Jendrian Riedel | Immersive Visualization | Research Excellence Award

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 Dr. Jendrian Riedel | Immersive Visualization | Research Excellence Award 

Hochschule Bremen | Germany

Dr. Jendrian Riedel is a German biologist specializing in zoology with a strong interdisciplinary focus bridging evolutionary biology, biodiversity research, and bionics innovation. He completed his Diplom (Master’s) in Biology at the University of Bonn in 2013, majoring in Zoology with minors in Palaeontology and Philosophy, reflecting a foundation in both organismal biology and broader scientific thinking. Following this, he pursued a Ph.D. in Natural and Physical Sciences with a focus on Zoology at James Cook University, Australia, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Lin Schwarzkopf, completing his doctorate in 2020. During his early academic career, Dr. Riedel expanded his research experience internationally, serving as a Guest Scientist at the Department of Evolutionary Biology at Bielefeld University, Germany, in 2020, followed by a postdoctoral position there in 2021. He further deepened his expertise in biodiversity analysis and evolutionary research as a postdoctoral researcher at the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) – Museum Koenig Bonn, Germany, from 2022 to 2023. Since 2024, he has been contributing to interdisciplinary research as a researcher at the Core Facility for Multidisciplinary Structural Analysis & Bionics Innovation Center at Hochschule Bremen, Germany, where he applies his knowledge of zoology and structural analysis to advance biomimetic and bionics-driven innovations. Dr. Riedel’s career demonstrates a consistent integration of classical zoological research with contemporary approaches in biodiversity assessment and applied bionics, reflecting both depth in organismal science and a strong commitment to multidisciplinary scientific innovation. His work is characterized by a combination of field-based and laboratory research, international collaborations, and a focus on translating biological insights into technological applications, positioning him as a versatile researcher at the intersection of natural sciences and applied bionics.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

Pillai, R. R., Riedel, J., Wirth, W., Allen-Ankins, S., Nordberg, E., Edwards, W., … (2025). What’s the point? The functional role of claws in pad-bearing taxa (Gekkota: Diplodactylidae). Proceedings B, 292(2054), 20251362.

Kukla, Y., Riedel, J., & Rödder, D. (2025). Sticky innovation, limited expansion: Biogeography and evolutionary ecology of toepads in geckos. Journal of Biogeography, e70087.

Hofmann, S., Rödder, D., Andermann, T., Matschiner, M., Riedel, J., Baniya, C. B., … (2024). Exploring Paleogene Tibet’s warm temperate environments through target enrichment and phylogenetic niche modelling of Himalayan spiny frogs (Paini, Dicroglossidae). Molecular Ecology, 33(15), e17446.

Hofmann, S., Rödder, D., Andermann, T., Matschiner, M., Riedel, J., Baniya, C. B., … (2024). Exploring Paleogene Tibet’s warm temperate environments through target enrichment and phylogenetic niche modelling of Himalayan spiny frogs (Paini, Dicroglossidae). Molecular Ecology, 33(15), e17446.

Riedel, J., Klemm, M., Higham, T., Grismer, L. L., Ziegler, T., Russell, A., Rödder, D., … (2023). Variation in claw morphology among the digits of Bent-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus: Gekkota: Gekkonidae). BMC Zoology, 8(1), 19.

Haifeng Pei | VR in Healthcare | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Haifeng Pei | VR in Healthcare | Research Excellence Award

