Azita Hekmatdoost | Nutrition | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Azita Hekmatdoost | Nutrition | Women Researcher Award

Professor, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Prof. Azita Hekmatdoost is an esteemed physician and nutritionist specializing in gastroenterology and clinical nutrition. She holds an M.D. and a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and has conducted postdoctoral research in gastroenterology at UBC, Canada. With a career spanning multiple leadership and academic roles, Prof. Hekmatdoost is a respected educator and researcher at SBMU, having received numerous awards, including the “Top 2% Scientists” recognition by Stanford/Elsevier in 2023. Her work centers on advancing nutritional therapy for chronic disease prevention and improving health outcomes in Iran.

Professional Profile

Education

Prof. Azita Hekmatdoost completed her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2002, where she ranked in the top 10% of her class. She then pursued a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from the same university, graduating in 2007 as the top student. She further specialized with a fellowship in Gastroenterology and Nutrition at the Children and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada (2007-2008). Later, she completed a Dietitian Internship at the BC Dairy Association, Burnaby, Canada (2015-2016), and became a Registered Dietitian with the College of Dietitians of BC in 2016.

Professional Experience

Prof. Hekmatdoost is currently a professor in Clinical Nutrition at the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), Iran, where she has been teaching since 2009. She serves as the Nutrition Principal Investigator for the Persian Cohort, a national study evaluating chronic disease risk factors in Iran, and recently held the position of Vice Dean of Research & Technology at the National Nutrition & Food Technology Research Institute. Her previous roles include Vice Dean of Student & Cultural Affairs (2011-2014) at SBMU and Honorary Associate Professor at UBC (2015-2016). Prof. Hekmatdoost is recognized for her teaching contributions in courses such as Basic Nutrition, Diet Therapy, and Medical Nutrition Therapy for GI and liver diseases.

Research Interests

Her research focuses on gastroenterology and nutrition, with an emphasis on diet therapy for gastrointestinal and liver diseases, public health nutrition, and chronic disease prevention.

Publications Top Notes

Khodadadi, N., Hekmatdoost, A., Pashayee-Khamene, F., Hatami, B., & Yari, Z. (2024). The association of dietary inflammatory indices and mortality in patients with cirrhosis: a cohort-based study. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 21472.

Zarei, A., Pashayee-Khamene, F., Hekmatdoost, A., Hatami, B., & Yari, Z. (2024). Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and mortality risk among patients with liver cirrhosis: a prospective cohort study. BMC Research Notes, 17(1), 248.

Sohouli, M.H., Tavakoli, S., Reis, M.G., Hekmatdoost, A., & Guimarães, N.S. (2024). Changes in glucose metabolism, C-reactive protein, and liver enzymes following intake of NAD+ precursor supplementation: a systematic review and meta‐regression analysis. Nutrition and Metabolism, 21(1), 35.

Narimani, B., Sadeghi, A., Daryani, N.E., Shahparvari, M.R., & Hekmatdoost, A. (2024). Effectiveness of a novel diet in attenuation of clinical activity of disease in patients with ulcerative colitis: a randomized, clinical trial. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 13791.

Neshatbini Tehrani, A., Hatami, B., Daftari, G., Hosseini, S.A., & Helli, B. (2024). The effect of soy isoflavones supplementation on metabolic status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1362.

Rasoulizadeh, Z., Namazi, A., Sohouli, M.H., Hekmatdoost, A., & Hosseinzadeh, M. (2024). Association between Baltic Sea diet and healthy Nordic diet index with risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case–control study. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 9537.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asal Ataie-Jafari | Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Asal Ataie-Jafari | Nutrition | Best Researcher Award 

Assistant Professor, at Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran.

Asal Ataie-Jafari is a dedicated nutrition scientist and academic with a profound focus on dietary health and metabolic research. Holding a Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Putra Malaysia, she has spent over two decades advancing knowledge in the field of nutrition. Asal’s research addresses a range of critical health issues, from cardiovascular risk management to the nutritional impacts of specific foods on chronic conditions such as diabetes. With a rich academic career at Islamic Azad University in Tehran, she has served as an Assistant Professor and contributed significantly to the medical and nutrition sciences literature. Currently based in Canada, Asal continues to lend her expertise as a nutrition consultant, actively influencing dietary practices and healthcare strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Profile

Education

🎓 Education: Asal Ataie-Jafari holds a Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Putra Malaysia (2008-2012), where she researched the nutritional influences on chronic conditions. She began her academic journey at Shaheed Beheshti University in Tehran, completing a Bachelor’s degree (1997-2000) and then a Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences (2001-2004), achieving top ranks in her entrance exams and among graduates. Her education has provided a solid foundation in both clinical and theoretical aspects of nutrition, preparing her for a career that bridges research with clinical applications. These studies have enabled Asal to make meaningful contributions to understanding nutrition’s role in managing and preventing non-communicable diseases.

Experience

💼 Experience: Asal Ataie-Jafari has held numerous influential roles throughout her career, including her current position as a Nutrition Consultant at Ambrosia Natural Foods in Canada (since 2024). She was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition at Islamic Azad University (2013-2024) and has worked as a clinical dietitian at Moheb Kousar Hospital in Tehran. Her experience extends to significant research roles, such as with the Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, where she focused on non-communicable diseases and nutrition-related metabolic health (2004-2013). Asal’s diverse background in research and clinical practice has enriched her understanding of nutrition science, fostering her expertise in patient-centered dietary care.

Research Interest

🔬 Research Interests: Asal Ataie-Jafari’s research interests encompass the intersection of nutrition and chronic disease management, with an emphasis on dietary impacts on metabolic health and cardiovascular risk factors. Her work investigates the roles of specific foods, such as probiotic yogurt and wheat germ, in managing hyperlipidemia and diabetes. She is particularly interested in understanding how dietary components like antioxidants, vitamins, and natural substances contribute to improved health outcomes in patients with chronic conditions. Asal’s recent research also explores the influence of diet on psychological well-being in adolescents, a growing concern in public health, as evidenced by her contributions to large-scale studies like the CASPIAN studies on Iranian youth.

Awards

🏆 Awards: Throughout her academic journey, Asal Ataie-Jafari has been recognized with numerous honors, highlighting her commitment and excellence in nutrition sciences. Notable awards include achieving 3rd rank in her Bachelor’s program among graduates in 2000 at Shaheed Beheshti University and securing the first rank in the M.S. entrance exam from the Ministry of Health & Medical Education in 2001. She continued her success by graduating at the top of her Master’s class in 2004, a testament to her hard work and dedication. These accolades underscore Asal’s impressive academic achievements and establish her as a leading figure in her field.

Selected Publications

📚 Publications: Asal Ataie-Jafari has contributed extensively to the field, with publications focusing on the effects of nutrition on metabolic and cardiovascular health. Some notable works include:

  • “Cholesterol-lowering effect of probiotic yogurt in mildly to moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects”Ann Nutr Metab, 2009, cited by 95 articles. Link
  • “Adherence to the DASH eating plan in coronary bypass candidates”Nutrition & Dietetics, 2012, cited by 76 articles. Link
  • “Effects of wheat germ on hyperlipidemic patients”Nutr Food Sci, 2009, cited by 45 articles. Link

Conclusion

Dr. Asal Ataie-Jafari presents a strong profile as a candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her consistent research focus, significant academic contributions, and applied professional experience align well with the award’s criteria. By addressing areas for growth, such as expanding her research’s global influence and continuing to publish recent findings in high-impact journals, she would enhance her already solid candidacy. Dr. Ataie-Jafari’s work continues to offer meaningful contributions to nutritional science and public health, warranting serious consideration for this award.