Daniso Beswa | Technology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Daniso Beswa | Technology | Best Researcher Award

Senior lecturer, UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG, South Africa

Daniso Beswa is a distinguished senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. With a deep commitment to advancing food security and nutrition, Dr. Beswa brings a wealth of expertise in food technology and security to his role. 🌟

Publication Profile

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Research Contributions: Daniso Beswa has a robust portfolio of research in food science, particularly focusing on food security, indigenous food sources, and functional ingredients. His work on provitamin A-biofortified maize and the use of lesser-known local food sources highlights his commitment to addressing critical nutritional issues and advancing food science.
  2. High-Quality Publications: Beswa has a substantial number of peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, showcasing his research impact. His publications in respected journals such as Foods (Basel), Molecules, and the International Journal of Food Science reflect the quality and relevance of his work.
  3. Supervision and Mentoring: He has successfully supervised numerous postgraduate students, including PhD and MSc candidates. This demonstrates his role in fostering the next generation of researchers and his ability to guide and mentor emerging scientists.
  4. Community Engagement: Beswa’s involvement in community projects, such as the Gwakwani Extended Projects and teaching at local schools, indicates his commitment to applying his research in practical, community-centered contexts.
  5. Professional Development and Teaching: His ongoing professional development and extensive teaching experience in food science and technology further support his expertise and contribution to the field.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader Impact and Outreach: While Beswa’s research is focused and impactful, increasing outreach efforts and translating his findings into policy recommendations or broader public awareness could enhance the societal impact of his work.
  2. Grant Funding and Collaborations: Securing more substantial research grants and fostering international collaborations could elevate the scope and scale of his research projects, leading to potentially groundbreaking advancements in food technology and security.
  3. Diversification of Research Topics: Expanding research into new and emerging areas of food science, such as sustainable food systems or innovative food processing technologies, could further enhance his research profile.

Conclusion:

Daniso Beswa is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His extensive contributions to food science and technology, significant research output, successful supervision of postgraduate students, and community engagement underscore his exceptional qualifications. Addressing areas for improvement, such as expanding outreach and securing more research funding, could further enhance his already impressive impact in the field.

 

Education:

Dr. Beswa earned his PhD in Food Security from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where his research centered on provitamin A-biofortified maize and its role in combating vitamin A deficiency. He also holds a Master’s in Food Technology from the University of Johannesburg, focusing on innovative uses of composite flours in breadmaking. 🎓

Experience:

As a senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Beswa has conducted significant research into indigenous and lesser-known food sources as functional food ingredients. His work aims to enhance food security and nutritional quality through practical applications and innovative solutions. 📚

Research Focus:

Dr. Beswa’s current research explores the potential of indigenous and less commonly used local food sources as functional ingredients, investigating their health benefits and applications in food technology. His past research has also delved into the use of biofortified maize and composite flours. 🔬

Awards:

Dr. Beswa has been recognized for his contributions to food security and technology, although specific awards are not listed, his work is highly regarded in the field for its impact on addressing global nutritional challenges. 🏆

Publications

  1. Effect of Cowpea and Pumpkin Powders on the Physicofunctional Properties, Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Consumer Acceptability of Soup
    International Journal of Food Science
    2024-01
  2. Effect of Common Cooking and Drying Methods on Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Corchorus olitorius Identified Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
    Molecules
    2022-12-19
  3. Cannabis sativa Cannabinoids as Functional Ingredients in Snack Foods—Historical and Developmental Aspects
    Plants
    2022-12-01
  4. Prospective Role of Indigenous Leafy Vegetables as Functional Food Ingredients
    Molecules
    2022-11-18
  5. Quantification of Oil Fractions of Deep-Fried Wheat Dough and Batter Enriched with Oat and Wheat Bran
    Journal of Food Quality

 

Minseok Ryu | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Minseok Ryu | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr Minseok Ryu, Arizona State University, United States

Dr. Minseok Ryu is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan and an M.S. and B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from KAIST. Dr. Ryu’s research spans advanced scientific computing, privacy-preserving federated learning, and power system resilience. He has held notable positions at Argonne and Los Alamos National Laboratories and has been recognized by the Department of Energy for his highlighted research. He is a member of prominent societies like INFORMS and IEEE. 🌟🧑‍🏫🔬

Publication profile

google scholar

Education 

Her hold a Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, completed in May 2020 🎓. Prior to this, I earned a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from KAIST in Daejeon, Korea, in February 2014 🚀. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in the same field at KAIST, which I completed in February 2012 ✈️. This extensive background has equipped me with a robust understanding of both industrial systems and aerospace technologies, paving the way for a dynamic and interdisciplinary career 🛠️🌍.

Honors & Awards

In 2024, I had the honor of being an Alliance Fellow with the Mayo Clinic and ASU Alliance for Health Care during their esteemed Faculty Summer Residency program. My research has consistently been recognized, including being highlighted by the Department of Energy’s Advanced Scientific Computing Research in both 2023 and 2022 🌟. My academic journey has been supported by several prestigious awards, such as the Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant from the University of Michigan in 2016 🎓 and multiple fellowships in 2015. Additionally, my early academic achievements include the National Science Foundation Student Award 🏆 and recognition from the Government of Korea for outstanding scholarship 🌍.

Employment 💼

He is currently an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University (since August 2023), after a tenure as a Postdoctoral Appointee at Argonne National Laboratory from 2020 to 2023.

