Aasma Shaukat | Clinical Trials and Statistical Designs | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Aasma Shaukat | Clinical Trials and Statistical Designs | Best Researcher Award

New York University | United States

Dr. Aasma Shaukat, M.D., M.P.H., is an internationally acclaimed gastroenterologist, epidemiologist, and academic leader recognized for her transformative contributions to colorectal cancer prevention, gastrointestinal outcomes research, and population health. She serves as Director of Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research, Robert M. and Mary H. Glickman Endowed Professor of Medicine, Professor of Population Health, Co-Director of the Translational Research Education and Career (TREC) Program, and Program Director for the KL2 Scholars Program at the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, while also serving as a staff physician at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. Before joining NYU, she led the Gastroenterology Section at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and was a core investigator at the Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, establishing herself as a national authority in outcomes-based gastroenterology. Dr. Shaukat holds an M.B., B.S. from The Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi and an M.P.H. in International Health and Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, followed by residency training in Internal Medicine at the State University of New York and fellowship training in Gastroenterology at Emory University School of Medicine. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, she has combined clinical expertise with advanced epidemiologic research to drive evidence-based improvements in digestive health and preventive care. Her research has shaped international colorectal cancer screening practices through landmark studies demonstrating the long-term mortality benefit of fecal occult blood testing, influencing screening guidelines worldwide. With more than 273 peer-reviewed publications and numerous invited lectures, Dr. Shaukat has become one of the most cited researchers in gastroenterology, with an h-index of 50, i10-index of 155, and over 9,245 citations according to Scopus, underscoring her scientific impact. Her work encompasses endoscopic quality improvement, health disparities, cost-effectiveness of screening programs, and novel noninvasive diagnostics for gastrointestinal diseases. In addition to her research, Dr. Shaukat is a dedicated mentor and educator who has guided countless trainees and junior faculty, championing diversity and inclusion in academic medicine. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the American College of Gastroenterology, chairs the Clinical Practice Section of the American Gastroenterological Association Institute, and contributes to several national advisory and planning committees, including ASCO GI, GIQUIC, PCORI, and the VA GI Field Advisory Board. A recipient of numerous prestigious honors such as the ASGE Endoscopic Research Mentoring Award, ACG MVP SCOPY Award for Colon Cancer Prevention, and NYU Research Mentor of the Year Award, she continues to shape the future of gastroenterology through innovation, mentorship, and leadership. Dr. Shaukat’s enduring legacy lies in her ability to merge clinical excellence, epidemiologic insight, and translational impact to advance gastrointestinal health globally and inspire the next generation of physician-scientists committed to research-driven healthcare transformation.

Profiles: Scopus Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Udaikumar, J., Nimmagadda, Shaukat, A.,R., Ingawale, S., Lella, V. V., Vijayakumar, K., et al. (2025). Current perspectives on colorectal cancer screening and surveillance in the geriatric population. Current Gastroenterology Reports, 27(1), 34.

Singal, A. G., Quirk, L., Boike, J., Chernyak, V., Feng, Z., Giamarqo, G., Kanwal, F., … (2025). Value of HCC surveillance in a landscape of emerging surveillance options: Perspectives of a multi-stakeholder modified Delphi panel. Hepatology, 82(3), 794–809.

Shaukat, A., Hu, J., Zhao, Y., Faulx, G., Augustin, A., Murphy, S., Stevens, E., et al. (2025). A randomized clinical trial of multi-level intervention to improve colorectal cancer screening rates at multiple federally qualified health care centers in New York City. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 108115.

Farooque, U., Murtaza, M., Umer, M., Johar, A., Aparna, F., Khan, A. R., Kumar, A., et al. (2025). Advancing health equity through telehealth: A systematic review and meta-analysis of remote vs. in-person weight-loss interventions among Black women with obesity. Current Obesity Reports, 14(1), 72.

