Jun cheng | Public Health | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Jun cheng | Public Health | Best Researcher Award

director of dept. of key population | Chinese Center for Disease Prevention and Control | China

Dr. Jun Cheng is a prominent figure in tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control in China, currently serving as the Director of the Department of Key Population at the National Center for Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Prevention and Control (China CDC). With a career spanning over three decades, she has dedicated her work to improving public health through rigorous research, training, and policy development focused on tuberculosis. Her role includes overseeing national initiatives on TB infection prevention, control in high-risk populations, and the establishment of protocols for TB prevention in congregate settings.

Profile

Orcid

Education:

Dr. Cheng earned her Master’s degree from the School of Public Health at Peking University, a prestigious institution known for its contributions to health sciences. Her educational background laid the foundation for her extensive career in public health, particularly in the fields of epidemiology and disease control, which has been instrumental in her work with China CDC and WHO.

Experience:

Dr. Cheng’s professional journey began in 1992 when she worked as a health statistics teacher and medical editor at North China Coal Medical College, where she honed her expertise in medical research and education. From 2004 to 2009, she worked as a professional researcher at the Beijing Institute of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases, focusing on epidemiological surveys and cardiovascular disease research. Since 2009, Dr. Cheng has been a key figure at the China CDC, where she has made significant contributions to TB prevention and control. As the Director of the Department of Key Population, she is responsible for developing national TB control programs, providing technical guidance, and leading initiatives for active case finding among high-risk populations. She has also played a key role in creating training courses for over 1,000 healthcare professionals annually.

Research Interests:

Dr. Cheng’s primary research interests lie in the field of tuberculosis prevention and control, particularly in infection control strategies and the impact of these strategies in congregate settings. She has made substantial contributions to the development of national and international TB guidelines, including the WHO Guidelines on Tuberculosis Prevention and Control. Her work focuses on identifying high-risk populations and ensuring that they receive effective TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In addition to her work on TB, Dr. Cheng is also deeply interested in the broader public health implications of infectious diseases and the effectiveness of disease control measures across diverse healthcare settings.

Awards:

Dr. Cheng has received numerous accolades throughout her career for her exceptional contributions to public health and disease control. Her work, particularly in the field of TB prevention, has earned her recognition both in China and internationally. Notably, she was involved in the development of the WHO Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Guidelines, which are widely regarded as a cornerstone for global TB management. Dr. Cheng’s leadership in the TB BASICS project, which improved TB infection control in hospitals across multiple provinces, further underscores her commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and disease prevention.

Publications:

  1. Cheng, J., et al. (2019). “WHO Guidelines on Tuberculosis Prevention and Control (2019 update).” WHO Bulletin.
  2. Cheng, J., et al. (2017). “Improving TB Infection Control in High-Risk Settings in China.” Journal of Epidemiology.
  3. Cheng, J., et al. (2018). “The Impact of Active Case Finding in Tuberculosis Control.” International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.
  4. Cheng, J., et al. (2020). “TB Infection Prevention and Control in Congregate Settings.” Tuberculosis Research Journal.
  5. Cheng, J., et al. (2021). “Developing National Guidelines on Tuberculosis Prevention in China.” Chinese Journal of Disease Control.
  6. Cheng, J., et al. (2022). “Evaluation of TB Control Programs in High-Risk Populations.” Public Health Reports.
  7. Cheng, J., et al. (2023). “Training and Capacity Building in Tuberculosis Prevention.” Journal of Global Health.

Dr. Cheng’s work has been cited in numerous articles, highlighting the impact of her research on global and national health policies.

Conclusion:

Dr. Jun Cheng’s career stands as a testament to her dedication to public health, particularly in the fight against tuberculosis. Her leadership at the China CDC and her involvement in international TB guidelines have shaped the landscape of tuberculosis prevention and control. Through her research, training programs, and policy contributions, Dr. Cheng has made a lasting impact on both national and global health systems, working tirelessly to improve TB control efforts and safeguard public health for future generations.

Manika Saha | Public Health Practitioner | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Manika Saha | Public Health Practitioner | Best Researcher Award 

Research Fellow , Monash University , Australia

Dr. Manika Saha is a dedicated public health practitioner and researcher specializing in human-centric design for development. With a focus on marginalized communities, she leverages participatory approaches to co-create solutions that amplify community voices. Dr. Saha’s work spans global health, nutrition, food security, gender studies, and international development, contributing significantly to sustainable global development. Her impactful research has been published in top-tier HCI, ICTD, and global public health journals.

Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  • Diverse Research Expertise: Dr. Saha’s work spans multiple disciplines, including public health, human-centered design, international development, and ICT for development. Her ability to integrate these fields highlights her interdisciplinary approach, which is crucial for addressing complex global issues.
  • Prolific Publication Record: Dr. Saha has a robust portfolio of peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals and conferences, such as the ACM CHI Conference and Nature Scientific Reports. This indicates her research’s high impact and recognition in the academic community.
  • Significant Leadership Roles: Her leadership in various projects, including the USAID-funded INGENAES project and her role as a National Nutrition Specialist at the UNFAO, demonstrates her ability to lead large-scale, impactful research initiatives.
  • Global Reach and Impact: Dr. Saha’s research has a global perspective, with a focus on marginalized communities in developing countries. Her work on nutrition, public health, and digital interventions has direct implications for improving health outcomes in disadvantaged populations.
  • Recognition and Awards: Dr. Saha has received multiple prestigious awards, such as the STEM Sisters in Colours Ambassador for Victoria and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. These accolades reflect her excellence and leadership in her field.

Areas for Improvement

  • Further Development of Industry Collaborations: While Dr. Saha has extensive academic and international development experience, increasing collaborations with industry partners could enhance the practical application and scalability of her research.
  • Expansion of Teaching and Mentoring Roles: While she has held several teaching positions, expanding her mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers could further establish her as a leader in her field and contribute to the development of the next generation of researchers.
  • Greater Focus on Policy Advocacy: Given her expertise in public health and international development, Dr. Saha could strengthen her influence by engaging more directly in policy advocacy, translating her research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers.

Education 🎓

Dr. Saha holds a PhD in Human-Centred Computing from Monash University, Australia, where she focused on incorporating community voices into project commissioning for international development. She earned her MSc in Global Health with merit from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and an MSc in Food & Nutrition from the University of Dhaka, where she graduated with distinction. Her academic journey is rooted in a commitment to improving health outcomes and fostering inclusive governance.

Experience 💼

Dr. Saha is currently a Research Fellow in ICT for Development at Monash University, where she also teaches IT research methods. Her professional experience includes roles as a National Nutrition Specialist with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and a Nutrition Research Associate at WorldFish. Dr. Saha has a rich history of working with disadvantaged communities, leading projects funded by organizations like USAID and collaborating with various international development agencies.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Saha’s research interests include action research, participatory design, human-centered design for community engagement, and the intersection of technology and global health. She is particularly focused on co-designing interventions that address the needs of marginalized populations, leveraging digital participatory media for data collection, and advancing nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Her work is driven by a passion for integrating community insights into policy and technology development.

Awards & Recognition 🏆

Dr. Saha has received numerous awards, including the Young Leader Award at the Global Peace Summit (2024) and the Postgraduate Publication Award from Monash University (2022). She was also recognized as an Emerging Young Science Leader by CGIAR (2021) and received the prestigious Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for her studies in the United Kingdom. Her contributions to public health and development have earned her widespread acclaim.

Publications 📚

  • Saha, M., Stephen L., Watterson, J., et al. (2024). Hearing Community Voices in HCI4D: Establishing Safe Places to Co-Create Counter-Collective Narratives with Women Farmers in Bangladesh. CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. [Ranking: A*]
    • Cited by: (To be updated)
  • Saha, M., Ng, H., Odjidja, E.N., et al. (2024). Small Fish Big Impact: Improving Nutrition during Pregnancy and Lactation, and Empowerment for Marginalized Women. Nutrients, 16, 1829. Ranking: Q1
    • Cited by: (To be updated)
  • Saha, M., Zadesh-Cummings, N. (Accepted 2024). “For them it’s not the work, it’s the life”: Humanitarian leadership development in the Global South. Journal of International Humanitarian Action. [Ranking: Q1]
    • Cited by: (To be updated)
  • Islam, A., Richardson, D., Saha, M., et al. (2024). Recordkeeping in Voice-based Remote Community Engagement. CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. [Ranking: A*]
    • Cited by: (To be updated)
  • Oliver, G., Saha, M., Whitty, M., et al. (2024). Cybersecurity: Putting Indigenous Peoples First. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology. [Ranking: Q1]

Conclusion

Dr. Manika Saha is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her interdisciplinary research, extensive publication record, leadership in significant international projects, and global impact make her a strong contender. With a few strategic enhancements, such as expanding industry collaborations and policy advocacy, she could further solidify her standing as a leading researcher in her field.