Nicola Lawrence | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Ms. Nicola Lawrence | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Nicola K Lawrence is a highly accomplished supply chain and logistics professional with extensive expertise across automotive, FMCG, government, technology, telecommunications, transportation, logistics, and retail industries. She has demonstrated strong leadership in end-to-end supply chain optimisation, operational transformation, budgeting, procurement, logistics, and business strategy. Her experience includes leading large-scale change management initiatives, driving cost-saving programs, improving operational efficiencies, and implementing digital and process transformation projects. Nicola has successfully managed complex cross-functional teams, multimillion-rand budgets, warehouse and logistics operations, and international supply chain networks while consistently delivering measurable business improvements and sustainable organisational growth.

Professional Profile 

Education

Nicola K Lawrence has built a strong academic foundation in logistics management, supply chain operations, marketing, and project management. Her educational background reflects a commitment to continuous professional and academic development within the field of supply chain and business transformation. She completed advanced studies in logistics management at the University of Johannesburg, progressing from undergraduate studies in marketing management to postgraduate specialization in logistics and supply chain disciplines. In addition, she earned a globally recognized Project Management Professional certification, strengthening her expertise in project leadership, governance, operational execution, and strategic transformation initiatives. Her academic journey demonstrates a clear alignment between theoretical knowledge and practical application in modern supply chain ecosystems.

Professional Experience

Nicola K Lawrence possesses extensive professional experience across automotive, FMCG, government, retail, transportation, logistics, technology, and consulting industries. She has held senior leadership and management positions responsible for end-to-end supply chain operations, imports, warehousing, logistics, procurement, distribution, project management, and operational transformation. Throughout her career, she has successfully delivered multimillion-rand cost savings, implemented digital transformation strategies, optimized workflows, and improved operational governance across complex organizational structures. Her experience includes leading large-scale supply chain teams, overseeing P&L budgets, implementing forecasting and warehouse management systems, managing international logistics networks, and driving continuous improvement programs. She has also worked in consulting and nonprofit sectors, demonstrating versatility in both commercial and socially driven operational environments.

Research Interests

Nicola K Lawrence’s professional and academic interests are strongly focused on logistics management, supply chain optimization, operational efficiency, business transformation, and strategic process improvement. Her areas of interest include digital transformation within supply chains, inventory and demand planning systems, logistics technology implementation, procurement governance, warehouse optimization, lean operational practices, and organizational change management. She is particularly interested in how modern supply chain strategies can improve business sustainability, operational resilience, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. Her ongoing academic advancement further reflects an interest in contributing to research that supports innovation, supply chain modernization, and data-driven decision-making within global logistics and operations management environments.

Award and Honor

Throughout her professional journey, Nicola K Lawrence has earned recognition for her leadership, operational excellence, and impactful contributions to supply chain and business transformation initiatives. Her achievements include delivering substantial operational cost savings, improving logistics efficiency, reducing import lead times, and successfully implementing organization-wide change management programs. She has consistently demonstrated leadership in driving process optimization, governance improvement, and strategic operational planning within highly competitive industries. Her ability to lead cross-functional teams, execute complex transformation projects, and improve organizational performance highlights her standing as a respected professional in logistics and supply chain management. Her academic progression and professional certifications further reinforce her commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership in her field.

Conclusion

Nicola K Lawrence represents a dynamic and accomplished professional with significant expertise in logistics management, supply chain transformation, and operational leadership. Her combination of advanced academic qualifications, extensive cross-industry experience, strategic management capabilities, and commitment to continuous improvement positions her as a strong contributor to modern supply chain innovation and business excellence. She has consistently demonstrated the ability to optimize operational performance, lead transformational initiatives, and create measurable business value across diverse organizational environments. Her professional accomplishments and academic pursuits reflect a forward-thinking approach to supply chain management and highlight her potential to contribute meaningfully to research, industry advancement, and organizational growth on both regional and global levels.

