Katayoun Kargar | Urban Drainage Systems | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Katayoun Kargar | Urban Drainage Systems | Research Excellence Award

Toronto Metropolitan University | Canada

Dr. Katayoun Kargar is a civil engineering researcher whose work advances the understanding, modelling, and management of sewer blockages within urban drainage networks, particularly those caused by non-flushable consumer products. Her research integrates hydraulic modelling, data analytics, and infrastructure asset management to address performance deterioration in sewer systems and provide actionable strategies for municipalities. She has contributed original methodologies for analyzing blockage mechanisms using open datasets, quantified the hydraulic impacts of wipe-induced obstructions, and developed simulation frameworks capable of capturing flow alterations and risk conditions in sewer networks. Her work with SWMM includes creating and validating procedures that allow utilities to incorporate blockage dynamics into routine modelling, enabling more accurate capacity evaluations, maintenance prioritization, and system reliability assessments. By translating laboratory insights into practical planning tools, she supports municipalities in enhancing inspection regimes, optimizing rehabilitation strategies, and strengthening long-term infrastructure resilience. Her scholarly contributions include publications indexed in major scientific databases and presentations at leading professional forums, where her work has been recognized through notable awards for research excellence and technical communication. Complementing her academic achievements, she has professional experience in asset management consulting, applying modelling outputs and analytical approaches to assist municipalities in developing asset management plans, capital planning frameworks, and infrastructure lifecycle strategies. Her combined research and practical expertise contribute to advancing municipal wastewater infrastructure management and promoting data-informed decision-making in the engineering of sustainable urban drainage systems.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Shamshirband, S., Hashemi, S., Salimi, H., Samadianfard, S., Asadi, E., … (2020). Predicting standardized streamflow index for hydrological drought using machine learning models. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 14(1), 339–350.

Samadianfard, S., Hashemi, S., Kargar, K., Izadyar, M., Mostafaeipour, A., … (2020). Wind speed prediction using a hybrid model of the multi-layer perceptron and whale optimization algorithm. Energy Reports, 6, 1147–1159.

Kargar, K., Samadianfard, S., Parsa, J., Nabipour, N., Shamshirband, S., … (2020). Estimating longitudinal dispersion coefficient in natural streams using empirical models and machine learning algorithms. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 14(1), 311–322.

Kargar, K., Safari, M. J. S., Mohammadi, M., Samadianfard, S. (2019). Sediment transport modeling in open channels using neuro-fuzzy and gene expression programming techniques. Water Science and Technology, 79(12), 2318–2327.

Safari, M. J. S., Mohammadi, B., Kargar, K. (2020). Invasive weed optimization-based adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system hybrid model for sediment transport with a bed deposit. Journal of Cleaner Production, 276, 124267.

 

Taurai Kachembere | Philosophy | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Taurai Kachembere | Philosophy | Research Excellence Award

Research Associate | University of Johannesburg | Zimbabwe

Dr. Taurai Kachembere is a philosopher whose work centers on African Philosophy, Ubuntu ethics, and the decolonization of knowledge, with a strong commitment to producing scholarship that advances ethical reflection, social transformation, and globally relevant philosophical discourse. His research explores the intersections of transitional justice, social and political philosophy, reconciliation frameworks, and African normative thought, positioning African perspectives as essential lenses for understanding justice, governance, and societal repair. He engages in original research that interrogates how ethical systems rooted in Ubuntu can inform contemporary debates on violence, restorative justice, and post-conflict reconstruction, while also contributing to emerging discussions on sustainability, economic ethics, and the moral dimensions of communal life. His academic work includes peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference presentations that critically examine themes such as political legitimacy, moral repair, and the ethical responsibilities of states in contexts of historical wrongdoing. With experience in university teaching across African philosophy, ethics, political theory, and applied philosophy, he integrates rigorous analytical training with pedagogical innovation and curriculum development. His professional background also reflects deep engagement in community-based ethics, intercultural dialogue, and social justice initiatives, enriching his academic approach with practical insights into human relationships, conflict resolution, and community wellbeing. Dr. Kachembere contributes to postgraduate mentorship, collaborative research projects, and examination processes, while supporting knowledge dissemination that connects philosophical inquiry to public policy, societal debates, and the pursuit of peace and sustainable development across African communities and beyond.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Kachembere, T. (2025). After Mugabe: Transitional justice in a failed Zimbabwe. International Journal of African Renaissance Studies: Multi-, Inter- and Transdisciplinarity.

Kachembere, T. (2024). After Mugabe: Transitional justice in a failed Zimbabwe. International Journal of African Renaissance Studies.

