Mr. Ronald Ssembajwe | Climate | Young Researcher Award

Mr. Ronald Ssembajwe | Climate | Young Researcher Award

Mr. Ronald Ssembajwe, Makerere University and National Coffee Research Institute, Uganda

Ronald Ssembajwe is a climate scientist and technologist based in Uganda, specializing in applied meteorology, remote sensing, and climate-smart agriculture. He holds a Master of Science in Applied Meteorology and a Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology from Makerere University, Kampala. Ronald currently serves as a Research Officer at the National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI/NARO), where he contributes to multiple national and international research projects focused on sustainable coffee production, climate modeling, and pest and disease management. He has led work on the development of digital decision-support tools and mechanistic models for coffee farming under changing climatic conditions. Ronald is also the Co-founder and Director of Agape Innovations Limited, a firm driving climate-smart and tech-based innovations for agriculture. His extensive training includes advanced research methods, remote sensing, programming, and geospatial analysis from institutions across Africa and Europe. A recipient of several prestigious scholarships and grants including USAID, Erasmus+, and the EU Space Programme, Ronald is a member of multiple professional associations such as the Association of Applied Biologists (UK) and the Uganda Meteorological and Allied Professionals Association. His interdisciplinary expertise spans predictive modeling, climate data analysis, and community resilience, making him a key contributor to agricultural research and innovation in East Africa.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

SCOPUS

Summary of Suitability for the Research for Young Researcher Award: Ronald Ssembajwe

Research Focus and Innovation
Ronald Ssembajwe is a dynamic early-career researcher whose work is already making a substantial impact in the fields of applied meteorology, climate-smart agriculture, and bioclimatic modeling. Currently serving as a Research Officer at the National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI/NARO) in Uganda and pursuing his M.S. in Applied Meteorology at Makerere University, Ssembajwe has demonstrated deep commitment to integrating climate science with agricultural innovation, particularly for sustainable coffee production—a critical sector for Uganda’s economy.

🎓 Education

  • M.S. in Applied Meteorology (Makerere University, 2024)
    Thesis: Assessment of Climate-sensitive Crop Indices over various Phenological Stages for Robusta Coffee in Uganda

  • B.S. in Meteorology (Makerere University, 2017)
    Dissertation: Assessing the Urban-rural Climate Variability in Uganda, A Case Study of Mukono and Kampala

💼 Work Experience

🧪 Research Officer (Jan 2020 – Present)

National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI/NARO), Uganda

  • Climate modeling, pest/disease monitoring, and yield prediction

  • Leading various national/international coffee-based climate research projects

  • MSc student under USAID-IITA CSA Project

💡 Co-founder, Director & Lead Technovations (Feb 2018 – Present)

Agape Innovations Limited, Kampala, Uganda

  • Business strategy, partnership development, grant writing

🌦️ Research Volunteer (May 2017 – Nov 2019)

Uganda National Meteorological Authority

  • School outreach programs and weather training content creation

🏆 Achievements, Awards & Honors

  • 🎓 USAID MSc Scholarship (2021–2025)

  • 🌍 Erasmus+ Mobility Scholarships

    • Dimitrie Cantemir University, Romania (2023–2024)

    • University of Bucharest, Romania (March–April 2025)

  • 🛰️ RCMRD/GMES & Africa Research Grant (2023)

  • 🌌 KijaniSpace HORIZON-EUSPA Grant (2024–2027, EU Space Programme)

Publication Top Notes:

Dynamics and associations of selected agrometeorological variables in Robusta growing regions of Uganda

 

Dr. Mahboob Syed | Biosensors | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mahboob Syed | Biosensors | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mahboob Syed, Osmania University, India

Syed Mahboob is a distinguished physicist with a robust background in materials science. Born on July 25, 1978, in India, he holds a Ph.D. from Osmania University, where he specialized in relaxor ferroelectric compounds. With over 64 published research papers, he has made significant contributions to the field, particularly in dielectric properties and impedance studies. His postdoctoral research in Taiwan and Japan has furthered his expertise in semiconductor integration and materials characterization. Syed is multilingual, fluent in English, Hindi, Telugu, and Urdu, and has collaborated with various national and international institutions, enriching the global scientific community.

Professional Profile

google scholar

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award:

Dr. Syed Mahboob is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award due to his extensive academic qualifications, research experience, and impressive publication record. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics, awarded in 2006 by Osmania University, with a specialization in computational physics. His strong foundation in both theoretical and experimental physics has allowed him to contribute significantly to the fields of ferroelectrics, semiconductor integration, and dielectric materials. His research work has spanned prestigious institutions globally, including postdoctoral positions at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and Hiroshima University, Japan. Throughout his research career, Dr. Mahboob has demonstrated expertise in advanced experimental techniques, including impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and ferroelectric testing systems, which are critical in material science and sensor development.

 🎓 Education

Syed Mahboob completed his Ph.D. in Physics at Osmania University, Hyderabad, in August 2006, focusing on relaxor ferroelectric materials under Prof. G. S. Kumar. His academic journey began with an M.Sc. in Physics with a specialization in Computational Physics, graduating with distinction in 2000. Prior to that, he earned a B.Sc. in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, achieving first division honors. His educational foundation has been instrumental in his extensive research career, enabling him to explore complex scientific phenomena and contribute to advancements in material sciences.

 💼 Experience

With a rich research experience spanning over two decades, Syed Mahboob has worked on multiple high-profile projects. He served as a Junior and Senior Research Fellow on projects funded by DST and DRDO, focusing on ferroelectric materials. His postdoctoral roles at National Taiwan University and Hiroshima University allowed him to delve into advanced ceramics and semiconductor research. Since 2009, he has dedicated himself to independent research, producing numerous publications that highlight his expertise in experimental techniques and materials characterization, including dielectric and impedance measurements.

 🏅 Awards and Honors

Syed Mahboob has received recognition for his contributions to the field of physics, particularly in the study of relaxor ferroelectrics. His Ph.D. research earned accolades for its innovative approach to material synthesis and characterization. His published papers have garnered citations and respect within the scientific community, further validating his expertise. He has been invited to speak at several international conferences, showcasing his research and insights into material properties. Syed continues to be a valuable asset to academic and research institutions, promoting advancements in physics.

  🌍 Research Focus

Syed Mahboob’s research primarily centers on relaxor ferroelectric materials and their applications in modern technology. His work investigates the dielectric properties and impedance behavior of various ceramic compounds, with a keen interest in lead-free materials. He employs advanced experimental techniques, including plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and scanning electron microscopy, to study material characteristics at the microstructural level. His ongoing research aims to contribute to sustainable technologies and the development of new materials that can enhance electronic devices’ efficiency and performance.

 📖 Publication Top Notes

Impedance and ac conductivity studies on Ba(Nd0.2Ti0.6Nb0.2)O3 ceramic prepared through conventional and microwave sintering route
  • Citations: 62
Electrical conduction in (Na0.125Bi0.125Ba0.65Ca0.1)(Nd0.065Ti0.87Nb0.065)O3 ceramic
  • Citations: 47
Dielectric behaviour of microwave sintered rare-earth doped BaTiO3 ceramics
  • Citations: 31
Impedance spectroscopy and conductivity studies on B site modified (Na0.5Bi0.5)(NdxTi1−2xNbx)O3 ceramics
  • Citations: 21
Dielectric Properties of BaTiO3 Based Lead Free Relaxor Prepared Through Conventional and Microwave Sintering
  • Citations: 20