Nathalia Castillo | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Ms Nathalia Castillo, Albany Medical College, United States

Ms. Nathalia Castillo is a dedicated medical student and researcher at Albany Medical College, with a profound commitment to transplant surgery, orthopedic surgery, and healthcare disparities. She has showcased exceptional leadership, guiding multiple research initiatives while advocating for healthcare equity. Her studies focus on addressing racial and gender disparities in surgical fields, ensuring improved patient outcomes. Through her contributions to academic research, medical education, and leadership roles, she has established herself as an emerging scholar in the medical field. Ms. Castillo’s work has been recognized at national conferences, and she actively mentors fellow students in surgical research. She remains dedicated to advancing knowledge and bridging gaps in healthcare.

Education

Ms. Nathalia Castillo is currently an MD candidate at Albany Medical College, expected to graduate in May 2025. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a minor in Nutrition from Chapman University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude (2021) 🏅. During her undergraduate studies, she actively engaged in research projects focused on public health, medical disparities, and clinical outcomes. Her strong academic performance, combined with her commitment to research, led her to pursue surgical investigations at Albany Medical College. Ms. Castillo has also participated in numerous research training programs and medical symposiums, enhancing her skills in biostatistics, data analysis, and clinical trial methodologies 📊. She continues to build a strong foundation in medical research while excelling in academics and leadership roles.

Experience

Ms. Nathalia Castillo has extensive research experience in transplant surgery, orthopedic surgery, and healthcare disparities. She has served as a research leader in the Department of General Surgery and Transplant Surgery at Albany Medical College, where she has worked on groundbreaking studies 📑. Her contributions include research on racial and gender disparities in surgical specialties, leading to impactful findings in healthcare equity. She has collaborated with top surgeons and academic mentors, co-authoring multiple peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Additionally, she holds leadership positions in student organizations, such as the Latinx Medical Student Association, advocating for diversity in medicine. Ms. Castillo has also mentored medical students in research methodologies, fostering a new generation of evidence-based practitioners 📚.

Awards and Honors

Ms. Nathalia Castillo’s dedication to medical research and academic excellence has earned her prestigious awards 🏆. She was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (2024), a recognition reserved for top medical students based on academic merit and research contributions 🎓. She also received the Scholastic Excellence Award from Albany Medical College, highlighting her outstanding performance. In 2024, she was awarded Top 10 Poster at the American Orthopaedic Association Annual Leadership Meeting 🏅. Her research on surgical disparities has been presented at national and international conferences, earning recognition from leading medical institutions. Ms. Castillo continues to push the boundaries of medical research, ensuring innovation and progress in transplant and orthopedic surgery.

Research Focus

Ms. Nathalia Castillo’s research focuses on transplant surgery, orthopedic surgery, and healthcare disparities 🏥. Her studies aim to identify and address racial and gender disparities in surgical fields, working towards improving access, outcomes, and representation. She has extensively investigated attrition rates among US abdominal transplant surgeons, revealing critical inequalities in leadership positions 📊. Her work in orthopedic surgery explores complication management and surgical outcomes, particularly in foot and ankle procedures 🦶. Additionally, she examines equitable patient care in organ transplantation, ensuring fair access and success rates among underrepresented groups. Her findings have been published in top-tier journals, influencing policy changes and medical education reforms 📚. Ms. Castillo’s passion for bridging gaps in healthcare drives her commitment to evidence-based solutions and advocacy for diversity in surgery.

Seema Garg | Medical Hypotheses | Best Researcher Award

Dr Seema Garg, University College of Medical Sciences, India

Dr. Seema Garg (b. January 29, 1973) is a distinguished Professor of Biochemistry at the University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, with over 20 years of experience. An ardent advocate for value-based education and ethical research, she specializes in diabetes, thyroid disorders, and metabolic diseases. Dr. Garg has played pivotal roles in various esteemed institutions, including AIIMS Nagpur, where she established the Biochemistry department and managed COVID-19 ward facilities. Her scholarly contributions include 35+ publications and a copyright for the OSLER model in clinical biochemistry. She actively engages in social work and is a member of several professional bodies. 📚🔬✨

Publication profile

scopus

Education

Dr. Seema Garg currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi 🏥. Holding an MBBS and an MD in Biochemistry from PGIMS, Rohtak 🎓, Dr. Seema Garg has specialized training in Laboratory Quality Management and Internal Audit according to ISO 15189 guidelines 🧪. Additionally, Dr. Seema Garg has completed courses in Administrative and Financial Skills, as well as Medical Education Technologies and Curriculum Implementation Support Program 📚. With a strong foundation in both clinical practice and educational methodologies, Dr. Seema Garg is dedicated to advancing medical science and education 🌟.

Experience

Dr. Seema Garg, MD in Biochemistry, boasts over 20 years of distinguished experience across prestigious institutions such as AIIMS Nagpur, Pt BDS, PGIMS Rohtak, and University College of Med Sciences, Delhi. As Head of the Biochemistry department at AIIMS Nagpur, she pioneered its establishment amidst managing Covid Ward facilities during the pandemic. Dr. Garg is deeply committed to medical education, supervising numerous MD theses and advocating for undergraduate research exposure. Her research interests span biomarkers in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and thyroid disorders, alongside clinical chemistry, nutrition, and oncology. She holds accolades including best poster awards and copyrights, and actively engages in editorial roles, course development, and reviewing for esteemed journals and institutions. 🏥

Awards

In 1990, she was honored with a scholarship during my senior secondary education, marking a pivotal moment in my academic journey. Years later, in 2012, she received a prestigious travel grant from UGC to attend an international conference, broadening my global perspectives. The year 2014 brought another achievement as I was recognized for presenting the Best Poster at ACBI, showcasing my dedication to scientific communication. More recently, in 2020, she secured a copyright for the OSLER model, a significant milestone in the field of clinical biochemistry (Copyright no. L-92593/2020 dated 06/07/2020). 🎓 These milestones reflect my ongoing commitment to academic excellence and innovation in my field.

Research focus

Dr. Mehndiratta’s research primarily focuses on obstetrics and gynecology, with a particular interest in maternal health issues such as preterm labor and pregnancy-related complications. His studies often explore biomarkers and physiological factors influencing maternal and fetal outcomes, including vitamin D insufficiency and its implications. Dr. Mehndiratta’s work contributes to understanding and managing conditions like preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) in pregnant Indian women. 🤰 His research underscores the importance of proactive healthcare interventions to improve maternal and neonatal health during pregnancy, emphasizing preventive strategies and early detection through biomarker studies.