Uchenna Kingsley Okeke | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Scientist Day

Dr. Uchenna Kingsley Okeke | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Uchenna Kingsley Okeke | University of Johannesburg | South Africa

A dedicated researcher and educator, this academic professional has established a strong interdisciplinary footprint in Physics Education, STEM/STEAM pedagogy, and curriculum innovation. Their work spans instructional strategy design, educational assessment, and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems into science education, with a particular emphasis on decolonizing STEM pedagogy and advancing gender-responsive teaching aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4. With teaching and research experience across university and secondary school settings, they have contributed significantly to the development of physics education through innovative instructional approaches, classroom engagement research, and psychomotor domain advancement within STEAM frameworks. Their scholarly achievements include numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference proceedings covering topics such as cognitively guided instruction, contextualized physics pedagogy, assessment practices, student mental health, and gender-related barriers in STEM. Their research also explores comparative instructional models, students’ learning difficulties, cognitive development, and the role of science education in fostering social dimensions of scientific understanding. In addition to publishing in respected international journals, they serve as a peer reviewer for several academic outlets, demonstrating commitment to scholarly quality and academic leadership. The candidate’s professional experience includes university-level instruction, curriculum development, supervision of teaching practicums, and management of school-wide academic programmes. They possess expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods, especially SPSS statistical analysis and thematic interpretation of qualitative data. Their contributions extend to professional development initiatives for educators and community-based engagement focused on social and environmental issues. They have presented research at international conferences and participated in capacity-building programmes and workshops dedicated to gender equity, African studies, and early-career research development. Their academic competencies span instructional design, assessment development, cross-cultural collaboration, and evidence-based teaching practices. As an active member of relevant professional bodies, they continue to contribute to the growth of science education through research, leadership, and transformative educational practice.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | LinkedIn| Research Gate

Featured Publications

Okeke, U. K., & Ramaila, S. (2025). Decolonizing secondary school science education through contextualized instruction: An exploration of the nature of science, adaptive expertise, instructional implications and pedagogical frameworks for knowledge integration. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 101614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101614

Okeke, U. K., & Ramaila, S. (2025). Reimagining the psychomotor domain: Pedagogical implications of STEAM education. Education Sciences, 15(11), 1497. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15111497

Okeke, U. K. (2025). Instructional design considerations: Cognitive development and physics comprehension in secondary education. International Journal of Studies in Psychology, 5(2), 1–4.

Okeke, U. K., & Ramaila, S. (2025, June 28). Teachers’ TPACK: Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of online assessment in K-12 science instruction. In Education and New Developments (END) 2025 Conference Proceedings (pp. 171–174).

Okeke, U. K., & Ramaila, S. (2025, June 28). The emergence of STEAM and its pedagogical implications: A re-evaluation of the psychomotor domain. In Education and New Developments (END) 2025 Conference Proceedings (pp. 151–155).

Adeduyigbe, A. M., Ukoh, E. E., & Okeke, U. K. (2025). Influence of gender on secondary school physics students’ learning difficulties in electricity. Physics Education, 60, 025017. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6552/adab5d

Jyoti Srivastava | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Scientist Day

Dr. Jyoti Srivastava | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jyoti Srivastava | Moffitt Cancer Center | United States

Dr. Jyoti Srivastava, Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis at Moffitt Cancer Center, is an accomplished molecular biologist with over 18 years of pioneering experience spanning cancer biology, immuno-oncology, and therapeutic discovery. Her multidisciplinary research integrates molecular genetics, pharmacology, redox biology, and genomics to uncover mechanisms driving tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. At Moffitt, Dr. Srivastava has made groundbreaking discoveries in melanoma, elucidating how redox and nitrosylation signaling pathways modulate immune evasion and therapeutic resistance in NRAS-driven cancers. Her work has identified actionable targets and led to the development of innovative RNAi-, PROTAC-, and small-molecule–based therapeutics that have advanced toward preclinical and clinical evaluation. Previously at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals and Yale University, she spearheaded translational research programs that delivered clinical candidates for lung diseases and cancer, while uncovering novel oncogenic pathways such as AEG-1/MTDH in hepatocellular carcinoma and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Dr. Srivastava’s contributions—reflected in over 30 peer-reviewed publications, invited talks at major international conferences, and successful therapeutic innovations—underscore her leadership in bridging fundamental discoveries with clinical application, advancing next-generation strategies to combat cancer and chronic diseases.

