Dr. Edouard Mbaya | Performance Management | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Edouard Mbaya | Performance Management | Research Excellence Award

Université de Kananga | Congo, Democratic Republic of the

The scholar is a medical doctor and public health specialist with extensive academic, clinical, and managerial experience in health systems strengthening. Academically trained in medicine, epidemiology, disease control, and vaccinology, their education reflects advanced expertise in infectious disease surveillance, immunization programs, and applied public health research. Professionally, they have served in higher education as a university lecturer and assistant, contributing to teaching, curriculum development, student supervision, and scientific research. In parallel, they have held key roles within the national health system, including epidemiological surveillance, clinical mentorship, hospital leadership, and coordination of priority health programs aligned with international standards. Their experience spans vaccination strategies, maternal and child health, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, data-driven decision-making, and health system governance. Research interests focus on vaccinology, epidemiology of infectious diseases, health service utilization, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and socio-economic determinants of health. Scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and ongoing research projects addressing pressing public health challenges. These contributions have earned professional recognition through academic appointments, leadership responsibilities, and scientific dissemination at national and international levels. In conclusion, the scholar demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence-based practice, capacity building, and research-informed policy, contributing meaningfully to the advancement of public health and healthcare delivery systems.

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Mr. Kiran Acharya | Public Health | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Kiran Acharya | Public Health | Research Excellence Award 

New ERA | Nepal

Kiran Acharya is a public health specialist with extensive experience in large-scale health surveys, health systems research, and policy-relevant analysis in low- and middle-income country settings. He holds Master’s degrees in Public Health and Social Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, with strong academic grounding in epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics, demography, sociology, and development studies. With over a decade of progressive experience at New ERA, he has served in senior leadership roles including Deputy Director, Senior Research Officer, and Project Director, leading nationally representative surveys, impact evaluations, mixed-method studies, and further analyses for organizations such as USAID, WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, ICF, and Global Fund partners. His expertise spans sampling design, survey implementation, health facility assessments, data analysis, visualization, and scientific reporting, with advanced proficiency in Stata, R, Python, SPSS, and GIS. His research interests focus on health system readiness, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, non-communicable diseases, HIV/AIDS, vaccination equity, and health inequalities. He has published widely in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and contributed to major national reports. He has received recognition for academic excellence, including a best paper award at a national scientific conference. Overall, his work bridges rigorous evidence generation with practical policy and programmatic decision-making to strengthen health systems and improve population health outcomes.

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Mr Lucas Infantozzi Albertoni | Team Building and Team Management | Best Research Article Award

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Mr Lucas Infantozzi Albertoni | Team Building and Team Management | Best Research Article Award

Secretaria de Saúde Indígena | Brazil

Lucas Infantozzi Albertoni is a medical professional specializing in Indigenous health, with extensive experience working in multidisciplinary teams serving Indigenous communities in the Brazilian Amazon. He holds a medical degree from the Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto and completed postgraduate training in Indigenous Health at UNIFESP/UNASUS, as well as medical acupuncture. Over the years, he has contributed to major Indigenous health districts, including Vale do Javari and Rio Tapajós, where he supported clinical care, infectious disease control, and strategies to improve health outcomes in remote territories. His consultancy work spans respected organizations dedicated to Indigenous rights and public health, including the Centro de Trabalhos Indigenistas, the Observatório dos Direitos Humanos dos Povos Indígenas Isolados e de Recente Contato, and the Organização do Tratado de Cooperação Amazônica. He currently serves as a technical consultant in the national Indigenous health system, focusing on health protection for isolated and recently contacted peoples, mercury contamination, and environmental compensation programs. He is active in research groups within the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz and other national institutions, contributing to studies on environmental health and Indigenous epidemiology. His work reflects a commitment to strengthening equitable, culturally relevant healthcare and generating evidence to guide public policy.

Profiles:  ORCID

Featured Publications

Rodrigues, D., Albertoni, L., & Mendonça, S. B. M. (2020). Antes sós do que mal acompanhados: Contato e contágio com povos indígenas isolados e de recente contato no Brasil e desafios para sua proteção e assistência à saúde. Saúde e Sociedade. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-12902020200348

Dr. Marc Bertrand Dandji Saah | Team Building and Team Management | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Marc Bertrand Dandji Saah | Team Building and Team Management

University of Dschang | Cameroon

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Dandji Saah, M. B., Bello, I. S., Dangang Bossi, D. S., Tanguenan, F. L., & Zambou Ngoufack, F. (2024). Metabolic syndrome and related factors in Cameroonian women under contraceptive use. PLOS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309054

Dangang Bossi, D. S., Ganota, S.-V., Tambo Téné, S., Dandji Saah, M. B., Maffo Tazoho, G., Kemtsop, P. M., & Zambou Ngoufack, F. (2024). Impact of some treatments on improving the nutritional, phytochemical, antioxidant, and techno-functional properties of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seed flours. Future Foods, 100442. DOI: 10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100442

Kenné Toussé, R., Dangang Bossi, D. S., Dandji Saah, M. B., Foko Kouam, E. M., Njapndounke, B., Tambo Tene, S., Kaktcham, P. M., Zambou Ngoufack, F., & Sarkar, T. (2024). Effect of Curcuma longa rhizome powder on metabolic parameters and oxidative stress markers in high-fructose and high-fat diet-fed rats. Journal of Food Biochemistry. DOI: 10.1155/2024/1445355

Dandji Saah, M. B. (2023). Syndrome métabolique: Une pression endémique chez les adultes. Generis Publishing.

