Michal Vaľko | Global Health | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Health Scientists

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.

Sajida Batool | Public Health | Excellence in Research Award

Published on by Health Scientists

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sajida Batool | Public Health | Excellence in Research Award

Associate Professor | University of Sargodha | Pakistan

Dr. Sajida Batool is a distinguished scholar in zoology and reproductive physiology whose work spans molecular toxicology, environmental health, and endocrine disruption, with a strong focus on understanding how chemical exposures influence reproductive and systemic physiology in both animal models and human health–relevant contexts. Her academic training, international research exposure, and extensive laboratory expertise in advanced techniques such as immunohistochemistry, histology, genotoxicity assays, and molecular diagnostics have enabled her to contribute impactful evidence within the fields of toxicological pathology, reproductive biology, and environmental risk assessment. She has authored a substantial portfolio of peer-reviewed publications in reputable international journals, reflecting a sustained record of scientific productivity, interdisciplinary collaborations, and contributions to global knowledge on chemical toxicants including heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting compounds, industrial pollutants, and plant-based therapeutic agents. Her research collaborations extend across multidisciplinary teams working in molecular biology, environmental sciences, pharmacology, and wildlife genetics, underscoring her role in bridging classical zoology with emerging biomedical and ecological sciences. Through her work on oxidative stress, DNA integrity, immunomodulation, reproductive toxicology, and phytochemical interventions, she has advanced insights with direct implications for public health, environmental safety, and evidence-based therapeutic development. She has also played a meaningful role in academic capacity building by organizing specialized workshops on reference management, research ethics, and statistical computing, fostering professional development within the scientific community. Her contributions have shaped scientific understanding, supported translational research, and provided foundational evidence guiding safer environmental practices and potential biological remedies for toxin-induced damage, establishing her as a dedicated health-science–aligned researcher with significant societal and academic impact. She has 201 citations from 29 documents with an h-index of 8.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Akram, Z., Jalali, S., Shami, S. A., Ahmad, L., Batool, S., & Kalsoom, O. (2010). Adverse effects of arsenic exposure on uterine function and structure in female rat. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology.

2. Ahmad, L., Jalali, S., Shami, S. A., Akram, Z., Batool, S., & Kalsoom, O. (2010). Effects of cryopreservation on sperm DNA integrity in normospermic and four categories of infertile males. Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine.

3. Akram, Z., Jalali, S., Shami, S. A., Ahmad, L., Batool, S., & Kalsoom, O. (2009). Genotoxicity of sodium arsenite and DNA fragmentation in ovarian cells of rat. Toxicology Letters.

4. Batool, S., Batool, S., Shameem, S., Batool, T., & Batool, S. (2022). Effects of dibutyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on hepatic structure and function of adult male mice. Toxicology and Industrial Health.

5. Akhtar, M. T., Almas, T., Safdar, S., Saadia, M., Qadir, R., Batool, S., Mustaqeem, M., … (2023). Antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antilipidemic, and protective effect of polyherbal emulsion (F6-Smonsecce) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. ACS Omega.

Andrea Budnick | Public Health | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Health Scientists

Dr. Andrea Budnick | Public Health | Best Researcher Award 

Senior Researcher | Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin | Germany

Dr. Andrea Budnick is a distinguished scholar in Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science at Charité – Medical University Berlin, recognized for her pioneering contributions to geriatric care research, social medicine, and caregiving innovations. Her academic journey spans advanced qualifications in medical sociology, medical didactics, and social sciences, culminating in her postdoctoral habilitation and current leadership as a private lecturer and head of a junior research group at Charité. Dr. Budnick’s expertise bridges the domains of aging, homecare, pain management, and social determinants of health, with a particular emphasis on informal caregiving, chronic pain, and the evolving dynamics of long-term care in both national and intercultural contexts. She has led and co-led several high-impact projects funded by national and international agencies, including initiatives on distance caregiving, long COVID care improvement, and transnational collaborations between Germany and Hong Kong addressing the future of homecare. Her extensive publication record in leading international journals reflects a consistent focus on applied, evidence-based interventions that improve the quality of life for older adults and enhance caregiver support systems. Beyond academia, Dr. Budnick has served as an expert consultant for the German Federal Government and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, contributing to national policy frameworks on aging, family caregiving, and partnership models in care delivery. Her scholarly impact extends through influential interdisciplinary collaborations that integrate sociological perspectives with clinical and policy-oriented research, fostering a holistic approach to health and social care reform. Internationally respected for her methodological rigor and commitment to bridging science and practice, Dr. Budnick continues to shape contemporary discourse on caregiving innovation, equity in aging, and sustainable healthcare systems through her leadership, mentorship, and research excellence. She has 453 citations from 35 documents with an h-index of 12.

