Yaoyao Zhang | Network Security | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Yaoyao Zhang | Network Security | Research Excellence Award

Guangzhou University | China

Dr. Yaoyao Zhang is a dedicated researcher in the field of computer science and cyberspace security, earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Zhongyuan University of Technology (2020–2023) and currently pursuing further academic advancement at Guangzhou University from 2024. Her research primarily focuses on secure data sharing, blockchain applications, and cybersecurity innovations, contributing significantly to related scientific literature. She has authored and co-authored multiple high-impact publications, including studies on medical data sharing schemes with cloud-chain cooperation in IoT, life-cycle security management mechanisms for secure image sharing, blockchain-based incentive mechanisms for cyber threat intelligence, and decentralized autonomous access control for data sharing. Her scholarly contributions extend to research on blockchain-empowered data storage security services, showcasing a strong commitment to advancing security technologies. Dr. Zhang has also participated in several major scientific research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.62172085), the National Key R&D Program of China (No.2022YFB3102700), the Guangdong Key Laboratory Project for Industrial Control System Security (No.2024B1212020010), and the Outstanding Young Researcher Project of the Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No.2025B1515020022), reflecting her active role in cutting-edge innovation and national-level scientific progress.

Profiles: Orcid

Featured Publications

"ZHOU Yuan, YANG Qing-lin, ZHUANSUN Chen-lu, CHEN Kai, LI Yi, LIU Yuan, TIANZhi-hong. Research Progress on Blockchain-Empowered Data Storage Security Service[J]. ACTA ELECTRONICASINICA, 2025".

"Li K, Pan H, Zhang Y, et al. A Blockchain-Enabled Decentralized Autonomous Access Control Schemefor DataSharing[J]. Mathematics, 2025".

"Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Yang Q, et al. A Blockchain based Efficient Incentive Mechanism in Tripartite Cyber ThreatIntelligence Service Marketplace[J]. Blockchain: Research and Applications, 2025".

"Zhang Y, Yao Z, Pan H, et al. LSMM: A Life-cycle Security Management Mechanism for Secure ImageSharing[C]//2022 2nd International Conference on Computer Science and Blockchain (CCSB). IEEE, 2022".

Sagir Muhammad Ahmad | Network Security | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Sagir Muhammad Ahmad | Network Security | Best Researcher Award

Cranfield University, Cranfield | United Kingdom

Mr. Sagir Muhammad Ahmad is an ambitious and dedicated researcher with strong expertise in simulation, mathematical modeling, and hardware security of IoT devices. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Transport Systems at Cranfield University, UK, focusing on “Trusted Drones for Infrastructure Testing.” His research aims to develop scalable, lightweight, and tamper-resilient trust mechanisms for drone swarms operating in decentralized and adversarial environments, integrating MATLAB/SIMULINK simulations and Python-based algorithms to ensure security, scalability, and defense against attack models. With a Distinction in MSc Engineering Management from the University of Greenwich, UK, and a BSc in Marine Engineering from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt, he has built a strong multidisciplinary foundation. His academic achievements are complemented by professional experience with the Nigerian Ports Authority, where he served under the ICT Department, and hands-on sea training aboard the Aida 4 vessel in Alexandria, Egypt. Known for his hardworking, sociable nature and passion for collaboration across cultures, Mr. Ahmad aspires to contribute to academia and industry through innovative research and real-world engineering applications.

Profiles: Orcid

Featured Publications

"Building Trust in Autonomous Aerial Systems: A Review of Hardware-Rooted Trust Mechanisms"

Dr. Priyadharshini Vadivel Muthurathinam | Information Technology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Priyadharshini Vadivel Muthurathinam | Information Technology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Priyadharshini Vadivel Muthurathinam , BIT Campus, India

Dr. V.M. Priyadharshini is a seasoned academician with over 20 years of experience in Information Technology 🎓💻. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor (Selection Grade) at AUBIT, she holds a Ph.D. in Information Technology and specializes in Social Network Analysis 🌐. Her contributions span across intelligent systems, geospatial applications, and privacy-preserving frameworks, reflecting her commitment to impactful, interdisciplinary research 🔍📊. With numerous publications in reputed international journals and conferences, she continuously explores innovative solutions for modern-day digital challenges 🚀📡. Dr. Priyadharshini also mentors budding researchers while actively contributing to technological advancement in academia 🧑‍🔬📚.

