Sheng-Chieh Lu | Machine learning | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sheng-Chieh Lu | Machine learning | Best Researcher Award

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | United States

Dr. Sheng-Chieh Lu is a data-driven nursing scientist and healthcare informatics expert, currently serving as a Data Scientist in the Department of Symptom Research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He earned his BS in Nursing and MS in Medical Informatics from National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan, and completed his PhD in Nursing at the University of Minnesota in 2020. His doctoral research focused on the evaluation of integrative health interventions using data science approaches.

Profile:

Educational Background:

Dr. Sheng-Chieh Lu earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Medical Informatics from National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan. He completed his PhD in Nursing at the University of Minnesota in 2020 under the mentorship of Dr. Karen A. Monsen and Dr. Connie White Delaney. His dissertation focused on data-driven evaluation of integrative health interventions in community-based care.

Professional Licenses and Certifications:

Dr. Lu is a Registered Nurse (Taiwan) and holds certifications including the Primary Certificate of Informatics Nurse and Primary Emergency Medical Technician.

Academic and Professional Positions:

Dr. Lu currently serves as a Data Scientist at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he previously held positions as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Computational Scientist. He is also an Affiliate Faculty Member at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. His past roles include Nursing Informatics Specialist at En Chu Kong Hospital and Adjunction Lecturer at Yuanpei University of Medical Technology in Taiwan.

In 2023, he was appointed Review Editor for Frontiers in Digital Health, reflecting his active role in academic publishing and peer review.

Research Interests and Contributions:

Dr. Lu’s research integrates nursing, informatics, data science, and machine learning to enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes. His contributions span topics such as cancer symptom management, immunotherapy toxicity prediction, robotic bronchoscopy diagnostics, and the application of large language models (LLMs) in patient-reported outcome measurement.

He has served in multiple roles, including principal investigator, data scientist, and collaborator on diverse projects involving electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support systems, and mHealth applications. His dissertation and subsequent studies have significantly contributed to the advancement of integrative and community-based care models.

Memberships and Editorial Service:

Dr. Lu is a member of the American Medical Informatics Association, Midwest Nursing Research Society, Taiwan Nurses Association, and Taiwan Nursing Informatics Association. He is a Review Editor for Frontiers in Digital Health and previously served as Student and Adjunction Co-director of the Omaha System Partnership.

Honors and Scholarships:

Dr. Lu has been recognized with several prestigious fellowships and scholarships, including:

  • Marilee A. Miller Fellowship in Educational Leadership (2017–2018)

  • Connie White Delaney Fellowship in Nursing Innovation (2017–2018)

  • Beatrice L. Witt Endowment Fund (2016–2017)

  • Violet A. Shea Nursing Scholarship (2016–2017)

  • Council of Agriculture Scholarship (2007–2011)

Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 575

  • Citations Since 2020: 569

  • h-index: 14

  • i10-index: 19

Publication Top Notes:

Machine learning in medicine: a practical introduction to techniques for data pre-processing, hyperparameter tuning, and model comparison
2022
Citations: 75

On the importance of Interpretable Machine Learning Predictions to Inform Clinical Decision Making in Oncology
2023
Citations: 69

Machine learning–based short-term mortality prediction models for patients with cancer using electronic health record data: systematic review and critical appraisal
2022
Citations: 42

Novel machine learning approach for the prediction of hernia recurrence, surgical complication, and 30-day readmission after abdominal wall reconstruction
2022
Citations: 39

Using ADDIE model to develop a nursing information system training program for new graduate nurse
2016
Citations: 39

Sara Baber Sial | Human-Robot Interaction | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sara Baber Sial | Human-Robot Interaction | Best Researcher Award

Senior Research Fellow at Monash University |  Australia

Dr. Sara Baber Sial is a Senior Research Fellow and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the Department of Data Science & AI, Monash University, Australia, and serves as an Honorary Research Fellow at Coventry University, UK. She holds a Ph.D. in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence from NUST (Pakistan), an MSc by Research from Middlesex University (UK), and a Bachelor’s in Mechatronics Engineering.

Profile:

Academic Background:

Dr. Sial holds a Ph.D. in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan. She also earned an M.Sc. (By Research) in Robotics and Controls from Middlesex University, London, and a Bachelor’s in Mechatronics Engineering from NUST.

Research and Teaching Experience:

With over 12 years of academic and research experience, Dr. Sial has taught more than 15 undergraduate and postgraduate subjects, developed new academic modules, and supervised over 30 research students, including 2 Ph.D. and 15 MS graduates. She has held senior academic positions at NUST and collaborated across institutions in Pakistan, the UK, and Australia.

Research Grants and Projects:

Dr. Sial has served as Principal or Co-Principal Investigator on 13+ national and international funded projects, securing over £459,000 in grants. Her projects span AI, robotics, telepresence, autism therapy, cultural heritage preservation, and solar-powered IoT solutions. Notable sponsors include the British Council, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

Innovation and Patents:

She is an active innovator with one granted patent, multiple design and utility patents filed, and six software copyrights in process. Her inventions include robotic legs, medical imaging tools, solar cold storage systems, and immersive telepresence platforms.

