Hongzhen Wang | HealthTech and Wearables | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Technology Scientists

Dr. Hongzhen Wang | HealthTech and Wearables | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Zhejiang A&F University, China

Wang Hongzhen is an accomplished Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor specializing in plant biochemistry and medicinal plant research. With over two decades of academic and research experience, she has focused on advancing the authenticity, classification, and cultivation of Anoectochilus roxburghii, a highly valued medicinal orchid. Her academic journey spans Shanxi University, Guizhou University, and a Ph.D. from Linnaeus University in Sweden, equipping her with a global research perspective. Currently serving at Zhejiang A&F University, she integrates traditional plant sciences with modern biotechnological tools, including hyperspectral imaging and machine learning, to address challenges in medicinal plant authenticity and health applications. Having authored more than 30 high-impact papers, led numerous provincial and national projects, and earned awards for her contributions, Wang’s research significantly contributes to the advancement of health-related technologies and the sustainable development of medicinal plant resources.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Education

Wang Hongzhen’s education reflects a solid foundation in biological sciences and plant biochemistry. She began her academic training at the College of Life Sciences, Shanxi University, where she acquired essential knowledge of genetics and plant physiology. She then pursued postgraduate studies at the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology, Guizhou University, focusing on genetic regulation and biochemical pathways in plants. To advance her expertise, she completed her doctoral studies at Linnaeus University, Sweden, where she conducted extensive research in plant biochemistry, molecular biology, and the physiological mechanisms underlying medicinal plants. Her education uniquely combines traditional Chinese medicine plant studies with modern molecular tools and international scientific methodologies. This broad educational background prepared her to address critical questions in plant-based healthcare and medicinal resource development. Through this journey, she gained the capacity to integrate advanced research technologies, including hyperspectral imaging and bioinformatics, into her research on medicinal plant authentication.

Experience

Wang Hongzhen has built a rich academic and research career that bridges plant biochemistry, medicinal plant cultivation, and health-related applications. She began her professional journey as a teacher at Zhejiang Forestry College, where she contributed to developing courses in biotechnology and plant sciences. After completing her Ph.D. in Sweden, she joined Zhejiang A&F University in, where she continues to serve in the Discipline of Chinese Medicine. Over her career, she has presided over or contributed to more than 14 national and provincial projects, including studies funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Her project leadership includes topics such as germplasm quality evaluation, resistance mechanisms, and cultivation innovations for Anoectochilus roxburghii. Beyond academic teaching, she has actively collaborated in advancing agricultural biotechnology and integrating medicinal plant research with modern imaging and computational analysis. Her career illustrates a continuous progression toward interdisciplinary, impactful scientific contributions in HealthTech and plant sciences.

Research Focus

Wang Hongzhen’s research focuses on the intersection of plant biochemistry, computational imaging, and medicinal resource sustainability. Her primary work centers on Anoectochilus roxburghii, a rare and valuable medicinal orchid widely used in traditional medicine. She investigates quality evaluation of germplasm resources, development of high-yield and disease-resistant varieties, and protocorm-like body formation mechanisms for scalable cultivation. Recently, she has integrated hyperspectral imaging and machine learning to achieve small-sample authenticity identification and variety classification, bridging biotechnology with cutting-edge computational methods. This research ensures authenticity, prevents adulteration, and enhances traceability of medicinal plants in healthcare applications. Additionally, she has explored molecular mechanisms such as polyamine regulation, enzyme gene function, and stress resistance in medicinal species. Her work is not only fundamental for improving the pharmacological reliability of herbal resources but also future-oriented in connecting plant sciences with HealthTech innovations, including wearable biosensing and AI-based diagnostic tools.

Publication Top Note

Title: Small-Sample Authenticity Identification and Variety Classification of Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. Using Hyperspectral Imaging and Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Hongzhen.
Summary: The study combines hyperspectral imaging with machine learning to authenticate and classify A. roxburghii from small samples, offering a fast and reliable method to prevent adulteration in medicinal plants.

Conclusion

Wang Hongzhen’s research demonstrates a rare combination of depth in plant biochemistry and breadth in applying advanced computational tools such as hyperspectral imaging and machine learning to address real-world problems in medicinal plant science. Her contributions in germplasm evaluation, cultivation, and molecular regulation of Anoectochilus roxburghii are significant, impactful, and forward-looking. With further emphasis on interdisciplinary international collaboration and AI-driven translational outputs, she is highly suitable for the Women Researcher Award.

Souleyman Hassan | Technology Scientists Innovations | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Technology Scientists

Mr. Souleyman Hassan | Technology Scientists Innovations | Best Researcher Award

PhD student at University of N’Djamena in Chad.

