Mr. Abhishek Setty | Machine Learning | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Abhishek Setty | Machine Learning | Best Researcher Award

Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany

Author Profile

Orchid 

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Abhishek Setty’s academic journey reflects a dynamic blend of curiosity, diligence, and a passion for engineering and computation. He began his higher education at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kancheepuram, where he pursued a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering. Graduating with distinction and an impressive CGPA of 9.2/10, Abhishek demonstrated an early aptitude for deep technical learning and problem-solving. His bachelor thesis, which earned a perfect grade, set the foundation for a lifelong commitment to the intersection of classical engineering and cutting-edge computational methods.

Motivated to explore further, Abhishek continued his academic pursuits in Germany, enrolling in the esteemed RWTH Aachen University for a Master’s program in Computer-Aided Conception and Production in Mechanical Engineering. With a final grade of 1.4, he not only excelled academically but also engaged in multiple research initiatives that reflected his growing interest in quantum computing, simulation, and machine learning. His mini-thesis—graded at the highest level (1.0)—focused on the application of tensor calculus in fiber composite materials, showcasing his ability to marry abstract mathematical theory with real-world engineering problems.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Abhishek’s professional timeline is marked by a series of research-driven positions across prestigious German institutions. His role at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM) in Freiburg from April 2022 to May 2024 allowed him to work at the cutting edge of material mechanics and machine learning. As a student research assistant, he contributed to multiple high-impact projects, including a published paper on particle trajectory prediction using a graph-based interaction-aware model, which explores how machine learning can enhance discrete element simulations.

Prior to that, in 2020 and again in 2023, Abhishek worked at the Department of Continuum Mechanics, RWTH Aachen, where he explored the capabilities of quantum machine learning to solve differential equations. His master’s thesis culminated in a research paper on self-adaptive physics-informed quantum machine learning, published in a reputable journal. This experience deepened his technical prowess and cemented his passion for applying quantum computing in fluid mechanics and material modeling.

Currently, Abhishek is advancing his research career as a PhD student at Forschungszentrum Jülich, one of Europe’s leading interdisciplinary research centers. His doctoral work focuses on quantum computational fluid dynamics, a highly promising and futuristic domain that bridges the gap between quantum theory and continuum mechanics.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Abhishek’s core research focus lies at the intersection of quantum computing, machine learning, and continuum mechanics. His contributions are significant in the realm of physics-informed machine learning, where he has explored how quantum algorithms can be utilized to solve traditionally complex differential equations. His work also spans predictive modeling in materials science, including novel questions such as:

  • Can machine learning replace FEM (Finite Element Method) models in commercial software like Abaqus?

  • How do structural irregularities like knots affect the strength of wood in different stress conditions?

  • Is it possible for biochar-reinforced concrete to rival steel in marine engineering applications?

These questions reflect not only technical depth but also a forward-looking curiosity, grounded in both theory and practical application.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Abhishek’s academic and research excellence has been consistently recognized. From receiving top grades in his bachelor’s and master’s theses to publishing peer-reviewed papers in internationally recognized journals, his contributions have earned the respect of his mentors and peers alike. He also holds certifications from Stanford University on platforms like EDX and Coursera in quantum mechanics, machine learning, and deep learning, signaling his commitment to continuous learning and interdisciplinary proficiency.

His role as a senior mentor for master’s students at RWTH Aachen in 2021 underscores his dedication to knowledge sharing and academic community building—a trait that goes beyond personal success to uplift others.

🌍 Impact and Influence

The impact of Abhishek’s work is already being felt across the domains of materials science, simulation engineering, and quantum computing. His research has practical implications for industries reliant on high-accuracy simulations, such as aerospace, mechanical design, and structural engineering. The published models and algorithms he has worked on could lead to more efficient and sustainable engineering solutions in the near future.

His integration of high-performance computing clusters, open-source tools like IBM Qiskit and Xanadu Pennylane, and theoretical insights from continuum mechanics positions him uniquely as a thought leader in quantum-enhanced engineering simulation.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking forward, Abhishek Setty is poised to make significant contributions to the emerging field of quantum computational mechanics. His current PhD research aims to unlock new paradigms in fluid dynamics using quantum algorithms, potentially reshaping how scientists and engineers simulate and solve multi-scale, high-complexity physical systems.

His legacy is being built not just through papers and code, but through a mindset of rigorous inquiry, creative thinking, and a willingness to challenge existing computational frontiers. With a global outlook and a strong foundation in both classical engineering and quantum computation, Abhishek represents the new generation of interdisciplinary researchers who are defining the future of science and technology.

