Michal Vaľko | Global Health | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Michal Vaľko | Global Health | Research Excellence Award

Researcher | Katolícka univerzita v Ružomberku | Slovakia

Michal Vaľko is a multidisciplinary researcher whose work bridges public health, digital society, and behavioral sciences, with a growing focus on how lifestyle, technology, and social environments shape human wellbeing. His academic training at the Catholic University in Ružomberok established a strong foundation in social sciences and analytical research, which he has expanded through studies examining cardiovascular risk patterns across European populations, workplace wellbeing among young employees, and the psychological effects of social media on adolescents. His contributions include publications in global health, environmental sustainability, educational psychology, and social responsibility, demonstrating an ability to work across domains where health, behavior, and digital ecosystems intersect. He has collaborated with international scholars in public health, artificial intelligence, and behavioral science, contributing to research on carbon-labeling policies, explainable AI for lifestyle medicine, and personality-based educational analytics. His work is frequently grounded in both qualitative and quantitative methods, supported by proficiency in statistical tools and a sustained engagement with digital-behavior research. Beyond academic publishing, he has actively participated in conferences addressing digital safety, youth wellbeing, and interdisciplinary social challenges, earning recognition for excellence in scholarly work, including awards for research on adolescent cognitive functioning in the digital age and academic achievement within his faculty. His ongoing community-oriented engagements, including volunteer roles in digital communication and participation in participatory research initiatives with older adults, highlight a commitment to public-facing scholarship and societal impact. With a research profile that integrates health sciences, social informatics, and ethical considerations around technology, he contributes to emerging discussions on how digital transformations influence health outcomes, behavioral patterns, and institutional responsibility. This combination of interdisciplinary scholarship, international collaboration, and applied societal engagement positions him as an emerging voice in contemporary health-behavior research and digital-societal studies. He has 3 citations from 4 documents with an h-index of 1.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Valko, M., Walker, M. D., Htoon, A., Dumlao, J., Lane, H., Lee, I. G., Amer, H., & Bursova, J. (2025). If Europe lived the same lifestyle: Insights into cardiovascular risk from the European Social Survey. Global Health Journal.

2. Lane, H., Pokutnia, O., Walker, M. D., Killingsworth, J., Valko, M., & Farias, A. R. (2025). What is carbon labeling of food and does it work? A preliminary review of the potential impact of carbon labeling on consumer choice. Green and Low-Carbon Economy.

3. Valko, M., Walker, M. D., & Lane, H. (2025). The impact of working hours and tenure on the wellbeing of young employees in Slovakia. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health.

4. Gioia, F., Vaľko, M., & Lane, H. (2025). Exploration of the Big Five: Educational correlations, dimensionality reduction and clustering techniques (Preprint).

5. Vaľko, M. (2023). Vplyv sociálnych sietí na fungovanie mysle adolescentov. ŠVOČ in Social Work – Bachelor Section.

Aynollah Naderi | Preventive Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Aynollah Naderi | Preventive Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Shahrood University of Technology | Iran

Dr. Aynollah Naderi, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Shahrood University of Technology, Iran, is a distinguished researcher in the fields of sport sciences, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. He earned his B.A. in Medical Records from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, followed by an M.Sc. in Sport Science from Razi University, and completed his Ph.D. in Sport Science at Bu-Ali Sina University, where his dissertation focused on corrective exercises for postural stability and spinal alignment. Dr. Naderi’s research spans the prevention and rehabilitation of sports injuries, psychosocial aspects of injury recovery, corrective exercise interventions, and performance enhancement strategies, with notable contributions to understanding injury mechanisms, rehabilitation outcomes, and athlete well-being. He has authored and co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, including influential works in Journal of Athletic Training, Sports Health, Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, and Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, alongside several systematic reviews and meta-analyses. In addition, he has translated key textbooks such as Kinesiology: The Skeletal System and Muscle Function and Exercise for Aging Adults, expanding access to evidence-based knowledge in Persian. Recognized as a Top Sport Sciences Researcher in 2020 and previously in 2014 during his student career, Dr. Naderi has also contributed as a reviewer for high-impact journals including BMJ Public Health, Journal of Athletic Training, and The Physician and Sportsmedicine. His blend of academic rigor, clinical relevance, and international collaborations has established him as a leading figure in advancing the intersection of sport sciences and health.

Publications

1. Rostami, K. D., Naderi, A., & Thomas, A. (2019). Hip abductor and adductor muscles activity patterns during landing after anterior cruciate ligament injury. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 28(8), 871–876.

2. Naderi, A., Shaabani, F., Zandi, H. G., Calmeiro, L., & Brewer, B. W. (2020). The effects of a mindfulness-based program on the incidence of injuries in young male soccer players. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 42(2), 161–171.

3. Shaabani, F., Naderi, A., Borella, E., & Calmeiro, L. (2020). Does a brief mindfulness intervention counteract the detrimental effects of ego depletion in basketball free throw under pressure? Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 9(2), 197–207.

4. Naderi, A., Rezvani, M. H., & Degens, H. (2020). Foam rolling and muscle and joint proprioception after exercise-induced muscle damage. Journal of Athletic Training, 55(1), 58–64.

5. Yalfani, A., Naderi, E., Anbarian, M., & Biglarbaygi, A. (2013). The comparison of prevalence, type, and severity of injury in professional and amateur freestyle wrestlers. Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences, 9(4)