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

Xiaowen Mao | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Xiaowen Mao | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Macau | Macau

Dr. Xiaowen Mao, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, where she leads translational research on cancer biology, immunotherapy, and tumor microenvironment modulation. She earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Hong Kong and her B.Sc. in Clinical Medicine from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. Her research focuses on extracellular vesicles, immune homeostasis, metabolic reprogramming in tumors, and hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis, integrating molecular, cellular, and translational approaches. Dr. Xiaowen Mao has led several high-impact projects as principal investigator, funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund, National Natural Science Foundation Young Scientist Fund, and FDCT Innovation and Technology Promotion. Her significant contributions include the development of broadly potent neutralizing antibodies targeting Nidogen 1 to inhibit tumor growth, elucidation of extracellular vesicle-mediated metabolic reprogramming in tumors, and advances in dendritic cell vaccine strategies. She holds a U.S. patent on Nidogen 1 as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma, serves as Guest Editor for Frontiers in Endocrinology, and is an ad-hoc reviewer for multiple high-impact journals. According to Scopus, she has 31 publications, 1,114 citations by 1,010 documents, and an h-index of 20. Dr. Xiaowen Mao’s work bridges fundamental research and clinical translation, delivering innovative therapies and advancing precision medicine in oncology, while demonstrating a profound impact on cancer biology, immunotherapy, and translational research.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

  • Xue, T. M., Yeung, C. L. S., Mao, X. W., Tey, S. K., Lo, K. W., Tang, H. N., Yun, J. P., & Yam, J. W. P. (2025). Development of a broadly potent neutralizing antibody targeting Nidogen 1 effectively inhibits cancer growth and metastasis in preclinical tumor models. Journal of Translational Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1515/jtim-2025-0008

  • Xia, L., Li, C. G., Zhao, J., Sun, Q. C., & Mao, X. W.* (2025). Rebalancing immune homeostasis in combating disease: The impact of medicine food homology plants and gut microbiome. Phytomedicine, 136, 156150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156150

  • Chen, Z., Yam, J. W. P., & Mao, X. W.* (2024). The multifaceted roles of small extracellular vesicles in metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironments. Proteomics, e2300021. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmic.202300021

  • Lee, K. W., Yam, J. W. P., & Mao, X. W.* (2023). Dendritic cell vaccines: A shift from conventional approach to new generations. Cells, 12(2147). https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12172147

  • Li, S., Delvecchio, M., Ramkumar, K., Mao, X. W., Sun, X. D., & Guo, S. Z. (2023). Editorial: Clinical and genetic determinants of diabetes and complications. Frontiers in Endocrinology.

Niloofar Choobin | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Niloofar Choobin | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Dr. Niloofar Choobin is an accomplished Iranian researcher and healthcare informatics specialist, renowned for her pioneering work in artificial intelligence applications in healthcare. With a Master’s degree in Health Information Technology (expected 2025) and a strong academic foundation, she has emerged as a dynamic contributor to clinical decision support systems, digital health innovations, and AI-driven diagnostics. Her research spans key domains including cardiovascular health, oncology, and telemedicine. Recognized through multiple national awards and academic honors, she also serves as a mentor, workshop organizer, and reviewer for various research initiatives in Iran.

Author Profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Niloofar Choobin stands out as a forward-thinking and technically adept researcher in the field of Health Information Technology, with a unique focus on AI-powered clinical diagnostics and digital health innovation. Her academic training—spanning a BSc and an ongoing MSc at Hormozgan University—has been translated into impactful research projects such as machine learning models for coronary artery disease and hypertension prediction using cohort data. She has presented her work at multiple national and international congresses and led workshops on systematic reviews and AI-driven healthcare tools, showcasing strong communication and mentoring abilities.

Her award history—including honors like the Top Researcher award, Innovation Finalist at the National Olympiad, and a 2nd place at the Health IT Innovation Festival—reinforces her standing as a leader among young Iranian researchers. Her cross-disciplinary expertise, including NLP, wearable tech, and IoT in medicine, bridges clinical and computational sciences. These achievements, along with her active involvement in peer review and academic organizing roles, reflect the hallmark of a researcher poised for global recognition.

🎓 Education

Niloofar completed her Bachelor of Science in Health Information Technology from Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2015. Currently, she is pursuing her Master of Science in Health Information Technology from the same institution (2023–2025), where her thesis focuses on the development and validation of machine learning models for early detection of coronary artery disease. Her academic path reflects a strong blend of theoretical learning and real-world clinical research applications.

