Avhasei Dorothy Meregi | Cognitive Rehabilitation | Best Researcher Award

Avhasei Dorothy Meregi | Cognitive Rehabilitation | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi, Department of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, South Africa

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi is a dedicated sports scientist from Tshiulungoma village, Limpopo, South Africa 🇿🇦. She holds a BSc in Sport Science 🎓 from the University of Venda, an MPhil in Sport Science 🏃‍♀️ from the University of Johannesburg, and is pursuing her PhD in Human Movement Sciences at the University of Zululand 📚. With extensive experience in sports performance assessment, adolescent health, and athlete development, she has contributed to both research and academia 👩‍🏫. A fluent speaker of Sepedi, Tshivenda, and English 🗣️, she is passionate about inclusive sports education and has made significant impacts through her teaching and community engagement 💪🌍.

Profile

Education 🎓

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi began her academic journey at Liivha Combined School, where she completed Grade 12 in 2006 🎓. She earned a BSc in Sport Science (Honours equivalent) from the University of Venda in 2011 🏃‍♀️, followed by an Advanced Diploma in Sport Management from the same university in 2019 📊. That same year, she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (Teaching and Learning) from the University of Stellenbosch 🎓📚. Her passion for sports science led her to complete an MPhil in Sport Science at the University of Johannesburg in 2019 🧠🏅.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi has built a dynamic professional path rooted in sports science and athlete development. Her journey includes an impactful internship at the National Research Foundation 🎓 and hands-on experience at the Limpopo Academy of Sports 🏟️. She has developed specialized training and nutrition programs 🍎💪, conducted detailed performance assessments 📊, and contributed to athlete monitoring and development at the provincial level. Her practical experience with diverse sports codes and commitment to evidence-based strategies underscore her dedication to enhancing athletic performance and promoting physical health in communities 🤝⚽.

Research Interests 🔬

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi’s research focus lies in adaptive physical activity, adolescent health, and inclusive sports participation. Her work, including the study titled “We Just Improvise”, explores the barriers and innovative approaches used by teachers to engage learners with intellectual disabilities in rural South African communities 🌍. She emphasizes equitable access to sports 🏀 and the importance of tailored physical education programs 🏫. Her research contributes significantly to disability-inclusive education, sport science, and community-based interventions 👩‍🔬🤸‍♂️. Through qualitative insights and practical strategies, she advances health promotion and social inclusion for vulnerable youth populations.

Publications 

  • We Just Improvise”: Exploring Teachers’ Perspectives on Sport Participation for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities in Rural South Africa

Luisa Pozzo | Neuroscience | Best Paper Award

Dr. Luisa Pozzo | Neuroscience | Best Paper Award   🏆

Researcher at IBBA-CNR, Italy

Dr. Luisa Pozzo is a Researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology of the National Research Council (CNR-IBBA) since 2011. She holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Turin (2007) and a PhD in Veterinary Sciences (2011) from the same university. Dr. Pozzo also earned a Master’s degree in Food Science from the University of Pisa (2013). Her research focuses on the bio-functional characterization of food products, particularly their role in managing inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic degenerative diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular issues. She has worked internationally in France, Poland, and Spain and currently holds a teaching position at the University of Pisa. With an H-index of 17 and over 663 citations, Dr. Pozzo has made significant contributions to the fields of food science, nutraceuticals, and health research.

Profile

SCOPUS

ORCID

Education 🎓:

Dr. Luisa Pozzo completed her education with a strong focus on veterinary medicine and food science. She graduated in 2007 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Turin. Following this, she pursued advanced studies and earned her PhD in Veterinary Sciences (XXIII cycle) from the same university in 2011. Further expanding her expertise, she obtained a 2nd level Master’s degree in “Food Science: quality, safety and human nutrition” from the University of Pisa in 2013. Dr. Pozzo also gained international experience during her PhD training at the Mycotoxicology Unit of the ENVT in France in 2010. This educational background has provided her with a robust foundation in both veterinary science and food-related research, fueling her work in areas like food bio-functionality and chronic disease prevention.

Work Experience 💼:

Dr. Luisa Pozzo has extensive research and teaching experience in the fields of veterinary medicine, food science, and nutrition. Since 2011, she has been a Researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology of the National Research Council (CNR-IBBA), where she focuses on the bio-functional properties of food products in relation to chronic diseases. Her international experience includes a PhD training at the Mycotoxicology Unit at ENVT in France (2010), and research roles as a Host Researcher at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research in Poland (2015) and IATA CSIC in Spain (2018). Since 2016, Dr. Pozzo has been a university lecturer at the University of Pisa, teaching Applied Nutraceuticals in the Human Nutrition Sciences program. Additionally, she has served as a Section Editor for the Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences since 2019 and has been a technical-scientific expert for the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. Her work has contributed to advancing the understanding of food’s role in health, with particular emphasis on antimicrobial and prebiotic effects.

