Vassilis Barkoukis | Human Behavior Modeling | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Vassilis Barkoukis | Human Behavior Modeling | Best Researcher Award

Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki | Greece

A distinguished scholar in Sport and Exercise Psychology, this academic serves as an Associate Professor at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Holding dual PhDs—one in Human Performance and Health from Aristotle University (2001) and another in Social and Sport Psychology from the University of Sheffield (2018)—their work bridges psychology, education, and athletic performance. With extensive teaching experience across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels in Greece and Romania, they have contributed courses in sport psychology, pedagogy, research methods, and curriculum development. Their research focuses on motivation, teaching climates, physical activity pedagogy, health promotion, and psychological aspects of sport performance and behavior. The scholar has participated in 37 funded national and international research projects, published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and proceedings, and contributed to 18 book chapters and 4 edited volumes. Recognized with multiple awards, including the “Researcher of the Year” (2022) and National Scholarship Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, their work has achieved significant global impact with over 4,111 citations, an Documents 144, and an i10-index of 34. Their career reflects a deep commitment to advancing sport science, education, and health promotion through innovative, evidence-based research and teaching excellence.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). Transforming anti-doping education with web-based interactive programs and applications: A scoping review. Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions and Health. (Open access).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). Enhancing preschoolers’ motor creativity through playfulness and social engagement. Children. (Open access).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). The role of school environment on the sustainable development of pre-schoolers’ motor creativity. Sports. (Open access).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). Athletes from Great Britain report greater doping likelihood than Greek and Italian athletes: A cross-sectional survey of over 4,000 athletes. Performance Enhancement and Health. (Open access, 1 citation).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). Evaluation of a sports integrity course for university students. Performance Enhancement and Health. (Open access).

Barkoukis, V., et al. (2025). A whole-school approach for the promotion of physical activity: An evaluation of stakeholders’ and educators’ perceptions about education in six European countries. Education Sciences. (Open access, 1 citation).

Viken Kortian | Big Data Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viken Kortian | Big Data Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Macquarie University | Australia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viken Kortian is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in operations management, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with extensive expertise in business process management, strategy, and big data analytics. He holds a PhD in Management from Macquarie Graduate School of Management, where his doctoral research focused on organizational agility and firm performance in Australian SMEs. His academic foundation also includes a Master of Arts, an MBA, and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering with honors. Dr. Kortian has built a distinguished career in higher education, currently serving as Associate Professor at Macquarie University’s School of Engineering, where he played a pivotal role in designing and leading the Master of Engineering Management program, one of the university’s largest postgraduate offerings. He has also contributed to Kaplan Business School, Macquarie Graduate School of Management, and the Australian Graduate School of Management through innovative course development in data analytics, quality management, and business excellence. His research interests span business excellence, operations management, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, with several conference presentations, publications, and a US patent to his credit. Recognized with multiple Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and other honors, Dr. Kortian is a dedicated educator, researcher, and thought leader shaping engineering management education in Australia.

Profile : Orcid 

Featured Publication

“Challenges and Issues in Implementing & Operationalising Big Data Analytics Capabilities in a major Australian Railway Organisation: A Case Study”

 

Amohelang Lehloa | Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Amohelang Lehloa | Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

University of Cape Town | Lesotho

Ms. Amohelang Lehloa is a dedicated Registered Audiologist and Public Health professional with expertise in audiological rehabilitation, hearing technology, adult education, and evidence-based practice. She has built her career around advancing hearing healthcare, supporting community health initiatives, and contributing to impactful research in audiology and public health. Her clinical and academic journey reflects a strong commitment to patient-centered care, strategic project management, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Fluent in Sesotho and English, she integrates her skills in clinical audiology, supervision, and public health education to foster sustainable healthcare solutions and improve therapeutic outcomes for diverse populations.

Professional Profile

Orcid

Education

Ms. Lehloa holds a Master’s degree in Public Health with a specialization in Epidemiology from the University of Cape Town, complemented by an Honours degree in Audiology from the same institution. Her educational background equips her with a robust understanding of both the clinical and epidemiological aspects of healthcare, enabling her to bridge the gap between individual patient care and population health strategies. Additionally, she has pursued international education, which has broadened her perspective on global health challenges and innovations in audiological science.

