Stef Van Den Elzen | Network Visualization | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Stef Van Den Elzen | Network Visualization | Research Excellence Award

Eindhoven University of Technology | Netherlands

Dr. Stef Van Den Elzen is an accomplished expert in visual analytics, artificial intelligence, and advanced data visualization, currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Visual Analytics at Eindhoven University of Technology since 2021. Prior to this, he worked as a Senior Scientist and Product Owner at Philips Research, where he led an agile team of over 15 members and drove the integration of state-of-the-art AI technologies into impactful innovations. His industry leadership includes serving as VP of Engineering at SyneRScope, guiding strategic direction, technical roadmaps, and product development, following earlier roles as Visualization Architect and Software Engineer in which he developed pioneering visual analytics techniques and supported international research projects. Dr. Van Den Elzen began his career with roles in software visualization, interactive data analysis, and educational support, and he earned his PhD in Visual Analytics for dynamic networks from Eindhoven University of Technology, graduating cum laude. He also holds a cum laude Master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering with a specialization in Visualization, a minor in Game and Multimedia Technology from Utrecht University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, building a strong foundation that has enabled his innovative contributions to research, industry, and technology development.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

"Towards multi-faceted visual process analytics", S van den Elzen, M Jans, N Martin, F Pieters, C Tominski, MC Villa-Uriol, Information Systems, 2025.

"When Dimensionality Reduction Meets Graph (Drawing) Theory: Introducing a Common Framework, Challenges and Opportunities", FV Paulovich, A Arleo, S van den Elzen Computer Graphics Forum, 2025.

"Long sequences with a lot of events (LoLo): A visual analytics approach for analyzing long event sequences", S van der Linden, B Cappers, A Vilanova, S van den Elzen Information Visualization, 2025.

"Cluster-Based Random Forest Visualization and Interpretation", M Sondag, C Meinecke, D Collaris, T Von Landesberger, S Elzen, arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.22665, 2025.

"Automated Refined Comic Generation: From Investigation Provenance to Data Comics using Visual Narrative Structure", K Roggenbuck, A Vilanova, S van den Elzen, 2025 Eurographics Conference on Visualization, 2025.

Athanasios Koustelios | Management | Best Research Article Award

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Prof. Athanasios Koustelios | Management | Best Research Article Award

University of Thessaly | Greece

Prof. Athanasios Koustelios is a distinguished academic in Human Resources Management and Sport Sciences, currently serving as Professor in the Department of Business Administration at the University of Thessaly since 2019. He holds a BSc from the Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1986) and a Ph.D. from the University of Manchester, UK (1991), where he completed his thesis on the relationship between organizational culture and job satisfaction across Greek industries. His academic career at the University of Thessaly spans over two decades-including appointments as Assistant Professor (1999–2004), Associate Professor (2004–2010), and Professor in the Department of P.E. & Sport Sciences (2010–2019). An experienced educator and researcher, he has taught extensively at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in areas such as Management, Organizational Behavior, Human Resources Management, Sport Management, Leadership, Group Dynamics, and Evaluation in Educational Organizations. He has supervised more than 100 Master’s dissertations and ten completed Ph.D. theses, with seven doctoral and seven master’s projects currently in progress. Prof. Koustelios has played an important role in securing and coordinating numerous competitive international and national research projects, notably in areas including sustainable training design, gender and sport, employability skills, dual careers of athletes, prevention of sexual harassment in sport, and sport entrepreneurship, reflecting his strong commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in human resources, sport management, and organizational development.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Building Public Servant Adaptability: How Self-Directedness Moderates Transformative Learning Experiences", M Viterouli, D Belias, A Koustelios, N Tsigilis, International Journal of Public Administration, 2025.

"Examining the Validity of Organizational Behavior Measurement Scales in the Greek Hospitality Industry", A Ntalakos, D Belias, A Koustelios, N Tsigilis, International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Systems 18 (1), 2025.

"Green ambidexterity: aligning strategic fit for environmental sustainability in the public sector", M Viterouli, D Belias, A Koustelios, N Tsigilis, Sustainability through green HRM and performance integration, 2025.

"Validity and reliability assessment of the transformative learning outcomes and processes (TROPOS) survey in public sector work-related learning", M Viterouli, D Belias, A Koustelios, N Tsigilis Serbian, Journal of Management 20 (2), 2025.

"Intrinsic motivation’s impact on transformative learning in the workplace", M Viterouli, D Belias, A Koustelios, N Tsigilis, International Journal of Lifelong Education, 2025.

