Yves Julien MBAMA BILOA | Public Health | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Yves Julien MBAMA BILOA | Public Health | Young Scientist Award

Jean Monnet University | France

Yves Julien Mbama Biloa is a dedicated Cameroonian scholar pursuing doctoral studies in public health at Jean Monnet University of Saint-Étienne, France, where his research focuses on developing preventive clinical practices during the retirement transition using consensus-based methodologies. With a solid academic foundation in biology and human physiology from the University of Douala, he has cultivated extensive expertise in clinical research, epidemiology, statistical analysis, and the application of artificial intelligence in health sciences. Professionally, he has served as a public health educator at leading French institutions, including Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and IRFSS-FI Rhône Alpes, and founded the Center for Statistical Processing and Analysis in Cameroon to support researchers and students in data management. His research interests span health prevention, digital health, mental health, and health systems improvement, reflecting a commitment to improving population well-being through evidence-based innovation. He possesses strong research skills in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, data interpretation, and scientific communication. Throughout his academic journey, he has received several certifications in research ethics, reproducible science, and artificial intelligence, underscoring his dedication to methodological rigor and technological advancement. Passionate about inclusion, collaboration, and community development, Yves Julien Mbama Biloa aspires to contribute meaningfully to global public health innovation through interdisciplinary research and applied scientific leadership.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Sercan Karabulut | Psychiatry | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sercan Karabulut | Psychiatry | Best Academic Researcher Award

Akdeniz University School of Medicine | Turkey

Dr. Sercan Karabulut is a distinguished psychiatrist and academic with a strong educational background from İstanbul Medicine Faculty and earlier training at leading Turkish schools. He completed his residency in psychiatry at İstanbul Medicine Faculty and is fluent in English and German, which has supported his international academic presence. His professional career includes service at prominent state hospitals in Antalya and Van, with his current appointment at Akdeniz University School of Medicine. His research interests span schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, personality traits, psychopharmacology, and the cognitive and clinical aspects of addiction. He has published extensively in national and international journals, addressing key issues such as clozapine use in schizophrenia, cognitive impairments in methamphetamine users, psychiatric outcomes of encephalitis, and the interplay between trauma, empathy, and substance use. His research skills include clinical psychiatry, psychometric evaluation, statistical analysis, study design, and long-term patient follow-up. In addition, he has authored book chapters on addiction and psychiatric care and has actively contributed to scientific congresses through oral presentations, panels, and case reports. Recognized for his academic productivity and dedication, he has received honors in scientific meetings and has gained respect as both a clinician and researcher. Overall, Dr. Karabulut’s career demonstrates a sustained commitment to advancing psychiatry through clinical practice, research, and education, making him a valuable contributor to the understanding and treatment of complex psychiatric and addiction-related disorders.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

María José Membrive Jiménez | Burnout | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. María José Membrive Jiménez | Burnout | Best Researcher Award

University of Granada | Spain

María José Membrive Jiménez es una investigadora y docente en el ámbito de la enfermería con una sólida trayectoria académica y profesional. Formada en ciencias de la salud y con experiencia en distintos servicios hospitalarios, ha desarrollado una carrera que combina la práctica clínica con la investigación y la enseñanza universitaria. Su experiencia profesional incluye puestos en el sistema sanitario público, instituciones privadas y en la universidad, donde ha impartido docencia y dirigido trabajos de fin de grado, lo que refleja su compromiso con la formación de futuros profesionales. Sus principales intereses de investigación se centran en el síndrome de burnout, la salud mental, los problemas de sueño, la resiliencia y la calidad de vida de los profesionales de enfermería y pacientes con enfermedades crónicas. Entre sus competencias destacan la aplicación de metodologías cuantitativas, la realización de revisiones sistemáticas con metaanálisis, el análisis estadístico avanzado y el manejo de herramientas digitales para la enseñanza y la investigación. Ha participado en numerosos congresos nacionales e internacionales y cuenta con publicaciones en revistas de alto impacto, lo que respalda la relevancia de sus aportaciones científicas. Sus reconocimientos incluyen la participación en comités científicos y la colaboración en proyectos de transferencia de conocimiento. En conjunto, su perfil refleja una investigadora comprometida con la mejora de la práctica enfermera, el bienestar de los profesionales de la salud y la promoción de la calidad asistencial mediante la integración de la evidencia científica en la docencia y la clínica.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