Professional Profile:

Orcid

Suitability Of Best Researcher Award

Dr. V.M. Priyadharshini is an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on her outstanding academic contributions, interdisciplinary research, and commitment to addressing pressing digital challenges. With over two decades of experience in Information Technology, Dr. Priyadharshini has developed a strong academic and professional profile, which includes notable achievements in Social Network Analysis (SNA), geospatial data analysis, and privacy-preserving frameworks.

🎓 Education and Experience 

  • 🎓 B.Tech in Information Technology

  • 🎓 M.Tech in Information Technology

  • 🎓 Ph.D. in Information Technology

  • 🧑‍🏫 Assistant Professor (Selection Grade) – Department of IT, AUBIT

  • 🗓️ 20 Years of Professional Experience in academia and research

📈 Professional Development

Dr. Priyadharshini has consistently enhanced her academic and research profile through active participation in scholarly publications and technology forums 📘🧠. Her recent works in geospatial data analysis, machine learning, and spam detection in online networks exemplify her engagement with real-world challenges through a research lens 🌍🤖. She collaborates with peers across disciplines and contributes to conferences and workshops on privacy, cyber safety, and AI applications 🛡️🧑‍💼. By integrating teaching and research, she ensures students stay updated with emerging trends while fostering innovation in the field of information technology 🎯📡.

🔬 Research Focus Category

Dr. Priyadharshini’s primary research lies in Social Network Analysis (SNA) and its applications in cyber-security and intelligent systems 🌐🔐. Her work involves analyzing complex user behaviors, detecting malicious profiles, and safeguarding digital communication through adaptive frameworks 💬🧠. She also delves into machine learning, spam detection, and geospatial risk assessment, bringing a multi-disciplinary approach to digital and environmental data analytics 🌎📊. Through applied computational models, she seeks to solve pressing issues in privacy protection, digital pollution monitoring, and smart data processing, pushing the envelope in IT-enabled societal resilience 📡🧬.

🏆 Awards and Honors 

  • 🏅 Published in high-impact international journals such as ScienceDirect, Springer, and IOS Press

  • 📖 Recognized contributor to IEEE Conferences and Proceedings

  • 🌟 Reputed faculty at AUBIT with 20 years of teaching and research excellence

  • 🧪 Lead researcher in government-funded academic projects

Publication Top Notes:

Title: Adaptive Framework for Privacy Preserving in Online Social Networks
Journal: Wireless Personal Communications
Publication Date: December 20, 2021
DOI: 10.1007/s11277-021-08822-4
Authors: V. M. Priyadharshini, A. Valarmathi

🔍 Summary in Simple Terms:

This research addresses the growing concern of privacy in online social networks (OSNs) like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The authors propose an adaptive privacy-preserving framework that helps users control how much and what kind of personal information is shared with others.

Abeer Iftikhar | Information Security | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Abeer Iftikhar | Information Security | Best Researcher Award

PHD Scholar, Bahria University Islamabad, Pakistan 📝

Dr. Abeer Iftikhar Tahirkheli is a distinguished researcher and instructor with nearly 24 years of extensive experience in the fields of Computer Science, Information Security, Strategic Studies, and Defense Analysis. Her professional journey spans multinational corporations, academia, and defense forces, where she has significantly contributed to research, instructional roles, and strategic development. Dr. Abeer’s primary focus is on advancing Information Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Network Forensics, with a special emphasis on Smart City Networks and Trust Evaluation Mechanisms. Her academic and professional contributions are marked by a commitment to enhancing security protocols and developing innovative solutions to address modern-day challenges in cybersecurity, strategic studies, and forensic analysis.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

Education 🎓

Dr. Abeer Iftikhar Tahirkheli has an impressive academic background in Computer Science, Information Security, and Strategic Studies. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Computer Science at Bahria University, Islamabad, with research aimed at enhancing trust in smart city networks through innovative security measures. She earned her MS in Information Security from Bahria University in 2020, achieving a CGPA of 4.0 and a Roll of Honor for her work on trust evaluation in networked environments. Dr. Abeer also holds an MPhil in Strategic Studies from the National Defence University, where she graduated top of her class with a thesis on the strategic impact of military modernization in South Asia. Her foundation includes a Master’s in Computer Science from the International Islamic University, Islamabad, and a Bachelor’s in Science from Punjab University, with a focus on Mathematics and Statistics. She has also earned certifications in cybersecurity, including MCNA-2 and advanced Signals Analysis training in Germany.

