Ettahiri Youssef -Chemistry- Young Scientist Award

Ettahiri Youssef -Chemistry

Dr. Ettahiri Youssef  distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Chemistry. The research at the Agadir Faculty of Science, Ibn Zohr University, focuses on the development of porous and photocatalytic geopolymer materials derived from natural clays, with a primary application in wastewater depollution. This investigation falls within the realm of fundamental and applied chemistry, with a specialized emphasis on the physical chemistry of materials. The research areas encompass geopolymers, photocatalysis, adsorption, construction materials, clay, fly ash, wastewater treatment, porous geopolymers, 3D printing of geopolymers, concrete materials, and CO2 capture.

The Materials and Environment Laboratory (LME) at the institution serves as the hub for these endeavors. Under the guidance of esteemed supervisors, Professor Bouna Lahcen and Professor Benlhachemi Abdeljalil, both affiliated with Ibn Zohr University, the research team delves into the intricate aspects of developing innovative materials that possess both porous characteristics and photocatalytic properties. This interdisciplinary approach involves blending principles from chemistry, materials science, and environmental science.

The ultimate goal of the research is to contribute to the field of wastewater depollution by creating advanced geopolymer materials that can effectively adsorb and photocatalytically degrade pollutants. The utilization of natural clays as a base material adds an environmentally friendly dimension to the project. The research team explores various avenues, including 3D printing technologies, to tailor the properties of these geopolymers for specific applications in the construction industry and environmental remediation.

By combining the expertise of the faculty and the resources of the Materials and Environment Laboratory, this research project at the Agadir Faculty of Science aims to advance the understanding of geopolymer materials, pushing the boundaries of their applications in sustainable development and addressing critical challenges in wastewater treatment.

Education

In 2023, he earned his Doctorate from the Agadir Faculty of Sciences at Ibn Zohr University, marking a significant accomplishment in his academic journey. Prior to this, he successfully completed his Master’s degree at the same institution from 2018 to 2020, further specializing in his chosen field of study.

His academic pursuits began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences in Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, where he pursued the Chemistry-Physics option from 2015 to 2018. This foundational period laid the groundwork for his later academic endeavors, providing a comprehensive understanding of the core principles in the field.

Before entering university, he completed a Bachelor of Experimental Sciences with a focus on Physical Sciences at the New High School during the academic year 2014-2015. This early exposure to experimental sciences likely played a crucial role in shaping his academic interests and setting the stage for his subsequent studies at the university level.

The progression from a Bachelor’s degree in experimental sciences to a Doctorate in 2023 reflects his dedication to academic and professional growth, showcasing a commendable journey through various educational levels at Ibn Zohr University in Agadir.

Professional Profiles:
International internship
Internship at the Department of Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering.
University of Jaén, Spain/2023.
Publications first author
1. Youssef Ettahiri, L. Bouna, H. John V, A. Benlhachemi, P. Hannah L, A. Bouddouch and B. Bakiz, “Pyrophyllite clay-derived porous geopolymers for removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions”, Materials Chemistry and Physics (IF = 4.6) 296 (2023) 127281, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.127281.
2. Youssef Ettahiri, Brahim Bouargane, Kamal Fritah, Brahim Akhsassi, L. Pérez-Villarejo, Ayoub Aziz, Lahcen Bouna, Abdeljalil Benlhachemi, Rui M. Novais, “A state-of-the-art review of recent advances in porous geopolymer: applications in adsorption of inorganic and organic contaminants in water”, Construction and Building Materials (IF = 7.4) 395 (2023) 132269, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132269.
3. Youssef Ettahiri, Brahim Akhsassi, Mina El Fazdoune, Abdessalam Bouddouch, Lahcen Bouna, Abdeljalil Benlhachemi, Luis Pérez-Villarejo, Regina de Fátima Peralta Muniz Moreira, “From synthesis to applications: A comprehensive review of photocatalytic geopolymer materials for environmental remediation”, Separation and Purification Technology (IF = 8.6) 330 (2023) 125396, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125396.
4. Youssef Ettahiri, Devon M. Samuel, Lahcen Bouna, Anass Khali, Ayoub Aziz, Abdeljalil Benlhachemi, L. Pérez-Villarejo and Waltraud M. Kriven, “Comparative study of physicochemical properties of geopolymers prepared by four Moroccan natural clays”, Journal of Building Engineering (IF = 7.1) 80 (2023) 108021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108021.
5. Youssef Ettahiri, Lahcen Bouna, Akhsassi Brahim, Abdeljalil Benlhachemi, Bahcine Bakiz, Pedro J. Sánchez-Soto, Dolores, Eliche-Quesada, Luis. Pérez-Villarejo, “Synthesis and characterization of porous and photocatalytic geopolymers based natural clay: Enhanced properties and efficient Rhodamine B decomposition”, Applied Materials Today (IF = 8.3) (Accepted).

Publications co-author

1. L. Bouna, Y. Ettahiri, A. Benlhachemi, B. Bakiz, and M. Ezahri “First International
Geopolymeric Composites Congress GEC-2021”, Proceeding du congrès, Décember, 2021,
https://www.gec.acapublishing.com.
2. B. Akhsassi, Y. Ettahiri. Bakiz. A. Taoufyq. S. Villain. Favotto, F. Guinneton, J.-R. Gavarri,
A. Benlhachemi. “Novel Z-scheme Bi3O4Cl/Bi24O31Cl10 2D/3D heterojunction for enhanced
photocatalytic activity under visible light”, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical
and Engineering Aspects (IF = 5.2), 20 September 2023, 131762.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2023.131762.
3. Lahcen Bouna, Youssef Ettahiri, Antoine Elimbi, Abdeljalil Benlhachemi, Martin Cyr, “Role
of washing process in the improvement of surface properties of porous geopolymers”, Journal
of Porous Materials (IF = 2.6), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125396.
4. Lahcen Bouna, Abdellah Ait EL. Fakir, Youssef Ettahiri, Hajar Abara, Amane Jada, Khalid
Draoui, Abdeljalil Benlhachemi, Mohamed Ezahri, “Understanding the impact of
kaolinite/muscovite ratio in natural clays on oxide contents, physisorbed water, and
structural water fractions”, Materials Chemistry and Physics (IF = 4.6),
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.128858.

Publications submitted/in preparation

1. Youssef Ettahiri et al “Improving the behavior of green concrete geopolymer using different aluminosilicate sources”, (In preparation).

2. Youssef Ettahiri et al “Reaction kinetics, thermal properties, mechanical properties and microstructure of concrete geopolymers”, (In preparation).
3. Youssef Ettahiri et al “A new porous geopolymer monolith for CO2 capture and thermal insulation”, (In preparation).
4. Youssef Ettahiri et al “First study of a macroporous geopolymer monolith with high thermal insulation properties”, (In preparation).
5. Youssef Ettahiri et al “Improvement of mechanical strength of raw kaolinite using geopolymer-based materials synthesized from slag ash and bottom ash”, (In preparation).        6. Youssef Ettahiri et al “Preparation and properties of diatomite rock based geopolymer for removal of dye from aqueous solutions”, (In preparation).