John de Figueiredo | Loneliness and Demoralization | Best Researcher Award

Prof. John de Figueiredo | Loneliness and Demoralization | Best Researcher Award

Yale University School of Medicine | United States

Prof. John de Figueiredo is a highly accomplished psychiatrist, educator, and researcher whose career bridges clinical excellence, academic leadership, and international recognition in psychiatry and public health. He earned his medical degree from the University of Bombay, followed by advanced training in mental health at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and completed residency and fellowship training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine. His academic career at Yale University School of Medicine has spanned decades, progressing from assistant professor to clinical professor, where he has supervised and mentored fellows, residents, medical students, and multidisciplinary teams. His research interests focus on cultural psychiatry, psychopathology, psychosomatic medicine, psychiatric epidemiology, and geriatric psychiatry, contributing significantly to understanding the interaction between culture, mental health, and clinical practice. He is recognized for skills in teaching, supervision, curriculum design, and cross-cultural clinical care, complemented by leadership roles in global psychiatric associations. Prof. de Figueiredo has been honored with numerous national and international awards, including recognition by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychopathological Association, and the Royal Society of Medicine, among others. In conclusion, his career reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing psychiatry, medical education, and patient care through scholarship, mentorship, and global collaboration.

Profile: Google scholar

Featured Publications

Emmanuel Chona | Public Health | Young Researcher Award

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

Sonia Cherpe | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sonia Cherpe | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

University of Coimbra | portugal

Dr. Sónia Cherpe is a dedicated researcher whose work has focused extensively on adolescent depression, trauma, and cognitive-behavioural interventions, contributing significantly to the field of psychology and mental health. She pursued her academic career at the University of Coimbra, where she has been affiliated with the Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive-Behavioural Intervention. Her education and training positioned her to explore preventive approaches to depression in Portuguese adolescents, supported by funding from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Professionally, she has contributed to multiple national and international projects examining the role of trauma, shame, and emotion regulation in depressive symptomatology, and has been actively involved in psychometric validation of assessment tools adapted for Portuguese populations. Her research interests include adolescent mental health, preventive interventions for depression, cognitive and emotional regulation, and the development of culturally adapted assessment instruments. Skilled in research design, longitudinal analysis, psychometric evaluation, and evidence-based interventions, Cherpe has collaborated with esteemed colleagues both nationally and internationally. She has received recognition through funded projects, conference presentations, and publications in peer-reviewed journals. Overall, Sónia Cherpe’s career reflects a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in adolescent mental health, with a focus on prevention and intervention strategies that address psychological vulnerabilities and promote well-being.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Victor Grillo Sobrinho | Emotion and Cognition | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Victor Grillo Sobrinho | Emotion and Cognition | Best Researcher Award

 State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 20550-900 |  Brazil

Victor Grillo Sobrinho is a dedicated professional in the field of physical education and exercise sciences, with expertise in exercise physiology, resistance training, and electrostimulation. He has built his academic and professional career with a strong commitment to promoting health, performance, and well-being across different populations, particularly older adults. His work integrates both practical teaching in schools and specialized training in fitness institutions, reflecting a balance between pedagogy and applied sports science. Victor has served as a professor of physical education at Colégio Oliveira Mallet, where he has contributed to youth development in physical fitness and sports. In addition, he has gained extensive experience in electrostimulation training at Eletro Treino, working with advanced methods to enhance muscular strength and functionality. His academic involvement includes participation in research groups focusing on exercise, aging, and affectivity, consolidating his role as a professional bridging education, research, and practice.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Victor Grillo Sobrinho’s academic journey began with undergraduate studies in physical education at Centro Universitário Augusto Motta, where he earned both his licentiate and bachelor’s degrees. His early academic focus explored strength gains through electrostimulation training, guided by Dr. Francisco Navarro. To deepen his expertise, he pursued postgraduate specialization in exercise physiology and training prescription at Universidade Estácio, producing a systematic review on electrostimulation for strength development. Expanding his scope, he completed a specialization in physical training for older adults at Faculdade de Minas, with research on affective perception in resistance training among the elderly. His commitment to advancing scientific knowledge led him to pursue a master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences at Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. His dissertation focused on validating psychometric scales such as the Feeling Scale and Felt Arousal Scale for older populations, underlining his dedication to research in aging, exercise, and well-being

