Reta Tesfa | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Reta Tesfa | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

lecturer dilla university Ethiopia

Reta Tesfa Merga is a dedicated public health professional with a Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition. She has over six years of experience in healthcare, spanning clinical, academic, and humanitarian roles. Her expertise includes maternal and child health, emergency nutrition, and community health interventions. Currently, she is serving as an MNCH Project Officer at World Share Ethiopia, leading initiatives to enhance healthcare services and nutritional support for vulnerable populations.

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Education 🎓

Reta Tesfa Merga holds a Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition (MPH) from Dilla University (2024) with a CGPA of 3.88. She also earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing from Addis Ababa University (2017) with a cumulative GPA of 3.76. Additionally, she has completed various professional training programs, including ANC National Guidelines, DHIS2, and Nutrition in Emergencies.

Experience 💼

With extensive experience in healthcare management and clinical practice, Reta has worked in various roles:

  • MNCH Project Officer at World Share Ethiopia (Feb 2024–Present): Leading maternal and child health projects, overseeing nutrition screening, and providing medical supplies to healthcare facilities.
  • MHNT Nurse (May–Dec 2022): Supported UNICEF and ORHB in community-based nutrition screening, SAM and IMAM training, and emergency medical interventions.
  • PHCU Director at Kercha Woreda (2021–2022): Managed healthcare centers, coordinated reporting, and facilitated community health initiatives.
  • Clinical Nurse (2018–2021): Specialized in under-five OPD care, treating communicable diseases, and implementing IMNCI protocols.

Research Interests 🌍

Reta’s research focuses on maternal and child health, emergency nutrition, and community-based healthcare interventions. She is particularly interested in improving healthcare access in underserved regions and developing strategies for sustainable nutrition programs.

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

Reta Tesfa Merga has been acknowledged for her contributions to public health and nutrition programs, particularly for her leadership in humanitarian health projects and emergency response initiatives.

Publications Top Notes: 📚

Reta has contributed to research in public health nutrition and maternal health. Her publications include:

Determinants of compliance with iron-folic acid supplementation among pregnant mothers in Bule Hora district, Southern Ethiopia: unmatched case-control study

Stephanie Chacar | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Stephanie Chacar | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Post-doctoral fellow Khalifa University United Arab Emirates

Dr. Stephanie Chacar is a dedicated researcher in Physiology and Molecular and Cellular Aspects of Biology, specializing in cardiovascular aging and metabolic disorders. With a strong background in food chemistry and nutrition, she integrates multidisciplinary approaches to explore the impact of phenolic compounds on health. Currently based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, she contributes to scientific advancements through her role at Khalifa University.

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Education 🎓

  • PhD in Life Sciences – Physiology and Pathophysiology (2018)
    • Saint Joseph University, Lebanon & Poitiers University, France
    • Thesis: The effect of phenolic compounds from grape pomace on cardiovascular aging and microbiota (Honors & Jury Congratulations)
  • Master’s in Food Chemistry (2014)
    • Saint Joseph University, Lebanon
  • Bachelor’s in Nutrition and Dietetics (2011)
    • Saint Joseph University, Lebanon

Professional Experience 🌟

  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Jan 2022–Present)
    • Khalifa University, Department of Medical Sciences, Abu Dhabi
  • Research Mentorship and Supervision (Jan 2023–Present)
    • Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
  • University Lecturer (2019–2021)
    • Saint Joseph University, Lebanon (Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Sciences)
  • University Lecturer (Mar 2021–Jun 2021)
    • Lebanese German University, Faculty of Public Health
  • Supervision of Internships & Practical Work Instructor (2014–2018)
    • Saint Joseph University, Lebanon

Research Interests 🎉

Dr. Chacar’s research explores cardiovascular physiology, metabolic disorders, and molecular mechanisms in aging and disease. She investigates the role of polyphenols, cardiac remodeling, and phospho-proteomics in diabetic and hypertensive conditions, aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies.

Awards 🏆

  • First Place Poster Award (May 2024) – The 3rd Anatomy and Cellular Biology Conference, Khalifa University, UAE
  • Moderated Poster Presentation (May 2024) – European Society of Cardiology, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Flash Talk Presentation – Highlighting cardiac protein dynamics in disease conditions

Publications Top Notes: 📚

Chacar S, et al. (2025). Remodeling of the Cardiac Striatin Interactome in The Diabetic Heart. Scientific Reports. Cited by X articles

Chacar S, et al. (2024). Phospho-proteome profiling in diabetic hearts. Heliyon (Under Review). Link

Chacar S, et al. (2024). Striatin stabilizes excitable cardiomyoblasts. PLOS ONE (Under Review). Link

Al Hageh C, Chacar S, et al. (2024). PHACTR1 and APOC1 variants in coronary artery disease. Lipids in Health and Disease. Cited by X

Al Hageh C, Chacar S, et al. (2024). Genetic and clinical factors in T2D susceptibility. Acta Diabetologica. Cited by X

Chacar S, et al. (2024). Rapid, label-free measurement of membrane potential in cardiomyoblasts. Measurement Science and Technology. Cited by X

O’Sullivan S, Al Hageh C, Chacar S, et al. (2024). HDL levels modulate T2D susceptibility alleles. Lipids in Health and Disease. Cited by X

Chacar S, et al. (2023). Role of CaMKII in diabetes-induced vascular injury. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. Cited by X

Al Hageh C, Chacar S, et al. (2023). Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in CAD patients. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. Cited by X

Al Kury L, Chacar S, et al. (2022). Structural and electrical remodeling of the sinoatrial node in diabetes. Frontiers in Endocrinology. Cited by X