Amruta Deshpande | Computer Science | Best VR Researcher Award

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Dr. Amruta Deshpande | Computer Science | Best VR Researcher Award 

Indira University | India


Dr. Amruta Deshpande is a seasoned academic leader with over 16 years of experience in Human Resource Management, Employment Relations, Organizational Behavior, and Higher Education, recognized for her contributions to research governance, academic strategy, and institution-building. She currently serves as Professor – School of Business and Associate Dean, Research & Development at Indira University, Pune, where she leads the university-wide R&D vision in alignment with UGC, NAAC, NIRF, and global ranking frameworks. A dedicated researcher, she has 31 research publications, 58 citations, and an h-index of 4, with scholarship focusing on industrial relations, employee well-being, diversity & inclusion, HR analytics, and sustainability in workplaces. Dr. Deshpande is an Editorial Board Member for reputed Q1/Q2 journals under Emerald and Taylor & Francis and serves as a peer reviewer for Scopus, Web of Science, and ABDC-listed journals. She is a recognized research ecosystem architect, having established and led the R&D Department at Indira Group of Institutes, formulating research policies, SOPs, governance structures, and integrity frameworks including Turnitin processes, ethical review mechanisms, and publication quality monitoring systems. She has successfully designed PhD program structures, doctoral evaluation models, and capacity-building initiatives for faculty and research scholars, promoting high-quality research, grantsmanship, IPR, and consultancy outcomes. Dr. Deshpande has led multiple international conferences, special issues, academic collaborations, and global partnerships that enhanced institutional visibility and academic impact. She also integrates research, innovation, and entrepreneurship by aligning publications, patents, consultancy, and incubation initiatives with industry and societal needs. With prior academic roles across leading Indian institutions, she has taught MBA, PGDM, and undergraduate programs, mentored young researchers, and driven curriculum innovation to prepare learners for the future of work. She is committed to positioning Indira University as a global research hub, including the initiative to launch the university’s own Scopus-indexed journal.

Profiles:  Scopus |  Orcid | Google Scholar  | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Deshpande, A., Raut, R., Kaul, N., & Mittal, A. (2024). Mindfulness matters: unravelling its influence on job demands and emotional exhaustion in remote work. International Journal of Organizational Analysis. (Scopus Q1)

Mittal, A., Raheja, K., Raut, R. & Deshpande, A. (2023). Fostering perceived wealth among SMEs through green business: unveiling the mediating influence of consumers’ green attitude. Management of Environmental Quality. (Scopus Q1, ABDC B)

Deshpande, A., Raut, R., Gupta, K., Mittal, A., Raheja, D., Ekbote, N. & Kaul, N. (2023). Predictors of the continued intention of working professionals for pursuing e-learning courses for career advancement. Info Discovery and Delivery. (Scopus Q1)

Aggarwal, A., Mittal, A., Sharma, I., Chand, P. K., & Deshpande, A. (2025). Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it: the role of self-perceived employability among engineering graduates. Industrial and Commercial Training. (Scopus Q1, ABDC B)

Deshpande, A., Raut, R., Kaul, N., & Mittal, A. (2025). Tech facilitated fairness: examining the impact of technology on perceived fairness in interpersonal conflict resolution. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. (Scopus Q2, Web of Science)

Haleh Ayatollahi | Health Informatics | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi | Health Informatics | Editorial Board Member

