Zlatko Kopecki – Innovation in Data Analysis – Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Zlatko Kopecki - Innovation in Data Analysis - Best Researcher Award 

University of South Australia - Australia

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Zlatko Kopecki's academic journey began with his role as a Technical Officer in Histopathology at Clinpath Laboratories from 2003 to 2005, followed by a position as a Medical Scientist in Histopathology at Adelaide Pathology Partners from 2005 to 2011. During this period, he honed his skills in laboratory medicine, culminating in earning the Terumo Prize for Excellence in Laboratory Medicine with Honours from the University of South Australia (UniSA) in 2007. His dedication to his field was further recognized with a Dean’s Commendation for the quality of his Ph.D. thesis at the University of Adelaide in 2011.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Kopecki's professional career is marked by several notable appointments. From 2010 to 2012, he served as a Research Officer at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where he began to establish his research credentials. His trajectory continued with a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Researcher (ECR) Fellowship at UniSA from 2012 to 2015, during which he also held an honorary research fellowship at Queen Mary University of London. He progressed to the role of Senior Research Fellow at UniSA's Future Industries Institute (FII) from 2015 to 2021. His international engagements included visiting research fellowships at the University of Freiburg (2010), University of Lübeck (2017), and the University of Bath (2020).

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Kopecki's research has consistently focused on innovative approaches to wound management and therapy for rare skin diseases, particularly Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). He has pioneered the development of biofilm-disrupting technologies and stimuli-responsive wound dressings, as well as antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). His work also includes the development of antiseptic wound cleansers, medicated hydrogels, and antimicrobial materials for treating infections. His research employs various animal models to answer critical questions about wound infection and skin diseases, contributing significantly to product development and commercialization pathways.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Kopecki's contributions to research and patient advocacy have been recognized with numerous awards. Notable among these are the Young Investigator of the Year Award from the Australasian Wound & Tissue Repair Society (AWTRS) in 2016 and the Tall Poppy Award for outstanding scientific achievements in South Australia in 2017. His innovative research has also earned him prestigious grants, including multiple NHMRC Ideas Grants and the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship for Experienced Researchers (2024-2026).

Impact and Influence

Dr. Kopecki's influence extends beyond his research to impactful patient advocacy. Since 2009, he has been actively involved with DEBRA (an international patient support organization for those affected by EB), where he has held various leadership positions. His efforts have led to significant initiatives, such as the National EB Dressing Scheme in Australia and the In Home Nurse Program, which have greatly improved patient care. His work with DEBRA International during the Ukrainian conflict highlights his commitment to global patient advocacy, providing essential support to EB patients affected by the war.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Kopecki's legacy is marked by his dedication to improving the lives of those with rare skin diseases through both research and advocacy. His innovative approaches in developing new therapies and his active role in patient support programs have set new standards in the field. Looking forward, Dr. Kopecki aims to continue his pioneering research, focusing on translating his findings into clinical practice to benefit patients worldwide. His ongoing collaborations with industry partners and his involvement in global patient advocacy programs ensure that his work will continue to have a significant impact on the field of wound management and rare skin diseases.

Citations

A total of 1592 citations for his publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of her research within the academic community.

Mitesh Mangaonkar – Innovation in Data Analysis – International Data Breakthrough Achievement Award 

Mr. Mitesh Mangaonkar - Innovation in Data Analysis - International Data Breakthrough Achievement Award 

Airbnb - United States

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Mr. Mitesh M. Mangaonkar embarked on his academic journey with a strong foundation in technology and information systems. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology from the University of Mumbai in May 2012, graduating with an impressive GPA of 3.8. His undergraduate studies provided him with a robust understanding of computer science fundamentals, software engineering principles, and data management techniques. This academic foundation was instrumental in shaping his analytical skills and problem-solving capabilities.

Continuing his pursuit of higher education, Mitesh enrolled in the Master of Science program in Management Information Systems at Texas Tech University. Graduating in May 2014 with a GPA of 3.7, he honed his expertise in data management, business intelligence, and system analysis. His graduate studies equipped him with advanced knowledge in managing and interpreting large datasets, preparing him for a career in data engineering and analytics.

Professional Endeavors

Mr. Mitesh's professional career began at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Seattle, WA, where he served as a Data Engineer from January 2015 to January 2018. During this tenure, he developed SQL queries for customer engagement analysis, collaborated on scalable data processing algorithms, and managed extensive data migrations. His work contributed significantly to enhancing customer experience and operational efficiencies.

In January 2018, Mitesh transitioned to WeWork in San Francisco, CA, as a Senior Data Engineer. Here, he designed next-generation data tools and frameworks, managed AWS applications, and led data discovery sessions with business teams. His role involved building RESTful APIs and orchestrating data workflows, which were pivotal in supporting WeWork’s global operations.

March 2019 saw Mitesh return to AWS, this time in Austin, TX, as a Lead Data Architect. Over the next two years, he designed and deployed enterprise-class applications, implemented automation processes, and collaborated with AWS teams to enhance customer and partner experiences. Notably, he developed a data migration framework that significantly reduced costs for a top-tier retail customer.

In January 2021, Mitesh joined Airbnb in Austin, TX, as a Tech Lead and Data Engineer. His responsibilities included developing large-scale data processing systems, building real-time data pipelines for fraud detection, and contributing to shared data engineering tools and standards. His efforts led to substantial fraud prevention and operational improvements at Airbnb.

Contributions and Research Focus

Throughout his career, Mitesh has focused on developing and optimizing data infrastructure, enhancing data processing systems, and implementing robust data analytics solutions. His research interests lie in big data frameworks, machine learning, and real-time data processing. At Airbnb, he designed and automated high-performance data processing systems, which played a crucial role in driving business growth and improving product experiences.

His contributions to the field include building real-time data pipelines that empowered Airbnb’s fraud detection mechanisms, preventing significant financial losses. At AWS, he was instrumental in creating a data migration framework that reduced data warehousing costs, showcasing his ability to deliver impactful solutions in data engineering.

Accolades and Recognition

Mr. Mitesh’s work has been recognized for its impact and excellence. His contributions to fraud detection at Airbnb led to the prevention of $1.2 million in fraud incidents within six months of implementing real-time pipelines. His innovative solutions in data migration at AWS earned him accolades for significantly reducing operational costs for major clients.

Impact and Influence

Mr. Mitesh’s influence extends beyond his immediate work environment. At AWS, he collaborated with sales, pre-sales, and support teams to educate partners and customers on using AWS services effectively. His efforts in conveying customer feedback to AWS engineering teams helped shape technology roadmaps, ensuring that AWS services met the evolving needs of its users.

At Airbnb, Mitesh evangelized high-quality software engineering practices, enhancing the productivity and output quality of data engineers across the company. His leadership in data infrastructure projects has set a benchmark for efficiency and effectiveness in data engineering practices.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Mr. Mitesh M. Mangaonkar’s legacy is marked by his commitment to advancing data engineering and analytics. His contributions have not only improved operational efficiencies and reduced costs but also enhanced the overall user experience for major technology companies. Looking ahead, Mitesh aims to continue driving innovation in data processing systems, leveraging emerging technologies in machine learning and big data frameworks to solve complex business challenges.

His future contributions are expected to focus on scaling data infrastructure, developing advanced analytics solutions, and mentoring the next generation of data engineers. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, Mitesh is poised to make lasting impacts in the field of data engineering and beyond.

Notable Publication