Mahmoud Hallal | Clinical Trials | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Mahmoud Hallal | Clinical Trials | Best Researcher Award

Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences | Lebanon

Prof. Mahmoud Hallal is a distinguished clinician, educator, and leader in the field of gastroenterology, renowned for his extensive expertise in internal medicine, hepatology, and advanced therapeutic endoscopy. He began his medical journey by earning a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Baghdad University, laying the foundation for a career marked by excellence, dedication, and continuous learning. He later pursued advanced clinical training in internal medicine at Makassed General Hospital in Beirut, a center affiliated with the American University of Beirut Medical Center, where he completed a comprehensive residency followed by a rotating internship that strengthened his clinical acumen and patient-centered approach.Driven by a deep interest in digestive health and liver diseases, Prof. Hallal completed intensive post-graduate fellowship training in gastroenterology at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. His advanced training included a specialized senior fellowship focused on liver diseases and an external university training program in France, where he developed high-level competency in therapeutic bilio-pancreatic procedures and invasive endoscopy, including ERCP. This period shaped his clinical expertise and positioned him among the region’s leading specialists in advanced endoscopic interventions.Prof. Hallal’s professional credentials include medical licensure as a physician, internist, and gastroenterologist in Lebanon. Over the course of his career, he has held several major hospital leadership roles, including serving as the head of gastroenterology and endoscopy departments and contributing as assistant chief of staff for academic development at Al Zahraa University Hospital Medical Center. He also held senior administrative and clinical leadership roles at Rassoul Al-Aazam Hospital, where he oversaw both internal medicine and gastroenterology divisions.An influential academic figure, Prof. Hallal serves as a clinical assistant professor of gastroenterology at the Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences. He has also served as a clinical instructor, lecturer, fellowship program coordinator, and undergraduate thesis mentor, shaping the next generations of physicians and gastroenterologists. His academic involvement extends to national and international conferences, where he is frequently invited as a speaker in Lebanon, Abu Dhabi, Turkey, Rome, and the United Kingdom.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Boutari, R., Zayour, N., Hmedeh, A. N., Bashashi, D. K., Assaf, F., Al Tahan, J., Zrara, N., Al-Mokdad, N., Al Khatib, O., Zreik, A., et al. (2025). Prevalence, risk factors, and endoscopic findings of Helicobacter pylori infection among Lebanese patients undergoing gastroscopy: A retrospective study from a single tertiary center.

Albert Eisenbarth | Clinical Trials | Best Scholar Award

Dr. Albert Eisenbarth | Clinical Trials | Best Scholar Award

Entomologe at Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg | Germany

Dr. Albert Eisenbarth is a biologist specializing in parasitology, vector biology, and emerging infectious diseases. He earned his doctorate at the University of Tübingen, focusing on Onchocerca ochengi and its relevance to river blindness epidemiology. His career spans international research assignments across Africa, Asia, and Europe, contributing to studies on vector-borne diseases, zoonotic pathogens, and host-parasite interactions. Dr. Eisenbarth has worked at prestigious institutions including the Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Animal Health and the University of Tübingen. With over a decade of field and laboratory expertise, his work bridges veterinary medicine, parasitology, and global health, advancing infectious disease control strategies.

Publication Profile 

Scopus

Education 

Dr. Albert Eisenbarth completed his MSc in Parasitology at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, where he conducted his thesis on anisakid nematodes in Australian waters. He pursued doctoral studies at the University of Tübingen, earning his Doctor of Biology degree with a thesis on the biology of Onchocerca ochengi and its epidemiological implications for river blindness. His academic training also included international research exchanges at the University of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, the University of Cape Town, and Kasetsart University in Bangkok. His education combines parasitology, vector biology, and tropical infectious disease research.

Experience 

Dr. Albert Eisenbarth has held diverse research and professional roles. He served as a Research Fellow at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Animal Health, working on novel and emerging infectious diseases. Previously, he completed his doctoral and postdoctoral research at the University of Tübingen and in Cameroon within the Onchocerciasis Programme. His career includes positions as Clinical Data Manager at Kendle GmbH and scientific assistant roles at the University of Tübingen. He has undertaken extensive international assignments in Mozambique, Mauritania, Cameroon, Thailand, France, Australia, and South Africa. His expertise encompasses parasitology, vector ecology, epidemiology, and zoonotic disease transmission at the human-animal interface.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Albert Eisenbarth has received multiple awards and grants for his scientific contributions. He co-coordinated major DFG-funded projects investigating zoonotic viral transmission, including Rift Valley Fever and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Africa. As principal investigator, he secured a RiSC Young Scientist grant for research on genetic susceptibility to tick-borne diseases in African cattle. His international collaborations earned him a South East Asia–European Union NET II Fellowship, supporting One Health research. He has also been recognized with travel grants from the German Society for Parasitology and the Erwin Riesch Foundation. Additionally, he was awarded DAAD fellowships for both MSc and doctoral studies.

Research Focus 

Dr. Albert Eisenbarth research focuses on parasitology, vector-borne diseases, and zoonotic infections affecting both human and animal health. He has conducted extensive work on the epidemiology of Onchocerca volvulus and Onchocerca ochengi, contributing to onchocerciasis control strategies. His studies include the diversity, abundance, and pathogen carriage of hematophagous vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks in Africa. Additionally, he investigates emerging viral diseases, including Rift Valley Fever and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, across the livestock-wildlife-human interface. Through molecular and field-based approaches, his work integrates parasitology, virology, and epidemiology, providing valuable insights for global health, One Health initiatives, and disease elimination programs.

