Dr. Adina Aniculaesei | Technology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Adina Aniculaesei , Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.

Adina Aniculăesei is a passionate researcher and expert in automated safety‑critical systems, currently based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Born in Iași, Romania, she has dedicated her career to making autonomous vehicles and mobile robots safer, focusing on verification, formal methods, and runtime validation. Through years of multidisciplinary research and teaching, she has shaped the future of software engineering for intelligent transportation and collaborative robotics. Her deep knowledge of formal verification and system modeling has positioned her as a leading voice in the realm of dependable and trustworthy autonomous platforms, making significant impacts in both academia and industry.

🎓 Education Background

Adina earned her Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) in Computer Science from the Clausthal University of Technology, Germany, in 2024, graduating magna cum laude. She holds an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the Technical University of Braunschweig (2011) and a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Romania (2007). An Erasmus–Socrates scholar, she enriched her studies with a year at the Technical University of Braunschweig. Her rigorous training combined formal methods, software engineering, and automated test case generation, making her adept at tackling complex, safety‑critical domains.

💼 Professional Experience

Adina Aniculăesei has worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology (since October 2024), focusing on translating formal behavioral specifications into ROS2 nodes for collaborative robot applications. Previously, she served as a Doctoral Researcher and Research Assistant at TU Clausthal, leading industry collaborations, teaching, and mentoring students. Her experience includes roles across software and systems engineering, with a strong focus on safety, formal verification, and automated test generation for automotive and robotics domains, making her a sought‑after expert and educator in the field.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Throughout her academic journey, Adina Aniculăesei has been recognized for excellence and dedication. She received the Siemens Master Program Scholarship (2007–2009) and the Erasmus–Socrates Scholarship (2005–2006). Her doctoral studies earned her the magna cum laude distinction upon defending her Ph.D. thesis at Clausthal University of Technology in 2024. Additionally, she holds technical certifications including ISAQB Certified Professional for Software Architecture and ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level, highlighting her commitment to mastering both theoretical and practical elements of her field.

🔍 Research Focus

Adina Aniculăesei’s research centers on formal verification, automated test generation, and runtime monitoring for automated safety‑critical and collaborative multi‑agent systems. She explores methods for specifying, verifying, and validating complex operational design domains (ODDs) for autonomous vehicles and mobile robots. Her expertise includes formal methods (SPIN, NuSMV, PRISM), test case generation, model checking, and AI‑based environment perception, making her work pivotal in shaping next‑generation transportation and robotics technologies.

✅ Conclusion

With a profound background in formal methods, automated test generation, and verification of safety‑critical systems, Adina Aniculăesei has established herself as an influential expert in both academia and industry. Her dedication to mentoring students, publishing impactful research, and collaborating with international institutions has positioned her as a thought leader in software engineering for dependable, trustworthy, and safe autonomous technologies.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Towards a holistic software systems engineering approach for dependable autonomous systems – Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Software Engineering for AI (2018). Cited by 70

Towards the verification of safety‑critical autonomous systems in dynamic environments – arXiv preprint (2016). Cited by 42

Automated generation of requirements‑based test cases for an adaptive cruise control system – IEEE Workshop on Validation, Analysis and Evolution of Software Tests (2018). Cited by 24

UML‑based analysis of power consumption for real‑time embedded systems – IEEE 10th International Conference on Trust, Security and Privacy in Computing and Communications (2011). Cited by 24

Graceful degradation of decision and control responsibility for autonomous systems based on dependability cages – 5th International Symposium on Future Active Safety Technology Toward Zero Accidents (2019). Cited by 14

Dr. Zhizhen Chen | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer, University of Greenwich, United Kingdom

🎓 Dr. Zhizhen Chen is a dedicated academic professional serving as a Senior Lecturer in Finance at the University of Greenwich since 2017. With a rich background in finance and economics, Dr. Chen brings extensive experience from both academia and industry. His research interests encompass financial markets, risk management, and financial engineering, contributing significantly to several top-tier finance journals. Dr. Chen is also an active peer reviewer and passionate educator, sharing his expertise through innovative courses like Fintech Banking and Financial Engineering and Machine Learning. 🌍📊

