Prof. Dr. Jorge Hugo Villafañe | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

European University of Madrid | Italy

Dr. Jorge Hugo Villafañe is an eminent researcher whose scientific contributions have significantly advanced the fields of musculoskeletal rehabilitation, epidemiology, and global health metrics. With a Scopus-indexed portfolio of 326 publications, he has produced a substantial body of high-quality research that includes randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, book chapters, and collaborative international studies. His work demonstrates exceptional global visibility, reflected in 14,878 citations from 10,899 documents and a robust h-index of 47, underscoring his sustained scholarly influence. Dr. Jorge Hugo Villafañe is widely recognized for his involvement in major The Lancet Global Burden of Disease (GBD) initiatives, contributing to landmark analyses on disease prevalence, disability, mortality, life expectancy, and risk factor trends across more than 200 countries. Beyond global health, he has published extensively on therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, osteoarthritis, nonspecific neck pain, and rehabilitation outcomes, with several of his papers surpassing 100–200 citations, marking him as a leading authority in musculoskeletal science. His research leadership extends to competitive funding achievements in rehabilitation and participation in large-scale projects that have shaped contemporary clinical guidelines. He has delivered influential findings at international scientific conferences, contributed to editorial and peer-review roles in respected journals, and advanced methodological standards in rehabilitation research. Through his innovative investigations and contributions to high-impact global epidemiological studies, Dr. Jorge Hugo Villafañe continues to influence clinical practice, public health strategies, and the scientific understanding of musculoskeletal disorders, positioning him among the most impactful researchers in his field.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

Ferrari, A. J., Santomauro, D. F., Aali, A., Abate, Y. H., Abbafati, C., Abbastabar, H., … (2024).
Global incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2021: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet, 403(10440), 2133–2161.

Naghavi, M., Ong, K. L., Aali, A., Ababneh, H. S., Abate, Y. H., Abbafati, C., … (2024).
Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet, 403(10440), 2100–2132.

Brauer, M., Roth, G. A., Aravkin, A. Y., Zheng, P., Abate, K. H., Abate, Y. H., Abbafati, C., … (2024).
Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet, 403(10440), 2162–2203.

Steinmetz, J. D., Seeher, K. M., Schiess, N., Nichols, E., Cao, B., Servili, C., … (2024).
Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet Neurology, 23(4), 344–381.

Vollset, S. E., Ababneh, H. S., Abate, Y. H., Abbafati, C., Abbasgholizadeh, R., … (2024).
Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: A forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet, 403(10440), 2204–2256.

Dr. Yanrong Zhu | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

East China Normal University | China

Dr. Yanrong Zhu is an emerging scholar in the field of early childhood education, with her research focusing on cognitive development, inclusive pedagogy, and the learning processes of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Her scholarly work integrates developmental psychology, educational neuroscience, and inclusive teaching strategies to explore how children acquire deep learning skills through play-based and interactive learning environments. Her notable publication, “Do Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Have Deep Learning Ability? An Exploratory Research in Inclusive Play” (Journal of Intelligence, 2025), provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of learning engagement and knowledge retention among neurodiverse children. Dr. Yanrong Zhu’s research bridges theoretical understanding and practical educational innovation, emphasizing the design of inclusive learning frameworks that foster critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptive learning abilities in early education settings. Through her contributions, she highlights the significance of inclusive play as a foundation for cognitive and social development, promoting equal learning opportunities for all children. Her research advances the global dialogue on inclusive education, offering empirical evidence and conceptual models that support educators and policymakers in creating more responsive, child-centered, and inclusive early learning systems aligned with contemporary developmental and educational psychology standards.

Profile: Sci Profile

Featured Publications

• Zhu, Y., & Su, X. (2023). Do children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have deep learning ability? An exploratory research in inclusive play. Journal of Intelligence, 13(11), 135. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence13110135

Featured Publications

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