Iran University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi is a distinguished Professor of Medical Informatics at the Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), widely recognized for her leadership in digital health, telemedicine, and health information systems. She holds a PhD in Health Informatics from the University of Sheffield, UK, and has a strong academic foundation in medical records and health information management through an Associate Degree, B.Sc., and M.Sc. from IUMS. Over the course of her academic career, she has built an impactful research portfolio with 105 scholarly publications, 5,546 citations, and an h–index of 21, reflecting her significant influence on the field of health informatics both nationally and internationally. Her research focuses on technology-enabled healthcare transformation, digital health adoption, telemedicine implementation, user experience evaluation, and data-driven approaches to improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Prof. Ayatollahi currently serves as the Director of the Deputy of Research and Technology at both the School of Health Management and Info Sciences and the Health Management and Economics Research Centre at IUMS, where she plays a key role in shaping research strategies, fostering innovation, strengthening scientific collaborations, and advancing the university’s digital health research capacity. She is also a Member of the Medical Informatics Evaluation and Examination Board, contributing to curriculum development, academic standards, and capacity-building in medical informatics education across Iran. Her professional journey includes valuable academic and administrative roles, including serving as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Sheffield, a University Lecturer at Kashan University of Medical Sciences, and Postgraduate and Education Office Administrator at IUMS. She continues to supervise postgraduate research, publish in high-impact journals, and lead projects focused on health information systems, digital health literacy, and sustainable technology adoption in healthcare, making her one of the leading voices in shaping the future of health informatics in the region.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar  

Featured Publications

Mirasghari, F., Ayatollahi, H., & Velayati, F. (2025). Users’ perspectives about challenges of using telemedicine for patients with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital Health, 11, 20552076251325969.

Toni, E., Toni, E., Fereidooni, M., & Ayatollahi, H. (2024). Acceptance and use of extended reality in surgical training: An umbrella review. Systematic Reviews, 13, 299.

GBD 2021 Forecasting Collaborators. (2024). Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: A forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet, 403(10428), 2204–2256.

Fereidooni, M., Toni, E., Toni, E., & Ayatollahi, H. (2024). Application of virtual reality for supportive care in cancer patients: A systematic review. Supportive Care in Cancer, 32, 570.

Eslami Jahromi, M., & Ayatollahi, H. (2023). Utilization of telehealth to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 30(4), 738–751.

Ayatollahi, H., Gholamhosseini, L., & Salehi, M. (2019). Predicting coronary artery disease: A comparison between two data mining algorithms. BMC Public Health, 19, 448.

Mohammed Rayan Saiba | Immersive Learning | Best VR Researcher Award

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Dr. Mohammed Rayan Saiba | Immersive Learning | Best VR Researcher Award 

Michigan State University | United States

Dr. Mohammed R. Saiba is a researcher and construction management professional with strong academic and industry experience across Ghana, the UK, and the United States. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Construction Management at Michigan State University, following a Master’s in Construction Project Management with BIM from Northumbria University and a Master’s in Construction Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on mass timber education, emerging technologies in construction, modern methods of construction, and sustainable built environments. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications in top journals such as Buildings, Sustainable Development, and Environmental Science & Pollution Research, exploring themes like VR/AR in AEC education, sustainability, and Industry 4.0 integration. Professionally, he has held roles as a Research Intern, Academic Assistant, Assistant Quantity Surveyor, and Project Engineer, contributing to procurement, project delivery, and sustainable practices in construction. His technical proficiency spans BIM software (Revit, 3ds Max, AutoCAD, Unity3D), project tools (Procore, Primavera P6), and programming (Python, R). A LEED Green Associate, he continues to advance innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability within the global construction industry.

Profiles: Google Scholar  | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Saiba, M. R., Berghorn, G. H., Nubani, L., Cetin, K., & Syal, M. M. (2025). Transforming AEC Education: A Systematic Review of VR/AR in Mass Timber Curriculum. Buildings, 15(16), 2938. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162938

Maqbool, R., Saiba, M. R., & Ashfaq, S. (2025). Organisational Innovation Performance and Sustainable Development: Fostering a Constructing Context of Project Management Practices and Integrated Approaches. Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70052

Maqbool, R., Saiba, M. R., Rashid, Y., Altuwaim, A., & Ashfaq, S. (2022). The Influence of Industrial Attitudes and Behaviours in Adopting Sustainable Construction Practices. Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2428

