Rossana Smeriglio | robotics | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr . Rossana Smeriglio | robotics | Best Researcher Award

PHD, UNI.CT, Italy

Rossana Smeriglio is a dedicated psychologist with extensive experience in working with vulnerable populations, including unaccompanied minors and individuals with cognitive impairments. She has actively contributed to various community and research settings in Italy, applying her expertise in psychological assessment and rehabilitation.

Publication Profile

Scopus

 

Strengths for the Award

  1. Diverse Experience: Rossana has gained valuable experience in various settings, including community support for unaccompanied minors, internships in scientific research for intellectual disabilities, and tutoring in primary education. This breadth of experience demonstrates her adaptability and comprehensive understanding of psychological principles across different populations.
  2. Focus on Neurocognitive Disorders: Her extensive work at the IRCCS OASI MARIA SS Institute showcases her commitment to understanding and addressing neurocognitive disorders. The use of various assessment tools (e.g., Wechsler scales, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, and other neuropsychological tests) illustrates her methodological rigor and dedication to evidence-based practices.
  3. Innovative Approaches: Rossana’s involvement in research utilizing immersive virtual reality (TIV) to support rehabilitation indicates her willingness to explore cutting-edge methodologies. This innovative approach could significantly enhance the recovery processes for patients with severe cognitive deficits.
  4. Commitment to Rehabilitation: Her ongoing volunteer work as a psychologist reflects a strong commitment to community service and improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. This altruistic aspect of her work highlights her passion for making a meaningful impact.
  5. Research Engagement: The integration of research activities in her practice, including the administration of personality tests and cognitive assessments, emphasizes her analytical skills and dedication to advancing the field of psychology.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Publication Record: While her practical experience is commendable, a stronger focus on publishing her research findings in reputable journals would enhance her profile. This would also contribute to the broader academic community and establish her as a thought leader in her field.
  2. Broader Impact: Although her work in specific institutions is valuable, expanding her research to include larger populations or collaborative studies with other institutions could amplify her impact and visibility in the field.
  3. Networking and Collaboration: Engaging more with professional organizations or attending conferences could provide her with opportunities to share her work, learn from peers, and foster collaborations that could enhance her research outcomes.
  4. Professional Development: Pursuing additional training in advanced research methodologies or statistics could strengthen her research design and data analysis skills, leading to more robust findings and insights.

 

Education

Rossana holds a degree in Psychology, which she has complemented with specialized training and internships in cognitive rehabilitation and the assessment of neurocognitive disorders.

Experience

Rossana has worked as a psychologist in a social cooperative, where she supported the integration of unaccompanied minors. Additionally, she completed a post-graduate internship at IRCCS OASI MARIA SS, focusing on intellectual disabilities and neurocognitive disorders. Her volunteer work at the same institution involved rigorous cognitive evaluations and the development of rehabilitation programs, integrating innovative approaches like virtual reality for cognitive recovery.

Research Focus

Her research interests include cognitive impairment in the elderly, the psychological factors influencing health behaviors, and innovative rehabilitation techniques, particularly using virtual reality to enhance cognitive recovery.

Awards and Honors

Rossana has been recognized for her contributions to psychology and community service, particularly in the fields of cognitive rehabilitation and support for vulnerable populations.

Publication Top Notes

Virtual Reality for the assessment and treatment of cognitive impairment in the elderly: A scoping review

Incidence and occurrence of academic burnout: The impact of personality, self-efficacy and self-esteem and post-pandemic effects

Why not get vaccinated? A study on psychological reasons

The apathy evaluation scale (Aes-c): Psychometric properties and invariance of Italian version in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rossana Smeriglio demonstrates considerable strengths that make her a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her diverse experience, innovative approaches to rehabilitation, and commitment to evidence-based practices in neurocognitive disorders reflect her dedication to the field of psychology. However, focusing on expanding her publication record and collaborative efforts would further enhance her profile as a leading researcher. Given her potential for growth and her existing contributions, she deserves recognition for her work and commitment to advancing psychological science.

