Ouafaa Morjani | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Scientist Day

Dr. Ouafaa Morjani | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Ouafaa Morjani | Hassan II University of Casablanca | Morocco

Dr. Ouafaa Morjani is a dedicated researcher in Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioinformatics, holding a Ph.D. from Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco. Affiliated with the Faculty of Sciences and Technics of Mohammedia, her work is rooted in the Laboratory of Virology, Oncology, Biosciences, Environment, and New Energies. Her research primarily focuses on thoracic oncology, particularly Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), where she integrates molecular profiling, genetic variants, biomarkers, and advanced diagnostic technologies to improve early detection and precision medicine. Dr. Morjani has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications addressing clinical, anatomical, and molecular dimensions of lung cancer. Her work includes exploring GWAS-derived genetic variants in NSCLC, investigating interleukin-based blood biomarkers, analyzing metastasis patterns, and assessing the impact of smoking on lung cancer mechanisms. She has also presented extensively at prestigious international conferences in Morocco, France, and Saudi Arabia, contributing to discussions on NGS applications, ROS1 rearrangement detection, and molecular pathology. Her scientific expertise is strengthened by advanced training in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) at renowned institutions in France, along with hands-on experience in sequencing platforms such as Ion Torrent and Illumina. She is proficient in NGS library preparation, nucleic acid extraction, and bioinformatics analysis involving FastQ, BAM, and SAM files. Her competencies extend to R programming, statistical analysis, and functional genomics. She has participated in major workshops, including the African BioGenome Project Fellowship, enhancing her mastery of genome assembly, annotation, and biodiversity genomics. Dr. Morjani has additional experience in molecular diagnostics, including RT-qPCR detection of foodborne viruses and breast cancer biomarker analysis through IHC and FISH. She is also actively involved in teaching, mentoring, quality assurance, COVID-19 testing, and regulatory compliance. A member of multiple national and international scientific societies, she is recognized for her adaptability, teamwork, communication skills, and strong commitment to advancing cancer genomics and molecular oncology.

Profile: Google Scholar | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Morjani, O., Benkirane, N., Errihani, H., Elfahime, E. M., & Lakhiari, H. (2024). Molecular analysis of genetic mutations in non-small cell lung cancer in Morocco. Pan African Medical Journal, 47(1).

Morjani, O., Benlhachemi, S., Errihani, H., El Fahime, E., & Lakhiari, H. (n.d.). Epidemiological, clinical, anatomopathological and molecular profiles of lung cancer in patients at the oncology center of the Cheikh Zaid International University Hospital in Rabat. [Journal information incomplete].

Morjani, O., Yang, Y.-W., Lahlil, R., Lakhiari, H., & Alaoui, H. (2025). Hematological biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer: Evaluating the diagnostic potential of circulating interleukin levels. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(22), 11014.

Morjani, O., Mounaji, N., Ghaouti, M., Errihani, H., El Fahime, E., & Lakhiari, H. (2024). Next generation sequencing and genomic mapping: Towards precision molecular diagnosis of lung cancer in Morocco. Pan African Medical Journal, 49, 75.

Morjani, O., Karimoune, M. A. S., Errihani, H., El Fahime, E. M., & Lakhiari, H. (2023). Comparative study of molecular techniques for detecting ROS1 rearrangement in non-small cell lung cancer: Implications for diagnostic precision. Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 26(6), S5–S6.

Shohei Katsuya | Research Excellence | Excellence in Research

Published on by Scientist Day

Mr. Shohei Katsuya | Research Excellence | Excellence in Research

Mr. Shohei Katsuya | Advanced Technology Laboratories, OSAKA GAS Co., Ltd. | Japan

