Dr. Anna Iwan | Medicine | Research Excellence Award
Featured Publications
BKPyV—Co-Architect of the Fate of a Renal Transplant During a One-Year Observation Period
– International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026
Prof. Wei Wu | Director | Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention | China
Dr. Wei Wu is a distinguished public health scientist specializing in labor and environmental hygiene, microbial epidemiology, and health data analytics. His research primarily explores the intersection of gut microbiota, metabolic diseases, and public health, employing advanced population cohort and multi-omics data analysis to uncover novel biomarkers and disease risk genes. Dr. Wu’s studies contribute significantly to understanding nutrient–gut flora–host interactions, guiding innovative therapeutic targets for metabolic and infectious diseases. He has also made substantial contributions to vaccine health economics and hygiene assessment in rail transit systems. As a postgraduate supervisor and active member of multiple national scientific committees, Dr. Wu plays a vital role in shaping public health policy and research in China. His impactful scientific output has earned recognition in leading journals, including Nature Medicine and Microbiome. According to Scopus, he has published 35 documents with over 1,577 citations, an h-index of 13, and his work is widely cited across 1,498 documents. On Google Scholar, his publications have similarly received extensive academic engagement, underscoring his global research influence in environmental and preventive health sciences.
He, Y., Wu, W., Zheng, H. M., Li, P., McDonald, D., Sheng, H. F., et al. (2018). Regional variation limits applications of healthy gut microbiome reference ranges and disease models. Nature Medicine, 24(10), 1532–1535.
He, Y., Wu, W., Wu, S., Zheng, H. M., Li, P., Sheng, H. F., et al. (2018). Linking gut microbiota, metabolic syndrome and economic status based on a population-level analysis. Microbiome, 6(1), 172.
Guo, X., Yan, M., Huang, D., Chen, S., Zhang, D., Li, Z., Yang, X., & Wu, W. (2023). A large scale 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon dataset of hand, foot and mouth patients and healthy individuals. Scientific Data, 10(48), 1–6.
Yan, M., Guo, X., Ji, G., Huang, R., Huang, D., Li, Z., Zhang, D., Chen, S., Cao, R., Yang, X., & Wu, W. (2023). Mechanism-based role of the intestinal microbiota in gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Immunology, 13(3), 1–13.
Wang, H., Luo, L., & Wu, W. (2023). SAS statistical analysis and applications from introduction to mastery (2nd ed.). Posts & Telecom Press.
Dr. Eleni Memi | Clinician | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | Greece
Dr. Eleni Memi is a distinguished medical scientist and endocrinologist from Greece whose research focuses on endocrinology, diabetes, metabolism, reproductive endocrinology, and thyroid gland pathophysiology. Her scientific contributions span both clinical and translational aspects of endocrine disorders, with special emphasis on hormonal regulation, metabolic diseases, glycosaminoglycans, and reproductive endocrinology in women. Dr. Memi has made substantial advancements in understanding the interplay between thyroid dysfunction, glucocorticoid activity, and reproductive health, integrating molecular mechanisms with clinical applications. Her work in endocrine-related metabolic disorders has contributed to novel insights into hormonal pathways and disease outcomes. She has authored several influential papers and a book chapter published by Elsevier. Her scholarly impact is reflected in Scopus with 72 citations, 12 documents, and an h-index of 5, while Google Scholar reports 129 citations, an h-index of 6, and an i10-index of 6, underscoring her growing academic influence in medical research.
Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar
Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences | Iran
Assist. Prof. Dr. Golnar Rahimzadeh is an Iranian researcher and academic specializing in bacteriophage therapy, pediatric infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. With a strong scientific foundation in microbiology and biotechnology, she has contributed extensively to developing innovative therapeutic approaches against drug-resistant pathogens. Her work integrates laboratory expertise, clinical research, and translational science, particularly focusing on infectious diseases in children. She is also a pioneer in developing nanotechnology-based phage therapies and advanced biomedical applications.
