Dr. Paul Kariuki | Internet of Things | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Paul Kariuki | Internet of Things | Best Researcher Award 

Senior Lecturer, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Dr. Paul Kariuki is an accomplished scholar and practitioner in public governance and development studies. He earned his Ph.D. in Public Administration (School of IT, Management & Governance, UKZN), a Master’s in Development Studies (Development Economics, UKZN), a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Airlangga (Indonesia), and additional postgraduate qualifications in Monitoring & Evaluation, Human Rights, and Non-Profit Leadership from Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town. He has extensive experience in coalition governance, participatory democracy, monitoring & evaluation, local economic development, migration, social cohesion, e-governance and cybersecurity. Dr. Paul Kariuki has supervised and examined numerous postgraduate theses in public management and governance across South African and regional universities. He has co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, published 20+ books/monographs on municipal governance, democracy and policy responses, and presented at major international conferences. His work has informed public-sector reforms, inclusive city strategies, and evidence-based policymaking in South Africa.

Profile: GOOGLE SCHOLAR | SCOPUS

Featured Publications

  • P. Kariuki & P. Reddy — Operationalizing an effective monitoring and evaluation system for local government: Considerations for best practice — African Evaluation Journal 5(2):1-8, 2017 — Cited by 64

  • P. Kariuki & L.O. Ofusori — WhatsApp-operated stokvels promoting youth entrepreneurship in Durban, South Africa: Experiences of young entrepreneurs — Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Theory and Practice…, 2017 — Cited by 26

  • P. Kariuki, L.O. Ofusori & P.R. Subramaniam — Cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities experienced by small-scale African migrant traders in Southern Africa — Security Journal, 2023 — Cited by 18

  • P. Kariuki, L.O. Ofusori, P.R. Subramaniam et al. — Challenges in contact tracing by mining mobile phone location data for COVID-19: Implications for public governance in South Africa — Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge and Management 16:101-124, 2021 — Cited by 9

  • P. Kariuki, J.A. Adeleke & L.O. Ofusori — The role of open data in enabling fiscal transparency and accountability in municipalities in Africa: South Africa and Nigeria case studies — Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Theory and Practice…, 2020 — Cited by 8

Conclusion

Dr. Paul Kariuki’s extensive and diverse body of work demonstrates a consistent commitment to advancing public governance, digital innovation, and inclusive development across Africa. His research contributions, which span monitoring and evaluation systems, e-governance, cybersecurity, migration, and social cohesion, have informed both academic scholarship and practical policy implementation. With numerous peer-reviewed publications, collaborative projects, and impactful case studies, Dr. Kariuki exemplifies the qualities of a forward-thinking scholar and practitioner whose work drives meaningful change in communities. These achievements position him as an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Xiaopeng Han | Computer Science | Best Industrial Research Award

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Dr. Xiaopeng Han | Computer Science | Best Industrial Research Award

Researcher at Purple Mountain Laboratories, China

Dr. Xiaopeng Han is a dedicated researcher currently serving as an Assistant Research Fellow at the Endogenous Security Research Center, Purple Mountain Laboratories. With a strong foundation in photogrammetry, remote sensing, and cyber-physical systems security, Dr. Han bridges geospatial technology and security innovation. His career has been marked by a blend of academic rigor and real-world application, particularly in the fields of high-resolution remote sensing image interpretation and network security. Over the past few years, he has contributed to numerous national and provincial research projects, including high-value initiatives like the National Key R&D Program and the Jiangsu Province Doctoral Innovation Program. Dr. Han has also played pivotal roles in multi-disciplinary collaborative research, publishing extensively in leading international journals. Notably, his work integrates machine learning, deep learning, and sensor network control with applications in smart cities and industrial cybersecurity. Through his academic endeavors and contributions to national strategy documents and patents, he has established himself as a well-rounded scientist pushing the boundaries of both remote sensing and cybersecurity. His robust profile and consistent academic engagement reflect a passion for scientific innovation, talent cultivation, and technological transformation.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Xiaopeng Han began his academic journey at Central South University, where he pursued a Bachelor of Engineering in Surveying and Mapping Engineering from September 2010 to June 2014. This program provided him with a solid grounding in geospatial science, data acquisition, and engineering applications. Motivated by a desire to further specialize, he continued his education at Wuhan University—one of China’s leading institutions in the field of photogrammetry and remote sensing—where he earned a Ph.D. between September 2014 and June 2019. His doctoral studies involved deep analytical work in remote sensing technologies, image classification, and environmental modeling. During this time, he developed a strong foundation in high-resolution image analysis and multi-source data fusion, skills that have been integral to his subsequent research. The academic rigor and innovative environment at Wuhan University equipped Dr. Han with the tools to thrive in cross-disciplinary research areas, paving the way for his transition into more security-focused technological research. Though he has not pursued postdoctoral studies, his educational background has enabled him to take on high-impact research roles in both academic and industry-aligned settings, bridging theory with practice.

