Nicholas Candy | Surgical Hydrogels | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Nicholas Candy | Surgical Hydrogels | Research Excellence Award

University of Adelaide | Australia

Dr. Nicholas Candy is an accomplished neurosurgeon and academic whose career blends advanced clinical expertise with impactful research. He holds a Master of Surgery in Neurosurgery from the University of Sydney and completed his PhD at the University of Adelaide, where he later progressed to roles as Clinical Lecturer and Senior Clinical Lecturer. His extensive clinical experience spans multiple accredited registrar positions across leading Australian hospitals, including the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and Flinders Medical Centre. He has cultivated strong research interests in pituitary surgery, postoperative outcomes, neuro-endocrine preservation, and innovations that reduce surgical scarring and complications. His role as Coordinating Principal Investigator in a Phase I trial on Chitogel and Deferiprone Gel reflects his commitment to translational research designed to enhance neurosurgical recovery. Dr. Candy has supervised doctoral research, contributed to international clinical studies, and carried out significant work in traumatic brain injury outcomes and neurosurgical quality-of-life assessments. His academic impact and contributions have earned him notable awards, including multiple prestigious research scholarships from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and recognition as the Sheldon College Young Alumnus of the Year. Overall, he stands out as a dedicated clinician-scientist advancing modern neurosurgical practice.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Ovenden, C., Mignone, E., Chapman, I., Torpy, D. J., Rankin, W., Jukes, A., Santoreneos, S., Candy, N., Psaltis, A., & De Sousa, S. M. C. (2026). “Early Postoperative Decline in Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) Predicts Surgical Remission of Acromegaly.” World Neurosurgery.

Candy, N. G., Barry, E. F., Tomatis, V. M., Patel, S., Miller, J., Ovenden, C., Nowicki, J., Hammam, E., Poonnoose, S., Sandler, S., et al. (2025). “Phase I Trial to Evaluate Safety of Deferiprone-Chitogel to Prevent Epidural Fibrosis in Lumbar Spine Surgery.” European Spine Journal.

Tong, J. Y., Candy, N. G., Sung, J., Jukes, A. K., & Selva, D. (2025). “In Reply: Transorbital Approach to the Cavernous Sinus After an Exenteration.” Operative Neurosurgery.

Tong, J. Y., Candy, N. G., Sung, J., Jukes, A. K., & Selva, D. (2025). “Transorbital Approach to the Cavernous Sinus After an Exenteration.” Operative Neurosurgery.

Candy, N. G., Jukes, A. K., Ooi, E. H., Valentine, R., Vrodos, N., Santoreneos, S., Floreani, S., Wormald, P.-J., & Psaltis, A. J. (2025). “The Evolution of Pituitary Surgery in an Australian Health Care Framework.” Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base.

Candy, N. G., Zhang, A. S., Jukes, A. K., & Wormald, P. J. (2025). “Sphenoid sinusitis with extradural empyema in a paediatric patient.” Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.

Mansour, L. T., Candy, N., Nowicki, J., Jukes, A., Chryssidis, S., & Harding, M. (2024). “An infratentorial dural arteriovenous fistula mimicking cervical myelopathy: A case report.” Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Dr. Rahila Bhatti | Obesity | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rahila Bhatti | Obesity | Best Researcher Award

Genesis Healthcare Centre | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Rahila Bhatti is a distinguished consultant in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Medicine, recognized for her clinical excellence, leadership, and contributions to medical education and research. She holds an MBBS from King Edward Medical College, a BSc in English, and multiple advanced qualifications including MRCP, MRCP Diabetes & Endocrinology, FRCP (UK), SCOPE Certification, and fellowship of the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine, alongside being an EASO Affiliated National Clinical Fellow. Dr. Bhatti has extensive managerial experience, having established the EASO-accredited weight management clinic at Genesis Healthcare Centre and leading multidisciplinary diabetes and bariatric teams at Mediclinic Dubai. Her work has contributed significantly to service development, quality improvement, and JCI accreditation processes. As an educator, she teaches postgraduate MSc diabetes programs, leads CME activities, supervises medical trainees, and serves as an OSCE examiner. Her research interests include obesity management, metabolic health, diabetes transition care, and patient education, highlighted by her project “Empowering Young People,” which enhanced diabetes self-management for transitioning youth and was presented internationally. With a strong commitment to innovation, holistic patient care, and community engagement, Dr. Bhatti continues to advance clinical practice and inspire future healthcare professionals.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Bhatti, R., Sadiya, A., Mussa, B. M., Khan, R., & Abusnana, S. (2025). Real-world effects of incretin-based obesity medications on body composition. Obesity Pillars.

Bader, S., Bhatti, R., Mussa, B., & Abusanana, S. (2024). A systematic review of GLP-1 on anthropometrics, metabolic and endocrine parameters in patients with PCOS. Women’s Health.

Bhatti, R. (2022). Bridging the Gap: A Qualitative Analysis of Online Public Forum with Healthcare Professionals in Bursting Myths About Weight Management. International Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders.

Bhatti, R. (2022). Efficacy of bariatric surgery in improving the anthropometrics and metabolic outcomes: A retrospective study from a single private center in Dubai, UAE. Journal of Surgery.

Bhatti, R. (2021). Acute transient hyperglycaemia after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with stable diabetes. EC Endocrinology and Metabolic Research.

Bhatti, R., Warshow, U., Joumaa, M., ElSaban, M., Nawaz, F. A., & Khamis, A. H. (2021). Relevance of anthropometric measurements in a multiethnic obesity cohort: Observational study. Interactive Journal of Medical Research.

Bhatti, R., Khamis, A. H., Khatib, S., Shiraz, S., & Matfin, G. (2020). Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with diabetes admitted for COVID-19 treatment in Dubai: Single-centre cross-sectional study. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance.