Seema Irshad | Psychology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Seema Irshad | Psychology | Women Researcher Award

King Faisal University | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Seema Irshad is an Assistant Professor of Psychology with more than a decade of experience in higher education, research, and clinical practice. She earned her PhD in Psychology from Aligarh Muslim University, developing a strong academic foundation in psychological theory, research methodology, and applied practice. Her academic career has been primarily associated with a leading public university in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where she has contributed extensively to undergraduate and graduate teaching, curriculum design, and academic coordination. Her teaching expertise spans abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, work motivation, and applied psychology, with a strong emphasis on student-centered and technology-enhanced learning. In parallel, she has been actively engaged in research through national and international collaborations, including earlier work as a research assistant and junior project fellow on large-scale public health and educational research projects. Her research interests focus on mental health, psychosocial interventions, psychometric assessment, systematic reviews, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in psychological practice. She has published more than 20 scholarly papers and has presented research at numerous academic conferences. Her contributions include successful involvement in competitive research grants and sustained mentorship of students and early-career researchers. Overall, her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing psychological science, improving mental health outcomes, and fostering academic excellence through teaching, research, and mentorship.

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Featured Publications

Mierlita Daniel | Agricultural Data Analysis | Excellence in Research

Prof. Mierlita Daniel | Agricultural Data Analysis | Excellence in Research

University of Oradea | Romania

Prof. Mierlita Daniel is a distinguished Professor of Animal Nutrition at the University of Oradea, with extensive expertise in nutrition and feeding of ruminants and poultry. He began his academic career as an Assistant and Lecturer at USAMV Cluj-Napoca from 1993 to 2003, delivering practical courses in animal nutrition. Since 2009, he has served as Professor and Assistant Professor at the University of Oradea, focusing on applied nutrition for economically important livestock species. He earned his PhD in Animal Nutrition/Animal Science Engineering in 1999 from USAMV Cluj-Napoca and has completed specialized international training in sheep and goat production, agricultural consulting, and rural sciences at institutions including Aberystwyth University, Debrecen Agricultural University, and Swiss REBIAT. Prof. Mierlita has directed eight research grants and participated in over 11 projects on optimizing nutrition and productivity of sheep, poultry, and dairy cows, with a particular focus on functional foods. He has published 231 scientific articles, including 112 as single or first author (93 indexed internationally), 41 ISI papers (21 with impact factor), and 17 books or chapters. His work has received 541 citations from 421 documents, with an h-index of 14. He serves as a reviewer and guest editor for several indexed journals. His research advances animal nutrition, fatty acid profiles in animal products, and sustainable livestock production.

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Yan Peng | Diagnostic Analytics | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Yan Peng | Diagnostic Analytics | Research Excellence Award

Fuyang Normal University | China

Prof. Dr. Yan Peng is a distinguished researcher in genetic testing and molecular genetics, currently serving as Ph.D. and Master’s supervisor, as well as Research Secretary at the School of Medicine, Fuyang Normal University. Dr. Peng earned a Ph.D. (2022) and M.S. (2018) from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and has been a faculty member at Fuyang Normal University since 2022. With a research portfolio focused on live-cell RNA imaging, organelle-targeted imaging, and RNA-protein interaction, Dr. Peng has made significant contributions to molecular biology, including the development of genetically encoded fluorogenic aptamers and dual-color fluorescent reporting systems. Their work has been published in high-impact journals such as Analytical Chemistry, RSC Advances, Analytica Chimica Acta, and Nucleic Acids Research, amassing 73 citations across 68 documents, and an h-index of 5. Dr. Peng has led multiple research projects funded by national and provincial programs, totaling over ¥1,000,000, reflecting recognition for both scientific innovation and teaching excellence. Their studies bridge fundamental molecular genetics and practical biomedical applications, contributing to advances in gene expression analysis and targeted imaging technologies. Dr. Peng’s ongoing work continues to expand the frontiers of RNA-based molecular tools, supporting the development of next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

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Featured Publications

Peng, Y., Li, M.Q., Gong, F.Y., Liu, X.F., Xiong, J.R., & Wang, K.R. In situ imaging of mRNA transcripts based on split-aptamer and split protein in living cells. RSC Advances, 2024, 14, 10146–10151.

