yuanyuan Liu | VR in Arts & Media | Women in VR Research Award

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Ms. yuanyuan Liu | VR in Arts & Media | Women in VR Research Award 

China University of Petroleum | China

Dr. Yuanyuan Liu, an Associate Professor and postgraduate supervisor at the China University of Petroleum (East China), is an accomplished scholar whose work spans cultural communication, public opinion governance, media convergence, and clinical data research. With a strong foundation in humanities and social sciences, she has led major national and ministerial-level research projects, including a 2025 National Social Science Foundation project on emotional governance in online political spaces and a 2024 Ministry of Education project addressing multimodal deepfake dissemination and regional security. Her extensive portfolio includes over 15 completed or ongoing research projects covering international communication, tourism culture, teaching reform, digital resource development, big-data-driven media analysis, and interdisciplinary cultural studies. Dr. Liu has published widely across SCI, SSCI, CSSCI, and AMI-indexed journals, producing high-impact work such as bibliometric analyses in developmental disabilities, scholarly governance in the age of AI, deepfake mitigation strategies, and applications of ChatGPT in clinical and academic settings. Her research contributions bridge technology, communication, and societal development, particularly addressing contemporary challenges such as misinformation, digital media behavior, and cross-cultural public opinion dynamics. She has also authored multiple academic monographs and undergraduate textbooks with reputable presses including Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press, Xi’an Jiaotong University Press, Peking University Press, and CUP Press. Her innovation-driven outputs include a utility model patent for portable English-teaching display technology, software copyright for a multimodal emotion recognition and intervention system, and an ongoing invention patent related to blocking deepfake dissemination. Dr. Liu’s academic influence is reflected in her participation in national research translation projects, involvement in provincial cultural and tourism development initiatives, and her recognized contributions through five provincial and municipal awards for excellence in humanities and social sciences. A council member of the International Society for Chinese Rhetoric and an editorial appointee for Major Country Diplomatic Communication, she actively collaborates across institutional and disciplinary boundaries.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Zhang, H., Wang, Y., Yin, G., Liu, K., Liu, Y., & Yu, T. (2023). Learning language-guided adaptive hyper-modality representation for multimodal sentiment analysis. arXiv:2310.05804.

Liu, Y., Wang, W., Feng, C., Zhang, H., Chen, Z., & Zhan, Y. (2023). Expression snippet transformer for robust video-based facial expression recognition. Pattern Recognition, 138, Article 109465.

Zhu, Y., He, X., Tang, C., Liu, X., Liu, Y., & He, K. (2024). Multi-view adaptive fusion network for spatially resolved transcriptomics data clustering. IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering.

Yin, G., Liu, Y., Liu, T., Zhang, H., Fang, F., Tang, C., & Jiang, L. (2024). Token-disentangling mutual transformer for multimodal emotion recognition. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 133, 108348.

Ahmet Seven | VR in Healthcare | Research Excellence Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Seven | VR in Healthcare | Research Excellence Award 

Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University | Turkey

Ahmet Seven, currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Turkiye, is an academic specializing in palliative care, chronic disease management, symptom management, death, and grief studies. With active research involvement in areas such as diabetes, hypertension, and internal medicine nursing, he has completed or is engaged in 30 research projects and has contributed significantly to scientific literature with 35 journal publications indexed in SCI and Scopus, 10 Web of Science–indexed publications, and an H-index of 3 based on Web of Science Core Collection metrics. His academic portfolio further includes the publication of 9 books with ISBN numbers, editorial service as Editor of the Online Turkish Journal of Health Sciences, and professional membership in the Turkish Nurses Association. While he has not yet participated in consultancy or industry-linked projects, he remains committed to advancing healthcare research and contributing to the scientific community. His ongoing work highlights the critical role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in easing the workload of nurses and improving the overall efficiency of healthcare systems. He identifies a significant gap in Türkiye regarding nurses’ attitudes toward AI, their adoption levels, and their concerns and expectations about technology integration. His study aims to address these gaps by producing evidence that will guide the development of AI integration strategies in clinical nursing practice, support curriculum enhancements for nursing education, and facilitate smoother technology adaptation processes among healthcare professionals. These insights are expected to inform policymakers and contribute to national strategies for AI-enabled healthcare transformation. Ahmet Seven’s academic and professional engagement is supported by verifiable research profiles, including his Google Scholar account and Web of Science author record, which document his scholarly contributions. He has no patents or formal collaborations to date but continues to develop his expertise through independent academic work and editorial responsibilities. Through his nomination for the Excellence Research Award under the Global VR Research Awards, he certifies that all provided information is accurate and complete and agrees to the terms, conditions, and policies of the awards. His dedication to research, education, and the future of healthcare technology positions him as a noteworthy contributor to the scientific and nursing communities, with ongoing efforts aimed at shaping the future of AI integration in clinical settings.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Semerci Cakmak, V., Seven, A., & Sonmez Sari, E. (2025). Death anxiety and death literacy among patients with chronic diseases: A cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry, 25(1), 299.

