Prof. Sanaba BOUMBALY | Health Sciences | Stellar Contributions to Science Award

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Prof. Sanaba BOUMBALY | Health Sciences | Stellar Contributions to Science Award

Prof. Sanaba BOUMBALY, Centre de Recherche en Virologie, Guinea

Prof. Sanaba Boumbaly, PhD, is a leading expert in microbiology and epidemiology, currently serving as the Director General of the Center for Research in Virology and the Laboratory of Hemorrhagic Fevers of Guinea (CRV-LFHVG) since 2022. She has held prominent positions in the field of tropical infectious diseases in Guinea, including Director of the International Research Center on Tropical Infections (CIRIT) and the School of Doctoral Studies at the Institute of Applied Biology Research of Guinea (IRBAG). Prof. Boumbaly has significantly contributed to the understanding of viral hemorrhagic fevers, arboviruses, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS.

Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

Professor Sanaba Boumbaly presents a stellar profile, making her a strong candidate for the “Stellar Contributions to Science Award.” Her extensive experience in virology, especially in managing and leading national reference laboratories, showcases her leadership in combating infectious diseases like Ebola, Marburg, and Zika. She has contributed significantly to viral hemorrhagic fevers and arbovirus research, and her findings on various viruses like Ebola in bats, Marburg, and Zika in Guinea are critical. Her role in publishing over 52 scientific papers and collaborating with global health institutes demonstrates her impact on global health research.

Areas for Improvement

While Professor Boumbaly’s expertise in viral hemorrhagic fevers is notable, expanding her research impact to include more interdisciplinary collaborations outside tropical infections could strengthen her international recognition. Additionally, focusing more on capacity building in local research institutions and translating findings into more public health interventions could elevate her contributions further. Broadening her role in policy-making and training young scientists may also add value to her already impressive portfolio.

Education 🎓

Prof. Boumbaly earned her PhD in Microbiology and Epidemiology in 1994, following a DESS in 1991 and DES in 1983. She has completed several advanced training programs, including molecular diagnostic methods for viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa (2016), as well as biosafety, biosecurity, and molecular diagnostic techniques for hepatitis and HIV/AIDS (2016 & 2020).

Experience 🏆

Prof. Boumbaly has more than three decades of research and leadership experience. She directed multiple high-profile research institutes, including CIRIT and IRBAG. She has mentored numerous doctoral and master’s students, with 8 PhD students and 25 master’s students under her supervision. Her extensive teaching career includes virology and medical bacteriology at various universities and research institutes in Guinea.

Research Interests 🔬

Prof. Boumbaly’s primary research areas are viral hemorrhagic fevers, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, arboviruses, and emerging infectious diseases. Her work focuses on molecular diagnostics, epidemiology, and genomic surveillance of viral pathogens like Ebola, Marburg, and Mpox, with partnerships extending to prestigious institutes such as the Institut Pasteur and the Central Institute of Epidemiology in Moscow.

Awards 🏅

Prof. Boumbaly is a member of the Guinea Academy of Sciences since 2024 and holds numerous other distinctions, including leadership roles in global genomic surveillance initiatives for arboviruses and hemorrhagic fevers. She has contributed to national and international collaborations, significantly advancing the research on viral epidemics in Guinea.

Publication Top Notes đź“š

Experience with HCV detection and Molecular Genetic Characterization – Microorganisms (2023)

Marburg virus in Egyptian Rousettus bats in Guinea – PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (2023)

Bombali virus in Mops condylurus Bats, Guinea – Maladies Infectieuses Emergentes (2019)

The First Case of Zika Virus Disease in Guinea – Viruses (2023)

Hepatitis B drug resistance mutations in pregnant women – Problems of Virology (2023)

Conclusion

Professor Boumbaly’s significant contributions to virology and public health in Guinea and beyond make her an excellent contender for the “Stellar Contributions to Science Award.” Her leadership, groundbreaking research, and influence in the field of infectious diseases underscore her scientific excellence, though broadening her interdisciplinary collaborations and policy impact could further enhance her legacy.