Emmanuel Dogara Musa | Mineral Processing | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Emmanuel Dogara Musa | Mineral Processing | Best Researcher Award

University of Tasmania | Australia

Emmanuel Dogara Musa is an experienced and results-driven metallurgist with over a decade of progressive expertise in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and metallurgical plant optimization. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Earth Sciences (Minerals Processing) at the University of Tasmania, where his research focuses on critical mineral processing of scheelite and the beneficiation of complex skarn ores at Tasmania Mines. With extensive hands-on experience in metallurgical testing, process modelling, and plant operations, he brings strong analytical capabilities and a deep commitment to sustainable resource development.

Profiles: Orcid

Featured Publications

"Coarse Froth Flotation to Optimise Scheelite Recovery",  Emmanuel Dogara Musa; Julie Hunt; Mohammadbagher Fathi; Owen P. Missen; Greg Doherty; Marcus Mollison, Minerals, 2025.

Marco Cirillo | Interactive Analytics | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Marco Cirillo | Interactive Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Non-Profit Polyambulance Foundation | Italy

Dr. Marco Cirillo is a distinguished cardiac surgeon whose career seamlessly bridges clinical excellence and experimental research. After completing classical studies, he graduated in Medicine and Surgery with highest honors  from the University of Bologna and specialized in Cardiac and Great Vessels Surgery. His career has encompassed leadership roles as Head of the Cardiac Surgery Unit in Bologna for six years and the Heart Failure Surgery Unit in Brescia for twelve years. With expertise spanning the full range of traditional cardiac surgery-including mitral repair, coronary bypass, valve replacement, and aortic arch procedures-Dr. Cirillo has performed over 8,000 surgeries as first surgeon. His innovative contributions include the KISS procedure for physiological left ventricular reconstruction, the “Arterial-source No-touch Aorta” technique for off-pump coronary revascularization, and the NINFEA method for annular stabilization in endocarditis. Renowned for his commitment to quality and risk management (JCI accreditation), he continues to advance the field through research on bioprostheses and ventricular assist systems, recognized internationally through publications and awards. In 2025, he earned a Master’s degree in Echocardiography from the University of Verona. Beyond medicine, his intellectual pursuits extend to writing, photography, and cosmology, where he recently published a paper exploring Darwinian natural evolution as applied to the development of the Universe.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Achilles and the Tortoise: Rethinking Evidence Generation in Cardiovascular Surgery and Interventional Cardiology", Marco Cirillo, Hearts, 2025.

"Abiotrophia defectiva and Granulicatella: A Literature Review on Prosthetic Joint Infection and a Case Report on defectiva PJI and Concurrent Native Valve Endocarditis", MCristina Seguiti; Edda Piacentini; Angelica Fraghì; Mattia Zappa; Elia Croce; Angelo Meloni; Marco Cirillo; Clarissa Ferrari; Chiara Zani; David Belli et al., Microorganisms, 2025.

"Finger ischemia in a young lady: an unusual presentation of papillary fibroelastoma with intraventricular location", Matteo Pernigo; Elisabetta Dinatolo; Marco Cirillo; Zean Mhagna; Alida Filippini; Fabiana Cozza; Marco Berti; Roberto Bazzani; Tony Sabatini; Claudio Cuccia et al., Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease, 2023.

"Exploring Personal Protection During High-Risk PCI in a COVID-19 Patient", Marco Cirillo, JACC: Case Reports, 2020.

Probal Banerjee | Biological Network | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Probal Banerjee | Biological Network | Best Researcher Award

The College of Staten Island (City University of New York) | United States

Dr. Probal Banerjee is a distinguished biochemist and neuroscientist whose academic and research career spans over four decades of excellence in bioorganic chemistry, molecular neuroscience, and cancer research. He earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry (Hons) and M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from Jadavpur University, Calcutta, followed by a Ph.D. in Bioorganic Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in 1984. He completed postdoctoral research at the University of Notre Dame in Biochemistry and Enzymology and at the University of Chicago in Molecular Neuroscience. Currently a Professor of Chemistry and Coordinator at the Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, CUNY, Dr. Banerjee has made pioneering contributions to understanding neurodevelopmental signaling and immune-modulating cancer therapies. His numerous honors include the Children’s Research Foundation Grant (1989), Brain Research Foundation Award, and two Dolphin Awards for Academic Excellence and Teaching. A sought-after speaker, he has delivered invited lectures at leading institutions worldwide on topics ranging from serotonin signaling in brain development to multi-target cancer therapeutics. Dr. Banerjee is also an inventor with several patents on curcumin-based anticancer agents and therapeutic approaches for Fragile X Syndrome. His expertise is widely recognized through his service on multiple NIH grant review committees, reflecting his enduring impact on neuroscience, pharmacology, and translational cancer research.