Research and development

In 2020, he took the initiative to organize a training course focused on the theme of “Completing the end-of-study project (PFE)” specifically tailored for undergraduate students. This course aimed to provide valuable guidance and support to students navigating the challenges of their final projects, offering insights and strategies to enhance the quality of their end-of-study projects.

As a proactive member of the Club of Young Researchers in Applied Sciences and Environment from 2020 to 2022, he actively contributed to the academic and research community. Being part of this club allowed him to engage with like-minded individuals, fostering a collaborative environment for the exchange of ideas and the pursuit of knowledge in applied sciences and environmental research.

In 2021, he further demonstrated his commitment to academic and environmental causes by taking on the role of organizer for a Scientific Day at the Agadir Faculty of Sciences, University Ibn Zohr, Morocco. The event, themed “Water and Waste preservation and valorization for sustainable development,” served as a platform for disseminating knowledge and promoting awareness regarding critical issues in water and waste management for sustainable development.

In the subsequent year, 2022, he assumed the role of coordinator for another significant Scientific Day. This time, the theme centered around “Alternative crops and water security.” The event, organized jointly by the Club of Young Researchers in Applied Sciences and Environment and the Agricultural Association for Watering and Irrigation in TATA, Morocco, aimed to address the importance of alternative crops in the context of water security. Through these initiatives, he showcased strong organizational and leadership skills, contributing to the academic and environmental discourse within and beyond the university community.

Areas of competence

Adsorption, Photocatalysis, Geopolymers concrete, Porous geopolymers, 3D printing
geopolymers, Clay, Wastewater, CO2 capture…
Synthesis methods: Solid-Solid, Coprecipitation, Hydrothermal, Sol-gel…
Characterization techniques (TGA/TDA, XRD, FTIR, SEM, UV, BET, XPS, MET, RAMAN,
FX, Compression, and Reflection testing…).
Advanced programs (X’pertHightscore, OriginLab, Fullprof , SIG).

Formations

Training on biosafety awareness at the Agadir Faculty of Sciences of Ibn Zohr University
(2017).
Geographic Information System (GIS) training, organized by the Young Researchers’ Club for
Applied Sciences and the Environment (CJCSAE) of the Agadir Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr
University (2020).
Participant in a workshop entitled “From Scientific Research to Practice” organized by the
Agadir School of Technology, Ibn Zohr University (2021).

 

Wenfu Peng -Vegetation dynamic monitoring- Best Researcher Award

Wenfu Peng -Vegetation dynamic monitoring

Prof Dr. Wenfu Peng  distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Vegetation dynamic monitoring. In 2002, he embarked on a postgraduate journey, undertaking Master’s studies at the College of Resources and Environment at Sichuan Normal University. Building on this foundation, he pursued a Doctorate, completing his PhD from the State Key Laboratory of Geological Disaster Prevention and Geological Environmental Protection at Chengdu University of Technology in 2009. Throughout his academic trajectory, he demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing his understanding of geography and related disciplines.

Eduvation

He began his educational journey in 1985, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from the Department of Geography at Sichuan Normal University, where he dedicated himself to the study of geographic principles and phenomena. After a brief hiatus, from 1992 to 1995, he continued his academic pursuits at Southwest University (formerly Southwest Normal University), further expanding his knowledge in the field.
Professional Profiles:

 

Academic Positions:

Since July 2005, he has held the esteemed position of Professor at the School of Geography and Resource Science at Sichuan Normal University, where he has made significant contributions to academia. His expertise encompasses a range of teaching activities, primarily focusing on postgraduate courses such as “Understanding and Analysis of Remote Sensing Image Science.” Additionally, he imparts his knowledge to undergraduate students through courses like “GIS Spatial Analysis,” “GIS Principles,” “Territorial Planning,” and other related subjects. Throughout his tenure, he has been dedicated to fostering a comprehensive understanding of geographical and spatial sciences among his students, leaving an indelible mark on the academic landscape.

Research Overview:

Throughout the years, he has actively engaged in a multitude of research projects, showcasing his commitment to advancing knowledge in various domains. From 2014 to 2017, he spearheaded the National Natural Science Foundation of China Project titled “Maintenance Mechanism of Land Ecological Security in Chengdu Plain based on LUCC Disturbance” (Project No. 41371125), delving into the intricate dynamics of land use and ecological security. Subsequently, from 2018 to 2020, he directed his efforts towards the Humanities and Social Science Planning Project of the Ministry of Education (Project No. 17YJA850007), contributing valuable insights to the intersection of social sciences and education.

In the earlier years, his involvement in key projects at Sichuan Normal University included the 2013-2015 Key Cultivation Project, “Ecological Security Research of Chengdu Plain Based on LUCC” (Project No. 13ZDL03), and the 2014-2015 Sichuan Provincial Department of Education Project, “Research on Ecotourism Development Model of West Sichuan Plateau Based on GIS” (Project No. LYC13-11). His diverse expertise also extended to national initiatives, such as the National Science and Technology Major Project’s special topic on “Water Pollution Control and Treatment” (Project No. 2009ZX07106-004-01-02), specifically focusing on the spatial and temporal distribution of water resources and salinity in the Bosten Lake Basin. Additionally, his contributions were integral to the National Science and Technology Support Program’s topic on “Research on Rural Housing Planning, Design, and Construction Standards” (Project No. 2008BAJ08B09-5), concentrating on the formulation of standards for village and township rural community planning. His extensive involvement in these projects reflects his dedication to advancing scientific understanding and addressing critical issues in various fields.

Awards

In recognition of his notable contributions to the field, he was honored with the third prize of the Sichuan Science and Technology Progress Award in 2011 for his exemplary project titled “Research on Urban Land Use Change and Its Ecological Environment Effect Based on RS & GIS.” Beyond his research endeavors, he actively engages in social contributions by serving as a review expert for various international journals, demonstrating his commitment to advancing scholarly discourse and maintaining rigorous standards within the academic community.

Moreover, he has assumed significant roles in shaping academic and scientific landscapes. His responsibilities include serving as an evaluation expert for the Degree Center of the Ministry of Education, China, contributing to the assessment of educational standards. Additionally, he has lent his expertise as a science and technology plan evaluation expert for the Provincial Department of Science and Technology in Sichuan Province, playing a pivotal role in evaluating and shaping regional scientific initiatives. Further showcasing his multifaceted involvement, he serves as a technical expert for territorial ecological restoration support at the Provincial Department of Natural Resources, Sichuan Province, underscoring his commitment to environmental sustainability and ecological well-being. Through these diverse roles, he continues to make a meaningful impact in academia, research, and the broader scientific community.

Publication

1.Quantifying urban expansion and its driving forces in Chengdu, western China  – 2023                                                                  Wang, G.Peng, W.Zhang, L., …Shi, J.Wang, L.

