Emmanuel Chona | Public Health | Young Researcher Award

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Mr. Emmanuel Chona | Public Health | Young Researcher Award

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences | Tanzania

Emmanuel Z. Chona is a registered nurse and emerging research scientist with a strong foundation in academic teaching, clinical practice, and public health research. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health in Implementation Science at the same institution, supported by the EMPOWER-TZ Scholarship from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. His professional journey includes service as an Intern Nurse at Tumbi Regional Referral Hospital, where he gained comprehensive clinical experience, and subsequent roles as Tutorial Assistant at St. Joseph University in Tanzania and later at MUHAS, contributing to teaching, curriculum development, research, and consultancy. His research interests lie in public health, implementation science, nursing education, and chronic disease management, evidenced by twelve peer-reviewed publications, including five as first author. Skilled in SPSS, STATA, NVivo, and teaching methodologies, he combines analytical ability with strong communication and teamwork. He has also undertaken specialized training in pediatric hematology, pediatric oncology, teaching methodology, and human subjects research. Recognized for his excellence, he has received the Early Career Research Grant, an Excellence Performance Certificate, and a master’s scholarship. Emmanuel’s academic dedication, clinical competence, and research productivity highlight his commitment to advancing healthcare delivery and public health outcomes in Tanzania and beyond.

Profile: Googlescholar

Featured Publications

Minu Ponnamma Mohan | Public Health | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Minu Ponnamma Mohan | Public Health | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Minu P. Mohan is an accomplished clinician-researcher with an interdisciplinary background in dental surgery, prosthodontics, and public health. Currently serving as a Research Scientist at the University at Buffalo, she contributes significantly to multi-site studies on cystic fibrosis, cancer psycho-oncology, and health disparities. A recipient of multiple academic honors, she earned her BDS and MDS from the University of Kerala, India, and her MPH from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Mohan has held academic positions in India and Saudi Arabia and has managed NIH-funded public health research projects in the U.S. Her expertise spans clinical research management, big data analytics, oral oncology, and machine learning applications in healthcare. She has published extensively, presented at international conferences, and is known for her contributions to understanding health outcomes among vulnerable populations. Her multidisciplinary work reflects a commitment to integrating research and clinical excellence to advance health equity.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Minu P. Mohan holds three distinguished degrees. She completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in 2004 from the Government Dental College, Trivandrum, under the University of Kerala, India. She went on to pursue her Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge at the same institution from 2007 to 2010. To expand her global healthcare insight, she earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Healthcare Management from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (2020–2021), where she also received a Graduate Assistantship, the Tri Alpha Honors, and a Provost’s Fellowship. Her education combines rigorous clinical training, academic excellence, and research-focused public health knowledge, enabling her to transition seamlessly between dentistry, public health, and clinical research. She also participated in training on health policy and implementation science, solidifying her reputation as a well-rounded healthcare professional bridging research, policy, and clinical care.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Mohan’s career spans clinical practice, academia, and research leadership across India, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. She currently works as a Research Scientist at the University at Buffalo on multi-institutional projects related to cystic fibrosis and psycho-oncology. Previously, she served as a Clinical Research Coordinator III at Boston Medical Center, managing liver and inflammatory bowel disease trials. Earlier, she held academic roles including Assistant Professor at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia (2015–2019), and Mar Baselios Dental College, India (2011–2015), teaching prosthodontics and coordinating implantology and education quality initiatives. Her public health research roles include Graduate Research Assistant, Research Analyst, and Policy Intern at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, contributing to HIV care equity and organizational readiness initiatives. Her unique blend of clinical, academic, and analytical skills enables her to lead complex, interdisciplinary research while maintaining a patient-centered approach to healthcare innovation and education.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Minu Mohan has received numerous accolades across academic, clinical, and research domains. In 2021, she was nominated for Best Poster Award at the 14th Annual Dissemination & Implementation Science Conference. Her MPH studies were supported by the Provost’s Graduate Fellowship, Graduate Assistantship, and Tri Alpha Honors from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. During her dental residency, she won Best Scientific Paper for her work on silicone digital prostheses and Best Poster for clinical prosthetic rehabilitation cases at the 42nd Kerala State Dental Conference in 2009. Her research has since been spotlighted in global conferences such as ASCO, MASCC, and the National Ryan White Conference. She has authored or co-authored over 35 peer-reviewed journal articles and multiple conference abstracts. Her interdisciplinary projects involving AI, psycho-oncology, and public health disparities have positioned her as an award-winning thought leader in translational healthcare research.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Mohan’s research bridges clinical dentistry, oncology, and public health, with a strong emphasis on healthcare disparities, psycho-oncology, and data-driven health analytics. Her current projects involve the use of machine learning (ML) and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to predict suicidal ideation and cachexia in cancer patients. She also investigates opioid dependence, mental health screening, and emerging treatment toxicities using big data in hospitalized cancer cohorts. Her earlier public health research at the University of Massachusetts focused on Black Women with HIV, contributing to policy briefs and NIH-funded interventions. Additionally, she has explored prosthodontics innovations, digital prostheses, and quality-of-life outcomes post maxillofacial rehabilitation. Dr. Mohan’s work exemplifies an integrated approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research, AI applications in health, and a commitment to vulnerable populations. Her projects regularly feature in high-impact journals and global oncology conferences, contributing to evidence-based strategies in both clinical and population health domains.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Minu P. Mohan exemplifies a unique blend of clinical acumen, academic rigor, and research innovation, with a proven record in dental prosthetics, oncology-related public health, and AI-integrated healthcare analytics.

