Mr. Tomi Paalosmaa | Digital City Awards | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Tomi Paalosmaa | Digital City Awards | Best Researcher Award 

Mr. Tomi Paalosmaa, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK), Finland

Tomi Paalosmaa is a Finnish innovation strategist, project manager, and researcher with a diverse professional background spanning smart city development, sustainability, and innovation ecosystems. Currently serving as a Senior Specialist, Project Manager, and Lecturer at the Design Centre MUOVA, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, he leads co-creation initiatives and sustainability strategies in projects such as Design PSS and Enertelligence. His academic work focuses on energy transition, digitalization, stakeholder engagement, and trust in innovation ecosystems. With prior experience at the University of Vaasa’s InnoLab and City of Vaasa, he has contributed significantly to projects involving smart mobility, low-carbon strategies, and citizen engagement. A passionate advocate for mental health, Paalosmaa also lectures as an expert by experience in mental healthcare. Earlier in his career, he held executive roles in the Nordic film distribution industry. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges technology, design, policy, and community well-being, making him a unique contributor to both academic and applied innovation landscapes.

Professional Profile:

SCOPUS

Summary of Suitability: Tomi Paalosmaa – Research for Best Researcher Award

Tomi Paalosmaa is a highly versatile and impactful candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, distinguished by his multifaceted contributions to innovation ecosystems, smart city development, sustainability strategies, and user-centered co-creation in both public and private sector research environments. With a unique blend of academic insight, applied research, and practical innovation leadership, his work embodies the integration of research excellence with societal relevance.

🎓 Education

  • Doctoral Researcher (Ongoing)
    University of Vaasa – Innovation and ecosystem development, sustainability, energy transition, smart cities, co-creation, stakeholder engagement
    (Publications being written at JUFO level)

💼 Work Experience

🏛️ Academia & Research

  • Senior Specialist / Project Manager / Lecturer
    Design Centre MUOVA, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK) | 2023–Present

    • Project Manager: 🇫🇮 Design PSS (Finnish Government), Enertelligence (EAKR), Port of Vaasa Innovation Ecosystem

    • Lecturer: Course on co-creation in innovation ecosystems (2025→)

    • Academic writer and ecosystem developer

  • Project Researcher
    University of Vaasa – InnoLab | 2022–2023

    • Research on transition risks, smart governance, trust-building, stakeholder co-creation

    • Port of Vaasa Innovation Ecosystem (POINT VaaSA)

🏙️ Public Sector & Smart City Development

  • Project Manager – Development
    City of Vaasa | 2021–2022

    • Developed EV car-sharing “Mini-Lifti”, smart mobility and energy projects

    • Applied for EU & national funding (Horizon, Interreg, Business Finland)

  • Project Manager & Coordinator
    City of Vaasa | 2020–2021

    • IRIS Smart Cities project replication & smart district planning

  • Internal Auditor & Quality Developer
    City of Vaasa | 2018–2020

    • Social services auditing and development work

🧠 Mental Health Advocacy

  • Expert by Experience
    Vaasa Central Hospital & Ostrobothnia Well-being Services County | 2016–Present

    • Delivered lectures, peer support, and therapy group facilitation in mental health fields

🎬 Creative & Media Industry

  • CEO / CCO / Director of Acquisitions
    Various film & media companies (Helsinki/Vaasa) | 2004–2015

    • Acquired and distributed international film rights across Nordic platforms

    • Managed VOD and digital film businesses globally

🏆 Achievements, Awards & Honors

  • 🥇 Innovation Scholarship – Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (2019)

  • 🧠 Recognized contributor in smart city innovation, stakeholder engagement, and co-creation practices

  • 📣 Speaker and workshop leader at conferences and development forums

  • 💬 Mental health lecturer and peer support contributor in Finnish healthcare system

  • 💼 Leader in public-private partnership development and sustainable innovation ecosystems

Publication Top Notes:

Smart Cities and Product-Service Systems—A Conceptual Framework for Urban Sustainability

