Ozcan Aygun | Nursing and Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozcan Aygun | Nursing and Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Fethiye Faculty of Health Science, Nursing Department Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özcan Aygün is a dedicated academic and researcher in the field of Public Health Nursing. Currently serving at Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University, he has contributed significantly to healthcare research, particularly in sun protection programs, healthcare literacy, and community health nursing. His work focuses on improving public health through education and preventive strategies.

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Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Public Health Nursing (2013) – Marmara University, Institute of Health Sciences
    • Thesis: “The Effect of Sun Protection Program on Adolescents’ Sun Protection Behaviors: A Study Based on the Transtheoretical Model”
  • Master’s in Public Health (2004) – Marmara University, Institute of Health Sciences
    • Thesis: “Investigation of Compliance with Health Regulations in Food Producing and Selling Businesses in Adapazarı, Sakarya”
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Training (2001) – Kocaeli University, Kocaeli Health Academy

Experience 💼

  • Associate Professor (2022 – Present) – Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health Nursing
  • Assistant Professor (2018 – 2022) – Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University
  • Lecturer – Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Department of Nursing
  • Head of Department (2023 – Present) – Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Head of Commission (2020) – Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University

Research Interests 🔬

  • Public Health Nursing
  • Sun Protection Programs and Skin Cancer Prevention
  • Health Literacy and Education
  • Mental Health and Stress Management in Healthcare Workers
  • Preventive Healthcare Strategies

Awards 🏆

  • School Health Nursing Special Award – Public Health Nursing Association (2021)

Publications Top Notes: 📖

Üner A. E., Kara R., Aygün Ö., Karayağız M. G. (2024). Level of Health Literacy among High School Students and Associated Factors. Halk Sağlığı Hemşireliği Dergisi. DOI: 10.54061/jphn.1537102

Üner E., Dağlı A., Aygün Ö. (2024). Sun Protection Knowledge and Behaviors of Agricultural Workers in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Public Health, 24(2571). DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-20121-8

Eldemir H. H., Aygün Ö. (2023). Comparison of Burnout Levels of Nurses Working and Not Working in the COVID-19 Pandemic Clinic. Halk Sağlığı Hemşireliği Derneği, 5(3), 228-244. DOI: 10.54061/jphn.1318128

Üner E., Kara R., Aygün Ö., Karayağız M. G. (2023). Evaluation of Sun Protection Behaviors of Secondary School Students Based on Transtheoretical Model. International Journal of Public Health (Forthcoming).

An analysis of computer game addiction in primary school children and its affecting factors

The effect of a school-based fruit and vegetable promotion program on adolescents’ fruit and vegetable consumption behavior in Turkey

HEMŞİRELERİN KANITA DAYALI UYGULAMALARA YÖNELİK TUTUMLARI: TANIMLAYICI BİR ÇALIŞMA

An analysis of computer game addiction in primary school children and its affecting factors

Chifundo Colleta Zimba | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Chifundo Colleta Zimba | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Nurse/Midwife Researcher C/O University of North Carolina Malawi

Dr. Chifundo Colleta Zimba is a Malawian Community Health Nurse/Midwife and a Global Health expert with over 20 years of experience in public health systems strengthening, strategic leadership, and program management. She has collaborated with ministries of health, international organizations, and academic institutions to influence health policies and improve healthcare outcomes. Currently, she serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, focusing on public health surveillance, evidence-based decision-making, and policy formulation.

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Education 🎓

  • PhD in Nursing – Health Care Systems | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA | 2016
  • Postdoctoral Research in Global Health | UNC-Chapel Hill | 2016 – 2018
  • Graduate Certificate in Global Health | UNC-Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, USA | 2016
  • Bachelor of Science in Community Health Nursing | University of Malawi, Kamuzu College of Nursing, Malawi | 2008
  • Certificate in Leadership | Rotary Leadership Institute, Maryland, USA | 2022

Professional Experience 🎓

  • Lead Researcher | USAID/Malawi | 2024 – Present: Conducted a comprehensive assessment of lead poisoning challenges and developed a national action plan.
  • Project Director & Principal Investigator | UNC Project, Malawi | 2016 – 2022: Led multi-site public health programs, integrating mental health into non-communicable disease care.
  • Study Supervisor | Malawi University of Science & Technology (MUST) | 2023 – 2024: Managed the ICAN Project, supporting rural family planning services.
  • Program Evaluation Lead | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) | 2022: Conducted a national evaluation of the Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) Framework.
  • Adjunct Associate Professor | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 2024 – Present: Provides mentorship, research guidance, and capacity-building in public health.