Experience

Victor Grillo Sobrinho has extensive teaching and professional experience across academic and fitness environments. He began his career as a physical education teacher at Colégio Oliveira Mallet, where he has been responsible for instructing middle and high school students, fostering a culture of health and movement. His passion for advanced training methodologies is evident in his role at Eletro Treino, where he serves as a specialist in electrostimulation-based fitness programs, utilizing MIHA technology to improve muscular performance. Additionally, he has worked at renowned fitness centers, including Bodytech and Wellness Fit Club, delivering functional training, resistance exercise, and muscle conditioning to diverse populations. His teaching philosophy combines scientific knowledge with practical strategies to enhance performance and health outcomes. Victor’s professional trajectory reflects his ability to engage with different audiences, from young learners to elderly individuals, while actively participating in research groups focused on training and aging.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Victor Grillo Sobrinho has been recognized for his contributions to exercise science and education. His participation in academic events and congresses highlights his role as both a researcher and practitioner committed to advancing knowledge in physical education and sports sciences. At the VI Congresso Internacional de Educação Física e Desporto, he presented research on the reliability of the Feeling Scale and Felt Arousal Scale in elderly populations, gaining recognition for his innovative work in psychometric evaluation in exercise contexts. Similarly, at the X Congresso Brasileiro de Metabolismo, Nutrição e Exercício, his presentation on validating affective and arousal scales among older adults demonstrated his commitment to bridging exercise science with applied gerontology. His academic achievements, including completing advanced postgraduate training and securing a master’s degree with a relevant dissertation in the field, further mark his distinction. These accomplishments reflect his dedication to improving physical training and well-being.

Research Focus

Victor Grillo Sobrinho’s research primarily focuses on the intersection of exercise, aging, and affectivity. He investigates how different training methodologies, particularly resistance training and electrostimulation, influence physical performance, strength, and emotional responses among older adults. His work explores psychophysiological aspects of exercise, emphasizing the validation of affective scales such as the Feeling Scale and Felt Arousal Scale to better understand the psychological dimensions of physical training. By integrating physiological outcomes with subjective well-being, Victor aims to optimize training prescriptions for elderly populations, ensuring both health benefits and motivational adherence. His broader interests include exercise physiology, functional training, and innovative approaches such as electrostimulation to enhance muscular performance. Participation in research groups like GEESI strengthens his role in collaborative projects addressing geriatric exercise science. His academic and applied focus demonstrates a commitment to promoting healthy aging through scientifically informed, personalized training interventions

Conclusion

ictor Grillo Sobrinho stands as a committed educator, researcher, and practitioner in exercise sciences, blending academic rigor with professional expertise, advancing the fields of physiology, electrostimulation, and geriatric fitness, while fostering healthier lifestyles through evidence-based practices

