Noriaki Hirota | Material | Excellence in Research

Dr. Noriaki Hirota | Material | Excellence in Research

Japan Atomic Energy Agency | Japan

Dr. Noriaki Hirota is an accomplished materials scientist and Associate Deputy Director at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, where he contributes extensively to research in structural and functional materials within the nuclear energy sector. He earned both his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Materials Science from the Institute of Science Tokyo, with his doctoral research completed in 2025. With over 19 years of professional experience, Dr. Hirota has worked at the intersection of metallurgy, corrosion science, and mechanical engineering. During his tenure at Japan Steel Works, he developed high-performance turbine rotor materials for thermal power generation and advanced stainless steel forging processes. His subsequent work at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency has focused on developing corrosion-resistant materials for sulfuric acid decomposers in the Sulfur-Iodine hydrogen production process and improving stainless steels to mitigate stress corrosion cracking under extreme nuclear conditions. A member of The Atomic Energy Society of Japan (AESJ), he has authored several impactful publications in nuclear materials research. His work has significantly advanced the understanding of material durability and performance in harsh environments, earning him recognition for his technical innovation and leadership. Dr. Hirota remains committed to promoting sustainable energy solutions through advanced materials development.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Hirota, N., Takeda, R., Ide, H., Tsuchiya, K., & Kobayashi, Y. (2025, December). Effect of grain refinement on cracks occurring in SUS304L stainless steel under nuclear reactor operating conditions. Nuclear Materials and Energy.

Hirota, N., Shibata, H., Takeuchi, T., Otsuka, N., & Tsuchiya, K. (2020, December 1). Voltage drop analysis and leakage suppression design for mineral-insulated cables. Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology,

Chulhwan Bang | Machine Learning and AI Applications | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Chulhwan Bang | Machine Learning and AI Applications | Best Researcher Award

Georgia Southern University | United States

Dr. Chulhwan C. Bang is an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics and Information Systems at Georgia Southern University. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Management, specializing in Management Science and Systems with a minor in Communication, from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. With over a decade of academic and professional experience, Dr. Bang has taught a wide range of courses in business programming, information systems, and data analytics, integrating tools such as Python, SAP, Power BI, and Tableau. His research interests include big data analytics, cryptocurrency forecasting, social media analysis, deep learning, and sports analytics. He has published in top-tier journals such as Information Systems Frontiers and International Journal of Information Management and actively collaborates with students on applied data-driven projects. Prior to academia, he worked in the IT industry as a system architect and software developer, contributing to large-scale ERP and BI projects in Korea and the U.S. Dr. Bang has received multiple honors, including the Outstanding Research Award and finalist recognition for accelerator research grants. His work bridges theory and practice, fostering innovation in analytics education and advancing interdisciplinary research in business intelligence and emerging technologies.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Lee, Y. S., & Bang, C. C. (2022). Framework for the Classification of Imbalanced Structured Data Using Under-sampling and Convolutional Neural Network. Information Systems Frontiers.

Bang, C. C., Lee, J., & Rao, H. R. (2021). The Egyptian protest movement in the twittersphere: An investigation of dual sentiment pathways of communication. International Journal of Information Management.

Bang, C. C. (2020). Predicting Loyalty of Korean Mobile Applications: A Dual-Factor Approach. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology for Digital Convergence (IJICTDC).

Yu, J., Bang, C. C., & Oh, D.-Y. (2020). The Effect of Noncognitive Factors on Information Disclosure on Social Network Websites: Role of Habit and Affect. Southern Business & Economic Journal.

Kwon, K. H., Bang, C. C., Egnoto, M., & Rao, H. R. (2016). Social media rumors as improvised public opinion: semantic network analyses of Twitter discourses during Korean saber rattling 2013. Asian Journal of Communication.

Namrata Gupta | Financial Data Analysis | Women Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Namrata Gupta | Financial Data Analysis | Women Researcher Award

University of Wollongong in Dubai | United Arab Emirates

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Namrata Gupta is a distinguished academic in the field of Accounting and Finance, currently serving as an Associate Professor and Academic Integrity Officer at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), UAE. She holds a Ph.D. in Management Accounting from Banasthali Vidyapith University, India, where her doctoral research focused on “A comparative study of accounting practices in India and UAE with special reference to banking sector companies.” A Chartered Accountant (ACA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) graduate from the University of Delhi, Dr. Gupta has accumulated over two decades of rich academic and professional experience across leading institutions including Heriot-Watt University, Zayed University, Ajman University, and Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Services. Her research interests encompass management accounting, corporate governance, financial reporting, and international banking practices. Recognized for her scholarly excellence and contributions to higher education, she has received numerous accolades for teaching, research, and service in academia. Through her work, Dr. Gupta continues to advance the field of accounting education and foster ethical financial practices, shaping the next generation of finance professionals with integrity and global competence.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Gupta, N., & Mirchandani, A. (2019). Corporate governance and performance of microfinance institutions: Recent global evidences. Journal of Management and Governance.

