Kristine Hallisy | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kristine Hallisy | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

University of WI-Madison | United States

Dr. Kristine Hallisy, PT, DSc, is an accomplished scholar at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, United States, recognized for her impactful contributions to orthopedic and geriatric physical therapy, as well as integrative health practices. Her research focuses on the integration of Tai Chi–based movement interventions into evidence-based rehabilitation for older adults, chronic pain management, and fall prevention. Through her innovative approach, Dr. Kristine Hallisy bridges traditional rehabilitation science with holistic, culturally sensitive wellness strategies that promote health equity and social inclusion. Her scholarly portfolio, reflected in Scopus (ID: 55829701700), includes peer-reviewed works in journals such as The Gerontologist, Current Geriatrics Reports, and the International Journal of Family & Community Medicine, accumulating 37 citations across 36 documents with an h-index of 2. She has authored influential publications including the Tai Chi Fundamentals® Adapted Program and the APTA-Geriatrics monograph Tai Chi for Physical Therapists and Assistants Working with Older Adults. Her research leadership has been recognized through awards such as the APTA Global Health SIG Blue Ribbon Recognition for Social Responsibility and the Institute on Aging New Investigator Award. Dr. Kristine Hallisy’s current research emphasizes the dissemination of Tai Chi Prime™ through “Train the Leader” community-based models that empower African American/Black and Latinx populations. Her sustained contributions as a mentor, reviewer, and academic innovator continue to shape the fields of physical therapy education, geriatric health, and culturally responsive rehabilitation science.

Profiles: ScopusORCID | Staff Page

Featured Publications

  • Reicheter A., Boissonnault W. G., Chesbro S., Williams B., Steinkamp L. A., Wilson S., & Hallisy K. M. (2007). Enhancing cultural competence of physical therapy students: a shared diversity project between Howard University and UW-Madison. JBPHPD: Research, Education and Policy, 1(1), 25–39.

  • Hallisy, K. M. (2015). Tai chi enhances biopsychosocial management of chronic low back pain (Abstract). International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-9096.S1.011

  • Hallisy, K. M. (2018). Tai chi beyond balance and fall prevention: health benefits and its potential role in combatting social isolation in the aging population (Review). Current Geriatrics Reports, 7, 37.

  • Hallisy, K. M. (2018). Health benefits of Tai Chi: potential mechanisms of action (Commentary). International Journal of Family & Community Medicine, 2(5), 261–264.

  • Hallisy, K. M. (2019). Tai Chi: An exercise that promotes optimal aging and well-being. International Journal of Family & Community Medicine, 3(6), 243–246. https://doi.org/10.15406/ijfcm.2019.03.00164

Yan Bai | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yan Bai | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Yunnan University | China

Dr. Yan Bai is a highly accomplished postdoctoral researcher at the State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources in Yunnan and the Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China. She earned her PhD in Cell Biology from Yunnan University, MSc in Pharmacology from the Chinese PLA Medical Academy, and BSc in Pharmacy from Dali University, establishing a strong interdisciplinary foundation spanning pharmacology, microbiology, and cellular biology. Prior to her current role, she conducted research at the Chinese PLA General Hospital, focusing on combination therapies against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Her research primarily investigates mitochondrial homeostasis, tumor biology, and the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial genetic diseases, with particular attention to mitochondria-associated condensates (MATOs) as regulators of protein translation and mitochondrial integrity. Dr. Yan Bai has led and contributed to several major research projects, including grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Basic Research Program, and Yunnan Province Science and Technology initiatives. Her work has resulted in high-impact publications in journals such as Nature Aging (2025), Sci China Life Sci (2025), EMBO J (2024), and Biophys Rep (2024). According to Scopus, she has authored 10 publications, cited 177 times across 169 documents, with an h-index of 6, demonstrating both productivity and influence in her field. Through her interdisciplinary collaborations, innovative experimental approaches, and groundbreaking findings on mitochondrial regulation and aging, Dr. Yan Bai has made significant contributions to biomedical science, advancing understanding of mitochondrial biology, disease mechanisms, and translational biomedical applications.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Bai, Y., Ma, T., Zhao, S., Li, S., Wang, X., Li, J., Sun, W., Yang, Y., Liu, F., Shan, Q., Qin, Z., Liu, N., Zhang, J., Tian, F., Duan, M., Chen, S., Lai, F., Chen, Q., Wu, X., & Yang, C. (2025). Mitochondria-associated condensates maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and promote lifespan. Nature Aging.