📝Notable Publications

Particle trajectory prediction in discrete element simulations using a graph-based interaction-aware model

Authors: Abhishek Setty, Lukas Morand, Poojitha Ramachandra, Claas Bierwisch
Journal: Computational Materials Science
Year: 2025

 Self-adaptive physics-informed quantum machine learning for solving differential equations

Authors: Abhishek Setty, Rasul Abdusalamov, Felix Motzoi
Journal: Machine Learning: Science and Technology
Year: 2025

Dr. Deniz Akdemir | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Deniz Akdemir | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Best Researcher Award

NMDP, United States

Author Profile

Google Scholar 

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Deniz Akdemir’s journey into the world of data science and statistical genomics began with a strong academic foundation that combined both business acumen and analytical prowess. He earned his B.A. in Business Administration from the prestigious Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey, in 1999. His growing interest in analytical modeling and decision-making led him to pursue a Master of Science in Statistics at METU, which he completed in 2003.

Building on this momentum, he continued his academic journey in the United States, obtaining both a Master of Arts in Applied Statistics (2004) and a Ph.D. in Statistics (2009) from Bowling Green State University. During his doctoral studies, Akdemir laid the groundwork for what would become a distinguished career in high-dimensional data analysis and computational biology. His academic training equipped him with a deep understanding of statistical theory while nurturing his talent for interdisciplinary research—a theme that would define much of his later work.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Akdemir’s professional trajectory is a blend of academia, industry, and applied research. Following the completion of his Ph.D., he held a Postdoctoral Research Associate position at University College Dublin from 2019 to 2021. During this time, he contributed to the advancement of statistical methodologies in genomic selection and experimental design.

He transitioned into the healthcare and clinical data landscape through his role at the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Initially joining as a Clinical Data Scientist in 2021, Akdemir’s exceptional performance and scientific insight led to his promotion as Senior Clinical Data Scientist in 2023. At NMDP, he applies cutting-edge statistical and machine learning techniques to optimize bone marrow transplant outcomes and improve patient care—a prime example of research translating into life-saving real-world impact.

In parallel, he founded and operates StatGen Consulting, a firm that provides expert consulting services in statistical genomics and machine learning. Through StatGen, he bridges the gap between theoretical development and industry application, fostering innovation across academia, agriculture, and clinical healthcare.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Deniz Akdemir is widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to statistical genomics, machine learning, and computational biology. His research revolves around developing statistical methodologies that address complex biological questions, particularly in the domains of genomic prediction, multi-trait modeling, genotype-by-environment interactions, and optimization of breeding programs.

His innovative software tools, such as TrainSel (R) and trainselpy (Python), have been instrumental in enhancing the selection of optimal training populations, improving predictive accuracy in genomic selection models. These tools are used by researchers and practitioners worldwide to streamline data-driven breeding and selection strategies.

With over 3,400 citations, 86 publications, and a growing international reputation, Akdemir’s work is a cornerstone in the statistical modeling of genomic data. His ability to integrate Bayesian methods, high-dimensional statistics, deep learning, and causal inference into biological frameworks has led to significant advances in both plant breeding and human health research.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

While not one to seek the spotlight, Deniz Akdemir’s work has earned considerable recognition within the scientific community. His Google Scholar citation count of over 3,400 reflects the widespread adoption and influence of his methodologies. Collaborations with prominent researchers such as Jean-Luc Jannink, Mark Sorrells, Jose Crossa, and Jessica Rutkoski have resulted in high-impact publications that drive global conversations in genetics and data science.

He is also widely respected for his collaborative spirit and leadership in large-scale research projects, and his work is often cited in discussions of best practices in genomic prediction and breeding program optimization.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Akdemir’s influence extends across disciplines and continents. His statistical tools are not confined to academic research—they have practical applications in agriculture, biotechnology, and clinical medicine. His contributions help shape crop resilience strategies in the face of climate change, and inform personalized treatment strategies in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Beyond the numbers, Akdemir is a mentor, educator, and thought leader. His ability to translate complex statistical theories into practical insights enables teams to make better decisions based on data. He regularly contributes to open-source communities, champions reproducible research, and supports collaborative networks across universities and institutes worldwide.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Deniz Akdemir is poised to further his impact in areas where statistical innovation intersects with biological complexity. His vision for the future includes expanding the use of machine learning algorithms in healthcare, continuing to develop statistical tools that enhance breeding program efficiency, and deepening his work on genomic prediction frameworks that can transform personalized medicine.