Publications

  • Counties with Low Employment and Education Status Are Associated with Higher Age-Adjusted Cancer Mortality

    Cancers
    2025-06-19 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/cancers17122051
    CONTRIBUTORS: Minu Ponnamma Mohan; Joel B. Epstein; Kapil S. Meleveedu; Roberto Pili; Poolakkad S. Satheeshkumar

  • Hospitalized Cancer Patients with Opioid Management for Chemo-Induced Ulcerative Mucositis Lessens the Patients’ Overall Burden of Illness

    Pharmaceuticals
    2025-04-06 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/ph18040536
    CONTRIBUTORS: Minu Ponnamma Mohan; Joel B. Epstein; Kapil S. Meleveedu; Parikshit Padhi; Roberto Pili; Poolakkad S. Satheeshkumar

  • A CBCT based study evaluating the degenerative changes in TMJs among patients with loss of posterior tooth support visiting Qassim University Dental Clinics, KSA: A retrospective observational study.

    The Saudi dental journal
    2022-09-27 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2022.09.002
    PMID: 36570571
    PMC: PMC9767831
    CONTRIBUTORS: AlKhairAllah HA; Mohan MP; AlSagri MS

  • Association between palliative care referral and burden of illness among cancers of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx

    Supportive Care in Cancer
    2021-12-22 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06370-y
    CONTRIBUTORS: Poolakkad S. Satheeshkumar; Mohammed El-Dallal; Y. Raita; Minu P. Mohan; E. Adjei Boakye

  • Feature selection and predicting chemotherapy-induced ulcerative mucositis using machine learning methods

    International Journal of Medical Informatics
    2021-10 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104563
    CONTRIBUTORS: Poolakkad S. Satheeshkumar; Mohammed El-Dallal; Minu P. Mohan

 

 

 

 

 