Experience

Her professional experience spans clinical practice, academic teaching, research coordination, and project management. As a Clinical Audiologist at HearSense, she performs comprehensive hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings, vestibular and tinnitus management, and aural rehabilitation while actively engaging in public health outreach programs. Previously, she served as Project Manager for the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA), where she managed research collaborations, regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven project reporting across international institutions. She also contributed to academia as a Public Health Lecturer and Audiology Tutor at the University of Cape Town, supervising clinical students and developing curriculum content to enhance future professionals’ competencies. Furthermore, her early leadership as Head of SHAWCO Audiology in a student-led non-profit organization underscores her dedication to serving underserved communities through early hearing loss detection, intervention, and awareness campaigns.

Research Interest

Ms. Lehloa’s research interests include comorbidities affecting pregnant women living with HIV, high-frequency audiometry in children, and the integration of public health strategies into audiological care. Her work explores the intersection of communicable and non-communicable diseases in maternal health, the diagnostic value of high-frequency hearing assessments, and patient and public involvement (PPI) in research design and implementation. She has participated in international working groups such as the Forgaty-IeDEA mentorship program and has presented her findings at global platforms, including the CROI conference in Denver, Colorado, USA. Her research activities emphasize improving health outcomes through evidence-based approaches and collaborative data analysis.

Awards

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Ms. Lehloa has been recognized for her excellence and leadership. She is a recipient of the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, awarded to outstanding young scholars from Sub-Saharan Africa, and has been listed on the Faculty of Health Science Dean’s Merit List at the University of Cape Town. Additionally, her membership in the Golden Key Honour Society reflects her commitment to academic achievement, professional growth, and community service. These accolades highlight her dedication to advancing both clinical practice and public health research.

Publication

Lehloa, A.J., Kalk, E., Davies, M.-A., Nyemba, D., Mehta, U., Malaba, T., Petro, G., Boulle, A., Myer, L., Madlala, H.P. (2025). “Comorbidities in Pregnant South African Women Living with HIV and Associations with Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study.” BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.

Conclusion

Ms. Amohelang Lehloa exemplifies the integration of clinical expertise, public health knowledge, and academic leadership to address hearing health and broader epidemiological challenges. Her career reflects a balance of hands-on patient care, educational mentorship, research innovation, and international collaboration. With strong skills in audiological assessment, rehabilitation, hearing aid technology, strategic project management, and public health advocacy, she continues to contribute to the development of inclusive and sustainable health systems. Her work not only improves individual patient outcomes but also advances the field of audiology within a public health framework, creating meaningful impact across communities.

Muhammad Saddam Khokhar | Data Representation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Saddam Khokhar | Data Representation | Best Researcher Award

Yangzhou University | China

Dr. Muhammad Saddam Khokhar is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in generative artificial intelligence and computer vision. With over a decade of teaching, research, and leadership experience, he has made significant contributions to artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and deep learning. His expertise spans across developing innovative AI-driven solutions, managing academic programs, and mentoring research scholars at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. As an assistant professor and former department chairman, he has been instrumental in advancing artificial intelligence education, accreditation processes, and research-driven innovation in multiple institutions internationally.

Professional Profiles

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Education

Dr. Khokhar earned his Doctorate in Computer Application Technology from Jiangsu University, China, where his dissertation focused on nonlinear optimization and dimensional reduction using advanced Spearman correlation analysis integrated with deep learning models. His research was recognized with an excellent dissertation award for its innovative methodologies. He also holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Information Technology with a focus on machine learning, data mining, and software project management, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, where he developed strong expertise in artificial intelligence, software architecture, and advanced programming techniques.

Experience

With extensive academic and professional experience, Dr. Khokhar has served in multiple teaching and research roles, including Assistant Professor at the College of Artificial Intelligence, Yangzhou University, and Postdoctoral Fellow at the College of Software Engineering, focusing on generative AI projects. He has also chaired the Department of Artificial Intelligence at Dawood University of Engineering and Technology and contributed to curriculum development, laboratory design, and accreditation processes for AI and quantum computing programs. Earlier in his career, he held lecturer positions at leading Pakistani universities and worked as a software engineer, gaining industry insights that enriched his academic pursuits.

Research Interests

His research primarily focuses on generative artificial intelligence, computer vision, deep learning, and nonlinear optimization techniques. Dr. Khokhar has developed innovative models leveraging Spearman correlation analysis for medical image processing, robotic vision, traffic surveillance, and multi-camera monitoring systems. His recent projects explore lightweight generative adversarial networks (IoTGAN), hybrid attention-driven generative frameworks, and blockchain-based secure election systems. He has also actively contributed to discussions on artificial general intelligence, metaverse technologies, and ethical implications of AI in modern societies through various publications and invited talks.

Awards

Dr. Khokhar has been recognized with several prestigious awards for his contributions to innovation, research, and academic excellence. These include the Best Innovation Award for developing a revolutionary AI platform for gene editing and medical technology, multiple academic achievement awards during his doctoral studies, and accolades in application development and research competitions. His work has been published in high-impact journals and presented at international conferences, showcasing his commitment to advancing cutting-edge AI research and practical solutions for global challenges.

Publications

Muhammad Saddam Khokhar, Misbah Ayoub, Zakria, Abdullah Lakhan. (2025). “Advanced Nonlinear Optimization of Low- and High-Resolution Medical Images Using Adaptive Deep Spearman Correlation Analysis (D-SCA) for Pattern Sequence Recognition.” Applied Soft Computing.

Muhammad Saddam Khokhar. (2025). “Energy Harvesting in IoT, Fog, and Blockchain–Thermoelectric Cooling Innovations.”

Muhammad Saddam Khokhar. (2025). “Health Coin: Revolutionizing Global Healthcare with Green Blockchain Technology.”

Zakria Zakria, Jianhua Deng, Rajesh Kumar, Muhammad Saddam Khokhar, Jingye Cai, Jay Kumar. (2022). “Multiscale and Direction Target Detecting in Remote Sensing Images via Modified YOLO-v4.” IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing.

Abdullah Lakhan, Qurat-ul-ain Mastoi, Mazhar Ali Dootio, Fehaid Alqahtani, Ibrahim R. Alzahrani, Fatmah Baothman, Syed Yaseen Shah, Syed Aziz Shah, Nadeem Anjum, Qammer Hussain Abbasi, et al. (2021). “Hybrid Workload Enabled and Secure Healthcare Monitoring Sensing Framework in Distributed Fog-Cloud Network.” Electronics.

Abdullah Lakhan, Mazhar Ali Dootio, Tor Morten Groenli, Ali Hassan Sodhro, Muhammad Saddam Khokhar. (2021). “Multi-Layer Latency Aware Workload Assignment of E-Transport IoT Applications in Mobile Sensors Cloudlet Cloud Networks.” Electronics.

Conclusion

Dr. Muhammad Saddam Khokhar embodies a dynamic blend of academic rigor, innovative research, and leadership in the field of artificial intelligence. His career reflects a commitment to advancing AI education, developing impactful technologies, and contributing to global scientific knowledge. Through his research, publications, and mentorship, he continues to inspire the next generation of AI professionals while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge technology with societal advancement.

Kersti Karu – Educational Data Analysis – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kersti Karu - Educational Data Analysis - Best Researcher Award

University College London - United Kingdom

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Kersti Karu embarked on her academic journey with a strong foundation in Chemical Engineering, earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Tallinn Technical University. Building upon this, she pursued her passion for analytical chemistry by obtaining a Master of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry from UCL Birkbeck College. These formative years laid the groundwork for her illustrious career in research and academia.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Karu's professional journey commenced in 2001 at UCL School of Pharmacy, where she began her research as a mass spectrometrist. Over the years, she honed her expertise in mass spectrometry analysis, delving into various applications spanning small molecules, proteins, peptides, DNA, and RNA. Her dedication and commitment led her to complete her Ph.D. in Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) methods tailored for sterol analysis, under the guidance of Professor William J Griffiths.

Transitioning to Imperial College London, Dr. Karu expanded her research horizons, focusing on identifying pain-related proteins in the brain using proteomics techniques. This period marked her foray into interdisciplinary research, blending mass spectrometry with neuroscience to unravel complex biological phenomena.

