Dr. Ezgi Ilhan | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ezgi Ilhan | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Best Researcher Award

Gazi University, Turkey

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Ezgi İlhan’s academic journey is rooted in excellence and driven by intellectual curiosity. Born in Ankara on June 7, 1985, her passion for learning was evident from an early age. She completed her secondary education at the prestigious Dr. Binnaz-Rıdvan Ege Anatolian High School, where she followed the Mathematics-Science curriculum and graduated with an outstanding GPA of 4.98 out of 5. This early academic success paved the way for her entrance into Middle East Technical University (METU), one of Turkey’s most competitive and respected universities.

Her undergraduate studies began in the Department of City and Regional Planning at METU, where she developed an interest in spatial design, planning, and user-environment interaction. However, her creative instincts and desire to work more closely with tangible design processes led her to transfer successfully into the Industrial Design program within the Faculty of Architecture. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design in 2009 with a GPA of 3.31 out of 4. During this period, she also participated in the Erasmus exchange program, spending a year at Universidad de Valladolid in Spain. There, she studied Industrial Design Technical Engineering and achieved a remarkable GPA of 9.5 out of 10, deepening her understanding of European design approaches and methodologies.

Continuing her educational ascent, Dr. İlhan pursued a Master of Science degree in Game Technologies at METU’s Informatics Institute between 2012 and 2015. Her graduate studies marked the beginning of her interdisciplinary exploration, combining her design background with emerging digital technologies. With a GPA of 3.79 out of 4, she demonstrated excellence in bridging theoretical design with digital interaction systems. Her academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Industrial Design at Gazi University from 2015 to 2021, where she completed her doctorate with an outstanding GPA of 3.98 out of 4. Her doctoral studies were a testament to her rigor, innovation, and scholarly depth, focusing on user research, interaction, and technology integration in design processes.

👩‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Dr. İlhan embarked on her academic career as a faculty member in the Department of Industrial Design at Gazi University in Ankara, where she has served as an Assistant Professor since September 2022. She quickly became a pivotal member of the academic team, contributing to both undergraduate and graduate education. Her courses—ENT217 (Computer Aided Design I), ID301 (Product Design III), and ENT469 (Competition-Oriented Design)—reflect her strong emphasis on digital tools, innovative thinking, and user-centered product development.

In addition to her primary role at Gazi University, she has extended her teaching excellence to several other institutions. At Middle East Technical University, she was invited to serve as a part-time instructor for the graduate course ID531 (Methods of User Research), a course that aligns closely with her research expertise. Her involvement in graduate-level education at METU is not only a return to her alma mater but also a reflection of her reputation as an authority in user-centered design methodologies. Between 2023 and 2025, she is also teaching at TOBB University of Economics and Technology, offering GİT425 (User Experience-Oriented Design), where she equips students with the principles and practical skills necessary to design meaningful, user-driven digital experiences. Furthermore, her teaching contributions at Ostim Technical University during 2022–2023 demonstrate her commitment to broadening design education across diverse academic platforms.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. İlhan’s research stands at the intersection of industrial design, user experience, and technology-enhanced interaction. Her work is deeply rooted in user research, gamification, and eye-tracking technology, areas that she has consistently explored in her academic publications. Through her research, she investigates how users perceive, interact with, and are influenced by the visual and functional attributes of designed products.

Her doctoral and postdoctoral projects have made notable contributions to the design discipline, particularly in evaluating aesthetic appreciation and decision-making using eye-tracking methodologies. By applying these methods to areas such as furniture design and mobile applications, she has opened new pathways for understanding how cognitive responses can shape design outcomes. Her research on gamification and behavioral change, including sleep-wake habits, has also added a new dimension to health-related interaction design. These contributions highlight her ability to fuse scientific inquiry with creative problem-solving in design.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

While formal awards are not explicitly documented, Dr. İlhan’s academic achievements and professional trajectory speak volumes about her recognition in the field. Her consistently high academic performance, rapid advancement to assistant professorship, and invitations to teach at leading universities such as METU and TOBB ETU signal the respect she commands within academic circles. Her publications in prominent journals and conference proceedings further validate her position as a thought leader in design research.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. İlhan’s influence extends beyond the classroom. Her interdisciplinary expertise enables her to mentor a new generation of designers who are equally comfortable with sketchpads and software interfaces. Through her teaching, she instills the importance of integrating empirical data, user feedback, and creative intuition into design practice. She also encourages students to be critical thinkers and ethical innovators—skills that are increasingly vital in today’s rapidly evolving design landscape.

