Dr. Mlungisi Duma | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mlungisi Duma | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mlungisi Duma, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Mlungisi Duma is a Senior Researcher and Development Manager at the University of Johannesburg. With over 19 years of experience in the IT profession, he has a rich background in software development and management. Dr. Duma holds a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, specializing in Artificial Intelligence, from the University of Johannesburg. His research focuses on machine learning, evolutionary computation, and optimization algorithms. He has successfully led numerous projects, published in top-tier journals, and is an active reviewer for multiple prestigious journals. His expertise extends to consultancy, where he manages application development for First National Bank, overseeing code maintenance for ATM systems. Dr. Duma’s contributions to academia and industry showcase his dedication to innovation and leadership in AI research.

Professional Profile

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Summary of Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mlungisi Duma’s diverse contributions to the fields of artificial intelligence and evolutionary computation, along with his leadership in both academia and industry, make him highly suitable for the ‘Research for Best Researcher Award’. His ability to bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world applications, coupled with his strong publication record and professional recognition, demonstrate his excellence as a researcher. He is well-positioned to receive this award, as his work contributes significantly to advancing the field of artificial intelligence.

🎓  Education 

Dr. Mlungisi Duma holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, both from the University of Johannesburg. His PhD specialization in Artificial Intelligence equipped him with expertise in machine learning, evolutionary computation, and optimization algorithms. Throughout his academic journey, Dr. Duma has actively engaged in cutting-edge research projects, collaborating with renowned academics and professionals. His commitment to education has been reflected in his role as a judge and reviewer at various academic institutions and scientific journals. As a Senior Member of IEEE and ACM, he continues to contribute to the advancement of AI technologies. Dr. Duma’s academic background is a testament to his passion for innovation, making significant contributions to the field of Artificial Intelligence.

 💼  Experience

With 19 years of experience in the IT industry, Dr. Mlungisi Duma has held various technical and leadership roles. For nine years, he worked as a software developer, honing his skills in coding, system architecture, and application design. Following this, he spent a decade as a Development Manager and Software Architect at First National Bank, where he led teams responsible for developing and maintaining ATM systems. Currently, he is a Senior Researcher and Development Manager at the University of Johannesburg, where he leads AI research initiatives. His extensive experience spans both academic and industry settings, bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical applications. Dr. Duma’s ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and deliver innovative solutions reflects his leadership and technical acumen.

🏅Awards and Honors 

Dr. Mlungisi Duma has received several prestigious awards and honors for his contributions to Artificial Intelligence and software development. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and ACM, recognizing his influence in the academic and professional communities. Dr. Duma’s work has also been recognized through his membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society, a distinction for top-performing academics globally. He has served as a judge at the University of Johannesburg’s Academy of Computer Science project day and has been a frequent reviewer for renowned journals, including IEEE Access, Applied Soft Computing, and the Journal of Mathematical Problems in Engineering. These honors highlight Dr. Duma’s commitment to academic excellence and his significant contributions to advancing AI technologies.

 🌍 Research Focus

Dr. Mlungisi Duma’s research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, particularly in the fields of machine learning, evolutionary computation, and optimization algorithms. He has contributed extensively to developing novel AI models for predictive modeling, control parameter optimization, and feature selection. His recent work includes optimizing ant colony algorithms and using artificial immune systems for collaborative filtering in recommender systems. Dr. Duma’s research is not only theoretical but also has practical applications, as demonstrated by his consultancy projects for First National Bank, where AI-driven solutions are implemented in ATM systems. He has published widely in top-tier journals, reflecting his thought leadership in AI and its applications in diverse sectors. His current projects aim to enhance AI’s role in automation and decision-making across industries.

 📖 Publication Top Notes

  • Sparseness reduction in collaborative filtering using a nearest neighbour artificial immune system with genetic algorithms
    • Citations: 22
  • Optimising latent features using artificial immune system in collaborative filtering for recommender systems
    • Citations: 20
  • Partial imputation of unseen records to improve classification using a hybrid multi-layered artificial immune system and genetic algorithm
    • Citations: 30
  • Classification with missing data using multi-layered artificial immune systems
    • Citations: 4
  • Partial imputation to improve predictive modelling in insurance risk classification using a hybrid positive selection algorithm and correlation-based feature selection
    • Citations: 2

Leandro Conte | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr Leandro Conte | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof.Dr.leandro conte, Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC). CONICET, CCT-Santa Fe, Argentina, Argentina

