Muhammad Imam | FOG computing | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Muhammad Imam | FOG computing | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Muhammad Y. Imam is a distinguished Cybersecurity Leader and Consultant with over 20 years of experience in the fields of cybersecurity, cryptography, and blockchain. He has a proven track record of combining entrepreneurship with technical expertise, excelling in problem-solving and innovative solutions. Currently an Assistant Professor at KFUPM, Dr. Imam is committed to enhancing cybersecurity education and practice in the region. 🌐🔐

Publication Profile

ORCID

 

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Expertise in Cybersecurity: Dr. Imam has over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, with a strong background in areas such as cryptography, blockchain, and malware detection. This extensive knowledge positions him as a leader in the field.
  2. Innovative Research Contributions: His PhD research focused on botnet mitigation techniques, showcasing his ability to develop novel solutions for complex problems. This work is crucial in addressing emerging threats in cybersecurity.
  3. Academic and Administrative Leadership: As an Assistant Professor at KFUPM and former Director of the Business Incubator, Dr. Imam demonstrates strong leadership skills. He has been actively involved in various committees, contributing to policy-making and curriculum development.
  4. Impactful Publications: With a range of publications in reputable journals, including works on secure PIN-entry methods and malware classification, Dr. Imam has made significant contributions to academic literature in cybersecurity.
  5. Strong Network and Collaboration: His involvement with various organizations, such as ARAMCO and Saudi Airlines, highlights his ability to bridge academia and industry, fostering collaborations that enhance research impact.
  6. Commitment to Education: Dr. Imam’s experience in teaching, professional training, and mentoring underscores his dedication to educating the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Research Focus: While Dr. Imam has a strong background in cybersecurity, expanding his research to include emerging fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning in security applications could further enhance his profile.
  2. Enhanced Public Engagement: Increasing participation in public forums or conferences to share his research findings could amplify his impact and visibility within the global cybersecurity community.
  3. Collaboration with Diverse Disciplines: Engaging with researchers from different fields, such as sociology or behavioral science, could provide a more holistic approach to understanding cybersecurity issues, particularly in user behavior and security practices.
  4. Grant Acquisition: Actively pursuing more research grants and funding opportunities could help elevate his projects and provide resources for broader research initiatives.

Education

Dr. Imam earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, in 2013, focusing on cybersecurity, particularly in developing techniques for botnet mitigation. He also holds a Master’s degree from KFUPM, where he graduated in June 2004, and a Bachelor’s degree from the same institution, completed in May 2000. 🎓📚

Experience

Since September 2013, Dr. Imam has served as an Assistant Professor in the Computer Engineering Department at KFUPM, where he is involved in teaching, professional training, and research projects with industry partners. He previously directed the Business Incubator at KFUPM’s Entrepreneurship Institute, managing incubation and acceleration programs to support new startups. His leadership extends to various committees, including chairing the Cybersecurity Committee at KFUPM since January 2023. 👨‍🏫💼

Research Focus

Dr. Imam’s research interests are centered around cybersecurity, focusing on cryptography, network security, and malware detection. His innovative work includes developing advanced solutions for data privacy and risk management, addressing contemporary challenges in information security. 🔍💻

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Dr. Imam has been recognized for his contributions to cybersecurity education and practice, receiving accolades for his research and leadership in various academic and professional capacities. He has also been involved in multiple initiatives to improve cybersecurity awareness and education in Saudi Arabia and beyond. 🏅👏

Publications

F. Binbeshr, L. Y. Por, M. L. M. Kiah, A. A. Zaidan, and M. Imam, “Secure PIN-Entry Method Using One-Time PIN (OTP),” IEEE Access, vol. 11, pp. 18121-18133, 2023.

Al Mousa, M. Al Qomri, and M. Imam, “The Predicament of Privacy and Side-Channel Attacks,” International Journal of Development and Conflict, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 182–191, 2022.

L. Ghouti and M. Imam, “Malware Classification Using Compact Image Features and Multiclass Support Vector Machines,” IET Information Security, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 419–429, 2020.

M. Mahmoud, M. Nir, and A. Matrawy, “A Survey on Botnet Architectures, Detection and Defences,” International Journal of Network Security, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 272–289, 2015.

M. Mahmoud, S. Chiasson, and A. Matrawy, “Does Context Influence Responses to Firewall Warnings?,” 2012 eCrime Researchers Summit, Las Croabas, PR, USA, 2012, pp. 1-10.