Profiles: Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

Yoo, B. K., Santhekadur, P. K., Gredler, R., Chen, D., Emdad, L., Bhutia, S., … & Fisher, P. B. (2011). Increased RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) activity contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology, 53(5), 1538–1548. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.24221

Santhekadur, P. K., Das, S. K., Gredler, R., Chen, D., Srivastava, J., Robertson, C., … & Fisher, P. B. (2012). Multifunction protein staphylococcal nuclease domain containing 1 (SND1) promotes tumor angiogenesis in human hepatocellular carcinoma through a novel pathway involving NF-κB and miR-221. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287(17), 13952–13958. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M111.323899

Sarkar, D., & Fisher, P. B. (2013). AEG-1/MTDH/Lyric: Clinical significance. Advances in Cancer Research, 120, 39–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-401676-7.00002-0

Srivastava, J., Siddiq, A., Emdad, L., Santhekadur, P. K., Chen, D., Gredler, R., … & Fisher, P. B. (2012). Astrocyte elevated gene-1 promotes hepatocarcinogenesis: Novel insights from a mouse model. Hepatology, 56(5), 1782–1791. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.25841

Santhekadur, P. K., Akiel, M., Emdad, L., Gredler, R., Srivastava, J., … & Fisher, P. B. (2014). Staphylococcal nuclease domain containing-1 (SND1) promotes migration and invasion via angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and TGF-β signaling. FEBS Open Bio, 4, 353–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fob.2014.03.001

Vandi Dlama Kamaunji | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Scientist Day

Dr. Vandi Dlama Kamaunji | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vandi Dlama Kamaunji | Tyeeli New Energy Company Limited | Nigeria

Dr. Vandi Dlama Kamaunji is a geologist and geochemist with a strong background in mineral exploration, petrology, geochemistry, and geological mapping. His professional experience spans academic, industrial, and research roles, focusing on the geological evolution, petrogenesis, and mineralization of alkaline and peralkaline complexes in Nigeria and China. He has served as an Exploration/Resource Geologist at Wanrun Mining Company Limited, where he led geological field surveys, core logging, mineral resource estimations, and geophysical data interpretation to support mineral exploration and development projects. His work also included environmental impact assessments, data management, and regulatory compliance. Previously, as a Part-Time Lecturer at Adamawa State University, he delivered courses in ore deposits and geochemistry, supervised research projects, and contributed to curriculum development and academic mentorship. Earlier in his career, he held a leadership role as Head of Geology at L&T Hydrogeo-Engineering Company, where he conducted geophysical surveys, oversaw mineral exploration operations, and managed multidisciplinary geological teams. Dr. Kamaunji’s research contributions include multiple publications in high-impact international journals such as Lithos, International Geology Review, Geological Journal, and Journal of African Earth Sciences. His studies cover diverse topics such as tectonomagmatic processes, isotopic geochemistry, remote sensing applications, and mineral resource potential in Nigeria’s basement complexes and ring structures. His scientific expertise encompasses mineralogy, isotope and trace-element geochemistry, ore deposit modeling, and analytical techniques such as EPMA, LA-ICP-MS, ICP-MS, XRF, and SEM. He is actively engaged in international collaborations and professional organizations, including the International Association of Geochemistry, European Association of Geochemistry, Society of Economic Geologists, and the Nigerian Mining and Geoscience Society. Dr. Kamaunji has received several academic and merit awards, including the Excellent Graduate Award (Ph.D.) and the Excellent Master’s Dissertation Award from the China University of Geosciences, as well as the prestigious Chinese Government Scholarships for both his Master’s and Doctoral studies.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Kamaunji, V. D., Wang, L. X., Ahmed, H. A., Zhu, Y. X., Vincent, V. I., & Girei, M. B. (2020). Coexisting A1 and A2 granites of Kudaru Complex: Implications for genetic and tectonic diversity of A-type granite in the Younger Granite Province, north-central Nigeria. International Journal of Earth Sciences, 109(2), 511–535. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-020-01818-8

