Francesco Agnelli | Graph Neural Networks | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Francesco Agnelli | Graph Neural Networks | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Francesco Agnelli, University of Milan, Italy

Francesco Agnelli is an Italian researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Milan, where he delves into the frontiers of deep learning and artificial intelligence. Born in 1998 in Cantù, Italy, Francesco began his academic journey with a stellar Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mathematics, both earned cum laude at the University of Insubria. His academic focus evolved from Morse Theory to applied mathematics and computational intelligence, leading to his cutting-edge research on Graph Neural Networks (GNNs). Francesco's work bridges advanced machine learning methods with real-world problems like affective computing and graph isomorphism. With industry experience at Power Reply and teaching stints in local schools, he combines theory with practical impact. Francesco also shares his knowledge as a tutor and speaker in major academic and tech platforms, including an NVIDIA webinar and the 2024 ECCV Conference. He continues to contribute to the intersection of mathematics, AI, and neural computation.

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Summary of Suitability for the 'Research for Best Researcher Award'

Francesco Agnelli stands out as an exceptional candidate for the 'Research for Best Researcher Award' due to his impressive academic background, comprehensive research experience, and contributions to cutting-edge fields in mathematics and computer science, particularly through his work with Graph Neural Networks (GNNs).

Francesco holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics with honors (110/110 cum laude) from Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, where his academic pursuits focused on computational mathematics and machine learning. His work has specifically contributed to the application of GNNs in the domains of graph isomorphism and affective computing, demonstrating his ability to innovate within highly specialized research areas. His ongoing Ph.D. studies at Università degli studi di Milano further highlight his dedication to advancing human understanding through deep learning and multi-modal input integration.

Education 

Francesco Agnelli holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics with highest honors (110/110 cum laude) from the University of Insubria, where he focused on computational mathematics and machine learning. His thesis explored the application of Graph Neural Networks to the graph isomorphism problem. During his studies, he completed an Erasmus semester at KU Leuven, Belgium, earning top grades in advanced courses like Wavelets and Applications (29/30), Life Insurance (30/30), and Machine Learning (29/30). He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, again with 110/110 cum laude, from the same university. Francesco participated in a 24 CFU course for teacher training and holds a Scientific High School diploma from Liceo Scientifico Enrico Fermi with a score of 96/100. Now pursuing a PhD at the University of Milan, Francesco investigates the use of GNNs in affective computing, incorporating multimodal inputs and foundation models to advance human-centered AI.

Professional Experience

Francesco Agnelli is currently a PhD student at the University of Milan, conducting research at PhuseLab on deep learning and human understanding. His work integrates Graph Neural Networks and foundation models to process multimodal affective data. Previously, Francesco worked as an IT Consultant at Power Reply in Milan, where he supported the Eni Multicard CRM project. His tasks included transitioning the system from Siebel to Salesforce, performing data analysis, and implementing technical corrections using tools like SOQL and Excel. Earlier, he served as a Mathematics and Science teacher at Istituto Comprensivo Como Lora, where he engaged with younger students to foster scientific curiosity. In parallel, he has tutored university-level courses like Mathematical Analysis and Computational Mathematics. His technical fluency spans Python (especially PyTorch), Matlab, SOQL, and Java. Francesco’s diverse experiences reflect a strong ability to bridge academic rigor with real-world application in both corporate and educational environments.

Awards and Recognition

Francesco Agnelli has received consistent recognition throughout his academic and professional journey. He graduated cum laude in both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mathematics, reflecting outstanding academic excellence. As a department representative and member of multiple university commissions at the University of Insubria, Francesco was honored for his leadership and advocacy in academic governance. He was also selected as a university tutor, mentoring students in Mathematical Analysis and Computational Mathematics. His expertise in artificial intelligence earned him an invitation to speak at the prestigious NVIDIA webinar on "Enhancing Visual Understanding With Generative AI". Furthermore, he was a volunteer at the renowned ECCV 2024 Conference, showcasing his commitment to engaging with the AI research community. These accolades affirm his growing impact in academia and the AI research landscape, positioning him as a promising thought leader in the field of Graph Neural Networks and beyond.

Research Skill On Graph Neural Networks

Francesco Agnelli’s research skills are deeply rooted in computational mathematics, with a specialized focus on Graph Neural Networks (GNNs). His academic evolution—from Morse Theory to graph isomorphism problems—demonstrates a solid foundation in abstract mathematics and its translation into real-world computing tasks. In his PhD at the University of Milan, he explores the fusion of GNNs with affective computing, particularly multimodal input processing and fine-tuning of foundation models. His technical toolkit includes Python (PyTorch), Matlab, and data query languages like SOQL. Francesco exhibits high proficiency in integrating theoretical algorithms with deep learning frameworks, often experimenting with cross-domain solutions. He has hands-on experience working with numerical analysis, approximation methods, and neural architectures, allowing him to simulate and interpret graph-structured data effectively. His research reflects a forward-thinking and collaborative approach to AI that bridges data, emotions, and decision-making through intelligent systems grounded in strong mathematical logic.

