Neurologist Dr. Lingya Qiao of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital Receives Prestigious Award from the World Muscle Society

Dr. Lingya Qiao, Associate Chief Physician in the Department of Neurology at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, has spent the past year as a visiting scholar in the Department of Neuromuscular Research at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) in Japan. Under the mentorship of Professor Ichizo Nishino, an internationally renowned expert in neuromuscular pathology, Dr. Qiao has received systematic training in skeletal muscle biopsy techniques and standardized diagnostic procedures for muscle pathology, while also conducting in-depth research in related fields.

During her visiting scholarship, under the supervision of Professor Ichizo Nishino, Dr. Qiao conducted systematic research into the aberrant RNA splicing mechanisms associated with TDP-43 in rimmed vacuolar myopathies, with a particular focus on the abnormal expression of cryptic exons and their potential role in disease onset and progression. The study, entitled “Cryptic Exon Expression in Rimmed Vacuolar Myopathies,” investigated the relationship between TDP-43-associated splicing abnormalities and muscle fiber degeneration at the molecular pathological level, providing new insights and experimental evidence to further elucidate the pathogenesis of rimmed vacuolar myopathies.

The 30th International Annual Congress of the World Muscle Society (WMS) was held in Vienna, Austria, from October 7 to 11, 2025. Marking the 30th anniversary of the World Muscle Society, this year's congress brought together researchers, scholars, and experts from 80 countries and regions worldwide, with 1,500 delegates attending in person and 265 participating virtually. The congress gathered leading basic researchers and clinical experts in the field of neuromuscular disorders to engage in in-depth discussions on the underlying pathological mechanisms of these diseases, advances in translational medicine, multidisciplinary approaches to disease management, and emerging therapeutic strategies. It is widely recognized as one of the most influential international academic gatherings in the field of neuromuscular medicine.

At this year's congress, Dr. Lingya Qiao presented her research findings in an oral poster presentation, which attracted considerable attention and received positive feedback from participating experts. In recognition of her outstanding presentation, she was honored with the Elsevier Award for Best Oral Poster Presentation, becoming one of only six recipients of the award at the congress. This achievement not only highlights the innovation and academic significance of her research but also demonstrates Tianjin Huanhu Hospital's research capabilities in investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying neuromuscular disorders.

As a leading international academic platform in the field of neuromuscular disorders, the World Muscle Society (WMS) has long been committed to fostering closer integration between basic research and clinical practice. Through a diverse range of academic activities, including symposium presentations, short oral communications, and poster sessions, this year's congress facilitated meaningful exchanges among researchers and clinicians across basic science, translational medicine, and clinical practice. These discussions provided valuable insights into future research priorities and opportunities for international collaboration.

This prestigious award has further enhanced the international academic recognition and influence of the Department of Neurology at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital in the field of neuromuscular disorders, while laying a solid foundation for broader international collaboration and high-level scientific innovation. Looking ahead, the Department of Neurology will continue to focus on investigating the key pathological mechanisms underlying neuromuscular disorders, strengthen academic exchanges and collaborative research with leading international research teams, and accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice, with the ultimate goal of providing patients with more precise, effective, and high-quality diagnostic and therapeutic services.