Assist. Prof. Dr. Shuja Ansari | Virtual Power Plants | Best Sensor for Energy Management Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Shuja Ansari | Virtual Power Plants | Best Sensor for Energy Management Award 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Shuja Ansari, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

Dr. Shuja S. Ansari is a Chartered Engineer and accomplished academic based at the University of Glasgow, UK, currently serving as Lecturer in Autonomous Systems and Connectivity at the James Watt School of Engineering. With over a decade of research and professional experience, Dr. Ansari has played leading roles in high-impact projects exceeding £30 million in value, directly securing over £5 million in competitive funding since 2020. He has authored over 70 research papers, co-edited two books on beyond-5G networks, and holds two patents resulting from innovative RFID-based asset management work. His research spans 5G/6G wireless systems, IoT, electromagnetic warfare, and AI-driven network solutions. He serves as the Glasgow Lead and Principal Investigator for the UK Electromagnetic Environment Hub (EME), collaborating with the UK Ministry of Defence, and has contributed to the development of the UK’s first 5G USB-C modem and 3D video calling technologies. A Senior Member of IEEE and Fellow of the Royal Economic Society of Technology, Dr. Ansari’s academic leadership includes supervising Ph.D. students, contributing to national-level O-RAN testbeds, and pioneering cross-sector collaborations in wireless and intelligent systems.

Professional Profile:

SCOPUS

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Summary of Suitability for the Best Sensor for Energy Management Award:

Dr. Shuja S. Ansari is a highly accomplished Chartered Engineer and academic researcher whose contributions to wireless systems, RFID-based asset management, and IoT-based infrastructure uniquely position him as an exceptional candidate for the Best Sensor for Energy Management Award. His interdisciplinary expertise spans telecommunications, power electronics, electromagnetic compatibility, and sensor-driven system optimization—core areas relevant to next-generation energy management technologies.

🎓 Education

  • 📍 Ph.D. in Engineering
    Glasgow Caledonian University, UK (Sep 2015 – Jan 2019)
    Scholarship recipient

  • 📍 M.Sc. in Telecommunications Engineering
    Glasgow Caledonian University, UK (Jan 2014 – Jun 2015)
    Graduated with Distinction

  • 📍 B.Sc. (Hons) in Electrical (Telecoms) Engineering
    COMSATS University, Pakistan (Sep 2009 – Jun 2013)

💼 Work Experience

🏛️ University of Glasgow

  • Lecturer / Assistant Professor in Autonomous Systems and Connectivity (Jan 2022 – Present)

    • 📡 Lead Investigator for UK Electromagnetic Environment Hub (Dstl/MoD)

    • 📶 Co-Investigator for multiple 5G/IoT and Open RAN projects

    • 🧠 Supervised 15+ PhD students and participated in 13 examinations

    • 👨‍🏫 Taught subjects like Power Electronics, mmWave Design, EMC

🔬 Postdoctoral Research Associate (Sep 2019 – Jan 2022)

  • 🛜 Led 5G/IoT use case development

  • 📡 Senior DevOps for 4G/5G, NB-IoT, LoRaWAN

  • 🧑‍💼 Industry liaison and spectrum coordinator

🏫 Glasgow Caledonian University (Feb 2019 – Jul 2019)

  • 📘 Associate Lecturer in Electrical and Wireless Communications

  • 💪 Contributed to Athena Swan Charter for inclusion in STEM

💻 Freelance Network Engineer (2015 – 2019)

  • 🔧 Led network infrastructure deployments and troubleshooting

🇵🇰 Internships – Jazz & Ufone (Pakistan)

  • 📶 RF Optimization, Drive Testing, Network Monitoring (2010–2013)

🏆 Achievements & Awards

  • 💷 Secured £5M+ in funding for R&D projects since 2020

  • 📚 Co-edited 2 books on Beyond 5G technologies

  • ✍️ Published 70+ research papers

  • 🔬 Led to 2 patents and spin-off company “RFIoT”

  • 📡 Developed UK’s first 5G USB-C modem

  • 🏁 Hosted UK’s first Summer School on Electromagnetic Warfare

  • 📽️ Delivered UK’s first 3D video call over 5G

  • 🛠️ Inventor of CoMP algorithms for Open RAN fronthaul enhancement

Publication Top Notes:

Next-Generation IoT: Harnessing AI for Enhanced Localization and Energy Harvesting in Backscatter Communications

RIS-Enabled Secret Key Generation for Secured Vehicular Communication in the Presence of Denial-of-Service Attacks

An Overview of Emergency Communication Networks

Crowd Control, Planning, and Prediction Using Sentiment Analysis: An Alert System for City Authorities

Towards the Digital Twin (DT) of Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NBIoT) Wireless Communication in Industrial Indoor Environment

Coverage Extension for the UK Smart Meter Implementation Programme Using Mesh Connectivity