Jaqueline Scholz | Prevention – Public Politic | Best Research Article Award

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Dr. Jaqueline Scholz | Prevention – Public Politic | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Jaqueline Ribeiro Scholz, MD, PhD, is a distinguished cardiologist and academic based at the Instituto do Coração (InCor), Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. Renowned for her pioneering work in tobacco control, Dr. Scholz has made significant contributions to cardiovascular health through clinical innovation, research, and public policy. She directs the Smoking Cessation Program at InCor, offering advanced treatment modalities for tobacco dependency and developing innovative digital tools such as the PAF software and COVID-19 cessation chatbot. Her expertise has been instrumental at state, national, and global levels, including collaborations with the World Health Organization’s Tobacco or Health Program. Dr. Scholz’s commitment extends beyond clinical practice into impactful public health advocacy, contributing to legislation and preventive programs aimed at reducing tobacco-related harm globally. Her work aligns closely with international efforts to combat non-communicable diseases, positioning her as a global leader in preventive cardiology and tobacco cessation.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Jaqueline Scholz received her medical training and specialized education entirely at the prestigious Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. She completed her Residency in Cardiology at the Instituto do Coração (InCor), gaining extensive clinical expertise in cardiovascular medicine. Pursuing her academic ambitions, she specialized further with a degree in Cardiopneumology at Faculdade de Medicina da USP, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of cardiopulmonary diseases and their systemic impacts. In 2002, Dr. Scholz earned her PhD in Cardiology from Universidade de São Paulo, focusing her research on the intersection of tobacco use and cardiovascular health. Her academic foundation has underpinned her multidisciplinary approach to clinical care, research, and public health advocacy, blending cutting-edge science with practical interventions aimed at tobacco cessation. This strong educational background has positioned her as a respected authority in preventive cardiology, with a special emphasis on combating the global tobacco epidemic.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Jaqueline Scholz has over three decades of progressive experience in clinical cardiology, research, and public health policy. Since 2003, she has served as Director of the Smoking Cessation Program at Instituto do Coração (InCor), São Paulo, leading innovative cessation strategies, including the development of patient-support technologies like the PAF software and a COVID-19 chatbot for smokers. Between 1995 and 1996, she contributed her expertise to the São Paulo State Health Department’s Commission on Tobacco Control, directly influencing state-level anti-tobacco policies and campaigns. Earlier, from 1993 to 1996, Dr. Scholz served as a medical collaborator with the World Health Organization’s Tobacco or Health Program, participating in global strategy development for tobacco reduction. Her multifaceted career bridges clinical innovation, technology integration, public health leadership, and international policy advising, marking her as a key figure in tobacco control and preventive cardiovascular care on both national and global stages.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Although specific awards are not listed, Dr. Jaqueline Scholz’s career is marked by distinguished recognition through her leadership roles and global collaborations. Being appointed as Director of the Smoking Cessation Program at one of Brazil’s most prestigious cardiology institutes reflects professional excellence. Her selection to serve on the São Paulo State Commission on Tobacco Control and as a collaborator with the World Health Organization underscores her expertise and international reputation in tobacco control. Her innovative development of patient-centric tools such as the PAF software and the COVID-19 cessation chatbot has further garnered professional acclaim. Dr. Scholz’s extensive involvement with leading health organizations and her continuous contributions to public health policy highlight the respect and trust she commands within the cardiovascular and tobacco control communities. Her work aligns with the global health agenda, earning her recognition as a leading advocate and innovator in preventive cardiology and tobacco harm reduction.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Jaqueline Scholz’s research focuses on tobacco dependency treatment, smoking cessation strategies, and their direct impact on cardiovascular health outcomes. Her work bridges clinical practice, digital health innovation, and public health policy to develop effective, scalable interventions for tobacco users. At InCor, she leads studies on novel cessation methodologies, including the integration of digital platforms like the PAF software and automated chatbots to enhance patient support, particularly during public health crises like COVID-19. She has contributed to global tobacco control frameworks through collaborations with the World Health Organization, emphasizing the cardiovascular consequences of smoking and advocating for robust public health responses. Her research also informs state-level policy development, contributing to evidence-based regulations and campaigns targeting smoking reduction. Dr. Scholz’s work aims to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular diseases by addressing one of its leading risk factors—tobacco use—through innovative, patient-centered, and policy-driven approaches.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Jaqueline Scholz is a globally recognized cardiologist whose innovative clinical work, pioneering research, and leadership in public health policy have made substantial contributions to tobacco cessation and cardiovascular health, aligning with global efforts to reduce smoking-related morbidity and mortality.

Publications

  • Nicotine Dependence in a Banned Market: Biomarker Evidence from E-Cigarette Users in São Paulo, Brazil

    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    2025-06-19 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22060960
    CONTRIBUTORS: Jaqueline Ribeiro Scholz; Elaine Cristine D’Amico; Juliana Takitane; Daniele Mayumi Sinagawa; João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia; Marcelo Filonzi dos Santos; Rodrigo Alves de Oliveira; Guilherme Vinicius Marques; Eric Nagamine Lima; Diana Fernanda Lasso Rodriguez et al.

  • Smoking cessation decreases arterial blood pressure in hypertensive smokers: A subgroup analysis of the randomized controlled trial GENTSMOKING

    Tobacco Induced Diseases
    2024-05-16 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.18332/tid/186853
    CONTRIBUTORS: Patricia V. Gaya; Guilherme Wesley P. Fonseca; Lucas Tsuyoshi Tanji; Tania O. Abe; Maria Janieire N. N. Alves; Paulo Caleb Junior de Lima Santos; Fernanda M. Consolim Colombo; Jaqueline R. Scholz

  • Posicionamento da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre o Uso de Dispositivos Eletrônicos para Fumar – 2024

    Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia
    2024-02-08 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.36660/abc.20240063
    CONTRIBUTORS: Jaqueline R. Scholz; Deborah Carvalho Malta; Antonio Aurélio de Paiva Fagundes, Júnior; Ricardo Pavanello; Gerson Luiz Bredt, Júnior; Mário de Seixas Rocha

  • Evaluation of the nicotine metabolite ratio in smoking patients treated with varenicline and bupropion

    Frontiers in Pharmacology
    2022 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.900112

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85135484127

    Part of ISSN: 16639812
    CONTRIBUTORS: Tomaz, P.R.X.; Gonçalves, T.S.; Santos, J.R.; Scholz, J.; Abe, T.O.; Gaya, P.V.; Figueiredo, E.C.; de Faria, H.D.; Martins, I.; Pego, A.M.F. et al

