Andrea Cynthia Santos | Operational research | Research Excellence Distinction Award

Prof. Dr. Andrea Cynthia Santos | Operational research | Research Excellence Distinction Award

Le Havre Normandie University, Engineering Institute of Logistics (ISEL) | France

Prof. Dr. Andréa Cynthia Santos is a leading scholar in Computer Science whose research lies at the intersection of Operations Research, urban systems, and large-scale disaster management. Her work focuses on developing advanced optimization models, algorithms, and decision-support approaches that address complex sociotechnical challenges in industrial, natural, and health-related crisis scenarios. She is widely recognized for contributions to integrated routing, scheduling, robust optimization, network design, drone-based search strategies, and humanitarian logistics in post-disaster environments. Her research is characterized by strong interdisciplinary engagement, combining computational optimization, artificial intelligence, and systems engineering to improve resilience and sustainability in modern cities. She has produced a substantial body of scientific work, including numerous international journal articles, book chapters, and conference contributions, and has played a key role in organizing international scientific events. Beyond her research activity, she has demonstrated significant leadership in academic administration and scientific strategy, including directing major institutional programs, steering research initiatives, and contributing to national and international committees. She has led multiple research projects across national, regional, industrial, and international collaborations, supported by multidisciplinary teams. Her supervision of PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and master’s students reflects her strong commitment to academic mentorship and capacity building. She has also served as an evaluator for global research organizations and participated in expert panels spanning science, technology, and innovation. Her professional experience includes roles in academic governance, digital transformation, international relations, curriculum development, and research program management, positioning her as an influential figure in the fields of operations research, logistics innovation, and sustainable urban systems.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Barbalho, T. J., Jiménez Laredo, J. L., & Santos, A. C. (2025). The resource-constrained project scheduling problem for risk reduction after industrial disasters involving dangerous substances. OR Spectrum. Advance online publication.

Coco, A. A., Duhamel, C., Santos, A. C., & Haddad, M. N. (2024). Solving the probabilistic drone routing problem: Searching for victims in the aftermath of disasters. Networks, (July 2024).

Duhamel, C., & Santos, A. C. (2024). The strong network orientation problem. International Transactions in Operational Research.

Haddad, M. N., Santos, A. C., Duhamel, C., & Coco, A. A. (2023). Intelligent drone swarms to search for victims in post-disaster areas. Sensors, 23(23), 9540.

De Freitas, C. C., Aloise, D. J., Fontes, F. F. C., Santos, A. C., & Menezes, M. S. (2023). A biased random-key genetic algorithm for the two-level hub location routing problem with directed tours. OR Spectrum, 45, 1–26.

Jicai Liu | Data Science | Women Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jicai Liu | Data Science | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance | China

Jicai Liu is an Associate Professor of Statistics at the School of Statistics and Mathematics, Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, with a research focus on high-dimensional data, survival analysis, dimension reduction, and quantile regression. His academic journey includes advanced training in statistics and extensive teaching and research experience across leading institutions in China and collaborations abroad. He has contributed to the development of novel methodologies in statistical theory and applications, particularly in areas such as high-dimensional regression, nonparametric tests, hazards models, feature screening, clustering algorithms, and dimension reduction techniques. His publications appear in internationally recognized journals including Bernoulli, Science China Mathematics, Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics, Journal of Multivariate Analysis, Computational Statistics and Data Analysis, and Statistics and Computing, among others. As corresponding author on multiple works, he has advanced methods for analyzing censored outcomes, martingale difference correlation, projection quantile correlation, and sufficient dimension reduction. His contributions also extend to robust estimation, survival models for multivariate failure time data, additive hazards models, and semi-supervised regression. Through his research, he has established a strong reputation in both theoretical developments and practical applications, providing statistical tools that address complex data structures and real-world problems. With 357 citations by 262 documents across 33 publications and an h-index of 10, he has demonstrated significant scholarly impact. In addition to his academic achievements, he has been engaged in collaborative projects with international partners and short-term academic visits, enriching his global perspective and research impact. His work continues to influence the fields of statistics and applied mathematics, contributing innovative approaches to modern statistical challenges and advancing the understanding of high-dimensional and survival data analysis.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Liu, J. (2022). Estimation under single-index hazards models: A new nonparametric extension of ANOVA via projection mean variance measure. Statistica Sinica.

Liu, J. (2022). K-CDFs: A nonparametric clustering algorithm via cumulative distribution function. Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics.

Liu, J., Si, Y., Niu, Y., & Zhang, R. (2022). Projection quantile correlation and its use in high-dimensional grouped variable screening. Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, 107369.

Niu, Y., Zhang, R., Liu, J., & Li, H. (2020). Group screening for ultra-high-dimensional feature under linear model. Statistical Theory and Related Fields, 4(2), 120–132.

Zhang, Y., Liu, J., Wu, Y., & Fang, X. (2019). A martingale-difference-divergence-based estimation of central mean subspace. Statistics and Its Interface, 12(4), 571–584.

Akinwumi Sharimakin | Economics, Econometrics and Finance | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Akinwumi Sharimakin | Economics, Econometrics and Finance | Best Researcher Award

Academic staff Adeyemi Federal University of Education,Ondo Nigeria

SHARIMAKIN Akinwumi is a distinguished economist and senior lecturer at Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, Nigeria. With extensive experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership, he has contributed significantly to the field of economics. His expertise spans financial inclusion, employment economics, and poverty reduction, with numerous publications in both national and international journals.

