Shunbin Ning | Immunotherapy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shunbin Ning | Immunotherapy | Best Researcher Award

Professor, East Tennessee State University, United States

Professor Shunbin Ning is a renowned expert in viral oncology and immunology, with a passion for uncovering the intricate mechanisms of chronic viral infections and immune deregulation. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ” His groundbreaking work explores how viruses like EBV and HTLV1 disrupt immune checkpoints, DNA damage response, and metabolic pathways to establish latency and drive cancer progression. ๐Ÿงฌ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ As a Professor at ETSUโ€™s Quillen College of Medicine and a Scientist at the Mountain Home VA Medical Center, he has led NIH- and DoD-funded research projects focused on long noncoding RNAs, selective autophagy, and oncogenic IRFs. ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿงช With over 100 publications and editorial roles across several scientific journals, he is a respected voice in the field. ๐Ÿ“–๐Ÿง  His mentorship and leadership have significantly contributed to the advancement of viral immunopathology and novel immunotherapeutic strategies. ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ”ฌ

๐Ÿ’ Professional Profile

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๐ŸŽ“ Educationย 

Professor Ning began his academic journey at Wuhan University, China, earning his B.S. in Cell Biology in July 1996. ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ”ฌ He further pursued a Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Genetics at the same institution, which he completed in December 2001. ๐Ÿงฌ๐Ÿ“˜ Driven by a passion for research, he moved to the United States for postdoctoral training in Viral Oncology and Immunology at UNC Chapel Hill, completing it in March 2007. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿงซ His academic path continued with roles as Research Associate and later as Research Assistant Professor at UNC, where he deepened his expertise in host-pathogen interactions, chronic infections, and immune system regulation. ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿงช His education set a strong foundation for a prolific research career at the intersection of virology, immunology, and cancer biology. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“š

๐Ÿ’ผ Experienceย 

With over two decades of academic and research excellence, Professor Ning has held significant positions in top institutions. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”ฌ Since 2024, he has served as Professor in Internal Medicine at ETSUโ€™s Quillen College of Medicine and a Scientist at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tennessee. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธโš•๏ธ Previously, he held roles as Associate and Assistant Professor at ETSU and the University of Miami’s Sylvester Cancer Center. ๐Ÿงช๐Ÿ“ He also contributes as Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida. ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿซ His leadership extends into the VA system as a WOC employee, reflecting his dedication to veteran health. ๐Ÿช–โค๏ธ His academic journey spans teaching, mentorship, and pioneering research in viral oncology and immunopathogenesis, making him a pivotal figure in translational medicine. ๐Ÿ”„๐ŸŽ“

๐Ÿงช Research Focusย 

Professor Ningโ€™s research is anchored in viral immunology and oncogenesis, particularly chronic infections like EBV and HTLV1. ๐Ÿงซ๐Ÿงฌ He explores how these viruses manipulate host immunity via DNA damage response (DDR), autophagy, immune checkpoints, and non-coding RNAs. ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿง  His studies decode how these mechanisms foster viral latency, immune evasion, and cancer transformation. ๐Ÿฆ ๐Ÿ’ฅ Key areas include oxidative stress, interferon regulation, and ubiquitin-mediated signaling, revealing novel insights into inflammaging and tumor microenvironments. ๐ŸŒก๏ธ๐Ÿงช His translational work identifies new immunotherapeutic targets for virus-associated diseases, especially in hematological malignancies. ๐ŸŽฏ๐Ÿงฌ He also pioneers research into lncRNAsโ€™ role in lymphoma development and IRF4 regulation in oncogenesis. ๐Ÿ“Š๐Ÿงฌ Through innovative methodologies, including phosphoproteomics and transcriptomics, he advances understanding of virus-host interactions, helping bridge molecular mechanisms with therapeutic strategies. ๐Ÿงช๐Ÿ’ก