As he continues to build bridges between disciplines and create tools that shape the future of data-driven research, Dr. Akdemir’s legacy will be that of a visionary who brought clarity, precision, and real-world impact to some of the most complex challenges in science and healthcare.

Genomic Selection and Association Mapping in Rice (Oryza sativa): Effect of Trait Genetic Architecture, Training Population Composition, Marker Number and More

Authors: J. Spindel, H. Begum, D. Akdemir, P. Virk, B. Collard, E. Redona, G. Atlin, J.-L. Jannink, S. McCouch
Journal: PLoS Genetics
Year: 2015

 Integrating Environmental Covariates and Crop Modeling into the Genomic Selection Framework to Predict Genotype by Environment Interactions

Authors: N. Heslot, D. Akdemir, M.E. Sorrells, J.-L. Jannink
Journal: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Year: 2014

Training Set Optimization under Population Structure in Genomic Selection

Authors: J. Isidro, J.-L. Jannink, D. Akdemir, J. Poland, N. Heslot, M.E. Sorrells
Journal: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Year: 2015

 Genome-Wide Prediction Models That Incorporate de novo GWAS Are a Powerful New Tool for Tropical Rice Improvement

Authors: J.E. Spindel, H. Begum, D. Akdemir, B. Collard, E. Redoña, J.-L. Jannink, S. McCouch
Journal: Heredity
Year: 2016

 Squamous Cell and Adenosquamous Carcinomas of the Gallbladder: Clinicopathological Analysis of 34 Cases Identified in 606 Carcinomas

Authors: J.C. Roa, O. Tapia, A. Cakir, O. Basturk, N. Dursun, D. Akdemir, B. Saka, V. Bagci, I.O. Dursun, N. Adsay
Journal: Modern Pathology
Year: 2011

Dr. Hai Xue | Edge computing | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hai Xue | Edge computing | Best Researcher Award

University of Shanghai for Science and Technology,

Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Hai Xue embarked on his academic journey in the field of computer engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Engineering from Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea, in 2014. Driven by an insatiable curiosity for software and computing, he pursued his Master’s degree at Hanyang University, Seoul, where he specialized in Computer and Software under the guidance of Prof. Inwhee Joe. This period was crucial in shaping his foundational knowledge and research skills, which later fueled his contributions to edge computing and network science. Dr. Xue culminated his formal education with a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, in 2020, where he worked under the mentorship of Prof. Hee Yong Youn. His doctoral research laid the groundwork for his future breakthroughs in dynamic resource allocation and federated learning.

🌟 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Xue’s professional career is marked by a series of prestigious positions that reflect his growing influence in the field of computer engineering. After earning his Ph.D., he served as a Research Professor at Korea University, Seoul, from September 2020 to September 2021. During this tenure, he collaborated with renowned researcher Prof. Sangheon Pack, contributing significantly to the domains of edge computing and network optimization. In September 2021, he transitioned to his current role as an Assistant Professor at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST), Shanghai, China. Here, he continues to engage in high-impact research, mentoring young scholars, and advancing cutting-edge technological solutions.

🔮 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Xue’s research interests are deeply rooted in dynamic resource allocation, federated learning, and edge computing. His contributions have led to substantial advancements in these areas, including:

  • Dynamic Pricing in Edge Offloading: His recent work on dynamic pricing-based near-optimal resource allocation is set to redefine how computational resources are distributed efficiently across networks.
  • Energy Harvesting in Edge Computing: His paper on dynamic differential pricing-based edge offloading systems with energy harvesting devices has been accepted by IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering, highlighting his expertise in sustainable and energy-efficient computing.
  • Federated Learning Incentive Mechanisms: His study on Yardstick-Stackelberg pricing-based incentive mechanisms for federated learning in edge computing, accepted by Computer Networks, sheds light on optimizing collaborative learning models.
  • Neural Network Optimization: His work on dynamic pseudo-mean mixed-precision quantization (DPQ) for pruned neural networks, published in Machine Learning, underscores his ability to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence efficiency.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Xue’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. His publications in high-impact journals such as IEEE Transactions, Computer Networks, and Machine Learning underscore his academic excellence. His research has been classified under prestigious rankings, including CAS Q2 and JCR Q1, affirming its significance within the scientific community. These accolades reflect his unwavering commitment to innovation and the quality of his scholarly output.

🌐 Impact and Influence

Dr. Xue’s research has far-reaching implications in both academia and industry. His work in dynamic pricing mechanisms is influencing how network providers optimize their resource allocation, while his advancements in federated learning are paving the way for more secure and efficient decentralized AI applications. His insights into energy harvesting in edge computing hold promise for sustainable technological solutions, a pressing need in today’s energy-conscious world.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Xue is poised to make even more significant contributions to computer engineering. His ongoing projects aim to refine the synergy between AI and edge computing, ensuring smarter, more adaptive network solutions. As an educator, he remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of computing professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle future challenges in technology.

