Matiyas Mamo Bekele | Clinical Medicine | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Matiyas Mamo Bekele | Clinical Medicine | Research Excellence Award

lecturer | University of Gondar | Ethiopia

Matiyas Mamo Bekele is an emerging optometry professional and clinical researcher whose work spans community eye health, refractive error–related quality of life, low-vision challenges, spectacle use, and the broader landscape of preventable visual impairment. As an academic and clinician at the University of Gondar, he integrates teaching, research, and service, contributing to the development of future optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, and ophthalmology residents while also providing comprehensive eye care through both static and outreach platforms. His scholarly work demonstrates a strong orientation toward population-based ophthalmic research, with multiple peer-reviewed publications addressing eye care utilization patterns, spectacle coverage, knowledge and attitudes toward vision correction, and the burden of ocular diseases among diverse communities and at-risk groups, including individuals with diabetes. His collaborative projects with multidisciplinary teams across hospitals, academic institutions, and public health units reflect a commitment to generating evidence that informs national strategies for equitable eye health access. Through his engagement in systematic reviews, clinical investigations, and community-focused studies, he contributes to a growing body of knowledge that supports early detection, appropriate referral pathways, and improved service delivery in low-resource settings. His involvement in national professional bodies and international volunteer organizations further underscores his dedication to strengthening training systems, capacity building, and vision-related advocacy. As a research advisor and mentor, he supports emerging scholars in pursuing impactful inquiry that addresses gaps in vision care and public health. His continuing work advances the understanding of refractive error needs, ocular morbidities, and community-based approaches to blindness prevention, positioned toward improving quality of life and reducing avoidable vision loss across broader populations. He has 10 citations from 13 documents with an h-index of 2.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Hulleck, A. A., Mohan, D. M., Abdallah, N., El Rich, M., & Khalaf, K. (2022). Present and future of gait assessment in clinical practice: Towards the application of novel trends and technologies.

2. Mohan, D. M., Khandoker, A. H., Wasti, S. A., Ismail Alali, S. I. I., & colleagues. (2021). Assessment methods of post-stroke gait: A scoping review of technology-driven approaches to gait characterization and analysis.

3. Jelinek, H. F., Osman, W. M., Khandoker, A. H., Khalaf, K., Lee, S., Almahmeed, W., & colleagues. (2017). Clinical profiles, comorbidities and complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients from United Arab Emirates.

4. Maschirow, L., Khalaf, K., Al-Aubaidy, H. A., & Jelinek, H. F. (2015). Inflammation, coagulation, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in prediabetes—Biomarkers as a possible tool for early disease detection for rural screening.

5. Witzel, I. I., Jelinek, H. F., Khalaf, K., Lee, S., Khandoker, A. H., & Alsafar, H. (2015). Identifying common genetic risk factors of diabetic neuropathies.

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.

Featured 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