Profiles:  Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Koios, D., Kuhnert, R., Dräger, D., Wenzel, A., Kreutz, R., & Budnick, A. (2024). The use of nonpharmacological interventions for chronic pain treatment in community-dwelling older adults with a certified need for care. BMC Geriatrics.

2. Kuhlmey, A., & Budnick, A. (2023). [Informal caregivers in Germany: achieving work-life balance]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz.

3. Hering, C., Gangnus, A., Budnick, A., Kohl, R., Steinhagen-Thiessen, E., Kuhlmey, A., & Gellert, P. (2022). Psychosocial burden and associated factors among nurses in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a retrospective survey in Germany. BMC Nursing.

4. Budnick, A., Bünning, F., & Kuhlmey, A. (2022, October). CaRegiving frOm A Distance (ROAD): Home care in the future—flexible and nearby – multimethod qualitative study protocol. BMJ Open.

5. Janson, P., Willeke, K., Zaibert, L., Budnick, A., Berghöfer, A., Kittel-Schneider, S., Heuschmann, P. U., Zapf, A., Wildner, M., Stupp, C., et al. (2022, May 11). Mortality, morbidity and health-related outcomes in informal caregivers compared to non-caregivers: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

zahra molazem | Health Education | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Health Scientists

Prof. zahra molazem | Health Education | Best Researcher Award 

faculty member | shiraz university of medical sciences | Iran

Dr. Zahra Molazem is a distinguished Professor of Nursing at the Fatemeh (SA) School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, recognized for her extensive contributions to nursing education, clinical research, and healthcare innovation. She earned her PhD in Nursing from Tarbiat Modares University in 2010, following an MS and BS in Nursing from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. With a career spanning over two decades in academia and clinical instruction, Dr. Molazem’s research primarily focuses on cardiovascular nursing, chronic disease management, patient and caregiver education, and moral distress in healthcare professionals. She has authored numerous influential papers in reputable journals such as BMC Nursing, BMC Medical Education, International Journal of Community-Based Nursing and Midwifery, and BioMed Research International, addressing critical issues in patient safety, resilience, and quality of nursing care. Her recent studies explore digital health interventions, family-centered care, and ethical challenges in nursing practice, reflecting her commitment to evidence-based healthcare improvement. Dr. Molazem has been honored with several institutional awards for academic excellence and leadership and has played key administrative roles, including serving as Vice Dean for Education and Graduate Studies at Shiraz University. She also contributes significantly to the scientific community as an Editorial Board Member and former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Community-Based Nursing & Midwifery. Through her research, mentorship, and editorial leadership, Dr. Molazem continues to advance the global standards of nursing scholarship and professional practice. She has 1056 citations from 55 documents with an h-index of 16.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Evaluating the effect of a smartphone-based self-help intervention on the quality of life of patients with acute coronary syndrome. (2025). BMC Cardiovascular Disorders.

2. The effect of Citrus aurantium inhalation aromatherapy on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial. (2025). BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.

3. Caregiving burden in family caregivers of patients with coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A content analysis qualitative study. (2025). Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research.

4. The effect of training on the quality of patient handoff from emergency medical technicians to the emergency department of the surgical emergency center: A quasi-experimental study. (2024). Sadra Medical Sciences Journal.

5. Effectiveness of family-oriented education on self-care behaviors of patients with acute myocardial infarction: A randomized clinical trial. (2024). International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery.