Dr. Ednah n. Ototo – Geography and Environmental Health – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ednah n. Ototo - Geography and Environmental Health - Best Researcher Award

University of Waterloo - Canada

Author Profile

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Ednah n. Ototo embarked on her academic journey with a deep interest in parasitology, eventually earning a ph.d. in the field. she further expanded her expertise with certifications in implementation research for diseases of poverty and organizational development. her early academic training laid the foundation for a career that intersects health, climate change, and gender advocacy, aiming to uplift vulnerable communities. her commitment to research and learning has been the driving force behind her professional growth.

Professional endeavors 🏢

Ednah’s professional career spans over 12 years, during which she has worked with both local and international organizations. currently, she is serving as the women and water entrepreneurship network coordinator for the university of waterloo’s impower project. in this role, she focuses on co-creating a network that empowers women water vendors in kenya. she also holds the position of postdoctoral fellow at the same institution, where she designs and manages the women rise program, addressing the impact of covid-19 in kenya and uganda. her extensive experience in program management, proposal writing, and stakeholder engagement highlights her leadership in implementing meaningful interventions.

Contributions and research focus 🔬

Ednah’s research focuses on areas crucial to sustainable development and public health, such as climate change adaptation, food security, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction. her expertise in monitoring and evaluation has been instrumental in shaping programs that enhance the resilience of vulnerable populations. Geography and Environmental Health she is passionate about integrating gender advocacy into her work, ensuring that women play a central role in climate resilience and community health solutions.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Ednah has earned recognition for her significant contributions to various interdisciplinary projects, funded by prominent donors like usaid, dfid, idrc, and nih. her Geography and Environmental Health leadership in securing funding for health and environmental interventions has helped improve the livelihoods of crisis-affected populations in kenya and beyond. her innovative approaches to health, gender, and climate change have garnered the respect of colleagues and international organizations alike.

Impact and influence 🌱

Through her work, ednah has had a profound impact on the health and well-being of vulnerable communities. her research and program management have led to practical solutions in water, sanitation, and food security, directly benefiting populations affected by climate change and disasters. her ability to bridge the gap Geography and Environmental Health between research and real-world applications has made her a key figure in community health and climate resilience efforts.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

Ednah’s legacy is defined by her commitment to empowering women and vulnerable communities through education, entrepreneurship, and health initiatives. her ongoing work with the university of waterloo on the women and water entrepreneurship network reflects her vision of sustainable, women-led solutions in water resource management. as she continues to lead impactful projects, her future contributions are poised to shape more inclusive and resilient societies.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Surveillance of malaria vector population density and biting behaviour in western Kenya
    Author: EN Ototo, JP Mbugi, CL Wanjala, G Zhou, AK Githeko
    Journal: Malaria Journal, 2015
  • Title: Forecasting the potential effects of climate change on malaria in the Lake Victoria basin using regionalized climate projections
    Author: EN Ototo, JO Ogutu, A Githeko, MY Said, L Kamau
    Journal: Acta Parasitologica, 2022
  • Title: Surveillance of vector populations and malaria transmission during the 2009/10 El Niño event in the western Kenya highlands: opportunities for early detection of outbreaks
    Author: EN Ototo, AK Githeko, CL Wanjala, TW Scott
    Journal: Parasites & Vectors, 2011
  • Title: Evaluation of universal coverage of insecticide-treated nets in western Kenya: field surveys
    Author: G Zhou, JS Li, EN Ototo, HE Atieli, AK Githeko, G Yan
    Journal: Malaria Journal, 2014
  • Title: Age-specific Plasmodium parasite profile in pre and post ITN intervention period at a highland site in western Kenya
    Author: EN Ototo, G Zhou, L Kamau, JP Mbugi, CL Wanjala
    Journal: Malaria Journal, 2017

Prof Dr. Guo-Xin Cheng – Biology – Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Guo-Xin Cheng - Biology - Best Researcher Award

School of Enology and Horticulture - China

Author Profile 

ORCID

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Guo-Xin Cheng began his academic journey at northwest a&f university, where he pursued a degree in vegetable automation from september 2014 to june 2019. his academic commitment was evident as he excelled in his studies, earning a cet6 certificate with a score of 425, which showcases his proficiency in english. his passion for the intersection of technology and agriculture laid the foundation for his future endeavors in the field.

Professional endeavors 🏢

After completing his studies, guo-xin cheng joined ningxia university's school of enology and horticulture in july 2019, where he serves as an associate professor. in this role, he also takes on the responsibility of supervising master's students, helping guide the next generation of researchers and practitioners in horticulture and enology. his leadership and expertise have made significant contributions to the university’s research initiatives.