📝Notable Publications

Dynamic load balancing of software-defined networking based on genetic-ant colony optimization

Author(s): H. Xue, K.T. Kim, H.Y. Youn
Journal: Sensors
Year: 2019

 Detection of falls with smartphone using machine learning technique

Author(s): X. Chen, H. Xue, M. Kim, C. Wang, H.Y. Youn
Journal: 2019 8th International Congress on Advanced Applied Informatics (IIAI-AAI)
Year: 2019

Packet Scheduling for Multiple‐Switch Software‐Defined Networking in Edge Computing Environment

Author(s): H. Xue, K.T. Kim, H.Y. Youn
Journal: Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing
Year: 2018

 Dynamic pricing based near-optimal resource allocation for elastic edge offloading

Author(s): Y. Xia, H. Xue, D. Zhang, S. Mumtaz, X. Xu, J.J.P.C. Rodrigues
Journal: arXiv preprint arXiv:2409.18977
Year: 2024

DPQ: dynamic pseudo-mean mixed-precision quantization for pruned neural network

Author(s): S. Pei, J. Wang, B. Zhang, W. Qin, H. Xue, X. Ye, M. Chen
Journal: Machine Learning
Year: 2024

Aizan Zafar-AI in HealthCare-Best Scholar Award

Professional Profile 

Early Academic Pursuits:

Aizan Zafar embarked on his academic journey with a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from Guru Ghasidas Central University, Chhattisgarh, graduating with distinction and a commendable CGPA of 8.71 in 2016. This early academic success laid the foundation for his subsequent pursuits in the field of computer science.

He continued his educational journey by pursuing a Master's degree in Information Technology at the University of Hyderabad, Telangana. During this period (2017-2019), Aizan engaged in research on machine learning, focusing on an efficient approach for effective clustering using validity index. His dedication and scholarly pursuits earned him a CGPA of 8.1 in the first division with distinction.

Professional Endeavors:

Following his Master's degree, Aizan Zafar transitioned into a Ph.D. program at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Patna, commencing in July 2019. As a Ph.D. scholar, he delved into the realm of Natural Language Processing, particularly concentrating on Medical Question Answering and Dialogue Systems.

In the course of his doctoral journey, Aizan showcased exceptional research prowess by contributing to various projects and initiatives. His experience as a Teaching Assistant for courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, and Computer Network reflects his commitment to academic responsibilities.

Contributions and Research Focus:

Aizan's research endeavors have been prolific, spanning diverse areas within Natural Language Processing and Conversational AI. His notable contributions include the development of "Sevak," an intelligent Indian language chatbot, and "PERCURO," a holistic solution for clinical text employing conversational data for Question Answering systems.

Aizan's research has culminated in several published and accepted papers, demonstrating his expertise in knowledge-infused abstractive question answering systems, medical dialogue generation, and knowledge graph-assisted medical dialog generation. He has also showcased his commitment to advancing the field through organizing workshops and courses on Deep Learning for NLP.

Accolades and Recognition:

Aizan Zafar's academic prowess is underscored by his qualification in AIEEE (2012), GATE in 2017 (for M.Tech.), and GATE in 2019 (for Ph.D.). These achievements underscore his consistent dedication to academic excellence.

Impact and Influence:

Aizan's influence extends beyond his individual achievements. His organizational roles in workshops and courses, such as the GIAN Workshop on Deep Learning Techniques for Conversational AI and the CEP course on Deep Learning for NLP, highlight his commitment to knowledge dissemination and community building.

Legacy and Future Contributions:

As an emerging scholar in the field of Natural Language Processing and Conversational AI, Aizan Zafar's legacy is shaped by his significant contributions to medical question answering systems. With ongoing works focusing on enhancing abstractive question answering through first-order logic, Aizan is poised to leave a lasting impact on the intersection of AI and healthcare.

Looking forward, Aizan's dedication to learning, collaborative spirit, and leadership qualities position him as a future leader in the field, with the potential to shape the trajectory of Conversational AI and Natural Language Processing. His multifaceted approach, from research to teaching and organizational roles, signifies a holistic commitment to the advancement of knowledge in the realm of computer science and AI.

Notable Publications

 

Citation

A total of 14 citations for his publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of his research within the academic community.

  • Citations     14           14
  • h-index       3              3
  • i10-index    0             0