Michal Vaľko | Global Health | Research Excellence Award

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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.

Tharanga Nandasena | Public Health | Distinguished Scientist Award

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Prof. Tharanga Nandasena | Public Health | Distinguished Scientist Award

Professor | University of Peradeniya | Sri Lanka

Professor B.G.T.L. Nandasena is a distinguished researcher and academic, currently serving as a Professor in Dental Anatomy at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, as well as the SWAC Chairperson and Senior Student Counselor. He obtained his BDS (Honors) from the University of Peradeniya in 2000, followed by an MPhil in Developmental Biology (Odontogenesis) in 2007 from the same institution, and a PhD in Oral Life Sciences from Niigata University, Japan, in 2009. With over 20 years of teaching and research experience, Professor Nandasena’s work focuses on oral histology, craniofacial morphometry, developmental biology, preventive oral health, bioactive natural products, and oral diseases such as dental caries and maxillofacial injuries. He has made significant contributions to the field through numerous high-impact publications, including studies on the distribution of cholinesterase enzymes in human tooth germs, regional distribution of interglobular dentine, and the bioactivity of traditional Sri Lankan herbal formulas for oral health. His research excellence has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Presidential Award (2009) for research on interglobular dentine and the NRC Merit Award (2010) for studies on cholinesterase enzymes, as well as the Lucy de Abrew Medal for outstanding academic performance. Beyond research, Professor Nandasena plays an active role in the scientific community as an editorial and scientific committee member at national and international journals, contributing to the advancement of dental science and education. His career exemplifies a commitment to bridging fundamental research with clinical and preventive oral health applications, mentoring future dental professionals, and fostering global collaboration in dental and biomedical sciences. She has 30 citations from 7 documents with an h-index of 3.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Nandasena, T. (2022). Functional oral anatomy. In The Science of Sea Salt.

2. Nandasena, T. (2021). Gender and ethnic group differences in dental caries in a Sri Lankan population. Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry.

3. Arambawatta, K., Abeysundara, A., Ihalagedera, D., Nawarathna, G., Nandasena, T., Peiris, R., Banneheka, S., & Nanayakkara, D. (2021). Morphological analysis of cementoenamel junction in premolars of Sri Lankans. Anatomical Science International.

4. Nanayakkara, D., Nawarathna, L. S., Nandasena, T., Alahakoon, S., Ariyasinghe, S., & Arambawatta, K. (2021). Hand and handprint measurements in the estimation of stature in a Sri Lankan population. International Journal of Morphology.

5. Nandasena, T. (2020). Dental arch morphology in normal occlusion of the Sri Lankan population. Sri Lanka Dental Journal.

Jack Ogony | Infectious Diseases | Outstanding Scientist Award

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Dr. Jack Ogony | Infectious Diseases | Outstanding Scientist Award

Research Associate | Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University | Kenya

Dr. Jack Ogony is a distinguished Research Associate at the Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance and Trainings (IRESSEF), with over 13 years of extensive experience in public health research across Sub-Saharan Africa. He is currently completing his PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, having previously earned a Master’s in Epidemiology from the same institution, a Postgraduate Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Kenya Institute of Management, and a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Dr. Ogony’s research primarily focuses on epidemiology, infectious diseases, climate change impacts on health systems, and vaccine and drug trial studies. He has contributed significantly to understanding the burden of Plasmodium falciparum and Dengue virus infections among under five in Western Kenya and the wider implications of climate change on African healthcare infrastructure. His work has been published in high-impact journals including Frontiers in Public Health, PLOS Global Public Health, and the East African Medical Journal, others, reflecting both the depth and breadth of his contributions. He has also served as Principal Investigator on multiple USAID-funded  under the Climate Adaptation Research Program (CARP). Recognized for his leadership and expertise, Dr. Ogony is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine. He has earned awards for scientific excellence and serves as a peer reviewer for multiple journals, contributing to the advancement of global health research and capacity building in and infectious disease control across Africa. He has 28 citations from 5 documents with an h-index of 2.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. Ogony, J., Menya, D., Mangeni, J. N., Ayodo, G., & Karanja, S. M. (2025). Public health facility vulnerabilities, preparedness and health outcomes for P. falciparum and Dengue virus infected children under 5 years with acute febrile illnesses in Western Kenya. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1526558.

2. Ogony, J., Mangeni, J., Ayodo, G., Amulen, E., Scopas, F., Juma, T., … & Hannah, C. (2025). The stifling burden of climate change on African public healthcare systems. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1559737.

3. Ogony, J., Karanja, S., Menya, D., Mangeni, J., & Ayodo, G. (2024). Prevalence and risk factors of Plasmodium falciparum and Dengue virus infections among children below 5 years with acute febrile illnesses in Kisumu and Busia Counties. East African Medical Journal, 101(12).

4. Owusu Agyare, B., Eder, P., Shenai, S., Chendi, B. H., Carlson, C., Iradukunda, A., Mukoka, M., Ogony, J., Manigart, O., O., O., Ogbaini-Emovon, E., & Seida, A. A. (2024). Potential implications of the climate crisis on diagnostics. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(3), e0002935.

5. Ogony, J., Obiero, B., Tukhuwa, B., Gondwe, C., Kampeta, E., Orner, C., & Tiruneh, T. (2021). Research knowledge translation activities in Africa: An outlook of the opportunities and obstacles. International Journal of Scientific Advances, 2(5), 8.