Ivan Hancco Zirena | Medicine and Dentistry | Lifetime achievement Award

Published on by Phenomenological Research Awards

Prof.Dr.Ivan Hancco Zirena | Medicine and Dentistry | Lifetime achievement Award

post doc at Harvard Medical School, Peru.

Dr. Ivan Hancco Zirena is a distinguished Peruvian physician and researcher specializing in clinical hematology, physiology, and high-altitude medicine. With a rich academic and clinical background spanning multiple continents, Dr. Hancco has carved a niche in understanding human adaptation to hypoxia and extreme environments. Currently serving as a postdoctoral researcher at the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Unit at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, he contributes to groundbreaking studies on coagulation, red cell physiology, and novel antithrombotic agents.

Profile:

🎓 Educational Background:

Dr. Hancco earned his M.D. from the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano in Puno, Peru (2003), and later specialized in Hematology at Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima. He pursued advanced studies in France, completing a Master’s in Integrated Biology and Physiology at Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, followed by a Ph.D. in Physiology at Université Grenoble Alpes. His doctoral thesis investigated hematological responses in high-altitude populations living above 5,000 meters, under the supervision of Dr. Samuel Verges. He is currently completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School (2023–2025).

💼 Professional Experience:

Dr. Hancco brings extensive experience in both clinical and academic medicine. He has worked in emergency care, hematology units, and cardiovascular rehabilitation in Peru, France, and Spain. His research roles at Laboratoire HP2 (France) and currently at Harvard Medical School (USA) have sharpened his focus on high-impact clinical studies. Additionally, he has provided care to patients with benign and malignant hematologic diseases in military and public hospitals.

Research Interests:

Dr. Hancco’s primary research explores the physiological and hematological adaptations to hypoxia, chronic mountain sickness, erythrocytosis, and cardiovascular and thrombotic responses at high altitudes. His recent work delves into the role of thiol isomerases in hemostasis and thrombosis, with applications in vascular medicine and novel antithrombotic therapies. His interdisciplinary approach bridges physiology, hematology, environmental medicine, and cellular biology.

Teaching Experience:

A passionate educator, Dr. Hancco has taught hematology, physiology, and molecular biology at top Peruvian universities including Universidad de San Martín de Porres, Universidad Científica del Sur, and Universidad Nacional del Altiplano. He has led student research groups, facilitated international exchange programs, and integrated research into medical training. His teaching style fosters critical thinking, debate, and hands-on learning in laboratory and clinical environments.

Skills:

Dr. Hancco is skilled in a wide array of biomedical techniques including flow cytometry, cell culture, platelet aggregation, protein purification, magnetic cell levitation, cytokinesis analysis, microscopy, and complete blood count analysis. These tools have supported his innovative research in hypoxia and hemostasis.

🏅 Recognition and Impact:

Dr. Hancco’s research on chronic mountain sickness and thrombosis has global relevance, particularly for populations living in extreme altitudes. His findings contribute to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for hematological disorders in both high- and low-altitude settings. His work has earned him collaboration with world-renowned institutions and recognition as a rising figure in global hematology and physiology.

Publications:

  • Galloylated polyphenols represent a new class of antithrombotic agents with broad activity against thiol isomerases.
    Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2025.

  • Cerebral blood flow in Andean children and adolescents living above 5,000 m.
    Journal of Neurophysiology, 2025.

  • Neurological manifestations associated with exercise at altitude.
    Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 2025.

  • Pain perception threshold in young high-altitude natives after acute exposure to severe hypoxic conditions.
    Oxygen (Basel), 2025.

  • Micro- and macrovascular function in the highest city in the world: A cross-sectional study.
    Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 2024.

  • Performance in the six-minute walking test does not discriminate excessive erythrocytosis patients in a severe hypoxic environment.
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2024.

  • Expedition 5300: Limits of human adaptations in the highest city in the world.
    Journal of Physiology, 2024.

  • Cerebral homeostasis and orthostatic responses in residents of the highest city in the world.
    Scientific Reports, 2024.

  • Lower glycemia levels in subjects with excessive erythrocytosis during the oral glucose tolerance test living in conditions of severe hypoxia.
    Frontiers in Physiology, 2024.

  • Are coagulation profiles in Andean highlanders with excessive erythrocytosis favouring hypercoagulability?
    Experimental Physiology, 2024.