Dr. Vera Solovyeva | Environmental Detectors | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Vera Solovyeva | Environmental Detectors | Women Researcher Award 

Dr. Vera Solovyeva, Aramco Innovations, Russia

Dr. Vera A. Solovyeva is a seasoned chemist and Technology Thrust Champion at Aramco Innovations LLC, with over 20 years of international academic and industrial research experience in organic chemistry, material science, and nanomaterials. She holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Moscow State University and has an impressive track record spanning medicinal chemistry, catalysis, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) synthesis and scale-up. Dr. Solovyeva has contributed to innovative projects at leading institutions such as Eli Lilly, Novartis, KAUST, and Aramco Innovations, where she led multiple field-deployed oil and gas applications. Her expertise encompasses organic synthesis, heterogeneous catalysis, and advanced analytical techniques, with a strong focus on developing sustainable materials for energy and environmental solutions. Recognized internationally, she has published impactful research highlighted by ACS and JACS, reflecting her commitment to advancing smart and functional nanomaterials.

Professional Profile:

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Summary of Suitability for Women Researcher Award: Dr. Vera A. Solovyeva

Dr. Vera A. Solovyeva stands out as an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Women Researcher Award based on her extensive, multidisciplinary, and globally recognized contributions to the fields of nanomaterials, catalysis, and sustainable energy technologies. With over 20 years of research experience across both academia and industry—including prestigious organizations such as KAUST, Aramco Innovations, and top pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novartisshe exemplifies the ideal balance of scientific rigor and applied innovation.

🧑‍🎓 Education

🎓 Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry — Moscow State University (MSU), Russia (2002–2007)
 • Thesis: “Partial Hydrodehalogenation of Functional Derivatives of gem-Dibromocyclopropanes”
🎓 M.S. in Chemistry — Moscow State University (MSU), Russia (1997–2002)
 • Undergraduate research under supervision of Prof. I.G. Bolesov and Academician I.P. Beletskaya
🧪 Internship — University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), USA (Jan–Feb 1999)
 • Biochemistry techniques training

💼 Work Experience

🏢 Technology Thrust Champion — Aramco Innovations LLC (2019–Present)
 • Lead projects in upstream oil & gas; 3 successful field deployments
🔬 Senior Research Scientist — Moscow State University & Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (2018–2019)
 • Research in covalent-organic frameworks for photovoltaic applications
🔬 Consultant — KAUST Technology Transfer Office, Saudi Arabia (2016–2017)
 • Pilot-scale synthesis of MOFs
🔬 Postdoctoral Fellow — KAUST, Saudi Arabia (2011–2016)
 • Research on MOFs, catalysis, and nanoparticle stabilization
🧪 Senior Research Scientist — Chemical Diversity Research Institute, Moscow (2007–2011)
 • Contract R&D for pharma giants (Eli Lilly, Novartis, Merck, Solvay)
🧬 Editor — Science & Technology Informational (STI) Centre for Reaxys/Elsevier (2005–2011)
💻 Research Scientist — Algodign LLC (2002–2005)
 • Drug design and molecular docking for startup by Nobel Laureate Michael Levitt

🏆 Awards & Honors

🇺🇸 1999 – Internship Award from University of Pennsylvania 🥼
🇷🇺 2004 – Best Organic Chemistry Presentation at Lomonosov Conference 🧪
🌍 2003–2005 – Ph.D. project awarded INTAS individual funding (EU-Russia scientific cooperation)
📰 2014 – Paper highlighted on Front Cover of ACS Comb. Sci. 🧬
📣 2015 – ACS Editors’ Choice article and featured in C&EN (ACS Comb. Sci.) 🧫
 2015 – JACS paper highlighted as Spotlight Publication 💡

Publication Top Notes:

MOF Crystal Chemistry Paving the Way to Gas Storage Needs: Aluminum-Based soc-MOF for CH4, O2, and CO2 Storage

