Shashank Singh Pawar | Marketing | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Shashank Singh Pawar | Marketing | Research Excellence Award 

Mr. Shashank Singh Pawar, Goa Institute of Management, Goa, India

Shashank Singh Pawar is a PhD (FPM) Scholar in Marketing at the Goa Institute of Management, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction, Anthropomorphism, and Consumer Behavior. With over eight years of teaching experience as an Assistant Professor, his research explores the psychological and behavioral impacts of AI avatars and immersive technology. He has published in top-tier journals such as Computers in Human Behavior and actively contributes as a reviewer for reputed publications. Shashank has presented at leading national conferences and has been recognized for both academic and pedagogical excellence.

Author Profile

ORCID

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Shashank Singh Pawar began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from RGPV University, Bhopal, in 2011. His inquisitive mind and inclination towards systems thinking led him to pursue a Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering and Management at the Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET-DAVV), Indore, graduating in 2013. His foundation in engineering instilled a problem-solving mindset and analytical rigor, which would later shape his interdisciplinary research interests. During these formative years, Shashank not only excelled academically but also demonstrated early signs of leadership and innovation — traits that would define his future academic and professional trajectory.

👨‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

After completing his master’s degree, Shashank embarked on a professional teaching career, joining the Chameli Devi Group of Institutions in Indore as an Assistant Professor in 2013. Over eight years (2013–2021), he mentored undergraduate and postgraduate students in various engineering and management subjects. His tenure as a faculty member was marked by a commitment to academic excellence and student development. He actively contributed to institutional events and even served on the core committee for the national conference ETMAES 2016.

In 2021, driven by a passion for deeper academic exploration and research, Shashank enrolled in the Fellow Programme in Management (PhD equivalent) at the Goa Institute of Management (GIM), specializing in Marketing. This transition marked a significant shift from traditional pedagogy to a research-intensive academic environment, where he began focusing on the intersection of technology and consumer psychology.

📚 Contributions and Research Focus

Shashank’s research interests lie at the crossroads of Human-Computer Interaction, Anthropomorphism, and Consumer Behavior. His scholarly work reflects a keen interest in understanding how consumers relate to and interact with digital avatars and artificial intelligence across generational cohorts. His recent publication titled “From Efficiency to Immersion – Understanding Generational Differences in Avatar Interactions”, published in the ABDC-A ranked journal Computers in Human Behavior, explores how digital avatars impact user engagement differently across age groups. This paper is a significant contribution to the emerging field of avatar-based marketing and human-technology interaction. He has also authored several conference papers, presented at prominent national events like the Indian Academy of Management Conference (INDAM),

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Shashank’s academic excellence and commitment have been widely recognized. At the 9th Indian Academy of Management Conference in 2024, he earned the Best Paper Award (Runner-up), highlighting the relevance and impact of his research on avatar marketing. Earlier in his career, he was honored with the Dronacharya Award for his mentorship in the “Auto India Racing Championship (AIRC-2017),” a national-level go-karting event — showcasing his dedication to practical education and student success. His undergraduate excellence was also acknowledged when he was named Student of the Year in 2011, setting a precedent for continued academic and professional achievement.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Beyond his research publications and teaching, Shashank has contributed significantly to the academic community. He serves as a reviewer for the International Journal of Consumer Studies (ABDC-A, Wiley Publications) and evaluates submissions for major academic conferences like INDAM. His editorial work ensures that scholarly standards are upheld while also giving back to the academic ecosystem that nurtured his growth.

His involvement in organizing the GIM Doctoral Conference in both 2023 and 2025 as a core committee member reflects his commitment to fostering scholarly collaboration and dialogue. Shashank’s influence extends beyond academia into mentorship, where he continues to guide emerging scholars and students.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

As Shashank nears the completion of his doctoral journey, his academic legacy is already taking shape. With a strong foundation in engineering, a decade of teaching experience, and cutting-edge research in digital consumer behavior, he is poised to become a thought leader in the space of Human-Computer Interaction and AI-driven marketing. Looking forward, he aims to bridge theory and practice by exploring how avatars, AI interfaces, and virtual agents shape consumer perceptions and behaviors. His planned research will delve deeper into the emotional and cognitive dimensions of technology-mediated marketing, contributing to both academic literature and real-world business applications.

✍️Notable Publications

Journal: Computers in Human Behavior
Year: 2025

Haishan Jiang | Medical Discoveries | Innovation in Science Award

Dr. Haishan Jiang | Medical Discoveries | Innovation in Science Award 

Dr. Haishan Jiang, Southern Medical University, China

Dr. Haishan Jiang, Chief Physician and Associate Professor at Southern Medical University’s Nanfang Hospital, is a leading expert in neurology, specializing in myopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and rare neurological diseases. As Deputy Director of the Neurology Department and head of the Myopathy and Peripheral Neuropathy subspecialty, he has pioneered gene therapies for SMA and ALS in South China. His research focuses on motor neuron and mitochondrial diseases, as well as gene therapy for rare conditions. Widely recognized, Dr. Jiang has been honored as the “Good Doctor of Guangzhou” and ranks top nationally in physician recommendations for multiple rare diseases.

