Vatis Christian Kemezang – Environmental economics – Best Researcher Award

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Vatis Christian Kemezang – Environmental economics – Best Researcher Award

Mr. Vatis Christian Kemezang  distinguished academic and researcher in the field Environmental economics. He has also completed several professional development courses in scientific writing, statistical analysis, and the use of statistical software. Kemezang is a native French speaker, with a strong command of the English language, and is a member of several professional organizations, including the Network of Young Economists of the ECA. He is a respected researcher and educator in his field, and is well-known for his expertise in economics and sustainable development. In his free time, Kemezang enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures, and is passionate about finding ways to make a positive impact on the world.

🌐 Professional Profile

Educations📚📚📚

He is currently pursuing his PhD in Economics at the University of Douala in Cameroon. Prior to this, he completed his Master of Science in Monetary and Banking Economics in 2018, also at the University of Douala. His undergraduate studies led to a Bachelor of Science in Money, Banking, and Finance from the University of Dschang in 2015. His academic journey began with earning his Baccalaureate A4 in 2012 from Lycee Bilingue de Bépanda in Douala, Cameroon.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

He has held various teaching positions in academia. Since 2019, he has been serving as a Lecturer at the Institut Universitaire des Grandes Écoles des Tropiques (IUGET), where his responsibilities include teaching courses in Banking and Finance, preparing and assessing exams, supervising students in their research projects, and participating in pedagogical projects and academic event organization.

In 2020, he also worked as a Lecturer at the Institut Catholique de Bafoussam (ICAB), where he taught courses in Capital Market and was involved in exam preparation and assessment.

Additionally, from 2020 to 2022, he served as a Part-time Lecturer at the Institut Universitaire de Technologie de Douala (IUT) in Cameroon. In this role, he taught courses in DUT, FI at the Department of GLT, facilitated seminars and practical work, monitored and evaluated students, and contributed to pedagogical projects and academic event organization.

 

CERTIFICATS

He has obtained several certificates covering a range of topics. In 2023, he completed a certificate on preparing an inventory of greenhouse gases under the Enhanced Transparency Framework by the FAO. In 2022, he earned a certificate from IDEP (CEA) on “The African Continental Free Trade Area: The Role Of Parliament and other non-state actors.” Further, he attended sessions on scientific article writing and scientific writing methodology and principles, including fraud detection tools, interpretation, and eliminating similarities. These sessions were conducted by the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement and the Transport and Applied Logistics Laboratory at the University of Douala, respectively.

Moreover, he has engaged in online learning through platforms like OpenClassrooms. He completed courses on various subjects such as initiating R language programming, creating clear and impactful statistical reports, inferential statistics, analyzing and modeling time series, and mastering the basics of probability. These certificates demonstrate his commitment to continuous learning and skill development in diverse areas related to his field.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

1. Climate mitigation technology for holistic resource management in sub-Saharan Africa:
Impact on greenhouse gas emissions
Energy and Climate Change
2024-04 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1016/j.egycc.2024.100135
CONTRIBUTORS: Ivette Gnitedem Keubeng; Vatis Christian Kemezang
2. An insight on non-standard asset pricing: does COVID-19 matter in the crypto-asset
market?
SN Business & Economics
2024-02-07 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1007/s43546-023-00616-z
Part of ISSN: 2662-9399
CONTRIBUTORS: Prince HIKOUATCHA; Guillaume Tchoffo; Vatis Christian Kemezang;
Jules Roger Feudjo
3
3. Balancing short-term costs and long-term benefits: an analysis of the impact of
hydroelectric power generation on electricity prices volatility in Cameroon
Sustainable Energy Research
2024-02-05 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1186/s40807-024-00099-y
Part of ISSN: 2731-9237
CONTRIBUTORS: Etienne Bienvenu Akono; Vatis Christian Kemezang
4. Measuring market risk with GARCH models under Basel III: Selection and application
on German firms
SN Business & Economics
The revised manuscript is currently being under review
CONTRIBUTORS: Vatis Christian Kemezang ; Djou Ilaire, Ivette Keubeng Gnitedem
5. How energy transition and FinTech influence the income inequality in Sub-Saharan
Africa: Evidence from panel-corrected standard errors approach
Next Energy
The second revised manuscript is currently being under review
CONTRIBUTORS: Etienne Bienvenu Akono; Vatis Christian Kemezang
6. Balancing environmental sustainability and international trade: A dynamic analysis of
factors influencing renewable energy generation in Cameroon
Environment, Development and Sustainability
The revised manuscript is currently being under review
CONTRIBUTORS: Etienne Bienvenu Akono; Vatis Christian Kemezang
7. Reducing price volatility in Sub-Saharan Africa through agricultural productivity:
Evidence from a panel data analysis
Next Energy
The second revised manuscript is currently being under review
CONTRIBUTORS: Etienne Bienvenu Akono; Ivette Keubeng Gnitedem; Vatis Christian