Dangang Bossi, D. S., Dandji Saah, M. B., Njapndounké, B., & Zambou Ngoufack, F. (2023). Nutritional evaluation, oxidative indexes, and functional properties of Irish potatoes, eggs, and red kidney beans–based complementary food. The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 7(15), 20–30. DOI: 10.51745/najfnr.7.15.20-30

Lemogoum, D., Ngatchou, W., Van de Borne, P., Essola, B., Messomo, T., Dandji, M., Degaute, J. P., Leeman, M., & Hermans, M. P. (2021). Impact of sleep duration and quality on the burden of diabetes among urban and rural community dwellers in Cameroon. Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research. DOI: 10.11648/j.ccr.20210502.16

Dr. Amon Exavery | Longitudinal impact evaluation methods for non-experimental interventions | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Amon Exavery | Longitudinal impact evaluation methods for non-experimental interventions | Best Researcher Award

Pact Tanzania

Profile:  ORCID

Featured Publications

Exavery, A., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2026, February). Enhancing longitudinal impact evaluation of non-experimental interventions: A comparative analysis of generalized estimating equations and multilevel models based on empirical evaluation of temporal change in food security following an economic empowerment intervention. Evaluation and Program Planning, 107, 102722.

Exavery, A., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2025). Determinants of participation in WORTH Yetu economic empowerment intervention among caregivers of orphaned and vulnerable children in Tanzania: A longitudinal multivariable logistic regression analysis. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 15, 101959.

Exavery, A., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2024, August). Longitudinal evaluation of the influence of WORTH Yetu on household economic status based on the count of non-asset resources for orphaned and vulnerable children’s well-being in Tanzania. Child Indicators Research, 17, 10133–10145.

Exavery, A., Katbi, M., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2024, April 16). Multivariate mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression models with difference-in-differences estimator of the impact of WORTH Yetu on household hunger and socioeconomic status among OVC caregivers in Tanzania. PLOS ONE, 19(4), e0301578.

Exavery, A., Alam, K., Charles, J., Barankena, A., Bajaria, S., Minja, E., Mulikuza, J., Mbwambo, T., Ally, A., Mseya, R., & others. (2022, February 25). Impact of household economic strengthening intervention on food security among caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children in Tanzania. PLOS ONE, 17(2), e0264315.

Dr. Paris Ekeke | Team Building | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Paris Ekeke | Team Building | Best Researcher Award

University of Michigan | United States

Profile:  Scopus 

Featured Publications

VanOmen, S., & Ekeke, P. (2025, June 1). Ex-Utero Intrapartum Treatment: Indications, Considerations, and Postnatal Expectations. NeoReviews, 26(6), e402–e410.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Folasade May | Transformational Leadership | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Folasade May | Transformational Leadership | Best Researcher Award

UCLA Health | United States

Dr. Folasade P. May is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and serves in the Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Yale University, followed by a Master of Philosophy in Epidemiology from the University of Cambridge. She obtained her M.D. from Harvard Medical School and completed her internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. May further specialized in gastroenterology through the UCLA Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) Program and earned her Ph.D. in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Her research focuses on health disparities, preventive health, colorectal cancer screening, and improving access to care for underserved populations. She has published extensively on strategies to enhance cancer prevention and equitable healthcare delivery. Dr. May’s work has earned her recognition for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine. A passionate educator and clinician, she continues to mentor future physicians and contribute to policy-oriented health research that addresses real-world healthcare inequities.

Profile:  Scopus  

Featured Publications

Wong, C. R., Flores, Y. N., Avila, A., Tieu, L., Crespi, C. M., May, F. P., Bell, D. S., Glenn, B., & Bastani, R. (2025). Improving the accuracy and precision of disease identification when utilizing EHR data for research: The case for hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Research Notes, 18, 410.

