Soujanya Reddy Annapareddy | Engineering | Women Researcher Award

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Mrs. Soujanyareddy Annapareddy | Engineering | Women Researcher Award

TAE Power Solutions | United States

Mrs. Soujanya Reddy Annapareddy is a seasoned Firmware Automation and Software Test Engineer with over 7.5 years of professional experience in embedded systems testing, automation frameworks, and data-driven validation methodologies. Her research and professional interests lie at the intersection of firmware validation, automation engineering, and intelligent system testing, focusing on how advanced test automation techniques enhance the performance, reliability, and scalability of embedded and IoT systems. At TAE Power Solutions, she has contributed to the automation and validation of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) control platforms, integrating hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments and open-source frameworks such as PyTest, pandas, and matplotlib to improve regression coverage and testing efficiency. Her work explores the application of data analytics, fault-injection methods, and CI/CD pipeline integration in firmware testing to ensure real-world performance and fault tolerance. Her prior experience at Google Inc. involved automation testing for Android devices, wearable technologies, and data center systems, where she developed automation scripts in Python, Go, and C++, applied object-oriented design principles, and leveraged tools such as Mobly, Blueberry, and Buganizer for large-scale system validation. Soujanya’s analytical research focuses on automated testing frameworks, system-level reliability modeling, and signal strength optimization in wireless and connectivity domains. Methodologically, she employs Python-based automation, statistical analysis, and cloud-integrated validation frameworks, with hands-on experience in Linux environments, GCP cloud infrastructure, and RF system automation. Her interdisciplinary expertise bridges firmware engineering, test analytics, and computer science, offering insights into how automation accelerates innovation in embedded systems. Soujanya holds a Master of Science in Computer Technology from Eastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH), where she graduated with distinction. Her academic projects and industrial research underscore her commitment to advancing intelligent automation, embedded testing, and data-driven system optimization in modern technology ecosystems.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Annapareddy, S. R. (2025). Edge AI for real-time fault detection in embedded systems. International Journal of Emerging Trends in Computer Science and Information Systems.

Annapareddy, S. R. (2024). Managing power flows and energy efficiency in embedded systems for BESS. IJAIDR – Journal of Advances in Developmental Research, 15(2), 1–5.

Annapareddy, S. R. (2024). Advanced fault detection and diagnostics in embedded control units for BESS. IJSAT – International Journal on Science and Technology, 15(4).

Annapareddy, S. R. (2024). Firmware architecture and safety standards in battery energy storage systems. International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering.

Annapareddy, S. R. (2024). Optimizing Android device testing with automation frameworks. International Journal of Innovative Research and Creative Technology, 10(4), 1–7.

Annapareddy, S. R. (2024). Real-world applications of Python in firmware and software automation. International Journal of Innovative Research and Creative Technology, 10(2), 1–6.

Annapareddy, S. R. (2024). Advancements in firmware testing and validation techniques. ESP Journal of Engineering & Technology Advancements, 4(3).

Abu Farzan Mitul | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Abu Farzan Mitul | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Leidos | United States

Dr. Abu Farzan Mitul is an accomplished researcher and educator specializing in opto-electronic device fabrication, fiber optic sensing technologies, and nanostructured thin-film materials. His research bridges the intersection of photonics, materials science, and advanced sensing systems — contributing to innovations that enhance environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and biomedical diagnostics. Dr. Mitul earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), USA, where he designed and developed advanced fiber Bragg grating sensors and thin-film photonic devices for multi-parameter sensing applications. His earlier academic training includes a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Applied Physics, Electronics, and Communication Engineering from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Throughout his career, Dr. Mitul has collaborated with leading U.S. research institutions and agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DoD), and NASA, focusing on next-generation optoelectronic and energy-efficient sensing systems. His extensive publication record spans high-impact journals and international conferences in photonics, sensor technology, and materials characterization. In addition to his research, Dr. Mitul has served as a faculty member and laboratory instructor, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in electronics, photonics, and experimental physics. He is passionate about advancing interdisciplinary research in fiber optic sensing, MEMS/NEMS devices, photonic integrated systems, and nanotechnology-driven device engineering. Dr. Mitul continues to explore innovative pathways toward miniaturized, high-sensitivity photonic systems with applications across environmental, aerospace, and biomedical fields — aligning cutting-edge materials research with sustainable technological development.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar | Linkedin

Featured Publications

Adhikari, N., Dubey, A., Khatiwada, D., Mitul, A. F., Wang, Q., Venkatesan, S., & Qiao, Q. (2015). Interfacial study to suppress charge carrier recombination for high efficiency perovskite solar cells. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 7(48), 26445–26454. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b08343