Gupta, N., & Mirchandani, A. (2018). Investigating entrepreneurial success factors of women-owned SMEs in UAE. Management Decision.

Gupta, N. (2015). Differences in accounting treatment of Ijarah: A case study of UAE Islamic banks. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management.

Gokah, T. K., Gupta, N., & Ndiweni, E. (2015). E-learning in higher education – Opportunities and challenges for Dubai. International Journal on E-Learning: Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education.

Gupta, N. (n.d.). Impact of ownership structure and corporate governance on the performance: A case of selected banks in UAE. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues.

yanhong wu | Optimization Techniques | Best Researcher Award

Prof. yanhong wu | Optimization Techniques | Best Researcher Award

UCSI University | China

Prof. Yanhong Wu holds a PhD in Business Administration from UCSI University (Malaysia) and previously earned a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Accounting at Chinese institutions. Since 2009 she has served as Professor at the School of Accounting, Zhanjiang University of Science and Technology, following early-career experience as an accounting supervisor in industry. Her research addresses supply chain management, circular economy, blockchain-enabled accounting systems and accounting education innovation. She has published around 27 peer-reviewed articles including eight SSCI/SCI pieces, 18 EI(CA) indexed papers and six in the Beijing University Core list. She has also secured a national utility-model patent, a software copyright, and authored the monograph Cost Accounting for Enterprises Based on Blockchain Technology. She has led more than ten research and curriculum-reform projects at provincial, municipal and institutional levels including themes such as “dual-teacher” faculty development and AI-enhanced classroom innovation. Her current h-index is approximately 3  and she has accumulated in the region of ~93 citations across her publications. Looking ahead, she continues to advance research at the interface of accounting, sustainability and digital technologies, and is dedicated to cultivating applied-accounting talent for the next generation of enterprises.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Wu, Y. (2025). Financial and environmental impact in closed-loop circular supply chain. Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal.

Wu, Y. (2025). Blockchain-enabled sustainable supply chain management: a study on the impact of collaboration optimization. Management Decision.

Zheng, X. (2024, December 27). Integration of Big Data and Technological Innovation to Promote the Digital Transformation of Marine Ranches. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Science and Intelligent Systems (CSIS 2024).

Wu, Y., & Wang, R. (2024). Sustainability-based enterprise supply chain optimization and response under circular economy approach: agile, adaptive and coordinated. Management Decision.

Zhou, Z., Wu, Y., & Xie, Q. (2024). Social responsibility, information technology, and high-quality development of mining enterprise using structural equation modeling (SEM). Resources Policy.

Eva Ternon | Environmental Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Eva Ternon | Environmental Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

CNRS/Laboratory of Oceanography of Villefranche | France

Dr . Eva Ternon is a chemical oceanographer and natural‑products chemist whose work spans atmospheric deposition, seawater biogeochemistry and the chemical ecology of harmful microalgae. After obtaining her PhD on atmospheric deposition in the Mediterranean Sea at the Laboratory of Oceanography of Villefranche (LOV), she held positions in France, the USA and Monaco, working on topics such as algicidal compounds, benthic organism chemistry and toxin‑producing dinoflagellates. In October 2024 she secured a permanent CNRS researcher position at LOV after ranking 1st/120 in the national contest for the “Science to Society” section. Her current research focuses on the chemical ecology of toxic dinoflagellates (particularly Ostreopsis cf. ovata), aerosols of phycotoxins, mucus‑mediated microalgal interactions and discovery of novel toxin families. She has published around 27 peer‑reviewed documents (14 as 1st or 2nd author), been cited ~493 times by ~402 documents, and holds an approximate h‑index of 13. She leads major projects including a MSCA Global Fellowship and H2020 CHEMICROS. Her discoveries of two new toxin families earned her the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropole Entrepreneurship Award in 2022, and she was among the interviewees for an ERC CoG call in 2024. With her dual expertise and interdisciplinary trajectory, she is advancing our understanding of how external drivers and chemical interactions shape harmful algal blooms and air‑sea toxin transfer.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Alexander, K. L., Naman, C. B., Iwasaki, A., Mangoni, A., Leao, T., Reher, R., Petras, D., Kim, H., Ternon, E., Caro-Diaz, E. J. E., et al. (2025). “Fatuamide A, a Hybrid PKS/NRPS Metallophore from a Leptolyngbya sp. Marine Cyanobacterium Collected in American Samoa.” Journal of Natural Products.