She began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree at Islamic Azad University in Isfahan, later pursuing a Master’s at the Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University in Tehran. Her dedication to microbiology and medical sciences led her to complete a Ph.D. at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. She further advanced her expertise through postdoctoral training at the same institution, focusing on innovative therapeutic technologies and bacteriophage applications. This academic pathway shaped her multidisciplinary perspective, combining molecular biology, biotechnology, and infectious diseases research.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Golnar Rahimzadeh has held diverse professional roles, starting as a clinical and pathological laboratory expert in Isfahan and later contributing at Royan Stem Cell Technology Company in Tehran. She played an instrumental role in the Stem Cell Cord Blood Bank at Sari Birth Cohort Center, specializing in HLA typing and flow cytometry. Her academic career advanced with her appointment as an Assistant Professor at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, where she leads projects in infectious disease research. She has also served as a technical assistant in pediatric laboratory settings and has been actively engaged in scientific congresses, contributing to advancing knowledge in her field.
Her distinguished achievements include her appointment as an Assistant Professor at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, reflecting her academic and research excellence. She has also registered a knowledge-based company, Persian Nano-Bio Therapy, specializing in the isolation and production of industrial bacteriophage strains for pharmaceutical treatments, marking a significant innovation in biotechnology. In addition, she has received recognition for her scientific contributions through participation in national congresses, international conferences, and collaborative research projects. Her innovative patents on phage-based therapies for burn wounds and infectious diseases further highlight her impact in medical biotechnology.
Her primary research interests lie in bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial resistance, and pediatric infectious diseases. She has made notable contributions in developing phage-based gels, inhaled phage therapies, and nanobioparticles for combating resistant pathogens such as MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. She is also actively involved in clinical research on COVID associated infections, nosocomial infections, and secondary bacterial pneumonia. By bridging laboratory innovations with clinical applications, her work emphasizes translational medicine aimed at developing safe, effective, and sustainable treatments against multidrug-resistant microorganisms.
Antimicrobial activity Kefir on Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Published Year: 2011
Citation: 34
Evaluation of wound healing activities of kefir products
Published Year: 2012
Citation: 97
Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus phages from sewage at a pediatric hospital
Published Year: 2016
Citation: 42
Endolysins of Bacteriophages as an Anti-Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection in Children: A Narrative Review
Published Year: 2018
Citation: 19
Phage Therapy in Treatment of Gram-negative Bacterial Infections: A Systematic Review
Published Year: 2018
Citation: 63
Assist. Prof. Dr. Golnar Rahimzadeh stands as a leading figure in pediatric infectious disease research and phage therapy innovations. Her career reflects a balance of academic scholarship, industrial innovation, and translational medical research. With numerous publications, patents, and international collaborations, she continues to advance the global understanding of antimicrobial resistance and the therapeutic potential of bacteriophages. Her dedication to improving pediatric health through biotechnology has positioned her as an influential voice in the scientific community, making lasting contributions to both academic medicine and applied biomedical sciences.
Programme Manager | Njala University | Sierra Leone
Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai is a Sierra Leonean medical doctor and public health professional with expertise in field epidemiology and disease control. He currently serves as the District Medical Officer for Kailahun District, where he leads health system strengthening, disease surveillance, outbreak response, and community health interventions. With over a decade of medical and public health experience, he has played pivotal roles in managing infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola and COVID. His leadership in health service delivery, medical research, and policy implementation highlights his dedication to improving healthcare access and outcomes in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Desmond Maada kangbai’s academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both medicine and public health. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Medical Sciences in Santa Clara, Cuba, after completing pre-medical studies at the University of Sierra Leone. He pursued advanced epidemiology and disease control training at the University of Ghana, gaining both MPhil and Field Epidemiology Laboratory Training Program certification. He further enhanced his skills with an MPH from Njala University and specialized courses across Africa, including infection prevention, health facility management, and HIV/AIDS epidemiology. This combination of medical and epidemiological training shapes his expertise in public health.
Throughout his career, Dr. Desmond Maada kangbai has held critical leadership and clinical positions within Sierra Leone’s health system. He currently serves as District Medical Officer in Kailahun, overseeing district-wide health planning, surveillance, maternal and child health programs, and epidemic preparedness. He has also served as a medical superintendent, associate lecturer at Njala University, and project officer with the International Organization for Migration, where he supported border health system strengthening after the Ebola crisis. His earlier medical practice includes roles as a medical officer and house officer in surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, and obstetrics. His career demonstrates a blend of clinical service, academic mentorship, and public health leadership.