Her research has influenced product design, interaction systems, and even behavioral health interventions, showcasing her ability to translate design knowledge into real-world applications. As both a scholar and educator, she continues to impact how designers think, research, and create.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking to the future, Dr. İlhan’s legacy is likely to be defined by her pioneering role in combining human-centered design with advanced technologies. As fields like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and biometric sensing grow in relevance, her research framework positions her to lead cutting-edge projects that address both aesthetic and functional dimensions of design. Her past work already demonstrates a rare ability to balance technological sophistication with human empathy—an approach that will remain central to design in the years ahead.

In shaping academic programs, mentoring students, and producing forward-thinking research, Dr. Ezgi İlhan is not only contributing to the present of industrial design—she is helping to define its future.

📝Notable Publications

Pursuit of Methodology for Data Input Related to Taste in Design: Using Eye Tracking Technology

Author(s): AE Ilhan, A Togay
Journal: Displays
Year: 2023

Improving Sleep-Wake Behaviors Using Mobile App Gamification

Author(s): AE Ilhan, B Sener, H Hacihabiboglu
Journal: Entertainment Computing, Volume 40, 100454
Year: 2022

 Use of Eye-Tracking Technology for Appreciation-Based Information in Design Decisions Related to Product Details: Furniture Example

Author(s): AE Ilhan, A Togay
Journal: Multimedia Tools and Applications, Volume 83, Pages 8013–8042
Year: 2024

 Use of Eye Tracking Technology in Evaluating Product Images and Optimal Process Decisions

Author(s): E İlhan, A Togay
Journal: Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and …
Year: 2020

 Eye-Tracking to Enhance Usability: A Race Game

Author(s): AE İlhan
Journal: Intelligent Systems and Applications: Proceedings of the 2018 Intelligent …
Year: 2019

Assoc Prof Dr. Ao Kong | Conflict Management and Resolution | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc Prof Dr. Ao Kong | Conflict Management and Resolution | Best Researcher Award

Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, China

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Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Ao Kong’s academic journey is a shining example of unwavering dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. He began his higher education at the prestigious Nanjing University in China, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in June 2006. Building on his strong foundational knowledge, he continued at Nanjing University to achieve a Master’s degree in Mathematics in 2008. Kong’s early fascination with mathematical structures and quantitative reasoning propelled him to set his sights abroad for further studies. His pursuit of academic excellence led him to the University of Houston in Texas, United States, where he earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics in December 2013. During his doctoral studies, Kong honed his analytical skills, focusing on the rigorous quantitative methods that would later define his research in finance and data-driven economic modeling.

Professional Endeavors 💼

Ao Kong’s professional career is a tapestry of experience blending both academic and industry insights. His career commenced at KPMG Huazhen in Shanghai, where he worked as an Auditor from September 2008 to May 2010. This initial experience in a top-tier accounting and consulting firm provided him firsthand exposure to real-world financial operations and regulatory environments, sharpening his practical understanding of corporate finance and risk management.

In July 2014, Kong transitioned into academia, joining the School of Finance at Nanjing University of Finance and Economics (NUFE) as an Assistant Professor. Over a decade of dedicated teaching and research culminated in his promotion to Associate Professor in January 2025. Meanwhile, from January 2021 to December 2022, he further broadened his scholarly horizons as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Management and Engineering, Nanjing University. This period of advanced research deepened his engagement with big data analytics and market microstructure studies, bridging mathematical theory with economic applications.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Ao Kong’s research elegantly bridges mathematical theory, market microstructure, big data analytics, and asset pricing. His work addresses critical issues such as liquidity provision, trading behaviors, and the identification of patterns in financial markets. His recent publications reflect the depth and breadth of his contributions.