Kachembere, T. (2024). Rawlsian Ubuntucracy. Politikon.

Kachembere, T. (n.d.). From extractivism to communion: Reimagining Ubuntu spirituality for sustainable economic development in Africa. African Thought: A Journal for Afro-Centric Knowledge.

 

Kanellos Toudas | Finance | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanellos Toudas | Finance | Research Excellence Award

Agricultural University of Athens | Greece

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanellos Toudas is an accomplished academic and researcher in accounting and financial analysis, recognized for his contributions to financial management, regulatory auditing, and corporate reporting practices. His academic formation and subsequent doctoral training laid a strong foundation for a career that bridges university research with practical financial governance. His postdoctoral work expanded his analytical perspective and reinforced his interest in the evolution of accounting standards, financial transparency, and the mechanisms that support efficient capital markets. Alongside his academic development, he gained substantial professional experience through roles involving auditing, financial supervision, and administrative responsibility within public sector institutions, which enriched his understanding of applied financial oversight. His leadership experience in municipal and governmental organizations further deepened his expertise in public financial management and regulatory compliance. In the academic sphere, he has established himself as a dedicated educator and researcher, contributing to curriculum development, delivering specialized courses in accounting principles and international financial reporting standards, and mentoring students across multiple universities. His research portfolio includes numerous publications in scientific journals and conference proceedings, reflecting his ongoing engagement with themes such as financial reporting quality, accounting regulation, auditing practices, and the interface between policy and financial decision-making. His participation in national and international conferences highlights his active role in scholarly exchange, while his consistent publication record demonstrates his commitment to advancing knowledge in financial management and accounting systems. Overall, Dr. Toudas exemplifies a well-rounded academic professional with a strong blend of theoretical insight, practical experience, and research-driven impact.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publication

Boufounou, P., Chatzimichalis, P., Toudas, K., Malesios, C., & Skouloudis, A. (2025). Consumer preferences and sustainability in the food and beverage sector: Empirical evidence in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability.

Karountzos, P., Sakas, D. P., Nasiopoulos, D. K., & Toudas, K. (2025). Redefining development through logistics performance and ESG metrics. Accounting and Auditing.

Giannakopoulos, N. T., Sakas, D. P., Toudas, K., & Karountzos, P. (2025). Implication of digital marketing in the supply chain finance of the beverage industry. International Journal of Financial Studies.

Karountzos, P., Sakas, D. P., Nasiopoulos, D. K., & Toudas, K. (2025). Redefining development through logistics performance and ESG metrics (Preprint).

Trigkas, S. J., Toudas, K., & Chasiotis, I. (2025). Mapping the intellectual structure of computational risk analytics in banking and finance: A bibliometric and thematic evolution study. Computation.

Maissa Ben Jabeur | Biostiumulants | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Maissa Ben Jabeur | Biostiumulants | Research Excellence Award

National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia | Tunisia

Dr. Maissa Ben Jabeur is a plant production and biotechnology researcher whose work focuses on biostimulants, seed coating technologies, stress physiology, and sustainable crop protection strategies. Her research explores beneficial microbes, plant extracts, and natural bioactive compounds as innovative tools to enhance crop resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses, with strong emphasis on wheat, maize, potato, strawberry, and tomato. She has developed and evaluated microbial consortia, essential-oil-based treatments, and plant growth-promoting bacteria for applications in seed priming, biocontrol, and yield improvement. Her expertise spans microbial genotyping, morphophysiological and biochemical trait analysis, metabolic physiology techniques, and greenhouse and laboratory experimentation. She has contributed to multidisciplinary projects on stress tolerant maize germplasm, microbiome-based agroecosystem restoration, PGPR applications, mycorrhizal symbioses, and biostimulant formulation for cereal improvement. Dr. Ben Jabeur has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, with studies covering drought and heat stress mitigation, systemic resistance induction, biofungicidal properties of essential oils, biopriming effects on seed physiology, and performance of natural biostimulants across diverse crop systems. She is also actively involved in supervising undergraduate and graduate students in topics such as beneficial microbes, plant defense mechanisms, biocontrol strategies, PGPR-mediated stress tolerance, and valorization of aromatic plant extracts. Alongside her research, she has extensive teaching experience in plant biology, botany, plant physiology, cellular biology, and metabolic physiology techniques, contributing to academic training and capacity building. Her profile reflects a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture through nature-based solutions, international collaboration, and impactful scientific dissemination.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publication

Kthiri, Z., Ben Jabeur, M., Karmous, C., & Hamada, W. (2025). Yeast to the rescue: Meyerozyma guilliermondii primes tomato vigor and resistance to Fusarium crown and root rot. Plant Signaling & Behavior.

