Beatriz Barquiel Alcalá | Qualitative Research | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Beatriz Barquiel Alcalá | Qualitative Research | Best Research Article Award

Hospital Universitario La Paz | Spain

Dr. Beatriz Barquiel Alcalá is a physician-scientist specializing in endocrinology and nutrition, with a clinical appointment since 2010 at Hospital Universitario La Paz in Madrid. She holds a Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Granada (2005) and completed further training under RD 99/2011 at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in 2012. Over her career she has published widely on diabetes and pregnancy, gestational and pregestational diabetes, maternal weight gain, and metabolic outcomes, including contributions as corresponding author. Her work spans over 30 scientific articles (e.g. on glycemic control, gestational weight gain, twin versus singleton pregnancies, neonatal outcomes, continuous glucose monitoring) as well as book chapters on hypertensive disorders, exercise in gestational diabetes, and obesity in pregnancy. She has led or participated in multiple funded projects—among them randomized trials and studies on biomarker validation, dietary interventions in pregnancy, and predictors of glycemic control. She also undertook a research stay at Memorial Sloan Kettering (USA) in 2009–2010. Her research interests lie at the intersection of maternal–fetal medicine, diabetes, metabolic programming, and endocrinology innovations.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Aguilera-García, I., Barquiel-Alcalá, B., Vázquez-Pérez, P., Prados-Sánchez, M.C., & González-Pérez de Villar, N. (2025). Time to change guidelines? Suboptimal glycemic control measures by CGM associated with cystic fibrosis exacerbations despite adequate HbA1c. Acta Diabetológica.

Borrego Soriano, I., Barquiel-Alcalá, B., Moreno-Domínguez, O., Qasem Moreno, A.L., García-Pérez de Sevilla, E., & González-Pérez de Villar, N. (2025). Screening system for the detection of unknown or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus in a tertiary hospital: A retrospective study. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.

Quirós, C., Herrera, M.T., Amigó, J., Perea, V., Barquiel, B., et al. (2024). Real-world evidence of off-label use of commercially automated insulin delivery systems compared to multiple daily insulin injections in pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.

Barquiel, B. (AC), Calvo, M., Moreno-Domínguez, O., Bartha, J.L., et al. (2023). The PREDG study: A randomised controlled trial testing whether an educational intervention can prevent gestational weight gain in women with obesity. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN.

García-Moreno, C., Benítez-Valderrama, P., Barquiel, B., González-Pérez de Villar, N., Hillman, N., Lora Pablos, A., & Herranz, L. (2022). Efficacy of continuous glucose monitoring on maternal and neonatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Diabetic Medicine.

 

Ujjwal Das | Public Health Analytics | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Ujjwal Das | Public Health Analytics | Young Scientist Award

Fakir Mohan University | India

Dr. Ujjwal Das is an Assistant Professor (Temporary) of Geography at Fakir Mohan University, India, specializing in social determinants of population health, geospatial analysis, and public health research. He earned his Ph.D. in Geography from Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh (2025), following an M.Phil. and Master of Population Studies from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, and a Gold Medalist M.A. in Applied Geography from Ravenshaw University. Dr. Das has presented his research at multiple national and international conferences, focusing on urban poverty, child malnutrition, elderly morbidity, and maternal health. His scholarly contributions include over 14 peer-reviewed publications, 5 book chapters, and extensive research on mortality, fertility, and population-environment interactions. He is proficient in quantitative and spatial analysis tools including SPSS, STATA, ArcGIS, R, and Mortpak. With an h-index of 3, more than 9 documents, and over 37 citations, his work is widely recognized for its impact on public health and population geography. Dr. Das has received awards for excellence in research and contribution to population studies. His ongoing work integrates geospatial methods with social science approaches to inform policy and improve health outcomes in India, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Das, U., & Mohanty, S.K. (2025). “Urban Poverty and Child Malnutrition in India: A Geographical Analysis” in Health on the Move: Population and Public Health Perspectives.

Ahamad, V., & Das, U. (2025). “Health on the move: cardiovascular disease risk among ageing male migrants in India” in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus.

