Shiva Shankar | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shiva Shankar | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Zoological Survey of India | India

C. Shiva Shankar is a dedicated Senior Research Fellow at the Zoological Survey of India, specializing in taxonomy, molecular systematics, and ecology of aquatic beetles, fishes, and freshwater crabs. He has significantly contributed to biodiversity documentation through the discovery of new species and first records in India. His doctoral research on aquatic beetles of the Eastern Ghats has generated more than 500 DNA barcodes, marking the first molecular systematic study of aquatic beetles in the country. He has authored over 15 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and a co-authored book on threatened fauna. His expertise spans DNA barcoding, water quality analysis, GIS and GPS field surveys, and museum specimen curation. With extensive fieldwork across Indian ecosystems, he has collected and identified over 95 species of aquatic beetles, including rare and endemic taxa. He has successfully submitted over 600 DNA sequences to NCBI, strengthening global biodiversity databases. Beyond research, he actively participates in national conferences, workshops, and biodiversity initiatives, enhancing collaborative conservation efforts. Recognized for his hard work, leadership skills, and self-motivation, he is committed to advancing aquatic biodiversity science. His career vision is to contribute to global research excellence while promoting sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

“First record of Scoliopsis spinosa d’Orchymont, 1919 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from India”

“Molecular Characterization of Rare Predaceous Aquatic Beetle Methles indicus Regimbart, 1899 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from Eastern Ghats, India”

“Freshwater decapods (Crustacea: Decapoda) of Palair Reservoir, Telangana, India”

“Notes on Ptilomera agriodes (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerridae) from Eastern Ghats, India”

Jenny Gentizon | Public Health | Applied Scientist Award

Dr. Jenny Gentizon | Public Health | Applied Scientist Award

Dr. Jenny Gentizon,  University of Lausanne (UNIL), Switzerland

Dr. Jenny Gentizon is a senior lecturer and head of the Nurse Practitioner Master’s program at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in Switzerland. She holds a PhD in Nursing Sciences and specializes in advanced practice nursing, gerontology, and medication literacy. Her research focuses on improving medication management in older adults and developing tools to support pharmaceutical care. She is actively involved in European nursing science networks and leads educational and clinical initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of advanced practice nurses in the healthcare system.

Author Profile

orcid

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Jenny Gentizon’s journey into nursing science began with a profound interest in patient care and the healthcare system’s evolving complexity. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Sciences (2003–2007) from the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Haute École La Source, where her outstanding academic commitment earned her a prize for best dissertation. This early recognition reflected her ability to merge critical thinking with clinical realities—a skill that would define her career. Her academic path continued with a Master of Science in Nursing Sciences (2011–2014), a joint program between UNIL and HES-SO. This phase cemented her interest in evidence-based practice, and her thesis explored the beliefs and attitudes of nurses regarding evidence-based implementation, laying the groundwork for future research. Her pursuit of advanced expertise culminated in a PhD in Nursing Sciences (2017–2022) from the Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare (IUFRS), UNIL/CHUV, where she developed the MED-fLAG—a novel tool to assess medication literacy in older adults. This doctoral work would become a cornerstone of her academic identity.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Gentizon’s professional path has seamlessly integrated clinical expertise with educational leadership. For over a decade, she served as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in geriatric and internal medicine at CHUV, contributing to quality care, coaching, and the supervision of advanced practice nurses. Since 2022, she has held the role of Lecturer and Nurse Researcher at UNIL/CHUV, rising to the position of MER1 sup. (100%) in 2025. As Head of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) Master’s Program, she leads curriculum development, course coordination, and student supervision across several advanced nursing programs. Her teaching portfolio includes subjects such as clinical reasoning, physical examination, and integration of clinical knowledge into practice, demonstrating her holistic approach to nurse education.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Gentizon’s research bridges the gap between medication safety and gerontological care, focusing on patient empowerment, self-management, and pharmaceutical care. Her PhD work on MED-fLAG led to several peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, establishing her as a reference in medication literacy among older adults. She has also contributed to studies on fall-risk–increasing drugs (FRIDs), self-efficacy in medication adherence, and the implementation of standardized medication plans in hospital settings. Her projects often take a quasi-experimental or mixed-methods approach, reflecting a rigorous and innovative scientific method. Dr. Gentizon has secured multiple research grants, including funding from the Nursing Science Foundation Switzerland and Fondation CHUV, supporting her interdisciplinary projects on therapeutic education for chronic conditions like psoriasis. Her work consistently emphasizes the role of nurse-led interventions and contributes to reshaping clinical practice through research.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Throughout her career, Dr. Gentizon has received numerous accolades for her academic excellence and research impact. Highlights include:

  • Prize for Best Bachelor Dissertation (2007)

  • PhD Research Grant from CHUV (20K CHF)

  • 51K CHF Research Grant from the Nursing Science Foundation Switzerland

  • EANS Scholarship for three summer schools (2018–2021)

She is also a respected peer reviewer for high-impact journals such as the International Journal of Nursing Studies, Journal of Advanced Nursing, BMC Geriatrics, and Palliative and Supportive Care, reflecting her standing in the scientific community.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Gentizon is an active contributor to national and international nursing networks, including:

  • NuPhaC (Nurse and Pharmaceutical Care) – International board member

  • European Academy of Nursing Science (EANS) – Member

  • Swiss Association for Nursing Science (APSI) – Member

  • Association Engagés pour la Santé – Committee member

She is frequently invited to present at scientific conferences and public forums, where she translates complex research into actionable insights. Her public outreach articles in mainstream media like L’Illustré and INVivo Magazine raise awareness about overmedication, medication literacy, and elderly care, underscoring her commitment to community health education.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Gentizon’s legacy lies in her pioneering work on medication literacy and her leadership in advanced practice nursing education. She has supervised over 15 master’s theses and continues to shape future nurse leaders through mentorship and innovative pedagogy.

Her future contributions are likely to focus on:

  • Scaling the implementation of MED-fLAG across healthcare systems

  • Expanding nurse-led intervention models in chronic disease management

  • Advocating for policy changes in advanced practice nursing education

  • Contributing to international collaborative research in gerontology and health literacy

As the healthcare landscape evolves, Dr. Jenny Gentizon stands at the forefront of transforming nursing practice through education, evidence, and empathy. Her commitment to integrating patient-centered care with rigorous scientific inquiry promises a lasting impact on both academia and clinical nursing worldwide.

✍️Notable Publications

Contributors: Jenny Gentizon; Julian Hirt; Cécile Jaques; Pierre-Olivier Lang; Cedric Mabire

Journal: International Journal of Nursing Studies

Year: 2021

Impact of an INtervention to increase MOBility in older hospitalized medical patients (INTOMOB): Study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

Contributors: Blandine Mooser; Dominique Bergsma; Fabian D. Liechti; Christine Baumgartner; Jenny Gentizon; Marie Méan; Maria M. Wertli; Marco Mancinetti; Joachim Schmidt-Leuenberger; Carole Elodie Aubert

Journal: BMC Geriatrics
Year: 2023

Medication Literacy and Medication Self‐Management: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Hospitalised Patients (65+) With Polypharmacy

Contributors: Laura Mortelmans; Jenny Gentizon; Tinne Dilles; Malakeh Malak

Journal: Journal of Nursing Management
Year: 2024