Odayme Quesada | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Odayme Quesada | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

University of Cincinnati, The Christ Hospital | United States

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Odayme Quesada is a clinician-scientist specializing in women’s cardiovascular health, with a strong focus on coronary microvascular and vasomotor dysfunction (CMVD), ANOCA, and MINOCA. Her research integrates innovative diagnostic strategies and targeted therapeutic approaches to improve cardiovascular outcomes in women. She has authored 78 Scopus-indexed publications, achieving 1,615 citations and an h-index of 22. Her scholarly contributions include high-impact journal articles, book chapters, and leadership in multicenter clinical trials. She has advanced specialized research programs and contributed significantly to understanding sex-specific cardiovascular risk factors and disease mechanisms.

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Xuefei Wang | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Xuefei Wang | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Excellence Award

Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University | China

Prof. Xuefei Wang is a leading researcher in gastric cancer biology and translational oncology, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications and significant citation impact. His work focuses on molecular mechanisms of tumor metastasis, DNA damage repair, and chemoradiotherapy resistance. He has contributed to high-impact journals such as Cell Death & Differentiation and Advanced Science. His research integrates CRISPR-based functional genomics, post-translational modifications, and targeted therapeutic development. He is actively involved in multi-institutional collaborations and serves as a reviewer for international SCI journals. His innovations include peptide-based therapeutic strategies targeting cancer resistance pathways.

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Featured Publications

Ufuomanefe Jones | Nursing and Health Professions | Research Excellence Award

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.

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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

Asrat Agalu Abejew | Health Professions | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Asrat Agalu Abejew | Health Professions | Research Excellence Award

Bahir Dar University | Ethiopia

Dr. Asrat Agalu Abejew is a highly cited researcher whose work significantly advances antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), drug-use evaluation, and public-health pharmacotherapy. His prolific research portfolio spans more than 20 peer-reviewed journal publications, contributing impactful evidence on antibiotic consumption trends, prescribing behaviors, systemic resistance patterns, and medication-related adverse outcomes. He has published widely in reputable journals including The Lancet, PLoS ONE, BMC Research Notes, BioMed Research International, Heliyon, and the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology. His research integrates structural equation modeling, AMR surveillance, antibiotic stewardship program evaluation, drug therapy problems, and health-system performance in resource-limited settings.

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Rama Ayash | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rama Ayash | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Damascus University | Syria

Dr. Rama Ayash is a medical advisor, senior lecturer, and scientific researcher specializing in clinical biochemistry, diabetes research, and molecular mechanisms of β-cell apoptosis. Her primary research focuses on the pathophysiological role of cytokines and death receptors in glucose dysregulation and prediabetes, with particular emphasis on the therapeutic effects of DPP4 inhibitors such as sitagliptin. Her recent publications include groundbreaking studies in Scientific Reports, BMC Endocrine Disorders, and the European Journal of Pharmacology, exploring inflammatory cytokine modulation, apoptotic biomarkers (FAS, TNFR1, TRAIL-R2), and their relationship to β-cell dysfunction. Dr. Rama Ayash’s research contributions advance understanding of early diabetic mechanisms, aiding in the development of targeted therapeutic strategies to preserve pancreatic function. She has also supervised diverse clinical and molecular research projects in cardiovascular pharmacology, endocrine biomarkers, and celiac disease diagnostics, demonstrating her interdisciplinary expertise. Her work integrates clinical biochemistry, molecular diagnostics, and translational medicine, contributing to the growing field of preventive and precision diabetology. Dr. Rama Ayash has been an active conference speaker and scientific presenter, sharing insights on cardio-renal pharmacology, metabolic pathways, and biomarker discovery. Her continuing research endeavors aim to bridge laboratory findings with clinical outcomes to enhance diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy in metabolic diseases.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID

Featured Publications

• Ayash, R., Kabalan, Y., & Chamaa, S. (2025). Exploring the predictive potentials of IL-1β and TNFR1 in atherogenic risk in prediabetes. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 37369. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-37369