Hao, Q., Bai, Y., Guan, R., Dong, R., Bai, W., Hamdy, H., Wang, L., Meng, M., Sun, Y., Shen, J., & Sun, J. (2025). VPS35/Retromer-dependent MT1-MMP regulation confers melanoma metastasis. Science China Life Sciences, 68(7), 1996–2009.

Hao, Q., Dong, R., Bai, W., Chang, D., Yao, X., Zhang, Y., Xu, H., Li, H., Kui, X., Wang, F., Wang, Y., Wang, C., Lei, Y., Chen, Y., Shen, J., Sang, L., Bai, Y., & Sun, J. (2024). Screening for metastasis-related genes in mouse melanoma cells through sequential tail vein injection. Biophysical Reports, 10(1), 15–21.

Liu, F., Li, T., Gong, H., Tian, F., Bai, Y., Wang, H., Yang, C., Li, Y., Guo, F., Liu, S., & Chen, Q. (2024). Structural insights into the molecular effects of the anthelmintics monepantel and betaine on the Caenorhabditis elegans acetylcholine receptor ACR-23. EMBO Journal, 43(17), 3787–3806.

Wang, T., Zhou, X., Bai, Y., Zhang, L., Li, L., & Wu, C. (2018). Antiepileptic effect of uridine may be caused by regulating dopamine release and receptor expression in corpus striatum. Brain Research, 1688, 47–53.

Bai, Y., Liu, B., Wang, T., Cai, Y., Liang, B., Wang, R., Liu, Y., & Wang, J. (2015). In vitro activities of combinations of rifampin with other antimicrobials against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 59(3), 1466–1471.

Liu, B., Bai, Y., Liu, Y., Di, X., Zhang, X., Wang, R., & Wang, J. (2015). In vitro activity of tigecycline in combination with cefoperazone-sulbactam against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Journal of Chemotherapy, 27(5), 271–276.

Aarón Muñoz Devesa | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Aarón Muñoz Devesa | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Murcia | Spain

Dr. Aarón Muñoz Devesa is a distinguished nurse, academic, and researcher whose professional journey reflects a unique integration of clinical practice, humanistic studies, and scientific research. With a foundation in both healthcare and religious sciences, he has cultivated a profile that bridges the technical rigor of nursing with the ethical, spiritual, and historical dimensions of human care. His career is marked by extensive teaching, active participation in multidisciplinary projects, and a continued commitment to clinical practice, making him a well-rounded scholar who enriches the field of nursing through innovative thought and practice. His dedication to advancing knowledge in areas such as bioethics, spirituality, compassion, and cultural approaches to healthcare has positioned him as a leader in addressing complex questions at the intersection of health, humanity, and society.

Professional Profile

Scopus

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ORCID

Education

Dr. Aarón Muñoz Devesa has pursued a broad and multidisciplinary academic path that reflects his diverse interests and deep commitment to learning. He obtained his initial training in Nursing at the University of Murcia, where he developed a strong foundation in patient care and clinical sciences. His interest in the humanistic dimensions of health led him to further studies in Religious Sciences, obtaining both a Diploma and Licentiate, which provided him with the philosophical and theological perspectives that later enriched his research in spirituality and ethics. Building on this background, he completed a Master’s in Bioethics at the Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, gaining expertise in ethical reasoning, moral dilemmas in healthcare, and the integration of values in professional practice. His academic journey culminated in a Doctorate in Nursing, where his doctoral research combined historical and spiritual perspectives with contemporary nursing knowledge. This educational trajectory demonstrates his ability to bring together science, ethics, and humanism in pursuit of holistic healthcare.

Experience

The professional experience of Dr. Aarón Muñoz Devesa combines significant contributions in both academia and clinical practice. He has served as a faculty member for more than a decade, delivering courses that include History, Theoretical Foundations, and Basic Nursing Care, Anthropology of Care, Fundamentals of Bioethics, and advanced supervision of Master’s research projects. His teaching has inspired students to approach nursing not only as a technical discipline but as a humanistic vocation rooted in care, dignity, and ethical responsibility. Alongside his teaching responsibilities, he has supervised numerous academic theses and research works that explore themes such as spiritual suffering, quality of life, compassion-based interventions, and ethical care in critical health contexts. In parallel, he has maintained his clinical practice as a nurse in different healthcare institutions, ensuring that his academic contributions are grounded in real-world healthcare experiences. His dual role as an educator and practicing nurse enriches his perspective, allowing him to bridge theoretical insights with practical applications in patient care.

