Negin Maroufi | Public Health | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Negin Maroufi | Public Health | Best Researcher Award

University of Otago | New Zealand

Ms. Negin Maroufi is a highly motivated Ph.D. candidate in Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington (2023–present), specializing in the application of machine learning and multi-source surveillance data to predict seasonal influenza patterns in New Zealand to support improved prevention and health service management. She holds an M.Sc. in Computer Engineering (Software) from Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran (2018), where her thesis focused on designing approximate compressor circuits using Quantum-dot Cellular Automata, and a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering (Hardware) from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran (2013), where she developed character recognition systems via tablet digitizers. Her professional experience includes serving as Deputy of Research and Technology at Neyshabour University of Medical Sciences (2021–2023), coordinating IT infrastructure, database management, and epidemiological data analysis, and contributing to the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Ageing (NeLSA) from 2017–2021, where she designed databases, developed web interfaces, performed statistical analyses, and assisted in COVID-19 surveillance reporting. She has also taught English, programming, and IT courses in various institutions, demonstrating strong mentorship and teaching capabilities. Her research interests lie at the intersection of digital epidemiology, public health informatics, machine learning, and predictive modeling for infectious disease surveillance. She possesses advanced research skills in C/C#/ASP.NET programming, Python, R, STATA, SQL database design, data cleaning, machine learning, and biomedical data analysis, and holds certifications in Good Clinical Practice, biomedical research ethics, and data science. Her work has been published in reputable journals such as the Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases and the International Journal of Epidemiology, and she has contributed to national COVID-19 epidemiology reports. Negin has received the University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship, maintained top grades throughout her academic career, and earned awards in mathematics and programming competitions. Her combined expertise, research experience, and leadership abilities position her as a promising emerging scholar in public health and digital epidemiology. 27 Citations by 27 documents, 3 Documents, h-index 1.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Aminisani, N., Azimi-Nezhad, M., Shamshirgaran, S. M., Mirhafez, S. R., Borji, A., Poustchi, H., Sezavar, S. H., Ansarin, K., Kolahi, S., Javadpor, A., Rezaei, A., Hooshmand, E., Maroufi, N., Tabaei, S., Eghtesad, S., Hyde, M., Kenny, R. A., Raina, P., Stephens, C., Malekzadeh, R. (2022). Cohort profile: The IRanian Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IRLSA): The first comprehensive study on ageing in Iran. International Journal of Epidemiology, 51(4), e177–e188. Citations: 37

  2. Maroufi, N., & Bahrepour, D. (2018). A novel three-input approximate XOR gate design based on quantum-dot cellular automata. Journal of Computational Electronics, 17(2), 866–879. Citations: 7

  3. Bahrepour, D., & Maroufi, N. (2018). A 2-bit full comparator design with a minimum quantum cost function in quantum-dot cellular automata. Information Systems & Telecommunication, 6, 197–203. Citations: 5

  4. Bahrepour, D., & Maroufi, N. (2019). A 2-bit full comparator design with minimum quantum cost function in quantum-dot cellular automata. Journal of Information Systems and Telecommunication (JIST), 4(24), 197. Citations: 3

  5. Maroufi, N., Sohrabi, M., Mehrabadi, S., Zamani, F., Ajdarkosh, H., Hatamian, S., Bahavar, A., Tameshkel, F. S., Gholami, A. (2024). Poor sleep quality and its influencing factors among Iranian patients with esophageal and gastric cancer. Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases, 16(1), 39–46. Citations: 2

 

Ian Dadour | Forensic Science | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Ian Dadour | Forensic Science | Best Researcher Award 

