Ebeney Whillas | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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

Oguz Ozcelik | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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.

Swaroop S. Sonone | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Faculty Award

Mr. Swaroop S. Sonone | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Faculty Award

School of Forensic Sciences, JSPM University, Pune | India

Mr. Swaroop S. Sonone, Assistant Professor at the School of Behavioural and Forensic Sciences, Jayawant Shikshan Prasarak Mandal (JSPM) University, Pune, India, is a distinguished academic and researcher specializing in Digital and Cyber Forensics, Forensic Ballistics, and Cyber Psychology. He holds an M.Sc. in Forensic Science (Digital & Cyber Forensics) and a B.Sc. in Forensic Science from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, along with a Diploma in Photography. He has qualified multiple national eligibility tests, including UGC-NET (three times) and MH-SET (SPPU, 2021), showcasing his academic competence and commitment to higher education. His research credentials, as indexed in Scopus (Author ID: 57219960845; ORCID: 0000-0002-3358-348X), include 24 publications, 670 citations, and an h-index of 5, reflecting his consistent scholarly contribution and scientific impact. Mr. Sonone has demonstrated exemplary academic leadership as Programme Coordinator, IQAC Coordinator, and Editor of the International Journal of Forensic Sciences (IJFSC). His notable publications, such as Water Contamination by Heavy Metals (2020) and Unveiling the Power of Nanoparticles for Latent Fingerprints (2024), highlight his interdisciplinary expertise bridging forensic and environmental sciences. Recognized for his excellence in teaching and research, he received the Young Forensic Faculty Award (NAEF-2025) by ThinkSakshya. Beyond academia, he actively engages in public science communication through national media, fostering forensic awareness. With his intellectual rigor, innovation, and leadership, Mr. Swaroop S. Sonone continues to advance forensic science education and research in India, exemplifying professional excellence and academic integrity.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | ResearchGate | LinkedIn | Staff Page

Featured Publications

  • Sonone, S. S., Jadhav, S., Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. (2020). Water contamination by heavy metals and their toxic effect on aquaculture and human health through food chain. Letters in Applied NanoBioScience, 10(2), 2148–2166. Cited by 562.

  • Gulia, S., Rohilla, R. K., Sankhla, M. S., Kumar, R., & Sonone, S. S. (2020). Impact of pesticide toxicity in aquatic environment. Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, 11(3), 10131–10140. Cited by 166.

  • Verma, R. K., Sankhla, M. S., Rathod, N. V., Sonone, S. S., Parihar, K., & Singh, G. K. (2022). Eradication of fatal textile industrial dyes by wastewater treatment. Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, 12(1), 567–587. Cited by 74.

  • Mohan, H., Rajput, S. S., Jadhav, E. B., Sankhla, M. S., Sonone, S. S., Jadhav, S., et al. (2021). Ecotoxicity, occurrence, and removal of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs from aquatic systems. Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, 11(5), 12530–12546. Cited by 65.

  • Singhal, M., Jadhav, S., Sonone, S. S., Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. (2021). Microalgae-based sustainable bioremediation of water contaminated by pesticides. Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, 12, 149–169. Cited by 54.

Shoukui Hu | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shoukui Hu | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University | China

Dr. Shoukui Hu is a distinguished medical microbiologist and molecular biologist currently serving as the Director of the Clinical Laboratory and Blood Transfusion Department at Peking University Shougang Hospital. With over two decades of impactful work in pathogenic biology, Dr. Hu has been instrumental in advancing public health diagnostics and molecular epidemiology in China. His leadership and research contributions have strengthened clinical laboratory practices and disease surveillance.

Author Profile👤

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Shoukui Hu brings over two decades of experience in pathogenic biology and molecular biology, having contributed significantly to public health and clinical research in China. He currently serves as the Director of the Clinical Laboratory and Blood Transfusion Department at Peking University Shougang Hospital, a role that highlights both his leadership capabilities and clinical expertise. His academic journey, culminating in a Ph.D. from the China CDC, laid a solid foundation for impactful research in infectious diseases, microbiology, and translational diagnostics.