Leadership Roles:

Dr. Sial is the founding director of two prominent research labs: the NUST-Coventry Human-Robot Interaction Lab (international collaboration) and the Intelligent Field Robotics Lab under the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) in Pakistan. She has also held academic leadership roles such as Deputy Head of Department, Program Coordinator, and Industrial Liaison Officer.

Recognitions and Impact:

Dr. Sial has received numerous awards including the Top NUST Performer Award, Best Researcher Award, Best Teacher Award, and multiple Best Paper Awards at international conferences. With over 60 publications, an h-index of 10, 100+ cumulative impact factor, and 433+ citations, she continues to make a significant impact in the fields of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

Citation Metrics (as per Google Scholar):

  • Total Citations: 654

  • Citations Since 2020: 588

  • h-index: 13

  • h-index Since 2020: 13

  • i10-index: 24

  • i10-index Since 2020: 20

Publication Top Notes:

  • An adaptive multi-robot therapy for improving joint attention and imitation of ASD children
    2019 – Citations: 87

  • Signgraph: An efficient and accurate pose-based graph convolution approach toward sign language recognition
    2023 – Citations: 47

  • Analysis of BYOD security frameworks
    2015 – Citations: 37

  • Comparing the effectiveness of different reinforcement stimuli in a robotic therapy for children with ASD
    2020 – Citations: 30

  • Dominance in visual space of ASD children using multi-robot joint attention integrated distributed imitation system
    2019 – Citations: 29

Sangeeta Sangani | Cloud Computing | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Sangeeta Sangani | Cloud Computing | Women Researcher Award

Asst.Prof. at Manipal Academy of Higher Education | Karnataka | India

Dr. Sangeeta Sangani is a dedicated academician and researcher with over 17 years of experience in the field of Computer Science and Engineering. She is currently serving as Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) at Manipal Institute of Technology, MAHE, Bengaluru. Previously, she held long-term academic roles at KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, S.G. Balekundri Institute of Technology, R.V. College of Engineering, and Basaveshwara Engineering College.

Profile:

Academic Qualifications:

Dr. Sangani holds a Master of Technology (M.Tech) degree in Computer Science & Engineering from Basaveshwar Engineering College, Bagalkot under VTU Belagavi. She has also completed her Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) from Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Nidasoshi. She has submitted her Ph.D. thesis under VTU Belagavi and is awaiting the defense viva.

Research & Publications:

Dr. Sangani has a strong research background with numerous publications in Scopus, Web of Science, and Q2-indexed journals. Her research areas include machine learning, IoT security, fake news detection, cloud computing, and healthcare AI applications. Notable publications include works on ensemble learning for IoT security, emotion analysis in music, and workflow scheduling in edge-cloud platforms. She has also authored IEEE and Springer-indexed papers and contributed significantly to applied computing domains.

Patents:

She has filed two patents:

  • Santulan – A car safety device (202041053586, 2020)

  • AI-based Pregnancy Health Monitoring System (2021107441, 2021)

Technical Skills:

Dr. Sangani is proficient in a wide array of technologies and tools such as Python, R, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, ReactJS, NodeJS, MongoDB, and more. She also conducts technical training in Software Testing, Full Stack Web Development, and Python Programming.

Workshops & Events Organized:

She has organized several technical workshops including topics like Cyber Security, Django Application Development, and Deep Learning research avenues. She has also coordinated institutional-level events such as Avalanche 2016 and Aura 2018.

Academic Roles & Leadership:

She has served as a member of the Research Committee, IQAC coordinator, NBA committee member, and TCS Tech Bytes Event Coordinator. She has also taken on duties for academic invigilation and examination coordination with VTU and KLECET.

Soft Skills:

Dr. Sangani is recognized for her strong problem-solving skills, diplomatic interpersonal abilities, leadership qualities, and commitment to teamwork and professional ethics.

Publication Top Notes:

  1. A feature-level ensemble machine learning approach for attack detection in IoT networks

  2. Efficient algorithm for error optimization and resource prediction to mitigate cost and energy consumption in a cloud environment

  3. Reliable and efficient webserver management for task scheduling in edge-cloud platform

  4. Delay Aware and Performance Efficient Workflow Scheduling of Web Servers in Hybrid Cloud Computing Environment

  5. Diagnosis of melanomas by check-list method

Nazanin Irani | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Nazanin Irani | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at  Ruhr University Bochum | Germany

Dr. Nazanin Irani is a postdoctoral researcher at the Chair of Soil Mechanics, Foundation Engineering, and Environmental Geotechnics at Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Germany. She holds a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from Shiraz University of Technology (2023), along with M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Civil and Geotechnical Engineering from Iranian institutions.

Profile:

Educational Background:

Dr. Irani earned her Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from Shiraz University of Technology (2018–2023), preceded by an M.Sc. in Geotechnical Engineering (2015–2017) and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (2010–2014) from institutions in Iran. She graduated with top honors and received distinctions throughout her academic career.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Irani has held multiple roles in both academia and industry. She has served as a Scientific Associate and Postdoctoral Researcher at RUB since 2023. Her earlier experience includes research at Shiraz University of Technology and visiting research at RUB’s Chair of Continuum Mechanics. Additionally, she has worked in civil structural design and construction management in Iran.

