Zakieh Taghizadeh | Government and Public Policy Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Zakieh Taghizadeh | Government and Public Policy Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Fribourg University | Iran

Dr. Zakieh Taghizadeh Pirposhteh is a scholar of public international law, biodiversity governance, and marine genetic resource regulation. She holds an LL.M in International Contracts & Arbitration (University of Fribourg, 2024–2025), a UN-Nippon Fellowship in the Law of the Sea and Ocean (New York, 2014–2015), and earlier attained a Master of Law in Public International Law and Bachelor of Law in Legal Studies and Jurisprudence (Tehran, Iran). Her professional roles include serving as Legal Counselor at the United Nations Office (Geneva, 2020–2022), Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinator at WIPO (2023–2024), and Research Associate on marine biodiversity, law of the sea, and genetic resource governance at the University of Tehran (2015–2020). Her publications include BBNJ Agreement and Intellectual Property Implications for Marine Genetic Resource Management in ABNJ (2024) and Marine Genetic Resources as Common Heritage of Mankind (2024), among others. According to Google Scholar, Her research interests center on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, arbitration in digital sequence information disputes, benefit-sharing frameworks, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights, intergenerational equity, and international ocean law. She has been recognized as a reviewer for multiple journals and awarded a WIPO–Harvard Certificate in Patent Law and Global Public Health (2025), and was nominated by the Asia & Pacific Group of WIPO as an expert to the IGC advisory boards. Driven by a commitment to sustainable governance and global justice, Dr. Taghizadeh continues to bridge legal scholarship and multilateral policy engagement in marine and biodiversity law.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Taghizadeh, Z. (2025). “Marine Genetic Resources as Common Heritage of Mankind under the BBNJ Agreement: The International Community toward a Pragmatic Benefit-Sharing Approach?” in Biodiversity and Conservation, 34(1), 131–153.

Taghizadeh, Z., & Asgarian, H. (2024). “BBNJ Agreement and Intellectual Property Implications for Marine Genetic Resources Management in ABNJ” in The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 1(aop), 1–32.

Taghizadeh, Z. (2025). “Intergenerational and Intra-generational Equity under the BBNJ Agreement: Advancing Accountability toward Sustainable Management of the Marine Environment” in Environmental Management, 1–19.

Taghizadeh, Z., & Asgarian, H. (2025). “From Global Commons to Global Accountability: The Erga Omnes Obligation to Safeguard Marine Biological Diversity as Common Heritage of Humankind” in Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy, 28(2), 193–220.

Taghizadeh, Z. (2021). “Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone: Legal Analysis of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea’s Approach in Its Advisory Opinion” in International Journal of Maritime Policy, 1(1), 5–36.

Simon Adu | Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Simon Adu | Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation | Best Researcher Award

Texas A&M university | United States

Dr. Simon Adu is a distinguished researcher in Radiation Protection and Health Physics with over 16 years of professional experience. He holds a PhD (2016) and MPhil (2008) in Radiation Protection/Health Physics from the University of Ghana, and a BSc in Physics from the University of Cape Coast. He has held senior roles as Senior Research Scientist at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Senior Regulatory Officer heading the Department of Nuclear Security at Ghana’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority, and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana. His work encompasses radiation safety in medical, industrial, mining and research reactor settings; calibration; regulatory inspections; nuclear security; non-proliferation; and education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has supervised PhD and MSc students, reviewed theses externally in several African universities, participated in numerous IAEA-coordinated research projects, and has been awarded prestigious fellowships including the Stanton Fellowship, the IAEA PhD Sandwich Award, and Argonne National Laboratory fellowship. His research interests include nuclear safety, reactor core conversion (HEU to LEU), radiation dosimetry, nuclear security and safeguards. He is also an IAEA nuclear security expert participating in missions across Africa. Dr. Adu’s contributions have significantly advanced regulatory frameworks, improved safety culture, and strengthened capacity building in radiation protection and nuclear security across the region.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Doudoo, C. O., Gyekye, P. K., Emi-Reynolds, G., Adu, S., Kpeglo, D. O., Tagoe, S. N. A., & others (2023). “Dose and secondary cancer-risk estimation of patients undergoing high dose rate intracavitary gynaecological brachytherapy.” Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 54 (2), 335–342.

Hasford, F., Owusu-Banahene, J., Otoo, F., Adu, S., Sosu, E. K., Amoako, J. K., & others (2012). “Assessment of annual whole-body occupational radiation exposure in education, research and industrial sectors in Ghana (2000–09).” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 150 (3), 350–358.

Arwui, C. C., Deatanyah, P., Wotorchi-Gordon, S., Ankaah, J., Emi-Reynolds, G., Adu, S., & others (2011). “Assessment of the effectiveness of collimation of Cs–137 panoramic beam on TLD calibration using a constructed lead block collimator and an ICRU slab phantom at SSDL in Ghana.” International Journal of Science and Technology, 1 (4), 169–173.

Ndum, Z. N., Tao, J., Liu, Y., Ford, J., Vlassov, V., Morton, N., Grissom, J., Adu, S., & others (2024). “A digital twin-based simulator for small modular and microreactors.” Proceedings of the 2024 Winter Simulation Conference (WSC), 2963–2974.

Adu, S., Horvatovic, I., D’Auria, F., Nyarko, B. B. J., Geoffrey, E. R., & Menzel, F. (2015). “Analysis of channel blockage of MNSR reactor using the system thermal-hydraulic code RELAP5/MOD3.3.” Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Birikorang, S. A., Dahunsi, S., Adu, S., Nketia, C. A., & Blay, A. (2025). “Assessing nuclear energy and radiological risks: a case study of radionuclide dispersion from potential nuclear power plant accidents in Ghana.” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 201 (5), 333–350.

Basharat Ali | Cybersecurity Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Basharat Ali | Cybersecurity Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Nanjing University | China

Dr. Basharat Ali is a dedicated researcher and PhD scholar in Computer Science at Nanjing University, China, with a strong academic foundation in Software Engineering from Northeastern University, China, and the University of Swat, Pakistan. His professional journey includes roles as a Software Developer at Neusoft (China) and RaidIT Solution (Pakistan), where he gained hands-on expertise in programming, system architecture, and cross-border e-commerce platforms. His research focuses on network security, blockchain development, IoT infrastructure protection, and the integration of deep learning techniques for cyber defense. Dr. Ali has published influential works such as “An Efficient E-Voting Algorithm and DApp Using Blockchain Technology” and “Towards a Secure Infrastructure for the IoT’s Using Deep Learning.” His scholarly contributions have achieved an h-index of 4, with 79 citations and 2 indexed documents, reflecting the growing impact of his work in secure digital ecosystems. He has also been recognized for his innovation and technical creativity in decentralized systems and smart contract applications. Combining academic research with practical software engineering and design expertise, Dr. Ali aims to advance global cybersecurity through intelligent, transparent, and scalable blockchain-based systems that shape the next generation of secure digital environments.

Profiles : Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Ali, B., & Chen, G. (2025). Next-generation AI for advanced threat detection and security enhancement in DNS over HTTPS. Journal of Network and Computer Applications.

Ali, B. (2022). An Efficient E-Voting Algorithm and DApp Using Blockchain Technology.

Ali, B. (2021). Towards a Secure Infrastructure for the IoT’s Using Deep Learning. Multidisciplinary International Journal of Research and Development.

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”