Zeina Youssef | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Zeina Youssef | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Zeina Youssef at Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France

👨‍🎓 Profile

🌟 Early Academic Pursuits

Zeina Youssef embarked on her academic journey with a strong foundation in materials chemistry, starting with her Master’s degrees in Refining and Hydrocarbon Technology from the Lebanese University. Her early research during a Master 2 internship at the Applied Chemistry Laboratory involved the synthesis, immobilization, and characterization of silicic mesoporous materials under the supervision of Dr. Mohamad El-Eter. This experience was pivotal, providing Zeina with critical skills in material synthesis and laying the groundwork for her future research endeavors.

🛠️ Professional Endeavors

Zeina’s professional career was significantly shaped during her PhD at the Chemistry Laboratory of ENS de Lyon from September 2019 to December 2022. Under the guidance of Pr. Laurent Bonneviot and Dr. Mohamad El-Eter, she focused on the characterization, adsorption, and stability of chlorohydroxoaurate(III) anions in titanium-modified hexagonal mesoporous silicas. Her work included engineering mesoporous silicic materials, controlling porous size, and utilizing microwave synthesis. Zeina also played a key role in teaching practical chemistry at the M1 level and supervising a Master 2 student. Her presentations at international conferences and a research contract with L’OrĂ©al further highlight her professional achievements and industry collaboration.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Zeina’s research has made significant contributions to the field of materials chemistry, particularly in the development of titanium-modified mesoporous materials. Her work involved advanced characterization techniques such as UV-Visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. One of her notable contributions is the publication on “Revisited UV-spectra of chlorohydroxoaurate anions” in Spectrochimica Acta Part A, which underscores her commitment to advancing the understanding of chemical systems and materials stability.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Throughout her career, Zeina has received recognition for her innovative research and contributions to materials chemistry. Her participation in international congresses and national symposiums, coupled with her role in organizing the French Chemists Tournament, reflects her growing influence in the scientific community. Although her career is still developing, her achievements demonstrate a strong foundation for future accolades and impact in her field.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Zeina’s work in materials chemistry has had a notable impact, particularly in the areas of material stability and advanced characterization. Her research on titanium-modified mesoporous silicas contributes to both academic knowledge and practical applications, influencing how materials are designed and utilized. Her innovative approaches and thorough analyses drive forward advancements in material science and have the potential to address key challenges in the industry.

🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Zeina Youssef is well-positioned to continue making significant contributions to materials chemistry. Her expertise and innovative research set the stage for future advancements and technological developments. With a commitment to both research and education, Zeina is likely to leave a lasting legacy in the field, inspiring future scientists and continuing to drive progress in material science.

đź“– Publications
Revisited UV-spectra of chlorohydroxoaurate anions
  • Authors: Youssef, Z., El Eter, M., Albela, B., Bonneviot, L.
  • Journal: Spectrochimica Acta – Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
  • Year: 2025

Praveen Kumar | Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Praveen Kumar | Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Michigan State University, United States

👨‍🎓 Profile

🎓 Academic Background & Education:

Dr. P. P. Praveen Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi (2011-2016), where he focused on molecular recognition and self-assembling peptide-based systems. He earned his Master’s in Organic Chemistry from Christ College, Irinjalakuda (2007-2009), with an impressive grade of 85%. His undergraduate degree in Chemistry was completed at ST. Thomas College, Thrissur (2004-2007), where he achieved a high grade of 91%.

đź’Ľ Professional Experience:

Dr. Kumar is currently a Research Associate at Michigan State University (Aug 2023 – Present), working under Prof. Kim Taeho in the Biomedical Engineering Department. His research involves fabricating contrasting agents for tumor bioimaging, including MRI, Photoacoustic Imaging, and Magnetic Particle Imaging. Prior to this, he served as a Research Professor at the KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University (Jan 2021 – Aug 2023), where he focused on SERS tags and chiral materials for biomedical applications. His postdoctoral research at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, India (Mar 2017 – Jan 2020), under Prof. Prakash P. N, involved fabricating Gold-BODIPY nanocomposites for photonics and photodynamic therapy.

🔬 Research Interests:

Dr. Kumar’s research interests are centered on designing and synthesizing self-assembled materials for advanced biomedical applications. His work includes the development of nanomaterials for imaging and therapeutic purposes, such as MRI and Photoacoustic Imaging. He is particularly focused on chiral nanostructures and their optical applications, as well as creating luminescent materials and photosensitizers for bio-imaging and photodynamic therapy. Additionally, he explores peptide/amino acid-based catalysis and asymmetric catalysis.

🛠️ Skills & Techniques:

He possesses extensive skills in nanomaterial fabrication, bioimaging, and advanced characterization techniques, including NMR, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and Raman Spectroscopy. Dr. Kumar is also proficient in various imaging technologies, such as Photoacoustic, MRI, MPI, and IVIS.

🏆 Honors & Awards:

Dr. Kumar has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the BK21 Fellowship from the Korean Government (2021), the SERB-NPDF Fellowship from DST, India (2017-2020), and the CSIR-JRF/SRF Fellowship (2011-2016).

