Raquel Martín García | Biological Network | Best Research Article Award

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Dr. Raquel Martín García | Biological Network | Best Research Article Award

Puerta de Hierro University Hospital Majadahonda | Spain

Dr. Raquel Martín García is a highly accomplished neurologist specializing in movement and sleep disorders, with extensive academic and clinical expertise. She earned her Degree in Medicine and Surgery (2010–2016) and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery at the Autonomous University of Madrid. After completing her Neurology specialization at Puerta de Hierro University Hospital (2017–2021), she has since served as a Specialist Physician in the Movement Disorders Unit and the Sleep Unit at leading hospitals and research centers in Madrid, including the Sleep Research Institute and CISNe Comprehensive Sleep and Neuroscience Center. Dr. Martín García holds multiple postgraduate qualifications, including a Master’s in Movement Disorders, expert titles in Headaches and Neurosonology, and advanced certifications in cerebrovascular and hereditary neurological diseases. Her research contributions include several publications in prestigious international journals such as European Journal of Neurology, Brain Sciences, and Epilepsy & Behavior, as well as book chapters for Springer and the Oxford Handbook of Sleep and Sleep Disorders. She has actively presented her work at major neurology conferences, participated as a sub-investigator in numerous Phase II and III clinical trials on Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, and contributed to teaching and mentoring at the Autonomous University of Madrid. Recognized for her dedication to advancing neurological sciences, she received the STADA Fellowship from the AMN Movement Disorders Group in 2024.

Profiles: Scopus

Featured Publications

"Device-aided therapies (DATs) in Parkinson's disease (PD). The DATs-PD GETM Spanish Registry Protocol Study", Martín García R, Plos One, 2025.

Olalekan Akinsulie | Biological Network | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Olalekan Akinsulie | Biological Network | Best Researcher Award

Washington State University | United States

Dr. Olalekan Akinsulie is a distinguished researcher with extensive expertise in immunology, molecular biology, and advanced analytical techniques. His proficiency spans tissue and cell culture, bacterial culture, antimicrobial resistance testing, and sophisticated single-cell analyses such as flow cytometry, cell sorting, immunomagnetic cell selection, and immunohistochemistry. He possesses strong molecular cloning skills, expertise in recombinant protein generation and purification through High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and advanced competence in Liquid-Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for protein identification. Dr. Akinsulie is also highly skilled in DNA extraction, PCR-based gene expression analysis, and microscopic imaging using both light and electron microscopy. His research integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and bioinformatics tools for disease surveillance, epidemiology, and genomic data interpretation. With robust programming and data analytics skills in R, Python, and Minitab, he effectively develops statistical models and data visualizations. Complementing his scientific expertise, Dr. Akinsulie brings over two decades of experience with Microsoft Office tools, excelling in document management, data analysis, and professional presentations—reflecting his commitment to precision, innovation, and research excellence.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Serological and molecular epidemiology of West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, and tick-borne encephalitis viruses in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis'", RO Adesola, FA Ajibade, D Hossain, AB Onoja, ST Agbaje, OC Akinsulie, Discover Viruses, 2025.

"COVID-19 and cholera co-infection and comorbidity in Africa and Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis", OC Akinsulie, Journal of Global Health Economics, 2025.

"Dermatophilosis: Current Advances and Future Directions", OG Banwo, OC Akinsulie, RO Adesola, OT Jeremiah, Acta Microbiologica Hellenica, 2025.

"Ticks and Tickborne Diseases in Global South Countries: Impact and Implications of Environmental Changes", S Shahzad, OC Akinsulie, I Idris, P Devnath, D Ajagbe, VA Aliyu, Frontiers in Tropical Diseases, 2025.

"Diphtheria in Nigeria: the participatory epidemiology we need", SC Ogunleye, MM Olorunshola, AT Aborode, OC Akinsulie IJS, Global Health, 2024.

