Yonas Gezahegn | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yonas Gezahegn | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Nestle Purina/Washington State University | United States

Dr. Yonas A. Gezahegn is a distinguished research and development engineer specializing in thermal and food process engineering, with extensive expertise in microwave-assisted thermal sterilization and pasteurization, heat and mass transfer, biochemical engineering, and food safety. With over 15 years of academic and industry experience, Dr. Gezahegn has developed a strong reputation for integrating engineering principles with advanced experimental and computational methods to optimize food processing and thermal treatment technologies. His research bridges the gap between fundamental engineering science and industrial applications, ensuring both efficiency and safety in food production systems. Dr. Gezahegn’s academic training includes a PhD in Biological Systems Engineering (Food Engineering) from Washington State University, where he focused on optimization of microwave-assisted thermal sterilization and pasteurization processes using analytical models and computer simulations. His prior degrees include a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from Addis Ababa University, and a Bachelor’s in Food and Biochemical Technology from Bahir Dar University, where his research addressed critical challenges in oil and fat extraction, fermentation, and food quality assessment. Currently serving as R&D Process Engineer – Thermal Process Expert at Nestle Purina, Dr. Gezahegn leads projects on process improvement, thermal sterilization validation, and retort commissioning for low-acid and acidified food products. He has successfully managed large-scale research projects, including microwave-assisted thermal processing of breaded meats, temperature distribution studies, and process optimization for commercial food production. His work also encompasses pilot-plant scale-up, analytical characterization, and data-driven modeling to ensure precise control of thermal processing conditions. Dr. Gezahegn has published over 12 peer-reviewed journal articles in top-tier journals, including the Journal of Food Engineering, Current Research in Food Science, Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, Food Science and Nutrition, and LWT – Food Science and Technology. His publications focus on microwave-assisted processing, dielectric properties of foods, thermal pasteurization optimization, and oil extraction technologies. Notably, his research has led to multiple patents, including a utility model for screw expeller-based shea butter extraction and pending patents on gluten-free pizza crust and crispy breaded food processes. His work has been widely cited in the food engineering and process optimization communities, highlighting his influence in both academic and industrial research. In addition to research, Dr. Gezahegn has contributed extensively to industry-academic collaborations, securing competitive grants such as the USDA-NIFA and WSU Hatch projects totaling over USD 4 million, and Ethiopian national projects on drying and fermentation of plant-based products. Dr. Gezahegn published 12+ peer-reviewed articles, 550 Citations and 10 H-index.  His projects integrate  analytical modeling, simulation, experimental validation, and process design to improve efficiency, safety, and nutritional quality in food production. Dr. Gezahegn has served as a reviewer for journals including Applied Food Research, Journal of Food Engineering, and the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research, reflecting his standing in the research community. His leadership extends to professional societies, including IFT, IMPI, SoFE, and ASABE, and he has held roles such as President of the Food Engineering Club and departmental representative in the Graduate and Professional Student Association. Overall, Dr. Gezahegn’s work demonstrates a sustained commitment to advancing food engineering, thermal process optimization, and industrial innovation, making significant contributions to improving food safety, process efficiency, and product quality. His research portfolio combines rigorous academic scholarship with practical applications, establishing him as a leading expert in thermal food processing and microwave-assisted sterilization technologies.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Gezahegn, Y., Tang, J., et al. (2024). Development and validation of engineering charts: Heating time and optimal salt content prediction for microwave assisted thermal sterilization. Journal of Food Engineering, 369, 111909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2023.111909

Gezahegn, Y., Yoon-Ki, H., Tang, J., et al. (2023). Development and validation of analytical charts for microwave assisted thermal pasteurization of selected food products. Journal of Food Engineering, 349, 111434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2023.111434

Zhou, X., Gezahegn, Y., et al. (2023). Theoretical reasons for rapid heating of vegetable oils by microwaves. Current Research in Food Science, 7, 100641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2023.100641

Gezahegn, Y., Tang, J., Sablani, S., et al. (2021). Dielectric properties of water relevant to microwave assisted thermal pasteurization and sterilization of packaged foods. Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, 74, 102837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2021.102837

Gezahegn, Y., Emire, S., & Asfaw, S. (2016). Optimization of Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) butter quality using screw expeller extraction. Food Science & Nutrition, 4(6), 840–847. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.351

Gezahegn, Y., Emire, S., & Asfaw, S. (2016). Effect of processing factors on Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) butter extraction. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 66, 172–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2015.10.036

 

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.

