Assist. Prof. Dr. Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou, Albany Medical College, United States

Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Albany Medical College, NY, specializing in fungal infections and immunology. With a solid background in nanotechnology, immuno-oncology, and drug development, she leads cutting-edge translational research, developing novel therapies and diagnostics. Her expertise spans lung transplantation, cystic fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Matthaiou has a strong commitment to mentoring students, postdocs, and collaborators, and has been a key figure in advancing the study of fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus species. She holds several prestigious fellowships and grants, and has contributed significantly to scientific publications, particularly in the fields of immunology, transplantation, and nanomedicine.

Summary of Suitability:

Dr. Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou is an exceptional candidate for the “Best Researcher” award due to her extensive and pioneering contributions in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and fungal infections. With a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and Democritus University of Thrace, Dr. Matthaiou has advanced research into the molecular mechanisms of diseases such as cystic fibrosis and invasive fungal infections, focusing on immunomodulatory therapies and bioanalytical strategies.

🎓Education:

Dr. Matthaiou completed her postdoctoral training at Stanford University in 2020, focusing on lung immunology and transplantation. She earned her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and Democritus University of Thrace in 2017, where her research centered on nanotechnology, immuno-oncology, and drug development. She graduated with the highest honors from Democritus University of Thrace with a BSc in 2011, marking the beginning of her promising scientific career.

🏢Experience:

Dr. Matthaiou is currently an Assistant Professor at Albany Medical College, where she leads a research laboratory focused on fungal infections and lung transplantation. Before this, she was a Lead Senior Scientist at Stanford University, leading several research initiatives on lung microenvironment, cystic fibrosis, and Aspergillus-related diseases. Her work includes developing immunomodulatory nanotherapies and studying host-pathogen interactions. She has also served as a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford, focusing on invasive aspergillosis in pediatric lung transplant patients and mentoring new hires and trainees.

🏅Awards and Honors:

Dr. Matthaiou has received several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the 2024 NCCAT-GUP3 Cryo-EM grant, for which she serves as Principal Investigator. She was also a Fellow of the 2022 Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab and received the 2019 Stanford MCHRI Postdoctoral Award, funding her research on innate immunity defects in cystic fibrosis and Aspergillus infections. These accolades highlight her leadership and contributions to the fields of immunology, transplantation, and infectious diseases.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Matthaiou’s research focuses on the intersection of fungal infections, immunology, and nanomedicine. Her work investigates the immune mechanisms that contribute to Aspergillus-related diseases, especially in the context of lung transplantation and cystic fibrosis. She is also exploring novel therapeutic approaches, such as nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery, to treat invasive aspergillosis. In addition, her research delves into macrophage dysregulation and its role in promoting fungal invasion, with the aim of developing immunomodulatory treatments to mitigate infection and improve patient outcomes.

Publication Top Notes:

Title: Shikonin-loaded antibody-armed nanoparticles for targeted therapy of ovarian cancer

Cited by: 89

Title: Tumor endothelial marker 1–specific DNA vaccination targets tumor vasculature

Cited by: 78

Title: Iron: an essential nutrient for Aspergillus fumigatus and a fulcrum for pathogenesis

Cited by: 40

Title: Tumour endothelial marker 1/endosialin-mediated targeting of human sarcoma

Cited by: 36

Title: The safety and tolerability of pirfenidone for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after hematopoietic cell transplant (STOP-BOS) trial

Cited by: 17

Dr. Emiliano Laudadio | Nanoscience Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Emiliano Laudadio, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy

