Osama Sawalha | Healthcare Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Osama Sawalha | Healthcare Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Universidad de Granada | Spain

Dr. Osama Sawalha is a dedicated researcher and registered nurse with a PhD in Public Health and Clinical Medicine from the University of Granada, Spain. His academic background also includes a Master’s degree in Health Care for the Promotion of Personal Autonomy and End-of-Life Care Processes and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. With extensive clinical experience across Spain and Palestine, Dr. Sawalha has worked in diverse healthcare environments, including hospitals, Alzheimer’s care facilities, and emergency medical services. His research focuses on psychological well-being, particularly depression, anxiety, and stress among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and their caregivers. He has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, addressing mental health outcomes, cardiac recovery, and family functioning in chronic illness contexts. Dr. Sawalha has presented his work at international conferences and participated in numerous professional development programs on research methodologies, scientific writing, and biomedicine. His work aims to improve the integration of psychological care within clinical and community health systems. Through his dedication to patient-centered research and compassionate nursing practice, Dr. Sawalha continues to contribute meaningfully to advancing public health and evidence-based care.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Sawalha, O., Ariza-Vega, P., Alhalaiqa, F., Pérez-Rodríguez, S., & Romero-Ayuso, D. (2024). Psychological discomfort in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in West Bank: A cohort study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(7), 2027.

Sawalha, O., Ariza-Vega, P., Alhalaiqa, F., Dabbour, R., & Romero-Ayuso, D. (2025). Comparison of pre- and post-surgery cardiac depression and perceived stress levels in heart patients undergoing different types of surgery. Geriatric Nursing.

Pérez-Rodríguez, S., Sawalha, O., & Romero-Ayuso, D. (2025). ECogFun-Virtual Reality program for improving planning and organization skills in daily life in children and adolescents with ADHD: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Research in Developmental Disabilities.

Wenhu Xu | Quantitative Research | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Wenhu Xu | Quantitative Research | Best Researcher Award

Peking University | China

Wenhu Xu is a doctoral candidate in Demography at Peking University, with a master’s degree in Social Work from the same institution and a bachelor’s degree from Jimei University. His research focuses on population aging, elderly health, social policy, and the silver economy. Xu has actively contributed to national research projects, including the National Key Research and Development Plan and the National Social Science Foundation major project on elderly care systems with Chinese characteristics. His work has been published in both international and Chinese core journals, addressing topics such as chronic diseases, medical burden, and the impact of AI and accessibility technologies on vulnerable groups. He has presented at multiple international conferences, including IJCAI and AIDBEI, and received distinctions such as the Peking University May Fourth Scholarship and recognition as a merit student. Xu’s academic endeavors integrate demographic analysis with social innovation, emphasizing data-driven insights for improving health equity and active aging. His goal is to contribute to policy optimization and the sustainable development of China’s aging society through interdisciplinary research and evidence-based strategies.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

A Cohort of Sociodemographic and Health-Related Risk Factors for All-Cause Mortality in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China, 2025

Shruti Shukla | Social Impact Young Researcher Award| 

Ms. Shruti Shukla | Social Impact |  Young Researcher Award 

Technical University of Munich | Germany

Ms. Shruti Shukla is a dedicated researcher in global health with a strong focus on gender equity, adolescent maternal and child health, and the socio-economic determinants of well-being in low- and middle-income countries. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Global Health at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, where her research examines the impact of gender transformative interventions on adolescent maternal and child health outcomes. She holds an MSc in Global Health from Maastricht University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Liberal Arts from Ashoka University, and an MSc in Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Her extensive professional experience includes research associate roles at TUM and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, contributing to projects on economic violence, intimate partner violence, and the impact of COVID-19 on gender inequities. She has also worked as a project coordinator for community-based health programs in India focusing on pneumonia and anaemia prevention. Her research interests encompass public health policy, gender-based violence prevention, and global health systems. She has delivered lectures on global and maternal health and contributed to several international collaborations. Ms. Shukla continues to pursue evidence-based approaches that promote equity, resilience, and empowerment in global health contexts.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Shukla, S., Shenderovich, Y., Jacobs, C., & Steinert, J. I. (2025). Pedalling progress? Assessing the long-term impact of a bicycle intervention on adolescent maternal and child health in Zambia. Social Science & Medicine.

Shukla, S., Kharade, A., Böhret, I., Jumaniyazova, M., Meyer, S. R., Abejirinde, I.-O. O., Shenderovich, Y., & Steinert, J. (2025). How do gender transformative interventions reduce adolescent pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries: A realist synthesis. Journal of Global Health.

Shukla, S., Mosha, N. R., Meyer, S. R., Harvey, S., Lees, S., Mshana, G., & Stöckl, H. (2025). Women’s informal group participation and intimate partner violence in Mwanza, Tanzania: A longitudinal study. Social Science & Medicine.

