Milena Živković | Artificial Intelligence in Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Milena Živković | Artificial Intelligence in Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate| University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science, Serbia

Milena Živković is a Research Associate at the University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science, Serbia, with a background in physics and a research focus on the integration of artificial intelligence into medical physics and science education. Her expertise lies in AI-supported educational systems, Monte Carlo simulations in radiotherapy, and environmental radioactivity. With over 38 published papers, her work bridges physics, machine learning, and curriculum innovation. Milena is recognized for her mentorship of gifted students, contribution to interdisciplinary AI-based learning models, and international collaborations with researchers in Europe and the Middle East. She has co-authored dosimetric simulation software for cancer treatment optimization and earned accolades such as Best Oral Presentation Awards at international conferences. As an active member of the Serbian and German Physical Societies, she fosters science communication through national outreach projects and educational initiatives. Her contributions span both academic excellence and impactful community-based science promotion efforts.

Profile

🎓 Education

Milena Živković earned her formal education in physics, culminating in specialized research focused on medical physics, radiation dosimetry, and educational technology. She has completed advanced academic training in English for Academic Communication and Python programming, including Stanford’s “Code in Place.” She holds a Cambridge English Certificate and multiple certificates from the University of Kragujevac in academic writing and pedagogy. Her achievements during her student years include receiving the Annual Award for Best Student from 2015 to 2019, reflecting both academic excellence and extracurricular engagement. Additionally, she has participated in numerous interdisciplinary workshops, competitions, and science communication events, contributing to both her intellectual and pedagogical growth. With a strong foundation in applied physics, her academic journey has been characterized by the seamless integration of theoretical knowledge and practical research, which she continues to expand through post-academic training, conference participation, and interdisciplinary research collaboration with clinical and educational institutions.

🧪 Experience

Milena Živković has significant experience as a Research Associate at the University of Kragujevac, where she combines artificial intelligence with physics education and medical applications. Her research includes machine learning models for radiation dosimetry, classification systems in physics education, and anomaly detection in environmental radioactivity. She serves as a section editor and reviewer for journals like Imaging and Radiation Research and Radiation Science and Technology. Milena is also a contributor to national gifted education programs, curriculum development initiatives, and AI-assisted learning models. She has collaborated with international institutions, including projects with the Clinical Center Kragujevac and partners from Iraq, enhancing the practical application of her research. She has guided STEM projects for youth and mentored students in high school competitions. Her book on Monte Carlo simulations is used in academic and clinical contexts. Her scientific outreach projects further amplify her impact across the academic, educational, and public spheres.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Milena Živković has been the recipient of numerous awards recognizing both academic and community contributions. She received the Best Researcher Award at the University of Kragujevac in 2023 and multiple Best Oral Presentation Awards at international conferences in gynecology, women’s health, and ophthalmology. She also won the Bridge of Mathematics First Place Projects (2023, 2024), highlighting innovative physics education. From 2015 to 2019, she was honored with the Annual Best Student Award and continues to receive high praise for promoting science through projects funded by Serbia’s Center for the Promotion of Science. These include thematic campaigns like Brian May and the Queen of Physics, Our Air = Our Health, and Work + Active = Radioactive. Additionally, she holds advanced training certifications in pedagogy, communication, academic writing, and programming. Her dedication to science communication, youth mentorship, and educational innovation has made her a strong contender for the Young Scientist or Best Researcher Award.

🔬 Research Focus

Milena Živković’s research sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, medical physics, and education technology. She focuses on developing machine learning-based models for radiation dose analysis, anomaly detection in environmental radioactivity, and AI-assisted problem classification in physics education. Her contributions to the FOTELP-VOX Monte Carlo platform enable precision 3D dose distribution modeling, now applied in clinical settings. She also investigates the ecological effects of radionuclide transfer and food safety. Milena’s interdisciplinary work includes collaborations with philosophers, clinicians, educators, and AI developers to improve curriculum delivery and treatment outcomes. She actively integrates AI into educational strategies to support gifted students and has co-authored software tools used in radiotherapy optimization. Her studies are not only technical but are aimed at real-world impact—ensuring safer radiation practices, informed public health strategies, and accessible science education. Her research promotes knowledge translation, making complex physics applicable to both education and healthcare.

Conclusion

Milena Živković exemplifies a new generation of researchers merging artificial intelligence with applied physics to transform education, healthcare, and science communication. Through interdisciplinary projects, academic excellence, and outreach initiatives, she continues to redefine how science serves society while mentoring future innovators and advancing clinical safety and educational equity.

