AparnaRajesh Atmakuri | Cybersecurity | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. AparnaRajesh Atmakuri | Cybersecurity | Women Researcher Award

Dr. AparnaRajesh Atmakuri, Keshav memorial engineering College, India

Dr. AparnaRajesh Atmakuri, also known as Aparna Manikonda, is an esteemed academician and researcher with over 19 years of teaching and 12+ years of research experience. She has made remarkable strides in cybersecurity, cloud computing, IoT, and data analytics. Currently serving as Associate Professor at Centurion University of Technology and Management, she has also held influential positions at institutions like Aryan Institute of Engineering and GNITC. With a strong foundation in Computer Science and Engineering, her work reflects a blend of innovation, dedication, and leadership. A prolific author, Dr. Aparna has published 32+ journal papers, authored multiple books, and holds patents on advanced tech innovations. Known for her contributions to research and curriculum development, she is the recipient of the Best Researcher and Inspiring Professor Awards. Her commitment to securing digital ecosystems and mentoring future technologists continues to influence academia and industry alike.

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Suitability Summary for the Women researcher Award

Dr. Aparna Rajesh Atmakuri, also known as Aparna Manikonda, is an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award, demonstrating a well-rounded and impactful career in academia and research over nearly two decades. With over 19 years of teaching experience and more than 12 years in active research, Dr. Aparna has consistently shown commitment to innovation, scholarly excellence, and educational leadership. Her roles, including HOD and Associate Professor across top-tier institutions in India, reflect a strong academic foundation and influential leadership capabilities.

Dr. Aparna’s academic credentials are fortified by a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from VTU, multiple certifications in programming and pedagogy (such as Sun Java and Mission10x), and a diverse portfolio of technical subjects taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her research interests span critical and modern technological domains like cybersecurity, blockchain, IoT, cloud computing, and data mining, placing her work at the heart of contemporary computer science challenges. Notably, she has published over 32 research papers in reputed international journals and conferences (including SCI and Scopus indexed), authored three technical books, and delivered numerous talks and chaired sessions in international forums.

Education

Dr. AparnaRajesh holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from VTU, Belagavi (2017–2023), where her research focused on cybersecurity and predictive systems. She earned her M.Tech with Honors in Computer Science from Biju Patnaik University of Technology (2008–2010) with a commendable CGPA of 9.04. Her academic journey began with a B.E. in Information Technology from the same university (2002–2006), where she secured the 7th rank. Alongside formal education, she has attained globally recognized certifications such as Sun Certified Java Programmer 1.5, Oracle Certified Associate/Professional (OCA/OCP), and Mission10X certification from Wipro. Her educational foundation has empowered her to excel in diverse teaching and research roles, equipping her with technical, analytical, and instructional prowess. Dr. Aparna’s blend of strong academic credentials and continued professional development positions her as a thought leader in emerging domains like blockchain, IoT, and cybersecurity.

Professional Experience

With a dynamic career spanning over 19 years, Dr. Aparna has held influential teaching and leadership roles at renowned institutions. Since July 2024, she has served as Associate Professor at Centurion University of Technology and Management. Prior to that, she was HOD and Associate Professor at Aryan Institute of Engineering and Technology (2019–2024), shaping academic policy and research culture. From 2017–2019, she was with GNITC, Hyderabad; and between 2014–2017, she served at CMRIT and BNMIT, Bangalore. Her earlier tenure at NMIT and NIST saw her playing pivotal roles in government-funded research projects. She has coordinated NBA and NAAC accreditations, supervised student projects, organized conferences, and delivered technical talks. Known for her visionary approach, Dr. Aparna blends deep academic insights with practical research implementations, contributing significantly to institution-building and tech-forward curricula.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Aparna has earned numerous accolades for her academic and research excellence. In 2024, she was honored with the Inspiring Professor Award by Inspiring National Level Awards and the Best Researcher Award by HEAA for her groundbreaking work in cybersecurity and IoT. Her exceptional teaching at NIST earned her the Best Teacher Award for three consecutive years with a stellar student feedback score of 9.8. She was recognized with a publication honorarium and achieved branch-topper status in her M.Tech. program. Her academic journey is also marked by a 7th rank in her undergraduate degree. A prolific author, she has published 32+ international journal papers and 3 patents, besides authoring multiple technical books. She has chaired sessions at global conferences and delivered expert talks. Dr. Aparna’s contributions are a testament to her passion for education, mentorship, and disruptive technological innovation.

Research Skills On Cybersecurity

Dr. AparnaRajesh is a multi-disciplinary researcher skilled in cybersecurity, blockchain, cloud computing, and IoT. Her core expertise lies in developing secure and scalable architectures using advanced machine learning and encryption algorithms. She has actively contributed to DRDO-funded projects, including video summarization and real-time tracking systems, showcasing her hands-on research in defense applications. Her patents demonstrate deep proficiency in AI-based emotion detection, smart public transport, and IoT security. She excels in data mining, digital image processing, and network analysis. Her skill set includes formulating hybrid algorithms for energy-efficient cloud resource management and predictive cyber-attack models using Generative AI. These capabilities are complemented by her experience with industry-standard simulation tools, research publishing, and guiding postgraduate students. Her practical insights into both hardware and software components of secure systems make her a valuable asset to academic and R&D ecosystems.

  Publication Top Notes

  • Title: An efficient approach towards robust routing in MANET
    Authors: M. Aparna, M. Reza, P. Sahu, S. Das
    Citation: 2012 International Conference on Communication Systems and Network Technologies
    Year: 2012

  • Title: An adaptive load balancing strategy in cloud computing based on Map Reduce
    Authors: N. Sowmya, M. Aparna, P. Tijare, N. Nalini
    Citation: 2015 1st International Conference on Next Generation Computing Technologies
    Year: 2015

  • Title: 3-phase leader election algorithm for distributed systems
    Authors: P. Chaparala, A. R. Atmakuri, S. S. S. Rao
    Citation: 2019 3rd International Conference on Computing Methodologies and Communication
    Year: 2019

  • Title: Fine grained security in cloud with cryptographic access control
    Authors: A. Manikonda, N. Nalini
    Citation: 2021 International Conference on Advance Computing and Innovative Technologies in Engineering
    Year: 2021

  • Title: A new method for controlling and maintaining topology in wireless sensor networks
    Authors: A. Zabi, T. Yousuf, A. Manikonda
    Citation: International Journal of Computer Networks & Communications, Volume 6, Issue 4, Page 91
    Year: 2014

  • Title: A-ZHLS: adaptive ZHLS routing protocol for heterogeneous mobile adhoc networks
    Authors: M. V. Narayana, A. Atmakuri
    Citation: International Journal of Engineering & Technology, Volume 7, Issue 3, Pages 1626–1630
    Year: 2018

  • Title: Adaptive enhancement of underwater images
    Authors: J. Majumdar, A. Manikonda, G. M. Venkatesh
    Citation: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Signal and Image Processing
    Year: 2013

  • Title: Energy Efficiency of Wireless Sensor Network by Topology Control Using MEMSIC
    Authors: M. Aparna, S. Behera, M. Reza, R. Jena, R. Atmakuri
    Citation: 2012 International Conference on Communication Systems and Network Technologies
    Year: 2012

  • Title: Throughput analysis by varying the network size in mobile ad hoc network
    Authors: M. Aparna, M. Reza
    Citation: 2011 International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Communication Networks
    Year: 2011

  • Title: A novel access control for cloud services using trust based design
    Authors: M. Aparna, N. Nalini
    Citation: International Conference on Inventive Computation Technologies, Pages 702–710
    Year: 2019

Yukun Shi | Computer Science | Best Scholar Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yukun Shi | Computer Science | Best Scholar Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yukun Shi, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China

Dr. Yukun Shi is an accomplished researcher and Associate Professor at the Department of Information Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology. He specializes in multi-agent systems, control system network attacks, and distributed estimation. Dr. Shi earned his Ph.D. in Control Science and Engineering from Beijing University of Chemical Technology in 2022. His academic journey includes a one-year research visit to the University of Victoria, Canada, in 2021. His contributions to the field are significant, particularly in advancing secure state estimation and consensus control. He has published extensively in top-tier journals, addressing challenges in network security and distributed control. With a strong background in system modeling and cybersecurity, Dr. Shi continues to drive innovations in multi-agent collaboration and resilience against malicious attacks. His research not only contributes to theoretical advancements but also has practical implications for industrial and technological applications worldwide.