Profiles: Orcid 

Featured Publications

"Novel Taxol-Derivative, STO-1, Induces Selective Anti-Tumor Immunity and Sustained Remission of Glioblastoma Without Triggering Autoimmune Reactions", Shubhasmita Mohapatra; Adrian Guerrero; Neha Rahman; Khondoker Takia Zaman; Jing Wu; Callistus Onyeagba; Chanyue Hu; Matteo Pellegrini; Jayaram Vankudoth; Seiya Kitamura et al., Cells, 2025.

"One-Pot Synthesis of Phenylboronic Acid-Based Microgels for Tunable Gate of Glucose-Responsive Insulin Release at Physiological pH", Prashun G. Roy; Jiangtao Zhang; Koushik Bhattacharya; Probal Banerjee; Jing Shen; Shuiqin Zhou, Molecules, 2025.

"Biocompatible Anisole-Nonlinear PEG Core–Shell Nanogels for High Loading Capacity, Excellent Stability, and Controlled Release of Curcumin", Jing Shen; Jiangtao Zhang; Weitai Wu; Probal Banerjee; Shuiqin Zhou, Gels 2023.

"The G Protein-Coupled Serotonin 1A Receptor Augments Protein Kinase Cε-Mediated Neurogenesis in Neonatal Mouse Hippocampus-PKCε-Mediated Signaling in the Early Hippocampus", Sreyashi Samaddar; Sudarshana Purkayastha; Souleymane Diallo; Subramanyam J. Tantry; Ryan Schroder; Pranavan Chanthrakumar; Michael J. Flory; Probal Banerjee, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2022.

"Phytosomal curcumin causes natural killer cell-dependent repolarization of glioblastoma (GBM) tumor-associated microglia/macrophages and elimination of GBM and GBM stem cells", Sumit Mukherjee; Angela Fried; Rahman Hussaini; Richard White; Juliet Baidoo; Sri Yalamanchi; Probal Banerjee, Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, 2018.

Raquel Martín García | Biological Network | Best Research Article Award

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Dr. Raquel Martín García | Biological Network | Best Research Article Award

Puerta de Hierro University Hospital Majadahonda | Spain

Dr. Raquel Martín García is a highly accomplished neurologist specializing in movement and sleep disorders, with extensive academic and clinical expertise. She earned her Degree in Medicine and Surgery (2010–2016) and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery at the Autonomous University of Madrid. After completing her Neurology specialization at Puerta de Hierro University Hospital (2017–2021), she has since served as a Specialist Physician in the Movement Disorders Unit and the Sleep Unit at leading hospitals and research centers in Madrid, including the Sleep Research Institute and CISNe Comprehensive Sleep and Neuroscience Center. Dr. Martín García holds multiple postgraduate qualifications, including a Master’s in Movement Disorders, expert titles in Headaches and Neurosonology, and advanced certifications in cerebrovascular and hereditary neurological diseases. Her research contributions include several publications in prestigious international journals such as European Journal of Neurology, Brain Sciences, and Epilepsy & Behavior, as well as book chapters for Springer and the Oxford Handbook of Sleep and Sleep Disorders. She has actively presented her work at major neurology conferences, participated as a sub-investigator in numerous Phase II and III clinical trials on Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, and contributed to teaching and mentoring at the Autonomous University of Madrid. Recognized for her dedication to advancing neurological sciences, she received the STADA Fellowship from the AMN Movement Disorders Group in 2024.

Profiles: Scopus

Featured Publications

"Device-aided therapies (DATs) in Parkinson's disease (PD). The DATs-PD GETM Spanish Registry Protocol Study", Martín García R, Plos One, 2025.

Sajid Mehmood | Biological Networks | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sajid Mehmood | Biological Networks | Best Researcher Award

Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Amarkantak | India

Dr. Sajid Mehmood is an emerging researcher in the field of nanoscience and chemistry, currently pursuing his Ph.D. (2021–2024) at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh — a Central University established by an Act of Parliament, Government of India. He holds an M.Sc. in Chemistry (2017–2019) from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Uttarakhand, and a B.Sc. (2013–2017) from Govt. Degree College, Poonch, affiliated with the University of Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir. His academic excellence and research contributions have been recognized through prestigious honors, including qualifying the national-level GATE examination (2020), receiving the UGC University Fellowship (2021–2024), and earning the IRSD Excellence in Research and Development Award (2025). Dr. Mehmood’s research focuses on nanoparticle synthesis to develop advanced materials with precise structural properties for applications in healthcare, sustainable energy, and agriculture. His work encompasses nanoparticle synthesis using multiple methods, characterization for structural analysis, and exploring applications such as targeted drug delivery, environmental catalysis, sensors, and energy storage. Through his ongoing research, he aims to advance nanomaterial innovation to promote technological growth, sustainability, and national development.

