Ms. ELPIDA ROUSSAKOU | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Ms. ELPIDA ROUSSAKOU | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Phd Candidate, UNIVERSITY OF WEST ATTICA, ATHENS, Greece

Elpida Roussakou is a dedicated Greek public health professional, educator, and researcher with a strong background in hygiene, health and safety, and non-formal education. With a career rooted in improving workplace health standards and food hygiene, she combines academic excellence with hands-on consultancy. She is currently a PhD Candidate in Tourism Management at the University of West Attica and an accomplished lecturer affiliated with Mediterranean College and UK institutions like the University of Derby and University of Wolverhampton. Her diverse experience spans health safety training, HACCP system design, and higher education teaching.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award – Ms. Elpida Roussakou

Ms. Elpida Roussakou demonstrates a strong foundation in public hygiene, health and safety, and interdisciplinary research, particularly in the intersection of health, safety, tourism, and education. Her academic journey, highlighted by a summa cum laude Master’s degree and current PhD candidacy, is supported by a range of professional licenses, certifications, and teaching roles across prestigious academic institutions. Her contributions to scientific literature, especially regarding public health challenges during the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, show a clear alignment with applied, socially impactful research — a critical criterion for a best research award.

🎓 Education Background

Elpida earned her undergraduate diploma in Public Hygiene from the Τ.Ε.Ι. of Athens, graduating with distinction (8.10/10), and her thesis scored a perfect 10. She further pursued a Master’s degree in “Health and Safety in the Workplace” at the Democritus University of Thrace, graduating summa cum laude with a GPA of 9.15. Her postgraduate journey includes certification as an adult trainer (EOPPEP), a license to practice as a Hygienist and to conduct disinfestation procedures, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (ILTA) from Manchester Metropolitan University.

💼 Professional Experience

Since 2016, Elpida has been actively engaged in her company, Hygioacts, designing HACCP systems and workplace safety plans for over 190 food and beverage companies. She has taught extensively at Mediterranean College in both the Physiotherapy and Psychology departments, delivering modules on research methods, service improvement, and leadership. Additionally, she has conducted certified health and safety training for food service staff under EFET programs through collaborations with companies like Qualiment, GEP, APOPISI KEK, and Eurotraining. Her work bridges academia, professional training, and practical consultancy.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Elpida’s academic achievements are underscored by her summa cum laude graduation from her Master’s program and her high-standing GPA throughout her studies. She is a certified EOPPEP trainer and has earned professional licenses in the fields of public hygiene and pest disinfestation. Her teaching credentials are further validated by her UK postgraduate certificate in higher education instruction.

🔬 Research Focus

Her research primarily centers on public health safety, the impact of socio-economic crises on hygiene practices, food safety in catering, and ethical practices in healthcare, especially during critical periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Her ongoing doctoral work in tourism management also explores health and safety practices in hospitality settings.

📚 Top Publications 

  1. Economic crisis affects modern Greek house conditions: maintenance and heating deterioration
    To Vima tou Asklipiou, 2017, Vol. 16(3), pp. 160-175
    Cited by: 3 articles

  2. Halal Islamic certification in relation to European requirements and international standards in the field of meat. Special National Rules in Greece
    e-Journal of Science & Technology (e-JST), 2018, Vol. 13(3), pp. 13–35
    Cited by: 4 articles

  3. Ethical Issues in Intensive Care Units during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 2021, Vol. 24(9), pp. 855–856
    Cited by: 5 articles

  4. Precaution Measures for the Safety of the Personnel in the Surgical Wards during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Journal of Hand Surgery Asian-Pacific, 2021, Vol. 26(1), pp. 127–129
    Cited by: 2 articles

  5. New Technologies in Health and Safety in Hotel Restaurants During Covid-19: A Systematic Review
    Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, 2023, IACuDiT Conference Proceedings
    Cited by: 1 article

 

Mr. FERNANDO GARCIA SANZ | Robotic | Best Researcher Award

Mr. FERNANDO GARCIA SANZ | Robotic | Best Researcher Award

Director Rehabilitation, CEMTRO clinic, Spain

Fernando García Sanz  is a highly accomplished physiotherapist and rehabilitation expert with over 25 years of experience in the fields of physiotherapy, injury prevention, and sports rehabilitation. Currently based in Madrid, Spain, he serves as the Director of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department at Hospital CEMTRO, a role he has held since 2008. His career includes prestigious positions, such as personal physiotherapist to Real Madrid Football Club players, and his work emphasizes elite treatment standards for both professional athletes and general patients. Fernando is recognized not only for his hands-on clinical expertise but also for his contributions to education, research, and leadership in healthcare institutions.

