Assist. Prof. Dr. Christos Kakarougkas | Motivation and Employee Engagement | Strategic Business Management Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Christos Kakarougkas | Motivation and Employee Engagement | Strategic Business Management Award

University of the Aegean | Greece

Christos S. Kakarougkas is an Assistant Professor specializing in Human Resource Management of Tourism Enterprises and Organizations. He holds a Doctoral Diploma from the University of the Aegean, where his research focused on the impact of reward systems on organizational culture change in Greek five-star hotels. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management from Thames Valley University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Business Management from ATEI Larisa. With extensive academic and professional experience, he has taught in undergraduate and postgraduate programs across Greek universities, including the University of the Aegean, University of West Attica, and Hellenic Open University, as well as international programs in collaboration with Metropolitan College and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. His teaching covers Human Resource Management, Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, Global Booking Systems, and Hospitality Administration. Beyond teaching, he has supervised numerous graduate and postgraduate theses, developed vocational training curricula, and contributed to adult education programs in leadership, tourism management, and entrepreneurship. His research interests include organizational culture, human resource practices in tourism, and strategic management of hospitality enterprises. He has been recognized for his scholarly contributions and active engagement in educational innovation. Christos continues to advance knowledge in tourism management while fostering excellence in academic and professional development.

Profiles:  Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Katsoni, V., Upadhya, A., & Stratigea, A. (2017). Tourism, culture and heritage in a smart economy. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, 38.

Stavrinoudis, T., & Kakarougkas, C. (2017). A theoretical model of weighting and evaluating the elements defining the change of organizational culture. In Tourism, culture and heritage in a smart economy: Third International Conference (pp. xx–xx).

Stavrinoudis, T., & Kakarougkas, C. (2017). Factors of human motivation in organizations: A first scientific modeling for a more effective application in the hospitality industry. International Journal of Cultural and Digital Tourism, 4(2), 20–30. https://doi.org/xxxx

Stavrinoudis, T., Kakarougkas, C., & Vitzilaiou, C. (2022). Hotel front line employees’ perceptions on leadership and workplace motivation in times of crisis. Tourism and Hospitality Management, 28(2), 257–276. https://doi.org/xxxx

Kakarougkas, C., & Stavrinoudis, T. (2021). COVID-19 impact on the human aspect of organizational culture and learning: The case of the Greek hospitality industry. In Organizational learning in tourism and hospitality crisis management (Vol. 8, pp. 49–xx).

Kakarougkas, C., & Stavrinoudis, T., & Psimoulis, M. (2023). Evaluating the COVID-19 pandemic changes on hotel organizational culture. Journal of Global Business Insights, 8(1), 80–94. https://doi.org/xxxx

Kakarougkas, C., & Papageorgakis, E. (2023). Evaluating the effectiveness of training methods on the performance of human resources in Greek hotel businesses. Journal of Advances in Humanities Research, 4863, 11–xx. https://doi.org/xxxx

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surbhi Agrawal | Innovative Leadership | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surbhi Agrawal | Innovative Leadership | Research Excellence Award

RV Institute of Technology and Management, India

Profiles:  Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Bora, K., Saha, S., Agrawal, S., Safonova, M., Routh, S., & Narasimhamurthy, A. (2016). Cd-hpf: New habitability score via data analytic modeling. Astronomy and Computing, 17, 129–143.

Saha, S., Basak, S., Safonova, M., Bora, K., Agrawal, S., Sarkar, P., & Murthy, J. (2018). Theoretical validation of potential habitability via analytical and boosted tree methods: An optimistic study on recently discovered exoplanets. Astronomy and Computing, 23, 141–150.

Agrawal, S., Basak, S., Mathur, A., Theophilus, A. J., Deshpande, G., & Murthy, J. (2021). Habitability classification of exoplanets: A machine learning insight. The European Physical Journal Special Topics, 230, 2221–2251.

Viquar, M., Basak, S., Dasgupta, A., Agrawal, S., & Saha, S. (2018). Machine learning in astronomy: A case study in quasar-star classification. In Emerging Technologies in Data Mining and Information Security (pp. xxx–xxx). (Publisher details not provided).

Basak, S., Saha, S., Mathur, A., Bora, K., Makhija, S., Safonova, M., & Agrawal, S. (2020). Ceesa meets machine learning: A constant elasticity earth similarity approach to habitability and classification of exoplanets. Astronomy and Computing, 30, 100335.