Profiles: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"A comprehensive review on microbial production and significant applications of multifunctional biomolecules: biosurfactants. N Sharma, YK Ahlawat, AJ Sharma, N Chamoli, M Thakur, A Sharma, Biodegradation, 2025"

"Microbial Enzymes in Industrial Biotechnology: Sources, Production and Significant Applications of Lipases. N Sharma, YK Ahlawat, N Stalin, S Mehmood, S Morya, A Malik, J Nellore, Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2025"

"Industrially Significant Extremophiles and Their Unexplored Habitats in Hot Water Springs N Sharma, YK Ahlawat, S Mehmood, AJ Sharma, P Thakur, A Malik, Geomicrobiology Journal, 2025"

"Molecular NiII Complexes as Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for O2 Evolution and Urea Electro‐Oxidation Reaction. N Kumar, L Wagh, S Mehmood, AK Das, TK Ghorai, ChemPlusChem, 2025"

"Effect of ZnMgO 2 nanoparticles used as a nanofertilizer: promoting the growth activities of rice seedlings. Environmental Science: Nano, S Mehmood, N Kumar, A Mansoori, M Mohan, A Kumar, TK Ghorai, 2024"

"Design and Development of Sustainable Cu2 (II)- and Mn2 (III)-Embedded Bifunctional Electrocatalysts: Enhanced Hydrogen and Oxygen Generation. N Kumar, L Wagh, S Mehmood, AK Das, TK Ghorai, Inorganic Chemistry 63, 2024"

"A new copper molybdate-doped aluminium phosphate nanocomposite heterostructure for photoreduction of aqueous 2-NA and 4-NA. TK Ghorai, S Chakraborty, N Satpute, S Mehmood, N Kumar, SK Sahu, Materials Advances, 2023"

Xiaosuo Wang | Technological Networks | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Xiaosuo Wang | Technological Networks | Best Researcher Award

The University of Sydney | Australia

Dr. Xiaosuo Wang is a distinguished researcher specializing in mass spectrometry, metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics, with deep expertise in vascular biology and heart failure. She earned her PhD in Medicine from the University of Sydney in 2009, focusing on novel ELISA methods to detect oxidised apolipoproteins in cardiovascular disease, following a master’s degree in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of New South Wales and a bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering from the Fourth Military Medical University, China. Currently a Senior Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, she leads pioneering projects in biomarker discovery, metabolic assays, and multi-omics platform development for applications in liver disease, heart failure, and population health. Her work integrates advanced mass spectrometry, lipidomics, and metabolomics workflows with translational innovations such as point-of-care assays and biosensor development. Previously, as a Metabolomics Research Scientist at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and Manager of the Bosch Mass Spectrometry Facility, she developed over 60 advanced LC-MS assays and supported a wide range of biological and clinical research. Dr. Wang’s prolific contributions include more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, numerous conference presentations, and significant advancements in analytical methodologies for precision medicine.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid ID

Featured Publications

"Rapid On-Demand Point-of-Care Monitoring of Clozapine and Its Metabolite Norclozapine Using Miniature Mass Spectrometry. Pharmaceuticals, Xiaosuo Wang; Wei Yi Lew; Yang Yang; Nan Zhang; Jiexun Bu; Zhentao Li; Michael Fitzpatrick; Paul Bonnitcha; David Sullivan; Wenpeng Zhang et al., 2025"

"The Heart Has Intrinsic Ketogenic Capacity that Mediates NAD + Therapy in HFpEF, Circulation Research, Yen Chin Koay; Bailey McIntosh; Yann Huey Ng; Yang Cao; Xiao Suo Wang; Yanchuang Han; Saki Tomita; Angela Yu Bai; Benjamin Hunter; Ashish Misra et al., 2025"

"Cardiac Substrate Utilization and Relationship to Invasive Exercise Hemodynamic Parameters in HFpEF, JACC. Basic to translational science, O'Sullivan JF; Li M; Koay YC; Wang XS; Guglielmi G; Marques FZ; Nanayakkara S; Mariani J; Slaughter E; Kaye DM, 2024"

