Bawinile Hadebe | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

Bawinile Hadebe | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr Bawinile Hadebe, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, South Africa

Dr. Bawinile Pearl-gene Hadebe is a leading South African Nuclear Medicine physician and academic. She currently serves as the Head Clinical Unit at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital and an Honorary Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With a commitment to innovation in cancer care, she is pursuing her PhD focused on advanced imaging techniques for head and neck cancers, especially in HIV-positive populations. Dr. Hadebe is passionate about improving outcomes through molecular imaging and targeted therapies. Her clinical expertise is complemented by her prolific research contributions in nuclear oncology. She is a highly respected figure in South Africa’s medical landscape, known for her leadership, mentorship, and dedication to advancing healthcare equity. Fluent in IsiZulu and English, Dr. Hadebe is also recognized for her impactful presentations at national and international scientific forums and has received major grants to support her transformative research in oncologic nuclear medicine.

Publication Profile

Google scholar

Education

Dr. Hadebe began her academic journey at St. Francis College, Mariannhill, where she completed her matric as Head Girl in 2001. She then earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Cape Town (2002–2007), where she was a recipient of the Boehringer Ingelheim Merit Scholarship. She later completed her Fellowship with the College of Nuclear Physicians of South Africa in October 2015 through the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. Dr. Hadebe also earned a Master of Medicine (MMed) degree with a research thesis focused on the role of 99mTc-MIBI in diagnosing breast fibroadenomas. Currently, she is a PhD candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, researching the use of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma among HIV-infected and non-infected patients. Her academic journey reflects her deep commitment to improving cancer diagnostics in Africa.

Experience

Dr. Hadebe’s clinical journey began as a medical intern at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (2008–2009), followed by community service and medical officer roles at Mmametlhake Community Hospital. She completed her registrar training in Nuclear Medicine at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (2011–2015). Afterward, she served as a Specialist Nuclear Physician in a registrar post and later assumed a full specialist role at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (from 2019). She was appointed Head Clinical Unit in April 2020 and simultaneously served as Acting Academic Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her experience spans both clinical leadership and academic mentorship. She continues to lead efforts in advanced nuclear imaging and personalized oncology. Her work is grounded in public service, with a strong drive to enhance healthcare delivery through precision diagnostics and sustainable, evidence-based approaches.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Hadebe has earned prestigious awards in recognition of her academic excellence and impactful research. In 2023, she was awarded the Discovery PhD Fellowship worth R800,000 to support her innovative research in nuclear oncology. Additionally, she receives annual funding of R200,000 from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Self-Initiated Research Fund, highlighting the importance and promise of her work in nuclear medicine imaging, particularly for HIV-associated cancers. Earlier in her academic career, she was honored with the Boehringer Ingelheim Merit Scholarship (2002) for outstanding performance at the University of Cape Town. She has also been recognized for her leadership and service, serving as Head Girl at St. Francis College. Her invited presentations at leading medical congresses and publications in high-impact journals reflect her influence in the field of nuclear medicine, with particular focus on PET/CT imaging, theranostics, and molecular diagnostics in oncology.

Research Focus

Dr. Hadebe’s primary research interest lies in nuclear oncology, with a special focus on cancers associated with HIV infection in the South African population. Her PhD research investigates the clinical impact of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT imaging in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, comparing HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. She is particularly interested in understanding the expression of CXCR4 receptors and how molecular imaging can reveal tumor behavior in immunocompromised individuals. Her broader research aims to introduce and evaluate novel radiotracers for targeted imaging and therapy, contributing to the growing field of theranostics. Through her work, Dr. Hadebe envisions improving early cancer detection, guiding individualized treatment plans, and monitoring therapy response, ultimately optimizing patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs by avoiding ineffective treatments. Her studies have the potential to transform cancer management, particularly in regions with limited resources and high burdens of infectious disease.

Publication Top Notes

  • 🧪 The role of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography in patients suspected to have fibroadenoma of the breast

  • 🫀 The clinical utility of 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-d-glucose PET in guiding myocardial revascularisation

  • 🎯 The Role of PET/CT in Breast Cancer

  • 🔬 Current Status of 68Ga-Pentixafor in Solid Tumours

  • 🧬 Molecular Imaging and Theranostics in Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Nuclear Medicine

  • 🧠 Segmented linear correlations between bone scan index and prostate cancer biomarkers

  • 💉 Theranostics in breast cancer

  • 🧭 Chemokine Receptor-4 Targeted PET/CT Imaging in Head and Neck Cancer

  • ♀️ [68Ga] Pentixafor PET/CT imaging in cervical cancer, a comparison with [18F] FDG

  • 🦴 Should 18F-FDG PET/CT Replace 99mTc-MDP Bone Scintigraphy in Breast Cancer?

  • ⚖️ Comparison of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT-based split renal function with 99mTc-MAG3 in prostate cancer

Taoli Han | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Research Article Award

Taoli Han | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Research Article Award

Ms Taoli Han ,Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China

Taoli Han is a dedicated public health professional and technologist-in-charge at the Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention. With expertise in microbiological examination and infectious disease prevention, she has played a pivotal role in establishing innovative platforms such as high-throughput sequencing and multi-pathogen detection systems in wastewater. Since graduating in 2019 with a degree in Public Health from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, she has actively contributed to numerous public health initiatives and research projects. Her work spans key areas like epidemic monitoring, environmental surveillance, and microbial diagnostics. Han has published over 11 research articles in both Chinese and international journals and collaborated on impactful projects including those aligned with the “Belt and Road” initiative. In addition to her technical contributions, she actively participates in scientific associations, holding a position in the Youth Working Group for Infectious Diseases. She continues to push the boundaries of applied disease surveillance science in China.

Publication Profile

orcid

Education

Taoli Han earned her academic foundation in Public Health from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), completing her degree in 2019. Her academic journey included a specialized focus on microbiology, epidemiology, and disease surveillance—fields that are critical to national and international public health. Her education not only equipped her with technical laboratory skills but also emphasized a strong understanding of emerging infectious diseases, high-throughput technologies, and public health strategy. During her studies, Han was involved in hands-on research and fieldwork, which strengthened her expertise in microbiological examination and pathogen tracking. The China CDC’s rigorous training program prepared her to take on high-responsibility roles in disease prevention and control efforts. Her academic background forms the cornerstone of her contributions to the development of pathogen detection platforms and innovative diagnostics currently in use at the Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Experience

Following her graduation in 2019, Taoli Han joined the Beijing Chaoyang District Center for Disease Control and Prevention as a professional and technical personnel specializing in microbiological examination. Over the years, she has advanced to the role of Technologist-in-Charge, where she leads initiatives in environmental and pathogen surveillance. Han has successfully contributed to five major research and consultancy projects, and her experience includes spearheading the development of high-throughput sequencing and multi-pathogen detection platforms in wastewater. Her role is integral in monitoring infectious disease trends and responding to public health emergencies. She also actively collaborates with national and international partners, including strategic involvement in “Belt and Road” projects. Han’s experience spans laboratory diagnostics, data interpretation, and the application of modern sequencing technologies to track disease transmission pathways. Her leadership and technical capabilities have significantly enhanced the operational strength of her organization’s public health initiatives.

Awards & Honors

Taoli Han has garnered recognition for her contributions to public health research and microbiological diagnostics. While specific award titles are not detailed, her selection for significant national-level projects such as the “Belt and Road” health initiatives and her appointment as a member of the 1st Committee of Youth Working Group of the Infectious Diseases Professional Committee reflect her standing in the scientific community. Her scientific publication indexed by DOI: 10.3390/v17040473 highlights the importance of her contributions to the understanding of virus behavior and public health surveillance. Han is also a valued collaborator in multi-disciplinary and international health research projects. Her active membership in professional societies and her growing citation impact are further evidence of her leadership in the research ecosystem. Her innovative contributions to multi-pathogen detection and advanced diagnostics platforms make her a prominent figure among early-career scientists in the field of epidemiology and disease control in China.

