Rut Valdor | Cell Therapy In Neurology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Rut Valdor | Cell Therapy In Neurology | Best Researcher Award

Researcher PhD, University of Murcia, Spain

Dr. Rut Valdor Alonso is a distinguished biomedical scientist and Ramón y Cajal (R3-accredited) Researcher at the University of Murcia, Spain. Her pioneering work focuses on chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) and its implications in glioblastoma progression, pericyte biology, and immune modulation. With over 17 high-impact publications, three patents, and significant leadership roles in international research networks, she stands as a leading voice in translational cancer research and molecular immunology. Her work continues to influence the future of advanced therapies in neuro-oncology and regenerative medicine.

Professional Profile

Scopus Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Valdor earned her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Murcia in 2008, with a strong focus on cellular and molecular biology. Following her doctoral training, she received the prestigious Seneca Foundation fellowship and began her postdoctoral work at the Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital’s Experimental Surgery Unit. She then joined the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York (2009–2014) as a postdoctoral fellow through an NIH-funded program, where she investigated the role of CMA in aging and T-cell activation. These experiences laid the foundation for her interdisciplinary approach to immune regulation and cancer biology.

Experience

Throughout her career, Dr. Valdor has held pivotal research positions across respected institutions in Spain and the United States. She started her postdoctoral career in Spain at the Fundación para la Formación e Investigación Sanitarias (FFIS) and later at the Department of Anatomy and Psychobiology at the University of Murcia. From 2017 to 2020, she served as a Principal Investigator (PI) under the competitive JIN-MINECO program, where she directed studies on pericytes and immune function in glioblastoma. In 2021, she was awarded the Ramón y Cajal fellowship, a highly competitive national program, which enabled her to launch a dedicated line of research on therapeutic modulation of CMA at the University of Murcia. In addition to her research, Dr. Valdor is an active academic mentor, having supervised numerous postdoctoral fellows, doctoral candidates, and undergraduate students, playing a crucial role in shaping the next generation of scientists.

Research Focus

Dr. Valdor’s research centers on unraveling the cellular mechanisms that govern immune responses, tumor progression, and tissue repair, with particular emphasis on chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). She has uncovered how glioblastoma hijacks CMA in pericytes to promote immune suppression, paving the way for novel therapeutic interventions. Her research has led to the development of genetically modified pericytes as potential anti-tumoral agents and is backed by several national and European-funded projects. Dr. Valdor’s cutting-edge work offers promising avenues for treating aggressive brain tumors and chronic inflammatory conditions through modulation of CMA pathways.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Valdor’s outstanding achievements have been widely recognized through numerous national and international awards and fellowships. Early in her career, she was honored with the Keystone Symposium Postdoctoral Award in British Columbia and the Daniel Shields Travel Award at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her excellence continued with a postdoctoral fellowship from the NIH and further funding through the Seneca Foundation. She received the MINECO-JIN fellowship to lead her own research group and was later selected for the prestigious Ramón y Cajal program, a testament to her leadership in Spanish biomedical research. Her presentations have received accolades, including Best Communication Prizes at the IMIB-Arrixaca Research Conferences in both 2018 and 2019. In addition to academic distinctions, she has also received support from Fundación La Caixa and Fundación Seneca to advance her translational research. Her appointment in 2025 as a “Profesor Titular” (ANECA-accredited) and her election as Co-Chair of the Women in Autophagy (WIA) Scientific Committee further reflect her professional excellence and commitment to promoting gender equity in science.

Publication Top Notes

Expression of Lumican and Osteopontin in Perivascular Areas of the Glioblastoma Peritumoral Niche and Its Value for Prognosis

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Authors: María Dolores Salinas, Pablo Rodriguez, Gonzalo Rubio, Rut Valdor
Summary: This study investigates the expression patterns of Lumican and Osteopontin, two extracellular matrix proteins, within perivascular areas of the glioblastoma peritumoral niche. The research reveals that high expression levels of these proteins correlate with specific prognostic outcomes, potentially serving as biomarkers for tumor aggressiveness. Dr. Valdor contributed to the molecular characterization and immunohistological analysis, offering insights into the tumor microenvironment’s role in glioblastoma progression and recurrence.