Naik, P., Agrawal, S., & Murthy, S. (2015). A survey on various task scheduling algorithms toward load balancing in public cloud. American Journal of Applied Mathematics, 3(1-2), 14–17.

Sarkar, J., Saha, S., & Agrawal, S. (2014). An efficient use of principal component analysis in workload characterization—a study. AASRI Procedia, 8, 68–74.

Saha, S., Agrawal, S., Bora, K., Routh, S., & Narasimhamurthy, A. (2015). ASTROMLSKIT: A new statistical machine learning toolkit: A platform for data analytics in astronomy. arXiv preprint arXiv:1504.07865.

Safonova, M., Mathur, A., Basak, S., Bora, K., & Agrawal, S. (2021). Quantifying the classification of exoplanets: In search for the right habitability metric. The European Physical Journal Special Topics, 230(10), 2207–2220.

Prof. Decai Tang | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Decai Tang | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

Hengxing University | China

Profiles: ORCID  

Featured Publications

Zhao, Z., Tang, D., & Li, J. (2025). Driving role of digital finance on economic resilience: Threshold effects of industrial structure upgrading and social security. Economic Change and Restructuring.

Tang, D., Boamah, V., & Ben Amara, D. (2025). Revisiting the Environmental Kuznets Curve in West Africa: A spatial econometric analysis of growth, globalization, and emissions. Journal of Environmental Management.

Tang, D., Boamah, V., Ding, Q., & Bai, J. (2025). Spatial dependencies and long-run dynamics of the Environmental Kuznets Curve in West Africa: An analysis of growth vs. emissions. Frontiers in Environmental Science.

Xiang, J., Tang, D., Zhou, Y., & Chen, Q. (2025). Green finance, environmental regulation, and the optimization of industrial structure in China’s Yangtze River economic belt. Frontiers in Environmental Science.

Cheng, X., Bian, J., He, D., & Tang, D. (2025). An analysis of agricultural production efficiency of Yellow River Basin based on a three-stage DEA Malmquist model. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.

Liu, Y., Gherghina, S. C., Liu, H., Tang, D., Yin, C., & Kong, L. (2025). Ownership succession, risk taking and debt financing from the perspective of the institutional environment. PLOS One.

Zhang, X., Tang, D., & Cheng, X. (2025). The inverted U-shaped relationship between judicial development and economic growth: Evidence from China. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.

Pan, Y., Atsi, E. R., Tang, D., He, D., & Donkor, M. (2025). The synergistic effect of foreign direct investment and renewable energy consumption on environmental pollution mitigation: Evidence from developing countries. Sustainability.

Dai, L., Tang, D., Atsi, E. R., Zhao, M., Zhang, H., Kong, Y., & Zhang, L. (2025). The integration of green finance and logistics: Implications for green industry transformation. Frontiers in Environmental Science.

Tang, D., Obuobi, B., Nketiah, E., & Adu-Gyamfi, G. (2025). Breaking the energy crisis: Does the role of government support impact Ghanaians’ intention to adopt sustainable energy from food waste? Energy.

Prof. Ho Joon Im | Pediatric hematology and oncology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Ho Joon Im | Pediatric hematology and oncology | Best Researcher Award

Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine | South Korea

Profile:  Scopus  

Featured Publications

Kim, S.-K., Yoo, J., Lee, J.-H., Lee, H.-E., Ahn, J.-S., Koh, K.-N., Cho, B.-S., Park, S.-K., Im, H. J., Lee, H., & Kong, S.-Y. (2025). Current practices in peripheral blood stem cell processing and cryopreservation: A nationwide survey of Korean transplant centers. Blood Research, 60, Article 41.

Kim, H., Yoon, S. H., Kang, S., Koh, K.-N., Im, H. J., Chu, D., Kim, M. Y., Cho, Y.-U., Hwang, S.-H., & Jang, S. (2025). Improved survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia through therapy intensification based on minimal residual disease and protocol-driven early response risk classification. Blood Research, 60, Article 40.

Kang, S. H., Im, H. J., Choi, E. S., Yoon, S.-H., Suh, J.-K., Kim, H., Koh, K.-N., Ko, D.-H., Kim, M., Hwang, S.-H., Cho, Y.-U., & Jang, S. (2025). Upfront haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation using αβ+ T cell-depleted peripheral blood stem cells for pediatric patients with acquired severe aplastic anemia. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 31(10), 830.e1–830.e10.

