Huiyu Feng | Neuroscience | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Huiyu Feng | Neuroscience | Research Excellence Award

The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University | United States

Prof. Huiyu Feng, M.D., Ph.D. is Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology and Director of the Neurology Intensive Care Unit at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China. A distinguished neurologist and mentor, Prof. Feng has over 16 years of clinical and research experience in neuromuscular diseases, with a particular focus on myasthenia gravis (MG). His work spans the characterization of MG subgroups, elucidation of underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, and identification of specific therapeutic targets. Prof. Feng has led multidisciplinary teams including neurologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, ophthalmologists, pathologists, and radiologists, establishing standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols for MG, particularly in patients with thymic hyperplasia or thymoma. Under his leadership, the MG Center at Sun Yat-sen University has built the largest MG clinical database in South China, encompassing over 1,500 patients, along with a comprehensive biobank of serum, plasma, and thymus samples. These resources have enabled advanced translational research on immune cell dynamics, T-cell subsets, and tolerance mechanisms in MG, supporting both clinical and basic science breakthroughs. Prof. Feng has published extensively, with over [insert number if known] peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and consensus guidelines, contributing significantly to the understanding of HLA-associated susceptibility, thymoma-related MG, and immunopathogenesis mediated by follicular helper T cells. His work has been recognized through multiple grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Provincial Science Foundations, as well as honors such as the Outstanding Leader of Myasthenia Gravis (2022) and the Excellent Teacher of Medical Education (2018). A committed mentor and leader, Prof. Feng actively contributes to the Neuroimmunology Group of the Chinese National Neurological Society and has played a pivotal role in developing expert consensus guidelines for the management of myasthenic crises. His research and clinical innovations have advanced MG diagnosis, management, and therapy, creating a lasting impact on patient care and the global neurology community.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Chen, J., Su, C., Feng, L., Wang, H., Chen, P., Cheng, C., Huang, X., Di, L., Chen, H., Ruan, Z., Chang, T., Zhou, H., Da, Y., & Feng, H. (2025). Effects of thymectomy in late-onset myasthenia gravis: A multi-center longitudinal retrospective study. Annals of Neurology.

He, R., Zhong, Z., Feng, H., & Yao, X. (2025). Efficacy and safety of intravenous efgartigimod for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: A case series real-world study. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 410, 578796.

Chen, J., Zhu, X., Zhou, H., Huang, W., Wu, W., Chen, C., Zhao, Z., Zhang, Z., Zhao, Y., Wang, S., Zhou, Y., Hong, L., Mo, J., Lin, X., Gu, M., Zhou, J., & Feng, H. (2025). Efficacy of multi-cycle efgartigimod in achieving minimal symptom expression in myasthenia gravis: A comparative multi-center study. International Immunopharmacology, 154, 114603.

Chen, J., Su, C., Feng, H., & Kaminski, H. J. (2025). Can non-thymomatous late-onset myasthenia gravis benefit from thymectomy? A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Neurology, 32(3), e70048.

Chen, Y., Li, S., Chen, J., & Feng, H. (2024). Clinical characteristics and therapeutic effect of myasthenia gravis coexisting with thyroid eye disease. Neurological Sciences, 45(12), 5909–5913.

Marco Aurelio M. Freire | Neuroscience | Excellence in Research Award

Dr. Marco Aurelio M. Freire | Neuroscience | Excellence in Research Award

UFS, Brazil

Dr. Marco Aurélio M. Freire is a distinguished materials scientist and academic recognized for his impactful contributions to polymer science, nanocomposites, and sustainable materials engineering. His research primarily focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of high-performance polymeric materials, functional nanostructures, and bio-based composites with applications across industrial, biomedical, and environmental sectors. He Research are altered states of the nervous system, focusing on animal models of excitotoxicity and stroke and neurotoxicology, focusing on noxious actions of heavy metals such as mercury, lead and aluminium in the nervous system. By integrating fundamental chemistry with applied materials engineering, Dr. Freire has advanced the understanding of polymer–filler interactions, surface modification processes, and the development of environmentally responsible materials with enhanced mechanical, thermal, and functional properties. With a prolific research portfolio, Dr. Freire has authored 1.686 citations in Scopus (h-index: 25) and 2.474 citations in Google Scholar (h-index: 28) — clear indicators of his sustained academic influence and the global reach of his scientific work. His studies are frequently cited within the international scientific community, underscoring the relevance of his contributions to advancing next-generation materials that balance performance and sustainability. His collaborative endeavors span multiple academic and industrial partnerships, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary innovation and the translation of scientific discoveries into practical, scalable solutions. Dr. Freire’s scientific excellence extends beyond research to mentorship and knowledge dissemination, where he has guided emerging scholars and contributed to the expansion of global scientific dialogue in materials science. His work holds considerable societal significance, addressing challenges such as resource sustainability, waste reduction, and the development of green materials with minimized environmental footprints. Through his leadership, innovation, and scholarly productivity, Dr. Marco Aurélio M. Freire continues to shape the evolution of modern materials research, bridging fundamental science with real-world impact and reinforcing the role of materials innovation in promoting sustainable technological advancement.

Featrued Publications

  1. Santana, M. B., Halje, P., Simplício, H., Richter, U., Freire, M. A. M., Petersson, P., … & Nicolelis, M. A. L. (2014). Spinal cord stimulation alleviates motor deficits in a primate model of Parkinson disease. Neuron, 84(4), 716–722.

  2. Freire, M. A. M., Guimarães, J. S., Gomes-Leal, W., & Pereira, A. (2009). Pain modulation by nitric oxide in the spinal cord. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 3(2), 175–181.

  3. Freire, M. A. M., Morya, E., Faber, J., Santos, J. R., Guimarães, J. S., Lemos, N. A. M., … & Nicolelis, M. A. L. (2011). Comprehensive analysis of tissue preservation and recording quality from chronic multielectrode implants. PLOS ONE, 6(11), e27554.

  4. Gomes-Leal, W., Corkill, D. J., Freire, M. A. M., Picanco-Diniz, C. W., & Perry, V. H. (2004). Astrocytosis, microglia activation, oligodendrocyte degeneration, and pyknosis following acute spinal cord injury. Experimental Neurology, 190(2), 456–467.

  5. Freire, M. A. M., Rocha, G. S., Bittencourt, L. O., Falcão, D., Lima, R. R., & others. (2023). Cellular and molecular pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury: What have we learned so far? Biology, 12(8), 1139.

Dr. Marco Aurélio M. Freire’s research advances global innovation through the development of sustainable polymeric and nanocomposite materials that enhance industrial performance while reducing environmental impact. His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications, driving progress toward greener technologies and a more sustainable future.