Prof. Dr. Lorena Barona López | Sensors | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Lorena Barona López, EPN, Ecuador

Lorena Isabel Barona López is a researcher and professor specializing in computer science and telecommunications, currently affiliated with the Escuela Politécnica Nacional in Quito, Ecuador. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, where she developed a situational awareness model for 5G mobile networks within the SELFNET architecture. Her academic background also includes a Master’s in Telematic Services and Networking Engineering from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic and Information Network Engineering from Escuela Politécnica Nacional. Dr. Barona’s research interests encompass 5G networks, software-defined networking (SDN), virtualization, and data analysis. She is an accredited Level 1 researcher by the Ecuadorian Secretariat for Higher Education, Science, and Technology and a member of various international research networks, including Ciencia Digital and Indra Digital Lab. With extensive teaching experience at both national and international universities, she has lectured in areas such as cybersecurity, network security, embedded systems, and system architecture. Dr. Barona also serves as the Executive Editor of the Ciencia Digital journal and has professional experience in systems administration and IT support. She is proficient in both Spanish and English and actively pursues professional development in artificial intelligence, machine learning, programming, and digital pedagogy.

Professional Profile:

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ORCID

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lorena Isabel Barona López is a distinguished academic and researcher in the fields of Computer Science, 5G networks, Data Analysis, Software-Defined Networks (SDN), and Virtualization. Her extensive research background, innovative contributions to next-generation networking technologies, and commitment to both education and scientific advancement make her an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

👩‍🎓 Education

🎓 Ph.D. in Computer Science
Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
(Nov 2013 – Sep 2017)
📘 Thesis: Modelo de Conciencia Situacional para el Análisis de Datos en Redes Móviles 5G
🔍 Research Areas: 5G, Data Analysis, SDN, Virtualization
🎓 Master’s in Telematic Services & Networking Engineering
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
(Sep 2012 – Jul 2013)
📘 Thesis: Propuesta de Escenarios Virtuales con la Herramienta VNX para Pruebas del Protocolo OpenFlow
🔍 Focus: OpenFlow, Networks, SDN, Virtualization
🎓 Bachelor’s in Electronic and Information Network Engineering
Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Ecuador
(Oct 2004 – Oct 2010)
📘 Project: IP-based Surveillance System for Condominiums in Ambato
🔍 Focus: IP, Networks

💼 Work & Teaching Experience

🧠 Researcher, GASS Group
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
(Nov 2013 – Jul 2017)
🧪 Focus on cybersecurity, 5G, and data analysis.
📝 Executive Editor, Ciencia Digital Journal
(Sep 2017 – Present)
👩‍🏫 Teaching Roles (2011–2025):
Courses in:
- Communication Systems, Embedded Systems, Cybersecurity 🔐
- Network Security, Software Engineering 💻
- Extended Databases, Operating Systems 🖥️
- MOOCs and online teaching platforms 🎓
📍 Institutions:
- Escuela Politécnica Nacional
- Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (Spain)
- Universidad Técnica de Ambato
- Universidad Metropolitana
- Universidad de las Américas
🖥️ System Administrator, COMDECSA
(May 2011 – Sep 2012)
🧪 Lab Assistant, Escuela Politécnica Nacional
(Sep 2009 – Aug 2010)

🏅 Achievements, Accreditations, and Honors

🥇 Aggregated Researcher Level 1, Ecuador’s Secretaría de Educación Superior, Ciencia y Tecnología (2018)
🌐 Member of:
- Ciencia Digital Network (2019)
- International Network Indra Digital Lab, Spain
📜 Extensive professional certifications in:
- AI & Machine Learning 🤖
- ICT in Education 💡
- Cloud Dashboards ☁️
- Programming (Python 🐍, Java ☕, R 📊)
- Educational tools and Moodle platforms 🎓
🎖️ Expert in Pedagogical Innovation: flipped classrooms, digital teaching tools, and virtual course design.

