Mr. Habtamu Wuletawu – Geophysics – Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Habtamu Wuletawu - Geophysics - Best Researcher Award

Wallaga University -  Ethiopia

Author Profile

SCOPUS 

📚 Early academic pursuits

Habtamu Wuletawu began his academic journey with a strong interest in earth sciences. he earned his bachelor of science in geology from bahir dar university, ethiopia, in 2019, graduating with an impressive final grade of 3.77/4.0. his curiosity and dedication toward understanding the earth’s internal mechanisms led him to pursue a master of science in geophysics at addis ababa university. during his postgraduate studies (2021–2023), he maintained a stellar cgpa of 3.95/4.00 and successfully defended his thesis titled structure of the upper crust beneath the boku volcanic complex, main ethiopian rift: insight from gravity and magnetic data, passing with an excellent grade. his early research combined geophysical imaging with magnetic and gravity data to analyze subsurface volcanic activities—an approach that holds future potential in sectors such as power electronics, especially in geothermally active regions.

💼 Professional endeavors

Habtamu began his teaching career at wallaga university in 2019 as an assistant lecturer in the department of water resources and irrigation engineering. his dedication and academic merit quickly led to his promotion to lecturer and researcher in 2023. he has taught a variety of core subjects including principles of geophysics, exploration geophysics, engineering geology, and groundwater engineering. in parallel, he supervised student fieldwork in geological mapping, enhancing practical education in earth science. his teaching portfolio reflects a fusion of scientific rigor with field-based knowledge—concepts that align with the principles of power electronics in terms of integrating theory with application.

🧠 Contributions and research focus

Habtamu’s core research integrates geological and geophysical methodologies to investigate the earth’s internal structure, geodynamics, rift tectonics, and volcanic systems. during his Geophysics msc studies, he developed 2d forward gravity models and constructed a 3d geological interpretation model, revealing subsurface mid-upper crustal magmatic intrusions beneath the boku volcanic complex. this research contributes significantly to understanding tectonically active regions like the main ethiopian rift and can be foundational in identifying geothermal zones—regions which can be crucial for power electronics-based energy systems in the future.

🌍 Impact and influence

Habtamu has played a pivotal role in advancing geophysical studies in ethiopia, particularly in understanding the tectonic and volcanic nature of the main ethiopian rift. his integration of gravity and magnetic data has enabled more accurate subsurface mapping, aiding seismic hazard assessments and natural resource exploration. his influence is also evident in his mentorship and Geophysics academic contributions at wallaga university, where he is nurturing the next generation of geoscientists and engineers.

📖 Academic citations

While still at the early stages of his academic publishing career, habtamu is actively working on disseminating his research findings through peer-reviewed journals. his recent projects and Geophysics thesis work are being prepared for publication, focusing on crustal imaging, rift tectonics, and volcanic system dynamics. these publications are expected to receive citations from both regional and international researchers working in geodynamics, geothermal studies, and geophysical modeling.

🏆 Legacy and future contributions

Habtamu aims to further expand his research into advanced geophysical imaging techniques and interdisciplinary fields such as geo-energy systems and sustainable infrastructure development. he envisions applying his findings to power electronics-oriented geothermal energy solutions for the african rift region. as a dedicated educator and researcher, he plans to lead high-impact projects that integrate scientific research with real-world engineering applications. his long-term legacy lies in bridging geoscience research with sustainable energy development and policy.

Notable Publications

Title: Tectonic and magmatic segmentation interlinkage in the central main Ethiopian rift
Author(s): Shimels Wendwesen, Abera Alemu, Wubamlak Nigussie, Habtamu Wuletawu, Yoseph Muhabaw
Journal: Tectonophysics, 2025

Mr. Petar Donev – Remote Sensing – Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Petar Donev - Remote Sensing - Best Researcher Award

Hohai University - China 

Author Profile 

SCOPUS

ORCID

🌟 Early academic pursuits

Petar Donev's academic journey began with a deep interest in geodesy and geosciences. he earned his bachelor’s degree in geodesy from ss. “cyril and methodius” university in skopje, north macedonia, completing a thesis on analyzing lidar data using open-source gis software. his dedication to understanding cartographic systems and digital geospatial data laid the groundwork for his future contributions. furthering his academic growth, he pursued a master’s degree in cartography and gis at hohai university, china, where his research focused on estimating and mapping forest above-ground biomass using lidar data and multispectral satellite imagery. his educational foundation culminated in his ongoing doctoral studies at hohai university, where he specializes in mapping forest agb using multisource data in mountainous regions.

📚 Professional endeavors

Petar began his career in geodesy as a surveying technician, contributing to land and building surveys. later, as a geodetic engineer at the agency for real estate and cadaster in north macedonia, he worked on creating digital cadastral maps using advanced software. his teaching skills were honed at sggs “zdravko cvetkovski” high school, where he imparted knowledge on geoscience. his academic journey also includes a pedagogical certification from ss. “cyril and methodius” university, reflecting his commitment to both geodesy and education.

🌍 Contributions and research focus

petar’s research primarily revolves around mapping forest above-ground biomass using innovative technologies like lidar and multispectral satellite imagery. his Remote Sensing doctoral work explores agb mapping in mountainous regions, reflecting his focus on sustainable land management and environmental conservation. his expertise extends to leveraging gis tools for hydrology and forest dynamics, bridging the gap between geospatial technology and ecological insights.

🏆 Accolades and recognition

petar's academic and professional journey is marked by his achievements in geodesy and gis. earning a master’s degree and progressing to a doctoral candidate at Remote Sensing prestigious institutions like hohai university highlights his dedication and excellence. his successful completion of a mini-mba program from ibmi, berlin, underscores his multidisciplinary approach and leadership aspirations.

🌟 Impact and influence

petar has contributed significantly to advancing geospatial research, particularly in the areas of agb mapping and digital cadastral systems. his work not only aids in sustainable forestry and land management but also demonstrates the practical applications of lidar and gis technologies in real-world scenarios. his teaching Remote Sensing experience further amplifies his influence, inspiring future professionals in geoscience and geodesy.

🔗 Legacy and future contributions

with a focus on integrating multisource data and advanced technologies, petar aims to refine methodologies for agb estimation and digital mapping. his research Remote Sensing promises to provide vital insights for environmental planning and disaster mitigation in mountainous and forested regions. as he continues to innovate, petar’s legacy will inspire the geospatial community to harness technology for sustainable development.

Notable Publications 

  1. Title: Cross-modal fusion approach with multispectral, LiDAR, and SAR data for forest canopy height mapping in mountainous region
    Authors: Petar Donev, Hong Wang, Shuhong Qin, Xiuneng Li, Meng Zhang, Sisi Liu, Xin Wang
    Journal: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C
  2. Title: Enhancing Landsat image-based aboveground biomass estimation of black locust with scale bias-corrected LiDAR AGB map and stratified sampling
    Authors: Shuhong Qin, Hong Wang, Xiuneng Li, Jay Gao, Jiaxin Jin, Yongtao Li, Jinbo Lu, Pengyu Meng, Jing Sun, Zhenglin Song, et al.
    Journal: Geo-spatial Information Science
  3. Title: Estimating the Forest Above-Ground Biomass Based on Extracted LiDAR metrics and Predicted Diameter at Breast Height
    Authors: Petar Donev, Hong Wang, Shuhong Qin, Pengyu Meng, Jinbo Lu
    Journal: Journal of Geodesy and Geoinformation Science

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

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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