Kalayou Berhe | Endocrinology | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Kalayou Berhe | Endocrinology | Research Excellence Award

Associate professor | Mekelle University | Ethiopia

Dr. Kalayou Berhe is a nurse scientist and academician specializing in adult health nursing, noncommunicable disease management, and patient-centered self-care interventions, with a strong focus on diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and health systems strengthening. His research portfolio spans qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies, including tool validation, clinical epidemiology, behavioral interventions, and systematic evidence synthesis, published in internationally indexed peer-reviewed journals. His scholarly contributions have advanced understanding of self-management barriers, metabolic and cardiovascular risk, psychosocial dimensions of chronic illness, and the effectiveness of motivational and educational interventions in low-resource settings. He has led and co-led multiple institutionally funded and internationally supported collaborative projects with universities in Europe and Africa, strengthening research capacity and promoting equitable global health partnerships. As an experienced postgraduate mentor and academic leader, he has supervised numerous graduate students and coordinated postgraduate and research programs at faculty and institutional levels, contributing substantially to workforce development in nursing and public health. Beyond academia, he plays an active role in regional health governance as a technical advisor for noncommunicable disease services and as an executive member of the professional nursing association, where he leads training and research initiatives. His work has informed clinical practice, supported health-care provider training, and contributed evidence for policy and service improvement in chronic disease care. Recognized for sustained academic excellence and early-career research leadership, his professional impact reflects a strong integration of research, education, and community engagement aimed at improving quality of care and health outcomes in disadvantaged populations. He has 396 citations from 14 documents with an h-index of 12.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Gebremichael, G. B., Berhe, K. K., & Zemichael, T. M. (2019). Uncontrolled hypertension and associated factors among adult hypertensive patients in Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders.

2. Baraki, Z., Girmay, F., Kidanu, K., Gerensea, H., Gezehgne, D., & Teklay, H. (2017). A cross-sectional study on nursing process implementation and associated factors among nurses working in selected hospitals of Central and Northwest Zones, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. BMC Nursing.

3. Berhe, K. K., Gebru, H. B., & Kahsay, H. B. (2020). Effect of motivational interviewing intervention on HbA1c and depression in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS One.

4. Alemayehu, S., Kidanu, K., Kahsay, T., & Kassa, M. (2019). Risk factors of acute respiratory infections among under-five children attending public hospitals in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia, 2016/2017. BMC Pediatrics.

5. Berhe, K. K., Demissie, A., Kahsay, A. B., & Gebru, H. B. (2012). Diabetes self-care practices and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research.

Saeed Aghebat Bekheir | Translational Research | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Saeed Aghebat Bekheir | Mental Health | Research Excellence Award

PhD Candidate in Toxicology | Tehran University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Dr. Saeed Aghebat Bekheir is a dedicated researcher and PhD candidate in Toxicology at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, working under the mentorship of Prof. Abdollahi. His research focuses on mitochondrial toxicology, cardiotoxicity, and mechanistic modeling of toxin-induced bioenergetic failure, with a particular emphasis on developing therapeutic strategies for aluminum phosphide–induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Dr. Aghebat Bekheir has demonstrated expertise in a wide range of experimental approaches, including in vivo animal studies, cellular and molecular assays, and in vitro toxicological models, integrating mechanistic toxicology with translational research to address acute mitochondrial injury and cardiotoxicity. His scholarly contributions are reflected in several peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, and he actively serves as a reviewer for multiple journals in toxicology and biomedical sciences, highlighting his commitment to advancing scientific rigor and dissemination. Collaboratively, he engages in research partnerships within the toxicology and mitochondrial research community, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to environmental and translational toxicology challenges. His work contributes to a deeper understanding of oxidative stress, bioenergetic disturbances, and cardiotoxic mechanisms, with broader implications for public health and therapeutic innovation. Beyond his laboratory and scholarly pursuits, Dr. Aghebat Bekheir’s research emphasizes societal relevance by addressing environmental toxicants and their impacts on human health, providing foundational knowledge for developing interventions to mitigate toxicity-related diseases. Through his professional memberships, editorial activities, and collaborative initiatives, he actively contributes to shaping the global toxicology landscape, promoting evidence-based strategies, and inspiring emerging researchers in the field. His ongoing research underscores a commitment to integrating scientific excellence with practical solutions for human health, reflecting both scholarly distinction and societal impact. He has 23 citations from 5 documents with an h-index of 3.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Ghanati, K., Jahanbakhsh, M., Shakoori, A., Aghebat-Bekheir, S., … (2024). The association between polycystic ovary syndrome and environmental pollutants based on animal and human study; a systematic review.

2. Ghanati, K., Eghbaljoo, H., Akbari, N., Mazaheri, Y., Aghebat-Bekheir, S., … (2023). Determination of melamine contamination in milk with various packaging: A risk assessment study.

3. Aghebat-Bekheir, S., Abdollahi, M. (2024). Discovering the most impactful treatments for aluminum phosphide cardiotoxicity gleaned from systematic review of animal studies.