• Ayash, R., Kabalan, Y., & Chamaa, S. (2025). Association of soluble apoptotic biomarkers (FAS, TNFR1 and TRAIL-R2) with β-cell dysfunction in early glucose dysregulation. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 25(1), 218. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-0218

• Ayash, R., Kabalan, Y., & Chamaa, S. (2025). Sitagliptin reduces cytokine-induced β-cell apoptosis in prediabetes: A six-month interventional study. European Journal of Pharmacology, 177708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2025.177708

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

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

Zhiwei Zhong | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zhiwei Zhong | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University | China

Dr. Zhiwei Zhong’s research focuses on molecular oncology, nanomedicine, and biomarker discovery in complex diseases such as pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, thyroid eye disease, and venous thromboembolism. His studies integrate bioinformatics, molecular biology, and nanotechnology to uncover therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers. Zhong has contributed to several high-impact publications in PLOS One, Cancer Cell International, Oncology Reports, Digestive Diseases and Sciences, and SN Applied Sciences. His notable works include identifying key extracellular proteins (EGFR, CD44, and CXCL8) as potential biomarkers in thyroid eye disease, elucidating the regulatory role of lncRNA FTX in suppressing NAFLD progression to hepatocellular carcinoma via Kupffer cell polarization, and exploring nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for targeted thrombolysis and cancer therapy. He has also investigated tumor suppressor mechanisms involving KLF9 and CHD1L in pancreatic cancer, providing insights into tumor proliferation, invasion, and survival pathways. His research contributions advance the understanding of molecular pathogenesis, precision diagnostics, and targeted nanotherapeutic strategies in human diseases.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. He, S., Nie, H., Yin, X., & Zhong, Z. (2025, April). Identification of key extracellular proteins as the potential biomarkers in thyroid eye disease. PLOS ONE, 20(4), e0322415. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322415

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.

Sercan Karabulut | Health Professions | Best Scholar Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sercan Karabulut | Health Professions | Best Scholar Award

Akdeniz University School of Medicine | Turkey

Dr. Sercan Karabulut is an accomplished psychiatrist and academic currently serving at the Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Antalya, Turkey. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) and completed his Psychiatry Residency at the İstanbul Medicine Faculty, where his scientific interest in the neurobiological mechanisms underlying mental disorders was first cultivated. Over the past decade, he has developed an exceptional academic and clinical career across leading institutions, including Antalya Atatürk State Hospital and Van Bölge Research and Training Hospital, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of psychiatric and substance use disorders. His primary research interests encompass addiction psychiatry, psychotic and mood disorders, neuroinflammation, and methamphetamine-related psychopathology, with a special focus on cognitive impairment and gender-based differences in substance use. Dr. Sercan Karabulut has authored 18 scientific publications, accumulating 195 citations from 193 documents and maintaining an h-index of 5, as indexed in Scopus (ID: 56073897200). His works have appeared in prominent journals, including Acta Neuropsychiatrica, Turkish Journal of Psychiatry, Journal of Drug Issues, and Alpha Psychiatry. Notable studies such as Inflammation and Neurodegeneration in Bipolar Disorder (2019) and Frequency of Methamphetamine Use (2024) have been widely cited and advanced the understanding of neuropsychiatric pathophysiology.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

  1. Karabulut, S., Uzar Uçkun, S., & Genç, H. (2025, October). One year follow-up study of patients with opioid use disorder after inpatient detoxification: Predictors of treatment retention and abstinence. Psychiatry Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116765

  2. Erdoğan, A., Karabulut, S., Coşkun, M. N., & Tosun, O. (2025, October). Clinical factors associated with craving in patients with opioid use disorder receiving buprenorphine-naloxone maintenance therapy. Journal of Substance Use. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2025.2568066

  3. Bilici, R., Ergelen Yalçın, M., Karabulut, S., & Arpacioglu, S. (2025, September). Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the Addiction Severity Index. Dusunen Adam: The Journal of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences, 38, 180–186. https://doi.org/10.14744/DAJPNS.2025.00289

  4. Düzgün, M., Erdoğan, A., Karabulut, S., & Şafak, E. (2025, August). The impact of smartphone addiction and social media addiction on traffic safety. Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-025-02578-y