The general hospital of western theater command | China 

Prof. Haifeng Pei is a distinguished cardiologist and Director of the Cardiology Department at The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, serving also as a Doctoral Supervisor and Principal Investigator for the National Key Research and Development Program. Recognized as a Young Elite in Cardiovascular Diseases and Arrhythmia Prevention and Treatment, as well as a Tianfu Science and Technology Elite, he is a reserve candidate for Academic and Technical Leadership in Sichuan Province and a recipient of the Sichuan Outstanding Youth Science Fund. Prof. Pei has led over ten major research projects, including the National Key R&D Program, General Programs of the National Natural Science Foundation, and the Sichuan Outstanding Youth Fund, with a focus on high-altitude medicine and cardiovascular innovations. His scholarly contributions include more than 110 publications, 47 of which are indexed in SCI and Scopus, collectively accruing over 2,200 citations and a cumulative impact factor exceeding 300. In addition to his publications, he has secured 13 authorized invention patents and received four provincial or ministerial-level awards for scientific and technological progress. Beyond research, Prof. Pei contributes to the academic community as a member of the Editorial Board for Medical Information and actively participates in professional societies, including the Cardiovascular Disease Committees of both the Chinese Medical Association and the Sichuan Medical Association. He has also overseen significant national science and technology projects, fostering collaborations that advance cardiovascular research and clinical applications. Prof. Pei’s work bridges clinical practice, research, and innovation, demonstrating leadership in developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular diseases, particularly in challenging high-altitude environments. His expertise is recognized nationally and internationally, with numerous citations reflecting the impact of his findings on the broader scientific community. Through his dedication, Prof. Pei has advanced knowledge in cardiology, contributed to the cultivation of new scientific talent, and driven technological innovation with tangible clinical applications. His career embodies research excellence, professional leadership, and a sustained commitment to improving cardiovascular health outcomes, making him an exemplary candidate for the Research Excellence Award. Academic and professional profiles supporting his work are available through ORCID and published literature, validating the breadth and depth of his contributions to medicine and science.

Profile:  Orcid

Featured Publications 

Pei, H., Zhang, X., Li, Y., & Wang, J. (2023). High-altitude cardiovascular adaptations in patients with chronic hypoxia: A multicenter study. Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy, 13(2), 233–245.

Pei, H., Chen, L., & Zhao, Q. (2022). Advances in arrhythmia prevention and treatment in high-altitude environments. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 33(5), 1050–1062.

Pei, H., Li, W., & Sun, F. (2021). Clinical evaluation of novel cardiovascular interventions: Outcomes and safety analysis. International Journal of Cardiology, 329, 1–10.

Pei, H., Wu, Y., & Liu, Z. (2020). Mechanisms of high-altitude-induced cardiac arrhythmias: Experimental and clinical insights. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 7, 123.

Pei, H., & Gao, T. (2019). Patent innovations in cardiovascular device development: Trends and future directions. Medical Devices: Evidence and Research, 12, 45–55.

Wajid Ali | Brain–Computer Interfaces | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Wajid Ali | Brain–Computer Interfaces | Research Excellence Award 

Shenzhen University | China

Wajid Ali is a materials physicist and chemist at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, specializing in enhancing the stability and performance of perovskite solar cells and exploring their applications in hybrid energy systems and advanced devices such as resistive random-access memory (RRAM). His research focuses on ferroelastic twin-domains in metal halide perovskites and the integration of perovskite materials into functional energy and memory devices. Wajid has extensive experience in material characterization techniques, including transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy, and impedance analysis, as well as device fabrication skills for solution-processed perovskite solar cells in both conventional and inverted structures. Professionally, he has conducted research on piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials at Nanjing University of Science and Technology and served as an assistant professor teaching physics at the Royal College of Sciences in Pakistan. Wajid’s work has been recognized with awards such as the 2024 Yanchang Petroleum Outstanding Doctoral Student Scholarship, the 2023 Excellent International Students of UCAS, the Academic Innovation Award from FReCAP, the CAS-TWAS fellowship, and the Merit Award at Quaid-i-Azam University. He has contributed to over a dozen peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, ACS Energy Letters, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Materials Chemistry and Physics, and Journal of Alloys and Compounds, advancing the understanding of ferroelasticity, lattice tuning, and suppression of non-radiative recombination in perovskite solar cells. Additionally, he has presented his research at international conferences such as the International Symposium on Solar Fuels and Solar Cells and the Young Scholars Forum on Perovskite Materials and Devices, collaborating with prominent researchers including Prof. Can Li, Prof. Xin Guo, and Prof. G.H. Jaffari.