Contributions and research focus 🔬

Guo-xin cheng’s research focuses on the automation of vegetable production and advancements in horticultural practices. his work extends into the field of enology, blending technology with traditional agricultural practices to improve efficiency and sustainability. he is actively involved in several national and regional research Biology projects, including the national key research and development project of ningxia (2021bbf02024), and the nature and science foundation of ningxia (2022aac05023). these projects reflect his dedication to developing innovative solutions for the agricultural industry.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Through his work on prestigious research programs such as the national key research and development program (2021yfd1600302), guo-xin cheng has gained recognition for his contributions to agricultural automation and horticulture. his research outputs have been highly regarded, making a meaningful impact on the Biology scientific community and earning him the position of associate professor in a relatively short time.

Impact and influence 🌍

Guo-Xin Cheng’s research has significantly influenced the automation of agricultural practices in china, particularly in the region of ningxia. by integrating automation Biology into vegetable production, his work aims to increase crop yields, improve quality, and enhance the sustainability of farming practices. this focus on modernizing agriculture has not only benefited local farmers but has also contributed to national food security efforts.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

Looking forward, Guo-Xin Cheng is poised to continue his groundbreaking research in agricultural automation and horticulture. his work, particularly in guiding new technological solutions in the agricultural sector, will leave a lasting legacy. as a master’s program supervisor, he will also continue to mentor students, fostering innovation and contributing to the future of sustainable agriculture in China.

Notable Publications 

Dr. Sue Han Lee – Computational Botany – Women Researcher Award

Dr. Sue Han Lee - Computational Botany - Women Researcher Award

Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus - Malaysia

Author Profile

GOOGLE SCHOLAR 

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Lee Sue Han's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronics Engineering from Multimedia University, Malaysia. Her passion for technology and innovation propelled her to pursue a Master of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics at Shinshu University, Japan. Under the guidance of Professor Kiyoshi Tanaka, she focused on computer vision and machine learning, laying a solid foundation for her future research. Her quest for knowledge culminated in a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science & IT at University Malaya, where she further specialized in computer vision and deep learning under the mentorship of Professor Ir. Dr. Chan Chee Seng.

Professional endeavors 🏢

Since February 2020, Lee has served as a Lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, where she has taken on significant responsibilities, including Head of the Department of Information and Communication Technologies. Her role as an Interdisciplinary AI Research Driver emphasizes her commitment to advancing AI applications across various fields. Prior to this, she gained valuable experience as a Postdoctoral Fellow at INRAE in Montpellier, France, specializing in computational botany, which showcases her diverse expertise and adaptability in research.

Contributions and research focus 🔍

Lee's research is primarily centered on computer vision and deep learning, with a strong emphasis on machine learning applications. She has made significant strides in developing algorithms and techniques that enhance the understanding and analysis of visual data. Her contributions to computational botany highlight the Computational Botany intersection of technology and environmental science, where she explores innovative solutions for plant research through advanced computational methods. Her interdisciplinary approach not only enriches her field but also opens new avenues for research and application.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Lee Sue Han's contributions to the field have been recognized through her active involvement in professional organizations. As a member of IEEE Young Professionals since 2019, she has engaged with a global community of engineers and technologists. Recently, she was designated a Graduate Technologist by the Malaysian Board Computational Botany of Technologists (MBOT) in 2023, acknowledging her expertise and commitment to the engineering profession. Her achievements reflect her dedication to excellence and her impactful role in the academic and professional landscape.

Impact and influence 🌍

Lee's work significantly influences the fields of computer vision, machine learning, and computational botany. Her research not only advances theoretical knowledge but also has practical implications for various industries, including agriculture and environmental science. By bridging the gap between technology and real-world Computational Botany applications, she contributes to solving pressing global challenges. Her mentorship and leadership at Swinburne University inspire the next generation of engineers and researchers to explore innovative solutions.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

As Lee Sue Han continues her academic and research endeavors, her legacy is defined by her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and technological advancement. Her future contributions are expected to push the boundaries of knowledge in computer vision and AI, particularly in addressing environmental issues and enhancing agricultural practices. Lee's vision for the future is one where technology plays a pivotal role in creating sustainable solutions, and her ongoing work promises to have a lasting impact on both academia and industry.

Notable Publications 

How deep learning extracts and learns leaf features for plant classification 2017

Deep-plant: Plant identification with convolutional neural networks 2015

New perspectives on plant disease characterization based on deep learning  2020

Multi-organ plant classification based on convolutional and recurrent neural networks  2018

Attention-based recurrent neural network for plant disease classification 2020