CITED:835

Metal–organic frameworks to satisfy gas upgrading demands: fine-tuning the soc-MOF platform for the operative removal of H 2 S

CITED:121

Hydrocarbon recovery using ultra-microporous fluorinated MOF platform with and without uncoordinated metal sites: I-structure properties relationships for C2H2/C2H4 and CO2 …

CITED:86

A very large diversity space of synthetically accessible compounds for use with drug design programs

CITED:43

Sequence-controlled copolymers of 2, 3, 4, 5-pentafluorostyrene: mechanistic insight and application to organocatalysis

CITED:40

Current downhole corrosion control solutions and trends in the oil and gas industry: A review

CITED:38

 

Prof. Dr. Elisa González-Romero | Environmental | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Elisa González-Romero | Environmental | Best Researcher Award 

Prof. Dr. Elisa González-Romero, Universidade de Vigo, Spain

Prof. Elisa González-Romero is a Full Professor of Analytical and Food Chemistry at the University of Vigo, Spain, where she has served since 1993. She previously held academic positions at the Universidad de Vigo (Orense), the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and taught at CES NUMEN College. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis and a graduate degree in Chemistry from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, complemented by a postdoctoral research stay at New Mexico State University in the U.S. Prof. González-Romero’s professional expertise spans analytical techniques, food chemistry, and sensor development, and she has held research and quality control roles in industry. She is an active member of several prominent scientific societies, including the American Chemical Society, the Real Sociedad Española de Química, and the Sociedad Española de Química Analítica. She has also held visiting professorships at institutions in Portugal, Morocco, and Tunisia, and has received international recognition such as being named among the IBC Leading Scientists of the World. Her work continues to influence both the academic and applied sectors of analytical science.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

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Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award – Dr. Elisa Gonzalez-Romero

🧪 Research Focus and Contributions:
Dr. Elisa Gonzalez-Romero has made sustained, high-impact contributions in the fields of electroanalysis, biosensors, bionanotechnology, and modified electrodes. Her research applies advanced electrochemical and biochemical methodologies to address real-world problems in environmental, food, and clinical sciences, demonstrating a rare ability to bridge theory and practical application.

👩‍🎓 Education

  1. 🎓 Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry
    Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
    📅 1989-11-15
    📘 Specialization: Química Analítica y Análisis Instrumental

  2. 🎓 Graduate in Chemistry
    Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
    📅 1983-06-01
    📘 Focus: Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis

  3. 🧪 Postdoctoral Researcher
    New Mexico State University, USA
    📅 1990-10-01 to 1992-07-28
    🔬 Laboratory: Sensor-Chip Lab

💼 Work Experience

  1. 👩‍🏫 Full Professor (Analytical and Food Chemistry)
    Universidad de Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
    📅 1993-05-07 to Present

  2. 👩‍🏫 Associate Professor (Interim)
    Universidad de Vigo, Orense, Spain
    📅 1991-09-31 to 1993-05-06

  3. 👩‍🏫 Assistant Professor (Analytical Chemistry & Instrumental Analysis)
    Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
    📅 1986-09-01 to 1991-10-01

  4. 🔬 Researcher – Quality Control
    Alcon Iberhis SA, Madrid, Spain
    📅 1985-01-01 to 1986-09-29

  5. 🧑‍🏫 Instructor in Analytical Chemistry
    CES NUMEN College, Madrid, Spain
    📅 1983-09-01 to 1986-07-31

🌍 Visiting Professor Positions

  • 🏛 Université Abdelmalek Essaadi, Morocco (2015)

  • 🏛 Universidade do Minho, Portugal (2010–2014)

  • 🏛 Tunis El Manar University, Tunisia (2011)

🏆 Awards and Distinctions

  • 🥇 IBC Leading Scientists of the World
    International Biographical Centre, London, UK
    📅 2013-10-11

  • 🌍 People to People Citizen Ambassador Fellowship
    American Oil Chemists’ Society, USA – Fats and Oils Technology Delegation to China
    📅 2010-08