Publications
  • FOTELP-VOX-OA: Enhancing radiotherapy planning precision with particle transport simulations and Optimization Algorithms

    Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
    2025-08 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Milena Zivkovic; Filip Andric; Marina Svicevic; Dragana Krstic; Lazar Krstic; Bogdan Pirkovic; Tatjana Miladinovic; Mohamed El Amin Aichouche
  • FOTELP-VOX 2024: Comprehensive overview of its capabilities and applications

    Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection
    2024 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Milena Zivkovic, P.; Tatjana Miladinovic, B.; Zeljko Cimbaljevic, M.; Mohamed Aichouche, E.A.; Bogdan Pirkovic, A.; Dragana Krstic, Z.
  • Radionuclide contamination in agricultural and urban ecosystems: A study of soil, plant, and milk samples

    Kragujevac Journal of Science
    2024 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Mohamed Aichouche, E.A.; Mihajlo Petrović, V.; Milena Živković, P.; Dragana Krstić, Ž.; Snežana Branković, R.
  • Development of DynamicMC for PHITS Monte Carlo package

    Radiation Protection Dosimetry
    2023-11-13 | Journal article
    Part of ISSN: 0144-8420
    Part of ISSN: 1742-3406
    CONTRIBUTORS: Hiroshi Watabe; Tatsuhiko Sato; Kwan Ngok Yu; Milena Zivkovic; Dragana Krstic; Dragoslav Nikezic; Kyeong Min Kim; Taiga Yamaya; Naoki Kawachi; Hiroki Tanaka et al.

Haleh Ayatollahi | Health Informatics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi | Health Informatics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi is a professor of Medical Informatics at Iran University of Medical Sciences, specializing in health information management and digital health innovations. With a PhD in Health Informatics from the University of Sheffield, UK, she has extensive experience in academia and research. She currently serves as the Director of Deputy of Research and Technology at the School of Health Management and Information Sciences and the Health Management and Economics Research Centre. A key member of the Medical Informatics Evaluation and Examination Board, Dr. Ayatollahi has contributed significantly to the fields of eHealth, telemedicine, and health information systems. She has received multiple awards for her research, including the Best Researcher Award and the Khayam Award for a selected PhD thesis. Her work focuses on advancing digital healthcare solutions through innovative research and system evaluation. She actively mentors students and contributes to the global medical informatics community. 📚

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi holds a PhD in Health Informatics from the University of Sheffield, UK (2006-2010) 🎓. She earned her M.Sc. in Medical Records Education from Iran University of Medical Sciences (2000-2002) 📖, where she also completed her B.Sc. in Medical Records (1996-1998) and an Associate Degree in Medical Records (1994-1996) 🏥. Her academic journey has been marked by a strong focus on medical records, health informatics, and digital healthcare solutions. Through her education, she has gained expertise in health information systems, user-centered system design, and IT adoption in healthcare. Her advanced training has enabled her to contribute to numerous research projects, systematic reviews, and digital health innovations. With her extensive background in health informatics, she has played a key role in the development of medical information systems and telemedicine initiatives, making significant contributions to the field of healthcare technology. 🔬📊

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi has held multiple leadership and academic roles in medical informatics and health information management. She is currently the Director of Deputy of Research and Technology at the School of Health Management and Information Sciences and the Health Management and Economics Research Centre at Iran University of Medical Sciences (2023-present) 🏥📊. She also serves as a member of the Medical Informatics Evaluation and Examination Board. Previously, she was the Postgraduate and Education Office Administrator (2014-2016) and a Teaching Assistant at the University of Sheffield (2009) 🎓. Her experience includes lecturing at Kashan University of Medical Sciences (2003-2005). She has played a key role in developing health informatics education, IT adoption strategies, and evaluating health information systems. With extensive contributions to academia and research, Dr. Ayatollahi continues to shape the future of digital healthcare through her leadership and innovative research. 💻📡

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi’s research focuses on health data science, telemedicine, telehealth, mHealth, and eHealth 📊📡. She specializes in designing and evaluating health information systems, emphasizing user-centered approaches to improve digital healthcare solutions. Her work explores IT adoption and change management in healthcare, aiming to enhance system usability and efficiency. She is actively involved in systematic reviews and research on the integration of digital health technologies into clinical practice. Her studies contribute to improving electronic health records, decision support systems, and remote healthcare solutions. Through her expertise, she has advanced telehealth applications, ensuring seamless integration into medical practices. Her research has been widely published and presented at international conferences, making her a leading voice in health informatics. By combining technology and healthcare, she continues to shape the future of digital health and improve patient outcomes. 💡📚

Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi has received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to health informatics. In 2025, she was honored with the Best Researcher Award at the International AI Data Scientist Awards 🏅. She has also won multiple thesis awards, including Best Thesis in Education and Research at the Vosough Festival (2023) 📖. She has been recognized with the Best Paper Presentation Award at various conferences, including the 9th National Burn Congress (2020) and the 5th IT Managers National Conference (2017) 🏆. Her research excellence was acknowledged with the Khayam Award (2019) and the Future Day Festival Award for a selected PhD thesis (2017). She received a full-time PhD scholarship from the Iranian Ministry of Health (2005) and a Research Excellence Grant from the University of Sheffield (2008) 🎓. Her accolades highlight her dedication to advancing digital health and medical informatics. 🔬📡

Publications 📚

Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

🔬 Grazia Ragone is a researcher in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a focus on autism and interactive systems. 🏫 She earned her PhD from the University of Sussex, UK, where she investigated social motor synchrony in autistic children through motion capture and sonification. 🎼 With a background in psychology, developmental science, and music therapy, she integrates interdisciplinary methods into assistive technology. 💻 She has extensive teaching experience in research methods, cognitive science, and HCI at the University of Sussex. 🏆 Her research has been recognized with multiple international awards, including Microsoft Research’s Best Student Research Competition. 🌍 She actively contributes as a reviewer and associate chair for HCI conferences and journals. 📖 Her work bridges psychology, technology, and education, aiming to enhance accessibility and interaction for neurodiverse individuals.

Profile

Education 🎓

She completed her PhD in 2023 at the University of Sussex, UK, where her research focused on autism, motion capture, and social motor synchrony. Prior to this, she earned an MSc in Psychological Methods from the University of Sussex in 2018, with a focus on autism and interactional features. She also holds an MPhil in Developmental Psychology from London Metropolitan University (2015), specializing in child development and interaction. In 2014, she completed her BSc in Developmental Psychology at London Metropolitan University, studying early cognitive and social development. She further enriched her expertise with a Master’s in Music & Art Therapy from Tor Vergata University in Rome (2006), where she focused on therapeutic interventions for individuals with special needs. Her academic journey began with a BA in Humanities from the University of Pavia, Italy (2004), where she studied philosophy, linguistics, and cultural studies.

Experience 👨‍🏫

From 2019 to 2023, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Sussex, UK, where she taught Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), research methods, and professional skills. Prior to this, she served as a Research Assistant at the University of Sussex (2016-2018), focusing on technology designed for neurodiverse children. From 2014 to 2016, she conducted research on autism and interactive environments at London Metropolitan University. Earlier in her career, she was a Research Assistant at CNR-ISTI Pisa, Italy (2008-2014), where she contributed to the development of assistive software for autistic children. Her experience also includes working as a Music Therapist for the Rome City Council (2005-2010), providing therapeutic interventions for autistic children. Additionally, from 2010 to 2019, she worked as a Trainer and Consultant, conducting workshops and training programs for professionals in the field of autism.

Research Interests 🔬

Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and autism, developing interactive systems to support neurodiverse individuals. She explores the role of music and sonification in enhancing motor and social skills through auditory feedback. Her work also includes investigating social motor synchrony using motion capture technology. She designs AI-powered assistive technology to support autistic children and applies user-centered design principles to create accessible interfaces for individuals with special needs.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

She has received several prestigious awards and honors for her contributions to autism research and assistive technology. In 2021, she was awarded the Best Student Research Award by Microsoft Research at the ASSETS Conference. Her work was also recognized with the Best Work in Progress Award at the IDC Conference on autism research in 2020. In 2013, she received the Horizon Research Award from London Metropolitan University for outstanding research. Her contributions to autism research earned her a Massachusetts Senate Citation in 2012, and in 2011, she was honored with the Rotary Club Research Award from CNR Pisa for excellence in autism studies.