Paul Michael Nii Anang Okoe | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Paul Michael Nii Anang Okoe | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Geophysicist at Fugro GB North Marine Limited, United Kingdom.

Paul Michael Nii Anang Okoe is a skilled geophysicist at Fugro GB North Marine Limited in Aberdeen, UK, specializing in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and depositional facies systems. With less than five years of experience in the North Sea and offshore West Africa, he excels in quality control and interpreting seismic data. Paul holds a BSc in Geology and an MSc in Geosciences from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, as well as an MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience from the University of Aberdeen, UK. As a Guest Research Fellow at the Density Currents Research Centre (NECOD) in Brazil, his research focuses on hydrodynamic and sedimentological processes. His work contributes to enhancing interpretations crucial for marine and coastal management and resource exploration, reflecting his collaborative approach and strong analytical skills in advancing geophysical research.

Professional Profiles:

Education 🎓

🎓 Geophysicist at Fugro GB North Marine Limited, Aberdeen, UK, with less than 5 years’ experience in North Sea and offshore West Africa. Specializes in quality control and seismic data interpretation. Holds a BSc in Geology and an MSc in Geosciences from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Also holds an MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience from the University of Aberdeen, UK. Currently serving as a Guest Research Fellow at the Density Currents Research Centre (NECOD), Brazil, focusing on hydrodynamic and sedimentological processes.

Professional Experience

🌍 Geophysicist at Fugro GB North Marine Limited, Aberdeen, UK, with less than 5 years’ experience in North Sea and offshore West Africa. Specializes in quality control and interpretation of 2D multi-channel seismic data, sub-bottom profiler, and side-scan sonar datasets. Responsible for onshore geoscience reporting of geophysical survey projects. Engaged in industry projects and collaborations, including work with the Libra Group consortium and Petrobras in Brazil.

Research Interest

Paul Michael Nii Anang Okoe, a geophysicist at Fugro GB North Marine Limited in Aberdeen, UK, brings extensive expertise in sedimentology, stratigraphy, shallow hazards, and depositional facies systems. With less than five years of experience in the North Sea and offshore West Africa, he specializes in quality control and interpretation of 2D multi-channel seismic data, sub-bottom profiler, and side-scan sonar datasets. Paul holds a BSc in Geology and MSc in Geosciences from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, along with an MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience from the University of Aberdeen. Currently, he serves as a Guest Research Fellow at the Density Currents Research Centre (NECOD), Brazil, focusing on hydrodynamic and sedimentological processes. His research is pivotal for understanding sedimentary environments, stratigraphic evolution, and assessing geological hazards in marine and coastal settings.

Research Skills

Paul Michael Nii Anang Okoe is an accomplished geophysicist with Fugro GB North Marine Limited in Aberdeen, UK, bringing expertise in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and depositional facies systems. With a background spanning less than five years in the North Sea and offshore West Africa, he excels in quality control and the interpretation of seismic data, sub-bottom profiler, and side-scan sonar datasets. Paul holds a BSc in Geology and MSc in Geosciences from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, along with an MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience from the University of Aberdeen, UK. As a Guest Research Fellow at the Density Currents Research Centre (NECOD) in Brazil, his current focus involves studying hydrodynamic and sedimentological processes. His research contributes significantly to understanding geological complexities and enhancing interpretations crucial for marine and coastal management and resource exploration. Paul’s collaborative approach and strong analytical skills underscore his contributions to advancing geophysical research and exploration efforts.