In particular, his studies explore the nuanced role of market makers in hybrid markets and analyze liquidity provision in the Chinese stock market using game-theoretic frameworks. One notable work, accepted by the Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, investigates how market makers operate in hybrid systems where elements of both order-driven and quote-driven markets coexist. Another influential piece, published in the Journal of Management Science, co-authored with colleagues, uses sophisticated modeling to decode individual investors’ behavior and private information in the context of stock price fluctuations.

His research published in Computational Economics demonstrates his innovative approach by applying mutual information measures to multivariate time series data — a pioneering effort to detect microtrading patterns that precede abrupt price movements. This work reflects not only his mastery of complex mathematical tools but also his commitment to making meaningful contributions to financial market understanding.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

While specific awards or honors are not explicitly listed, Ao Kong’s trajectory itself speaks volumes about his recognition within academic and professional circles. His appointment as an Associate Professor at NUFE and his successful postdoctoral tenure at Nanjing University, both highly respected institutions, are strong indicators of his peers’ esteem. Furthermore, the acceptance of his papers in reputable journals like the Pacific-Basin Finance Journal and Computational Economics is an academic accolade in itself, reflecting the scholarly community’s recognition of the relevance and rigor of his research.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Ao Kong’s work significantly influences the fields of financial econometrics and market microstructure research, especially within the context of Chinese capital markets. His analyses provide regulators, market participants, and fellow researchers with valuable insights into the behavior of liquidity providers and the mechanics behind stock price movements. Through his teaching, he imparts advanced financial modeling techniques and quantitative finance methodologies to the next generation of economists and financial engineers. Courses such as Financial Econometrics, Quantitative Finance, Corporate Finance, and Financial Risk Management are enriched by his real-world insights and research findings, fostering a stronger, more analytically capable cohort of students.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🔮

Looking forward, Ao Kong’s legacy appears firmly tied to the continued evolution of financial technologies and big data applications in market analysis. As financial markets become more data-driven and interconnected, the methodologies he champions — such as pattern recognition in trading behavior and quantitative analysis of liquidity dynamics — will become even more critical.

Given his strong background in both theoretical mathematics and practical finance, Kong is poised to be a leading voice in developing next-generation financial market models that incorporate AI, machine learning, and complex systems analysis. His commitment to bridging theory with practice ensures that his future contributions will remain both academically significant and practically impactful, further strengthening his role as a pioneer in the intersection of mathematics, finance, and data science.

Notable publications 

Predicting apparent singlet oxygen quantum yields of dissolved black carbon and humic substances using spectroscopic indices

Authors: Z. Du, Y. He, J. Fan, H. Fu, S. Zheng, Z. Xu, X. Qu, A. Kong, D. Zhu
Journal: Chemosphere
Year: 2018

Predicting intraday jumps in stock prices using liquidity measures and technical indicators

Authors: A. Kong, H. Zhu, R. Azencott
Journal: Journal of Forecasting
Year: 2021

 Predicting trend of high frequency CSI 300 index using adaptive input selection and machine learning techniques

Authors: A. Kong, H. Zhu
Journal: Journal of Systems Science and Information
Year: 2018

 Biomarker signature discovery from mass spectrometry data

Authors: A. Kong, C. Gupta, M. Ferrari, M. Agostini, C. Bedin, A. Bouamrani, E. Tasciotti, …
Journal: IEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
Year: 2014

 Does idiosyncratic volatility matter?—Evidence from Chinese stock market

Authors: S. Liu, A. Kong, R. Gu, W. Guo
Journal: Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications
Year: 2019

Assist Prof Dr. Dirriba Idahe | Transformational Leadership | Editorial Board Member

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Assist Prof Dr. Dirriba Idahe | Transformational Leadership | Editorial Board Member

Nanjing Agrcultural University, China 

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Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Dirriba Idahe Gemeda’s academic journey began with a clear focus on agricultural economics, a field that would shape his future contributions to both academia and the agricultural community. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management from Haramaya University in 2010, laying a strong foundation for his academic and professional development. His pursuit of knowledge continued with a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the same institution in 2014, where he deepened his understanding of economic analysis, agricultural policies, and market trends. These early academic pursuits honed his ability to critically analyze agricultural issues and paved the way for his future research endeavors.

