Assoc. Prof. Dr. Folasade May | Transformational Leadership | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Folasade May | Transformational Leadership | Best Researcher Award

UCLA Health | United States

Dr. Folasade P. May is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and serves in the Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Yale University, followed by a Master of Philosophy in Epidemiology from the University of Cambridge. She obtained her M.D. from Harvard Medical School and completed her internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. May further specialized in gastroenterology through the UCLA Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) Program and earned her Ph.D. in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Her research focuses on health disparities, preventive health, colorectal cancer screening, and improving access to care for underserved populations. She has published extensively on strategies to enhance cancer prevention and equitable healthcare delivery. Dr. May’s work has earned her recognition for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine. A passionate educator and clinician, she continues to mentor future physicians and contribute to policy-oriented health research that addresses real-world healthcare inequities.

Profile:  Scopus  

Featured Publications

Wong, C. R., Flores, Y. N., Avila, A., Tieu, L., Crespi, C. M., May, F. P., Bell, D. S., Glenn, B., & Bastani, R. (2025). Improving the accuracy and precision of disease identification when utilizing EHR data for research: The case for hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Research Notes, 18, 410.

Dr. Ujjwal Das | Innovative Leadership | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ujjwal Das | Innovative Leadership | Best Researcher Award

Fakir Mohan University | India

Dr. Ujjwal Das is an Assistant Professor of Geography at Fakir Mohan University, Odisha, India, with a distinguished academic and research profile. He completed his Ph.D. in Geography from Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh in 2025, following an M.Phil. and Master of Population Studies from the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and a Gold Medal in Applied Geography from Ravenshaw University. He has presented at numerous national and international conferences on topics including urban poverty, child malnutrition, health inequality, environmental change, and population studies. His research interests span urban and rural demography, population health, socio-economic disparities, and geospatial analysis, with applications in public health and sustainable development. Dr. Das has supervised several graduate theses, contributing to advancements in population studies and geography, and has published a range of scholarly articles, amassing 37 citations with an h-index of 3. Recognized for his scholarly excellence, he has received accolades for academic performance and research contributions. His work integrates rigorous quantitative analysis with practical implications for policy and community health, establishing him as a leading researcher in population geography and applied demography. Dr. Das continues to advance interdisciplinary research addressing pressing socio-environmental challenges in India and beyond.

Profile:  Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Das, U., & Kar, N. (2025). Understanding economic disparities in elderly health outcomes: A decomposition analysis in Bankura district. BMC Public Health, 25, 3015.

Dr. Adem soycan | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Adem soycan | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Kocaeli University, Institute of Health Sciences, Medical Microbiology Department, Kocaeli, Türkiye, Turkey

Author Profile

Orcid 

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Adem Soycan’s academic journey began with a passion for microbiology, specifically in the field of food safety. Having laid a solid foundation in biological sciences, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline before advancing to a Master’s program. His pursuit of knowledge led him to Kocaeli University’s Institute of Health Sciences, where he is currently a doctoral candidate in Medical Microbiology. During his academic journey, Adem has continuously sought to improve his understanding of microbial pathogens, particularly focusing on foodborne pathogens such as Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC). His rigorous research methodologies and focus on molecular diagnostics position him as a researcher with great potential for future contributions to microbiology.

Professional Endeavors 🔬

Adem Soycan’s professional endeavors are deeply intertwined with his academic pursuits. He currently serves as a doctoral candidate in Medical Microbiology at Kocaeli University, Türkiye, where he is making significant strides in the detection and study of foodborne pathogens. His expertise lies in molecular techniques such as real-time PCR, allowing for more efficient detection of pathogens, and his research on Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is making a notable impact in the field. He has also worked closely with local food producers, offering consultancy on pathogen detection and food safety analysis, showcasing his industry-focused approach. Adem’s interdisciplinary collaboration with Kocaeli University’s Food Safety and Microbiology Labs has further strengthened his research.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔍

Adem’s research is focused on advancing the detection and understanding of foodborne pathogens, with a special emphasis on Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and its prevalence in food samples. His ongoing study on the serotype distribution of STEC in raw animal and plant-based food samples from Kocaeli Province has already started to shape food safety protocols in the region. Through molecular diagnostic techniques, particularly in pathogen identification, Adem has contributed to the development of more accurate and reliable methods of foodborne pathogen detection, ultimately aiming to improve food safety. His research is poised to have a lasting influence on the way pathogens are detected and managed in food production and consumption.

Accolades and Recognition 🏅

Adem’s research has earned him recognition within the academic community. His work on the detection of bovine and porcine species in foods containing animal gelatin, published in Food Analytical Methods, was highly praised for its application of the Q-Exactive ORBITRAP device, offering new insights into food authenticity testing. Additionally, his paper on the prevalence and serotype distribution of STEC in raw food samples was published in Food Control and has garnered significant attention due to its practical implications for food safety in Türkiye. Though still in the early stages of his career, his published works are laying a foundation for future recognition and awards.

Impact and Influence 🌍

The impact of Adem’s work on foodborne pathogen research cannot be overstated. His contributions to enhancing food safety through advanced diagnostic tools have already begun to influence both the academic and industry sectors. By identifying critical risk factors for foodborne illnesses and refining detection methods, Adem is playing a pivotal role in shaping safer food handling and processing practices. His work is not just contributing to the scientific community but is also being adopted by local food producers, creating a bridge between research and industry. His ability to collaborate with labs, local food producers, and other institutions demonstrates his leadership potential and influence in the field.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🔮

Adem Soycan’s research journey is just beginning, but his dedication to food safety, especially in the realm of microbiology, positions him for a promising career. In the future, he intends to continue refining pathogen detection methods and explore emerging technologies in molecular diagnostics. Adem envisions a future where his work on STEC will contribute significantly to global food safety standards, particularly in countries with emerging food safety challenges. His legacy will likely be one of improving food safety on a global scale, advancing diagnostic capabilities, and ensuring healthier food systems for generations to come.

Conclusion 🎉

Adem Soycan has already made significant contributions to the fields of microbiology and food safety, and his future in the scientific community looks exceedingly bright. His deep understanding of foodborne pathogens, especially Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli, combined with his innovative use of molecular techniques, has enabled him to make lasting impacts in both academia and industry. With a promising research trajectory and the potential to influence food safety practices worldwide, Adem is poised to become a leading figure in his field. His commitment to improving food safety, supported by his growing body of published work, cements his place as an emerging leader in microbiological research.