Fatemeh Shirani | Medicine and Health Sciences | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Fatemeh Shirani | Medicine and Health Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center | Iran

Dr. Fatemeh Shirani is a distinguished scholar in the field of Nutritional Sciences, renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to clinical nutrition, dietary epidemiology, and metabolic health. She has consistently advanced the understanding of how diet and nutrition influence chronic disease prevention and treatment, with a strong emphasis on obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Through her innovative research and global collaborations, she has established herself as a thought leader whose work bridges scientific evidence with practical dietary strategies for public health. Currently serving at the Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, she has become a role model for women in science through her dedication, mentorship, and international engagement.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Fatemeh Shirani completed her academic journey with distinction in Nutritional Sciences, earning her foundational and advanced degrees from leading Iranian institutions. She further enriched her expertise through doctoral-level research at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, where she focused on the intricate links between nutrition and chronic diseases. Her academic training was complemented by international research at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, where she deepened her skills in nutritional biomedicine and clinical research methodologies. This comprehensive educational background provided her with a strong platform to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application in clinical and population-based nutrition research.

Experience

Dr. Fatemeh Shirani has accumulated extensive experience across research, teaching, and scientific service. She has contributed to large-scale community-based projects, such as national nutrition surveys and heart health programs, aimed at improving public health outcomes through evidence-based interventions. As a dedicated educator, she has taught undergraduate and graduate students, instilling in them the principles of basic nutrition, clinical dietetics, and community health. Her expertise extends to laboratory techniques such as PCR and cell culture, which she has applied to translational nutrition studies. Beyond academia, she has actively participated as a reviewer for prestigious international journals, shaping the quality of published science in her field. Her professional journey reflects a balance of teaching, research, community service, and scientific leadership.

Research Interests

Dr. Fatemeh Shirani’s research interests lie at the intersection of nutrition, epidemiology, and chronic disease management. She is deeply invested in exploring obesity and weight-loss strategies, nutritional interventions for diabetes and metabolic disorders, and the role of diet in preventing cardiovascular disease. Her work also investigates the emerging field of “infectobesity,” examining the connections between viral infections and obesity. By employing systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials, she provides high-quality evidence that informs dietary recommendations and policy guidelines. Her studies not only address the biological mechanisms of nutrition-related diseases but also emphasize the translation of findings into practical interventions for populations at risk.

Awards

Dr. Fatemeh Shirani has been widely recognized for her contributions to nutritional sciences, particularly her ability to merge clinical expertise with public health perspectives. Her nomination for the Women Researcher Award reflects her outstanding achievements in advancing women’s representation in scientific leadership and her sustained impact on global nutrition research. She has consistently demonstrated excellence through her publications, conference presentations, and active participation in national and international nutrition societies. This recognition highlights not only her scientific accomplishments but also her commitment to mentoring young researchers and fostering collaborative networks across borders.

Publication

Dr. Fatemeh Shirani has produced a rich body of work that has been widely cited in international literature. Selected publications include:

Title: Effects of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-style diet on fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular diseases incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal: Nutrition
Published on: 2013
Citation: 482

Title: The effect of dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet on weight and body composition in adults: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Journal: Obesity Reviews
Published on: 2016
Citation: 308

Title: Effects of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on some risk for developing type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis on controlled clinical trials
Journal: Nutrition
Published on: 2013
Citation: 288

Title: The role of magnesium in sleep health: a systematic review of available literature
Journal: Biological Trace Element Research
Published on: 2023
Citation: 104

Title: Is phase angle a valuable prognostic tool in cancer patients’ survival? A systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature
Journal: Clinical Nutrition
Published on: 2021
Citation: 98

Title: Vinegar consumption can attenuate postprandial glucose and insulin responses; a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Journal: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Published on: 2017
Citation: 95

Title: Effects of concentrated pomegranate juice on subclinical inflammation and cardiometabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes: A quasi-experimental study
Journal: International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Published on: 2016
Citation: 55

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Fatemeh Shirani stands as a leading figure in nutritional sciences whose contributions have advanced both research and practice in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Her ability to translate complex scientific findings into practical dietary strategies has had a lasting impact on public health. With her strong publication record, global collaborations, and dedication to mentorship, she exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding woman researcher. Her nomination for the Women Researcher Award reflects not only her academic excellence but also her leadership, vision, and commitment to improving health outcomes through nutrition science.

