Kenechukwu Ede | Finance and Development | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Kenechukwu Ede | Finance and Development | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Kenechukwu Ede | Finance and Development | Young Scientist Award

Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Profile

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Ede Kenechukwu Kenneth, born on May 13, 1991, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria, began his educational journey at Army Children Primary School, Awkunanaw, completing his First School Leaving Certificate in 2003. He proceeded to Army Day Secondary School Awkunanaw, where he earned his West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Commission (NECO) certificates in 2008. Driven by a passion for understanding economic systems and development, he enrolled at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earning a B.Sc in Economics in July 2015. His undergraduate project titled “Impact of Stock Market Development on Nigerian Economic Growth (1990–2010)” laid the groundwork for his future research trajectory in financial markets and economic development.

đź’Ľ Professional Endeavors

Kenneth's professional journey began early as the Financial Secretary of the Youths Initiatives for Self-Discovery (2009–2011), a role that sharpened his financial documentation and project monitoring skills. He later worked as an Economics Columnist for National Switch, where he analyzed and communicated Nigeria’s economic developments.

From 2013 to 2017, Kenneth held diverse roles at Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, starting as a Warehouse Staff member and rising to Sales Executive. He acquired hands-on experience in warehouse operations, logistics, sales process control, customer relations, and ERP tools like Navision. He also served his country through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as an Economics Teacher at Dominant Academy, Bayelsa State.

Since 2019, he has been working as a Research Analyst at Trivial Vocational Center, where he contributes to academic research, develops econometric models, and provides analytical support for various economic studies.

📚 Contributions and Research Focus

Kenneth’s research spans Economic Development, Financial Economics, Energy and Environmental Studies, AI Preparedness in Africa, National Security Architecture, and Digital Financial Inclusion. His methodological foundation is rooted in Applied Time Series Econometrics, and his portfolio reflects an impressive mastery of both theory and application. His work investigates complex relationships in macroeconomics and development studies using advanced modeling approaches such as:

  • Ordinary Least Squares (OLS)

  • Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) & its advanced forms (QARDL, TARDL, TNARDL)

  • Fully Modified OLS (FMOLS), Dynamic OLS (DOLS)

  • Panel GMM (Differenced & System)

  • Structural Breaks Model, Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR)

Kenneth has published 21 peer-reviewed journal articles, and his scholarly work is accessible through his Google Scholar and ResearchGate profiles.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Kenneth’s research contributes to the understanding of African economies’ resilience, especially in the face of global financial volatility, digital transformation, and environmental challenges. His empirical works provide policymakers and academics with nuanced insights into structural reforms, market development, and digital finance's role in bridging inequality. He is a key voice in conversations around Africa’s preparedness for AI-driven economic shifts, helping shape developmental strategies that prioritize inclusivity and sustainability.

đź§  Academic Citations & Recognition

With increasing citation metrics on platforms like Google Scholar, Kenneth’s academic footprint continues to grow. His work is regularly referenced by fellow scholars, particularly in studies related to time series econometrics, developmental finance, and energy economics. His ability to develop and apply advanced quantitative models has made him a valuable collaborator in interdisciplinary research.

🛠️ Technical & Analytical Skills

Kenneth is proficient in several econometric and statistical software packages essential for quantitative research, including:

  • EViews

  • Stata

  • R

  • SPSS

He brings deep analytical rigor to any project, leveraging these tools to model complex economic phenomena, test hypotheses, and derive robust policy-relevant conclusions.

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience

As part of his NYSC, Kenneth taught Economics at Dominant Academy in Bayelsa State. His teaching philosophy emphasizes bridging the gap between economic theory and practical realities. By integrating real-world data into his lessons, he cultivated critical thinking among students and inspired interest in applied economics. Though primarily focused on research today, Kenneth remains committed to academic mentorship and capacity building in economics education.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Kenneth is not only building a solid academic and professional profile but also positioning himself as a thought leader in the economic transformation of Africa. His long-term vision includes contributing to policy think tanks, developmental agencies, and academic institutions. He aims to expand his research into AI, climate economics, and global financial integration, producing knowledge that shapes future-ready African economies.