Peng, Y., Shu, L.J., Deng, X.F., Huang, X., Mo, X.M., Du, F., & Tang, Z. Live-cell imaging of endogenous RNA with a genetically encoded fluorogenic allosteric aptamer. Analytical Chemistry, 2023, 95(37), 13762–13768. (CAS Q1 TOP)

Peng, Y., Ai, X.L., Yuan, Y.Y., Dong, J., Cui, X., Du, F., Huang, X., & Tang, Z. Organelle-targeted imaging based on fluorogen-activating RNA aptamers in living cells. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2022, 1209, 339816. (CAS Q1 TOP)

Peng, Y., Huang, X., Huang, T.F., Du, F., Cui, X., & Tang, Z. Combining protein and RNA quantification to evaluate promoter activity by using dual-color fluorescent reporting systems. Bioscience Reports, 2022, 41(9), BSR20211525.

Xu, Y.#, Fu, D.Q.#, Yuan, Y.#, Peng, Y., Dong, J., Du, F., Huang, X., Liu, G.X., Chen, X.H., Wang, Q.W., & Tang, Z. A heterobifunctional molecule recruits cereblon to an RNA scaffold and activates its PROTAC function. Cell Reports Physical Science, 2023, 3(10), 101064. (CAS Q2 TOP)

Xiaochen Xie | Quantitative Research | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Xiaochen Xie | Quantitative Research | Research Excellence Award

Renmin University of China | China

Dr. Xiaochen Xie is an Assistant Professor at the School of Finance, Renmin University of China, with concurrent research associate positions at the China Financial Policy Research Center, the Institute of Public Finance and Taxation, and the Institute of Digital Economics and Taxation. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Pennsylvania State University, an M.S. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and dual B.E. in Finance and B.S. in Statistics from Peking University. His research spans international trade, industrial organization, public economics, and urban economics, with a focus on firm entry, pricing strategies, and the economic impacts of policy interventions. Dr. Xie has published in leading journals, including the Journal of Economic Geography, and has multiple working papers under review in top-tier journals. He has received awards such as Outstanding Young Scholar at Renmin University and recognition for outstanding papers at the NCER-CCER Chinese Economy Conference. Dr. Xie has extensive teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate courses on public finance, quantitative empirical economics, and structural methods. His research integrates empirical and structural approaches to inform trade, fiscal, and industrial policies. Dr. Xie’s work contributes to understanding the intersection of market structure, policy design, and economic welfare, influencing both academic research and practical policy-making.

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Featured Publications

Chen, Y., Huang, T., & Xie, X. (2025). “Place-based policies: First-mover advantage and persistence.” Journal of Economic Geography, lbaf001.

Lu, W., & Xie, X. (2024). “Trade, markups, and consumer welfare: Evidence from the global smartphone industry.” Available at SSRN 4804811.

Xie, X. (2021). Two essays on firm entry and pricing. The Pennsylvania State University.

Xiaoxia Yu | Data Analysis Innovation |  Best Scholar Award  

Mr. Xiaoxia Yu | Data Analysis Innovation |  Best Scholar Award  

Chongqing University of Technology | China

Dr. Xiaoxia Yu is a scholar in mechanical engineering whose work advances intelligent diagnostics and predictive maintenance for large-scale rotating machinery, particularly wind turbines. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and earlier degrees in Vehicle Engineering and Armored Vehicle Engineering, she has built a strong interdisciplinary foundation that integrates mechanical systems knowledge with advanced computational modeling. Her research spans fault diagnosis, health assessment, digital twin systems, graph neural networks, reinforcement learning, and signal processing, supported by a growing publication record that includes 29 documents, 477 citations by 448 documents, and an h-index of 7. As a Lecturer, she leads research projects funded by regional scientific agencies and has contributed to national-level R&D initiatives related to machinery health management. Her work appears in high-impact journals, and she has secured patents focused on structural health monitoring, image recognition, and intelligent fault detection. Recognized with competitive grants and academic honors, she continues to influence the fields of renewable energy reliability and smart manufacturing. Through her commitment to innovation, research leadership, and engineering application, she is emerging as a key contributor to the development of intelligent, data-driven mechanical health monitoring systems.

