Dr. Shaghaf Kaukab | Technology | Young Scientist Award

scientist, ICAR-CIPHET, India

Shaghaf Kaukab is a dedicated Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology (ICAR-CIPHET), Ludhiana, specializing in Agricultural Structure and Process Engineering. With over 11 years of combined experience in scientific research and academic exploration within the food engineering and technology platform, Shaghaf has made significant contributions to the domain of extrusion processing, storage technology, drying techniques, and functional food product development. His work emphasizes the application of AI, machine learning, and deep learning techniques in agriculture, leading to innovative solutions that improve post-harvest management and food processing.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

Research Contributions: Shaghaf Kaukab has made significant contributions to agricultural structure and process engineering, particularly in post-harvest technology. Her work on projects such as IoT-based monitoring systems and AI-enabled robotic harvesters demonstrates her innovative approach and alignment with modern agricultural challenges.
Academic Excellence: With a Ph.D. in Post Harvest Technology and multiple prestigious academic awards, she has a strong academic background. Her high CGPA scores and ICAR merit medals underscore her academic diligence.
Interdisciplinary Expertise: Shaghaf has expertise in various domains, including AI, machine learning, image processing, and food process engineering, making her research impactful and versatile.
Publications and Impact: She has published extensively in refereed journals and contributed to book chapters, highlighting her active involvement in advancing her field of research. The inclusion of her work in high-impact journals reflects her research’s quality and relevance.
Leadership and Collaboration: Shaghaf has demonstrated leadership by managing several projects, mentoring students, and coordinating training programs. Her collaborative efforts with organizations like CDAC and international exposure (e.g., Purdue University) enhance her profile.

Areas for Improvement

Broader Outreach: While Shaghaf has conducted training and outreach activities, expanding these efforts to reach a more diverse audience, including more international platforms, could enhance her influence and recognition.
Grant Acquisition: Although involved in several projects, focusing on securing more independent research grants could further validate her capabilities and drive her research agenda.
Networking and Professional Development: Increased participation in international conferences, workshops, and collaborations outside of India could further her exposure and contribute to professional growth.

🎓 Education

Shaghaf Kaukab earned his Ph.D. in Post-Harvest Technology from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, with a stellar CGPA of 9.1/10 in 2019. Prior to this, he completed his M.Tech. in Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology from IARI, New Delhi, with a CGPA of 8.97/10 in 2016. His academic journey has been marked by excellence, laying a strong foundation for his research and scientific endeavors.

💼 Experience

Currently, Shaghaf is a Scientist in Agricultural Structures & Process Engineering at ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana, where he has been instrumental in the development of technologies such as the stereo-depth based detection and localization module for apples. He has successfully led and contributed to several ongoing projects, including IoT-based modular systems for cold storage and AI-enabled robotic apple harvesters. His role extends to technical writing, project implementation, and collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

🔍 Research Focus

Shaghaf’s research interests lie in the application of new-age technologies like AI, machine learning, and deep learning in the post-harvest agriculture sector. He focuses on image processing techniques (such as Biospeckle, RGB, X-ray, Hyperspectral imaging) and the analysis of food properties (physical, thermal, mechanical, and micro-structural). His work in food process engineering aims to enhance the efficiency and quality of post-harvest processes.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Shaghaf Kaukab’s work has earned him recognition within the scientific community, including membership in prestigious organizations such as the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE) and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). He serves as a regular reviewer for scientific journals and has been an external examiner for graduate students at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Shaghaf has published numerous articles in refereed journals and contributed to book chapters and training manuals. His notable works include:

Improving Real-time Apple Fruit Detection: Depth and Multi-modal Information Fusions with Non-targeted Background Removal – Published in Ecological Informatics.

Chickpea Temperature Profile Development and its Implication under Microwave Treatment – Published in Biological Forum – An International Journal.

Osmotic Dehydration of Aloe-vera Gel Discs – Published in Journal of AgriSearch.

Engineering Properties, Processing, and Value Addition of Tamarind: A Review – Published in IJBSM.

Study of Engineering Properties of Selected Vegetable Seeds – Published in Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences.

Conclusion

Shaghaf Kaukab is a strong candidate for the Research for Young Scientist Award. Her innovative research, interdisciplinary expertise, and significant contributions to agricultural engineering, particularly in post-harvest technology, make her a standout. While expanding her outreach and securing more independent funding could strengthen her profile further, her accomplishments thus far demonstrate her potential as a leader in her field.