Dr. Ujjwal Das | Innovative Leadership | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ujjwal Das | Innovative Leadership | Best Researcher Award

Fakir Mohan University | India

Dr. Ujjwal Das is an Assistant Professor of Geography at Fakir Mohan University, Odisha, India, with a distinguished academic and research profile. He completed his Ph.D. in Geography from Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh in 2025, following an M.Phil. and Master of Population Studies from the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and a Gold Medal in Applied Geography from Ravenshaw University. He has presented at numerous national and international conferences on topics including urban poverty, child malnutrition, health inequality, environmental change, and population studies. His research interests span urban and rural demography, population health, socio-economic disparities, and geospatial analysis, with applications in public health and sustainable development. Dr. Das has supervised several graduate theses, contributing to advancements in population studies and geography, and has published a range of scholarly articles, amassing 37 citations with an h-index of 3. Recognized for his scholarly excellence, he has received accolades for academic performance and research contributions. His work integrates rigorous quantitative analysis with practical implications for policy and community health, establishing him as a leading researcher in population geography and applied demography. Dr. Das continues to advance interdisciplinary research addressing pressing socio-environmental challenges in India and beyond.

Profile:  Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Das, U., & Kar, N. (2025). Understanding economic disparities in elderly health outcomes: A decomposition analysis in Bankura district. BMC Public Health, 25, 3015.

Dr. Adem soycan | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Adem soycan | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Kocaeli University, Institute of Health Sciences, Medical Microbiology Department, Kocaeli, Türkiye, Turkey

Author Profile

Orcid 

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Adem Soycan’s academic journey began with a passion for microbiology, specifically in the field of food safety. Having laid a solid foundation in biological sciences, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline before advancing to a Master’s program. His pursuit of knowledge led him to Kocaeli University’s Institute of Health Sciences, where he is currently a doctoral candidate in Medical Microbiology. During his academic journey, Adem has continuously sought to improve his understanding of microbial pathogens, particularly focusing on foodborne pathogens such as Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC). His rigorous research methodologies and focus on molecular diagnostics position him as a researcher with great potential for future contributions to microbiology.

Professional Endeavors 🔬

Adem Soycan’s professional endeavors are deeply intertwined with his academic pursuits. He currently serves as a doctoral candidate in Medical Microbiology at Kocaeli University, Türkiye, where he is making significant strides in the detection and study of foodborne pathogens. His expertise lies in molecular techniques such as real-time PCR, allowing for more efficient detection of pathogens, and his research on Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is making a notable impact in the field. He has also worked closely with local food producers, offering consultancy on pathogen detection and food safety analysis, showcasing his industry-focused approach. Adem’s interdisciplinary collaboration with Kocaeli University’s Food Safety and Microbiology Labs has further strengthened his research.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔍

Adem’s research is focused on advancing the detection and understanding of foodborne pathogens, with a special emphasis on Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and its prevalence in food samples. His ongoing study on the serotype distribution of STEC in raw animal and plant-based food samples from Kocaeli Province has already started to shape food safety protocols in the region. Through molecular diagnostic techniques, particularly in pathogen identification, Adem has contributed to the development of more accurate and reliable methods of foodborne pathogen detection, ultimately aiming to improve food safety. His research is poised to have a lasting influence on the way pathogens are detected and managed in food production and consumption.

Accolades and Recognition 🏅

Adem’s research has earned him recognition within the academic community. His work on the detection of bovine and porcine species in foods containing animal gelatin, published in Food Analytical Methods, was highly praised for its application of the Q-Exactive ORBITRAP device, offering new insights into food authenticity testing. Additionally, his paper on the prevalence and serotype distribution of STEC in raw food samples was published in Food Control and has garnered significant attention due to its practical implications for food safety in Türkiye. Though still in the early stages of his career, his published works are laying a foundation for future recognition and awards.

Impact and Influence 🌍

The impact of Adem’s work on foodborne pathogen research cannot be overstated. His contributions to enhancing food safety through advanced diagnostic tools have already begun to influence both the academic and industry sectors. By identifying critical risk factors for foodborne illnesses and refining detection methods, Adem is playing a pivotal role in shaping safer food handling and processing practices. His work is not just contributing to the scientific community but is also being adopted by local food producers, creating a bridge between research and industry. His ability to collaborate with labs, local food producers, and other institutions demonstrates his leadership potential and influence in the field.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🔮

Adem Soycan’s research journey is just beginning, but his dedication to food safety, especially in the realm of microbiology, positions him for a promising career. In the future, he intends to continue refining pathogen detection methods and explore emerging technologies in molecular diagnostics. Adem envisions a future where his work on STEC will contribute significantly to global food safety standards, particularly in countries with emerging food safety challenges. His legacy will likely be one of improving food safety on a global scale, advancing diagnostic capabilities, and ensuring healthier food systems for generations to come.

Conclusion 🎉

Adem Soycan has already made significant contributions to the fields of microbiology and food safety, and his future in the scientific community looks exceedingly bright. His deep understanding of foodborne pathogens, especially Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli, combined with his innovative use of molecular techniques, has enabled him to make lasting impacts in both academia and industry. With a promising research trajectory and the potential to influence food safety practices worldwide, Adem is poised to become a leading figure in his field. His commitment to improving food safety, supported by his growing body of published work, cements his place as an emerging leader in microbiological research.