Rana, G. M. S. M., Khan, A. A. M., Hoque, M. N., & Mitul, A. F. (2013, December). Design and implementation of a GSM based remote home security and appliance control system. In 2013 2nd International Conference on Advances in Electrical Engineering (ICAEE) (pp. 291–295). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICAEE.2013.6750340

Khatiwada, D., Venkatesan, S., Adhikari, N., Dubey, A., Mitul, A. F., Mohammad, L., … & Qiao, Q. (2015). Efficient perovskite solar cells by temperature control in single and mixed halide precursor solutions and films. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 119(46), 25747–25753. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b08667

Mitul, A. F., Mohammad, L., Venkatesan, S., Adhikari, N., Sigdel, S., Wang, Q., … & Qiao, Q. (2015). Low temperature efficient interconnecting layer for tandem polymer solar cells. Nano Energy, 11, 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2014.10.030

Venkatesan, S., Ngo, E. C., Chen, Q., Dubey, A., Mohammad, L., Adhikari, N., … & Qiao, Q. (2014). Benzothiadiazole-based polymer for single and double junction solar cells with high open circuit voltage. Nanoscale, 6(12), 7093–7100. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4NR00606H

Islam, M. M., Rafi, F. H. M., Mitul, A. F., Ahmad, M., Rashid, M. A., & Malek, M. F. B. A. (2012, May). Development of a noninvasive continuous blood pressure measurement and monitoring system. In 2012 International Conference on Informatics, Electronics & Vision (ICIEV) (pp. 695–699). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIEV.2012.6317425

 

Chinedu Okere | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Chinedu Okere | Engineering | Best Researcher Award 

University of Houston | United States

Dr. Chinedu (Junior) Okere is a dynamic early-career researcher whose interests span subsurface hydrogen generation, large-scale hydrogen storage in geological formations, experimental and numerical modelling of CO₂ capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), methane leakage from orphaned wells, and drilling/fracturing fluid design and formation-damage mitigation in petroleum reservoirs. His professional trajectory has taken him from graduate research at the China University of Petroleum (Beijing) (M.Eng., 2022) to doctoral studies at the Texas Tech University (Ph.D., 2025) and onward to a post-doctoral appointment in the Department of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Houston (from mid-2025). In these roles he has supervised PhD students, managed a U.S. Department of Energy-funded CarbonSAFE project on CO₂ storage, and led the development of grant proposals, patents and peer-reviewed publications. According to his Google Scholar profile he has to date achieved 659 citations and an h-index of 15, with an i10-index of 19. His publication record includes a broad spectrum of articles (20+, depending on counting method) covering topics from “clean hydrogen generation from petroleum reservoirs” to fuzzy-ball fluid‐induced damage in tight reservoirs, reservoir suitability for hydrogen storage, and methane leakage from abandoned wells. Most recently, his first‐author papers (2024-2025) address techno-economic feasibility of in-situ hydrogen production from petroleum reservoirs, SARA-based experimental and numerical investigations of in-situ hydrogen generation, and comparative numerical studies for optimisation of hydrogen production and CCUS strategies. In recognition of his impact he has received numerous honours including the 2024 International Inventions Awards – Hydrogen Energy Best Researcher Award, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers Permian Basin Scholarship. With strong interdisciplinary credentials spanning petroleum engineering, energy systems, reservoir simulation, and hydrogen/CCUS technologies, Dr. Okere stands out as an emerging scholar bridging the conventional oil-&-gas domain with the clean/hydrogen energy transition. His h-index of 15 reflects a solid early‐career impact: it means he has at least 15 publications each cited at least 15 times. (The h-index concept was originally proposed by J. E. Hirsch as a simple measure of productivity and citation impact. Going forward, his strong publication momentum, growing citation base and leadership in grant/industry-adjacent projects suggest that he is well-positioned to further increase both his research output and influence in the hydrogen/CCUS engineering community.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Okere, C. J., & Sheng, J. J. (2023). Review on clean hydrogen generation from petroleum reservoirs: Fundamentals, mechanisms, and field applications. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 101.

Edouard, M. N., Okere, C. J., Ejike, C., Dong, P., & Suliman, M. A. M. (2023). Comparative numerical study on the co-optimization of CO₂ storage and utilization in EOR, EGR, and EWR: Implications for CCUS project development. Applied Energy, 347, 121448.

Eyitayo, S. I., Okere, C. J., Hussain, A., Gamadi, T., & Watson, M. C. (2024). Synergistic sustainability: Future potential of integrating produced water and CO₂ for enhanced carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Journal of Environmental Management, 351, 119713.

He, J., Okere, C. J., Su, G., Hu, P., Zhang, L., Xiong, W., & Li, Z. (2021). Formation damage mitigation mechanism for coalbed methane wells via refracturing with fuzzy-ball fluid as temporary blocking agents. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 90, 103956.

Okere, C. J., Su, G., Zheng, L., Cai, Y., Li, Z., & Liu, H. (2020). Experimental, algorithmic, and theoretical analyses for selecting an optimal laboratory method to evaluate working fluid damage in coal bed methane reservoirs. Fuel, 282, 118513.

Tao, X., Okere, C. J., Su, G., & Zheng, L. (2022). Experimental and theoretical evaluation of interlayer interference in multi-layer commingled gas production of tight gas reservoirs. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 208, 109731.

Okere, C. J., & Sheng, J. J. (2024). A new modelling approach for in-situ hydrogen production from heavy oil reservoirs: Sensitivity analysis and process mechanisms. Energy, 302, 131817.

Opara, S. U., & Okere, C. J. (2024). A review of methane leakage from abandoned oil and gas wells: A case study in Lubbock, Texas, within the Permian Basin. Energy Geoscience, 5(3), 100288.

William Gardner | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. William Gardner | Engineering | Best Researcher Award 

University of California, Davis | United States

Dr. William A. Gardner is an esteemed scholar and pioneer in statistical signal processing, particularly renowned for his foundational contributions to cyclostationary signal processing theory and methods. His postsecondary education began with a Certificate in Aircraft Radio Repair (1961) at Keesler Air Force Base, followed by coursework in electronics and electrical engineering at Foothill College and Stanford University, where he earned his M.S. in Electrical Engineering (1967). He pursued further graduate studies at MIT and Bell Labs, and earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (1972). Dr. Gardner joined the University of California, Davis in 1972, where he advanced to Professor VII before becoming Professor Emeritus in 2001. Over his career, he supervised numerous M.S. and Ph.D. theses focused on statistical signal processing, especially the exploitation of cyclostationarity in communications and signals intelligence. In 1986, Dr. Gardner founded Statistical Signal Processing, Inc. (SSPI), a private research firm dedicated to advanced algorithm development for radio reconnaissance, signals intelligence, and cellular communications. The firm, which operated for 25 years, licensed its technologies to major corporations including Apple Inc. and Lockheed Martin. Post-retirement, he continued research collaborations—most notably with Prof. Antonio Napolitano—on advanced statistical cyclicity and nonstationary signal behavior. His recent work has expanded into electromagnetic modeling of cosmic plasma and laboratory-confined plasma, supporting paradigm-challenging efforts such as the Plasma Universe, Thunderbolts Project, and the SAFIRE Project, all aimed at redefining astrophysical theory and clean energy generation. Dr. Gardner is the author of four influential books, including Introduction to Random Processes and Statistical Spectral Analysis, and editor of Cyclostationarity in Communications and Signal Processing. He has contributed chapters to five other books, authored or co-authored over 110 peer-reviewed journal papers, and holds 15 U.S. patents. His academic impact is reflected in a citation count exceeding 7489, an h-index of 33, and continued recognition for shaping the theoretical underpinnings of modern signal processing. He has delivered invited lectures globally and remains a thought leader across academia, industry, and emerging scientific paradigms.

Profiles:  Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Gardner, W. A. (2002). Exploitation of spectral redundancy in cyclostationary signals. IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, 8(2), 14–36.

Gardner, W. A. (1990). Introduction to random processes: With applications to signals and systems. McGraw-Hill.

Gardner, W. A., Napolitano, A., & Paura, L. (2006). Cyclostationarity: Half a century of research. Signal Processing, 86(4), 639–697.

Gardner, W. A., & Robinson, E. A. (1989). Statistical spectral analysis—A nonprobabilistic theory. Prentice-Hall.

Gardner, W. A. (1994). Cyclostationarity in communications and signal processing. IEEE Press.

Gardner, W. A. (2002). Signal interception: A unifying theoretical framework for feature detection. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 36(8), 897–906.

Gardner, W. A., Brown, W., & Chen, C. K. (1987). Spectral correlation of modulated signals: Part II—Digital modulation. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 35(6), 595–601.

Gardner, W. A., & Franks, L. E. (1975). Characterization of cyclostationary random signal processes. IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, 21(1), 4–14.

Gardner, W. A., & Spooner, C. M. (1992). Signal interception: Performance advantages of cyclic-feature detectors. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 40(1), 149–159.