Dr. Gracia Samuel | Telecommunications | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Gracia Samuel | Telecommunications | Best Researcher Award

Former Research Scholar, Christ University, India

Dr. Gracia Samuel is an accomplished Computer Science Researcher with over 11 years of extensive experience spanning academia, industry, and doctoral research. 📊 With a strong foundation in data analytics, she specializes in optimizing QoS (Quality of Service) and QoE (Quality of Experience) metrics in telecom networks. 📡 Her unique blend of skills in DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis), predictive modeling, and network performance benchmarking makes her a valuable asset in the field of network optimization and planning. Currently residing in Chennai, India, she is passionate about driving impactful research that contributes to smarter, more connected societies. 🌐

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Educational Background

Dr. Gracia Samuel holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Christ University, Bangalore (2020–2024), where her thesis focused on benchmarking QoS and QoE metrics using DEA. 📘 She earned her M.S. in Telecommunication Networks from the prestigious Polytechnic University, now NYU Tandon School of Engineering, USA (2006–2008). 🎓 Her undergraduate journey began with a B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Karunya Institute of Technology, Coimbatore (2002–2006). 🧑‍💻 Her educational path has been firmly rooted in communication networks and data science.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Gracia brings rich industry and academic experience to the table. She started her career as a Programmer Analyst Trainee at Peri Software Solutions, New Jersey 🇺🇸 (2008), gaining hands-on expertise in Perl, HTML, and SQL. Later, as an Assistant Professor at VIT University (2009–2010), she led several courses and student research projects in computer networks using OPNET. 📘 Her industry roles include Senior Analyst at Ocwen Financial Solutions (2015–2017), where she conducted predictive modeling and market risk analysis using SAS and SQL, and Analyst at GE Capital (2011–2014), focusing on customer analytics and economic research. 📈

🏆 Awards and Honors

Gracia Samuel has received several accolades throughout her career 🌟. She was appreciated by the CRO and Board of Directors at GE Capital for her insights into auto lending risks. She earned multiple Gold Awards for her contributions to e-commerce and mobile analytics and for her economic data validations. 🥇 She also received a Bronze Award for efficiency and an Achievement Award for optimizing e-commerce dashboard processes. Notably, her conference paper was awarded Best Paper at the 2022 International Conference on Intelligent Computing and Technology. 🏅

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Gracia’s research interests lie at the intersection of Data Analytics, Telecommunications, and Network Optimization. 📡 Her Ph.D. work focuses on using Slack-Based Measures in DEA to benchmark and enhance QoS/QoE in telecom services, providing actionable strategies for network planning and service improvement. She also explores predictive analytics, VANET security, 5G benchmarking, and smart network societies. Her work contributes to designing resilient, scalable, and customer-centric telecom infrastructures. 📶

📚 Top Publications 

Towards a Smarter Connected Society By Enhancing Internet Service Providers’ QoS Metrics Using Data Envelopment Analysis – ECS Transactions, 2022 – Cited by 10 articles.

An Optimal Benchmarking Technique to Improve Quality of Experience in 4G Indian Public Telecom Sector for Better Network Penetration and Fair Service Pricing – Telematique, 2023 – Cited by 7 articles.

A Case Study of Security in VANETs – International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science, 2011 – Cited by 5 articles.

5G Planning and QoE Management Using Mathematical Benchmarking Techniques for Europe and Middle Eastern Countries – IEEE CONECCT, 2022 – Cited by 4 articles.

5G Telecom Toolkit – Patent Office Journal, Nov 2023.

🧾 Conclusion

With a strong foundation in both theory and practice, Dr. Gracia Samuel exemplifies the convergence of academic rigor and industry relevance. 💡 Her contributions to telecom benchmarking, data analytics, and network optimization have added value to both scholarly research and operational excellence. Driven by curiosity and a commitment to technological advancement, she continues to push boundaries in creating efficient, fair, and innovative communication networks. 🌍

Italo Cunha | Computer Networks | Excellence in Research

Prof. Italo Cunha | Computer Networks | Excellence in Research

Associate Professor, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil

Ítalo Fernando Scotá Cunha is an accomplished Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil. With a vast background in Internet-scale network research, his expertise spans network security, monitoring platforms, and content distribution scalability. His academic influence extends beyond Brazil, with collaborations in institutions such as Columbia University and Duke University Kunshan. 🌐💻

Publication Profile

ORCID

Strengths for the Award:

Ítalo Fernando Scotá Cunha’s strong qualifications make him a strong candidate for the Research for Excellence award:

  • High-impact research: His work on network security, management, and content distribution scalability addresses critical and evolving areas in computer science and internet infrastructure. The development and deployment of large-scale internet monitoring platforms like CTRL-Mon and PEERING demonstrate his capacity to produce innovative and impactful research.
  • Academic leadership: His extensive teaching and research roles at prestigious institutions like the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Duke University, and Columbia University highlight his ability to lead and inspire future generations of computer scientists.
  • Industry recognition: Receiving multiple awards from leading organizations like ACM, Google, Facebook, and Comcast highlights the significance and relevance of his research to both academia and industry.
  • Community contribution: His active service in the academic community, including organizing committees and journal reviews, demonstrates his commitment to advancing the field.

Areas for Improvement:

  • Broadening collaboration: Although Ítalo has strong collaborations with institutions and researchers in North America, expanding his research network further internationally, particularly in Europe or Asia, could diversify his research impact.
  • Interdisciplinary approaches: While his work focuses heavily on computer science and networking, exploring collaborations in other domains like data science, machine learning, or cybersecurity could elevate his work’s interdisciplinary value.

