Mr Ajith K Remesan (PhD Student, PSPH, Manipal) won the Best Paper Award in the Faculty/Research Scholar category at the Social Workers National Conference OASIS 2026. The conference, themed "Trauma, Healing and Resilience: Reclaiming Life", was hosted by the PG Department of Social Work, Medical & Psychiatric Specialization (Family Cosmos Forum), School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore, on February 27-28, 2026.

His presentation under the sub-theme Men and Vulnerability was titled "Understanding Male Vulnerability to Substance Use: A Mixed-Methods Study Among Emerging Adult Males in Udupi Using the Photovoice Approach".

The study assessed the prevalence of substance use among emerging adult males in Udupi district and also explored the perceptions of drivers of substance use among those seeking treatment at a de-addiction center in Udupi using the novel photovoice approach.