Christian Schachtner | Data Science | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Christian Schachtner | Data Science | Research Excellence Award

Full Professor at Hochschule RheinMain, Germany

Prof. Dr. Christian Schachtner has made significant scholarly contributions through his monographs and editorial work in the fields of smart governance, smart cities, and digital transformation in the public sector. In 2025, he edited Smart Public Governance, a volume in the Kohlhammer Publishing series, scheduled for publication in the first quarter of 2026. He also co-edited, with M. Brunzel, the Handbook Smart Cities / Smart Regions, likewise forthcoming from Kohlhammer Publishing in early 2026. His edited book The European Smart City Movement  Case Studies from Around Europe, published by Springer in Chur, presents comprehensive insights into smart city practices across Europe. In the same year, he authored CDOs im öffentlichen Sektor – Perspektiven auf Chief Digital Officers und Strategien zur digitalen Transformation, published by Springer, which explores the evolving role of Chief Digital Officers in public administration. Collectively, these works highlight his expertise in digital governance, urban innovation, and strategic public-sector transformation.

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Katarzyna Sieradzka | Digital Technologies | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Katarzyna Sieradzka | Digital Technologies | Research Excellence Award

Casimir Pulaski Radom University, Poland

Dr. Katarzyna Sieradzka is a researcher and lecturer at the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Finance, Casimir Pulaski University of Radom, with a PhD in Economics obtained in 2003. She is the author of numerous scientific articles and a co-author of several scientific monographs, reflecting her sustained contribution to economic research and academic scholarship. She has actively participated in many national and international scientific conferences, where she has shared research findings and engaged in interdisciplinary academic dialogue. Her research contribution to the field of entrepreneurship development focuses on identifying and analyzing the key determinants that shape business growth and long-term performance. In particular, her work examines the roles of innovation, competitiveness, corporate social responsibility, and digitalization in modern enterprises. She investigates how technological adoption, organizational capabilities, and strategic management approaches influence firm performance, adaptability, and resilience in dynamic economic environments. A significant aspect of her research explores the role of corporate social responsibility in strengthening stakeholder relationships and enhancing sustainable business practices. She also analyzes how innovation contributes to value creation and the development of competitive advantage across different sectors. Additionally, her studies address the transformative impact of digital tools on business models, decision-making processes, and operational efficiency. Through an integrated analytical approach, her research provides practical and theoretical insights into entrepreneurship dynamics. Her work supports evidence-based decision-making for managers and policymakers. Overall, her academic activities contribute to promoting sustainable entrepreneurship and inclusive economic development.

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Prof. Dr. Saleh Albahli | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Saleh Albahli | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Saleh Albahli is a highly accomplished academic and researcher specializing in Digital Transformation, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence. Currently an Associate Professor and Vice-Dean of Information Technology Deanship at Qassim University, he is known for spearheading transformative digital initiatives, leading enterprise architecture projects, and contributing to cutting-edge research in machine learning and deep learning. His work is globally recognized, ranking him among the top 2% of scientists in AI research worldwide.

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Scopus

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🎓 Education

Dr. Saleh Albahli holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science with distinction from Kent State University, USA (2016), showcasing his expertise in advanced computational methodologies and research excellence. He earned a Master’s degree in Information Technology with distinction from The University of Newcastle, Australia (2010), highlighting his dedication to mastering cutting-edge IT solutions. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia (2004), laying a strong foundation for his accomplished career in technology and innovation.

💼 Experience

Dr. Saleh Albahli has built an illustrious career, currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of IT at Qassim University since 2020, where he contributes to advancing education and research. Concurrently, he holds dual leadership roles as Vice-Dean of IT Deanship and Director of Enterprise Architecture & Digital Transformation at Qassim University, spearheading transformative initiatives to enhance technological frameworks and drive digital innovation.

Previously, Dr. Albahli gained international experience as a Senior System Analyst at Cleveland Clinic, USA (2015–2016), where he developed cutting-edge systems to optimize healthcare operations. He also served as a Lecturer at Kent State University, USA (2015–2016), imparting knowledge and fostering academic growth. Earlier in his career, he worked as an Oracle Developer and Apps DBA at Riyadh Bank and Integrated Telecom Company in Saudi Arabia (2005–2007), honing his technical expertise in database systems and enterprise applications.

