Laura Higueras Contreras | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Laura Higueras Contreras | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos | Spain

Laura Higueras Contreras is a Spanish researcher and academic specialized in Food Science, Food Technology, and Pharmacy, with advanced expertise in active and antimicrobial food packaging. She holds degrees in Food Science and Technology and Pharmacy, as well as a PhD with international distinction and additional postgraduate training in pharmaceutical research. Her scientific work focuses on biopolymers, chitosan-based materials, cyclodextrins, and sustainable packaging systems for food safety and shelf-life extension. She has extensive experience in publicly funded international, national, and regional R&D projects, contributing to experimental design, data analysis, and technical reporting. Her research output includes numerous peer-reviewed SCI publications, international book chapters, and conference contributions in food science, materials science, and packaging technology. In addition, she has participated in academic teaching, supervised final degree projects, and completed research stays at prestigious international institutions.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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568

Documents
13

h-index
8

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Featured Publications

Winfried Menninghaus | Research Excellence | Outstanding Scientist Award

Prof. Dr. Winfried Menninghaus | Research Excellence | Outstanding Scientist Award

Max-Planck Institute of Empirical Aesthetics | Germany

Winfried Menninghaus is a leading literary scholar and philosopher whose work unites classical rhetoric, philosophical aesthetics, and modern empirical research. Grounded in ancient Greek and Latin poetics as well as aesthetic theory from Baumgarten and Kant onward, his scholarship offers influential interpretations of major German authors such as Klopstock, Hölderlin, Novalis, Kafka, and Celan. He has made major contributions to core aesthetic debates on beauty, the sublime, nonsense, disgust, and the purpose of art, emphasizing the central role of strong and even negative emotions in aesthetic experience. In his later work, he pioneered the integration of empirical methods into aesthetics, collaborating with psychologists, linguists, and neuroscientists to study sound, rhythm, and melody in poetic language. His research demonstrates how poetic parallelism and deliberate linguistic deviation jointly shape aesthetic appreciation and emotional response. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Menninghaus has played a key role in bridging humanistic theory and experimental aesthetics.

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3,911

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81

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28

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Ke Wang | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Ke Wang | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | Germany

Ke Wang is a researcher in mechanics and metamaterials with advanced training from Harbin Institute of Technology and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. His work focuses on nonlocal mechanical systems, roton-like dispersion relations, programmable metamaterials, and wave control, combining theoretical modeling, numerical simulation, and experimental validation. He has extensive expertise in metamaterial design, dispersion analysis, and multiscale modeling, with strong skills in MATLAB, Python, C++, and professional engineering software. His research spans mechanical, acoustic, and electromagnetic metamaterials, as well as applications in thermal regulation and smart structures. He has authored numerous high-impact journal publications, holds multiple patents, and actively contributes to international conferences and collaborative research initiatives.

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196

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7

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Featured Publications

Zafran Ullah | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Zafran Ullah | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Sunway University | Malaysia

Mr. Zafran Ullah is a dedicated PhD student at the School of Engineering, Sunway University, Malaysia, specializing in chemical engineering and sustainable chemical processes. He holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), Indonesia, awarded through a fully funded UNDIP scholarship. With over four years of research experience in academia, Zafran has contributed significantly to the field, publishing more than eight articles in renowned international journals including Elsevier, Analytical Sciences, Springer, and The Journal of Biological and Chemical Luminescence. His research primarily focuses on biomass conversion into value-added chemicals via TiO₂ photocatalysis, bridging fundamental chemical engineering principles with applied sustainable technologies. He has completed and is engaged in three research projects, collaborating with five international researchers, and serves as a reviewer for multiple scientific journals. According to Scopus, he has 34 citations across 3 documents and an h-index of 2, reflecting the growing impact of his research contributions. Zafran’s work emphasizes innovation in green chemistry, photochemical catalysis, and industrially relevant biomass valorization, aiming to provide practical solutions for energy and chemical sustainability challenges. He actively participates in consultancy and collaborative research projects, contributing to knowledge dissemination through peer-reviewed publications and scientific collaborations. His ongoing studies and professional engagements demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing chemical engineering research with societal and environmental relevance.

