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

Cheryl E Praeger – Graph Network symmetry – Lifetime Achievement Award

Prof. Cheryl E Praeger  a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Graph Network Symmetry .  Cheryl E Praeger is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, retiring in 2017 after 40 years service to UWA. She now focuses on research and research supervision in Group Theory and Combinatorics, in her role as Senior Honorary Research Fellow. In addition she is a member of the National Science and Technology Council (2022-2025).

In 2021 she was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia “for eminent service to mathematics, and to teriary eduction, as a leading academic and researcher, to international organisations, and as a champion of women in STEM careers”. She had previously been appointed a Member of the Order (AM) in 1999.(Graph)

Professor Praeger has won many distinguished awards, recognising her as one of Australia’s leading mathematicians. Many of her roles and awards marked a first for a woman: President of the Australian Mathematical Society (1992-1994), Lyle Medal of the Australian Academy of Science (2013, first awarded in 1935).

 

Eduvation

prof. Cheryl E Praeger  earned her Bachelor of Science with Honors in Mathematics from the University of Queensland, Australia, in 1970. Following that, in 1972, she pursued dual Master’s degrees, obtaining one from the University of Oxford, UK, and another from the University of Queensland, Australia. In 1973, she achieved her Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil) degree from the University of Oxford, UK. Later in 1989, she furthered her academic achievements by earning a Doctor of Science (D.Sc) from the University of Western Australia. With a rich educational background spanning (Graph) multiple prestigious institutions, she has demonstrated a commitment to scholarly pursuits and academic excellence throughout her career.

Professional Profiles:

Awards

Professor Praeger was also the first pure mathematician, and the first Western Australian to receive the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science (2019); the first pure mathematician to win an ARC Federation Fellowship (2007-2012), or be named as WA Scientist of the Year (2009), or be inducted into the Western Australian Science Hall of Fame (2015). She is the inaugural recipient of the Ruby Payne-Scott Medal of the Australian Academy of Science (1921).

Over the span of 2009 to 2023, she has garnered a remarkable array of awards and distinctions, showcasing her outstanding contributions to the fields of science and mathematics. Notably, in 2023, she was honored as a Fellow of the International Science Council. In 2021, she received the prestigious Ruby Payne-Scott Medal from the Australian Academy of Science and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).(Graph)

Her global recognition includes being named a Kirk Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge, UK, in 2020. Among her numerous accolades, she was awarded the (Australian) Prime Minister’s Prize for Science in 2019 and received an Honorary Doctorate from Primorska University in Slovenia in 2018. Her influence extends worldwide, with honors such as the Mehdi Behzad Prize from the Iranian Mathematical Society in 2015 and being named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society in 2012. These distinctions underscore her exceptional impact on the scientific community and her commitment to advancing knowledge and education.

Research

Professor Praeger’s research is on the theory of group actions and their applications in Algebraic Graph Theory and to Combinatorial Designs and other areas of Discrete Mathematics and Geometry; and algorithms for group computation including questions in statistical group theory and algorithmic complexity. Her mathematical work has been published in more than 400 journal articles and five monographs.

Her list of Publications can be found at https://cherylpraeger.github.io/research.html

A discussion website for her book ‘Permutation groups and cartesian decompositions’ with Csaba Schneider in 2018 by Cambridge University Press is here:  https://schcs.github.io/WP/index.php/book/

Current projects

  • ARC Discovery project (DP200100080) Exceptionally symmetric combinatorial designs (2020-2023)
  • ARC Discovery project (DP190100450) Complexity of group algorithms and statistical fingerprints of group (2019-2022)
  • Isaac Newton Institute Cambridge, (supported by EPSRC grant no. EP/R014604/1) Groups, representations and applications: new perspectives (2020; and 2022)

Selected Academic Services and Functions (2009-2022)

