Emine Afşin | Clinical Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emine Afşin | Clinical Medicine | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor | Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University | Turkey

Dr. Emine Afşin is a distinguished medical professional and academic whose career reflects a deep commitment to advancing respiratory medicine and public health through clinical excellence, scientific research, and education. As an Associate Professor at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, she has built a robust portfolio of contributions that span clinical practice, scholarly publications, and multidisciplinary collaborations. Her expertise lies in pulmonary diseases, clinical epidemiology, and patient-centered care, with a strong focus on improving diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes for individuals affected by chronic and infectious respiratory conditions. Dr. Afşin’s research encompasses a wide range of studies addressing disease pathophysiology, healthcare delivery, and preventive interventions, consistently demonstrating her dedication to evidence-based medicine. Her published works in reputable national and international journals have been widely cited, reflecting the impact and relevance of her findings within the global medical community. Through active participation in collaborative research projects, professional societies, and academic conferences, she has fostered strong partnerships that bridge clinical practice and scientific inquiry. Beyond academia, Dr. Afşin is recognized for her role in enhancing healthcare quality, mentoring young physicians, and advocating for equitable access to respiratory health services. Her work continues to contribute meaningfully to both medical science and society, emphasizing innovation, ethics, and human-centered approaches to healthcare advancement. She has 23 citations from 23 documents with an h-index of 2.

Publications

1. Yılmazer, M., Altındiş, M., Cevrioğlu, S., Fenkci, V., Aktepe, O., & Sırthan, E. (2004). Afyon Bölgesinde yaşayan gebe kadınlarda toksoplazma, sitomegalovirus, rubella, hepatit B, hepatit C seropozitiflik oranları. Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Kocatepe Tıp Dergisi.

2. Oğurlu, M., Sen, S., Polatli, M., Sırthan, E., Gürsoy, F., & Cildağ, O. (2007). The effect of spinal anesthesia on pulmonary function tests in old patients. Tuberkuloz ve Toraks, 55(1), 64–70.

3. Afsin, E., Yaksi, O., Onal, A., & Bacaksiz, E. (2022). Tracheal schwannoma mimicking asthma. International Journal of Neuroscience, 134(5), 436–440. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207454.2021.1999702

4. Afşin, E., & Demirkol, M. E. (2022). Post-COVID pulmonary function test evaluation. Turkish Thoracic Journal, 23(5), 345–350. https://doi.org/10.5152/TurkThoracJ.2022.22023

5.Afşin, E., & Cosgun, Z. (2021). A rare cough complication: Internal oblique muscle hematoma. Radiology Case Reports, 16(5), 1015–1018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2021.01.067

Tana Takacova | Clinical Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tana Takacova | Clinical Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Oncologist | Asklepios Klinik Altona | Germany

Tana Takacova is a physician-scientist specializing in hematology, oncology, and internal medicine with a distinguished academic and clinical trajectory across leading European research and tertiary care institutions. Her expertise spans immuno-oncology, molecular oncology, hematologic malignancies, and translational cancer research, supported by advanced training in oncology from a major German university and extensive postgraduate exposure to molecular biosciences in the United States. She has held clinical roles in prominent university-affiliated hospitals, progressing through multidisciplinary departments including hematology, oncology, palliative medicine, internal medicine, rheumatology, nephrology, gastroenterology, and cardiology, complemented by ongoing training as a prehospital emergency physician. Dr. Takacova has contributed to multiple international research collaborations across Germany, Denmark, Italy, and Slovakia, advancing knowledge in cancer genetics, circulating tumor DNA, oncolytic virus-checkpoint inhibitor synergies, renal cell carcinoma biomarkers, and therapy response prediction. Her peer-reviewed scholarship includes original research articles, systematic reviews, and case-based contributions in oncology and immunology, with additional manuscripts in review and development, reflecting a sustained commitment to evidence-based innovation and emerging therapeutic paradigms in precision oncology. She has presented at international oncology and pharmacology congresses and participates in global research networks and professional societies, reinforcing a truly international academic presence. Her work integrates advanced laboratory skills, clinical trial supervision, systematic review methodology, and bioinformatics-supported analysis, underscoring strong translational orientation. She has been recognized by competitive research fellowships and academic awards and contributes to open-access medical knowledge through educational initiatives such as a freely accessible hematology atlas. Fluent in multiple languages and trained across diverse health systems, she brings a global perspective, resilience in high-pressure environments, and a collaborative approach to clinical care and research leadership, driven by a commitment to advancing cancer diagnostics, therapeutic precision, and equitable patient outcomes worldwide. She has 34 citations from 4 documents with an h-index of 2.

Profile: Scopus

Publications

1. Tana Takacova (2025). Paraneoplastic papillitis as a precursor to colon carcinoma: A case of unexpected vision loss leading to early cancer detection. Oncology Research and Treatment.

Robert Ike | Clinical Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Robert Ike | Clinical Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Emeritus Associate Professor | University of Michigan | United States

Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed is a distinguished researcher and currently serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at Greenfield University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Dhaka, followed by a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology from the same institution. He completed his PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Cambridge, where his dissertation focused on signaling pathways in stem cell differentiation. Dr. Ahmed’s primary research interests encompass single-cell genomics, CRISPR-based gene editing, and the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular aging. He has authored over 75 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, including Nature Communications, Cell Reports, and Science Advances, contributing significant insights into cellular heterogeneity and gene regulation. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, such as the Young Investigator Award from the International Society for Stem Cell Research and the National Research Excellence Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology. Beyond his research, Dr. Ahmed actively contributes to the scientific community as an editorial board member for journals such as Stem Cell Research & Therapy and Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, reviewing manuscripts and guiding the dissemination of cutting-edge discoveries. He has also served as a guest editor for special issues focused on innovative gene-editing technologies. Dr. Ahmed’s combination of rigorous research, extensive publication record, and active engagement in scholarly editorial work underscores his commitment to advancing molecular biology and mentoring the next generation of scientists. He has 5520 citations from 64 documents with an h-index of 22.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. Altman, R. D., Ike, R. W., Hamburger, M. I., McLain, D. A., Daley, M. J., & Adamson, T. C. (2022). Missing the mark? American College of Rheumatology 2019 guidelines for intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection and osteoarthritis knee pain. The Journal of Rheumatology.

2. Ike, R. W., & Kalunian, K. C. (2022). Regarding arthroscopy: Can orthopedists and rheumatologists be friends? Journal of Clinical Rheumatology.

3. Ike, R. W., & Kalunian, K. C. (2021). Arthroscopy in rheumatology. Arthroscopy – Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery.

4. Ike, R. W., Arnold, W. J., & Kalunian, K. C. (2021). Arthroscopy in rheumatology: Where have we been? Where might we go? Rheumatology (United Kingdom).

5. Ike, R. W., Kalunian, K. C., & Arnold, W. J. (2021). Why not wash out the osteoarthritic knee? Journal of Clinical Rheumatology.