Jiayi Zheng | Vaccine Development | Research Excellence Award

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Ms. Jiayi Zheng | Vaccine Development | Research Excellence Award

Master’s student in Shantou University Medical College, China

Ms. Jiayi Zheng is a Master’s student in Immunology at Shantou University Medical College, focusing on virus-vectored multivalent enterovirus vaccine research with part of her work published in an SCI-indexed journal. She previously completed a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from Shaoguan University, earning three consecutive National Endeavor Scholarships. She also gained practical clinical experience through a ten-month internship at Yuebei People’s Hospital. Her technical expertise includes cell culture, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, ELISA, and laboratory mouse handling. She received a bronze award at the First National Graduate Academic Innovation and Achievement Transformation Competition. Her research applied immunoinformatics to identify key epitopes from EV71, CA16, and CA6 viruses. These epitopes were fused with an attenuated CVB3 vector to construct a novel vaccine candidate, rCV-A3V. Intranasal immunization in BALB/c mice successfully induced strong mucosal, humoral, and Th1-biased cellular immune responses. Notably, sIgA antibodies targeting multiple enteroviruses were detected in the milk of lactating mice, indicating potential maternal–neonatal passive immunity. This work highlights an innovative strategy for multivalent enterovirus vaccine development and supports the feasibility of intranasal immunization approaches.

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Featured Publications

 

Santiago Andres Henao Moran | Epidemiology | Innovative Research Award

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Dismas Oketch | Public Health | Excellence in Research Award

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Dr. Dismas Oketch | Public Health | Excellence in Research Award

PhD Research Fellow at University of Nairobi, Kenya

Dr. Dismas Oketch is a distinguished medical epidemiologist and One Health researcher with extensive expertise in infectious disease control, clinical trials, and global health leadership, holding a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Moi University, Kenya (2004), a Master of Science in Clinical Trials from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London (2011), a Fellowship in Advanced Science on Vaccines from the University of São Paulo, Brazil (2018), and currently completing a PhD in Infectious Diseases at the University of Nairobi (2025) with sponsorship from Washington State University. His doctoral research, titled “Molecular characterization of Brucella spp. and transmission dynamics of brucellosis among humans and livestock in Kenya,” applies a One Health approach to improve prevention and control strategies for brucellosis. Dr. Oketch has served as an Honorary Lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nairobi since 2023 and is an active member of the Kenya National Brucellosis Technical Working Group. He previously held the role of Research Officer and Programs Coordinator at the International Emerging Infections Program, Kenya Medical Research Institute–Center for Global Health Research in Kisumu, where he contributed significantly to national and regional infectious disease initiatives. In recognition of his early career impact, he was awarded the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Early Career Grant (NIHR24008) in 2024. His research leadership includes pivotal roles in major international studies such as the Partners PrEP study as Safety Monitor, HPV and p16INK4a ELISA cervical cancer screening studies as Coordinator, Antibody Mediated HIV Prevention (HPTN 081) and Long-Acting Cabotegravir Injection for HIV Prevention (HPTN 084) as Principal Investigator, and the DTRA Brucellosis and MERS-CoV study as Coordinator. Dr. Oketch actively engages in global scientific discourse, participating in forums such as the 10th International Conference on Infectious Disease Dynamics in San Diego, serving as a One Health Early Career Champion within the University of Helsinki–University of Nairobi collaboration, and contributing to the Kenya Medical Research Institute Annual Scientific and Health Conference in 2025. With strong training in global health leadership, public health research, and good clinical practice, he consistently builds high-performing, ethically grounded research teams. Driven by scientific rigor and strategic vision, Dr. Oketch aspires to be a global leader in One Health, vaccine development, and immunotherapy, committed to advancing global health security, equity, and sustainable social development while inspiring future generations to embrace scientific innovation, cultural understanding, and best practice.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Featured Publications

 

Dario Pezzini | Epidemiology of Drowning | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Dario Pezzini | Epidemiology of Drowning | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dario Pezzini | Federazione Italiana Nuoto | Italy

