Mr Bhavya Gandhi | Data Science for Health | Best Researcher Award |

Mr. Bhavya Gandhi | Data Science for Health | Best Researcher Award | 

Medical Student , at Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine , Canada.

Mr. Bhavya Gandhi is an aspiring physician-researcher with a growing reputation for his contributions at the intersection of medicine, artificial intelligence, and global health. Currently pursuing his Doctor of Medicine at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (McMaster University), he has already led and collaborated on several research projects with a strong focus on AI applications in clinical diagnostics and patient safety. Bhavya’s profile reflects a rare blend of academic excellence, innovative thinking, and research leadership, making him a standout early-career scholar in Canadian medical academia.

Professional Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Bhavya is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Hamilton Campus (2023–Present). He previously earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto (2020–2023), majoring in Biology for Health Sciences with minors in Biomedical Communication and Environmental Science. He graduated with a perfect 4.00 GPA and was recognized as a Dean’s List Scholar throughout his undergraduate studies, underscoring his academic diligence and commitment to excellence.

Experience 👩‍

Bhavya brings valuable hands-on experience from both research and clinical settings. From 2021 to 2023, he served as a Clinical Study Coordinator at Albion Finch Medical Centre, working on high-profile clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies including Moderna. This role involved responsibilities as a blinded/unblinded coordinator and pharmacist, providing him with a robust foundation in trial design and execution. Concurrently, he has held various Research Assistant and Lead Investigator roles at McMaster University and the Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton, contributing to numerous interdisciplinary and collaborative studies involving AI, medication safety, and systematic reviews.

Research Interests 🔬

Bhavya’s research primarily centers on the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into clinical decision-making, with a focus on infectious diseases, cardiac risk prediction, and electronic medical record optimization. He has led or co-led projects examining the use of large language models (LLMs) in analyzing returning traveler infections, fever diagnostics, and AI-driven medication safety alerts. His work also extends to machine learning in myocardial injury prediction post-surgery and computational tools for evaluating prescribing competency in medical students. These contributions place him at the forefront of the evolving field of digital health and AI-enhanced clinical practice.

Awards 🏆

Among Bhavya’s accolades is the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA), awarded for his work in molecular neuroscience and protein interaction studies. He has also been recognized multiple times on the Dean’s List at the University of Toronto for maintaining a perfect GPA. His early leadership in impactful research projects has led to presentations at respected academic forums such as the Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton and the EMRG Annual Student Seminar, further validating his scholarly contributions.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Title: Applications of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Electronic Medical Records: A Scoping Review
Authors: Leo Morjaria, Bhavya Gandhi, Nabil Haider, Matthew Mellon, Matthew Sibbald
Journal: Information
DOI: 10.3390/info16040284
Publication Year: 2025
Publication Date: April 1, 2025
Indexing: Indexed in major academic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and MDPI

Conclusion

Bhavya Gandhi is a highly promising researcher with notable leadership, academic rigor, and innovation, especially in the emerging domain of AI in healthcare. For student, early-career, or innovation-focused research awards, Bhavya is extremely well-qualified. With a few more published works and individual accolades, Bhavya could easily rise into the top tier of emerging researchers in Canadian medical academia.

Dr Nipher Malika | Epidemiology | Best Researcher Award |

Dr. Nipher Malika | Epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

Policy Researcher, at RAND, United States.

Dr. Nipher Malika is a dedicated public health researcher specializing in health disparities, minority health, HIV prevention, and social policy. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Policy & Social Research from Loma Linda University, along with a Master of Public Health in Research Epidemiology. As a researcher at the RAND Corporation, she conducts evidence-based studies on healthcare equity, social determinants of health, and culturally adapted interventions for marginalized communities, particularly African immigrants and Native American populations. Her work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Research Excellence Award and The President’s Award, and she has served as a Health Disparities Fellow at leading institutions. Dr. Malika has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals such as PLOS Global Public Health and Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, contributing to impactful policy research aimed at advancing global health equity and social justice.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Education 🎓

Dr. Nipher Malika holds a Ph.D. in Social Policy & Social Research (2021) from Loma Linda University, where she specialized in health disparities and epidemiological research. She also earned a Master of Public Health in Research Epidemiology (2015) and a Bachelor of Science in Biology (2011) from Northwest Nazarene University. Her educational background reflects a strong foundation in public health, data-driven research, and policy analysis.

Professional Experience 💼

Currently, Dr. Malika is a researcher at the RAND Corporation, a globally recognized think tank specializing in policy analysis, social research, and public health interventions. Her role involves conducting large-scale epidemiological studies, designing intervention strategies, and informing evidence-based policymaking. Her work has significant real-world implications, particularly for underserved communities and public health policy development.

Research Interests 🌍

Dr. Malika’s research centers on health disparities, minority health, HIV prevention, and social determinants of health. She has conducted extensive studies on African immigrant health, American Indian/Alaska Native populations, and global health equity, focusing on culturally adapted interventions, stigma reduction, and social policy impact. Her work aims to bridge healthcare gaps and promote evidence-based policies for marginalized communities.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Dr. Malika has received multiple prestigious awards for her research contributions, including the Research Excellence Award, The President’s Award, and the Hulda Crooks Award from Loma Linda University in 2021. Additionally, she was selected as a Health Disparities Research Fellow at the University of Michigan and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, highlighting her dedication to advancing health equity.

Top Noted Publications 📚

1. Intersectional HIV Stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean: Insights and Pathways Forward – A Scoping Review
Authors: Nipher M. Malika, Laura M. Bogart, Joseph K.B. Matovu, Lejeune Y. Lockett, David P. Lee, et al.
Journal: PLOS Global Public Health
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

2. Health Equity Checklist for Research
Authors: Nipher M. Malika, Stacie A. Salsbury, Ian Douglass Coulter, Kimberly Michelle Tippens, Michele J. Maiers, et al.
Journal: Ethics, Medicine and Public Health
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

Conclusion

Nipher Malika is highly competitive for the Best Researcher Award due to her strong academic background, significant research contributions, and policy-relevant expertise. Her work in health disparities, HIV prevention, and minority health aligns with pressing global health issues, making her research impactful.

To further strengthen her profile, she could aim for more independent research leadership, greater visibility in the academic community, and expansion into experimental studies. Given her track record, publication impact, and policy contributions, she is a strong candidate for this award.