Tushar Kafare | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tushar Kafare | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Sinhgad College of Engineering, India

Dr. Tushar Vaman Kafare is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics and Telecommunication (E&TC) at the Sinhgad Technical Education Society (STES). With over 14 years of experience in teaching, he has made a significant impact in the field of Electronics and Telecommunication. His research and expertise span across machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, embedded systems, and various programming languages like Python, MATLAB, C, and Embedded C. Dr. Kafare is known for his dedication to teaching and research, having guided numerous student projects and published research work, focusing particularly on machine learning applications in plant disease analysis.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Kafare holds an M.E. degree in Electronics and Telecommunication, as well as a B.E. in Electronics. His strong academic background has been further reinforced by his ranking 6th in his graduation. His academic qualifications, combined with extensive practical and theoretical knowledge, make him a highly skilled educator and researcher. His ongoing Ph.D. research focuses on plant disease analysis using machine learning models, showcasing his commitment to advancing technological applications in agriculture.

Experience

Having joined STES on September 7, 2022, Dr. Kafare brings with him a wealth of experience in academia and industry. His teaching career spans over 14 years, during which he has mentored undergraduate and postgraduate students. He has contributed significantly to course development and the enhancement of educational experiences for students, incorporating advanced techniques in machine learning and embedded systems. Additionally, Dr. Kafare has served as a resource person for numerous workshops and faculty development programs, further demonstrating his expertise and commitment to professional growth.

Research Interests

Dr. Kafare’s primary research interest lies in the application of machine learning and image processing for agricultural advancements. His Ph.D. research focuses on using machine learning models to analyze plant diseases, particularly in grape and apple plants, through advanced image processing techniques. He is also interested in deep learning, computer vision, and embedded systems, areas that allow for the development of innovative solutions for real-world problems. Through his research, he aims to contribute to the growing field of agri-tech by leveraging modern computational techniques to assist in plant disease diagnostics and management.

Awards

Dr. Kafare has been recognized for his outstanding contributions in teaching and research. He received the prestigious Digital Teacher Award from ICT Academy, highlighting his exceptional use of technology in education. Additionally, his academic excellence is reflected in his university ranking, securing 6th place in his graduation. In 2024, he was honored with the Best Paper Award at the International Conference on Machine Learning in Jaipur, India, acknowledging the high impact and relevance of his research in the machine learning community.

Publications

Dr. Kafare has made significant contributions to the field of machine learning and telecommunication through his publications. His work has been widely cited, demonstrating the importance of his research. Below is a list of selected publications:

Kafare, T.V. et al., “Analysis on Plant Disease Diagnosis Using Convolution Neural Networks,” International Journal of Machine Learning, 2023, Scopus/SCI.

Kafare, T.V. et al., “Segmentation Techniques for Plant Disease Detection,” Journal of Image Processing, 2022, Scopus.

Kafare, T.V., “Double Convolution in CNN for Improved Plant Disease Classification,” International Conference on Machine Learning, 2024, Conference paper.

Kafare, T.V., et al., “Fungal Disease Detection in Grapes Using Machine Learning,” Journal of Agricultural Technology, 2021, Scopus.

Conclusion

Dr. Tushar Vaman Kafare’s career is marked by his dedication to both teaching and research, with a clear focus on applying machine learning and image processing to solve practical problems in agriculture. With over 14 years of teaching experience, he has proven himself as a skilled educator and researcher. His ongoing Ph.D. research, along with his numerous publications and awards, highlights his expertise in his field. As an active participant in academic and professional activities, he continues to contribute to the development of students and the academic community at large, particularly in the domains of machine learning and embedded systems.

Balaji Dhamodharan | AI Expert | Lifetime achievement Award

Mr Balaji Dhamodharan | AI Expert | Lifetime achievement Award

Global Data Science Leader at  NXP Semiconductors,  United States

Balaji Dhamodharan is an award-winning AI and data science visionary with over 15 years of experience driving innovation, building high-performing teams, and delivering transformative AI/ML solutions across industries such as Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, and Retail. Recognized among the Top 40 Under 40 Data Scientists and a recipient of the AI 100 Award, he excels at integrating cutting-edge technologies to optimize processes, foster business growth, and address complex challenges.