Capacity Optimization of Next-Generation UAV Communication Involving Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fei Zhang | Digital Highways Awards | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fei Zhang | Digital Highways Awards | Best Researcher Award 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fei Zhang, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, China

Dr. Fei Zhang is an Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at the Inner Mongolia University of Technology, China. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (2010–2014), Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering (2014–2017), and Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics (2017–2021) from the same university. His research is focused on the viscoelastic behavior of asphalt and asphalt mixtures, with particular interest in the incorporation of solid waste materials for sustainable pavement engineering. Dr. Zhang has led and participated in several national and regional research projects, including grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals such as Materials, Polymers, and Construction and Building Materials. In recognition of his scientific contributions, he was honored with the Second Prize of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Science and Technology Progress Award. Dr. Zhang also serves as a Youth Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Jilin Jianzhu University.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award: Fei Zhang

Dr. Fei Zhang, Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at Inner Mongolia University of Technology, has demonstrated a strong and consistent research trajectory in the field of asphalt rheology and pavement engineering, with a specific focus on the viscoelastic behavior of asphalt mixtures and the innovative reuse of solid waste materials such as rubber and steel slag for improved road safety and environmental sustainability.

🎓 Education

  • 📘 Bachelor of Civil Engineering
    Inner Mongolia University of Technology
    (2010.09 – 2014.07)

  • 🛣️ Master of Science in Transportation Engineering
    Inner Mongolia University of Technology
    (2014.09 – 2017.07)

  • 🧠 Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics
    Inner Mongolia University of Technology
    (2017.09 – 2021.07)

💼 Work Experience

  • 🧑‍🏫 Associate Professor & Master’s Supervisor
    Inner Mongolia University of Technology

  • 📝 Youth Editorial Board Member
    Journal of Jilin Jianzhu University

🧪 Research Focus

  • 🔁 Viscoelastic theory of asphalt and asphalt mixtures

  • ♻️ Application of solid waste materials in pavement engineering

🏆 Achievements & Projects

  • 💼 Principal Investigator of several prestigious research projects:

    • NSFC Projects (2) 🇨🇳

    • Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation 🏞️

    • Inner Mongolia Department of Education Research Program 🏫

    • IMUT High-Level Talent Research Startup Fund 💡

    • IMUT Scientific Research Program 🔬

  • 📚 Publications in leading journals:

    • Construction and Building Materials 🧱

    • Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures ⚙️

    • Polymers 🧬

    • Materials 🔍

  • 🖊️ Author of 8+ peer-reviewed papers

    • Example:

      • The Discrete and Continuous Retardation and Relaxation Spectrum Method…” – Materials, 2020

🥇 Awards & Honors

  • 🏅 Second PrizeScience and Technology Progress Award
    Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Publication Top Notes:

Effects of freeze-thaw cycles on fatigue performance of asphalt mixture and a fatigue-freeze-thaw damage evolution model

Cracking Resistance of Recycled Rubber Asphalt Binder Composed of Warm-Mix Additives

Performance evaluation of warm-mixed crumb rubber modified asphalt based on rheological characteristics

Predict the Phase Angle Master Curve and Study the Viscoelastic Properties of Warm Mix Crumb Rubber-Modified Asphalt Mixture

The Discrete and Continuous Retardation and Relaxation Spectrum Method for Viscoelastic Characterization of Warm Mix Crumb Rubber-Modified Asphalt Mixtures

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sachidhanandam Palanisamy | Smart Routing | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sachidhanandam Palanisamy | Smart Routing | Best Researcher Award 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sachidhanandam Palanisamy, Knowledge Institute of Technology, Salem

Dr. P. Sachidhanandam, M.E., Ph.D., MISTE, is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Information Technology at Knowledge Institute of Technology, Salem, India. He holds a Ph.D. in Wireless Sensor Networks from K.S.R. College of Engineering, Anna University (2018), an M.E. in Computer Science and Engineering from K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology (2008), and a B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering from the same institution under Periyar University (2004). With over 17 years of teaching experience, he has also contributed to research in Mobile Adhoc Networks and Data Structures for over six years. His expertise spans various subjects, including Computer Programming, Data Structures, Cloud Computing, and Information Security. Prior to his current role, he served as an Assistant Professor at Excel Engineering College and as a Lecturer at Sasurie College of Engineering. Dr. Sachidhanandam is actively involved in academic administration and has been leading IT education at KIOT with a commitment to innovation and excellence.

Professional Profile:

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Suitability of Dr. P. Sachidhanandam for the Best Researcher Award

Dr. P. Sachidhanandam is an experienced academic and researcher in Computer Science and Engineering, specializing in Wireless Sensor Networks and Mobile Adhoc Networks. His 17+ years of teaching experience and 6 years of research experience make him a strong candidate for research awards. However, to assess suitability for the Best Researcher Award, we must evaluate key aspects of his profile.