💼 Experience

With a decade of progressive professional experience, Niloofar has held pivotal roles across Iran’s healthcare system. She currently serves as the Educational Affairs and Medical Student Coordinator at the Children’s Hospital in Bandar Abbas, where she facilitates medical education and research training. She has previously worked as a Medical Records Analyst at Chamran Trauma Hospital and as a Clinical Admissions Officer at Kosar Heart Hospital, demonstrating her extensive background in health data management and clinical informatics operations.

🧠 Research Interests On Health Professions

Niloofar’s research interests lie at the intersection of artificial intelligence and clinical medicine. She specializes in:

  • AI-powered clinical decision support

  • Machine learning models for cardiovascular and oncology diagnostics

  • Digital health innovations including IoT and smart monitoring

  • Natural language processing in medical documentation and text data

Her interdisciplinary approach bridges informatics, machine learning, and real-time patient care.

🏅 Awards

Niloofar’s innovative spirit has earned her numerous accolades. She was honored as the Top Researcher by the Hormozgan Student Research Committee (2014–2015) 🥇. In 2023, she was a finalist in the National Olympiad in Entrepreneurship and AI, and secured 2nd place at the National Health IT Innovation Festival in Mashhad (2022). She also won the Provincial Innovation Award in 2015, cementing her status as a promising researcher and innovator in digital health and AI.

📚 Publications

Niloofar has contributed to both academic literature and national congresses with a strong focus on AI applications in healthcare. Selected publications include:

  • Tracking Health: Wearable Technology in Cancer Care – A systematic review analyzing wearable solutions in oncology monitoring. (Published 2023)

  • Smart Post-Chemotherapy Care: IoT and AI-based Monitoring System for Breast Cancer Patients (Submitted, 2024)

  • Telemedicine in Hypertension Management During COVID-19 – A comprehensive review of remote care strategies during the pandemic. (Published 2022)

She has delivered numerous national/international presentations on topics such as:

  • VR in surgical simulations

  • OCT image analysis for cardiovascular diseases

  • Machine learning in PCO and osteosarcoma

  • Applications of ChatGPT in modern medicine

🧾 Conclusion

🔍 With a rare blend of technical depth, research acumen, and healthcare domain experience, Niloofar Choobin is a standout candidate for any prestigious research award in health informatics or AI in medicine. Her continued efforts to integrate machine learning into clinical workflows and her passion for digital transformation of healthcare highlight her future potential as a global thought leader in this field. From winning national competitions to mentoring future researchers, she embodies the qualities of innovation, dedication, and academic excellence.

Silvia Di Bonaventura | Health Sciences | Young Scientist Award

Ms. Silvia Di Bonaventura | Health Sciences | Young Scientist Award

Lecturer-Researcher | Rey Juan Carlos University | Spain

Silvia Di Bonaventura is a passionate researcher, professor, and social entrepreneur with a commitment to advancing scientific innovation. Her journey reflects an insatiable curiosity, strong leadership, and dedication to contributing to transformative projects in health and biomedicine. Fluent in five languages, she combines global perspectives with academic rigor and entrepreneurial vision to address complex challenges in research and healthcare.

Profile:

Strengths for the Awards:

  1. Academic Excellence:
    Silvia’s strong academic foundation includes degrees in Physiotherapy, Invasive Physiotherapy, and an ongoing PhD in Pain Research, coupled with a Master’s in Clinical Research at Harvard University, showcasing her commitment to scientific rigor and innovation.
  2. Research Contributions:
    Silvia has demonstrated significant contributions to pain research, with notable publications on neuromodulation and digital health interventions for chronic pain. Her work combines clinical relevance and innovative methodologies, emphasizing her potential to make lasting impacts in biomedicine.
  3. Global Collaborations:
    Her experiences as an Invited Researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussels and Harvard Medical School reflect her ability to work on international research collaborations, contributing to the advancement of cutting-edge medical technologies.
  4. Entrepreneurial Leadership:
    As the CEO of Bei (a digital health app for fibromyalgia) and the Founder of PainCorp, Silvia has effectively bridged research with practical healthcare solutions, emphasizing her visionary approach and ability to create real-world impact.
  5. Awards and Recognitions:
    Silvia’s accolades, including the Banco Santander Scholarship, Young Emerging Leader 2022, and the Outstanding Leadership Award, highlight her dedication, leadership, and exceptional achievements in the field.
  6. Multilingual Communication Skills:
    Fluent in five languages, Silvia has the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively across diverse cultures, enhancing her research’s global reach and impact.

