William Gardner | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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.

Huiqin jia | Engineering | Women Researcher Award | 13437

Prof. Huiqin jia | Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Huiqin jia, xi’an shiyou university, China

Prof. Huiqin Jia, a distinguished faculty member at Xi’an Shiyou University, China, is a leading expert in multiphase flow detection methods and related signal processing algorithms. With a Ph.D. earned in 2003 and rich experience across academia and industry, she has spearheaded over 20 high-impact scientific research projects and collaborated with major enterprises such as CNOOC, Sinopec, and PetroChina. Her prolific contributions include 70+ published papers, 20+ patents, and numerous software copyrights. Her innovative work in ultrasound, radio frequency, and optical detection techniques has significantly advanced measurement technologies in the oil and gas sector.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Huiqin Jia embarked on her academic journey with a solid foundation in engineering and applied sciences. She earned her Ph.D. in 2003, demonstrating early excellence in scientific inquiry and dedication to solving real-world engineering problems. Her passion for technological innovation and multidisciplinary research guided her path toward applied instrumentation and process control — especially in fields closely tied to energy systems and industrial measurement technologies.

During her early academic years, Prof. Jia laid the groundwork for what would become a prolific research career. Her graduate and doctoral work shaped her interest in multiphase flow systems, a complex and essential area for oil, gas, and petrochemical industries.

🏢 Professional Endeavors

Following her doctoral studies, Prof. Jia gained extensive experience in industry, which significantly enriched her practical understanding of engineering challenges. Her transition to academia marked a new chapter, where she blended theoretical insight with field-based application.

As a professor at Xi’an Shiyou University, she has led more than 20 national, provincial, and ministerial research projects, including strategic collaborations with industrial leaders such as CNOOC Oilfield Services, Sinopec, and PetroChina. This strong academia-industry synergy has allowed her to translate scientific theories into commercially viable and technologically advanced products.

Her leadership roles also extend to academic peer review, currently serving as a reviewer for the Journal of Measurement and Control Technology, a testament to her respected authority in the field.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Jia’s research primarily focuses on multiphase flow detection methods, a challenging area critical to process control in petroleum and chemical industries. She has developed groundbreaking technologies, including:

  • An ultrasound-based detection system for measuring flow characteristics in oil and gas extraction.

  • A radio frequency method for water content measurement.

  • An optical detection system for foam content analysis.

These innovations are not just academic; they are the basis for several instruments now used in industry to improve operational safety, accuracy, and efficiency.

Her contributions have resulted in:

  • Over 70 published research papers, many in high-impact SCI and Scopus-indexed journals.

  • More than 20 authorized invention patents.

  • Over 30 software copyrights.

  • 10 consultancy/industry projects, demonstrating applied impact.

  • One published book with ISBN.

  • 13 citation index entries, marking the influence of her work across scholarly networks.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Prof. Jia is widely recognized for her contributions to both science and society. She is a respected member of:

  • The China Petroleum Society

  • The China Instrument and Control Society

Her selection as a nominee for the Women Research Award is a reflection of her role as a trailblazer among women in engineering and instrumentation. Her continued contributions, especially in male-dominated technical fields, highlight her as a role model for aspiring women researchers.

🌍 Impact and Influence

The impact of Prof. Jia’s work goes beyond academic citations. Her innovative measurement tools have real-world utility, enabling better monitoring and control in energy production processes. Her close collaborations with China’s major oil enterprises demonstrate her role in bridging the gap between research and industry, influencing both technological advancement and economic development.

Her consultancy projects not only solve industry-specific problems but also foster long-term research alliances that enable sustainable innovation in the field of process measurement and automation.

🔗 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Huiqin Jia’s legacy is already marked by a blend of academic excellence, industrial collaboration, and technological innovation. Looking forward, she is well-positioned to:

  • Expand research into AI-enhanced signal processing for multiphase systems.

  • Mentor the next generation of female scientists and engineers.

  • Further strengthen the link between academic research and practical industrial solutions.

Her work is setting a high standard for applied instrumentation research in China and internationally, offering innovative solutions to long-standing engineering challenges.

📄 Publication Top Notes

Author: H., Jia, F., Li, FeHuiqini, J., Zhao, Jiaxuan, Z., Sun, Zhimeng
Journal: Measurement
Year: 2025
Author: H., Jia, Huiqin, D., Wan, Dandan, J., Zhou, Jiacheng, Y., Wei, Yi
Journal: Measurement and
Year: 2024