Dr. Gaofetoge Lenetha | Public Health & Epidemiology | Best Scholar Award

Senior Lecturer | University of the Free State | South Africa

Dr. Gaofetoge Lenetha, is an emerging researcher whose scholarly work reflects a focused and steadily expanding contribution to her field. With a total 6 Scopus-indexed documents, she has established a solid foundation of research that demonstrates both scientific rigor and interdisciplinary engagement. Her publications, which have collectively received 40 citations, explore key scientific and applied themes, contributing to the advancement of knowledge through evidence-based inquiry and innovative methodologies. The h-index of 4 highlights the growing influence of her work, with several papers continuing to be cited internationally and serving as reference points for ongoing studies. Lenetha’s research portfolio showcases her ability to integrate analytical depth with practical relevance, addressing critical issues that connect fundamental science to real-world applications. Through sustained scholarly activity, collaboration with peers, and contributions to academic discussions, she has positioned herself as a promising and active researcher in her discipline. Her consistent publication record and commitment to quality research output demonstrate both productivity and impact within the scientific community. Overall, Lenetha, Gaofetoge G. exemplifies the qualities of an early-career researcher dedicated to advancing her field through rigorous investigation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the pursuit of innovation, marking her as a respected and evolving voice in contemporary scientific research.

Profile: ORCID | Scopus

Featured Publications

Prof. Dr. Gulnaz Ilgekbayeva | Public Health & Epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Kazakh National Agrarian Research University | Kazakhstan

Dr. Gulnaz D. Ilgekbayeva is a distinguished researcher affiliated with the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, located in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Her academic profile, highlights her valuable contribution to the field of agricultural and environmental sciences. Over her research career, she has authored a total of seven scholarly documents, she has authored 7 documents that collectively reflect her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and addressing key issues in her discipline, which collectively represent her commitment to addressing key scientific and applied issues within her domain. These publications have received a total of 85 citations , illustrating the recognition and influence her work has achieved among her peers and within the broader academic community. Her current h-index stands at 3, signifying that at least three of her publications have been cited three or more times, reflecting consistent academic impact and research engagement. Ilgekbayeva’s collaborative approach is also evident in her association with a wide network of 44 co-authors, underscoring her active involvement in interdisciplinary research and international cooperation. While the Scopus preview provides a limited glimpse of her overall achievements, it reveals a researcher dedicated to scientific advancement and knowledge dissemination. Through her studies and partnerships, Gulnaz D. Ilgekbayeva continues to contribute meaningfully to Kazakhstan’s academic and scientific landscape, particularly in areas connected to sustainable agricultural development, environmental stewardship, and the practical application of agrarian research. Her growing citation record and collaborative footprint position her as an emerging academic voice committed to fostering innovation and excellence in her chosen field.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

Dr. Cristina Juan Jimenez | Public Health & Epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

Operational Research Technician | Anesvad Foundation | Spain

Dr. Cristina Juan Jimenez is a researcher affiliated with the Anesvad Foundation, Bilbao, Spain, contributing to public health and social equity research with a focus on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and intersectional health determinants. Her scholarly activity includes 2 research documents indexed in Scopus, reflecting her growing engagement in advancing gender and disability equity in global health. Her academic pursuits represent an emerging trajectory centered on the complex interplay between health inequities, gender, and social inclusion in endemic regions. Among her published works, one notable article titled “Inequities and factors associated with gender and disability in NTD-endemic communities in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire: an intersectional approach to interventions” (Frontiers in Global Women’s Health) explores systemic challenges in implementing equitable health interventions. Her collaborations with over 25 co-authors indicate active participation in interdisciplinary and multicultural research networks. Through her work, Cristina Jimenez aligns with the global mission of the Anesvad Foundation to eradicate diseases of poverty and to promote human rights-centered health systems. Her emerging scholarly portfolio underscores a commitment to addressing public health disparities through evidence-based and participatory approaches that empower marginalized populations. While her publication metrics are still developing, her contribution to gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive health frameworks positions her as a promising researcher dedicated to transforming the landscape of community health interventions in Africa and beyond.

Profiles: ORCID | Scopus

Featured Publications

Dr. Isaac Darko Otchere | Public Health & Epidemiology | Best Public Health Scientist Award

Senior Research Fellow | Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research | Ghana

Dr. Isaac Darko Otchere is a Senior Research Fellow at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, with expertise in biochemistry, pathogen genomics, bioinformatics, drug discovery, and pathogen biology. His scholarly contributions have significantly advanced the understanding of infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis and related mycobacterial infections in Africa. Dr. Otchere’s research has revealed critical insights into the phylogenomics and molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium africanum, contributing to global tuberculosis control efforts. His notable publications include “Phylogenomics of Mycobacterium africanum reveals a new lineage and a complex evolutionary history” and “Comparative genomics of Mycobacterium africanum Lineage 5 and Lineage 6 from Ghana suggests distinct ecological niches.” His work also extends to public health studies on drug-resistant tuberculosis, Buruli ulcer, cholera, and SARS-CoV-2 evolution in Ghana. According to Google Scholar, Dr. Otchere has accrued 1,344 citations in total, reflecting his continued relevance in current scientific discourse. He maintains an h-index of 20 and an i10-index of 32 underscoring the influence and sustained citation of his research in peer-reviewed literature. His studies, often collaborative and interdisciplinary, demonstrate a commitment to using genomics and molecular biology to address infectious disease challenges in Africa and beyond, cementing his standing as a key figure in pathogen research and global health science.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Coscolla, M., Gagneux, S., Menardo, F., Loiseau, C., Ruiz-Rodriguez, P., & Otchere, I. D., et al. (2021). Phylogenomics of Mycobacterium africanum reveals a new lineage and a complex evolutionary history. Microbial Genomics, 7(2), 000477.

2. Nguta, J. M., Appiah-Opong, R., Nyarko, A. K., Yeboah-Manu, D., Addo, P. G. A., & Otchere, I. D., et al. (2016). Antimycobacterial and cytotoxic activity of selected medicinal plant extracts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 182, 10–15.

3. Asante-Poku, A., Yeboah-Manu, D., Otchere, I. D., Aboagye, S. Y., Stucki, D., & Gagneux, S., et al. (2015). Mycobacterium africanum is associated with patient ethnicity in Ghana. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9(1), e3370.

4. Yeboah-Manu, D., Asare, P., Asante-Poku, A., Otchere, I. D., Osei-Wusu, S., & Gagneux, S., et al. (2016). Spatio-temporal distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains in Ghana. PLOS ONE, 11(8), e0161892.

5. Otchere, I. D., Coscollá, M., Sánchez-Busó, L., Asante-Poku, A., Brites, D., & Yeboah-Manu, D., et al. (2018). Comparative genomics of Mycobacterium africanum Lineage 5 and Lineage 6 from Ghana suggests distinct ecological niches. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 11269.