Shahar Lev-Ari | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Hypothesis

Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Visiting Faculty | Stanford University | United States

Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari is an accomplished academic with a strong educational foundation in cellular biology and medicine who has over many years built a distinguished career in health promotion, public health research, integrative medicine, and well-being interventions; Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari was trained in cellular biology and obtained his PhD after rigorous work in integrative medicine and intervention science, and his education included advanced training in health promotion science and mindfulness-based behavior change. In his professional experience, Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari has served as founding director of the Integrative Medicine Center & Laboratory of Medicinal Herbs and Cancer Research at the Institute of Oncology, led the Health Promotion Unit within the Integrated Cancer Prevention Center at Tel Aviv Medical Center, and formerly chaired the Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health at Tel Aviv University; he is also a visiting scholar in Stanford University’s Department of Genetics and collaborates internationally in precision health and psychosocial interventions. Research interests of Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari focus on mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques, inquiry-based stress reduction (IBSR), salutogenesis, resilience, psychosocial health, mental well-being, interventions in at-risk populations (e.g. women with BRCA variants), longevity and protective behavioral and psychosocial factors, mind-body medicine, and digital health tools for well-being. He has developed skills in both quantitative and intervention research; expertise in randomized clinical trials, longitudinal cohort studies, psychosocial measurement, sleep assessments, behavior change, developing and evaluating interventions, public health promotion, multi-disciplinary collaborators, mixed-methods, psychosocial biometrics, and implementing rigorous designs. Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari has been recognized with awards and honours such as the Outstanding Scientist Award from the Israel Society for Complementary Medicine under the auspices of the Israeli Medical Association, and has received support from organizations such as the Rothschild Foundation, the Israeli Cancer Association, and chief scientists in education and medicine; he has also been invited to serve on editorial boards (e.g., Section Editor for Public Health in Journal of Clinical Medicine), and in national and global working groups on mental health promotion. In his published record, Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari has authored 81 documents, has accumulated 2,106 citations, and has h-index 22, demonstrating both breadth and impact. Overall, Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari embodies a scholar-practitioner who bridges fundamental biology, public health, psychosocial interventions and community health implementation, with leadership roles in research, mentorship, and translation of findings into interventions that improve psychological well-being and health outcomes in both general and vulnerable populations.

Profile:  Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Effect of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction on Well-being and Views on Risk-Reducing Surgery Among Women With BRCA Variants in Israel: A Randomized Clinical Trial — 2021; ~3 citations

  2. The Association Between the Sense of Coherence and the Self-Reported Adherence to Guidelines During the First Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Israel — 2022; number of citations

  3. The Use of Smart Devices for Mental Health Diagnosis and Care — 2022; number of citations

  4. A Novel Platform for Attenuating Immune Hyperactivity Using EXO-CD24 in COVID-19 and Beyond — 2022; number of citations

  5. Data From a One-Stop-Shop Comprehensive Cancer Screening Center — 2023; number of citations

  6. Mental Health for All: The Case for Investing in Digital Mental Health to Improve Global Outcomes, Access, and Innovation in Low-Resource Settings — 2023; number of citations

 

Elie Azoulay | Medicine and Health Sciences | Hypothesis Achievement Award

Published on by Research Hypothesis

Prof. Elie Azoulay | Medicine and Health Sciences | Hypothesis Achievement Award 

Intensive care medicine department, at Saint Louis hospital, France.

Prof. Elie Azoulay is a distinguished French intensivist and the Director of the Critical Care Department at Hôpital Saint-Louis in Paris. He is renowned for his pioneering work in managing critically ill immunocompromised patients. As the founder and director of Nine-I, a multinational group focusing on immunocompromised patients, and co-director of the Famirea Study Group, he has significantly advanced research in intensive care medicine. His leadership extends to founding GRRR-OH, a French multicenter group dedicated to critically ill immunocompromised patients. Prof. Azoulay’s academic contributions are further highlighted by his role as Editor-in-Chief of Intensive Care Medicine from 2012 to 2018, during which the journal’s impact factor rose from 5 to 18. He has also served as President of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and is an advisory board member for The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

Professional Profile

Scopus

ORCID

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Prof. Azoulay’s academic journey began at Paris VI University (Sorbonne), where he earned his MD in 1991. He furthered his expertise with a Master’s degree in Respiratory Physiology from Paris XII University in 1995. In 2002, he completed his PhD in Respiratory Physiology at Paris VII University (Descartes). His commitment to advancing medical science led him to obtain Habilitation to Conduct and Lead Research from Paris VII University in 2003. Additionally, he holds a University Diploma in Critical Care Management of Immunocompromised Patients from Université Paris Cité, obtained in 2012. His educational background underscores his dedication to both clinical excellence and research innovation in intensive care medicine.

