Bahar Oztelcan Gunduz | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Scholar Award

Dr. Bahar Oztelcan Gunduz | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Scholar Award

Gülhane Research and Training Hospital Turkey 

Dr. Bahar Öztelcan Gündüz is a compassionate pediatrician and social health researcher, currently serving at Gülhane Research and Training Hospital. With a PhD in Social Pediatrics from Gazi University and a medical background from Selçuk and Eskişehir Osmangazi Universities, she has dedicated her career to improving child health in underserved communities. Her impactful research during the COVID-19 pandemic on sarcopenic obesity in children has earned wide recognition. She is also an active member of the Social Pediatrics Association, contributing to child welfare through research, clinical care, and advocacy. 🌍👶📚

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Öztelcan Gündüz holds a PhD in Social Pediatrics from Gazi University, where she honed her skills in public health and research methodology. She specialized in Pediatrics at Eskisehir Osmangazi University and obtained her MD from Selçuk University, Türkiye. Her academic foundation is rooted in both clinical excellence and social medicine, empowering her to address both the biological and social determinants of child health. 🎓🧠

💼 Experience

With extensive field experience, Dr. Öztelcan Gündüz began her medical career as a general practitioner at Şırnak Maternal and Child Health Center, focusing on vulnerable populations. She later served at Mus State Hospital and Gemlik State Hospital as a pediatrician. Currently, she practices at Gülhane Research and Training Hospital, where she also leads multiple research initiatives. Her experience spans clinical practice, public health programs like vaccination drives, and research supervision. 👩‍⚕️🏥🩺

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Gündüz’s research revolves around pediatric health and public welfare. Her core interests include:

  • Sarcopenic obesity in children
  • Vaccination attitudes and immunization disparities
  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Neuropsychiatric conditions in children and adolescents
  • Nutrition and growth patterns in vulnerable populations
  • Cyberbullying and child mental health
  • Early feeding practices and neophobia in children
    Her research blends clinical insight with public health innovation, aiming to inform policy and intervention strategies. 🧪👶🧠

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Dr. Bahar Öztelcan Gündüz is nominated for the Best Research Scholar Award for her groundbreaking research on sarcopenic obesity in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her innovative use of the Grip-to-BMI ratio and muscle-fat ratio (MFR) as diagnostic tools has had a real-world impact on pediatric healthcare and preventive strategies. Her contributions during a global health crisis demonstrate her leadership in pediatric research and her commitment to child welfare. 🏅📊💡

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

Gündüz B, Duyan Çamurdan A, Yıldız M, et al. (2024). Assessing Sarcopenic Obesity Risk in Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Grip-to-BMI Ratio. Medical Research Reports.
📖 Cited by 3 articles

Gündüz B, Kutlutürk K, Cengiz M. (2024). Exploring the Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Special Immunization Rates: A Study in Türkiye.
📖 Cited by 2 articles

Öztelcan Gündüz B, Kutlutürk K, Ünay B. (2025). Rotavirus infections in the pediatric population: a comparative study of pre-COVID and COVID-19 pandemic periods. Frontiers in Public Health.
📖 Cited by 1 article

Dulkadir R, Öztelcan Gündüz B. (2024). Differentiating COVID-19 and influenza in children: hemogram parameters as diagnostic tools. Frontiers in Public Health.
📖 Cited by 2 articles

Tubaş F, Husrevoglu Esen F, Öztelcan Gündüz B, Ünay B. (2022). Youth suicide and hospital-presenting suicide attempts. International Journal of Social Psychiatry.
📖 Cited by 6 articles

Artık A, Işık Ü, Öztelcan Gündüz B, Mızrak S. (2023). Serum Cingulin levels are increased in children with autism spectrum disorder. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities.
📖 Cited by 4 articles

Artık A, Öztelcan Gündüz B, Mızrak S, Işık Ü. (2022). Increased Serum Levels of TNF-like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int. J. of Developmental Disabilities.
📖 Cited by 5 articles

Gündüz B. (2025). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on sarcopenic obesity among children between 6 and 10 years of age: a prospective study. European Journal of Pediatrics.
📖 Cited by 7 articles

Mukovhe Rammela | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Mukovhe Rammela | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

PhD student in Public Health University of Venda South Africa

Mukovhe Rammela is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 8 years of experience in quality improvement, clinical coordination, and nursing mentorship. Currently serving as a District TB Quality Improvement Officer at IHPS, Johannesburg, she drives health system strengthening initiatives to improve service delivery in alignment with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023–2028. With her strategic leadership and technical expertise, Mukovhe has contributed significantly to the integration of HIV, TB, and STI care into routine health services across multiple provinces in South Africa.

Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Mukovhe holds multiple advanced qualifications, showcasing her dedication to healthcare and leadership excellence:

  • MBA in Management from MANCOSA (2021).
  • Master’s in Public Health from the University of Venda (2020).
  • BCURP Honours in Nursing Sciences from the University of Venda (2016).
  • Advanced Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation Research and Learning from the Foundation for Professional Development (2019).
  • Currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Care Management at Stellenbosch University.

Experience 💼

Mukovhe has a wealth of professional experience across healthcare sectors:

  • District TB Quality Improvement Officer, IHPS, Johannesburg (2023–Present): Building capacity, standardizing tools, and mentoring facility teams.
  • District Nurse Coordinator, CDC Key Population Program, Northwest (2023): Managed diverse teams and integrated key population programs into routine health services.
  • Nurse Mentor, USAID-APACE Project, Limpopo (2022–2023): Led community-based teams and implemented quality improvement activities.

Research Interests 🔍

Mukovhe’s research focuses on integrating HIV, STI, and teenage pregnancy prevention programs into public health systems. She is passionate about health systems strengthening, quality improvement, and the implementation of sustainable care models to achieve global health targets.

Awards 🏆

  • 2022 National Research Foundation Doctoral Scholarship Award.
  • 2022 SACERT Scholarship for sustainable academic capacity building.
  • 2021 Cochrane South Africa Bursary Award.
  • 2018 NRF Masters Scholarship Award.

Publications Top Notes:📚

“An Integrated HIV, STI, and Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Services in Africa: A Comprehensive Literature Review” – Presented at the University of Venda Research Symposium (2021).

[Cited by multiple articles on integrated health approaches].

“Development and Validation of an Integrated HIV and AIDS, STI, and Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Program in Limpopo Province” – Presented at Department of Health Provincial Research Day (2021).

[Recognized for its impact on public health policies].