The 9th International USERN Congress and Prize Awarding Festival: Day 3

The final day of the 9th USERN Congress celebrated the intersection of science and art, groundbreaking research achievements, and interdisciplinary collaboration. From a moving Talk Theater performance to the prestigious USERN Prize Award Ceremony, and the recognition of outstanding presentations, the day epitomized USERN’s mission to unite scientists worldwide in the pursuit of knowledge without borders.

Talk Theater: The Science of Loneliness

The day began with an evocative theatrical performance titled "The Loneliness." Featuring five actors representing various scientific disciplines, a painter bringing ideas to life on canvas, and a live musician, the show explored the theme of loneliness and its impact on human well-being. Each actor portrayed a unique perspective from their field, symbolizing how interconnected knowledge can address universal challenges.

USERN Prize Award Ceremony: Honoring Global Scientific Excellence

The highlight of the day was the USERN Prize Award Ceremony, where outstanding young scientists were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to their respective fields. As the world celebrates the UN Day of Science for Peace and Development on November 10th, the 8th international USERN congress approaches its final stages. The event began with a talk theater that showcased a great combination of art and science, performed by miniature talk finalists. Now it’s time for the 8th USERN Prize Awarding Festival, our annual prize to appreciate and promote young scientists who are broadening the frontiers of science and making a difference in their respective fields. Out of approximately 90000 candidates who were the first author in papers published in Q1 journals during the previous year, 150 articles were chosen to proceed to the next round by the USERN Prize committee. The 2024 USERN Prize nominees and winners in each field are as follows:

USERN Prize Laureate in Formal Sciences: Dr. Andrea Luppi (UK)

For: Synergistic Information Across Artificial and Biological Intelligence

Keynote Highlights: Dr. Luppi’s research explored the synergy of information in the human brain, revealing how regions integrate data for complex tasks like working memory and social cognition. His work bridges neuroscience and AI, showcasing how these fields can inform each other to improve cognitive systems.

“Winning this prize inspires me to continue advocating for interconnected humanity. It’s a reminder of the collective effort behind every breakthrough.”

USERN Prize Laureate in Physical and Chemical Sciences: Dr. Dongliang Chao (Hong-Kong)

For: Safe, Low-Cost, and Scalable Aqueous Battery Technologies

Keynote Highlights: Dr. Chao’s research focused on developing cost-effective, sustainable battery solutions to address global energy needs. His innovative aqueous battery technologies offer scalable, safe, and practical applications for energy storage.

“I hope this work contributes to creating accessible and reliable energy solutions worldwide. I look forward to pushing the boundaries of energy technology.”

USERN Prize Laureate in Biological Sciences: Dr. Tiziana Cappello (Italy)

For: Embryotoxicity Tests and Multi-Biomarkers to Unveil the Impact of Microplastics on Embryomics

Keynote Highlights: Dr. Cappello presented cutting-edge research on the toxic effects of microplastics and pollutants on embryonic development, using omics technologies to identify cellular disruptions. Her findings pave the way for innovative environmental health policies.

“This award recognizes not just my work but the passion behind it. It’s an encouraging moment for young researchers dedicated to making a difference.”

USERN Prize Laureate in Medical Sciences: Dr. Fabiana Corsi-Zuelli (Brazil)

For: Peripheral Blood Immune Signatures of Psychosis: Testing the Regulatory T Cell Hypothesis

Keynote Highlights: Dr. Corsi-Zuelli’s research revealed how anti-inflammatory treatments targeting immune biomarkers in psychosis patients can improve both inflammation and behavioral outcomes, presenting a novel therapeutic avenue.

“This award emphasizes the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. Together, we can achieve so much more in science.”

USERN Prize Laureate in Social Sciences: Dr. Ewa Szumowska (Poland)

For: Understanding Proneness to Extremism

Keynote Highlights: Dr. Szumowska’s work investigated psychological and social mechanisms leading to extremism. By analyzing cognitive and environmental factors, she offered evidence-based strategies for mitigating the risks of radical ideologies.

“I feel honored and humbled. This recognition highlights the transformative power of science in breaking down borders and building understanding.”

The candidate universities for hosting the USERN Congress 2025 were:

Medical University of Wienna, Vienna, Austria; University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar

The host for USERN 2025 Congress and Prize Awarding Festival was selected by the votes from the USERN Policy-Making Council. University of Sao Paulo was selected as the USERN 2025 host.

Closing Ceremony and Concluding Remarks

The best oral and poster presentations from each session were appreciated, celebrating the creativity and dedication of junior researchers and students. The winners were selected by an expert panel of judges and announced during the closing ceremony.

The Medical University of Plovdiv expressed deep appreciation to the USERN executive team and all participants for their contributions to this remarkable event. The congress concluded with reflections on the collaborative achievements of the past three days and the announcement of the next USERN Congress host city.

Prof. Nima Rezaei, USERN Founder, emphasized the importance of fostering global unity: "USERN continues to inspire the scientific community to break down borders, unite disciplines, and tackle humanity’s greatest challenges together."

Day 3 encapsulated the essence of the USERN Congress: a platform where art meets science, achievements are celebrated, and connections are forged. The 9th USERN Congress leaves behind a legacy of inspiration, collaboration, and innovation, as the global scientific community looks ahead to the 10th edition, this time in Sao Paulo, Brazil!