Obasanjo Bolarinwa | VR in Healthcare | Research Excellence Award

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 Dr. Obasanjo Bolarinwa | VR in Healthcare | Research Excellence Award 

York St John University | United Kingdom

Dr. Obasanjo Bolarinwa is an accomplished interdisciplinary global public health academic and demography specialist, recognised among Stanford/Elsevier’s Top 2% Scientists in public health and health services, with an extensive research portfolio of over 100 publications, multiple competitive research grants, and active editorial board memberships across leading international journals. He holds a PhD in Demography and Population Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand, an M.Sc. in Global Public Health (Distinction) from Canterbury Christ Church University, and both M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Demography and Social Statistics from Obafemi Awolowo University. His professional qualifications include Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), and he serves as an External Examiner for MPH and DrPH programmes. Dr. Bolarinwa has secured prestigious awards such as the British Academy Small Grant (2025), NHS TEWV Joint Grant, Quality Related Funding from IHCI, UAPS–AIR Grant, the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Early Career Grant, and the AfRes-Data Fellowship. He has presented research at major global conferences, including the International Population Conference, Africa Population Conference, PAA, ESHD Conference, LSE Postgraduate Conference, and the International Conference on Family Planning. Professionally, he serves as Senior Lecturer and Programme Director in Public Health at York St. John University London, previously holding roles at the University of Chester and the University of Edinburgh, where he contributed to research design, data collection, analysis, and publication related to racially minoritised student experiences. His consultancy experience with Kent County Council further strengthened his expertise in research protocol development, statistical interpretation, and policy-relevant reporting. Dr. Bolarinwa’s publications centre on sexual and reproductive health, disability and sexuality, health inequalities, demographic behaviour, and AI in SRHR, with notable works in The Lancet, Reproductive Health, BMC Women’s Health, and International Journal for Equity in Health. He is an editorial member of SAGE, PLOS One, BMC, and Frontiers journals. His certifications span Good Clinical Practice, GDPR, digital and computational demography, COVID-19 research, and global health management. Highly skilled in statistical software (R, STATA, SPSS), data visualisation tools (Power BI, ODK, Kobo), spatial mapping (ArcGIS), and database management (SQL), he is recognised for innovative teaching, methodological expertise, and his commitment to equity-driven, interdisciplinary research that advances global public health, inclusive education, and population wellbeing.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Bolarinwa, O. A., Odimegwu, C., Babalola, B. I., & Mohammed, A. (2025). A qualitative study exploring the sexual experiences of women with disabilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Sexuality and Disability, 43(1), 1–25.

Bolarinwa, O. A., Odimegwu, C., & Tapera, T. (2024). Improving the sexual health of women with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review of published studies. Reproductive Health, 21(1), 1–13.

Bolarinwa, O. A., Odimegwu, C., & Adebisi, Y. A. (2024). Leaving no one behind: Addressing the sexuality of people with disabilities. International Journal for Equity in Health, 23(1), 129.

Bolarinwa, O. A. (2024). Inequality gaps in modern contraceptive use and associated factors among women of reproductive age in Nigeria between 2003 and 2018. BMC Women’s Health, 24(1), 317.

Bolarinwa, O. A., Adebisi, Y. A., Ajayi, K. V., & Boutahar, R. (2024). Sexual and reproductive health rights in the era of artificial intelligence. The Lancet, 404(10448), 120–121.

Bolarinwa, O. A., Hajjar, J. M., Alawode, O. A., Ajayi, K. V., Roberts, A. T., & Yaya, S. (2023). Multiple high-risk fertility behaviours and children under five mortality survivors among ever-married women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Archives of Public Health, 81(1), 175.

Nebras Alghanaim | VR in Healthcare | Best VR Researcher Award

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Dr. Nebras Alghanaim | VR in Healthcare | Best VR Researcher Award 

Kig Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences ( KSAU HS) jeddah | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Nebras Abdulrahman Alghanaim is a dedicated educator, researcher, and innovator in health professions education, specializing in simulation-based learning and virtual reality (VR)-enhanced interprofessional education (IPE). He earned his PhD from the University of Manchester in October 2025, where his research explored integrating simulation and VR into undergraduate health curricula through systematic and scoping reviews, qualitative studies, piloting VR interventions, and a Delphi consensus study to develop evidence-based IPE and simulation strategies. His findings revealed high learner acceptance of VR, identified faculty concerns, and established 28 IPE and 39 simulation-based education strategies, providing a sustainable framework for collaborative healthcare education. He also holds an MSc in Health Professions Education from University College London  and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from King Abdul-Aziz University . Since 2016, he has served as a Teaching Assistant at the Clinical Simulation Center, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, contributing significantly to the advancement of clinical education, curriculum design, and faculty development. Dr. Alghanaim has presented his work at numerous international conferences, including AMEE, ASME, SESAM, and ASPiH, delivering oral and poster presentations on VR, simulation, and interprofessional learning, and co-facilitated workshops such as Simulation 101 and Simulation Curriculum Design, supporting innovation in medical education. Recognized as the Best PBL and Simulation Instructor (2018–2019) and serving as the Medical Education Postgraduate Research Representative , he has demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and commitment to educational excellence. Over his academic career, he has contributed to six published research papers, with three more under process, emphasizing VR, simulation, and interprofessional education, and completed multiple international professional development courses, including VR Educator Training at the University of Oxford and STRATUS Simulation Education Programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His work bridges theory, technology, and practical application, offering evidence-informed, innovative strategies to enhance learner engagement, clinical skills, and collaborative healthcare education, establishing him as a pioneering figure in VR-based simulation research and an exemplary candidate for the Best VR Researcher Award.