From 2009 to 2022, she has been actively engaged in various prestigious academic roles and functions. Notably, she served as the Chair of the Australian Council of Heads of Mathematical Sciences from 2009 to 2011 and later contributed as a member of several international committees and councils. Her involvement extended to the Australian Academy of Science, where she held the position of Foreign Secretary from 2014 to 2018, and she was a member of the Australian Government’s National Science and Technology Council from 2022 to 2025. Additionally, she made significant contributions to the global scientific community, participating in committees such as the International Mathematical Union Committee for Women in Mathematics and the Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science under the International Science Council. Her leadership was evident as the Chair of Subpanel 18 on the Program Committee for the International Congress of Mathematicians from 2015 to 2018 and as a member of various executive boards and committees advocating for the representation of women in science and engineering. Through her roles, she has played a crucial part in shaping international scientific collaboration and promoting diversity in mathematical disciplines.

Previous positions

Prior to appointment at The University of Western Australia she held a Research Fellowship at the Australian National University and taught for a semester at the University of Virginia. She taught in the Mathematics and Statistics program at UWA and was Head of the Department of Mathematics 1992-1994, inaugural Dean of Postgraduate Research Studies 1996-1998, Chair Promotions and Tenure Committee 2000-2004, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Computing and Mathematics 2003-2006, ARC Professorial Fellow 2007, and Inaugural Director of the UWA Centre for the Mathematics of Symmetry and Computation 2010-2013.

Previous positions

  • Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee, Chair (1999-2019), Deputy Chair (1996-98, 2020),   https://www.amt.edu.au/olympiad-committees
  • Committee for the Freedom and Responsibility in Science, International Science Council (2019-2022) https://council.science/what-we-do/
  • Executive Board AASSA (Association of Academies and Societies for scinces in Asia) (2016-2021) https://aassa.asia/ and  Special Committee for Women in Science and Engineering (Chair 2016-2021, ex-officio member 2022-2024)

Publication

A classification of the maximal subgroups of the finite alternating and symmetric groups

MW Liebeck, CE Praeger, J Saxl
Journal of Algebra 111 (2), 365-383 –

Finite transitive permutation groups and bipartite vertex-transitive graphs

CE Praeger
Illinois Journal of Mathematics 47 (1-2), 461-475 – 2003

Line graphs and -geodesic transitivity

A Devillers, W Jin, CH Li, CE Praeger
arXiv preprint arXiv:1201.4297 – 2012

On imprimitive rank 3 permutation groups

A Devillers, M Giudici, CH Li, G Pearce, CE Praeger
Journal of the London Mathematical Society 84 (3), 649-669

On normal 2-geodesic transitive Cayley graphs

A Devillers, W Jin, CH Li, CE Praeger
Journal of Algebraic Combinatorics 39, 903-918

 

Hayatullah Mushwani – Graph Analytics -Graph Analytics Research Excellence Award

Mr. Hayatullah Mushwani a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Graph analytics. He is a dedicated lecturer at Kabul University in the Environmental Faculty’s Department of Disaster Management, specializing in the comprehensive study of disasters. Holding both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Disaster Management, his academic journey has been driven by a passion for understanding and addressing complex challenges. His research pursuits are anchored in the critical domains of disasters, focusing on risk assessment, evaluation, education, climate change, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and the pivotal role of early warning systems. He aims to contribute significantly to the field through insightful research and by nurturing the next generation of disaster management professionals.

 

Eduvation

In May 2023, he completed his Master of Disasters Preparedness, Mitigation, and Management at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok, Thailand. The program covered a diverse range of subjects, including disaster management, natural resource management, environmental protection, conflict resolution, climate change, monitoring and evaluation, and humanitarian need assessment. Prior to his master’s degree, he earned his Bachelor of Environmental Science from the Environmental Science Faculty at Kabul University in Kabul. His undergraduate studies focused on crucial areas such as disasters risk reduction, risk assessment, research methodology, and environmental protection. With this comprehensive educational background, he is well-equipped to contribute significantly to the field of disaster management, leveraging his expertise in various aspects of preparedness, mitigation, and environmental sustainability.

