Dr. Emel Omercioglu | Developmental Pediatrics | Research Excellence Award

Published on 27/11/2025 by Leadership and Management

Dr. Emel Omercioglu | Developmental Pediatrics | Research Excellence Award

Ankara Bilkent City Hospital | Turkey

Dr. Emel Ömercioglu is a developmental pediatrician whose work focuses on promoting optimal growth, neurodevelopment, and behavioral health in children. She completed her medical degree at Cumhuriyet University, followed by a pediatrics residency at Dr. Sami Ulus Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and later specialized in developmental pediatrics at Hacettepe University. Her clinical and academic experience spans developmental–behavioral evaluation, early childhood developmental monitoring, autism spectrum disorder, behavioral difficulties, feeding and sleep problems, and risk factors influencing child development. Dr. Ömercioglu has contributed extensively to the scientific literature, authoring research on neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants, behavioral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, autism presentation in girls, developmental risk assessment, and psychosocial factors affecting families. Her publications in national and international journals reflect her commitment to improving evidence-based developmental care. She has experience working across tertiary pediatric centers and developmental clinics, where she conducts clinical assessments, guides families, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams. Her research interests include developmental delays, neurodevelopmental trajectories, behavioral disorders, early identification strategies, and child health disparities. With a strongly growing publication record and a dedication to advancing developmental pediatrics in Türkiye and beyond, Dr. Ömercioglu aims to continue contributing to research, clinical excellence, and improved developmental outcomes for children.

Profiles: ORCID

Featured Publications

Omercioglu E, Yesil AM, Ozturk E, Ozdemir G, Sencan B, Ozmert EN. Feeding Issues Among Preschoolers With Developmental Concerns and Risks From a Developmental Pediatrics Perspective: A Cross-Sectional Study From an Eurasian Country. Clinical Pediatrics. 2025; Published online Dec 2025. doi:10.1177/00099228251375538.

Ömercioğlu E, Özçelik E, Akpınar F, Özdereli Z, Öztürk E, Acar BÇ, Çelik P. Autoinflammatory periodic fever syndromes in preschoolers: neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and maternal psychosocial outcomes. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2025; Published online Nov 24, 2025. doi:10.1007/s00431-025-06566-y.

Ömercioğlu E, Akpınar F, Turmuş GH, Yeşil AM, Şahin G, Çelik P. Investigation of the relationship between language skills and behavioral problems in children assessed for language and speech delay. Turkish Journal of Pediatric Disease. 2025; Published online Nov 21, 2025. doi:10.12956/TJPD.2025.1123.

Ömercioğlu E, Yeşil AM, Avcı H, Özmert EN. Changes in developmental-behavioral pediatric referral trends from a non-western country during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics. 2025; Published online Oct 24, 2025. doi:10.24953/turkjpediatr.2025.4560.

Yesil AM, İskender HC, Çam EC, Ömercioğlu E, Kılınç Ş, Özmert EN. Recognizing the overlooked: rethinking autism spectrum disorder symptom presentation in girls. The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics. 2025;67(4):514–521. doi:10.24953/turkjpediatr.2025.5636.

Prof. Ho Joon Im | Pediatric hematology and oncology | Best Researcher Award

Published on 17/11/2025 by Leadership and Management

Prof. Ho Joon Im | Pediatric hematology and oncology | Best Researcher Award

Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine | South Korea

Dr. Ho Joon Im is a distinguished professor of pediatrics and a leading expert in pediatric hematology–oncology, recognized for his impactful contributions to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and childhood bone marrow failure disorders. He completed his medical degree, master’s degree, and PhD at Hanyang University, followed by comprehensive clinical training in pediatrics and specialized fellowship training in pediatric hematology/oncology. His academic career spans several prestigious medical institutions, where he has advanced from clinician to professor while serving in major leadership roles, including directing a prominent children’s hospital. Dr. Im’s research focuses on haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, severe aplastic anemia, transplant immunology, graft engineering, T-cell depletion strategies, and long-term outcomes in pediatric patients. He has authored numerous high-impact publications in international journals and contributed to the development of clinical guidelines and innovative transplantation protocols. His work has significantly improved survival outcomes for children undergoing complex treatments, and he is widely respected for pioneering reduced-toxicity regimens and advancing pediatric transplant methodologies. Dr. Im actively participates in multiple national and international professional societies and is recognized for his dedication to improving standards of care in pediatric hematology–oncology. His career reflects an enduring commitment to research excellence, clinical leadership, and better futures for young patients.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Kim, S.-K., Yoo, J., Lee, J.-H., Lee, H.-E., Ahn, J.-S., Koh, K.-N., Cho, B.-S., Park, S.-K., Im, H. J., Lee, H., & Kong, S.-Y. (2025). Current practices in peripheral blood stem cell processing and cryopreservation: A nationwide survey of Korean transplant centers. Blood Research, 60, Article 41.

Kim, H., Yoon, S. H., Kang, S., Koh, K.-N., Im, H. J., Chu, D., Kim, M. Y., Cho, Y.-U., Hwang, S.-H., & Jang, S. (2025). Improved survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia through therapy intensification based on minimal residual disease and protocol-driven early response risk classification. Blood Research, 60, Article 40.

Kang, S. H., Im, H. J., Choi, E. S., Yoon, S.-H., Suh, J.-K., Kim, H., Koh, K.-N., Ko, D.-H., Kim, M., Hwang, S.-H., Cho, Y.-U., & Jang, S. (2025). Upfront haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation using αβ+ T cell-depleted peripheral blood stem cells for pediatric patients with acquired severe aplastic anemia. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 31(10), 830.e1–830.e10.

Koh, K.-N., Jun, H. R., Lee, J.-Y., Kim, J.-Y., Yoon, S.-H., Koh, Y.-K., Kang, S.-H., Kim, H., Im, H. J., & Chun, S.-M. (2024). Unraveling the genetic landscape of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in Korean patients: Comprehensive insights from mutational profiles and clinical correlations. Cancer Research and Treatment, 57(3), 873–882.

Kim, S., Han, M., Hwang, H. J., Ahn, Y.-H., Im, H. J., Hwang, S.-H., Koh, K.-N., & Kim, N. (2025). MicroRNA-196a increases apoptosis in B cells through downregulation of FOXO1. Molecules and Cells, 48(7), 100223.

Dr. Paris Ekeke | Team Building | Best Researcher Award

Published on 11/11/2025 by Leadership and Management

Dr. Paris Ekeke | Team Building | Best Researcher Award

University of Michigan | United States

Dr. Paris S. Ekeke is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at the University of Michigan, where she is dedicated to advancing equitable neonatal care and improving outcomes for critically ill newborns. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northwestern University, Doctor of Medicine from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh. Following her residency in Pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Lurie Children’s Hospital and a fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Ekeke has held academic appointments at Northeastern Ohio Medical University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on health disparities, breastfeeding equity, prenatal counseling, and the impact of psychosocial stressors on neonatal outcomes. She has received several honors, including the Feinberg School of Medicine Outstanding Teaching Award, Top 20 Women in White Coat Award, and University of Michigan Diversity Fund for Junior Faculty. Through her leadership, teaching, and scholarship, Dr. Ekeke continues to champion maternal-infant health equity and mentor future neonatologists committed to evidence-based and compassionate neonatal care.

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.