Bikila Balis | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Bikila Balis | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Bikila Balis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia

Mr. Bikila Balis is a highly skilled and results-oriented health professional with a strong focus on improving maternal and child health. He has made significant contributions to public health through his work at Gimbi Public Hospital and as a proactive lecturer and researcher at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. With over 8 years of experience, Mr. Balis has secured four research grants for projects on COVID-19 vaccines, child vaccines, diarrhea, and maternal and child health.

Education:

Higher Diploma Program (HDP), Haramaya University (2021-2022)

Expected Completion Date: July 1, 2022

Achievements: Certificate

Language of Instruction: English

Field of Study: Maternity and Neonatal Nursing

Role: Assistant Professor

Master of Science (MSc), Haramaya University (2018-2019)

Expected Completion Date: August 2, 2019

Major: Maternity and Neonatal Nursing

Achievements: GPA of 3.92

Language of Instruction: English

Bachelor of Science (BSc), Haramaya University (2011-2014)

Expected Completion Date: July 10, 2014

Major: Midwifery

Achievements: GPA of 3.75

Language of Instruction: English

Entrance and Matric, Amuru High School and Preparatory, Ethiopia (2007-2010)

Achievements: Certificates

Language of Instruction: English

Professional Profiles:

Scopus Profile

Professional Experience:

Currently, Mr. Balis is coaching 8 BSc research projects and 5 Master’s theses while teaching various courses to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University. He also holds the position of freshman program coordinator at the college, enhancing the academic experience for new students. His dedication to both teaching and research makes him a valuable asset to the health sector and academia in Ethiopia.

Top Notable Publications:

Systemic and meta-analyses of diabetic retinopathy and its care-related predictors after diabetic mellitus treatment initiation in Ethiopia

Authors: Motuma, A., Birhanu, A., Regassa, L.D., Mohammed, F., Mussa, I.

Published in Endocrine and Metabolic Science, 2025, 17, 100209

Association between the use of herbal medicines during pregnancy and adverse fetal outcomes among mothers in eastern Ethiopia

Authors: Getachew, T., Tura, A.K., Dheresa, M., Regassa, L.D., Eyeberu, A.

Published in Heliyon, 2024, 10(24), e40941

Further analysis of determinants of Pentavalent and Measles immunizations dropouts among children under five years of age in Ethiopia from Mini-EDHS 2019

Authors: Tolera, M., Birhanu, A., Regassa, L.D., Balis, B., Mussa, I.

Published in BMC Health Services Research, 2024, 24(1), 1527

Knowledge, perceived needs of continuous professional’s development, and associated factors among healthcare workers in East Ethiopia: a multi-health facility-based cross-sectional study

Authors: Yadeta, T.A., Mohamed, A., Behir, K., Debella, A., Letta, S.

Published in BMC Medical Education, 2024, 24(1), 497

Diarrheal disease and associated factors among children aged 6 to 59 months in Oda Bultum District, Eastern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Authors: Getachew, Z., Asefa, N., Gashaw, T., Regassa, L.D., Mussa, I.

Published in BMC Infectious Diseases, 2024, 24(1), 303

Prevalence and adverse outcomes of twin pregnancy in Eastern Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Getachew, T., Negash, A., Debella, A., Shiferaw, K., Eyeberu, A.

Published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2024, 24(1), 169

Utilization of continuous professional development among health professionals in East Ethiopia: a multi-health facility-based cross-sectional study

Authors: Yadeta, T.A., Mohammed, A., Alemu, A., Balis, B., Letta, S.

Published in BMC Medical Education, 2024, 24(1), 61

Predictor of anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia: a case-control study

Authors: Dufera, T., Dheresa, M., Dingeta, T., Balis, B., Balcha, T.

Published in International Health, 2024, 16(4), pp. 438–445

Trend, prevalence and predictors of successful vaginal birth after caesarean section in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Balis, B., Bekele, H., Hunde, A.D., Abdisa, L., Lami, M.