Ben-Jabeur, M., Kthiri, Z., Djébali, N., Karmous, C., & Hamada, W. (2023). A case study of seed biopriming and chemical priming: Seed coating with two types of bioactive compounds improves the physiological state of germinating seeds in durum wheat. Cereal Research Communications.

Chaouch, R., Kthiri, Z., Soufi, S., Ben Jabeur, M., & Bettaieb, T. (2023). Assessing the biostimulant effect of micro-algae and thyme essential oil during in-vitro and ex-vitro rooting of strawberry. South African Journal of Botany.

Ben-Jabeur, M., Kthiri, Z., Essid, M. F., Moussa, C., & Hamada, W. (2023). The potential of coating half-cut tubers with natural biostimulants in improving yield components and inducing resistance against grey mold and black scurf in potato. Potato Research.

Ben-Jabeur, M., Chamekh, Z., Jallouli, S., Ayadi, S., Serret, M. D., Araus, J. L., Trifa, Y., & Hamada, W. (2022). Comparative effect of seed treatment with thyme essential oil and Paraburkholderia phytofirmans on growth, photosynthetic capacity, grain yield, δ15N and δ13C of durum wheat under drought and heat stress. Annals of Applied Biology.

 

Pankaj Indurkar | Water Treatment | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Pankaj Indurkar | Water Treatment | Research Excellence Award

Senior Scientist | Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute | India

Mr. Pankaj Indurkar is a researcher in membrane science, separation technology, and water purification, recognized for contributions that integrate advanced materials engineering with data-driven modeling. His work spans the development of high-performance ion-exchange membranes, mixed-matrix membranes, and polymeric frameworks designed for desalination, pollutant remediation, and industrial water processing. He has played key roles in designing electrodialysis, membrane distillation, and electro-deionization systems, contributing to indigenous technology development for saline water treatment, brackish water desalination, and ultrapure water generation. His research portfolio demonstrates strong expertise in synthesizing functional materials such as MOF-incorporated membranes, porous polymeric networks, nanocomposites, and metal-doped aerogels, complemented by extensive use of statistical modeling, multivariate optimization, response surface methodology, and machine learning for predicting membrane performance and enhancing process efficiency. He has published widely in high-impact journals on topics including heavy-metal remediation, fluoride and arsenic removal, electrodialysis modeling, neural-network-guided membrane design, and nanomaterial-based water purification strategies. His work also includes book chapters on MOF-based membranes for water and wastewater remediation and contributions to the development of computational frameworks for chemicals recovery from brines, integrating optimization, techno-economic analysis, and data analytics. Through collaborative and multidisciplinary projects, he has contributed to the fabrication, testing, and field deployment of membrane-based and adsorbent-based treatment units for industry and research institutions. His expertise reflects a blend of experimental innovation and computational intelligence aimed at advancing sustainable and energy-efficient water treatment technologies.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publication

Pankaj, D. I., & Kulshrestha, V. (2025). Electrochemical informed machine learning models for prediction of electrodialysis desalination performance. Separation Science and Technology.

Kumar, P., Suhag, S., Indurkar, P. D., Shahi, V. K., & Kulshrestha, V.* (2025). Synthesis of polyacrylonitrile-based terpolymer cation exchange membrane for efficient brackish water desalination via electrodialysis with neural network prediction. Desalination.

Mishra, S., Upadhyay, P., Indurkar, P. D., & Kulshrestha, V.* (2025). Designing of PVDF-based cation exchange membranes with improved electrochemical properties for energy-efficient brackish water desalination. ACS ES&T Engineering.

Shukla, S., Gupta, A. R., Ratnakar, S. B., Ganguly, B., Indurkar, P. D., & Sharma, S. (2025). A revolutionizing polymeric framework with integrated aluminium fragment for superior water decontamination empowered by a statistical modeling approach. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 13.

Sutariya, B., Sarkar, P., Indurkar, P. D., & Karan, S.* (2024). Machine learning-assisted performance prediction from the synthesis conditions of nanofiltration membranes. Separation and Purification Technology.

