Conference Committee

CONFERENCE CHAIR

Dr. Vincent La Placa

Associate Professor
Public Health and Policy
Associate Head of School for Student Success, School of Human Sciences
Honorary Fellow and Advisory Member of Eurasia Research Teaching and Education
Research Association (TERA)
Faculty of Education, Health and Human Sciences
University of Greenwich
United Kingdom

Dr. Vincent La Placa is Associate Professor of Public Health and Policy and Associate Head of School for Student Success in the School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich. His main areas of specialization are health and wellbeing; design and implementation of health-related behaviour change segmentations; and social theory and research methodologies. He previously worked as a Research Consultant for the Department of Health (DH) [now DHSC], where he managed the qualitative strand of the “Healthy Foundations (HF) Life-stage Segmentation Model”: one of the largest pieces of qualitative research funded by UK Government.

Dr. La Placa, as Associate Head of the School for Student Success, is also strategically responsible for maximising student academic outcomes and learning and teaching experiences across the School of Human Sciences; and has previously presented research on international student recruitment to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Prior to this, he was a Research Manager for a leading UK student accommodation provider, where he designed strategic research and insight, to enhance the student experience of accommodation and its impact upon student outcomes.

Dr. La Placa has presented research at a variety of national and international conferences and is also an Honorary Fellow of the Eurasia Teaching and Research Association (TERA). He co-edited the book, “Wellbeing: Policy and Practice”, with Anneyce Knight and Allan McNaught, published in 2014. He has recently co-edited the book, “Social Science Perspectives on Global Public Health”, with Julia Morgan, published in 2023. His forthcoming book (also co-edited with Julia Morgan), “Contemporary Issues in Health and Social Care Policy and Practice: A Comparative Introduction across OECD Countries” is due out in 2024/25 and provides a wide-ranging focus upon health and social care practice and systems across the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

CONFERENCE CO-CHAIR

Dr. Julia Morgan

Associate Professor Public Health and Well-Being
Programme Leader Masters in Global Public Health
Co-Lead Maternal and Newborn Hub
University of Greenwich
United Kingdom

Dr. Julia Morgan is Associate Professor of Public Health and Wellbeing at the University of Greenwich, London. She has a PhD from the London School of Economics which focused on the health and wellbeing of children and families. By background she is a health professional and previously worked in community development and engagement to empower communities. Her multi-disciplinary research has focused on the experiences of women diagnosed late with ADHD; mothers in prison; and children who experience the imprisonment of a parent. Her more recent work includes research on the training of community health workers in Tribal areas of India; mobile health for Nomadic peoples in Mongolia, and maternal health for Indigenous women in South America.

She has carried out several evaluations of community groups and non-government initiatives in Lebanon and Zambia and has used a wide range of community development tools to support the engagement of community members, including children, in research and evaluation. She is currently working on funding bids to support community engagement in Sierra Leone and Nepal to strengthen maternal and neonate health promotion initiatives.

She is the co-editor (along with Dr Vincent La Placa) of three books with the publisher Routledge: 1) Social Science Perspectives on Global Public Health; 2) Contemporary Issues in Health and Social Care Policy and Practice: A Comparative Introduction across OECD Countries; and 3) Contemporary Global Issues in Urban and Rural Public Health and Wellbeing: Theory, Policy, and Practice. She has successfully supervised over 100 PhD and MSc dissertation students and is on the Editorial Board of the Journal PLOS One.

STEERING COMMITTEE

Prof. Dr. Gilmore G. Solidum

President
Association of Higher Education Multidisciplinary Researchers, Inc
Professor
College of Nursing and School of Public Health Pamantasan Ng
Manila, Philippines

Dr. Gilmore Gelito Solidum is a distinguished figure whose career embodies a lifelong dedication to scholarly pursuit and professional advancement in the fields of nursing, psychology, and management. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Solidum has been a tireless advocate for research-driven practices and academic excellence.

Dr. Solidum’s academic journey reflects his unwavering commitment to knowledge and intellectual growth. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with distinction from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila before pursuing further studies. His academic pursuits culminated in a Doctor of Philosophy in Management from the School of Graduate Studies at the Philippine College of Health Sciences, Inc., where he solidified his expertise at the intersection of healthcare and management. Dr. Solidum’s commitment to lifelong learning is evident in his pursuit of additional certifications, including a Professional Teaching Certification from the University of the Philippines Open University and certifications in Cookery and Bread and Pastry Production from Universidad De Manila.