Research Focus

Taoli Han’s research focuses on infectious disease surveillance, particularly in environmental microbiology, wastewater-based epidemiology, and pathogen detection. Her core contributions include the development of high-throughput sequencing platforms and multi-pathogen detection systems, aimed at early identification and monitoring of infectious agents. These technologies enable real-time, scalable insights into community-level infections, particularly during outbreaks. Han’s work bridges lab-based diagnostics with public health applications, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into effective disease prevention strategies. She is deeply involved in the integration of genomic tools and microbial diagnostics to improve public health responses and has collaborated on five major research and consultancy projects. Her research interests extend to the epidemiology of emerging diseases, microbial genomics, and public health informatics, with applications to both national programs and international collaborations. Through her research, Han continues to enhance the precision and responsiveness of public health interventions in rapidly changing environments.

Publication Top Notes

  • Study on the genetic characteristics of enteric viral pathogens of sporadic adult diarrhea in Chaoyang district, Beijing in 2019
  • Influence of heating inactivation on the nucleic acid testing results of SARS-CoV-2 throat swab samples
  • Genetic Characteristics of Coxsackievirus A6 Circulating in Xinjiang, China, from 2012 to 2016
  • Evaluation of the Risk Level of Two Tick-borne Infectious Viral Diseases Imported to China from Russia and Kazakhstan
    Establishment of Warning Model for Epidemic Intensity of Norovirus Associated with Acute Gastroenteritis in Beijing Based on Synthetic Index Method
  • Epidemiologic characteristics and pathogen surveillance of hand, foot and mouth disease in Zhejiang province, 2009–2017
  • Analysis of the gene characteristics of 16 mumps virus strains in Chaoyang district, Beijing from 2018 to 2019
  • Analysis of Epidemiological Situation of Viral Infectious Diseases in Five Countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt Advocated by China
    Analyses of Reported Public-health Emergency Events of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in China, 2008–2016
  • Spatial clustering analysis of hand, foot and mouth disease in Chinese mainland in 2008–2017
  • Surveillance, epidemiology, and pathogen spectrum of hand, foot, and mouth disease in mainland of China from 2008 to 2017
  • Pathogenic Spectrum of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Hainan Province from 2014 to 2017 and Genetic Characterization of Coxsackievirus A6 in 2017 in Hainan province
  • Analysis of Complete Genome Sequence of an Imported Case of SARS-CoV-2 in Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

 

Michael Keese | Medicine | Best Review Article Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michael Keese | Medicine | Best Review Article Award 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michael Keese, TKH Mannheim, Germany

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michael Keese is a distinguished researcher and educator at TKH Mannheim, Germany. He earned his doctorate (summa cum laude) in 1998 from the Biochemical Institute 2 at the University of Heidelberg. Following a decade of research and teaching at the University Medical Center Mannheim (UMM), he completed his habilitation. In 2013, he re-habilitated at the Medical Faculty of Goethe University Frankfurt and was appointed as an extraordinary professor in 2015. He rejoined UMM Mannheim in 2017 while continuing his teaching at the University Hospital Frankfurt. In 2023, he was appointed as a Visiting Professor at Baku State University, Azerbaijan.

Education:

Doctorate (PhD): Biochemical Institute 2, University of Heidelberg, Germany (1998) – Summa cum laude

Habilitation: University Medical Center Mannheim (UMM), Germany (after 10 years of research and teaching)

Re-habilitation: Medical Faculty, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany (2013)

Professional Profiles:

ORCID Profile

Professional Experience:

Director, Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Theresienkrankenhaus and Diako Mannheim (since April 2022)

Visiting Professor, Baku State University, Azerbaijan (since November 2023)

Editor, Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM) (since February 2023)

Head of Vascular Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (2017–2022)

Head of Transplant Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (2018–2022)

Deputy Clinic Director & Chief Senior Physician, Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt (2015–2017)

Senior Physician & Head of Endovascular Surgery, Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt (2011–2015)

Deputy Head, Vascular Surgery Section, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (2010–2011)

Senior Physician, Department of Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (2010–2011)

Specialist in Vascular Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (2010)

Assistant Physician & Specialist in Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (2004–2010)

Assistant Physician, Department of Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (1999–2003)

Postdoctoral Researcher, EMBL Heidelberg (2003–2004)

Research Interests:

