Melkamu Dagnew | Infectious Diseases | Editorial Board Member

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Mr. Melkamu Dagnew | Infectious Diseases | Editorial Board Member

Lecurer | Bahir Dar University| Ethiopia

Melkamu Andargie is a dedicated scholar in plant pathology and plant disease management whose work reflects a strong commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural systems and improving crop resilience through scientific innovation. With a research background rooted in rigorous academic training at Bahir Dar University, he has contributed to a diverse portfolio of studies spanning plant–microbe interactions, disease epidemiology, biocontrol strategies, and the broader ecological dimensions of agricultural health. His publications demonstrate a wide-ranging expertise, from exploring the ethnobiological importance of animals in traditional medicine to investigating physiological interventions such as gibberellic acid seed priming for enhancing germination and early growth under salinity stress. He has also collaborated extensively on multidisciplinary assessments of environmental contaminants, including heavy metal accumulation in aquatic ecosystems, reflecting his broader interest in agroecological safety and public health. In the field of crop protection, his reviews and field-based research provide critical insights into the occurrence, distribution, and management of major cereal diseases, particularly rice and finger millet pathologies that threaten food security in vulnerable regions. His recent work highlights the potential of microbial biocontrol agents in managing destructive fungal diseases, underscoring his commitment to eco-friendly, scalable solutions for smallholder farming communities. Through active collaboration with national and international researchers across plant sciences, crop protection, microbiology, and environmental studies, he has built a research profile that contributes meaningfully to global scientific discourse. His scholarship has gained steady recognition through citations and readership across respected journals, reflecting both academic impact and practical relevance. Overall, Melkamu Andargie’s research advances evidence-based, sustainable approaches to plant health, while supporting agricultural resilience, environmental stewardship, and improved livelihoods for farming communities. He has 114 citations from 8 documents with an h-index of 4.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus 

Publications

1. Kendie, F. A., Mekuriaw, S. A., & Dagnew, M. A. (2018). Ethnozoological study of traditional medicinal appreciation of animals and their products among the indigenous people of Metema Woreda, North-Western Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.

2. Tsegay, B. A., & Andargie, M. (2018). Seed priming with Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) alleviates salinity induced inhibition of germination and seedling growth of Zea mays L. and Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum A. Braun. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology.

3. Kindie, M., Andargie, M., Hilluf, W., & Amare, M. (2020). Assessment on level of selected heavy metals in Nile tilapia and Barbus fish species and water samples from the southern parts of Lake Tana, Ethiopia. Scientific African.

4. Andargie, M., Abera, M., Tesfaye, A., & Demis, E. (2024). Occurrence, distribution, and management experiences of rice (Oryza sativa L.) major diseases and pests in Ethiopia: A review. Cogent Food & Agriculture.

5. Andargie, M., Abera, M., Alemu, T., & Bekele, B. (2024). The potential of bacterial biocontrols in managing finger millet blast disease and promoting growth: A review. The Microbe.

Rebecca Muhunuza Nalule | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Rebecca Muhunuza Nalule | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award 

Senior Lecturer | Busitema University | Uganda

Dr. Rebecca Muhumuza Nalule is an accomplished Ugandan academic and senior lecturer in Mathematics with a distinguished career dedicated to advancing applied statistics, stochastic processes, and mathematical modeling in research and education. Her scholarly contributions span areas of Bayesian inference, spatio-temporal analysis, and meta-analytic methodologies, reflecting a deep commitment to using mathematical frameworks to interpret complex data structures and support evidence-based decision-making across multidisciplinary domains. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications in reputable international journals, often collaborating with renowned statisticians and researchers from global institutions such as Örebro University in Sweden and Makerere University, Uganda. Her academic journey demonstrates a continuous pursuit of excellence, integrating mathematical rigor with practical applications that inform both the scientific community and policy-oriented research. Dr. Nalule has actively participated in international conferences and workshops across Europe and Africa, enhancing collaborative research networks and contributing to the global discourse on the role of mathematics in societal development. Beyond research, she has shown strong leadership in advancing women’s participation in science through her roles in regional and international organizations such as the Uganda Women Mathematicians and the Eastern Africa Network for Women in Basic Sciences. Her teaching portfolio encompasses undergraduate and postgraduate mathematics, emphasizing critical thinking, analytical skills, and research-driven pedagogy. Through her mentorship and outreach, Dr. Nalule continues to inspire a new generation of scientists and educators. Her work bridges theory and application, reflecting an enduring vision of mathematics as a transformative tool for innovation, problem-solving, and sustainable development within academia and society at large.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID

Publications

1. Skiadas, C. H., & Skiadas, C. (2020). Demography of population health, aging and health expenditures. Springer International Publishing.

2. Batiibwe, M. S. K., Nannyonga, B. K., Taliba, C., Nalule, R., & Puglia, C. (2020). Investigating math self-efficacy and math anxiety regarding gender, A-level math entry grade and mathematics achievement. Journal of Education and Practice

3. Bodnar, O., Muhumuza, R. N., & Possolo, A. (2020). Bayesian inference for heterogeneity in meta-analysis. Metrologia

4. Mbabazi, F. K., Osman, S., Kweyunga, E. H., Abubakar, M., Keikara, M. A., & others. (2023). An optimal control for Ebola virus disease with a convex incidence rate: Imputing from the outbreak in Uganda. Qeios.

5. Muhumuza, A. K., Mbabazi, F. K., Nalule, R. M., Mwasa, A., & others. (n.d.). Enhancing research output in higher institutions of learning: A case study of Busitema University research model. The Uganda Higher Education Review.