Ternon, E., Dinasquet, J., Cancelada, L., Rico, B., Moore, A., Trytten, E., Prather, K. A., Gerwick, W. H., & Lemée, R. (2024). “Sea-Air Transfer of Ostreopsis Phycotoxins Is Driven by the Chemical Diversity of the Particulate Fraction in the Surface Microlayer.” Environmental Science & Technology.

Fleming, L. E., Landrigan, P. J., Ashford, O. S., Whitman, E. M., Swift, A., Gerwick, W. H., Heymans, J. J., Hicks, C. C., Morrissey, K., White, M. P., et al. (2024). “Enhancing Human Health and Wellbeing through Sustainably and Equitably Unlocking a Healthy Ocean’s Potential.” Annals of Global Health.

Lanceleur, R., Gémin, M.-P., Blier, A.-L., Meslier, L., Réveillon, D., Amzil, Z., Ternon, E., Thomas, O. P., & Fessard, V. (2024). “Toxic Responses of Metabolites Produced by Ostreopsis cf. ovata on a Panel of Cell Types.” Toxicon.

Skelton, Z. R., McCormick, L. R., Kwan, G. T., Lonthair, J., Neira, C., Clements, S. M., Martz, T. R., Bresnahan, P. J., Send, U., Giddings, S. N., et al. (2024). “Organismal Responses to Deteriorating Water Quality during the Historic 2020 Red Tide off Southern California.” Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene.

Amon Exavery | Statistical Analysis | Transcontinental Excellence in Research Data Analysis Award

Dr. Amon Exavery | Statistical Analysis | Transcontinental Excellence in Research Data Analysis Award

University of Dodoma | Tanzania

Dr. Amon Exavery is a distinguished statistician and public health researcher with over 15 years of experience in research, evaluation, and learning. He holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Dodoma, a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from the University of the Witwatersrand, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of Dar es Salaam. Dr. Exavery has led numerous large-scale health and social service research projects, including impactful programs on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), HIV/AIDS, malaria, WASH, nutrition, reproductive, maternal, and child health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and sustainable livelihoods. As a Senior Research and Learning Advisor at Pact Tanzania, he has spearheaded multiple secondary data analyses, impact evaluations, and evidence-based program improvements. Previously, he served as a Statistician and Research Scientist at Ifakara Health Institute and Monitoring & Evaluation Officer at Jhpiego, where he applied advanced statistical modeling, multilevel analysis, and predictive analytics to inform policy and practice. A prolific author, Dr. Exavery has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, presented at international conferences, and contributed to global public health knowledge. Recognized for his strategic leadership, mentorship, and innovative research approaches, he continues to drive evidence-based interventions and strengthen research capacity across Tanzania and the wider region.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Exavery, A., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2026). “Enhancing Longitudinal Impact Evaluation of Non-Experimental Interventions: A Comparative Analysis of Generalized Estimating Equations and Multilevel Models Based on Empirical Evaluation of Temporal Change in Food Security Following an Economic Empowerment Intervention.” Evaluation and Program Planning.

Exavery, A., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2025). “Determinants of Participation in WORTH Yetu Economic Empowerment Intervention among Caregivers of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Tanzania: A Longitudinal Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis.” Social Sciences & Humanities Open.

Exavery, A., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2024). “Longitudinal Evaluation of the Influence of WORTH Yetu on Household Economic Status Based on the Count of Non-Asset Resources for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children’s Well-Being in Tanzania.” Child Indicators Research.

Exavery, A., Katbi, M., Kirigiti, P. J., Balan, R. T., & Charles, J. (2024). “Multivariate Mixed-Effects Ordinal Logistic Regression Models with Difference-in-Differences Estimator of the Impact of WORTH Yetu on Household Hunger and Socioeconomic Status among OVC Caregivers in Tanzania.” PLOS ONE.

Exavery, A., Alam, K., Charles, J., Barankena, A., Bajaria, S., Minja, E., Mulikuza, J., Mbwambo, T., Ally, A., Mseya, R., et al. (2022). “Impact of Household Economic Strengthening Intervention on Food Security among Caregivers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Tanzania.” PLOS ONE.