🧑‍🔬 Professional Memberships

  • 🧪 Real Sociedad Española de Química (Electrochemistry & Bioanalytical Chemistry Divisions)

  • 🧪 American Chemical Society (Analytical Chemistry & Agricultural and Food Chemistry Divisions)

  • 🧪 Sociedad Española de Química Analítica

  • 🗳 RSEQ-ST GA, SpainFormer Board Member (2002–2020)

Publication Top Notes:

Enhanced Catalytic Surfaces for Catechol Sensing: Combining Grafted Aryldiazonium Derivative with Cross-Linking Dopamine or Coupling Tyrosinase Immobilizations

Voltammetric methodology for the quality control and monitoring of sulfamethoxazole removal from water

Biosensor Technologies for Water Quality: Detection of Emerging Contaminants and Pathogens

Getting Enhanced Catalytic Surfaces for Catechol Sensing! Combination of Grafted Aryldiazonium Derivative and Either Cross-Linking Dopamine or Coupling Tyrosinase Immobilizations

Decorated Electrode Surfaces with Nanostructures and Metal-Organic Frameworks as Transducers for Sensing

A Carbon Paste Electrode Modified by Bentonite and l‐Cysteine for Simultaneous Determination of Ascorbic and Uric Acids: Application in Biological Fluids

Methodology for decentralized analysis: Detection, quantification and in situ monitoring of pharmaceutical formulations removal by electro-Fenton

Influence of Metal Salts Addition on Physical and Electrochemical Properties of Ethyl and Propylammonium Nitrate

Novel Pyridazin-3(2H)-one-Based Guanidine Derivatives as Potential DNA Minor Groove Binders with Anticancer Activity

Assist Prof Dr. Loknath Sai Ambati | Activity detection Award | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Loknath Sai Ambati | Activity detection Award | Best Researcher Award 

Assist Prof Dr. Loknath Sai Ambati, Oklahoma City University, United States

Dr. Loknath Sai Ambati is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in Information Systems and Data Analytics. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Data Analytics at Oklahoma City University, Dr. Loknath Sai Ambati holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems, with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence, from Dakota State University, where they also earned two master’s degrees in Information Systems and Data Analytics. With over five years of teaching experience, they have instructed various courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, focusing on business analytics, healthcare analytics, and social media mining.The Activity Detection Award celebrates innovations in behavioral recognition technology. Explore eligibility, qualifications, publications, and submission guidelines for this esteemed recognition.

Professional Profile:

SCOPUS

 

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award: Loknath Sai Ambati

Based on Loknath Sai Ambati’s impressive educational background, research contributions, and professional experience, he is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Education

Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota
Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems (Artificial Intelligence)
Master of Science in Information Systems
Master of Science in Data Analytics
GPA: 4.0/4.0
August 2018 – April 2023 (PhD)
August 2019 – December 2020 (MS in Information Systems)
August 2016 – December 2017 (MS in Data Analytics)

VIT University, Chennai, India
Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering
GPA: 8.55/10
July 2012 – May 2016

Work Experience

Assistant Professor of Data Analytics
Oklahoma City University
September 2023 – Present

  • Teaching graduate-level Data Analytics courses.
  • Engaging in research activities related to Information Systems and Data Analytics.
  • Participating in service activities, including serving on review committees for various conferences and journals.
  • Serving as the Faculty Advisor for the Indian Student Association at OCU.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Business Analytics
Indiana University
May 2022 – August 2023

  • Teaching various Business Analytics courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Conducting research activities in healthcare and social media analytics.
  • Participating in service activities, including serving on review committees for conferences and journals.

Graduate Research Assistant
Dakota State University
August 2018 – May 2022

  • Worked on innovations in wearable technology integrated with Artificial Intelligence for healthcare.
  • Assisted the supervisor with research projects and interacted with students regarding course content.
  • Volunteered as an instructor for certain courses as needed.