Seven, A., Adadioglu, O., & Danc, E. (2021). How do nurses perceive workplace incivility: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Health and Nursing Management, 8(3), 388–396.

Seven, A., & Sert, H. (2021). Nursing care of a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma according to the Watson Human Care Model: A case report. Turkish Journal of Science and Health, 2(1), 118–123.

Sert, H., Dogan, S. G., Cetinkaya, S., Pelin, M., & Seven, A. (2019). Health status of patients hospitalized in the infection unit and information needs of caregivers: A pilot study. Journal of Intensive Care Nursing, 23(2), 57–63.

Seven, A. (2018). Effects of nursing care based on Watson’s Human Care Model on dyspnea management, anxiety, and quality of life in palliative care patients (Master’s thesis). Sakarya University.

Seven, A., & Dulger, H. (2020). Compassion levels of healthcare and care services students and influencing factors. Social Sciences Studies Journal, 6(54), 28–34.

Dulger, H., & Seven, A. (2019). Determination of health perception levels of vocational school of health services students and influencing factors: A cross-sectional study. EJONS International Journal on Mathematics, Engineering and Natural Sciences.

Mohammed Mamun Rashid | Social Science | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Mohammed Mamun Rashid | Social Science | Research Excellence Award 

University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) | Bangladesh

Dr. Mohammed Mamun  Rashid, a Bangladeshi national born on 1 January 1977 in Mirsharai, Chattogram, is a distinguished academic and development professional with extensive experience in social work, governance, and community development. He earned his PhD in Social Work from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2022, focusing on capital penetration and coping strategies of traditional Hindu fisherfolk in Bangladesh, and holds a Master of Arts in Inter-Asia NGO Studies from SungKongHoe University, South Korea, and an MBA and BBA from the University of Chittagong. Currently, he serves as a Part-Time Faculty at the Department of Media Studies and Journalism, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), teaching courses such as Strategic Communication and Strategic Public Relations, while his teaching interests encompass development studies, poverty, social policy, governance, project management, migration, social work, and advanced research methodologies. Dr. Rashid’s scholarly contributions include numerous Scopus- and Web of Science-indexed publications addressing poverty, social transformation, small-scale fisheries, refugee well-being, migration, and climate change adaptation, alongside multiple authored and co-authored books on coastal communities, migration, and livelihoods in Bangladesh. His professional experience spans over 15 years in development practice, including leadership roles at Transparency International Bangladesh and the Community Development Centre (CODEC), where he coordinated programs on governance, civic engagement, advocacy, social mobilization, and climate adaptation, often in partnership with NGOs, government institutions, and international donors such as USAID, DANIDA, and the European Commission. He has actively contributed to national and international conferences, seminars, and symposia, sharing insights on community resilience, labor policy, disaster risk reduction, and social development. Dr. Rashid has also served on editorial boards, reviewed numerous manuscripts for international journals, and participated in research projects as principal or co-principal investigator. His research interests focus on capitals and social transformation, governance, human development, migration, marginalization, and the well-being of traditional small-scale fisherfolk and refugee populations.

Profiles: Orcid  | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Rashid, M. M., Azid, M. T., Shaulin, N., & Joya, S. A. (2025). Performances of standing committees of Union Parishad (UP) in Bangladesh: A descriptive analysis. Public Administration Issues, 6, 26–42.