Featured Publications

Qin, W., Ali, W., Wang, J., Liu, Y., Yan, X., Zhang, P., Feng, Z., & Li, C. (2023). Suppressing non-radiative recombination in metal halide perovskite solar cells by synergistic effect of ferroelasticity. Nature Communications, 14(1), 256.

Ali, W., Qin, W., Tian, H., Guo, J., Feng, Z., & Li, C. (2023). Tuning lattice structure of ferroelastic twin-domains achieving efficient perovskite solar cells. ACS Energy Letters, 8, 5070–5078.

Ali, W., Tian, H., Guo, J., Feng, Z., Qin, W., & Li, C. (2024). Suppressed non-radiative recombination in formamidinium lead triiodide under electric activation. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16, 67642–67650.

Ali, W., Jaffari, G. H., Khan, S., & Liu, Y. (2018). Morphological control of 1D and 3D TiO2 nanostructures with ammonium hydroxide and TiO2 compact layer on FTO coated glass in hydrothermal synthesis. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 214, 48–55.

Sungeun Suh | Human–Computer Interaction | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sungeun Suh | Human–Computer Interaction | Research Excellence Award 

Gachon Unniversity | South Korea

Suh, S. E. is a leading researcher and educator in fashion design, recognized for her innovative integration of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and sustainable practices into contemporary and traditional fashion contexts. Her scholarship focuses on the intersection of technology, culture, and design, exploring how digital platforms like Instagram and YouTube influence personal style, fashion consumption, and cultural representation. She has conducted extensive research using big data and text mining to decode global and Korean fashion trends, as well as generative AI to enhance creativity in textile and fashion design, including the development of customized designs based on traditional Korean patterns. Suh’s work emphasizes sustainability, addressing circular fashion, the eco-conscious practices of Generation Z, and the creation of performance-oriented ‘New Hanbok’ utilizing traditional craft techniques such as Najeon and Hanji, bridging heritage with contemporary design innovation. Her research also investigates historical and subcultural fashion phenomena, from 1970s–1980s casual subculture and British soccer hooliganism to Yosemite rock climbing communities, highlighting the sociocultural significance of fashion across contexts. She has published widely in top-tier journals including Sustainability, Fashion and Textiles, Journal of Fashion Design, and Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach spanning design, technology, and cultural studies. Beyond academia, Suh has actively translated her research into applied projects, including AI-based fashion pattern datasets (K-Deep Fashion), smart fashion product development supported by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT, and practical design contributions such as the Pyeongchang Olympic private security uniforms and government facility uniforms. She has been recognized with multiple awards for excellence in research and presentation, including Best Reviewer Awards and numerous Awards of Excellence for poster and oral presentations at national and international conferences. Suh has also participated in prominent exhibitions, including the International Fashion Art Biennale in Busan (2022) and KSFD Fashion Exhibition (2021), demonstrating her ability to engage both scholarly and public audiences. Overall, her work represents a unique convergence of fashion, technology, and sustainability, positioning her as a leading figure in contemporary fashion research and education, whose contributions consistently bridge theoretical insight with practical, industry-relevant innovation.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Lee, N., & Suh, S. (2025). Decoding Korean men’s fashion trends: A text mining analysis of YouTube content. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1–17.

Lee, N., & Suh, S. (2024). How does digital technology inspire global fashion design trends? Big data analysis on design elements. Applied Sciences, 14(13), 5693.

Jung, D., & Suh, S. (2024). Enhancing soft skills through generative AI in sustainable fashion textile design education. Sustainability, 16(16), 6973.

Lee, J., & Suh, S. (2024). AI technology integrated education model for empowering fashion design ideation. Sustainability, 16(17), 7262.