Tang, C. Z., Delau, O. R., Katz, S., Axelrad, J. E., Hudesman, D., Shaukat, A., et al. (2025). Mild endoscopic disease activity is associated with adverse outcomes among older adults with inflammatory bowel disease. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

Sibel Suzen Ozbayrak | Health Statistics and Public Health Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sibel Suzen Ozbayrak | Health Statistics and Public Health Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Health Science University Haydarpasa Numune Research and Training Hospital | Turkey

Dr. Sibel Suzen Ozbayrak is a Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Haydarpaşa Numune Research and Training Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and completed her residency at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty in 2014. Her research focuses on musculoskeletal disorders, including adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff syndrome, fibromyalgia, and entrapment neuropathies. Dr. Ozbayrak has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles, with several published in high-impact journals such as Clinica Terapeutica, Clinical Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. Her work has garnered significant attention, with her publications collectively cited over 30, and h-index 4, reflecting her contributions to advancing clinical practices in rehabilitation. Notably, her study on the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound in subacromial impingement syndrome has been cited extensively, underscoring its impact on the field. Dr. Özbayrak is actively involved in ongoing clinical trials, including investigations into the effects of kinesiotaping and prolotherapy in musculoskeletal conditions. She is also a consultant for thesis research projects at her institution, demonstrating her commitment to academic mentorship and research development. Dr. Özbayrak’s dedication to integrating scientific research into clinical practice aims to enhance patient outcomes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Profile: Scopus 

Featured Publications

Suzen Ozbayrak, S., & Ozkok Akbulut, T. (2023). Restless leg syndrome in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: A cross-sectional study with current literature review. Medical Bulletin of Haseki, 61(1), 37–42.

Ozbayrak, S. S., Günay, B., Kandemir, E. U., Mesci, N., & Külcü, D. G. (2024). Bisphosphonates: Ally or enemy in the fight against rheumatological diseases? Two case reports. Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis, 30(2), 131–134.

Ozbayrak, S. S., Mesci, N., Sezgin, M. O., & Kulcu, D. G. (2024). A patient with axial spondylarthritis who experienced pancytopenia while receiving anti-TNF therapy. Clinical Rheumatology, 43(8), 2701–2705.

Ozbayrak, S. S., & Ozbayrak, M. (2025). Do cervical spine angles differ in patients with hypermobility who suffer from neck pain? Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 103277.

Ozbayrak, S. S., Yorulmaz, E., & Kulcu, D. G. (2025). Is there an additional benefit of ultrasound-guided coracohumeral ligament hydrorelease in cases with primary adhesive capsulitis undergoing ultrasound-guided shoulder hydrodilatation? Clinical Rheumatology.

Hana Chen | Health Statistics and Public Health Analysis | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Hana Chen | Health Statistics and Public Health Analysis | Young Scientist Award

Curtin University | Malaysia

Dr. Hana Chen Wei Jun is a Senior Lecturer and Chair for Learning and Teaching at the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Curtin University Malaysia, with a strong academic background in medicine and public health. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health from Management & Science University, Malaysia, where she graduated on the President’s List, and a Medical Degree from Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Russia. Her research interests span sustainable community development, healthy aging, food sustainability, disaster management, and public health nutrition, which align with her leadership roles in publications, community engagement projects, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) initiatives. Dr. Chen has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing to collaborative works with The Lancet and other leading outlets, with 21 peer-reviewed articles to date. She has received multiple national and international recognitions, including the Best Oral Presenter Award (AIPHC 2023), the Outstanding Network Ambassador Award (WCPH 2023), and Curtin University Malaysia’s 2025 Research and Teaching Excellence Awards. Her contributions to teaching, mentoring, and research capacity building are further demonstrated through supervision of postgraduate and undergraduate projects. Dr. Chen has 292 citations, an h-index of 12, and an i10-index of 12, underscoring her growing impact in global public health scholarship.

Profiles: Scopus Google Scholar Orcid

Featured Publications

Marzo, R. R., Chen, H., Abid, K., & Lin, Y.  Adapted digital health literacy and health information seeking behavior among lower income groups in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Public Health, 44(3), 457–465.

Marzo, R. R., Chen, H., & Sapa, N. H. The evolving role of social media in enhancing quality of life: A global perspective across 10 countries. Archives of Public Health, 81(1), 1–10.

Chen, H., Marzo, R. R., Sapa, N. H., Ahmad, A., Anuar, H., & Baobaid, M. F.  Trends in health communication: Social media needs and quality of life among older adults in Malaysia. Healthcare, 11(10), 1455.

GBD 2023 Vaccine Coverage Collaborators. Global, regional, and national trends in routine childhood vaccination coverage from 1980 to 2023 with forecasts to 2030: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet, 406(10500), 235–260.

Marzo, R. R., & Chen, H. Domain and perception on community resilience: Comparison between two countries. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1157837.