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.

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.

Carolin Wienrich | Virtual Reality Systems | Best VR Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Carolin Wienrich | Virtual Reality Systems | Best VR Researcher Award 

University of Wurzburg | Germany

Carolin Wienrich is an accomplished academic leader and researcher in the Psychology of Intelligent Interactive Systems, with strong interdisciplinary expertise spanning psychology, human–technology interaction, computer science, and extended reality (XR). Since 2022, she has served as University Professor for Psychology of Intelligent Interactive Systems at the Faculty of Human Sciences, Julius-Maximilians-University (JMU) Würzburg, and since 2020, she has co-led the XR HUB Würzburg, strengthening research, innovation, and collaboration in XR across academia, industry, and society. Her career reflects continuous academic excellence, including a W3 Deputy Professorship in Computer Vision at JMU Würzburg from 2019 to 2021 within the faculties of Mathematics and Computer Science, and a Positive Interim Evaluation of her Junior-Professorship in 2019, confirming its equivalence to the German Habilitation. From 2016 to 2022, she held the Junior-Professorship for Human-Technology-Systems at JMU Würzburg, following her role as Postdoctoral Researcher in New Media and Methodology at the Technical University of Berlin, where she also earned her PhD in Science in 2015. Earlier, she contributed to major BMU and DFG-funded projects as a Research Assistant at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg and the Technical University of Berlin (2009–2015), after completing her Diploma degree in Psychology in 2009. Her research focuses on XR and Artificial Intelligence as both research methods and objects of study for advancing the psychology of interactive systems, contributing significantly to human–computer interaction, immersive technologies, and human-AI interaction. She has successfully led or co-led eight third-party-funded interdisciplinary research projects and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. Carolin Wienrich has received multiple prestigious honors, including the 2023 Equality Award of University Würzburg, the 2020 Best Research Award of the Faculty of Human Sciences, the 2019 Best Lecture Award of Bavaria, and the 2019 Best Impact Project Award from the Virtual Reality Institute of Germany, in addition to an earlier scholarship from the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (2006–2010). She actively contributes to academia as a reviewer, grant assessor, program committee member, and supervisor for Bachelor, Master, and PhD theses, and serves as a Scientific Expert on the Advisory Council for Consumer Protection of the German Federal Ministry with a focus on eXtended Realities and Human-AI Interaction.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Wienrich, C., & Latoschik, M. E. (2022). The potential of immersive virtual reality for human–computer interaction research: Methodological perspectives and applications. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 3, 1–14.

Wienrich, C., & Gramlich, J. (2021). A framework for evaluating user trust in AI-driven interactive systems. Computers in Human Behavior, 125, 106972.

Wienrich, C., Latoschik, M. E., & Moritz, R. (2020). Social presence and embodiment in immersive virtual environments: A psychological perspective on XR technologies. International Journal of Human–Computer Studies, 140, 102429.

Wienrich, C., & Latoschik, M. E. (2019). Towards meaningful human–AI interaction: Designing adaptive and explainable systems. AI & Society, 34(4), 873–888.

Wienrich, C., Döllinger, N., & Latoschik, M. E. (2018). User experience and acceptance in virtual reality learning environments: The role of interactivity and realism. Computers & Education, 123, 23–34.

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.