đź“– Publications

Gold Polymer Nanomaterials: A Promising Approach for Enhanced Biomolecular Imaging”
    • Author: Panangattukara Prabhakaran Praveen Kumar, Ritu Mahajan
    • Journal: Nanotheranostics
    • Year: 2024
“A Multimode Detection Platform for Biothiols Using BODIPY Dye-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles”
    • Author: Panangattukara Prabhakaran Praveen Kumar
    • Journal: Colorants
    • Year: 2024
“Unlocking the Potential of Gold as Nanomedicine in Cancer Immunotherapy”
    • Author: Panangattukara Prabhakaran Praveen Kumar, Maggie Lee, Taeho Kim
    • Journal: Journal of Nanotheranostics
    • Year: 2024
“Recent Advances in SERS-Based Bioanalytical Applications: Live Cell Imaging”
    • Author: Dong-Kwon Lim, Panangattukara Prabhakaran Praveen Kumar
    • Journal: Nanophotonics
    • Year: 2024
“Exosome-Coated Prussian Blue Nanoparticles for Specific Targeting and Treatment of Glioblastoma”
    • Author: Meghan L. Hill, Seock-Jin Chung, Hyun-Joo Woo, Cho Rong Park, Kay Hadrick, Md Nafiujjaman, Panangattukara Prabhakaran Praveen Kumar, Leila Mwangi, Rachna Parikh, Taeho Kim
    • Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
    • Year: 2024

François Guillard | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. François Guillard | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at The University of Sydney, Australia

👨‍🎓 Profiles

Academic Background 🎓

François Guillard was born in Poitiers, France, in 1987. His educational journey began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science of Matter – Physics and a Master’s Degree in Fundamental Physics from École Normale Supérieure of Lyon. He completed his PhD in Physics at Aix-Marseille University in 2013, focusing on drag and lift forces in granular media. He furthered his qualifications with a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Higher Education) from The University of Sydney.

Professional Experience 🛠️

François is currently a Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering at The University of Sydney, where he also serves as Director of Postgraduate Studies and IT. His previous roles include Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering and Post-doctoral Researcher at the same institution. He has been actively involved in academic integrity, radiation safety, and various scientific review committees.

Research Contributions 🔬

François’s research spans a range of topics in granular media and geomechanics. His recent publications include studies on the modeling of comminution in rotary mills, the use of X-ray techniques in froth flotation, and the impact of shaped boundaries on brittle porous media. His work has been published in journals such as Granular Matter, Physical Review E, and Minerals Engineering.

Conference Presentations & Invitations 🎤

François has been a keynote and invited speaker at numerous international conferences and workshops. Notable appearances include the 8th International Conference on Discrete Element Methods and the Image is Everything workshop at the Lorentz Center. His talks often focus on advancements in granular science and geomechanics.

Fundings đź’µ

He has secured various research and education grants, including ARC funding for novel granular stress sensors and projects related to chemical degradation in brittle geomaterials. François has also been involved in consulting projects, such as the upgrade of slope reinforcement software.

Teaching đź“–

François teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at The University of Sydney, including Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering. He also supervises capstone theses and contributes to PhD programs with courses on particle mechanics and discrete element methods.

Computing Skills đź’»

François is skilled in several programming languages, including C++, C, Matlab, and Python. He has expertise in software development for geotechnical applications and is familiar with tools like Liggghts and various specialized software for data analysis and visualization.

Personal Interests 🎸🔭

Outside of his professional life, François enjoys hiking, playing classical guitar, and amateur astronomy. He has a passion for electronic and analog photography and is actively involved in software development.

đź“– Publications

Heterarchical modelling of comminution for rotary mills: part I—particle crushing along streamlines
    • Authors: Bisht, M.S., Guillard, F., Shelley, P., Marks, B., Einav, I.
    • Journal: Granular Matter
    • Year: 2024
Heterarchical modelling of comminution for rotary mills: part II—particle crushing with segregation and mixing
    • Authors: Bisht, M.S., Guillard, F., Shelley, P., Marks, B., Einav, I.
    • Journal: Granular Matter
    • Year: 2024
Novel application of X-ray characterisation techniques in froth flotation for the study of bubble clusters
    • Authors: Bournival, G., Kim, Y.C., Shah, I., Guillard, F., Ata, S.
    • Journal: Minerals Engineering
    • Year: 2024
Behavioural zone identification in rotary mills
    • Authors: Guillard, F., Shelley, P., Einav, I.
    • Journal: Minerals Engineering
    • Year: 2024
Influence of shaped boundaries on propagating compaction bands in brittle porous media
    • Authors: Riley, D.M., Valdes, J.R., Einav, I., Guillard, F.
    • Journal: Physical Review E
    • Year: 2023
A scaling law for the length of granular jumps down smooth inclines
    • Authors: Escobar, A., Guillard, F., Einav, I., Faug, T.
    • Journal: Journal of Fluid Mechanics
    • Year: 2023