Publications 📚

  •  Supporting and understanding autistic children’s non-verbal interactions through OSMoSIS, a motion-based sonic system
    International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction
    2025-02 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Grazia Ragone; Judith Good; Kate Howland
  • Child-Centered AI for Empowering Creative and Inclusive Learning Experiences

    Proceedings of ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference: Inclusive Happiness, IDC 2024
    2024 | Conference paper

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85197894406

    Part ofISBN: 9798400704420
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Ali, S.A.; Esposito, A.; Good, J.; Howland, K.; Presicce, C.
  • Designing Safe and Engaging AI Experiences for Children: Towards the Definition of Best Practices in UI/UX Design

    arXiv
    2024 | Other

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85192517180

    Part of ISSN: 23318422
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Buono, P.; Lanzilotti,

Gerardo Fernandez | Eye tracking | Excellence in Innovation

Dr. Gerardo Fernandez | Eye tracking | Excellence in Innovation

Gerardo Abel Fernández 🇦🇷, born on October 29, 1976, in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, is a researcher specializing in neuroscience and cognitive science 🧠. He is a professor and adjunct researcher at CONICET, focusing on eye movement-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases 👀. His work integrates philosophy, cognitive psychology, and technology to advance Alzheimer’s diagnosis 🏥.

Profile

Education 🎓

🎓 Gerardo Abel Fernández obtained a degree in Philosophy (2003) from Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Argentina, with a specialization in Logic and Epistemology. He later pursued a PhD in Philosophy (2011) at UNS, with his thesis titled “Dynamic word processing during reading: Mental strategies driving visual exploration”, earning a perfect 10/10 with special mention. His academic journey includes postdoctoral research as a fellow at AGENCIA (ANPCYT) and the DAAD Max Planck Institute in Berlin. His educational background bridges philosophy, neuroscience, and cognitive psychology, forming a solid foundation for his pioneering research in eye movement analysis and Alzheimer’s biomarkers. His expertise in cognitive science and technological innovation has led to the development of diagnostic tools for early neurodegenerative disease detection. 📚🔍🧠

Experience 👨‍🏫

💼 Dr. Gerardo Abel Fernández has extensive experience in neuroscience research and technological innovation. He served as a Professor of Audiovisual Language at UNS (2011–2013) and is currently an Adjunct Researcher at CONICET, focusing on non-endemic degenerative pathologies. He has worked as a Visiting Scholar at Heriot-Watt University and Strathclyde University (UK), contributing to the development of eye-tracking biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Fernández is also a scientific reviewer for prestigious journals like PlosOne, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and Neuropsychologia. As CTO of Viewmind, he leads biocognitive and functional performance measurement innovations. He has patented cognitive evaluation methods and received grants from institutions like ANPCYT and DAAD. His interdisciplinary expertise spans cognitive neuroscience, machine learning applications in diagnostics, and technological development for neurodegenerative disease assessment. 🏅🔬👁️

Research Interests 🔬

🔬 Dr. Gerardo Abel Fernández specializes in cognitive neuroscience, neurodegenerative disease biomarkers, and eye-tracking technology. His research focuses on early Alzheimer’s detection through oculomotor behavior analysis. He has developed innovative methods to study visual exploration, reading difficulties, and memory impairments in neurodegenerative conditions. His work integrates machine learning and artificial intelligence for cognitive assessment tools. As a Visiting Scholar in the UK, he contributed to developing biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. His patented eye-tracking system has clinical applications in detecting mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, exploring predictive eye movement models and their correlation with cognitive decline. His cutting-edge research bridges philosophy, neuroscience, and technology, offering non-invasive diagnostic solutions for early-stage neurodegeneration. His ultimate goal is to revolutionize cognitive healthcare through technological innovation. 🧠👁️📊

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

🏆 Dr. Gerardo Abel Fernández has received numerous awards for his contributions to neuroscience, cognitive evaluation, and Alzheimer’s diagnostics. His eye-tracking research for Alzheimer’s detection earned the Dr. José Borda Clinical Psychiatry Prize at the 22nd International Congress of Psychiatry. He won the Novartis Innovation Award for his work on measuring cognitive performance in health and disease. As CTO of Viewmind, his team received international recognition, including the Fit4Start Luxembourg Award for health applications and the Medica Innovation Prize in Düsseldorf. His research and patented cognitive evaluation equipment have been acknowledged by ANMAT (Argentina’s National Administration of Drugs, Foods, and Medical Technology) and INPI (Argentina’s National Patent Office). Dr. Fernández’s groundbreaking innovations in neurocognitive assessments have positioned him as a leading figure in technological advancements for early Alzheimer’s detection. 🏅🧠🔬

Publications 📚

  • Oculomotor behaviors and integrative memory functions in the alzheimer’s clinical syndrome

    Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
    2021 | Journal article
  • A non-invasive tool for attention-deficit disorder analysis based on gaze tracks.

    ACM International Conference Proceeding Series
    2019 | Conference paper
  • Microsaccadic behavior when developing a complex dynamical activity

    Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
    2018 | Journal article

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85053731401