Adrian Rodriguez | Educational Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Adrian Rodriguez | Educational Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

California State University, Fullerton | United States

Dr. Adrian Rodriguez is an Associate Professor of Human Services whose work centers on college student well-being, equity in higher education, and culturally responsive training. He holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and has extensive experience teaching courses on counseling, substance use, conflict resolution, and case management across multiple institutions. His research examines perceived stress and graduate school aspirations, best practices for inclusive undergraduate research labs, graduate student mental health, and the impact of childhood trauma and attachment on students’ relationships and academic functioning. Dr. Rodriguez has published in journals such as Innovative Higher Education, Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, and the Journal of College Student Retention, and has presented widely at APA, APS, NOHS, and other national conferences. He has developed workshops for faculty on supporting graduate students’ mental health and creating inclusive research environments, while mentoring numerous undergraduate researchers, honors students, and McNair Scholars. His service includes curriculum development, accreditation work, and contributions to college and university committees focused on student success, equity, and community engagement. Recognized as an AAHHE Faculty Fellow and recipient of professional development and intramural research awards, he remains committed to advancing human services education through scholarship, mentorship, and culturally responsive practice.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Rodriguez, A.A., Norris, S., Arain, S., Ratanasiripong, P., & Garcia, J.A. (2025). “Graduate school intent: Stress resilience, early exposure to graduate environments, and self-efficacy.” Innovative Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-025-09857-2

Rodriguez, A.A., & Mallinckrodt, B. (2021). “Native American-identified students’ transition to college: A theoretical model of coping challenges and resources.” Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/1521025118799747

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.

Maatouk Khoukhi | Bio Materials | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maatouk Khoukhi | Bio Materials | Best Researcher Award

United Arab Emirates University | United Arab Emirates

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maatouk Khoukhi holds a PhD in Machine Intelligence & Systems Engineering (Tohoku University, Japan 2004), an MSc in Renewable Energy (Algeria 1993) and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering (Algeria 1991). He has held academic appointments at Sultan Qaboos University (Oman), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (Saudi Arabia), University of Sharjah (UAE) and since 2017 at United Arab Emirates University (UAE) in Architectural Engineering. His research focuses on solar energy systems, building energy conservation, HVAC systems and sustainable built-environment technology. According to his UAEU profile he has produced 36 journal articles and 9 conference contributions (4 conference articles + 2 other papers) to date. Bibliometric data from AD Scientific Index lists his h-index as 16, total citations approximately 772, and about 53 papers with i10-index in that source. He has received multiple awards—including “International Research Scientist Award” (2024), and repeated recognition at UAEU for publishing in the top 5% of journals (2019-2023). In summary, Dr Khoukhi is an accomplished international academic with a strong publication record, recognised research impact, and significant contributions in building energy and solar technology.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Khoukhi, M., Gomez, A., Dar Saleh, A., Alkaabi, M., & Muhsenah, H. (2024). “Enhancing green building technologies and solutions in UAE university campus: a comprehensive assessment and validation approach.” Buildings.

Khoukhi, M. (2023). “Potential of form-pocketed design in mitigating heat in a university educational glazed-curtained building in the desert climate of UAE.” Energy and Buildings.

Kutty, N., Barakat, D., & Khoukhi, M. (2023). “A French residential retrofit toward achieving net-zero energy target in a Mediterranean climate.” Buildings.

Abdullah, A. K., Darsaleh, A., Abdelbaqi, S., & Khoukhi, M. (2022). “Thermal performance evaluation of window shutters for residential buildings: a case study of Abu Dhabi, UAE.” Energies.

Mohammad, A. F., Dar Saleh, A. F., Khoukhi, M., & Al-Marzouqi, A. H. (2022). “A new method for capturing CO₂ from effluent gases using a rice-based product.” Energies.