Ben Harkin | Data Analysis Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ben Harkin | Data Analysis Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom

👨‍🎓 Profiles

Orcid Profile
Scopus Profile

👨‍🔬 Summary

Dr. Ben Harkin is an esteemed cognitive psychologist known for his work in selective reviews, meta-analyses, negative cognitions and behaviors, and behavior change through validated interventions. He earned his PhD in 2012 with a dissertation titled “A Cognitive Examination of Compulsive Checkers’ Working Memory and Inhibitory Performance,” leading to 7 peer-reviewed publications. His recent meta-analysis research employs a novel multidimensional approach to data extraction and analysis, offering new insights into key cognitive aspects of psychological phenomena.

🏆 Awards and Projects

Dr. Harkin was honored with an ESRC Future Leaders Research Award in 2013, focusing on developing interventions for individuals avoiding debt. His project involved creating and applying interventions in a laboratory setting to enhance financial decision-making for loan seekers at a local credit union in Chesterfield. This multidisciplinary effort required collaboration with academics, research assistants, stakeholders, and those in debt. Additionally, Dr. Harkin received a BA Grant alongside the ESRC award, which involved supervising research assistants and post-doctoral researchers, working within diverse communities, and disseminating results to both lay and academic audiences.

🎓 Education

  • PhD in Psychology (2012): “A Cognitive Examination of Compulsive Checkers’ Working Memory and Inhibitory Performance,” University of Glasgow.
  • MSc in Research Methods of Psychological Science (Distinction) (2008): “How Checking Breeds Doubt: Reduced Performance in a Simple Working Memory Task,” Behaviour Research and Therapy.
  • MA in Psychology (First Class: Top Student) (2007): “Implicit Awareness of Ambiguity: A Role in the Development of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,” Behaviour Research and Therapy.
  • MA in Education (Distinction) (2022): “The Impact of Physical, Mental, Social and Emotional Dimensions of Digital Learning Spaces on Student’s Depth of Learning,” International Journal of Management and Applied Research.

📚 Key Publications

  • Harkin, B., & Yates, A. (2024). “From Cognitive Function to Treatment Efficacy in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Insights from a Multidimensional Meta-Analytic Approach,” Journal of Clinical Medicine.
  • Harkin, B., Perrson, S., Yates, A., Ainara, J., & Kessler, K. (2023). “Top-Down and Bottom-Up Contributions to Memory Performance in OCD: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis with Clinical Implications,” Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science.
  • Harkin, B. (2017). “Improving Financial Management via Contemplation: Novel Interventions and Findings in Laboratory and Applied Settings,” Frontiers in Psychology.
  • Perrson, S., Yates, A., Kessler, K., & Harkin, B. (2021). “Modelling a Multi-Dimensional Model of Memory Performance in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Multi-Level Meta-Analytic Review,” Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science.
  • Harkin, B., Webb, T., Chang, B., Benn, Y., Sheeran, P., Connor, M., & Prestwich, J. (2016). “Does Monitoring Goal Progress Promote Goal Attainment? A Meta-Analysis of the Experimental Evidence,” Psychological Bulletin.
  • Harkin, B. & Kessler, K. (2011). “The role of Working Memory in Compulsive Checking and OCD: A Systematic Classification of 58 Experimental Findings,” Clinical Psychology Review.

đź’° Key Grants

  • Primary Investigator: ESRC Future Leaders Award, examining insights from clinical OCD to understand debt avoidance and designing interventions.
  • Primary Investigator: British Academy grant, “How Scientific Theories Disappear Down the ‘YouTube Rabbit Hole,’” exploring why people believe anti-science messages and proposing interventions and policies.

đź“– Publications

From Cognitive Function to Treatment Efficacy in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Insights from a Multidimensional Meta-Analytic Approach
    • Author: Ben Harkin, Alan Yates
    • Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine
    • Year: 2024
Contamination-Focussed Vignettes as an Analogue of Infectious Pandemics: An Experimental Validation using the State Disgust and Anxiety Responses in OCD
Top-down and Bottom-up Contributions to Memory Performance in OCD: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis with Clinical Implications
    • Author: Ben Harkin, Sofia Persson, Alan Yates, Ainara Jauregi, Klaus Kessler
    • Journal: Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science
    • Year: 2023
Student Experiences of Assessment and Feedback in the National Student Survey: An Analysis of Student Written Responses with Pedagogical Implications
    • Author: Ben Harkin, Aspasia Eleni Paltoglou, Khizra Tariq, Maggie Watkin, Shokaib Ashfaq, Alan Yates, Carly Jacobs
    • Journal: International Journal of Management and Applied Research
    • Year: 2022
The Impact of Physical, Mental, Social and Emotional Dimensions of Digital Learning Spaces on Student’s Depth of Learning: The Quantification of an Extended Lefebvrian Model
    • Author: Ben Harkin
    • Journal: International Journal of Management and Applied Research
    • Year: 2022