James Kim | Stemcells | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by TOT Awards

Dr.James Kim | Stemcells | Best Researcher Award

Bioprocess Scientist at PBS Biotech Inc, United States.

Dr. James Kim is a distinguished bioprocess scientist specializing in chemical and biomolecular engineering. Currently serving at PBS Biotech Inc., he focuses on advancing bioprocessing techniques, downstream analytics, and stem cell research. His expertise extends from his postdoctoral research at the University of Washington, where he pioneered exosome analysis for cancer diagnostics using nano-flow cytometry. During his Ph.D. at Ohio State University, he explored magnetic cell separation for clinical applications and studied hydrodynamic stress in bioreactors. Dr. Kim has collaborated with prestigious institutions, including the NIH, and has made significant contributions to regenerative medicine and biomanufacturing. His research seamlessly integrates fundamental scientific principles with industrial applications, reinforcing his reputation as a leading expert in biomedical engineering.

professional profiles📖

ORCID

Education 🎓

Dr. Kim earned his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Ohio State University (2015–2020) under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffrey Chalmers. His doctoral research focused on developing magnetic separation techniques for clinical applications and analyzing the impact of hydrodynamic stress on cell cultures in bioreactors. Before his doctoral studies, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan (2009–2015), graduating with cum laude honors. His undergraduate studies emphasized fluidics, flow cytometry, and bioprocess engineering, providing a solid foundation for his later research in cell separation, microfluidics, and assay development. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Kim demonstrated an interdisciplinary approach, integrating principles from engineering and biomedical sciences to drive innovation in biotechnology.

work Experience💼

With a diverse background in bioprocessing and analytical development, Dr. Kim currently works as a Bioprocess Scientist at PBS Biotech Inc., where he leads efforts in process scale-up, analytics development, and product testing for stem cell biomanufacturing. Prior to this, he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Washington (2020–2023), where he played a pivotal role in advancing nano-flow cytometry for exosome-based cancer diagnostics while collaborating with leading industry partners like Beckman Coulter and the NIH. His Ph.D. research at Ohio State University (2015–2020) involved pioneering work in magnetic separation for anemia and cancer diagnostics, as well as characterizing hydrodynamic stress in bioreactors. His extensive experience bridges fundamental research with industrial applications, making significant contributions to the fields of regenerative medicine, precision diagnostics, and biomanufacturing.

Research Focus

Dr. Kim’s research centers on advancing bioprocessing strategies, optimizing bioreactor performance, and developing innovative cell separation techniques. His work in bioprocessing and bioreactor optimization includes modeling oxygen transfer for stem cell culture to improve scalability in regenerative medicine. He has significantly contributed to flow cytometry and exosome characterization, focusing on the standardization of single-molecule flow cytometry techniques for early-stage cancer diagnostics. Additionally, his expertise in magnetic cell separation has led to novel applications in anemia, sickle cell disease, and cancer diagnostics. His interdisciplinary research aims to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and scalable biomanufacturing, facilitating advancements in cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and precision diagnostics.

Awards & Honors🏆 

Dr. Kim has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including a Poster Presentation Scholarship at the prestigious ECI: Cell Culture Engineering XVIII Conference in 2023, which awarded him $2,000 for his research contributions. In 2016, he earned another Poster Presentation Scholarship ($500) at the International Advanced Course on Regenerative Medicine Manufacturing. He has actively presented his work at multiple AIChE Annual Meetings between 2017 and 2019, receiving recognition for his oral and poster presentations. His collaborative research efforts with the NIH and industry leaders in the field of exosome flow cytometry have also been acknowledged, further solidifying his standing as an expert in bioprocess engineering and regenerative medicine..

Conclusion✅

Dr. James Kim is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his significant contributions to bioprocess engineering and biomedical diagnostics. His work bridges fundamental science and industrial applications, demonstrating innovation in process and instrumentation development. While he excels in research output and industry collaboration, additional focus on patenting, professional memberships, and increasing citation impact could further strengthen his profile. Overall, he is a well-qualified contender for this award.