4. Reihani, A., Marboutian, F., Aghebat-Bekheir, S., Reyhani, A., Akhgari, M. (2024). Diagnostic aspects of paraquat in the forensic toxicology: A systematic review.

5. Aghebat-Bekheir, S., Hekmatirad, S., Asar, N., Abdollahi, M. (n.d.). Aluminum phosphide as a model for exploring acute mitochondrial disorders.

Milad Rahimzadegan | Pharmacology | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Milad Rahimzadegan | Pharmacology | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Dr. Milad Rahimzadegan is an Assistant Professor at the Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, and serves as R&D Manager in multiple pharmaceutical companies. He earned his PhD in Pharmacy-Toxicology and Pharmacology from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, followed by an M.Sc. in Medical Toxicology from Tarbiat Modares University, and a B.A. in Plant Medicine from the University of Tehran. Recently, he completed a post-doctoral fellowship focused on Artificial Intelligence in Neuroscience at the Functional Neurosurgery Research Center. Dr. Rahimzadegan’s research spans neuropharmacology, neurotoxicology, regenerative medicine, and advanced drug delivery systems, with particular emphasis on stem cell differentiation, conductive scaffolds for spinal cord injury, and nano-biosensing for cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. He has authored numerous high-impact publications in journals including Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Materials Science & Engineering C, and Carbohydrate Polymers, and has contributed to multiple books on pharmacology, regenerative medicine, and neurosurgery. His work has been recognized with awards such as the Top Academic Secretary of USERN Iran, Young Scientific Award at Shahid Beheshti University, and membership in Iran’s National Elites Foundation. In addition to his research contributions, he serves as a reviewer and editorial board member for journals including Interventional Pain Medicine and Neuromodulation and International Clinical Neuroscience Journal, reflecting his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering innovation in neuroscience, pharmacology, and translational medicine. He has 326 citations from 26 documents with an h-index of 11.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Rahimzadegan, M., & Soodi, M. (2018). Comparison of memory impairment and oxidative stress following single or repeated doses administration of scopolamine in rat hippocampus.

2. Asl, S. K., & Rahimzadegan, M. (2022). The recent progress in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction based on myoglobin biomarker: Nano-aptasensors approaches.

3. Malek-Khatabi, A., Razavi, M. S., Abdollahi, A., & Rahimzadeghan, M., et al. (2023). Recent progress in PLGA-based microneedle-mediated transdermal drug and vaccine delivery.

4. Asl, S. K., Rahimzadegan, M., & Asl, A. K. (2024). Progress in cardiac tissue engineering and regeneration: Implications of gelatin-based hybrid scaffolds.

5. Asl, S. K., Rahimzadegan, M., & Ostadrahimi, R. (2024). The recent advancement in the chitosan hybrid-based scaffolds for cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction.

Miguel Garcia-Gonzalez | Translational Research | Innovative Research Award

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Dr. Miguel Garcia-Gonzalez | Translational Research | Innovative Research Award

Research group leader | FIDIS/IDIS | Spain

Dr. Miguel García González is a distinguished biomedical researcher and Group Leader at the Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS/CHUS) in Spain, specializing in Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology of Kidney Diseases. He earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Santiago de Compostela, where he developed a strong foundation in genetics, molecular mechanisms, and translational nephrology. His research focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular bases of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and related hereditary disorders, integrating genomic, cellular, and developmental biology approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets. Dr. García González has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Medicine, PNAS, Kidney International, and Human Molecular Genetics, contributing significantly to the field’s understanding of renal pathophysiology. His work has received numerous national and international research grants and awards, recognizing his excellence in scientific innovation and mentorship. He actively participates in editorial and peer-review roles for several leading journals in nephrology and molecular biology, further influencing the direction of biomedical research. In addition to his research contributions, Dr. García González is deeply committed to training young scientists, supervising doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across clinical and molecular domains. His pioneering work continues to advance precision medicine approaches in nephrology, bridging basic science discoveries with clinical applications aimed at improving outcomes for patients with genetic kidney diseases. He has 1913 citations from 50 documents with an h-index of 20.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. A comparative proteomic, transcriptomic and glycomic analysis of extracellular vesicle isolation techniques highlights ExoGAG efficiency for a more complete identification of breast milk molecular signaling pathways. (2025). Cell Communication and Signaling.

2. Therapeutic opportunities in polycystic kidney and liver disease through extracellular matrix dynamics. (2025). Biochemical Pharmacology.

3. Characterization of recurrent UMOD variants (p.C255Y and p.Q316P) in a Galician cohort: Genotype–phenotype correlation and clinical implications. (2025). Nefrología.

4. Characterization of the functional component in human milk and identification of the molecular mechanisms undergoing prematurity. (2025). Clinical Nutrition.

5. HNF1B transcription factor: Key regulator in renal physiology and pathogenesis. (2025).