Rashid, M. M., Singh, P. S. J., & Azman, A. (2025). Poverty paradigm among traditional Hindu fisherfolk and flows of multiple capitals as coping strategies for sustainability: An empirical study. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 20(8), 1705–1729.

Rashid, M. M., Sofuggzaman, M., & Singh, P. S. J. (2025). Educational facilitators and key barriers for Rohingya children with disabilities in refugee camps. International Journal of Population Studies, 11(6), 1–14.

Rashid, M. M., Azman, A., Singh, P. S. J., & Ali, M. I. (2020). Issues and problems of small-scale fishing (SSF) communities in South Asia: A comprehensive overview. Indian Journal of Ecology, 47(3), 775–781.

Ali, I., Azman, A., Singh, P. S. J., Drani, S., & Rashid, M. M. (2020). Islamic faith-based organizations and poverty reduction in Bangladesh: A social work perception. Social Work & Society, 18(2), 1–15.

 

Guanghao Wu | biomaterials | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Guanghao Wu | biomaterials | Research Excellence Award 

Beijing Institute of Technology | China

Dr. Guanghao Wu, Associate Professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, is an emerging leader in biomimetic micro/nano delivery systems, advanced imaging materials, and cell-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. His academic training spans a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Technology from the Beijing Institute of Technology and earlier degrees in biochemistry, molecular biology, and biological sciences from Hebei Normal University, followed by postdoctoral research focused on functional nanomedicine. Dr. Wu’s contributions integrate cell membranes, extracellular vesicles, micro/nanomotors, NIR-II emissive materials, and hybrid cell platforms to achieve precise diagnosis and intervention for stroke, atherosclerosis, and intracerebral hemorrhage. His funded projects include major grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Beijing Natural Science Foundation, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation special and general programs, international academic exchange initiatives, and multiple national key laboratory open projects, reflecting strong recognition of his research leadership. He has authored 32 documents, accumulated Citations by 1,184 documents, with a total of 1,326 citations and an h-index of 16, demonstrating growing academic influence. His publications appear in top-tier journals such as Progress in Materials Science, ACS Nano, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Soft Robotics, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Biomaterials, Journal of Nanobiotechnology, Nano Research, and International Journal of Pharmaceutics, covering advancements in inflammation-responsive nanotherapies, hybrid stem cell–platelet systems, imaging-guided intervention platforms, soft actuators, and nanomedicine for fibrosis and vascular disease. His patented technologies further support his translational focus. Dr. Wu also serves on the Early-Career Editorial Boards of Acta Materia Medica, Biomedical Technology, Nano-Micro Letters, Interdisciplinary Medicine, and Biomedical Sciences, highlighting his standing in the scientific community. His innovations in biomimetic probes, NIR-II integrated hybrid cell therapy, and magnetic biomimetic cilia for real-time hemodynamic sensing contribute significantly to precision diagnostics and minimally invasive treatment strategies, positioning him as a competitive candidate for the Research Excellence Award.

Profile:  Scopus

Featured Publications

Wu, G., Yin, G., Zheng, Y. F., Li, M., & Luo, Y. M. (2025). Breaking through barrier: The emerging role of nucleic acids-based drug delivery in stroke. Progress in Materials Science, 151, 101436.

Song, J. C., Li, Y., Xu, B. Q., Wu, G.*, & Guo, Y. B. (2025). Centimeter-scale bulk liquid crystal elastomer artificial muscle with strong mechanical properties and designable complex shape-morphing. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 17(21), 31476–31486.

Xu, B. Q., Xiao, X., Song, J. C., Zeng, X. B., Li, L., Duan, R., Jiang, M. D., Yin, Y., & Wu, G.* (2025). Multifunctional origami-inspired bimodal wireless pneumatic soft actuator. Soft Robotics.

Wu, G., & Xie, H., et al. (2023). Enhanced proliferation of visualizable mesenchymal stem cell−platelet hybrid cell for versatile intracerebral hemorrhage treatment. ACS Nano, 17(8), 7352–7365.