Steinert, J. I., Shukla, S., & Satish, R. V. (2024). Navigating distress: Exploring factors affecting adolescent girls’ wellbeing during and after a violence-focused survey in Maharashtra, India. Child Abuse & Neglect.

Shukla, S., Abejirinde, I.-O. O., Meyer, S. R., Shenderovich, Y., & Steinert, J. I. (2024). Mechanisms behind gender transformative approaches targeting adolescent pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries: A realist synthesis protocol. Systematic Reviews.

Shukla, S., Castro Torres, A. F., Satish, R. V., Shenderovich, Y., Abejirinde, I.-O. O., & Steinert, J. I. (2023). Factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in Maharashtra, India: A mixed-methods study. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters.

Meyer, S. R., Hardt, S., Brambilla, R., Shukla, S., & Stöckl, H. (2023). Sociological theories to explain intimate partner violence: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. Advance online publication.

Najim Alshahrani – Public health – Best Researcher Award 

Assist Prof Dr. Najim Alshahrani - Public health - Best Researcher Award 

University of Jeddah - Saudi Arabia

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Assist Prof Dr. Najim Zafer Alshahrani embarked on his academic journey with a solid foundation in medicine and public health. Born on September 21, 1989, he completed his high school education at First Alabna'a Secondary School in Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia. His pursuit of higher education began at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). This foundational medical education set the stage for his future contributions to the field of preventive medicine and public health.

Driven by a desire to further his expertise, Alshahrani pursued a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the prestigious University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School in Australia. This international experience broadened his perspective and equipped him with advanced knowledge and skills in public health. Additionally, he achieved a Certificate in Travel Health (CTH) from the International Society of Travel Medicine in Dunwoody, United States, showcasing his commitment to specialized areas of public health.

Professional Endeavors

Assist Prof Dr. Najim Zafer Alshahrani's professional career is marked by a series of significant roles that highlight his dedication to preventive medicine and public health. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the Family and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jeddah. His academic role involves mentoring and supervising undergraduate medical students, particularly in their field health promotion projects.

Alshahrani has held several key positions, including Chairman of the Research Ethical Local Committee at Alborg Diagnostics and Founder & CEO of the Arab Clinical Research Institute (ACRI). His leadership extends to founding and directing the SBPM Platform for Educational and Research Developmental Services in Public Health and Preventive Medicine. These roles underscore his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to advancing research and education in his field.

Contributions and Research Focus

A notable aspect of Alshahrani's career is his significant contributions to research. He has been the lead researcher on projects aimed at promoting physical activity through evidence-based policies in Saudi Arabia. His work on the use of mobile technologies to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors in the MENA region culminated in a systematic review and meta-analysis manuscript, showcasing his research prowess and focus on contemporary public health challenges.

Alshahrani's research endeavors are not limited to physical activity promotion. He has also been involved in various health needs assessments, such as the Community Quantitative and Qualitative Health Need Assessment Survey in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. His role in the CDC Investigation of the MERS outbreak and participation in the national awareness campaign for swine flu further illustrate his commitment to addressing pressing public health issues.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his career, Najim Zafer Alshahrani has received numerous awards and honors that reflect his excellence in research, teaching, and professional practice. He was awarded the Dean of the College of Medicine Excellency Award for the best-distinguished Faculty Member in Research Field (2023) and the Excellence in Research Award during his residency years at the Saudi Board of Preventive Medicine in Abha center (2022).

His international recognition includes the Certificate of Excellence in Scientific Poster Presentation at the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) conference and the International Student Award for Volunteer Excellence from the University of Sydney. These accolades underscore his global impact and dedication to advancing public health knowledge and practice.

Impact and Influence

Assist Prof Dr. Najim Zafer Alshahrani's impact extends beyond his immediate academic and professional circles. As a mentor and supervisor, he has guided numerous medical students and residents in their research projects, fostering the next generation of public health professionals. His role in various national and international organizations, including the International Society of Travel Medicine and the Public Health Association of Australia, positions him as a key influencer in the field of preventive medicine.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Najim Zafer Alshahrani's legacy is poised to be one of significant contributions to public health and preventive medicine, both in Saudi Arabia and internationally. His ongoing involvement in research, education, and professional practice ensures that he will continue to influence and shape the field. As the Founder & CEO of the Arab Clinical Research Institute, Alshahrani is well-positioned to drive innovation and foster collaborative research initiatives across the region.

In summary, Najim Zafer Alshahrani's career is characterized by a blend of academic excellence, professional leadership, and impactful research. His contributions to public health and preventive medicine are substantial, and his dedication to advancing knowledge and practice in these fields is evident in his numerous roles and accolades. As he continues to mentor future health professionals and lead key research initiatives, his influence and legacy in the field will undoubtedly grow.

Citations

A total of 718 citations for his publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of her research within the academic community.