Professor | Source Certain International Limited | Australia 

Professor Ian Dadour is a distinguished Australian zoologist and forensic entomologist with a career spanning over four decades, making significant contributions to insect behavior, evolutionary biology, applied entomology, and forensic science. He completed his B.Sc. in Zoology at the University of Western Australia in 1978, followed by an Honours year at the University of New England in Entomology in 1979, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Western Australia in 1988, with a thesis on the agonistic behavior of the bushcricket Mygalopsis marki. Following postdoctoral fellowships in Germany and at the University of Adelaide focusing on insect mating systems and habitat selection, he joined the Western Australian Department of Agriculture in 1989, where he led the Dung Beetle/Bush Fly Programme and initiated his career in forensic entomology. Professionally, Professor Dadour has served as Director of the Centre for Forensic Science (UWA), Head of Research & Education at Source Certain International, Professor of Forensic Science at UWA, Adjunct Professor at Deakin University and Murdoch University, and Visiting/Adjunct Professor at Boston University and Lincoln University (UK), supervising numerous MSc and Ph.D. students and teaching forensic entomology worldwide, including the FBI Evidence Response Team. His research interests encompass forensic entomology, insect ecology, evolutionary biology, and forensic provenancing, with skills in population genetics, taphonomy, decomposition studies, and applied field and laboratory techniques. Professor Dadour has authored extensive publications, contributed to over 450 graduate completions, and provided expert forensic testimony in multiple jurisdictions. His awards and honors include ANZFSS Scholarship (1998), Michael Duffy Travel Fellowship (2002), Best Refereed Paper (2001), Faculty Teaching Award (2008), Henry Delaforce Award (2009), and international recognition for teaching and research. His work has had significant societal and forensic impact, advancing global standards in forensic entomology, mentoring future leaders, and strengthening law enforcement practices. 2,585 Citations, 99 Documents, h-index 29.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

  1. Dadour, I. R. (2025). Post-mortem interval determinations using insects collected from illegally hunted and dehorned rhinoceros in the Republic of South Africa from 2014 to 2021. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. Citations: 2

  2. Dadour, I. R. (2025). A preliminary study of carrion insects in Greece and their attraction to three animal baits: A forensic entomology perspective. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology. Citations: 2

  3. Dadour, I. R. (2025). Linking seasonal temperature variations with laboratory-derived development data for Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart): A case for myiasis. Forensic Sciences. Citations: 0

  4. Dadour, I. R. (2025). Unusual bot fly larva removed from the scalp of a returning traveler. Journal of Medical Entomology. Citations: 0

  5. Dadour, I. R. (2025). The decomposition process in two restricted access environments in a temperate climate: Hard-covered suitcases and wheeled bins. Forensic Science International. Citations: 1

Melanie Pienaar | Forensic Science | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Melanie Pienaar | Forensic Science | Best Researcher Award 

Senior Forensic Analyst | South African Police Services | South Africa 

Captain Melanie Pienaar is an accomplished forensic entomologist and senior forensic analyst at the South African Police Service (SAPS), specializing in forensic entomology, fingerprint expertise, and victim identification. She obtained her BSc degree from the University of the Free State, where she was awarded the Nikon Prize for best second-year student in entomology, and later completed a TESOL diploma with distinction at the London Teacher Training College. Her extensive professional training includes advanced courses in forensic fingerprint analysis, crime scene investigation, anthropology, entomology, bloodstain pattern analysis, forensic pathology, disaster victim identification, and profiling, gained through international collaborations with institutions in Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, and South Africa. Professionally, she has contributed as an expert witness in multiple high-profile court cases, including murder and wildlife crime investigations, and currently leads forensic entomology analyses for SAPS. Her research interests lie in postmortem interval estimation, forensic entomology applications in crime-solving and wildlife conservation, and developing best practices for linking insect development to forensic investigations, with her current MSc focusing on estimating indoor temperatures from outdoor data in minimum postmortem interval calculations. Pienaar’s research skills span insect specimen analysis, advanced forensic photography, crime scene reconstruction, and interdisciplinary forensic methodologies, demonstrated through her published work in Medical Veterinary Entomology on rhinoceros poaching and her presentations at leading international conferences such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the Oppenheimer Research and Conservation Conference. She has been recognized for her academic and professional excellence with multiple distinctions in forensic training and has contributed significantly to global awareness of forensic entomology through media features and outreach. Her career reflects a rare integration of forensic science, conservation, and international collaboration, marking her as a leader in her field with strong potential for future impact. Citations: 80, Documents: 9, h-index: 5.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID  | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

  1. Pienaar, M., Orton, A. M., & Botma, Y. (2022). A supportive clinical learning environment for undergraduate students in health sciences: An integrative review. Nurse Education Today, 119, 105572. Citations: 33

  2. Pienaar, M., & Reid, M. (2020). Self-management in face-to-face peer support for adults with type 2 diabetes living in low- or middle-income countries: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1834. Citations: 31

  3. Maina, P. M., Pienaar, M., & Reid, M. (2023). Self-management practices for preventing complications of type II diabetes mellitus in low and middle-income countries: A scoping review. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 5, 100136. Citations: 30

  4. Reid, M., Walsh, C., Raubenheimer, J., Bradshaw, T., Pienaar, M., Hassan, C., … (2018). Development of a health dialogue model for patients with diabetes: A complex intervention in a low-/middle-income country. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 8, 122–131. Citations: 20