Wu, G., & Xie, H., et al. (2020). Molecularly engineered macrophage-derived exosomes with inflammation tropism and intrinsic heme biosynthesis for atherosclerosis treatment. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 59(10), 4068–4074.

Wu, G., & Xie, H., et al. (2020). A self-driven bioinspired nanovehicle by leukocyte membrane-hitchhiking for early detection and treatment of atherosclerosis. Biomaterials, 250, 119963.

Wu, G., Su, Q., Ge, H., et al. (2023). NAMPT encapsulated by extracellular vesicles from young adipose‑derived mesenchymal stem cells treated tendinopathy in a “one-stone-two-birds” manner. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 21, 7.

Zheng, M., & Wu, G.* (2024). Traditional Chinese medicine inspired dual-drugs loaded inhalable nano-therapeutics alleviated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by targeting early inflammation and late fibrosis. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 22, 14.

Fita Dehnie | Simulation & Training | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Fita Dehnie | Simulation & Training | Research Excellence Award 

Dilla University | Ethiopia

 Fita Ayalew is an experienced education professional with over two decades of progressive leadership roles across Ethiopia’s TVET and higher education sectors. He is currently a PhD candidate in Education Policy and Leadership at Dilla University, building on an MA in Management of Vocational Education from Addis Ababa University , a Bachelor’s Degree in Office Administration and Office Technology from Jimma University , and a Diploma in Business Education from Addis Ababa University . Since 2016, he has served as Faculty Dean and Satellite Campus Coordinator at the Ethiopian Technical University, where he oversees project planning, education policy formulation, budgeting, academic supervision, research support, and technology incubation. His earlier career includes serving as a Human Resource Development Expert at SNNPR State TVET Bureau and Wolkite Polytechnic College, vocational counselor, construction campus coordinator, vice principal, department head, and trainer—roles through which he contributed to teacher recruitment, academic supervision, curriculum review, cooperative training, student counseling, program evaluation, and institutional quality improvement. His responsibilities have spanned academic planning, staff appraisal, data management, stakeholder coordination, and leadership of both human and material resources. Known for strong leadership, multitasking, communication, and active listening, he is fluent in Amharic and Afan Oromo, with very good English proficiency. He is recognized for professionalism and work ethics, reflected in certifications such as the ILO Key Facilitator certificate, BDS training, computer maintenance and networking, and commendations from KFW (IP Consult). Throughout his career, he has demonstrated commitment to advancing vocational education, fostering institutional excellence, and supporting students’ academic and career development across various administrative and instructional roles.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Ayalew, F. (2025). Cooperative training as a mediator between training materials and graduates’ employability in the Ethiopian vocational education. International Journal of Training and Development.

Ayalew, F. (2025). Employers’ perception of hiring graduates of vocational education. The Ethiopian Journal of Higher Education.

Ayalew, F. (2024). Policy analysis on Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Education and Training program: Emphasis on relevance and quality. Ethiopian Journal of Teacher Education and Leadership, 1(2).

Ayalew, F. (2014). Assessment of the implementation of industry extension services and challenges (Master’s thesis). Addis Ababa University.

Albert “Skip” Rizzo | VR Therapy & Mental Health | Lifetime Achievement in Virtual Reality Award

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Prof. Albert “Skip” Rizzo | VR Therapy & Mental Health | Lifetime Achievement in Virtual Reality Award

USC-Institute for Creative Technologies | United States

Albert “Skip” Rizzo, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist who founded one of the world’s first Clinical Virtual Reality laboratories at USC in 1995 and currently serves as Director of Medical VR at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, where he has spent three decades designing, developing, and evaluating over 60 VR and Virtual Human systems for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and research across domains such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and other health conditions; best known for his groundbreaking BRAVEMIND PTSD therapy used with veterans and trauma survivors, he has collaborated extensively with computer scientists, engineers, artists, and medical leaders to advance the field, earning widespread recognition including being named one of Polygon’s top 25 VR innovators, Ozy’s “Godfather of Virtual Reality,” recipient of the 2018 Michael Dell “Engine of Human Progress” award, the ISTSS Trauma Innovation Award, the International Society on Virtual Rehabilitation Distinguished Service Award, the Best Paper Award for his VR ADHD classroom study involving 700 children, and the 2023 IEEE VR Lifetime Achievement Award; his team also secured second place and $1M funding in the VA Mission Daybreak competition for the Battle Buddy suicide-prevention system, while his career research portfolio exceeds $60M in funding—$30M specifically in Virtual Humans—with major grants from the Department of Defense, DARPA, VA, Army Research Lab, and leading industry partners including HP, Nvidia, Google, Dell, Intel, Samsung, HTC/Valve, AMD, Magic Leap, and many others; with more than 350 peer-reviewed publications, 31 chapters, 10 books, over 1000 professional presentations, 41 awards, and over 1000 media appearances, Dr. Rizzo’s influential body of work continues to shape and expand the global impact of clinical VR in healthcare and rehabilitation.

