Angeles Merino | Publichealth | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Angeles Merino | Publichealth | Best Researcher Award

Nursing Department , University of Huelva , Spain

La Doctora Mª de los Ángeles Merino Godoy es una destacada investigadora y profesora en el Departamento de Enfermería de la Universidad de Huelva, España. Con una sólida trayectoria académica, se ha especializado en la educación en enfermería, particularmente en el contexto de crisis globales como la pandemia de COVID-19. Su trabajo ha sido clave para abordar los retos que la enseñanza universitaria enfrentó durante la transición abrupta a la modalidad virtual. Además de su labor docente, ha sido autora de diversos estudios sobre el impacto del estrés, el agotamiento emocional y la salud mental en los estudiantes de enfermería. Su enfoque interdisciplinario y su compromiso con la innovación educativa la han establecido como una líder en el campo de la educación en salud.

Profile

Strengths for the Award

Dr. Mª de los Ángeles Merino Godoy is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on several notable strengths:

  1. Pioneering Research Focus: Dr. Merino’s work addresses a critical and contemporary issue in healthcare education, particularly during the global health crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her research on the transition from in-person to virtual education in nursing not only reflects her timely response to a global crisis but also establishes a significant body of knowledge that will shape future educational practices in healthcare disciplines.
  2. Innovative Approach: Dr. Merino has demonstrated exceptional leadership in innovating nursing education in the face of unprecedented challenges. Her research explores the effects of virtual learning on nursing students, identifying critical gaps in curriculum delivery, practical training, and student satisfaction. This innovation is particularly relevant for the ongoing development of e-learning models in health education and will undoubtedly have long-term impacts on how nursing is taught.
  3. Rigorous Methodology: The methodologies employed in Dr. Merino’s studies are robust and scientifically rigorous. Her large-scale quantitative studies (involving over 400 nursing students) are backed by comprehensive data analysis and carefully designed surveys, ensuring the reliability and validity of her findings. Her research not only presents clear insights into students’ satisfaction and challenges but also offers concrete recommendations for educational improvement.
  4. Impact on Educational Policy: Dr. Merino’s work has had a tangible impact on educational policy. By revealing the critical shortcomings of virtual learning environments, her findings have spurred discussions about integrating more effective online tools and hybrid learning models into nursing curricula. Her research also highlights the need for more personalized and technologically supported education during crises, which is of vital importance for adapting to future global challenges.
  5. Global Relevance and Recognition: The publications she has contributed to, such as in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and Journal of Clinical Medicine, showcase the international recognition of her work. Dr. Merino’s research has been widely cited, indicating that her findings resonate within the academic community and beyond.
  6. Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Dr. Merino’s research is highly collaborative, reflecting her ability to work with diverse teams of experts from various disciplines such as mental health, healthcare, and technology. This multidisciplinary approach enhances the quality and scope of her studies, providing holistic insights into the challenges of nursing education during the pandemic.

Areas for Improvement

While Dr. Merino’s contributions are exemplary, there are always opportunities for growth in academic research:

  1. Expanding Qualitative Insights: Most of Dr. Merino’s research to date has relied on quantitative methods. A deeper exploration of qualitative data could complement her findings by capturing the nuanced personal experiences and emotional aspects of nursing students’ transition to online learning. Qualitative research could provide a richer understanding of how students feel about the changes in their education and how these experiences might affect their professional development.
  2. Long-Term Follow-Up: While her studies have provided valuable insights during the initial phases of the pandemic, long-term studies to track the ongoing effects of the shift to virtual learning could yield important data. This would help understand whether the issues raised, such as the lack of practical training, persist beyond the immediate pandemic period and how they evolve over time.
  3. Broader Comparative Studies: Expanding the geographical scope of her studies to include non-Spanish universities and nursing programs from a variety of socio-economic contexts would offer a broader perspective on how different educational systems adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic. A comparative study between regions or countries with varying technological access and educational infrastructures would strengthen the generalizability of her findings.
  4. Focus on Teaching Methodologies: While her research emphasizes the technological and structural challenges faced by nursing students, a deeper exploration of how teaching methodologies themselves can be innovated for online and hybrid learning could be beneficial. Dr. Merino could focus more on pedagogical models that might specifically help bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application in nursing.

Education 

La Doctora Mª de los Ángeles Merino Godoy completó su Licenciatura en Enfermería en la Universidad de Huelva, donde también obtuvo su Máster en Educación en Ciencias de la Salud. Posteriormente, realizó su Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud, con una investigación enfocada en la educación en enfermería y su adaptación a los desafíos contemporáneos. Su formación académica se complementa con múltiples cursos de gestión educativa y tecnologías aplicadas a la enseñanza. Además, ha sido parte de programas internacionales de investigación en colaboración con universidades y centros de salud de Europa, lo que le ha permitido aportar una visión global sobre la enseñanza en enfermería y su evolución frente a emergencias sanitarias. Su carrera académica y de investigación le ha permitido consolidarse como una experta en el desarrollo de nuevas metodologías pedagógicas en la enfermería.

