Zhi Gao | Vision-Language Models | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zhi Gao | Vision-Language Models | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Peking University, China.

Dr. Zhi Gao is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Intelligence Science and Technology, Peking University. His research focuses on multimodal learning, vision-language models, and human-robot interaction. With expertise in computer vision and machine learning, he explores the development of intelligent agents capable of understanding and interacting with complex environments.

Professional Profile:

Google Scholar Profile

Education Background 🎓📖

  • Ph.D. in Computer Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology (2018–2023)
  • Master in Computer Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology (2017–2018)
  • B.S. in Computer Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology (2013–2017)

Professional Development 📈💡

Dr. Gao is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Peking University under the supervision of Prof. Song-Chun Zhu, focusing on multimodal learning and agent development. Concurrently, he serves as a Research Scientist at the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence, working on vision-language models in the Machine Learning Lab. His research integrates deep learning, data representation, and human-centered AI to enhance machine perception and reasoning.

Research Focus 🔬📖

His work spans computer vision and machine learning, particularly in developing multimodal agents capable of learning from human-robot interactions and adapting to dynamic environments. He is also interested in leveraging the geometry of data space to address challenges such as insufficient annotations and distribution shifts.

Author Metrics

  • Publications in top-tier AI and computer vision conferences and journals
  • Research contributions in multimodal intelligence, vision-language understanding, and AI-driven reasoning

Awards & Honors 🏆🎖️

  • National Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China (2025–2027) for research on Riemannian multimodal large language models for video understanding
  • Distinguished Dissertation Award from SIGAI CHINA (October 202X)

Publication Top Notes

1. A Hyperbolic-to-Hyperbolic Graph Convolutional Network

Authors: Jindou Dai, Yuwei Wu, Zhi Gao, Yunde Jia
Published in: Proceedings of the IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2021, pp. 154-163
Abstract: This paper introduces a hyperbolic-to-hyperbolic graph convolutional network (H2H-GCN) that operates directly on hyperbolic manifolds. The proposed method includes a manifold-preserving graph convolution with hyperbolic feature transformation and neighborhood aggregation, avoiding distortions from tangent space approximations. Extensive experiments demonstrate substantial improvements in tasks such as link prediction, node classification, and graph classification.

2. Curvature Generation in Curved Spaces for Few-Shot Learning

Authors: Zhi Gao, Yuwei Wu, Yunde Jia, Mehrtash Harandi
Published in: Proceedings of the IEEE/CVF International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV), 2021, pp. 8671-8680
Abstract: This research addresses few-shot learning by proposing task-aware curved embedding spaces using hyperbolic geometry. By generating task-specific embedding spaces with appropriate curvatures, the method enhances the generality of embeddings. The study leverages intra-class and inter-class context information to create discriminative class prototypes, showing benefits over existing embedding methods in both inductive and transductive few-shot learning scenarios.

3. Deep Convolutional Network with Locality and Sparsity Constraints for Texture Classification

Authors: Xiaoyu Bu, Yuwei Wu, Zhi Gao, Yunde Jia
Published in: Pattern Recognition, Volume 91, 2019, Pages 34-46
Abstract: This paper presents a deep convolutional network incorporating locality and sparsity constraints to improve texture classification. The proposed model enhances feature representation by enforcing local connectivity and sparse activation, leading to improved classification performance on texture datasets.

4. Meta-Causal Learning for Single Domain Generalization

Authors: Jianlong Chen, Zhi Gao, Xiaodan Wu, Jiebo Luo
Published in: Proceedings of the IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2023
Abstract: The study introduces a meta-causal learning framework aimed at enhancing generalization in single-domain settings. By leveraging causal relationships within the data, the approach seeks to improve model robustness when applied to unseen domains, addressing challenges in domain generalization.

5. A Robust Distance Measure for Similarity-Based Classification on the SPD Manifold

Authors: Zhi Gao, Yuwei Wu, Mehrtash Harandi, Yunde Jia
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, Volume 31, Issue 9, 2019, Pages 3230-3244
Abstract: This research proposes a robust distance measure tailored for similarity-based classification tasks on the Symmetric Positive Definite (SPD) manifold. The developed measure enhances classification accuracy by effectively capturing the intrinsic geometry of the SPD manifold, demonstrating robustness in various similarity-based classification scenarios.

Conclusion:

Dr. Zhi Gao is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his groundbreaking contributions in vision-language models, hyperbolic learning, and multimodal AI. His strong academic background, top-tier publications, and national recognition make him a well-qualified nominee. However, to further strengthen his impact, he could focus on industry collaborations, real-world AI applications, and global AI leadership.

Verdict:Highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award with minor areas of improvement for long-term impact.

Nithya Rekha Sivakumar | Deep Learning | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Nithya Rekha Sivakumar | Deep Learning | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia📖

Dr. Nithya Rekha Sivakumar is an accomplished academician and researcher, currently serving as an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the College of Computer and Information Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Periyar University, India, specializing in Mobile Computing and Wireless Networks with Fuzzy and Rough Set Techniques, funded by a prestigious UGC BSR Fellowship. Dr. Sivakumar also earned her M.Phil. in Data Mining, MCA in Computer Applications, and B.Sc. in Computer Science. With over 15 years of academic experience, she has served in diverse roles across reputed institutions in India and Saudi Arabia. Her research interests include wireless networks, mobile computing, data mining, and intelligent systems, with extensive contributions as a researcher, reviewer, and speaker in international conferences and journals. A recipient of multiple awards, including the “Best Distinguished Researcher Award,” she has secured research grants and actively evaluates Ph.D. theses globally. Dr. Sivakumar is also a member of IEEE and IAENG and continues to contribute to advancements in computing through teaching, research, and scholarly activities.

