Xin Yi Foong | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Xin Yi Foong | Breast Cancer | Best Researcher Award

Core Surgical Trainee | Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust | United Kingdom

Dr Xin Yi Foong is a clinical researcher in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery whose academic work is centred on improving the safety, accuracy, and reliability of autologous breast reconstruction through quantitative imaging and evidence-based microsurgical innovation. Her research explores the use of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging to guide intraoperative evaluation of mastectomy flap perfusion, with particular emphasis on establishing objective perfusion scoring methods that support consistent, data-guided surgical decisions. Her published study in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery introduced a structured quantitative perfusion algorithm that demonstrated strong discriminatory capability in identifying poorly perfused tissue and informing reconstructive planning, offering evidence that aligns with national quality frameworks and enhances postoperative outcomes. Alongside this work, she is investigating postoperative monitoring strategies in DIEP flap reconstruction, assessing early-phase observation models that preserve patient safety while promoting efficient and clinically coherent perioperative pathways. Her wider academic activity includes outcome audits, service-improvement initiatives, and reconstructive pathway analyses, all aimed at refining surgical workflows through quantitative measures, imaging-based assessment, and rigorous postoperative metrics. Conducted within multidisciplinary teams of plastic surgeons, anaesthetists, and breast specialists, her research supports the translation of imaging-derived insights into routine clinical practice. Through a growing publication profile, an active ORCID research identity, and sustained commitment to scientifically grounded surgical advancement, Dr Foong contributes to the development of reproducible, clinically meaningful, and patient-centred innovations that strengthen microsurgical dependability and elevate the overall quality of care within reconstructive breast surgery.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Foong, X. Y., Williamson, A., Lymperopoulos, N., & Holmes, W. J. M. (2025). Does indocyanine green imaging perfusion scoring reduce mastectomy flap necrosis in immediate autologous breast reconstruction? A single-centre cohort study. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 111, 198–206.

2. Foong, X. Y., Williamson, A., Lymperopoulos, N., & Holmes, W. J. M. (2025). Does intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) reduce the outcome of mastectomy skin flap necrosis in patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction? European Journal of Surgical Oncology. Advance online publication. 

Assist Prof Dr Mohamed Lemine Cheikh Brahim Ahmed | HPV | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr Mohamed Lemine Cheikh Brahim Ahmed | HPV | Best Researcher Award

University of Nouakchott | Mauritania

Author Profile

Scopus

ORCID ID

Dr. Mohamed Lemine Cheikh Brahim Ahmed

🎓Education :

  • PhD in Public Health 🧬
    Université Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
  • Master of Public Health in Molecular Epidemiology of Zoonotic Diseases 🦠🔬
    IAV Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
  • Certificate in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics 🧬💻
    Hua Zhong Normal University, Wuhan, China

🌍Professional Memberships :

  • Member of the World Society for Virology (WSV) 🧫
  • Member of the International Covid-19 Research Network (ICRN) 🦠
  • Member of the One Health Heukelbach Institute 🌱
  • Member of the MENA Coalition for HPV Elimination 💉
  • Member of the Research Unit on Molecular Epidemiology and Microorganism Diversity (EMDM) 🧬
  • President of the Mauritanian Society for Scientific Research (AMDRS) 🧑‍🔬
  • Collaborator on the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) project, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington 🌎

💡Key Skills :

  • Vaccine Coordination & Logistics 🚚💉:

  • Planned and supervised vaccine logistics for remote regions in Mauritania, ensuring stock management and quality control practices for vaccines like PCV13 and Rotarix.
  • Public Health Communication & Training 📢👩‍⚕️:

  • Conducted team-building and training sessions for local health personnel, focusing on routine and Covid-19 vaccination campaigns.
  • Research Project Management 🧑‍🔬📊:

  • Led public health research projects, managing performance indicators, and reporting on vaccine distribution and health systems.
  • Flexibility & Versatility ⚙️:

  • Adapted to various challenges in vaccine distribution and epidemiological surveillance, especially during pandemics.

Main Qualifications :

Vaccination 💉:

  • Supervised and trained local teams for stock management and quality control of vaccines across remote areas in Mauritania.
  • Led national Covid-19 vaccination strategy development, training teams and evaluating the impact of vaccine introductions (e.g., PCV13, Rotarix).
  • Coordinated routine vaccination campaigns across all 15 regions of Mauritania and introduced critical vaccines like nVPO2 for polio.

Epidemiological Surveillance 🧬:

  • Developed and implemented national strategies for combatting Covid-19, including plans for testing diseases like measles, polio, hemorrhagic fevers, and HPV.
  • Organized and led sentinel surveillance programs for diseases like rotavirus and influenza.
  • Conducted performance evaluations of Mauritania’s health information systems and trained response teams for integrated epidemiological surveillance.

🏢Recent Professional Experience :

National Consultant

UNICEF, Mauritania (Feb 2022 – Jul 2022)
Supported cold chain logistics and vaccine management for poliomyelitis response campaigns. Key tasks included overseeing vaccine distribution, supporting data analysis, and participating in meetings for budget planning with GPEI.

  • Provided technical assistance for vaccine logistics, ensuring the collection and destruction of unusable vaccine vials.
  • Led training sessions for independent monitors and LQAS surveyors to evaluate the polio vaccination campaign.