Dr. Desmond Maada kangbai has earned recognition for his commitment to public health service and research. He has presented at major international conferences, including the International Epidemiological Conference in Mozambique and the GFELTP Scientific Conference in Ghana, where his work on maternal health and surveillance was acknowledged. His role as a technical lead in Sierra Leone’s COVID response, as well as his leadership in vaccination campaigns and epidemic preparedness, has been widely recognized by health authorities and international partners. These achievements highlight his standing as a respected figure in Sierra Leone’s medical and epidemiological community.
Dr. Desmond Maada kangbai’s research focus centers on infectious disease epidemiology, immunization safety, maternal health systems, and surgical outcomes in resource-limited settings. He has contributed to peer-reviewed publications addressing adverse events following immunization with novel oral polio vaccines, outbreak responses, and orthopedic surgical outcomes. His work highlights the practical challenges and opportunities in health systems of low-income countries, particularly in Sierra Leone. By blending clinical practice with epidemiological research, he provides evidence-based insights that influence public health decision-making and international health policy, making his contributions vital to both local and global health improvement.
Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) Outbreak Response With Novel Oral Poliovirus Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2), Sierra Leone’s Experience
Published Year: 2025
Citation: 1
Adverse Events Following Immunization with Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2, and the Experience and Challenges of Reporting in Sierra Leone [Response to Letter]
Published Year: 2024
Citation: 3
Adverse Events Following Immunization with Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2, and the Experience and Challenges of Reporting in Sierra Leone
Published Year: 2024
Citation: 5
Evaluation of the treatment outcome of tibia shaft fracture by close reduction and internal fixation with interlocking intramedullary nail, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Published Year: 2023
Citation: 2
Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai is a committed physician, epidemiologist, and academic whose professional journey reflects a balance of clinical expertise, public health leadership, and impactful research. From managing Ebola patients at the peak of the epidemic to leading district-wide COVID response efforts, his career demonstrates resilience, leadership, and dedication to healthcare improvement. His academic contributions, teaching roles, and publications further reinforce his influence as both a practitioner and scholar. As Sierra Leone continues to strengthen its health system, Dr. Kangbai’s experience and research will remain integral to advancing public health outcomes and shaping effective epidemic preparedness strategies.
Associate Professor, University of Washington, United States
Dr. Sandhya R. Panch, MD, MPH, is an esteemed Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and the Medical Director of Transfusion at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. With a rich background in hematology and transfusion medicine, Dr. Panch has significantly contributed to both academic and clinical fields. Her extensive experience includes roles at the National Institutes of Health and various prestigious institutions, making her a leading expert in her specialty.
Dr. Panch earned her MBBS from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute in India. She furthered her education with a Master’s in Public Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) from the University of Minnesota. Her postdoctoral training includes a residency in Internal Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital, followed by a Clinical Fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, where she also completed a Post-doctoral Research Fellowship in Molecular Hematopoiesis under the mentorship of Dr. Cynthia E. Dunbar.
Dr. Panch has held numerous prestigious positions throughout her career. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Washington and Medical Director of Transfusion at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Her previous roles include Assistant Research Physician at the NIH Clinical Center and Medical Director at the Center for Cellular Engineering. She has also served as an Attending Physician at NHLBI, NIH, and INOVA SCHAR Cancer Institute, contributing to both clinical practice and research.
Dr. Panch’s research interests are deeply rooted in hematology and transfusion medicine. She focuses on improving hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization, understanding the impact of manufacturing-related parameters on CAR T-cell product quality, and exploring the safety and efficacy of various treatments for hematologic conditions. Her work aims to enhance patient outcomes through innovative therapeutic approaches and clinical trials.
Dr. Panch has received numerous awards and grants throughout her career, including the National Blood Foundation Early Career Award and the NIH Clinical Center Research Award for Staff Clinicians Program. She has been recognized for her contributions to hematology and transfusion medicine, reflecting her dedication to advancing medical research and patient care.