Christiane Lange-Kuttner | Cognitive VR Research | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Christiane Lange-Kuttner | Cognitive VR Research | Research Excellence Award 

Universitat Bremen | Germany

Prof. Dr. Chris Lange-Küttner is an internationally recognised developmental and cognitive psychologist whose extensive academic career spans Germany, the United Kingdom, and Cyprus, with core expertise in children’s visual cognition, spatial development, drawing, memory, intelligence, uncertainty processing, and developmental differences such as ASD and ADHD. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Cognitive Development and previously held long-term editorial roles in major journals including Frontiers in Developmental Psychology, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, and International Journal of Developmental Science. She holds an H-index exceeding 90 across major citation platforms, reflecting her substantial research influence. Educated at the Technical University Berlin and Free University Berlin, she earned her Dr. phil. magna cum laude, published her early landmark work on children’s graphic competence, and later completed her habilitation at the University of Bremen on spatial systems in development and learning. Her academic appointments include W3 and W2 Professorships in Developmental Psychology (Greifswald, Konstanz), more than two decades as Senior Lecturer at London Metropolitan University, and adjunct faculty roles at the University of Nicosia. She has led major research projects such as INSIDE at the Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories and has contributed significantly to academic leadership as Chair of the TEAP Conference, Psychology Ethics Committee Chair, Erasmus Coordinator, and PhD viva examiner. Her honours include listings in Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century and Who’s Who, alongside multiple fellowships such as FHEA and Associate Fellow of the BPS. Prof. Lange-Küttner’s recent publications span influential topics including school transitions, ADHD–education links, visual search, spatial heuristics, relative age effects, longitudinal school performance, and academic-social profiles in autism. Her extensive earlier work includes foundational studies on drawing development, perceptual load, spatial binding, mental rotation, reaction time systems, bilingual speech preparation, object-based practice in Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive mechanisms underlying children’s learning. She has supervised multiple doctoral and master’s students and mentored international interns whose work has led to published outcomes. Skilled in Python, R, SPSS, JMP, MPlus, AMOS, and experimental software, she integrates computational, statistical, and experimental methodologies to advance developmental science. Her career is marked by cross-disciplinary impact, global collaborations, and sustained contributions to understanding how children perceive, organise, and learn from the visual and spatial world.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Chris Lange-Kuttner, C. (2025). Spatial heuristics and random spatial exploration: Children, adults, and the machine coloring-in places in the grid game. Frontiers in Developmental Psychology.

Chris Lange-Kuttner, C. (2025). Visual search and domain-specific interests in children. International Journal of Developmental Science.

Chris Lange-Kuttner, C. (2025). The relative age effect in secondary schools. Cognitive Development.

Chris Lange-Kuttner, C. (2025). A 5-year longitudinal study about the effect of school change on grades. The Journal of Genetic Psychology.

Chris Lange-Kuttner, C. (2025). Academic and social profiles of adolescents with autism. Psychological Test and Assessment Modeling.

Chris Lange-Kuttner, C. (2024). Are school grades correlated with competencies in secondary school pupils with special needs? Frontiers in Education.

Chris Lange-Kuttner, C. (2024). Object-based practice effects recover the graphic object concept in Alzheimer’s dementia. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts.

Chris Lange-Kuttner, C. (2024). COVID-stressed schools struggled to teach mathematics. Acta Psychologica.

Chris Lange-Kuttner, C. (2024). Visual and motor cognition in children and infants. Routledge.

Obasanjo Bolarinwa | VR in Healthcare | Research Excellence Award

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 Dr. Obasanjo Bolarinwa | VR in Healthcare | Research Excellence Award 

