Feng-shan Gao | Animal immunology | Best Research Article Award

Published on by TOT Awards

Prof. Dr. Feng-shan Gao | Animal immunology | Best Research Article Award

Dalian University | China

Prof. Dr. Feng-shan Gao is an accomplished researcher in preventive veterinary medicine whose work spans viral immunology, molecular virology, antigen presentation, host–pathogen interactions, and the development of diagnostic and vaccine-related tools for major animal infectious diseases. His scholarly contribution focuses strongly on swine and feline viral pathogens, with a special emphasis on foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), porcine circoviruses, African swine fever virus, and coronaviruses. Through extensive structural biology research, he has identified novel cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes, reconstructed swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) protein complexes, characterized antigen-peptide binding mechanisms, and applied crystallographic and computational modeling tools to explore immune recognition pathways. His research further extends to molecular diagnostics, including duplex fluorescence qPCR assays, genomic characterization of pathogenic viruses, immune-evasion mechanisms, and comparative studies of animal coronaviruses with emerging human viruses. His contributions are published in leading journals such as Cell Research, PLoS Biology, Gene, Virulence, Heliyon, Virus Research, Veterinary Research, and BMC Veterinary Research. Feng-shan Gao has authored 30 Scopus-indexed documents, accumulating 466 Scopus citations from 423 citing documents, with an h-index of 10. On Google Scholar, his citation count is substantially higher (commonly exceeding Scopus metrics), reflecting his wide scientific impact and interdisciplinary collaborations across immunology, virology, and structural biology. His research continues to advance the understanding of viral pathogenesis and T-cell immunity, contributing valuable knowledge for vaccine design and antiviral development. This strong record of high-impact publications, structural immunology breakthroughs, collaborative contributions to viral research, and increasing citation metrics positions him as a prominent candidate for a Best Research Article Award, particularly in fields related to veterinary immunology, structural virology, and molecular diagnostics.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Featured Publications

  • Li, Z., Brecher, M., Deng, Y. Q., Zhang, J., Sakamuru, S., Liu, B., … Gao, F. (2017). Existing drugs as broad-spectrum and potent inhibitors for Zika virus by targeting NS2B-NS3 interaction. Cell Research, 27(8), 1046-1064.

  • Green, C. M., Li, Z., Smith, A. D., Novikova, O., Bacot-Davis, V. R., Gao, F., … Belfort, M. (2019). Spliceosomal Prp8 intein at the crossroads of protein and RNA splicing. PLoS Biology, 17(10), e3000104.

  • Gao, Y. Y., Wang, Q., Li, H. W., Zhang, S., Zhao, J., Bao, D., … Gao, F. S. (2024). Genomic composition and pathomechanisms of porcine circoviruses: A review. Virulence, 15(1), 2439524.

  • Gao, Y. Y., Zhang, Z. H., Sang, C. J., Han, Y., Cao, Y. D., Tang, Y., … Gao, F. S. (2025). A new strategy to identify naturally presenting SLA-I bound peptides derived from the O serotype of foot-and-mouth disease virus. Animals, 15(21), 3097.

  • Gao, F. S., Zhai, X. X., Jiang, P., Zhang, Q., Gao, H., Li, Z. B., … Zhang, Z. H. (2018). Identification of two novel FMDV cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes that can bind six SLA-I proteins. Gene, 653, 91-101.

 

Yujiao Lai | Veterinary | Best Researcher Award

Published on by TOT Awards

Márton Vidovszky | Veterinary Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by TOT Awards

Dr. Márton Vidovszky | Veterinary Science | Best Researcher Award

senior research fellow at HUN-REN Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungary.

Dr. Márton Vidovszky is a senior research fellow with 17 years of experience in molecular virology and bioinformatics. He has worked in both academic and industrial environments, contributing to successful research projects. His expertise spans viral genome analysis, vaccine development, and novel virus detection. He actively supervises PhD students and collaborates internationally. Dr. Vidovszky is a dedicated science communicator and a member of key microbiological societies. He has played a vital role in organizing scientific conferences and securing research grants.

professional profiles📖

ORCID

Education 🎓

Dr. Vidovszky earned his Ph.D. in veterinary medicine from Szent István University in 2016, specializing in the genetic analysis of adenoviruses in rodents and bats. His doctoral research provided new insights into viral evolution and transmission. Prior to his Ph.D., he obtained a diploma in horticultural engineering with a specialization in genetics and horticultural breeding from Corvinus University in Budapest in 2007. His diploma thesis explored the in vitro activity of the EriA protein in Dictyostelium discoideum. His foundational education began at the Budapest-Fasori Evangélikus Gimnázium, where he completed his high school studies in 2001. Dr. Vidovszky’s commitment to academic excellence is further demonstrated by his multilingual proficiency, holding B2-level certifications in both English and German. His diverse educational background has allowed him to integrate molecular biology, virology, and genetic research to advance the understanding of infectious diseases in animals.

work Experience💼

Dr. Vidovszky has an extensive research career, holding positions in prestigious institutions. Since 2023, he has been serving as a senior research fellow at the HUN-REN Veterinary Medical Research Institute. Before this, he was a research fellow at ELRN Veterinary Medical Research Institute from 2016 to 2023. His industrial experience includes working as an advanced scientist at Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Virus Vaccine Study Group from 2015 to 2016, where he contributed to next-generation vaccine vector development. He also worked as an assistant research fellow at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences from 2008 to 2016 and as a junior research fellow from 2007 to 2008. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in molecular virology projects, leading studies from sample collection to data publication. His work spans academia and industry, allowing him to bridge fundamental research with applied biomedical advancements.

