Prof. Dr. Rose-Mary Boustany | Neurodegeneration | Best Researcher Award

Director at American Univercity of Beirut, Lebanon

Prof. Dr. Rose-Mary Boustany is a tenured Professor of Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), where she also serves as Director of the Neurogenetics Program and Chief of Pediatric Neurology. She has held prestigious academic and leadership roles at both AUBMC and Duke University, including Chairperson of the Abu Haidar Neuroscience Institute and Acting Chair of Psychiatry. Renowned for her pioneering work in pediatric neurogenetics, she leads the Special Kids Clinic and has contributed over four decades of clinical, academic, and translational research excellence. With continuous research funding since 1987 and more than $10 million in support, Prof. Boustany’s discoveries in Batten disease, CLN gene therapy, and neurodegeneration have positioned her as a global leader in the field. She holds multiple patents and has mentored numerous future scientists and clinicians worldwide. 🌍🧠📚

professional profile

Scopus Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Boustany received her early education at the German School and International College in Beirut, graduating with honors in scientific baccalaureate. She completed her B.S. in 1975 and earned her M.D. from the American University of Beirut in 1979. Her postgraduate medical training began at AUBMC in Pediatrics and continued at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she completed residencies in Neurology and Pediatric Neurology and a fellowship in Neurogenetics and Neurochemistry at the Shriver Center. Dr. Boustany obtained board certifications from the American Board of Medical Genetics and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (with special competence in Child Neurology), and subspecialty credentials from the Lebanese Order of Physicians. Her academic trajectory has been marked by rigorous clinical and scientific training, enabling her to bridge molecular biology with neurology in both patient care and research. 🎓🧬🧠

Work Experience

Dr. Boustany began her academic career at Harvard and MGH as Instructor and later Assistant Professor of Neurology. She joined Duke University Medical Center in 1988, where she rose through the ranks to become a Tenured Professor of Pediatrics, Neurobiology, and Medicine by 2003. She has served as a Visiting Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill and held several adjunct appointments in Pediatrics through Duke. Since 2005, she has held senior leadership roles at AUBMC, including Chairperson of the Abu-Haidar Neuroscience Institute and Acting Chair of Psychiatry. She is currently Director of the Neurogenetics Program, Chief of Pediatric Neurology, and Director of the Special Kids Clinic. Her career is a fusion of academic leadership, clinical excellence, and bench-to-bedside research, making her one of the most influential figures in pediatric neurogenetics in the Middle East and globally. 🏥📖🧑‍⚕️

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Boustany’s distinguished career has earned her numerous honors, including the AUB Board of Trustees Designated Professorship in 2022. She is the recipient of continuous research support since 1987, totaling over $10.7 million in grants, including from NIH, the Lebanese Research Council, Dubai Harvard Foundation, and private foundations. She holds multiple patents for innovations in treatment of Batten disease, CLN gene-related disorders, and neuroprotection. Her discoveries have led to licensed technologies with major pharmaceutical companies. Among her accolades are major NIH grants (e.g., RO1), high-impact publications, and groundbreaking work on the role of ceramide signaling and subunit-9 in neurodegeneration. Dr. Boustany is also recognized as a trailblazer for women in science and medicine in Lebanon and the region, having trained generations of neurologists, geneticists, and pediatricians. 🏆🔬📜

Research Focus

Dr. Boustany’s research focuses on pediatric neurogenetics, with an emphasis on neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders, especially neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL or Batten disease). Her team was among the first to identify the role of subunit-9 of ATP synthase in neurodegeneration, and she has since worked extensively on CLN3, CLN8, and CLN9 genes, aiming to develop gene and small molecule therapies. Her work bridges molecular pathways, clinical phenotypes, and therapeutic strategies—including flupirtine and GalCer—targeting apoptosis and inflammation. Dr. Boustany also explores autism genetics, breast cancer biomarkers, and biomaterials for neuroprotection. She holds patents on gene-based treatments, FRET biosensors, and novel pyridine carbamate derivatives. Her translational research is supported by major grants and pharmaceutical partnerships. Her overarching aim is to develop effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools for children with rare and complex neurological diseases. 🧬🧠💊

Conclusion

Dr. Rose-Mary Boustany exemplifies the ideal recipient of the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her exceptional and sustained impact in neurogenetics, deep academic and clinical integration, leadership in translational science, and rich legacy of mentorship stand as a model of excellence in biomedical research. Her career reflects a rare blend of scholarly depth, clinical innovation, and societal impact—making her a compelling and worthy awardee. With slight advancements in global outreach and digital research presence, she could further solidify her influence as a global thought leader in neuroscience and rare disease research.