๐Ÿ… Awards and Honorsย 

Professor Ningโ€™s excellence has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards. ๐Ÿ†๐ŸŽ“ He is a two-time awardee of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), receiving both a Scholarship (2012) and Bridge Grant (2020) for his impactful research. ๐Ÿ”ฌ๐Ÿ’ฐ His accolades include the Leukemia Research Foundation Award (2010), Florida Department of Health New Investigator Award (2010), and an International Professorship Award from the ASM (2009). ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“œ Early in his career, he earned the Excellent PhD Thesis Award from both Wuhan University (2003) and Chinaโ€™s Ministry of Education (2005), as well as being named a top graduate student (2002). ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“๐ŸŒŸ His commitment to mentoring and service has also been honored by ASM for outstanding contributions to online mentoring and international programs. ๐Ÿ’ป๐Ÿค These accolades reflect his scientific impact and dedication to global research advancement. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ก

๐Ÿ“˜ Publications Top Notes

Guidelines for the Use and Interpretation of Assays for Monitoring Autophagy (4th Edition)

Authors: D.J. Klionsky, A.K. Abdel-Aziz, S. Abdelfatah, M. Abdellatif, A. Abdoli, S. Abel, et al. (including S. Ning)
Journal: Autophagy, Volume 17, Issue 1, Pages 1โ€“382 (2021)
Summary:
This comprehensive and collaborative work offers updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in both in vivo and in vitro systems. ๐Ÿงช๐Ÿ“š With contributions from hundreds of experts, including Dr. Ning, it covers key assays, markers, and interpretations critical for studying autophagy accurately. ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿงซ These standardized protocols ensure reproducibility across labs and support the effective application of autophagy-related research in fields such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and infectious diseases. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ”ฌ An essential resource, this publication has become the gold standard for autophagy research worldwide. ๐ŸŒŸ

IRF7: Activation, Regulation, Modification and Function

Authors: S. Ning, J.S. Pagano, G.N. Barber
Journal: Genes & Immunity, Volume 12, Issue 6, Pages 399โ€“414 (2011)
Summary:
This review article highlights the central role of IRF7, a key transcription factor in antiviral immunity. ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ๐Ÿงฌ Dr. Ning and colleagues discuss its activation pathways, post-translational modifications, and regulatory networks, especially in the context of type I interferon production. โš™๏ธ๐Ÿ“Š The paper emphasizes IRF7’s importance in immune responses to viral infections like EBV, and its manipulation by viruses to evade immunity. ๐Ÿฆ โš ๏ธ A valuable resource for understanding host-virus interactions and the molecular immunology of viral pathogenesis. ๐Ÿงซ๐Ÿ“–

Salt Stress Induces Programmed Cell Death in Prokaryotic Organism Anabaena

Authors: S.B. Ning, H.L. Guo, L. Wang, Y.C. Song
Journal: Journal of Applied Microbiology, Volume 93, Issue 1, Pages 15โ€“28 (2002)
Summary:
This early study by Dr. Ning explores how salt stress triggers programmed cell death (PCD) in the cyanobacterium Anabaena. ๐Ÿง‚๐Ÿ”ฌ The research identifies morphological and molecular changes indicative of apoptosis-like pathways, suggesting that even prokaryotes possess regulated death mechanisms under stress. โšก๐Ÿงซ This foundational work contributes to the broader understanding of cell death evolution and microbial stress responses. ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿง 

TRAF6 and the Three C-terminal Lysine Sites on IRF7 Are Required for Its Ubiquitination-mediated Activation by the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Family Member Latent Membrane Protein 1

Authors: S. Ning, A.D. Campos, B.G. Darnay, G.L. Bentz, J.S. Pagano
Journal: Molecular and Cellular Biology, Volume 28, Issue 20, Pages 6536โ€“6546 (2008)
Summary:
This experimental study details how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) protein LMP1 activates IRF7 via TRAF6-dependent ubiquitination. ๐Ÿงฌ๐Ÿ” Dr. Ning and co-authors show that three specific lysine residues on IRF7 are essential for its activation, linking viral oncogenesis with host immune signaling. ๐Ÿงชโš™๏ธ This discovery sheds light on viral immune evasion and provides targets for antiviral strategies. ๐Ÿฆ ๐Ÿ’ก

Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 Is Negatively Regulated by the Epstein-Barr Virus Immediate-Early Gene, BZLF-1

Authors: A.M. Hahn, L.E. Huye, S. Ning, J. Webster-Cyriaque, J.S. Pagano
Journal: Journal of Virology, Volume 79, Issue 15, Pages 10040โ€“10052 (2005)
Summary:
This research reveals that EBV gene BZLF-1 suppresses the expression and function of IRF7, undermining the hostโ€™s antiviral interferon response. ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿงฌ Dr. Ning contributed to showing how BZLF-1 impairs IRF7-mediated signaling, helping the virus establish latency and avoid immune detection. ๐Ÿงซ๐Ÿ‘๏ธ This work provides crucial insight into the immune evasion tactics of herpesviruses and their impact on host immunity. ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿฆ 

Professor Shunbin Ning stands at the forefront of viral immunology and cancer biology, contributing transformative insights into virus-host interactions. ๐Ÿงฌ๐ŸŒ His pioneering research on EBV, immune regulation, and non-coding RNAs bridges fundamental biology with therapeutic potential. ๐ŸŽฏ๐Ÿง  His dedication to mentorship, global collaboration, and editorial leadership enriches the scientific ecosystem. ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒ Through over 100 publications, continuous NIH/DoD-funded projects, and service on international boards and review panels, Professor Ning continues to inspire innovation and excellence in biomedical science. ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ… His work not only deepens our understanding of chronic viral infections but also charts new paths toward immunotherapeutic breakthroughs. ๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ’Š A true leader and visionary in his field, he exemplifies the synergy of scientific rigor and clinical relevance. ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”ฌโค๏ธ

Dr. Burcin Hazeral | Radiation Oncology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Burcin Hazeral | Radiation Oncology | Best Researcher Award

Medical Physicist Ph.D. at Izmir City Hospital, Turkey.

Dr. Burรงin Hazeral ๐ŸŽ“ is a dedicated medical physicist from Turkey ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท with over 15 years of experience in radiation oncology. She currently serves at ฤฐzmir City Hospital ๐Ÿฅ, where she integrates advanced physics into cancer care. A lifelong learner and researcher, Dr. Hazeral has made notable contributions in adaptive radiotherapy, in vivo dosimetry, and cancer treatment planning ๐Ÿ”ฌ๐Ÿ“ˆ. Her work bridges clinical application and academic excellence, with several publications in globally recognized SCI and Scopus-indexed journals ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“š. Known for her collaborative nature, she works closely with leading oncology centers and contributes to medical advancement through research, innovation, and professional society involvement ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’ก. Passionate about patient-centered radiation therapy, she brings precision and compassion to every case. With a strong ethical foundation and scientific rigor, Dr. Hazeral continues to shape the future of medical physics and cancer treatment technology ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿง .

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Suitability For Best Researcher Award – Dr. Burcin Hazeral

Dr. Burรงin Hazeral is an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her outstanding contributions to the field of clinical medical physics, particularly in radiation oncology. With over 15 years of hands-on experience, she has effectively merged clinical expertise with innovative research to improve cancer treatment outcomes. Her research focuses on adaptive radiotherapy, in vivo dosimetry, and dosimetric safety for critical organs, which are central to enhancing precision, safety, and personalization in cancer therapy.

Educationย 

Dr. Burรงin Hazeralโ€™s academic journey began with a Bachelorโ€™s degree in Physics from Ege University in 2006 ๐ŸŽ“. She pursued her passion for healthcare by earning a Master of Science in Medical Physics in 2010. Her dedication to continuous learning led her to complete her Ph.D. in Medical Physics in 2024 from the same institution, focusing on innovative radiotherapy techniques. This solid academic foundation empowers her to merge theoretical physics with real-world applications in oncology ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿ“š.