2. Quantifying the impacts of natural and human factors on changes in NPP using an optimal parameters-based geographical detector -2023

3.Vegetation EVI changes and response to natural factors and human activities based on geographically and temporally weighted regression-2023

4. Assessment of Land Ecological Security from 2000 to 2020 in the Chengdu Plain Region of China                                    Zhang, L.Peng, W.Zhang, J. – 2023

5. Estimate of population density and diagnosis of main factors of spatial heterogeneity in the metropolitan scale,     western China  Wang, G.Peng, W.Zhang, L. -2023

6. Spatiotemporal variations and driving mechanisms of vegetation coverage in the Wumeng Mountainous Area, China

Ahlam H. Mahmoud – Biochemistry – Best Researcher Award

Ahlam H. Mahmoud – Biochemistry

Prof Dr. Ahlam H. Mahmoud distinguished academic and researcher in the field Biochemistry. Ahlam Hosny Mahmoud has a rich and extensive employment history in the field of biochemistry and therapeutic chemistry. Beginning in 1987, he served as a research assistant in the Therapeutic Chemistry Department within the Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Division at the National Research Centre in Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

Eduvation

Ahlam has dedicated his career to advancing research in the pharmaceutical and drug industries, contributing significantly to the scientific community. Currently, he holds the esteemed position of Professor of Biochemistry within the same department at the National Research Centre in Dokki, Giza, Egypt. As a professor, he continues to make substantial contributions to the field, shaping the future of biochemistry and therapeutic chemistry through his research and academic endeavors.
Professional Profiles:

EXPERIENCE

In his pursuit of advancing pharmaceutical research, Ahlam Hosny Mahmoud has engaged in a variety of in vivo experiments involving experimental animals. These experiments are designed with the overarching goal of developing new drugs or identifying new drug indications. One facet of his research involves conducting in vivo experiments on gastric ulcer and inflammatory diseases of soft tissue. In these studies, he meticulously induces diseases in experimental animals and evaluates the efficacy of treatments, with a specific focus on assessing the degree of inflammation using a planimeter.

Furthermore, Ahlam is actively involved in in vivo treatments targeting breast cancer. His efforts contribute to the ongoing exploration of novel approaches for combating this prevalent and challenging disease. Additionally, he undertakes experiments aimed at measuring the toxicity of different compounds, providing crucial insights into the safety profile of potential therapeutic agents. Beyond that, Ahlam investigates the distribution and concentration of trace elements in various organs, shedding light on their potential roles in physiological processes and offering valuable information for drug development. Through these diverse in vivo experiments, he remains dedicated to advancing the frontiers of pharmaceutical and therapeutic research.

Project collaboration:

Principal investigator: The potential therapeutic effect of aqueous methanol extract of Bombex ceiba flower against breast cancer in female rats.

**Member: Using modern generations of formulations to prepare safe pesticides from natural materials for pest management in clean agriculture

Publication
  • Development of a New Benzofuran–Pyrazole–Pyridine-Based Molecule for the Management of Osteoarthritis
    Abd El-Karim, S.S., Mahmoud, A.H., Al-Mokaddem, A.K., …Zen, A.A., Anwar, M.M.
    MoleculesThis link is disabled., 2023, 28(19), 6814
  • Calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha 1 C and glial fibrillary acidic protein signaling pathways as a selective biomarker in predicting the efficacy of liposomal loaded co-enzyme Q in the autistic rat model
    Elhefnawei, D.M., Mahmoud, A.H., Kadry, M.O., …Badawy, M.A., EL-Desouky, M.A.
    Toxicology ReportsThis link is disabled., 2023, 10, pp. 17–26
  • Antiproliferative activity of bombax ceiba flower extract against mammary gland carcinoma in rats
    Mahmoud, A.H., Metwally, N.S., Youness, E.R., …Elmalt, H.A., Al-Mokaddem, A.K.
    Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy, 2020, 11(11), pp. 1406–1415
  • Synthesis and evaluation of new coumarin derivatives as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agents
    Alshibl, H.M., Al-Abdullah, E.S., Haiba, M.E., …Bari, A., Villinger, A.
    MoleculesThis link is disabled., 2020, 25(14), 3251
  • Phytoconstituents and hepatoprotective effect of Suaeda monoica Forssk and Suaeda pruinosa Lange
    Elsharabasy, F.S., Metwally, N.S., Mahmoud, A.H., …Farrag, A.H., Arafa, S.
    Biomedical and Pharmacology JournalThis link is disabled., 2019, 12(1), pp. 117–129
  • Secondary metabolites and biological activities of allium porrum l. In attacking ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice
    Mahmoud, A.H., Foda, D.S., Ibrahim, N.E., El-Hagrassi, A.M., Yousef, O.M.H.
    Egyptian Journal of ChemistryThis link is disabled., 2019, 62, pp. 211–227
  • A comparative study of the anticancer activity and PARP-1 inhibiting effect of benzofuran-pyrazole scaffold and its nano-sized particles in human breast cancer cells
    Anwar, M.M., El-Karim, S.S.A., Mahmoud, A.H., Amr, A.E.-G.E., Al-Omar, M.A.
    MoleculesThis link is disabled., 2019, 24(13), 2413
  • Bombax ceiba flowers extract ameliorates hepatosteatosis induced by ethanol and relatively moderate fat diet in rats
    Arafa, A.F., Foda, D.S., Mahmoud, A.H., Metwally, N.S., Farrag, A.R.H.
    Toxicology ReportsThis link is disabled., 2019, 6, pp. 401–408

Sajal Halder – Network Science – Best Researcher Award

Sajal Halder – Network Science

Dr. Sajal Halder distinguished academic and researcher in the field Network science. He is currently working as a Research Fellow at Charles Sturt University, Australia. He has completed PhD in Computer Science at RMIT University and he has been appointed as an Assistant Professor (on study leave) at Jagannath University, Bangladesh since August 2017. His research interests are Personalized Itinerary Recommendation Systems, Machine Learning, Data Mining, Periodic Behavior Mining in Large-Scale Graph, Trajectory Behavior Analysis and Real Life Big Data Analysis.

Eduvation

He completed his academic journey with a stellar record, culminating in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the School of Computing Technologies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, with graduation in December 2022. His research focus during his doctoral studies was on the development of itinerary recommendation systems using deep learning methodologies. Under the guidance of A/Prof Jeffrey Chan and Prof. Xiuzhen Zhang, he contributed to the advancement of knowledge in this domain.

Prior to his doctoral pursuits, He earned a Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering from Kyung Hee University in South Korea, graduating with distinction in August 2013. His academic excellence is underscored by an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.23/4.30 (95.25%). His master’s thesis, conducted under the supervision of Prof. Young-Koo Lee, delved into the exploration of supergraph-based periodic behaviors mining in dynamic social networks.

Commencing his academic journey,  he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, with graduation in November 2010. Displaying academic prowess, he secured a CGPA of 3.60/4.00, securing the 5th position out of 59 students. His final undergraduate project, conducted under the guidance of Supervisor Ashis Kumar Biswas, focused on the classification of multiple protein sequences through the analysis of irredundant patterns.

