Dr. Srinivas Balivada | Hidden Sensors Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Srinivas Balivada, University of Chicago Trust, India

Dr. Srinivasa Balivada is a consultant with the University of Chicago Trust in Delhi, India, and a guest scientist at the University of Chicago. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Andhra University, where his research focused on trace elements in diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Dr. Balivada’s expertise lies in developing innovative cyber-physical systems for real-time monitoring of soil and water quality, leveraging AI to promote sustainable environmental management.

Professional Profile:

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Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award: Srinivasa Balivada, Ph.D.

Research Contributions: Srinivasa Balivada has made significant advancements in the field of cyber-physical systems and environmental monitoring. His research has been pivotal in developing innovative technologies for real-time soil and water quality monitoring, leveraging machine learning and advanced sensor networks. Some notable contributions include:

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, October 2018
Andhra University, India
M.Sc. in Bio-Inorganic Chemistry, May 2007
Andhra University, India
B.Sc. in Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology, May 2005
Andhra University, India

Work Experience

Guest Scientist & Consultant, May 2024 – Present
University of Chicago & University of Chicago Trust, Delhi, India
Focus: Designing a web-based platform integrating water quality data with contextual information to identify pollution sources and enhance monitoring.
Staff Scientist & Resident Associate, May 2023 – May 2024
University of Chicago & Material Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory
Focus: Developed a novel machine learning algorithm for spatially mapping soil moisture using topographic parameters.
Postdoctoral Scholar & Resident Associate, May 2019 – May 2023
University of Chicago & Material Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory
Advisor: Prof. Supratik Guha; Co-advisor: Dr. Roser Matamala
Focus: Developed low-power, wireless underground sensor networks for soil property collection; created a deep learning algorithm for soil moisture estimation.
Senior Research Lead, May 2017 – April 2019
University of Chicago Centre, Delhi, India
Focus: Developed a cyber-physical sensing system for high-resolution surface water quality mapping; created a soft measurement technique for water quality assessment.
Research Scholar, 2010 – 2017
School of Chemistry, Andhra University, India
Advisor: Prof. M S Prasada Rao
Focus: Developed a method for simultaneous trace element determination in blood samples; investigated trace element associations with diabetes and hypertension.
Research Fellow, 2010 – 2017
Centre for Studies on Bay of Bengal, Andhra University, India
Focus: Developed algorithms for quantifying chlorophyll, chromophoric organic matter, and suspended solids in coastal waters; monitored algal blooms using satellite remote sensing.
Teaching Assistant, 2011 – 2017
Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Andhra University, India
Taught and graded laboratory sessions for Bio-Inorganic Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry.
Chemist in Quality Control Department, 2007 – 2009
Auctus Pharma Ltd., India
Responsibilities: Conducted routine and non-routine analyses of raw materials and finished products, compiled data, and calibrated analytical instruments including HPLC, GC, IR, and UV-Vis spectrometers.

Publication top Notes:

Distribution of trace metals in surface seawater and zooplankton of the Bay of Bengal, off Rushikulya estuary, East Coast of India

CITED:76

A Wireless Underground Sensor Network Field Pilot for Agriculture and Ecology: Soil Moisture Mapping Using Signal Attenuation

CITED:14

Contrasting bio-optical characteristics of coastal water prior to and in the aftermath of a tropical super cyclone

CITED:8

Particle backscattering variability in the coastal waters of Bay of Bengal: a case study along off Kakinada and Yanam regions

CITED:8

Retrieval and validation of chlorophyll-a concentrations in the coastal waters Off Yanam and Kakinada (Godavari) basin along East coast of India

CITED:7

Prof. Anna Pyayt, University of South Florida, United States

Anna Pyayt is an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida (USF), serving in the Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering. She holds affiliated faculty positions in the Departments of Medical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, as well as the Material Science and Engineering Program at USF. Recognized as a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors, Dr. Pyayt has made significant contributions to the field of sensing applications, artificial intelligence, and mobile health technologies. She completed her dual Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Washington. Dr. Pyayt’s research includes innovations in single-cell endoscopy, deep learning, and assistive technologies for the visually impaired. Her work has attracted substantial funding and numerous accolades, including significant grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Health, State of Florida. She has also been honored with multiple awards for her innovative contributions and has mentored students who have achieved significant recognition in their respective fields. Dr. Pyayt’s sabbatical at MagLab further underscores her commitment to advancing scientific research and education.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

B.Sc. in Computer Science/Applied Mathematics with honors, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 2001
M.Sc. in Computer Science/Applied Mathematics with honors, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 2002
M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, December 2005
Dual Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Nanotechnology, University of Washington, December 2009

Research Interests

Sensing
Artificial Intelligence
Knowledge Graphs
Mobile Health
Single Cell Endoscopy and Spectroscopy
Deep Learning
Software and Hardware Assistive Technologies for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Research Internships

Hewlett-Packard Labs, Summer 2007
- Invented, designed, and fabricated two new sensors – an angle sensor and a Nano-photonic sensor (patented and published)
Microsoft Research, Summer 2006
- Invented, designed, and fabricated a new display technology, Telescopic Pixel (patented and published in Nature Photonics)

Funding

Cancer SEARCH: $1,200,000, Department of Health, State of Florida, Co-PI
PFI-TT: $550,000, NSF, Co-PI
Georgia Tech Female Founders I-Corps: $5,000, PI
Interstellar Initiative: $30,000, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development and the New York Academy of Sciences, Co-PI
USF COVID-19 Rapid Response grant: $25,000 + $5,000 match, PI
AWS Diagnostic Development Initiative: $50,000 from Amazon, Co-PI
3D Visualizations for Material Science: $1,000, PI
Teaching Grant: $2,500, PI
Equipment Donation from Beckman Coulter Diagnostics: $100,000, PI
Industrial Support: $200,000, Co-PI
National Science Foundation: $420,000, Senior Personnel
National Science Foundation: $196,732, PI

Awards and Honors

President, Secretary, Executive Member of the USF Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors
Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors
Featured in Advances in Engineering (2021)
Published in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical (2019)
Elsevier coverage for MELISA paper (2018)
Invited to exhibit Hemolix technology at Cade Museum (2018)
Award from the ADVANCE Florida Network Women in STEM Scholars (2018)
Featured on Science Updates (2017)

Awards and Honors of Students

Numerous awards and recognitions for her students, including NIH MOSAIC K99/R00 Grant, best departmental paper awards, poster awards, travel scholarships, fellowships, and leadership awards.