Research Focus

La investigación de la Doctora Mª de los Ángeles Merino Godoy se centra principalmente en la educación en enfermería, con un enfoque particular en la adaptación de la enseñanza a los entornos virtuales y remotos durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Su trabajo ha abordado cuestiones clave como el estrés percibido, la salud mental de los estudiantes y la calidad educativa en situaciones de crisis. Además, ha explorado cómo la falta de interacción práctica afecta la preparación laboral de los estudiantes de enfermería, buscando soluciones innovadoras para integrar metodologías híbridas y simulaciones virtuales en el currículo académico. La resiliencia educativa y la adaptabilidad de los programas formativos frente a desafíos globales son también áreas clave de su investigación. A través de sus publicaciones, la doctora ha promovido una educación inclusiva y de calidad para las futuras generaciones de profesionales de la salud.

Publications

  1. “Nursing Education during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Assessment of Students’ Satisfaction with e-Learning Environment” 📚💻
  2. “Navigating Perceived Stress: Experiences of Nursing Students Completing Internships during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain” 😰💉
  3. “The Upshot of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Nursing Assistants: Evaluating Mental Health Indicators in Huelva” 🏥🧠
  4. “The influence of emotional burnout and resilience on the psychological distress of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic” 😔💪
  5. “Work–Family Interaction, Self-Perceived Mental Health and Burnout in Specialized Physicians of Huelva (Spain): A Study Conducted during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic” ⚖️🩺
  6. “Psychological discomfort in nursing degree students as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic” 😟📖
  7. “Gender and Tobacco Consumption among University Students” 🚭👩‍🎓
  8. “Mobile Applications and Healthy Habits of Adolescents, a Strange Couple: Pilot Study of the Efficacy of the Healthy Jeart App” 📱🍎
  9. “Confirmatory Validation of an Evaluation Instrument for Interventions Based on the Healthy Habits App Healthy Jeart with Adolescents” ✅👦👧

Conclusion

Dr. Mª de los Ángeles Merino Godoy’s contributions to the field of nursing education during the COVID-19 pandemic are nothing short of outstanding. Her innovative research, rigorous methodology, and commitment to improving nursing education place her in the top tier of researchers in this domain. She has effectively bridged the gap between education theory and practice by identifying both the challenges and potential solutions for virtual learning environments, especially for practical disciplines like nursing.Her work not only addresses an immediate need during a global health crisis but also lays the groundwork for the future of education in healthcare professions. By advocating for more robust virtual learning tools, hybrid teaching methods, and a deeper understanding of student experiences, Dr. Merino is making a profound impact on how nursing education evolves in the digital age. She is an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award, and her research will continue to inspire positive change within academic, healthcare, and policy-making communities for years to come.

Om Kurmi | Community Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Om Kurmi | Community Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor, Coventry University, United Kingdom

🌍 Dr. Om Prakash Kurmi is an esteemed epidemiologist and public health researcher with a wealth of experience at globally recognized institutions. His work focuses on understanding the impacts of environmental and occupational factors on health, addressing pressing global health issues. Currently, he is a professor at McMaster University in the Department of Medicine, contributing valuable research to global health initiatives.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

🎓 Dr. Kurmi earned his PhD in Public Health from the University of Aberdeen, UK, in 2010. His doctoral research laid a strong foundation in epidemiology and public health, emphasizing the influences of environmental and occupational hazards on population health.

Experience

🏛️ Dr. Kurmi’s academic journey includes notable roles at prestigious institutions. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Medicine at McMaster University and has previously held positions at the University of Oxford and the University of Birmingham, where he was a Research Fellow in the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Research Focus

🔬 Dr. Kurmi’s research targets the intersections of environmental and occupational health with epidemiology. His studies often address the impacts of air pollution and workplace hazards on mortality and morbidity, aiming to inform public health policies worldwide. He has made significant contributions to global health assessments and evidence-building around risk factors.

Awards and Honours

🏅 Dr. Kurmi has received recognition for his contributions to public health research, including acknowledgments from major academic bodies and institutions for his dedication to environmental health epidemiology and impactful research.

Publication Highlights

“Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”, The Lancet, 2024, cited by numerous subsequent studies addressing pandemic impacts.

“Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021”, The Lancet, 2024, frequently referenced for its comprehensive analysis of health risk factors globally.

“Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021”, The Lancet, 2024, a pivotal resource in mortality and life expectancy studies worldwide.