Koh, K.-N., Jun, H. R., Lee, J.-Y., Kim, J.-Y., Yoon, S.-H., Koh, Y.-K., Kang, S.-H., Kim, H., Im, H. J., & Chun, S.-M. (2024). Unraveling the genetic landscape of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in Korean patients: Comprehensive insights from mutational profiles and clinical correlations. Cancer Research and Treatment, 57(3), 873–882.

Kim, S., Han, M., Hwang, H. J., Ahn, Y.-H., Im, H. J., Hwang, S.-H., Koh, K.-N., & Kim, N. (2025). MicroRNA-196a increases apoptosis in B cells through downregulation of FOXO1. Molecules and Cells, 48(7), 100223.

Dr. Ounyesiga | living | Energy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ounyesiga | living | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Kampala International university | Uganda
Profile:  Scopus

Featured Publications

Fashina, A., Mundu, M., Akiyode, O., Abdullah, L., Sanni, D., & Ounyesiga, L. (2018). The drivers and barriers of renewable energy applications and development in Uganda: A review. Clean Technologies, 1(1), 9–39.

Uzorka, A., & Kalabuki, K. (2024). The transformative impact of technological advancements in educational leadership on student experiences and outcomes. Education and Information Technologies, 29(16), 20883–20904.

Living, O., Nnamchi, S. N., Mundu, M. M., Ukagwu, K. J., & Abdulkarim, A. (2024). Coupled modelling and simulation of power transmission lines: A systematic analysis of line losses. Electric Power Systems Research, 226, 109954.

Sead, S. M., Uzorka, A., & Olaniyan, A. O. (2024). Investigation into radioactivity levels in soil samples from wheat cultivation sites in Kapchorwa district, Uganda. Discover Environment, 2(1), 55.

Adolf, K., & Uzorka, A. (2025). Effects of substrates on the efficiency of a monocrystalline solar panel. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 6667.

Living, O., Nnamchi, S. N., Ukagwu, K. J., Abdulkarim, A., & Jagun, Z. O. (2023). Minimization of electric power losses on 132 kV and 220 kV Uganda electricity transmission lines. Energy and Power Engineering, 15(2), 127–150.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmed | Geophysics | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmed | Geophysics | Best Researcher Award

Suez University | Egypt
Profile:  Scopus

Featured Publications

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). Advanced integrated strategy for structural and mineralogical exploration of inaccessible regions employing remote sensing and multiscale analysis of aeromagnetic data. Scientific Reports.

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). Assessment of terrestrial radionuclide exposure and contamination rates within the Mbaitoli area, Nigeria. Scientific Reports.

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). Structural geometry and gold ores along the first outlined N–S dextral shear zone in the Egyptian Nubian Shield, East African orogenic belt: New insights from integrated remote sensing, gravity, magnetic and field studies. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources.

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). Bio-inspired computational intelligence metaheuristic-based optimization and sensitivity analysis approach to determine techno-economic feasibility of hydrogen refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles. Scientific Reports.

Zaky, A. M. E., & colleagues. (2025). New insights into structural and tectonic evolution of Safaga–Semna shear belt, Eastern Desert, Egypt: Advanced integration of aeromagnetic, remote sensing and field studies. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources.

Mr. Naveen Kumar | Performance Management | Best Scholar Award

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Mr. Naveen Kumar | Performance Management | Best Scholar Award

Jawaharlal Nehru university, New Delhi | India 

Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Kumar, N., & Karambir, R. (2012). A comparative analysis of PMX, CX and OX crossover operators for solving traveling salesman problem. International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology, 1(2), 98–101.

Kumar, N., & Chaudhary, A. (2024). Surveying cybersecurity vulnerabilities and countermeasures for enhancing UAV security. Computer Networks, 252, 110695.

Kumar, N. (2012). A genetic algorithm approach to study traveling salesman problem. Journal of Global Research in Computer Science, 3(3), 33–37.

Kumar, N., Chaudhary, V., & Dubey, S. K. (2025). Cybersecurity and emerging technologies: Challenges and opportunities. In Cybersecurity preparedness among Indian firms: Opportunities, challenges, and strategies (pp. xx–xx).

Kumar, N., Kumar, G., & Chaudhary, V. (2024). Redefining national security threats in cyberspace: A challenging problem. In Proceedings of the International Seminar on Emerging Threats to National Security: Cyber and Information Warfare (pp. xx–xx).