🔬 Research Interests

Digital Transformation and its integration with enterprise architecture

Machine Learning and Deep Learning Pipelines

Big Data Analytics, Data Governance, and Predictive Analytics

Artificial Intelligence Applications in healthcare and business

Process Optimization in technology-driven environments

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally in AI research (2022)

First Place in Digital Transformation (Qiyas) – Qassim University (2022, 2023)

ISO certifications in 22301, 20000, and 27001 for excellence in IT management

📚 Selected Publications 

Efficient Hyperparameter Tuning for Predicting Student Performance with Bayesian Optimization
Albahli, S.
Multimedia Tools and Applications, 2024, 83(17), pp. 52711–52735.
This study introduces a Bayesian optimization approach to enhance hyperparameter tuning for predictive models in educational datasets, achieving improved accuracy and efficiency. (Citations: 4)

MedNet: Medical Deepfakes Detection Using an Improved Deep Learning Approach
Albahli, S., Nawaz, M.
Multimedia Tools and Applications, 2024, 83(16), pp. 48357–48375.
This paper presents MedNet, a novel deep learning framework tailored to detect medical deepfakes, ensuring the integrity of critical healthcare data. (Citations: 4)

Opinion Mining for Stock Trend Prediction Using Deep Learning
Albahli, S., Nazir, T.
Multimedia Tools and Applications, 2024.
Leveraging deep learning techniques, this research focuses on sentiment analysis to predict stock trends, demonstrating robust performance metrics. (Citations: 0)

An Improved DenseNet Model for Prediction of Stock Market Using Stock Technical Indicators
Albahli, S., Nazir, T., Nawaz, M., Irtaza, A.
Expert Systems with Applications, 2023, 232, 120903.
This work proposes enhancements to DenseNet architectures for stock market predictions based on technical indicators, achieving notable predictive accuracy. (Citations: 10)

A Circular Box-Based Deep Learning Model for the Identification of Signet Ring Cells from Histopathological Images
Albahli, S., Nazir, T.
Bioengineering, 2023, 10(10), 1147.
This open-access study develops a circular box-based deep learning model for the accurate detection of signet ring cells in histopathological images, aiding cancer diagnosis.

 

 

 

Mrs. Golshid Ranjbaran | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Golshid Ranjbaran | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Golshid Ranjbaran is a PhD Candidate in Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan (USASK), specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Interpretability. With a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering and a Master's in Artificial Intelligence from the Science and Research Branch in Iran, he has accumulated several awards, including the Best Paper Award at the IKT Conference in 2021 and Best Researcher at ITRC in 2022. Golshid's research is aimed at advancing AI methodologies and improving machine learning models for real-world applications. He was also a research associate at the Data Science & Big Data Lab in Seville, Spain, in 2023. 🌐

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Education 🎓

Golshid holds a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering and a Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence from the Science and Research Branch in Iran. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan (USASK), Canada, where he focuses on AI, machine learning, and interpretability, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and practical applications.

Experience 🏢

Golshid has been awarded several prestigious positions and accolades, including a research position at the Data Science & Big Data Lab in Seville, Spain (2023), and was recognized as the Best Researcher at ITRC (2022). He has also contributed to various consultancy projects and industry collaborations, such as working on AI systems at ITRC, smart meters algorithms, and data governance in Iran.

Research Interests 🔍

Enhancing model interpretability through methods like SHAP.

Exploring sentiment analysis for stock market prediction.

Developing augmented techniques for unbalanced tasks in the financial domain.

Improving network security through Moving Target Defense technology.

Investigating Federated Learning for wearable health devices and ontology-based text summarization for efficient information processing.

Awards 🏆

Best Paper Award at the IKT Conference (2021)

Best Researcher Award at the Iran Telecommunication Research Center (ITRC) (2022)

Research Position at the Data Science & Big Data Lab in Seville, Spain (2023)

Nomination for the Gala GSA Award at the University of Saskatchewan (2025).

Selected Publications 📚

C-SHAP: A Hybrid Method for Fast and Efficient InterpretabilityApplied Sciences (Q2 Journal), Published 2025.

Leveraging Augmentation Techniques for Tasks with Unbalancedness within the Financial DomainEPJ Data Science (Q1 Journal), Published 2023.

Investigating Sentiment Analysis of News in Stock Market PredictionInternational Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research, Published 2024.

Unsupervised Learning Ontology-Based Text Summarization Approach with Cellular Learning AutomataJournal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, Published 2023.

Analyzing the Effect of News Polarity on Stock Market PredictionProceedings of the 12th International Conference on Information and Knowledge Technology (IKT), Published 2021.