Caroline Cecil Kaufman | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Caroline Cecil Kaufman | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Caroline C. Kaufman is an Assistant Psychologist at McLean Hospital and Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Memphis, with a specialization in the psychology of religion and spirituality. Her work lies at the intersection of spirituality, trauma, and mental health, particularly among underserved and marginalized populations. Dr. Kaufman has developed spiritually integrated psychotherapeutic interventions and conducted groundbreaking research on antisemitism, PTSD, and alcohol misuse. She has trained at leading institutions, including Yale School of Medicine, and currently leads multiple funded projects aimed at adapting clinical care to spiritual and religious diversity. Dr. Kaufman is widely recognized for her academic contributions and advocacy for inclusive behavioral health. Her professional mission centers on empowering vulnerable communities through evidence-based, spiritually inclusive mental health research and care. She is also a frequent speaker and active contributor to national and international psychology organizations.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Kaufman’s clinical and academic experience spans leading institutions in psychology and psychiatry. She currently serves as Assistant Psychologist at McLean Hospital and Instructor at Harvard Medical School. From 2021 to 2023, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Spirituality and Mental Health Program at McLean. Her internship was at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she worked in child and adolescent intensive outpatient care and the Yale Gender Program. She has held clinical roles across diverse settings, including Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Daybreak Treatment Center, and Head Start programs. She also held supervisory roles, including at Yale and the University of Memphis. Dr. Kaufman has been actively engaged in research, professional service, and teaching throughout her career. Her expertise lies in integrating spirituality and trauma-focused therapies, and she serves as Principal Investigator on several funded research projects. She also advises diversity and inclusion initiatives across clinical psychology organizations.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Kaufman has received numerous accolades for her academic and clinical contributions. In 2024, she was awarded the Eleanor and Miles Shore Fellowship by McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She is a 2022 Livingston Fellow at Harvard Medical School and was selected for the prestigious Yale Program for Medicine, Spirituality, & Religion Fellowship in 2020. That same year, she received the Jewish Community Hero Award. Other honors include the International Research Network’s Early Career Researcher Award (2022), the Graduate Student Talk Award from the Tennessee Psychological Association (2018), and the Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Award from Williams College (2015). Dr. Kaufman has been consistently recognized for her innovative research in spirituality and mental health, her leadership in DEI initiatives, and her commitment to advancing culturally sensitive clinical care. She also received multiple travel and presentation awards from the APA and other scholarly organizations throughout her academic training.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Kaufman has received numerous accolades for her academic and clinical contributions. In 2024, she was awarded the Eleanor and Miles Shore Fellowship by McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She is a 2022 Livingston Fellow at Harvard Medical School and was selected for the prestigious Yale Program for Medicine, Spirituality, & Religion Fellowship in 2020. That same year, she received the Jewish Community Hero Award. Other honors include the International Research Network’s Early Career Researcher Award (2022), the Graduate Student Talk Award from the Tennessee Psychological Association (2018), and the Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Award from Williams College (2015). Dr. Kaufman has been consistently recognized for her innovative research in spirituality and mental health, her leadership in DEI initiatives, and her commitment to advancing culturally sensitive clinical care. She also received multiple travel and presentation awards from the APA and other scholarly organizations throughout her academic training.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Kaufman’s research focuses on the integration of spirituality, religiosity, and psychological science, particularly in the treatment of trauma, PTSD, and alcohol misuse. Her scholarship explores how spiritual identity and belief systems influence mental health outcomes, with a strong emphasis on marginalized and high-risk populations such as first responders and Jewish communities facing antisemitism. She leads several research projects, funded by organizations such as the John Templeton Foundation and Harvard Medical School, examining spiritually integrated psychotherapy, resilience among trauma survivors, and inclusion of religious diversity in behavioral health. She also investigates antisemitic prejudice and its psychological effects. Through both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, her work advances clinical science by developing culturally and spiritually sensitive interventions. Dr. Kaufman’s interdisciplinary research informs clinical practices and policy frameworks to promote inclusive, evidence-based care. She also collaborates across academic and community settings to ensure her research has practical, population-level impact.

Conclusion

Publications

  • Mental Health Clinical Pastoral Education—A Specialized CPE Program

    Religions
    2025-07 | Journal article | Author
    CONTRIBUTORS: Angelika A. Zollfrank; Caroline Cecil Kaufman; David H. Rosmarin
  • The scale matters: assessing body size with figure rating scales in a diverse sample of young adults

    Eating and Weight Disorders
    2022 | Journal article
  • Integrating Spirituality in Group Psychotherapy with First Responders: Addressing Trauma and Substance Misuse

    Religions
    2022-11 | Journal article | Author
    CONTRIBUTORS: Caroline Cecil Kaufman; David Hillel Rosmarin; Hilary Connery
  • Parenting in matched pairs of women of color experiencing intimate partner violence and living with and without HIV

    Journal of Traumatic Stress
    2021 | Journal article
    EID: 2-s2.0-85116930252
    Part of ISSN: 15736598 08949867
    CONTRIBUTORS: Thurston, I.B.; Howell, K.H.; Kaufman, C.C.; Mandell, J.E.; Decker, K.M.

Yaira Hamama-Raz | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yaira Hamama-Raz | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yaira Hamama-Raz is a distinguished scholar and practitioner in psycho-oncology and social work, currently serving as a full professor at Ariel University’s School of Social Work. Her academic journey spans from a BA to a PhD at Tel Aviv University, with postdoctoral training at the Adler Research Center. With over three decades of clinical and academic experience, she has contributed extensively to understanding psychological resilience, adjustment to cancer, and trauma. Beyond teaching, she actively participates in institutional and national scientific committees, enhancing the academic and clinical landscape of social work and psycho-oncology in Israel. Prof. Hamama-Raz’s research is widely recognized through multiple grants and peer-reviewed publications. She has received repeated awards for excellence in both research and teaching. Her deep commitment to mental health, social well-being, and integrative care defines her contribution to both academia and practice, making her a leading voice in health-related social work research.