Sulymon Saka | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sulymon Saka | Infectious Diseases | Best Researcher Award

Resident doctor | Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital | Nigeria

Dr. Sulýmon Ayobami Saka is an emerging Nigerian physician-scientist whose research bridges clinical medicine, audiology, infectious disease epidemiology, and the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Trained at Ambrose Alli University with first-class honours equivalent in Medicine and Surgery, he has established a distinguished record of multidisciplinary research that spans global health, otolaryngology, and data-driven clinical innovation. His academic contributions include multiple peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as BMC Infectious Diseases, BMC Public Health, and the Journal of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, reflecting his commitment to evidence-based advancement in medicine. Dr. Saka’s research experience extends across several international collaborations, including the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Germany and Sleep & Cradle® Solutions in the United States, where he contributes to studies on Lassa fever vaccine development, digital maternal and paediatric health, and long-term sequelae of infectious diseases. His scientific works emphasize the intersection of technology and clinical care—exploring how artificial intelligence, digital health platforms, and precision diagnostics can improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income settings. Recognized with multiple awards, including the ECOWAS Lassa Fever International Conference Scholarship and the Newcastle University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship, Dr. Saka exemplifies a new generation of African medical researchers advancing global scientific dialogue. Through his leadership in research and mentorship, he continues to contribute to projects that not only enhance disease surveillance and clinical epidemiology but also foster equitable access to healthcare innovations. His work underscores a vision for a future where interdisciplinary science, cross-border collaboration, and artificial intelligence converge to transform patient care and strengthen health systems across the developing world. He has 9 citations from 9 documents with an h-index of 2.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Publications

1. Sibomana, O., Saka, S. A., Grace Uwizeyimana, M., Mwangi Kihunyu, A., Obianke, A., Oluwo Damilare, S., Bueh, L. T., Agbelemoge, B. O. G., & Omoefe Oveh, R. (2025). Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Endoscopy in Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Tumors: A Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Gastro Hep Advances.

2. Blackie, F. F., Saka, S. A., Ikhifa, C. E., Okechukwu, E. J., & Agbonifo, M. (2025). Aural Myiasis in a Retroviral-Positive Nigerian Child: A Rare Case of Extensive Ear Infestation. Research Square.

3. Emekolom, O. N., Oladipupo, E. O., Saka, S. A., Ojo, D. O., Edhugo, S. E., Olayinka, A. J., & Aremu-Cole, A. H. (2025). Compliance with Universal Standard Precautions and Perceived Influencing Factors among Nurses in a Tertiary Institution in Edo State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Research in Nursing and Health.

4. Akhigbe, M. E., Saka, S. A., Ighodaro, O., Ghouse, M. A., Emekolom, O. N., & Okoro, O. V. (2025). Doctors’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Prescription Practices on Antibiotic Use: A Study in a Suburban Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria. BMC Health Services Research.

5. Saka, S. A., Ojo, D. O., Mezu, N. M., Uzuegbu, C. O., Ighodaro, O., Illoh, O. O., Emekolom, O. N., Akpa, O. A., Obiora, E. A., & Muogbo, A. P. (2025). Knowledge, Perception and Preventive Practices of Lassa Fever Among Mothers of Under-Five Children in an Endemic Community in Edo State, Nigeria. Research Square.

Veena Kumari HB | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Veena Kumari HB | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Professor | National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences | India

Dr. Veena Kumari HB is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Neuromicrobiology at NIMHANS, Bangalore, with extensive expertise in the diagnosis, management, and research of central nervous system (CNS) infections. She completed her Doctorate in Microbiology and has since established herself as a leading clinician-scientist, combining rigorous laboratory research with translational clinical studies. Her key research areas encompass bacterial and fungal brain infections, ventriculitis, meningitis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Cryptococcus species, and COVID-19-associated neurological complications, with a strong focus on molecular characterization, epidemiology, and infection control strategies. Dr. Veena Kumari has an impressive publication record, including high-impact contributions such as her multivariate biomarker study in ventriculitis (Scientific Reports, 2025), investigations into device-associated meningitis and linezolid-resistant pathogens, and extensive analyses of CNS cryptococcosis across pre- and post-HIV eras. She has also led and contributed to several major research projects funded by ICMR, SERB, and institutional grants, exploring diagnostic innovations, antifungal susceptibility, and microbial population dynamics. In recognition of her scientific excellence, she has received numerous honors for her contributions to medical microbiology and neurology, and she actively serves as a reviewer and editorial board member for prominent journals in infectious diseases and microbiology. Dr. Veena Kumari HB’s career reflects a rare integration of clinical acumen, research rigor, and mentorship, positioning her as a transformative leader in the field of neuromicrobiology and infectious disease research in India and globally.

Profile: Google Scholar

Publications

1. Kumari, H. B. V., Nagarathna, S., & Chandramuki, A. (2007). Antimicrobial resistance pattern among aerobic gram-negative bacilli of lower respiratory tract specimens of intensive care unit patients in a neurocentre.

2. Srinivas, D., HB, V. K., Somanna, S., Bhagavatula, I., & Anandappa, C. B. (2011). The incidence of postoperative meningitis in neurosurgery: An institutional experience. Neurology India.

3. Chandramuki, A., Lyashchenko, K., Kumari, H. B. V., Khanna, N., Brusasca, P. N., … (2002). Detection of antibody to Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein antigens in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with tuberculous meningitis.

4. Kulkarni, G. B., Pal, P. K., Kumari, H. B. V., Goyal, M., Kovoor, J. M. E., Nadig, S., … (2009). Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pyomyositis with myelitis: A rare occurrence with diverse presentation.

5. Dhandapani, S., Rajshekar, D., Priyadarshi, K., Krishnamoorthi, S., … (2023). Comparison of hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in intensive care units and wards of COVID-19: A large-scale multicentric study in India.