Ufuomanefe Jones | Nursing and Health Professions | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Ufuomanefe Jones | Nursing and Health Professions | Research Excellence Award

Coventry University | United Kingdom

Dr. Ufuomanefe Jones is a health and wellbeing researcher whose scholarship examines cardiovascular care, patient–family experiences, and equity in healthcare education and practice. Her work integrates qualitative inquiry with applied clinical perspectives to understand how communication, consultation styles, and cultural context shape outcomes for people living with heart failure and for families of frontline healthcare workers. She has contributed to interdisciplinary research on ethnic diversity, leadership barriers, and inclusion within paramedic and nursing education, advancing asset-based and equity-focused approaches. Dr. Jones has published in peer-reviewed international journals and presents regularly at public health and healthcare education conferences. Her research is recognised for amplifying underrepresented voices, strengthening culturally responsive practice, and informing workforce development and patient-centred cardiovascular care.

View ORCID Profile

Featured Publications


Family Experiences of living with frontline Healthcare workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United Kingdom: Perspectives from Black and Asian Community

– Jones, U., Rodrigues Amorim Adegboye, A., Khutan, R., Murandu, M. · Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Infectious Diseases, 2026


Addressing the lack of ethnic diversity in the UK paramedic profession: A call for action

– Adegboye, A.A., Jones, U., Gilkes, G., et al. · British Paramedic Journal, 2025


Enhancing diversity and inclusion in paramedic education: Exploring educator and learner perspectives on asset-based initiatives

– Graham, K., Jones, U., Rehling, T., et al. · Health Services Management Research, 2025


Addressing Leadership diversity barriers for Ethnic Minority staff in WMAS

– Hyllam, M., Rodrigues Amorim Adegboye, A., Jones, U., et al. · European Journal of Public Health, 2025

Eduardo Vignoto Fernandes | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Dr. Eduardo Vignoto Fernandes | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Federal University of Jataí | Brazil

Prof. Dr. Eduardo Vignoto Fernandes, is a distinguished researcher in immunometabolism, human physiology, and applied health sciences, recognized for his multidisciplinary contributions integrating experimental pathology, human anatomy, and exercise science. With 28 Scopus-indexed publications, 119 citations, and an h-index of 5, his research advances understanding of metabolic, genetic, and physiological adaptations in healthy individuals and those with clinical or lifestyle-related conditions, including people living with HIV/AIDS. Fernandes has produced influential studies covering immunometabolism responses, exercise physiology, body composition, sports nutrition, metabolic syndrome, cancer immunopathology, and antiretroviral therapy effectiveness. His scientific output includes peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, and collaborative investigations published in respected journals such as Metabolites, Geriatrics, Sports, Current HIV Research, Molecular Biology Reports, and Discover Public Health. Fernandes leads and collaborates on research projects exploring exercise prescription, photo biomodulation, osteopathic interventions, muscle damage biomarkers, and functional health indicators such as handgrip strength. His expertise also extends to educational research on human anatomy, including remote versus in-person instruction and academic performance in health-science students. Through public health outreach initiatives, he contributes to community wellness by developing structured exercise programs and participating in One Health–aligned interdisciplinary actions. Supported by competitive funding from major Brazilian agencies, he conducts R&D focused on immunometabolism health, functional performance, and applied health interventions. His growing citation base, broad research themes, and sustained collaborations underscore his scientific relevance and expanding impact across exercise science, pathology, and applied health research.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

1. De Rossi, T., Lozovoy, M. A. B., da Silva, R. V., Fernandes, E. V., Geraldino, T. H., & others. (2011). Interações entre Candida albicans e hospedeiro. Semina: Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, 32(1), 15–28.

2. Weber, M. G., Dias, S. S., de Angelis, T. R., Fernandes, E. V., Bernardes, A. G., & others. (2021). The use of BCAA to decrease delayed-onset muscle soreness after a single bout of exercise: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Amino Acids, 53(11), 1663–1678.

3. Romanin, P., Palermo, R. L., Cavalini, J. F., Favaro, L. S., De Paula-Petroli, S. B., Fernandes, E. V., & others. (2019). Multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a tertiary hospital from Brazil: The importance of carbapenemase encoding genes and related resistance mechanisms. Microbial Drug Resistance, 25(9), 1365–1373.

4. Khan, S. A., Venancio, E. J., Ono, M. A., Fernandes, E. V., Hirooka, E. Y., Shimizu, C. F., & others. (2019). Effects of subcutaneous ochratoxin-A exposure on immune system of broiler chicks. Toxins, 11(5), 264.

5. Vitorino, R. W. S., Fornaziero, C. C., & Fernandes, E. V. (2020). Evaluation of performance and perception of learning in teaching human anatomy: Traditional method vs constructivist method. International Journal of Morphology, 38(1), 74–77.

Andrej Sirek | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Andrej Sirek | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University Hospital Basel | Switzerland

Dr. Andrej Sirek is a dedicated Pathology Resident at the University Hospital Basel, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, where he is actively shaping his career at the intersection of clinical diagnostics and medical research. With his educational foundation built in leading European institutions, Dr. Andrej Sirek has developed a strong grounding in medical genetics, histopathology, and laboratory sciences, which now supports his dual role as both clinician and researcher. His residency provides him with exposure to complex pathology cases while also allowing him to engage in research that seeks to bridge genetic profiling and diagnostic pathology, with the long-term aim of contributing to precision medicine and early disease detection. Currently, he has completed one research project and is progressing with another, both expected to yield indexed publications in the near future. Despite being at an early stage of his academic career, his commitment to innovation in pathology has already been recognized with a nomination for the Best Researcher Award. He maintains active membership in several professional organizations, including SGPATH, ÖGPATH, SGZ, and ESP, which strengthens his global collaborations and engagement with the wider pathology community. While he has yet to publish peer-reviewed articles, his ongoing research demonstrates his potential to make impactful contributions to the field. His academic and professional journey underscores the promise of a new generation of clinician-scientists who integrate advanced diagnostic techniques with research innovation to improve patient care. Dr. Andrej Sirek’s trajectory highlights his dedication, scholarly potential, and commitment to excellence in pathology and medical genetics.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Dr. Andrej Sirek has contributed to impactful research in pathology, focusing on diagnostic innovations, tumor biology, and clinicopathological correlations. Key recent publications include:

Sirek, A., Hench, I. B., Hench, J., Alborelli, I., Gross, M. W., Jakscha, J., Schaller, P., Nagel, G., Baumhoer, D., & Tzankov, A. (2025). Recurrent clonal radiotherapy-associated fibroepithelial polyp of the pharynx: Do low grade radiogenic stromal tumours exist? Case report.

Sobottka, B., Vetter, V., Banaei-Esfahani, A., Nowak, M., Lorch, A., Sirek, A., Mertz, K. D., Brunelli, M., Berthold, D., de Leval, L., et al. (2024). Immune phenotype-genotype associations in primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma and matched metastatic tissue.