Zenzile Mbinza | Urban Planning | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Zenzile Mbinza | Urban Planning | Best Researcher Award

University of Johannesburg | South Africa

Dr. Zenzile Emile Mbinza is an accomplished urban and regional planning researcher and academic with an extensive body of scholarly work focusing on spatial transformation, metropolitan planning, and place branding in African cities. His research publications in Place Branding and Public Diplomacy explore the complex intersections of neoliberalism, governance, and urban identity within South African metropolitan contexts. Dr. Mbinza has produced significant contributions through peer-reviewed journal papers, book chapters, and conference proceedings, emphasizing sustainable urban development, informal economy dynamics, and inclusive planning frameworks. His research portfolio includes over 25 documents, 200 citations, and an h-index of 8, reflecting consistent scholarly impact in urban studies and planning research. He has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral candidates, contributing to research capacity building in planning education. Additionally, his roles as conference reviewer, external examiner, and postgraduate director highlight his leadership in academic quality assurance and mentorship. His applied research extends to national spatial development projects and municipal policy planning, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Through his innovative studies and community-engaged approaches, Dr. Mbinza has established himself as a leading voice in reimagining African urbanism, advancing evidence-based strategies for sustainable and inclusive city development.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Mbinza, Z. E. (2024). Assessing South African metropolitan cities’ online place brands. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy.

Mbinza, Z. E. (2024). Connecting place branding to social and governance constructs in Johannesburg, South Africa. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy.

Mbinza, Z. E. (2024). Exploring place branding in the Global South: The case of Johannesburg, South Africa. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy

Nepoleon Prabakaran | Psychophysiology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Nepoleon Prabakaran | Psychophysiology | Best Researcher Award

Alliance University | India

Dr. Nepoleon M. P. is an accomplished academic and researcher with a strong record of scholarly contributions in management, leadership, and behavioral sciences. He is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at CMS Business School, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore, where he actively engages in teaching and high-impact research. He has published 14 research documents, achieving an h-index of 2 with over 22 citations across Scopus, Web of Science, and other indexed journals. His interdisciplinary research includes themes such as metaverse-based learning, consumer neuroscience, organizational justice, leadership psychology, and cultural intelligence. Notable works include publications in Frontiers in Education, Journal of Information Technology Education Research, Journal of Economics and Management, and Review of Education. He has received five Best Paper Awards from prestigious international conferences, including those organized by Bennett University (Spain), Jaipuria Institute of Management, and IES MCRC (India). In addition to his research, Dr. Nepoleon has conducted faculty development and corporate training programs in AI-based research tools, leadership, and emotional intelligence. His academic journey reflects a dynamic blend of innovation, analytical expertise, and dedication to advancing research and higher education.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Prabakaran, N., Patrick, H. A., & Kareem, J Enhancing English language proficiency and digital literacy through metaverse-based learning: A mixed-methods study in higher education. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 24, Article 010.

Prabakaran, N., & Patrick, H. A. Metaverse traveler: An expedition beyond reality. Tourism and Hospitality Management, 32(2), Article 2.

Patrick, H. A., Prabakaran, N., & Elanchezian, D. P. The role of positive leadership and psychological capital on influencing trust and flourishing: Insights from two studies. Journal of Economics and Management, 47, 229–256.

Patrick, H. A., & Prabakaran, N.  Role of power bases and leadership strategies: A study on phygital employees in information technology organizations. Public Organization Review.

Kurian, A., Patrick, H. A., Prabakaran, N., & Arora, D. Effectiveness of job crafting intervention: A validation study. In Proceedings of SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering (p. 1).

Saurabh Pandey | Plant Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Saurabh Pandey | Plant Biology | Best Researcher Award

Indira Gandhi Agricultural University | India

Dr. Saurabh Pandey, Assistant Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, is a distinguished plant biotechnologist with a Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology from the National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi (awarded by JNU). His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of plant stress tolerance, RNA helicases, and genome editing for crop improvement. Dr. Pandey has made significant contributions to understanding plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, publishing over 40 high-impact research papers and book chapters in reputed journals such as Physiologia Plantarum, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Environmental and Experimental Botany, and Functional & Integrative Genomics. He has also co-edited several international books including Toward Sustainable Plant Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate-Resilient Agriculture under CRC Press and Springer. According to verified databases, his research record reflects an h-index of 17, with over 1147 citations across 59 Scopus-indexed documents, demonstrating his strong scientific influence in plant molecular biology. Dr. Pandey’s pioneering work on the role of RNA helicases in tomato-virus interactions gained national recognition, being featured by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and covered in The Hindu and Rajya Sabha TV. His contributions exemplify innovation, leadership, and global impact in agricultural biotechnology.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | LinkedIn 