Published in International Health, 2024, 16(4), pp. 371–379

Patterns of basic pneumococcal conjugated vaccine coverage in Ethiopia from 2015 to 2018; further analysis of Ethiopian DHS (2016–2019)

Authors: Gamachu, M., Mussa, I., Deressa, A., Balis, B., Demissie Regassa, L.

Conclusion:

Mr. Balis’ extensive community involvement, both academically and professionally, makes him a standout candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His contributions have had a tangible impact on healthcare and public health in Ethiopia, demonstrating his holistic approach to improving health systems.

 

sivakumar singaravelu | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Dr. sivakumar singaravelu | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

posydoctoral research fellow at university of johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Sivakumar Singaravelu is a distinguished scientist specializing in biotechnology and biomaterials, with a focus on medical devices for wound healing and bone and tissue regeneration. He earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology-Biomaterials from the University of Madras, conducting research at the CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute. He has extensive professional experience, including roles as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Senior Scientist, working on projects involving collagen-based biomaterials, 3D bioprinting, and photobiomodulation therapy for diabetic wounds. Dr. Singaravelu’s technical expertise spans the design and development of keratin and collagen-based biomaterials, photomedicine-based therapy, cell-based studies, molecular biology techniques, bio-organic chemistry, microbiology, and in-vivo studies. His work has been recognized with several prestigious fellowships, including the DST-SERB National Postdoctoral Fellowship, the CSIR-SRA Senior Research Associate Fellowship, and the UGC-RGNF Junior and Senior Research Fellowship.

Professional Profiles:

📚 Education:

Dr. Sivakumar Singaravelu holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology-Biomaterials from the University of Madras, Chennai, India, where he conducted research from 2013 to 2017. His doctoral work was based at the Biological Material Laboratory, CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute in Chennai, and focused on the “Development of Keratin Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Application.” Prior to his Ph.D., Dr. Singaravelu completed his M.Tech in Biotechnology at Sathyabama University, Chennai, India, from 2008 to 2010. He earned his B.Tech in Industrial Biotechnology from the Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, India, between 2003 and 2007.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Sivakumar Singaravelu has an extensive background in biotechnology with a focus on biomaterials, demonstrated through his professional experience. Since July 2023, he has been working as a Postdoctoral Fellow on a project titled “Combined Effect of Biologically Active Dual-Layered Biomaterial and Photobiomodulation for Diabetic Wounds.” From November 2019 to June 2023, Dr. Singaravelu served as a Senior Scientist at SynerHeal Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd in Chennai, India, where he worked on the “Preparation and Development of Collagen-based Biomaterials for Bone and Tissue Regeneration.” Prior to this role, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at POSTECH in Pohang, Republic of Korea, from March 2019 to September 2019. His project there focused on the “Preparation of Keratin Enriched Human-like Skin by Using a 3D Bioprinter.” Additionally, Dr. Singaravelu was a National Postdoctoral Fellow from June 2017 to February 2019. His project, funded by the DST-SERB, Government of India, involved the development of a “3D Dual Layered Nanofibrous Scaffold Impregnated with Signaling Factors for Bone and Tissue Regeneration.

Teaching Experience:

Dr. Sivakumar Singaravelu possesses extensive technical expertise in the design and development of medical devices and biomaterials, particularly for wound healing and bone and tissue regeneration. His broad area of specialization encompasses the development of keratin and collagen-based biomaterials for wound dressings and tissue regeneration, employing natural and synthetic polymers through methods such as deep freezing and electrospinning. In the field of photomedicine, Dr. Singaravelu has expertise in photobiomodulation therapy, specifically for treating normal and diabetic wounded cells. His cell-based studies include fluorescent and luminescent-based in vitro assays, cell culturing for various cell lines (WS1, MCF-7, A549, HaCaT, and stem cells), as well as cellular uptake and toxicity assays. His molecular biology techniques are comprehensive, including DNA isolation, electrophoresis, RNA extraction, cDNA preparation, PCR, RT-PCR, protein extraction and estimation (SDS-PAGE), Coomassie staining, MTT assay for cell proliferation/cytotoxicity, flow cytometry, and ELISA. In bio-organic chemistry and characterization, Dr. Singaravelu is proficient in biological assays of biomolecules using analytical techniques such as colorimetric and UV spectrophotometry, chromatography techniques, FTIR, DSC, TGA, XRD, FE-SEM, and tensile strength measurement using a texture analyzer. His microbiology skills cover biochemical characterizations, staining and subculturing techniques, antibacterial and antifungal activity screening methods, and the use of confocal and fluorescent microscopy for DAPI and Calcein AM staining. Additionally, Dr. Singaravelu has experience in in-vivo studies, specifically utilizing open excision wound models in male albino Wistar rats, and evaluating total protein and collagen deposition using H&E and Masson’s trichrome staining techniques.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Sivakumar Singaravelu has received several prestigious awards and honors throughout his academic and professional career. From 2017 to 2019, he was awarded the DST-SERB National Postdoctoral Fellowship. During the same period, he also received the CSIR-SRA Senior Research Associate Fellowship. Additionally, from 2013 to 2017, he was honored with the UGC-RGNF Junior and Senior Research Fellowship.

📚Publications :

Fabrication and characterization of a collagen coated electrospun poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid)–gelatin nanofibrous scaffold as a soft bio-mimetic material for skin tissue

Authors: G Ramanathan, S Singaravelu, MD Raja, N Nagiah, P Padmapriya, …

Citations: 76

Year: 2016

Design and characterization of 3D hybrid collagen matrixes as a dermal substitute in skin tissue engineering

Authors: G Ramanathan, S Singaravelu, T Muthukumar, S Thyagarajan, …

Citations: 74

Year: 2017

Green synthesis of folic acid-conjugated gold nanoparticles with pectin as reducing/stabilizing agent for cancer theranostics

Authors: RM Devendiran, S Kumar Chinnaiyan, NK Yadav, GK Moorthy, …

Citations: 68

Year: 2016

Biomimetic interconnected porous keratin–fibrin–gelatin 3D sponge for tissue engineering application

Authors: S Singaravelu, G Ramanathan, MD Raja, N Nagiah, P Padmapriya, …

Citations: 45

Year: 2016

Preparation and characterization of keratin-based biosheet from bovine horn waste as wound dressing material

Authors: S Singaravelu, G Ramanathan, MD Raja, S Barge, UT Sivagnanam

Citations: 42

Year: 2015

Extraction and characterization of collagen from the skin of Arothron stellatus fish—A novel source of collagen for tissue engineering

Authors: G Ramanathan, S Singaravelu, MD Raja, SS Sobhana, UT Sivagnanam

Citations: 37

Year: 2014

Durable keratin-based bilayered electrospun mats for wound closure

Authors: S Singaravelu, G Ramanathan, T Muthukumar, MD Raja, N Nagiah, …

Citations: 36

Year: 2016

Dual-layered 3D nanofibrous matrix incorporated with dual drugs and their synergetic effect on accelerating wound healing through growth factor regulation

Authors: S Singaravelu, G Ramanathan, UT Sivagnanam

Citations: 28

Year: 2017

New reinforcement detailing for concrete jacketing of nonductile exterior beam–column joints

Authors: KR Bindhu, N Mohana, S Sivakumar

Citations: 28

Year: 2016

Fabrication of biomimetic porous novel sponge from gum kondagogu for wound dressing

Authors: HS Rathore, M Sarubala, G Ramanathan, S Singaravelu, MD Raja, …

Citations: 25

Year: 2016

Bioceramic nanofibres by electrospinning

Authors: R Balu, S Singaravelu, N Nagiah

Citations: 25

Year: 2014