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Featured Publications

Yu, X., Tang, B., & Zhang, K. (2021). Fault Diagnosis of Wind Turbine Gearbox Using a Novel Method of Fast Deep Graph Convolutional Networks. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 70, 1–14.

Yu, X., Tang, B., & Deng, L. (2023). Fault Diagnosis of Rotating Machinery Based on Graph Weighted Reinforcement Networks Under Small Samples and Strong Noise. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 186, 109848.

Zhang, K., Tang, B., Deng, L., & Yu, X. (2021). Fault Detection of Wind Turbines by Subspace Reconstruction‑Based Robust Kernel Principal Component Analysis. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 70, 1–11.

Li, B., Tang, B., Deng, L., & Yu, X. (2020). Multiscale Dynamic Fusion Prototypical Cluster Network for Fault Diagnosis of Planetary Gearbox Under Few Labeled Samples. Computers in Industry, 123, 103331.

Xiong, P., Tang, B., Deng, L., Zhao, M., & Yu, X. (2021). Multi‑block Domain Adaptation with Central Moment Discrepancy for Fault Diagnosis. Measurement, 169, 108516.

Ekaterina Balakina | Vehicle Movement Control | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Ekaterina Balakina | Vehicle Movement Control | Best Researcher Award

Volgograd State Technical University | Russia

Prof. Dr. Ekaterina Viktorovna Balakina is a distinguished scholar in the field of mechanical and automotive engineering, holding a Doctor of Technical Sciences degree. She graduated with honors from Volgograd Polytechnic Institute in 1993 in Mechanical Engineering and subsequently worked as a design engineer at the Titan Central Design Bureau of the Barrikady Defense Plant. In 1996, she defended her PhD thesis in “Wheeled and Tracked Vehicles” and joined Volgograd State Technical University in 1997, later completing a research internship at the Warsaw Military Technical Academy in 2004. In 2011, she defended her doctoral dissertation in the same specialty. Prof. Balakina’s research focuses on vehicle stability, elastic properties of tires, and the contact interaction of elastic wheels with solid supports. She is co-author of two national regulatory documents on vehicle handling and dynamic stabilization, and she has authored approximately 300 publications, including five monographs, 14 patents, and four software certificates. Her work has garnered 104 citations from 48 documents, with an h-index of 6. She has received multiple awards, including the Honorary Diploma of the Ministry of Education and Science. As a full member of the Russian Academy of Transport since 2014, she continues to lead research projects and teach courses on vehicle maintenance, design, and operation.

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Featured Publications

Balakina, E.V., Sergienko, I.V., & Konshin, V.A. (2025). Calculation of normal tire stiffness for tractors and agricultural machinery based on the loaded wheel radius. Tractors and Agricultural Machinery, Journal Article.

Balakina, E.V., Godzhaev, Z.A., Konshin, A.A., & Kochetov, M.S. (2023). Calculation of normal stiffness and contact patch of ultra-low pressure tires for agricultural machinery. Tractors and Agricultural Machinery, Journal Article.

Balakina, E.V., Lipatov, E.Y., & Sarbayev, D.S. (2020). Advantages of Using Wheel Rolling Radius for Calculating Friction Characteristics in Wheel-to-Road Contact Patch. In Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, Book.

Golubeva, T.A., & Balakina, E.V. (2020). Finding New Component in Displacement of Normal Supporting Surface Reaction to Car Wheels. In Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, Book.

Balakina, E.V. (2019). Calculation of the Friction Coefficient between a Steady Elastic Wheel and a Solid Support Surface in the Presence of a Lateral Force. Journal of Friction and Wear, Journal Article.