  5. Pienaar, M. A., & Reid, M. (2021). A diabetes peer support intervention: Patient experiences using the Mmogo-method®. Health SA Gesondheid, 26, 1512. Citations: 12

Werner E.G.Müller | Materials Science | Outstanding Scientist Award

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Prof. Werner E.G.Müller | Materials Science | Outstanding Scientist Award 

Professor  | Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz | Germany

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Werner E. G. Müller is an internationally renowned scientist in physiological chemistry, molecular biology, and marine biotechnology, whose career spans over five decades of pioneering research and academic leadership. He earned his Ph.D. in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Mainz in 1967, becoming the youngest doctoral graduate at the institution, and rapidly advanced through roles as Research Assistant and Associate Professor before his appointment in 1977 as University Professor at the Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. His professional experience includes leading the Department of Applied Molecular Biology, extensive visiting professorships in Japan, Croatia, Belarus, and China, and coordination of large-scale international research initiatives such as the ERC Advanced Grant projects BIOSILICA and Si-Bone-PoC, as well as EU FP7 programs like BlueGenics and Bio-Scaffold. His research interests focus on deep metazoan phylogeny, biomineralization processes such as biosilicification in sponges, and the application of silica-forming enzymes in nanomedicine and tissue engineering. Demonstrating outstanding research skills in molecular biology, structural biochemistry, and nanobiotechnology, Prof. Müller has translated fundamental discoveries into biomedical applications, including bone regeneration and antiviral therapeutics. His scientific excellence is recognized through numerous honors, such as the Boehringer Award, Max-Bürger Award, Kani Medal, Innovation Prize of Rheinland-Pfalz, Spiridion Brusina Medal, and the prestigious Friendship Award of the People’s Republic of China, alongside membership in leading academies and editorships of top-tier journals. With over 1,100 peer-reviewed publications, 20+ patents, and continuous contributions to global science, he has shaped the fields of biotechnology, molecular evolution, and medical innovation. In conclusion, Prof. Werner E. G. Müller stands as a visionary scholar whose research continues to inspire advancements in marine biotechnology and nanomedicine worldwide. 38,686 Citations by 22,339 documents | 1,125 Documents | h-index 89

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publications

Miltenyi, S., Müller, W., Weichel, W., & Radbruch, A. (1990). High gradient magnetic cell separation with MACS. Cytometry: The Journal of the International Society for Analytical Cytology, 11(2), 231–238. Citations: 2,387

Schäfer, C., Heiss, A., Schwarz, A., Westenfeld, R., Ketteler, M., Floege, J., … Müller, W. E. G. (2003). The serum protein α2–Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein/fetuin-A is a systemically acting inhibitor of ectopic calcification. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 112(3), 357–366.Citations: 1,270

Hirabayashi, J., Hashidate, T., Arata, Y., Nishi, N., Nakamura, T., Hirashima, M., … Müller, W. E. G. (2002). Oligosaccharide specificity of galectins: A search by frontal affinity chromatography. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – General Subjects, 1572(2–3), 232–254.Citations: 1,257

Chevreux, B., Pfisterer, T., Drescher, B., Driesel, A. J., Müller, W. E. G., Wetter, T., & Suhai, S. (2004). Using the miraEST assembler for reliable and automated mRNA transcript assembly and SNP detection in sequenced ESTs. Genome Research, 14(6), 1147–1159.Citations: 1,226

Chaudhry, A., Samstein, R. M., Treuting, P., Liang, Y., Pils, M. C., Heinrich, J. M., … Müller, W. E. G. (2011). Interleukin-10 signaling in regulatory T cells is required for suppression of Th17 cell-mediated inflammation. Immunity, 34(4), 566–578.

Zhizhong Xing | Artificial Intelligence | Best Innovation Award

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Dr. Zhizhong Xing | Artificial Intelligence | Best Innovation Award