Publications Top Noted

Exploring lean six sigma-enabled demand management: a case study of an automotive aftermarket parts distributor

Authors: Nicola Karen Lawrence; Joash Mageto; Gert Heyns
Year: 2026

Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

IMDEA Materiales Institute, Spain

Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska is an Associate Professor, Research Associate, and MSCA Project Manager specializing in food technology, nutrition, health sciences, and biomaterials engineering. Her research focuses on bioactive plant compounds, probiotics, synbiotics, microencapsulation, functional foods, and bioavailability studies. She has authored approximately 176 scientific publications, delivered numerous international conference presentations, and achieved significant citation impact with a strong h-index and total impact factor. Her work advances innovative functional food systems and controlled-release biomaterials with applications in preventive nutrition and nutraceuticals. She has extensive international research collaborations, editorial responsibilities, and active involvement in multidisciplinary scientific and industry-oriented projects.

Professional Profile 

Education

Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska has established a strong academic foundation in food technology, nutrition, health sciences, and biomaterials research through advanced scientific training and interdisciplinary research activities. Her educational and research background reflects a combination of analytical chemistry, food science, dietetics, and functional biomaterials engineering. Through her doctoral and postdoctoral academic development, she gained expertise in plant-derived bioactive compounds, polyphenols, anthocyanins, probiotics, prebiotics, and innovative functional food systems. Her academic progression demonstrates a commitment to integrating nutrition science with advanced biomaterial applications aimed at improving human health and preventive nutrition strategies. In addition to her formal qualifications, she has strengthened her expertise through international scientific collaborations and research appointments at globally recognized institutions, including the University of British Columbia, CSIC Nutrition, the University of Sevilla, and the IMDEA Materials Institute. Her educational journey has enabled her to build a multidisciplinary scientific profile that bridges food science, nutraceutical development, public health, and material sciences. This broad academic preparation has supported her ability to conduct innovative research focused on bioavailability, antioxidant activity, controlled release systems, and the development of advanced functional food technologies.

Professional Experience

Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska has extensive professional experience as an Associate Professor, Research Associate, and international research project manager. Her career demonstrates strong involvement in both academic research and applied industry-oriented innovation. She has participated in more than ten national and international projects as a project manager, co-investigator, expert, fellow, and supervisor, reflecting her leadership capabilities in multidisciplinary scientific environments. Her professional activities include managing advanced research initiatives focused on microencapsulation technologies, functional food systems, synbiotics, plant bioactive compounds, and controlled-release biomaterial applications. She has also collaborated with industry partners in projects related to chokeberry juice optimization, sulfur-free wine production, and gluten-free functional raw materials, contributing to the transfer of scientific research into practical food and nutrition solutions. Her scientific productivity includes approximately 176 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 200 conference presentations, demonstrating sustained research excellence and international scientific engagement. In addition to her research activities, she has served in several editorial and scientific leadership roles, including editorial board memberships, guest editor appointments, and participation in reviewer panels for scientific journals and research funding organizations. Her professional profile is further strengthened by collaborations with leading universities, medical institutions, and research centers across Europe and Canada. Through these experiences, she has contributed significantly to interdisciplinary research, scientific mentorship, innovation management, and the advancement of nutrition and biomaterials science.

Research Interests

The research interests of Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska focus on the intersection of food technology, nutrition science, biomaterials engineering, and health-oriented functional systems. Her work primarily investigates plant secondary metabolites, including polyphenols and anthocyanins, and their role in improving human health through functional food applications. She has extensive expertise in probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and innovative microencapsulation systems designed to enhance the stability, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability of bioactive compounds. A major area of her research involves the development of layer-by-layer biopolymer systems and controlled-release technologies that improve the delivery and effectiveness of nutraceutical ingredients. Her studies also explore antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity activities associated with plant-derived compounds and functional food ingredients. In addition, she is actively involved in research related to precision nutrition and public health, aiming to create scientifically validated dietary strategies that support disease prevention and overall wellness. Her multidisciplinary research integrates analytical chemistry, in vitro biological models, food engineering, and biomaterial characterization to address modern challenges in nutrition and health sciences. Through innovative methodologies and collaborative international projects, she continues to contribute to the development of advanced functional foods and sustainable health-promoting technologies with both scientific and industrial relevance.

