Louisa Mokoena | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Louisa Mokoena | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Louisa Mokoena | Medicine and Health Sciences | Lecturer | University Of Johannesburg | South Africa

Dr. Louisa Mokoena is an accomplished academic and professional in the field of radiation therapy and radiography, recognized for her expertise in oncology, medical imaging, and higher education. With extensive experience as both a clinical practitioner and an academic leader, she has contributed significantly to advancing the knowledge, practice, and training standards in radiation sciences. Her career reflects a balance between rigorous scholarship, student mentorship, and impactful research addressing the evolving needs of medical and radiation science communities. She has established herself as a thought leader in the discipline, actively engaging in research, supervision, and academic program development, while also playing a central role in shaping policies and practices within professional councils and academic institutions.

Professional Profile 

Education

Dr. Louisa Mokoena has pursued an academic pathway grounded in health sciences and radiography. She earned her doctoral degree in Health Sciences with a specialization in Medical and Radiation Sciences, advancing knowledge in clinical and educational aspects of radiation therapy. Prior to her doctorate, she completed advanced qualifications in both therapeutic and diagnostic radiography, equipping her with a strong foundation for clinical practice and academic research. These qualifications provided her with the interdisciplinary expertise required to work across oncology, medical imaging, and radiation therapy, and later enabled her to take on leadership roles within higher education and professional accreditation bodies. Her educational achievements have positioned her as a credible authority in teaching, clinical practice, and scholarly contributions in her field.

Experience

Throughout her career, Dr. Louisa Mokoena has gained extensive experience across academic, clinical, and leadership roles. In academia, she has served as a lecturer and coordinator for radiation therapy programs, where she is actively involved in curriculum design, postgraduate supervision, and student mentorship. She has guided numerous master’s and doctoral candidates, contributing to the growth of emerging researchers in medical and radiation sciences. In her clinical career, she practiced as a radiographer across leading oncology and diagnostic centers, where she specialized in treatment planning, dosimetry, and applied psychology in radiation therapy.

Research Interest

Dr. Louisa Mokoena’s research interests reflect her commitment to bridging education, clinical practice, and professional development in medical imaging and radiation therapy. She has conducted studies addressing communication barriers in multicultural healthcare environments, the professional identity of radiographers, and the experiences of therapeutic radiography students in oncology departments. Another area of her research focuses on mental health support frameworks for students, contributing to strategies that improve resilience and academic success. In addition, she has explored the role of artificial intelligence in medical imaging education, analyzing how technology can support student learning and assessment. Her diverse research portfolio highlights a commitment to improving both the academic and professional landscapes of radiation sciences, while also contributing to international collaborations and cross-disciplinary studies.

Award

Dr. Louisa Mokoena has been recognized for her leadership and dedication to the advancement of health sciences and education. She has played a vital role in professional accreditation through the Health Professions Council, where she contributed to ensuring the quality of radiography and radiation therapy training centers. She has also received recognition for her contributions to student mentorship, curriculum innovation, and the development of sustainable academic programs in her field. Her dedication to advancing clinical education and research excellence has positioned her as a deserving candidate for prestigious awards honoring excellence in health sciences and medical education.

Selected Publication

  • Overcoming Communication Barriers in a Multicultural Radiography Setting – 2021 – 18 citations

  • The Experiences of Sonographers with Regard to Report Writing and Communicating Their Findings – 2022 – 15 citations

  • Diagnostic Radiographers’ Perceptions of Professional Identity in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa – 2024 – 12 citations

  • Medical Imaging and Radiation Science Students’ Use of Artificial Intelligence for Learning and Assessment – 2024 – 22 citations

  • Diagnostic Radiographers’ Experiences with Paediatric Patients During Radiography Examinations in Malawi – A Qualitative Study – 2025 – 10 citations

Conclusion

Dr. Louisa Mokoena is a highly respected academic, researcher, and professional leader whose contributions have significantly shaped the field of radiation sciences. Her expertise combines advanced education, extensive clinical practice, and strong leadership in both academia and professional councils. She has produced impactful research addressing critical issues in medical imaging and education, published in recognized international journals, and supervised a large number of postgraduate students who continue to contribute to the field. Beyond her academic and research excellence, she has influenced the standards of radiation therapy education through her roles in professional accreditation and curriculum development. Dr. Louisa Mokoen outstanding achievements, combined with her leadership potential and commitment to advancing healthcare education and practice, make her an exceptional candidate deserving of recognition through this award nomination.