Xuan Zhang | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Xuan Zhang | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Hong Kong Baptist University | Hong Kong

Dr. Xuan Zhang is a highly respected Lecturer II at the School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University. As a registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner in both Mainland China and Hong Kong, she has cultivated a strong academic and clinical foundation rooted in traditional Chinese medicine principles. Since joining HKBU in 2016, she has significantly contributed to teaching, research, and international academic collaborations. Her leadership in evidence-based research, combined with her deep understanding of the Huangdi Neijing and classical theories such as the Five Circuits and Six Qi, positions her as a pioneer in integrating tradition with modern scientific approaches. Dr. Zhang has led or participated in more than 15 externally funded projects and published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, with a strong record of first- and corresponding-author contributions.

Professional Profile

ORCID

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Education

Dr. Zhang earned her Ph.D. in Chinese Medicine from the prestigious Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Her doctoral training provided a rich combination of theoretical studies, classical text interpretation, and hands-on clinical applications. The academic environment fostered her early interest in integrating traditional Chinese medical theories with scientific methodologies. Her educational path laid the groundwork for her to pursue rigorous research in both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of Chinese medicine, particularly in the fields of epidemiology, gastrointestinal diseases, and methodological development.

Experience

With close to a decade of academic and clinical teaching experience, Dr. Zhang has taken on numerous roles that extend beyond the classroom. Since joining HKBU in 2016, she has secured seven research grants as Principal Investigator and served as co-investigator in multiple national-level projects funded by organizations such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Medicine Development Fund (HKSAR). Her expertise has led to contributions in reporting guideline development, multicentre clinical trials, and telemedicine studies. She also serves on editorial boards for international journals such as Scientific Reports, BMC Medical Research Methodology, and the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, underscoring her standing in the academic community.

Research Interests

Dr. Zhang’s core research areas include: (1) theoretical and clinical research based on the Huangdi Neijing, with a focus on the “Five Circuits and Six Qi” (Wu Yun Liu Qi); (2) development of evidence-based Chinese medicine practices and methodological reporting standards; (3) clinical studies on gastrointestinal diseases such as IBS and ulcerative colitis; and (4) epidemiological research in infectious diseases within the framework of Chinese medicine. She has championed multidisciplinary and cross-regional collaborations that explore the integration of data science with ancient medical systems. Her ongoing work also addresses the modernization and standardization of traditional practices to ensure global acceptance and scientific validation.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Zhang has received numerous awards for her outstanding research and contributions to Chinese medicine. She was named among China’s CNKI Highly Cited Scholars (Top 1%) and received the “Top Cited Article” award in the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine. She was also honored as one of the “100 Outstanding Reviewers” of the China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy and recognized as the “1st Qiu Zhen Scholars of Chinese Medicine.” Additionally, she earned the “Top Articles in Outstanding S&T Journals of China” award twice and the “Third Prize of Science and Technology Award” from the China Association of Chinese Medicine. These accolades reflect her significant impact on both theoretical and applied Chinese medicine research.

Publications

  1. Title: A Protocol for Developing, Disseminating, and Implementing a Core Outcome Set for Clinical Trials of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine for Ulcerative Colitis
    Journal: Journal of Integrative Medicine
    Published on: 31 Jul 2025

  2. Title: Butyrate-producing commensal bacteria mediates the efficacy of herbal medicine JCM-16021 on abdominal pain in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial
    Journal: Phytomedicine
    Published on: Sep 2025

  3. Title: Outcomes reporting in clinical trials of Chinese herbal medicine on ulcerative colitis: A systematic review
    Journal: Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine
    Published on: 28 Oct 2024

  4. Title: Suboptimal reporting of randomized controlled trials on non-pharmacological therapies in Chinese medicine
    Journal: Frontiers in Medicine
    Published on: 17 Jun 2024

  5. Title: Transparency and reporting characteristics of randomized controlled trials with Chinese herbal medicine formulas interventions
    Journal: Frontiers of Medicine
    Published on: 17 May 2024

  6. Title: STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials Of Tuina/Massage (STRICTOTM): Extending the CONSORT Statement
    Journal: Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine
    Published on: 14 Mar 2023

  7. Title: Reporting assessment of multicenter clinical trial protocols: a cross-sectional study
    Journal: Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine
    Published on: 03 Mar 2023

Conclusion

Dr. Xuan Zhang is a distinguished researcher, educator, and clinical scholar whose work reflects a deep integration of traditional Chinese medicine principles with contemporary clinical and scientific practices. Her extensive publication record, grant leadership, and editorial responsibilities demonstrate her strong research acumen and commitment to globalizing Chinese medicine. With high-impact contributions, international collaborations, and multiple recognitions for academic excellence, Dr. Zhang is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work continues to shape the future of evidence-based Chinese medicine and methodological innovation.