Handan Özcan | Gynecology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Global Diseases Research

Ms. Handan Özcan | Gynecology | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor| University of Health Sciences | Turkey

Dr. Handan Özcan, Associate Professor at the University of Health Sciences, is a distinguished scholar in women’s health, midwifery, and psychosocial interventions, with research spanning perinatal mental health, reproductive and sexual health, menopause, complementary therapies, and patient-centered care. Her multidisciplinary projects integrate clinical practice, education, and evidence-based strategies to address critical challenges in maternal and reproductive health, empowering women through innovative approaches that improve quality of life and health outcomes. She has conducted influential studies on stigma in HPV-positive women, perinatal grief, postpartum mental health, endometriosis, and the use of non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness, music, and complementary therapies. In addition to her extensive teaching and curriculum development experience, she has edited key academic books, authored numerous book chapters, and served as reviewer and editorial board member for leading journals. Dr. Özcan is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Association, Turkish Nurses Association, and European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, contributing to global collaborations in advancing women’s health. She has authored over 85 peer-reviewed journal articles, with notable publications in 2025 addressing chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, postpartum depression, sleep quality, and women’s health challenges in conflict zones. Her work has been widely recognized, accumulating 76 citations, with an h-index of 5 and i10-index of 25, reflecting both the academic impact and global relevance of her research contributions. Through innovation, mentorship, and impactful scholarship, Dr. Özcan exemplifies excellence in advancing maternal and women’s health worldwide.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Karakaş, S., Uzun, S., & Özcan, H. (2025). The effect of omega-3 fatty acid use on women’s mental health in postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis study. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira, 71(1), e20241389. Cited by: 1

2. Elkoca, A., Özcan, H., & Kahraman, B. Y. (2025). Complementary and alternative medicine therapies used by women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 12(1), 75–80. Cited by: 3

3. Çuvadar, A., & Özcan, H. (2025). Effects of civil war on young women in Somalia: Exploring the relationships between death anxiety, meaning in life and self‐esteem. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 31(1), e70035. Cited by: 1

4. Özcan, H., Oral, S., Kuruay, Ş., & Yilmaz, B. M. (2025). The effect of music on pain, anxiety and satisfaction during nonstress testing. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 31(1), e14106. Cited by: 2

5. Özcan, H., & Güngör, T. (2024). Breastfeeding experience and anxiety in mothers with COVID-19 in the postnatal period: A qualitative study. Archives of Public Health, 82(1), 62. Cited by: 2

Toluwani Adekunle | Cervical Cancer Prevention | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Global Diseases Research

Dr. Toluwani Adekunle | Cervical Cancer Prevention | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Calvin University | United States

Dr. Toluwani Elizabeth Adekunle is a dedicated public health scholar and educator whose work bridges health equity, global health, and structural determinants of health with a strong focus on trust, cancer disparities, and the lived experiences of marginalized populations. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Louisville, along with advanced degrees in public health, business administration, and international development. As an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Calvin University, Dr. Adekunle teaches courses in global health, program design, and evaluation while mentoring future leaders in health research and practice. Her ongoing research programs investigate medical mistrust in healthcare, the role of artificial intelligence in care provision, and cervical cancer screening uptake among underserved communities. She has received multiple grants, including funding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation and the Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship, underscoring her innovative approaches to addressing structural inequities in health. Dr. Adekunle’s scholarly contributions include national and international conference presentations and publications that illuminate critical issues in cancer prevention, HIV care, and maternal health. Her professional experience extends to humanitarian work with the United Nations, health program management with the African Resource Center, and policy analysis with RAND Corporation, reflecting her commitment to bridging research and practice. Recognized with fellowships, awards, and leadership roles, she exemplifies excellence in scholarship, teaching, and community engagement. Her publications are gaining scholarly impact, with 16 documents indexed in Scopus, 26 citations across 25 documents, and an h-index of 2 (Scopus ID: 57801018500), highlighting her growing influence in global public health research.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Fwelo, P., Nwosu, K. O. S., Adekunle, T. E., Afolayan, O., Ahaiwe, O., Ojaruega, A. A., … (2023). Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences in breast cancer surgery performed and delayed treatment: Mediating impact on mortality. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 199(3), 511–531.
Cited by: 18

2. Adekunle, T. E., Ahmed, M., & Afifi, R. (2021). A qualitative study to understand cervical cancer awareness and prevention among African immigrant women (AIW) in Iowa City, Iowa. International Journal of Women’s Health and Wellness, 7(1).
Cited by: 6

3. Fwelo, P., Afolayan, O., Nwosu, K. O. S., Ojaruega, A. A., Ahaiwe, O., Olateju, O. A., … (2023). Racial and ethnic differences in colon cancer surgery type performed and delayed treatment among people 45 years old and older in the USA between 2007 and 2017: Mediating effects. Surgical Oncology, 50, 101983.
Cited by: 5

4. Fwelo, P., Li, R., Heredia, N. I., Nyachoti, D., Adekunle, T. E., Adekunle, T. B., … (2025). Disparities in thyroid cancer mortality across racial and ethnic groups: Assessing the impact of socioeconomic, clinicopathologic, and treatment variations. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 32(2), 1158–1175.
Cited by: 3

5. Ewing, A. P., Alalwan, M. A., Brown, J. A., Adekunle, T. E., Korley, N. D., Nafiu, T. C., … (2022). Physically fit with a higher cancer risk? Influences of cervical cancer screening among a sample of physically active women ages 21–49 living in the United States. Preventive Medicine Reports, 30, 101978.
Cited by: 3