University Teacher | Kunming Medical University | China

Dr. Zhizhong Xing, Ph.D., is a distinguished provincial-level Xingdian Young Talent and high-level recruited scholar at Kunming Medical University, widely recognized for his impactful contributions at the intersection of artificial intelligence, deep learning, smart education, and rehabilitation medicine. He obtained his doctoral degree in a technical discipline that laid the foundation for his expertise in AI-driven systems, intelligent sensing, and advanced computational modeling. Professionally, he has accumulated significant experience as principal investigator and collaborator on multiple prestigious projects, including the National Key R&D Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation, and the Provincial Natural Science Foundation, reflecting both leadership and team-driven research capacity. His research interests center on the development of graph-based deep learning algorithms, point cloud analysis, and multi-source data fusion for applications in education technology, healthcare rehabilitation, and coal resource management under carbon peak initiatives. He has cultivated advanced research skills in 3D deep learning, human–computer interaction, laser point cloud segmentation, and biosensor-enhanced modeling, enabling translational advances across engineering, medicine, and education. Dr. Xing has published over 40 high-level academic papers, including more than 30 indexed by SCI, featured in CAS Tier 1 journals and IEEE Transactions, with several ranked as ESI Global Top 1% Highly Cited and Top 1‰ Hot Papers, reaching a total cumulative impact factor exceeding 111.8. His international visibility is further underscored by ongoing submissions to elite journals such as Nature Communications. Among his awards and honors are the Excellent Achievement Award for Scientific and Technological Research in Higher Education and the Provincial Science and Technology Award (Second Prize). He also serves as a reviewer for leading SCI journals and is a member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society. His career reflects not only scholarly excellence but also commitment to advancing global collaborations, mentoring, and applied innovation. 286 Citations by 216 documents | 28 Documents | 10 h-index.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Xing, Z., Zhao, S., Guo, W., Meng, F., Guo, X., Wang, S., & He, H. (2023). Coal resources under carbon peak: Segmentation of massive laser point clouds for coal mining in underground dusty environments using integrated graph deep learning model. Energy, 285, 128771. Cited by: 68

  2. Wu, Y., Zhao, S., Xing, Z., Wei, Z., Li, Y., & Li, Y. (2023). Detection of foreign objects intrusion into transmission lines using diverse generation model. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 38(5), 3551–3560. Cited by: 37

  3. Xing, Z., Zhao, S., Guo, W., Guo, X., & Wang, Y. (2021). Processing laser point cloud in fully mechanized mining face based on DGCNN. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 10(7), 482. Cited by: 29

  4. Xing, Z., Ma, G., Wang, L., Yang, L., Guo, X., & Chen, S. (2025). Towards visual interaction: Hand segmentation by combining 3D graph deep learning and laser point cloud for intelligent rehabilitation. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 12, 21328–21338. Cited by: 25

  5. Xing, Z., Meng, Z., Zheng, G., Ma, G., Yang, L., Guo, X., Tan, L., Jiang, Y., & Wu, H. (2025). Intelligent rehabilitation in an aging population: Empowering human–machine interaction for hand function rehabilitation through 3D deep learning and point cloud. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 19, 1543643

Sarita Rana | Nanotechnology Applications | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sarita Rana | Nanotechnology Applications | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Acropolis Faculty of Management and Research | India

Dr. Sarita Rana is a dedicated academic, researcher, and mentor with expertise in commerce, finance, and management. She currently serves as Associate Professor and Head of the MBA (Finance) Department at Acropolis Faculty of Management & Research, where she contributes extensively to academic leadership, curriculum development, and research supervision. With over 15 years of professional and teaching experience, she has established herself as a recognized scholar with an ability to integrate theory, practice, and innovation. Her contributions include guiding Ph.D. scholars, publishing widely in Scopus, ABDC, UGC-CARE, and Elsevier-indexed journals, and presenting at national and international conferences. She has also published patents on supply chain processes, campus sustainability, and AI-enabled tools, demonstrating her focus on applied and impactful research. Beyond academia, Dr. Rana plays an active role in academic quality assurance, innovation ambassador initiatives, and research-driven community engagement, positioning herself as a prominent voice in management and commerce education.

Professional Profiles

Scopus Profile | ORCID Profile

Education

Dr. Sarita Rana holds an impressive academic record, combining advanced degrees with professional certifications that strengthen her interdisciplinary profile. She earned her Ph.D. in Commerce from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), Indore, with a doctoral thesis focusing on “Mall Culture in Mega Cities: An Economic Analysis,” reflecting her interest in retail, economics, and consumer behavior. In addition, she pursued an MBA in Finance, enhancing her understanding of financial systems and management decision-making, and later complemented it with a Master’s degree in Economics to strengthen her analytical perspective. She also earned an M.Phil. and M.Com. in Commerce, providing her with a strong foundation in business studies and research methodologies. To further expand her academic and global teaching credentials, she completed the TESOL certification and cleared the Canadian TESOL Board Examination. This combination of degrees, spanning commerce, economics, finance, and language pedagogy, equips Dr. Rana with the multidisciplinary expertise essential for impactful research and teaching.