York St John University | United Kingdom

Dr. Obasanjo Bolarinwa is an accomplished interdisciplinary global public health academic and demography specialist, recognised among Stanford/Elsevier’s Top 2% Scientists in public health and health services, with an extensive research portfolio of over 100 publications, multiple competitive research grants, and active editorial board memberships across leading international journals. He holds a PhD in Demography and Population Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand, an M.Sc. in Global Public Health (Distinction) from Canterbury Christ Church University, and both M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Demography and Social Statistics from Obafemi Awolowo University. His professional qualifications include Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), and he serves as an External Examiner for MPH and DrPH programmes. Dr. Bolarinwa has secured prestigious awards such as the British Academy Small Grant (2025), NHS TEWV Joint Grant, Quality Related Funding from IHCI, UAPS–AIR Grant, the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Early Career Grant, and the AfRes-Data Fellowship. He has presented research at major global conferences, including the International Population Conference, Africa Population Conference, PAA, ESHD Conference, LSE Postgraduate Conference, and the International Conference on Family Planning. Professionally, he serves as Senior Lecturer and Programme Director in Public Health at York St. John University London, previously holding roles at the University of Chester and the University of Edinburgh, where he contributed to research design, data collection, analysis, and publication related to racially minoritised student experiences. His consultancy experience with Kent County Council further strengthened his expertise in research protocol development, statistical interpretation, and policy-relevant reporting. Dr. Bolarinwa’s publications centre on sexual and reproductive health, disability and sexuality, health inequalities, demographic behaviour, and AI in SRHR, with notable works in The Lancet, Reproductive Health, BMC Women’s Health, and International Journal for Equity in Health. He is an editorial member of SAGE, PLOS One, BMC, and Frontiers journals. His certifications span Good Clinical Practice, GDPR, digital and computational demography, COVID-19 research, and global health management. Highly skilled in statistical software (R, STATA, SPSS), data visualisation tools (Power BI, ODK, Kobo), spatial mapping (ArcGIS), and database management (SQL), he is recognised for innovative teaching, methodological expertise, and his commitment to equity-driven, interdisciplinary research that advances global public health, inclusive education, and population wellbeing.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Bolarinwa, O. A., Odimegwu, C., Babalola, B. I., & Mohammed, A. (2025). A qualitative study exploring the sexual experiences of women with disabilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Sexuality and Disability, 43(1), 1–25.

Bolarinwa, O. A., Odimegwu, C., & Tapera, T. (2024). Improving the sexual health of women with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review of published studies. Reproductive Health, 21(1), 1–13.

Bolarinwa, O. A., Odimegwu, C., & Adebisi, Y. A. (2024). Leaving no one behind: Addressing the sexuality of people with disabilities. International Journal for Equity in Health, 23(1), 129.

Bolarinwa, O. A. (2024). Inequality gaps in modern contraceptive use and associated factors among women of reproductive age in Nigeria between 2003 and 2018. BMC Women’s Health, 24(1), 317.

Bolarinwa, O. A., Adebisi, Y. A., Ajayi, K. V., & Boutahar, R. (2024). Sexual and reproductive health rights in the era of artificial intelligence. The Lancet, 404(10448), 120–121.

Bolarinwa, O. A., Hajjar, J. M., Alawode, O. A., Ajayi, K. V., Roberts, A. T., & Yaya, S. (2023). Multiple high-risk fertility behaviours and children under five mortality survivors among ever-married women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Archives of Public Health, 81(1), 175.

Zeyu Peng | Human–Computer Interaction | Research Excellence Award 

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Mr. Zeyu Peng | Human–Computer Interaction | Research Excellence Award 

