Mr. Ashiraf Kategaya | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award
Erciyes University | Uganda
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Internal Lean Manufacturing Practices and Operational Performance: A Meta-Analysis Approach
– Sakarya Üniversitesi
Dr. Julie Leignadier is an accomplished immunologist and biologist with extensive experience in both fundamental research and applied biotechnology. She earned her PhD in Montreal, where over five years she studied the mechanisms underlying the strength of the memory T cell receptor, gaining deep expertise in adaptive immunity and molecular signaling. Her doctoral work provided critical insights into immune memory and receptor dynamics, establishing a solid foundation for her future research. Following her PhD, Dr. Leignadier spent eight years as a postdoctoral researcher in leading Swiss and French laboratories, where she led multiple projects at the intersection of immunology and oncology. During this period, she honed her skills in experimental design, cellular and molecular biology, and translational research, contributing to high-impact publications and fostering international collaborations. Her work in cancer immunology emphasized understanding complex immune responses and translating fundamental findings into potential therapeutic strategies. In 2020, Dr. Leignadier joined Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant as Head of the Biology Laboratory, where she oversees the development of innovative and sustainable active ingredients for the cosmetics industry. In this role, she leverages her expertise in cellular biology and immunology to create biologically effective compounds that meet both consumer needs and environmental sustainability standards. Her leadership drives research initiatives that bridge cutting-edge science with industrial application, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable cosmetic innovation. Dr. Leignadier remains committed to integrating scientific excellence with industrial innovation, applying her deep knowledge of immunology and molecular biology to deliver products that are both effective and environmentally responsible. Her career reflects a unique blend of academic rigor and practical expertise, making her a recognized leader in biologically informed cosmetic research.
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.
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