Research and Teaching Engagement:

Her research focuses on constitutive modeling of soils, finite element simulations, soil improvement using AI, and geothermal energy enhancement. She lectures on specialized topics including Soil Dynamics, Geotechnical Structures, and Earthquake Engineering at RUB. Dr. Irani has supervised multiple Ph.D. and Master’s theses in advanced soil mechanics and AI applications.

Honors and Awards:

Dr. Irani has received multiple prestigious grants and scholarships, including two €1 million research grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Emmy Noether Programme.

Publications and Contributions:

Dr. Irani has authored 13 peer-reviewed publications, including articles in Acta Geotechnica, Computers and Geotechnics, and the Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering. Her work bridges experimental, numerical, and AI-driven approaches to solving complex geotechnical problems.

Research Interests:

Her main areas of interest include:

  • Thermodynamically consistent constitutive modeling

  • Particle breakage in soils

  • Micro-to-macro soil behavior analysis

  • AI and machine learning in geotechnics

  • Environmentally sustainable soil improvement techniques

Citation Metrics for Dr. Nazanin Irani:

  • Total Citations: 113

  • Citations Since 2020: 113

  • h-index: 6

  • i10-index: 4

Publication Top Notes:

A state-dependent hyperelastic-plastic constitutive model considering shear-induced particle breakage in granular soils

2022
Citations: 35

Effect of scrap tyre on strength properties of untreated and lime-treated clayey sand
2021
Citations: 18

Effects of over-consolidation history on flow instability of clean and silty sands
2022
Citations: 17

Micro-mechanical response of transversely isotropic samples under cyclic loading
2023
Citations: 10*

Effects of the inclusion of industrial and agricultural wastes on the compaction and compression properties of untreated and lime-treated clayey sand
2020
Citations: 9

Tawakalitu Odubiyi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Tawakalitu Odubiyi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate at INTI International University | Malaysia

Dr. Tawakalitu Odubiyi is a Teaching and Research Associate with over six years of international experience spanning Germany, Malaysia, the UK, Finland, South Africa, and Nigeria. She holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from Technische Universität Berlin and a Master’s in Construction Management from the University of Johannesburg. Her expertise lies in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, and the application of Digital Twin and BIM technologies in the built environment.

Profile:

Academic Background

Dr. Odubiyi holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from Technische Universität Berlin, Germany, where her research focused on digital transformation in construction. She also earned a Master of Technology in Construction Management from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Her academic background reflects a strong foundation in both technical and managerial aspects of the built environment.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Odubiyi has gained diverse research and teaching experience through various academic and industrial positions. She is currently serving as an Independent Researcher at INTI International University in Malaysia, where she conducts empirical research and leads seminars on sustainable technologies. Previously, she worked as a Research Scientist at Technische Universität Berlin, contributing to projects on business models for Cloud BIM and Digital Twin solutions. Her industry experience includes roles as a BIM Consultant at Bentley Systems in London and a BIM Researcher at Trimble Inc. in Finland, where she developed strategic digital roadmaps and conducted case studies on cost estimation and contract administration. She also served as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Johannesburg and as a Mentor and Lecturer at TU Berlin, demonstrating a strong commitment to student support and academic leadership.

Research and Publications:

Dr. Odubiyi has authored 16 scholarly articles using a mix of qualitative, quantitative, and grounded theory approaches. She has actively presented her findings at international conferences and workshops. Her research focuses on digital transformation in construction, cost management innovation, and the role of BIM in contract and project administration.

Areas of Expertise:

Her core areas of expertise include Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, BIM integration, contract administration (FIDIC, NEC), and curriculum design. She is proficient in BIM tools such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, CostX, and Bentley iTwin. She is also experienced in research methodology, grant writing, and academic mentoring across cross-cultural and distance learning environments.

Technical and Professional Skills:

Dr. Odubiyi is skilled in Agile methodologies and tools including Salesforce CRM, Confluence, Jira, Kanban, and BPMN. She has applied these in both academic project management and industry collaborations.

Awards and Recognition:

Dr. Odubiyi has received several prestigious awards, including the Marie Curie Horizon Fellowship from the European Union (2020), the Global Excellence Scholarship from the University of Johannesburg (2019), and the National Research Fellow Bursary (2018). In 2023, she received Community Impact Recognition from the Young Quantity Surveyors of Nigeria for her contributions to the profession.

Citation:

Cited by
All: 141
Since 2020: 132

h-index
All: 8
Since 2020: 8

i10-index
All: 7
Since 2020: 7

Publication Top Notes:

  • Using neural network model to estimate the rental price of residential properties
    2019
    21 citations

  • Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of virtual team in Nigerian construction industry
    2016
    21 citations

  • Information and communication technology application challenges in the construction industry: A narrative review
    2019
    14 citations

  • A concise review of the evolution of information and communication technologies for engineering innovations
    2021
    13 citations

  • Impact of security on rental price of residential properties: evidence from South Africa
    2019
    13 citations

  • Barriers to implementing quality management system in the Industry 4.0 era
    2019
    12 citations

  • Strategies for building information modelling adoption in the South African construction industry
    2019
    12 citations