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37

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3

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Featured Publications

André de Moric | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. André de Moric | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. André de Moric | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo | Brazil

Dr. André de Moricz, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Head of the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery Group at the Department of Surgery, Santa Casa School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil. He holds a medical degree from Fundação do ABC, followed by a Master’s and Doctorate in Surgery from the Santa Casa School of Medical Sciences. Over the course of his extensive academic and clinical career, he has become a leading authority in HPB surgery, complex biliary and pancreatic procedures, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Moricz’s research portfolio spans translational oncology, gastrointestinal diseases, surgical outcomes, immune microenvironments, and advanced operative strategies. His contributions include high-impact research on tumour-specific immune responses in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, global cancer mutational signatures through the Mutographs consortium, and clinically focused studies on gastric emptying after pancreatoduodenectomy, gallstone disease predictors, surgical management in elderly patients, and technical innovations such as modified hepaticojejunostomy to facilitate endoscopic access. He is the author and co-author of several major surgical textbooks, including comprehensive works on general medicine, minimally invasive abdominal wall and digestive surgery, and cornerstone treatises in Brazilian surgical education. His publications also include numerous book chapters featured in authoritative national and regional surgical references, covering HPB surgery, digestive system diseases, and advanced operative management. His early academic contributions also include the development of an experimental pancreas transplantation training model. Beyond academia, Dr. Moricz collaborates with industry, serving as a consultant for projects related to enzyme reposition therapy in pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, supporting innovation that enhances patient care. Recognized for his leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to surgical excellence, Dr. André de Moricz continues to influence clinical practice, research development, and professional training in HPB surgery both in Brazil and internationally.

Profile; Google Scholar | LinkedIn

Featured Publications:

Kinker, G. S., Vitiello, G. A. F., Diniz, A. B., Cabral-Piccin, M. P., Pereira, P. H. B., Carvalho, M. L. R., Ferreira, W. A. S., Chaves, A. S., Rondinelli, A., Gusmão, A. F., Defelicibus, A., Dos Santos, G. O., Nunes, W. A., Claro, L. C. L., Bernardo, T. M., Nishio, R. T., Pacheco, A. M., Laus, A. C., Arantes, L. M. R. B., & Moricz, A. de, et al. (2023). Mature tertiary lymphoid structures are key niches of tumour-specific immune responses in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. Gut, 72(10), 1927–1941.

Rego, R. E., Campos, T. de, Moricz, A. de, Silva, R. A., & Pacheco Júnior, A. M. (2003). Cholecystectomy in the elderly: Early results of open versus laparoscopic approach. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira, 49(3), 293–299.

Pereira, F. L., Vasques, F. T., Moricz, A., Campos, T., Pacheco Jr., A. M., & Silva, R. A. (2012). Correlation analysis between post-pancreatoduodenectomy pancreatic fistula and pancreatic histology. Revista do Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões, 39, 41–47.

Rêgo, R. E. C., Campos, T., Moricz, A. de, Silva, R. A., & Pacheco Júnior, A. M. (2003). Tratamento cirúrgico da litíase vesicular no idoso: Análise dos resultados imediatos da colecistectomia por via aberta e videolaparoscópica. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira, 49, 293–299.

Reverdito, R., Moricz, A., Campos, T., Pacheco, A. M., & Silva, R. A. (2016). Mirizzi syndrome grades III and IV: Surgical treatment. Revista do Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões, 43(4), 243–247.

Flavia Estefanía Amar Cantos | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Mrs. Flavia Estefanía Amar Cantos | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Mrs. Flavia Estefanía Amar Cantos | Universidad de Cádiz | Spain

