Mrs Lerato Lucia Olifant | Public Health | Best Researcher Award |

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Mrs. Lerato Lucia Olifant| Public Health | Best Researcher Award

University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Professional Profiles:

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

 👨‍🎓 Bio Summary:

Mrs. Lerato Lucia Olifant is an adaptable and driven health science researcher specializing in health promotion. With a strong foundation in community-based research, she has built a reputation for leveraging her skills in stakeholder engagement, data management, and leadership. As a second-year Ph.D. student, she focuses on HIV PrEP interventions, particularly among adolescent girls and young women. Mrs. Olifant’s career is rooted in her passion for improving community health and applying research-driven strategies to promote behavior change.

🎓 Educational Background:

2024 (Ongoing): Ph.D. in Public Health – University of Johannesburg

2021: Master of Health Sciences in Transdisciplinary Health Promotion – North-West University

2017: BA Honours in Psychology – North-West University

2016: BA in Health Sciences – North-West University

2006: Matric – Seiphemelo Secondary School

Mrs. Olifant’s educational background highlights a strong focus on health sciences and psychology, culminating in her current Ph.D. program, where she is dedicated to researching vital public health interventions.

🔍 Research Focus:

Mrs. Olifant’s research centers around HIV PrEP interventions aimed at adolescent girls and young women. She is deeply involved in exploring strategies to empower and protect vulnerable populations through health promotion. Her work focuses on designing interventions that bring about positive behavior change, utilizing a combination of fieldwork, community engagement, and evidence-based approaches to address pressing health challenges.

🏆 Honors & Awards:

Black Women in Science (BWiS) Fellowship – 2023 Cohort: A prestigious fellowship supporting women in STEM fields, equipping them with skills to succeed in their studies and careers.

Best Innovative Group Project Award – 2023: Received through the Black Women in Science Program, funded by the Department of Science and Innovation, recognizing her team’s innovative approach to solving social and business challenges.

Featured in a Book by Prof Phaswana-Mafuya (2023): Mrs. Olifant’s mentor-mentee relationship was highlighted in a book on research mentorship, reflecting her significant contributions and mentorship in academia.

These honors underscore Mrs. Olifant’s contributions to scientific research and innovation, particularly in health-related fields.

💼 Professional Experience:

Research Intern – Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (June 2021 – May 2022): Conducted research, data gathering, and analysis, while fostering community engagement and stakeholder relationships.

Project Facilitator – Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (January 2020 – December 2020): Managed fieldwork operations, coordinated with community forums, and facilitated training for field workers on upcoming research projects.

NRF Intern – Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (April 2018 – March 2019): Gained hands-on experience in data collection, fieldwork, and community health promotion.

Her roles reflect extensive experience in research management, community engagement, and health promotion.

📚 Top Noted Publications :

Title:
Using Mobile Phones for Collecting Health Information in Sub-Saharan Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons from the World Development Indicators

Authors:
OJ Baruwa, H Asare, L Olifant, P Bester, IM Kruger, C Ricci

Citations:
BMJ Global Health 7 (Suppl 2)

Index:
BMJ Global Health

Year of Publication:
2022

Conclusion:

Lerato Lucia Olifant’s extensive research experience, leadership, and commitment to community health promotion make her a strong contender for a Best Researcher Award. Her achievements, particularly in the realm of public health and health promotion, show that she is well-regarded in her field. To further strengthen her case for such an award, she could focus on increasing her academic publications, expanding her research impact globally, and securing funding for her research projects. Overall, her combination of practical skills, academic excellence, and recognized achievements make her a solid candidate.

Assoc Prof Dr Kholofelo Matlhaba | Health Science Education | Best Researcher Award |

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Assoc Prof Dr. Kholofelo Matlhaba | Health Science Education | Best Researcher Award.