In summary, his educational background reflects a trajectory marked by academic excellence and a commitment to cutting-edge research in the fields of computer science and engineering.

Professional Profiles:

EXPERIENCE

• We developed a metadata-based malicious and benign package detection model for the NPM repository.
• We introduced two sets of features, easy to manipulate (ETM) and difficult to manipulate (DTM),
where manipulating DTM depends on long-term planning and monotonic properties. Then, we verify
our feature selection effectiveness based on four well known machine learning and one deep learning
techniques.
• We also analyse algorithms’ performance using metadata manipulation and recommend better metadata adversarial attack-resistant algorithms.
• Experiment analysis shows that our proposed model reduces 97.56% False Positive and 80.35 % False
Negative number.
• Achievement 1: Sajal Halder et al. ”Malicious Package Detection using Metadata Information”, In
submission (A* Conference).
• Achievement 2: Sajal Halder et al. ”Install Time Malicious Package Detection on NPM Repository”,
In process.
Skills: Feature Engineering, Data Scraping, Open Source Software, Machine Learning Model, Deep Learning,
Python, Report/Article Writing, Data Visualization and Teamw

PhD Researcher, RMIT University Melbourne, Australia.

i. Project Title: Capacity aware Fair POI Recommendation using Users Satisfaction.
Innovation: Design a novel fair POI recommendation model considering POI capacity and users preferences.
Language and Tools: Python, Actor-critic network, GCN, Tensorflow, Neural Network, Graph Allocation and Optimization
Duration: July 2021 to date.
ii. Project Title: Deep reinforcement learning of dynamic POI generation and optimization for itinerary
recommendation
Innovation: Propose and implement deep actor-critic network based itinerary recommendation model
named DRLIR.
Language and Tools: Python, AWS, Actor-critic network, GCN, Tensorflow, Neural Network
Duration: January 2021 to June 2021.
iii. Project Title: POI Recommendation with Queuing Time and User Interest Awareness
Innovation: Improve users interest based multi-tasking based transformer architecture models (TLR U
and TLR-M UI) for best POI recommendation.
Language and Tools: Python, PyCharm, Jupyter, Tensorflow, Keras, Matplotlib, Transformer, Lucid
Chart, Overleaf
Duration: March 2020 to December 2020.
iv. Project Title: Transformer-based Multi-tasking for Queuing Time Aware Next POI Recommendation
Innovation: Design and implement multi-tasking based transformer architecture models (TLR and
TLR-M) for better POI recommendation.
Language and Tools: Python, PyCharm, Jupyter, Tensorflow, Keras, Matplotlib, Transformer, Lucid
Chart, Overleaf
Duration: August 2019 to February 2020.
v. Project Title: Efficient Itinerary Recommendation via Personalized POI Selection and Pruning
Innovation: Develop efficient personalized itinerary recommendation model (EffiTourRec).
Language and Tools: R-studio, Lucid Chart, Overleaf, MatLab.
Duration: August 2018 to July 2019.

Research/Project Member
i Research Group: VLSI Research Group, Department o f Computer Science and Engineering, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Supervisor: Professor Dr. Hafiz Md. Hasan Babu
Duration: July 2016 to June 2018.
ii Project Name: Establishment of Basic Campus Network in Jagannath University
Source of Fund: HEQEP, UGC, Government of Bangladesh.
Duration: January 2017 to July 2018.
iii Project Name: Establishment of Basic Campus Network on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Science & Technology University,
Source of Fund: HEQEP, UGC, Government of Bangladesh.
Duration: June 2015 to July 2016

Journal/ Conference Reviewers

• Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF: 7.8)
• Information Process and Management (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF: 7.47)
• Applied Soft Computing (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF: 8.7)
• Scientific Reports (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF: 4.6)
• IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF: 4.74)
• Transactions on Knowledge Discovery from Data (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF: 4.2)
• IEEE Access (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF 3.367)
• Expert System with Applications, (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF 6.954)
• World Wide Web (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF: 3.00)
• Knowledge and Information Systems (Q1 Ranked Journal, IF: 2.82)
• Neural Processing Letters (IF: 3.1)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1. Sajal Halder, Kwan Hui Lim, Jeffrey Chan, and Xiuzhen Zhang.A Survey on Personalized Itinerary
Recommendation: From Optimisation to Deep Learning. In Applied Soft Computing Journal, 111200,
2023, Q1 Ranked Journal, (Impact Factor – 8.7). Publisher: Elsevier.

2. Sajal Halder, Kwan Hui Lim, Jeffrey Chan, and Xiuzhen Zhang. Capacity-aware fair POI recommendation combining transformer neural networks and resource allocation policy. In Applied Soft
Computing Journal, pages 110720, 2023, Q1 Ranked Journal, (Impact Factor – 8.7). Publisher: Elsevier.

3. Sajal Halder, Kwan Hui Lim, Jeffrey Chan, and Xiuzhen Zhang. POI Recommendation with Queuing
Time and User Interest Awareness. In Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, 2022, Q1 Ranked
Journal, (Impact Factor – 5.406). Publisher: Springer.

4. Sajal Halder, Kwan Hui Lim, Jeffrey Chan, and Xiuzhen Zhang. Efficient Itinerary Recommendation
via Personalised POI Selection and Pruning. In Knowledge and Information Systems, Volume 64, Pages
963–993, 2022. Q1 Ranked Journal, (Impact Factor – 2.53), Publisher: Springer.

5. Sajal Halder, Kwan Hui Lim, Jeffrey Chan and Xiuzhen Zhang. Transformer-based Multi-task
Learning for Queuing Time Aware Next POI Recommendation. In the 25th Pacific-Asia Conference
on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (PAKDD-2021), A Ranked Conference.

6. Sajal Halder, Md. Samiullah and Young-Koo Lee. Supergraph based Periodic Patterns Mining in
Dynamic Social Networks. Expert Systems with Applications-An International Journal. volume 72,
pages 430-442, 2017, Q1 Ranked Journal, (Impact Factor – 6.954). Publisher: Elsevier.
7. MS Rahman, Sajal Halder, MA Uddin, UK Acharjee, An efficient hybrid system for anomaly detection in social networks. In Cybersecurity, Q1 ranked Journal, (Impact Factor – 6.27), 2021, Volume 4,
Pages 1-11, Publisher: Springer.

8. Iram Fatima, Sajal Halder, Muhammad Aamir Saleem, Rabia Batool, Muhammad Fahim, YoungKoo Lee, Sungyoung Lee. Smart CDSS: Integration of Social Media Interaction Engine (SMIE) in
Healthcare for Chronic Disease Patients. Multimedia Tools and Applications, pages 1-21, 2013, Q1
Ranked Journal, (Impact Factor – 2.757), Publisher: Springer.

9. Yongkoo Han, Kisung Park, Donghai Guan, Sajal Halder, and Young-Koo Lee. Topological Similarity
based Feature Selection for Graph Classification. In the Computer Journal, bxt123, 2013, Q2 Ranked
Journal, (Impact Factor – 0.755), Publisher: Oxford University Press.