Research Interests 📝

  • Public health systems strengthening and policy development
  • Global health program implementation and evaluation
  • Mental health integration into non-communicable disease care
  • HIV/AIDS prevention and maternal health
  • Environmental health, including lead poisoning mitigation

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

  • Recipient of the UJMT Fogarty Global Health Fellowship Grant (NIH, UNC Chapel Hill, USA)
  • Pilot Grant Recipient for integrating depression into cancer care at Kamuzu Central Hospital (2019 – 2022)
  • Project Director for the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Partnership (SHARP) for Mental Health Capacity Building (2017 – 2022)

Publications Top Notes: 📖

For a full list of Dr. Zimba’s publications, please visit her Google Scholar profile: Google Scholar

Notable Publications:

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission: program changes and the effect on uptake of the HIVNET 012 regimen in Malawi

Safety, uptake, and use of a dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV-1 prevention in African women (HOPE): an open-label, extension study

“I would love if there was a young woman to encourage us, to ease our anxiety which we would have if we were alone”: Adapting the Mothers2Mothers Mentor Mother Model for …

Reasons for nonadherence to the dapivirine vaginal ring: narrative explanations of objective drug-level results

Perspectives on HIV partner notification, partner HIV self‐testing and partner home‐based HIV testing by pregnant and postpartum women in antenatal settings: a qualitative …

Hygiene, blood flow, and vaginal overload: why women removed an HIV prevention vaginal ring during menstruation in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe

Women’s views about contraception requirements for biomedical research participation

Quality of life among patients with cancer and their family caregivers in the Sub-Saharan region: A systematic review of quantitative studies

Facilitators, barriers and potential solutions to the integration of depression and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) care in Malawi: a qualitative study with service providers

Stefano Stefano | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Stefano Stefano | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

MD, Specializing in Rheumatology (4th year) University of Bari, Rheumatology Unit Italy

👨‍⚕️ Stefano Stano is a 4th-year MD specializing in Rheumatology at the University of Bari “Aldo Moro,” Polyclinic Hospital. His passion for rheumatology and medical research drives his active involvement in clinical and translational studies, focusing on systemic sclerosis, Sjögren’s disease, and other connective tissue disorders. Stefano aspires to pursue a Ph.D. and build an academic career contributing to advancements in rheumatology.

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Education

🎓 Stefano holds an MD and is in the final year of his specialization in Rheumatology at the University of Bari “Aldo Moro.” His academic journey is marked by consistent dedication to both theoretical and practical aspects of his field.

Experience

🩺 With over 5 years of daily involvement in research and clinical practice, Stefano balances laboratory experiments and outpatient assessments. His hands-on approach to rheumatic diseases has honed his skills in addressing complex cases and conducting in-depth studies.

Research Interests

🔬 Stefano’s research is centered on rheumatic diseases, with a special emphasis on systemic sclerosis and Sjögren’s syndrome. He is particularly interested in exploring translational approaches that bridge laboratory findings with clinical applications.

Awards

🏅 Stefano aims to secure the Best Researcher Award in recognition of his efforts in advancing rheumatological research. His dedication and achievements position him as a strong contender.

Publications Top Notes: 

📚 Stefano’s contributions to the field are evidenced by his peer-reviewed publications, which include studies on targeted therapies, systemic sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. His works have been published in reputed journals:

Cacciapaglia F, et al. (2022). Comparison of Adalimumab to Other Targeted Therapies in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pers Med. Read here.

Fornaro M, et al. (2022). Prevalence and management of tuberculosis infection in Apulian rheumatologic patients treated with biologics: An observational cohort 10-year study from the BIOPURE registry. Eur J Clin Invest. Read here.

Cacciapaglia F, et al. (2022). Subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy for refractory skin thickening in rapidly progressive systemic sclerosis: A case report and literature review. Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders. Read here.

De Luca G, et al. (2024). Rituximab retention rate in systemic sclerosis: a long-term real-life multicenter study. Rheumatology. Read here.

Iannone C, et al. (2024). Pulmonary and extra-pulmonary effects of lung transplantation in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology. Read here.

De Lorenzis E, et al. (2024). Long-term retention rate, adverse event temporal patterns, and rescue treatment strategies of mycophenolate mofetil in systemic sclerosis: insights from real-life. Rheumatology. Read here.

Fornaro M, et al. (2024). Effectiveness of tapering rituximab dose in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: Real-world data from a monocentric study. Joint Bone Spine. Read here.

Stano S, et al. (2024). Anti-aquaporin-5 and anti-poly-U-binding-factor-60kDa protein antibodies in primary Sjögren’s disease patients: Preliminary data and correlation with disease activity indices. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Read here.

