Ms. Eva Godina | Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Medical Student at Maastricht University, Netherlands

Eva Godina is a highly accomplished and internationally active medical student and researcher with a distinctive academic and clinical profile. Currently pursuing a Master of Medicine at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, she combines exceptional academic performance with a strong commitment to advancing research and clinical practices, particularly in oncology and reconstructive surgery. Known for her top-tier achievements, including graduating Cum Laude and receiving the prestigious Dies Natalis Bachelor Award, Eva has consistently demonstrated excellence in both education and research. Her interests span experimental oncology, plastic surgery, and decision support systems for cancer treatment.

Eva’s extensive hands-on experience through clinical electives and observerships at globally renowned institutions such as Harvard Medical School, Stanford, and MD Anderson Cancer Center reflects her dedication to developing her expertise across disciplines and borders. She has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, presented at prestigious conferences, and is actively contributing to ongoing clinical and experimental studies. Beyond academics, she is also engaged in mentoring and leadership roles within international organizations, promoting medical education and disease prevention. With a robust foundation in science, communication, and compassion, Eva is poised to become a transformative force in medicine and healthcare innovation.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Eva Godina’s academic journey reflects an outstanding commitment to excellence and a global outlook. She began her medical education at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia (2018–2019) with an impressive GPA of 8.9 before transferring to Maastricht University’s Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences in the Netherlands. There, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Medicine (2019–2022) through the International Track in Medicine, graduating Cum Laude and at the top of her class. Her academic excellence was recognized with the Dies Natalis Bachelor Award, given for outstanding academic results and contributions through her Honours project.

Eva is currently enrolled in the Master of Medicine program at Maastricht University (2023–present), with her graduation expected in August 2025. Prior to university, she attended II. Gymnasium Maribor, Slovenia, graduating in the top 2% internationally with a near-perfect score (44/45). These formative academic experiences laid a strong foundation for her scientific curiosity and global medical perspective. Throughout her education, she has consistently shown the ability to combine rigorous academic pursuits with practical clinical engagement, leadership in extracurricular activities, and meaningful contributions to medical research and community initiatives.

Professional Experience

Eva Godina’s professional medical experience is both rich and international. She has completed high-level clinical internships and observerships in various prestigious institutions, gaining hands-on exposure to plastic and reconstructive surgery, paediatric urology, and oncology. Her recent placements include Harvard Medical School at Massachusetts General Hospital under Dr. Eberlin and Dr. van Mulken (2025–present), as well as Stanford University with Prof. Momeni (2024). She also worked in clinical electives at MUMC+ (Netherlands) and Fundació Puigvert (Spain), specializing in plastic surgery and urology, respectively.

Parallel to her clinical roles, Eva has engaged in diverse research projects. At MD Anderson Cancer Center, she contributed to experimental oncology projects focusing on novel agents for metaplastic breast cancer. At Zuyderland Hospital, she researched Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in colorectal cancer, while at MUMC+, she studied hand-foot syndrome in chemotherapy patients. She also participated in decision-support research for prostate cancer during her Honours program.

In addition to clinical and research work, Eva has contributed to education and communication, serving as a medical illustrator, editor for peer-reviewed journals, and a mentor. These experiences collectively position her as a multi-talented future physician-scientist with a robust international profile.

Research Interest

Eva Godina’s research interests are focused on oncology, particularly breast cancer, reconstructive surgery, and clinical decision-making tools in cancer therapy. Her commitment to translational research that bridges the gap between clinical care and laboratory science is evident in her extensive work with leading cancer institutions and participation in cutting-edge studies. Her projects span experimental and clinical oncology, with a particular interest in metaplastic breast cancer and the use of novel AKT inhibitors, explored during her time at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Eva also investigates patient-centric outcomes and complications in cancer treatments, such as alpelisib-induced hyperglycemia and hand-foot syndrome, reflecting her interest in precision medicine and improving therapeutic efficacy. Her earlier work involved decision support systems for prostate cancer treatment, demonstrating a strong affinity for digital health tools and AI applications in oncology. These diverse research interests are supported by her participation in research courses by ASCO and AIOM and presentations at leading international conferences such as ASCO and ESMO.