Dr. Obsa Gilo Wakuma | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Ass. Prof, Wallaga University, Ethiopia

Dr. Obsa Gilo Wakuma is a dedicated computer scientist specializing in deep learning and domain adaptation. With extensive experience in academia, he has contributed significantly to the field through his research and teaching. Dr. Obsa has held various positions at Wallaga University, Ethiopia, and currently serves as a research scholar at the Indian Institute of Technology Patna, India. His expertise spans multiple programming languages and database management systems, making him a versatile and valuable contributor to the field of computer science.

Profile

Strengths for the Award:

Extensive Research Background: Dr. Obsa Gilo has a robust academic background, culminating in a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus on deep learning approaches for efficient domain adaptation. His research in domain adaptation, particularly in sensor data and image classification, showcases his innovative contributions to the field.

Publications: Dr. Gilo has a significant number of publications in reputed journals and conference proceedings. Notable among them are:

“Kernel bures metric for domain adaptation in sensor data” in Expert System with Applications (2024)
“Subdomain adaptation via correlation alignment with entropy minimization for unsupervised domain adaptation” in Pattern Analysis and Applications (2024)
“Rdaot: Robust unsupervised deep sub-domain adaptation through optimal transport for image classification” in IEEE Access (2023)

Teaching and Mentoring: His employment history includes roles such as Lecturer and Graduate Assistant at Wallaga University, demonstrating his commitment to education and mentoring the next generation of scholars.

Skills and Competencies: Dr. Gilo possesses strong technical skills in various programming languages, databases, and web development technologies, along with proficiency in English, Afaan Oromoo, and Amharic. This multilingual ability enhances his capacity to engage with diverse communities.

Community Service: His experience includes academic research, teaching, training, consultation, and community service, reflecting a well-rounded professional dedicated to both academic and societal contributions.

Areas for Improvement:

Practical Community Impact: While Dr. Gilo has an impressive academic and research portfolio, there could be more emphasis on the practical application of his research directly benefiting local communities. Highlighting specific projects or initiatives where his work has directly impacted community development would strengthen his case.

Collaboration with Local Institutions: Greater collaboration with local institutions and involvement in projects addressing community-specific issues could further enhance his profile. Establishing partnerships with local universities, NGOs, or governmental bodies to implement his research findings in real-world settings would be beneficial.

Visibility and Outreach: Increasing the visibility of his work through public lectures, community workshops, or outreach programs can help in demonstrating the broader societal impact of his research. Engaging with the community through these platforms can showcase the practical benefits of his research.

Education: 🎓

Dr. Obsa Gilo Wakuma holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Patna, with a thesis on “Deep Learning Approaches for Efficient Domain Adaptation.” He earned his M.Sc. in Computer Science from Wallaga University, where he developed an Information Extraction Model for Afaan Oromo news texts. Dr. Obsa also holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Wallaga University and has a strong foundation from Sibu Sire Preparatory and High School.

Experience: 💼

Dr. Obsa’s professional journey includes roles such as Recorder and Laboratory Technician at Wallaga University. He progressed to become a Graduate Assistant, Lecturer, and finally a Research Scholar at IIT Patna. His career reflects a blend of administrative, technical, and academic responsibilities, showcasing his diverse skill set and commitment to the field.

Research Interests: 🔍

Dr. Obsa’s research interests lie in deep learning, domain adaptation, and unsupervised learning. He has focused on developing efficient methods for domain adaptation in sensor data and image classification, contributing to several high-impact publications. His work aims to enhance the applicability and robustness of machine learning models in diverse environments.

Awards: 🏆

Dr. Obsa has been recognized for his academic excellence and research contributions throughout his career. He has received accolades for his innovative work in domain adaptation and deep learning, highlighting his role as a prominent researcher in the field of computer science.

Publications

Unsupervised Sub-Domain Adaptation Using Optimal Transport. Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation, 94, 103857. Cited by: 1 article.
Kernel Bures Metric for Domain Adaptation in Sensor Data. Expert System with Applications, 255(Part C), 124725. Cited by: 1 article.
Subdomain Adaptation via Correlation Alignment with Entropy Minimization for Unsupervised Domain Adaptation. Pattern Analysis and Applications, 27(1), 13. Cited by: 1 article.
RDAOT: Robust Unsupervised Deep Sub-Domain Adaptation through Optimal Transport for Image Classification. IEEE Access. Cited by: 1 article.
Integration of Discriminate Features and Similarity Preserving for Unsupervised Domain Adaptation. In 2022 IEEE 19th India Council International Conference (INDICON), pp. 1–6. Cited by: 1 article.

Shaghaf Kaukab | Technology | Young Scientist Award