Chien-I Chang | Robotics | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Popular Scientist

Mr. Chien-I Chang | Robotics | Research Excellence Award

National Chiayi University | Taiwan

Mr. Chien-I Chang is a robotics researcher whose work integrates intelligent systems, autonomous control, and applied computer science to advance next-generation robotic technologies. His research centers on designing adaptive robotic platforms capable of operating in dynamic, unstructured, or human-interactive environments, with a strong emphasis on sensor fusion, machine perception, and real-time decision-making. He has extensive experience developing autonomous navigation algorithms, robotic manipulation systems, and embedded architectures optimized for efficiency, stability, and scalability. His work bridges theoretical modeling with practical engineering, resulting in robotics solutions that are deployable across industrial, educational, and service-oriented settings. Through continuous exploration of mechatronic integration, computer vision, and learning-based control, he aims to enhance robot autonomy and expand practical use cases in daily life. His professional experience includes leading innovative robotics projects, mentoring teams in advanced robotic development, and transforming research outcomes into functional systems with societal impact. He is particularly interested in scalable and modular robotic designs that lower entry barriers for automation and support real-world problem solving. His research philosophy focuses on combining rigorous scientific inquiry with hands-on experimentation to accelerate the evolution of intelligent robotics. Through his academic pursuits and ongoing contributions to the robotics industry, he remains committed to advancing the performance, reliability, and accessibility of robotic technologies while fostering innovation that benefits education, industry, and broader communities.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Chang, C.-I., (2025). A low-cost autonomous outdoor robot with stabilized controller and deep-learning integrated GPS navigator under end-to-end implementation. Journal of the Chinese Institute of Engineers / Transactions of the Chinese Institute of Engineers, Series A. Advance online publication.

Lacrimioara Grama | Social Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Popular Scientist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lacrimioara Grama | Social Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Lăcrimioara-Romana Grama is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology, within the Basis of Electronics Department. She holds a PhD in Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications, with expertise in digital signal processing, data modeling, and electronic systems.

Profile:

Educational Background:

She holds a PhD in Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications, awarded Magna Cum Laude. Additionally, she completed an MSc in Design Techniques for Complex Electronic Circuits and an Engineer Diploma in Communications. She has also obtained certifications in pedagogy and academic leadership from institutions such as Harvard Graduate School of Education, Babson College, and University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest.

Leadership and Administrative Roles:

Grama currently serves as Vice-Dean and President of the Faculty Scholarship Committee. She has coordinated master-level admissions, represented her faculty in various university-wide and European initiatives (including EUt+ and RO European Universities), and contributed to numerous accreditation processes for academic programs.

Scientific and Academic Contributions:

She has actively participated in organizing international conferences such as RTSP, SpeD, and SPAMEC, often as a technical chair. Her roles also include session chair and technical program committee member for major conferences like IEEE ICIIP, EUSIPCO, and VisionNet.

Community and Institutional Engagement:

Beyond teaching and research, she has shown a strong commitment to community-building within the academic ecosystem through student mentorship, promotion of study programs, coordination of Erasmus students, and sustained involvement in faculty governance.

Google Scholar Citation Metrics:

  • Total citations: 452

  • Citations since 2020: 251

  • h-index: 11

  • h-index since 2020: 9

  • i10-index: 15

  • i10-index since 2020: 8

Publication Top Notes:

Audio signal classification using linear predictive coding and random forests
2017
34

On the optimization of SVM kernel parameters for improving audio classification accuracy
2017
31

Supercapacitor modelling using experimental measurements
2009
25

Adding audio capabilities to TIAGo service robot
2018
23

A novel wearable foot and ankle monitoring system for the assessment of gait biomechanics
2020
22

Extending assisted audio capabilities of TIAGo service robot
2019
18

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

Published on by Popular Scientist

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