 

Behnaz Sohani | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Behnaz Sohani | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor, Loughborough University, United Kingdom

Dr. Behnaz Sohani is an accomplished academic and researcher in Robotics and Biomedical Engineering, specializing in object and scene recognition, assistive robotics, rehabilitation systems, and healthcare robotics. She currently serves as a Co-Director of the Biorobotics and Healthcare/Medical Technologies (BMTec) Laboratory and as a Lecturer in Robotics at the University of Lincoln. With over 16 years of experience in education, research, and administration, Dr. Sohani is passionate about advancing technology and improving healthcare through innovative robotics solutions. 🚀🤖📚

Profile

  • Scopus
  • ORCID
  • Google Scholar

    Strengths for the Award

    1. Community-Oriented Research: Dr. Behnaz Sohani’s work in robotics and biomedical engineering has a clear impact on community health and well-being. Her research focuses on developing assistive and healthcare robotics, which directly benefits individuals with medical conditions and those needing rehabilitation. The development of medical imaging devices and intelligent robots aligns well with the award’s focus on community impact.
    2. Innovative Contributions: Dr. Sohani has been involved in groundbreaking projects, such as designing imaging devices for early detection of brain strokes and cancers. Her use of AI and advanced technologies in healthcare demonstrates innovation that addresses significant community health challenges.
    3. Leadership and Collaboration: As the Co-Director of the Biorobotics and Healthcare/Medical Technologies Laboratory, she has shown strong leadership in driving impactful research projects. Her ability to collaborate with both academic and industrial partners, including medical professionals, enhances the relevance and application of her research.
    4. Educational Impact: Dr. Sohani’s role as a lecturer and mentor at the University of Lincoln contributes to shaping the next generation of engineers and researchers. Her teaching covers a broad spectrum of robotics and biomedical engineering topics, ensuring that her knowledge and passion are shared with students who can continue to drive community-oriented innovations.
    5. Grants and Recognition: Securing significant grants, such as those from the Royal Society and European Regional Development Fund, underscores her ability to attract funding for projects with high community impact. Her successful grant applications reflect recognition and validation from the research community and funding bodies.

    Areas for Improvement

    1. Broader Community Engagement: While Dr. Sohani’s work is impactful within academic and healthcare circles, increasing outreach to broader community stakeholders could enhance the visibility and accessibility of her innovations. Engaging more directly with community organizations or public health initiatives could amplify her research’s community impact.
    2. Communication of Impact: Dr. Sohani’s CV highlights numerous achievements and research outputs but could benefit from more explicit examples of how her work has directly improved or benefited community members. Providing case studies or testimonials could better illustrate the tangible benefits of her research.
    3. Public Awareness: Increasing public awareness about the practical applications of her research could further strengthen the case for the award. This could involve more public engagement activities, such as workshops, seminars, or media outreach, to showcase how her technologies are being used in real-world scenarios.

       

      Education

      Dr. Sohani earned her PhD in Robotics and Biomedical Engineering from London South Bank University (2017-2021). Her doctoral research focused on medical imaging for diagnostic applications, particularly in detecting brain abnormalities using microwave imaging. 🧠🎓

      Experience

      Dr. Sohani has held various academic and research positions. Since January 2021, she has been a Lecturer in Robotics and Biomedical Engineering and the Lead and Director of the BMTec Laboratory at the University of Lincoln. Her roles include generating research income, publishing research outputs, and delivering high-quality teaching programs. Previously, she served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at London South Bank University, where she designed medical devices augmented by AI. 📊🧪👩‍🏫

      Research Interests

      Dr. Sohani’s research interests encompass robotics and biomedical engineering, with a focus on assistive robotics, healthcare robotics, path planning, real-time control, computer vision, signal processing, and AI technologies. She is dedicated to advancing the early detection and management of medical conditions and addressing critical healthcare challenges through innovative robotic solutions. 🤖🩺🔍