Publication Top Notes:

A Systematic Literature Review of Machine Unlearning Techniques in Neural Networks

Heterogeneity Challenges of Federated Learning for Future Wireless Communication Networks

A comparison of EMG-based hand gesture recognition systems based on supervised and reinforcement learning

Recognition of Hand Gestures Based on EMG Signals with Deep and Double-Deep Q-Networks

Hand Gesture and Arm Movement Recognition for Multimodal Control of a 3-DOF Helicopter

Hand Gesture Recognition Using EMG-IMU Signals and Deep Q-Networks

A Hand Gesture Recognition System Using EMG and Reinforcement Learning: A Q-Learning Approach

Assoc. Prof. Dr Ali Hassan Sodhro, Kristianstad University, SE-29188 Kristianstad, Sweden, Sweden

Ali Hassan Sodhro is an accomplished researcher with dual Swedish and Pakistani nationality, specializing in energy-efficient and battery-friendly algorithms for wireless body sensor networks, wireless sensor networks, physical layer authentication in IoT-5G, wearable devices, and smart healthcare applications. Currently a Senior Lecturer at Kristianstad University in Sweden, Ali has also served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in institutions across Sweden, France, and China, including Luleå University of Technology, Linköping University, and the University Lumiere Lyon 2. His research extends to cybersecurity, network security, cryptography, and domains such as AI, machine learning, and big data analytics. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Ali has supervised numerous bachelor’s and master’s theses and co-supervised Ph.D. students, contributing substantially to both academic research and grant proposals. His teaching experience spans Swedish institutions like Mid Sweden University and Gothenburg University, alongside earlier academic roles at Sukkur IBA University in Pakistan. Ali is actively involved in conferences, workshop organization, and launching special journal issues, with his work published across multiple prestigious platforms.

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award:

Ali Hassan Sodhro is a distinguished researcher with significant contributions to the fields of energy-efficient algorithms for wireless sensor networks, smart healthcare applications, and IoT-driven technologies, particularly within the domain of body sensor networks and wearable devices. With a strong interdisciplinary focus that spans AI, IoT, and cloud computing, his work aligns with many of the emerging challenges in technology and healthcare, areas critical for modern innovations and societal impact.

🎓 Education:

Ph.D. in Computer Applications Technology (2016)
University: Chinese Academy of Sciences, China 🇨🇳
Thesis: Energy-efficient Communication in Wireless Body Sensor Networks
M.Engg in Communication Systems and Networks (2010)
University: Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan 🇵🇰
Thesis: Security Issue/Authentication and Simulation of LEAP in WSN
B.Engg in Telecommunication Engineering (2008)
University: Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan 🇵🇰
Thesis: Wireless Sensor Networks, Simulation of Ad-Hoc Routing Protocols

💼 Professional Experience:

Senior Lecturer at Kristianstad University, Sweden 🇸🇪 (2021–Present)
Teaching, research, and supervision of student projects; actively engaged in scientific publishing and grant proposal writing.
Postdoctoral Fellow at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden 🇸🇪 (2020)
Contributed to supervision, teaching, and coordination of special journal issues and conferences.
Assistant Professor at Sukkur IBA University, Pakistan 🇵🇰 (2016–2017)
Supervised students, taught courses, and organized academic events.

🧠 Research Focus:

Ali Hassan Sodhro is a highly skilled researcher in Energy-efficient & Battery-friendly Algorithms ⚡ for Wireless Body Sensor Networks 💡, Wearable Devices ⌚, and IoT-5G 🔗. His expertise spans AI/ML 🤖, Cybersecurity 🔒, Network Security 🛡️, Big Data Analytics 📊, and Multimedia Transmission 🎥, with an emphasis on Smart Healthcare 🏥 and Physical Layer Authentication in IoT networks.

Publication top Notes:

Artificial intelligence-driven mechanism for edge computing-based industrial applications

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