🎓Education 

  • Diploma in Computer Science (2009–2014)
    Instituto Técnico Industrial “IIS” – TE
  • Degree in Physiotherapy (2014–2018)
    Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio
  • Master’s Degree in Invasive Physiotherapy (2017–2018)
    Universidad Camilo José Cela
  • Master’s Degree in Clinical Research (2024–2024)
    Harvard University
  • PhD in Pain Research (2021–Present)
    Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

💼Experience 

  • Physiotherapist & Co-Director
    Clínica Gatzambide (2018–2022)
    Led a successful physiotherapy practice focused on personalized patient care.
  • Professor & Researcher
    Rey Juan Carlos University (2021–Present)
    Teaching and conducting groundbreaking research in pain management.
  • Invited Researcher
    Vrije Universiteit Brussels (2023) & Harvard Medical School (2024)
    Advanced research on neuromodulation and pain mechanisms.
  • Entrepreneurial Roles
    • CEO & Founder of Bei (2024–Present): Innovating solutions for fibromyalgia self-management.
    • President of PainCorp (2024–Present): Dedicated to pain research and treatment.
    • Research Fellow at Mit LinQ and Harvard (2024–Present): Driving forward collaborative research initiatives.

🔬Research Interests On Health Sciences

Silvia’s research centers on pain management, clinical research, neuromodulation, and digital health solutions. She is particularly focused on designing innovative interventions for chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, combining scientific rigor with practical applications for patient care.

🏆Awards 

  • Top 15 Graduates in Spain (Physiotherapy Ranking)
  • Banco Santander Scholarship (Best Academic Record)
  • PI in Competitive Funding (Biomedicine Research)
  • Entrepreneurship Babson College Scholarship
  • Nova Talent Member
  • Young Emerging Leader ’22 (Korea World Summit)
  • Outstanding Leadership Award (Harbour Space University)

🥇Achievements & Certifications

  • Recognized as one of the Top 15 Graduates in Spain in Physiotherapy.
  • Awarded Banco Santander Scholarship for academic excellence.
  • Recipient of Babson College Entrepreneurship Scholarship for advancing digital health solutions.
  • Certified in Italian (Native), Spanish (C2), English (C1), French (B1), and Chinese (HSK2).

🌍Final Note

Silvia Di Bonaventura exemplifies a modern researcher blending academic excellence, global collaboration, and entrepreneurship. Through her multifaceted roles, she seeks to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact, paving the way for transformative solutions in healthcare.

Publication Top Note’s

“How Does Conditioned Pain Modulation Influence Motor Imagery Processes in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome? A Cross-Sectional Study Secondary Analysis”

  • Authors: Víctor Riquelme-Aguado, Silvia Di-Bonaventura, María Elena González-Álvarez, Alazne Zabarte-Del Campo, Josué Fernández-Carnero, Antonio Gil-Crujera, Francisco Gómez-Esquer, Jorge Hugo Villafañe
  • Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine
  • Year: 2024

“The Link between Endogenous Pain Modulation Changes and Clinical Improvement in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Meta-Regression Analysis”

  • Authors: Kevin Pacheco-Barrios, Rafaela Machado Filardi, Luis Fernando González-González, Nayeon Park, Fernanda Queiroz Petrus, Alba Navarro-Flores, Silvia Di-Bonaventura, Luana Gola Alves, Fernanda Queiroz, Felipe Fregni
  • Journal: Biomedicines
  • Year: 2024

“Perceived Benefits and Limitations of a Psychoeducation Program for Patients with Fibromyalgia: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis”

  • Authors: Silvia Di-Bonaventura, Raúl Ferrer-Peña, Joaquín Pardo-Montero, Josué Fernández-Carnero, Roy La Touche
  • Journal: Frontiers in Psychology
  • Year: 2024

“Effectiveness of Biobehavioral Therapeutic Education in Chronic Low Back Pain Intensity and Disability: A Systematic Review”

  • Authors: David Ruíz-del Río, Roy La Touche, Gwendoline Giolito, Silvia Di-Bonaventura, Mónica Grande-Alonso, Álvaro Reina Varona
  • Journal: Journal of MOVE and Therapeutic Science
  • Year: 2024

“Can a Specific Biobehavioral-Based Therapeutic Education Program Lead to Changes in Pain Perception and Brain Plasticity Biomarkers in Chronic Pain Patients? A Study Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial”

  • Authors: Silvia Di Bonaventura, Stephen D. Ginsberg, Josué Fernández Carnero, Raúl Ferrer-Peña
  • Journal: PLOS ONE
  • Year: 2024

“Effect of Different Physical Therapy Interventions on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Patients: A Systematic Review”

  • Authors: Silvia Di-Bonaventura, Josué Fernández-Carnero, Luis Matesanz-García, Alberto Arribas-Romano, Andrea Polli, Raúl Ferrer-Peña
  • Journal: Life
  • Year: 2023