Research Interest

Dr. Aarón Muñoz Devesa’s research interests are situated at the crossroads of history, ethics, spirituality, and nursing. His scholarship explores the role of spiritual health in patient care, the historical evolution of nursing practices, and the ethical dimensions of healthcare decision-making. He has investigated themes such as the validation of nursing diagnoses related to compassion, the integration of spirituality in clinical interventions, and the historical narratives of care institutions in Spain. His work also extends to interdisciplinary collaborations in social work and public health, focusing on topics such as ethics in vulnerable populations, narratives of immigrant women, and strategies for empowerment through healthcare. He is committed to advancing the visibility of spiritual and ethical concerns within nursing science, ensuring that healthcare remains patient-centered and responsive to the broader human experience of illness, suffering, and recovery.

Awards

The recognition of Dr. Aarón Muñoz Devesa’s work reflects his dedication to advancing the field of nursing through scholarship, teaching, and professional practice. His research has been acknowledged within the international academic community, particularly in areas such as nursing history, bioethics, and the integration of spiritual care in healthcare models. His nomination for the Best Researcher Award demonstrates the esteem in which his contributions are held, highlighting his ability to address pressing questions in nursing with both intellectual depth and practical relevance. By fostering innovative approaches that combine ethical reasoning, compassion, and historical insight, he continues to influence the evolution of nursing as both a science and a profession.

Publications

Dr. Aarón Muñoz Devesa has produced significant scholarly works published in peer-reviewed international journals. His publications reflect the diversity of his research interests and his commitment to both theoretical and applied knowledge in nursing. Some of his most notable contributions include:

Title: Nursing and the Care of Spiritual Suffering
Journal: Index of Nursing
Published on: 2014
Citation: 103

Title: The Helping Relationship in Nursing
Journal: Index of Nursing
Published on: 2014
Citation: 84

Title: Construction of the Professional Image of Nursing during the COVID-19 Pandemic through Press News
Journal: Index of Nursing
Published on: 2022
Citation: 10

Title: Communicating the History of Nursing in the University: Innovative Motivation and Co-Creation
Journal: Temperamentvm
Published on: 2023
Citation: 5

Title: The Help Relationship in Nursing
Journal: Index of Nursing
Published on: 2014
Citation: 5

Title: Spiritual Health in the Reform of Spanish Renaissance Nursing [Dataset]
Journal: Mendeley Data
Published on: 2024
Citation: 3

Title: Nursing Care of Saint John of God according to Henderson’s Model of Human Needs
Journal: University of Alicante
Published on: 2023
Citation: 3

Title: Spirituality, Vocation, and Meaning: General Resistance Resources for Nursing Professionals according to the Figure of Saint John of God
Journal: University of Alicante
Published on: 2024
Citation: 2

Title: The Spanish Flu in the City of Murcia: Care and Spiritual Interpretation of the Diocesan Church
Journal: Temperamentvm
Published on: 2020
Citation: 2

Title: Self-Compassion in Nursing Students, its Dimensions and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study
Journal: Index of Nursing
Published on: 2024
Citation: 1

Conclusion

The academic and professional trajectory of Dr. Aarón Muñoz Devesa is defined by a rare combination of clinical expertise, teaching excellence, and innovative research. His ability to interweave the historical, ethical, and spiritual dimensions of healthcare with contemporary nursing practice demonstrates a holistic vision of health sciences. Through his research, he has expanded the understanding of compassion and spirituality in nursing care, contributing both to theoretical frameworks and practical interventions that improve patient well-being. His teaching has inspired generations of students to adopt a human-centered approach to healthcare, while his publications have positioned him within international academic discourse. Dr. Muñoz Devesa stands out as a scholar who not only contributes to the advancement of nursing science but also reaffirms the ethical and spiritual values that sustain the profession. His nomination for the Best Researcher Award is a testament to his enduring impact and leadership in the field.

Kyaw Thein | Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Kyaw Thein | Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

MD | Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada – Central Valley | United States

Dr. Kyaw Zin Thein, MD, is a highly skilled Medical Oncologist and Hematologist currently practicing at the Central Valley Treatment Center – Twain, affiliated with the Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada. He also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Touro University Nevada (TUN) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). His dedication to patient care, research, and education has solidified his reputation as a leader in precision oncology and hematology.