Featured Publications

Pandey, E., Kumari, R., Faizan, S., & Pandey, S. Linking the interaction of salicylates and jasmonates for stress resilience in plants. Stress Biology. Advance online publication.

Meena, V. K., Thribhuvan, R., Dinkar, V., Bhatt, A., Pandey, S., Abhinav, Ahmad, D., Kumar, A., & Singh, A. aplotype breeding: Fast-track the crop improvements. Planta.

Kumar, P., Pandey, S., & Pati, P. K. Interaction between pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and phytohormone signaling pathways in conferring disease tolerance in plants. Physiologia Plantarum.

Singh, S. K., Jha, R., Pandey, S., Mohan, C., Chetna, Ghosh, S., Singh, S. K., Kumari, S., & Singh, A. Artificial intelligence-based tools for next-generation seed quality analysis. Crop Design, 100094.

Dev, D., Antre, S. H., Nandni, S., Pandey, S., Singh, M. K., & Singh, A. Accelerated crop domestication: Candidates, advanced tools and prospects. South African Journal of Botany, 171, 237–244.

Annamaria Biroccio | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Annamaria Biroccio | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute | Italy

Dr. Annamaria Biroccio, PhD (Microbiology, University of Messina) is a Senior Investigator at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRE-IFO), Rome, with over two decades of experience in cancer molecular biology and telomere research. Her work focuses on elucidating the mechanisms regulating telomere function and their implications in cancer progression, alongside developing pharmacological strategies targeting telomeres for anticancer therapy. She has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing over 115 peer-reviewed papers on telomere biology, DNA damage response, and targeted therapies. According to her CV, Dr. Biroccio holds an H-index of 44, reflecting substantial influence in the field, with more than 6124 citations across her publications. Her research leadership is underscored by principal investigator roles in major national and international grants, including AIRC, CNR, and EU FP7 programs. She is also co-owner of two patents related to telomere-targeting therapeutics for triple-negative breast cancer. In recognition of her contributions, she has received multiple awards such as the Mascia Brunelli Award and Young Investigator Award. Beyond research, Dr. Biroccio has significantly contributed to scientific training as a tutor for numerous national fellowship programs and serves on editorial boards of prominent cancer research journals

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Researcher ID 

Featured Publications

Dinami, R., Petti, E., Ostano, P., Iachettini, S., Rizzo, A., Maresca, C., Zizza, P., Di Vito, S., Porru, M., D’Angelo, C., Sibilio, P., De Nicola, F., Russo, R., Di Benedetto, A., Palange, A., Fanciulli, M., Chambery, A., Gilson, E., & Biroccio, A. (2025). Multi-omics analyses integration reveals a novel TRF2–miR-181a-5p–S100A10 regulatory axis in colon cancer. Cellular and Molecular Biology Letters, 30(1), 121.

Petti, E., Di Vito, S., Dinami, R., Porru, M., Marchesi, S., Lohuis, J., Zizza, P., Iachettini, S., Salvati, E., D’Angelo, C., Rizzo, A., Maresca, C., Ascione, F., Di Benedetto, A., Buglioni, S., Sacconi, A., Ostano, P., Li, Q., Stoppacciaro, A., Leonetti, C., van Rheenen, J., Maiuri, P., Scita, G., & Biroccio, A. (2025). TRF2 interaction with nuclear envelope is required for cell polarization and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Death & Disease, 16(1), 224.

Pirota, V., Iachettini, S., Platella, C., Zizza, P., Fracchioni, G., Di Vito, S., Carachino, A., Battistini, F., Orozco, M., Freccero, M., Biroccio, A., & Doria, F. (2025). Naphthalene diimide–naphthalimide dyads promote telomere damage by selectively targeting multimeric G-quadruplexes. Nucleic Acids Research, 53(7), gkaf301.

