Lina Vieira | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Hypothesis Excellence Award

Prof Lina Vieira, ESTeSL/IPL, Portugal

Prof. Lina Vieira is a distinguished biomedical researcher and educator with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics from the University of Lisbon 🎓, awarded with Distinction and Honors 🏅. Her work primarily advances nuclear medicine, with a special focus on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and SPECT imaging 🧠❤️. She holds a professorial position at the Lisbon School of Health Technology, actively contributing to both teaching and scientific innovation 📚🔬. Prof. Vieira has led several EU-funded projects, including PIANOFORTE, focusing on safe, optimized radiology for vulnerable populations 🤰📡. Her research blends technology, biophysics, and human-centered approaches like anxiety reduction and music therapy in imaging 🧘‍♀️🎵. An award-winning author and supervisor, she has trained numerous graduate students and remains a leading voice in radiological safety and optimization ⚛️. Her scientific rigor, innovation, and societal impact make her an ideal candidate for the Research Hypothesis Excellence Award 🏆🔍.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Education

Prof. Lina Vieira earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics from the University of Lisbon in 2011 with Distinction and Honors 🎓🌟. Her thesis focused on optimizing myocardial perfusion studies using ECG-gated nuclear medicine imaging ❤️🧠. She also holds a Postgraduate Degree in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering (2005) and a Bachelor’s in Nuclear Medicine (2000) from the Lisbon School of Health Technology ⚛️📘. As part of her academic growth, she qualified through rigorous public examinations to become a Coordinating Professor in Nuclear Medicine within the Radiation Sciences and Biosignal Technologies Department at ESTeSL 👩‍🏫🧪. Her scholarly training is grounded in biophysics, imaging technology, and healthcare applications, forming a strong foundation for her future academic, research, and leadership achievements 🔬💡.

Experience

Prof. Vieira serves as a Coordinating Professor at the Lisbon School of Health Technology, leading Nuclear Medicine teaching and research initiatives 👩‍🏫🧠. She has been an integrated member of the Health & Technology Research Center since 2019, previously with the Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Lisbon 🧬📊. Her work spans across modeling, signal processing, and human-centered diagnostic imaging, including participation in CIMOSM and GI-MOSM research centers 🧠⚙️. Notably, she coordinates the EU-funded PIANOFORTE project on safe radiology for pregnant patients 🤰📡, and leads innovative research on anxiety and music’s impact on image quality 🎵😌. Prof. Vieira is a mentor to many MSc students and has supervised several dissertations on SPECT imaging, Parkinson’s diagnostics, and PET education 📚📝. Her cross-disciplinary expertise makes her a leader in merging clinical practice with scientific excellence 🏥🔍.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Vieira has received multiple prestigious awards honoring her innovative research in nuclear medicine and imaging technology 🏅📡. She earned the Best Scientific Article Award from Saúde & Tecnologia in 2018, 2017, and 2015 for studies on technologist exposure, myocardial perfusion, and PET/CT in melanoma surveillance 🎖️📘. Her paper, “Value of a Lower Limb Immobilization Device for Optimization of SPECT/CT Image Fusion,” was named one of the Top 3 Papers by JNMT in 2015 and recognized at the 2016 Annual SNMMI Congress in San Diego 🇺🇸✨. These accolades reflect her commitment to high-impact, hypothesis-driven research that enhances clinical outcomes and patient safety 🧠❤️. With consistent recognition over the years, Prof. Vieira continues to lead innovations in nuclear medicine, both theoretically and practically 🔬📈.

Research Focus

Prof. Vieira’s research centers on optimizing nuclear medicine imaging, particularly myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS), SPECT acquisition techniques, and patient-centered innovations in diagnostic imaging ❤️📸. She investigates the impact of psychophysiological variables, such as anxiety, on image quality and explores non-pharmacological interventions like music therapy to improve patient outcomes 🎶🧘‍♂️. A strong advocate for radiological safety, she spearheads projects like PIANOFORTE, which targets personalized radiology for pregnant patients 🤰⚛️. She also delves into educational methodologies, evaluating the effect of videos and social media in communicating ionizing radiation risks effectively 📲🧠. Her interdisciplinary focus combines engineering, patient psychology, radiological science, and public communication—making her work vital for improving both technical precision and patient experience in medical imaging 💡🩺. Her hypothesis-driven approach is rooted in measurable impacts, clinical relevance, and ethical responsibility 🔍📐.

Publication Top Notes

📄 Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy: Impact of Anxiety on Image Quality (JPM, 2025 – submitted)
📄 Potential Benefits of Social Media in Educating Healthcare Professionals and Students on Medical Imaging with Ionizing Radiation (Radiography Journal, 2025)
📄 Effects of a Music-Based Intervention on Psychophysiological Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Imaging Procedures: A Systematic Review (Radiography Journal, 2024)
📄 Effectiveness of Educational Videos on Patient’s Preparation for Diagnostic Procedures: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preventive Medicine Reports, 2022)

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.