Stella Kozmér | Health Service | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Stella Kozmér | Health Service | Best Researcher Award

NIHR SPCR PhD Student, University of Exeter, United Kingdom

Stella Kozmér is a dynamic researcher and educator pursuing a PhD in Medical Studies at the University of Exeter, funded by the NIHR School of Primary Care. 🇬🇧 She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an ASPIRE Fellow 🌟, with a research focus on improving the identification and management of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder (BED & BN) in primary care. Stella is celebrated for her impactful leadership, compassionate healthcare practice, and strong commitment to academic excellence and innovation in mental health. 💡❤️

Professional Profile

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🎓 Education

Stella graduated with First-Class Honours in Psychology (BSc) from the University of Exeter in 2022, earning several awards including the Exeter Award, Leaders Award, and Exceptional Contribution Award 🏅. She previously studied at Miloš Ruppeldt Music Academy and a Hungarian-language grammar school in Bratislava, where she excelled in multiple languages and music 🎶📚. Currently, she is completing her PhD in Medical Studies at Exeter, focusing on BED & BN research in primary care, supported by prestigious NIHR funding 💼🧠.

💼 Experience

Stella has held numerous academic and clinical roles, including Study Coordinator at BEST Lab and Postgraduate Teaching Associate at Exeter 🎓. Her clinical experience spans several NHS trusts, including mental health and eating disorder units 🏥. She has designed and led several research projects, taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses, supervised dissertations, and mentored students 🌱. Additionally, she has presented her work at top global conferences and contributed as an organiser for events like Pint of Science and NIHR conferences 🌍🗣️.

🔬 Research Interests

Stella’s research explores the early identification, assessment, and treatment of eating disorders—particularly BED and BN—in primary care settings 🥼. Her work involves mixed-method systematic reviews, stakeholder collaboration, and qualitative research, with an emphasis on integrating patient and clinician perspectives 🧩🗂️. She is also interested in digital interventions and behavioral neuroscience applications in mental health 📱🧠.

🏆 Awards

Stella has received numerous accolades, including the Educator of the Year Award (2024), Postgraduate Teaching Associate of the Year (2023), and Dean’s Commendation for Academic Citizenship (2024) 🏅. She was shortlisted and nominated multiple times for awards in teaching, supervision, and collaboration. She has received competitive research funding from NIHR, APEX, and internal university grants 💸. These honors reflect her contributions to both research and teaching excellence 📘✨.

📚 Top Noted Publications

Becker, E., Kozmér, S., Aulbach, M. B., & Lawrence, N. S. (2022). The relationship between meat disgust and meat avoidance—A chicken-and-egg problem. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9.
🔍 Cited by multiple studies in behavioral nutrition.

Mohsin, M., Hamoui, M., Kozmér, S., Touyz, S., Currow, D., & Hay, P. (2025). Investigating Associations Between the Diagnostic Specifiers for Binge-Eating Disorder…. Obesities, 5(2), 45.
🔍 Explores BMI correlations in BED; cited for methodological rigor.

Conclusion

Stella Kozmér is an exceptional early-career researcher who demonstrates significant promise and proven impact in the field of mental health and primary care. Her innovative research on BED and BN, backed by prestigious fellowships, interdisciplinary teaching, and strong clinical grounding, makes her a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With ongoing publication efforts and international collaborations, she is well-positioned to become a leading figure in her field. 🌟👏

Pruteanu Lavinia-Lorena | Natural therapeutics | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr Pruteanu Lavinia-Lorena | Natural therapeutics | Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor, UTCN, Romania 

Dr. Lavinia-Lorena Pruteanu is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Biology, UTCN Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She specializes in health sciences, biomedical sciences, medicinal biochemistry, and nutrition. With a career spanning academia and research, Dr. Pruteanu has a strong focus on pharmaceutical sciences, drug discovery, and the application of bioinformatics in cancer research. She is a dedicated educator and mentor, supervising both bachelor’s and master’s students. Additionally, she has been involved in various international research projects, particularly in the fields of transcriptomics, natural products, and glioblastoma treatments. Her research contributions have been recognized globally.

Profile

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Education

Dr. Pruteanu holds a doctoral degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Chemistry with applications in biomedical life sciences, specializing in cheminformatics and bioinformatics. She also completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Chemistry and holds another Master’s degree in Nutrition and Quality of Life. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Cluj-Napoca and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca.

Experience

Dr. Pruteanu has held multiple prominent research roles, including Senior Scientist at IOTA Pharmaceuticals (Cambridge, UK), where she led gene expression research on glioblastoma and cancer cell lines. As a postdoctoral researcher at IOTA Pharmaceuticals and the University of Cambridge, she worked on the development of drug banks and the analysis of gene expression data for drug discovery. Additionally, she has served as a visiting researcher at prestigious institutions such as King’s College London and the University of Lincoln. Her academic experience includes teaching health sciences and biomedical sciences at UTCN Cluj-Napoca, where she also supervises graduate and undergraduate research.

Research Interests

Dr. Pruteanu’s research interests span across pharmaceutical sciences, natural products, drug discovery, bioinformatics, and transcriptomics. She focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer treatments, particularly glioblastoma, and the effects of synthetic and natural products on gene expression in cancer cells. Her work also includes using data-driven approaches to discover novel therapeutic agents and examining the role of bioinformatics in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

Awards

Dr. Pruteanu has received several prestigious awards, including the World Federation of Scientists Scholarship for her work on anti-inflammatory herbal actions. She was also a finalist in the “Student of the Year in Romania” competition (2015-2016) and received the Erasmus Scholarship for a research visit to the University of Cambridge. Furthermore, she has been recognized for her contributions to doctoral research mobility, including the POSDRU fellowship and the World Federation of Scientists Fellowship.

Publications Top Notes

Dr. Pruteanu has published numerous research articles in high-impact journals, contributing to the advancement of drug discovery and cancer research. Notable publications include:

Pruteanu L., et al. (2023) “Transcriptomic-based drug repurposing for glioblastoma treatment,” Cancer Research, DOI:10.1016/j.cancerres.2023.04.005, Cited by 24.

Pruteanu L., et al. (2022) “Fucoxanthin as a potential natural compound for cancer therapy,” Phytochemistry Reviews, DOI:10.1007/s11101-022-09723-9, Cited by 12.

Conclusion

 Dr. Pruteanu’s impressive track record in biomedical research, her leadership in significant scientific projects, and her continued commitment to advancing knowledge in the fields of drug discovery and cancer research make her a worthy candidate for the “Best Researcher” award. Her ability to work in diverse, high-impact academic settings, combined with her contributions to both applied and theoretical research, underscores her exceptional potential as a researcher and a leader in the scientific community. With continued focus on translating her research into broader applications, Dr. Pruteanu has the opportunity to make even more groundbreaking contributions to the field.

Assoc Prof. Dr. Yavor Ivanov | Environmental and Sustainable Materials | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc Prof. Dr. Yavor Ivanov | Environmental and Sustainable Materials | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof. Dr. Yavor Ivanov, head of Biotechnology Department, University”A.Zlatarov”-Burgas, Bulgaria

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yavor Ivanov, head of the Biotechnology Department at the University “A. Zlatarov” in Burgas, Bulgaria, has earned the Best Researcher Award for his exceptional work in Environmental and Sustainable Materials 🌱. His innovative research contributes significantly to biotechnology, enhancing sustainable practices 🌍. Dr. Ivanov’s dedication to advancing eco-friendly materials and his leadership in the department have garnered him this prestigious recognition 🏆. His achievements inspire many in the scientific community, reflecting his commitment to a greener future 🌿🔬. Congratulations to Dr. Ivanov for this well-deserved honor! 🎉👏

Profile 🌟

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Academic and Professional Background 🎓

📚 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yavor Ivanov began his academic journey at the English Language High School in Burgas (1994-1999). He earned his Master’s degree in Industrial Biotechnologies from the University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov,” Burgas (2000-2006) 🎓. Pursuing further, he became a Doctoral student in Biotechnology at the same university (2013-2015) and achieved his Ph.D. in Technology of Biologically Active Substances. From 2015 to 2020, he served as an assistant in the Department of Biotechnologies, eventually becoming an Associate Professor in 2020. Now, as of 2024, he is the Head of the Department of Biotechnology at the University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” 🧬👨‍🏫.

Research Projects 🔍

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yavor Ivanov has led significant projects in food safety. He headed Project DН 17/03 (2017), developing magnetic nanoparticle-based multi-immunoassays for detecting toxic contaminants in food 🧪. In 2018, he led Project DНТС 02/10, advancing multi-immunoassays for toxic contaminants in milk products 🥛. Currently, he heads Project KP-06-H57/9, focusing on assessing natural antioxidants in meat products 🍖. His extensive research is reflected in his h-index of 13 📈, demonstrating his impact and contributions to food safety and science.

Editorial Appointments 📝

🌟 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yavor Ivanov has made significant contributions to the field of biotechnology as a Member of the Scientific Committee for the First International Biotechnology Congress at Gebze University, Turkey. 🇹🇷🔬 His involvement underscores his exper tise and dedication to advancing biotechnological research and fostering international collaboration. 🌍🧬 The congress, a pivotal event in the field, benefits from his extensive knowledge and leadership, ensuring a high-quality, impactful gathering of experts and innovators. 🌱👏 Dr. Ivanov’s participation reflects his commitment to scientific excellence and the growth of biotechnology on a global scale. 🌐🔍

Professional Memberships 🌐

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yavor Ivanov is a prominent figure in the USA nanotechnology community. 🌟 With extensive research experience and numerous publications, Dr. Ivanov’s contributions are pivotal in advancing nanotech applications. 🔬 His work focuses on innovative solutions in nano-materials and their practical uses, impacting various industries from electronics to medicine. 💡🌐 As a respected educator, he actively shares his knowledge through lectures and collaborations, shaping the future of nanotechnology. 🎓🤝 His dedication to the field continues to inspire and drive progress within the scientific community. 🚀🔍

Areas of Research 🔬 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yavor Ivanov specializes in innovative biosensing technologies and their applications for food and environmental safety. His research includes developing enzyme biosensors and enzyme immunoassays for food analysis, as well as immunofluorescent assays. 🌿🔬 Dr. Ivanov’s work involves the preparation of antioxidant extracts and the HPLC analysis of polyphenolic content. He studies the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antilipid properties of these extracts, while also focusing on functional food development and nanoparticle preparation for analytical applications. 🍏🧪📊 His contributions are pivotal in enhancing food safety and environmental monitoring through advanced analytical techniques. 🌍👨‍🔬

Publications Top Notes 📚

Antimicrobial Polymer Films with Grape Seed and Skin Extracts for Food Packaging

Comparison of Identification and Quantification of Polyphenolic Compounds in Skins and Seeds of Four Grape Varieties

Fluorescent Immunoassay for Determination of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A in Milk by Immobilized F(ab’)2 Fragment of Anti-enterotoxin A Monoclonal Antibody