Profile

🎓 Education

Prof. Hamama-Raz completed her academic training at Tel Aviv University. She earned her BA between 1986 and 1989, followed by an MA from 1992 to 1996, during which she explored fear of personal death among physicians under the supervision of Professors Zahava Solomon and Abraham Ohari. Her doctoral research (1997–2003) examined psychological adjustment in melanoma survivors, focusing on gender, identity, cognitive appraisal, hardiness, and attachment style, again under Prof. Solomon’s guidance. She further enriched her academic foundation through a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship (2005–2007) at the Adler Research Center for Child Welfare and Protection. This thorough academic grounding formed the base of her psycho-oncological research and teaching, integrating clinical practice with theoretical depth. Her educational trajectory exemplifies a continuous commitment to psychological and social health, particularly in vulnerable populations facing illness and trauma.

🧪 Experience

Prof. Hamama-Raz has a distinguished career that bridges clinical social work and academia. She began as a mental health officer in the Israeli Defense Forces (1989–1990), later working with families and distressed youth in Ramat Gan’s Welfare Department. From 1995 to 2005, she served as a social worker in the Gyneco-Oncology Unit of Rabin Medical Center. Between 2006 and 2009, she led individual psychotherapy at “One in Nine,” an Israeli breast cancer support organization. Since 2009, she has provided psycho-oncological therapy in private practice. Parallel to clinical work, she has held academic roles at Ariel University since 2005, advancing from lecturer to full professor in 2019. She has led graduate programs, chaired committees, and served on institutional boards. Her roles demonstrate a lifelong dedication to mental health and education, with an emphasis on cancer survivorship, trauma care, and integrative psychosocial support.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Prof. Hamama-Raz has received consistent recognition for her excellence in teaching and research. From 2010 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2023, Ariel University awarded her annual honors for academic excellence in teaching. In 2015, she received the university’s Reward for Excellence in Research Achievements. In 2016, she was honored by the Israel Cancer Association for outstanding psycho-oncological research. These accolades reflect her sustained commitment to quality education and impactful research. Her work not only advances academic knowledge but also improves clinical practices in social work and mental health care. These recognitions affirm her role as an influential educator and researcher whose work continues to inspire students, colleagues, and practitioners in Israel and internationally. Her ability to translate clinical insight into research findings and educational content is a hallmark of her professional excellence.

🔬 Research Focus

Prof. Yaira Hamama-Raz’s research lies at the intersection of psychology, oncology, and social work. She focuses on psychological adjustment among cancer survivors, with a particular interest in gender identity, cognitive appraisal, hardiness, and attachment styles. Her early research addressed fear of death among healthcare providers and psychological resilience in trauma survivors. Over the years, her studies have expanded to include kidney transplant patients, informal caregivers, disaster survivors, and populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work is grounded in clinical experience, aiming to bridge empirical findings with therapeutic applications. She has led and collaborated on numerous funded projects, including grants from the Israel Cancer Association and Ariel University. Her recent interests include decision-making in elderly cancer patients, adherence among adolescent transplant recipients, and psychological coping mechanisms in response to climate change and global health crises. Her interdisciplinary approach positions her as a leader in psychosocial oncology and health-related social work.

Conclusion

Prof. Yaira Hamama-Raz is a distinguished academic, clinician, and researcher whose lifelong dedication to psycho-oncology and social work has significantly impacted clinical practice, academic training, and research in health-related social sciences, earning her recognition through awards, grants, and institutional leadership.

Publications

  • Climate Change Anxiety Among Individuals with and Without Chronic Illnesses: The Roles of Exposure, Awareness, and Coping Strategies

    Sustainability
    2025-07-01 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Yaira Hamama-Raz; Shiri Shinan-Altman
  • Social acknowledgment and posttraumatic growth among bereaved adult sons and daughters of security forces personnel: The interplay with continuing bonds and complicated grief

    Death Studies
    2025-06-20 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Yaira Hamama-Raz; Edit Solomon
  • The Interplay Between Climate Change Exposure, Awareness, Coping, and Anxiety Among Individuals with and Without a Chronic Illness

    Climate
    2025-06-11 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Shiri Shinan-Altman; Yaira Hamama-Raz
  • Can the subjective perception of trauma effectively differentiate between International Classification of Diseases–11 PTSD and complex PTSD? The 2022 Russian invasion analysis.

    Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
    2025-03 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Shir Mor-Ben-Ishai; Yaira Hamama-Raz; Elazar Leshem; Menachem Ben-Ezra; Yafit Levin