Professional Experience

Dr. Xiaopeng Han’s professional journey reflects a well-rounded progression from industry roles to academic research positions. From July 2019 to July 2022, he worked as an Engineer in the System Research Department at the 14th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC). Here, he engaged in research and development activities focused on system integration, high-tech innovations, and security frameworks. This experience grounded his technical knowledge in practical, large-scale applications, particularly in cybersecurity systems and smart infrastructure. Since July 2022, Dr. Han has been serving as an Assistant Research Fellow at the Endogenous Security Research Center of Purple Mountain Laboratories. In this role, he has continued his work on network security, remote sensing, and data-driven system optimization. His professional portfolio includes collaborations on significant national projects, involving cutting-edge topics such as semi-supervised learning for remote sensing and cloud-edge industrial security technologies. He has also led and participated in provincial-level and talent development programs. These experiences have allowed him to blend the rigor of academic research with the urgency of real-world problem-solving. Dr. Han’s current position enables him to mentor junior researchers, drive innovative studies, and contribute to China’s evolving cybersecurity and geospatial technology landscapes.

Research Interest

Dr. Xiaopeng Han’s research interests span across multiple interdisciplinary domains, with a strong emphasis on high-resolution remote sensing, intelligent image interpretation, urban spatial analysis, and cybersecurity systems. His early academic work focused on photogrammetry and remote sensing, particularly in developing frameworks for image classification and environmental modeling using machine learning. Over time, his research evolved to address more complex challenges in smart city planning, environmental monitoring, and urban morphology analysis. Recently, Dr. Han has concentrated on cybersecurity, especially in relation to cloud-edge industrial systems and the development of endogenous security strategies. He is particularly interested in semi-supervised learning approaches for pixel-to-scene image interpretation, which allows for greater precision in automated data processing. Additionally, he investigates the application of artificial intelligence and deep learning in both remote sensing and network threat detection systems. His integrative research perspective allows him to develop solutions that link earth observation data with national defense and network security concerns. This convergence of disciplines places him at the forefront of innovation, where data science meets geospatial intelligence and cyber-physical security.

Research Skills

Dr. Xiaopeng Han possesses a diverse and advanced skill set, positioning him as a key contributor in both geospatial and cybersecurity research. His core competencies include high-resolution remote sensing image processing, data fusion techniques, and machine learning-based image classification methods. He is proficient in implementing multi-classifier learning frameworks that preserve edge features in complex remote sensing data. Beyond remote sensing, Dr. Han is also skilled in designing resilient control strategies for mobile sensor networks under adversarial conditions, including input delay and Sybil attacks. His work often involves semi-supervised and sparse representation learning, reflecting his deep understanding of AI model optimization for real-world scenarios. Furthermore, he has experience developing system-level threat detection and risk assessment methodologies, which are crucial for next-generation industrial and smart grid environments. His skills extend into software programming and system modeling, making him capable of conducting end-to-end experimentation and algorithm development. With the ability to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries, Dr. Han brings computational, analytical, and theoretical expertise to the table, supported by practical engagement in multi-million-yuan national and provincial projects. His research capabilities are complemented by his familiarity with cutting-edge platforms and security protocols in cloud-edge computing environments.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Xiaopeng Han has received several prestigious recognitions that underscore his academic excellence and innovative contributions. One of his most notable honors is the inclusion in the Jiangsu Province Dual-Innovation Doctoral Talent Program, administered by the Jiangsu Provincial Organization Department in 2020. This competitive award recognizes outstanding researchers with strong potential for innovation and industrial transformation. In addition to this award, Dr. Han has contributed to a wide range of patent filings, showcasing his applied research impact. These include patented methods for system security assessment, network threat detection, and 3D object reconstruction, among others. Many of these inventions are co-authored with leading experts in cybersecurity and have been registered both domestically in China and internationally through WIPO. He has also participated in high-profile conferences such as the IEEE ICTC 2024, interacting with global scholars and presenting breakthrough ideas. Dr. Han’s involvement in major strategy white papers, such as the “Cybersecurity Strategy and Technology Trends” released at the 2024 China Endogenous Security Conference, further cements his role as a thought leader. Collectively, these accolades reflect his dedication to blending theoretical research with practical solutions that address critical societal challenges.