📈 Conclusion🌟

Dr. Mohamed Lemine Cheikh Brahim Ahmed is a highly skilled expert in vaccination logistics and epidemiological surveillance 🦠💉, with extensive experience in public health, research management, and disease control. His work spans from developing national vaccination strategies, including Covid-19, to training teams and overseeing campaigns in remote regions of Mauritania. As a member of numerous global health organizations 🌍 and a key contributor to projects like the Global Burden of Diseases 🌎, he is committed to improving public health outcomes through innovative approaches and evidence-based strategies. Dr. Ahmed’s versatility, leadership, and dedication make him a valuable asset in the field of global health and vaccination efforts.

📊🔬NOTABLE PUBLICATION:

 

    • Article: Quantifying risks and interventions that have affected the burden of diarrhoea among children younger than 5 years: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
      • Authors: Troeger, C.E., Khalil, I.A., Blacker, B.F., Hay, S.I., Reiner, R.C.
      • Journal: The Lancet Infectious Diseases
      • Year: 2020

     

    • Article: Quantifying risks and interventions that have affected the burden of lower respiratory infections among children younger than 5 years: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
      • Authors: Troeger, C.E., Khalil, I.A., Blacker, B.F., Hay, S.I., Reiner, R.C.
      • Journal: The Lancet Infectious Diseases
      • Year: 2020

     

    • Article: The global case fatality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 by continents and national income: A meta-analysis
      • Authors: Abou Ghayda, R., Lee, K.H., Han, Y.J., Smith, L., Shin, J.I.
      • Journal: Journal of Medical Virology
      • Year: 2022

     

    • Article: Nonpharmaceutical interventions reduce the incidence and mortality of COVID-19: A study based on the survey from the International COVID-19 Research Network (ICRN)
      • Authors: Park, S.H., Hong, S.H., Kim, K., Il Shin, J., Smith, L.
      • Journal: Journal of Medical Virology
      • Year: 2023

     

    • Article: COVID-19 outbreak in Mauritania: Epidemiology and health system response
      • Authors: Ahmed, M.L.C.B., Zehaf, S., El Alem, M.M., Abdellahi, M.V.M., Heukelbach, J.
      • Journal: Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
      • Year: 2021

Mrs. Anke van Engen | Clinical Health Technology | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Anke van Engen | Clinical Health Technology | Best Researcher Award

IQVIA | Netherlands 

Author Profile

Scopus

🌍Mrs. Anke van Engen 💼

  • Managing Principal, IQVIA Payer Evidence Solutions
    Amsterdam, the Netherlands

🔬Profile:

  • Anke van Engen is a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience in health economics, outcomes research, and market access strategy. Her work focuses on helping life sciences companies achieve greater commercial success through integrated payer evidence strategies. Anke is well-regarded for building lasting partnerships, consistently delivering results, and serving as a trusted advisor to clients. She excels at leading international teams across EMEA, using her coaching and training abilities to inspire success.

👨‍⚕️Key Specialties:

  • 📚General management
  • 🌍Strategic planning & business development
  • 🩺Health economics & outcomes research (HEOR)
  • 🏥Market access strategy (MA) & execution
  • 💉Health technology assessment (HTA)
  • 📍Client relationship management & coaching

💼Professional Experience:

  • 🌟2023 – Present: Managing Principal, IQVIA Value & Payer Evidence
    • Co-leads EMEA Real World Evidence Leadership Team
    • Oversees integrated evidence & EU HTA offerings
  • 💡2020 – 2023: Senior Principal, IQVIA Real World Solutions
    • Led the development of EMEA payer evidence solutions
    • Drove go-to-market strategy and key client partnerships
  • 🌐2017 – 2020: Senior Principal, IQVIA Consulting Services
    • Managed partnerships with large pharmaceutical clients
    • Led the HTA Accelerator solution for launch readiness
  • 🚀2014 – 2017: Principal, Quintiles Advisory Services
    • Led development of the flagship HTA Accelerator platform
    • Senior oversight on HEOR/MA strategy and projects

🎓Education:

  • 🧪MSc in Chemistry (Bio-organic Chemistry), University of Leiden, The Netherlands
  • 📊Business leadership programs at IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland

🌐Professional Affiliations:

  • 🧬Active member of ISPOR and HTAi
  • 💡IQVIA representative at GetReal Institute

🏅Awards & Honors:

  • 🌟2023: Issue panel ranked #1 at ISPOR Europe
  • 🦈2014: Won Sharktank contest for HTA Accelerator innovation
  • 🏆Multiple ISPOR awards for best podium and poster presentations

 

🔍 Conclusion
  • 💼In conclusion, Anke van Engen is a highly respected leader in the field of health economics, outcomes research, and market access strategy, with a proven track record of guiding life sciences companies toward commercial success. Her expertise in building long-term client partnerships, managing international teams, and delivering innovative payer evidence solutions has solidified her reputation as a trusted advisor. With over two decades of experience and numerous accolades, Anke continues to shape the future of healthcare consultancy by integrating strategic insights and real-world evidence. 🌍

 

📊🔬NOTABLE PUBLICATION:

 

    • The Impact of Additive PICOs in a European Union Joint Clinical Health Technology Assessment
      • Authors: van Engen A, Krüger R, Parnaby A, Rotaru M, Ryan J, Samaha D, Tzelis D
      • Journal: Value Health
      • Year: 2024

     

    • Use of External Comparators for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Submissions Based on Single-Arm Trials
      • Authors: Patel D, Grimson F, Mihaylova E, Wagner P, Warren J, van Engen A, Kim J
      • Journal: Value Health
      • Year: 2021

     

    • Call in the PROs: Giving Credence to the Patient’s Perspective in Healthcare Decision Making
      • Authors: van Engen A, New M, Beatrice Böhler Y, Holmstrom S, Boerlum Kristensen F
      • Journal: ISPOR Value & Outcomes Spotlight
      • Year: 2020