Research focus

M. Ryu’s research spans privacy-preserving federated learning frameworks, including differential privacy and distributed control of optimal power flow in electric grids. They also contribute to distributionally robust optimization techniques for scheduling and staffing problems, particularly in healthcare and power systems. Their work emphasizes practical algorithms and frameworks (like APPFL) for enhancing privacy and efficiency in distributed systems. Additionally, they explore mitigating uncertain impacts of geomagnetic disturbances on electric grids. Overall, M. Ryu’s research integrates optimization, privacy, and robustness into practical applications across diverse domains. 📊🔒

Publication top notes

Data-Driven Distributionally Robust Appointment Scheduling over Wasserstein Balls

APPFL: Open-Source Software Framework for Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning

A Privacy-Preserving Distributed Control of Optimal Power Flow

An extended formulation of the convex recoloring problem on a tree

Nurse Staffing under Absenteeism: A Distributionally Robust Optimization Approach

Differentially private federated learning via inexact ADMM with multiple local updates

Mitigating the Impacts of Uncertain Geomagnetic Disturbances on Electric Grids: A Distributionally Robust Optimization Approach

Algorithms for Mitigating the Effect of Uncertain Geomagnetic Disturbances in Electric Grids

Development of an Engineering Education Framework for Aerodynamic Shape Optimization

Enabling End-to-End Secure Federated Learning in Biomedical Research on Heterogeneous Computing Environments with APPFLx

 

 

Peng Jiap | Mechanical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Peng Jiap | Mechanical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Peng Jiap, Zhejiang University, China

Dr. Jiao Peng 🎓, male, is an assistant researcher with a Ph.D. in engineering from Zhejiang University (2021), mentored by Professor Chen Zhiping. He holds a bachelor’s degree from East China University of Science and Technology (2015). Specializing in the strength and stability of thin-walled structures and pressure-bearing equipment 💡, Dr. Peng has been involved in multiple high-profile research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. With over 20 publications, including 8 SCI papers as the first or corresponding author 📝, he has also applied for 3 national invention patents 📜.

 

Publication profile

Google Scholar

Education and Background

Jiao Peng, a male assistant researcher, achieved a postgraduate degree and holds a Ph.D. in engineering. He graduated from East China University of Science and Technology in June 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Subsequently, he earned his doctorate from Zhejiang University in September 2021, under the supervision of Professor Chen Zhiping.

 

Research Focus

Jiao Peng’s research primarily revolves around the buckling behavior and structural stability of thin-walled cylindrical shells and plates 🛠️. His work delves into various aspects such as localized axial compression loads, initial imperfection sensitivity, and the effects of geometric defects under non-uniform in-plane compression. Peng’s studies not only contribute significantly to understanding the mechanics of these structures but also advance methodologies in experimental and numerical analyses. His expertise extends to incorporating functionally graded materials and composite structures in enhancing structural performance, crucial for applications in pressure vessels, cylindrical shells, and related engineering domains 📊.

Alicia Prithiraj | Material-life Science Award | Women Researcher Award

Mrs. Alicia Prithiraj | Material-life Science Award | Women Researcher Award

Mrs. Alicia Prithiraj, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Alicia Prithiraj is a seasoned Senior Reliability Engineer and PhD candidate with expertise in chemical engineering, particularly in reliability engineering, data analysis, and risk management. 🛠️ With a background in materials science and environmental engineering, she has made significant contributions to industry, notably in combating biofilm-related corrosion. Alicia’s dedication to solving complex industry challenges is evident in her extensive research, academic publications, and presentations at global conferences. 🌐 Her dynamic approach, coupled with hands-on experience at Sasol Chemicals, reflects her commitment to driving innovation and efficiency in plant operations. 🌱🔬

 

Publication Profile

Education

Alicia Prithiraj’s educational journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and expertise in chemical engineering. 📚 Starting from her secondary education at Hoerskool Secunda, where she excelled academically while actively participating in extramural activities like tennis and science expos. She further honed her skills at Vaal University of Technology, completing a Chemical Engineering Diploma with in-service training. 🎓 Subsequently, she earned a Bachelor’s in Technology and a Master’s degree, graduating with distinction, focusing on materials science, water systems, and microbial corrosion. Currently, she is on the cusp of completing her PhD at the University of Pretoria, specializing in industrial water systems and biofilm-related corrosion. 🌱🔬

 

Professional Experience

Alicia Prithiraj served as a dedicated Reliability Engineer, demonstrating exceptional proficiency and leadership. 🏭 Her responsibilities encompassed a wide array of critical tasks, including the use of monitoring tools to devise effective strategies, managing spares studies, and preparing comprehensive monthly reports on reliability engineering. 📊 Alicia’s expertise extended to asset management, risk-based inspections, and root cause failure analysis, contributing significantly to enhancing plant reliability and operational efficiency. 💼 Additionally, her involvement in chemical engineering tasks, project management, and her groundbreaking PhD work showcases her multifaceted capabilities and commitment to excellence. 🌟

Research Focus

Alicia Prithiraj’s research focus primarily revolves around the intricate interplay between microbiology and materials science in industrial settings, particularly in the context of heat exchangers. 🔬 Her studies delve into multispecies colonization and surface erosion on industry-finished steel, such as A106 GB steel, shedding light on the corrosion mechanisms and metabolic effects of bacterial consortia commonly found in petrochemical processing plants. 🌱 Through her investigations, she aims to develop kinetic growth models, understand corrosion behaviors of various steel types, and propose mitigation strategies to combat biofouling and corrosion, ultimately contributing to the advancement of materials engineering in challenging environments. 🛠️