Award and Honor

Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska has earned significant recognition for her contributions to food science, nutrition, and biomaterials research through her scientific achievements, leadership roles, and international collaborations. Her strong publication record, citation impact, and editorial contributions reflect her standing within the global scientific community. She has achieved a notable Scopus h-index and a high citation count, demonstrating the influence and relevance of her research in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and bioactive compound delivery systems. Her involvement in prestigious international projects funded by major scientific organizations highlights the trust placed in her expertise and leadership capabilities. In addition to her research accomplishments, she has received recognition through appointments as guest editor, editorial board member, and scientific reviewer for internationally indexed journals and research funding bodies. Her contributions to interdisciplinary research and innovation have positioned her as a respected expert in the fields of food technology and preventive nutrition. She has also played important roles in scientific councils, doctoral and habilitation committees, and academic evaluation panels, reflecting her professional reputation and commitment to scientific excellence. Her international collaborations with universities, research institutes, and industry partners further emphasize the global impact of her work and her active participation in advancing scientific knowledge and innovation.

Conclusion

Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska represents a distinguished researcher whose career combines scientific innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and impactful contributions to food technology, nutrition, and biomaterials science. Her expertise in bioactive compounds, functional food systems, and controlled-release technologies has contributed significantly to the advancement of preventive nutrition and health-oriented research. Through extensive publications, international projects, editorial leadership, and collaborative scientific initiatives, she has demonstrated consistent excellence in both academic and applied research environments. Her work not only advances scientific understanding but also supports the development of practical solutions for improving food quality, human health, and nutraceutical innovation. With a strong international profile and a multidisciplinary research approach, she continues to make meaningful contributions to global scientific progress and the future of functional food and health sciences.

Shubham Bhattacharjee | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Shubham Bhattacharjee | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

IIT Roorkee, India

Shubham Bhattacharjee is a Geomatics researcher specializing in remote sensing, GIS, SAR polarimetry, glacier dynamics, and environmental modeling. He is pursuing a PhD at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and previously earned an Integrated M.Tech. in Geoinformatics with academic distinction from Central University of Jharkhand. His research focuses on glacier mass balance, sea ice monitoring, flood mapping, avalanche susceptibility, and land cover change prediction using geospatial and machine learning techniques. He has completed research internships at reputed institutions and authored multiple publications in leading international journals, demonstrating strong expertise in cryospheric studies, climate applications, disaster assessment, and advanced geospatial analytics.

Professional Profile 

Education

Shubham Bhattacharjee has established a strong academic foundation in geomatics, geoinformatics, and geospatial sciences through consistent academic excellence and specialized higher education. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Geomatics Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, one of India’s leading institutions for engineering and technological research. His doctoral research focuses on advanced remote sensing applications, glacier dynamics, cryospheric studies, and geospatial modeling techniques. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed an Integrated M.Tech. in Geoinformatics from Central University of Jharkhand with outstanding academic distinction. He secured an exceptional CGPA and was honored with both the Gold Medal and Chancellor’s Medal for academic excellence. His educational journey reflects a deep commitment to interdisciplinary scientific research, combining spatial technologies, computational methods, environmental science, and satellite data analytics. During his academic training, he developed expertise in remote sensing, GIS, machine learning, spatial modeling, and digital image processing, which later became the foundation of his research career.

Professional Experience

Shubham Bhattacharjee has gained valuable research and technical experience through multiple internships and scientific projects conducted at nationally recognized institutions. His professional experience demonstrates strong exposure to geospatial technologies, environmental monitoring, disaster assessment, and spatial data analysis. During his internship at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, he worked on land use land cover and land surface temperature estimation for solar power panel site suitability analysis, integrating geospatial methods with sustainable energy planning. At North Eastern Space Applications Centre, he conducted landslide susceptibility mapping for Arunachal Pradesh using GIS-based analytical methods including AHP, frequency ratio techniques, and neural network models. He also completed research training at Banaras Hindu University, where he analyzed morphometric and morphotectonic characteristics of river basins using remote sensing and GIS approaches. In addition to internships, he has contributed to several advanced projects involving glacier mass balance estimation, glacier surface velocity analysis using SAR data, flood inundation mapping through Google Earth Engine, avalanche susceptibility assessment in high-altitude regions, fishing potential zonation mapping, and environmental impact studies related to air pollution and COVID-19. His professional experience highlights his capability to apply geospatial technologies to complex environmental and climatic challenges.

