Dr Ayazullah Safi | Health Professions | Best Research Article Award

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Dr Ayazullah Safi | Health Professions | Best Research Article Award

Dr Dr Ayazullah Safi, Birmingham City University, United Kingdom

Dr. Ayazullah Safi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at Birmingham City University, UK. With a dynamic career in teaching, research, and leadership, he specializes in health promotion, public health, physical activity, and nutrition. Dr. Safi has played pivotal roles in curriculum development, student supervision, and international research collaborations. He is also the founder of Anywhere Active, a platform that promotes physical wellbeing and community engagement. His academic journey is marked by innovative contributions across multiple education sectors, including higher education, secondary education, and community outreach. A committed mentor and educator, Dr. Safi is known for his ability to integrate theory with practical impact, particularly for underrepresented and vulnerable populations. His national and international recognition stems from his extensive research outputs, competitive grant success, and public health advocacy. Passionate about improving lives through education and evidence-based practices, Dr. Safi continues to inspire students, peers, and communities alike.

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Safi earned his PhD in Public Health with a dissertation focused on workplace physical activity interventions and their impact on university employees’ health and wellbeing. He also holds a Master of Arts in Sport Studies and Physical Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Studies. In pursuit of teaching excellence, he obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice in Higher Education, a Senior Fellowship from Advance HE, and completed an Academic Professional Apprenticeship. Additionally, he achieved the SEDA (Staff and Educational Development Association) Recognised Supervisor status, demonstrating his capability in mentoring and supervising academic research. Dr. Safi’s educational background reflects a strong commitment to advancing health sciences and pedagogy. His multi-disciplinary foundation empowers him to teach and lead across undergraduate, postgraduate, and foundation-level programmes with a rich understanding of both the scientific and sociocultural determinants of health, nutrition, and behaviour change.

Experience

Dr. Ayazullah Safi has accumulated over a decade of experience across public health, sports science, and education. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University, where he serves as Deputy Course Leader for the MPH programme and leads multiple public health modules. Previously, he was a Lecturer and Course Leader for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Westminster. His teaching spans undergraduate to postgraduate levels, with leadership in curriculum design, validation, and student supervision. He has also worked as a Consultant and Lecturer for the Workers’ Education Association, a Citizenship Teacher and Head of PE at Darul Uloom High School, and as the Director of community health initiatives such as Safi’s Sports and Fitness and Anywhere Active. His interdisciplinary experience in academia, community outreach, and project leadership reflects a well-rounded and impactful professional trajectory in promoting health and wellbeing through education and evidence-based practice.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Safi’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community service has been widely recognised. In 2024/25, Birmingham City University was shortlisted for the prestigious Sir Lenny Henry Inclusivity Award under his leadership. He received Highly Commended distinctions for both Inspirational Teacher of the Year and Research Supervisor of the Year in 2023/24. In 2022, he was named a Role Model for Under-Represented Communities by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). His earlier accolades include the Contribution to the Community Award from the Youth Development Association in Afghanistan (2020), Research of the Year at Birmingham City University (2018/19), and Poster Presentation Prize Winner at the British Psychological Society (BPS) Annual Conference in 2019. These awards affirm Dr. Safi’s dedication to inclusive education, impactful research, and community wellbeing, marking him as an influential figure in both academic and grassroots health environments.

Research Focus

Dr. Ayazullah Safi’s research focuses on promoting health and wellbeing through physical activity, nutrition, and behaviour change strategies. His PhD examined the effects of workplace physical activity interventions on employee health and lifestyle transformation. He is particularly interested in interdisciplinary approaches that integrate public health, sports science, and leadership to address sedentary lifestyles, chronic disease prevention, and health inequalities. His work often targets underrepresented communities, promoting culturally sensitive, community-based health solutions. Dr. Safi has led and contributed to several funded research projects, including those on adolescent health in Saudi Arabia, healthy fan zones during Eurovision, and NHS health check focus groups. He is currently involved in multimorbidity prevention projects among BAME populations. By bridging academic theory and real-world application, his research supports both local and international public health initiatives, while fostering global academic collaborations and student-led investigations.

Publication Top Notes

  • 🧠 “Workplace Interventions and Wellbeing: A Meta-Analysis of University Staff Health” – Public Health Journal

  • 🏋️‍♂️ “Physical Activity Patterns Among UK Office Workers Post-COVID-19” – Journal of Exercise Science

  • 🍎 “Precision Nutrition in Community Health Programmes” – Global Nutrition Insights

  • 🌍 “Decolonising Health Curricula: Challenges and Strategies” – Education and Society

  • 💬 “Community Voices: Evaluating NHS Health Checks through Focus Groups” – Health Policy and Planning

Bawinile Hadebe | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

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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

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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

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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

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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