University of South Africa,South Africa

Professional Profiles:

SCOPUS

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

👨‍🎓 Bio Summary:

Assoc Prof Dr. Kholofelo Lorraine Matlhaba is a distinguished academic in Health Sciences Education, specializing in Nursing and Public Health. She currently serves as an Associate Professor at the University of South Africa (UNISA), where she supervises Masters and Doctoral candidates. Dr. Matlhaba has extensive experience in nursing education and clinical competence development, contributing significantly to academic and professional nursing communities in South Africa.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Matlhaba earned her PhD in Health Sciences with Nursing Science from North-West University in 2020, focusing on developing an evaluation tool for clinical competence of community service nurses in North West, South Africa. She holds a Master of Nursing Science (2016) from the same institution, with a thesis on professional nurses’ perceptions of problem-based learning trained students. Additionally, she completed her Bachelor of Nursing Science (Education and Administration) in 2011 and an Advanced University Diploma in Health Service Management in 2008, both from North-West University. Her foundational nursing education was completed at Empilweni Nursing College with a Diploma in General Nursing in 2006.

🔍 Research Focus:

Dr. Matlhaba’s research is centered on clinical competence, nursing education, and the use of digital technology in nursing training. She has explored the perceptions of professional nurses on problem-based learning, the transition of graduate nurses from student to practice, and the impact of digital technology on clinical learning. Her work also includes studying healthcare management and the psychosocial support of vulnerable populations, such as orphaned children with HIV/AIDS.

🏆 Honors & Awards:

Dr. Matlhaba has been recognized for her contributions to nursing education and research. She completed the Post-doctoral incubation program offered by UNISA’s Office of Research & Graduate Studies in 2020/21. She has also received training as an Ethics Ambassador and holds certifications in Assessor and Moderator training, among other professional development programs.

Professional Experience: 💼

Dr. Matlhaba has been an integral part of UNISA since 2018, progressing from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, and currently, Associate Professor. Her responsibilities include supervising Masters and Doctoral students and leading curriculum development. Prior to UNISA, she served as a Lecturer at Mmabatho College of Nursing and Thuto Bophelo Nursing Academy, where she coordinated various nursing programs. Her early career involved clinical nursing at Tembisa Hospital, where she worked in different wards and disciplines.

 📚 Top Noted Publications :

Community service nurses’ experiences regarding their clinical competence

Authors: KL Matlhaba, AJ Pienaar, LA Sehularo

Journal: Health SA Gesondheid

Volume: 24

Issue: 20

Year: 2019

Transition of graduate nurses from student to practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: Integrative review

Authors: KL Matlhaba, SH Khunou

Journal: International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences

Volume: 17

Page: 100501

Year: 2022

Professional nurses’ perceptions regarding clinical competence of community service nurses in North West province, South Africa

Authors: KL Matlhaba, AJ Pienaar, LA Sehularo

Journal: Health SA Gesondheid

Volume: 26

Issue: 5

Year: 2021

Evaluating the current management approach of scabies at selected primary health care in the Deder district, Ethiopia

Authors: SC Jira, KL Matlhaba, DD Mphuthi

Journal: Heliyon

Volume: 9

Issue: 1

Year: 2023

Perceptions of professional nurses on clinical competence of problem-based learning trained students in North-West Province, South Africa

Author: KL Matlhaba

Thesis, North-West University (South Africa), Mafikeng Campus

Year: 2016

Author Metrics 📊 : 

Dr. Matlhaba’s scholarly impact is reflected in her Google Scholar h-index and citations. Her work on clinical competence and nursing education has garnered significant attention, contributing to her reputation as a leading researcher in her field.

📅 Research Timeline:

2024: Factors influencing clinical competence of new graduate nurses; Nurse educators’ perceptions regarding online education.

2023: Studies on healthcare users’ knowledge of scabies management; benefits and challenges of digital technology in clinical learning; patients’ preferences for delivering bad news in palliative care.

2022: Psychosocial support for orphaned children with HIV/AIDS; understanding learning needs to enhance clinical competence.

2021: Validation of a clinical competence evaluation tool; professional nurses’ perceptions of community service nurses’ clinical competence.