Profile:

Leadership & Impact:

  • Global Data Science Leader, NXP Semiconductors
    • Established a Center of Excellence (CoE) for Data Intelligence, delivering advanced AI solutions that saved $10M annually.
    • Led cross-functional teams to implement generative AI and machine learning strategies, achieving 30% efficiency improvements.
    • Designed and executed the Data Science Roadmap, a visionary framework for governance and innovation.
  • Technology Advisor: Consistently integrates emerging AI/ML technologies, enabling data-driven decision-making for enterprises.
  • Scaling Expertise: Built and nurtured high-performing data science teams, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Key Technical Skills:

  • AI & ML Expertise: Generative AI, LLMs, Deep Learning, MLOps, and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
  • Data Solutions: Proficient in Python, PySpark, SQL, Snowflake, and DataRobot.
  • Visualization & Cloud: Tableau, Power BI, AWS, Azure, and Databricks.

Professional Timeline:

  • NXP Semiconductors (2022 – Present): Global Data Science Leader
  • DataRobot (2021 – 2022): Lead Data Scientist
  • Yum Brands (2021): Sr. Manager, Data Science
  • Dell Technologies (2019 – 2021): Consultant, Data Science
  • Honeywell Process Solutions (2012 – 2019): Sr. Data Scientist

Accomplishments:

  • Co-inventor of a patent-pending NLP-based contract analysis algorithm.
  • Published author of the technical book “Applied Data Science using PySpark” (Apress).
  • Editorial Board Member for leading AI journals.
  • Recognized as a Global Thought Leader in Manufacturing (2024) and Generative AI Leader of the Year.
  • Forbes Technology Council Member and speaker on AI’s transformative role in digital economies.

Thought Leadership & Advocacy

  • Active contributor to advancing responsible AI practices aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Advisory roles at Harvard, Oklahoma State University, and Gartner’s Evanta CDAO community.
  • Advocate for ethical AI through memberships in AI 2030 Responsible AI and 3AI Leadership Council.

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Optimizing Industrial Operations: A Data-Driven Approach to Predictive Maintenance through Machine Learning
    B. Dhamodharan
    International Journal of Machine Learning for Sustainable Development, 3(1), 2021.
  2. Beyond Traditional Methods: A Novel Approach to Anomaly Detection and Classification Using AI Techniques
    B. Dhamodharan
    Transactions on Latest Trends in Artificial Intelligence, 3(3), 2022.
  3. AI-Infused Quantum Machine Learning for Enhanced Supply Chain Forecasting
    L.M. Gutta, B. Dhamodharan, P.K. Dutta, P. Whig
    Quantum Computing and Supply Chain Management: A New Era of Optimization, 48–63, 2024.
  4. Empowering Enterprise Intelligence: The Transformative Influence of AutoML and Feature Engineering
    B. Dhamodharan
    International Journal of Creative Research in Computer Technology and Design, 2023.
  5. Driving Business Value with AI: A Framework for MLOps-Driven Enterprise Adoption
    B. Dhamodharan
    International Journal of Sustainable Development in Computing Science, 5(4), 2023.
  6. Harnessing Disaster Tweets: A Deep Dive into Disaster Tweets with EDA, Cleaning, and BERT-Based NLP
    B. Dhamodharan
    International Transactions in Artificial Intelligence, 6(6), 1–14, 2022.
  7. Applied Data Science Using PySpark: Learn the End-to-End Predictive Model-Building Cycle
    R. Kakarla, S. Krishnan, V. Gunnu, B. Dhamodharan
    Apress, 2024.
  8. Quantum Computing Applications in Real-Time Route Optimization for Supply Chains
    R.K. Vaddy, B. Dhamodharan, A. Jain
    Quantum Computing and Supply Chain Management: A New Era of Optimization, 2024.
  9. Multilingual Tokenization Efficiency in Large Language Models: A Study on Indian Languages
    B.D. Mohamed Azharudeen M
    Lattice – The Machine Learning Journal, 5(2), 2024.