Publication Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

Research Excellence: Dr. Chen has a strong publication record, with multiple articles published in high-impact journals such as “Journal of International Money and Finance” and “Research in International Business and Finance,” both rated 4* in SJR. This demonstrates his capability in producing high-quality research in the field of finance.
Peer Review Activities: He has been a peer reviewer for several prestigious journals since 2016, which showcases his recognition in the academic community and his commitment to advancing knowledge in finance.
Academic and Professional Credentials: Dr. Chen holds a PhD in Finance, is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and has passed CFA Level 1. This combination of academic qualifications and professional certification adds to his credibility and expertise in the field.
Diverse Teaching Portfolio: His teaching experience spans various finance and economics-related courses, demonstrating versatility and a solid understanding of different areas within the field.
Industry Experience: Dr. Chen’s experience as an Investment Analyst and his work with financial institutions provide him with practical insights, enhancing his academic work’s relevance and applicability.
Continuous Professional Development: His commitment to continuous learning and development is evident through his successful completion of the CFA Level 1 exam and his role in ongoing staff development activities.

Areas for Improvement:

Broader Research Impact: While Dr. Chen has a strong record in finance-specific publications, expanding his research impact across other interdisciplinary areas, such as sustainable finance or fintech, could further enhance his profile.
Leadership Roles in Research: Taking on more leadership roles in research projects or academic committees could strengthen his candidacy by demonstrating his influence beyond his individual contributions.
Grants and Funding: Securing research grants or funding is a notable achievement in academia that is not highlighted in the current profile. Pursuing funding opportunities could bolster his research credentials further.

Education

🎓 Dr. Zhizhen Chen holds a PhD in Finance from the University of Glasgow (2018), demonstrating his strong foundation in financial research and education. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017), a testament to his commitment to teaching excellence, and he earned an MSc in Economics from the University of Wuhan (2012). 📚✨

Experience

🌟 Dr. Chen’s career spans roles as a Senior Lecturer in Finance at the University of Greenwich since 2017, where he excels in teaching and research. His prior experience includes serving as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant at the University of Glasgow, and an Investment Analyst at ICBC Wuhan. This blend of academic and industry roles has equipped him with a unique perspective on finance education. 💼💹

Research Focus

🔍 Dr. Chen’s research is focused on financial markets, risk management, securitization, and financial engineering. He actively contributes as a peer reviewer for prestigious journals, including the Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions & Money, and Finance Research Letters, ensuring rigorous academic standards in the field. 📑🔬

Awards and Honours

🏅 Dr. Chen was recognized as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2017, highlighting his dedication to teaching excellence. In addition, he passed the CFA Level 1 exam in 2020, demonstrating his commitment to continuous professional development in finance. 🎖️📈

Publication Top Notes

Lin, W., Yan, W., Chen, Z., Xiao, R. (2023). Research on product appearance patent spatial shape recognition for multi-image feature fusion. Multimedia Tools and Applications (SJR 3*).

Xiao, R., Li, G., Chen, Z. (2023). Research progress and prospect of evolutionary many-objective optimization. Control and Decision.

Chen, Z., Liu, H., Peng, J., Zhang, H., Zhou, M. (2022). Securitization and bank efficiency. In: Ferris, S.P., Kose, J., Makhija, A.K., (eds.) Empirical Research in Banking and Corporate Finance. Emerald Publishing Limited.

Conclusion:

Dr. Zhizhen Chen is a suitable candidate for the “Research for Best Researcher Award” due to his significant contributions to the field of finance through high-quality publications, peer-review activities, and professional development. While there is room for growth in interdisciplinary research and leadership roles, his current achievements and ongoing commitment to both academic and professional excellence make him a compelling contender for the award.

Zhizhen Chen | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award