Gülsen Kendir | Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Abduljabbar S. Ba Mahel | Biomedical | Best Researcher Award

Clareci Cardoso | Public Health | Excellence in Research

Prof. Clareci Cardoso | Public Health | Excellence in Research

Associate Professor at Federal University of São João del-Rei, Brazil

Prof. Clareci Silva Cardoso is a distinguished researcher and educator in the field of Public Health, with a strong background in Epidemiology and Mental Health. Born on November 15, 1970, in São Sebastião do Oeste, Brazil, she has dedicated her career to improving healthcare through research, teaching, and policy development. With extensive experience in infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and primary healthcare, she has contributed significantly to scientific advancements. She is actively involved in national and international collaborations, focusing on telehealth, tropical medicine, and quality of life studies. Her leadership roles in academia and public health initiatives make her a key figure in epidemiological research and medical education.

professional profiles📖

ORCID

Scopus Profile

Education 🎓

Prof. Cardoso earned her Ph.D. in Public Health (Epidemiology) from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in 2005, where she studied factors influencing the quality of life in schizophrenia. Prior to that, she completed her Master’s in Public Health (Epidemiology) at UFMG in 2001, focusing on the cross-cultural adaptation of a quality-of-life scale for schizophrenic patients. She also holds a Bachelor’s and Licensure in Psychology from the Federal University of São João del-Rei (UFSJ). Additionally, she specialized in Health Services Administration at the University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Her postdoctoral research includes studies at UFMG (2024), the University of California, Berkeley (2015), and the University of São Paulo (2015), where she focused on infectious diseases and epidemiology.

work Experience💼

Prof. Cardoso has been an Associate Professor at the Federal University of São João del-Rei (UFSJ) since 2009, where she teaches and conducts research in medicine, public health, and epidemiology. She plays a pivotal role as the Coordinator of the Telehealth Program and represents UFSJ in the Minas Gerais Telehealth Network. She also teaches scientific methodology and psychosocial aspects of medical practice and mentors graduate students in health sciences. Additionally, she has been a researcher and collaborating professor at UFMG since 2004, contributing to the Epidemiology Research Group and the Urban Health Observatory of Belo Horizonte. Her work focuses on urban health, quality of life, and mental health, and she has been actively involved in teaching graduate courses on health event measurement and patient satisfaction.

Research Focus

Prof. Cardoso’s research is centered on Public Health and Epidemiology, with a specific interest in primary healthcare, tropical medicine, telehealth, and chronic diseases. She has made significant contributions to the study of mental health, quality of life, urban health, and infectious diseases. Her work in schizophrenia and psychiatric patient care has led to the development of validated health assessment tools. She is also actively involved in telehealth initiatives, promoting the use of digital solutions to enhance healthcare accessibility. Her research extends to the epidemiology of infectious and parasitic diseases, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Awards & Honors🏆 

Throughout her career, Prof. Cardoso has received multiple recognitions for her contributions to public health research and education. She was awarded a CAPES Scholarship for her master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral studies, acknowledging her excellence in research. Her work in telehealth and epidemiology has also been recognized by institutions such as the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Brazil’s Ministry of Health. As a Visiting Scholar at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland (2017), she further expanded her research in complex systems and public health. She has also participated in NIH-certified training programs focused on human research ethics and participant protection.

Conclusion✅

Dr. Clareci Silva Cardoso is a highly qualified and impactful researcher with extensive experience in public health, epidemiology, and mental health. Her work in telehealth, quality of life, and infectious diseases contributes significantly to both academic research and real-world healthcare solutions.

She is a strong candidate for the Excellence in Research Award, particularly due to her leadership, interdisciplinary research, and international collaborations. However, further high-impact publications, broader recognition, and large-scale funding initiatives could further enhance her competitiveness for top global research awards.