Driven by a desire to make meaningful contributions to sustainable agricultural development, Dirriba expanded his academic horizons by pursuing a PhD in Agricultural Economics and Management at Nanjing University, China. Expected to graduate in 2027, his doctoral research will further refine his expertise, adding significant depth to his understanding of the challenges and opportunities within agricultural systems, particularly in developing economies.

Professional Endeavors 💼

In his professional life, Dirriba has demonstrated a deep commitment to academic excellence and community development. Since July 2016, he has served as a lecturer and researcher at Ambo University in Ethiopia. In this role, he has contributed to the academic landscape by teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, value chain analysis, farm management, and project planning. His dedication to teaching is matched by his commitment to mentorship, guiding students in the development of research proposals and thesis projects.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dirriba has been actively involved in research projects focused on agricultural policies, market trends, and sustainable farming practices. His research has been instrumental in identifying strategies to improve crop yields and economic outcomes for smallholder farmers. As a result, his work not only enriches the academic environment but also provides valuable insights that can be applied to enhance agricultural productivity in Ethiopia and beyond.

Before joining Ambo University, Dirriba worked as a lecturer at Madda Walabu University, where he further developed his expertise in agricultural economics. His teaching at Madda Walabu included courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, value chain analysis, and farm management. The opportunity to shape the next generation of agricultural economists and contribute to national research was a pivotal part of his early career.

Contributions and Research Focus 📚

Dirriba’s research focus is centered on improving agricultural practices and understanding the economic dynamics within Ethiopia’s agricultural sector. He has conducted extensive studies on smallholder farmers’ participation in irrigation systems, value chain analysis, and dairy product market participation, all of which are critical to enhancing the livelihoods of rural households. His published work, such as his study on “Smallholder farmers’ participation in small-scale irrigation systems,” provides important insights into how farmers can better engage with irrigation technologies to improve productivity.

In addition to his work on irrigation, Dirriba has examined the supply and market opportunities for rose flowers, focusing on the Ethiopian horticultural industry. His research on the determinants of dairy product market participation in rural Ethiopia explores how household economic decisions impact the success of dairy farming and value chain integration. These studies showcase Dirriba’s ability to bridge theoretical concepts with real-world applications, ensuring that his research addresses practical challenges faced by farmers.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Dirriba’s commitment to academic excellence has earned him recognition both within Ethiopia and internationally. He has published multiple articles in reputable journals, contributing to the broader field of agricultural economics. His work is widely acknowledged for its rigorous analysis and practical implications for sustainable agriculture. As an editorial board member for the International Inventions Awards, Dirriba has also played a significant role in fostering innovation and research across diverse academic fields.

In addition to his scholarly achievements, Dirriba has been invited to present his research at national and international conferences, where his findings have sparked discussions on policy, sustainability, and economic development. His ability to convey complex ideas in accessible language has enhanced his reputation as a thought leader in agricultural economics.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Dirriba’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. Through his research, teaching, and community engagement, he has contributed to shaping agricultural policies and practices that are more sustainable and economically viable. His work on training development agents, community members, and farmers in sustainable agricultural practices has had a direct positive effect on rural Ethiopian communities. Through workshops and training sessions, Dirriba has empowered local farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to improve their agricultural practices and, by extension, their economic well-being.

Moreover, Dirriba’s influence is felt in the realm of agricultural education. His mentorship and guidance have helped numerous students develop into skilled professionals, many of whom have gone on to contribute significantly to Ethiopia’s agricultural sector. His emphasis on practical research and its application to local communities ensures that his students are equipped not only with theoretical knowledge but also with the ability to implement solutions that address real-world challenges.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🔮

Dirriba Idahe Gemeda’s legacy is already being established through his research, teaching, and community outreach. His work in agricultural economics has laid the groundwork for future advancements in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, particularly in improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable farming practices. As his doctoral research progresses, Dirriba is expected to make even more significant contributions to the field, particularly in the areas of agricultural policy, market dynamics, and sustainable development strategies.

Looking ahead, Dirriba is poised to continue his academic and professional journey with even greater focus on the intersection of economic development and environmental sustainability. His future research will likely explore emerging challenges in global food security, climate change adaptation, and rural economic empowerment, particularly in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. Through his work, Dirriba aims to make a lasting impact on agricultural economics, ensuring that his contributions continue to foster innovation, sustainability, and growth in agricultural practices for years to come.