Russomanno, P., Zizza, P., Cerofolini, L., D’Aria, F., Iachettini, S., Di Vito, S., Amato, J., Fragai, M., Pagano, B., & Biroccio, A. (2025). Expanding the functions of KHSRP protein: Insights into DNA G-quadruplex binding. Advanced Science, 12(8), e2410086.

Pirota, V., Salvati, E., Risoldi, C., Manoli, F., Rizzo, A., Zizza, P., Biroccio, A., Freccero, M., & Manet, I. (2025). Core-extended naphthalene diimide dyads as light-up probes with targeted cytotoxicity toward tumor cells. Biomolecules, 15(2), 311.

Betul Akdal Dolek | Global Health | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Betul Akdal Dolek | Global Health | Best Researcher Award

Ankara Bilkent City Hospital | Turkey

Dr. Betul Akdal Dolek is a radiologist at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, specializing in abdominal imaging, diffusion-weighted MRI, quantitative CT, and oncologic imaging. She obtained her medical degree from Ankara University and completed her radiology residency at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital. With an h-index of 6, Dr. Dolek’s scholarly record includes 11 SCI/Scopus-indexed publications and numerous conference presentations. Her work has garnered over 160 citations (as per Google Scholar).  She has significantly contributed to quantitative MRI and CT research, focusing on imaging biomarkers for metabolic, inflammatory, and oncologic diseases. Notably, she participated in the COST Action “A Comprehensive Network Against Brain Cancer”, advancing biomarker protocols for glioblastoma imaging. Her publications cover diverse radiologic fields, including the reliability of O-RADS MRI scoring, coronary calcium quantification, and perfusion imaging in acute kidney injury. Dr. Dolek has also authored the book “Hard Decisions in Intensive Care Unit” and serves as a reviewer in national research committees. Actively collaborating in multidisciplinary radiology-oncology teams and invited as a speaker at ESR and TMRD congresses, she continues to enhance diagnostic precision and innovation in modern radiology practice.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Akkurt Acar, D., Cilengir, A. H., Balaban, M., Camur, E., Akdal Dolek, B., & Isıksalan Ozbulbul, N. Diaphragmatic crus indentation to the renal artery: Is it a new etiology for renovascular hypertension in adults? Northwestern Medical Journal.

Kılıckap, G., Akdal Dolek, B., Kaya, S., & Cevik, N. İ. Reliability, reproducibility, and potential pitfalls of the O-RADS scoring with non-dynamic MRI. Acta Radiologica.

Akdal Dolek, B., Sozmen Ciliz, D., Ozdemir, N., Ozet, G., & Duran, S. Comparative analysis of whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging and PET/CT in metastasis detection: A prospective study. Cureus, 16(11), e74756.

Kılıçkap, G., Akdal Dolek, B., Cevik, N. İ., Bahadır, G. K., Tekdemir, H., & Vural, M. Time difference for the presence of coronary calcium in those with and without coronary risk factors and statin use. Acta Cardiologica, 79(7), 787–795.

Vural, M., Akdal Dolek, B., Kılıckap, G., Bahadır, G. K., & Gunes, Y. C. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness on non-gated chest CT as an alternative to EAT volume on cardiac CT. Acta Radiologica, 65(6),

Teklu Gebretsadik | Energy | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Teklu Gebretsadik | Energy | Best Researcher Award

University of Aveiro | Ethiopia

Teklu Gebretsadik Wana is a Ph.D. Fellow in Economics at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, specializing in climate-smart energy and agri-food systems. With over 14 years of professional and research experience, he has significantly contributed to the fields of agricultural economics, bioenergy, natural resources, and food security through his work at the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute and the Southern Agricultural Research Institute. His interdisciplinary expertise integrates economic policy, resource management, and rural innovation to address sustainable development challenges in Africa. He has authored 15+ peer-reviewed journal articles, 4 research-based books, and multiple reports focusing on value chain analysis, irrigation sustainability, biogas technology adoption, and ecosystem conservation. His Springer Nature publications demonstrate his global research visibility. Teklu has served as a journal reviewer and editorial board member, emphasizing his engagement in advancing scientific quality and knowledge dissemination. His Google Scholar metrics include an h-index of 8, 16 documents, and over 350 citations, reflecting consistent scholarly impact in environmental and agricultural economics. His ongoing doctoral research explores economic models for climate-resilient agri-food transitions, reinforcing his commitment to evidence-based policy and sustainable innovation.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Gebretsadik, T., Zavale, H., Manuel, L., & Ayele, M. Biogas technology for rural energy security: An investigation of uptake and diffusion in Meskan district, southern Ethiopia. Discover Environment.

