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.

Maryam koosha | Health Policy | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Maryam koosha | Health Policy | Editorial Board Member

Associate Professor | Institiute for humanities and cultural studies | Iran

Maryam Koosha, PhD, is an accomplished scholar in social welfare whose research spans breast cancer care, women’s health, aging studies, and social policy analysis, with a particular focus on how structural, cultural, and socioeconomic dynamics shape health outcomes in Iran. Her work demonstrates a sustained commitment to integrating social sciences with public health to advance patient-centered care and evidence-informed policymaking. Dr. Koosha has contributed extensively to the understanding of breast cancer experiences, including screening strategies, supportive care needs, lifestyle-related risk factors, and coping behaviors, collaborating widely with medical, psychosocial, and public health researchers across multidisciplinary platforms. Her publications in reputable national and international journals reflect the breadth of her scholarship, covering systematic and scoping reviews, randomized clinical trial collaborations, qualitative studies, and policy development research. Beyond oncology, she has emerged as a leading voice in gerontology and social health, developing policy models for enhancing the social well-being of older adults, analyzing policy gaps, and offering strategic directions for strengthening support systems in the context of rapid demographic change and the feminization of aging. Her academic contributions extend to cultural studies, social discourse analysis, and comparative welfare research, reinforcing her role as a thinker who bridges theory and applied policy. Dr. Koosha’s body of work reflects meaningful societal impact, informing service delivery, shaping evidence-based interventions, and providing insight for future policy reforms aimed at promoting equity, resilience, and community-centered support structures. Through her interdisciplinary collaborations, rigorous scholarship, and focus on vulnerable populations, she continues to advance the understanding of how social welfare principles can improve health outcomes and quality of life within evolving social and cultural landscapes.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Omidi, Z., Koosha, M., Nazeri, N., Khosravi, N., Zolfaghari, S., & Haghighat, S. (2022). Status of breast cancer screening strategies and indicators in Iran: A scoping review.

2. Farajivafa, V., Khosravi, N., Rezaee, N., Koosha, M., & Haghighat, S. (2023). Effectiveness of home-based exercise in breast cancer survivors: A randomized clinical trial.

3. Khosravi, N., Nazeri, N., Farajivafa, V., Olfatbakhsh, A., Atashi, A., Koosha, M., … (2019). Supportive care of breast cancer patients in Iran: A systematic review.

4. Koosha, M., Haghighat, S., Karampoor, R., Shekarbeygi, A., Bahrami, A., … (2017). Evaluation of socio-economic status and its impact on coping behavior of patients with breast cancer.

5. Koosha, M., Hezarjaribi, J., Allameh, H., Panahi, M. A., & Lalegani, A. (2022). Designing a policy model for enhancing social health of the elderly.