Lakmali Weerasena – Ecological Conservation Award – Best Researcher Award

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Lakmali Weerasena – Ecological Conservation Award – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lakmali Weerasena distinguished academic and researcher in the field Ecological Conservation. She specializes in scientific computing with a particular focus on analyzing complex optimization problems and designing efficient algorithms using graph data structures for modeling and data analysis, both theoretically and in practical applications. Her research interests span various domains including engineering, conservation biology, and management science, where she explores emerging models. Drawing from classical optimization techniques, statistical concepts, and modern methodologies such as machine learning, she seeks to address multifaceted challenges. Her contributions extend beyond theoretical investigations to applied research, as evidenced by her publications across diverse areas in applied mathematics, operations research, and statistics in esteemed scientific journals. Furthermore, she actively engages with the academic community by organizing conference sessions and presenting her research as both an invited and contributing speaker, demonstrating her commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration in her field.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

Lakmali Weerasena holds a Ph.D. in Operations Research from Clemson University, where she completed her dissertation on “Approximation in Multiobjective Optimization with Applications,” under the guidance of Professor Margaret Wiecek. Prior to her doctoral studies, she earned a Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences from Clemson University, focusing on optimization models for designing spatially compact ecological reserve systems, supervised by Professor Emeritus Douglas Shier. Lakmali’s academic journey began at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Mathematics. Additionally, she pursued non-degree graduate studies at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, delving into Introduction to Machine Learning offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering during the spring of 2023. With her diverse educational background spanning across mathematics, optimization, and machine learning, Lakmali Weerasena exhibits a multidisciplinary approach to her academic pursuits.

 Work experiences

 

She has built a distinguished career in academia, currently serving as the UC Foundation Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga since August 2022. Prior to this role, she held positions as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the same institution from August 2016 to August 2022, and as Assistant Professor of Mathematics (Limited Term) at Albany State University from August 2015 to May 2016. Earlier in her career, she served as a Lecturer at Kennesaw State University from August 2014 to May 2015 and as a Visiting Lecturer. Her academic journey began at Clemson University, where she served as a Graduate Teacher of Record from August 2007 to December 2013 while completing her Ph.D. in Operations Research. These experiences have provided her with a comprehensive understanding of mathematics education and research, allowing her to excel in her current role as an esteemed faculty member.

Teaching Experience

In her tenure at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, TN, USA, since August 2016, she has demonstrated her versatility and expertise in teaching across a wide range of courses in the Department of Mathematics. Her teaching portfolio encompasses both undergraduate and graduate levels, covering topics such as computational and applied mathematics, probability and statistics, mathematical statistics, operations research (both linear and nonlinear), applied statistics, mathematical programming, introductory statistics, discrete mathematics for computer science, elementary linear algebra, calculus, and precalculus. Additionally, she supervises graduate-level courses focused on doctoral research, graduate research, and thesis preparation. Through her dedication and proficiency in teaching diverse mathematical subjects, she plays a pivotal role in fostering students’ understanding and appreciation for mathematics at both introductory and advanced levels.

Conferences

Invited Presentations
1. Breadth First Search Algorithm to Identify Connected Reserve Systems, ASB Special Session
on Women in Biology Inspired by Women in Biology, March 2024, Association of Southeastern
Biologists
2. A Sequential Approach to the Design of Compact and Connected Reserve Systems, Research
Colloquium in the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka, January 2024.
3. An integrated approach to the design of compact and connected reserve systems, AWM Special
Session on Exploring the Intersection of Mathematics and Ecology: Research Applications and
Findings, September 2023, AWM Research Symposium.
4. Spatially explicit mathematical model for invasive species management, AMS Special Session
on New Developments in Operations Research and Management Sciences I, October 2022, 2022
Fall Southeastern Sectional Meeting.
5. Advancing local search approximations for multiobjective combinatorial optimization problems,
Department of Mathematics Colloquium, October 2021, UTC, TN, US
6. An approximation approach for the generalized multiobjective set cover problem, Multi-Criteria
Decision Making (MCDM) section, INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the
Management Sciences) Conference, October 2021, California.
7. An approximation algorithm for the generalized multiobjective set cover problem, Approximation
Approaches for Multiobjective Optimization in stream Multiobjective Optimization session
under Multiobjective Optimization, 31st European Conference on Operational Research Conference,
July 2021, Athens, Greece (supported by UTC SimCenter grant).
8. Design of an algorithm with multiple-cost efficient rules for the generalized multiobjective set
cover problem, SimCenter and Department of Mathematics Colloquium, April 2021, UTC, TN,
USA.
9. Generalized set cover problem with conflict objective functions: algorithm and applications in
ecological conservation., Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) section, INFORMS (Institute
for Operations Research and the Management Sciences) Conference, October 2019, Seattle, USA
(supported by UTC grant).
10. Combinatorial optimization for ecological conservation, the 43rd Annual Meeting of the SIAM
Atlantic Section, September 2019, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, TN (supported by
UTC grant).
11. Approximation method for optimum design of a fin, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville,
Knoxville, TN, February 14, 2019 (supported by Department of Mathematics, The University
of Tennessee at Knoxville).
12. Multiobjective design of a fin in a steady-state regime, Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)
section, INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences) Conference,
November 2018, Arizona, USA (supported by UTC grant).