  • Impact of Green features on rental value of residential properties: evidence from South Africa
    2024
    8 citations

  • Assessing South African construction worker’s knowledge of modern technologies for effective material management
    2021
    6 citations

  • Evaluation of the use of modern technologies for effective material management in South African construction industry
    2019
    5 citations

  • Bridging the gap between academic and practice Quantity Surveying in Nigerian construction industry
    2019
    5 citations

  • Roles and effects of utilizing recent technologies on material management for construction work in South Africa
    2019
    4 citations

  • Forecasting rental values of residential properties: a neural network model approach
    2020
    3 citations

  • A model validation and predicting the rental values of residential properties using logistic regression model
    2020
    2 citations

  • Information and Communication Technologies for construction services in South Africa: A PROCSA Scope
    2021
    1 citation

  • An Evaluation of Information and Communication Technology Application in South African Construction Industry
    2019
    1 citation

Akash Dwarka Shivling Mali | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Akash Dwarka Shivling Mali | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

Scientist at Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India

Dr. Akash Shivling Mali  is a neuroscientist currently working at Jena University Hospital in Germany. He earned his Ph.D. in Animal Physiology from Charles University in Prague in 2023, following a Master’s in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania, and a Bachelor’s in Biomedicine from the University of Würzburg, Germany.

Profile:

Academic Background:

Dr. Mali earned his Ph.D. in Animal Physiology from Charles University in Prague, Czechia (2023), following a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania (2017), and a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedicine from the University of Würzburg, Germany (2014).

Research Expertise:

His scientific work centers on GPCR signaling in microglial pathophysiology, glioblastoma, amyloid-beta toxicity, BTK inhibitors, and mechanisms like autophagy and cellular senescence. Dr. Mali is well-trained in both in vivo and in vitro models, including transgenic mouse models. His technical skillset includes RT-PCR, RNA sequencing, cell culture, Western blotting, flow cytometry, ELISA, and advanced imaging and data analysis tools such as GraphPad Prism and ZEN.

Research Experience:

He has held various research positions in India and Europe, including at ThermoFisher Scientific (Czechia), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Jena University, Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, among others. His roles have ranged from conducting cancer and neuroscience research to supervising students and performing data analytics.

Student Mentorship:

Dr. Mali has successfully mentored over 10 undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom have published research or received awards. One of his mentees earned the Best Thesis Award and was selected for a Ph.D. at the University of Houston, USA.

Awards and Grants:

He has received several prestigious grants and honors, including:

  • Grant Agency of Universita Karlova (GA UK): CZK 900,000 (2020–2023)

  • Erasmus+ Scholarship: €15,000

  • Highest Academic Achievement Award: €15,000

Science Outreach and Teaching:

A dedicated science communicator, Dr. Mali has organized community science fairs, delivered interactive science workshops, and taught as an assistant professor. He has received the Best Teacher Award and recognition for Best Oral Presentation at a scientific conference.

Editorial Roles and Publications:

He is the author of two textbooks (“Textbook of Nanobiology, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology” and “Introduction to Python”) and an active peer reviewer for several journals including Frontiers in Immunology and Journal of Nanobiotechnology. Dr. Mali also serves as Associate Editor for multiple pharmaceutical and biological research journals.

Professional Memberships:

He is a member of the Signal Transduction Society (Germany) and the Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council (India).

Citation Metrics (Google Scholar):

  • Total Citations: 248

  • Citations Since 2020: 204

  • h-index: 8

  • h-index Since 2020: 8

  • i10-index: 8

  • i10-index Since 2020: 8

Publication Top Notes:

1. Formulation and Evaluation of Multipurpose Herbal Cream
2015
Citations: 76

2. Opioid receptor activation suppresses the neuroinflammatory response by promoting microglial M2 polarization
2022
Citations: 23

3. A brief review on process analytical technology (PAT)
2016
Citations: 22

4. Smart cane for blind person assisted with android application and save our souls transmission
2018
Citations: 19

5. Opioids alleviate oxidative stress via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated microglia
2023
Citations: 15

6. Genetic insights of cholesterol and atherosclerosis: complex biology
2018
Citations: 15

7. COVID-19 impact on reproduction and fertility
2021
Citations: 13

8. Interaction of 2,6,7-trihydroxy-xanthene-3-ones with iron and copper, and biological effect of the most active derivative on breast cancer cells and erythrocytes
2020
Citations: 12

9. Automated unified trolley system for LPG leakage detection with safety measures and refill booking
2018
Citations: 8

10. In vitro propagation of pomegranate
2018
Citations: 5

11. Development of cosmeceutical cream for dermatitis and acne vulgaris
2018
Citations: 5

12. Design and Development of Nanoemulsion of Smilax China for Anti-Psoriasis Activity
2024
Citations: 4

13. MIGRAINE IS NOT JUST A HEADACHE.
2018
Citations: 4

14. A image security with image steganography using DCT coefficient and encryption
2016
Citations: 4

15. Past, present and future about Ebola virus diseases: An updated review
2016
Citations: 4

16. Oral drug delivery system challenges to pediatrics and current approaches
2018
Citations: 3

17. Design and development of cosmeceutical cream for hyperpigmentation and anti-aging
2018
Citations: 3

18. Therapeutic gases pharmacology and its advanced delivery
2017
Citations: 3

19. Antinociceptive and Antioxidant Activities of Methanolic Extract of Leaves of Azadirachta Indica (Neem)
2019
Citations: 2

20. Zika virus disease
2018
Citations: 2

Sang-Sun Han | Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Sang-Sun Han | Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Yonsei University College of Dentistry | South Korea

Dr. Sang-Sun Han, Ph.D., DDS, is a Professor at the College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree and completed her residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at Yonsei University. With over two decades of academic and clinical experience, Dr. Han has established herself as a leader in the field of dental radiology.