Establishment of novel imaging models for monitoring receptor tyrosine kinases

Contributions to the cell biology of mesenchymal stem cells, particularly their influence on vascular muscle cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)

siRNA and microRNA profiling of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells

Top Notable Publications:

The Differentiation and Regeneration Potential of ABCB5+ Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Review and Clinical Perspectives

Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine

Date: 2025-01-21

DOI: 10.3390/jcm14030660

Contributors: Zheng He, Vytaute Starkuviene, Michael Keese

2. MTHFR Gene C677T Polymorphism (rs1801133) and Susceptibility to Colorectal Polyps in an Azerbaijani Population

Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine

Date: 2023-12-30

DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010219

Contributors: Hazi Aslanov, Bayram Bayramov, Christoph Reissfelder, Shams Abdullayeva, Zeynab Mammadova, Fikrat Aliyev, Michael Keese, Javahir Hajibabazade, Vugar Yagublu

3. Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Protect Endothelial Cells from Hypoxic Injury by Suppressing Terminal UPR In Vivo and In Vitro

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Date: 2023-12-06

DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417197

Contributors: Michael Keese, Jiaxing Zheng, Kaixuan Yan, Karen Bieback, Benito A. Yard, Prama Pallavi, Christoph Reissfelder, Mark Andreas Kluth, Martin Sigl, Vugar Yagublu

4. A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis on the Effect of Different Anticoagulants on the Prophylaxis of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome after Deep Venous Thrombosis

Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine

Date: 2023-11-30

DOI: 10.3390/jcm12237450

Contributors: Jingbo Shao, Qianwen Zhou, Fukang Jin, Christoph Reissfelder, Martin Sigl, Vugar Yagublu, Michael Keese

5. Comparison of Tumour-Specific Phenotypes in Human Primary and Expandable Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Date: 2023-08

DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713530

Contributors: Feng Guo, Kejia Kan, Felix Rückert, Wolfgang Rückert, Lin Li, Johannes Eberhard, Tobias May, Carsten Sticht, Wilhelm Gerhard Dirks, Christoph Reissfelder et al.

6. Analysis of Inflammation-Related Genes in Patients with Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection

Journal: Journal of Personalized Medicine

Date: 2023-06-13

DOI: 10.3390/jpm13060990

Contributors: Lin Li, Ziwei Zeng, Vugar Yagublu, Nuh Rahbari, Christoph Reißfelder, Michael Keese

7. Investigation of Different Methods of Intraoperative Graft Perfusion Assessment during Kidney Transplantation for the Prediction of Delayed Graft Function: A Prospective Pilot Trial

Journal: Journal of Personalized Medicine

Date: 2022-10

DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101749

Contributors: Andreas Gerken, Michael Keese, Christel Weiss, Hanna-Sophie Krücken, Katarina A. P. Pecher, Augusto Ministro, Nuh N. Rahbari, Christoph Reissfelder, Ulrich Rother, Babak Yazdani et al.

Conclusion:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michael Keese is a strong contender for the “Best Review Article Award.” His significant contributions to advancing stem cell research, particularly in the differentiation and regenerative potential of ABCB5+ mesenchymal stem cells, align well with the objectives of this award. His work is not only well-regarded in academic circles but also demonstrates the potential to improve clinical applications, making it highly relevant to current scientific and medical challenges.

 

Giulia Passaniti | Medicine | Best Review Article Award

Dr. Giulia Passaniti | Medicine | Best Review Article Award

Dr. Giulia Passaniti, Centro Alte Specialità e Trapianti- Policlinico G. Rodolico- San Marco, Italy

Dr. Giulia Passaniti is a highly accomplished medical professional specializing in cardiovascular imaging and structural heart interventions. She is currently pursuing an Imaging Fellowship for Structural Heart Interventions at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York (2023-2024). Dr. Passaniti has also completed advanced training in Stress, Transesophageal, and Advanced Echocardiography at the Azienda Ospedaliera Università di Padova, where she earned a Second-Level Master’s Degree with Summa Cum Laude (2022-2023).