Simon Adu | Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Simon Adu | Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation | Best Researcher Award

Texas A&M university | United States

Dr. Simon Adu is a distinguished researcher in Radiation Protection and Health Physics with over 16 years of professional experience. He holds a PhD (2016) and MPhil (2008) in Radiation Protection/Health Physics from the University of Ghana, and a BSc in Physics from the University of Cape Coast. He has held senior roles as Senior Research Scientist at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Senior Regulatory Officer heading the Department of Nuclear Security at Ghana’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority, and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana. His work encompasses radiation safety in medical, industrial, mining and research reactor settings; calibration; regulatory inspections; nuclear security; non-proliferation; and education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has supervised PhD and MSc students, reviewed theses externally in several African universities, participated in numerous IAEA-coordinated research projects, and has been awarded prestigious fellowships including the Stanton Fellowship, the IAEA PhD Sandwich Award, and Argonne National Laboratory fellowship. His research interests include nuclear safety, reactor core conversion (HEU to LEU), radiation dosimetry, nuclear security and safeguards. He is also an IAEA nuclear security expert participating in missions across Africa. Dr. Adu’s contributions have significantly advanced regulatory frameworks, improved safety culture, and strengthened capacity building in radiation protection and nuclear security across the region.

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Featured Publications

Doudoo, C. O., Gyekye, P. K., Emi-Reynolds, G., Adu, S., Kpeglo, D. O., Tagoe, S. N. A., & others (2023). “Dose and secondary cancer-risk estimation of patients undergoing high dose rate intracavitary gynaecological brachytherapy.” Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 54 (2), 335–342.

Hasford, F., Owusu-Banahene, J., Otoo, F., Adu, S., Sosu, E. K., Amoako, J. K., & others (2012). “Assessment of annual whole-body occupational radiation exposure in education, research and industrial sectors in Ghana (2000–09).” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 150 (3), 350–358.

Arwui, C. C., Deatanyah, P., Wotorchi-Gordon, S., Ankaah, J., Emi-Reynolds, G., Adu, S., & others (2011). “Assessment of the effectiveness of collimation of Cs–137 panoramic beam on TLD calibration using a constructed lead block collimator and an ICRU slab phantom at SSDL in Ghana.” International Journal of Science and Technology, 1 (4), 169–173.

Ndum, Z. N., Tao, J., Liu, Y., Ford, J., Vlassov, V., Morton, N., Grissom, J., Adu, S., & others (2024). “A digital twin-based simulator for small modular and microreactors.” Proceedings of the 2024 Winter Simulation Conference (WSC), 2963–2974.

Adu, S., Horvatovic, I., D’Auria, F., Nyarko, B. B. J., Geoffrey, E. R., & Menzel, F. (2015). “Analysis of channel blockage of MNSR reactor using the system thermal-hydraulic code RELAP5/MOD3.3.” Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Birikorang, S. A., Dahunsi, S., Adu, S., Nketia, C. A., & Blay, A. (2025). “Assessing nuclear energy and radiological risks: a case study of radionuclide dispersion from potential nuclear power plant accidents in Ghana.” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 201 (5), 333–350.

Rami Al-Rifai | Social Impact | Excellence in Research

Assoc Prof Dr. Rami Al-Rifai | Social Impact | Excellence in Research

 United Arab Emirates University | United Arab Emirates

Publication Profile

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INTRODUCTION 🏥

DR. RAMI AL-RIFAI is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), where he has contributed significantly to public health research and education. A leader in the field of epidemiology, he has been recognized globally as one of the Top 2% most highly cited scientists from Stanford University for four consecutive years (2021-2024). Dr. Rami’s remarkable achievements span multiple facets of epidemiology, including infectious disease research, public health, and healthcare policy.

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS 🎓

Dr. Rami’s academic journey began with his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from Jordan University of Science & Technology, completed in 2004 and 2007, respectively. His early training in medicine laid the foundation for his career in public health. He pursued a PhD in Public Health and Epidemiology from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, where he specialized in global health promotion. Upon completing his doctoral studies in 2014, Dr. Rami embarked on an illustrious career dedicated to advancing epidemiological research and teaching.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS 🧑‍⚕️

Since joining UAE University in 2017, Dr. Rami has been instrumental in shaping the institution’s research environment. His roles include Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Director of the PhD Program in Public Health, and Deputy Director of the MPH program. Dr. Rami has not only been a dedicated educator but has also held leadership roles in national health initiatives, including contributing to critical COVID-19 epidemiology efforts in the UAE.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS  ON Social Impact🧬

