Ebeney Whillas | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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Ms. Ebeney Whillas | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

University of Wollongong | Australia

Ms. Ebeney Whillas is a sports nutrition researcher whose work focuses on nutrition-related experiences during the transition from elite sport to post-competitive life. Her research is grounded in qualitative inquiry, addressing a critical gap in sports nutrition literature by centering the voices of former elite athletes. She is the lead author of a peer-reviewed article published in Nutrients (MDPI), which examines how entrenched sporting cultures continue to shape eating behaviours, health perceptions, and wellbeing after retirement from elite competition. Her scholarship contributes to a growing recognition that athlete nutrition support must extend beyond performance-focused phases to encompass long-term health and adjustment. Ms. Whillas’ research interests include athlete transition, sports nutrition culture, and the relationship between nutrition practices and mental wellbeing. Through her work, she provides evidence to inform more holistic, sustainable, and athlete-centered nutrition interventions across the full athletic lifespan.

Profiles: Sci Profiles | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

• Whillas, E. K., Craddock, J. C., & Lambert, K. (2025). Navigating nutrition beyond elite sport: A qualitative exploration of experiences after retirement. Nutrients, 17(24), Article 3920. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17243920

Carlos Alberto Pastore | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Carlos Alberto Pastore | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Heart Institute of the Hospital das Clínicas of FMUSP | Brazil

Prof. Carlos Alberto Pastore is a distinguished cardiologist and researcher from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, internationally recognized for his pioneering work in electrocardiology and vectorcardiography. As a Professor and Medical Collaborator at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), he has significantly advanced diagnostic methods for cardiac electrical diseases, cardiac mapping, and non-invasive electrocardiographic techniques. His research specializes in surface electrocardiographic mapping, high-resolution ECG, microalternans of the T wave (mTWA), and vectorcardiographic analysis of ventricular activation and repolarization abnormalities. Prof. Carlos Alberto Pastore has played a vital role in refining diagnostic criteria for arrhythmogenic disorders, ventricular hypertrophy, and cardiac resynchronization therapy, and he has applied artificial neural networks and machine learning in ECG-based cardiopathy detection in collaboration with the Federal University of Technology of Paraná (UTFPR). At InCor – Heart Institute (Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP), he has held major roles including Director of the Clinical Unit of Resting Electrocardiography, Medical Director of Telemedicine, and Vice-President of the Zerbini Foundation, contributing to translational cardiology and digital health innovation. He also served as President (2013–2015) of the International Society of Electrocardiology (ISE) and is a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC). According to Scopus (Author ID: 7006635654), Prof. Carlos Alberto Pastore has authored 53 scientific publications, received 1,014 citations from 948 documents, and holds an h-index of 12. His research has appeared in leading journals including the Journal of Electrocardiology, Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, and JACC, making him one of Brazil’s leading authorities in clinical electrocardiology and cardiovascular diagnostics.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

• de Luna, A. B., Brugada, J., Baranchuk, A., Borggrefe, M., Breithardt, G., & Pastore, C. A. (2012). Current electrocardiographic criteria for diagnosis of Brugada pattern: A consensus report. Journal of Electrocardiology, 45(5), 433–442.* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2012.06.004

• de Luna, A. B., Platonov, P., Cosio, F. G., Cygankiewicz, I., Pastore, C., Baranowski, R., … & Spodick, D. (2012). Interatrial blocks: A separate entity from left atrial enlargement: A consensus report. Journal of Electrocardiology, 45(5), 445–451.* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2012.06.008

• Pastore, C. A., Pinho, J. A., Pinho, C., Samesima, N., Pereira Filho, H. G., & Mansur, A. P., et al. (2016). III Diretrizes da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre análise e emissão de laudos eletrocardiográficos. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, 106(4 Suppl 1), 1–23.* https://doi.org/10.5935/abc.20160054

• Santos, I. S., Goulart, A. C., Brandão, R. M., Santos, R. C. O., Bittencourt, M. S., Sitnik, D., … & Pastore, C. A. (2015). One-year mortality after an acute coronary event and its clinical predictors: The ERICO study. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, 105(1), 53–64.* https://doi.org/10.5935/abc.20150049

• Digby, G. C., Kukla, P., Zhan, Z. Q., Pastore, C. A., Piotrowicz, R., Schapachnik, E., … & Baranchuk, A. (2015). The value of electrocardiographic abnormalities in the prognosis of pulmonary embolism: A consensus paper. Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 20(3), 207–223.* https://doi.org/10.1111/anec.12235

Oguz Ozcelik | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Oguz Ozcelik | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Kastamonu University | Turkey

Dr. Oğuz Özçelik (MD, PhD) is a distinguished Professor at Kastamonu University, Turkey, widely recognized for his pioneering work in exercise physiology, metabolism, and oxidative stress. His academic foundation in medicine and physiology has driven decades of impactful research exploring the complex relationships between aerobic fitness, respiratory regulation, and metabolic health. Through rigorous experimental design and translational insights, he has advanced understanding of how exercise modulates physiological and biochemical responses in both healthy and clinical populations. Dr. Oğuz Özçelik’s scientific contributions span more than forty peer-reviewed publications in international journals, reflecting depth, innovation, and clinical relevance. His notable works include studies on the relationship between aerobic fitness levels and isocapnic buffering periods during incremental exercise tests (Cellular and Molecular Biology, 2017, cited by 132), the effects of body mass index on maximal work production and aerobic capacity (Physiological Research, 2004, cited by 84), and the role of nesfatin-1 in glucose tolerance and depressive disorders (Physiological Research, 2016; Psychiatry Investigation, 2018). With an h-index of 13 and more than 474 citations, his scholarly influence demonstrates sustained research excellence. Dr. Oğuz Özçelik’s current investigations focus on the hormonal and metabolic adaptations to exercise and their relevance to neuroendocrine and cardiometabolic health. His leadership, academic rigor, and enduring contributions to human performance and biomedical science exemplify the highest standards of professional achievement and research integrity within the global scientific community.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Algul, S., Ozcelik, O., & Yilmaz, B. (2017). Evaluation of relationship between aerobic fitness level and range of isocapnic buffering periods during incremental exercise test. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 63(3), 78–82.

  2. Ozcelik, O., Aslan, M., Ayar, A., & Kelestimur, H. (2004). Effects of body mass index on maximal work production capacity and aerobic fitness during incremental exercise. Physiological Research, 53(2), 165–170.

  3. Algul, S., Ozkan, Y., & Ozcelik, O. (2016). Serum nesfatin-1 levels in patients with different glucose tolerance levels. Physiological Research, 65(6), 979–985.

  4. Ozcelik, O., Ward, S. A., & Whipp, B. J. (1999). Effect of altered body CO₂ stores on pulmonary gas exchange dynamics during incremental exercise in humans. Experimental Physiology, 84(5), 999–1011.

  5. Algul, S., & Ozcelik, O. (2018). Evaluating the levels of nesfatin-1 and ghrelin hormones in patients with moderate and severe major depressive disorders. Psychiatry Investigation, 15(2), 214–218.

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

Scopus

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.