Publications

Dr. Xiaopeng Han has a strong portfolio of publications in internationally renowned journals, reflecting his diverse research interests and collaborative capabilities. His most cited work includes “The edge-preservation multi-classifier relearning framework for the classification of high-resolution remotely sensed imagery” published in ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, which highlights novel classification methods for remote sensing images. He has also co-authored a pivotal study in Environmental Pollution analyzing the relationship between urban noise and city morphology, showcasing his engagement with real-world urban analytics. In the journal Land Degradation & Development, his contribution to monitoring ecosystem services in Shenzhen using deep learning and satellite imagery stands out as a key interdisciplinary application. More recently, Dr. Han has contributed to work on resilient control in sensor networks published in the International Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, reflecting his shift toward cybersecurity topics. Alongside journal articles, he has presented at major conferences like ICTC 2024 and authored multiple patents related to network threat detection and smart system security. His publication record demonstrates a continuous trajectory of innovation across different yet interlinked domains, with a focus on impactful research that bridges environmental science and cyber defense.

Conclusion

Dr. Xiaopeng Han is an accomplished researcher whose expertise lies at the intersection of geospatial science and cybersecurity. With an academic background rooted in photogrammetry and remote sensing, he has expanded his research to cover pressing issues in smart urban systems and industrial network security. His career trajectory—from an engineer in a national research institute to an Assistant Research Fellow at a premier lab—illustrates both his technical depth and upward professional mobility. Dr. Han has been entrusted with critical roles in high-value R&D projects, and his contributions are recognized through prestigious awards, patents, and scholarly publications. He actively contributes to scientific advancement not only through innovative research but also by participating in national policy formulation and knowledge dissemination. His ability to bridge disciplines and integrate theoretical and applied science makes him a unique asset in both academic and industrial settings. As he continues to explore new frontiers in semi-supervised learning, cyber-physical systems, and intelligent remote sensing, Dr. Han remains a driving force in shaping the future of integrated technology solutions. His work stands as a testament to rigorous scholarship aligned with real-world impact.

Enamul Khan | Electronics and Communication Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Enamul Khan | Electronics and Communication Engineering | Best Researcher Award

PhD Scholar at Aliah University, India

Enamul Khan is a dedicated researcher in the field of RF and Communication Engineering. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Aliah University, Kolkata, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing research in dielectric-coated conical structures and their applications in antenna design. With an academic background rooted in electronics and communication engineering, Enamul has made significant contributions to scholarly research, particularly in antenna design, frequency reduction, and bandwidth enhancement. His research endeavors have been published in reputed journals and presented at international conferences. His technical proficiency and analytical approach make him a valuable contributor to the field of wireless communication and antenna technology.

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Scopus

Education

Enamul Khan has consistently excelled in his academic pursuits. He earned his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Aliah University in 2015, followed by a Master of Technology (M.Tech) degree from the same institution in 2017, securing commendable academic scores. Currently, he is engaged in his Ph.D. research at Aliah University, focusing on the design and analysis of dielectric-coated conical structures in the presence of a loop antenna. His academic journey reflects his keen interest in advancing wireless communication technologies and high-frequency structural simulations.