Profiles:  Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Rizzo, A. S. (2025). Relationships between parent ratings of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder behaviors and the Virtual Reality Attention Tracker in school-aged children: Cross-sectional study. Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Rizzo, A. S. (2025). Virtual reality exposure for treating PTSD due to military sexual trauma. Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Rizzo, A. S. (2025). Expert consensus best practices for the safe, ethical, and effective design and implementation of artificially intelligent conversational agent (i.e., chatbot/virtual human) systems in health care applications. Journal of Medical Extended Reality.

Rizzo, A. S. (2024). Reporting guidelines for the early-phase clinical evaluation of applications using extended reality (RATE-XR): Qualitative study guideline. Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Rizzo, A. S. (2024). Advances in the use of virtual reality to treat mental health conditions. Nature Reviews Psychology.

Rizzo, A. S. (2024). Reporting guidelines for the early-phase clinical evaluation of applications using extended reality (RATE-XR): Qualitative study guideline (Preprint). JMIR Preprints.

Rizzo, A. S. (2023). Reporting the early-stage clinical evaluation of virtual-reality-based intervention trials: RATE-VR. Nature Medicine.

Rizzo, A. S. (2022). Enhancing exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized clinical trial of virtual reality and imaginal exposure with a cognitive enhancer. Translational Psychiatry.

Sevil Guler | Virtual Reality Systems | Best VR Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevil Guler | Virtual Reality Systems | Best VR Researcher Award

Erciyes University | Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevil Guler, a distinguished faculty member in the Nursing Department of Erciyes University’s Health Sciences Faculty, is an accomplished internal medicine nursing specialist with a strong research footprint in hemodialysis care, pain management, complementary therapies, and emerging immersive technologies such as virtual reality in patient care. Holding a PhD in Internal Medicine Nursing from Erciyes University, she has progressed through academic roles since 2007—beginning as a lecturer, later serving as an assistant professor, and ultimately becoming an associate professor in 2018. Her academic contributions include over 171 peer-reviewed publications, three published books with ISBN, six completed or ongoing research projects, and impactful randomized controlled trials addressing pain, anxiety, coping mechanisms, and chronic disease support. Her citation metrics include 12 citations and an H-index of 3 in Web of Science, and 23 citations with an H-index of 2 in Scopus. She has played key roles in academic coordination, including participation in Erasmus initiatives, program committees, and the supervision of multiple undergraduate and graduate theses. Although she does not currently hold editorial board positions or formal professional memberships, her work is strengthened by significant research collaborations, most notably with Seda Şahan, producing several influential studies on hemodialysis pain, complementary therapies such as hand massage, foot reflexology, and coping interventions. Her expanding interest in virtual reality applications in nursing positions her strongly within emerging domains of immersive healthcare innovation. With no patents or consultancy projects, her academic output remains predominantly research-driven, contributing substantially to evidence-based practice and patient-centered nursing care. Her studies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate a commitment to improving the psychosocial well-being of vulnerable patient groups, exploring anxiety, coping, and symptom management in challenging clinical environments. Her academic and professional information is publicly documented through her institutional profile on AVESIS, where her research, publications, and credentials are verifiable.

Profile:  Orcid

Featured Publications

Guler, S. (2025). Periton diyaliz uygulanan bireylerde bakim bagimliligi ve etkileyen faktorler. Turk Nefroloji, Diyaliz ve Transplantasyon Hemsireleri Dernegi.