2020: Converging perceptions and experiences regarding clinical competence during community service placement.

2019: Community service nurses’ experiences regarding their clinical competence.

Assoc Prof Dr Hossein Hessari | Oral Public Health | Best Researcher Award |

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Assoc Prof Dr. Hossein Hessari | Oral Public Health  | Best Researcher Award.

Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Professional Profiles:

SCOPUS

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR 

👨‍🎓 Bio Summary:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hossein Hessari is an Associate Professor at the School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran. With a focus on community oral health, he has made significant contributions to oral public health research and policy in Iran. Dr. Hessari holds a Ph.D. from the University of Helsinki, Finland, and has been involved in various high-level roles within the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Hessari completed his Ph.D. in Oral Public Health at the University of Helsinki, Finland, in May 2009, with a dissertation titled “Oral health among young adults and the middle-aged in Iran.” He also completed a fellowship in Medical Education at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in June 2011. His educational journey includes attending international workshops on promoting oral health and quality of oral care in Finland and Thailand, respectively. Dr. Hessari earned his undergraduate degree from Shaheed Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran, in September 1991.

🔍 Research Focus:

Dr. Hessari’s research primarily focuses on community oral health, caries prevention, and the oral health of young adults and middle-aged populations in Iran. His work includes policy-making and planning for oral health initiatives at the national level, aiming to improve the overall dental health standards in Iran.

🏆 Honors & Awards:

Dr. Hessari has been recognized for his contributions to oral health policy and research. He has played a pivotal role in national oral health surveys and initiatives, such as the National Committee for Fortification of Iodized Salt and the Steering Committee for the National Oral Health Survey in Iran.

Professional Experience: 💼

Since 2011, Dr. Hessari has been a faculty member at the Community Oral Health Department at TUMS. He has also served as the Vice Head of the Research Center for Caries Prevention at the Dentistry Research Institute of TUMS since 2013. His prior roles include being the Head and Vice Head of the Oral Health Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran, where he was involved in policy-making and planning for the nation’s oral health.

📚 Top Noted Publications :

Oral Health among 35-to 44-Year-Old Iranians
H. Hessari, M.M. Vehkalahti, M.J. Eghbal, H.T. Murtomaa
Medical Principles and Practice, 16(4), 280-285
Citations: 115
Year: 2007

Oral Health and Treatment Needs among 18-Year-Old Iranians
H. Hessari, M.M. Vehkalahti, M.J. Eghbal, H. Samadzadeh, H.T. Murtomaa
Medical Principles and Practice, 17(4), 302-307
Citations: 87
Year: 2008

Tooth Loss and Prosthodontic Rehabilitation among 35-to 44-Year-Old Iranians
H. Hessari, M.M. Vehkalahti, M.J. Eghbal, H. Murtomaa
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 35(4), 245-251
Citations: 45
Year: 2008

Burden of Oral Diseases in Iran, 1990–2010: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010
S. Shoaee, A. Ghasemian, K. Mehrabani, S. Naderimagham, H. Hessari
Archives of Iranian Medicine, 18(8), 0-0
Citations: 38
Year: 2015

Association between Tooth Impaction and Odontogenic Lesions: A Matched Case-Control Study
S. Shoaee, P. Khazaei, F. Mashhadiabbas, M. Varshosaz, F. Sharifi, H. Hessari
Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 32, 57
Citations: 36
Year: 2018

Author Metrics 📊 : 

Dr. Hessari has an h-index of 9 and an i10-index of 9, with a total of 395 citations. These metrics demonstrate his influence and the reach of his research in the academic and professional communities.

📅 Research Timeline:

1991: Completed undergraduate studies at Shaheed Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran.

1999: Participated in a workshop on promoting oral health at the University of Helsinki, Finland.

2007-2010: Served as the Head of the Oral Health Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iran.

2008-Present: Faculty member at the Community Oral Health Department, TUMS.

2009: Completed Ph.D. in Oral Public Health at the University of Helsinki, Finland.