Experience

Enamul Khan has accumulated significant research experience throughout his academic career. As a research scholar, he has actively worked on various projects related to RF engineering and antenna design, contributing to both theoretical and experimental advancements. His collaboration with esteemed researchers has allowed him to develop expertise in simulation tools like HFSS, MATLAB, and CST. In addition to his research, he has participated in academic workshops, technical symposiums, and university-level projects, further solidifying his technical acumen and problem-solving skills in the field of electronics and communication engineering.

Research Interests

Enamul Khan’s research interests primarily revolve around RF and communication engineering, with a particular emphasis on antenna design, frequency reconfigurability, and bandwidth enhancement. His Ph.D. research focuses on dielectric-coated conducting conical structures and their interaction with loop antennas, aiming to improve the efficiency and performance of antennas in wireless applications. Additionally, he has explored topics such as miniaturization of slot antennas, complementary slot resonator antennas, and monopole antennas. His research contributions have paved the way for innovative antenna technologies suitable for modern communication systems.

Awards and Achievements

Enamul Khan’s academic and research excellence has been recognized through various awards and scholarships. He received the Ph.D. Research Assistantship (SVMCM) in 2018 from Aliah University, along with an M.Tech Scholar Assistantship in 2015. His outstanding academic performance earned him a B.Tech Scholar Assistantship from the Chief Minister in 2011. Apart from his academic accolades, he also represented his university in sports, securing a volleyball certificate at the Inter-University East Zone Volleyball Games in 2013. His achievements reflect his multifaceted talents and dedication to both academics and extracurricular activities.

Selected Publications

Enamul Khan, SK. Moinul Haque, Prasanta Halder, Saeed Roshani, and Laxmikant Minz, “A Novel Approach In Analysing And Designing of Dielectric Coated Conducting Conical Antennas With Enhanced Bandwidth,” ETRI Journal, 2025.

Enamul Khan, SK. Moinul Haque, MD. Ataur Safi Rahaman Laskar, “Design of Nonplanar Monopole Antennas with Enhanced Frequency Reduction for Short-Range Wireless Applications,” IJCS Journal, 2025.

Enamul Khan, MD. Ataur Safi Rahaman Laskar, Khan Masood Parvez, SK. Moinul Haque, “3D-Structure Coupled Monopole Designs with Lower Frequency Resonance,” ETRI Journal, 2024.

MD. Ataur Safi Rahaman Laskar, Khan Masood Parvez, Enamul Khan, SK. Moinul Haque, “Compact Complementary Slot Resonator Antenna with L-Probe Feed Excitation for Wireless Communication,” IJE Journal, 2024.

Enamul Khan, SK. Moinul Haque, MD. Ataur Safi Rahaman Laskar, Khan Masood Parvez, “Bandwidth Enhancement and Improvement of Directivity of a Composite Conical Structure in the Presence of a Circular Loop Antenna,” 3rd International Conference on Computational Electronics for Wireless Communications, December 2023.

Enamul Khan, Khan Masood Parvez, SK. Moinul Haque, “Effect of Four Different Types of Loops in Presence of Conducting Cone,” 5th International Conference on Multimedia, Signal Processing and Communication Technologies (IMPACT), November 2022.

Enamul Khan, Jinia Aktar, Khan Masood Parvez, SK. Moinul Haque, “Slot Antenna Miniaturization Using Copper Coated Circular Dielectric Material,” National Conference on Communications (NCC), February 2019.

Conclusion

Enamul Khan is a dedicated researcher and academician whose contributions to RF and communication engineering have been noteworthy. His research in dielectric-coated conical structures and innovative antenna designs showcases his commitment to advancing wireless communication technology. Through his publications, technical expertise, and academic achievements, he has established himself as a promising scholar in the field. His future endeavors aim to further enhance the efficiency and applicability of antenna technologies in modern communication systems, making significant contributions to the domain of RF engineering.