Publications to Noted

Title: Expanded Phenotype of the Cln6nclf Mouse Model
Authors: Victoria Chaoul, Sara Saab, Omar Shmoury, Jihane Soueid, Rose Mary Naaman Boustany
Citations: 0
Year: 2025

Title: Elucidating the clinical and genetic spectrum of inositol polyphosphate phosphatase INPP4A-related neurodevelopmental disorder
Authors: Lettie E. Rawlins, Reza Maroofian, Stuart J. Cannon, Emma L. Baple, Andrew H. Crosby
Citations: 0
Year: 2025

Title: High Diagnostic Yield and Clinical Utility of Next-Generation Sequencing in Children with Epilepsy and Neurodevelopmental Delays: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Daniel Charouf, Derryl J. Miller, Laith Haddad, Rose Mary Naaman Boustany, Makram M. Obeid
Citations: 3
Year: 2024

Title: Cerliponase alfa and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2: long-term outcomes and lessons for future research
Author: Rose Mary Naaman Boustany
Citations: 3
Year: 2023

Title: A novel autism-associated UBLCP1 mutation impacts proteasome regulation/activity
Authors: Jihane Soueid, Zeinab Hamze, Joe Bedran, Maria H. Chahrour, Rose Mary Naaman Boustany
Citations: 4
Year: 2023

Title: Noncoding variants alter GATA2 expression in rhombomere 4 motor neurons and cause dominant hereditary congenital facial paresis
Authors: Alan P. Tenney, Silvio Alessandro Di Gioia, Bryn D. Webb, Irini Manoli, Elizabeth C. Engle
Citations: 14
Year: 2023

Title: Whole-exome screening for primary congenital glaucoma in Lebanon
Authors: Nadine J. Makhoul, Zahi Wehbi, Dalia El Hadi, Rose Mary Naaman Boustany, Christiane Elias Al-Haddad
Citations: 3
Year: 2023

Title: Amblyopia risk factors among pediatric patients in a hospital-based setting using photoscreening
Authors: Christiane Elias Al-Haddad, Zeinab El Moussawi, Stephanie Hoyeck, Mona Hnaini, Rose Mary Naaman Boustany
Citations: 4
Year: 2021

Title: A signature of four circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for diagnosing early-stage breast cancer
Authors: Maha M. Itani, Farah J. Nassar, Arafat H. Tfayli, Nathalie Khoueiry-Zgheib, Rihab R. Nasr
Citations: 46
Year: 2021

Title: LINE-1 methylation mediates the inverse association between body mass index and breast cancer risk: A pilot study in the Lebanese population
Authors: Zainab Awada, Liacine Bouaoun, Rihab R. Nasr, Nathalie Khoueiry-Zgheib, Akram Ghantous
Citations: 5
Year: 2021

Mr. Yoichi Hanawa | Developmental Disorder | Best Researcher Award

physiatrist at Showa Medical University Karasuyama Hospital, Japan

Dr. Yoichi Hanawa is a dedicated psychiatrist with nearly a decade of clinical experience in neuropsychiatry and mental healthcare. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Medicine degree at Showa Medical University, Tokyo, reflecting his strong commitment to advancing medical research and psychiatric treatment. Since 2016, he has served in various roles across prominent hospitals, including Showa University Karasuyama Hospital and Northern Yokohama Hospital, delivering compassionate care and specialized mental health services. Certified as a Designated Physician of Mental Health and Occupational Health Physician, Dr. Hanawa brings both clinical precision and holistic patient care to his practice. With a passion for research and improving psychiatric pathways, he contributes to developing innovative approaches in the field of neuropsychiatry. His dual foundation in medicine and agro-biological sciences allows for a unique interdisciplinary perspective, enriching his scientific insights and therapeutic strategies.

