Mr. Maruf Farhan | Blockchain | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Maruf Farhan | Lecturer | University of Sussex International Study Centre | United Kingdom

Academic Background

Mr. Maruf Farhan holds a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Northumbria University, where he achieved distinction and conducted research on utilizing blockchain technology to detect counterfeit products. He also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from North South University, with a focus on Marketing and Management Information Systems. His academic foundation is further strengthened by multiple professional certifications, including CompTIA A+, Security+, CCNA, and specialized training in ethical hacking, cybersecurity, and blockchain applications. His research productivity is documented across Scopus with a number of documents cited multiple times, contributing to his growing h-index and recognition on Google Scholar. These metrics reflect his active engagement in research, demonstrating both quality and impact in the field.

Research Focus

Mr. Maruf Farhan’s research focuses on the intersection of cybersecurity, blockchain technology, and digital innovation. His work explores secure systems for supply chain management, healthcare, and IoT environments, with an emphasis on practical applications of blockchain for fraud detection, secure authorization, and smart contract implementations. He is also investigating AI-driven techniques to enhance security and efficiency in digital infrastructures.

Work Experience

Mr. Maruf has extensive teaching and professional experience across academic and industry settings. He currently serves as a tutor at the University of Sussex International Study Centre, delivering modules in computer science and cybersecurity, and as a visiting lecturer at Coventry University London, focusing on cybersecurity topics. He has also contributed as a cybersecurity educator at the Kingsley Institute of Management and as a guest lecturer at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. His earlier industry roles include IT instructor, IT support officer, and senior security support specialist, where he managed complex malware analysis, endpoint protection, and cybersecurity operations for high-profile clients.

Key Contributions

Mr. Maruf has significantly contributed to curriculum development, assessment design, and hands-on training in cybersecurity. He has led research initiatives, including the creation of a journal on cybersecurity in IoT and blockchain, and has developed impactful projects such as blockchain-based e-voting systems and counterfeit product detection frameworks. His innovative work bridges academic research with industry applications, ensuring relevance and real-world impact.

Awards & Recognition

Mr. Maruf has received multiple corporate awards for exceptional performance, including recognition as an unsung hero, top agent, and employee of the quarter in cybersecurity projects. He has also secured research grants for participation in international conferences, reflecting both academic and professional excellence.

Professional Roles & Memberships

He is an active professional member of ACM and IEEE, participating in international networks that advance research, standards, and education in cybersecurity and information technology.

Profile

Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Farhan, M., Sulaiman, R., & Nur, A. Blockchain technology to detect fake products. Digital Transformation for Improved Industry and Supply Chain Performance.

Farhan, M., Salih, A., & Butt, U. Enhancing Secure Access and Authorization in Healthcare IoT through an Innovative Framework: Integrating OAuth, DIDs, and VCs. Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Science.

Das, S. R., Salih, A., Sulaiman, R. B., & Farhan, M. Enhancing Lung Cancer Classification with MobileNetV3 and EfficientNetB7: A Transfer Learning Approach. International Conference on Computer and Applications.

Farhan, M., Sulaiman, R. B., & Nur, A. Blockchain: A secure solution for identifying counterfeits and improving supply chain reliability. International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication.

Farhan, M., Nur, A. H., & Sulaiman, R. B. Blockchain-Based Railway Ticketing: Enhancing Security and Efficiency with QR Codes and Smart Contract. International Conference on Computing and Information Technology.

Impact Statement / Vision

Mr. Maruf Farhan aims to advance cybersecurity through innovative integration of blockchain and AI technologies, addressing critical challenges in digital security and supply chain integrity. His vision is to create secure, efficient, and reliable digital systems that empower industries, governments, and academic institutions while fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and practical innovation.

Dr. Li Zhang | Blockchain | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Li Zhang – lecturer, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, China.

Zhang Li is a dedicated researcher and lecturer in the School of Computer and Information Security at Guilin University of Electronic Technology. With a strong academic foundation in computer science and engineering, she has carved a niche in blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and consensus algorithms. Zhang has published multiple top-tier SCI journal articles and holds innovative patents in wireless blockchain technologies. She actively contributes to peer reviews for international conferences and journals. Her work reflects both deep theoretical knowledge and practical innovation, establishing her as a promising figure in next-generation distributed computing technologies.

Education Background

Zhang Li earned her Doctor of Engineering in Computer Application Technology in 2024 from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, specializing in blockchain and IoT. She completed her Master’s degree in Computer Software and Theory at Beijing Normal University in 2018 and received her Bachelor’s in Information and Computing Science from Hainan Normal University in 2015. Her educational journey showcases a solid blend of mathematics, software theory, and advanced computer applications, laying a robust foundation for her current research contributions in blockchain consensus mechanisms and wireless computing architectures.

Professional Experience

Zhang Li began her academic career as a lecturer in July 2024 at the School of Computer and Information Security, Guilin University of Electronic Technology. During her doctoral years, she was involved in high-impact national research projects and provided assistance in grant writing and paper reviews. She contributed to the National Natural Science Foundation project on mobile crowd sensing from 2019 to 2022. As a conference and journal reviewer, she brings rigorous analytical insights to global platforms. Her professional trajectory reflects a seamless integration of academic leadership, collaborative research, and technical expertise.

Awards and Honors

While formal awards are not specifically listed, Zhang Li’s achievements include publishing in top SCI Zone 1 journals such as IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications and IEEE Internet of Things Journal, each with impact factors exceeding 10. She is a recognized contributor to national-level funded research and has received recognition for her patent contributions under substantial examination. Additionally, her roles as a reviewer for IEEE GLOBECOM and The Journal of Supercomputing further emphasize her scholarly impact in the global research community.

Research Focus

Zhang Li focuses on blockchain consensus protocols, particularly within IoT environments and wireless networks. Her research includes designing scalable and reliable consensus mechanisms, developing smart contracts, and exploring zero-knowledge proofs for data security. She has addressed complex challenges such as byzantine fault tolerance and committee-based consensus for multi-hop wireless networks. Zhang also investigates encryption algorithms and communication protocols, contributing to the broader field of secure distributed systems. Her work combines theoretical innovation with application relevance, making her a key contributor in blockchain-based networking technologies.

Publications

An efficient and reliable byzantine fault tolerant blockchain consensus protocol for single-hop wireless networks
Published in: 2024
Cited by: 14 articles

Scalable Creditable-Committee-based Blockchain Consensus Protocol for Multi-Hop Wireless Networks
Published in: 2024
Cited by: 5 articles

A blockchain-based computing architecture for mobile ad-hoc cloud
Published in: 2020
Cited by: 17 articles

Conclusion

Zhang Li exemplifies academic excellence, innovative research, and emerging leadership in computer science. Her deep expertise in blockchain and IoT applications, validated by high-impact publications and patents, aligns with the cutting-edge demands of secure wireless systems. She demonstrates admirable qualities such as optimism, teamwork, and dedication to continuous learning and teaching. With a strong sense of collaboration and scientific rigor, Zhang Li is well-positioned to drive transformative change in the digital and distributed computing landscape.