Raeesa Manjoo-Docrat | Infectious Diseases | Young Researcher Award

Published on by Global Diseases Research

Dr. Raeesa Manjoo-Docrat | Infectious Diseases | Young Researcher Award 

Lecturer | Univeristy of the Witwatersrand | South Africa

Dr. Raeesa Manjoo-Docrat is a developing scholar affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, whose work contributes to the advancement of quantitative epidemiology and public health modelling in South Africa. Her research focuses on the development and application of spatial, age-stratified epidemiological models aimed at understanding disease transmission dynamics within heterogeneous populations. With four peer-reviewed publications and 27 citations, she has established a growing academic footprint supported by an h-index of 2, reflecting the early but significant influence of her work. Her recent open-access article in Heliyon (2025), which applies spatial modelling frameworks to the South African COVID-19 pandemic, exemplifies her commitment to integrating mathematical rigor with real-world public health challenges. Manjoo-Docrat has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams comprising epidemiologists, mathematicians, and public health scientists, enabling her to contribute to robust analytical frameworks and high-quality scientific outputs. These collaborations also highlight her ability to operate effectively within diverse research environments and to engage in evidence-based problem solving that supports both academic and policy-relevant outcomes. Her research sits at the intersection of infectious disease dynamics, health systems planning, and data-driven decision support, positioning her work within a globally relevant domain of applied epidemiology. Beyond academic metrics, her contributions have societal impact by informing approaches to epidemic preparedne  ss, guiding interventions for vulnerable demographic groups, and enhancing understanding of spatial disparities in health outcomes. Through her continued scholarship, Manjoo-Docrat aims to strengthen the integration of mathematical modelling into national and regional public health strategies, ensuring that data-informed insights contribute to improved health resilience and equitable disease control.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Manjoo-Docrat, R., Abdelatif, N., Holloway, J., Dudeni-Tlhone, N., Dresselhaus, C., Mbayise, E., … Makhanya, S. (2025). Spatial age-stratified epidemiological model with applications to South African COVID-19 pandemic. Heliyon, 11(11), e43171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e43171

2. Dresselhaus, C., Fabris-Rotelli, I., Manjoo-Docrat, R., Brettenny, W., Holloway, J., Thiede, R., Debba, P., & Dudeni-Tlhone, N. (2023). A spatial model with vaccinations for COVID-19 in South Africa. Spatial Statistics, 58, Article 100792. Cited by 2.

3. Manjoo-Docrat, R. (2022). A spatio-stochastic model for the spread of infectious diseases. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 533, 110943.  Cited by 16.

4. Fabris-Rotelli, I., Holloway, J., Kimmie, Z., Archibald, S., Debba, P., Manjoo-Docrat, R., … Potgieter, A. (2022). A Spatial SEIR Model for COVID-19 in South Africa. Journal of Data Science, Statistics, and Visualisation, 2(7), 14–45.  Cited by 5.

Tayebeh Roghani | Non-Communicable Diseases | Editorial Board Member

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Tayebeh Roghani | Non-Communicable Diseases | Editorial Board Member

Assistant Professor | Isfahan University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Assist. Prof. Dr. Tayebeh Roghanii is an accomplished researcher at the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences whose work has contributed significantly to advancing biomedical and public health knowledge. With a portfolio of 15 peer-reviewed publications and over 236 citations across 216 citing documents, she has established a strong scholarly presence marked by methodological rigor and interdisciplinary depth. Her research spans critical areas of medical science, reflecting a sustained commitment to improving clinical outcomes and informing evidence-based practice. Through collaborations with more than 40 co-authors, she has engaged in diverse scientific networks, enriching her work with multidisciplinary insights and contributing to broader scientific discourse. Her h-index of 7 underscores both the productivity and influence of her scholarship within the global research community. Roghani’s contributions demonstrate a focus on generating impactful evidence that supports better decision-making in healthcare systems, enhances disease understanding, and addresses emerging medical challenges. Her scientific output also reflects a dedication to mentoring and collaborative teamwork, reinforcing the importance of shared expertise in advancing health research. As her work continues to gain recognition, she stands out as a committed academic whose research provides meaningful societal value by informing clinical guidelines, shaping public health strategies, and strengthening the scientific foundation necessary for improving patient care and population health outcomes.