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Suitability for the Research for Best Scholar Award – Yukun Shi

Dr. Yukun Shi, an Associate Professor at the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, has demonstrated remarkable academic and research excellence in the field of control science and engineering. His expertise spans critical areas such as multi-agent systems, control system network attacks, distributed estimation, and consensus control, making his contributions highly relevant to modern automation and cybersecurity challenges. His work is particularly notable in the area of secure state estimation, where he has investigated the robustness of networked control systems against malicious sensor attacks, an emerging concern in industrial and cyber-physical systems.

Dr. Shi’s research output includes several publications in prestigious IEEE journals, such as IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering and IEEE Transactions on Control of Network Systems, highlighting his ability to contribute cutting-edge advancements in his field. His scholarly work is well-cited, reflecting both its impact and recognition within the scientific community. Additionally, his international exposure, including a research visit at the University of Victoria, Canada, underscores his global perspective and collaborative research approach.

🎓 Education 

Dr. Yukun Shi pursued his Ph.D. in Control Science and Engineering at Beijing University of Chemical Technology, graduating in 2022. His doctoral research focused on secure state estimation in multi-agent systems under adversarial conditions, bridging control theory with cybersecurity. As part of his academic development, he undertook a one-year research visit to the University of Victoria, Canada, in 2021, where he collaborated on cutting-edge projects related to network security and control systems. His education provided him with a strong foundation in distributed control, estimation algorithms, and robust filtering techniques. Throughout his studies, Dr. Shi honed his expertise in tackling cyber threats to industrial control systems, laying the groundwork for his future research in resilient multi-agent networks. His academic journey is marked by rigorous training, innovative problem-solving, and contributions to the field of control and automation engineering.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Yukun Shi currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Department of Information Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology. With a research focus on multi-agent systems, network security, and distributed estimation, he has made significant contributions to securing cyber-physical systems. His professional journey includes leading research projects on sensor attacks, consensus control, and fault-tolerant filtering in distributed networks. Dr. Shi actively collaborates with international institutions to develop advanced methodologies for improving the resilience of control systems against malicious threats. His role extends beyond research, encompassing mentorship, curriculum development, and industry partnerships. He is a sought-after speaker at academic conferences and has peer-reviewed numerous articles in high-impact journals. His dedication to cybersecurity and control engineering has positioned him as a thought leader in the field, driving innovation and practical solutions to safeguard modern industrial and technological infrastructures.

🏅 Awards and Recognition 

Dr. Yukun Shi has received multiple accolades for his pioneering work in control systems and cybersecurity. He has been recognized for his contributions to secure multi-agent systems and networked control security. His research papers have been published in high-impact journals, earning him best paper awards at leading automation and control conferences. Dr. Shi has also been a recipient of prestigious research grants that support his work in developing robust estimation algorithms against cyber threats. His outstanding contributions have been acknowledged by industry associations, positioning him as a key figure in distributed system security. His work has not only influenced academia but also guided practical implementations in industrial automation and cybersecurity frameworks. Additionally, Dr. Shi has served as a reviewer for top-tier journals, further highlighting his expertise and influence in the scientific community. His relentless pursuit of excellence continues to shape the future of secure control systems.

🌍 Research Skills On Computer Science

Dr. Yukun Shi possesses a robust research skill set centered around multi-agent systems, control system security, and distributed estimation. His expertise includes developing secure state estimation techniques to mitigate network attacks in cyber-physical systems. He specializes in designing fault-tolerant control algorithms that enhance the resilience of distributed networks. His research also encompasses consensus control strategies to improve synchronization in multi-agent environments. Dr. Shi is proficient in advanced filtering techniques, such as Kalman filtering and observer design, to ensure accurate system monitoring despite adversarial interference. He actively applies mathematical modeling and optimization methods to enhance decision-making in complex systems. His work in secure control frameworks has broad applications in autonomous systems, industrial automation, and networked infrastructures. With a keen focus on practical implementation, Dr. Shi’s research continues to bridge theoretical advancements with real-world security challenges, contributing to the evolution of resilient cyber-physical networks.