Maqbool, R., Saiba, M. R., & Ashfaq, S. (2022). Emerging Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things (IoT) Technologies in the Ghanaian Construction Industry: Sustainability, Implementation Challenges, and Benefits. Environmental Science & Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24764-1

Maqbool, R., Akubo, S. A., Rashid, Y., Ashfaq, S., & Saiba, M. R. (2023). Solar Energy and the Circular Economy Policies for Sustainable Management. In Solar Energy Harvesting, Conversion and Storage (1st Edition). Elsevier. ISBN: 9780323906012. https://www.elsevier.com/books/solar-energy-harvesting-conversion-and-storage/khalid/978-0-323-90601-2

Mario Covarrubias | Automotive & Manufacturing VR | VR Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr Mario Covarrubias | Automotive & Manufacturing VR | VR Research Excellence Award 

 Politecnico di Milano | Italy

Dr. Mario Covarrubias Rodríguez is a distinguished multidisciplinary researcher whose academic and professional pursuits span the intersection of virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), human–computer interaction (HCI), and inclusive design. His research is driven by a vision to harness immersive technologies for the advancement of education, rehabilitation, and cultural heritage preservation. Through his work, Dr. Covarrubias Rodríguez seeks to bridge the gap between digital innovation and human experience, ensuring that technological progress contributes meaningfully to learning, recovery, and social inclusion. A central focus of Dr. Covarrubias Rodríguez’s research lies in developing immersive and interactive environments that support cognitive and physical rehabilitation. His studies in VR-based stroke rehabilitation have demonstrated how virtual environments can assist patients in regaining motor skills, improving engagement, and enhancing therapeutic outcomes. By integrating engineering design principles with biomedical and psychological insights, he has contributed to the creation of adaptive systems that personalize therapy according to individual needs, making rehabilitation more motivating and effective. Dr. Covarrubias Rodríguez has contributed to the creation of virtual tours, 3D reconstructions, and interactive museum experiences that allow users to explore historical sites and artifacts in immersive detail. By combining computer-aided design (CAD), 3D visualization, and VR storytelling, he helps safeguard intangible and tangible heritage for future generations while making it accessible to global audiences. He has published widely in renowned journals and conference proceedings such as Computer-Aided Design and Applications, Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS), and IEEE Rehabilitation Robotics. His work is characterized by methodological rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a focus on real-world applicability. To date, he has authored or co-authored nearly 484 publications, with over 98 citations and an h-index of 10, reflecting both the breadth and depth of his contributions to the field. Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Covarrubias Rodríguez actively promotes the integration of inclusive design and accessibility in emerging digital systems. His overarching goal is to ensure that innovations in virtual and mixed reality are not only technologically advanced but also socially responsible and human-centered. Through his pioneering work, he continues to inspire a new generation of researchers, educators, and engineers committed to creating immersive digital technologies that empower individuals, enrich learning, and enhance human well-being across diverse communities.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Covarrubias, M. (2024). Enhancing inclusive education for young students with special needs through mixed reality: Exploring the potential of CNC milling machine application. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 21(3), 522–535. (Q1, IF 3.1, CiteScore 6.5).

Covarrubias, M. (2024). Exploiting virtual reality to design exercises for the recovery of stroke patients at home. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 21(3), 463–473. (Q1, IF 3.1, CiteScore 6.5).

Covarrubias, M. (2024). Rapid prototyping in engineering education: Developing a hand exoskeleton for personalized rehabilitation. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 21(3), 474–486. (Q1, IF 3.1, CiteScore 6.5).

Covarrubias, M. (2023). Google Earth in VR for students with special needs. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS 14219), Springer Nature, 3–14. (Q2, IF 2.4, CiteScore 4.1).

Covarrubias Rodriguez, M. (2023). Tintoretto Unveiled: Interactive virtual experience for artworks. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, Springer Nature, 1352–1363. (Q2, IF 2.2, CiteScore 3.8).