Nyambane Ontita | Microbiology | Outstanding Scientist Award

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Dr. Nyambane Ontita | Microbiology | Outstanding Scientist Award

Researcher at Central South University, Kenya.

Nyambane Clive Ontita 🇰🇪 is a passionate environmental microbiologist 🌱 specializing in microbe-mineral interactions, bioelectrochemical systems ⚡, and resource recovery from industrial waste streams ♻️. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Central South University, China 🇨🇳, Clive focuses on innovative microbial strategies for rare earth element (REE) recovery and pollutant degradation from wastewater 🧪. With over a decade of combined teaching 🎓 and research experience, he bridges science and sustainability in real-world applications. His international exposure 🌍, impactful publications 📚, and hands-on technical skills in environmental analytics and microbial technologies make him a rising figure in green research. Clive is dedicated to interdisciplinary collaboration 🤝 and is driven by a mission to create sustainable, microbially-driven technologies that support clean industry and circular economies 🌎.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Suitability For Outstanding Scientist Award – Dr. Nyambane Ontita

Nyambane Ontita stands out as a committed, innovative, and impactful environmental microbiologist with a decade-long career dedicated to sustainable scientific solutions. His interdisciplinary expertise, combining microbiology, environmental engineering, and materials science, aligns strongly with the core values of the Outstanding Scientist Award—scientific excellence, innovation, real-world impact, and leadership in research.

Education

Clive holds a Ph.D. (ongoing) in Environmental Microbiology 🧫 from Central South University, China 🇨🇳, where he specializes in microbial electrochemical systems and metal recovery. He earned his Master’s degree in Microbiology 🧪 from Kenyatta University, Nairobi 🇰🇪, in 2015, focusing on clinical and environmental microbiology. He began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Education (Biology and Agriculture) 🌾 from Bugema University, Uganda 🇺🇬, in 2010. His educational path reflects a strong foundation in biological sciences, environmental health, and sustainable agriculture 🌿. With a mix of African and international education, Clive is well-equipped to tackle global environmental challenges using science and innovation 💡.

Experience

Clive has diverse professional experience in academia and research 🔬. Currently, he is a doctoral researcher at Central South University, China 🇨🇳, investigating bioelectrochemical methods for rare earth element recovery and wastewater treatment 💧. He previously served as a part-time lecturer 🧑‍🏫 at Kisii University and JKUAT in Kenya 🇰🇪, where he taught microbiology and supervised student research for over six years 📘. In 2015, he worked as a graduate researcher at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital 🏥, exploring clinical microbiology and antibiotic resistance. His extensive experience includes reactor operation, microbial analysis, and mentorship, positioning him as a skilled educator, researcher, and problem solver 🤝.

Professional Development

Clive is committed to lifelong learning and growth through research and collaboration 📚. He actively participates in international workshops and training programs 🌍, including the AITC course on Carbon Neutrality held in Bangkok (2024) 🌱, and the Graduate Innovation Forum on Low-Carbon Metal Resource Utilization in China (2023) 🌐. His continuous development in cutting-edge techniques like qPCR, bioinformatics 🧬, and surface analytics ensures he remains at the forefront of environmental biotechnology 🔬. Through conferences, academic networking 🤝, and cross-border collaborations, Clive refines his skills and contributes meaningfully to global sustainability conversations 🌎. His ability to merge theory with practical innovation positions him as a leader in his field 🚀.

Research Focus Category

Clive’s research is centered around Environmental Biotechnology 🌍 and Sustainable Resource Recovery 🔄. His work lies at the intersection of microbiology 🧫, environmental engineering 🛠️, and materials science 🧱. He focuses on developing bioelectrochemical systems (BES) to recover rare earth elements like Ce, La, and Gd from mining and industrial wastewater 🧪. Additionally, he investigates microbial processes for the degradation of emerging contaminants and biostabilization of mine waste ⛏️. His research addresses urgent environmental issues like pollution, resource scarcity, and clean energy transitions ⚡. Clive’s contribution directly supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water), 9 (Industry Innovation), and 13 (Climate Action) 🌿, placing him in the category of applied environmental science with real-world impact 🌎.

