Muazez Kucukkaya | Midwife | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Muazez Kucukkaya | Midwife | Best Researcher Award

Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa | Turkey

Ms. Muazez Kucukkaya is a specialist midwife with a strong focus on women’s and child health, midwifery, infertility, and community and family health. Her professional trajectory demonstrates a commitment to advancing maternal and reproductive healthcare through both clinical practice and research. She has contributed to the understanding of infertility related psychological distress and its social dimensions, explored body image perceptions among pregnant women, and investigated the role of information and communication technologies in enhancing early cancer detection awareness for women. Through her scholarly work, including publications in peer reviewed journals, she bridges clinical insights with empirical research, promoting evidence-based approaches in midwifery. Her research emphasizes the integration of psychosocial, cultural, and technological factors in improving women’s health outcomes, while advocating for awareness and education within communities. By combining applied practice with academic rigor, Kucukkaya advances innovative strategies in reproductive health, maternal care, and health promotion, reflecting a dedication to improving patient centered care and contributing meaningfully to the broader scientific and healthcare community. Her work highlights the interplay between clinical expertise and research innovation, establishing her as an emerging thought leader in midwifery and women’s health.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Kucukkaya, M., & Kılıç, M. (2022). The effect of stigma on level of infertility-related psychological distress in women with infertility. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 26(2), 13–25.

Kucukkaya, M., Günaydın, S., Yılmaz, T., & Dinç Kaya, H. (2024). Body image perceptions of pregnant women in the third trimester in Turkey: A qualitative study. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 30(4), 660–669.

Kucukkaya, M., & Demirezen, E. (2025). Using information and communication technologies to improve awareness of early diagnosis of cancers in women. Oncology in Clinical Practice.

Sena Dilek Aksoy | Midwifery | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sena Dilek Aksoy | Midwifery | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor | Kocaeli University | Turkey

Sena Dilek Aksoy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Midwifery at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Kocaeli University, with extensive academic and research experience in gynecology, obstetrics, nursing, and midwifery. She earned her doctoral degree in gynecology and obstetrics nursing, complemented by both thesis and non-thesis master’s studies, and a bachelor’s degree in midwifery. Throughout her career, she has held various academic positions including lecturer, research assistant, assistant professor, and associate professor, contributing significantly to teaching, research, and academic leadership. Her scholarly work focuses on maternal and neonatal health, perinatal care, reproductive health, postpartum practices, women’s mental health, and integrative approaches in midwifery. She has supervised numerous master’s theses and actively participated in national and institutional research projects on topics such as cesarean outcomes, maternal body temperature, acupressure, and surgical innovations, and has contributed to the development of patented medical devices. She has published widely in international peer-reviewed journals, with research covering areas such as childbirth experiences, pregnancy-related pain, postpartum depression, neonatal outcomes, and professional well-being of midwives, with 31 citations by 31 documents, 13 documents, and an h-index of 4. She has also presented at international congresses and contributed to the advancement of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in midwifery research. Alongside her academic and research contributions, she is a member of professional organizations dedicated to advancing education and practice in midwifery. Through her teaching, research, and professional service, she continues to strengthen the field of maternal and child health, fostering evidence-based practices and interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Aksoy, S. D., Uysal Yalçın, S., & Kaya Odabaş, R. (2025). Examining the hesitations of pregnant women towards COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic: A mixed methods approach. Midwifery.

Ozdilek, R., Yıldırım, M., Aksoy, S. D., & Gul, D. K. (2025). The frequency of back pain, lumbar pain, and pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Pain Management Nursing.

Aksoy, S. D., Yel, S. Y., & Akyildiz, D. (2025). The effect of maternal oxytocin induction during birth on early neonatal pain and stress: A quasi-experimental study. Biological Research for Nursing.

Aksoy, S. D., Ozdılek, R., & Aba, Y. A. (2024). The effect of pregnant women’s status of receiving preconception care on pregnancy stress. Health Care for Women International.

Aksoy, S. D., & Özdemir, S. (2024). Turkish women’s who are social media users views and practices on postpartum placenta and umbilical cord. Selçuk Sağlık Dergisi.