Professional Profiles:

Short Term Trainings

He holds a membership at the Acquaint Humanitarian organization in the United States of America (USA), bringing a diverse and extensive background in outcome-based learning and disaster management training. In 2019, he completed Outcome-based Learning Education Training at Kabul University, demonstrating a commitment to effective education practices. Subsequently, in 2021, he acquired School Safety Training and participated in Disaster Resilience programs conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Expanding his expertise globally, he pursued Disaster Risk Reduction studies at the Faculty of Geography, University Gadiah Mada in Indonesia in 2022. The same year, he further enriched his knowledge through Disaster Management Training at Kyoto University, Japan. In 2023, he focused on addressing contemporary challenges, completing Harassment Training at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand. Additionally, he delved into Disaster Risk Reduction based on Q-GIS at CWSA, Japan, showcasing a dedication to staying current with the latest advancements in disaster preparedness and humanitarian efforts.

AREAS OF INTEREST

Disaster Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Protection, Risk Assessments,
Humanitarian Assistance Management, Education and WASH displaced communities by conflict and natural
hazard, Resources Governance and Management, M&E.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

waste Management, Climate change and food security, mining, DRR and Development,

HONOR

He has earned a series of honors and accolades, underscoring his commendable contributions in various domains. In 2019, he received a Letter of Appreciation from the Sharq Higher Education Institute in Kabul, Afghanistan, recognizing him as the Best Lecturer. This acknowledgment reflects his commitment to excellence in education. In 2022, he garnered another Letter of Appreciation from Loaita, Singapore, commending his outstanding performance on a Habitat for Humanity project, showcasing his dedication to community service.

His prowess as a lecturer was once again acknowledged in 2019 by the Sharq Higher Education Institute in Kabul, Afghanistan. More recently, in 2023, he received a Letter of Appreciation from the Acquaint organization in the USA, recognizing him as the Best Volunteer in Human Rights, highlighting his active involvement in humanitarian efforts. Additionally, REST Publisher in India acknowledged his expertise in 2023, presenting him with a Letter of Appreciation for his role as the Best Articles Evaluator, showcasing his proficiency in the evaluation of scholarly work. These honors collectively attest to his multifaceted contributions and commitment to excellence in various fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

(2018 – Up to Now) Assistant Professor at Disaster Management Department Kabul University, Kabul (https://ku.edu.af) ▪ Delver Lecturers to Disasters Management, Natural Resource Management, and Environmental Protections Department students ▪ Head of Faculty of Environment Examination committee ▪ Member of the Cultural committer at Environment Faculty, Kabul University ▪ Member of the Research Committee at Environment Faculty, Kabul University ▪ Member of the Electronic committee at the Environment Faculty, Kabul University Conducted Research, Plan, and Policy Development, and Training delivers (2022 – TO March 2023)

Publication
  • MULTI-HAZARD RESILIENCE OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN ASIA PACIFIC                                                  2023 | Book chapte   CONTRIBUTORS: Hayatullah Mushwani
  • The Current State of Early Warning System in South Asia: A Case Study of Afghanistan                                               International Journal of Disasters Risk Reduction

    2023-12-17 | Review
    CONTRIBUTORS: Hayatullah Mushwani; Mokbul Morshed Ahmad; kawoon sahak; Mohammad Haroon Hairan
  • Review of Afghanistan’s Economic Development Status during Republic Government (from 2001-2021)                   

    International Journal of Multiculturaland Multireligious Understanding
    2023-03-03 | Review
    CONTRIBUTORS: Hayatullah Mushwani
  • The current state of early warning system in South Asia: A case study of Afghanistan
  •  Chitral Gol National Park; A paradise or threat for biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic conditions of local societies
  •  Afghanistan Economic Development review from 2000 to 2022
  • ▪ Evaluation of Drought Socio-economic Impacts in the Central Region of Afghanistan