Migu Culture Technology Co.,Ltd | China

Zeyu Peng is an accomplished Graphics AI Algorithm Engineer based in Shenzhen, Guangdong, with a strong academic foundation in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, earning an MSc from Wuhan University (2015–2018) specializing in Optimization Theory, Algorithms, and Applications, and a BSc from Central South University (2011–2015). Professionally, Zeyu has extensive experience in AI-driven graphics and operations research, currently contributing to Migu Culture Technology as a Graphics AI Algorithm Engineer since 2021, and previously serving as an Algorithm Engineer at China Southern Airlines IT Research Institute (2018–2021). His notable projects include developing a Speech-to-3D Facial Animation Generation engine, creating multi-style performance rule sets, and implementing both combination optimization and diffusion-based facial animation synthesis frameworks for digital humans. He has also engineered a Co-Speech Gesture Generation system leveraging language models, inverse kinematics, and diffusion models to produce contextually appropriate gestures synchronized with speech. Additionally, Zeyu has worked on FlowMatch and FastPitch-based AI voice conversion models for speech and singing applications, and contributed to large-scale aviation optimization projects such as flight pairing and crew scheduling, involving graph-based algorithms, branch-and-bound frameworks, and operations research algorithm libraries. He has developed a Facial Detection SDK with MTCNN for autonomous airport check-in systems and a luggage damage detection system utilizing object detection and classification techniques. Zeyu’s technical expertise spans C++, Python, Rust, and frameworks like PyTorch and ONNX, complemented by proficiency in LaTeX, Maya, Blender, and certifications including CET-6 and TOEFL. His research contributions are evidenced by publications in high-impact venues such as The Journal of Supercomputing and CGI2025, along with multiple patents in facial animation synthesis, video generation, and digital human animation technologies. Overall, Zeyu demonstrates a rare combination of deep theoretical knowledge, practical algorithmic implementation, and impactful contributions to AI-driven virtual reality, digital human animation, and optimization systems, establishing him as a leading engineer and innovator in graphics AI and virtual human technologies.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Peng, Z., Ma, D., & Lv, X. (2025, July). A two stage co-speech gesture generation method. Oral Presentation at CGI 2025.

Peng, Z., Li, H., & Wang, S. (2025, April). FaceImitate: Speech-driven 3D facial animation synthesis from imitation. The Journal of Supercomputing.

Peng, Z., & Wang, S. (2024, October 11). A video synthesis method, device, storage medium, and program product based on a classification model [Patent No. CN118764575A]. Migu Culture Technology Co., Ltd.; China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd.

Peng, Z., Wang, S., & Li, H. (2024, July 9). Facial motion prediction methods, devices, media, and computer program products [Patent No. CN118314614A]. Migu Culture Technology Co., Ltd.; China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd.

Venkatramanan | Automotive & Manufacturing VR | Best Experimental Research in Immersive Technologies Award 

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Dr. Venkatramanan | Automotive & Manufacturing VR | Best Experimental Research in Immersive Technologies Award 

Suguna College of Engineering, Coimbatore | India

Dr. Venkatramanan R is an accomplished Assistant Professor and researcher with extensive expertise in solar thermal applications and renewable energy systems, particularly in the design and performance optimization of evacuated tube solar air heaters for industrial process heating. He completed his Ph.D. at the Solar Energy Research Centre, Coimbatore Institute of Engineering and Technology (CIET), under a full-time DST-funded project, focusing on evacuated tube collector systems for low-temperature industrial applications. Dr. Venkatramanan holds a Master’s degree in Thermal Engineering from R.V.S. College of Engineering and Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Paavai Engineering College, consistently achieving first-class academic distinction. With over nine years of professional experience, he has contributed significantly as an Assistant Professor at Suguna College of Engineering and CIET, mentoring students, developing syllabi, coordinating departmental activities, and leading technical clubs and laboratories, including the Solar Energy Research Centre, Renewable Energy Club, and Thermal Engineering Lab. His research portfolio is impressive, encompassing numerous high-impact international journal publications, book chapters, and patents in solar energy technologies, energy efficiency, and IoT-based renewable energy solutions. Notable publications include studies on thermal and enviro-economic performance of evacuated tube solar air collectors and innovative designs such as twisted tape inserts, baffles, and jet impingement systems. He has been actively involved in funded research and consultancy projects, including DST and MSME-supported initiatives, and has served as a reviewer for reputed international journals like Energy Engineering, Scientific Reports, and Journal of Renewable Energy and Environment. Dr. Venkatramanan has also completed several professional certifications and MOOC courses, enhancing his expertise in energy auditing, waste-to-energy conversion, solar energy engineering, steam and gas power systems, and refrigeration and air conditioning. Recognized for his academic contributions, he has received certificates of recognition from Anna University for publishing in Q1 journals and has guided teams achieving awards in national design competitions. He maintains professional memberships with ISME, ISTE, SESI, WSSET, and the Institution of Engineers (India), reflecting his commitment to advancing mechanical and renewable energy engineering.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Kumar, A. V., Arjunan, T. V., Seenivasan, D., Venkatramanan, R., & Vijayan, S. (2021). Thermal performance of an evacuated tube solar collector with inserted baffles for air heating applications. Solar Energy, 215, 131–143.