Research Interests

Shubham Bhattacharjee’s research interests are centered on geomatics engineering, cryospheric science, remote sensing, and geospatial applications for environmental monitoring and disaster management. His work primarily focuses on glacier dynamics, glacier mass balance estimation, SAR polarimetry, ice thickness modeling, and glacier surface velocity assessment across the Himalayan and Karakoram regions. He has significant expertise in utilizing Synthetic Aperture Radar data, Google Earth Engine, machine learning algorithms, neural networks, and GIS-based spatial analysis for large-scale environmental studies. His research also extends to sea ice concentration and drift analysis, climate variability studies, flood hazard mapping, avalanche susceptibility assessment, land cover change prediction, and coastal resource monitoring. He has demonstrated strong interest in integrating geospatial technologies with computational techniques to improve environmental assessment and predictive modeling. His scientific contributions reveal a multidisciplinary research approach that combines geosciences, climatology, hydrology, cryosphere studies, and artificial intelligence-driven spatial analytics. Through his research, he aims to contribute toward sustainable environmental management, climate change understanding, and disaster risk reduction using advanced geoinformatics methodologies.

Awards and Honors

Shubham Bhattacharjee has received several academic distinctions and competitive recognitions that reflect his scholarly excellence and technical expertise in geomatics and geospatial science. One of his most notable achievements includes receiving the Gold Medal and Chancellor’s Medal during his Integrated M.Tech. studies for outstanding academic performance and institutional excellence. He also qualified the UGC-NET examination in Geography with a very high percentile, demonstrating strong conceptual knowledge and research aptitude in geographical sciences and spatial studies. Furthermore, he achieved excellent rankings in the highly competitive GATE examination in Geomatics Engineering, securing impressive All India Ranks that highlight his technical proficiency and analytical capabilities. His growing publication record in reputed international journals further reflects recognition of his research contributions within the scientific community. The combination of academic honors, national-level examination achievements, and impactful scientific publications demonstrates his consistent dedication to excellence in research and higher education.

Conclusion

Shubham Bhattacharjee represents a promising and accomplished researcher in the field of geomatics engineering and geospatial sciences. His academic excellence, advanced technical expertise, and significant research contributions demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing environmental and cryospheric challenges through innovative geospatial technologies. His work on glacier dynamics, climate-related studies, disaster assessment, and remote sensing applications reflects both scientific depth and practical relevance. Through interdisciplinary research integrating GIS, SAR, machine learning, and computational modeling, he has contributed valuable insights to environmental monitoring and sustainable resource management. His consistent academic achievements, research experience at reputed institutions, and growing international publication record position him as an emerging scholar with the potential to make substantial contributions to geomatics, cryosphere science, and environmental research at the global level.

Venkatesan K | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Venkatesan K | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

CVR College of Engineeering | India

Dr. K. Venkatesan is an accomplished academic and researcher in chemistry, currently serving as an Associate Professor. His expertise lies in heterocyclic and organometallic synthesis, green chemistry, and biologically active compounds, with a strong focus on drug design using molecular modeling, SAR, and QSAR approaches. He has extensive teaching and research experience, along with numerous publications in reputed international journals. His work emphasizes sustainable chemical processes, nanomaterials, and medicinal chemistry. He has achieved 322 citations, an h-index of 9, and an i10-index of 8. Skilled in advanced analytical techniques, he actively contributes to academic development and innovative research in chemical sciences.

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Featured Publications

Synthesis, spectral characterization and antitumor activity of phenothiazine derivatives
– Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry, 2020 (24 Citations)

Mojtaba Asgari | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Mojtaba Asgari | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award 

TU Dortmund University | Germany

Dr. Mojtaba Asgari is a sport scientist and researcher specializing in injury prevention, neuromuscular training, and biomechanics, with a strong focus on football performance and ACL risk reduction. He has developed innovative warm-up programs such as Football+, integrating advanced techniques like 3D motion analysis, electromyography, and isokinetic testing. His work includes extensive peer-reviewed publications, international research collaborations, and large-scale projects on athlete injury risk. Alongside his research, he actively teaches and supervises students while contributing as an associate editor and reviewer for leading journals. His background as a former professional football player further strengthens his applied research expertise.