Publications to Noted 📚

Measurement of Oxygen Transfer Rate and Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate of h-iPSC Aggregates in Vertical Wheel Bioreactors to Predict Maximum Cell Density Before Oxygen Limitation (2025)
Authors: James Kim, Omokhowa Agbojo, Sunghoon Jung, Matt Croughan
Citations: Not available

Comparison of EV Characterization by Commercial High‐Sensitivity Flow Cytometers and a Custom Single‐Molecule Flow Cytometer (2024)
Authors: James Kim, Shihan Xu, Seung‐Ryoung Jung, Alya Nguyen, Yuanhua Cheng, Mengxia Zhao, Bryant S. Fujimoto, Wyatt Nelson, Perry Schiro, Jeffrey L. Franklin, et al.
Citations: Not available

Intrinsically Magnetic Susceptibility in Human Blood and Its Potential Impact on Cell Separation: Non-Classical and Intermediate Monocytes Have the Strongest Magnetic Behavior in Fresh Human Blood (2021)
Authors: J. Gómez-Pastora, J. Kim, V. Multanen, M. Weigand, N.A. Walters, E. Reátegui, A.F. Palmer, M.H. Yazer, M. Zborowski, J.J. Chalmers
Citations: Not available

Magnetophoretic and Spectral Characterization of Oxyhemoglobin and Deoxyhemoglobin: Chemical Versus Enzymatic Processes (2021)
Authors: M.R.H. Weigand, J. Gómez-Pastora, J. Kim, M.T. Kurek, R.J. Hickey, D.C. Irwin, P.W. Buehler, M. Zborowski, A.F. Palmer, J.J. Chalmers
Citations: Not available

Hyperferritinemia in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients – Is Ferritin the Product of Inflammation or a Pathogenic Mediator? (2020)
Authors: J. Gómez-Pastora, M. Weigand, J. Kim, X. Wu, J. Strayer, A.F. Palmer, M. Zborowski, M. Yazer, J.J. Chalmers
Citations: Not available

Quantification of the Mean and Distribution of Hemoglobin Content in Normal Human Blood Using Cell Tracking Velocimetry (2020)
Authors: James Kim, Jenifer Gómez-Pastora, Christopher J. Gilbert, Mitchell Weigand, Nicole A. Walters, Eduardo Reátegui, Andre F. Palmer, Mark Yazer, Maciej Zborowski, Jeffrey J. Chalmers
Citations: Not available

Single Cell Analysis of Aged RBCs: Quantitative Analysis of the Aged Cells and Byproducts (2019)
Authors: J. Kim, M. Weigand, A.F. Palmer, M. Zborowski, M.H. Yazer, J.J. Chalmers
Citations: Not available

Quantitative Characterization of the Regulation of Iron Metabolism in Glioblastoma Stem‐Like Cells Using Magnetophoresis (2019)
Authors: Kyoung‐Joo J. Park, James Kim, Thomas Testoff, Joseph Adams, Miranda Poklar, Maciej Zborowski, Monica Venere, Jeffrey J. Chalmers
Citations: Not available

A Subpopulation of Monocytes in Normal Human Blood Has Significant Magnetic Susceptibility: Quantification and Potential Implications (2019)
Authors: James Kim, Jenifer Gómez‐Pastora, Mitchell Weigand, Marnie Potgieter, Nicole A. Walters, Eduardo Reátegui, Andre F. Palmer, Mark Yazer, Maciej Zborowski, Jeffrey J. Chalmers
Citations: Not available

Correlation of Simulation/Finite Element Analysis to the Separation of Intrinsically Magnetic Spores and Red Blood Cells Using a Microfluidic Magnetic Deposition System (2018)
Authors: J. Sun, L. Moore, W. Xue, J. Kim, M. Zborowski, J.J. Chalmers
Citations: Not available

 

 

Muslima Khatun | Synthetic Biology | Women Researcher Award

Posted on by TOT Awards

Dr. Muslima Khatun | Synthetic Biology | Women Researcher Award

Senior Scientific Officer at National Institute of Biotechnology, (NIB), Bangladesh.

Dr. Mst. Muslima Khatun is a Senior Scientific Officer at the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB), Bangladesh. She specializes in plant genetic engineering, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and molecular biotechnology. Her research focuses on improving crop resilience, food security, and phytoremediation through advanced biotechnological tools. Dr. Khatun has worked extensively in academia and research institutions, collaborating on projects worldwide. She has received numerous fellowships, including a Visiting Research Scholar Fellowship at Pennsylvania State University, USA. Passionate about innovation, she is actively involved in mentoring young scientists and has contributed significantly to molecular biology and biotechnology research.

professional profiles📖

ORCID

Education 🎓

Dr. Mst. Muslima Khatun earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), India, and Dhaka University, Bangladesh, focusing on mitochondrial small heat shock protein genes for abiotic stress tolerance in eggplant. She obtained her M.Sc. in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering from Islamic University, Bangladesh, with a CGPA of 3.83/4.00, and her B.Sc. in the same field from the same university, graduating with first-class honors. Her academic journey has been defined by a deep interest in molecular genetics, proteomics, metabolomics, and synthetic biology, which she has pursued with dedication and excellence.