Nurulhasanah Othman | Technological Networks | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Nurulhasanah Othman | Technological Networks | Best Researcher Award

University of Science | Malaysia

Dr. Nurulhasanah Othman is a distinguished researcher recognized for her extensive contributions in the fields of molecular parasitology, proteomics, and infectious disease research. As a Principal Investigator and Co-Researcher on numerous national and university-funded projects, her work reflects a deep commitment to advancing biomedical science and public health. She currently leads a national grant project under the Ministry of Education Malaysia (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia) focusing on elucidating the potential inhibitory roles of dextromethorphan and azathioprine targeting Rho GTPase to combat metronidazole-resistant E. histolytica HM1-IMSS (MTZR). Her collaborative projects span a range of innovative studies, including comparative proteome profiling in cervical cancer tissues, identification of immunogenic proteins in G. duodenalis, exploration of antibody profiles in Strongyloides stercoralis, and the development of novel multiplex qPCR assays for triple-negative breast cancer markers. Dr. Nurulhasanah has also served as the Principal Investigator for multiple University Sains Malaysia (USM) research grants, including investigations into pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti, proteomic analyses of Entamoeba histolytica for vaccine development, and protein detection studies using MALDI-TOF/TOF technology. As a Co-Researcher, she has contributed to large-scale genome projects, such as the genomic and proteomic analyses of Malaysian mangrove crab species and horseshoe crabs, as well as molecular diagnostic assay development for Leptospira spp. detection. Through her leadership and interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Nurulhasanah has made significant strides in proteomic-based pathogen research, genomic studies, and the pursuit of novel molecular tools for disease control and therapeutic innovation.

Profiles: Orcid ID | Scopus

Featured Publications

"Application of Proteomics to the Study of the Therapeutics and Pathogenicity of Giardia duodenalis"

"Entamoeba histolytica: Membrane and Non-Membrane Protein Structure, Function, Immune Response Interaction, and Vaccine Development"

"A Review: Natural and Synthetic Compounds Targeting Entamoeba histolytica and Its Biological Membrane"

"Evaluation of Total Female and Male Aedes aegypti Proteomes Reveals Significant Predictive Protein–Protein Interactions, Functional Ontologies, and Differentially Abundant Proteins"

"Entamoeba histolytica: Proteomics Bioinformatics Reveal Predictive Functions and Protein–Protein Interactions of Differentially Abundant Membrane and Cytosolic Proteins"

Eddie Wampande | Biological Networks | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Eddie M. Wampande | Biological Networks | Best Researcher Award

Makerere University | Uganda

Author Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

DR. EDDIE M. WAMPANDE: A VISIONARY IN INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND VETERINARY SCIENCE

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Eddie M. Wampande began his academic journey with a scholarship awarded by the Government of Uganda to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine (BVM) at Makerere University from 1993 to 1998. Driven by a strong passion for infectious diseases and parasitology, he advanced to complete a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology (Parasitology) at the same university with a WHO/TDR scholarship. His academic accomplishments culminated in a Ph.D. in Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, with a focus on the phenotypes and microevolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, supported by the Tuberculosis Research Unit (TBRU), Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Wampande’s professional journey has been deeply intertwined with Makerere University. He began as a Research Assistant (2000–2002) in the Molecular Biology Laboratory and gradually progressed to Research Associate (2002–2005) and later Senior Lecturer (2005 to date). In 2012, he joined the University of Basel’s Swiss Tropical Institute and Public Health as a Research Fellow, and since 2014, he has been serving as the Director of the Central Diagnostic Laboratory. His commitment to capacity building is evident in his leadership of diagnostic and research programs, reflecting strong administrative and technical expertise.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON BIOLOGICAL NETWORKS