"The first human normative ranges and biomarker performance of dimethylguanidino valeric acid isoforms in fatty liver disease, Pathology, Qadri S; Wang X; Tran C; Fitzpatrick M; Bonnitcha P; Sullivan D; Yki-Järvinen H; O'Sullivan JF, 2023"

"Destabilization of Atherosclerotic Plaque by Bilirubin Deficiency, Circulation Research, Weiyu Chen; Sergey Tumanov; Christopher P. Stanley; Stephanie M.Y. Kong; James Nadel; Niv Vigder; Darren L. Newington; Xiao Suo Wang; Louise L. Dunn; Roland Stocker, 2025"

Ali Nikoutadbir | Intelligent Transportation Systems | Young Researcher Award

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Mr. Ali Nikoutadbir | Intelligent Transportation Systems | Young Researcher Award

Tarbiat Modares University Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering | Iran

Ali Nikoutadbir is a motivated and results-driven MSc graduate in Electrical Engineering with over six years of research experience in securing cyber-physical systems (CPS), particularly focusing on multi-agent systems and intelligent transportation networks. His expertise lies in developing innovative graph-theoretic and optimization-based algorithms to tackle challenges in distributed coordination control, event-triggered control, and the resilience of industrial CPS. As a Research Assistant at the Control System Science Lab, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran (2020–2023), he designed and implemented a novel secure event-triggered control framework for vehicular platoons to counter dual deception attacks, including false data injection and global manipulation. He also developed static and dynamic event-triggering schemes ensuring secure consensus under stringent attack constraints and introduced a topology-switching strategy based on Schur stability to enhance system resilience. His theoretical advancements were validated through extensive MATLAB/Simulink simulations. Ali’s published work, including “Secure event-triggered control for vehicle platooning against dual deception attacks,” forms the foundation of his contributions to CPS security. His research expertise encompasses securing multi-agent networks against deception attacks using graph-theoretic and optimization-based methodologies, stability analysis, and end-to-end system modeling, design, and validation.

Profiles: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Secure event-triggered control for vehicle platooning in the presence of modification attacks"

"Secure event-triggered control for vehicle platooning against dual deception attacks"

"Estimation of the error caused by the vibration of the radar in the SAR radar aperture using the analytical condition empirical method"

Nurulhasanah Othman | Technological Networks | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Nurulhasanah Othman | Technological Networks | Best Researcher Award

University of Science | Malaysia

Dr. Nurulhasanah Othman is a distinguished researcher recognized for her extensive contributions in the fields of molecular parasitology, proteomics, and infectious disease research. As a Principal Investigator and Co-Researcher on numerous national and university-funded projects, her work reflects a deep commitment to advancing biomedical science and public health. She currently leads a national grant project under the Ministry of Education Malaysia (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia) focusing on elucidating the potential inhibitory roles of dextromethorphan and azathioprine targeting Rho GTPase to combat metronidazole-resistant E. histolytica HM1-IMSS (MTZR). Her collaborative projects span a range of innovative studies, including comparative proteome profiling in cervical cancer tissues, identification of immunogenic proteins in G. duodenalis, exploration of antibody profiles in Strongyloides stercoralis, and the development of novel multiplex qPCR assays for triple-negative breast cancer markers. Dr. Nurulhasanah has also served as the Principal Investigator for multiple University Sains Malaysia (USM) research grants, including investigations into pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti, proteomic analyses of Entamoeba histolytica for vaccine development, and protein detection studies using MALDI-TOF/TOF technology. As a Co-Researcher, she has contributed to large-scale genome projects, such as the genomic and proteomic analyses of Malaysian mangrove crab species and horseshoe crabs, as well as molecular diagnostic assay development for Leptospira spp. detection. Through her leadership and interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Nurulhasanah has made significant strides in proteomic-based pathogen research, genomic studies, and the pursuit of novel molecular tools for disease control and therapeutic innovation.

Profiles: Orcid ID | Scopus

Featured Publications

"Application of Proteomics to the Study of the Therapeutics and Pathogenicity of Giardia duodenalis"

"Entamoeba histolytica: Membrane and Non-Membrane Protein Structure, Function, Immune Response Interaction, and Vaccine Development"

"A Review: Natural and Synthetic Compounds Targeting Entamoeba histolytica and Its Biological Membrane"

"Evaluation of Total Female and Male Aedes aegypti Proteomes Reveals Significant Predictive Protein–Protein Interactions, Functional Ontologies, and Differentially Abundant Proteins"

"Entamoeba histolytica: Proteomics Bioinformatics Reveal Predictive Functions and Protein–Protein Interactions of Differentially Abundant Membrane and Cytosolic Proteins"