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

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

 

Samuel Zünd | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Samuel Zünd | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Paramedic at Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland

Mr. Samuel Zünd is a senior paramedic and operational manager with a dynamic career dedicated to emergency medical services and prehospital care. Based in Orbe, Switzerland, Mr. Zünd is known for his organizational excellence, cross-functional leadership, and a deeply rooted passion for collaborative and inclusive healthcare development. With more than two decades of experience in paramedicine, he has contributed to advanced systems of care, multidisciplinary coordination, and the strengthening of educational and research frameworks in Switzerland. Samuel excels in project and case management, particularly in stroke unit coordination and emergency care innovations. Through his leadership roles in prestigious Swiss paramedic institutions and his active involvement in research networks, Mr. Zünd continues to inspire excellence and innovation in the field of prehospital emergency medicine.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Education

While the exact formal education timeline is not listed, Mr. Samuel Zünd has undergone comprehensive paramedic training and educational leadership development, beginning with basic paramedic training (2004–2007). He has since progressed through multiple academic and professional teaching roles, including on-field instruction in paramedic degree programs. His affiliation with renowned institutions such as MEDI – École Supérieure d’Ambulancier et Soins d’Urgence Romande and ESAMB highlights a sustained engagement in advanced education for emergency care professionals. Furthermore, his involvement in research coordination and academic training management reflects not only formal knowledge but also his ability to bridge education with practice and innovation. His multilingual fluency in French, English, and German also underlines a strong academic adaptability in diverse research and professional environments.

Experience

Mr. Zünd’s career trajectory reflects progressive responsibilities in paramedicine and healthcare system leadership. Starting as a basic paramedic (2004–2007), he transitioned into a full paramedic role (2007–2018), where he gained hands-on experience in high-pressure emergency situations. Since 2018, he has served as a senior paramedic and operational manager, leading initiatives that ensure streamlined emergency responses and improved patient outcomes. He holds current roles at SPS Neuchâtel as a training and project management leader, and at the Association Sécurité Riviera coordinating stroke units. His interdisciplinary work with CSU Trois Vallons and leadership in research with the Association for Prehospital Research Promotion (APRP) further demonstrate his commitment to bridging clinical excellence with research innovation. His teaching, project leadership, and coordination of prehospital networks embody a career built on responsibility, innovation, and impact.

Awards and Honors

While specific individual awards are not listed in the provided details, Mr. Samuel Zünd’s leadership roles and project responsibilities speak volumes of the trust and recognition he holds in the Swiss emergency medical field. His appointment as project and training manager in SPS Neuchâtel, and his coordination responsibilities for stroke care systems, highlight his recognized expertise in clinical improvement and system design. Moreover, his presidency role since 2007 and coordination of a national prehospital research network underscore his reputation as a thought leader in the domain. His publication in a peer-reviewed journal, focused on Swiss paramedics’ intention to engage in research (SPECTRe), further substantiates his impact on shaping research culture in emergency care. These roles and accomplishments collectively reflect high professional recognition, research respectability, and a meaningful contribution to Swiss and global healthcare development.

Research Focus

Mr. Samuel Zünd’s research focus lies in advancing prehospital emergency care through evidence-based systems design, knowledge dissemination, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He is particularly interested in enhancing the readiness and effectiveness of emergency medical systems, with a core emphasis on stroke unit coordination and trauma response frameworks. His research work supports the implementation of innovative training models and encourages paramedics to actively participate in scholarly initiatives. Through the Association for Prehospital Research Promotion (APRP), Mr. Zünd has led initiatives to develop networks connecting healthcare professionals with research opportunities, thereby promoting data-driven improvements in field operations. His forward-looking perspective on system-level integration of research into practice reflects a strategic vision to uplift paramedicine standards globally. He aims to inspire and empower frontline responders to embrace research as a means of continual professional development and improved patient outcomes.

Publication Top Notes