Mohammed Elhaj Mustafa Ali | Development Economics | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Mohammed Elhaj Mustafa Ali | Development Economics | Research Excellence Award

Assistant Professor | University of Khartoum | Sudan

Dr. Mohammed Elhaj Mustafa Ali is an accomplished scholar in economics whose work spans development economics, labor markets, health financing, foreign direct investment, poverty dynamics, and structural transformation in emerging economies. As an active academic and researcher, he has contributed extensively to understanding how household behavior, labor participation, and health expenditure patterns shape welfare outcomes in both urban and rural contexts. His research integrates econometric modeling, panel data analysis, and mixed methodological approaches to examine issues such as youth unemployment, informal sector participation, digital transformation in business environments, and the interplay between institutional quality and economic development. He has produced influential studies on foreign aid effectiveness, environmental–economic relationships, global value chain participation, and the socio-economic impacts of epidemics and public health shocks. His publications appear in regional and international journals, complemented by working papers and policy-oriented outputs that offer evidence-based insights for governments and development partners. Dr. Ali has also delivered research within collaborative networks and contributed to regional conferences, often presenting findings that bridge academic inquiry and policy relevance. His professional experience includes academic leadership, teaching, research supervision, and participation in multi-country development programs, reflecting a commitment to capacity building and informed policy formulation. He has undertaken consultancy assignments addressing gendered economic roles, market assessments, labor market inclusion, and the socio-economic vulnerabilities of communities affected by crises. His work demonstrates a sustained focus on linking empirical research with real-world development challenges, advancing inclusive growth, and promoting evidence-driven policymaking in Sudan and across the broader region.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publication

Ebaidalla, E. M., & Ali, M. E. M. (2019). Determinants and impact of household’s out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in Sudan: Evidence from urban and rural population. Middle East Development Journal, 11(2), 181–198.

Mustafa, M. E., Elshakh, M. M., & Ebaidalla, E. M. (2019). Does foreign aid promote economic growth in Sudan? Evidence from ARDL bounds testing analysis. Journal of Economic Cooperation & Development, 40(3).

Ebaidalla, E. M., & Ali, M. E. M. (2023). Assessing intra-Arab trade integration and potential: Evidence from the stochastic frontier gravity model. The International Trade Journal, 37(2), 221–239.

Ali, M. E. M., & Ebaidalla, E. M. (2023). Does COVID-19 pandemic spur digital business transformation? Evidence from selected MENA countries. International Journal of Social Economics, 50(12), 1672–1687.

Ali, M. E. M., & Ebaidalla, E. M. (2023). Political Islam and crony capitalism in Sudan: A case study of “Munazzamat al-Dawa al-Islamiyya”. Economic Research Forum (ERF).

Bing Ji Yan | Ironmaking | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Bing Ji Yan | Ironmaking | Research Excellence Award

Professor | Soochow University | China

Prof. Bing Ji Yan is a leading researcher in metallurgical process intelligence, specializing in intelligent ironmaking, optimization of blast furnace raw materials and fuel resources, and multi-scale numerical simulation of complex ironmaking processes. His work integrates metallurgical engineering fundamentals with advanced computational modeling, data-driven analytics, and deep-learning-based industrial perception technologies to enhance the efficiency, stability, and sustainability of blast furnace operations. He has developed intelligent control systems, visual diagnostic tools, and decision-support platforms that significantly improve air volume regulation, burden distribution prediction, hearth erosion modeling, and operational state perception in large-scale furnaces. His research also advances the comprehensive utilization of solid waste resources, particularly in transforming metallurgical by-products such as titanium-bearing blast furnace slag into high-value glass-ceramic materials through innovative crystallization control and stress-mechanism analysis. Prof. Yan has led and contributed to major scientific and industrial projects related to data-driven ironmaking optimization, model development for resource procurement and batching strategies, and intelligent smelting operation guidance for enhanced energy efficiency. He has published influential work in internationally recognized journals in ironmaking, materials science, and process simulation, and holds multiple national invention patents and software copyrights in areas including slag processing systems, softening-melting detection devices, and intelligent furnace perception technologies. His contributions extend to industrial collaborations that translate research into real-world furnace optimization solutions, supporting advances in efficient, low-carbon, and intelligent metallurgical production.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Jianfeng, W., Yici, W., Guo, H., & Yan, B. (2024). Blast furnace hearth erosion modelling based on the dataset approach. Ironmaking & Steelmaking.

Mu, Y., Wu, Z., Yan, B., Liang, H., He, H., & Guo, H. (2024). Development and application of closed-loop-oriented intelligent control system for blast furnace air volume addition or reduction. Ironmaking & Steelmaking.

Dang, Z., Yan, B., Wang, D., Guo, H., Zhao, W., & Li, H. (2024). One-step preparation of cast stone from TBFS: Dual effects of TiO₂ content on glass network and precipitation behavior. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 629.

Wang, D., Yan, B., Dang, Z., Li, P., Guo, H., & Song, Z. (2024). Analysis and mechanism study of residual stress during the spontaneous crystallisation process of molten titanium-containing blast furnace slag. Crystals.