Profile

Research Gate

Google Scholar

Orcid

Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Economics – Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (2021)
  • M.Phil. in Economics – Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (2017)
  • M.Sc. in Economics – University of Ibadan, Ibadan (2003)
  • B.Sc. (Ed.) Economics (Second Class Upper) – Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti (1999)

Experience 🌟

SHARIMAKIN Akinwumi has over two decades of experience in academia and research. He began his career as a class teacher during his NYSC service at Government Day Secondary School, Maiadua, Katsina State (1999-2000). He later served as a part-time lecturer at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (2002-2005), and The Polytechnic, Ibadan (2004-2006). Since 2007, he has been a faculty member at Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, rising through the ranks to his current position as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics.

Research Interests 📚

His research focuses on financial inclusion, poverty reduction, employment economics, and economic well-being. He has examined topics such as the impact of alternative employment arrangements, economic autonomy, and deprivation on well-being and health.

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

  • Best Graduating Student – Department of Economics Education, Ondo State University, 1998/1999
  • Award of Excellence – Association of Students of Arts and Social Sciences (ASASS), Adeyemi Federal University of Education, 2019 & 2022
  • Merit Award – Nigerian Economics Student Association (NESA), 2022

Publications Top Notes: 📰

Sharimakin, A. & Idachaba, A. D. (2024). “Analysis of connectivity between economic autonomy, employment-type, and relationship style within households.” Journal of Social and Economic Development (Springer Publishing-Scopus).

Sharimakin, A. & Igbekele, O. F. (2008). “Labour Issues in Privatization and Monetization Policies in Nigeria.” In Babatolu, J.S. & Ikuejube, G. (eds.), Perspectives on Contemporary Socio-Political and Environmental Issues in Nigeria, Alafas Nigeria Company.

Does environmental quality respond (a) symmetrically to (in) formal economies? Evidence from Nigeria

Asymmetric and Threshold Effect of Military Expenditure on Economic Growth: Insight from an Emerging Market

Improvisation of Instructional Materials for Teaching and Learning of Economics in Nigerian Senior Secondary Schools

Financial Inclusion in Ondo State, Nigeria: Determinants and Its Impact on Poverty

Access to Finance, Indigenous Technology and Food Security in Nigeria: Case Study of Ondo Central Senatorial District

Deprivation and subjective well-being: implication on health

Microfinance bank in Nigeria: operating environment, sustainability, and welfare impact

Eiichiro Fukusaki | Data Science and Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Eiichiro Fukusaki | Data Science and Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Professor Osaka University Japan

Prof. Eiichiro Fukusaki is a prominent figure in the field of biotechnology and metabolomics, currently serving as a Professor at the Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Japan. He also holds the role of Director for the Industrial Biotechnology Initiative at the Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives. With a career spanning academia, industry, and leadership roles, Prof. Fukusaki is known for his innovative contributions to both fundamental science and its practical applications.

Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

Orcid

Education 🎓

Prof. Fukusaki’s academic journey began at Osaka University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in 1983, followed by a Master’s degree from the Graduate School of Engineering in 1985. His passion for research led him to complete his Ph.D. at the same institution in 1993, setting the stage for his distinguished career in biotechnology.

Experience 🧑‍🔬

Prof. Fukusaki’s career started in 1985 as a researcher at Nitto Denko Corporation, where he advanced to Deputy Chief Researcher. Transitioning to academia in 1995, he joined Osaka University as an Associate Professor before being promoted to full Professor in 2007. He has also held leadership positions, including President of the Society for Biotechnology, Japan (2021-2023), and Director of the Industrial Biotechnology Initiative since 2020. Additionally, he was honored as an Honorary Professor at the Institute of Technology Bandung in 2019.

Research Interest 🔬

Prof. Fukusaki’s research revolves around the development and application of metabolomics technologies, with over 300 published papers and 50 patents to his name. His work bridges fundamental science and industry applications in diverse fields, including food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. He actively fosters international collaborations and has spearheaded double degree programs between Osaka University and global institutions.

Awards 🏆

Prof. Fukusaki has received numerous accolades throughout his career, such as:

  • Excellent Paper Awards from the Society for Biotechnology, Japan (multiple years: 1993-2020).
  • Encouragement of Young Scientists Award from the Japanese Society for Chemical Regulation of Plants (2001).
  • Saito Award (2004) and Achievement Award (2015) from the Society for Biotechnology, Japan.
  • Biotechnology Award (2024) and the prestigious Honorary Fellow of the Metabolomics Society (2019) for his groundbreaking work in food metabolomics.
  • ITB Award (2022) for advancing food metabolomics in Asia.

Publications Top Notes: 📚

Prof. Fukusaki has published extensively, with over 300 original papers. Below are some notable works:

“Metabolomics technology development for food analysis”

Published in Food Chemistry, 2015. Cited by 150 articles. Read here

“Innovations in chemical profiling using metabolomics”

Published in Journal of Biotechnology, 2019. Cited by 180 articles. Read here

“Applications of metabolomics in pharmaceuticals”

Published in Analytical Chemistry, 2021. Cited by 230 articles. Read here

Time-course metabolic profiling in Arabidopsis thaliana cell cultures after salt stress treatment

Chloroplast-mediated activation of plant immune signalling in Arabidopsis

Prediction of Japanese green tea ranking by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-based hydrophilic metabolite fingerprinting

Flower color modulations of Torenia hybrida by downregulation of chalcone synthase genes with RNA interference

Development of a method for comprehensive and quantitative analysis of plant hormones by highly sensitive nanoflow liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-ion trap mass …

High-throughput technique for comprehensive analysis of Japanese green tea quality assessment using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with time-of-flight mass …