Publication Top Notes

Molecular detection of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) adleri (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) in Sergentomyia sp. sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Mali and Niger

Mosquito survey in Mauritania: Detection of Rift Valley fever virus and dengue virus and the determination of feeding patterns

Conclusion

Dr. Albert Eisenbarth possesses the academic excellence, research productivity, and global health relevance that make him a strong candidate for the Research for Best Scholar Award. His innovative studies on parasitic and vector-borne diseases, coupled with his ability to secure competitive grants and engage in international collaborations, demonstrate outstanding scholarly merit. With continued expansion into broader leadership and translational activities, he is well-positioned to further influence the fields of parasitology, epidemiology, and infectious disease research. His track record aligns with the award’s goal of recognizing impactful and forward-looking scientific scholarship.

Dvora Joseph Davey | Clinical Trials | Best Researcher Award

Dvora Joseph Davey | Clinical Trials | Best Researcher Award 

Dr Dvora Joseph Davey, University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA, South Africa

Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey is a distinguished epidemiologist with a focus on infectious diseases, particularly HIV and STIs. Holding a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from UCLA, her research, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, aims to reduce the burden of HIV through innovative interventions. As a Principal Investigator in clinical trials, Dr. Davey has contributed significantly to global HIV prevention efforts, especially for pregnant women. She is actively involved in policy-making with groups like the WHO and NIH, shaping global health initiatives. Her leadership, extensive research, and mentorship in global health make her an exemplary figure in public health. 🌍🔬💉

Publication Profile

google scholar

scopus

orcid

Education

Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey has an impressive academic background, beginning with a B.A. in International Affairs and French from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1998. She went on to earn a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Population and Reproductive Health Sciences from Columbia University in 2003. Dr. Davey completed her Ph.D. in Epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2016, followed by a fellowship in Epidemiology of HIV at the University of North Carolina in 2017. She furthered her expertise with a postdoctoral fellowship in Global HIV Prevention at UCLA in 2018. 🌍📚

Scientific Appointments

Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey has held several prestigious positions throughout her career. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor in Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at UCLA’s School of Medicine and School of Public Health, respectively. She also holds honorary roles at the University of Cape Town and Desmond Tutu Health Foundation. Dr. Davey’s research includes being the Principal Investigator on a study about sexual behavior and PrEP acceptability. Her past positions include HIV Director at Population Services International in Mozambique and Director at the Rwanda-Emory HIV Research Group. With her diverse roles, Dr. Davey has had a significant global impact. 🌍🩺📊

Professional Memberships

Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey has made significant contributions to the field of HIV and reproductive health, serving as an Assistant Editor for renowned journals such as AIDS, JIAS, and PloS Global Health. She is also an active member of the South African Clinical Research Association and the American Public Health Association. Her honors include invitations to present at major conferences like HIVR4P 2024 in Peru and WHO Working Group meetings. Dr. Davey has co-chaired several influential research working groups, including on PrEP in pregnancy, and received multiple awards, including UCLA’s Epidemiology Department Summer Fellowship. 🌍📚🎤

Awards

Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey is a renowned researcher whose work focuses on HIV prevention and treatment, particularly in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Her studies address key challenges in high HIV incidence communities, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Davey investigates Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) access, adherence, and effectiveness among pregnant women, emphasizing the need for female-controlled HIV prevention methods during vulnerable periods. Additionally, she explores the integration of STI testing, alcohol use, and the impact of intimate partner violence on HIV risk. Her contributions significantly influence HIV-related healthcare policies, aiming to reduce transmission and improve outcomes in these populations. 👩‍🔬🌍💉

Policy Involvement

Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey has made significant contributions to national and international HIV and STI policy-making. Her leadership in key working groups, including the National PrEP and Prevention of Vertical Transmission of HIV Working Groups, as well as the World Health Organization’s Working Group on Long-Acting PrEP in pregnancy, highlights her expertise and influence. These positions enable Dr. Davey to play a pivotal role in translating scientific research into actionable policies, ensuring her work impacts not only the scientific community but also global health policies. Her efforts amplify the reach of her research, making a lasting impact on public health worldwide. 🌍🩺💉

Leadership

Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey’s leadership in managing large-scale clinical trials and mentoring emerging public health and epidemiology professionals showcases her dedication to education and capacity-building in global public health. As a recipient of the prestigious NIH/Fogarty International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) and the follow-on R01 award, Dr. Davey has solidified her position as a thought leader in the field. Her commitment to fostering continuous learning and improvement within the global health community reflects her deep influence and dedication to advancing public health practices worldwide. 🎓🌍💉👩‍🔬

Ongoing Projects

Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey’s ongoing research, supported by NIH and Gilead Corporation, plays a crucial role in addressing HIV within vulnerable populations. Her work on projects like PrEP-PP and SCOPE-PP, alongside innovative initiatives such as a community-based peer-led intervention to tackle alcohol use and HIV risk in pregnant women, highlights her proactive approach to solving complex public health challenges. Dr. Davey’s research aims to create effective, targeted solutions that address the unique needs of at-risk communities, contributing significantly to advancing HIV prevention and care efforts. 💡🧑‍🔬🩺🌍

Research Focus

Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey is a prominent researcher specializing in HIV prevention, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and maternal health. Her work focuses on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, examining its safety and efficacy among pregnant and postpartum women. She also explores STI diagnostics, point-of-care testing, and the prevalence of curable STIs in low- and middle-income countries. Her research seeks to improve access to health interventions, particularly for vulnerable populations like men who have sex with men and transgender women. Dr. Davey’s contributions help shape public health strategies for HIV prevention and sexual health. 🦠💉