He, Q., Liang, H., Yan, B., & Guo, H. (2024). Angle diagnosis of blast furnace chute through deep learning of temporal images. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 73.

Kangkang Sun | Control Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Kangkang Sun | Control Science | Best Researcher Award

Associate Researcher | Harbin Institute of Technology | China

Dr. Kangkang Sun is a researcher in control science whose work integrates security control, intelligent decision-making, and autonomous system optimization across complex cyber-physical environments. His research bridges advanced control theory with artificial intelligence, reinforcement learning, deep learning, and interpretability principles to address vulnerabilities and create resilient, adaptive, and high-performControl Scienceance systems for spacecraft, robotics, and unmanned aerial vehicles. He has contributed extensively to secure control frameworks for nonlinear systems, optimal control designs, fuzzy adaptive approaches, fault-tolerant strategies, and finite-time performance guarantees, producing an impactful body of publications that includes numerous SCI papers and multiple highly cited works in leading IEEE journals. His scholarship is recognized through service roles on editorial boards, associate editorships, and guest editorships for prominent international journals, while his involvement in professional societies reflects active engagement in global research communities related to systems engineering, cybernetics, intelligent control, and smart city technologies. He frequently contributes to international conferences as a chair, committee member, or organizer, supporting the advancement of control theory and automation research worldwide. His achievements extend to awards for scientific excellence, reviewing contributions, and research leadership, reinforced by successful involvement in competitive national and regional research grants. Dr. Sun’s professional experience spans academic, governmental, and international research environments, highlighting his multidisciplinary impact and his commitment to advancing secure, intelligent, and autonomous control systems for emerging technological applications.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Sun, K., (2025). UUB stability of NCSS under asynchronous packet loss and random UDP attacks: LMI method-based controller design technology. International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control.

Sun, K.,. Intelligent LFC of IT-2 fuzzy power systems with improved memory event-triggered scheme supervised by genetic algorithm. Nonlinear Dynamics.

Sun, K., [Oth. Resilient H∞ synchronization of piecewise-homogeneous Markovian jumping NNs with time-varying delay and asynchronous modes: A delayed event-triggered scheme. Journal of the Franklin Institute.

Sun, K.,.(2025). Behavioral evolution characteristics of the integrated control system for spacecraft based on Petri nets. Scientia Sinica Informationis.

 

Sisira Jayasekara | Banking | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Sisira Jayasekara | Banking | Research Excellence Award

Additional Director | Central Bank of Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka

Mr. Sisira Jayasekara is an independent researcher whose scholarly work has substantially advanced global understanding of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. His research critically evaluates the effectiveness of risk-based frameworks, the practical impact of FATF recommendations, and the institutional mechanisms that influence compliance within financial systems. By introducing innovative perspectives, including the application of agency theory to AML/CFT, he has contributed new conceptual clarity to policy discourse and regulatory implementation. His publications appear in reputable indexed journals and address the complexities of financial integrity, institutional governance, and regulatory efficiency in evolving global financial landscapes. Beyond AML/CFT, his work explores value information and its role in shaping the performance of financial institutions, offering insights that bridge accounting, economics, and regulatory science. Professionally, he has held progressive leadership and analytical roles within financial oversight, financial intelligence, bank supervision, accounting, auditing, and large-scale public sector financial management. These positions have strengthened his expertise in evaluating institutional risks, designing supervisory approaches, and enhancing compliance cultures across diverse financial environments. His multidisciplinary training in accountancy, management, law, finance, and professional accounting enriches his holistic research perspective, enabling him to integrate theoretical rigor with practical regulatory experience. Mr. Jayasekara continues to contribute to knowledge creation in AML/CFT, financial sector governance, and institutional performance through evidence-based analysis, conceptual innovation, and a consistent commitment to strengthening global financial security.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publication

Jayasekara, S. D. (2021). Deficient regimes of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism: Agenda of digital banking and financial inclusion. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 24(1), 150–162.

Jayasekara, S. D. (2014). Determinants of foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka. Journal of the University of Ruhuna, 2(1–2).

Jayasekara, S. D. (2021). How effective are the current global standards in combating money laundering and terrorist financing? Journal of Money Laundering Control, 24(2), 257–267.

Jayasekara, S. D. (2018). Challenges of implementing an effective risk-based supervision on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism under the 2013 FATF methodology. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 21(4), 601–615.

Jayasekara, S. D. (2022). Administrative model of financial intelligence units: An analysis of effectiveness of the AML/CFT regime. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 25(3), 511–525.