A standout strength is his strong publication record, with at least nine peer-reviewed SCI-indexed articles published in the past five years alone—many as corresponding or first author. These papers cover emerging infectious pathogens such as Candida auris, Helicobacter pylori, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, which are critical topics in global public health. His research has been published in high-impact Q1 and Q2 journals such as Gut Microbes, Helicobacter, BMC Genomics, and World Journal of Gastroenterology, demonstrating relevance, innovation, and scientific rigor.

Furthermore, Dr. Hu’s expertise in molecular diagnostics, particularly the development of biosensors and amplification techniques, shows clear translational value, directly impacting clinical diagnostics and public health surveillance systems. His dual expertise in research and hospital management positions him as a bridge between science and clinical application—an invaluable trait for advancing healthcare innovations.

🎓 Education

Dr. Hu began his academic journey with a BSc from Anhui Science and Technology University (1995–1999), followed by an MSc in Microbiology (2001–2004) jointly awarded by the National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention and Anhui Agricultural University. He then earned his Ph.D. in Pathogeny Biology (2009–2014) from the same institute under the China CDC, equipping him with a deep scientific foundation to drive impactful research.

🧪 Experience

Currently the Senior Technologist and Director at Peking University Shougang Hospital (since 2016), Dr. Hu has also held vital roles such as Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular Epidemiology at the China CDC (2014–2016) and Associate Senior Technologist at Peking University International Hospital (2014). From 2004 to 2014, he served as Deputy Department Director of the Microbiology Lab at Anhui CDC, where he led several high-level surveillance and diagnostic programs across China.

🔬 Research Interests On Medicine and Health Sciences

Dr. Hu’s research passion lies at the intersection of pathogenic biology and molecular biology. He is particularly focused on Helicobacter pylori infections, gut microbiota, antimicrobial resistance, and the genomic characterization of emerging pathogens. His studies contribute valuable insight into immune mechanisms, pathogen identification, and microbiome-related diseases.

🏆 Awards

While specific awards are not listed in the provided CV, Dr. Hu’s consistent corresponding authorship and leadership in high-impact international publications indicate significant professional recognition. His role in directing laboratory operations at a top-tier hospital and publishing in top Q1 journals further reflects his prestige and contributions to global health science.

📚 Publications

Below are key publications from the past 5 years, with hyperlinks, journal names, years, and citation roles:

  1. Isolation of Fluconazole-Resistant South Asian Clade Candida auris in Beijing, China, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2025 – Corresponding Author

  2. Influence of Helicobacter pylori on composition and function of gastric microbiota in patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis, Heliyon, 2024 – Corresponding Author

  3. The role of toll-like receptors in immune tolerance induced by Helicobacter pylori infection, Helicobacter, 2023 – Corresponding Author

  4. Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota of wild adult rats from nine district areas in Hainan, China, World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2023 – Corresponding Author

  5. Ultra-efficient multiple cross displacement amplification-lateral flow biosensor for serogroup identification of prevalent Neisseria meningitidis, Analytical Biochemistry, 2022 – Corresponding Author

  6. Simultaneous detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae… using multiple cross displacement amplification, FEMS Microbiology Letters, 2021 – Corresponding Author

  7. Hemolysin BL from Bacillus toyonensis BV-17 induces antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo, Gut Microbes, 2020 – Co-First Author

  8. Genomic analysis of Helicobacter himalayensis sp. nov. isolated from Marmota himalayana, BMC Genomics, 2020 – First Author

  9. Alteration of gut microbiota in type 2 diabetes complicated with cholelithiasis patients, Chinese Medical Journal, 2022 – Corresponding Author

✅ Conclusion

🎖️ Dr. Shoukui Hu is a pioneering clinical researcher and laboratory expert whose work spans epidemiological surveillance, diagnostic innovation, and microbiome science. With a sustained record of leadership, publication, and mentorship, he exemplifies the qualities of a Best Researcher Award nominee. His scholarly output and translational impact make him a key contributor to advancing infectious disease control and laboratory science in China and beyond.