  Publication Top Notes

  • Title: KA-GCN: Kernel-Attentive Graph Convolutional Network for 3D face analysis

  • Authors: Francesco Agnelli, Giuseppe Facchi, Giuliano Grossi, Raffaella Lanzarotti

  • Journal: Array

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.array.2025.100392

  • Year: 2025

  • Citation: Agnelli, F., Facchi, G., Grossi, G., & Lanzarotti, R. (2025). KA-GCN: Kernel-Attentive Graph Convolutional Network for 3D face analysis. Array. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.array.2025.100392

Alimul Rajee | Computer Science | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Alimul Rajee | Computer Science | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Alimul Rajee, Dept. of ICT, Comilla University, Kotbari, Bangladesh

Alimul Rajee is a Lecturer at the Department of Information and Communication Technology, Comilla University. His academic journey includes a stellar performance with a CGPA of 3.69 in his M.Sc. in Information Technology from Jahangirnagar University. Rajee’s research interests span Machine Learning, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and Robotics, with a focus on real-world applications such as traffic accident data analysis and smart waste management. He has contributed significantly to several research projects, and his work has been published in prestigious journals, such as Knowledge-Based Systems and Heliyon. In addition to his research, Rajee is an active educator, mentoring students and supervising projects in areas like IoT and deep learning. His dedication extends beyond the classroom to extracurricular activities, where he has received multiple awards and recognitions, including an international award for his project at Fujitsu Research Institute in Tokyo.

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Suitability Summary of Young Scientist Awards

Alimul Rajee stands out as an excellent candidate for the Research for Young Scientist Award due to his impressive academic achievements, significant research contributions, and commitment to advancing in the fields of Machine Learning, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and IoT. He has a strong educational background, earning his M.Sc. and B.Sc. with high CGPA rankings from Jahangirnagar University, which reflects his deep knowledge and dedication to his field.

Rajee’s research work is highly commendable, with several publications in reputable, Scopus-indexed journals such as Knowledge-Based Systems and Heliyon, where he has contributed to the development of novel algorithms and methodologies, especially in big data analysis, sentiment analysis, and AI-based applications. His ongoing and completed research projects, including a hybrid smart waste management system and aspect-based sentiment analysis for Bengali text, further showcase his innovative thinking and practical application of emerging technologies to address real-world problems. Additionally, his leadership in supervising over 40 academic projects and his participation in global training programs, like those held at the Fujitsu Research Institute in Japan, illustrate his proactive approach to both learning and teaching.

🎓  Education

Alimul Rajee completed his M.Sc. in Information Technology from Jahangirnagar University, securing a CGPA of 3.69 out of 4, ranking 6th in his batch. Before this, he earned his B.Sc. (Hons.) in the same field, also from Jahangirnagar University, with a CGPA of 3.71, again securing the 6th position. Rajee’s academic excellence dates back to his secondary education, where he achieved the highest CGPA of 5.00 in both his HSC and SSC exams from Govt. Ananadamohan College and Islamnagar Sailampur High School. His continuous pursuit of academic excellence earned him merit-based scholarships throughout his education. His academic prowess has laid a strong foundation for his research and professional career, as he continues to excel in his field with a focus on cutting-edge technologies such as AI and IoT.

💼 Professional Experience

Alimul Rajee’s professional career began as a Junior Data Scientist at Oculin Tech BD Ltd., where he worked from March 2020 to May 2021. He then served as a Senior Officer (ICT) at Sonali Bank PLC for a brief period before becoming a Lecturer at Comilla University in November 2021, where he currently teaches. Rajee’s teaching journey includes roles at Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) and Jahangirnagar University (IIT-JU), where he was a Teacher Assistant. His extensive experience also includes supervising over 40 academic projects focused on machine learning, deep learning, and IoT. As an educator, he fosters a positive learning environment, guiding students through complex technical concepts while contributing to the development of innovative research and real-world applications.

🏅  Awards and Recognition

Alimul Rajee’s achievements have been recognized at both national and international levels. He has received several awards, including the UGC Research Grant from Comilla University for consecutive fiscal years, which is a testament to his research capabilities. Rajee’s work has been recognized by prestigious institutions such as Fujitsu Research Institute (FRI) in Tokyo, where his final project won 1st prize. He has also been a reviewer for the International Conference on Embracing Industry 4.0 for Sustainable Business Growth. His consistent academic and research excellence has earned him regular merit-based scholarships and fellowships, such as the National Science & Technology Fellowship from the ICT Division of Bangladesh.

🌍 Research Skills On Computer Science

Alimul Rajee specializes in the application of cutting-edge technologies such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and IoT. His research includes a diverse range of topics like traffic accident data analysis, sentiment analysis of Bengali text, and smart waste management. Rajee has honed his expertise in Data Science and deep learning methods, contributing to several high-impact publications in renowned journals such as Knowledge-Based Systems and Heliyon. His current research projects include Aspect-Category-Opinion-Sentiment Quad Extraction for Bengali Text and a Hybrid Smart Waste Management Technique using Deep Learning and IoT. Rajee’s proficiency in data analysis, algorithm design, and system integration showcases his strong research skills and his commitment to advancing technology for societal benefit.

📖 Publication Top Notes

  • “Aspect-based sentiment analysis for Bengali text using bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT)”
    • Authors: MM Samia, A Rajee, MR Hasan, MO Faruq, PC Paul
    • Citation: International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 13(12)
    • Year: 2022
  • “Detecting the provenance of price hike in agri-food supply chain using private Ethereum blockchain network”
    • Authors: MH Sayma, MR Hasan, M Khatun, A Rajee, A Begum
    • Citation: Heliyon, 10(11)
    • Year: 2024
  • “Analyzing depression on social media utilizing machine learning and deep learning methods”
    • Authors: PC Paul, MT Ahmed, MR Hasan, A Rajee, K Sultana
    • Citation: Indian Journal of Computer Science and Engineering, 14(5), 740-746
    • Year: 2023
  • “WFFS—An ensemble feature selection algorithm for heterogeneous traffic accident data analysis”
    • Authors: A Rajee, MS Satu, MZ Abedin, KMA Ali, S Aloteibi, MA Moni
    • Citation: Knowledge-Based Systems, 113089
    • Year: 2025