Eman Ayman Nada |  Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Eman Ayman Nada |  Public Health Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Mnistry of Health, Damietta | Egypt

Dr. Eman Ayman Nada is a pharmacist-researcher who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Tanta University (2017–2022), graduating with a “Very Good” grade. She currently serves as a hospital pharmacist at Kafr Saad Central Hospital in Damietta, Egypt, and as a researcher with the Medical Research Group of Egypt (MRGE) in Arlington, USA. In her research role she has led systematic reviews and meta-analyses (including as first or corresponding author), performing data analysis with RevMan and SPSS. Her education and internships have included clinical research training (via Negida Academy) and GCP certification (viaMedical Agency for Research and Statistics in London). Her research interests span clinical pharmacy, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, pharmacoepidemiology, drug safety and pharmacovigilance, and the intersection of data-analysis / machine-learning with public-health outcomes. She has also served in student-research leadership roles, coordinating training for hundreds of students in scientific research methodology. Looking ahead, she aims to further publish high-impact evidence-based medicine studies, mentor emerging researchers, and contribute to improved pharmaceutical care through rigorous clinical research.

Profiles : Orcid | Scopus

Featured Publications

1️⃣ Nada, E. A., Abu Kaddorah, M. E., El Jamal, M., Hamad, A., & Mansour, F. R. (2025). Eggshell waste as a sustainable resource for nanoparticle preparation; synthesis, characterization and applications. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management.

2️⃣ Varghese, C., Peters, L., Gaborit, L., Xu, W., Kalyanasundaram, K., Basam, A., Park, M., Wells, C., McLean, K. A., Schamberg, G., et al. (2025). Predicting opioid consumption after surgical discharge: a multinational derivation and validation study using a foundation model. npj Digital Medicine.

3️⃣ Zaazouee, M. S., Nada, E. A., Al-kafarna, M., Shaheen, A., Ramu, S. K., Hafez, A. H., Matar, S. G., Assar, A., Elshennawy, M., Abu El-Enien, H., et al. (2025). A multinational cross-sectional study on the prevalence and predictors of long COVID across 33 countries. Scientific Reports.

4️⃣ Abdelghany, A., Qutob, I. A., Abdel Azim, A., Assem, M., Gad, M., Shawkat, A., Gamal, A., & Nada, E. A. (2025). Perioperative and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Annals of Oncology.

5️⃣ Chukr, M., Mohamady, A. O., Abdallh, F., Farrag, D. A., Nada, E. A., Qutob, I. A., & Elsayed, M. M. (2025). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Blood Donation Among Medical Students: A Systematic Review Across Nine Countries. Preprint.

 

Alexia Iasonos | Algorithm Development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alexia Iasonos | Algorithm Development | Best Researcher Award

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center | United States

Dr. Alexia E. Iasonos is a recognized expert in biostatistics, currently a Member at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where she serves as Director of Clinical Research Development. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics & Statistics from the University of Cyprus (1992-96), followed by an M.S. in Biometry & Statistics and a Ph.D. in Biometry & Statistics from SUNY Albany (awarded in 1998 and 2002 respectively). Her professional trajectory includes roles in academic statistics, pharmaceutical industry, and extensive hospital-affiliated clinical trial biostatistics. Her methodological research focuses on design and analysis of clinical trials, especially Bayesian adaptive Phase I and II designs, dose-finding methods, dose-expansion cohort development, predictive modeling and nomograms, biomarker evaluation and endpoints, particularly in gynecologic oncology. Her work has been instrumental in improving early drug development processes. According to AD Scientific Index, her h-index is 52, with over 10,779 total citations. She is an elected Fellow of the Society of Clinical Trials, deputy editor of Journal of Clinical Oncology, member/chair in several protocol and monitoring committees. Among her awards are those tied to leadership in early-phase trial methodology and contributions to cancer biostatistics. In conclusion, Dr. Iasonos continues to make high impact contributions in biostatistics and oncology by combining rigorous methodology with translational collaboration.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Iasonos, A. (2024). Evaluation of early phase dose finding algorithms in heterogeneous populations. Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference.

Iasonos, A. (2023). Controlled amplification in oncology dose-finding trials. Contemporary Clinical Trials.

Iasonos, A. (2022). Stopping rules for phase I clinical trials with dose expansion cohorts. Statistical Methods in Medical Research.

Iasonos, A. (2021). Controlled backfill in oncology dose-finding trials. Contemporary Clinical Trials.

Iasonos, A. (2021). Phase I clinical trials in adoptive T-cell therapies. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series C (Applied Statistics).