Dr. Leandro Oscar Conte is a prominent environmental engineer and researcher, currently serving as an Associate Researcher at the Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), CONICET-CCT Santa Fe, Argentina. He also holds an Associate Professor position at the Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas (FICH), UNL. Dr. Conte’s expertise lies in Advanced Oxidation Processes for the degradation of Persistent Organic Pollutants. Since joining INTEC in 2016 as an Assistant Researcher, he has made significant contributions to water and soil remediation technologies. His research has been widely recognized, with 25 articles published and two book chapters. He has secured several high-profile research grants, including a Marie Curie Fellowship at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Spain. Dr. Conte has established himself as a leader in his field, promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Professional Profile

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Education:

Dr. Leandro Conte earned his degree in Environmental Engineering from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) in 2008, where he also completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering in 2015. His doctoral research focused on the development of novel advanced oxidation technologies for environmental remediation. Dr. Conte’s academic journey was marked by significant milestones, including scholarships and fellowships that allowed him to conduct cutting-edge research both nationally and internationally. He further honed his expertise through postdoctoral work at renowned institutions, including a Marie Curie Fellowship at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) in Spain. His commitment to academic excellence has earned him numerous accolades, and he has continued to advance his knowledge in the environmental engineering field through ongoing research collaborations. Dr. Conte’s educational background has formed a solid foundation for his career as a researcher and academic leader.

Experience :

Dr. Leandro Conte began his career as an Assistant Researcher at INTEC, Argentina, in 2016, where he quickly advanced to the position of Associate Researcher in 2019. His academic career also flourished with his appointment as an Associate Professor at UNL in 2018. Dr. Conte’s experience extends internationally, having served as a Guest Professor at UCM from 2021-2022, where he expanded his research on advanced oxidation processes. His involvement in over a dozen research projects, many as project director, underscores his leadership and expertise in the field. Dr. Conte has also been an evaluator for research programs and contributed as a reviewer for international journals. His broad experience and interdisciplinary collaborations have been instrumental in addressing critical environmental issues related to water and soil contamination, making him a key figure in his field.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Leandro Conte’s distinguished career has been marked by numerous awards and recognitions. He received the prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship (GA-844209) for his research at UCM in Spain, focusing on the photo-Fenton degradation of persistent organic pollutants. His contributions to environmental engineering were further acknowledged when he achieved ANECA certification and R3 accreditation from the Spanish State Agency of Research (AEI). Additionally, Dr. Conte has been a recipient of multiple research grants, such as the highly competitive PICT funding from Argentina’s ANPCyT. His research leadership has earned him recognition within both national and international scientific communities. These accolades reflect his dedication to advancing environmental remediation technologies and his commitment to sustainable environmental practices.

Research Focus :

Dr. Leandro Conte’s research primarily revolves around Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) for the degradation of persistent pollutants in water and soil. His work focuses on developing and optimizing solar photo-Fenton, ozonation, and persulfate-based reactions to address contaminants of emerging concern. Dr. Conte’s research seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale experimentation and large-scale environmental applications, using pilot plant reactors to test the efficacy of AOPs in real-world conditions. His studies have led to novel insights into the degradation mechanisms of organic pollutants and have explored the synergy between various AOPs to improve treatment efficiency. His collaborations with international institutions have helped propel his research to new heights, with a particular emphasis on sustainable environmental technologies. Dr. Conte’s research is at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the impact of industrial and pharmaceutical pollutants on ecosystems.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. 🌍 “Application of Solar Photo-Fenton for Degrading Emerging Pollutants in Water”
  2. 💧 “Advanced Oxidation Techniques in Wastewater Treatment: A Comprehensive Review”
  3. 🧪 “Degradation of Persistent Organic Pollutants using Ozone and UV”
  4. ☀️ “Pilot-Scale Solar Reactors for Contaminant Removal in Real Waters”
  5. 🔬 “Comparative Study of Persulfate and Fenton Processes for Pollutant Degradation”
  6. 🌱 “Sustainable Water Treatment: Challenges in Emerging Pollutants”
  7. 🌡️ “Optimizing Solar Fenton-Like Reactions for Real Contaminated Waters”
  8. ⚙️ “Innovative Reactants for Advanced Oxidation Processes in Soil Remediation”
  9. 🏭 “Industrial Applications of Advanced Oxidation Technologies”
  10. 🧫 “Modeling the Kinetics of Ozone-Based Contaminant Degradation”