Souleyman Hassan is a dedicated biochemist and PhD student at the University of N’Djamena, Chad, whose work focuses on discovering novel small molecules to combat malaria and related parasitic diseases. His research bridges traditional medicinal knowledge with modern computational and experimental approaches, such as bio-guided fractionation and high-throughput screening. He has collaborated with global pharmaceutical leaders including MMV, Pfizer, Merck, H3D, and Johnson & Johnson, contributing to the identification of potent antimalarial compounds, notably the picomolar pyrazole derivative MMV1794211. As an ambassador for SPARK Africa and an active member of ISSX Africa, he advocates for advancing research capacity across the continent. Souleyman has also co-founded EcoFast, reflecting his commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DAAD, and Grand Challenges Africa, his work exemplifies the integration of academic research, industrial collaboration, and social impact in the fight against malaria.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education 

Souleyman Hassan is pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of N’Djamena, Chad. His doctoral research centers on malaria therapeutics, particularly the discovery and optimization of natural and synthetic molecules targeting resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. He gained academic enrichment through the YaBiNaPA project (Yaoundé–Bielefeld Graduate School for Natural Products with Antiparasite and Antibacterial Activity), funded by DAAD, where he developed expertise in bio-guided fractionation, pharmacokinetic optimization, and parasite assays. His training also includes exposure to computational drug discovery and structure-based screening, providing him with a dual skillset bridging wet-lab and in silico research. Souleyman has benefited from workshops and collaborations with the University of Yaoundé I, the University of South Florida, and multiple pharmaceutical partners, where he strengthened his understanding of global health research pipelines. His educational journey reflects a strong commitment to integrating African research excellence with international scientific standards.

Experience 

Souleyman Hassan has gained diverse research and industrial experience through collaborations with international pharmaceutical companies and research institutions. His work with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) provided hands-on experience in screening open-access compound libraries such as the COVID Box, Malaria Box, and Pathogens Box, evaluating their antiparasitic activity. His involvement in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded project led to the discovery of highly potent antiplasmodial pyrazole derivatives, underscoring his contribution to frontline drug discovery efforts. Additionally, he has worked on plant-based drug leads, such as Drymaria cordata and Macaranga monandra, used traditionally against malaria. Souleyman is also engaged with community and academic organizations as a member of ISSX, SPARK Africa, and the Association of Health Sciences Researchers in Chad. His co-founding of EcoFast illustrates his ability to extend research innovations into entrepreneurial ventures, reflecting an applied dimension to his academic expertise.

Research Focus 

Souleyman Hassan’s research focuses on the biochemistry and pharmacology of antimalarial drug discovery. He integrates natural product isolation with computational methods to identify promising bioactive molecules and improve pharmacokinetics. His focus extends to high-throughput screening of both natural and synthetic libraries, enabling the rapid identification of potent leads such as MMV1794211, which showed picomolar-level activity against resistant Plasmodium falciparum. His research also explores the repurposing of existing molecules, reducing the cost and time of developing antiparasitic drugs. By combining indigenous plant knowledge, such as investigations into Terminalia ivorensis and Mitragyna inermis, with modern medicinal chemistry approaches, his work represents a fusion of traditional wisdom and cutting-edge science. This dual focus positions his research at the forefront of global health innovation, tackling neglected tropical diseases and contributing to the broader fight against drug resistance in malaria and other parasites.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Unveiling the antimalarial properties of Terminalia ivorensis stem bark aqueous extract
Journal: International Journal of Plant-Based Pharmaceuticals, April 2024. 
Summary: Validated traditional use of T. ivorensis with in vivo tests and docking studies, confirming strong antimalarial potential.

Title: Discovery of a picomolar antiplasmodial pyrazole derivative from MMV Global Health Priority Box
Journal: VeriXiv, October 16, 2024. 
Authors: Mariscal Brice Tchatat Tali; Darline Dize; Aubin Youbi Kamche; Boniface Pone Kamdem; Souleyman Hassan; et al.
Summary: Identified MMV1794211, a pyrazole derivative with exceptional potency (IC50 < 10 pM) against resistant Plasmodium falciparum.

Title: Bio-guided investigation of Mitragyna inermis unveils natural isolates with cross-activity against Plasmodium falciparum
Journal: Journal of Ethnopharmacology, August 7, 2025. 
Summary: Discovered compounds from M. inermis effective against both sensitive and multidrug-resistant malaria strains.

Title: Targeting the intra-erythrocytic life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum using Drymaria cordata and Macaranga monandra
Journal: Journal of Ethnopharmacology, January 2025.
Summary: Identified plant-based compounds disrupting parasite life cycle, providing new antimalarial drug leads.

Conclusion

Souleyman Hassan shows strong potential and suitability for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the context of young, early-career scientists making impactful contributions to neglected tropical diseases research. His innovative use of open-access compound libraries, his integration of computational and experimental drug discovery, and his discovery of highly potent antiplasmodial derivatives all point to significant promise. With further consolidation through high-impact publications, translational applications, and expanded international collaborations, he is well on track to becoming a leading figure in the field of global health drug discovery.