Dr. Wampande's primary research focus is on the molecular epidemiology of infectious pathogens of both economic and public health significance, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, African Swine Fever Virus, Trypanosoma brucei, and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. He has supervised 15 MSc students to completion, covering diverse research areas including tuberculosis genotyping, HIV diagnosis, zoonotic transmission, and antibiotic resistance. His Ph.D. mentorship includes completed theses and ongoing research projects related to TB-HIV co-infections and antimicrobial resistance dynamics in poultry farms. He has also served as external examiner for Ph.D. theses from other countries, evidencing his continental influence.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Wampande has been instrumental in multiple resource mobilization efforts, securing national and international grants totaling over USD 1.3 million, supporting projects ranging from vector-borne diseases to molecular diagnostics and zoonotic infections. He led the “Stamp Out Sleeping Sickness” initiative in Eastern Uganda (2010–2015) and coordinated large-scale field surveys such as the serological bovine tuberculosis survey in Karamoja (2022) and control programs targeting tick and bacterial resistance (2015–2019). His work has directly impacted national policy on disease surveillance, diagnostics, and animal-human health interface management.

ACADEMIC CITES

His scholarly work and technical reviews have earned him appointments such as Reviewer for the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (2015–2017) and BMC Infectious Diseases (2017–2020). He is a member of several key scientific bodies, including the Genome Analysis Working Group and Microbiome Working Group under H3Africa, a continent-wide initiative promoting genomic research. His contributions to genome bioinformatics were further recognized by a three-month fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine, USA, funded by the MRC/UVRI Infection and Immunity Program.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Wampande’s legacy lies in his consistent dedication to training the next generation of African scientists, advancing research infrastructure, and deepening our understanding of infectious disease epidemiology. His participation in global initiatives like the THRiVE Program (Welcome Trust, UK) and Cambridge Africa’s Alborado Research Scheme underlines his commitment to collaborative science. Looking ahead, his ongoing Ph.D. supervision, continuous research in African Swine Fever epidemiology, and further exploration of zoonotic diseases place him in a pivotal role in shaping Africa's public health research landscape.

OTHER NOTABLE TOPICS

HONORS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Dr. Wampande has received numerous accolades, including the Makerere University Research Award for Excellence, Welcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship, and Gates Foundation Travel Grant.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
He remains an advocate for community-inclusive scientific approaches, using participatory methods to combat diseases and ensure sustainable practices in animal husbandry, agriculture, and diagnostics across Uganda.

RESOURCE MOBILIZATION EXPERTISE
He has led and co-led research projects funded by major organizations such as the United States Department of Agriculture, Defence Threat Reduction Agency, and the WHO/TDR, contributing to cross-sectoral innovation and knowledge application in both academic and governmental contexts.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

"A description of the clinical signs and lesions of African swine fever, and its differential diagnoses in pigs slaughtered at selected abattoirs in central Uganda" 

  • Author: JE Ekakoro, A Nassali, C Hauser, K Ochoa, D Ndoboli, R Okwasiimire
  • Journal: Frontiers in Veterinary Science
  • Year: 2025

"Detection and molecular characterisation of fowl adenovirus associated with inclusion body hepatitis and hydropericardium syndrome in Uganda" 

  • Author: W Eneku, R Okwasiimire, F Mutebi, M Kisekka, S Kakooza, M Afayoa
  • Journal: Tropical Animal Health and Production
  • Year: 2025

"Patterns of compensatory mutations in rpoA/B/C genes of multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis in Uganda" 

  • Author: DP Kateete, S Namakula, E Kigozi, FA Katabazi, GW Kasule, K Musisi
  • Journal: bioRxiv
  • Year: 2025

"Hepatoprotective effect of methanol fruit extract of Punica granatum L in highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced toxicity in Wistar rats" 

  • Author: E Kwizera, EM Wampande, CD Kato, P Mujinya, A Wandera, F Bwambale
  • Journal: Drug and Chemical Toxicology
  • Year: 2024

"Polymorphisms in immune genes and their association with tuberculosis susceptibility: An analysis of the African population" 

  • Author: W Wodelo, EM Wampande, A Andama, DP Kateete, K Ssekatawa
  • Journal: The Application of Clinical Genetics
  • Year: 2024