Ms. Natalia Bou Sakr | Health Risk Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Ms. Natalia Bou Sakr | Health Risk Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Natalia Bou Sakr, PhD Student in Actuarial Science, Institut de Science Financière et d’Assurances (ISFA) and UniversitĂ©, Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (USJ), Lebanon

Natalia Bou Sakr is a distinguished PhD student in Actuarial and Financial Sciences, pursuing joint supervision from Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth and Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1. With a notable background in both academic and professional realms, Natalia is recognized for her creativity, innovative mindset, and strong analytical skills. Her research and teaching contributions underscore her commitment to advancing the field of actuarial sciences.

Profile 🌟

Orcid

Based on the provided information, Natalia Bou Sakr seems like a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Here’s an assessment of her strengths, areas for improvement, and a concluding summary:

Strengths for the Award đź’Ş

  1. Creativity and Innovation: Natalia’s background in actuarial and financial sciences, along with her innovative thesis topic and upcoming publications, highlight her creative approach to solving complex problems.
  2. Strong Analytical Abilities: Her work on topics such as IBNER & IBNYR separation in non-life insurance and spatio-temporal algorithms for COVID-19 data demonstrates advanced analytical skills.
  3. Academic Achievements: Pursuing a PhD with joint supervision from prestigious institutions, having a Master’s degree with an elected class representative role, and significant teaching experience showcase her strong academic foundation and leadership.
  4. Professional Experience: Her internships, teaching roles, and participation in organizing committees indicate a well-rounded professional experience. Her role in conferences and publications also reflects active engagement in her field.
  5. Multilingual Proficiency: Natalia’s fluency in Arabic, French, and English enhances her ability to collaborate and present research on an international stage.
  6. Publications and Presentations: She has a published article and several upcoming presentations at notable conferences, demonstrating her active contribution to research.

Areas for Improvement 🚀

  1. Broader Impact: While Natalia has made significant contributions, enhancing her research’s impact on industry practices or policy could further strengthen her profile. This could involve collaborations with industry stakeholders or focusing on applied research.
  2. Interdisciplinary Research: Exploring interdisciplinary approaches could broaden her research scope and potentially lead to more groundbreaking findings.
  3. Experience Beyond Academia: Gaining experience in different research settings or industry roles could provide additional perspectives and enrich her academic work.
  4. Networking and Collaboration: Increasing collaborations with researchers from diverse fields and regions may provide new insights and opportunities for joint research projects.

Education 🎓

Natalia began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics from UniversitĂ© Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (2014–2017), where she also served as an elected class representative. She continued with a Master’s in Actuarial and Financial Sciences from the same institution and UniversitĂ© Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (2017–2019), focusing on “Divide and Conquer: IBNER & IBNYR Separation in Non-Life Insurance.” She is currently working towards her PhD, expected to be completed in 2025.

Professional Experience 🏢

Natalia has extensive teaching experience at Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, where she has been teaching Master’s students since 2020 and Bachelor’s students since 2023. Her professional journey also includes an actuarial internship at Muhanna & Co, where she gained hands-on experience in the Reserves Department from April 2018 to September 2019.

Research Interests 🔬

Her research focuses on actuarial and financial sciences, with significant contributions to non-life insurance and spatio-temporal algorithms. Her recent work includes analyzing IBNER & IBNYR separation in insurance and developing algorithms for COVID-19 data. Natalia’s innovative research aims to address complex problems in these fields.

Awards 🏆

Natalia was awarded the “Leadership in the Digital Era” certification by the Professional Training Center, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, in January 2024. This recognition highlights her leadership skills and commitment to digital advancements.

Publications đź“š

Creation of a Spatio-Temporal Algorithm & Application to COVID-19 Data – MDPI COVID Journal, Published August 18, 2024.

Cited by: Various academic works on spatio-temporal modeling and COVID-19 data analysis.

Conclusion 🎯

Natalia Bou Sakr is a commendable candidate for the “Best Researcher Award” due to her creativity, strong analytical skills, and robust academic and professional background. Her contributions to actuarial and financial sciences, evidenced by her innovative thesis work and publications, underline her suitability for the award. Addressing the areas for improvement, such as expanding her research impact and pursuing interdisciplinary opportunities, could further enhance her profile. Overall, Natalia’s achievements and potential make her a standout nominee for this prestigious recognition.