Chalachew Yenew Dinku | AI in Healthcare | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Chalachew Yenew Dinku | AI in Healthcare | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at Debre Tabor Univesrity, Ethiopia.

Chalachew Yenew Dinku is a highly skilled Environmental and Public Health researcher and educator with over nine years of experience. His work focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), public health emergency management, infection control, One Health, and environmental health sciences. Chalachew completed his Master’s in Environmental Health Sciences from Jimma University with excellent academic standing (CGPA: 3.83/4.00) and an undergraduate degree in Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety from the University of Gondar. His passion for microbial contamination and public health has led him to significant contributions in academia and research. He is currently a Lecturer at Debre Tabor University, where he is involved in research, teaching, and mentoring, while also holding leadership roles in national health initiatives.

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Education

Chalachew Yenew Dinku’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety from the University of Gondar (CGPA: 3.75/4.00), where he graduated with distinction. He later pursued a Master’s degree in Environmental Health Sciences from Jimma University, graduating with great distinction (CGPA: 3.83/4.00). His research during his Master’s focused on antimicrobial resistance contamination pathways, which significantly contributed to the field with multiple peer-reviewed publications. In addition to formal degrees, Chalachew has engaged in several short-term training programs related to infection prevention and control, public health emergency surveillance, and curriculum development.

Experience

Chalachew has accumulated diverse experience in public health and academia. As a Lecturer at Debre Tabor University since 2017, he teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate students while also supervising their research projects. His responsibilities also include writing research grant proposals, conducting high-quality research, and publishing papers in top-tier journals. He has been part of many national and international health projects, such as those dealing with AMR and scabies prevention, securing significant research funding. Before his academic tenure, Chalachew worked as a Public Health Officer in the Amhara region, focusing on health education and disease prevention, and later as a Surveillance Officer with Ohio State University’s Global One Health Initiative. His work there involved disease surveillance and public health emergency response.

Research Interests

Chalachew’s research interests are centered on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), One Health approaches, infection control, public health emergency management, and environmental health. He has made notable contributions to understanding AMR contamination pathways and effective mitigation strategies. His research also delves into aflatoxin contamination in food systems, the burden of chemical poisoning, and the public health impact of emerging infectious diseases such as mpox. Chalachew’s work highlights the intersection of environmental health and public health issues, aiming to improve disease prevention and control measures in both local and global contexts.

Awards

Chalachew has received several awards and recognitions throughout his academic and professional career. He was awarded the International Institute for Primary Healthcare Research Grant to fund his Master’s thesis on AMR contamination pathways. During his undergraduate studies, his research was recognized at a national conference, a testament to his early contributions to the field. His excellence in research and teaching has earned him continued respect from both peers and students, solidifying his place as an influential figure in environmental and public health research.

Publications

Chalachew Yenew Dinku has authored and co-authored several publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals. Notable articles include:

“A Mixed-Method study on Antimicrobial Resistance Drivers in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Pathways, Risks, and Solutions” (Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 2025).

“Effective Advanced technologies and One Health Mitigation strategies of Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanut Oil” (Food Science & Nutrition, 2023).

“Burden of Chemical Poisoning and Contributing Factors in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia” (BMC Public Health, 2024).

“Intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine and its health belief model-based predictors: A systematic review and meta-analysis” (Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2023).

“Aflatoxin contamination of animal feeds and its predictors among dairy farms in Northwest Ethiopia: One Health approach implications” (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2023).

“Raw cow milk nutritional content and microbiological quality predictors of South Gondar zone dairy farmers in Ethiopia” (Heliyon, 2022).

“Assessing healthcare workers’ confidence level in diagnosing and managing emerging infectious virus of human mpox in hospitals in Amhara Region” (BMJ Open, 2023).

Conclusion

Chalachew Yenew Dinku’s career is dedicated to advancing the field of public health through research, education, and active engagement in community health initiatives. His contributions to understanding antimicrobial resistance, environmental health, and public health emergencies have made a significant impact on both local and international health systems. As an academic, he continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of public health professionals, while his research work remains at the forefront of addressing critical health challenges. His dedication to improving global public health through evidence-based strategies highlights his commitment to a healthier, more sustainable world.