Shahid Alam – Network science

Dr. Shahid Alam – Leading Researcher in Network Science

Education📚

🎓 He pursued his academic journey in the field of Applied Physics, culminating in a Ph.D. from the GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI), Pakistan, spanning from August 2018 to July 2021. Prior to that, he earned his Master’s degree in Applied Physics at GIKI, completing the program from January 2016 to April 2018. His educational foundation in Physics was laid during his undergraduate years, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physics from Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan, from September 2011 to August 2015. These years of dedicated study and research have equipped him with a strong academic background and a passion for the applied sciences. 📚🔬

 

Professional Profiles:

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

🎓 He embarked on a fascinating research journey as a Ph.D. researcher from August 2018 to July 2021 at the Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, GIK Institute in Pakistan. Delving into the captivating realm of nanotechnology, his focus centered on unraveling the synergistic potential inherent in the combination of metal phosphates and sulfides. This exploration was driven by the aspiration to unearth novel applications in the realm of supercapattery devices, propelling the boundaries of energy storage technology.

🔬 During his tenure as an MS research student from July 2016 to April 2018 at GIK Institute, he dedicated himself to investigating innovative approaches in the field. His research endeavor revolved around the fabrication of inverted perovskite solar cells, where Cadmium Sulphide played a pivotal role as the electron transport layer. This pursuit was not merely an academic endeavor; rather, it was a passionate quest to contribute to the advancements in solar energy technology, seeking sustainable solutions for a brighter and cleaner future. 🌞

CAREER HISTORY

🎓 He has a diverse and enriching career history that spans various roles in academia and research. Since September 2021, he’s been serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Abbottabad University of Science and Technology in Havelian. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he’s taken on the role of Departmental Controller of Examination since April 2022, overseeing internal examinations within the Department of Physics.

His journey in academia began as a Graduate Assistant at the GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Pakistan, where he was involved from January 2016 to January 2018. This early experience laid the foundation for his subsequent roles and allowed him to contribute meaningfully to the academic and research community. 🌐🔬

PUBLICATIONS
  1. Advancements in asymmetric supercapacitors: Material selection, mechanisms, and breakthroughs with metallic oxides, sulfides, and phosphates – Journal of Energy Storage, 2023, 72, 108208
  2. Binary composites of strontium oxide/polyaniline for high performance supercapattery devices
    MZ Iqbal, S Alam, AM Afzal, MJ Iqbal, K Yaqoob, MA Kamran, MRA Karim, …
    Solid State Ionics 347, 115276
  3. Green synthesis of nickel‐manganese/polyaniline‐based ternary composites for high‐performance supercapattery devices
    S Alam, MZ Iqbal, J Khan
    International Journal of Energy Research 45 (7), 11109-11122
  4. Binary composites of nickel-manganese phosphates for supercapattery devices
    M Alzaid, MZ Iqbal, S Alam, N Almoisheer, AM Afzal, S Aftab
    Journal of Energy Storage 33, 102020
  5. Recent advancement in the performance of solar cells by incorporating transition metal dichalcogenides as counter electrode and photoabsorber
    MZ Iqbal, S Alam, MM Faisal, S Khan
    International Journal of Energy Research 43 (8), 3058-3079
  6. Binary composites of sonochemically synthesized cobalt phosphates/polyaniline for supercapattery devices
    F Alam, MZ Iqbal, S Alam, N Alhassan
    Journal of Energy Storage 42, 103150
  7. Magnetron sputtered tungsten di-sulfide: An efficient battery grade electrode for supercapattery devices
    S Alam, MZ Iqbal, N Amjad, R Ali, M Alzaid
    Journal of Energy Storage 46, 103861
  8. Exalted redox frameworks of Cu-MOF/polyaniline/RGO based composite electrodes by integrating silver nanoparticles as a catalytic agent for superior energy featured supercapatteries
    M Roman, SSA Gillani, S Farid, M Shakil, R Ahmad, MZ Iqbal, MM Faisal, …
    Electrochimica Acta 400, 139489
  9. Enhanced electrochemical performance of battery‐grade cobalt phosphate via magnetron sputtered copper interfacial layer for potential supercapattery applications
    MZ Iqbal, J Khan, S Alam, R Ali, MJ Iqbal, AM Afzal, S Aftab
    International Journal of Energy Research