Flavia Estefanía Amar Cantos is a specialist in Physical Activity, Sport Sciences, and Educational Innovation, with comprehensive training that includes a degree in Sports Sciences, two official master’s degrees in Physical Activity and Health and Teacher Training, and advanced postgraduate studies in Sports Coaching and Injury Rehabilitation. Her academic trajectory is complemented by extensive university teaching experience at the University of Cádiz, where she has taught subjects related to biomechanics, acrobatics, motor skills, educational gymnastics, sports pedagogy, aquatic activities, recreational physical activity, and the development of motor competence across different educational stages. She has also contributed to practicum coordination in teacher-training programs and delivered specialized courses in sports training and individual sports foundations. Her research activity includes authorship of scientific articles, book chapters, and two monographs published by a recognized sports-science editorial, addressing topics such as injury prevention, water sports initiation, emotional intelligence in physical education, educational technology, and interdisciplinary pedagogical approaches. Beyond academia, she has developed significant professional experience as a coach, instructor, and technical director in gymnastics, aquatic disciplines, fitness environments, and school-based extracurricular programs. She has held roles of academic coordination, subject leadership, and instructional design in vocational and advanced sports-training programs, contributing to curriculum implementation in areas such as biomechanics, biological foundations, sports techniques, group dynamics, disability and inclusion, aquatic conditioning, and emergency intervention. Her profile reflects a solid blend of teaching excellence, applied research, professional leadership, and commitment to promoting health, inclusion, and high-quality physical education through evidence-based practice and innovation.

Profile; Orcid 

Featured Publications:

Amar Cantos, F. E. (2025). El juego como medio de enseñanza de los deportes paralímpicos. En Cartografía lúdica: Enseñar, aprender, cuidar y transformar la cultura y la sociedad jugando (ISBN 979-13-7006-273-6).

Amar Cantos, F. E. (2025). El maestro que actúa. Una narrativa a propósito de su homosexualidad. En Caminando hacia la inclusión de las personas LGBTIQA+: Resistencias y alternativas contrahegemónicas (ISBN 979-13-7006-510-2).

Amar Cantos, F. E. (2025). Mi infancia son recuerdos de un patio (de colegio) en Cádiz. Gaditana-Logía.

Amar Cantos, F. E. (2025). Mi infancia son recuerdos de un patio (de colegio) en Cádiz. Gaditana-Logía Comunicación.

Amar Cantos, F. E. (2025). Tecnología, inclusión y educación social: Una narrativa. RiiTE: Revista Interuniversitaria de Investigación en Tecnología Educativa. https://doi.org/10.6018/riite.685041

Amar Cantos, F. E. (2024). An oncology patient’s reading. In F. Amar & V. Amar (Eds.), Advances in Psychology, Mental Health, and Behavioral Studies (pp. xx–xx). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-4244-2.ch013

Amar, F., Sánchez, B., & Amar, V. (2025). La inteligencia artificial a través de la narrativa: ¿Cuánto hay de inteligencia y cuánto de artificial? Educação e Pesquisa. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-4634202551291963es

Sharon Youmans | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sharon Youmans | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sharon Youmans | University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy | United States 

Dr. Sharon Lynn Youmans is a distinguished leader in pharmacy education, health literacy, and diversity advancement within academic health sciences. With a Doctor of Pharmacy and a Master’s in Public Health, she has built an influential career integrating clinical pharmacy practice, education, and leadership. Over the past three decades, she has held progressive academic and administrative positions at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Pharmacy, where she currently serves as Executive Vice Dean and Professor of Clinical Pharmacy. Her leadership extends to the UCSF School of Dentistry as Associate Dean for Community Engagement, demonstrating her broad impact on interprofessional collaboration and community health outreach. Her scholarly and service contributions focus on health communication, health disparities, diversity, equity, inclusion, and global health. Dr. Youmans has played an instrumental role in shaping pharmacy education through curriculum transformation, experiential learning innovations, and national leadership in accreditation and professional organizations such as AACP, ACPE, and ASHP. She has served as an evaluator and consultant on pharmacy education programs worldwide, contributing to global standards in health science education. An accomplished educator, she has been recognized with numerous awards, including multiple UCSF Apple Awards for Teaching, the UCSF Chancellor’s Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, and induction into the Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators. Her leadership in promoting diversity and addressing health disparities has earned national recognition from professional pharmacy associations. Through her extensive invited lectures and scholarly activities, Dr. Youmans has advanced dialogue on cultural competence, health equity, curriculum reform, and workforce development in pharmacy. Her ongoing work continues to inspire innovation in pharmacy education, advocate for equitable healthcare delivery, and strengthen academic excellence and community impact across the health professions.

