Andreea-Petra Ungur | Occupational Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Andreea-Petra Ungur | Occupational Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Andreea Petra Ungur is a Romanian physician, academic, and researcher specializing in Occupational Medicine. She currently serves as an Assistant Lecturer at the Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj Napoca, teaching medical students in Romanian, English, and French. Her research is centered on the physiological and psychological implications of workplace stress, particularly burnout and circadian disruptions, as reflected in her ongoing PhD studies. With dual doctoral experiences—one in Medicine and one in Biotechnology—Dr. Ungur integrates clinical insight with laboratory science to explore metabolic biomarkers and endocrine disruptors in occupational health. In addition to her academic and clinical roles, she has a history in business and data analysis, bringing multidisciplinary perspectives to her work. Fluent in multiple languages and highly skilled in communication and digital tools, Dr. Ungur combines scientific rigor with a compassionate, evidence-based approach to improving worker health and wellness.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Andreea Petra Ungur graduated with a Medical Degree from Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj Napoca in 2007, passing the National Licensing Exam the same year. She began her postgraduate training as a Resident Doctor in Occupational Medicine at the Leon Daniello Clinical Hospital, acquiring hands-on clinical skills in evaluating and treating work-related health issues. Her academic path continued with a PhD in Biotechnology at USAMV Cluj Napoca (2018–2019), focusing on the implications of endocrine disruptors in occupational health. Subsequently, she embarked on a second doctoral program in Medicine at UMF Cluj Napoca in 2019, investigating metabolic biomarkers and circadian disruptions related to burnout. Her doctoral research is supervised by Prof. Dr. Lucia Maria Procopciuc and includes both retrospective and prospective clinical studies. Dr. Ungur’s educational background underscores a strong commitment to integrating basic science with occupational clinical practice.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Ungur has over a decade of multidisciplinary experience spanning medicine, academia, and industry. Since 2020, she has been an Assistant Lecturer at the Occupational Medicine Department of UMF Cluj Napoca, delivering bilingual lectures and practical training to medical students. She has worked as an Occupational Medicine Physician at SC MEDSTAR SRL since 2019, performing clinical assessments, workplace evaluations, and risk analyses. Her earlier academic role as an Associate Lecturer laid the foundation for her teaching career. Between 2015 and 2018, she served as a Resident Doctor at the Leon Daniello Hospital, gaining valuable clinical exposure in occupational health. Prior to her medical practice, Dr. Ungur worked in commercial and analytical roles, including as a Commercial Director at SC Patrice SRL and as a Data Analyst at Evalueserve, enhancing her managerial and analytical acumen. Her career exemplifies the fusion of clinical practice, research, and professional versatility.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Andreea Petra Ungur has earned academic recognition for her innovative work on occupational stress and burnout. One of her PhD research articles, exploring metabolic biomarkers linked to burnout in healthcare professionals, was nominated for an academic award—highlighting the significance and originality of her contribution. Her publications in high-impact international journals such as Diagnostics, Metabolites, and Clocks & Sleep reflect her standing in the scientific community and her ability to address complex occupational health issues with scientific rigor. In addition to academic accolades, Dr. Ungur’s multilingual proficiency (Romanian, English, French, German, and Italian) has supported her success as a certified medical interpreter and international educator. Her diverse background in both medicine and biotechnology, combined with her public speaking and leadership capabilities, has positioned her as a promising figure in occupational medicine research and education.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Ungur’s research focuses on the intersection of occupational medicine, metabolic science, and psychological stress. Her primary interest lies in identifying biomarkers associated with burnout syndrome, particularly in healthcare workers. Her ongoing PhD research investigates how circadian rhythm disruptions and night-shift work impact metabolic pathways, potentially leading to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Her approach blends retrospective clinical data, prospective subject monitoring, and advanced urine and blood metabolomic analysis. Another research avenue has been the exploration of endocrine disruptors in occupational settings during her earlier PhD in Biotechnology. Through interdisciplinary methodologies, Dr. Ungur seeks to contribute to early detection and preventive strategies in occupational health. Her work aims to bridge laboratory findings with real-world clinical outcomes, ultimately influencing health policy and work environment standards. She advocates for a scientific understanding of how workplace stress manifests biologically, aiming to inform both clinical practice and organizational interventions.

Conclusion

Dr. Andreea Petra Ungur embodies a multidisciplinary blend of clinical practice, academic teaching, and groundbreaking research in occupational medicine. With a deep commitment to understanding and mitigating work-related health risks, her work on metabolic and psychological biomarkers stands at the forefront of modern occupational health research. Her dual training in medicine and biotechnology, coupled with her experience in education and data analysis, gives her a unique and impactful voice in the medical community. As a bilingual academic and clinician, she continues to inspire evidence-based solutions for healthier workplaces and professional well-being.

Publications

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

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
    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
    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
    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

    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