Professional Developmentย 

With a professional journey spanning over 15 years, Dr. Burรงin Hazeral has established herself as a leader in the field of medical physics. Working in top-tier oncology centers such as ฤฐzmir Onkomer, Ege Oncology, and currently ฤฐzmir City Hospital ๐Ÿฅ, she has contributed to clinical excellence in cancer care. Her work involves advanced treatment planning, quality assurance, and integration of imaging and dosimetry into therapy workflows ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ’ป. Dr. Hazeral frequently collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and participates in national societies like the Turkish Society for Medical Physics and the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology. She regularly presents her work at professional congresses and contributes to peer-reviewed journals, playing a pivotal role in enhancing clinical radiotherapy standards. Committed to safety, precision, and patient-centered care, her career reflects a continuous drive toward innovation, learning, and impactful research ๐Ÿš€.

Research Focus Areaย 

Dr. Hazeralโ€™s primary research focus lies in radiation oncology and medical physics, especially in the enhancement of radiotherapy precision through adaptive methods. She specializes in adaptive radiotherapy techniques for head and neck cancers, in vivo dosimetry, and dosimetric analysis for breast, glottic, and brain tumors. Her recent work has explored hippocampal sparing in glioma patients and dose exposure comparisons using simulation-based planning ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿ“Š. This research contributes to optimizing radiation dose delivery, minimizing exposure to healthy tissues, and improving patient outcomes ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ’ก. Her studies integrate imaging, planning software, and real-time feedback, aligning with personalized medicine strategies. By focusing on cancers with complex anatomical and dose delivery challenges, her work bridges innovation with practical clinical improvements. Through her projects, Dr. Hazeral contributes to safer and more effective treatment solutions in the fight against cancer ๐Ÿ“ˆ.

Research Skills Categoryย 

Dr. Burรงin Hazeral brings a diverse set of advanced research skills rooted in medical physics and radiotherapy innovation ๐Ÿ”ฌโš™๏ธ. She excels in treatment planning systems (TPS), dosimetric modeling, radiation dose measurements, and comparative radiotherapy studies. Her strengths include in vivo dosimetry techniques, real-time dose verification, adaptive planning, and simulation-based methodology development ๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ“Š. She is proficient in using IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) and VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) systems, particularly in complex cancer scenarios such as head & neck and breast cancers ๐ŸŽฏ. Dr. Hazeral is also skilled in statistical data analysis, scientific writing, and interdisciplinary collaborationโ€”enabling robust and clinically relevant research outcomes. Her work frequently combines imaging techniques with radiation science, embodying a skill set that is both technically deep and clinically applicable. These competencies make her a valuable contributor to research, innovation, and evidence-based radiotherapy practices ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ป.

Awards and Honorsย 

While formal award listings are not explicitly provided, Dr. Burรงin Hazeralโ€™s scientific contributions and clinical impact speak volumes ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ๐Ÿ“ˆ. Her published works in top-tier journals such as SpringerPlus, Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, and Medical Dosimetry underscore her recognition in the medical physics community ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ“š. Her article on hippocampal dose distribution in gliomas has received significant citations, highlighting her scholarly impact ๐Ÿ“Š๐Ÿ’ก. As a frequent presenter at national congresses, particularly under the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology, she is a respected voice in her field ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท๐ŸŽ™๏ธ. Her involvement in collaborative projects across major oncology centers has also positioned her as a thought leader in clinical research ๐Ÿค๐Ÿฅ. As her career evolves, she remains a strong candidate for national and international recognition in clinical radiotherapy innovation and patient safety in cancer care ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŽ–๏ธ.

Publication Top Notesย 

1. Comparison of dose distributions hippocampus in high grade gliomas irradiation with linac-based IMRT and volumetric arc therapy: a dosimetric study

๐Ÿ“š Citation Count: 30
๐Ÿ“… Year: 2015
๐Ÿ“ Journal: SpringerPlus
๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ Authors: E Canyilmaz, GDH Uslu, F Colak, B Hazeral, etal.
๐Ÿ“„ Summary:
This study compared hippocampal dose distributions between two radiotherapy techniques โ€” Linac-based Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) โ€” in high-grade glioma patients. Results showed that VMAT provided better hippocampal sparing while maintaining effective tumor coverage.
๐ŸŽฏ Research Focus: Hippocampal dose reduction, neurocognitive preservation, glioma treatment planning.