Guangli Wu – Video Summarization – Best Researcher Award

Guangli Wu – Video Summarization

prof Dr. Guangli Wu  distinguished academic and researcher in the field  Video summarization.  The existence of software vulnerabilities will cause serious network attacks and information leakage problems. Timely and accurate detection of vulnerabilities in software has become a research focus on the security field. Most existing work only considers instruction-level features, which to some extent overlooks certain syntax and semantic information in the assembly code segments, affecting the accuracy of the detection model. In this paper, we propose a binary code vulnerability detection model based on multi-level feature fusion. The model considers both word-level features and instruction-level features. In order to solve the problem that traditional text embedding methods cannot handle polysemy, this paper uses the Embeddings from Language Models (ELMo) model to obtain dynamic word vectors containing word semantics and other information. Considering the grammatical structure in the assembly code segment, the model randomly embeds the normalized assembly code segment to represent it. Then the model uses bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) to extract word-level sequence features and instruction-level sequence features respectively.

Eduvation

He pursued his academic journey with a solid foundation in computer science and technology, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Shandong Technology and Business University in 2003. Building upon this, he delved into the realm of Computer Application Technology, completing his Master’s degree at Northwest Minzu University in 2007. Driven by a passion for cultural diversity and linguistic exploration, he further expanded his expertise by attaining a doctoral degree in Chinese Minority Ethnic Languages and Literature from Northwest Minzu University in 2011. This educational trajectory reflects his commitment to a multidisciplinary approach, seamlessly blending computer technology with a profound understanding of language and culture.
Professional Profiles:

RESEARCH INTEREST

Video Summarization
⚫ Temporal Language Localization in videos
⚫ Botnet Detection
⚫ Binary Code Vulnerability Detection
⚫ Video Abnormal Event Detection
FUND PROJECTS
1. Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province (17JR5RA161, 21JR7RA570)
2. Gansu University of Political Science and Law Major Scientific Research and Innovation Projects
(GZF2020XZDA03)
3. Young Doctoral Fund Project of Higher Education Institutions in Gansu Province (2022QB-123)
4. Gansu Province Higher Education Innovation Fund Project (2017A-068)
5. University-level Innovative Research Team of Gansu University of Political Science and Law
6. Longyuan Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Project (2022QB-123)

MAIN SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

1. Guangli Wu,ShengTao Wang,Shipeng Xu. “Feature fusion over hyperbolic graph convolution networks for
video summarization.” IET Computer Vision,2023.
2. Guangli Wu,Tongjie Xu. “Video Moment Localization Network Based on Text Multi-semantic Clues
Guidance.” Advances in Electrical and Computer Engineering,2023,23(3):85-92.
3. Guangli Wu,Huili Tang. “Binary Code Vulnerability Detection Based on Multi-Level Feature Fusion.” IEEE
Access,2023,11: 63904-63915.
4. Guangli Wu,Shanshan Song,Leiting Li. “Video Summarization Generation Model Based on Transformer
and Deep Reinforcement Learning.” in 2023 8th International Conference on Computer and
Communication Systems (ICCCS). IEEE, 2023: 916-921.
5. Guangli Wu,Shengtao Wang,Liping Liu. “Fast Video Summary Generation Based On Low Rank Tensor
Decomposition.” IEEE Access,2021,9:127917-127926.
6. Guangli Wu,Zhenzhou Guo,Mianzhao Wang,Leiting Li and Chengxiang Wang. “Video Abnormal Event
Detection Based on CNN and Multiple Instance Learning.” in twelfth international conference on signal
processing systems. SPIE,2021:134-139.
7. Guangli Wu,Zhenzhou Guo,Leiting Li and Chengxiang Wang. “Video Abnormal Event Detection Based on
CNN and LSTM.” in 2020 IEEE 5th International Conference on Signal and Image Processing (ICSIP).
IEEE,2020: 334-338.
8. Guangli WU,Leiting LI,Zhenzhou GUO,Chengxiang WANG and Yanpeng, YAO. “Video summarization
Based on ListNet Scoring Mechanism.” in 2020 5th International Conference on Computer and
Communication Systems (ICCCS). IEEE,2020: 281-285.
9. Guangli WU,Liping LIU,Chen Zhang and Dengtai TAN. “Video Abnormal Event Detection Based on ELM.”
in 2019 IEEE 4th International Conference on Signal and Image Processing (ICSIP).IEEE,2019: 367-371

 

Hongxia Song – Graph Analytics- Best Researcher Award

Hongxia Song – Graph Analytics

Dr. Hongxia Song   distinguished academic and researcher in the field Graph Analytics.  Song Hongxia, born in 1979 in Changzhi, Shanxi, is a highly accomplished individual with a Ph.D. and the title of associate professor, specializing in vegetable cultivation and stress physiology. Serving as a master’s supervisor, she is deeply involved in research on horticultural plant functional substance mining and product development. Song Hongxia holds the esteemed position of a post expert in the Shanxi Vegetable Industry System and is an active member of the Professional Technical Committee of Agricultural Products and Animal Husbandry Inspection and Testing in the Shanxi Inspection and Testing Alliance. Additionally, she contributes to standardization efforts as a member of the Standardization Committee in Jinzhong City.

Recognized for her exceptional contributions, Song Hongxia has received various accolades, including the title of “One hundred Gold Medal Lecturers” by the Shanxi Provincial Department of Agriculture. Her expertise extends to leadership roles, where she serves as the Chief Expert of Shilou County and holds the distinguished title of Expert in the Expert Group of Jinzhong Rural Revitalization Association. Notably, she is acknowledged as a Distinguished Expert in Shangdang District, Taigu District, and Zezhou County, showcasing her commitment and impact in the field of agriculture and rural development.

Eduvation

She embarked on her academic journey in 1998, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and Economic Management at Shanxi Agricultural University. Demonstrating a strong commitment to her field, she continued her studies at the same institution and earned a Master’s degree in Vegetable Science from 2002 to 2005. Undeterred in her pursuit of knowledge, she further advanced her academic qualifications by undertaking a Ph.D. in Vegetable Science at Shanxi Agricultural University from 2011 to 2015. Throughout her educational trajectory, she exhibited a dedicated focus on horticulture and vegetable science, laying the foundation for her subsequent contributions to these domains.
Professional Profiles:

Professional Experience

She has accumulated a wealth of professional experience, currently holding the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Vegetables at the College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, a role she has undertaken since 2017. Prior to her current position, she served as a Lecturer in the same department from 2008 to 2017, showcasing her commitment to academic and professional growth. Her journey in academia began as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Vegetables at the College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, where she contributed from 2005 to 2008. Across these roles, she has played a pivotal role in the academic and research endeavors related to vegetables, enriching both her expertise and the educational landscape at the university.