Author Profile

ORCID

🧑‍🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Haishan Jiang embarked on his medical journey with a deep-rooted commitment to understanding the complexities of the human nervous system. With a Doctor of Medicine degree and solid academic grounding, he demonstrated early on a keen interest in neurology, particularly in the areas of myopathy and peripheral neuropathy. His academic path was marked by diligence, a sharp scientific mind, and a profound dedication to uncovering the underlying mechanisms of rare neurological diseases. As a postgraduate supervisor, Dr. Jiang has also shown a strong passion for nurturing the next generation of medical professionals, sharing his knowledge and guiding their research pursuits with patience and precision.

🩺 Professional Endeavors

Currently serving at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Dr. Jiang holds several key positions: Chief Physician, Associate Professor, Deputy Director of the Neurology Department, Director of Teaching, and Head of the Myopathy and Peripheral Neuropathy subspecialty. His clinical expertise spans a wide spectrum of neurological disorders, with a particular emphasis on difficult and rare conditions such as motor neuron disease (ALS), mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, and adult-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Dr. Jiang’s commitment to clinical excellence has led him to establish and lead the Guangdong Province Myopathy and Peripheral Nerve Specialized Alliance, a network aimed at advancing diagnosis, treatment, and research collaboration. Under his leadership, the department ranks among the top two nationally in terms of annual muscle and nerve biopsy volume, solidifying its reputation as a hub for neuromuscular disease care.

🧬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Jiang’s research interests are firmly rooted in neurogenetic disorders, particularly motor neuron diseases (ALS) and mitochondrial disorders. His work seamlessly blends basic science with clinical application, focusing on understanding disease mechanisms and exploring cutting-edge gene therapy approaches. He has spearheaded some of South China’s most advanced gene therapy trials, including the region’s first gene therapy for adult SMA—the fourth such case in the country—and the first ALS gene therapy clinical trial in South China, also the second nationwide. His pioneering research not only contributes to academic knowledge but also offers hope to patients battling previously untreatable conditions. Through his clinical studies, Dr. Jiang is pushing the frontiers of personalized medicine, bringing precision diagnostics and therapy into the mainstream for rare and complex neurological diseases.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Haishan Jiang’s unwavering dedication to medical science and patient care has earned him widespread acclaim. Notably, he was honored as the sixth “Good Doctor of Guangzhou” and selected as part of the ninth batch of “Outstanding Provincial and Municipal Talents Supporting Xinjiang”, a testament to both his clinical excellence and humanitarian spirit. Furthermore, he was recognized by the Good Doctor Network as an “Annual Good Doctor” for his exceptional service in rare disease diagnosis and treatment. His reputation as a leading clinician is reflected in his top rankings in national physician recommendation lists—first place for 13 diseases, including ALS and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, and second place for 15 others. These accolades not only highlight his expertise but also the trust he has earned from patients and peers alike.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Jiang’s work has had a transformative impact on neurology in China, particularly in the realm of rare diseases. By advancing the use of gene therapy and establishing regional alliances, he has created a robust infrastructure for collaboration, research, and clinical care. His contributions have significantly improved diagnostic timelines and therapeutic options for patients who previously faced long diagnostic odysseys and limited treatment possibilities. As a teacher and mentor, Dr. Jiang has shaped the careers of countless postgraduate students and young doctors, many of whom now contribute to clinical neurology and research across the country. His influence extends beyond the clinic to policy and advocacy, where he is a strong voice for the rare disease community.

🔬 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Haishan Jiang stands at the forefront of a new era in neurology, where genomics and personalized medicine are reshaping how we understand and treat complex diseases. His legacy is already evident in the systems he has built, the patients he has helped, and the students he has inspired. Looking ahead, Dr. Jiang aims to further expand gene therapy applications, develop innovative treatment protocols, and foster international collaboration in rare disease research. With his continued focus on combining scientific rigor with compassionate care, Dr. Jiang is set to leave a lasting legacy in Chinese and global neurology. His work is not only rewriting the medical narrative for patients with rare conditions but also paving the way for future breakthroughs in neuroscience.

✍️ Publication Top Notes


📘A Multicenter Study of Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis in China

Author: Xujun Chu; Juan Kang; Jingwen Xu; Haishan Jiang; Zhi‐Ying Wu; Qingping Wang; Wei Li; Jia Li;
Journal: Annals of Neurology
Year:2025

📘Knockdown of OPTN modulates miRNA-125b-5p expression via NF-κB pathways in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Author: Jian Qin; Ye He; Weiyi Yu; Zhaoyong Zhang; Xiaodan Chen; Yafang Hu; Haishan Jiang
Journal: Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Year: 2025

📘Clinical features of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis-polyneuropathy with transthyretin Ala97Ser(p.Ala117Ser) mutation in South Mainland China

Author: Yeli Zhu; Jingxian Fan; Xiying Zhu; Wei Li; Zhaoyong Zhang; Hui Zheng; Zhihua Zhou; Lingchao Meng; Ruxu Zhang; Haishan Jiang
Journal: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases
Year: 2025