  5. Karabulut, S., & Uzar Uçkun, S. (2025, June). The association between Theory of Mind, psychopathic traits, borderline personality traits and the severity of substance use disorder in women: A comparative analysis. Alpha Psychiatry, 26(3), 44175. https://doi.org/10.31083/AP44175

 

Zengxin Gao | Medicine and Health Sciences | Innovative Research Award

Dr. Zengxin Gao | Medicine and Health Sciences | Innovative Research Award

Department of Orthopedics, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine | China

Dr. Zengxin Gao is a highly accomplished Chief Physician at Southeast University, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, recognized for his expertise in orthopedics and minimally invasive spinal interventions. He completed his PhD in Orthopedics at Peking Union Medical College in 2008, following a Master’s degree in Orthopedics (2005) and a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Medicine from Nanjing Medical University (1990). Dr. Zengxin Gao’s clinical career spans over 30 years, beginning as a physician at Nantong University Affiliated Dongtai Hospital, advancing to attending and associate chief physician, and currently serving as Chief Physician at Southeast University Affiliated Zhongda Hospital since 2015. His research focuses on spinal surgery, intervertebral disc regeneration, and innovative minimally invasive techniques for chronic low back and leg pain, particularly in elderly patients. He has led notable projects, including the Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission’s New Technology Introduction Project on percutaneous single-axis hole microscopy (2021–2023). Dr. Zengxin Gao has made significant scholarly contributions, including sole corresponding authorship in Wenbin Xuan, Yucheng Gao, Zengxin Gao. Intraspinal Bone Fragments Resorption in Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture. JAMA Neurol. 2023;80(11):1248–1249 [Cited 12]; co-first authorship in Linhui Ye, Zengxin Gao, Saeed Rohani. Intervertebral disk regeneration in a rat model by allopurinol-loaded Chitosan/alginate hydrogel. Biomol Biomed. 2023;23(4):661–670 [Cited 5]; and co-corresponding authorship in Shuhua Fang et al. Circ_0027885 sponges miR-203-3p to regulate RUNX2 expression and alleviates osteoporosis progression. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024;25:5 [Cited 3]. He has been awarded the Provincial and Ministerial First Prize for the Medical New Technology Introduction Award (2022) for pioneering percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic intervertebral fusion. Dr. Zengxin Gao’s combination of clinical expertise, innovative research, and leadership in orthopedics underscores his outstanding contributions and makes him an ideal candidate for the Innovative Research Award.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

• Xuan, W., Gao, Y., & Gao, Z. (2023). Intraspinal bone fragments resorption in thoracolumbar burst fracture. JAMA Neurology, 80(11), 1248–1249.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.2901

• Ye, L., Gao, Z., & Rohani, S. (2023). Intervertebral disk regeneration in a rat model by allopurinol-loaded chitosan/alginate hydrogel. Biomolecules and Biomedicine, 23(4), 661–670.
https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2023.8535

• Fang, S., Cao, D., Wu, Z., Chen, J., Huang, Y., Shen, Y., & Gao, Z. (2024). Circ_0027885 sponges miR-203-3p to regulate RUNX2 expression and alleviates osteoporosis progression. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25(1), 5.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-07172-0

• Gao, Z., Lin, Y., Wu, Z., Zhang, P., Cheng, Q., Ye, L., Wu, F., Chen, Y., Fu, M., Cheng, C., & Gao, Y. (2020). LncRNA SNHG6 can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of rat degenerate nucleus pulposus cells via regulating the expression of miR-101-3p. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 24(16), 8251–8262.
https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202008_22592

• Gao, Z., Lin, Y., Zhang, P., Cheng, Q., Ye, L., Wu, F., Chen, Y., Fu, M., Cheng, C., & Gao, Y. (2019). Sinomenine ameliorates intervertebral disc degeneration via inhibition of apoptosis and autophagy in vitro and in vivo. American Journal of Translational Research, 11(9), 5956–5966.
https://www.ajtr.org/files/ajtr0094769.pdf