Teaching and scientific research projects

She has been actively involved in a multitude of research and educational initiatives, showcasing her leadership and expertise in the field. In 2023, she assumed the role of principal investigator for the “Research and Practice of Smart Teaching Reform of ‘Vegetable Science Experiment'” (Project No: J20230323), which is part of the Shanxi Provincial Higher Education General Teaching Reform and Innovation Project. Her dedication to advancing education is further evident as the course leader for “Vegetable Cultivation,” a course recognized as an offline first-class offering in Shanxi Province in 2022.

In 2021 and continuing into the present, she holds the esteemed position of a position expert within the vegetable industry technology system in Shanxi Province, underlining her influence in shaping the technological landscape of the local industry. Her commitment to innovation is demonstrated through her leadership as the principal investigator for the “Integration and Demonstration of Efficient Production Technology for Fruits and Vegetables in Facilities” (Project No: XDHZRCZXY-04) under the College of Talent Revitalization at Shanxi Agricultural University in 2023.

Additionally, she actively contributes to addressing critical challenges in the field, such as the participation in the key R&D project of Shanxi Province titled “Research on key technologies for overcoming temperature and light stress obstacles and environmental regulation of fruits and vegetables” (Project No: 202102140601013). Through her multifaceted involvement in research, education, and technology integration, she continues to make significant strides in advancing the understanding and application of vegetable science.

Textbooks

Vegetable Seedling science, China Agriculture Press, 2014, Editor-in-Chief

Honorable achievements

1. Technical Regulations for Drought-resistant and Light Simplified Cultivationof Pepper in Open Field Shanxi Province Local Standard (DB 14/T 2412-2022), Shanxi Provincial Agricultural Standardization Technical Committee, 2022, No. 1. 2.Technical Regulations for Dryland Tomato Cultivation, Shanxi Provincial Local Standard (DB 14/T 2064—2020), Shanxi Provincial Agricultural Standardization Technical Committee, 2020, No. 1. 2. “2+1+1” School-Enterprise (Institute) Joint Talent Training Model, Special Prize for Teaching Achievements in Shanxi Provincial Colleges and Universities, Shanxi Provincial Department of Education, 2018, fourth. 3. Technical specification for efficient carbon sequestration production of celeryin solar greenhouse, Shanxi Provincial Local Standard (DB 14/T 1555-2018), Shanxi Provincial Agricultural Standardization Technical Committee, 2018, first. 4.Technical specification for efficient carbon sequestration production of carrots in early spring in solar greenhouse, Shanxi Provincial Local Standard (DB14/T1284-2016), Shanxi Provincial Agricultural Standardization Technical Committee, 2016, No. 1. 5. One of the “100 Gold Medal Teachers”, Shanxi Provincial Department of Agriculture, 2020. need bullats

Patents

Song Hongxia, Yang Yanwei, Li Yanping, Li Meilan, Hou Leiping, Lu Qiang. Acooking and crushing device for producing tomato paste, 2021.1.15. China, ZL20202 14856687
Song Hongxia, Li Meilan, Hou Leiping, Xu Xiaoyong, Nie Hongmei. . Asupport
for tomato planting, 2021.4.23. China, ZL 2020 2 1050095.5 2021.01

Publication

1. Hongxia Song, QiangLu, Tianyue Song, et al. Study on the Mechanism of Carotenoid
Production and Accumulation in Orange Red Carrot (Daucus carota L.). Scientia
Horticulturae, 327(3). doi: org/10.1016/j.scienta.2023.112825(2024)

2. Song H, Wu P, Lu X, Wang B, Song T, Lu Q. (2023) Comparative physiological and
transcriptomic analyses reveal the mechanisms of CO2 enrichment in promoting the growthand quality in Lactuca sativa. PLoS ONE 18(2): e0278159. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0278159

3. Hongxia Song, Qiang Lu, Leiping Hou, Meilan Li. The genes crucial to carotenoidmetabolism under elevated CO2 levels in carrot (Daucus carota L.). Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 8;
11(1):12073. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91522-7.

4. Hongxia Song, Qiang Lu & Xiaoyu Guo Identification of candidate genes associated with JAunder elevated CO2 in carrot (Daucus carota L.). Biotechnology & Biotechnological
Equipment, 2021, 35 (1), 1065–1075.

5. Hongxia Song; Yanling Li; Xiaoyong Xu; Jing Zhang; Shaowen Zheng; Leiping Hou;
Guoming Xing; Meilan Li. Analysis of genes related to chlorophyll metabolismunder
elevated CO2 in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), Scientia Horticulturae, 261(5). doi: org/10

 

 

Syarawi Sharoni – Remote Sensing – Network Analytics Academic Achievement Award

Syarawi Sharoni – Remote Sensing

Dr. Syarawi Sharoni  distinguished academic and researcher in the field Remote Sensing .  He is a lecturer at the Geophysics Department within the School of Physics at Universiti Sains Malaysia. With a profound passion for Earth science, he possesses a strong background in oceanography and microwave remote sensing. His research primarily revolves around exploring Earth’s extreme natural phenomena through the utilization of satellite-based platforms. Currently, he is particularly focused on observing colossal tropical cyclone events on a global scale. Leveraging his extensive experience and expertise in MATLAB programming, coupled with proficiency in machine learning, he adeptly handles high-volume data and employs unique processing techniques in his investigations.

Eduvation

In 2010, he embarked on his academic journey at Selangor Matriculation College, achieving a perfect score of 4.00 out of 4.00 in the Foundation of Physical Science. This solid foundation paved the way for his pursuit of higher education, leading him to Universiti Sains Malaysia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Geophysics in 2014 with an impressive GPA of 3.44 out of 4.00.

Driven by a passion for exploring the depths of the ocean, he continued his academic endeavors at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. In 2016, he completed a Master of Research in Ocean Sciences, achieving a second-class classification for his exemplary work in the field.

Undeterred by the challenges of academia, he further honed his expertise in remote sensing, specializing in Scale B1 with minor corrections, during his doctoral studies at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. In 2022, he successfully earned his Ph.D. in Remote Sensing, showcasing his dedication and commitment to advancing knowledge in this specialized field. These academic achievements collectively reflect his unwavering pursuit of excellence and his contributions to the realms of geophysics, ocean sciences, and remote sensing.

Professional Profiles:

Professional Experience

He began his professional journey in 2013 as a trainee at the Geoscience Division of the Mineral and Geoscience Department in Malaysia. Following this initial experience, he transitioned to the private sector, where he served as an Imaging Geophysicist in the Imaging and Engineering Department at Petroleum Geo-Service (PGS)(M) Sdn.

Bhd. from 2014 to 2015. In 2017, he further enriched his career by taking on the role of a tutor within the School of Physics at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Demonstrating a commitment to both practical applications and academic pursuits, he currently holds the position of Senior Lecturer in the Geophysics Group at the School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, a role he has been dedicated to since 2022. This professional journey underscores his diverse experience, encompassing training, industry work, and academic contributions in the field of geophysics.