Wana, T. G., & Dukamo, T. A. Trends and sustainability of small-scale irrigation in Southern Ethiopia: Exploring constraints and adoption dynamics. BMC Agriculture.

Gebretsadik, T., Zavale, H., Manuel, L., & Chiulele, R. M. Can Africa achieve food security through sustainable agri-food system transformation? A systematic review across regional contexts [Preprint]. Research Square.

Gebretsadik, T., & Cunguara, B. Trends of maize production in Mozambique: A fixed effects model analysis of two decades. Trends in Agricultural Economics, 15(1), 9–19.

Ayele, T., & Gebretsadik, T. Gender analysis in selected agricultural practices in Gedeo and Halaba zones in Southern Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology,

Sadaf Shakoor | Life Sciences Innovation | Public Health Science Awards

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Dr. Sadaf Shakoor | Life Sciences Innovation | Public Health Science Awards

University of Agriculture | Pakistan

Dr. Sadaf Shakoor is an accomplished researcher and Assistant Professor in the Department of Food and Nutrition at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Sub-Campus Burewala). She earned her Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2020 and has made significant contributions to food science and nutrition, focusing on the biochemical impacts of food colorants, functional foods, and nutrient-enriched formulations. With a research portfolio comprising over 20 peer-reviewed publications, her work spans high-impact journals such as Food Science & Nutrition, International Food Research Journal, Hindawi Journal of Food Quality, and Journal of Food Science and Technology. Her research has collectively attracted more than 47 citations and she maintains an h-index of 5 and an i10-index of 6, reflecting the relevance and citation strength of her studies in nutritional biochemistry and food innovation. Dr. Shakoor’s ongoing funded project—on dietary modification and micronutrient deficiency mitigation among young women—highlights her commitment to applied nutrition research. She has also supervised multiple postgraduate theses, reviewed international manuscripts, and presented at numerous global and national conferences, positioning her as an influential voice in nutritional science and food technology advancement.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Azmat, M. A., Shahzad, A., Shaban, M., Khan, A. A., & Shakoor, S. Exploring the multifaceted potential of Elaeagnus angustifolia L.: A comprehensive review of its nutritional, pharmacological, and environmental significance. Food Science & Nutrition, 13(7), e70486.

Khan, M. A., Shakoor, S., Ameer, K., Farooqi, M. A., Rohi, M., Saeed, M., Asghar, M. T., Irshad, M. B., Waseem, M., Tanweer, S., & others. Effects of dehydrated Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf powder supplementation on physicochemical, antioxidant, mineral, and sensory properties of whole wheat flour leavened bread. Journal of Food Quality, 2023, Article 4473000.

Khan, M. A., Ameer, K., Shakoor, S., Ashraf, M. R., Butt, M., Khalid, M. S., Rakha, A., Rohi, M., Nadeem, M., & Khalil, A. A. Development and characterization of wheat rusks supplemented with Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) flour with respect to physicochemical, rheological and sensory characteristics. Food Science and Technology (Campinas), 42, e53921.

Shakoor, S., Ismail, A., Zia-Ur-Rahman, Sabran, M. R., Bekhit, A. E. D. A., & Roohinejad, S.  Impact of tartrazine and curcumin on mineral status, and thyroid and reproductive hormones disruption in vivo. International Food Research Journal, 29(1), 186–199.

Shakoor, S., Ismail, A., Sabran, M. R., Mohtarrudin, N., Kaka, U., & Nadeem, M. In-vivo study of synthetic and natural food colors effect on biochemical and immunity parameters. Food Science and Technology (Campinas), 1–13.