Analytics Developer
Baylor Scott and White Health
February 2018 – August 2018

  • Applied machine learning algorithms to denial data, achieving savings of up to $0.5 million on denials.
  • Implemented statistical models to reduce denial claims and enhance revenue efficiency.
  • Analyzed correlations between physician coding behaviors and Medicare Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) scores.
  • Technologies used: Power BI, R, SAS, Python, SQL, MicroStrategy, Advanced Excel.

Publication top Notes:

Human Body Full-body Motion Gesture Image Feature Capture in Mobile Sensor Networks

Intrusion Detection System: A Comparative Study of Machine Learning-Based IDS

Explosive force acquisition of sprinter lower limb in training based on WSN

Two-phase classification: ANN and A-SVM classifiers on motor imagery BCI

Optimal trained long short-term memory for opinion mining: a hybrid semantic knowledgebase approach

FHE-Blockchain: Enhance the Scheme for Secret Sharing of IoMT Data using Decentralized Techniques

Design of Civil Aviation Security Check Passenger Identification System Based on Residual Convolution Network

 

Prof Dr. Sara Paiva | Smart Cities | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Sara Paiva | Smart Cities | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Sara Paiva, Viana do Castelo Polytechnic Universiry, Portugal

Sara Paiva, an esteemed academic and researcher, is currently serving as an Assistant Professor and Pro-President for Information Systems at Viana do Castelo Polytechnic University in Portugal. Born on November 28, 1979, Sara has built a distinguished career marked by notable academic and professional achievements.Sara’s educational journey is both extensive and impressive. She holds a degree in Systems and Computer Engineering from Minho University in Braga, Portugal, which she completed in 2002. Her early passion for technology and engineering laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors. She then pursued a Ph.D. at Universidade de Vigo, where she focused on semantic technologies, specifically developing an architecture for guided search systems. She successfully defended her thesis in 2011, further cementing her expertise in the field.In her relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation, Sara undertook a Post-Doctoral research project at Universidade de Oviedo from 2018 to 2021. As part of the SMIOT Research Group, she concentrated on Smart Mobility and Advanced Driving Assistants, areas that align with the burgeoning intersection of technology and everyday life.

Professional Profile

Education

  • Post-Doctorate (2018 – 2021):
    • Institution: Universidade de Oviedo
    • Research Group: SMIOT – Multimedia Services and Internet of Things
    • Research Area: Smart Mobility and Advanced Driving Assistants
  • Ph.D. (2007 – 2011):
    • Institution: Universidade de Vigo
    • Thesis Title: An architecture for guided search systems based on semantic technologies
  • Degree in Systems and Computer Engineering (1997 – 2002):
    • Institution: Minho University, Braga, Portugal

Work Experience

  • Assistant Professor:
    • Institution: Viana do Castelo Polytechnic University, Portugal
    • Roles and Responsibilities:
      • Teaching various courses in Systems and Computer Engineering.
      • Supervising student projects and theses.
      • Conducting research in Smart Mobility, Internet of Things, and related areas.
      • Serving as the Pro-President for Information Systems, overseeing the institution’s information systems and technology initiatives.

Research and Publications

Sara Paiva has a robust research portfolio, focusing primarily on smart mobility, advanced driving assistants, and the integration of semantic technologies in guided search systems. Her academic contributions include numerous publications in high-impact journals and conferences, reflecting her expertise in multimedia services and the Internet of Things.

 

Publications Notes:📄

Design Methodology for a Shared Mobility App

A Review of Use Cases of Gamification in Mobility Systems and Services

A Survey and Risk Assessment on Virtual and Augmented Reality Cyberattacks

Accessibility strategies to promote inclusive mobility through multi-objective approach

An Analysis on the Implementation of Secure Web-Related Protocols in Portuguese City Councils

An Augmented Reality Framework as a Solution to Enhance the Experience of Visiting a Museum

Assessing Cybersecurity Risks in BLE-based Asset Management Systems