Valeria Azevedo de Almeida | Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Valeria Azevedo de Almeida | Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Valéria Azevedo de Almeida is a Brazilian physiotherapist and researcher with expertise in neuroengineering, maternal and child health, and neonatal care. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Physiotherapy at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), where she also completed her undergraduate studies. Valéria holds a Master’s in Neuroengineering from the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neurosciences and has extensive experience in hospital and academic settings. Her research contributions focus on neonatal neural activity and pediatric urological sequelae linked to congenital infections like Zika virus. She has served in both clinical and academic roles across various Brazilian institutions, including UFRN, ISD, HU-UFGD, and HRG. Fluent in Portuguese and proficient in English, she also acts as a journal referee and participates in numerous collaborative health projects. Valéria has earned distinctions for her dedication to education and contributions to neonatal physiotherapy research and care.

Profile

Education 🎓

Valéria Azevedo de Almeida is completing her Ph.D. in Physiotherapy (2021–2025) at UFRN, under Dr. Silvana Alves Pereira. She earned a Master’s in Neuroengineering (2018–2020) at the Edmond and Lily Safra Institute, supervised by Dr. Reginaldo Freitas Jr., with a CAPES scholarship. Previously, she completed a specialization in Maternal and Child Health through a multiprofessional residency at UFRN (2016–2018), also under Dr. Pereira. Her undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy (2011–2015) was completed at UFRN with CNPq scholarship support. Complementary education includes over 20 short courses in areas like public health, intensive care, clinical pilates, neonatal care, and professional development, offered by institutions such as FIOCRUZ, CEDEP, UFMG, and the Albert Einstein Institute. These reflect her commitment to continuous learning and interdisciplinary training in health care and leadership. She also completed a 240-hour English language course and has participated in multiple training programs since 2009, enhancing her clinical and academic capacities.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Valéria has accumulated rich experience in public health, academic research, and clinical physiotherapy. Since 2022, she works at the University Hospital of Grande Dourados (HU-UFGD/Ebserh) as a government-employed physiotherapist. She has concurrently held research and academic roles at UFRN since 2021. Her past positions include clinical roles at Hospital Rio Grande, Hospital Municipal de Campanha, and UPA Esperança, and academic/research posts at Instituto Santos Dumont (ISD), where she contributed to projects on Zika-related pediatric sequelae. From 2016 to 2018, she was a research fellow at the Regional Hospital Dr. Mariano Coelho. Her early experience includes a scholarship-based position at Hospital Universitário Ana Bezerra. She’s also an active participant in ongoing projects at Instituto Fernandes Figueira and ISD. Valéria’s work combines hands-on physiotherapeutic care with clinical research, specializing in neonatal, neurological, and urological rehabilitation, making her a key contributor in multidisciplinary health teams.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Valéria received an Honorable Mention in 2018 from the Escola Multicampi de Ciências Médicas do RN for her contribution to the first class of the multiprofessional residency in maternal and child health. In 2015, she won first place in the area of Neonatal and Pediatric Physiotherapy at the III Northeastern Congress of Cardiorespiratory and Intensive Care Physiotherapy (CONEFIR), highlighting her excellence as a student-researcher. These awards recognize her early and continued dedication to improving clinical physiotherapy practice in neonatal and pediatric populations, as well as her commitment to rural health education and service delivery. Her leadership in education and practical training programs, especially in underserved areas, has been widely acknowledged. These honors underscore her impact on both the academic and practical dimensions of physiotherapy and affirm her growing reputation as a committed clinician, researcher, and mentor in Brazil’s evolving healthcare landscape.

Research Interests 🔬

Valéria’s research focuses on neonatal neurophysiology, pediatric rehabilitation, and health impacts of congenital infections such as the Zika virus. At UFRN, her Ph.D. work investigates the relationship between neural activity and visual processing in premature newborns. Through the Instituto Santos Dumont and Instituto Fernandes Figueira, she has contributed to long-term studies on urinary and intestinal dysfunctions in children with congenital Zika syndrome. She integrates neuroengineering principles into pediatric physiotherapy to enhance diagnostic and rehabilitative outcomes. Her interdisciplinary approach includes neurodevelopmental monitoring, urological sequelae analysis, and intervention design for affected children. In addition to field research, she is involved in designing care protocols, training health professionals, and evaluating public health strategies. Her work bridges neuroscience, physiotherapy, and maternal-child care, aiming to improve outcomes for vulnerable pediatric populations. She also serves as a peer reviewer, contributing to the advancement of evidence-based practices in neurorehabilitation and child health.

Publications