Professional Experience 💼

With almost 16 years in instructional roles, Dr. Abeer has taught and developed courses across multiple educational and professional echelons, focusing on subjects like Information Technology, Signal Communication, Security Analysis, and Strategic Studies. Her vast experience includes roles in multinational environments and defense sectors, where she led projects in Network Security, Surveillance, and Communication Systems. Her strategic insight, analytical abilities, and research initiatives have had a substantial impact on security operations and technology implementation in defense organizations.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Abeer’s research interests lie at the intersection of technology and security. She specializes in:

  • Information Security and Trust Mechanisms
  • Artificial Intelligence for Smart City Applications
  • Network Forensics and Cyber Threat Prevention
  • Security and Surveillance Systems in Defense
  • Strategic Studies and Conflict Analysis

Her research contributions focus on advancing security measures in smart cities, utilizing detection and prevention methods to maintain data integrity and system trust in edge-based networks. She is also deeply engaged in exploring the strategic implications of modernization in regional defense systems, contributing to the strategic environment of South Asia.

Author Metrics 🏆

Dr. Abeer Iftikhar Tahirkheli’s author metrics reflect her impactful contributions in cybersecurity, strategic studies, and network forensics. Her research, primarily focused on trust mechanisms for smart city networks and security innovations in edge computing, has been well-received, with numerous citations that highlight her influence in both academic and professional communities. Dr. Abeer’s publications span reputed journals and conferences, where she has presented her findings on enhancing information security and analyzing strategic geopolitical impacts, particularly in South Asia. Her work’s high citation count underscores the relevance and applicability of her research to contemporary security and strategic challenges, and her recognized contributions are evident in her collaborations across interdisciplinary studies. Her author metrics illustrate a sustained commitment to pioneering research, driving advancements in technology and security practices for complex, real-world systems.

Publications Top Notes 📚

  1. Trust Management and Evaluation for Edge Intelligence in the Internet of Things
    • Authors: KN Qureshi, A Iftikhar, SN Bhatti, F Piccialli, F Giampaolo, G Jeon
    • Journal: Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence
    • Volume: 94
    • Article ID: 103756
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 62
    • Summary: This paper explores trust management frameworks for edge intelligence in IoT systems, aiming to enhance security and reliability in decentralized environments.
  2. A Survey on Modern Cloud Computing Security over Smart City Networks: Threats, Vulnerabilities, Consequences, Countermeasures, and Challenges
    • Authors: AI Tahirkheli, M Shiraz, B Hayat, M Idrees, A Sajid, R Ullah, N Ayub
    • Journal: Electronics
    • Volume: 10, Issue 15
    • Article ID: 1811
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 47
    • Summary: This survey provides an in-depth review of security challenges in cloud computing for smart cities, including threats, vulnerabilities, and effective countermeasures, with a focus on improving resilience.
  3. Security, Trust, and Privacy Risks, Responses, and Solutions for High-Speed Smart Cities Networks: A Systematic Literature Review
    • Authors: A Iftikhar, KN Qureshi, M Shiraz, S Albahli
    • Journal: Journal of King Saud University – Computer and Information Sciences
    • Article ID: 101788
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 20
    • Summary: This paper systematically reviews the risks and protective measures surrounding security, trust, and privacy within high-speed smart city networks, offering a foundation for safer digital infrastructures.
  4. Predicting COVID-19 Infections Prevalence Using Linear Regression Tool
    • Authors: STA Shah, A Iftikhar, MI Khan, M Mansoor, AF Mirza, M Bilal
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 7
    • Summary: In this research, linear regression models are applied to predict COVID-19 infection trends, contributing to epidemiological understanding and planning.
  5. A Blockchain-based Secure Authentication Technique for Ensuring User Privacy in Edge-Based Smart City Networks
    • Authors: A Iftikhar, KN Qureshi, FB Hussain, M Shiraz, M Sookhak
    • Journal: Journal of Network and Computer Applications
    • Article DOI: 10.1016/j.jnca.2024.104052
    • Publication Year: 2024
    • Article Number: 104052

Conclusion

Given her extensive experience, interdisciplinary approach, and significant contributions to network security and strategic studies, Dr. Abeer Iftikhar Tahirkheli’s profile strongly aligns with the criteria for the Best Researcher Award. Her commitment to advancing cybersecurity in smart cities, alongside her academic rigor and dedication, make her a highly deserving candidate for this honor.