 

Profile: Orcid

 

Featured Publications

Alghanaim, N., Hart, J., & Finn, G. (2025). Scoping review: The effectiveness of interprofessional virtual reality simulation. Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 12.

Alghanaim, N., Rogers, S., Finn, G., & Hart, J. (2025). The creation of an interprofessional education (IPE) strategy utilizing a Delphi method. The Clinical Teacher, 22(3), e70098.

Algahtani, H., Shirah, B., Abobaker, H., Alghanaim, N., & Kamel, F. (2018). Natalizumab treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: The experience from Saudi Arabia. Clinical Neuropharmacology, 41(6).

Abdulmageed, S. S., Alabbassi, F., Alradi, M., Alghanaim, N., Banjar, S., & Alnakhli, M. (2018). Assessment of occupational exposure to sharp injuries among healthcare workers in King Abdulaziz University Hospital. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 5(5), 1756–1761.

Algahtani, H. A., Shirah, B. H., Alzahrani, F. A., Abobaker, H. A., Alghanaim, N. A., & Manlangit, J. S. (2017). Quality of life among multiple sclerosis patients in Saudi Arabia. Neurosciences Journal, 22(4), 261.

Alzahrani, A. A., Alghanaim, N., & Abdulmageed, S. (2017). Perception of the Saudi community towards human papilloma virus vaccination in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Global Journal of Health Science, 9(8), 158.

Aslı Eker | VR in Healthcare | Best VR Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Aslı Eker | VR in Healthcare | Best VR Researcher Award

Mersin University | Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Aslı Eker is a dedicated academic, midwifery specialist, and researcher in women’s health with expertise in breastfeeding, lactation management, maternal well-being, and reproductive health. She completed her Bachelor’s in Nursing at Dokuz Eylül University , Master’s in Midwifery at Mersin University, and Doctorate in Women’s Health and Diseases Nursing at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (2019), where she developed an evidence-based Post-Caesarean Section Lactation Management Model that has contributed significantly to clinical practice and research. Her academic career progressed from Research Assistant and Lecturer roles to Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery at Mersin University (2023), where she currently serves as Head of the Midwifery Department and Programme Head (since 2024). Dr. Eker has an extensive publication portfolio in leading international and national journals, including BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Reproductive Sciences, African Journal of Reproductive Health, and Current Women’s Health Reviews, with studies addressing breastfeeding outcomes, lactation education, psychosocial issues in women’s health, menopause, and student clinical learning. She has authored and contributed to several scientific books and book chapters on women’s health, gynaecology, lactation, midwifery practices, and COVID-19 parenting approaches. A frequent speaker at scientific congresses, she has presented over 30 papers internationally and nationally and received notable honours such as the 2025 Poster Presentation Third Place Award and 2022 Oral Presentation Second Place Award. In addition to academic contributions, she has actively engaged in community health development and research projects, many supported by TÜBİTAK, focusing on breastfeeding education, menopausal health, reproductive health awareness, disaster-period midwifery care, and youth health behaviour. Her leadership also includes editorial board roles for scientific journals, reflecting her commitment to advancing midwifery education, evidence-based practice, and women’s health research.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Eker, A., Yıldız Karadeniz, E., & Aşkan, F. (2025). The effect of virtual reality headsets on breast milk production and anxiety in mothers of preterm infants. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25(710), 2–7.

Sarı, E., Eker, A., & Saltekin, A. (2025). Determining the factors affecting the nutritional behaviour and nutritional knowledge levels of breastfeeding women in the postpartum period. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 28(6), 687–694.

Eker, A., & Aslan, E. (2024). Effect of lactation management model on breastfeeding process after cesarean: A prospective randomised controlled study. Reproductive Sciences, 31.

Gökçe İṡbir, G., Kömürcü Akik, B., & Eker, A. (2024). Development and validation of breastfeeding expectations scale-A (BES-A): A questionnaire for pregnant women. Women’s Reproductive Health, 11(3), 667–682.

Eker, A., Aydın Beşen, M., & Köksoy Vayisoğlu, S. (2022). Support experiences of mothers with breastfeeding problems: A qualitative study. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 26(7), 102–111.

Yıldız Karadeniz, E., Çeçen, S., Lafcı, D., & Eker, A. (2022). The effect of repeated video-training sessions on metered dose inhaler skills among individuals with COPD: Prospective randomised controlled study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(9), 1339–1347.

Eker, A., & Aslan, E. (2022). Current approach in the breastfeeding process; Lactation management model. Mediterranean Nursing and Midwifery, 2(1), 35–40.

Aydın, M., Eker, A., & Yurdakul, M. (2021). Effects of menopausal symptoms on work life and organisational environment. Current Women’s Health Reviews, 17(1), 79–85.