Profile

Orcid Profile

Google Scholar Profile

Education Background🎓

Dr. Rekha earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from Periyar University, India, in 2014, supported by the prestigious UGC BSR Fellowship. Her doctoral research focused on mobile computing and wireless networks with fuzzy and rough set techniques. She also holds an M.Phil. in Computer Science from PRIST University (2009), an MCA from IGNOU (2007), and a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Bharathiar University (1996).

Professional Experience🌱

Dr. Rekha has over 15 years of academic and research experience. She has been with Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University since 2017, progressing from Assistant to Associate Professor. Prior to this, she served as an Assistant Professor at Qassim Private Colleges, Saudi Arabia, and held teaching roles in leading Indian institutions such as Vivekanandha College of Arts and Sciences and Excel Business School. She has also contributed to non-academic roles, including as a Java Programmer and high school teacher.

Research and Service🔬

Dr. Rekha’s research interests span mobile computing, e-governance, and advanced data mining techniques. She has evaluated over 20 Ph.D. theses as a foreign examiner and served as a reviewer for esteemed journals such as IEEE Access, Springer, and Elsevier. A sought-after speaker, she has been invited to international seminars and conferences across the globe, sharing her expertise in computational science and emerging technologies.

Dr. Rekha continues to inspire through her teaching, research, and unwavering commitment to advancing the field of computer science.

Author Metrics 

Dr. Nithya Rekha Sivakumar has an impressive author profile, with a strong presence in international research communities. She has published over 40 papers in reputed journals and conferences, many indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, reflecting her contributions to fields like wireless networks, mobile computing, and data mining. Her work has garnered significant recognition, with an h-index of 12 and over 400 citations, underscoring the impact and relevance of her research. She has authored and co-authored book chapters published by renowned publishers such as Springer and Wiley, further highlighting her expertise. As a sought-after reviewer for top-tier journals, she actively contributes to maintaining the quality of scientific publications. Dr. Sivakumar’s research outputs, combined with her active engagement in scholarly dissemination, establish her as a leading voice in her domain.

Honors and Research Grants

Dr. Rekha has received numerous accolades, including the “Best Distinguished Researcher Award” (2015-2016) and multiple research grants from Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, amounting to SAR 40,000 through the Fast Track Research Funding program. She has also been recognized for her doctoral research by the University Grants Commission, India, and secured a travel grant from the Indian Department of Science and Technology to present her work internationally

Publications Top Notes 📄

“Increasing Fault Tolerance Ability and Network Lifetime with Clustered Pollination in Wireless Sensor Networks”

  • Authors: TKNVD Achyut Shankar, Nithya Rekha Sivakumar, M. Sivaram, A. Ambikapathy
  • Journal: Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing
  • Year: 2020
  • Impact: The paper focuses on improving the fault tolerance and lifespan of wireless sensor networks through an innovative clustered pollination-based approach.

“Stabilizing Energy Consumption in Unequal Clusters of Wireless Sensor Networks”

  • Author: NR Sivakumar
  • Journal: Computational Materials and Continua
  • Volume: 64
  • Pages: 81-96
  • Year: 2020
  • Impact: This paper addresses energy stabilization in wireless sensor networks by proposing techniques to manage energy distribution across unequal clusters, enhancing network sustainability.

“Enhancing Network Lifespan in Wireless Sensor Networks Using Deep Learning-based Graph Neural Network”

  • Authors: NR Sivakumar, SM Nagarajan, GG Devarajan, L Pullagura, et al.
  • Journal: Physical Communication
  • Volume: 59
  • Article No.: 102076
  • Year: 2023
  • Impact: The paper investigates how deep learning-based graph neural networks can be used to enhance the lifespan of wireless sensor networks, marking a significant contribution to AI-powered network optimization.

“Simulation and Evaluation of the Performance on Probabilistic Broadcasting in FSR (Fisheye State Routing) Routing Protocol Based on Random Mobility Model in MANET”

  • Authors: NR Sivakumar, C Chelliah
  • Conference: 2012 Fourth International Conference on Computational Intelligence
  • Year: 2012
  • Impact: This study explores the performance of the Fisheye State Routing (FSR) protocol in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), with an emphasis on the effects of random mobility models on network behavior.

“An IoT-based Big Data Framework Using Equidistant Heuristic and Duplex Deep Neural Network for Diabetic Disease Prediction”

  • Authors: NR Sivakumar, FKD Karim
  • Journal: Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing
  • Year: 2023
  • Impact: This paper presents an IoT-based framework utilizing big data and deep learning for predicting diabetic diseases, offering a new approach to healthcare prediction systems through advanced technologies.

Conclusion

Dr. Nithya Rekha Sivakumar is a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her impressive research accomplishments, strong publication record, innovative contributions to wireless networks and mobile computing, and active engagement in the academic community make her an outstanding researcher. Although there are areas for improvement, particularly in interdisciplinary collaboration and public outreach, her overall research trajectory and impact are exemplary. Dr. Sivakumar’s continuous pursuit of excellence in her field and her ability to address contemporary challenges in mobile computing, data mining, and wireless networks position her as a leading researcher in her domain. She is highly recommended for the Best Researcher Award.