Skills 🔍

Dr. Luisa Pozzo possesses a diverse skill set spanning veterinary medicine, food science, and nutrition research. Her expertise includes the bio-functional characterization of food products, with a focus on their role in preventing inflammation and oxidative stress associated with chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. She is skilled in using in vivo models (mice and rats) for testing the interactions between food products and drug metabolism. Additionally, Dr. Pozzo has expertise in antimicrobial and prebiotic effects of food products and bioactive compounds through in vitro testing. Her strong academic background and international research experience have equipped her with advanced skills in scientific communication, project evaluation, and academic mentorship, particularly in the fields of applied nutraceuticals and human nutrition.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Dr. Luisa Pozzo has received notable recognition for her contributions to the fields of food science and nutrition. In addition to her academic achievements, she has been acknowledged for her role as a Section Editor for the Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (PJFNS) since 2019, where she contributes to advancing nutritional research. Her expertise has also been sought by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MiSE), where she has served as a technical-scientific expert for the evaluation of research projects under the Fund for Sustainable Growth. Furthermore, Dr. Pozzo’s dedication to international academic collaboration was recognized through a Staff Mobility for Teaching Assignments (STA) under the Erasmus+ Mobility Program in 2022, further cementing her standing in the global scientific community.

Research Interests:

Dr. Luisa Pozzo’s research interests center around the bio-functional characterization of food products, focusing on their protective roles in combating inflammation and oxidative stress associated with chronic degenerative diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic respiratory conditions. She is particularly interested in understanding the interactions between food products, bioactive compounds, and drug metabolism, using in vivo models (mice and rats) to explore these effects. Additionally, Dr. Pozzo investigates the antimicrobial and prebiotic properties of food products, seeking to identify potential health benefits and applications in disease prevention and management. Her research aims to contribute to the development of nutraceutical strategies for improving public health.

📚 Publications 

  • Title: Probing the Alterations in Mice Cecal Content Due to High-Fat Diet
    • Authors: Trouki, C., Campanella, B., Onor, M., Longo, V., Bramanti, E.
    • Journal: Food Chemistry
    • Year: 2024
    • Volume/Issue: 455, 139856
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: Assessment of the Antioxidant and Hypolipidemic Properties of Salicornia europaea for the Prevention of TAFLD in Rats
    • Authors: Souid, A., Giambastiani, L., Castagna, A., Pozzo, L., Vornoli, A.
    • Journal: Antioxidants
    • Year: 2024
    • Volume/Issue: 13(5), 596
    • Citations: 3
  • Title: Characterization and Stability Evaluation of Egyptian Propolis Extract Nano-Capsules and Their Application
    • Authors: Amin, A.A., Mahmoud, K.F., Salama, M.F., Seliem, E.I., Ibrahim, M.A.
    • Journal: Scientific Reports
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume/Issue: 13(1), 16065
    • Citations: 2
  • Title: Chlamydomonas agloeformis from the Ecuadorian Highlands: Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Profiling and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity
    • Authors: Grande, T., Vornoli, A., Lubrano, V., Echeverria, M.C., Pozzo, L.
    • Journal: Foods
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume/Issue: 12(17), 3147
    • Citations: 4
  • Title: Characterization of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity and Phenolic Compound Profile of Extracts from Seeds of Different Vitis Species
    • Authors: Pozzo, L., Grande, T., Raffaelli, A., Amarowicz, R., Karamać, M.
    • Journal: Molecules
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume/Issue: 28(13), 4924
    • Citations: 9
  • Title: In Vitro Characterization of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antimutagenic Activities of the Green Microalga Ettlia pseudoalveolaris
    • Authors: Vornoli, A., Grande, T., Lubrano, V., Pozzo, L., Echeverria, C.
    • Journal: Antioxidants
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume/Issue: 12(6), 1308
    • Citations: 5

Conclusion 

Given Dr. Luisa Pozzo’s extensive research on the bio-functional roles of food in chronic disease prevention, her strong academic credentials, and her contributions to the field of nutraceuticals, she is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Paper Award. Her research not only enhances our understanding of food’s potential to improve health but also paves the way for innovative solutions to combat chronic diseases.