Profiles: Google Scholar | LinkedIn 

Featured Publications 

Schillinger, D., Hammer, H., Wang, F., Palacios, J., McLean, I., Tang, A., & Youmans, S. L. (2008). Seeing in 3-D: Examining the reach of diabetes self-management support strategies in a public health care system. Health Education & Behavior, 35(5), 664–682. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198107303316

Youmans, S. L., & Schillinger, D. (2003). Functional health literacy and medication use: The pharmacist’s role. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 37(11), 1726–1729. https://doi.org/10.1345/aph.1D166

Robles, J. R., Youmans, S. L., Byrd, D. C., & Polk, R. E. (2009). Perceived barriers to scholarship and research among pharmacy practice faculty: Survey report from the AACP Scholarship/Research Faculty Development Task Force. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 73(1), Article 17. https://doi.org/10.5688/aj730117

Nkansah, N. T., Youmans, S. L., Agness, C. F., & Assemi, M. (2009). Fostering and managing diversity in schools of pharmacy. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 73(8), Article 152. https://doi.org/10.5688/aj7308152

Mandap, M., Carrillo, S., & Youmans, S. L. (2014). An evaluation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health education in pharmacy school curricula. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 6(6), 752–758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cptl.2014.06.011

Bautista, C. A., Huang, I., Stebbins, M., Floren, L. C., Wamsley, M., Youmans, S. L., & others. (2020). Development of an interprofessional rotation for pharmacy and medical students to perform telehealth outreach to vulnerable patients in the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 34(5), 694–697. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2020.1810253

JeanMarie Farrow | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. JeanMarie Farrow | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. JeanMarie Farrow | Georgia State University | United States

Dr. JeanMarie Farrow’s research centers on understanding and improving the factors within early childhood education that influence children’s language and literacy development, particularly in high-need settings. Her work systematically examines how teacher–child interactions and classroom practices contribute to oral language growth and early writing skills. Through both small- and large-scale empirical studies, she investigates effective models of professional development that enhance teachers’ capacity to implement evidence-based, language-rich instruction. Her research integrates theoretical and applied perspectives to identify feasible, sustainable approaches for strengthening early literacy and composing skills. A major strand of her scholarship explores the mechanisms underlying children’s oral language development, highlighting how teachers’ feedback, syntax, and conversational features shape vocabulary acquisition. Another line of inquiry focuses on early writing instruction as a pathway for language development, illustrating how structured composing activities and high-quality teaching strategies can foster creative and linguistic growth. In addition, she has contributed to advancing teacher professional learning by examining innovative approaches, including the role of project-based learning, coaching, and professional inquiry in supporting instructional improvement. Her studies, published in leading journals such as Journal of Child Language, Reading & Writing Quarterly, Early Childhood Education Journal, and Teaching and Teacher Education, contribute to the evidence base for designing effective professional development that bridges research and classroom practice. By connecting instructional theory, empirical findings, and practical application, her work provides actionable insights for educators, researchers, and policymakers seeking to promote equitable literacy outcomes. Supported by national research grants, her scholarship advances the understanding of how early education environments can be optimized to nurture children’s oral and written language development while equipping teachers with sustainable, research-informed pedagogical tools.

Profiles: Google Scholar | LinkedIn | Research Gate

Featured Publications 

Farrow, J. M., Wasik, B. A., & Hindman, A. H. (2020). Exploring the unique contributions of teachers’ syntax to preschoolers’ and kindergarteners’ vocabulary learning. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 51, 178–190.

Farrow, M. J., & Farrow, J. M. (2019). Recognizing intergenerational assets within religious communities of colour. Journal of Childhood Studies, 71–84.

Hindman, A. H., Farrow, J. M., & Wasik, B. A. (2021). Understanding child-directed speech around book reading in toddler classrooms: Evidence from early head start programs. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 719783.

Hindman, A. H., Farrow, J. M., & Wasik, B. A. (2022). Teacher–child conversations in preschool: Insights into how teacher feedback supports language development. Topics in Language Disorders, 42(4), 336–359.

Wasik, B. A., Farrow, J. M., & Hindman, A. H. (2022). More than “Good job!”: The critical role of teacher feedback in classroom discourse and language development. The Reading Teacher, 75(6), 733–738.