Petcharaporn Yodjai | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Petcharaporn Yodjai | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Ph.D. Student at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

Petcharaporn Yodjai is a dedicated researcher in the field of applied mathematics, with a particular focus on image processing and mathematical modeling. Currently a Ph.D. candidate at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok, Thailand, she has made significant contributions to the development of advanced techniques in image inpainting and completion. Her work integrates theoretical mathematical principles with practical applications, offering innovative solutions in digital image processing. Yodjai’s academic journey is marked by excellence, as she earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with First Class Honours from Maejo University. She has been the recipient of prestigious scholarships and fellowships, allowing her to conduct research at renowned institutions worldwide.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Yodjai embarked on her academic journey at Maejo University, where she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from July 2015 to April 2019. Her outstanding academic performance earned her First Class Honours. Continuing her passion for applied mathematics, she enrolled in the Ph.D. program at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi in July 2019. Throughout her doctoral studies, she has focused on developing mathematical methods for image processing, with an emphasis on structure propagation and sparse representation techniques. Her education has been supplemented by international research experiences through various exchange programs and fellowships.

Experience

Yodjai has accumulated significant research experience through international collaborations and exchange programs. In 2023, she conducted short-term research at the North University Center at Baia Mare, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, followed by a long-term research stint at the University of Jaén, Spain, from September 2022 to February 2023. Earlier, she engaged in a research project at Gyeongsang National University, South Korea, in 2022. Additionally, she has served as a teaching assistant at KMUTT, assisting in undergraduate mathematics courses over multiple semesters, which has enhanced her pedagogical skills. Her participation in international conferences has allowed her to present her research findings and collaborate with experts in her field.

Research Interests

Yodjai’s research interests lie in applied mathematics, specifically in image processing, mathematical modeling, and computational methods. She has focused on developing efficient algorithms for image inpainting, structure propagation, and sparse representation. Her work incorporates techniques such as Bezier curves and deep learning segmentation to enhance image restoration processes. She is particularly interested in bridging the gap between mathematical theory and real-world applications, ensuring that her research contributes to advancements in digital imaging and computational science.

Awards and Scholarships

Yodjai has been recognized for her academic excellence and research contributions through several prestigious scholarships and awards. She is a recipient of the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Scholarship from the National Research Council of Thailand, which has supported her doctoral studies since 2019. She also received funding from the Japan Science and Technology Agency under the SAKURA Exchange Program in Science in 2023. Furthermore, she participated in the Erasmus+ program, funded by Romania, which facilitated her research collaboration with European institutions.

Publications

Yodjai, P., Kumam, P., & Martínez-Moreno, J. (2025). Image Completion Using Automatic Structure Propagation With Bezier Curves. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences.

Jirakipuwapat, W., Sombut, K., Yodjai, P., & Seangwattana, T. (2025). Enhancing Image Inpainting With Deep Learning Segmentation and Exemplar-Based Inpainting. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences.

Yodjai, P., Kumam, P., Martínez-Moreno, J., & Jirakitpuwapat, W. (2024). Image inpainting via modified exemplar-based inpainting with two-stage structure tensor and image sparse representation. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, 47(11), 9027-9045.

Awwal, A. M., Wang, L., Kumam, P., Sulaiman, M. I., Salisu, S., Salihu, N., & Yodjai, P. (2023). Generalized RMIL conjugate gradient method under the strong Wolfe line search with application in image processing. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, 46(16), 17544-17556.

Yodjai, P., Kumam, P., Kitkuan, D., Jirakitpuwapat, W., & Plubtieng, S. (2019). The Halpern approximation of three operators splitting method for convex minimization problems with an application to image inpainting. Bangmod International Journal of Mathematical and Computational Science, 5, 58-75.

Conclusion

Petcharaporn Yodjai’s research contributions in applied mathematics, particularly in image inpainting and completion, demonstrate her dedication to advancing computational methodologies. Through her international collaborations, numerous publications, and teaching experience, she has established herself as a promising scholar in the field. Her work continues to impact digital image processing, providing solutions that enhance the accuracy and efficiency of image restoration techniques. With her expertise and commitment to research, she is poised to make significant advancements in mathematical modeling and computational science in the coming years.