📚 Education

🎓 Ph.D. in Wireless Sensor Networks – K.S.R College of Engineering, Anna University (Sep 2018)
🎓 M.E. in Computer Science and Engineering – K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Anna University (June 2008)
🎓 B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering – K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Periyar University (May 2004)

👨‍🏫 Work Experience

🏫 Knowledge Institute of Technology, Salem – Associate Professor (June 2016 – Present)
🏫 Excel Engineering College, Komarapalayam – Assistant Professor (July 2008 – May 2016)
🏫 Sasurie College of Engineering – Lecturer (December 2004 – June 2006)

Total Experience: 17 Years 2 Months
📖 Teaching Experience: 17 Years 2 Months
🔬 Research Experience: 6 Years (Part-time)
📋 Administrative Experience: 3 Years

🏆 Achievements, Awards & Honors

🏅 Expert in Mobile Adhoc Networks & Data Structures – Significant contributions in research and teaching.
📖 Guided Research & Projects – Mentored numerous students in Wireless Sensor Networks and Cybersecurity.
🎤 Invited Speaker & Workshop Conductor – Delivered expert talks on Data Structures, Computer Networks, and Emerging IT Trends.
📜 Published Research Papers – Contributed to reputed journals and conferences in Wireless Sensor Networks.
🎖️ Academic Excellence Recognition – Acknowledged for outstanding contributions to Computer Science education.

Publication Top Notes:

Mr. Foad Zahedi | Digital Twin Awards | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Foad Zahedi | Digital Twin Awards | Best Researcher Award 

Mr. Foad Zahedi, Washington State University, Iran

Foad Zahedi is a seasoned Procurement Director with over 18 years of comprehensive experience in procurement management, technical management, and contract management across a diverse range of projects, including multipurpose complexes, dams, roads, tunnels, and industrial structures. Based in Tehran, Iran, he has successfully led procurement and purchase engineering efforts to ensure optimal logistics, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Foad’s expertise encompasses tender management, contract oversight, and project management, where he skillfully navigates the complexities of EPC, PC, and E projects from both the employer and contractor perspectives. He holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (Construction Management) and another Master’s in Civil Engineering (Marine Structures Engineering) from Islamic Azad University, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Professional Engineer, Foad is proficient in areas such as cost estimation, value engineering, and building information modeling. His strategic insights and consultancy roles for boards and CEOs have been pivotal in aligning project goals with organizational objectives.

Professional Profile:

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Research for Best Researcher Award – Foad Zahedi

Profile Overview: Foad Zahedi has over 18 years of extensive experience in procurement and project management across a variety of large-scale civil engineering projects, including multipurpose complexes, dams, and tunnels. His diverse skill set encompasses technical management, contract management, and procurement engineering, showcasing his ability to lead complex projects effectively.

Education 🎓

  • M.S. Civil Engineering (Construction Management)
    Islamic Azad University of Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, IR
    GPA: 3.53 | Year: 2020
  • M.S. Civil Engineering (Marine Structures Engineering)
    Islamic Azad University of Science and Research Branch, Tehran, IR
    GPA: 3.72 | Year: 2016
  • B.S. Civil Engineering
    Islamic Azad University of Shahr-e-kord Branch, Shahrekord, IR
    Year: 2004

Work Experience 💼

  • Procurement Director
    Iran Mall, Tehran, Iran
    Years: 20XX – Present

    • Led procurement and purchase engineering management for various complex projects, ensuring high quality and timely logistics support.
    • Managed the technical office, handling invoices, quantity surveying, and as-built drawings in EPC, PC, and E projects.
    • Conducted national and international tenders, preparing comprehensive technical and financial submissions.
    • Oversaw contract management in diverse roles (Employer, Contractor, Consultant) for EPC, PC, and E projects.
    • Provided consultancy to boards and CEOs, developing strategic plans to achieve project goals.

Achievements 🌟

  • Successfully managed procurement for multiple large-scale projects, including multipurpose complexes, dams, and industrial structures.
  • Developed effective strategies for cost estimation and value engineering, resulting in significant savings for projects.
  • Implemented advanced Building Information Modelling (BIM) and soil-structure interaction modelling techniques to enhance project outcomes.

Awards and Honors 🏆

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
    Licensure #: 3203610 | Year: 2022
  • Professional Engineer (Grade 2: Supervision)
    Licensure #: 17-31-12174 | Year: 2014
  • Professional Engineer (Grade 1: Construction)

Publication Top Notes:

Global BIM Adoption Movements and Challenges: An Extensive Literature Review
Development of a BIM Implementation Roadmap: The Case of Iran
Robot-BIM integration for underground canals life-cycle management
Digital Twins in the Sustainable Construction Industry
BIM Implementation for PMBOK Enhancement in the Construction Industry