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

Impact of the First Swiss Conference on Prehospital Emergency Care and Trauma Research (SPECTRe) on Paramedics’ Intention to Engage in Research: Cross-sectional Study

Prof. Katarzyna Styszko | Wastewater-based epidemiology | Best Researcher Award

Reasercher at AGH University of Krakow , Poland

Prof. Katarzyna Styszko 🎓 is an expert in environmental engineering, specializing in micropollutant emissions, microplastics, atmospheric aerosols, and wastewater-based epidemiology. She holds a D.Sc. from the Central Mining Institute (2017) and a Ph.D. from AGH University of Science and Technology (2003). Currently a professor at AGH’s Faculty of Energy and Fuels, she has led multiple research projects on air and water pollution, public health risks, and emerging contaminants. With an H-index of 21 and over 1,480 citations, her work advances pollution mitigation strategies. She has conducted research stays at the University of Bath, Vienna University of Technology, and Aarhus University. 🌍🔬

🎓 Academic Background

Prof. Katarzyna Styszko holds a D.Sc. (habilitation) in Environmental Engineering from the Central Mining Institute, Katowice (2017) and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from AGH University of Science and Technology (2003). She earned her M.Sc. in Chemical Technology from The Krakow University of Technology (1999), equipping her with a strong foundation in environmental research. Additionally, she completed a two-year teaching qualification program at the Pedagogy and Psychology Educational Centre in Krakow (1996–1998), enhancing her academic and mentoring skills. Her diverse educational background supports her expertise in environmental pollution, wastewater treatment, and atmospheric aerosol analysis. 🌍🔬

👩‍🏫 Professional Experience

Prof. Katarzyna Styszko has been a professor at AGH University of Science and Technology since 2019, specializing in Coal Chemistry and Environmental Sciences. Previously, she served as an adjunct from 2003 to 2019 across multiple departments. She plays a key role in academic leadership, serving as Vice-Dean (2020–2024) and a member of the “Initiative for Excellence – Research University” project (2021). An active mentor, she has supervised 8 Ph.D. students, over 100 master’s students, and leads the Student Research Association “RedoX” since 2012. She also contributed to the COST Action COLOSSAL management committee (2017–2021). 🔬📚

Research Focus

Katarzyna Styszko’s research primarily focuses on environmental chemistry 🌍, wastewater-based epidemiology 💧, and air pollution analysis 🌫️. She investigates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), emerging contaminants, pharmaceutical residues, and antibiotic resistance in wastewater and atmospheric aerosols. Her work contributes to public health risk assessment 🏥, ecotoxicology 🧪, and sustainable environmental management ♻️. Styszko has led projects on carbonaceous aerosols, sewage sludge safety, and illicit drug monitoring 🚔. Her multidisciplinary approach integrates analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, and health impact studies, making her research critical in assessing urban pollution and chemical exposure risks.

Conclusion

Katarzyna Styszko is a distinguished researcher with a strong academic footprint, evidenced by her H-index of 21 and 1,480 citations (Scopus). Her expertise in environmental pollution, microplastics, wastewater-based epidemiology, and atmospheric aerosols addresses critical global challenges. As a professor at AGH University of Science and Technology, she has significantly contributed to academia through supervision of doctoral, master’s, and diploma students. She has authored numerous high-impact publications, led multiple national and international research projects as a principal investigator, and engaged in international collaborations across the UK, France, Italy, Austria, and Denmark. Her extensive contributions, leadership, and scientific impact make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. 🚀