Awards

She has mentored several students who have received prestigious awards and recognition for their academic achievements. Chathuri Aththanayaka participated in and presented a poster at the AWM Research Symposium, supported by the Division of Mathematical Sciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF DMS 2113506) in 2023. Christopher Tompkins received the NCUR Support Award from UTC in the same year. Delwyn Sam and Jonathan Stegmann were both honored with the Honor College Student Award from UTC in 2021 and 2018, respectively, highlighting their exceptional academic performance and contributions. Dell Zimmerman was granted the Scholarship, Engagement, the Arts, Research, Creativity, & Humanities (SEARCH) grant at UTC in 2018, where Dr. Soubantika Palchoudhury led the project. Additionally, Nichols Graham received the Undergraduate Research Award from Albany State University in 2016, recognizing his outstanding research endeavors under her guidance. These accolades underscore her dedication to mentoring and nurturing talented students, fostering their growth and success in academia.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

1. Weerasena L., Aththanayaka C., Bandara D., Advances in the decision-making of set covering
models under uncertainty, Annals of Operations Research (forthcoming, 2024):
(Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany).
2. Fadul M., Reising D., Weerasena L., Loveless T.D., Sartipi M., Tyler J., Improving RF-DNA
Fingerprinting Performance In An Indoor Multipath Environment Using Semi-Supervised Learning,
IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security (2024): 1-16
(Publisher: IEEE).
3. Fadul M., Reising D., Weerasena L., An Investigation into the Impacts of Deep Learning-based
Re-sampling on Specific Emitter Identification Performance, The Journal of Engineering (2023):
1:11 (Publisher: Wiley, New Jersey, US).
4. Weerasena L., Shier D., Tonkyn D., McFeaters M., Collins C., Sequential approach to reserve
design with compactness and contiguity considerations, Ecological Modelling (2023): 478:10281
(Publisher: Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands). CrossRef Google Scholar
5. Weerasena, L., Ebiefung, A., Skjellum, A., Design of a heuristic algorithm for the generalized
multi-objective set covering problem, Computational Optimization and Applications (2022): 82:717-
751
(Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany) CrossRef Google Scholar
6. Weerasena, L., Hunt, N., Bandara, D., McKnight, M., Spatially Explicit Multi-objective Mathematical
Model for Invasive Species Management, Biological Invasions (2022): 24:1839–1862
(Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany) CrossRef Google Scholar
7. Belinskiy, B., Hinton, D., Weerasena, L., Khan, M., On the Sturm–Liouville problem describing
an ocean waveguide covered by pack ice, Applicable Analysis (2021): 1-23
(Publisher: Taylor and Francis, London, United Kingdom) CrossRef Google Scholar
8. Weerasena, L., Advancing local search approximations for multiobjective combinatorial optimization
problems Journal of Combinatorial Optimization (2021): 1-24.
(Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany) CrossRef Google Scholar
9. Weerasena, L., Belinskiy, B. P., Hiestand, J. W., Optimal effectiveness and efficiency of a fin in
steady-state: multiobjective approach Optimization and Engineering (2020): 1157-1180.
(Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany) CrossRef Google Scholar
10. Weerasena, L. Algorithm for Generalized multiobjective set covering problem with an application
in ecological conservation, Int. J. of Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Optimisation (2020):
Volume 10 No.2, 167 – 186.
(Publisher: Inderscience, Geneva, Switzerland) CrossRef Google Scholar
11. Belinskiy, B. P., Hiestand, J. W., Weerasena, L., Optimal design of a fin in a steady-state regime.
Applied Mathematical Modeling (2020): Volume 77, Part 2, 1188-1200.
(Publisher: Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands) CrossRef Google Scholar
12. Gunasekera, S., Weerasena, L., Saram, A., Ajumobi, O., Exact inference for the Youden index to
discriminate individuals using two-parameter exponentially distributed pooled samples, Biostatistics
& Epidemiology (2019): 38-61.
(Publisher: Taylor and Francis, London, United Kingdom) CrossRef Google Scholar
13. Weerasena L., Wiecek M.M., A tolerance function for the multiobjective set covering problem.
Optimization Letters (2018): 1–19.
(Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany) CrossRef Google Scholar
14. Palchoudhury S., Jungjohann K.,Weerasena L., Arabshahi A., Gharge U., Albattah A., Miller
J., Patel K., Holler R., Enhanced legume root growth with pre-soaking in α Fe2O3 nanoparticle
fertilizer. Royal Society of Chemistry Advances (2018): 24075–24083.
(Publisher: The Royal Society of Chemistry, London, United Kingdom) CrossRef Google Scholar
15. Vanderpooten D., Weerasena L., Wiecek M.M., Covers and approximations in multiobjective
optimization. Journal of Global Optimization (2017): 67(3) 601–619.
(Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany) CrossRef Google Scholar