Guler, S. (2025). The effect of video streaming with virtual reality glasses during arteriovenous fistula needle insertion on pain and anxiety of individuals undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Hemodialysis International.

Guler, S. (2025). The effect of stress ball utilization on dyspnea severity and anxiety level in patients receiving nebulizer therapy: Randomized controlled study. International Journal of Clinical Practice.

Guler, S. (2024). The effect of video streaming with virtual reality glasses on pain, anxiety, and satisfaction applied in peripheral intravenous catheter process. Pain Management Nursing.

Guler, S. (2024). The effect of footbath applied to patients receiving hemodialysis treatment on comfort, fatigue, and dialysis symptoms: A randomized controlled study. Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis.

Guler, S. (2023). El efecto de la reflexologia podal sobre la fatiga en pacientes en hemodialisis: Un estudio de metaanalisis. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.

Guler, S. (2023). O efeito da reflexologia podal sobre a fadiga em pacientes em hemodialise: Um estudo de metanalise. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.

Guler, S. (2023). The effect of foot reflexology on fatigue in hemodialysis patients: A meta-analysis study. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.

Julia Barczyk | Simulation & Training | Research Excellence Award

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Ms. Julia Barczyk | Simulation & Training | Research Excellence Award 

University of Wroclaw | Poland

Julia Barczyk is an ornithologist and ecological researcher with extensive experience in field biology, statistical modelling, and biodiversity monitoring across Europe, Asia, and South America. She is completing her PhD at the University of Wrocław, where her dissertation focuses on evaluating methods of forest bird abundance estimation using hierarchical models and long-term field studies in Białowieża National Park. She holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree from Jagiellonian University, with research spanning natal dispersal in blue tits and physiological responses to fasting in zebra finches. Her professional and internship experience includes advanced laboratory and molecular work, extensive bird monitoring, and international field research, such as metabarcoding of aquatic insects in Poland, modelling forest bird abundance at the Swiss Ornithological Institute under Marc Kéry, ecological fieldwork in Ecuador for Senckenberg Research Centre, and multiple ornithological and ecological projects in Poland, Sweden, and tropical environments. She has undertaken diverse workshops and specialist courses, including capture-recapture analyses in R, avian parasitology, GPS and geolocator data visualisation, tropical ecology field methods, and licensed bird ringing training. Julia is the author and co-author of several peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Oikos, Ecological Indicators, Journal of Ornithology, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, and Journal of Avian Biology, addressing topics from distance sampling and abundance estimation to gut microbiome diversity and functional evolution of avian traits. She has presented her work at major international conferences, including the European Ornithologists’ Union Congress, Bird Numbers conference, and the International Ornithological Congress. A dedicated member of the scientific community, she serves on the board of Association Carpatica – Birds Ringing Station and has previously chaired student naturalist and ornithology organisations at Jagiellonian University.

Profile: Google Scholar

Davar Khodadadi | VR in Sports Science | Best VR Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Davar Khodadadi | VR in Sports Science | Best VR Researcher Award 

Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch | Iran

Dr. Davar Khodadadi is an exercise physiologist specializing in neuromuscular physiology, with focused expertise in exercise training, aging, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, hemostatic responses, circadian rhythm, and exercise performance. He earned his PhD from Tarbiat Modares University, where he investigated the effects of aerobic training on amyloid-beta clearance and cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer’s disease models, following an MSc on diurnal variations in blood coagulation responses to exercise and a BSc in Physical Education. With over a decade of academic experience, he has served as an instructor and currently works as an Assistant Professor at the Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, teaching subjects such as exercise physiology, applied physiology, sports nutrition, anatomy, and training design. His research contributions include numerous peer-reviewed publications in international and national journals, covering topics such as high-intensity training, hemostasis, neuroplasticity, caffeine ergogenicity, and molecular mechanisms underlying exercise-induced brain adaptations. He has also contributed to research projects on anaerobic training and diving-related hemostatic responses, and is the author of a book on exercise and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Khodadadi is highly skilled in laboratory techniques including stereotaxic surgery, Morris Water Maze testing, animal exercise protocols, brain and muscle dissections, and advanced physiological assessments. Beyond academia, he brings substantial practical experience as a certified judo, bodybuilding, and fitness coach, serving as a judo trainer since 2008 and as Chairman of the Education Committee of the Judo & Kurash Federation of Iran. He is also active as a personal fitness trainer, researcher, and official expert in sports-related affairs. Fluent in Persian and Azeri, with strong English reading and writing skills, he is proficient in SPSS, GraphPad Prism, and Microsoft Office.