The Role of Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy in Tissue Homeostasis and Disease Pathogenesis

Journal: Biomedicines
Authors: Rut Valdor, Marta Martinez-Vicente
Summary: This comprehensive review discusses the pivotal role of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in maintaining tissue homeostasis and regulating pathological processes, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and immune dysfunctions. Dr. Valdor elaborates on how dysregulation of CMA contributes to disease mechanisms and highlights its therapeutic potential as a targetable pathway. The article integrates findings across multiple models to emphasize CMA’s physiological relevance.

Pericytes, a Cell Type Contributing to Autoimmunity and Immune Tolerance

Book Chapter: Translational Neuroimmunology, Volume 7
Authors: Maria Botía-Sánchez, Maria Luisa Molina, Pedro Aparicio, Rut Valdor
Summary: This chapter provides an in-depth examination of pericytes as immunomodulatory cells involved in the regulation of both autoimmunity and immune tolerance. The authors detail how pericytes influence immune cell trafficking, cytokine release, and local immune responses in the central nervous system. Dr. Valdor contributes her expertise on chaperone-mediated autophagy in pericytes, emphasizing its relevance in neuroinflammation and autoimmunity. The chapter positions pericytes as a promising cellular target for immune-based therapies.

Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy in Pericytes: A Key Target for the Development of New Treatments against Glioblastoma Progression

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Authors: María Dolores Salinas, Rut Valdor
Summary: This article identifies chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in pericytes as a critical factor in glioblastoma development. The study demonstrates that modulating CMA alters the immunosuppressive behavior of pericytes within the tumor microenvironment. Targeting CMA can enhance the anti-tumoral functions of pericytes, suggesting a novel therapeutic avenue for glioblastoma treatment. Dr. Valdor served as corresponding author, underscoring her leadership in the field.

Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy Ablation in Pericytes Reveals New Glioblastoma Prognostic Markers and Efficient Treatment Against Tumor Progression

Journal: Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Authors: Molina ML, García-Bernal D, Salinas MD, Rubio G, Aparicio P, Moraleda JM, Martínez S, Valdor R
Summary: This experimental study provides compelling evidence that genetic ablation of CMA in pericytes significantly impairs glioblastoma progression. The absence of CMA not only reduces tumor-supportive functions but also unmasks prognostic biomarkers linked to patient outcomes. The findings support the development of CMA-targeted peptide therapies, and Dr. Valdor’s contribution as senior researcher and co-author reflects her active role in designing and interpreting the study’s therapeutic implications.

Conclusion

Dr. Rut Valdor Alonso is an innovative and dynamic researcher whose work at the intersection of autophagy, immunology, and cancer therapy holds significant promise for the future of personalized medicine. Through her trailblazing research on pericytes and glioblastoma, her international collaborations, and her mentorship of emerging scientists, she has made substantial contributions to both science and society. Her remarkable achievements make her an exemplary nominee for this prestigious award.

Josef Troger | Neuropeptide | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Josef Troger | Neuropeptide | Best Researcher Award

Ophthalmologist, Augenklinik, Austria

Prof. Josef Troger is an esteemed medical scientist and ophthalmologist whose career has been defined by pioneering research in neuropeptides and their role in ocular physiology. With over three decades of clinical, academic, and research experience, he has established himself as a leading figure in neurochemical ophthalmology. His work is particularly recognized for uncovering the involvement of neuromodulators like substance P, secretoneurin, and catestatin in eye health and disease processes, making significant contributions to both the understanding and treatment of retinal disorders.

Professional Profile

Scopus Profile

🎓 Education

Prof. Troger’s academic journey began with primary and secondary education in Austria, where he demonstrated early aptitude in the sciences. Followed by a rigorous two-year research training in neurochemistry at the University Clinic of Psychiatry. He received prestigious research fellowships from the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF), including the Otto Loewi Stipendium, which supported his graduate projects on dopaminergic modulation in rat striatum. These foundational experiences not only sharpened his research skills but also set the stage for a lifelong pursuit of translational neuropeptide research.

💼 Experience

Following his early research years, Prof. Troger underwent specialist training in ophthalmology at the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry at the University Clinic in Innsbruck, he has served as a senior physician in the same department, combining clinical expertise with academic leadership. In 2001, he achieved habilitation with his dissertation titled Neuropeptides in Ophthalmology, a work that was instrumental in securing his appointment as Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Innsbruck in 2002. In parallel, he has managed several government-funded research projects, served on editorial boards, and mentored upcoming ophthalmic researchers.

