Mohamed Dammak | Cell Structure Analysis | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Mohamed Dammak | Cell Structure Analysis | Best Academic Researcher Award

Faculty of Sciences of Sfax | Tunisia

Professor Mohamed Dammak is a distinguished researcher in the field of chemistry, recognized for his significant contributions to materials science, solid-state chemistry, and nanomaterials. His research primarily focuses on the synthesis, structural characterization, and optical properties of functional materials, including luminescent phosphors, glass ceramics, and doped oxide systems. He has extensively investigated rare-earth-doped materials for photonic and optoelectronic applications, contributing valuable insights into energy transfer mechanisms and material stability under various conditions. Professor Dammak’s scholarly output includes numerous publications in high-impact journals indexed in SCI and Scopus, reflecting his consistent pursuit of scientific excellence. With over 1,100 citations and an h-index of 17, his work has had a measurable influence on contemporary research in materials chemistry. He has also participated in national and international research collaborations, enhancing cross-disciplinary approaches to the development of advanced materials with optical and structural functionalities. Through his academic leadership and commitment to innovation, Professor Dammak continues to advance the understanding and application of inorganic and functional materials, bridging the gap between fundamental research and technological development in the field of chemistry.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications:

Dammak, M.*, Abdelmoula, N., Cheikhrouhou-Koubaa, W., & Cheikhrouhou, A. (2021). Short-range magnetic behavior in manganites La₀.₉₃K₀.₀₇Mn₁₋ₓCuₓO₃ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.09) above the Curie temperature. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 54(32), 325002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/ac015c

 

Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe | Cell Structure Analysis | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe | Cell Structure Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe | Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute | Nigeria

Engr. Dr. Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe is a seasoned Senior Research Officer at the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Nigeria. With over nine years of progressive research experience, he specializes in food processing, postharvest technology, and agricultural nanotechnology. He is a trailblazer in developing electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices aimed at extending the shelf-life of fruits such as bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes. His research integrates innovative preservation technologies to enhance food quality and sustainability. A COREN-certified engineer and postgraduate fellow, Dr. Gbabe has collaborated internationally, notably with the Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology in India. With extensive publications and conference contributions, he is an advocate of research-driven food security and sustainable packaging. He brings a multidisciplinary edge to the evolving field of agricultural innovation, focusing on reducing postharvest losses and increasing storage efficiency in sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Innovative Research in Agricultural Nanotechnology

    • Pioneered the development of electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices for fruit shelf-life extension — an emerging and impactful technology in food preservation.

  2. Strong Publication Record 

    • Over a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers published across international and national platforms with DOIs, indicating high-quality scholarly contribution.

  3. Hands-On International Collaboration 

    • Completed a research internship at TNAU, India, and collaborated with renowned global experts like Prof. K.S. Subramanian in nanoscience.

  4. Multi-disciplinary Skills 

    • Expertise in advanced instrumentation (FTIR, GC-MS, SEM, TEM) and statistical tools (R, SPSS) shows broad technical competence.

  5. Real-world Application & Societal Impact 

    • Focuses on postharvest technologies to reduce food losses, enhance food safety, and support smallholder farmers and artisans.

  6. Leadership and Mentorship

    • Supervises junior staff, fabricators, and trainees, and contributes to capacity building through training workshops.

  7. Recognized Academic Achievement 

    • Recipient of the Benue State University Postgraduate Fellowship (2020–2025).

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Technology Commercialization and Patenting

    • While research output is strong, translating research into commercial products or patents could increase impact.

  2. Broader International Visibility

    • Participation in more international consortia or grants (e.g., EU Horizon, USAID, FAO) could elevate the global footprint.

  3. Expanded Multidisciplinary Outreach

    • Could integrate more with biotech and AI in agri-research, especially in smart packaging and AI-driven postharvest solutions.

Education:

Dr. Gbabe is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Food Processing and Technology at Benue State University, Makurdi (2020–2025), with a research focus on developing electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices for fruit preservation. He holds a Master of Engineering in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (2017–2019), where his thesis explored eco-building materials using rice husk and sawdust. His undergraduate and professional training background is further enhanced by a Certificate in Computer Appreciation (2010), an internship at the Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology, TNAU, India (2023), and registration with COREN (2024). Dr. Gbabe is also a member of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE-M2207), demonstrating a strong foundation in both academic knowledge and regulatory standards in engineering and food technology. His educational pursuits reflect a consistent drive toward sustainability, innovation, and technological adaptation in agricultural systems.

