, Sara, et al.

  9. 🦠 Endogenous murine microbiota member Faecalibaculum rodentium and its human homologue protect from intestinal tumour growth
    🗞 Nature Microbiology
    🔗 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0649-5
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Zagato, E., Carloni, S., et al.

  10. 🧪 IgG serology in health care and administrative staff populations from 7 hospitals representative of different exposures to SARS-CoV-2 in Lombardy, Italy
    📄 medRxiv Preprint
    🔗 DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.24.20111245
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Sandri, M.T., Carloni, S., et al.

  11. 💩 Therapeutic faecal microbiota transplantation controls intestinal inflammation through IL10 secretion by immune cells
    🗞 Nature Communications
    🔗 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07359-8
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Burrello, C., Carloni, S., et al.

  12. 🧬 The small RNA ReaL: A novel regulatory element embedded in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing networks
    🗞 Environmental Microbiology
    🔗 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13886
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Carloni, S., Macchi, R., et al.

  13. 🦠 Post-transcriptional regulation of the virulence-associated enzyme AlgC by the σ²²-dependent small RNA ErsA of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
    🗞 Environmental Microbiology
    🔗 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12590
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Ferrara, S., Carloni, S., et al.

 

 

 

 

Andrews Appiah | Plant Science | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Andrews Appiah | Plant Science | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at Sunyani Technical University, Ghana

Andrews Appiah is a Ghanaian academic and researcher in the field of agriculture and plant breeding. With a strong background in general agriculture, crop genetics, and competency-based education, he currently serves as an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of General Agriculture, Sunyani Technical University. His expertise spans plant breeding, molecular diversity analysis, and sustainable crop production, and he has published in notable peer-reviewed journals. He is also actively involved in student mentorship, research development, and academic committee work.

Publication Profile 

Google Scholar

Educational Background 🎓

  • Diploma in Education (CBT Option)
    Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skill Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Kumasi, Ghana
    (2021 – 2022)

  • MPhil in Plant Breeding
    Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
    (2018 – 2021)

  • BSc in Agriculture
    Methodist University Ghana, Wenchi Campus
    (2013 – 2016)

  • Higher National Diploma (HND) in General Agriculture
    Sunyani Technical University (formerly Sunyani Polytechnic)
    (2008 – 2011)

  • WASSCE
    Drobo Senior High School, Ghana
    (2003 – 2006)

Professional Experience 💼

  • Assistant Lecturer (2021–Present)
    Department of General Agriculture, Sunyani Technical University

    • Teaching, research, curriculum development

  • Research and Grantsmanship Committee Member (2022–Present)
    Sunyani Technical University

  • Assistant Coordinator, Student Internships (2021–Present)
    Sunyani Technical University

  • Principal Technician (2017–2021)
    Sunyani Technical University

    • Supervised student practicals, agricultural production, research assistantship

  • Senior Technician (2012–2017)
    Sunyani Technical University

  • Tutor (2011–2012)
    Ghana Education Service, Pentecost JHS, Sankore

  • Agricultural Extension Agent (2010–2011)
    Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Sene West District

  • Internships:

    • Wenchi Farm and Research Institutes (Feb–Apr 2009)

    • MoFA, Jaman South Municipal (June–Sept 2008)

Research Interests 🔬

  • Plant breeding and genetics (okra, cowpea)

  • Molecular and morphological diversity

  • Sustainable crop improvement

  • Quantitative genetics

  • Integrated pest management (e.g., neem oil efficacy)

  • Agricultural biotechnology and data analysis

Workshops Attended

  • CBT workshops by CTVET (2022–2024)

  • Bricks Agricultural Biotechnology Skills Camp, Russia

  • Research writing workshops (2022, 2017)

  • Plant breeding and genetics training with Texas A&M and Iowa State University

  • Poultry diseases and rice production workshops (MoFA)

Awards and Honors🏆✨

While specific awards were not listed, his multiple international publications, invited training programs, and CBT teaching recognition highlight his respected status in agricultural academia and training circles.

Conclusion🌟

Andrews Appiah is a dynamic and experienced agricultural scientist with a solid foundation in plant breeding, education, and practical fieldwork. His academic and technical journey from technician to assistant lecturer showcases his commitment to growth, research excellence, and capacity-building in Ghana’s agricultural sector. With strong analytical, teaching, and interpersonal skills, he continues to contribute to advancing sustainable agriculture and education.

Publications 📚

  • 🧬 Owusu, E.Y., Kusi, F., Kena, A.W., Kassim, Y.B., Annor, B., Awuku, F.J., Attamah, P., Appiah, A., Lamini, S., Kuor, F., & Akromah, R.
    Gains in genetic enhancement of early maturing advanced breeding lines of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)
    Ecological Genetics and Genomics, 2025.
    🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.egg.2025.100339

  • 🌿 Appiah, A., Akromah, R., Owusu, E.Y., & Addo, S.
    Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation studies for yield and its attributes in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)
    📝 Euphytica (in press)

  • 🧬 Appiah, A., Akromah, R., Kena, A.W., Annor, B., Amoah, S., & Owusu, E.Y.
    Molecular and Morphological diversity among Ghanaian okra germplasm: An excellent breeding resource
    📝 Ecological Genetics and Genomics (in press)

  • 📘 MPhil Thesis:
    Genetic diversity among a collection of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) genotypes in Ghana using morphological and molecular markers
    – KNUST, Ghana (2021)

  • 📘 BSc Thesis:
    Comparative effectiveness of commercial neem oil and synthetic insecticides (Karate) in the management of insect damage on cowpea
    – Methodist University Ghana (2016)

  • 📘 HND Dissertation:
    The Impact of illegal chainsaw operations on forest fringed communities: A study at the Miremano Forest Reserve of Ghana
    – Sunyani Technical University (2010)

  • 🪴 Mensah, G.W.K., Appiah, A., Anorbor, E.C., & Anku, L.
    Field evaluation of commercial neem oil in managing insect damage on cowpea in the Forest Zone of Ghana
    Agricultural Science Research Journal, 7(11): 329–336
    🔗 resjournals.com
    📄 ISSN: 2026–6073