Prof. Dario Giorgio Pezzini is a professor of political science with a multidisciplinary background in logic, law, social sciences, and political science. He has extensive expertise in beach safety, lifesaving, and swimming instruction, having served as president of the “Mare sicuro” cooperative of lifeguards, lifeguard assistants, and swimming instructors, and as swimming pool manager and administrator. He organizes and manages collective rescue plans on numerous beaches and has been the National Technical Director of the National Lifesaving Society, preparing rescue strategies for municipalities throughout Italy. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Research Group for the Coastal Environment and serves as a technician for the Italian Swimming Federation. Prof. Pezzini has authored and edited numerous publications on lifesaving, swimming instruction, beach safety, drowning prevention, and political theory, including manuals, educational books, coastal management studies, and ISTISAN reports in collaboration with national health and research institutions. His research contributions focus on the study of accidents in seaside environments, development of drowning prevention strategies, and improvement of collective safety protocols. He has played a pivotal role in establishing national observatories and coordinating technical committees for swimming, environment, and accident prevention. Prof. Pezzini has 34 publications, which have been cited by 34 documents, and holds an h-index of 3, reflecting his significant impact in the fields of lifesaving, beach safety, and applied political science.

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Featured Publications

Study of the interference contribution on the performance of an adhesive bonded press-fitted cylindrical joint. International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives.

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel | Nursing Education | Outstanding Contribution Award

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Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel | Nursing Education | Outstanding Contribution Award

Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Portugal.

Maria Helena Pimentel is a distinguished Professor Coordinator at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB), Portugal, specializing in Nursing and Health Sciences. With decades of experience in academia and healthcare, she has contributed significantly to research in sociology, nursing education, and public health. Her leadership roles in the IPB, including serving as Director of the School of Health, demonstrate her commitment to advancing higher education and healthcare training.

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🎓 Education

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel holds a Ph.D. in Sociology (2011) from the University of Minho, Portugal, with a thesis on "Lifestyle and Health: The Daily Life of Students at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança." She earned a Master’s in Nursing Sciences (1999) from the University of Porto, focusing on "Nursing Students’ Perceptions of the Profession." Additionally, she completed a Postgraduate Specialization in Child and Pediatric Health Nursing (1993) at the Coimbra School of Nursing and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (1985) from the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal.

👩‍🏫 Professional Experience

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel is a Professor Coordinator (2012–present) at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal, where she previously served as an Adjunct Professor (2000–2012) and an Assistant Professor (1993–2000). Before her academic career, she worked as a Nurse (1986–1989) at the Bragança Hospital Unit, Portugal.

🔬 Research Interests

Maria Helena Pimentel's research focuses on:

Nursing Education and Training

Public Health and Healthcare Systems

Sociology of Health and Well-being

Lifestyle and Student Health

🏆 Awards & Leadership Roles

Director of the School of Health – IPB (2009–2017)

President of the Scientific and Pedagogical Council – IPB (2009–2017)

Member of the Scientific Council of IPB (2017–Present)

International Collaborations through Erasmus Programs (Spain, France, Portugal)

📚 Selected Publications

"Consumption of Major Psychoactive Substances During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Higher Education Students", Revista de Enfermagem Referência (2023). DOI: 10.12707/RVI22031

"Local Health Unit: A Vertical Integration Model of Healthcare", Revista de Enfermagem Referência (2022). DOI: 10.12707/RV21061

"Human Work on the Frontline of the Pandemic: Socio-Health Assistance", Lex Social: Revista de Derechos Sociales (2021). DOI: 10.46661/lexsocial.5972

"Participation in Community Intervention Programs and Quality of Life: Findings from a Multicenter Study in Portugal", Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia (2020). DOI: 10.1590/1981-22562020023.190017

"Social Benefits in Portuguese Public Higher Education Over the Last Four Decades", AULA (2017). DOI: 10.14201/aula201723