professional profile

ORCID

Scopus Profile

Education

Dr. Hanawa holds two academic degrees: a Bachelor of Medicine from Kagoshima University (2014), and a Bachelor of Agro-Biological Resource Sciences from the University of Tsukuba (2005). His educational journey combines both life sciences and clinical medicine, giving him a well-rounded background for psychiatric practice and biomedical research. His first academic pursuit in agro-biological sciences laid the groundwork for understanding environmental and physiological interactions, which he later integrated with human mental health and neurological science. Following his medical graduation, he embarked on a rigorous residency and clinical career in psychiatry while enrolling in advanced doctoral studies at Showa Medical University Graduate School of Medicine. This path reflects his dedication to both evidence-based medicine and academic development. Currently, his doctoral studies focus on deepening his research in neuropsychiatry and advancing mental health care models in Japan.

work Experience

Dr. Hanawa’s professional career in psychiatry began in 2014 at Niizashiki Central General Hospital, Saitama, where he worked as a resident doctor. From 2016 onward, he served at Showa University Karasuyama Hospital, Tokyo, in the Department of Neuropsychiatry. His experience spans both acute and chronic psychiatric care, with key responsibilities in clinical diagnosis, psychopharmacological treatment, and patient rehabilitation. Between 2017 and 2018, and again from 2024 to 2025, he worked at Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital, Kanagawa, in the Department of Mental Care Center, broadening his expertise in hospital-based mental health services. In 2025, he returned to Karasuyama Hospital as a leading psychiatrist, where he continues to serve. Alongside his clinical work, he is actively pursuing his doctoral research in psychiatry. His interdisciplinary and multi-institutional experience makes him a valued contributor in both academic and healthcare environments.

Research Focus

Dr. Hanawa’s current research focuses on neuropsychiatric disorders, with a particular interest in the clinical pathways and diagnostic complexity of central nervous system tumors in adolescents, mental health in occupational settings, and innovative therapeutic approaches for severe psychiatric conditions. He investigates the interface between neurology and psychiatry, aiming to develop targeted treatment modalities through biomarker analysis, neuroimaging, and epidemiological mapping. He is also involved in protocol design for pediatric congenital craniofacial disorder biobanks, examining how structural abnormalities affect neurodevelopment and psychiatric outcomes. His interdisciplinary research bridges clinical psychiatry, epidemiology, and translational neuroscience, contributing to personalized medicine initiatives in Japan. Through his doctoral work at Showa Medical University, he is shaping the future of integrated mental health strategies and evidence-based neuropsychiatric care.

Conclusion

While Dr. Yoichi Hanawa exhibits solid clinical credentials and academic commitment, he may not currently meet the competitive research standards required for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His transition to research via PhD studies is promising, but he should focus on:

Publishing peer-reviewed research,
Participating in academic conferences,
Leading or joining collaborative research projects.

Recommendation: Consider nominating him for a Clinical Excellence Award, Emerging Psychiatric Researcher Award, or Early Career Mental Health Recognition, until a stronger research portfolio is built.

Publications to Noted

1. Comparison of ADOS‐2 Scores in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Authors: Information not available.
Year: 2025

2. ASD Symptoms in Adults with ADHD: A Comparative Study Using ADOS-2

Authors: Wakaho Hayashi, Yoichi Hanawa, Akira Iwanami
Year: 2022

3. ASD Symptoms in Adults with ADHD: A Preliminary Study Using the ADOS-2

Authors: Wakaho Hayashi, Yoichi Hanawa, Yuriko Iwami, Keisuke Aoyagi, Nobuyuki Saga, Dan Nakamura, Akira Iwanami
Year: 2022

4. Correction to: ASD Symptoms in Adults with ADHD: A Preliminary Study Using the ADOS-2

Authors: Wakaho Hayashi, Yoichi Hanawa, Yuriko Iwami, Keisuke Aoyagi, Nobuyuki Saga, Dan Nakamura, Akira Iwanami
Year: 2022

5. Similarity of Subjective Symptoms Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults: Preliminary Findings

Authors: Atsuko Nakagawa, Wakaho Hayashi, Takashi Nishio, Yoichi Hanawa, Keisuke Aoyagi, Yuki Ota, Akira Iwanami
Year: 2021

Rose-Mary Boustany | Neurodegeneration | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Rose-Mary Boustany | Neurodegeneration | Best Researcher Award

professional profile

Education

Work Experience

🏅 Awards and Honors

Research Focus

Conclusion

Publications to Noted

Yoichi Hanawa | Developmental Disorder | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yoichi Hanawa | Developmental Disorder | Best Researcher Award

professional profile

Education

work Experience

Research Focus

Conclusion

Publications to Noted

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