Experience:

Dr. Gbabe serves as a Senior Research Officer at NSPRI since 2016, where he leads projects on postharvest technology, storage engineering, and food shelf-life enhancement. His duties span experimental design, research data analysis, technical report writing, equipment fabrication supervision, and stakeholder training. He has been instrumental in developing novel postharvest technologies and electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices for fruit preservation. In 2023, he completed a research internship at the Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology, TNAU, India, gaining hands-on experience in nanotoxicity, food nanotechnology, and biosafety. Dr. Gbabe is known for his interdisciplinary collaboration, capacity-building initiatives, and extensive field and lab-based research. He also coordinates training programs for artisans, farmers, and students. His rich professional journey is marked by impactful project execution, community-focused technology dissemination, and consistent contributions to national and international research publications.

Research Focus:

Dr. Gbabe’s research is centered on postharvest loss reduction, sustainable food preservation, and agricultural nanotechnology. He is pioneering the use of electrospun hexanal nanofiber matrices to extend the shelf-life of perishable fruits like bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes—a major advancement in food storage technology. His work addresses the chemical and biological challenges in postharvest handling, integrating advanced techniques such as FTIR, GC-MS, SEM, and TEM to monitor quality and degradation. He is also exploring green materials for packaging and eco-friendly building solutions using agricultural waste like rice husks and sawdust. His international collaboration with TNAU, India, expanded his research in nanotoxicity and food safety. With a focus on experimental design, interdisciplinary innovation, and practical application, Dr. Gbabe contributes to the development of scalable, cost-effective technologies tailored for African agricultural ecosystems. His goal is to enhance food security through intelligent preservation methods and sustainable postharvest engineering.

Publication Top Notes:

  1.  Effect of Hexanal Nano-fiber Matrix on Quality Parameters of Tomato Fruits during Storage

  2.  Development of Novel Hexanal Nano-fibre Matrix by Electrospinning for Shelf-life Extension of Mango Fruits

  3.  Implication of Different Storage Techniques on Physical Attributes of African Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

  4.  Maize Grains Milling Efficiency: A Performance Analysis of a Hammer Mill

  5.  Insecticidal and Toxicity Studies of Heliotropium Indicum Leaf Extracts for Stored Grain Pest Control

  6.  Commercial Utilization of Inert Atmosphere Silo for Maize Storage

  7.  Chemical and Physico-chemical Properties of OFSP Chips Dried Using Solar Dryers

  8.  Evaluation of the Use of Rice Husk in Producing Eco-Building Materials

  9.  Pros and Cons of AI Thermal Imaging in Postharvest Handling of Agricultural Products

  10.  Development of Hexanal Electrospun Nano-fiber Matrix for Banana Preservation

Conclusion:

Engr. Dr. Kwaghgba Elijah Gbabe is an exemplary researcher who combines scientific rigor, technological innovation, and practical application in the field of food systems and agricultural engineering. His pioneering work in nanotechnology, coupled with his leadership in postharvest technology, makes him exceptionally deserving of the Best Researcher Award.

Nisha Agrawal | Cell Structure Analysis | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Nisha Agrawal | Cell Structure Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Nisha Agrawal, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), India

Dr. Nisha Agrawal is a seasoned HPC (High-Performance Computing) specialist and currently serves as Scientist E at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune. With over 20 years of expertise, she specializes in GPGPU computing, parallel programming, and the optimization of scientific applications on heterogeneous supercomputers. A NVIDIA-Certified Mentor, she is a recognized leader in GPU-accelerated simulation and a frequent mentor at OpenHackathons worldwide. She is an accomplished speaker with 30+ invited talks at IITs, IISERs, and major scientific forums. Her portfolio includes numerous peer-reviewed publications and the Best Paper Award at IEEE TEMSMET 2021. Dr. Agrawal’s deep commitment to scientific research, HPC education, and her passion for innovation in parallel computing make her a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Domain Expertise (20+ Years)
    Dr. Agrawal has over two decades of hands-on experience in High-Performance Computing (HPC), which showcases both her technical maturity and consistency in research.

  2. Specialized Skill Set in GPGPU & Scientific Computing
    She is highly proficient in CUDA, OpenACC, MPI, OpenMP, and has successfully ported and optimized complex applications like DFT, NAMD, ANUGA, and WRF on heterogeneous (CPU+GPU) systems.

  3. Mentorship and Knowledge Dissemination
    As an NVIDIA-Certified Mentor and participant in OpenHackathons, she contributes not only as a researcher but also as a mentor and educator, spreading HPC knowledge to broader communities.

  4. Recognized Publications & Awards
    With 12+ peer-reviewed papers, including a Best Paper Award at IEEE TEMSMET-2021, she has established a credible presence in the international research community.

  5. Invited Speaker & Thought Leader
    Having delivered 30+ invited talks at premier institutions (IITs, IISERs), her influence in promoting HPC education and innovation is notable.

  6. Cross-Disciplinary Impact
    Her research spans multiple domains such as molecular dynamics, weather modeling, and flood simulation, indicating interdisciplinary relevance and applicability.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader International Collaboration
    While her national contributions are significant, increased participation in international research collaborations or joint projects could amplify her global academic impact.