📚Publications to Noted

Addressing under-registration in Chagas disease mortality: insights from the SaMi-Trop and REDS cohorts

Authors: A.L.D.S. Bierrenbach, Ana Luiza De Souza; C. Di-Lorenzo-Oliveira, Claúdia; N.D. Quintino, Nayara Dornela; A.L. Ribeiro, Antonio L.; E.C. Sabino, Ester Cerdeira

Citations: 0

Year: 2025

Health literacy assessment of individuals with and without Chagas disease: a cross-sectional study

Authors: N.R. Baldoni, Nayara Ragi; N.D. Quintino, Nayara Dornela; A.M. Ferreira, Ariela Mota; E.C. Sabino, Ester Cerdeira; C.S. Cardoso, Clareci Silva

Citations: 0

Year: 2024

Sociodemographic, economic, and academic factors linked with resilience in university students during COVID-19 pandemic: a Brazilian cross-sectional study

Authors: J.E. de Andrade, Jéssica Evelyn; A.L. Meireles, Adriana Lúcia; E.L. Machado, Elaine Leandro; B.C.R. Barbosa, Bruna Carolina Rafael; C.M. Ruas, Cristina Mariano

Citations: 0

Year: 2024

Isotemporal substitution analysis of time between sedentary behavior, and physical activity on sleep quality in younger adults: a multicenter study

Authors: L.A.A. Menezes, Luiz Antônio Alves; B.C.R. Barbosa, Bruna Carolina Rafael; W. de Paula, Waléria; L.S. da Silva, Luciana Saraiva; A.L. Meireles, Adriana Lúcia

Citations: 1

Year: 2024

Sedentary behavior is associated with the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and not practicing physical activity accentuates its adverse effects: cross-sectional study

Authors: B.C.R. Barbosa, Bruna Carolina Rafael; L.A.A. Menezes, Luiz Antônio Alves; W. de Paula, Waléria; L.S. da Silva, Luciana Saraiva; A.L. Meireles, Adriana Lúcia

Citations: 3

Year: 2024

Association between positive serology for COVID-19 and Chagas cardiomyopathy progression: The SaMi-Trop project

Authors: A.M. Ferreira, Ariela Mota; L.C.D. Oliveira-da Silva, Lea Campos De; C.S. Cardoso, Clareci Silva; E.C. Sabino, Ester Cerdeira; A.L.P. Ribeiro, Antonio Luiz Pinho

Citations: 0

Year: 2024

Combination of Tele-Cardiology Tools for Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in Primary Care: Data from the PROVAR+ Study

Authors: L.L. Fraga, Lucas Leal; B.R. Nascimento, Bruno Ramos; B.C. Haiashi, Beatriz Costa; A.L.P. Ribeiro, Antonio Luiz Pinho; C.S. Cardoso, Clareci Silva

Citations: 1

Year: 2024

Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Chagas Disease: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Authors: N.R. Baldoni, Nayara Ragi; L.C.D.O.D. Silva, Lea Campos De Oliveira Da; A.C.O. Gonçalves, Ana Carolina Oliveira; E.C. Sabino, Ester Cerdeira; C.S. Cardoso, Clareci Silva

Citations: 4

Year: 2024

 

 

Heng Zhang | Biomedical Research | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Heng Zhang | Biomedical Research | Best Researcher Award

Research Scientist at Versiti Blood Research Institute, United States

Dr. Heng Zhang is a Research Scientist specializing in integrin structure and signaling at the Blood Research Institute, Versiti, U.S. His expertise spans biochemical and structural biology, molecular genetics, and biotechnology. With a strong academic background from Waikato University and Shandong Normal University, he has contributed significantly to the fields of virology, protein interactions, and blood-related research. His work includes pioneering studies on integrins, viral receptors, and hemophilia mutations. Dr. Zhang has received numerous prestigious awards and serves as a reviewer for scientific journals. His research has led to patents and publications in high-impact journals, demonstrating his commitment to advancing biomedical science.

professional profiles📖

Scopus Profile

ORCID

Education 🎓

Dr. Zhang earned his Ph.D. in Biochemical and Structural Biology from Waikato University, New Zealand, in 2019, where he focused on protein structure and function, particularly in relation to bovine salivary proteins and microbial interactions. Before that, he obtained an M.Sc. in Molecular Genetics with First-Class Honors from Waikato University, specializing in genetic and biochemical approaches to understanding molecular pathways. His academic journey began at Shandong Normal University, China, where he completed a B.Sc. in Biotechnology in 2009, gaining foundational knowledge in biotechnology, molecular biology, and genetic engineering.

