Currently living and working in Brazil, Dr Zoica Bakirtzief has been recognised for her many academic achievements which have contributed to raising the profile of leprosy via published research and academic papers in Psychology and Social Sciences.

She is engaged in scientific reviews of research proposals and scientific papers and well as in graduate school dissertation examination panels.

Zoica has used her personal lived experience of having leprosy to be an advocate to bring change and a better understanding of both the medical and psychological effects of the disease. Zoica takes every opportunity to network with other NGOs working in allied areas and has practical experience of developing social entrepreneurial initiatives.

In recognition of her innovative social entrepreneurship, she was selected to the prestigious W.K. Kellogg Foundation International Leadership Alliance and the Ashoka Venture Fellowship.