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Featured Publications

Amir H. Navarchian | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Amir H. Navarchian | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Amir H. Navarchian | University of Isfahan | Iran

Prof. Amir H. Navarchian is a distinguished Professor of Chemical and Polymer Engineering at the University of Isfahan, Iran. He earned his B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology, and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran. He has completed postdoctoral research at the University of Groningen, Netherlands, focusing on polyurethane rheokinetics, and a sabbatical at the University of Waterloo, Canada, investigating polyvinyl acetate as a polymer binder for hybrid aqueous batteries. Prof. Navarchian’s research spans polymer membranes, polymer gas sensors, self-healing composites, and polymerization engineering. He has published extensively, with over 25 journal articles covering polymer/clay nanocomposites, emulsion polymerization, polyurethane chemistry, and molecular simulation studies. His work on PVC/clay nanocomposites led to a patented in-situ polymerization method registered in Iran in 2017. He has also contributed to industrial projects with leading Iranian companies, including the Iranian National Petrochemical Company and Mobarakeh Steel Company, and served as a technical consultant on PVC production processes at Arvand Petrochemical Complex. As an educator, Prof. Navarchian teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses, including Advanced Membrane Process Engineering, Polymerization Reaction Engineering, and Design of Experiments. He actively mentors graduate students in chemical and polymer engineering. He is a member of the Iranian Chemical Engineering Association, Iranian Polymer Engineering Association, and Iranian Composite Association. With a Google Scholar H-index of 21 and i10-index of 41, his research has significantly impacted polymer science, nanocomposites, and industrial polymer processes. Prof. Navarchian combines academic excellence with industrial relevance, driving innovation in polymer engineering while fostering the next generation of engineers through teaching, research, and applied consultancy.

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Qihang Li | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Qihang Li | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Chongqing University | China

Dr. Qihang Li, Ph.D. from Chongqing University, is an emerging researcher specializing in underground energy storage, rock mechanics, and geotechnical monitoring. His core research focuses on evaluating the feasibility, stability, and airtightness of storing compressed air, natural gas, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide in low-grade salt caverns filled with sediments—a critical direction for advancing large-scale, safe, and sustainable subsurface energy storage technologies. In addition to his contributions to underground storage engineering, Dr. Li integrates computer vision technology into geotechnical applications. He has conducted innovative work on rock and slope monitoring, early-warning systems, and image-recognition–based hazard detection, strengthening the interdisciplinary link between geomechanics and intelligent sensing. Over the past five years, Dr. Li has demonstrated strong research leadership. He has chaired one postgraduate scientific research innovation project and served as a key contributor to more than 10 major research initiatives, including national key R&D sub-projects, general and regional foundation programs, youth funds, and industry–academia collaborative projects. Dr. Li has an impressive publication record, with 45 papers published or accepted—35 indexed in SCI. As the first or corresponding author, he has produced 25 articles in top-tier SCI journals, such as Energy Storage Materials, International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, Chemical Engineering Journal, Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, and Journal of Cleaner Production. His cumulative impact factor exceeds 152.5, with more than 1,100 ResearchGate citations and an H-index of 18. His contributions include 8 ESI Highly Cited/Hot Papers and 2 papers cited over 100 times.

 

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Featured Publications

Roghieh Hajiboland | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Roghieh Hajiboland | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Roghieh Hajiboland | University of Tabriz | Iran