Fellowships / Awards  

He has been affiliated with Universiti Sains Malaysia as a fellow from 2015 to 2022, during which he was granted funding for both his Master’s and Ph.D. studies. This period of academic engagement and support culminated in significant achievements, including the receipt of a Silver Medal in the Graduate Research Exhibition (GREx) in 2021. His academic journey commenced earlier with a scholarship from the Government of Malaysia, which supported his Bachelor of Science studies from 2011 to 2014.

Notably, he demonstrated academic excellence during his undergraduate years by earning a place on the Dean’s List in two semesters. Additionally, his commitment to the field was recognized in 2013 when he secured the 3rd Place in the GeoQuiz Petroleum & Geoscience Conference Exhibition. This rich academic and research background illustrates his dedication to advancing knowledge and achieving excellence in geophysics.

Supervisions                                                                                                                                                                      

In his role as a Senior Lecturer within the Geophysics Group at the School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, he is actively involved in supervising various research projects at different academic levels. Currently, Duan Liyuan is pursuing a Ph.D., focusing on the high-precision InSAR monitoring and identification of large-scale geological disasters. Another Ph.D. candidate, Khan Muhammad, is engaged in advanced quantitative interpretation and seismic attributes analysis for reservoir characterization and fracture prediction. At the master’s level, Nik Raisyha is working on a project that involves the tropical cyclone characterization from microwave remote sensing observation.

In addition to supervising postgraduate research, he guides undergraduate students on diverse projects. Among the ongoing Bachelor of Science projects, Vikna and Kah Ching are investigating the influence of the Madden Julian Oscillation on the South China Sea Region. Another team, Nelly Anuar and Aishah Alimi, is exploring the impact of the Indian Ocean Dipole on the same region, while Asilah Abdul Hannan and Nurul Izzah Mustafa have successfully completed their project on the variations of tropical cyclone activity in the South China Sea in 2023. Furthermore, Nurin Nadhirah Hairi Zahril and Syasya Aqilah Abdul Razak have also completed their investigation on the influence of ENSO activity on sea level variations in the marginal South China Sea in 2023. This diverse range of research projects underscores his commitment to fostering a comprehensive understanding of geophysics and related phenomena across different academic levels.

publications

Obed Asamoah – Forest resources management – Excellence in Research

Mr. Obed Asamoah  distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Forest resources management. With over nine years of professional experience as a forestry researcher, he brings a wealth of knowledge and added value to the industry with expertise in several disciplines, including silvicultural adaptation treatment, climate change and harvesting, forestry bioresources management, business strategy, and financial planning. He has also developed techniques in the operation of LiDAR and Geode in harvesting. His current work is focused on evaluating the response at the tree and stand scale to the application of adaptive silviculture treatments to red maple stands in southern Quebec. He has developed this expertise through years of experience in the field, pursuing higher education, and leading collaborative research projects between industry, government, equipment manufacturers, and other stakeholders across three continents.

Eduvation

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology at the Universite du Quebec en Outaouais/ISFORT in Ripon, Canada, a program that commenced in October 2021. Prior to this, he was engaged in another Ph.D. program in Bioresources and Forest Science at the University of Eastern Finland since 2018. His academic journey includes a Master of Science in International Development Studies from Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, completed between 2015 and 2017. His undergraduate studies were undertaken at the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management from 2009 to 2013.

His educational background also features a Diploma in Education obtained at Sefwi Wiawso College of Education in Wiawso, Ghana, spanning the years 2003 to 2007. This diverse educational trajectory reflects his commitment to advancing knowledge and expertise in the fields of ecology, bioresources, and international development.

Professional Profiles:

INTERESTS

  • Traveling
  • Watching football
  • Hiking and hunting

ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • Centre d’étude de la forêt
  • The Society of American Foresters
  • The Ecological Society of America (ESA)
  • International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND   

In his role at Ari’s Lab, he is dedicated to meticulous research, beginning with the development of precise research specifications and work plans that fully meet project requirements. Actively participating in the planning and execution of research projects, he employs a comprehensive approach to data gathering, utilizing diverse sources such as books, journal articles, newspapers, questionnaires, surveys, polls, and interviews. Subsequently, he applies advanced techniques to clean and analyze the collected data, interpreting it to extract meaningful insights and readying it for paper publication.

Beyond data analysis, he actively contributes to project management by assisting with budgeting and time schedules, ensuring resources are efficiently allocated and projects adhere to set timelines. His role extends to identifying trends and patterns, conducting necessary fieldwork and tests, and utilizing tools like Q GIS and LiDAR to map trees before and after harvest, facilitating an accurate tally of harvested and remaining trees. This comprehensive approach enables him to prepare detailed scientific reports, synthesizing complex information into accessible formats. Overall, his expertise contributes significantly to the success of Ari’s Lab projects, ensuring a meticulous and timely execution of research initiatives.

Publications;

 

                                                                                                                                                                              

Shikha Patel – Urban Planning – Best Researcher Award

Ms. Shikha Patel distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Collective Urban Planning .Shikha Patel is a highly qualified and skilled professional in the field of Urban Planning.   Complementing her academic qualifications, she has earned professional certifications, including LEED Green Associate since October 2020 and Council of Architecture (India) membership since August 2014. This comprehensive educational and professional background showcases her dedication and expertise in the fields of architecture, urban design, infrastructure, and construction.

Eduvation

She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Urban Planning at Qatar University in Qatar, a journey that commenced in January 2021. Her academic journey has been marked by notable achievements, including a Master’s in Architecture with a specialization in Urban Design from Visvesvaraya Technological University, India, where she not only completed her degree from June 2017 to June 2019 but also received the prestigious Gold Medal from VTU. Prior to her master’s, she earned an MBA in Infrastructure & Construction from JNU, India, demonstrating her diverse academic interests. Her educational foundation includes a Bachelor’s in Architecture from Gujarat University, India, spanning from June 2008 to August 2013. Complementing her academic qualifications, she has earned professional certifications, including LEED Green Associate since October 2020 and Council of Architecture (India) membership since August 2014. This comprehensive educational and professional background showcases her dedication and expertise in the fields of architecture, urban design, infrastructure, and construction.

Professional Profiles:

Experience:

Since March 2023, she has been serving as a Research Assistant at Qatar University, where her contributions have significantly advanced ongoing research endeavors. Prior to this, she dedicated her time as a Volunteer at the United Nations from March to December 2021, showcasing her commitment to global causes. Her academic and research journey began in September 2019 at Qatar University, where she previously held the role of Research Assistant until May 2020. Before transitioning to her role in Qatar, she gained valuable experience as a Teaching Assistant at various institutions in India, including BMSSA, Nitte School of Architecture, and GSAP, from August 2015 to May 2019.

During this period, she also took on roles as Business Development Manager at 100 Krafts from August 2015 to October 2016, Retail Planner at Tesco HSC from August 2014 to July 2015, and Junior Architect at SHS Designs from September 2013 to June 2014. Her diverse professional background reflects a well-rounded individual with a wealth of experience in academia, research, and various industry sectors.