Conclusion

Dr. Muhammad Y. Imam exemplifies the qualities of a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His extensive expertise in cybersecurity, innovative research contributions, leadership roles, and commitment to education make him a standout figure in the field. Addressing areas for improvement, such as expanding his research focus and enhancing public engagement, could further strengthen his contributions and influence in the cybersecurity landscape. Given these strengths and opportunities, Dr. Imam is well-positioned to receive recognition for his impactful work and leadership in the realm of cybersecurity.

Shaghaf Kaukab | Technology | Young Scientist Award

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Interdisciplinary Expertise: Shaghaf has expertise in various domains, including AI, machine learning, image processing, and food process engineering, making her research impactful and versatile.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Grant Acquisition: Although involved in several projects, focusing on securing more independent research grants could further validate her capabilities and drive her research agenda.
  3. 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.

 

Najmeh Zamani | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Najmeh Zamani | Engineering | Best Researcher Award 

Postdoc researcher, Concordia university, Canada

🌟 Najmeh Zamani (b. 29th July 1989) is a dedicated researcher in the field of electrical and computer engineering. She is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Concordia University, Canada, with a strong academic background from Isfahan University of Technology, Iran. Najmeh’s expertise spans control systems, nonlinear multi-agent systems, and deep learning applications. Married and proficient in both Persian and English, she is recognized for her significant contributions to her field.

 

Profile

Google Scholar

 

Education

🎓 Najmeh Zamani has an impressive academic record, starting with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Isfahan University (2007-2011), where she ranked 1st. She continued at the same university for her Master’s degree (2011-2014), ranking 3rd, and then pursued a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Isfahan University of Technology (2015-2021), achieving a GPA of 19/20. Her Ph.D. dissertation focused on the “Consensus of Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems with Time-Delays and Actuator Faults.” Najmeh also completed postdoctoral research at Concordia University, Canada, in 2023.

Experience

💼 Najmeh Zamani has a robust professional background, including roles as a researcher at Isfahan University of Technology, an R&D researcher at Control Farayand Pasargad Company, and an electronic designer at Sirco Company. Her experience spans industrial projects like COVID-19 pandemic prediction models and power electronic boost converter design. Najmeh has also served as a visiting professor and teaching assistant in various institutions, sharing her expertise in control systems and electronics.

Research Interests

🔬 Najmeh Zamani‘s research interests are diverse and cutting-edge. They include distributed control systems and multi-agent systems, adaptive control of nonlinear systems with time-delays and faults, fault estimation and control theory, and control of distributed applications like mobile sensors. She is also passionate about deep learning, probabilistic graphical models (PGM), data-driven control, reinforcement learning, and data analysis.

Awards

🏆 Najmeh Zamani has received several accolades throughout her academic journey. She was ranked 1st among all graduated students in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Isfahan University in 2011. She was also recognized as an outstanding B.Sc. and M.Sc. student from 2007 to 2014. Notably, she received admission offers for both her graduate and doctoral studies at Isfahan University of Technology without needing to take the National Entrance Exam for Graduate Schools.

Publications

N. Zamani, M. Ataei, M. Niroomand, “Analysis and Control of Chaotic Behavior in Boost Converter by Ramp Compensation Based on Lyapunov Exponents Assignment: Theoretical and Experimental Investigation”, Chaos, Solitons and Fractals, 2015, cited by 20 articles. Link.

N. Zamani, J. Askari, M. Kamali, A. Aghdam, “Distributed adaptive consensus tracking control for non-linear multi-agent systems with time-varying delays”, IET Control Theory & Applications, 2020, cited by 15 articles. Link.

H. Kalantari, M. Mojiri, S. Dubljevic, N. Zamani, “Fast l1-MPC Based on Sensitivity Analysis Strategy”, IET Control Theory & Applications, 2020, cited by 10 articles. Link.

N. Zamani, J. Askari, M. Kamali, H. Kalantari, A. Aghdam, “Adaptive Tracking Control for Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems with Stuck Failures and Unknown Control Directions”, Journal of the Franklin Institute, 2024. Link.

H. Kalantari, M. Mojiri, Najmeh Zamani, “Urban Traffic Control By Fast l1 Model Predictive Control Based on Sensitivity Analysis”, IET Control Theory & Applications, 2024. Link.