Prof. Dr. Kofi Obeng | Employee Work Effort | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Kofi Obeng | Employee Work Effort | Best Researcher Award

North Carolina A&T State University | United States

Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Ugboro, I. O., & Obeng, K. (2000). Top management leadership, employee empowerment, job satisfaction, and customer satisfaction in TQM organizations: An empirical study. Journal of Quality Management, 5(2), 247–272.*

Obeng, K., & Ugboro, I. (2003). Organizational commitment among public transit employees: An assessment study. Journal of the Transportation Research Forum, 42(2), 83–98.*

Ugboro, I. O., Obeng, K., & Spann, O. (2011). Strategic planning as an effective tool of strategic management in public sector organizations: Evidence from public transit organizations. Administration & Society, 43(1), 87–123.*

Obeng, K. (2011). Gender differences in injury severity risks in crashes at signalized intersections. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 43(4), 1521–1531.*

Obeng, K. (1985). Bus transit cost, productivity and factor substitution. Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 183–203.*

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Folasade May | Transformational Leadership | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Folasade May | Transformational Leadership | Best Researcher Award

UCLA Health | United States

Dr. Folasade P. May is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and serves in the Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Yale University, followed by a Master of Philosophy in Epidemiology from the University of Cambridge. She obtained her M.D. from Harvard Medical School and completed her internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. May further specialized in gastroenterology through the UCLA Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) Program and earned her Ph.D. in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Her research focuses on health disparities, preventive health, colorectal cancer screening, and improving access to care for underserved populations. She has published extensively on strategies to enhance cancer prevention and equitable healthcare delivery. Dr. May’s work has earned her recognition for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine. A passionate educator and clinician, she continues to mentor future physicians and contribute to policy-oriented health research that addresses real-world healthcare inequities.

Profile:  Scopus  

Featured Publications

Wong, C. R., Flores, Y. N., Avila, A., Tieu, L., Crespi, C. M., May, F. P., Bell, D. S., Glenn, B., & Bastani, R. (2025). Improving the accuracy and precision of disease identification when utilizing EHR data for research: The case for hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Research Notes, 18, 410.

Prof. Anil gautam| Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Pro. Anil gautam| Engineering | Best Researcher Award

G B Pant Institute of Technology, Pauri Garhwal | India

Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Gautam is a distinguished scholar and academic leader in the field of Electronics and Communication Engineering with extensive experience in antenna design, wireless communications, and microwave engineering. He earned his BE in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Kumaon Institute of Technology and completed his PhD at the Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, focusing on active microstrip antennas for frequency-agile operations. With over two decades of academic experience, he has served as Professor at G B Pant Institute of Engineering and Technology, and Gautam Buddha University, holding key administrative positions including Dean, Head of Department, and Registrar. Dr. Gautam’s research expertise spans microstrip antennas, DGS microstrip antennas, ultrawideband (UWB) antennas, reconfigurable antennas, circularly polarized antennas, and MIMO/massive MIMO systems. He has supervised several PhD theses on advanced antenna design and wireless applications. Recognized for his contributions, he has received prestigious awards such as the Governor’s Award for Best Research Paper (2019), Education Leadership Award (2018), and was nominated for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science & Technology. Prof. Gautam actively contributes to the academic community as an editor and member of professional societies including IEEE, IETE, and multiple university boards. His work bridges theoretical research with practical applications, advancing antenna technology and wireless communication systems globally.

Profile:  Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Chandel, R., Gautam, A. K., & Rambabu, K. (2018). Tapered fed compact UWB MIMO-diversity antenna with dual band-notched characteristics. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 66(4), 1677–1684.

Gautam, A. K., Yadav, S., & Kanaujia, B. K. (2013). A CPW-fed compact UWB microstrip antenna. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, 12, 151–154.

Gautam, A. K., Kumar, L., Kanaujia, B. K., & Rambabu, K. (2015). Design of compact F-shaped slot triple-band antenna for WLAN/WiMAX applications. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 64(3), 1101–1105.

Farswan, A., Gautam, A. K., Kanaujia, B. K., & Rambabu, K. (2015). Design of Koch fractal circularly polarized antenna for handheld UHF RFID reader applications. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 64(2), 771–775.

Gautam, A. K., Yadav, S., & Rambabu, K. (2018). Design of ultra‐compact UWB antenna with band‐notched characteristics for MIMO applications. IET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation, 12(12), 1895–1900.

Chandel, R., & Gautam, A. K. (2016). Compact MIMO/diversity slot antenna for UWB applications with band‐notched characteristic. Electronics Letters, 52(5), 336–338.