Experience

Dr. Rana has accumulated extensive academic and administrative experience across several reputed institutions, shaping her as both a researcher and leader. She began her career as a lecturer and researcher at DAVV’s School of Commerce, contributing to academic instruction, curriculum planning, and student mentoring. Over the years, she has served in faculty positions at institutions including Sanghvi Innovative Academy, St. Paul Institute of Professional Studies, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya, and AISECT University, where she not only taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses but also actively engaged in administrative tasks, recruitment, research guidance, and conference organization. At present, she holds the position of Associate Professor and Head of MBA (Finance) at Acropolis Faculty of Management & Research. In this role, she oversees departmental operations, ensures quality in teaching and accreditation processes, mentors doctoral and postgraduate students, and promotes research projects, thereby fostering academic excellence and institutional growth. Her career reflects a blend of pedagogy, leadership, and impactful research engagement.

Research Interest

Dr. Sarita Rana’s research interests lie at the intersection of commerce, finance, sustainability, and innovation, focusing on both traditional and emerging areas of management studies. She is particularly engaged in exploring sustainable finance mechanisms, including green bonds and ESG-driven investments, reflecting her interest in aligning business practices with environmental and social goals. Intellectual property rights form another core research domain, where she investigates their economic, legal, and ethical dimensions in shaping business strategies. She is also deeply interested in the application of technology to commerce, with recent work addressing AI-enabled financial models, fintech innovations like Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and digital transformation in education and business ecosystems. In addition, she explores consumer behavior, corporate governance, and supply chain management, often connecting theory with applied outcomes. Her interdisciplinary research approach allows her to bridge gaps between management, economics, sustainability, and technology, contributing meaningful insights to academia, industry, and policymakers.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Rana’s dedication to research and academia has been recognized through multiple awards and honors at national and international levels. She was honored with the International Award for Excellence in Research, recognizing her impactful contributions to management and commerce scholarship. More rechently, she received the Best Women Researcher Award, a distinction that highlights her leadership, innovation, and scholarly productivity. In addition to formal awards, her expertise has earned her invitations as keynote speaker and resource person at prestigious national and international conferences on topics suc as intellectual property rights, sustainable business, and recent trends in management. She also serves as a reviewer for reputed journals, both in India and abroad, contributing to academic quality and peer-reviewed scholarship. These recognitions underscore her consistent commitment to advancing knowledge, mentoring scholars, and integrating academic excellence with real-world problem-solving, making her a distinguished figure in her research community.

Research Skills

Dr. Rana possesses strong research skills that span conceptualization, methodology, analysis, and dissemination, enabling her to deliver impactful and applied academic contributions. She is adept at designing and supervising research projects, as evident in her guidance of Ph.D. scholars and successful thesis completions. Her publication record across Scopus, ABDC, UGC-CARE, and Elsevier platforms demonstrates proficiency in conducting empirical, theoretical, and interdisciplinary studies. She is skilled in applying quantitative and qualitative techniques, data analysis, and case study methods, often integrating statistical tools like SPSS for evidence-based research. Her innovation-driven approach is reflected in her patents on supply chain management, AI-enabled platforms, and campus sustainability, which showcase her ability to merge research with technology. As an active reviewer for journals, she brings a critical eye for scholarly rigor and originality. Overall, Dr. Rana’s research skills emphasize innovation, relevance, and collaboration, ensuring her work contributes effectively to both academia and practice.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Intellectual Property and Energy Efficiency in Food Safety: Legal Protections for Innovations in India
Authors: Singh, A.; Rana, S.; Tiwari, P.; Kaushik, K.
Year: 2025
Journal: Published as a book chapter in Energy Efficient Technologies for Food Safety, Quality and Security.

Title: The Patent Landscape of Nanomedicine: Opportunities and Obstacles
Authors: Amrita Singh; Sarita Rana; Mansi Trivedi; Abhay Kant Upadhyay; Omar Awad Alsaidan; Waleed H. Almalki; Salem Salman Almujri; Ankit Sahoo; Mahfoozur Rahman
Year: 2025
Journal: Published in World Patent Information.

Title: Case Study on Indian vs Foreign Players in IPL
Authors: Dr. Sarita Rana; Prof. Arnav Choudhary
Year: 2024
Journal: Published in Educational Administration Theory and Practices.

Conclusion

In summary, Dr. Sarita Rana is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her academic achievements, innovative patents, and extensive publication record demonstrate a career committed to advancing knowledge in commerce, finance, sustainability, and innovation. She has made meaningful contributions to student mentorship, institutional growth, and societal advancement, blending academic rigor with practical relevance. With her growing international footprint and potential to expand global collaborations, she is well-positioned to drive future research leadership and further strengthen her impact on academia and society.