Kamaunji, V. D., Wang, L. X., Ma, C. Q., Liu, J., & Zhu, Y. X. (2021). Petrogenesis and tectonic implication of the Permian–Triassic syenogranites from the eastern segment of the East Kunlun Orogen, China. Lithos, 402, 105932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2020.105932

Vincent, V. I., Wang, L. X., Zhu, Y. X., Kamaunji, V. D., Ahmed, H. A., Ntekim, E. E., & Cao, L. (2022). Onset of the anorogenic alkaline magmatism in the Nigerian Younger Granite Province: Constraints from the Daura and Dutse complexes. Lithos, 410, 106561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106561

Vincent, V. I., Li, H., Girei, M. B., Förster, M. W., & Kamaunji, V. D. (2023). Tourmaline and zircon trace the nature and timing of magmatic-hydrothermal episodes in granite-related Sn mineralization: Insights from the Libata Sn ore field. American Mineralogist, 108(3), 552–571. https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2023-8334

Ahmed, H. A., Wang, L. X., Ma, C. Q., Abdallsamed, M. I. M., Girei, M. B., Zhu, Y. X., Vincent, V. I., & Kamaunji, V. D. (2021). Contrasting Neoproterozoic and Mesozoic granitoids in Zaranda Complex (Nigeria): Insights into the distinct origins, tectonic settings, and mineralization potential. International Journal of Earth Sciences, 110(4), 1389–1413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-021-02021-z

 

Nasser Fallah | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Scientist Day

Dr. Nasser Fallah | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Nasser Fallah | University of Zabol | Iran

Dr. Naser Fallah is an Associate Professor of English Language Teaching at the University of Zanjan, where he also serves as the Head of the English Department. He earned his PhD in English Language Education from Tarbiat Modares University and has extensive experience in both teaching and research. His scholarly interests focus on the psychology of language learning and teaching, second language motivation, mindfulness, teacher education, higher education, and the intersection of entrepreneurship and career planning. Dr. Fallah teaches courses in language teaching methodology, language testing, psychology of second language learning, classroom management, research methods, and teaching practicum. His research explores themes such as teacher autonomy and clarity, learner engagement, mindfulness, anxiety, burnout, entrepreneurial intention, and the humanization of second language education. He has published widely in prestigious journals, contributing significantly to our understanding of effective teaching practices, learner motivation, and the psychological factors that influence language acquisition. His work emphasizes empowering learners, supporting teachers, and fostering positive educational environments that integrate both academic and personal development.

Profiles:  Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

allah, N., Lotfi Gaskaree, B., & Zahedi Moghaddam, S. (2025). Teacher enthusiasm and EFL learners’ willingness to communicate: The role of enjoyment and boredom. English Teaching & Learning. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42321-024-00190-z

Khabar, M., Fallah, N., & Lotfi Gaskaree, B. (2025). Teacher autonomy support and student agentic engagement in EFL context: The mediating role of learning empowerment. Educational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2025.2567553

Taghavi-Nejad, F. S., Fallah, N., & Lotfi Gaskaree, B. (2024). Mindfulness and procrastination among university EFL learners: The role of attention control and self-regulated learning. Psychological Reports. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941241287423

Fallah, N., Abdolahzadeh, F., & Yaaghobi, M. (2023). Mindfulness and anxiety among foreign language teachers: The role of cognitive reappraisal and self-efficacy. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02259-5

Fallah, N., Abdolahzadeh, F., & Lotfi, B. (2023). Examining the interconnections among entrepreneurial passion, need for achievement, social support, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention among foreign language learners: A moderated mediation model. Entrepreneurship Education.