Shohei Katsuya is a dedicated Researcher at the Advanced Technology Laboratories of OSAKA GAS Co., Ltd., where he specializes in cutting-edge metabolic and nutritional research. He holds a Master of Agriculture degree from Kyoto University, completed in March 2021, and has since been actively involved in advanced investigations centered on the physiological functions and health impacts of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Since joining Osaka Gas in April 2021, Katsuya has contributed significantly to a series of clinical and biochemical studies exploring the therapeutic potential of BHB, a key ketone body known for its roles in metabolism, energy utilization, and physiological regulation. His research focuses on understanding the metabolic pathways and physiological effects of BHB in humans, with applications ranging from obesity reduction to improved sleep quality and metabolic health. He has authored five peer-reviewed publications between 2023 and 2025 in reputable journals including Obesities, Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, and Nutrition. These works include randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials investigating the effects of D-BHB on body fat reduction, sleep quality enhancement, and its safety profile in humans and animal models. Additionally, he contributed to a collaborative study demonstrating BHB’s protective effects on diabetic renal and muscular pathologies.Katsuya’s publications have collectively received 18 citations and earned an h-index of 2 according to Scopus, reflecting the emerging impact of his work within the nutritional and biochemical sciences. His ongoing projects continue to deepen scientific understanding of BHB as a functional metabolite with potential applications in health optimization, disease prevention, and metabolic regulation. Through his work, Shohei Katsuya is advancing evidence-based insights that contribute to both academic knowledge and practical applications in human health research.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Katsuya, S., Kawata, Y., Kawamura, J., Goto, T., Takara, T., & Tsubota, J. (2025). Effect of D-β-hydroxybutyric acid on body fat in Japanese adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Obesities, 5(4), 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5040082

Aisyah, R., Katsuya, S., Miyata, K., Chen, Z., Horii, M., Kudo, A., Kumrungsee, T., Tsubota, J., & Yanaka, N. (2025). β-Hydroxybutyrate attenuates diabetic renal and muscular pathologies in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. Nutrition, Article 112792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2025.112792

Katsuya, S., Kawata, Y., Kawamura, Y., Kawamura, J., & Tsubota, J. (2025). Effect of d-β-hydroxybutyrate on sleep quality in healthy participants: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 89(5), 769–775. https://doi.org/10.1093/bbb/zbaf017

Katsuya, S., Kawata, Y., Sugimoto, M., Nishimura, T., & Tsubota, J. (2024). Determination of the safety of Halomonas sp. KM-1-derived d-β-hydroxybutyric acid and its fermentation-derived impurities in mice and Japanese adults. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 88(9), 1073–1080. https://doi.org/10.1093/bbb/zbae088

Ip, C.-H., Higuchi, H., Wu, C.-Y., Okuda, T., Katsuya, S., Ogawa, J., & Ando, A. (2024). Production of docosahexaenoic acid by a novel isolated Aurantiochytrium sp. 6-2 using fermented defatted soybean as a nitrogen source for sustainable fish feed development. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 88(5), 872–881. https://doi.org/10.1093/bbb/zbae035

Katsuya, S., Kawata, Y., Goto, T., & Tsubota, J. (2023). Daily intake of D-β-hydroxybutyric acid (D-BHB) reduces body fat in Japanese adult participants: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 69(2), 121–128. https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.69.121

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

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.

Enrico Petretto | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Scientist Day

Assoc. Prof. Enrico Petretto | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Enrico Petretto | University Of Cagliari | Italy

Profiles:  Scopus |  Orcid

Featured Publications

Prof. Enrico Peiretti is an internationally recognized expert in Medical Retina and Vitreous-Retina surgery, with experience in clinical practice, teaching, and research. He has contributed significantly to the advancement of ophthalmology through his extensive scientific work, including more than 107 publications, which have been cited 1,698 times across 1,522 documents, reflecting a strong impact in the field (h-index 23). Prof. Peiretti’s expertise spans complex retinal surgeries, clinical trials, and innovative surgical techniques such as the pioneering “Dry Vitrectomy.” He has received numerous awards, including recognition for the best surgical video in vitreo-retina surgery (“Densiron bubbles under the retina in a recurrent retinal detachment,” GIVRE Society, Genova), and has been a principal investigator or co-investigator in multiple high-profile international studies sponsored by leading pharmaceutical companies. His work combines clinical excellence, academic mentorship, and impactful research, making him a leading authority in ophthalmology worldwide.