Research Focus

Dr. Vidovszky’s research primarily focuses on molecular virology, with an emphasis on the detection, characterization, and evolution of adenoviruses and polyomaviruses in animals. His work has led to groundbreaking discoveries, including the first detection of novel bovine adenoviruses in Europe and the genetic characterization of bat polyomaviruses in Central Europe. He employs advanced bioinformatics techniques for genome analysis and phylogenetic studies, contributing to a deeper understanding of viral evolution and zoonotic potential. His research also extends to next-generation vaccine vector development, where he collaborates with international teams to design innovative vaccine solutions. Through his leadership in multiple virology projects, he has played a vital role in expanding knowledge on virus-host interactions and emerging infectious diseases. His interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular biology, genomics, and epidemiology, ensuring his research remains at the forefront of scientific advancements in veterinary virology.

Awards & Honors🏆 

Dr. Vidovszky’s contributions to virology have been recognized through numerous awards and fellowships. In 2023, he received the János Bolyai Research Scholarship for his project on mapping viral backgrounds in juvenile diarrheal disease in cattle. His research excellence was also acknowledged with the Best Poster Presentation Award at the International Adenovirus Meeting in Croatia in 2023. He was granted a Scientific Secondment within an EU consortium for virus vaccine vector research at Johnson & Johnson from 2015 to 2016. Additionally, he was awarded research project funding at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, in 2012. His active participation in international conferences has been supported by multiple grants from the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS), including attendance at meetings in Sweden, Japan, and Croatia. His Erasmus scholarship at the University of Kassel further strengthened his international research collaborations.

💡 Skills

Dr. Vidovszky possesses a diverse skill set encompassing research, leadership, project management, and scientific communication. His expertise in molecular virology includes advanced techniques such as virus isolation, genome sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis. He has a strong track record in securing research grants and managing scientific projects, ensuring their successful execution from planning to publication. As a supervisor, he has mentored students and young researchers, fostering talent in molecular and microbiology disciplines. His leadership skills extend beyond academia, having contributed to the management and training of a youth education non-profit organization for two decades. Additionally, he is an active participant in professional societies, engaging in knowledge dissemination through presentations, public outreach, and science communication. His ability to integrate academic and industrial research, coupled with his organizational and mentoring capabilities, makes him a well-rounded scientist with a lasting impact on the field of virology.

Conclusion✅

Dr. Márton Vidovszky is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his extensive contributions to molecular virology, project leadership, mentorship, and international collaborations. His ability to bridge academia and industry, combined with a strong publication record and recognized research excellence, makes him a strong contender. With further emphasis on high-impact publications and grant leadership, he could further solidify his standing among top-tier researchers.

📚Publications to Noted

Detection of DNA Viruses in Free-Ranging Rat Populations in Hungary 🐀🦠

Authors: Márton Z. Vidovszky, András Surján, Gábor Földvári, and László Egyed

Publication Year: 2024

Detection and Genetic Characterization of Circoviruses in More Than 80 Bat Species from Eight Countries on Four Continents 🦇🧬

Authors: Márton Z. Vidovszky, Szilvia Kapitány, Ákos Gellért, Tamás Görföl, Gábor Kemenesi, Sándor A. Boldogh, Claudia Kohl, Gudrun Wibbelt, Kristin Mühldorfer, Guy-Crispin Gembu, Alexandre Hassanin, Vuong Tan Tu, Péter Estók, Anna Horváth, Balázs Harrach, and Győző L. Kaján

Publication Year: 2023

First DNA Sequence Proof for the Occurrence of Bovine Adenovirus Types 10 and 11 in Continental Europe 🐄🧬

Authors: Márton Z. Vidovszky, Kinga P. Böszörményi, András Surján, Tamás Varga, Ádám Dán, Mária Benkő, and Balázs Harrach

Publication Year: 2022

Novel Adenovirus Associated with Necrotizing Bronchiolitis in a Captive Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) 🦌🦠

Authors: Márton Z. Vidovszky, Kinga P. Böszörményi, Ákos Gellért, Ádám Dán, and Balázs Harrach

Publication Year: 2022

Bat-Borne Polyomaviruses in Europe Reveal an Evolutionary History of Intrahost Divergence with Horseshoe Bats Distributed Across the African and Eurasian Continents 🦇🧬

Authors: Márton Z. Vidovszky, András Surján, Ákos Gellért, Sándor Boldogh, Michael J. Carr, and Balázs Harrach

Publication Year: 2020

Isolation and Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of a Novel Ovine Adenovirus Type Representing a Possible New Mastadenovirus Species 🐑🧬

Authors: Márton Z. Vidovszky, Kinga P. Böszörményi, Ákos Gellért, and Balázs Harrach

Publication Year: 2019