Zihan Deng | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zihan Deng | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Harbin Institute of Technology, China

Zihan Deng is a young and accomplished researcher in the field of imaging technology and computational tomography, with a strong foundation in deep learning and artificial intelligence. With a robust academic background and an array of interdisciplinary experiences, Deng has made significant contributions through high-impact publications, competitive grants, and patents. His expertise lies at the intersection of optical instrumentation and medical image analysis, and he continues to actively engage in scientific exploration with promising results.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Deng completed his undergraduate studies in Computer Science and Technology at Harbin Engineering University (2019–2023), ranking in the top 5% of his class. His academic curriculum included rigorous coursework in mathematics and computer science, scoring consistently above 90 in core subjects. He was subsequently recommended for direct admission into the graduate program at Harbin Institute of Technology, where he is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at the Institute of Ultra-Precision Optical Instrument Engineering under the mentorship of Professor Junning Cui and Academician Jiubin Tan. His research spans CT reconstruction, deep learning-based image enhancement, and X-ray detection technologies.

Experience

Deng has accumulated diverse experience through internships and collaborative projects. He served in leadership roles within student organizations and academic competitions, including receiving awards in national-level modeling and software contests. He undertook summer research at Tsinghua University’s IDG/McGovern Brain Research Institute and was later selected to join Germany’s PTB “Chief Engineer Class” as a visiting scholar. Professionally, he interned with Chengdu Shuzhilian Technology and Guangzhou CVTE, where he contributed to image processing and video enhancement projects. He has also played key roles in multimillion-yuan research collaborations with institutions like CGN Research Institute and GF High-End Semiconductor Imaging Systems.

Research Interest

Deng’s research interests revolve around imaging technology, deep learning, and CT reconstruction methods. He focuses on developing advanced algorithms for sparse-angle computed tomography, artifact reduction, and multi-view image correction using neural networks. His work integrates domain-specific knowledge from instrumentation science with state-of-the-art machine learning frameworks to improve image quality in both medical diagnostics and industrial inspection. He also investigates beam hardening correction and reconstruction under large field-of-view (FOV) conditions, addressing challenges in high-precision imaging systems.

Award

Over the course of his academic journey, Deng has received 11 scholarships and numerous accolades. These include five first-class and two second-class academic scholarships from Harbin Engineering University, the prestigious Xiaomi Scholarship, and the Outstanding Youth League Member Award. His undergraduate thesis on sparse-angle CT reconstruction was selected as an Excellent Graduation Project (top 2%). He has also won national-level awards in competitions such as the Mathematical Modeling Contest and the English Proficiency Championship.

Publication

Deng has authored or co-authored several influential papers in prestigious journals and conferences. His representative publications include:

  1. Deng Z., Wang Z., et al. (2024). “COO-DuDo: Computation Overhead Optimization Methods for Dual-Domain Sparse-View CT Reconstruction”, Expert Systems with Applications (JCR Q1, IF=7.5, in press) – cited in advanced CT algorithm research.

  2. Deng Z., Wang Z., Lin L., Wang S., Cui J. (2024). “Research on the Effectiveness of Multi-View Slice Correction Technology Based on Deep Learning in High-Pitch Spiral Scanning Reconstruction”, Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology (JCR Q2, IF=3.0) – applied in spiral CT systems.

  3. Wang Z.#, Deng Z.#, Liu F., et al. (2023). “OSNet & MNetO for Linear Computed Tomography in Multi-Scenarios”, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement (JCR Q1, IF=5.6) – widely cited in instrumentation imaging.

  4. Deng Z., Deng K., Wang Z., et al.. “Small Class Discussion-Based Teaching in Instrumentation Education”, The International Journal of Education – cited in engineering education reform discussions.

  5. Li Z., Li K., Deng Z., et al. (2024). “Assessment of Sheetlet Thickness in Human Left Ventricular Free Wall Using X-ray Phase-Contrast Microtomography”, Medical Image Analysis (JCR Q1, IF=10.9, accepted) – applied in cardiovascular research.

  6. Deng Z., Wang Z., Lin L., et al. (2025). “Computation Overhead Optimization Dual-Domain Network for Sparse-View CT Reconstruction”, ICASSP 2025 (CCF-B Conference) – in review, expected to support efficient CT image pipelines.

  7. Deng Z., Wang Z., Lin L., Wang S. “Hel-MUNet: Mamba-Unet with Helical Encoding for Clinical High Pitch Helical CT Reconstruction”, MICCAI 2025 (under review) – aligned with cutting-edge clinical imaging methods.

Conclusion

Zihan Deng exemplifies the next generation of research professionals driving innovation in imaging and artificial intelligence. Through a blend of strong theoretical foundation, hands-on project experience, and impactful publications, he has demonstrated exceptional capability in solving complex technical problems. With continued guidance under leading scholars and global exposure, Deng is well-positioned to become a prominent figure in the advancement of smart medical imaging and intelligent instrumentation.

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.