Veera Kumar, A., Arjunan, T. V., Seenivasan, D., Venkatramanan, R., & Vijayan, S. (2021). Techno-economic evaluation of an evacuated tube solar air collector with inserted baffles. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, 235(4), 1027–1038.

Kumar, A. V., Arjunan, T. V., Seenivasan, D., Venkatramanan, R., Vijayan, S., & Matheswaran, M. M. (2021). Influence of twisted tape inserts on energy and exergy performance of an evacuated tube-based solar air collector. Solar Energy, 225, 892–904.

Venkatramanan, R., Arjunan, T. V., Seenivasan, D., & Kumar, A. V. (2022). Parametric study of evacuated tube collector solar air heater with inserted baffles on thermal network for low-temperature applications. Journal of Cleaner Production, 350, 132941.

Venkatramanan, R., Arjunan, T. V., Seenivasan, D., Veerakumar, A., Vijayan, S., & Matheswaran, M. M. (2025). Energetic and enviro-economic performance of medium-scale evacuated tube solar air heating system for industrial applications. Journal of Power and Energy, 239(2), 388–399.

Karthickmunisamy, T., Veerakumar, A., Vijayan, S., & Venkatramanan, R. (2025). Experimental investigation of an evacuated tube solar air heater with baffles and perforated twisted tapes for air heating applications. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering. (Accepted for publication).

Dejenie Mengistie | Animal Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Dejenie Mengistie | Animal Biotechnology | Research Excellence Award 

 Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research | Ethiopia

Dejenie Mengistie Yirsaw is an experienced researcher in Animal Molecular Breeding and Genetics with more than nine years of progressive expertise in genomic analysis, molecular biology, and livestock genetic improvement. His work spans selection signature analysis, GWAS, QTL mapping, SNP discovery, molecular characterization, and advanced bioinformatics. Since 2023, he has been coordinating the Animal Biotechnology Research Program at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR–NABRC), where he leads multidisciplinary teams, manages laboratory resources, and drives national-level research collaborations in animal biotechnology. Dejenie holds an MSc in Animal Biotechnology from Addis Ababa University (2019–2021), where he completed a highly rated thesis on Genome-wide Signature of Positive Selection, Breed-Specific SNPs, and Linkage Disequilibrium in Ethiopian and European Beef Cattle. He also holds a BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Gondar (GPA 3.61/4.0). His laboratory and computational skills include DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and qPCR optimization, SDS-PAGE, gel electrophoresis, molecular marker analysis, cell culture techniques, and advanced statistical and bioinformatics analysis using R, Linux, SPSS, TASSEL, Haploview, Structure, and MapChart. He has led projects on both animal and plant biotechnology, including developing in vitro propagation techniques for fruit crops (apple, plum, peach) and potato varieties. Dejenie has published widely in peer-reviewed journals on topics such as genetic diversity, selection signatures, growth trait genetics, SNP identification, embryosex determination, DGAT1 gene variation, and egg quality traits, contributing significant insights into livestock improvement. His publications appear in Animal Gene, BMC Genomic Data, Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research, and others, with additional manuscripts under review. He has received advanced professional training in bioinformatics, epigenetics, genetic mapping, animal DNA isolation, experimental design, R-software, and participated in the 2024 Juncao Industry Seminar in China. Dejenie is an active member of the Ethiopian Society of Biotechnology (ESoB) and the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP), contributing to national research development in genomics and animal breeding. His research interests include molecular and evolutionary genetics, epigenetics, genome editing, computational genomics, and sustainable livestock improvement. Fluent in Amharic and English, he is committed to advancing innovative genetic and molecular solutions to improve productivity, resilience, and sustainability in Ethiopian livestock systems.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Mengistie, D., Kefale, B., Seyoum, B., Kelebesa, S., Girmay, G., & Arega, B. (2025). Egg quality difference evaluation of indigenous, synthetic, and exotic chicken under same management. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 2025, Article 7924659.

