Punam Kumari Mandal | Oral Cancer | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Oncology

Ms. Punam Kumari Mandal | Oral Cancer | Research Excellence Award

Assistant Professor | Biratnagar Nursing Campus | Nepal

Ms. Punam Kumari Mandal is a highly dedicated public health and nursing professional whose academic excellence, extensive teaching experience, and strong research productivity make her a compelling candidate for a Research Excellence Award. With an MPH degree from Tribhuvan University and a distinguished academic track record beginning with her nursing studies, she has developed a solid foundation in public health, research methodologies, and clinical practice. Her professional career spans over two decades, progressing from staff nurse to teaching assistant, nursing instructor, and ultimately assistant professor, demonstrating consistent growth, leadership, and commitment to evidence-based education. As Research Management Cell Coordinator, she actively promotes research culture through coordination, training, and seminars, reflecting her institutional contribution and leadership potential. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals, focusing on maternal and child health, noncommunicable diseases, health services, mental health, and community-based studies. Her works, with more than 30 publications across reputable journals, highlight her research depth, methodological rigor, and ability to address diverse public health challenges in Nepal. Her membership in professional bodies such as the Nepal Public Health Association, Nursing Association of Nepal, and TDR Global further underscores her engagement with the scientific community and ongoing commitment to professional development. Equipped with advanced analytical skills in SPSS, Epi-Info, Epi-data, Excel, and MAXQDA, she is proficient in quantitative and qualitative research, data management, and statistical modeling. Her strengths in problem-solving, communication, and strategic planning enhance her effectiveness as a researcher and educator. Overall, her robust academic background, extensive teaching and research experience, leadership roles, and consistent scholarly contributions demonstrate strong suitability for recognition through a Research Excellence Award, affirming her role as an impactful researcher advancing public health and nursing science in Nepal.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

  1. Chaudhary, A. K., Dahal, T., Niraula, A., & Mandal, P. K. (2025). Students’ satisfaction with the nursing program studying at Tribhuvan University’s Institute of Medicine, Nepal. BMC Medical Education, 25, 1117.

  2. Mandal, P. K., Subedi, S., Bhandari, M., Basnet, B., & Shah, S. (2025). Community health workers’ awareness and attitude towards prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in eastern Nepal. International Journal of Noncommunicable Diseases, 10(1), 4–11.

  3. Bhandari, M., & Mandal, P. K. (2025). Evaluating school health services in Nepal. American Journal of STEM Education, 10.

  4. Mahato, A. K., Mandal, P. K., & Khadgi, D. (2024). Knowledge and practice on chronic kidney disease prevention and associated factors among hypertensive patients attending a hospital in eastern Nepal. Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, 13(1).

  5. Mandal, P. K., Yenden, N., Niraula, A., & Subedi, S. (2023). Behavioral risk factors of non-communicable diseases among pregnant women attending health centers of Morang. Journal of Biratnagar Nursing Campus, 1(1).

Her work advances public health and nursing science by generating evidence that strengthens community health systems, informs policy, and improves maternal, child, and population health outcomes. Through extensive research, capacity building, and academic leadership, she contributes to healthier communities and supports data-driven decision-making that drives sustainable health innovation in Nepal and beyond.

Melissa Christiaens | Cervical Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Oncology

Dr. Melissa Christiaens | Cervical Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Radiation-Oncology | University Hospitals Leuven | Belgium

Dr. Melissa Christiaens is a highly accomplished Radiation Oncologist recognized for her contributions to the advancement of radiotherapy and clinical oncology research. With extensive experience in oncological treatment, she has played a key role in integrating evidence-based radiotherapy techniques into modern cancer care. Her professional expertise spans across radiotherapy quality assurance, pediatric oncology, gynecologic cancers, and multidisciplinary tumor management. As an active member of several leading scientific organizations—including the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology, the EuroEwing Consortium, and the Connective Tissue Oncology Society—she consistently collaborates in large-scale international research networks to improve patient outcomes and optimize therapeutic protocols. Her research interests focus on clinical trials in radiotherapy, immuno-oncology integration, and precision treatment strategies for rare and complex cancers. Dr. Christiaens has contributed to numerous high-impact peer-reviewed journals such as The Lancet, Radiotherapy and Oncology, BMC Cancer, and Gynecologic Oncology, where her publications have enhanced the scientific understanding of cancer treatment outcomes, safety, and innovation. Her research skills encompass clinical data interpretation, protocol development, treatment optimization, and evidence synthesis—supported by her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in oncology research and education, promoting collaboration and innovation within the global cancer research community. Her achievements continue to inspire advancements in patient-centered cancer therapy and clinical radiobiology. Her enduring scientific legacy is reflected through 1,417 citations, 25 documents, and an h-index of 12, underscoring her influential role in advancing the frontiers of clinical radiotherapy, oncology innovation, and multidisciplinary cancer research.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

1. Pötter, R., Tanderup, K., Schmid, M. P., Jürgenliemk-Schulz, I., Haie-Meder, C., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2021). MRI-guided adaptive brachytherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer (EMBRACE-I): A multicentre prospective cohort study. The Lancet Oncology, 22(4), 538–547. Cited by: 613

2. Zhang, H., Ahearn, T. U., Lecarpentier, J., Barnes, D., Beesley, J., Qi, G., Jiang, X., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2020). Genome-wide association study identifies 32 novel breast cancer susceptibility loci from overall and subtype-specific analyses. Nature Genetics, 52(6), 572–581. Cited by: 466

3. Lorusso, D., Xiang, Y., Hasegawa, K., Scambia, G., Leiva, M., Ramos-Elias, P., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2024). Pembrolizumab or placebo with chemoradiotherapy followed by pembrolizumab or placebo for newly diagnosed, high-risk, locally advanced cervical cancer (ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047/KEYNOTE-A18). The Lancet, 404(10460), 1321–1332. 
Cited by: 323

4. Ajithkumar, T., Horan, G., Padovani, L., Thorp, N., Timmermann, B., Alapetite, C., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2018). SIOPE–Brain tumor group consensus guideline on craniospinal target volume delineation for high-precision radiotherapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 128(2), 192–197. Cited by: 113

5. De Ruysscher, D., Sharifi, H., Defraene, G., Kerns, S. L., & Christiaens, M., et al. (2013). Quantification of radiation-induced lung damage with CT scans: The possible benefit for radiogenomics. Acta Oncologica, 52(7), 1405–1410. Cited by: 74