Das, U. (2025). “Is Virginity a Matter of Dignity or a Lack of Opportunity? Exploring the Paradoxical Relationship Between Premarital Sex and Education Among Youth in India” in Sexuality & Culture.

Das, U., & Kar, N. (2025). “Understanding economic disparities in elderly health outcomes: a decomposition analysis in Bankura district” in BMC Public Health.

Das, U., Kar, N., Riba, T., & Rout, N.R. (2025). “Prevalence of diabetes and disability among older adults in West Bengal and India: A comparative analysis” in Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews.

Amohelang Lehloa | Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Amohelang Lehloa | Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

University of Cape Town | Lesotho

Ms. Amohelang Lehloa is a dedicated Registered Audiologist and Public Health professional with expertise in audiological rehabilitation, hearing technology, adult education, and evidence-based practice. She has built her career around advancing hearing healthcare, supporting community health initiatives, and contributing to impactful research in audiology and public health. Her clinical and academic journey reflects a strong commitment to patient-centered care, strategic project management, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Fluent in Sesotho and English, she integrates her skills in clinical audiology, supervision, and public health education to foster sustainable healthcare solutions and improve therapeutic outcomes for diverse populations.

Professional Profile

Orcid

Education

Ms. Lehloa holds a Master’s degree in Public Health with a specialization in Epidemiology from the University of Cape Town, complemented by an Honours degree in Audiology from the same institution. Her educational background equips her with a robust understanding of both the clinical and epidemiological aspects of healthcare, enabling her to bridge the gap between individual patient care and population health strategies. Additionally, she has pursued international education, which has broadened her perspective on global health challenges and innovations in audiological science.

Experience

Her professional experience spans clinical practice, academic teaching, research coordination, and project management. As a Clinical Audiologist at HearSense, she performs comprehensive hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings, vestibular and tinnitus management, and aural rehabilitation while actively engaging in public health outreach programs. Previously, she served as Project Manager for the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA), where she managed research collaborations, regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven project reporting across international institutions. She also contributed to academia as a Public Health Lecturer and Audiology Tutor at the University of Cape Town, supervising clinical students and developing curriculum content to enhance future professionals’ competencies. Furthermore, her early leadership as Head of SHAWCO Audiology in a student-led non-profit organization underscores her dedication to serving underserved communities through early hearing loss detection, intervention, and awareness campaigns.

Research Interest

Ms. Lehloa’s research interests include comorbidities affecting pregnant women living with HIV, high-frequency audiometry in children, and the integration of public health strategies into audiological care. Her work explores the intersection of communicable and non-communicable diseases in maternal health, the diagnostic value of high-frequency hearing assessments, and patient and public involvement (PPI) in research design and implementation. She has participated in international working groups such as the Forgaty-IeDEA mentorship program and has presented her findings at global platforms, including the CROI conference in Denver, Colorado, USA. Her research activities emphasize improving health outcomes through evidence-based approaches and collaborative data analysis.

Awards

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Ms. Lehloa has been recognized for her excellence and leadership. She is a recipient of the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, awarded to outstanding young scholars from Sub-Saharan Africa, and has been listed on the Faculty of Health Science Dean’s Merit List at the University of Cape Town. Additionally, her membership in the Golden Key Honour Society reflects her commitment to academic achievement, professional growth, and community service. These accolades highlight her dedication to advancing both clinical practice and public health research.

Publication

Lehloa, A.J., Kalk, E., Davies, M.-A., Nyemba, D., Mehta, U., Malaba, T., Petro, G., Boulle, A., Myer, L., Madlala, H.P. (2025). “Comorbidities in Pregnant South African Women Living with HIV and Associations with Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study.” BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.

Conclusion

Ms. Amohelang Lehloa exemplifies the integration of clinical expertise, public health knowledge, and academic leadership to address hearing health and broader epidemiological challenges. Her career reflects a balance of hands-on patient care, educational mentorship, research innovation, and international collaboration. With strong skills in audiological assessment, rehabilitation, hearing aid technology, strategic project management, and public health advocacy, she continues to contribute to the development of inclusive and sustainable health systems. Her work not only improves individual patient outcomes but also advances the field of audiology within a public health framework, creating meaningful impact across communities.