Basmah Alzamil | Social Impact | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Basmah Alzamil | Social Impact | Best Researcher Award

Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Basmah Alzamil is an Assistant Professor at Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University, specializing in organizational behavior, strategic management, and entrepreneurship. She earned her Ph.D. in Business Administration from King Saud University in 2023 with distinction, following an MBA from Saginaw Valley State University and a BBA from King Saud University, graduating with second honors. Her academic career includes extensive teaching experience in research methods, strategic management, performance management, administrative leadership, entrepreneurship, project management, and crisis management. She has also supervised cooperative training programs, organized practical training initiatives, and contributed to curriculum development. Dr. Alzamil’s research focuses on digital leadership, creative deviance, organizational socialization, workplace behavior, and the effects of digital transformation on employee performance and innovation. Her recent publications explore topics such as the mediating role of paradox mindset, the impact of digital leadership on toxic workplaces, and the influence of social support on workplace deviance. She has presented her work at international conferences and participated in professional development courses in research creativity, communication, and leadership. Dr. Alzamil’s scholarship bridges theory and practice, emphasizing evidence-based strategies for organizational development, innovation, and sustainable workplace practices, contributing to both academic research and practical applications in management.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Alzamil, B. S. (2025). “Employees’ Creative Deviance in Response to Digitalization and Knowledge: The Mediating Role of Employees’ Paradox Mindset.” Journal of Innovation & Knowledge.

Alzamil, B., & Alyafi, R. S. (2024). “Perceived Social Support and Workplace Deviant Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in Employees in Saudi Arabia.” Journal Article.

Alzamil, B. S., & Alyafi, R. S. (2022). “Organizational Socialization Applicability, Measurements, and Theories: A Systematic Review and Guideline for Future Research.” International Journal of Business Management and Economic Review.

Zhifen Chen | Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zhifen Chen | Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

German Heart Center, TUM University Hospital, Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Germany

Dr. Zhifen Chen is an Independent Junior Group Leader at the German Heart Center, Technical University of Munich, specializing in experimental cardiology. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from Hubei Normal University and a Master of Science from Tsinghua University. Dr. Chen completed her PhD at the Technical University of Munich with a summa cum laude distinction, focusing on human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for cardiac disease modeling, therapeutic discovery, and safety pharmacology. She pursued postdoctoral research at Harvard University and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, contributing to functional genomics, CRISPR-based screening, and cardiovascular disease studies. Her research focuses on the genetics and molecular mechanisms of coronary artery disease, adipose tissue biology, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular precision medicine. Dr. Chen has secured multiple competitive grants, including from the DFG, DZHK, and international cardiovascular research partnerships. She has received numerous awards and honors, such as PhD summa cum laude, international travel awards, and conference prizes. She actively supervises postdoctoral researchers, PhD, MD, Master, and Bachelor students, and contributes to scientific communities as a reviewer, consortium member, and workshop organizer. Dr. Chen’s work integrates genome editing, transcriptomics, and advanced in vitro models to identify novel therapeutic targets, advancing cardiovascular research and translational medicine.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

von Scheidt, M., Adkar, S. S., Krefting, J., Hoermann, G., Meggendorfer, M., Bauer, S., Mitchell, S., Pugach, I., Friess, C., Ma, A., et al. (2025). “Clonal Haematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential and Mortality in Coronary Artery Disease.” European Heart Journal.

Xu, C., Nie, X., Chen, Z., Qu, J. Z., & Wang, D. (2025). “Stenotic Left Atrioventricular Valve after Atrioventricular Septal Defect Repair: A Distinct Surgical Phenotype.” The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

Chen, Z., Li, S., Song, X., Diagel, A., Li, L., Moggio, A., Li, Z., Chen, Y., Dang, T., Li, M., et al. (2025). “An Interplay of Non-Coding RNAs Regulates CDH13 Expression and Affects Endothelial Function and Coronary Artery Disease Risk.” Preprint.

Byers, P., Kellerer, T., Li, M., Chen, Z., Huser, T., & Hellerer, T. (2025). “Super-Resolution Upgrade for Deep Tissue Imaging Featuring Simple Implementation.” Nature Communications.

Sanin, V., Schmieder, R. S., Koenig, W., Li, L., Schunkert, H., & Chen, Z. (2025). “Rolle der Genetik in der Präzisionsmedizin der Koronaren Herzkrankheit.” Herz.