work Experience💼

Dr. Khatun has an extensive research background spanning over a decade. She currently serves as a Senior Scientific Officer at NIB, Bangladesh, where she leads research on molecular biotechnology, plant stress adaptation, and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. She was a Visiting Research Scientist at Pennsylvania State University, USA, working on abiotic stress impacts on Theobroma cacao through proteomics and metabolomics. Additionally, she served as Project Director for an Annual Development Project (ADP) funded by the Government of Bangladesh, establishing advanced proteomics and metabolomics research facilities. Her previous roles include Research Scientist at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), India, and Scientific Officer at NIB, contributing to genetic engineering, abiotic stress tolerance, and pro-vitamin A enhancement in crops.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Khatun has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Women’s Young Investigator Travel Award (WYITA) from the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) in 2025 and the Institutional Integrity Award (2021-2022) from NIB, Bangladesh. She was awarded a Visiting Research Scholar Fellowship by Penn State Plant Sciences Institute, USA, and received the Doctoral Fellowship from Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship Trust (2020-2023). She was also honored by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for her outstanding achievements in science and technology. Additionally, she has received research fellowships from NAM S&T Centre, India, and Indo-Bangladesh collaborative projects.

 

Research Focus

Dr. Khatun’s research is centered on plant genetic engineering, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and synthetic biology. She is particularly interested in developing high-yielding and stress-tolerant crops through precision breeding. Her work involves understanding the complex molecular networks in plant-biotic and abiotic stress interactions and implementing genome editing for crop improvement. She has contributed significantly to transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics. Her projects include CRISPR/Cas9 editing of rice starch enzymes for diabetes-friendly rice, metabolic profiling using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, and the development of synthetic endolysins as potent antimicrobials.

Skills 💡

Dr. Khatun possesses expertise in genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), plant molecular biology, transcriptomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. She has hands-on experience in metabolomics using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, plant tissue culture, and genetic transformation. Her skillset includes experimental design, grant writing, manuscript preparation, data analysis, and supervising research teams. She is proficient in using advanced biotechnological tools such as Digital Droplet PCR, high-performance chromatography techniques, and fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, she has experience in research project management, laboratory setup, and conducting training programs for scientists and students.

 

Conclusion✅

Dr. Mst. Muslima Khatun is a highly deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award. Her groundbreaking work in plant biotechnology, leadership in scientific research, and international recognition highlight her as a top contender. While she excels in academic and applied research, expanding her impact on policy and industry applications could further enhance her contributions to global food security and sustainable agriculture.

 

📚Publications to Noted

 

An Improved Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation and Regeneration Protocol for Successful Genetic Engineering and CRISPR/Cas9 Based Genome Editing in Eggplant

Authors: M. M. Khatun, Bhabesh Borphukan, Iftekhar Alam, C. A. Keya, Haseena Khan, M. K. Reddy, Md. Salimullah

Year: 2022

Mitochondria-Targeted SmsHSP24.1 Overexpression Stimulates Early Seedling Vigor and Stress Tolerance by Multi-Pathway Transcriptome-Reprogramming

Authors: M. M. Khatun, Bhabesh Borphukan, Iftekhar Alam, C. A. Keya, Saaimatul Huq, V. Panditi, Haseena Khan, M. K. Reddy, Md. Salimullah

Year: 2021

First Report of Colletotrichum siamense Causing Leaf Spot in Aloe vera in Bangladesh

Authors: Rumana Azad, Amir Hamza, M. M. Khatun, et al.

Year: 2020

In Vitro Regeneration of Two High-Yielding Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Varieties of Bangladesh

Authors: M. M. Khatun

Year: 2018

Additive Effect of Coconut Water with Various Hormones on In Vitro Regeneration of Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

Authors: M. M. Khatun, P. K. Roy, Abdur M. Razzak

Year: 2018

Evaluation of Genetic Fidelity of In Vitro-Propagated Aloe vera Plants Using DNA-Based Markers

Authors: M. M. Khatun, T. Tanny, S. Yesmin, M. Salimullah, I. Alam

Year: 2018

In Vitro Clonal Propagation of BARI Ada-1 (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

Authors: M. M. Khatun

Year: 2016

Standardization of In Vitro Sterilization Procedures for Micropropagation of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

Authors: M. M. Khatun

Year: 2016