work Experience💼

Currently, Dr. Zhang serves as a Research Scientist at the Blood Research Institute, Versiti, where he investigates integrin structure and signaling. Previously, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the same institute from 2019 to 2023, focusing on molecular mechanisms in virology and blood coagulation. His experience also includes teaching molecular biology and biochemistry as a Teaching Assistant at Waikato University from 2013 to 2019, where he mentored students and supported laboratory research. Additionally, he worked as a Research Technologist at Waikato University from 2013 to 2014, conducting laboratory experiments related to protein structure and microbial interactions.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Zhang has received multiple accolades throughout his career. In 2024, he was honored with the Education Committee Award from Versiti Blood Research Institute. During his graduate studies, he earned the DairyNZ Graduate Student Award from AgResearch Ltd (2015-2019) and multiple internal awards from Waikato University in 2014 and 2012. His academic excellence was recognized early on with First and Second Class Scholarships from Shandong Normal University (2005-2009) and a Second Prize award in the China High School Biology Olympiad in 2003.

Skills

Dr. Zhang is highly skilled in structural biology, with expertise in X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and protein modeling. He has strong computational biology skills, using tools such as AlphaFold and molecular dynamics simulations. His biochemical expertise includes protein purification, enzyme kinetics, and cellular assays, while his genetic engineering experience covers CRISPR, recombinant protein expression, and cloning. As an active contributor to the scientific community, he serves as a reviewer for Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine and has been involved in patent development for antiviral receptor-based technologies.

Research Focus

Dr. Zhang’s research revolves around integrin structure and signaling, exploring mechanisms of cell adhesion and immune response regulation. He has made significant contributions to understanding hemophilia and blood disorders, utilizing computational modeling to study coagulation factors. His work in virology includes investigating cell-attachable viral receptors for infectious disease control. Additionally, he applies structural biology techniques, including cryo-EM and AlphaFold-based predictions, to study protein interactions. His research extends to biomedical engineering and drug development, with a focus on innovative therapeutic approaches for blood-related diseases.

Conclusion✅

Dr. Heng Zhang is an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his substantial contributions to biomedical and structural biology research. His impressive publication record, patents, mentorship roles, and international collaborations make him a strong contender. However, further advancements in leading research projects, securing independent funding, and expanding his first-author publications in top journals could further bolster his qualifications for the award. Overall, he demonstrates outstanding research excellence with strong potential for future leadership in his field.

📚Publications to Noted

 

Predicting the effects of single pathological mutations in Hemophilia A and Type 2N Von Willebrand Diseases using AlphaFold2‐multimer and AlphaFold3

Authors: Not provided

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2025

Facilitating and restraining virus infection using cell‐attachable soluble viral receptors

Authors: Not provided

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2024

Integrin α 5 β 1 contributes to cell fusion and inflammation mediated by SARS‐CoV‐2 spike via RGD‐independent interaction

Authors: Not provided

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2023

Family‐wide analysis of integrin structures predicted by AlphaFold2.

Authors: Heng Zhang (assumed)

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2023

Intracellular tPA–PAI-1 interaction determines VLDL assembly in hepatocytes

Authors: Not provided

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2023

Coagulopathy in COVID‐19 and anticoagulation clinical trials

Authors: Not provided

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2022

The three dimensional structure of Bovine Salivary Protein 30b (BSP30b) and its interaction with specific rumen bacteria.

Authors: Heng Zhang (assumed)

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2019

A new method to extract and purify DNA from allophanic soils and paleosols, and potential for paleoenvironmental reconstruction and other applications

Authors: Heng Zhang (assumed)

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2016

What can the geographic distribution of mtDNA haplotypes tell us about the invasion of New Zealand by house mice Mus musculus?

Authors: Heng Zhang (assumed)

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2016

DNA adsorption by nanocrystalline allophane spherules and nanoaggregates, and implications for carbon sequestration in Andisols

Authors: Heng Zhang (assumed)

Citations: Not provided

Year: 2016