Prof. Roghieh Hajiboland is a distinguished Full Professor of Plant Physiology in the Department of Plant, Cell and Molecular Biology, renowned for her extensive contributions to mineral nutrition, abiotic stress tolerance, and plant–microbe interactions. She earned her Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from the University of Hohenheim, Germany, and has since developed a globally recognized research portfolio focused on nutrient uptake, transport physiology, heavy metal tolerance, salinity and drought stress adaptation, aluminum toxicity, and silicon- and selenium-mediated stress mitigation in diverse crop and halophytic species. With an active research career spanning more than a decade, Prof. Hajiboland has produced a substantial body of high-impact scientific work, including 60+ international journal articles, influential compilation books with Springer, Elsevier, Wiley, and Shayesteh Publishers, and numerous national publications and conference presentations. Her studies have advanced fundamental understanding of mineral element functions, nutrient remobilization, antioxidant responses, water relations, and physiological/biochemical mechanisms underlying stress resilience in plants. She is widely recognized for pioneering research on tea plant physiology, halophyte species, intercropping systems, and the roles of aluminum, selenium, and silicon in plant stress biology. Prof. Hajiboland teaches a broad range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral-level courses, including Plant Physiology, Plant Growth and Development, Mineral Nutrition, Uptake and Transport in Plants, Transport Physiology, Evolutionary Biology, and Plant–Microbe Interactions. Her academic leadership includes supervising graduate research, mentoring young scientists, and contributing actively to departmental and institutional development. Her scholarly visibility is supported through Google Scholar, Scopus, and ResearchGate profiles, reflecting strong citation influence and international collaboration, particularly with leading researchers in Europe. Through her sustained research, teaching, and publication record, Prof. Hajiboland continues to shape contemporary understanding of plant stress physiology and sustainable crop improvement under challenging environmental conditions.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Moradtalab, N., Hajiboland, R., Aliasgharzad, N., Hartmann, T. E., & Neumann, G. (2019). Silicon and the association with an arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungus (Rhizophagus clarus) mitigate the adverse effects of drought stress on strawberry. Agronomy, 9(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9010041

Rahmat, S., Hajiboland, R., & Sadeghzade, N. (2017). Selenium delays leaf senescence in oilseed rape plants. Photosynthetica, 55(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-016-0643-6

Hajiboland, R., Bahrami-Rad, S., & Poschenrieder, C. (2017). Silicon modifies both a local response and a systemic response to mechanical stress in tobacco leaves. Biologia Plantarum, 61(1), 123–131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-016-0633-3

Ebrahimi, N., Hartikainen, H., Simojoki, A., Hajiboland, R., & Seppänen, M. (2015). Dynamics of dry matter and selenium accumulation in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) in response to organic and inorganic selenium treatments. Agricultural and Food Science, 24(3), 219–230.*

Hajiboland, R., Sadeghzadeh, N., Ebrahimi, N., Sadeghzadeh, B., & Mohammadi, S. A. (2015). Influence of selenium in drought-stressed wheat plants under greenhouse and field conditions. Acta Agriculturae Slovenica, 105(2), 213–225. https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2015.105.2.01

Hajiboland, R., Bastani, S., Bahrami-Rad, S., & Poschenrieder, C. (2015). Interactions between aluminum and boron in tea (Camellia sinensis) plants. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 37(12), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1803-1

Eric Howard | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Eric Howard | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Eric Howard | Macquarie University | Australia

Dr. Eric Howard is an accomplished academic leader, researcher, and innovator with nearly three decades of combined experience across computational physics, astronomy, quantum computing, data science, and cybersecurity. He has made influential contributions through teaching, curriculum design, research supervision, and interdisciplinary program development across multiple higher-education sectors. His academic leadership includes directing programs and advancing pedagogical frameworks for undergraduate, postgraduate, and MBA-level studies. Dr. Howard’s research portfolio reflects significant advancements in emerging technologies. His completed and ongoing projects span quantum machine learning for fraud detection, hybrid quantum-classical neural networks for intrusion detection, quantum Bayesian inference models, variational simulations of molecular ground states, holographic beam shaping with AI optimization, and quantum graph neural networks for complex systems. He has published more than sixty peer-reviewed papers in respected SCI and Scopus-indexed journals, covering quantum information science, artificial intelligence, cosmology, cryptography, and computational physics. He also contributes to global scholarship as an editor for international journals in physics and theoretical mathematics, while serving as a peer reviewer for prominent scientific publishers and organizations. In addition, Dr. Howard maintains strong collaborative ties with national research institutes, quantum technology networks, and centers of excellence, advancing high-impact interdisciplinary projects. In industry, Dr. Howard has demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership as CEO of companies specializing in AI-powered cybersecurity and data-driven digital automation. His consultancy experience includes developing secure e-learning ecosystems, threat intelligence platforms, cloud security frameworks, and advanced analytics solutions for enterprise and academic clients. Dr. Howard’s key contributions include pioneering quantum-enhanced cybersecurity models, designing AI-driven threat intelligence frameworks, and leading competitive grant-funded projects in quantum sensing, VQE simulations, and digital security. His sustained commitment to innovation, mentorship, and research excellence underscores his significant impact on scientific, technological, and educational advancement.