 

Anne Vertigan | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Anne Vertigan | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr Anne Vertigan, John Hunter Hospital, Australia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan is an experienced Speech Pathologist with a career spanning over 30 years. She holds multiple degrees, including a PhD in chronic cough and airway hyperresponsiveness. Dr. Vertigan is the Director of Speech Pathology at Greater Newcastle Acute Hospital and has extensive experience in leadership and clinical roles. She has contributed significantly to research, focusing on chronic cough, laryngeal dysfunction, and asthma. Dr. Vertigan has been invited to speak at numerous international conferences and has received several prestigious grants. She is also an Associate Editor for the European Respiratory Journal. 📚🎤💬👩‍⚕️🌏

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan holds a B.App.Sc. (Speech Pathology) from La Trobe University (1991), an MBA from the University of Newcastle (2008), and a PhD from the University of Queensland, where she researched chronic cough and extrathoracic airway hyperresponsiveness syndrome, awarded in 2007. She also earned a Master in Clinical Epidemiology (2023) and a Master in Medical Statistics (2023) from the University of Newcastle. Dr. Vertigan’s academic and professional journey reflects her commitment to advancing knowledge in health, particularly in respiratory conditions and clinical research. 📚🎓💡🩺

Experience

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan is a seasoned speech pathologist with an extensive career in healthcare leadership. She has served as the Director of Speech Pathology at the Greater Newcastle Acute Hospital Network since 2000. Previously, Dr. Vertigan was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the NHMRC Centre for Clinical Excellence in Respiratory & Sleep Medicine (2008-2009). Her roles include District Profession Director of Speech Pathology at Hunter New England Health (2008-2015) and Director at John Hunter Hospital (1994-2000). With additional experience in various hospitals and community health centers, Dr. Vertigan has made significant contributions to speech pathology and healthcare. 🏥👩‍⚕️📚

Presentations

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan is a renowned expert in laryngeal dysfunction, chronic cough, and voice disorders, delivering numerous invited talks at prestigious international conferences. In June 2024, she spoke at the Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction Conference in Pittsburgh, USA, on topics such as the hypersensitive larynx, laryngeal dysfunction, and the relationship between inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) and severe asthma. She also addressed dysphagia management and laryngeal hyperresponsiveness at the Phonosurgery Association of India in February 2024. Additionally, Dr. Vertigan shared her expertise at the French Society of ENT Congress and the ENT Head & Neck Instructional Course in Singapore. 🌍🎤👩‍⚕️

Grants

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan has been awarded several prestigious grants and recognitions for her research in respiratory health. These include the $10,000 Ignite EMCR Equipment Grant (2018) for BioRadio Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography, and the $5,000 Strategic Research Pilot Grant (2020) to understand breathlessness in asthma. She also contributed to the $320,490.62 Medical Research Futures Fund on bushfire impact (2020), and the NHMRC’s $2.5 million CREATT Centre for asthma research (2020). In 2021, her work on non-pharmacological treatments for interstitial lung diseases won the SPP Robalo Cordeiro Award. Her latest project focuses on minimizing corticosteroid use in asthma. 🫁💡🌿

Research Focus

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anne Vertigan’s research primarily focuses on respiratory diseases, particularly chronic cough, breathlessness, and asthma. She investigates the psychophysiological correlates of breathlessness and the impact of exposure to environmental factors like wildfire smoke. Dr. Vertigan also explores respiratory issues related to vocal cord dysfunction and laryngeal hypersensitivity. She is involved in studies aimed at improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for conditions such as chronic cough in children and adults. Her work aims to enhance understanding and management of airway conditions in clinical settings. 🌬️🫁👩‍⚕️🔬🌱

Publication top Notes

Abnormal breathing pattern features in chronic refractory cough

Understanding Breathlessness Burden and Psychophysiological Correlates in Asthma

Respiratory Diseases Associated With Wildfire Exposure in Outdoor Workers

Misconceptions on behavioral cough suppression therapy for pediatric nonspecific cough: A response to Weinberger and Buettner’s commentary on Fujiki et al.

Living With Asthma and Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction: “I Just Can’t Get Air In”

Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis, Assessment and Management (CICADA). Summary of an updated position statement on chronic cough in Australia