Throughout his career, Dr. Solidum has held diverse leadership and teaching roles, reflecting his passion for education and academic administration. As a professor 2 at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, he has played a pivotal role in imparting knowledge and fostering excellence in nursing and public health. His leadership extends to significant positions such as Vice President for Academic Support and Dean of the College of Nursing, where he spearheaded initiatives to elevate educational standards and promote research-driven practices. Beyond academia, Dr. Solidum has made substantial contributions as a Senior Research Specialist at the National Research Council of the Philippines and as a Program Manager for various healthcare initiatives, demonstrating his multifaceted approach to advancing healthcare and education.

Dr. Solidum’s impact transcends institutional boundaries, as he actively engages in professional organizations and serves as a resource person and speaker at conferences both locally and internationally. His expertise in various topics, ranging from nursing education to community health initiatives, has earned him prestigious accolades, including the esteemed World Research Advocacy Award and recognition as the Most Outstanding Alumnus for Education and Research by the PLM Alumni Association Inc. Dr. Solidum’s tireless dedication to excellence and his unwavering commitment to the advancement of healthcare and education continue to inspire and empower future generations of scholars and healthcare professionals.

Dr. Judilynn N. Solidum

Professor
University of the Philippines Manila
President
UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter
Philippines

Dr. Judilynn N. Solidum, holding the esteemed titles of RPh, MS Pharma, PhD, FRIRes, SFRIEdr, is an eminent figure in the realm of academia, particularly renowned for her profound expertise in pharmaceutical sciences, environmental science, and research ethics. Her academic journey reflects a profound dedication to lifelong learning, culminating in a rich tapestry of educational accomplishments. With a Post-PhD Studies in Strategic Management and Leadership from the Philippine Christian University, a PhD in Environmental Science from UP Los Banos, an MS in Pharmacology from UP Manila, and a BS in Pharmacy from UP Manila’s College of Pharmacy, her academic credentials attest to her unwavering commitment to scholarly excellence.

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Solidum has seamlessly transitioned between teaching and administrative roles, leaving an indelible mark in each capacity she undertakes. Holding the prestigious rank of Professor VIII at the University of the Philippines Manila, her leadership roles have extended to pivotal positions such as Director of Sentro ng Wikang Filipino and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Dr. Solidum’s tenure has been characterized by her astute leadership and unwavering dedication to academic advancement, exemplifying her commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars.

Beyond academia, Dr. Solidum’s influence permeates into the broader landscape of professional engagement and scholarly discourse. As an associate editor and editorial board member for esteemed international and national journals, she actively contributes to the advancement of pharmaceutical education and research on a global scale. Moreover, her involvement in various national and international projects underscores her multifaceted approach to addressing critical issues such as workforce development, research ethics, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Judilynn N. Solidum’s exemplary career trajectory serves as an inspiration, embodying the values of excellence, integrity, and service that continue to shape the future of academia and research.

Dr. Santosh Kumar Mishra

Independent Researcher (Scholar)
Retired from Population Education Resource Centre
Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension
S. N. D. T. Women’s University, India

Dr. Santosh Kumar Mishra is an independent researcher and scholar, having retired from the Population Education Resource Centre, Department of Lifelong Learning & Extension, S.N.D.T. Women’s University, Mumbai, India. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Patna, earned in 1999, and has undergone extensive training in demography with a Government of India Fellowship during 1986–1987. His academic credentials also include a Post-Master’s Diploma in Adult & Continuing Education, a Certificate Course in Hospital and Health Care Management, and a Diploma in Human Resource Development.

Dr. Mishra’s research interests encompass demography, sustainable development, health, and allied subjects. Over the course of his career, he has made significant academic contributions, authoring or co-authoring 6 booklets, 4 books, 32 book chapters, 111 journal articles, 2 monographs, 7 research studies, and 126 conference papers for national and international platforms, some of which were supported by bursaries.

He has been recognized for his scholarly excellence, receiving Certificates of Excellence in Reviewing for 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, he was conferred with the Excellence of Research Award in 2021 for his outstanding contributions to the field of agriculture. Beyond his authorship and research contributions, Dr. Mishra served as a judge for the 2021 IHA Health Literacy Awards and has actively participated in over 221 e-discussions.

Currently, in his individual capacity, Dr. Mishra continues to engage in academic activities such as authorship and editorship. He also collaborates externally with over 124 international developmental agencies. These include Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Food Security in Africa Assembly (Kenya), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (Switzerland), the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Germany), the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (Sweden), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Italy).

Dr. Mishra’s distinguished career reflects his unwavering commitment to research, education, and the advancement of global development initiatives.