Profile: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Howard, E. (2025). Data imputation with deep learning: AI techniques for handling missing or noisy data. Eksplorium. https://doi.org/10.52783/eksplorium.65

Howard, E. (2025). End-to-end visibility in global supply chains: Blockchain and AI integration [Dataset]. figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28528676

Howard, E. (2025). Leveraging computer vision and data science for enhanced operational efficiency in smart enterprises. Tangence. https://doi.org/10.52783/tangence.6

Ramshankar, P., Howard, E., Srinivasan, V., Prabu, D., Dhanraj, J. A., Kumar, M. J., & Rajendiran, M. (2025). Nanoscale characterization and imaging techniques for material analysis. AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0277578

Howard, E. (2025). Optimization of heat transfer in mechanical systems using AI in neural networks. Tangence. https://doi.org/10.52783/tangence.3

Howard, E. (2025). Real-time image-based data processing and its applications in managerial decision-making and risk analysis. Eksplorium. https://doi.org/10.52783/eksplorium.181

Jyoti Srivastava | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jyoti Srivastava | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jyoti Srivastava | Moffitt Cancer Center | United States

Dr. Jyoti Srivastava, Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis at Moffitt Cancer Center, is an accomplished molecular biologist with over 18 years of pioneering experience spanning cancer biology, immuno-oncology, and therapeutic discovery. Her multidisciplinary research integrates molecular genetics, pharmacology, redox biology, and genomics to uncover mechanisms driving tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. At Moffitt, Dr. Srivastava has made groundbreaking discoveries in melanoma, elucidating how redox and nitrosylation signaling pathways modulate immune evasion and therapeutic resistance in NRAS-driven cancers. Her work has identified actionable targets and led to the development of innovative RNAi-, PROTAC-, and small-molecule–based therapeutics that have advanced toward preclinical and clinical evaluation. Previously at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals and Yale University, she spearheaded translational research programs that delivered clinical candidates for lung diseases and cancer, while uncovering novel oncogenic pathways such as AEG-1/MTDH in hepatocellular carcinoma and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Dr. Srivastava’s contributions—reflected in over 30 peer-reviewed publications, invited talks at major international conferences, and successful therapeutic innovations—underscore her leadership in bridging fundamental discoveries with clinical application, advancing next-generation strategies to combat cancer and chronic diseases.

Profiles: Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

Yoo, B. K., Santhekadur, P. K., Gredler, R., Chen, D., Emdad, L., Bhutia, S., … & Fisher, P. B. (2011). Increased RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) activity contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology, 53(5), 1538–1548. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.24221

Santhekadur, P. K., Das, S. K., Gredler, R., Chen, D., Srivastava, J., Robertson, C., … & Fisher, P. B. (2012). Multifunction protein staphylococcal nuclease domain containing 1 (SND1) promotes tumor angiogenesis in human hepatocellular carcinoma through a novel pathway involving NF-κB and miR-221. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287(17), 13952–13958. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M111.323899

Sarkar, D., & Fisher, P. B. (2013). AEG-1/MTDH/Lyric: Clinical significance. Advances in Cancer Research, 120, 39–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-401676-7.00002-0

Srivastava, J., Siddiq, A., Emdad, L., Santhekadur, P. K., Chen, D., Gredler, R., … & Fisher, P. B. (2012). Astrocyte elevated gene-1 promotes hepatocarcinogenesis: Novel insights from a mouse model. Hepatology, 56(5), 1782–1791. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.25841

Santhekadur, P. K., Akiel, M., Emdad, L., Gredler, R., Srivastava, J., … & Fisher, P. B. (2014). Staphylococcal nuclease domain containing-1 (SND1) promotes migration and invasion via angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and TGF-β signaling. FEBS Open Bio, 4, 353–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fob.2014.03.001