Sonia Abdennadher | Emerging Technologies | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Sonia Abdennadher | Emerging Technologies | Research Excellence Award

The Higher Colleges of Technology | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Sonia Abdennadher, PhD, CMA, is an accomplished Associate Professor of Finance and Accounting at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, and a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Rouen, France. With over two decades of academic and professional experience across Europe and the Middle East, she has established a strong international reputation in corporate governance, auditing, financial reporting, fintech adoption, and ESG practices. Dr. Abdennadher earned her PhD in Business Administration from Paris-Saclay University, where her doctoral research pioneered the study of technology intermediation in corporate governance, with a particular focus on Internet voting in shareholders’ general meetings. Her academic background is further strengthened by dual master’s degrees in Networks Management and Economics and International Finance, Trading, and Capital Markets, complemented by a solid undergraduate foundation in finance. At HCT, Dr. Abdennadher plays a key leadership role, serving as Chair of Promotion Committees, member of the Higher Faculty Promotion Committee, Applied Research Coordinator, and System Course Team Leader in Sustainable Finance. She has taught a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in finance, accounting, auditing, corporate governance, sustainable finance, and investment analysis, and has extensive experience in executive education and capstone research supervision. Her research portfolio includes numerous high-impact publications in leading Q1 journals such as Journal of Business Ethics, Finance Research Letters, Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, and International Journal of Finance & Economics. Her work bridges theory and practice by examining blockchain, artificial intelligence, fintech, and ESG measurement within financial markets and governance systems, particularly in the UAE and MENA region. Dr. Abdennadher has successfully led and co-led multiple competitive research grants exceeding AED 600,000, and actively collaborates with regulators, stock exchanges, and Big Four audit firms. Through her scholarship, leadership, and policy-relevant research, she continues to contribute significantly to the modernization of corporate governance and sustainable finance globally.

 

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Featured Publications


The Effects of Blockchain Technology on the Accounting and Assurance Profession in the UAE: An Exploratory Study


Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, Vol. 20(1), pp. 53–71, 2022

Corporate Social Responsibility Antecedents and Practices as a Path to Enhance Organizational Performance: Evidence from SMEs


Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, Vol. 28(6), pp. 1647–1663, 2021

The Effectiveness of E-Corporate Governance: An Exploratory Study of Internet Voting at Shareholders’ Annual Meetings in France


Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, Vol. 20(4), 2020

Shreedhar Sahoo | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Shreedhar Sahoo | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Shreedhar Sahoo | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | India

Shreedhar Sahoo is a Prime Minister’s Research Fellow (PMRF) and Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, specializing in rail–wheel interaction, traction, and slip dynamics. His doctoral research focuses on the investigation of traction and slip at the rail–wheel contact using wheel tread temperature monitoring, contributing to improved safety, efficiency, and predictive maintenance in railway systems. He holds a Dual Degree (B.Tech + M.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur with an excellent CGPA of 9.26/10. His academic foundation spans advanced mechanical engineering, railway vehicle dynamics, finite element methods, vibration analysis, thermodynamics, and applied mathematics. His M.Tech project involved the active control of functionally graded shells using piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composites, while his B.Tech project explored personality trait prediction from Twitter data using SVM, achieving an accuracy of 80.1%. Shreedhar has completed two technical internships at Transenigma, Kolkata, where he worked on automation in motion graphics and 3D human-prototype modeling using Adobe and Autodesk Maya platforms. He has also obtained OCA Java certification with a 91% score and participated in specialized workshops, including SIMPACK training on railway vehicle dynamics. His research work has led to publications in reputed journals such as the Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit and Tribology International. He has presented at major conferences, including the 4th International Conference on Friction-based Processes, where he won the 2nd prize for oral presentation in 2025. He is also a co-inventor of a provisional patent on room-temperature deposition of nanoparticle-based coatings. Alongside technical expertise, he has served as a student coordinator for courses on text analytics and modeling tools. Overall, Shreedhar Sahoo’s academic excellence, research contributions, and interdisciplinary skills highlight his strong potential as a researcher and innovation-driven engineer in rail transport and tribology.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Sahoo, S., Kushan, D. S., Ronith, G. S. P. J., & Racherla, V. (2026). Nano-scale friction modifier coatings: Application methodology, friction characteristics, and surrogate models. Tribology International, Article 111429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2025.111429

Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani | Birmingham City University | United Kingdom

Dr. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani is an accomplished researcher in electrical and electronic engineering, specializing in embedded systems, automation, and control engineering. His multidisciplinary research integrates hardware design, sensor networks, and artificial intelligence to develop innovative and energy-efficient solutions for real-world challenges. With over a decade of experience in academia and applied research, Dr. Gilani has contributed significantly to the advancement of embedded control technologies, renewable energy optimization, and industrial automation systems. His work emphasizes intelligent system design, IoT-based automation, and the integration of machine learning algorithms for enhanced performance and sustainability. Dr. Gilani has published extensively in high-impact journals and presented at leading international conferences, reflecting his global engagement and scientific rigor. He has also supervised numerous research projects and guided students in developing practical applications of emerging technologies. His research outputs demonstrate a strong commitment to technological innovation that bridges the gap between theory and application. Recognized for his academic excellence and collaborative research initiatives, Dr. Gilani continues to advance cutting-edge developments that contribute to the evolution of smart, adaptive, and efficient engineering systems—making him a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | LinkedIn | Research Gate

Featured Publications 

Gilani, S. A. M., & Faccia, A. (2021). Broadband connectivity, government policies, and open innovation: The crucial IT infrastructure contribution in Scotland. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8010001

Gilani, S. A. M., Copiaco, A., Gernal, L., Yasin, N., Nair, G., & Anwar, I. (2023). Savior or distraction for survival: Examining the applicability of machine learning for rural family farms in the United Arab Emirates. Sustainability, 15(4), 3720. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043720

Gilani, S., Gernal, L., Tantry, A., Yasin, N., & Sergio, R. (2022). Leadership styles adopted by Scottish micro-businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Business and Technology (pp. 144–156). Springer.

Al Jaghoub, J., Suleiman, A., Takshe, A. A., Moussa, S., Gilani, S. A. M., Sheikh, S., & others. (2024). The role of innovation in waste management for enterprises: A critical review of the worldwide literature. In Technology-Driven Business Innovation (pp. 453–464). Springer.

Gernal, L., Tantry, A., Gilani, S. A. M., & Peel, R. (2024). The impact of online learning and soft skills on college student satisfaction and course feedback. In Technology-Driven Business Innovation: Unleashing the Digital Advantage (pp. 42–54). Springer.

Gilani, S. A. M., Tantry, A., Askri, S., Gernal, L., & Sergio, R. (2023). Adoption of machine learning by rural farms: A systematic review. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Computing and Informatics (pp. 324–335). Springer.

Shadi Shayan | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shadi Shayan | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shadi Shayan | Adelaide University | Australia

Dr. Shadi Shayan’s research lies at the intersection of project management, smart technologies, and social sustainability, focusing on how large-scale urban innovation programs can effectively manage social risks and deliver equitable outcomes. His scholarly work explores the dynamic relationships between technological transformation, social response, and governance frameworks in smart city development. By integrating change management models with risk management processes, Dr. Shayan has developed innovative frameworks that address the socio-demographic dimensions of smart city transitions—bridging theory, practice, and policy. His doctoral research, “Integrating change models and risk management processes: A framework to manage social risks in smart city programs”, provides a comprehensive model for mitigating community resistance and fostering inclusive participation in technologically driven urban initiatives. Dr. Shayan’s publications in leading journals such as Smart Cities, Sustainable Cities and Society, and International Journal of Construction Management advance understanding of how social factors, demographic variables, and stakeholder perceptions influence the success of smart city and infrastructure projects. A consistent theme in his research is the application of systems thinking and socio-technical analysis to enhance decision-making in project and program management. He also examines the evolving roles of professionals, including engineers and quantity surveyors, in adapting to emerging technological and societal challenges. Dr. Shayan’s work has significant implications for both academia and industry. It informs policy frameworks for smart urban governance, supports organizational strategies for managing social risk, and contributes to sustainable and resilient infrastructure planning. Through interdisciplinary collaborations and active engagement with the Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand, he connects research with real-world impact—helping shape cities that are not only technologically advanced but also socially responsible and inclusive.

Profiles: Google Scholar | LinkedIn

Featured Publications 

Shayan, S., & Kim, K. P. (2025). Social responses and change management strategies in smart city transitions: A socio-demographic perspective. Smart Cities, 8(6), 188. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities8060188

Shayan, S., & Kim, K. P. (2023). Understanding correlations between social risks and sociodemographic factors in smart city development. Sustainable Cities and Society, 89, 104320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2022.104320

Shayan, S., & Kim, K. P. (2022). A conceptual framework to manage social risks for smart city development programs. In Resilient and responsible smart cities (pp. 77–86). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98423-6_6

Shayan, S., Kim, K. P., Ma, T., & Nguyen, T. H. D. (2020). The first two decades of smart city research from a risk perspective. Sustainability, 12(21), 9280. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219280

Shayan, S., & Kim, K. P., & Tam, V. (2019). Critical success factor analysis for effective risk management at the execution stage of a construction project. International Journal of Construction Management, 22(3), 379–386. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1624678

Kristine Hallisy | Innovation Impact | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kristine Hallisy | Innovation Impact | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kristine Hallisy | University of WI-Madison | United States

Dr. Kristine Marie (Kristi) Hallisy, PT, DSc, is an Associate Professor (CHS) in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. She plays a pivotal role in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, where she integrates clinical expertise with innovative teaching practices. Dr. Hallisy’s professional focus lies in advancing physical therapy education, promoting evidence-based practice, and fostering interprofessional collaboration. Her research interests include clinical education models, patient-centered care, and strategies for enhancing student learning and professional identity formation. With years of academic and clinical experience, she has contributed to shaping future healthcare professionals through mentorship and curriculum development. She is actively involved in institutional service and community outreach initiatives that strengthen health education and practice. Dr. Hallisy has presented her work at national and international conferences and has published in peer-reviewed journals related to physical therapy and health sciences education. She emphasizes compassionate, ethical, and holistic approaches to healthcare delivery. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to improving health outcomes and educational quality. Known for her collaborative spirit, she bridges the gap between research and clinical practice. Dr. Hallisy continues to inspire excellence among students, educators, and practitioners alike.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Salihu, E. Y., Hallisy, K., Baidoo, S., Malta, J. S., Ferrill, C., Melgoza, F., Sandretto, R., Culotti, P. C., & Chewning, B. (2025). Feasibility and acceptability of a “Train the Leader” model for disseminating Tai Chi Prime with fidelity in African American/Black and Latinx communities: A pilot mixed-methods implementation study. Healthcare, 13(20), 2622. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13202622

Saleem Ramadan | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saleem Ramadan | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saleem Ramadan | Al Hussein Technical University | Jordan

Dr. Saleem Z. Ramadan is an accomplished Data Analyst and Business Analyst with a strong interdisciplinary background in industrial engineering, systems optimization, and data science. With academic and consulting experience across the U.S. and Jordan, he has applied data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics, and optimization modeling to complex problems in healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. Dr. Ramadan holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Ohio University and has served as Acting Chair and Associate Professor at Al Hussein Technical University, leading research and teaching initiatives integrating machine learning and operations analytics. He has developed impactful analytics solutions—ranging from hydroponic resource optimization and radiology workflow improvement to financial risk dashboards—using tools such as Python, SQL, Power BI, Tableau, and Minitab. His consulting work with Healthcare Operations & Performance Excellence (HOPE) led to measurable improvements in hospital performance through Six Sigma and process control techniques. A Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) and Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate, Dr. Ramadan has authored 20 peer-reviewed publications, accumulating 236 citations from 230 documents with an h-index of 6. His recent works focus on machine learning–driven optimization, surgical scheduling prediction, and additive manufacturing parameter tuning. Dr. Ramadan’s combination of technical proficiency, academic leadership, and applied research impact uniquely positions him at the intersection of analytics innovation and business performance excellence.

Profiles:  Scopus | Google Scholar | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Ramadan, S., Abushams, M., Al-Dahidi, S., & Odeh, I. (2025). A data-driven approach for predicting remaining intra-surgical time and enhancing operating room efficiency. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management.

Ramadan, S., Abushams, M., Al-Dahidi, S., & Odeh, I. (2024). Optimizing tensile strength and energy consumption for FDM through mixed-integer nonlinear multi-objective optimization and design of experiments. Heliyon.

Muhammad Arshad | AI Advancements | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Arshad | AI Advancements | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Arshad | Yeez Consultants, Pakistan

Dr. Muhammad Zeshan Arshad is a distinguished data scientist and academic with a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, specializing in mathematical statistics and advanced probability distributions. His expertise lies in machine learning, time complexity analysis, and predictive modeling, with applications spanning public health, engineering, and environmental sciences. With peer-reviewed publications, numerous ongoing collaborative projects, and experience in both academic and applied research settings, Dr. Arshad contributes significantly to interdisciplinary data-driven solutions. He is currently serving as a Data Scientist at Yeez Consultants and has held teaching positions at several renowned institutions in Pakistan.