Profile:

Educational Background:

Dr. Han completed her dental degree at Yonsei University, College of Dentistry, from March 1990 to February 1996. She then pursued a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at Yonsei University Dental Hospital from March 1996 to February 1999, where she specialized in diagnostic imaging and radiological sciences.

Professional Licensure:

She is a licensed dentist in Korea, holding License #14237 since March 1996. In addition, she obtained her specialty license as an Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist (License #19) in March 2017, reflecting her advanced expertise in the field.

Academic and Professional Roles:

Alongside her academic duties, Dr. Han is actively involved in the scholarly community. She serves as a Manuscript Editor for Imaging Science in Dentistry, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to radiology in dental research. She also holds prominent roles in professional organizations, including the Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, and acts as the Academic Director of the Korean Women Dental Association.

Research and Contributions:

Dr. Han’s work integrates clinical excellence with academic leadership. Through her roles in editorial boards and national dental associations, she contributes to the development of research standards and the advancement of dental radiology in Korea and beyond.

Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 1,688 (as cited by 1,487 documents)

  • Total Publications: 90

  • h-index: 20

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Quantitative evaluation of metal artifact reduction in CBCT under varying exposure modes and rod orientations
    Scientific Reports, 2025.

  2. Quantitative evaluation of parotid gland dysfunction in patients with hyposalivation using magnetic resonance imaging mapping technique: Quantification of Parotid gland function using MRI
    BMC Oral Health, 2025.

  3. Three-dimensional analysis of root canal curvature in maxillary premolars using CBCT images
    Scientific Reports, 2025.

  4. Magnetic resonance image generation using enhanced TransUNet in temporomandibular disorder patients
    Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 2025.

  5. Deep learning image enhancement for confident diagnosis of TMJ osteoarthritis in zero-TE MR imaging
    Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 2025.

 

Akash Shivling Mali | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Akash Shivling Mali | Neuroscience | Young Scientist Award

Scientist at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany

Dr. Akash S. Mali is an accomplished neuroscientist with over eight years of multidisciplinary research experience across Europe and India. He holds a Ph.D. in Animal Physiology from Charles University, Czechia, and a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania, with a foundational degree in Pharmacy from Shivaji University, India.

Profile:

Academic Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Animal Physiology – Charles University, Prague, Czechia

  • M.Sc. in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology – Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania

  • B.Pharm. – Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India

Research Expertise:

  • Neuroinflammation and microglial polarization

  • 2D/3D cell culture and organoids

  • Immunohistochemistry, MEA, flow cytometry, PCR

  • Drug delivery systems and antiviral drug mechanisms

  • Scientific writing and data analysis

Work Experience:

  • Scientist, University Hospital Jena, Germany (2024–present)

  • Data Scientist, ThermoFisher Scientific, Czechia (2022–2024)

  • Visiting Researcher, University Hospital Jena, Germany (2022)

  • Assistant Professor, DBATU, India (2017–2018)

  • Production Operator, Aditi Pharmaceuticals, India (2014)

Key Publications:

  1. Int. J. Mol. Sci. (2023) – Oxidative stress alleviation via Nrf2/HO1 in microglia

  2. Mol. Cell Neurosci. (2022) – Microglial M2 polarization via opioid receptors

  3. JBRA Assist Reprod. (2021) – COVID-19’s impact on fertility

  4. Applied Sciences (2020) – Breast cancer and erythrocyte effects of metal chelators

  5. IJPSN (2016) – Microparticulate drug delivery for hydrochlorothiazide

Awards & Grants:

  • Best Researcher Award (Physiology) – Govt. of India (2022)

  • Travel Grant – Signal Transduction Society, Germany (2022)

  • 3-Year Research Grant – Charles University (2020–2022)

  • Highest Academic Achievement Award – Vytautas Magnus University (2015)

Conferences:

  • Signal Transduction Society Meeting, Germany (2022)

  • Nature Vital Science Conference, Lithuania (2015)

Books Authored:

  • Textbook of Nanobiology, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

  • Introduction of Python

Professional Affiliations:

  • Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council

  • Signal Transduction Society

  • International Society for Molecular Neurodegeneration

  • Italian Glia Network

Citation Metrics (as per Google Scholar):

  • Total Citations: 247

  • Citations Since 2020: 203

  • h-index: 8

  • i10-index: 8

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Formulation and Evaluation of Multipurpose Herbal Cream
    International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 4(11), pp. 1495–1498, 2015. Cited by: 76

  2. Opioid Receptor Activation Suppresses the Neuroinflammatory Response by Promoting Microglial M2 Polarization
    Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 121, 103744, 2022. Cited by: 22