Book Chapters
Patel, S. and Kollarath, R.M. (2023) ‘Urban solid waste management for energy generation’, Urban Energy
Systems, pp. 119–139. DOI:10.1002/9781119847595.ch8.
INTERESTS
    Urban Planning, Sustainable, Remote sensing,Architecture, Philosophy
Research Assistant
Qatar University – Appointed under a Collaborative Grant research scheme [QUCGCENG-19_20-4] titled “The Action Plan for the Implementation of Qatar National Masterplan based on Integration of Land Use and Public Transport Systems”, led by Dr. Raffaello Furlan.
Retail Planner – Tesco HSC, India
Designed and delivered Tesco store layouts for the Eastern European region collaborating with a team of on-site contractors and architects. Prepared and presented reports, proposals, applications and contracts for Tesco stores. Proposed new design standards for retail store as a part of research and development team.
Publication
  • A comprehensive systematic review: Impact of Land Use/ Land Cover (LULC) on Land Surface Temperatures (LST) and outdoor thermal comfort
          Building and Environment
          023-12 | Journal article
          DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.111130
          ONTRIBUTORS: Shikha Patel; Madhavi Indraganti; Rana N. Jawarneh
  • Environmental Sustainability Comparative Assessment of Low-Rise and High-Rise Neighbourhoods based on People’s Lifestyle Preferences: The Case of Doha, Qatar

    The 2nd International Conference on Civil Infrastructure and Construction (CIC 2023)
    2023-09-01 | Conference paper
    CONTRIBUTORS: Shikha Patel
  • Urban Solid Waste Management for Energy Generation                                                                                                    Urban Energy Systems
    2023-08-22 | Other
    CONTRIBUTORS: Shikha Patel; Reshmi Manikoth Kollarath

Damon Centola – Networks- Best Researcher Award

Prof. Damon Centola a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Collective Intelligence .His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy/Logic, where he graduated summa cum laude from Marlboro College in 1997. This rich educational background reflects his dedication to intellectual pursuits and lays the foundation for his contributions to the field of sociology.

Eduvation

He earned his educational credentials in the field of sociology, culminating in a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 2006. Prior to this, he completed his Master’s in Sociology at Cornell University in 2004, showcasing a commitment to advancing his expertise in the subject. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy/Logic, where he graduated summa cum laude from Marlboro College in 1997. This rich educational background reflects his dedication to intellectual pursuits and lays the foundation for his contributions to the field of sociology.

 

Professional Profiles:

Appointments
He holds a distinguished series of appointments, currently serving as the Elihu Katz Professor of Communication, Sociology, and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania since 2021. Prior to this role, he held the position of Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication, concurrently serving as Professor of Engineering (secondary) in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Professor of Sociology (secondary) in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania from 2019 to 2021.
In 2019, he assumed the role of Senior Fellow at the Penn LDI Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, and became a faculty member at both the Penn Population Studies Center and the Penn Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences Program. Since 2013, he has been a faculty member at the Penn Warren Center for Network and Data Sciences, concurrently directing the Network Dynamics Group. His academic journey includes serving as an Associate Professor at the Annenberg School for Communication and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania from 2013 to 2019. Prior to joining the University of Pennsylvania, he was an Assistant Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management from 2008 to 2013. Notably, in 2006-08, he held the prestigious position of Robert Wood Johnson Scholar in Health Policy at Harvard University, and in 2001-02, he was a Visiting Scholar at The Brookings Institution.

Research

Social Change, Diffusion of Innovations and Ideas, Simple and Complex Contagions, Structural
Inequality, Medical Bias, Collective Intelligence, Social Epidemiology, Collective Action and
Social Movements, Sustainability and Climate Change, Cultural Evolution and Norms, Social
Networks, Centrality and Influence, Online Experimental Methods, Computational Social Science

Awards and Fellowships

He has amassed a plethora of accolades and honors throughout his illustrious career. In 2019, he earned the prestigious Harrison White Outstanding Book Award from the American Sociological Association and was honored with the Top Paper Award in Health Communication by the International Communication Association. His notable contributions were further underscored by the receipt of the Best Paper Award at the 2018 International Conference on Computational Social Science and the James Coleman Award for Outstanding Article from the American Sociological Association in 2017. The year 2016 brought the distinction of being named a Wharton Mack Institute Fellow. Over the academic year 2014-15, he held fellowships at both the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University and the Lenore Annenberg and Wallis Annenberg Endowment for Communication.

A significant highlight in 2014 was the award of U.S. Patent #8713143, recognizing his innovative method of creating social networks to facilitate behavior change. His impact also extends into the scientific realm, demonstrated by his participation in the Kavli Frontiers of Science program by the National Academy of Sciences in 2012. Early in his career, he was honored with the Leo Goodman Early Career Award in Sociological Methodology in 2011 and received the Award for Outstanding Article in Mathematical Sociology from the American Sociological Association in 2011, 2009, and 2006.

In 2010, he was recognized with the MIT Faculty Prize for Research in Computers and Communications. Additional accolades include the Award for Outstanding Article in Mathematical Sociology from the American Sociological Association in 2009 and 2006. His academic journey features prestigious fellowships, including the Columbia University Exchange Scholar Fellowship in 2004, NSF EITM Summer Fellowship in 2004, Cornell University Russell Sage Fellowship in 2002, NSF IGERT Fellowship in Non-linear Dynamics and Chaos in 2002, and the Santa Fe Institute Summer Fellowship in 2000.

Books
Centola, Damon. (expected 2024) Structural Intelligence. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Centola, Damon. 2021. Change: How to Make Big Things Happen. New York: Little, Brown & Co.
Translations into Chinese, Romanian, Korean, Russian, Dutch, Thai, Japanese, Italian, Turkish,
Portuguese (Brazil)
• Selected Reviews & Coverage: Nature, New York Journal of Books, The New York Times, NPR
Hidden Brain, Radio Times, Inside Higher Ed, Annual Reviews, The Current, Ottawa Writers Festival,
ABC Australia, Times of India
Centola, Damon. 2018. How Behavior Spreads: The Science of Complex Contagions. Princeton, NJ:
Princeton University Press.
• 2019 Harrison White Outstanding Book Award, American Sociological Association
• Translations into Chinese, Arabic, Polish
• Selected Reviews & Coverage: Science, The Journal of Mathematical Sociology, Information,
Communication & Society, New Scientist, MIT Sloan Management Review, Strategy + Business, The
American Interest, American Journal of Sociology, Contemporary Sociology
Selected Conference and Working Group Presentations
Complex Centrality and Predicting Influence,” ASA Regular Session, August 2023.
“Social tipping points for unprecedented change,” EU Learn, Knowledge Talks on Tipping Points,
threats and opportunities, June 2022.
“Reduction of race and gender bias in recommendations for clinical treatment using a clinician peer
network based intervention in experimental setting,” Annual ICA Conference, May 2022.
“Influencers and Misinformation,” DARPA Studying Long-Tailed Influencer-Enabled Crowd
Extremism, October 2021
Publication