Profile

Scopus

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Orcid

Strengths for the Awards

  • Impressive Academic and Clinical Training
    • Dr. Kyaw Zin Thein has a robust academic background, including advanced fellowships in hematology, oncology, and investigational cancer therapeutics at world-renowned institutions such as MD Anderson Cancer Center.
    • A double board-certified oncologist and hematologist with certifications valid through 2029, showcasing his extensive expertise and commitment to maintaining professional standards.
  • Research Contributions and Publications
    • Author of 53 peer-reviewed journal articles, demonstrating significant contributions to advancing knowledge in oncology and hematology.
    • Published book chapters on cutting-edge topics like poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors and multidisciplinary paradigms for head and neck cancer, reflecting his thought leadership in the field.
  • Teaching and Mentorship
    • Active roles as Clinical Assistant Professor at UNLV and Touro University Nevada, contributing to medical education.
    • Mentorship of numerous trainees, ranging from medical students to fellows, highlighting his commitment to shaping the next generation of oncologists and researchers.
  • Leadership and Awards
    • Held leadership roles, including Chief Fellow, Chief Resident, and committee member positions at esteemed institutions.
    • Recipient of multiple awards, such as the ASH Abstract Achievement Award and Research Recognition Awards, underscoring his excellence in research and clinical practice.

Education 🎓

Dr. Thein completed his M.B., B.S. (Doctor of Medicine) at the Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon, Myanmar (2004–2010). His advanced training includes:

  • Residency in Internal Medicine at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, NY (2012–2015).
  • Fellowship in Hematology & Medical Oncology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, TX (2016–2019).
  • Advanced Fellowships in Investigational Cancer Therapeutics and Oncologic Emergency Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (2015–2020).

Professional Experience 💼

Dr. Thein has held numerous prestigious positions:

  • Medical Oncologist/Hematologist, Central Valley Treatment Center, Nevada (2023–present).
  • Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) (2020–2023).
  • Chief Fellow, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (2018–2019).
  • Member of multiple professional committees, including the Knight Cancer Institute’s Data and Safety Monitoring Committee.

Research Interests On Health Sciences🔬

Dr. Thein’s research focuses on precision oncology, investigational cancer therapeutics, and immunotherapy. He has contributed extensively to advancing cancer care through his work on targeted therapies, combination regimens, and innovative diagnostic methods.

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

Dr. Thein has received numerous accolades, including:

  • ASH Abstract Achievement Award, American Society of Hematology (2016).
  • Research Recognition Awards from Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center (2014, 2015).
  • Excellence in Education Award, Myanmar American Medical Education Society (2011).

Publications 📚

  • Copper deficiency anemia
    • Authors: ZW Myint, TH Oo, KZ Thein, AM Tun, H Saeed
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 298
  • 9p21 loss confers a cold tumor immune microenvironment and primary resistance to immune checkpoint therapy
    • Authors: G Han, G Yang, D Hao, Y Lu, K Thein, BS Simpson, J Chen, R Sun, et al.
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 136
  • Precision therapy for RET-altered cancers with RET inhibitors
    • Authors: KZ Thein, V Velcheti, BHM Mooers, J Wu, V Subbiah
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 112
  • Adverse effects of immune checkpoint therapy in cancer patients visiting the emergency department of a comprehensive cancer center
    • Authors: I El Majzoub, A Qdaisat, KZ Thein, MA Win, MM Han, K Jacobson, et al.
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: 91
  • Acute symptomatic hypocalcemia from immune checkpoint therapy-induced hypoparathyroidism
    • Authors: MA Win, KZ Thein, A Qdaisat, SCJ Yeung
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 83
  • The contemporary management of cancers of the sinonasal tract in adults
    • Authors: R Thawani, MS Kim, A Arastu, Z Feng, MT West, NF Taflin, KZ Thein, R Li, et al.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 74
  • Clinical and Molecular Characterization of POLE Mutations as Predictive Biomarkers of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Cancers
    • Authors: B Garmezy, J Gheeya, HY Lin, Y Huang, T Kim, X Jiang, KZ Thein, et al.
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 74
  • Therapeutics targeting mutant KRAS
    • Authors: KZ Thein, AB Biter, DS Hong
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 55
  • Pernicious anemia: Pathophysiology and diagnostic difficulties
    • Authors: TW Htut, KZ Thein, TH Oo
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 52
  • Venous thromboembolism risk in patients with hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer treated with combined CDK 4/6 inhibitors plus endocrine therapy
    • Authors: KZ Thein, TW Htut, S Ball, S Swarup, A Sultan, TH Oo
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 45

Conclusion 🌟

Dr. Kyaw Zin Thein is a visionary leader in oncology and hematology, with a career distinguished by cutting-edge research, impactful teaching, and exceptional clinical care. His dedication to advancing cancer therapies and mentoring future medical professionals underscores his commitment to transforming cancer treatment and education worldwide.