Emiliano Laudadio is a highly skilled researcher specializing in nanotechnology, particularly in the areas of biomolecular science and materials engineering. He has extensive experience in academia, having earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in applied biology before completing his Ph.D. in Biomolecular Science. Throughout his career, he has held various research positions at the Polytechnic University of Marche, focusing on the rational design of functionalized lipids, development of antioxidants, and nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Notably, Laudadio has been involved in several prestigious projects funded by organizations such as H2020, focusing on the development of plasmonic amplifiers, energy harvesting technologies, and smart nanomaterials for the Internet-of-Things. With a strong background in computational chemistry and experimental techniques such as electron paramagnetic resonance, he has contributed significantly to the field with over 70 publications in peer-reviewed journals, boasting an impressive total Impact Factor and citation count. Laudadio’s expertise lies in bridging theoretical insights with practical applications, making him a valuable asset in advancing nanotechnology research and innovation.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education:

Emiliano Laudadio completed his Bachelor’s degree in applied biology at Polytechnic University of Marche, where he laid the groundwork for his career in biomolecular science. He furthered his studies with a Master’s degree, specializing in compounds with biological activity, honing his expertise in this dynamic field. Pursuing his academic journey, Emiliano earned his PhD in Biomolecular Science, delving into the rational design of functionalized lipids tailored for antioxidant applications. His academic trajectory reflects a focused progression, marked by a commitment to exploring the intersection of biology and chemistry, ultimately contributing to advancements in biomolecular research.

💼 Work Experience:

Emiliano Laudadio has amassed extensive research experience across various levels at the Polytechnic University of Marche, making significant contributions to the interdisciplinary realms of chemistry, biology, and engineering. His notable achievements encompass pioneering studies on biofilm infections, wherein he enhanced detection methods and identified inhibitors to combat antibiotic resistance. Additionally, he spearheaded groundbreaking research in the development of lipophilic antioxidants, crucial for oxidative stress management in biomedical applications. Furthermore, Emiliano’s expertise in molecular docking studies has been instrumental in accelerating drug discovery efforts, facilitating the identification of potential therapeutic agents. His multifaceted contributions underscore his pivotal role in advancing scientific knowledge and innovation at the intersection of diverse scientific disciplines.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions:

Emiliano Laudadio was honored with the prestigious FIAT award, a testament to his exceptional academic accomplishments as a graduate with honors. This esteemed recognition underscores his outstanding dedication and scholarly achievements during his academic journey. As a recipient of this distinguished award, Emiliano’s commitment to excellence and scholarly pursuit has been acknowledged, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier researcher in his field.

Publication Top Notes:

“Towards Graphene-based Asymmetric Diodes: A Density Functional Tight-Binding Study”
- Authors: E. Mohebbi, E. Pavoni, L. Pierantoni, E. Laudadio, D. Mencarelli
- Published in Nanoscale Advances, 2024, Volume 6(5), Pages 1548–1555
“Band Gap and THz Optical Absorption of SnSe and SnSe2 Nanosheets on Graphene: Negative Dielectric Constant of SnSe”
- Authors: E. Mohebbi, E. Pavoni, L. Pierantoni, E. Laudadio, D. Mencarelli
- Published in Results in Physics, 2024, Volume 57, Article Number 107415
“Quantum Tunnelling in Hafnia-based Metal-Insulator-Metal Diodes: Atomistic-to-Continuum Modelling Approach and Experimental Validation”
- Authors: E. Pavoni, E. Laudadio, C.H. Joseph, L. Pierantoni, M. Aldrigo
- Published in Physica Scripta, 2024, Volume 99(2), Article Number 025511
“Effect of Different Pseudopotentials on the Phonon Frequencies, Dielectric Constant, and Born Effective Charge of SnSe and SnSe2 Nanostructures: A Density Functional Perturbation Theory Study”
- Authors: E. Mohebbi, E. Pavoni, L. Pierantoni, E. Laudadio, D. Mencarelli
- Published in Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 2024, Volume 185, Article Number 111755
“Strong Enhancement of Graphene Plasmonic Emission by Quantum Čerenkov Effect in Confined Structures”
- Authors: G.M. Zampa, D. Mencarelli, E. Mohebbi, L. Pierantoni, E. Laudadio
- Published in Applied Physics Letters, 2024, Volume 124(5), Article Number 054101