Profiles: ORCID | Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Ghomash Baf Zadeh, R., Roghani, T., Gladin, A., Katzman, W. B., Bokaee, F., & Adibi, P. (2025). Spinal‐Related Musculoskeletal Determinants of Functional Abdominal Bloating and Distension: A Narrative Review. Health Science Reports, 8(7).  Cited by 23.

2. Roghani, T., Allen, D. D., Gladin, A., Rahimi, A., Mehrabi, M., Rezaeian, Z. S., Farajzadegan, Z., & Katzman, W. B. (2024). The association between physical function and hyperkyphosis in older females: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 47(2), 85-96.  Cited by 11.

3. Roghani, T., Gladin, A., Talebian, S., Khalkhali Zavieh, M., Niknam, H., & Katzman, W. B. (2022). Sagittal spinal mobility and back extensor muscle function in older females with age-related hyperkyphosis. Journal of Modern Rehabilitation, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v16i2.9306. — Cited by 1.

4. Mahmoodiaghdam, S., Nodehi, M., Aryanfar, H., Roghani, T., Baghban, A. A., & Khalkhali Zavieh, M. (2024). Investigating the difference between thoracic kyphosis and its mobility in community-dwelling older men and women. Journal of Modern Rehabilitation, 18(3), 310-316.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Tayebeh Roghani advances scientific understanding of musculoskeletal health, aging, and rehabilitation through evidence-based research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work strengthens clinical practice by generating insights that enhance functional outcomes and quality of life for diverse patient populations. She envisions a future where accessible, data-driven rehabilitation strategies improve global well-being.

Shiping Zhu | Medicine | Best Innovation Award

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Dr. Shiping Zhu | Medicine | Best Innovation Award 

Associate Chief Physician | The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University | China

Dr. Shiping Zhu is a highly accomplished materials scientist and polymer engineer whose influential research has significantly advanced the fields of smart materials, ionogels, elastomers, and membrane technologies. Affiliated with The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, he has built an extensive academic record, authoring more than 450 peer-reviewed publications and accumulating over 20,000 citations, reflecting his global impact and sustained scholarly contribution. His work consistently bridges fundamental chemistry with practical engineering, focusing on high-performance polymers, CO₂ capture materials, mechanoresponsive elastomers, and advanced adhesive systems. Recent publications highlight breakthroughs in armored polymer-fluid gels, fracture-resistant stretchable materials, high-loading MOF monoliths for gas separation, and ultra-strong ionogel adhesives—showcasing his leadership in designing materials with exceptional mechanical, environmental, and functional performance. Prof. Zhu’s research group actively collaborates with multidisciplinary teams worldwide, contributing to approximately 400 co-authored studies and driving innovations across chemical engineering, materials science, environmental technology, and energy applications. With an h-index of 76, his scholarly influence spans both theoretical and applied domains, shaping industrial practices in polymer manufacturing, smart adhesive development, impact-resistant materials, and sustainable separation technologies. His work on CO₂ capture frameworks and advanced reactor engineering supports global efforts toward carbon neutrality, while his innovations in adaptable and energy-dissipating elastomers have relevance in robotics, wearable electronics, and safety engineering. Prof. Zhu is also recognized for pioneering structural methodologies in ionogel design, mechanochromic materials, and touch-responsive polymer networks that enable next-generation sensing, damping, and protective systems. Through his sustained research excellence, extensive collaborations, and high-impact publications, Prof. Shiping Zhu continues to advance the scientific foundations and practical applications of modern polymer science, contributing meaningfully to technological progress and societal benefit.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Qian, Y., Qiu, X., & Zhu, S. (2015). Lignin: A nature-inspired sun blocker for broad-spectrum sunscreens. Green Chemistry, 17(1), 320–324. Cited by: 541

2. Zhu, H., Yang, X., Cranston, E., & Zhu, S. (2016). Flexible and porous nanocellulose aerogels with high loadings of metal-organic framework particles for separations applications. Green Chemistry, —. Cited by: 474