  3. A Brief Review on Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
    International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, 8(1), pp. 10–15, 2016. Cited by: 21

  4. Smart Cane for Blind Person Assisted with Android Application and SOS Transmission
    International Journal of Engineering and Management Research, 8(3), pp. 235–240, 2018. Cited by: 19

  5. Opioids Alleviate Oxidative Stress via the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in LPS-Stimulated Microglia
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(13), 11089, 2023. Cited by: 15

  6. Genetic Insights of Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis: Complex Biology
    Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 8(3), pp. 175–184, 2018. Cited by: 15

  7. COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction and Fertility
    JBRA Assisted Reproduction, 25(2), pp. 310–313, 2021. Cited by: 13

  8. Interaction of 2,6,7-Trihydroxy-Xanthene-3-Ones with Iron and Copper, and Biological Effect on Breast Cancer Cells and Erythrocytes
    Applied Sciences, 10(14), 4846, 2020. Cited by: 12

  9. Automated Unified Trolley System for LPG Leakage Detection with Safety Measures and Refill Booking
    International Journal of Engineering and Management Research, 8(3), pp. 224–228, 2018. Cited by: 8

  10. In Vitro Propagation of Pomegranate
    International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, 2018. Cited by: 6

  11. Development of Cosmeceutical Cream for Dermatitis and Acne Vulgaris
    Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences, 9(1), pp. 33–36, 2018. Cited by: 5

  12. Design and Development of Nanoemulsion of Smilax china for Anti-Psoriasis Activity
    International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024. Cited by: 4

  13. Migraine Is Not Just a Headache
    Pharma Science Monitor, 9(1), 2018. Cited by: 4

  14. Image Security with Image Steganography Using DCT Coefficient and Encryption
    International Journal of Innovations in Engineering Research and Technology, 2016. Cited by: 4

  15. Past, Present and Future About Ebola Virus Diseases: An Updated Review
    Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine, 2(2), 2016. Cited by: 4

  16. Oral Drug Delivery System Challenges to Pediatrics and Current Approaches
    PharmaTutor, 6(6), pp. 9–13, 2018. Cited by: 3

  17. Design and Development of Cosmeceutical Cream for Hyperpigmentation and Anti-Aging
    International Journal of Advanced Community Medicine, 1, pp. 27–31, 2018. Cited by: 3

  18. Therapeutic Gases Pharmacology and Its Advanced Delivery
    PharmaTutor, 5(1), pp. 37–41, 2017. Cited by: 3

  19. Antinociceptive and Antioxidant Activities of Methanolic Extract of Leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem)
    bioRxiv, preprint, 2019. Cited by: 2

  20. Zika Virus Disease
    International Journal of Advanced Community Medicine, 2018. Cited by: 2

Vignesh Mohanavel | Plant Biotechnology | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Popular Scientist

Dr. Vignesh Mohanavel | Plant Biotechnology | Young Scientist Award

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India

Dr. Vignesh Mohanavel is a dedicated researcher in the Department of Plant Biotechnology at the Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. His research interests span plant molecular biology, genetic engineering, and crop improvement for sustainable agriculture. He has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications and actively engages in collaborative research projects at the national and international levels. Dr. Mohanavel holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology and is committed to advancing innovative solutions in plant science.

Profile:

Academic Qualifications:

Dr. Vignesh Mohanavel holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology, awarded in 2023 by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He earned his Master of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology (M.Sc. Ag.) from Annamalai University, Chidambaram in 2018. Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc. Agri.) from the same institution in 2016.

Research Experience:

  • Ph.D. Dissertation: “Developing multiple stress tolerant rice genotypes through marker assisted breeding”
    Supervisor: Dr. M. Raveendran, Director of Research, TNAU, Coimbatore.

  • PG Dissertation: “Screening of salinity tolerance in indigenous rice through morphological and molecular characters”
    Supervisor: Dr. S. Murugan, Professor & Head, GPB, Annamalai University.

  • Senior Research Fellow (Oct 2023 – Present):
    Project: “Biostimulants Efficacy Testing Structure”
    Funded by: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA
    Supervisor: Dr. M. Raveendran, TNAU, Coimbatore.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Molecular breeding and marker-assisted selection in rice

  • Genetic diversity analysis using molecular markers

  • Advanced molecular techniques: DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, cloning, SDS-PAGE, etc.

  • Evaluation of biotic (BPH, BLB, Blast) and abiotic (drought, salinity, submergence) stress tolerance

  • Bioinformatics, GWAS, haplotype analysis, metabolomics and proteomics

  • Proficiency in HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, MALDI-TOF, and 2D protein profiling

Awards and Honors:

  • Best Poster Presentation – Annamalai University (2018)

  • Best Poster Presentation – National Seminar, TNAU (2024 & 2025)

  • Young Researcher Award – Institute of Scholars (InSc), 2024

  • Sustainable Agriculture Award – Vigyan Varta Excellence Awards 2024–25

  • Young Scientist Award – Vigyan Varta Foundation & Omm Shanti Narayan Trust (2024–25)

  • Best Researcher Award in Plant Biotechnology – 2025
    Young Scientist Awards

Professional Memberships:

  • Life Member – The Asia Society of Researchers (ASR)

  • Life Member – Madras Agricultural Students Union – TNAU

  • Postdoctoral Member – American Society for Microbiology

  • Life Member – Institute of Scholars (InSc)

  • Member – The Young European Biotech Network (YEBN)

Research Publications:

Authored and co-authored over 20+ peer-reviewed research articles published in high-impact journals such as:

  • Frontiers in Plant Science

  • Biotechnology Reports

  • Agriculture (MDPI)

  • Plant Physiology Reports

  • Indian Journal of Agricultural Research

  • Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding

(See complete list above or request separately in journal-wise/table format)

Popular Science Articles:

Published multiple science outreach articles in AgriGate – An International Multidisciplinary e-Magazine (2024–25) on gene pyramiding, drought resilience, and sustainable agriculture.

Book Chapters:

  • Current Trends in Agriculture & Allied Sciences, SP Publishing, 2025

  • Springer (Accepted): Microarray Analysis for Plant Stress Response

  • Topics: Genetic Engineering, Molecular Markers, Crop Improvement

Seminar & Conference Presentations:

  • Oral and poster presentations at national and international conferences on plant stress tolerance, GM foods, and rice genomics.

  • Participated in Corteva Plant Science Symposium (2019), Bioconcorrenza, and NABS International Conference.

Short Courses & Workshops:

  • Genomics of Abiotic Stress – TNAU & USIEF (2022)

  • AI in Agriculture (Udemy) – 2025

  • Nanomaterials in Biotechnology – NIT Jalandhar (2025)

  • HPLC in Metabolomics, GWAS Hands-on Training, and others at TNAU

Webinars Attended:

Actively participated in 15+ international webinars on topics such as:

  • CRISPR-Cas, Genome editing, Chickpea improvement, Underutilized crops

  • Scientific writing (Editage), Climate resilience in rice, and Genomics & Bioinformatics (Bioingene, IARI, ICAR)

Abstracts Published:

Abstracts published in the proceedings of major events such as:

  • National Science Day 2025 – TNAU

  • NABS International Conference 2021

  • UGC-SAP National Seminars – 2017 & 2018

  • Multi-Omics Conference 2024 – TNAU

Citation Metrics (as per Google Scholar):

Total Citations: 89
Citations since 2020: 85
h-index: 6
i10-index: 2

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Marker-Assisted Pyramiding of Major Brown Plant Hopper Resistance Genes in an Elite Culture CBMAS14065
    Vignesh M., Valarmathi M., Rakshana P., Bharathi A., Dilip K.R., Sudha M., …
    Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 14(1), 1–8 (2023)

  2. Evaluation of Black Gram Genotypes for Saline Tolerance at Seedling Stage
    Priyadharshini B., Vignesh M., Prakash M., Anandan R.
    Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, 53(1), 83–87 (2019)

  3. Marker-Assisted Breeding Accelerates the Development of Multiple-Stress-Tolerant Rice Genotypes Adapted to Wider Environments
    Mohanavel V., Muthu V., Kambale R., Palaniswamy R., Seeli P., Ayyenar B., …
    Frontiers in Plant Science, 15, 1402368 (2024)

  4. Relationship Between Biometric and Biophysical Parameters With Yield in Traditional Rice Varieties in Coastal Saline Belts of Tamil Nadu
    Prakash M., Vignesh M.
    Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge (IJTK), 18(4), 805–817 (2019)

  5. Developing Early Morning Flowering Version of Rice Variety CO 51 to Mitigate Heat-Induced Yield Loss
    Ayyenar B., Kambale R., Duraialagaraja S., Manickam S., Mohanavel V., …
    Agriculture (MDPI), 13(3), 553 (2023)

  6. Haplotype and Diversity Analysis of Indigenous Rice for Salinity Tolerance in Early-Stage Seedling Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers
    Mohanavel V., Yesudhas A.S., Sharma A., Ramasamy A., Samy P.M.A., …
    Biotechnology Reports, 31, e00666 (2021)

  7. Comparison of Methods for Genomic DNA Extraction Suitable for Whole-Genome Genotyping in Traditional Varieties of Rice
    Priyadharshini B., Vignesh M., Prakash M., Anandan R.
    Agricultural Science Digest, 39(3), 228–231 (2019)

  8. Estimation of Morphological and Molecular Genetic Diversity in Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] Under YMV Hotspot Regime
    Jeevitha S., Karthikeyan R., Vignesh M., Malarkodi A., Tirumalai R., Nainu A.J., …
    Horticultural Biotechnology Research (1970)

  9. Genetic Improvement of Drought Tolerance in a Mega-Rice Variety Improved White Ponni Through Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding
    Seeli F.D.P., Manoharan M., Ayyenar B., Kambale R., Mohanavel V., …
    Agriculture (MDPI), 14(3), 431 (2024)

  10. Harnessing Parent-Offspring Regression Analysis to Develop High-Yielding Submergence Tolerant Lines of Oryza sativa L.
    Viswabharathy S., Thulasinathan T., Subburaj S., Seeli F.D.P., Ayyenar B., …
    Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 14(2), 675–686 (2023)