Featured Publications

Khodadadi, D., Azimi, F., Eghbal Moghanlou, A., Gursoy, R., Demirli, A., Jalali, P., Behdari, R., & Seyedheydari, M. (2025). Habitual caffeine consumption and training status affect the ergogenicity of acute caffeine intake on exercise performance. Sports Health. Advance online publication.

Khodadadi, D., Gharakhanlou, R., Naghdi, N., Salimi, M., Azimi, M., Shahed, A., & Heysieattalab, S. (2018). Treadmill exercise ameliorates spatial learning and memory deficits through improving the clearance of peripheral and central amyloid-beta levels. Neurochemical Research, 43(8), 1561–1574.

Khodadadi, D., Gharakhanlou, R., Naghdi, N., Salimi, M., Azimi, M., & Shahed, A. (2018). The effect of 4 weeks of exercise preconditioning on soluble amyloid beta level and memory impairment in rats with Alzheimer’s disease induced by Aβ1-42 injection. Razi Journal of Medical Sciences, 24(165), 74–84.

Fatih Altug | Spatial Computing | Best VR Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Altug | Spatial Computing | Best VR Researcher Award

Ondokuz Mayis University | Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Altug is a distinguished academic and Associate Professor at Ondokuz Mayıs University, Turkey, whose research expertise lies at the intersection of economic geography, spatial computing, and socio-cultural analysis, with a strong focus on understanding how geographic structures and cultural dynamics shape social and economic outcomes across regions. Throughout his academic career, he has consistently explored themes related to regional development, gender disparities, labor market conditions, and the socio-spatial mechanisms that influence human activity, contributing valuable insights to the broader fields of geography and social sciences. His recent research, “Spatial Analysis of Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting Women’s Employment in Türkiye,” represents a significant academic contribution, offering a rigorous and multidimensional examination of how cultural norms, education levels, regional accessibility, and economic opportunities influence the workforce participation of women across diverse geographic contexts. By applying advanced spatial analysis techniques, Dr. Altug provides a comprehensive understanding of the structural and cultural barriers that shape gender inequality, highlighting the importance of spatial patterns, local dynamics, and socio-economic environments in determining employment outcomes. His findings not only enrich academic knowledge but also offer evidence-based insights that can support policymakers, development planners, and social agencies working toward gender equity and regional progress. Published through reputable academic platforms such as Wiley’s International Social Science Journal, his scholarship reflects methodological strength, analytical depth, and a commitment to addressing critical social issues through data-driven spatial research. Alongside his research contributions, Dr. Altug is actively involved in academic mentoring, interdisciplinary collaboration, and scholarly discussions that connect geography with sociology, economics, and emerging technological fields such as immersive and spatial computing. His professional engagement includes participating in research forums, contributing to scientific communities, and supporting the development of the next generation of researchers.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Altug, F. (2025). Spatial analysis of socio-cultural factors affecting women’s employment in Turkiye. International Social Science Journal. Advance online publication.

Altug, F., & Almamammadli, G. (2025). Turkiye’de kadin istihdamInIn sektorel ve bolgesel duzeyde yogunlasma durumu. International Journal of Geography and Geography Education.

Altug, F., & Akkoyun, K. (2023). Gecici kumelerin inovasyon sureclerinin gelismesine etkisi: TEKNOFEST ornegi. International Journal of Geography and Geography Education.

Altug, F. (2022). Bilissel ve orgutsel yakinligin bilimsel is birliklerine etkisi: Turkiye’deki cografya dergileri uzerine ampirik bir arastirma. Ege Cografya Dergisi.

Tuysuz, S., Baycan, T., & Altug, F. (2022). Economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey: Analysis of vulnerability and resilience of regions and diversely affected economic sectors. Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science.