      Awards

      Dr. Sohani has received several prestigious awards and grants, including successful grant applications to the Royal Society (£70K), being the principal investigator on three research projects funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and her PhD funding from the European Union’s Horizon research & innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement. 🏆🎓💼

       Publications

      1. Revolutionizing Demand Response Management: Empowering Consumers through Power Aggregator and Right of Flexibility.” Energies 17.6: 1419, (2024). Cited by 3 articles
      2. Aliyu, M. et al. “An artificial neural network model for the prediction of entrained droplet fraction in annular gas-liquid two-phase flow in vertical pipes.” International Journal of Multiphase Flow 164 (2023): 104452. Cited by 2 articles
      3. Nnadi, S. et al. “Development, Experimental, and Numerical Characterisation of Novel Flexible Strain Sensors for Soft Robotics Applications”, Robotics, 13(7), 103, (2024). Cited by 5 articles
      4. Webber, M., et al. “A techno-economic review of direct air capture of moisture processes: sustainable versus energy-intensive methods.” International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology: 1-35, (2024). Cited by 7 article
      5. Sohani, B. et al. “Developing a Comprehensive Model for the Prevention of Tension Neck Syndrome: A Focus on Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention Strategies.” Advanced Robotics and Automation (WRC SARA), Beijing, China, pp. 541-548. IEEE, (2023). Cited by 4 articles

       

Anthony Tolika Sibiya | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Anthony Tolika Sibiya | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Researcher, Centre for Researching Education and Labour, South Africa

Dr. Anthony Tolika Sibiya is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Researching Education and Labour, and a lecturer at Wits School of Education, where he teaches the Psychology of Education in TVET and Sociology of Education. He is also an associate lecturer at the American University of Central Asia and a visiting scholar at the Central European University through the Open Society University Network (OSUN) programme. His extensive teaching and research focus on promoting access and equity in education, especially in resource-constrained contexts. Dr. Sibiya previously lectured sociology at Nelson Mandela University and has a rich background in researching technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Profile

Google Scholar

 

Education 🎓

Ph.D. (Skills for Industrial Development), University of the Witwatersrand (2018-2022). Thesis Title: The contribution of Technical Vocational Education and Training formal programmes to inclusive company growth and transformation: A case study of the automotive manufacturing sector in South Africa. MA (Sociology), Nelson Mandela University (2014-2016). Thesis Title: Vocational Education & Training and Labour Markets in South Africa. BA (Honours) – Public Administration and Political Science, Nelson Mandela University (2011)

Experience 🌍

Associate Lecturer, American University of Central Asia (September 2022-present). Facilitates discussions and lectures on global education for development. Researcher, Centre for Researching Education and Labour (Wits University) (2018-present). Involved in multiple research projects related to skills development and TVET. TVET Researcher, Centre for Integrated Post-Schooling Education and Training (NMU) (2013-2017). Researched and coordinated curriculum innovation projects for vocational education and training programs. Lecturer, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, NMU (2016). Taught courses on social and environmental issues and labour studies.

Research Interests 🔍

Dr. Sibiya’s research interests include technical and vocational education and training (TVET), skills development, education policy, labour markets, and the socio-economic impact of education in developing countries. His work focuses on the intersection of education and industrial development, aiming to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of TVET programs in South Africa and beyond.

Awards 🏆

Named one of Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans in 2019 in the Education and Training category. Appointed to several leadership and advisory roles, including serving on the research steering committee for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and as General Secretary of the South African Youth Council (SAYC).

Publications 📚

Building Transformative Pedagogy in Vocational Education (2014)

The TVET sector and economic rebound implications in the world of work (2021)

The contribution of Technical and Vocational Education and Training formal programmes to inclusive company growth and transformation: a case study of the automotive …

Challenges regarding TVET training programs in the SA automotive industry