🔬 Research Interests

Prof. Troger’s research primarily focuses on neuropeptide signaling in the eye, especially the roles of substance P, secretoneurin, and related molecules in ocular development, disease mechanisms, and repair processes. His interdisciplinary approach bridges neuroscience, immunology, and ophthalmology, allowing for novel insights into how neuropeptides affect retinal angiogenesis, inflammation, and neuroprotection. He is particularly interested in how these mechanisms translate into clinical therapies for conditions such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV), age-related macular degeneration, and neurodegenerative retinal diseases.

📚Publications Top Notes

1. Catestatin-like immunoreactivity in the skin and related sensory ganglia

  • Authors: Victoria Stöckl, Georgios Blatsios, Christian Humpel, Teresa Rauchegger, Josef Troger

  • Journal: Neuropeptides

  • Year: 2025

  • Summary:
    This recent study explores the distribution and immunoreactivity of catestatin-like peptides in the skin and associated sensory ganglia. The researchers used immunohistochemical techniques to identify the presence of catestatin in various dermal structures and sensory neurons. The findings suggest that catestatin may play a functional role in skin neuroimmune communication and sensory signal modulation. Although in early stages of citation, the work holds translational promise for peripheral neuropathy and neuroinflammatory skin disorders.

2. Serpinin in the Skin

  • Authors: Cristina Fraquelli, Jasmine Alexandra Hauzinger, Christian Humpel, Georgios Blatsios, Josef Troger

  • Journal: Biomedicines

  • Year: 2022

  • Summary:
    This article focuses on the presence and potential physiological functions of the neuropeptide serpinin in human skin. The authors conducted a detailed analysis using tissue staining and quantitative imaging to trace serpinin’s localization in epidermal and dermal layers. The study concludes that serpinin may be involved in skin barrier function, nociception, and wound repair. The research expands the scope of neuropeptides beyond the central nervous system and suggests possible overlaps with ocular surface homeostasis.

3. The involvement of NK1 and Y2 receptor in the development of laser-induced CNVs in C57Bl/6N mice

  • Authors: Yvonne Nowosielski, Gertrud Haas, Christof Seifarth, Josef Troger, Nikolaos Emmanouel Bechrakis

  • Journal: Experimental Eye Research

  • Year: 2018

  • Summary:
    This important experimental paper investigates the roles of neurokinin-1 (NK1) and neuropeptide Y2 (Y2) receptors in choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a pathological hallmark of age-related macular degeneration. Using a laser-induced CNV mouse model, the researchers administered receptor antagonists and analyzed neovascular growth. The study found significant modulation of CNV formation through these neuropeptide pathways, identifying NK1 and Y2 receptors as potential therapeutic targets. Prof. Troger’s contribution to this study aligns with his long-standing focus on translational ophthalmic neuroscience.

4. Secretoneurin and PE-11 immunoreactivity in the human dental pulp

  • Authors: Rene Steiner, Reiner Fischer-Colbrie, Athanasia Bletsa, Johannes Laimer, Josef Troger

  • Journal: Archives of Oral Biology

  • Year: 2018

  • Summary:
    This publication examines the presence and distribution of the neuropeptides secretoneurin and PE-11 in the human dental pulp using immunohistochemistry. The findings demonstrate robust peptide localization in the odontoblast layer and nerve fibers within the pulp, suggesting roles in pain transmission and neurovascular regulation. Though focused on dental tissue, the neurochemical mechanisms discussed mirror Prof. Troger’s core research themes on neuropeptides in peripheral sensory systems, reinforcing the interdisciplinary relevance of his work.

🏆 Conclusion

Prof. Josef Troger stands out not only for his academic rigor and clinical excellence but also for his enduring contributions to the neurochemical underpinnings of vision science. With an impressive portfolio of funded projects, peer-reviewed publications, and editorial roles, he has elevated the understanding of neuropeptides within ophthalmology to a new scientific standard. His research continues to influence both basic science and therapeutic strategies in ocular medicine, making him a deserving candidate for this distinguished award. Through sustained dedication and innovation, he exemplifies the role of a clinician-scientist committed to advancing human health through science.