Farrow, J. M., Schneider Kavanagh, S., & Samudra, P. (2022). Exploring relationships between professional development and teachers’ enactments of project-based learning. Education Sciences, 12(4), 282.

Mikhail Samchukov | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mikhail Samchukov | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mikhail Samchukov | Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children | Argentina

Dr. Mikhail L. Samchukov is an internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon recognized for his pioneering work in limb lengthening, deformity correction, and reconstructive surgery. A senior consultant and researcher with decades of experience, he has played a transformative role in advancing Ilizarov techniques, distraction osteogenesis, and the development of modern external fixation systems. Dr. Samchukov’s distinguished career bridges clinical innovation and biomedical engineering, focusing on precision alignment correction, bone regeneration, and patient-specific orthopedic solutions. He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and monographs, and his research has influenced surgical practices and medical device development globally. As a recognized expert and mentor, Dr. Samchukov has led numerous clinical education programs, trained surgeons worldwide, and contributed to the integration of digital technologies into orthopedic modeling and treatment planning. His collaborations span premier medical institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia, strengthening the global network of orthopedic innovation. A frequent invited speaker at leading international congresses and symposiums, he continues to shape the future of reconstructive orthopedics through research leadership, mentorship, and clinical excellence. His career reflects a lifelong dedication to improving patient outcomes through science-driven surgical advancement.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Golshteyn, G., Oji, E., & Samchukov, M. (2025). Clinical guidelines for the application of tibial cortex transverse transport for diabetic foot ulcers. Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases, 100535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fastrc.2025.100535

Feraru, L. M., & Samchukov, M. (2025). Limb salvage with transverse tibial bone transport in a high-risk patient with a chronic Achilles tendon ulcer: A case report. Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases, 100575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fastrc.2025.100575

Stone, R., Samchukov, M., & Hutchison, B. (2025). Transverse tibial bone transport for treatment of calcaneal osteomyelitis: A case report. Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases, 100537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fastrc.2025.100537

Bafor, A., Iobst, C., Samchukov, M., Cherkashin, A., Singh, S., Aguilar, L., & Glatt, V. (2023, December 20). Reverse dynamization accelerates regenerate bone formation and remodeling in a goat distraction osteogenesis model. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.22.01342

Glatt, V., Samchukov, M., Cherkashin, A., & Iobst, C. (2021, February 3). Reverse dynamization accelerates bone healing in a large-animal osteotomy model. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.20.00380

Ernat, J. J., Wimberly, L., Samchukov, M. L., Cherkaskin, A. M., & Birch, J. G. (2019). Staged reconstruction for type IV tibial deficiency (distal tibiofibular diastasis). JBJS Case Connector. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.CC.19.00088

Wallace, S. B., Cherkashin, A., Samchukov, M., Wimberly, R. L., & Riccio, A. I. (2019, July 3). Real-time monitoring with a controlled advancement drill may decrease plunge depth. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.19.00111

Yan Tong Koh | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yan Tong Koh | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yan Tong Koh | Tan Tock Seng Hospital, National Healthcare Group | Singapore

Dr. Koh Yan Tong is an accomplished clinician-scientist whose research contributions have significantly advanced understanding in paediatric ophthalmology, adult strabismus, and ocular inflammation. Her published works span reputable international journals, addressing diverse topics such as retinal diseases, orbital trauma, and uveitis, with clinical implications for both adult and paediatric eye care. Her research has been cited in 11 scientific documents, reflecting her growing influence in ophthalmic literature, and she maintains an h-index of 1, demonstrating the emerging recognition of her early scholarly impact. In addition to her active research pursuits, Dr. Koh plays a pivotal role in clinical leadership, medical education, and translational ophthalmic studies, bridging clinical excellence with academic innovation across the National Healthcare Group and affiliated medical schools.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Koh, Y. T., Chee, S. P., Fong, K. C., Tan, C. S., & Lim, W. K. (2013). Characteristics and ophthalmic manifestations of the classic dengue fever epidemic in Singapore (2005–2006). Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology, 2(3), 175–179.