Alexander Churbanov | Predictive Modeling Innovations | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alexander Churbanov | Predictive Modeling Innovations | Best Researcher Award

Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences | Russia

Dr. Alexander Churbanov is a senior scientist at the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences, specializing in mathematical modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and coupled physical phenomena in porous media and viscous flows. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mathematical Modeling from Lomonosov Moscow State University in 1978 and 1988, respectively, with his doctoral thesis focused on numerical simulation of convective phenomena in technological facilities. Dr. Churbanov began his career as an engineer developing training systems for Soviet orbital flights at the Bureau of Space Research “ENERGIA” and later contributed to semiconductor material production modeling at the State Institute of Rare Metals Industry. Since 1988, he has served as a Senior Scientist at Keldysh Institute, where his research emphasizes the development of efficient algorithms and codes for CFD applications. He has authored 34 documents, including 25 SCI/Scopus-indexed journal papers, and his work has been cited 240 times, yielding an h-index of 8. His research interests encompass incompressible and slightly compressible viscous flows, coupled phenomena, open-source CFD software, and predictive modeling innovations. Recognized for contributions to mathematical modeling of coupled physical systems, Dr. Churbanov continues to advance computational methods, bridging theory and practical applications in engineering and applied sciences.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Churbanov, A. G., Churbanova, N. G., & Trapeznikova, M. A. (2023). “Coupled Prediction of Flows in Domains Containing a Porous Medium and a Free Stream.” Mathematical Models and Computer Simulations.

Churbanova, N. G., Trapeznikova, M. A., Churbanov, A. G., & Emets, V. V. (2023). “Prediction of Flows in an Automotive Catalytic Converter.” In Systems of Signals Generating and Processing in the Field of On-Board Communications, SOSG 2023 – Conference Proceedings.

Podryga, V. O., Churbanov, A. G., Tarasov, N. I., Polyakov, S. V., Trapeznikova, M. A., & Churbanova, N. G. (2022). “Multiscale Approach for Modeling Multiphase Fluid Flows in Installations for Reprocessing of Natural Gas.” Lobachevskii Journal of Mathematics.

Churbanov, A., Churbanova, N., Polyakov, S., & Trapeznikova, M. (2021). “Coupled Calculations of Flows in Domains Including a Porous Medium and a Homogeneous Fluid.” In Proceedings – 2021 Ivannikov Memorial Workshop, IVMEM 2021.

Polyakov, S. V., Trapeznikova, M. A., Churbanov, A. G., & Churbanova, N. G. (2021). “Prediction of Incompressible Flows in a Porous Medium-Free Stream System.” Keldysh Institute Preprints.

Sharon L Burton | Cybersecurity Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Sharon L Burton | Cybersecurity Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | United States

Dr. Sharon L. Burton is a distinguished faculty member and industry consultant whose work bridges cybersecurity governance, risk management, AI‑driven education, and human resources strategy. She holds a Ph.D. in Cybersecurity Leadership (2022) and a DBA in Quality Systems Management (2015), alongside dual MBAs in Management and HRM. Her career spans roles as Assistant Professor of the Practice in the College of Aviation at Embry‑Riddle and Doctoral Dissertation Chair at Capitol Technology University. Dr. Burton has authored 38 documents with 157 citations, reflecting an h‑index of 5, demonstrating substantial contributions across domains. Her research interests include cybersecurity leadership, organizational behaviour in cyber contexts, AI/augmented education, and workforce resilience. She has published notable articles such as “Cybersecurity Leaders: Knowledge Driving Human Capital Development” and “Exploring the Nexus of Cybersecurity Leadership, Human Factors, Emotional Intelligence, Innovative Work Behavior and Critical Leadership Traits.” Her teaching embodies a student‑centred philosophy: hands‑on projects, reflective feedback, ethical responsibility, and real‑world problem solving. Among her recognitions are awards for teaching excellence, leadership development, and organisational transformation. In summary, Dr. Burton effectively synthesizes academic rigour and practitioner insight to prepare graduates and organisations for leadership in an ever‑evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Burton, S. L. (2025). “A Modular Framework for Cybersecurity Laboratory Design in Higher Education.” Laboratories.

Burton, S. L. (2025). “Navigating Digital Transformation.” In Book Chapter.

Burton, S. L. (2025). “Digital Saboteurs: Unmasking Insider Cybersecurity Threats in Aviation and Aerospace.” Law, Economics and Society.

Burton, S. L. (2024). “Advancing Cybersecurity.” In Book Chapter.

Burton, S. L. (2024). “Cybersecure Futures.” In Book Chapter.

Greene, B. A., & Burton, S. L. (2024). “Organizational Readiness for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Network Security.” In Book Chapter.