Research Skill Category

Clive possesses a wide range of high-level technical and analytical research skills 🔍. His core proficiencies include molecular biology techniques like DNA extraction, qPCR, and 16S rRNA sequencing 🧬, and bioinformatics tools such as PICRUSt for microbial pathway prediction 💻. He’s highly experienced with environmental analytics—operating tools like XPS, FTIR, SEM, XRD, and ICP-OES for metal speciation and surface characterization 🔬. Clive also designs and operates bioelectrochemical systems for pollutant degradation and metal recovery ⚙️. His expertise spans data analysis using SPSS, OriginLab, and GraphPad Prism 📊. His skillset is well-suited for complex, interdisciplinary research requiring precision, innovation, and scalability in environmental microbiology and process engineering 🌱.

Awards & Honors

Clive’s excellence has been recognized through several academic honors 🥇. He was awarded Best Research Student (2024) at Central South University 🇨🇳, acknowledging his innovative work in microbial electrochemical systems. In 2022, he also earned the Best Research Group Presenter title for his impactful research presentations and scientific communication skills 🎤. These awards reflect his dedication, academic leadership, and ability to translate complex research into practical, sustainable solutions 🌿. Clive continues to gain recognition as a rising environmental scientist with a strong academic and research trajectory.

Publication Top Notes

1. High‑efficiency nitrogen removal by cold‑tolerant bacteria consortium at low temperatures

  • Journal: Bioresource Technology

  • Publication Date: June 2025

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132816

  • Authors: Y. Xu; N. C. Ontita; W. Zeng; J. Huang; L. Jiang; X. Huang; Q. Li; P. Hu

  • Summary: Demonstrates effective nitrogen removal via a cold-tolerant bacterial consortium in low-temperature wastewater conditions—critical for improving treatment in cold climates.

2. Mechanistic Insights into Biphasic Effects of Ce(III) on Anode Biofilms…

  • Journal: Water, Air, & Soil Pollution

  • Publication Date: June 2025

  • DOI: 10.1007/s11270-025-08175-9

  • Authors: N. C. Ontita; C. Amanze; R. Anaman; X. Shanshan; F. Kwofie; P. A. Tetteh; W. Zeng

  • Summary: Investigates how Ce(III) exhibits dual roles—enhancing or inhibiting—on anode biofilms in bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment, offering mechanistic insights for optimizing industrial systems.

3. Substrate‑mediated enhancement of bioelectrochemical systems for sustainable rare earth element recovery…

  • Journal: Journal of Water Process Engineering

  • Publication Date: June 2025

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.108199

  • Authors: N. C. Ontita; R. Anaman; C. Amanze; H. N. Nyangweso; W. Zeng

  • Summary: Presents substrate-based strategies to improve bioelectrochemical recovery of rare earth elements from mining wastewater—a sustainable alternative to conventional mining.

4. Electrochemically active biofilms responses to gadolinium stress during wastewater treatment…

  • Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials

  • Publication Date: March 2025

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137941

  • Authors: N. C. Ontita; R. Anaman; E. K. Sarkodie; Y. Wang; A. H. Bichi; X. Shanshan; H. N. Nyangweso; Y. Xu; C. Amanze; N. E. H. Bouroubi et al.

  •  Summary: Analyzes how gadolinium (Gd) stress affects electrochemically active biofilms, informing risk-mitigation strategies in wastewater systems using imposed bioelectrochemical processes.

5. Isolation and Whole‑genome analysis of Desmodesmus sp. SZ‑1: Novel acid‑tolerant carbon‑fixing microalga

  • Journal: Bioresource Technology

  • Publication Date: December 2024

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131572

  • Authors: Y. Wang; A. Liu; C. Amanze; N. C. Ontita; W. Zeng

  • Citations: 34

  •  Summary: Presents a novel acid-tolerant, carbon-fixing microalga with whole-genome analysis, offering potential for bioindustrial CO₂ sequestration and bioresource development.

6. Insights into anode substrate optimization in bioelectrochemical systems for efficient cathodic lanthanum recovery…

  • Journal: Journal of Water Process Engineering

  • Publication Date: September 2024

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.106003

  • Authors: N. C. Ontita; E. K. Sarkodie; R. Anaman; Y. H. Tang; W. Zeng

  • Summary: Explores tailored anode substrates for enhanced cathodic lanthanum recovery—paving the way for valuable metal recovery in wastewater treatment.

Conclusion

Nyambane Ontita is an ideal candidate for the Outstanding Scientist Award. His impactful and innovative contributions to environmental microbiology and sustainable technology—coupled with strong technical capability, leadership potential, and international collaboration—exemplify the spirit of this honor. His work not only advances scientific understanding but also delivers practical solutions for cleaner industries and a more sustainable planet.