Driven by a desire to enhance clinical protocols and improve patient outcomes, Eva’s research trajectory demonstrates a commitment to innovation, collaborative science, and real-world impact. She envisions a career where she can integrate clinical practice with academic research to advance personalized and evidence-based care.

Research Skills

Eva Godina possesses a broad and well-rounded research skill set, cultivated through academic training, clinical exposure, and active participation in international research collaborations. Her core competencies include clinical research design, data collection and analysis, patient outcome assessments, and manuscript preparation. She is adept at both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, evidenced by her contributions to mixed-method studies, such as the 23-hour enhanced recovery program research published in BMC Health Services Research.

Eva has hands-on experience with oncology trials and observational studies, particularly in breast cancer therapeutics and complications. Her research includes real-world outcome analysis, systematic therapy evaluation, and adverse event correlation—skills she utilized in multiple conference presentations and journal submissions. Furthermore, she is skilled in case study preparation, notably on targeted therapies for metaplastic breast cancer.

Her editorial experience as a peer-reviewed journal editor and illustrator for anatomical diagrams at Maastricht University also highlights her ability to translate complex scientific content into accessible formats. She has also completed specialized clinical research training courses by ASCO and AIOM, further strengthening her theoretical and practical research acumen. These capabilities equip her to navigate interdisciplinary medical research, contributing to both scientific literature and clinical innovation.

Awards and Honors

Eva Godina’s academic and professional journey is decorated with prestigious awards and scholarships recognizing her excellence, talent, and contributions to the field of medicine. Most notably, she received the Dies Natalis Bachelor Award in 2022 for her exceptional study results and Honours research project at Maastricht University, a distinction reserved for top-performing students.

She was also a recipient of the Zois Scholarship, awarded to gifted high school and university students in Slovenia, which she held during both her high school years (2013–2018) and university studies (2023–present). This long-term recognition underscores her consistent academic prowess.

In support of her international education, Eva received the Ad Futura Study Abroad Scholarship from 2020 to 2022, which helped fund her studies in the Netherlands. In 2024, she was awarded a Travel Grant from ASCO to attend a clinical research course, reinforcing her global engagement in cancer research and education.

These awards reflect not only her outstanding academic and research performance but also her proactive involvement in international academic circles. They serve as a testament to her commitment to excellence, innovation, and continuous learning in medical science.

Publications

Eva Godina has an impressive record of scholarly contributions, including peer-reviewed publications, manuscripts under review, and several international conference abstracts and posters. Among her published work, she co-authored a study in BMC Health Services Research (2024) on the implementation of a 23-hour accelerated recovery program, showcasing her interest in health services optimization. She also contributed to an important Annals of Oncology (2020) paper on long-term outcomes with neoadjuvant systemic therapy in breast cancer.

Her work continues with manuscripts currently under review, including a study on prehabilitation programs for colorectal cancer patients submitted to Nutrients, and a case report on a novel AKT inhibitor for metaplastic breast cancer, targeting submission to BJC Reports.

Eva has also presented at internationally renowned conferences. Notably, she was the first author on an abstract presented at ASCO 2023 examining predictors of alpelisib-induced hyperglycemia. She has also presented at the Slovenian Senologic Society’s Oncology Weekend and ESMO 2020.

These publications and presentations affirm her as a rising academic voice in oncology, patient-centered care, and translational medical research, with a strong commitment to contributing to the broader medical and scientific community.

Conclusion

Eva Godina stands out as a promising and multi-talented future physician-scientist whose journey is marked by academic distinction, international clinical experience, and impactful research. Her academic path has been characterized by excellence from the outset, with top-of-the-class honors and awards that recognize both her intellectual capacity and her proactive contributions to science and healthcare.

Through a blend of rigorous education, diverse internships, and in-depth research, Eva has cultivated a multifaceted skill set that positions her at the forefront of modern medicine. Her research in oncology and surgery, particularly with prestigious institutions like MD Anderson and Harvard, is a testament to her global engagement and dedication to advancing medical knowledge.

Moreover, Eva’s involvement in mentoring, leadership, and volunteer initiatives reflects her well-rounded character and deep commitment to service. Her future trajectory promises significant contributions to medical science, especially in areas requiring precision, compassion, and innovation. As she continues her Master’s studies and clinical training, Eva is set to emerge as a leader in both the scientific and clinical communities, exemplifying excellence in every facet of her profession.