Joining UCL Chemistry Department in 2013 as the Mass Spectrometry Manager showcased Dr. Karu's leadership capabilities as she spearheaded various projects, ranging from small molecule identification to antibody-conjugate analysis. Additionally, her role in supervising MSc projects underscores her commitment to nurturing the next generation of analytical chemists.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Karu's research revolves around the biosynthesis and metabolism of phytosterols and cholesterol, exploring their implications for human health. Noteworthy is her collaboration with UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, where she established analytical methods for analyzing bile acids and sterols in biological samples, contributing to the understanding of neurological disorders. Furthermore, her partnership with UCL Bloomsbury Institute of Intensive Care Medicine shed light on the involvement of cholesterol and its metabolites in sepsis, highlighting the broader impact of her research on critical care medicine.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Karu's contributions to the field of analytical chemistry have garnered significant recognition, reflected in her authorship of 40 peer-reviewed papers with over 1053 citations. Her impressive h-index of 16 underscores the influence of her research within the scientific community.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Karu's multidisciplinary approach to research, bridging chemistry with neuroscience and medicine, has paved the way for groundbreaking discoveries. Her innovative methods for mass spectrometry analysis have not only advanced scientific knowledge but also found practical applications in diverse fields, from pharmaceuticals to environmental monitoring.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Karu's legacy lies in her unwavering dedication to advancing analytical chemistry and its applications in understanding complex biological systems. As she continues her academic journey, her future contributions are poised to shape the landscape of mass spectrometry and its role in addressing pressing healthcare challenges.

In conclusion, Dr. Kersti Karu's remarkable academic pursuits, professional endeavors, and impactful research underscore her as a trailblazer in the field of analytical chemistry. Her interdisciplinary approach, coupled with her commitment to mentorship and collaboration, positions her as a beacon of innovation and excellence in academia.

Notable Publication

Jennifer Turner – educational leadership – Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Jennifer Turner - educational leadership - Best Researcher Award 

University of Calgary - Canada

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Jennifer Turner's academic journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a dedication to advancing educational leadership and mental health promotion. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (K-12) from the University of Calgary, with a dissertation focusing on district leadership in mental health promotion within a British Columbia school district. Complementing her doctoral studies, she has pursued various certifications and advanced clinical certificates, including Business Intelligence Analytics, School Leader Qualification Standard, and Superintendent Leadership Qualification.

Professional Endeavors

  • Dr. Turner's professional trajectory is distinguished by her leadership roles and extensive service in the field of education, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia. She currently serves as the Director of the Centre for Wellbeing in Education at the Werklund School of Education, Calgary, where she spearheads initiatives to promote mental health and wellbeing in educational settings. Prior to this, she held pivotal positions such as Superintendent of Schools at Fort McMurray Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent at Rocky Mountain School District 6, and District Principal at Boundary School District 51, among others. These roles underscore her breadth of experience in educational leadership, governance, policy development, and program implementation.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Turner's scholarly pursuits revolve around leveraging research and theory to inform educational leadership practices aimed at enhancing teaching, learning, and student wellbeing. Her research interests encompass K-12 leadership, governance, mental health promotion, and early intervention. Noteworthy contributions include authored research reports, peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and presentations at international, national, and regional conferences. Her seminal work in mapping education leadership of mental health promotion exemplifies her commitment to bridging research and practice to address critical issues in education.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout her career, Dr. Turner has garnered numerous accolades and achievements, highlighting her significant contributions to the field of education. Awards such as the Outstanding Women of the Boundary Award and her roles in various professional organizations underscore her leadership, expertise, and dedication to advancing educational practices and policies.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Turner's influence extends beyond her professional roles, shaping educational practices and policies at the provincial and district levels. Her leadership in mental health promotion, collaborative initiatives, and engagement with diverse stakeholders have contributed to the development of a critical knowledge base within the educational landscape. Through her research, advocacy, and strategic leadership, she has played a pivotal role in fostering positive school environments and supporting the holistic wellbeing of students and educators alike.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Turner's legacy lies in her ongoing commitment to advancing educational leadership, mental health promotion, and student wellbeing. Her multifaceted expertise, scholarly contributions, and collaborative endeavors position her as a driving force for positive change in educational practices and policies. With a keen focus on research-informed practices and strategic leadership, she continues to shape the future of education, leaving an indelible mark on the field and inspiring future generations of educational leaders.

Notable Publication