Cacciapaglia F, et al. (2024). Modulation of IL-6 receptor/STAT3 downstream signaling in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Exp Mol Pathol. Read here.

 

Pasquale Viggiano | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Pasquale Viggiano | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Ricercatore University of Bari: Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro Italy

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Pasquale Viggiano, born on January 31, 1990, in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy, is a distinguished ophthalmologist and researcher. With a robust academic background and practical expertise, he is currently a researcher in Ophthalmology at the Department of Biomedicine Translation and Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro.”

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Education

🎓 Residency in Ophthalmology (2016-2020): University G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, Italy, guided by Prof. Leonardo Mastropasqua and Prof. Paolo Carpineto.
🎓 Medical Degree (2009-2015): Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. Graduated on October 19, 2015.
🎓 Fellowship in Cataract Surgery (2023): Eye Research Center and Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Chennai, India.

Experience

🔬 Current Position:

  • Since 2022: Researcher Ophthalmologist, University of Bari “Aldo Moro.”
    🩺 Past Roles:
  • 2021: Researcher at IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Rome.
  • 2014-2015: Internships in Ophthalmology and Anesthesiology at Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome.

Research Interests

🔍 Dr. Viggiano’s research focuses on:

  • Advanced optical coherence tomography (OCT).
  • Vascular changes in macular diseases.
  • Innovations in cataract and retinal surgery.

Awards

🏆 Nominee for excellence in clinical ophthalmology and scientific research.

Publications Top Notes:

📚 Highlighted Publications:

Borrelli E, Viggiano P et al., “In Vivo Mapping of the Choriocapillaris in Healthy Eyes.” Ophthalmology Retina, 2019. DOI.

Cited by: Numerous retinal imaging studies.

Borrelli E, Viggiano P, Mastropasqua R., “Vascular Changes in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.” Ann Eye Sci, 2019.

Cited by: Over 20 AMD-focused articles.

Boscia G, Viggiano P et al., “Choroidal Remodeling Following Different Anti-VEGF Therapies in Neovascular AMD.” Scientific Reports, 2024.

Cited by: Studies on anti-VEGF therapies.

Idyatul Hasanah | Nursing and Health Professions | Best Paper Award

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Dr. Idyatul Hasanah | Nursing and Health Professions | Best Paper Award

Indonesia Institut Kesehatan YARSI Mataram Indonesia

Idyatul Hasanah, a dedicated doctoral student of Nursing at Airlangga University, specializes in Pediatric Nursing. As one of the founders of the Emerald Publication Center Mataram, she has made significant contributions to academic publishing by supporting students and lecturers in disseminating their research. Passionate about learning and embracing challenges, she exemplifies determination and resilience in both professional and personal endeavors.

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Education 🎓

Idyatul Hasanah has a robust academic background:

  • Bachelor of Nursing from Brawijaya University (2007–2009).
  • Master of Nursing from Gadjah Mada University (2016–2018), focusing on stress biomarkers in pediatric patients.
  • Doctoral of Nursing (ongoing) at Airlangga University, with research on psychoneuroimmunology for improving pediatric adaptation and quality of life.

Experience 🏥

Idyatul’s professional journey includes teaching and clinical roles:

  • ER Nurse at RSUD NTB (2006–2007).
  • Teaching Staff at Akper Pemprov NTB (2010) and FIK UNW Mataram (2010–2021).
  • Currently serves as a Teaching Staff at Stikes Yarsi, Mataram (2021–present).

Research Interests 🔬

Her research interests revolve around:

  • Pediatric stress management, particularly using psychoneuroimmunology.
  • The effects of music therapy in healthcare.
  • Strategies for improving nursing job satisfaction and patient care quality.

Awards 🏆

Idyatul has received numerous accolades, including:

  • Awardee BUDI LPDP Scholarship (2016).
  • Reviewer Recognitions from prestigious journals like SAGE Open and PLOS ONE.
  • Elsevier Appreciation (2023) for open-access publications linked to UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Publications Top Notes: 📚

Here are some of her notable works:

Effect of music therapy on cortisol as a stress biomarker in children undergoing IV-line insertion

Profile and histopathology features of top three cases of Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) in West Nusa Tenggara: A retrospective cross-sectional study

The effects of music therapy on cortisol levels as a Biomarker of stress in children

Deskripsi tingkat kecemasan pada pasien gagal ginjal kronik yang menjalani hemodialisa

Psychoneuroimmunological markers of psychological intervention in pediatric cancer: a systematic review and new integrative model

Gambaran Perkembangan Sosial Anak Yang Menggunakan Telpon Genggam (Gadget)