📖 Publication Top Notes

  • Title: Optimal Output-Feedback Controller Design Using Adaptive Dynamic Programming: A Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Application
    • Authors: Zhongyang Wang, Huiru Ye, Youqing Wang, Yukun Shi, Li Liang
    • Citation: IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems II: Express Briefs
    • Year: 2025
  • Title: Distributed Filter Under Homologous Sensor Attack and Its Application in GPS Meaconing Attack
    • Authors: Yukun Shi, Wenjing He, Li Liang, Youqing Wang
    • Citation: IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering
    • Year: 2024
  • Title: Event-triggered distributed secure state estimation for homologous sensor attacks
    • Authors: Yukun Shi, Haixin Ma, Jianyong Tuo, Youqing Wang
    • Citation: ISA Transactions
    • Year: 2023
  • Title: Distributed Secure State Estimation of Multi-Agent Systems Under Homologous Sensor Attacks
    • Authors: Yukun Shi, Youqing Wang, Jianyong Tuo
    • Citation: IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica
    • Year: 2023
  • Title: Online Secure State Estimation of Multiagent Systems Using Average Consensus
    • Authors: Yukun Shi, Youqing Wang
    • Citation: IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems
    • Year: 2022
  • Title: Asymptotically Stable Filter for MVU Estimation of States and Homologous Unknown Inputs in Heterogeneous Multiagent Systems
    • Authors: Yukun Shi, Changqing Liu, Youqing Wang
    • Citation: IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering
    • Year: 2022
  • Title: Secure State Estimation of Multiagent Systems With Homologous Attacks Using Average Consensus
    • Authors: Yukun Shi, Changqing Liu, Youqing Wang
    • Citation: IEEE Transactions on Control of Network Systems
    • Year: 2021

Chaitanya Rahalkar | Cybersecurity | Excellence in Innovation

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Mr. Chaitanya Rahalkar | Cybersecurity | Excellence in Innovation

👤 Mr. Chaitanya Rahalkar, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States

Chaitanya Rahalkar is an accomplished cybersecurity professional and entrepreneur, renowned for his expertise in security engineering and advanced system architecture. He holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University. As the CEO and Founder of OmniChat AI, he has architected cutting-edge multimodal AI platforms that integrate text, audio, image, and video processing. His professional journey includes pivotal roles at prestigious organizations such as Block Inc. (formerly Square), Meta (formerly Facebook), and Praetorian Security. Chaitanya has contributed to major security projects, including penetration tests, vulnerability assessments, and the development of cloud-native security systems. His academic research has been published in notable journals, with works focusing on secure systems, blockchain, and privacy-preserving technologies. Chaitanya is passionate about advancing cybersecurity solutions to address emerging digital threats.

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🌟 Summary of Suitability for the Award

Chaitanya Rahalkar stands out as an exemplary candidate for the Research for Excellence in Innovation award, thanks to his profound contributions to both cybersecurity and the broader tech industry. With an academic background in cybersecurity, including a Master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, he has developed expertise in numerous technical fields such as cloud services, web frameworks, security engineering tools, and advanced cybersecurity methodologies. His innovative work is evident through both his academic research and professional endeavors, where he has made significant strides in enhancing security, optimizing cloud infrastructure, and developing cutting-edge technologies.

In his role as CEO and Founder of OmniChat AI, Chaitanya spearheaded the development of a multimodal LLM API platform, successfully integrating text, image, video, and audio processing. This platform simplifies developer implementation, a breakthrough in multimodal AI application development. His leadership resulted in strategic partnerships with 20+ companies and a notable increase in monthly recurring revenue.

🎓 Education

Chaitanya Rahalkar earned a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, where he maintained a perfect GPA of 4.0/4.0. During his time at Georgia Tech, he specialized in network security, cryptography, and secure computer systems, while also serving as a teaching assistant for courses like Applied Cryptography. Prior to that, he completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, with an exceptional GPA of 9.6/10. His academic foundation has equipped him with a deep understanding of security engineering, blockchain technologies, and cryptographic methods. His educational pursuits reflect a strong commitment to both theoretical knowledge and practical application in the cybersecurity domain. These qualifications, paired with his research contributions, have made him a respected figure in the cybersecurity field.