Education:

Imaging Fellowship for Structural Heart Interventions

Institution: Mount Sinai Hospital, New York

Duration: 07/01/2023 – 06/30/2024

Stress, Transesophageal, and Advanced Echocardiography

Institution: Azienda Ospedaliera Università di Padova – Cardiovascular Disease Department

Degree: Second-Level Master’s Degree

Duration: 11/01/2022 – 09/22/2023

Honors: Graduated Summa cum laude

Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship

Institution: Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico “G. Rodolico”, Catania, Italy

Duration: 01/26/2021 – 01/26/2025

Clinical Clerkship

Institution: Policlinico “G. Rodolico”, Catania, Italy

Duration: 10/01/2018 – 01/31/2019

Medical Education (Doctor of Medicine – MD)

Institution: Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Catania

Duration: 10/06/2012 – 07/18/2018

Honors: Graduated Summa cum laude on 07/18/2018

Professional Profiles:

ORCID Profile

Google Scholar

Professional Experience:

Dr. Giulia Passaniti has gained extensive medical experience through various roles in Italy’s healthcare system. From February 2020 to December 2020, she served as a Medical Doctor at Centro Alte Specialità e Trapianti- Policlinico G. Rodolico- San Marco, where she contributed to specialized medical care and transplant-related services. Prior to this, from November 2019 to February 2020, she worked at Centro Multispecialistico Etneo, gaining experience in a multidisciplinary clinical setting. Additionally, she provided medical care at Guardia Medica of Aci Sant’Antonio from November 2019 to February 2020 and at Guardia Medica of Pedara from July 2019 to September 2019, where she was responsible for emergency medical assistance and primary healthcare services. Her diverse clinical background highlights her ability to adapt to different medical environments and provide high-quality patient care.

Top Notable Publications:

Role of advanced cardiovascular imaging in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity
Heliyon, 2023
Contributors: MT Cannizzaro, MC Inserra, G Passaniti, A Celona, T D’Angelo, P Romeo, et al.

Pulmonary hypertension
Novel Pathogenesis and Treatments for Cardiovascular Disease, 2022
Contributors: M Mulè, G Passaniti, D Giannazzo

MR imaging of primary benign cardiac tumors in the pediatric population
Heliyon, 2023
Contributors: MC Inserra, MT Cannizzaro, G Passaniti, A Celona, A Secinaro, et al.

Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Approach to Repair Large Coaptation Gaps: The Zipping Technique
Cardiovascular Interventions, 2024
Contributors: G Passaniti, GHL Tang, R Tanner, SK Sharma, AS Kini, S Lerakis

Do we still need intra-procedural TTE during Transcatheter aortic valve replacement? A high volume, single center experience
Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine, 2024
Contributors: YN Granot, G Passaniti, FR Prandi, SK Sharma, A Kini, S Lerakis

Echo HALT: do we really need a cardiac CT?
The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging, 2024
Contributors: G Passaniti, FR Prandi, S Sharma, A Kini, S Lerakis

Fundamental Roles of Intracardiac Echocardiography and Fluoroscopy in Redo Tricuspid Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair Procedure
Cardiovascular Interventions, 2024
Contributors: G Passaniti, LM Safi, F Prandi, S Ratanapo, S Lerakis, GHL Tang, et al.

IMPACT OF AORTIC VALVE CALCIFICATION SEVERITY IN PATIENTS WITH LOW-FLOW LOW-GRADIENT AORTIC STENOSIS UNDERGOING TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2024
Contributors: R Singh, L Chopra, D Sperling, A Dalsania, H Ueyama, FR Prandi, et al.

Imaging in a Rare Case of Neonatal Arterial Tortuosity Syndrome
Global Medical Genetics, 2023
Contributors: MC Inserra, A Di Mari, G Passaniti, MT Cannizzaro, G La Rosa, D Poli, et al.

Myocardial fibrosis in aortic stenosis: Comparison between clinical data, laboratory, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance
Journal of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, 2023
Contributors: G Tosto, G Passaniti, FA Gibiino, W Deste, A Indelicato, T Torrisi, et al.

Conclusion:

Dr. Giulia Passaniti is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Review Article Award due to her expertise in cardiovascular imaging, extensive collaborations, and high-quality publications. Strengthening her focus on systematic reviews and increasing outreach efforts could further solidify her eligibility for this prestigious recognition.