 

Rima Isaifan | human health | Women Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rima Isaifan | human health | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor, Cambridge C University, Qatar

🌿 Dr. Rima Isaifan is an Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at Cambridge Corporate University, Lucerne, Switzerland. With a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Ottawa, she has made significant contributions to the fields of sustainable development and environmental protection. Her extensive research focuses on climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable urban development, particularly in the Middle Eastern context. 🌍

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

🎓 Dr. Isaifan earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (Chemical and Biological Engineering) from the University of Ottawa in 2014. Her academic background blends environmental and chemical sciences, making her an expert in sustainable environmental solutions.

Experience

💼 Currently an Associate Professor at Cambridge Corporate University, Switzerland, Dr. Isaifan has a wealth of teaching and research experience in environmental sciences. She has also collaborated with multiple research institutions, contributing her knowledge to various climate and sustainability initiatives in the Middle East.

Research Focus

🔬 Dr. Isaifan’s research revolves around environmental sustainability, climate change, and the social cost of greenhouse gas emissions. She has also explored urban development strategies, especially in the Middle East, focusing on sustainable transportation and urban renewal projects. Her work aims to create practical solutions to mitigate climate change. 🌱

Awards and Honors

🏅 Dr. Isaifan’s outstanding contributions to environmental research and sustainability have earned her recognition in academic and professional communities. She continues to push boundaries in environmental policy and science, especially regarding climate change action in Arab countries. 🌍

Publication Highlights

📚 Dr. Isaifan has published extensively in top-tier journals. Some of her notable works include:

Transit-Oriented Development in Middle Eastern Cities: The Urban Renewal Framework for the Souq Waqif in Doha, Qatar (2024) in Urban Science, DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8040182

Correction: Al-Jabir, M.; Isaifan, R.J. Long-Term Projection of Transport-Related Social Cost of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Qatar (2024) in Sustainability, DOI: 10.3390/su16198422

Strategic plans to support action against climate change in the Arab countries in the Middle East Region (2024) in Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy, DOI: 10.4314/jsdlp.v15i1.11

Long-Term Projection of Transport-Related Social Cost of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Qatar (2024) in Sustainability, DOI: 10.3390/su16020536

 

Sherrie Wallington | Social Determinants of Health | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sherrie Wallington | Social Determinants of Health | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor, George Washington University School of Nursing & Milken Institute School of Public Health, United States

Short Bio 📜

Dr. Sherrie Wallington is a distinguished scholar in the field of mass communication and media studies, with a particular focus on public health communications. With extensive academic training from prestigious institutions and significant contributions to research, Dr. Sherrie Wallington has become a leading voice in the intersection of media and health disparities. Their work has been recognized through numerous awards and published in high-impact journals.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Dr. Sherrie Wallington completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Harvard School of Public Health, Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA (2006-2009), mentored by Drs. Howard Koh, K. (Vish) Viswanath, and Karen Emmons. Their PhD in Mass Communication and Media Studies was earned from Howard University School of Communications, Washington, DC in 2006, with a dissertation advised by Carolyn Stroman, PhD. Dr. [Name] also holds an MA in Speech Communication/Public Relations (1990) and a BSHE in Communication Arts (1984) from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Experience 🧑‍🏫

Dr. Sherrie Wallington has a robust teaching portfolio, including facilitating HPV Vaccine Provider Training courses across various institutions in Washington, DC. They have also taught doctoral-level courses at George Washington University School of Nursing, such as NURS-8451—DE Research Practicum and Determinants of Health—NURS 8430-DE, consistently receiving high evaluation scores from students.

Research Interest 🔬

Dr. Sherrie Wallington’s research interests lie at the intersection of public health communication, health disparities, and cancer prevention. They focus on understanding and improving health literacy, evaluating public health interventions, Social Determinants of Health and developing strategies to address health disparities among underserved populations.

Awards 🏆

Dr. Sherrie Wallington has been recognized with numerous awards, including the George Washington Cancer Center Community Engagement Award (2023), Peer Mentor Award from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation (2019), and the Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award from the American Association for Cancer Research (2008). They have also received several teaching and research awards throughout their career.

Publications 📚

Dr.Sherrie Wallington has contributed significantly to academic literature. Key publications include:

Evaluating a virtual flipped classroom approach to nurse practitioner telehealth competency development (Journal of Nursing Education, in press).

Racial/ethnic reporting differences in cancer literature regarding Machine Learning vs. A radiologist: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Journal of Medical Artificial Intelligence, 2023)

Self-regulatory coping among community dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions (J Multimorb Comorb, 2023)

Prevalence of Food Insecurity Among Cancer Survivors in the United States: A Scoping Review (J Acad Nutr Diet, 2023)

Paid Leave for Fathers: Policy, Practice, and Reform (Milbank Q, 2022)

Faith, family, and social networks: Effective strategies for recruiting Brazilian Immigrants in maternal and child health research (J Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 2020)