Publication Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education Background:

Fernando is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences since 2021. He holds an Executive Master in Advanced Management Program from IE Business School (2019–2021), a Master’s Degree in Directing and Managing Health Institutions from University Pontificia de Salamanca (2016–2017), and an Expert Title in Manipulative Therapy from the CAR of San Cugat (2014–2015). His academic path also includes a Master’s in Sports Physiotherapy from European University of Madrid (2009–2010), where his award-winning thesis was published, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from University Pontificia de Salamanca (1995–1998). 📘📚

💼 Professional Experience:

Fernando’s career is distinguished by his leadership at Hospital CEMTRO since 2000, where he rose from physiotherapist to department director. Under his leadership, the department became a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, handling over 90,000 sessions annually. He was also Director of the Sport Injury Center (2010–2012) and served for 15 years as a physiotherapist at Real Madrid CF (1998–2013), managing injury recovery and rehabilitation for elite athletes. His early clinical work included roles at San Rafael and Pío XII Hospitals. 🏥⚽

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Fernando contributed significantly to Hospital CEMTRO’s recognition as one of only 49 FIFA Centers of Medical Excellence worldwide 🌍. His master’s thesis earned Summa Cum Laude honors, and he is frequently invited as a speaker on national TV and at top medical conferences. He is a recognized expert member of ASEPI and the Official College of Physiotherapists of Madrid.

🔬 Research Focus:

His research interests include invasive physiotherapy techniques, tendinopathies, cartilage injuries, eccentric training, and sports injury prevention and recovery. Fernando integrates clinical experience with academic knowledge through his teaching and his company EXEFF, where he trains advanced physiotherapists. He has published in top journals and contributed to textbooks and international guidelines. 🧬📝

✅ Conclusion:

Fernando García Sanz is a trailblazer in physiotherapy and rehabilitation in Spain, blending hands-on excellence with visionary leadership and scholarly insight. His commitment to elite sports health, education, and continuous learning cements his reputation as a foremost authority in physiotherapy and sports medicine. 🏅📈

📚 Top Publications :

Effect of the invasive treatment through dry needling about the tolerance to the myofascial pain in the infraspinatus muscle
📅 Year: 2011 | 📖 Journal: Cuestiones de Fisioterapia
📊 Cited by: ~20 articles (approximate based on indexing databases)

Physiotherapy after Cartilage Repair – ICRS Newsletter
📅 Year: 2011 | 📖 Journal: ICRS Newsletter
📊 Cited by: Multiple clinical reference works and therapy guidelines

The strength training as active-assisted exercise therapy in Cinesiterapia: Physiological Basis and Practical Application
📅 Year: 2013 | 📖 Publisher: Elsevier
📊 Cited by: Multiple academic book reviews and physiotherapy courses

Treatment of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit in the general population with shoulder pain. An open single-arm clinical trial
📅 Year: 2023 | 📖 Journal: Medicine (Baltimore)
📊 Cited by: 5+ clinical studies and orthopedic therapy reviews

Heung-Shik Lee | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Heung-Shik Lee | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Professor, Joongbu University, South Korea

Heung-Shik Lee is a distinguished professor and the Dean of the Department of Electrical Electronic and Automotive Engineering at Joongbu University since 2016. 🌟 With a solid background as a technical advisory member for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Environment, Prof. Lee has made significant contributions to the field. Prior to his current role, he was a professional researcher at the High Energy Materials Specialized Research Center at the Agency for Defense Development in Korea and a Research Fellow at the University of Texas at Dallas. 🌐

Profile

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Innovative Research Focus: Prof. Lee has developed an autonomous small mobility robot that addresses a significant challenge—exploring underground facilities where traditional communication methods like Wi-Fi and GPS are not viable. This innovation has practical implications for improving infrastructure management and safety.
  2. Significant Contributions: His research directly impacts community safety and efficiency by enabling precise location information of underground pipes and exploration results. This is crucial for maintaining and managing infrastructure, which benefits public services and safety.
  3. Professional Expertise: Prof. Lee’s extensive experience in both academic and industry settings, including his advisory roles with government ministries and his background in high-energy materials research, highlights his deep expertise and the relevance of his work.
  4. Research Output: With 48 journal publications, 14 patents, and numerous consultancy projects, Prof. Lee demonstrates a high level of productivity and impact in his field. His citation index of 270 further supports the influence and recognition of his work.
  5. Collaborations and Memberships: His collaborations with institutions like Inha University and his advisory roles show his active engagement in advancing his field and contributing to broader technological and academic communities.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Community Engagement: While his research has clear practical applications, additional details on community involvement or outreach efforts could strengthen his case. Demonstrating direct interactions with or benefits to local communities might add further value to his nomination.
  2. Broader Impact: Highlighting specific case studies or real-world implementations of his technology could provide a clearer picture of the community impact. Evidence of successful commercial applications or user feedback would enhance the assessment of his contributions.
  3. Detailed Metrics: Providing more specific metrics or examples of how his research has directly benefited communities or led to tangible improvements would strengthen the nomination. This could include details on cost savings, safety improvements, or efficiency gains from his innovations.

Education

Prof. Lee has an extensive academic foundation, holding advanced degrees in engineering, which underpin his expertise in smart materials and automotive applications. 📚

Experience

His professional journey includes notable positions such as serving as a technical advisor and contributing to multiple research and consultancy projects. His expertise extends to autonomous control, smart materials, sensors, and structural safety. 🚀

Research Interests

Prof. Lee’s research focuses on smart material-based automotive applications, autonomous control systems, and advanced sensors and actuators. His innovative work includes the development of autonomous small mobility robots for underground facility exploration using AI technology. 🤖

Awards

Prof. Lee is nominated for the Best Researcher Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the field of engineering and technology. 🏆

Publications

Multiple IMU sensor fusion using resolution refinement method to reduce quantization error