  2. Patents and Industry Innovation
    Though she has notable research publications, contributions in the form of patents, industry tech transfer, or commercialization could further strengthen her applied research portfolio.

  3. Exploration of AI-HPC Synergies
    Given the growing overlap between AI/ML and HPC, engaging in hybrid research areas could help future-proof her work and widen its application.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Nisha Agrawal holds a Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Computer and Information Technology from S.P. Pune University (2016–2018), where she graduated with an Outstanding grade. Her foundational technical background stems from a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Information Technology from the University of Rajasthan, completed in 2005. Her academic journey is marked by both excellence and consistency, having also cleared the GATE 2005 with an impressive All India Rank of 695 in IT. Throughout her education, she has built a robust foundation in programming, system architecture, and computational modeling, which became pivotal in shaping her research interests in HPC, GPU programming, and scientific computing. Her transition from academia to research has been marked by a clear focus on applying theory to practical, high-impact computational problems.

💼 Professional Experience:

Dr. Agrawal has been with C-DAC Pune since May 2005, rising through the ranks to her current role as Scientist E. Over the years, she has led and contributed to critical national-level HPC projects, focusing on the GPU acceleration of computational simulations like DFT, Molecular Dynamics (MD), ANUGA, and WRF. She actively mentors participants at NVIDIA/OpenACC Hackathons, fostering GPU adoption across disciplines. Her projects typically involve complex parallel and distributed programming tasks, using CUDA, OpenACC, OpenMP, and MPI. She also plays a strategic role in tuning applications for GPU+CPU clusters, especially on Ampere GPU architecture. Her professional growth has been characterized by her ability to bridge cutting-edge theory with real-world computational applications in science and engineering domains.

🏆 Awards & Honors:

Dr. Nisha Agrawal’s research and mentoring excellence have been acknowledged through numerous accolades. She won the Best Paper Award at IEEE TEMSMET 2021, recognizing her pioneering work in GPU-based parallel computing. As a NVIDIA/OpenACC Certified HPC Mentor (2023), she contributes significantly to India’s HPC knowledge ecosystem. In 2017, she received the ACM Scholarship to attend the prestigious Grace Hopper Celebration India (GHCI), a testament to her commitment to women in technology. Earlier, she was conferred the GARGI Puraskar by the Government of Rajasthan in 1999 for academic excellence. Her qualifying performance in GATE 2005 (AIR 695) further highlighted her strong academic and analytical foundation. These honors collectively reflect a career marked by consistency, innovation, and community impact in the field of high-performance and scientific computing.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Agrawal’s research revolves around the acceleration and optimization of scientific applications using GPU-centric architectures. Her core domains include molecular dynamics, weather forecasting, and flood modeling, where she leverages tools such as CUDA, OpenACC, OpenCL, and MPI to port and tune code for parallel execution on HPC clusters. A key area of her focus lies in the performance analysis of simulation software across different hardware platforms like NVIDIA GPUs and Intel Xeon processors. Through her work on multi-GPU scaling, memory bandwidth analysis, and hardware counters, she has contributed to making scientific simulations more efficient and scalable. Her interdisciplinary collaborations enable domain scientists to harness the power of heterogeneous computing architectures for complex simulations. As an educator and mentor, she also drives HPC awareness, especially in academic and R&D circles, reinforcing her dual mission of innovation and education.

📚 Publication Top Notes:

  1. 🧪 Experience with Adapting to a Software Framework for a Use-Case in Computational Science – Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing, May 2025

  2. 🚀 GPU Implementation and Performance Evaluation of AMDKIIT for DFT – SupercomputingAsia (SCA), Mar 2025

  3. 📊 Hardware Counter Based Performance Analysis of ANUGA – IC3 (ACM), Sep 2023

  4. 🌩 Scalability Analysis of WRF on NVIDIA Ampere – IC3SIS, Dec 2022

  5. 🔬 NAMD Simulation on Dense GPU Supercomputer – ICTCS (Springer), Oct 2022

  6. 🖥 Highly Portable C++ Simulator with Dual Parallelism – IEEE, Aug 2022

  7. 🏆 Single Instruction Stream for Massively Parallel Ops – Best Paper, IEEE TEMSMET, May 2022

  8. 💡 Multi-GPU MD Simulation on Ampere Infrastructure – Springer LNNS, Aug 2021

  9. 📈 Performance Analysis of ANUGA on Modern Architectures – IC3 (ACM), Aug 2021

  10. ⚙️ Memory Bandwidth Analysis: Xeon Phi vs Xeon – Women in HPC at ISC, Jun 2017

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Nisha Agrawal is an exceptionally qualified and highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her robust combination of long-term experience, technical depth in GPU-based parallel computing, impactful publications, active mentoring, and commitment to HPC education position her as a leader in the field. While expanding global collaborations and venturing into AI-HPC convergence could further enhance her profile, her existing contributions already make a strong and compelling case for recognition.