2. Dosimetric evaluation of different radiotherapy techniques in mastectomized left-sided breast cancer

๐Ÿ“š Citation Count: 1
๐Ÿ“… Year: 2023
๐Ÿ“ Journal: Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics
๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ Authors: N Olacak, YZ Hazeral, B Hazeral, O Duran, etal.
๐Ÿ“„ Summary:
This paper assessed and compared multiple radiotherapy modalities (3DCRT, IMRT, VMAT) in post-mastectomy left-sided breast cancer, focusing on cardiac and pulmonary sparing. VMAT demonstrated superior organ-at-risk sparing with acceptable target coverage.
๐ŸŽฏ Research Focus: Cardiac dose sparing, breast cancer radiotherapy, left-sided irradiation safety.

3. Dosimetric Evaluation of Different Radiation Therapy Techniques in Left-Sided Breast Cancer

๐Ÿ“š Citation Count: 1
๐Ÿ“… Year: 2016
๐Ÿ“ Journal: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ Authors: A Haydaroglu, YZ Hazeral, B Hazeral, etal.
๐Ÿ“„ Summary:
This study compares 3DCRT and IMRT for left-sided breast cancer in terms of organ-at-risk exposure. Findings indicate IMRT provides improved dose conformity with reduced cardiac doses, suggesting its potential clinical advantages.
๐ŸŽฏ Research Focus: Radiation dose conformity, cardiac protection in breast radiotherapy.

4. Comparison of exposure levels of carotid artery in T1-2 glottic cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy with different modalities: A simulation-based dosimetric study

๐Ÿ“š Citation Count: 1
๐Ÿ“… Year: 2016
๐Ÿ“ Journal: Future Journal
๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ Authors: GH Uslu, E Canyilmaz, F Colak, B Hazeral, etal.
๐Ÿ“„ Summary:
The study evaluates carotid artery dose exposure in early-stage glottic cancer patients treated with various radiotherapy techniques. IMRT was shown to significantly reduce carotid dose compared to 2D or conventional 3D approaches.
๐ŸŽฏ Research Focus: Carotid sparing, glottic cancer radiotherapy, vascular protection.

5. Dosimetric evaluation of adaptive radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer

๐Ÿ“… Year: 2025
๐Ÿ“ Journal: Medical Dosimetry
๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ Authors: B Hazeral, YZ Hazeral, CC Ebruli, V Semiz, M Esassolak
๐Ÿ“„ Summary:
This study investigates adaptive radiotherapy in head and neck cancer treatment. It highlights how anatomical changes during treatment affect dosimetry and demonstrates that adaptive planning improves target coverage and spares critical organs over time.
๐ŸŽฏ Research Focus: Adaptive planning, anatomical changes, precision in radiotherapy.

6. The measurement of entrance and exit doses with in-vivo dosimetry in head and neck cancers and comparison with treatment planning doses

๐Ÿ“… Year: 2012
๐Ÿ“ Journal: Turkish Journal of Oncology
๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ Authors: BAA Burรงin PAฤฐDAR, Emin TAVLAYAN, Nezehat OLACAK, Mustafa ESASSOLAK
๐Ÿ“„ Summary:
This paper measures real-time entrance and exit radiation doses in head and neck cancer patients using in-vivo dosimetry. It compares these with treatment planning system predictions and shows minor deviations, validating planning system accuracy.
๐ŸŽฏ Research Focus: In-vivo dosimetry, quality assurance, radiotherapy verification.

Conclusion

Dr. Burรงin Hazeral exemplifies the values of a Best Researcher Award recipient through her innovative, clinically relevant, and patient-focused research. Her ability to translate complex physics into tangible improvements in oncology care, coupled with her academic rigor and collaborative ethos, positions her as a leading medical physicist in Turkey and a rising figure on the global stage. Honoring her would not only celebrate her achievements but also inspire continued excellence in applied cancer research. ๐ŸŒŸ