3. Feng, W., Zhu, S., Ishihara, K., & Brash, J. L. (2005). Adsorption of fibrinogen and lysozyme on silicon grafted with poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. Langmuir, 21(13), 5980–5987. Cited by: 447

4. Pan, H., Li, Y., Wu, Y., Liu, P., Ong, B. S., Zhu, S., & Xu, G. (2007). Low-temperature, solution-processed, high-mobility polymer semiconductors for thin-film transistors. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 129(14), 4112–4113. Cited by: 441

5. Feng, W., Brash, J. L., & Zhu, S. (2006). Non-biofouling materials prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization grafting of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine: Separate effects of graft density and chain length. Biomaterials, 27(6), 847–855. Cited by: 400

Dr. Shiping Zhu’s pioneering contributions to advanced polymers, ionogels, and functional materials are transforming next-generation manufacturing, environmental sustainability, and high-performance industrial applications. His work bridges fundamental polymer science with real-world impact, enabling safer, smarter, and more resilient materials for global technological advancement.

Lijian Han | Global Health Informatics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Lijian Han | Global Health Informatics | Best Researcher Award

Research Professor | Chinese Academy of Sciences | China

Dr. Lijian Han is an internationally recognized research professor whose pioneering work has significantly advanced the understanding of urbanization and its environmental health consequences, particularly in the domain of air pollution as a global disease risk. With a Ph.D. from Tottori University and over a decade of professional experience at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, he has developed innovative approaches to quantify, model, and interpret the trade-offs between rapid urban development and environmental quality. His research integrates satellite and ground-based data, near-surface dynamics, and long-term national datasets to construct accurate, multi-scale PM2.5 exposure assessments, leading to novel composite air pollution indices that reveal the dominance of compound pollution risks, particularly from PM2.5 and O₃. Academically, he has published 85 journal papers, including more than 30 as first author, with multiple ESI top 1% highly cited articles in leading outlets such as Bulletin of the World Health Organization, IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine, and Earth’s Future. His scientific contributions include developing global-to-local PM2.5 assessment frameworks, quantifying anthropogenic versus meteorological drivers of pollution, identifying the mismatch between urban vegetation purification capacity and peak pollution periods, and establishing policy-relevant PM2.5 thresholds that have been directly adopted by Shenzhen’s Environmental Protection Bureau in its Sustainable Development Blueprint (2020–2035). His work is highly cited, with over 5,000 citations and an H-index of 33, reflecting both academic excellence and global relevance. Beyond academia, Dr. Han’s research has shaped national and international discourse, being highlighted in Science and Technology Daily, Xinhua Digest, and Yale Environment 360, and earning recognition from the U.S. Department of State through diplomatic exchange invitations. By bridging cutting-edge scientific discovery with actionable policy and global health frameworks, his research exemplifies the interdisciplinary, high-impact scholarship celebrated by the Global Diseases Research Awards, making him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Profile: Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Han, L., Zhou, W., Li, W., & Li, L. (2014). Impact of urbanization level on urban air quality: A case of fine particles (PM₂.₅) in Chinese cities. Environmental Pollution, 194, 163–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.07.022

2. Qian, Y., Zhou, W., Yan, J., Li, W., & Han, L. (2014). Comparing machine learning classifiers for object-based land cover classification using very high resolution imagery. Remote Sensing, 7(1), 153–168. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs70100153

3. Zhou, W., Qian, Y., Li, X., Li, W., & Han, L. (2014). Relationships between land cover and the surface urban heat island: Seasonal variability and effects of spatial and thematic resolution of land cover data on predicting land surface temperature. Landscape Ecology, 29(1), 153–167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-013-9950-5

4. Zhang, X., Han, L., Wei, H., Tan, X., Zhou, W., Li, W., & Qian, Y. (2022). Linking urbanization and air quality together: A review and a perspective on the future sustainable urban development. Journal of Cleaner Production, 346, 130988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130988

5. Han, L., Zhou, W., & Li, W. (2015). City as a major source area of fine particulate (PM₂.₅) in China. Environmental Pollution, 206, 183–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.06.002