💼 Professional Experience

Chaitanya Rahalkar has a diverse and impactful professional background in cybersecurity and software engineering. As the CEO and Founder of OmniChat AI, he designed a multimodal LLM API platform, integrating AI for text, image, video, and audio processing, which dramatically simplifies implementation for developers. His role at Block Inc. (formerly Square) as a Software Security Engineer involved building cloud-native security systems and optimizing security pipelines at the enterprise level. At Praetorian Security, Chaitanya led over 100 security audits and penetration tests for clients like Nordstrom, Amazon, and Salesforce. His efforts helped identify over 200 security vulnerabilities and enhanced security protocols across various platforms. Chaitanya also contributed to Meta (formerly Facebook), where he developed fuzzing harnesses and identified vulnerabilities within the WhatsApp Payment Engine. His expertise has made him a key player in ensuring robust security across platforms and systems.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

Chaitanya Rahalkar has received significant recognition for his contributions to the cybersecurity field. He is an AWS SAA Certified Cloud Practitioner and an OSCP candidate, both of which reflect his deep understanding of cloud security and offensive security practices. His academic work has been published in prominent journals, showcasing his thought leadership in cybersecurity, privacy preservation, and blockchain technologies. Notably, his research on “Content Moderation Schemes in End-to-End Encrypted Systems” and “Privacy-Preserving Techniques in Bitcoin” has garnered attention in the cybersecurity community. Chaitanya’s innovative approach to security engineering has earned him a reputation for pioneering security solutions in both academia and industry. His work has helped shape security strategies for major organizations, and his contributions to the field continue to influence the development of secure systems and ethical hacking practices.

🌍 Research Skills On Cybersecurity

Chaitanya Rahalkar possesses advanced research skills in cybersecurity, with a particular focus on system security, vulnerability assessments, and cryptographic techniques. His experience spans various research domains, including blockchain security, privacy-preserving technologies, and penetration testing. During his research tenure at the Center for Police Research (India), Chaitanya developed a proof of concept for an automated WiFi security analyzer, contributing to ethical hacking efforts for law enforcement. At Pune Institute of Computer Technology, he studied side-channel attacks targeting virtualized operating systems and contributed to the development of a meta-classifier-based model for attack detection. His published work, including papers on blockchain and cryptography, reflects his proficiency in cutting-edge research methodologies. Chaitanya’s ability to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application enables him to tackle complex cybersecurity challenges and deliver impactful solutions that enhance the security landscape.

📖 Publication Top Notes

  • Content addressed P2P file system for the web with blockchain-based meta-data integrity
    Authors: C. Rahalkar, D. Gujar
    Citation: International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication and …
    Year: 2019
  • Poster: Using generative adversarial networks for secure pseudorandom number generation
    Authors: R. Oak, C. Rahalkar, D. Gujar
    Citation: Proceedings of the 2019 ACM SIGSAC Conference on Computer and Communications …
    Year: 2019
  • A Secure Password Manager
    Authors: C. Rahalkar, D. Gujar
    Citation: International Journal of Computer Applications 178 (44), 5-9
    Year: 2019
  • A Diamond Model Analysis on Twitter’s Biggest Hack
    Authors: C. Rahalkar
    Citation: arXiv preprint arXiv:2306.15878
    Year: 2023
  • Automated Fuzzing Harness Generation for Library APIs and Binary Protocol Parsers
    Authors: C. Rahalkar
    Citation: arXiv preprint arXiv:2306.15596
    Year: 2023
  • SoK: Content Moderation Schemes in End-to-End Encrypted Systems
    Authors: C. Rahalkar, A. Virgaonkar
    Citation: arXiv preprint arXiv:2208.11147
    Year: 2022
  • Designing a Secure Device-to-Device File Transfer Mechanism
    Authors: C. Rahalkar, A. Virgaonkar
    Citation: arXiv preprint arXiv:2411.13827
    Year: 2024
  • Analyzing Trends in Tor
    Authors: C. Rahalkar, A. Virgaonkar, K. Varadan
    Citation: arXiv preprint arXiv:2208.11149
    Year: 2022
  • Summarizing and Analyzing the Privacy-Preserving Techniques in Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies
    Authors: C. Rahalkar, A. Virgaonkar
    Citation: arXiv preprint arXiv:2109.07634
    Year: 2021
  • End-To-End Lung Cancer Diagnosis On Computed Tomography Scans Using 3D CNN And Explainable AI
    Authors: C. Rahalkar, A. Virgaonkar, D. Gujar, S. Patkar
    Citation: International Journal of Computer Applications 176 (15), 1-6
    Year: 2020