📚 Selected Publications

Title: Impact of Digital Financial Innovation on Financial System Development in Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Countries
Authors: Charles O. Manasseh, Ifeoma C. Nwakoby, Ogochukwu C. Okanya, N.G. Nwonye, O. Odidi, K.J. Thaddeus, Kenechukwu K. Ede, W. Nzidee
Journal: Asian Journal of Economics and Banking
Year: 2023

Title: Digital Finance, Financial Inclusion and Economic Growth Nexus in COMESA: The Role of Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law and Government Effectiveness
Authors: Charles O. Manasseh, Ogochukwu C. Okanya, Chine Sp Logan, Kenechukwu K. Ede, Emeka P. Ejim, Stella N. Ozor, Ogonne Onuoha, 8ebelechukwu L. Okiche
Journal: Russian Law Journal
Year: 2023

Title: Investigating the Impact of Credit Channels, Energy Production and Oil Revenues on Agricultural Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Charles O. Manasseh, Chine Sp Logan, Ogochukwu C. Okanya, Kenechukwu K. Ede, Emeka L. Okiche, S. Ilo, J.E. Ogbuabor, Ifeoma C. Nwakoby
Journal: Heliyon
Year: 2024

Title: Financial Technology, Innovation, and Bank Performance Nexus: Evidence from ECOWAS Member Countries
Authors: Charles O. Manasseh, Chine A. Ngong, Chine Sp Logan, Kenechukwu K. Ede, Ogochukwu C. Okanya
Journal: Journal of African Business
Year: 2025

Title: Causal Relationship Between Financial Deepening, National Security, Ecological Footprint, and Economic Growth in Nigeria
Authors: Charles O. Manasseh, Chine Sp Logan, Ogochukwu C. Okanya, Kenechukwu K. Ede, O.C.O. Onuselogu, J.E. Ogbuabor, Ifeoma C. Nwakoby
Journal: F1000Research
Year: 2024

Mr. Pawan Gaire | Applied Electromagnetics | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Pawan Gaire | Applied Electromagnetics | Best Researcher Award

University of Nebraska Lincoln, United States.

Pawan K. Gaire is a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, specializing in electromagnetic (EM) simulation, numerical modeling, and RF/antenna design. With expertise in tools like HFSS, ADS, and COMSOL, he has a strong background in designing innovative wireless communication and power transfer systems. His research focuses on advanced computational techniques, including Physics Embedded Neural Networks (PENN) for solving complex electromagnetic problems.

Profile

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🎓 Education

Mr. Pawan Gaire is a dedicated scholar in the field of Electrical Engineering, currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2022-2025) with a perfect GPA of 4.0. Prior to this, he earned his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University (2019-2022), achieving an impressive GPA of 3.96. His academic journey began at Howard University, where he completed his B.S. in Electrical Engineering (2015-2019) with Summa Cum Laude honors and a GPA of 3.89. With a strong academic background and a commitment to excellence, Mr. Gaire continues to contribute to advancements in electrical engineering.

đź’Ľ Experience

Mr. Pawan Gaire has extensive research experience in electrical engineering, specializing in electromagnetics, antenna design, and wireless power transfer. Currently serving as a Research Assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2022-Present), he has developed PENN, a novel neural network-based approach for solving Maxwell’s equations. His work also includes designing and fabricating sub-100 MHz multi-band antenna arrays using multiferroic heterostructures and simulating vector vortex wave generation for high-capacity tunnel communication.

Previously, as a Research Assistant at Florida International University (2019-2022), Mr. Gaire contributed to the development of an ad-hoc wireless power transfer system for smartphone charging and pioneered clothing-integrated rectifiers for efficient RF-to-DC conversion. Additionally, he conducted market validation for wearable charging devices under the NSF I-Corps program, showcasing his ability to bridge engineering innovation with commercial applications.

🛠️ Internships

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (2018) – Designed testbench for Hard X-ray systems.

DiCarlo Lab, MIT (2017) – Benchmarked AI models against primate vision.

Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (2016) – Fabricated and characterized diamond field-effect transistors.

🏆 Research Interests

Electromagnetic (EM) Simulation & RF Design: Expertise in Ansys HFSS, COMSOL, and ADS for antenna and circuit design.

Physics Embedded Neural Networks (PENN): Development of AI-driven solutions for scientific computing.

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT): Innovative antenna designs for efficient energy transfer.

Numerical Modeling & Computational Electromagnetics: Application of Finite Element Method (FEM) in RF systems.

🏅 Awards & Recognitions

NSF I-Corps Grant Recipient – Validated market demand for wireless charging solutions.

IEEE Conference Presenter – Multiple research presentations at premier EM and RF conferences.

Summa Cum Laude – Graduated with highest honors from Howard University.

📚 Publications

Physics Embedded Neural Network: Novel Data-Free Approach Towards Scientific Computing and Applications in Transfer Learning
Neurocomputing, 2025-02 | Journal Article
DOI: 10.1016/j.neucom.2024.128936
Contributors: Pawan Gaire, Shubhendu Bhardwaj

Data-Free Solution of Electromagnetic PDEs Using Neural Networks and Extension to Transfer Learning
IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2022-07 | Journal Article
DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2022.3186710
Contributors: Shubhendu Bhardwaj, Pawan Gaire

An Ergonomic Wireless Charging System for Integration With Daily Life Activities
IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2021-01 | Journal Article
DOI: 10.1109/TMTT.2020.3029530
Contributors: Dieff Vital, Pawan Gaire, Shubhendu Bhardwaj, John L. Volakis