Profiles:  Scopus  | Orcid

Featured Publications

Tatti, F., Demarinis, G., Dore, S., Sacchi, M., Fossarello, M., Peiretti, E., & Giannaccare, G. (2025). Intrableb pigmentation following XEN implantation: A case series. European Journal of Ophthalmology. https://doi.org/10.1177/11206721241310267

Carta, V., Lixi, F., Loiudice, P., Frongia, F., Tatti, F., Delpiano, C., Cremonesi, P., & Peiretti, E. (2024). The usefulness of 55° wide-field spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in monitoring the features of peripheral subretinal fluid remnants after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery. Diagnostics, 14(13), 1385. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14131385

Tatti, F., Tronci, C., Lixi, F., Demarinis, G., Kuzmich, S., Peiretti, E., Fossarello, M., & Giannaccare, G. (2024). No changes in keratometry readings and anterior chamber depth after XEN gel implantation in patients with glaucoma. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(9), 2537. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092537

Loiudice, P., Siotto Pintor, E., Tronci, C., Tatti, F., Casini, G., Figus, M., Demarinis, G., & Peiretti, E. (2023). Safety and efficacy of cryopexy during pars plana vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. European Journal of Ophthalmology. https://doi.org/10.1177/11206721231166976

Demarinis, G., Tatti, F., Taloni, A., Giugliano, A. V., Panthagani, J., Myerscough, J., Peiretti, E., & Giannaccare, G. (2023). Treatments for ocular diseases in pregnancy and breastfeeding: A narrative review. Pharmaceuticals, 16(10), 1433. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16101433

Mansour Amini | Research Excellence | Innovative Research Award

Published on by Scientist Day

Dr. Mansour Amini | University Sains Malaysia | Innovative Research Award 

Dr. Mansour Amini | University Sains | Malaysia

Dr. Mansour Amini is a distinguished academic, researcher, and translator whose expertise spans translation studies, applied linguistics, and English language teaching. He serves as a senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, where he contributes actively to teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision. His professional journey includes leadership roles in higher education, where he has coordinated courses, guided research teams, and contributed to programme development and innovation. Fluent in multiple languages, including English, Persian, Azerbaijani, and Turkish, with working knowledge of others, he brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to his scholarship. Dr. Amini’s research covers translation quality assessment, interpreting, language pedagogy, feedback practices, and the integration of artificial intelligence in translation studies. He has published widely in reputable international journals, with his body of work comprising more than forty scholarly documents that have collectively earned over 216 citations across more 152  academic sources, reflected in a citation index of 7. Beyond research, he has been recognized with awards for teaching excellence, academic leadership, and impactful scholarly contributions. His professional engagements also extend to international collaborations, visiting professorships, and fellowships, reflecting his global academic footprint. Dedicated to fostering academic growth, he continues to inspire students and colleagues through innovative research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a passion for multilingual education.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Amini, M. (2025). Book review: AI revolution: Profitable opportunities in the age of artificial intelligence. Journal of Multidisciplinary in Social Sciences.

Amini, M., & Zahabi, A. (2025). Communicating across borders: Unveiling the pragmatic foundations in applied linguistics. International Review of Pragmatics.

Amini, M., Lee, K.-F., & Yiqiu, W., & Ravindran, L. (2025). Proposing a framework for ethical use of AI in academic writing based on a conceptual review: Implications for quality education. Interactive Learning Environments.

Amini, M., Wang, Q., Amini, D., Ravindran, L., Tan Ai Lin, D., Ganapathy, M., Singh, M. K. M., Bartsch, D. U. G., Cheng, L., & Ferreyra, H. A., et al. (2025). The significance of humanistic approach and moral development in English language classrooms. Discover Education.

Alavi, S., Amini, M., & Zahabi, A. (2025). Postgraduate TEFL students’ perceptions towards thesis supervision quality in Thailand: The role of expectations and negotiation in supervision quality. Reflections.

Yeoh, S. W., Amini, M., Lee, K.-F., & Oumeng, H. (2025). Analysing individual racism portrayal in Hanna Alkaf’s novel The weight of our sky. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 12(1).

Wu, S., Amini, M., & Mahfoodh, O. H. A. (2025). Unveiling certainty and doubt: A systemic functional exploration of epistemic modality in courtroom discourse. International Journal for the Semiotics of Law – Revue internationale de Sémiotique juridique.

Amini, M. (2025). Navigating health information in the age of artificial intelligence. Multimedia and Sensory Input for Augmented, Mixed, and Virtual Reality.

Amini, M. (2025). Cutting-edge approaches in translator education and pedagogy. Cutting-Edge Approaches in Translator Education and Pedagogy.