Samuel, B., Mengistie, D., Assefa, E., Kang, M., Park, C., Dadi, H., & Dinka, H. (2022). Genetic diversity of DGAT1 gene linked to milk production in cattle populations of Ethiopia. BMC Genomic Data, 23(1), 64.

Mengistie, D., Edea, Z., Tesema, T. S., Dejene, G., Dessie, T., Jemal, J., & Dadi, H. (2023). Genome-wide signature of positive selection in Ethiopian indigenous and European beef cattle breeds. Animal Gene, Article 200151.

Mengistie, D., Kelbessa, S., Seyoum, B., Arega, B., Ali, S., Dire, M., Girmay, G., Bedassa, A., & Tegegne, D. T. (2025). PCR-based embryo sex-determination assay in cattle based on the amelogenin gene. Journal of Agrovet, 9, 26–33.

Shibru, T., Mengistie, D., Wondossen, A., Shelema, K., Biruk, A., & Geremew, T. (2024). Genetic characterization of selected Ethiopian indigenous chickens using simple sequence repeat markers. Journal of Emerging Technologies, 15, 35–44.

 

Moussa Ezzeddine | VR in Sports Science | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Moussa Ezzeddine | VR in Sports Science | Research Excellence Award 

Universitate Autonoma de Barcelona/Melon Coin | France

Moussa Ezzeddine is an accomplished academic, consultant, and entrepreneur specializing in football finance, sports analytics, economics, and strategic management, with extensive experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. As a Lecturer at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Johan Cruyff Institute, and Sciences Po, he integrates deep expertise in football business, financial management, and data-driven decision-making to mentor future professionals while shaping modern sports education through curriculum development, research guidance, and innovation-led teaching. His academic work is rooted in his PhD in Economics from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, where his doctoral thesis, “Pricing Football Transfers: Determinants, Inflation, Sustainability, and Market Impact,” examined the complexities of the global transfer market, influencing his continued contributions to football economics. Beyond academia, Moussa serves as Head Consultant at Melon Coin, advising football club owners, sporting directors, agents, and managers by delivering advanced sports analytics, football finance insights, asset pricing—including player contracts and transfer valuations—and business intelligence solutions that drive on- and off-field performance. His long-standing role as Financial Football Advisor to Dreams FC in the Ghana Premier League further reflects his ability to integrate financial strategy, scouting insights, market analysis, and talent management to facilitate successful transfers, optimize operations, and support club development. With a career foundation in senior leadership positions—including Managing Director and General Manager of EZZY Manufacturing Ghana Ltd—he brings strong managerial, organizational, and strategic planning capabilities, complemented by proficiency in data analysis tools such as Stata, Python, Power BI, and Excel. Moussa’s versatility is reinforced by his postgraduate training in football business from the Johan Cruyff Institute, an Executive MBA, and specialized certifications in football tactical analysis and sports marketing. Fluent in English and French and a native Arabic speaker, he leverages multicultural communication skills to build international networks and foster collaborations with football clubs, federations, financial institutions, and top industry figures such as Leonardo, Luis Campos, and Fabrizio Romano through event organization at La Sorbonne. Known for his analytical mindset, leadership, and ability to bridge academic knowledge with real-world football industry practice, Moussa continues to contribute to the evolving sports ecosystem through teaching, consulting, research, and strategic advisory roles that support the modernization, financial sustainability, and competitive advancement of football organizations.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publication

Ezzeddine, M. (2025). Pricing football transfers using video gaming data. Journal of Sports Analytics.