Dr. Rami’s research spans both infectious and non-infectious diseases, with a particular emphasis on zoonotic diseases and their public health implications. His extensive portfolio includes 102 Scopus-indexed publications, with 89 of these published since joining UAEU. He also founded the Infectious Diseases Research Epidemiology Advancement Unit (IDERA) to further enhance research in infectious disease epidemiology across the UAE and beyond.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE 🌍

Dr. Rami’s research and leadership have not only had a substantial impact in the UAE but have also gained global recognition. With over 3,500 citations on Google Scholar and an i10-index of 45, his work continues to shape the discourse on epidemiology worldwide. Dr. Rami has played pivotal roles in national health initiatives, guiding policy decisions and providing evidence-based recommendations to healthcare authorities in the UAE. His involvement in the Mutaba’ah Study, the UAE’s largest longitudinal birth cohort study, is a testament to his commitment to public health.

ACADEMIC CITATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS 📚

Dr. Rami has consistently been one of the top Scopus-indexed publishers at UAEU’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences, ranking in the top five throughout various years. His research productivity has been exceptional, with his articles published in high-impact journals like Lancet and BMJ Open. His overall publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on producing high-quality, impactful research that contributes to global health advancements.

HONORS & AWARDS 🏅

  • Top 2% Highly Cited Scientist by Stanford University (2021–2024)
  • Excellence-Award-Winning Scholar from UAEU College of Medicine and Health Sciences (2020)
  • Google Scholar h-index: 25, i10-index: 49, with over 3,500 citations.
  • Ranked among the top Scopus-indexed publishers at UAEU from 2017-2024.

These accolades reflect the significant global impact of Dr. Rami’s contributions to epidemiology and public health.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS 🏆

Dr. Rami’s legacy will be defined by his continued research excellence, innovative contributions to epidemiological studies, and his role in shaping future leaders in public health. With ongoing projects focused on infectious diseases and public health policy, Dr. Rami is poised to leave a lasting mark on the field and inspire future generations to advance global health.

FINAL NOTE 🔍

Dr. Rami Al-Rifai’s career has been marked by an unwavering dedication to advancing the field of public health and epidemiology. His global recognition and commitment to training future public health leaders further solidify his status as a key figure in healthcare research. As a consultant, educator, and researcher, Dr. Rami continues to influence public health policies and initiatives not only in the UAE but across the world.

TOP NOTES PUBLICATIONS 📚

Gestational diabetes mellitus in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence studies

Authors: MS Paulo, NM Abdo, R Bettencourt-Silva, RH Al-Rifai
Journal: Frontiers in Endocrinology 🧑‍⚕️🔬
Volume: 12
Issue: 691033
Pages: 146
Year: 2021 📅

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Authors: KB Tran, JJ Lang, K Compton, R Xu, AR Acheson, HJ Henrikson, …
Journal: The Lancet 🌍📚
Volume: 400
Issue: 10352
Pages: 563-591
Year: 2022 📅

Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease …

Authors: M Brauer, GA Roth, AY Aravkin, P Zheng, KH Abate, YH Abate, C Abbafati, …
Journal: The Lancet 🌍📚
Volume: 403
Issue: 10440
Pages: 2162-2203
Year: 2024 📅

Association between diabetes mellitus and active tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: RH Al-Rifai, F Pearson, JA Critchley, LJ Abu-Raddad
Journal: PLoS One 🧑‍⚕️💡
Volume: 12
Issue: 11
Pages: e0187967
Year: 2017 📅

Prevalence, years lived with disability, and trends in anaemia burden by severity and cause, 1990–2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Authors: WM Gardner, C Razo, TA McHugh, H Hagins, VM Vilchis-Tella, …
Journal: The Lancet Haematology 🩸💉
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
Pages: e713-e734
Year: 2023 📅

Age–sex differences in the global burden of lower respiratory infections and risk factors, 1990–2019: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Authors: HH Kyu, A Vongpradith, SB Sirota, A Novotney, CE Troeger, MC Doxey, …
Journal: The Lancet Infectious Diseases 🦠📚
Volume: 22
Issue: 11
Pages: 1626-1647
Year: 2022 📅