Neeraj Thakur | AI in Healthcare | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Neeraj Thakur | AI in Healthcare | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, United States

Dr. Neeraj S. Thakur, currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), is a highly motivated researcher specializing in drug delivery systems, theranostic platforms, and AI-based approaches for developing novel diagnostics and treatments. With over a decade of international research experience spanning the USA, Europe, and Asia, Dr. Thakur has led multiple projects related to nanomaterial design, formulation development, and the synthesis of advanced drug delivery systems for treating diseases like cancer and infections. His expertise extends to both small molecules and large biomolecules, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as polymeric and lipid nanoparticles. He has an extensive publication record with 29 papers, five patents, six book chapters, and significant contributions to the field.

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Education

Dr. Thakur earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology) from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, India, where his research focused on the development of nanoparticle-based fluorescent probes for biomedical applications. He also holds an M.Tech in Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology) from NIPER, Mohali, where he was the class topper, and a B.Pharm degree from Shri G.S. Institute of Technology and Science, Indore. Additionally, he is pursuing a Certificate in Data Science and Machine Learning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Experience

Dr. Thakur has held significant roles in various research institutions. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at OUHSC, he established research laboratories and led projects on nanomaterial development for drug delivery systems targeting multiple applications, including inner ear and ocular delivery. Prior to this, he worked at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, where he developed hybrid micelle formulations for transdermal delivery and designed iontophoretic devices. He also contributed to the Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB), India, where he led the development of topical drug delivery systems and was involved in several patent filings. These experiences have honed his skills in formulation and analytical development, laboratory management, and industrial collaboration.

Research Interests

Dr. Thakur’s research interests focus on the development of advanced drug delivery systems, particularly using nanomaterials such as polymeric and lipid nanoparticles. His work aims to improve the therapeutic efficacy of drugs by enhancing their delivery to specific sites in the body, such as the inner ear, ocular tissues, and tumors. He is also dedicated to the integration of AI-based approaches for optimizing drug delivery design, ensuring more precise treatments for conditions like cancer and ototoxicity. His passion extends to the creation of theranostic platforms for early disease diagnosis and personalized medicine.

Awards

Throughout his career, Dr. Thakur has received numerous accolades for his contributions to pharmaceutical sciences. Notable among them are the John B. Bruce Scholarship Award (2024), the Best Abstract Award at AAPS Pharm360 (2023), and the prestigious Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship (2020-2021). His earlier achievements include the DST-INSPIRE and CSIR Research Fellowships, which are awarded to the top 1% of students in India. These recognitions underscore his impact on the scientific community and his leadership in advancing pharmaceutical research.

Publications

Dr. Thakur has authored 29 peer-reviewed papers, with some of his recent work focused on innovative drug delivery systems. Key publications include:

Thakur, N.S., et al., “Crosslinked Hybrid Nanoparticle Embedded in Thermogel For Sustained Co-Delivery to Inner Ear,” Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2024.

Thakur, N.S., et al., “Progress and Promise of Photoresponsive Nanocarriers for Precision Drug Delivery in Cancer,” Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews, 2024.

Thakur, N.S., et al., “Dual Stimuli-Responsive and Sustained Drug Delivery Nanosensogel for Prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity,” Journal of Controlled Release, 2024.

Paul, S., et al., “Co-Administration of Chemo-Phototherapeutic Loaded Lignin Nanoarchitecture for Skin Cancer and Bacterial Infections,” ACS Applied Nano Materials, 2024.

Kumar, S., et al., “Bioengineered Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Based Biosensors and Applications,” Sensors and Diagnostics, 2023. These works, which cover nanomedicine, drug delivery, and nanomaterial innovation, have significantly contributed to the field of pharmaceutical sciences and have been widely cited.

Conclusion

Dr. Neeraj S. Thakur’s multifaceted career highlights his dedication to advancing pharmaceutical research through innovation in nanotechnology and drug delivery systems. His profound knowledge in both academic and industrial settings, along with his leadership in driving collaborative research projects, continues to position him as a key figure in his field. With a focus on precision medicine, AI-based design, and the development of targeted therapies, Dr. Thakur is making remarkable strides toward improving patient outcomes and advancing the future of drug delivery and diagnostics.