💼 Experience

Prof. Azoulay has an extensive career in intensive care medicine, beginning as a medical intern at Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital in Paris. He has held significant positions, including serving as a professor of medicine at Paris VII University since 2004. His leadership roles encompass founding and directing several research groups, such as GRRR-OH and Nine-I, focusing on critically ill immunocompromised patients. He has been actively involved in various committees, including the Strategy Committee of the Hospital Group in Paris and the Medical Staffing Group. Prof. Azoulay’s editorial contributions are notable, having served as Editor-in-Chief of Intensive Care Medicine and as an associate editor for prominent journals like Critical Care Medicine and American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. His work has significantly influenced the field of intensive care medicine, particularly concerning immunocompromised patients.link.springer.com

🔬 Research Interests

Prof. Azoulay’s research primarily focuses on the management of critically ill immunocompromised patients, particularly those with hematological malignancies or undergoing immunosuppressive therapies. His work addresses acute respiratory failure, infections, and the psychosocial impact on patients and their families. He has led multicenter studies on the outcomes of intensive care in immunocompromised patients and the prevalence of ICU-related conflicts. His research also delves into the prevention of mental health disorders in ICU settings and the development of strategies to support family members of critically ill patients. Through his interdisciplinary approach, Prof. Azoulay aims to enhance patient care and outcomes in intensive care units.

🏆 Awards

Prof. Azoulay’s exceptional contributions to intensive care medicine have been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2021, he received the International KJF Award, acknowledging his significant impact on critical care research. His editorial leadership has been instrumental in elevating the impact factor of Intensive Care Medicine. Additionally, his involvement in various international research initiatives has garnered him recognition from global medical communities. These accolades reflect his dedication to advancing the field of intensive care medicine and improving patient outcomes worldwide.rigshospitalet.dk

📚 Top Noted Publications

Prof. Azoulay has authored over 1,200 publications, contributing extensively to the field of intensive care medicine. Notable among his works is the 2019 study on acute respiratory failure in immunocompromised adults, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, which has been cited over 1,000 times. His 2022 research in JAMA on post-traumatic stress symptoms in family members of ICU patients has also garnered significant attention. These publications reflect his commitment to addressing both clinical and psychosocial aspects of critical care. His work continues to influence practices and policies in intensive care units globally.

📌 1. Outcomes in Immunocompromised Patients with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure Treated by High-Flow Nasal Oxygen

Journal: Intensive Care Medicine
Date: April 2025
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-025-07890-5
Authors: Elie Azoulay, Mélanie Métais, Virginie Lemiale, Djamel Mokart, et al.
Summary:
This multicenter study evaluates the effectiveness and outcomes of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) in immunocompromised patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). Key findings suggest that early initiation of HFNO is associated with improved survival, particularly in hematologic patients. It supports HFNO as a frontline noninvasive respiratory support strategy in this vulnerable population.

📌 2. Correction: HELLO – A Protocol for a Cluster RCT to Enhance ICU Team Cohesion

Journal: Intensive Care Medicine Experimental
Date: January 2025
DOI: 10.1186/s40635-024-00702-y
Authors: Elie Azoulay, Nancy Kentish Barnes, Sheila Nainan Myatra, et al.
Summary:
This correction addresses minor protocol amendments in the HELLO trial, aimed at improving interpersonal relationships and teamwork among ICU professionals. The original trial focuses on evaluating whether targeted interventions can reduce burnout and enhance job satisfaction, thus improving team-based care delivery.

📌 3. Lack of Up-to-Date Studies and Data Conversion May Lead to Biased Results: A Response to Wang et al.

Journal: Critical Care
Date: December 2024
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-024-05223-4
Authors: Ali Ait Hssain, Amir Vahedian-Azimi, Elie Azoulay, et al.
Summary:
A scholarly rebuttal to a prior publication, emphasizing the importance of timely and context-relevant data in intensive care research. The authors argue that reliance on outdated studies and improper data interpretation can introduce significant bias in clinical decision-making and policy formulation.

📌 4. Complement System Activation: Bridging Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Therapy

Journal: Intensive Care Medicine
Date: November 2024
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-024-07611-4
Authors: Elie Azoulay, Julien Zuber, Djillali Annane, et al.
Summary:
A comprehensive review of complement system activation in critically ill patients, exploring its dual role in host defense and inflammatory damage. The paper highlights novel therapeutic targets and the need for individualized modulation in conditions like sepsis and ARDS.

📌 5. Treatment of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis and Candidiasis in ICU Patients

Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Date: November 2024
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202410-2045ST
Authors: Oleg Epelbaum, Elie Azoulay, et al.
Summary:
This ATS Clinical Practice Guideline outlines evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating invasive fungal infections in ICU settings. It provides a framework for empirical and targeted antifungal therapy, addressing the rising concern of fungal superinfections in critical care.

Conclusion

Professor Elie Azoulay is an outstanding candidate for the Research for Hypothesis Achievement Award. His pioneering work in the intensive care management of immunocompromised patients, groundbreaking contributions to mental health in ICU survivors and their families, and leadership in multicenter, hypothesis-driven trials position him as a globally respected clinician-scientist. His profile aligns deeply with the intent of the award—translating complex hypotheses into high-impact, patient-centered outcomes.