Yi Wan | Point-of-Care Testing | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Yi Wan | Point-of-Care Testing | Best Researcher Award

Dean | Hainan University | China

Dr. Yi Wan is a distinguished scientist at Hainan University, Haikou, China, recognized internationally for his exceptional contributions to nanomaterials, biosensing, polymer chemistry, and molecular diagnostics. With an impressive portfolio of 84 peer-reviewed publications, his research has garnered 3,169 citations, demonstrating a remarkable h-index of 32, which reflects both the depth and consistent influence of his scientific output. Dr. Wan’s multidisciplinary work focuses on the design and application of advanced biomaterials and molecular tools for rapid and precise pathogen detection, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and clinical implementation. His pioneering studies, such as “Ultrasensitive detection of clinical pathogens through a target-amplification-free collateral-cleavage-enhancing CRISPR-CasΦ tool” published in Nature Communications, and “Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytotoxic Activity of Stable Selenium Nanoparticles-Incorporated Carboxymethylcellulose Solution” in Polymers for Advanced Technologies, exemplify his commitment to developing next-generation biosensors and functionalized materials for healthcare and environmental monitoring. Beyond these, his influential research appears in renowned journals including Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, and Analyst, where he advances the frontiers of molecular diagnostics, PAM-free CRISPR-based assays, and microfluidic-driven detection systems. Over his career, Dr. Wan has collaborated with more than 200 international co-authors and contributed to 11 preprints, reflecting his strong global research network and dedication to open scientific exchange. His investigations into the supramolecular structure of cellulose, biopolymer modification, and nanomaterial toxicity provide new insights into sustainable biomaterial applications and translational bioscience. Through his relentless pursuit of innovation, Dr. Wan has positioned himself as a leading voice in the integration of biotechnology, chemistry, and engineering to address emerging global health challenges. His scholarly impact, reflected through extensive publication output, high citation metrics, and international collaborations, underscores his reputation as a visionary researcher driving the evolution of molecular engineering, diagnostic technology, and sustainable biomedical solutions.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Maria Gheorghe | Public Health & Epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Maria Gheorghe | Public Health & Epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

Director at Pfizer Inc, Romania

Maria Gheorghe is an accomplished expert in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) with over 14 years of impactful contributions spanning academia, research institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry. Currently serving as Director of Global HTA, Value and Evidence at Pfizer Inc., she has led high-stakes initiatives in antimicrobial resistance, oncology, and vaccine access. Her career reflects a commitment to evidence-based healthcare, strategic market access, and policy transformation at both national and international levels.

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Education

Maria Gheorghe holds a PhD in Health Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, where her doctoral work focused on quantitative approaches to monitoring population quality of life, particularly modeling and evaluating health utility data. She also earned an MSc in Applied Mathematics from Delft University of Technology, where she explored advanced Bayesian methods in reservoir simulation. Her academic foundation began with a BSc in Economics, majoring in Cybernetics, Statistics, and Economics, from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest. This combination of mathematical rigor and economic insight has uniquely positioned her to address complex health policy challenges.

Professional Experience

Maria’s career is marked by a progressive trajectory through key roles in industry and academia. Since June 2022, she has led global value and evidence generation strategies at Pfizer for the launch of EMBLAVEO, a next-generation anti-infective. She has been instrumental in coordinating cross-functional global teams and external stakeholders to secure optimal pricing and reimbursement frameworks across various healthcare systems. Prior to this, she contributed to oncology strategy, particularly supporting the global launch of Talzenna + Xtandi for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). From 2019 to 2022, she held national responsibilities as Health & Value Manager for Pfizer Romania, where she led the market access strategies for Eliquis, Paxlovid, and hospital brands. Earlier roles at Sanofi in market access and public affairs allowed her to shape reimbursement policies and build influential partnerships. Her formative experience as a researcher at Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management laid the groundwork for her methodical and evidence-driven approach to health economics.

Research Interests

Maria’s research interests span real-world evidence, cost-effectiveness modeling, and antimicrobial resistance policy. She is particularly passionate about bridging the gap between epidemiological modeling and reimbursement systems, advancing HTA frameworks that integrate the societal value of novel therapeutics. Her recent work leverages machine learning and big data to inform pricing models for anti-infectives and supports innovative reimbursement agreements based on value-based healthcare principles.

Awards and Recognition

Maria has earned significant recognition for her strategic leadership and research excellence. She played a pivotal role in the UK’s innovative reimbursement scheme for anti-infectives—a global case study in AMR policy reform. She has also been commended internally at Pfizer for her contributions to cross-functional evidence planning and real-world data integration. Her academic achievements include graduating top of her MSc cohort at Delft and securing competitive research roles across Europe.

Selected Publications

Gheorghe M. et al. (2020). Economic evaluation of novel antibiotics: challenges and recommendations. Value in Health. Cited by 34 articles.

Gheorghe M. et al. (2019). Modeling transmission in cost-effectiveness studies: the case of antimicrobial resistance. Pharmacoeconomics. Cited by 21 articles.

Gheorghe M. et al. (2018). Quality of life trajectories in chronic disease populations: a longitudinal analysis. Health Economics. Cited by 16 articles.

Gheorghe M. et al. (2017). Bayesian approaches in population health modeling. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy. Cited by 12 articles.

Gheorghe M. et al. (2016). Comparative methods for population-level health utility estimation. European Journal of Health Economics. Cited by 10 articles.

Gheorghe M. et al. (2015). A meta-analysis of EQ-5D values across disease groups. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care. Cited by 9 articles.

Gheorghe M. et al. (2014). Cost-effectiveness of vaccines in emerging markets. Vaccine. Cited by 17 articles.

Conclusion

Maria Gheorghe embodies the qualities of a top-tier researcher—intellectual excellence, strategic impact, innovation in health policy, and a commitment to public health advancement. Her accomplishments in research, leadership in evidence-based strategies, and contributions to global health challenges make her a highly deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award.