Education

Ítalo holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UPMC Sorbonne Universités, Paris, where he researched network tomography and Internet routes under the supervision of renowned scholars Renata Teixeira and Christophe Diot. He also completed both his M.Sc. and A.B. in Computer Science from UFMG, showcasing his strong academic roots in Brazil. 🎓📚

Experience

He has been with UFMG since 2012, progressing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor in 2020. His international academic journey includes post-doctoral research at Technicolor Research and Innovation in France, internships at the University of Washington, and visiting faculty roles at Duke University Kunshan, China. 🌍👨‍🏫

Research Focus

Ítalo’s research revolves around the design and implementation of Internet-scale monitoring platforms, network security, and performance analysis. His ongoing projects like CRITS and CTRL-Mon focus on traffic characterization and control-plane monitoring techniques. He is also deeply involved in PEERING, a long-term initiative aimed at improving Autonomous Systems’ operations. 🖥️🔐

Awards and Honours

Ítalo has received multiple prestigious awards, including the ACM IMC Best Short Paper Award (2022) and Facebook Faculty Research Awards (2019, 2017). His contributions have been recognized internationally, with Best of CCR Awards and notable placements in research competitions. 🏆✨

Publication Top Notes

Who Squats IPv4 Addresses? (2023) – SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review Link 📑

The Best of Both Worlds: High Availability CDN Routing Without Compromising Control (2023) – ACM IMC, Nice, France Link 📑

Internet Scale Reverse Traceroute (2023) – ACM IMC, Nice, France Link 📑

Conclusion:

Ítalo Fernando Scotá Cunha is an exceptional candidate for the Research for Excellence award, given his substantial contributions to internet-scale monitoring, network security, and content distribution. His continuous innovation, academic leadership, and recognition from major industry and academic bodies make him a leading figure in his field, and with further interdisciplinary exploration, his impact could become even broader.

 

Hawazen Alzahrani | Computer Networks | computer Networking Award

Mrs. Hawazen Alzahrani | Computer Networks | computer Networking Award

Graduated, KFUPM, Saudi Arabia

🌟 Hawazen Alzahrani is an ambitious and talented IT Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Network Engineer with a passion for fortifying critical infrastructures. Known for blending technical expertise with a forward-thinking mindset, she has published impactful research on network security and Fog Computing. With experience in training and mentoring, she is dedicated to driving innovation in cybersecurity.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Research in Computer Networking Award

  1. Technical Expertise: Hawazen Alzahrani demonstrates solid expertise in computer networks and cybersecurity, key areas relevant to the award. Her M.Sc. in Computer Networks and completion of courses like CyberOps Associate and Routing and Switching Essentials underscore her qualifications in network engineering.
  2. Research Accomplishments: Hawazen’s work on Intrusion Detection Systems using Machine Learning shows her innovative thinking in tackling complex network security challenges. Her focus on Fog Computing further highlights her forward-thinking approach, contributing to cutting-edge solutions in the field.
  3. Publications: Publishing two impact papers on network and system security reflects her contribution to the academic and professional community, adding credibility to her as a potential recipient of this award.
  4. Diverse Skill Set: With experience as an IT Analyst, Network Engineer, and Cybersecurity Analyst, she brings a well-rounded approach to computer networking. This versatility, combined with her programming proficiency in Python, makes her a strong contender for a research-based award in networking.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Experience Level: Hawazen is still in the early stages of her career, and while she has excellent academic accomplishments and research, her professional experience in networking may be somewhat limited. More industry-related research projects or applied work would strengthen her profile.
  2. Specialization Depth: While her skills in cybersecurity and network engineering are strong, deep specialization in specific areas of computer networking such as cloud networking, SDN (Software-Defined Networking), or IoT networking could enhance her competitiveness for a research-focused award.
  3. Collaboration in Research: Involvement in collaborative research with industry or academia might offer her more diverse exposure and build a stronger case for the award. This could be an opportunity to expand her impact and showcase the application of her research beyond academic settings.

Education

🎓 Hawazen holds an M.Sc. in Computer Networks from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (2021–2024) and a B.A. in Information Technology from King Abdul-Aziz University (2013–2018). Her academic journey reflects a strong focus on cybersecurity and network engineering.

Experience

💻 As a former Computer Skills Trainer at ITANA Institute, Hawazen enhanced students’ IT proficiency, conducting lessons on software applications and programming languages. Her real-world experience spans across IT analysis, network engineering, and cybersecurity roles, showcasing her versatility in the tech industry.

Research Focus

🔐 Hawazen’s research delves into Intrusion Detection Systems and Machine Learning techniques, particularly within Fog Computing. Her innovative solutions target the evolving challenges in network security, aiming to safeguard sensitive infrastructures from emerging cyber threats.

Awards and Honors

🏆 Hawazen has earned recognition for her groundbreaking work, including certifications such as CyberOps Associate (2023) and Routing and Switching Essentials (2019). Her consistent pursuit of excellence in cybersecurity continues to set her apart.

Publications

📝 Hawazen has published two notable papers on network and system security, demonstrating her proficiency in addressing complex cybersecurity issues. These papers contribute significantly to the academic discourse on machine learning and network security.

Intrusion Detection Systems Using Machine Learning for Network Security (Published in 2022, Journal of Network and System Security)

Fog Computing and Network Security: A Machine Learning Approach (Published in 2023, International Journal of Cybersecurity)
[Link to Paper]

Conclusion

Hawazen Alzahrani’s strong background in computer networking and cybersecurity, complemented by her research in intrusion detection and machine learning, positions her as a solid candidate for the Research in Computer Networking Award. Her academic credentials and impactful publications indicate significant potential in advancing the field. However, further industry experience and deepening her expertise in specialized areas could improve her chances of winning such an award.