Irina Primac | Nuclear Medicine | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Irina Primac | Nuclear Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Belgian Nucler Research Center SCK CEN | Belgium

Dr. Irina Primac, PhD, is an accomplished cancer biologist and radiopharmaceutical researcher, currently serving as Head of the Radiobiology Unit at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN). She leads a multidisciplinary team focusing on radiotheranostics and tumor microenvironment research, integrating molecular radiobiology with translational cancer therapy. With an H-index of 10, over 744 citations, and more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Primac’s research demonstrates a strong impact on the fields of cancer radiotherapy, epigenetics, and radiopharmaceutical innovation. Her high-impact papers include contributions in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, Cell, and the Journal of Clinical Investigation, underscoring her international recognition. She has been awarded multiple EU-funded research grants such as Thera4Care and Accelerate.EU, leading preclinical work on FAPI-based radioligands for metastatic and triple-negative breast cancers. A recipient of several national and international research prizes and fellowships, Dr. Primac actively contributes to European cancer research initiatives and editorial boards. Her scientific vision centers on advancing precision oncology through next-generation theranostic platforms, bridging laboratory innovation with patient-centered cancer care.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Rajan, N., Primac, I., Etlioglu, E., Debruyne, L., Janssen, A., Sallam, M., Tabury, K., Quintens, R., Tjalma, W., & Benotmane, M. A. Characterizing the salivary RNA landscape to identify potential diagnostic, prognostic, and follow-up biomarkers for breast cancer. Molecular Oncology.

Florit, A., de Koster, E. J., Sassano, S., Alic, L., Pisano, G., van Velden, F. H. P., Annunziata, S., Primac, I., Ruggiero, M. R., Müller, C., & others. Head-to-head comparison of fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI) radiopharmaceuticals and [18F]FDG in gynaecological malignancies: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.

Quarto, G., Li Greci, A., Bizet, M., Penning, A., Primac, I., Murisier, F., Garcia-Martinez, L., Borges, R. L., Gao, Q., Cingaram, P. K. R., & others. Fine-tuning of gene expression through the Mettl3-Mettl14-Dnmt1 axis controls ESC differentiation. Cell.

Penning, A., Wang, K., Célérier, M., Collignon, E., Primac, I., Van der Linden, L., Bizet, M., Calonne, E., Hassabi, B., Hubert, C., & others. m3C is a mitochondrial mRNA modification which promotes tumor progression. bioRxiv.

Primac, I., Penning, A., & Fuks, F. Cancer epitranscriptomics in a nutshell. Current Opinion in Genetics and Development, 75, 101924.

Min Zhang | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Min Zhang | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Gansu Provincial Hospital | China

Dr. Min Zhang is a Consultant Physician and Deputy Head of the Second Neurology Department at Gansu Provincial Hospital, recognized as a Second-Tier Talent and an Outstanding Young Physician by the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine. Her research primarily focuses on neurological disorders such as cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and peripheral neuropathy. She also specializes in minimally invasive botulinum toxin injections for movement disorders and spasticity management. Dr. Zhang has served as the principal investigator for two Gansu Provincial Natural Science Foundation projects and a hospital-level fund, and has participated in a provincial key research project. She has authored and co-authored over 10 scientific papers published in SCI-indexed and core Chinese medical journals, earning a Second Prize in the Gansu Medical Science and Technology Awards. Her publications collectively reflect her strong academic footprint, with an h-index of 6, 12 research documents, and over 120 citations, demonstrating her sustained contribution to advancing clinical neurology and neurorehabilitation research. Dr. Zhang also holds several professional appointments in national neurology and geriatric health associations, emphasizing her leadership in the field.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Zhang, M., Li, Y., Liu, F., & Wang, M. Enhanced precision in intracerebral hemorrhage modeling via methodological improvements and outcomes. Scientific Reports.

Ma, R., You, H., Liu, H., Bao, J., & Zhang, M.  Hesperidin: A citrus plant component plays a role in the central nervous system. Heliyon.

Lu, W., Wen, M., Li, Y., Liu, F., Li, Y., Zhang, H., & Zhang, M. Effects of visual feedback balance system combined with weight loss training system on balance and walking ability in the early rehabilitation stage of stroke: A randomized controlled exploratory study. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders.

Zhang, M., You, H., Zhang, H., Zhao, W., Han, T., Liu, J., Jiang, S., & Feng, X. Effects of visual feedback balance training with the Pro-kin system on walking and self-care abilities in stroke patients. Medicine.