  11. Comparative Investigation of DNA Extraction Methods in Black Gram Vigna mungo (L.)
    Prakash M., Priyadharshini B., Vignesh M., Anandan R.
    Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, 53(6), 749–752 (2019)

  12. Multivariate Analysis of Sesame Genotypes Under Saline Stress
    Priyadharshini B., Prakash M., Vignesh M., Murugan S., Anandan R.
    Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, 52(6), 708–711 (2018)

  13. Pilot Scale Genome-Wide Association Mapping Identified Novel Loci for Grain Yield Traits in Rice
    Sundaramoorthy M., Ramasamy S.P., Rajagopalan V.R., Ramalingam A.P., …
    Plant Physiology Reports, 27(1), 11–21 (2022)

  14. Mining of Candidate Novel Alleles Using GWAS and Haplotype Identification for Rice Blast Resistance
    Mohanavel V., Ramalingam A.P., Ayyenar B., Rajagopalan V.R., …
    Plant Pathology, 74(3), 873–883 (2025)

  15. Identifying Molecular Targets for Modulating Carotenoid Accumulation in Rice Grains
    Palaniswamy R., Kambale R., Mohanavel V., Rajagopalan V.R., Manickam S., …
    Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, 40, 101815 (2024)

  16. CRISPR/Cas9 Mutagenesis Generated Elite Alleles of a Novel Yield Gene An-1 Leading to Increased Grain Number in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
    Ramasamy S.P., Rathnasamy S.A., Manickam S., Rajagopalan V., Mohanavel V., …
    Current Plant Biology, 100511 (2025)

  17. Surveying Allelic Diversity of ONAC129 in Aus Rice Germplasm
    Muthurajan R., Rajagopalan V.R., Kambale R., Ayyenar B., Mohanavel V. (2021)

  18. Genetic Engineering for Crop Improvement, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
    Mohanavel V., Ravi A., Sakthivel V., Palaniswamy R., Ramasamy S.P. (Book Chapter)

  19. Startup Savvy: Low-Cost Alternative for Tissue Culture Innovations
    Mohanavel V., Manickam S. (Book Chapter)

 

Anayo Ikegwu | Software Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Popular Scientist

Dr. Anayo Ikegwu | Software Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at Veritas University Abuja, Nigeria

Dr. Anayo Chukwu Ikegwu is a dynamic academic, researcher, and IT consultant with deep expertise in Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and Mobile Health Computing. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science (Big Data Analytics) from Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike and is currently concluding a second Ph.D. in Cybersecurity at the same institution.

Profile:

Areas of Interest:

  • Big Data Analytics / Data Science

  • Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence

  • Cybersecurity

  • Mobile Health Computing

Academic Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Cybersecurity (in view), 2024 – Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike

  • Ph.D. in Computer Science (Big Data Analytics), 2017–2023 – AE-FUNAI

  • M.Sc. in Information Technology, 2015–2017 – NOUN

  • B.Sc. in Computer Science, 2008–2012 – Ebonyi State University

  • WAEC/NECO, 1999–2004 – Urban Model Secondary School

  • FSLCE, 1990–1995 – Ole Okibe Primary School

Current Position:

Lecturer I – Veritas University, Abuja
Postgraduate Committee Member – Department of Computer and Information Technology
Faculty Journal & Conference Committee Member – Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences

Recent Positions:

  • Facilitator – National Open University of Nigeria (2024–Present)

  • Data Science Trainer – Veritas University (2024)

  • Senior Consultant – AIC-Analyst Info. Consulting Ltd (2018–2023)

  • ICT HOD/Facilitator – DoveNet eSolutions Ltd (2015–2017)

Professional Memberships:

  • Member, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS)

  • Member, Nigeria Foundation for Artificial Intelligence (NFAI)

  • Member, IEEE

  • Member, ACM

  • State Organising Secretary, NOUN Alumni Association

Technical Skills:

Python, MS Office, PHP/MySQL, Oracle 11g, WordPress, CorelDraw, Photoshop, Visual Studio, Google Workspace, Canva

Interpersonal Strengths:

  • Problem-solving through analytics

  • Strong communication & mentoring skills

  • Conflict resolution & team management

Certifications:

  • Oracle Certified Administrator – AfriHUB Nigeria

  • Digital Marketing Professional – Google

  • Jobberman Soft Skills Training – 2022

  • Certificates of Excellence in Reviewing – IEEE, Springer, Elsevier, and others

Academic Supervision:

  • Master’s Projects: Completed (1), Ongoing (2)

  • PGD Projects: Completed (1)

  • Undergraduate: Numerous

Publications & Research Impact:

  • Peer-Reviewed Journals: 15

  • Conference Papers: 9

  • Book Chapters: 2

  • Mini Book & Thesis Works: 3

  • Google Scholar Citations: 439 (h-index: 5)

  • Scopus Citations: 253 (h-index: 5(6))

Extracurricular Activities:

  • Public speaking on career development

  • Interactive game design for children

  • Sports (swimming), reading, travelling

Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 455

  • Citations since 2020: 452

  • h-index: 5

  • h-index since 2020: 5

  • i10-index: 5

  • i10-index since 2020: 5

Publication Top Notes: