Speakers

Sharidya Rahman, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher, Monash University and ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science

Sharidya Rahman is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Monash University and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, Australia. His research lies at the intersection of materials science, applied physics, and quantum optoelectronics, with a particular focus on two-dimensional and van der Waals materials, excitonic phenomena, nonlinear optics, and semiconductor nanostructures. His work combines materials synthesis, advanced optical and structural characterization, and device-oriented investigation to understand and engineer light–matter interactions at the nanoscale. His research on moiré heterostructures, magnetic and ferroelectric materials, and emerging optoelectronic systems contributes to the development of next-generation quantum, photonic, and semiconductor technologies.

Ali Kashif Bashir, ph.D.

Professor of Computer Networks and Cybersecurity in Manchester Metropolitan University

Prof. Bashir holds the position of Professor of Computer Networks and Cybersecurity at the Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom. Additionally, he serves as the leader of the Future Networks lab. Throughout his career, Ali has presented more than 45 keynote speeches at international conferences, produced over 300 research articles, and successfully overseen multimillion-dollar projects worldwide. His students have won best paper awards, best PhD thesis awards, and several other recognitions. His research interests include internet of things/cyber physical systems, smart infrastructures, cybersecurity, and AI algorithms to solve interdisciplinary problems of networks and security.

Prof. Bashir is member of Council of Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC), UK; an expert reviewer of EPSRC, UK, Irish Research Council, Ireland, National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canada, MITACS, Accelerate, Canada, Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), and Commonwealth, UK. He enjoys 7 honorary and adjunct professor positions across the globe. He was listed as IEEE Featured Author in 2021, highly cited 2% researchers by Stanford University 2021 and 2022, shortlisted for Clarivate Highly Cited award 2023. He is AE of over 10 international ISI indexed journals including two IEEE Transactions, and Scientific Reports, Nature, and EIC of IEEE Technology, Policy and Ethics, and Journal of Autonomous Intelligence.

Festus Adedoyin, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, Bournemouth University

Festus is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for BSc Business Computing with Analytics, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Computing and Informatics, Bournemouth University, U.K. His current research interest is in applying Artificial Intelligence, Machine and Deep Learning, and Econometrics tools to research stories in Energy and Tourism Economics and Finance and Digital Health. Festus has contributed to several thematic areas in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and is open to international research collaborations.

Toqeer Mahmood, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the National Textile University Faisalabad, Pakistan

Prof. Mahmood is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the National Textile University Faisalabad, Pakistan. He received the MS degree in Computer Engineering from the Center for Advanced Studies in Engineering (CASE) Islamabad, Pakistan in 2010, and the Ph.D. degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Pakistan in 2017. He has authored or co-authored many scientific papers in conferences and journals of international repute. He is serving as an Academic Editor of Mathematical Problems in Engineering (Hindawi). He has been serving as a reviewer of various journals and conferences of international repute. His research interests are focused on image processing, machine learning, image retrieval, steganography, and numerical techniques with particular attention to multimedia forensics.

Roman Bauer, Ph.D.

Assistant professor, Computer Science Research Centre, University of Surrey

Roman received his Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Computational Science and Engineering from ETH Zuerich, Switzerland. Afterwards, he did his doctoral studies at the Institute for Neuroinformatics (INI) at ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, working on simulations of cortical development. He then joined Newcastle University in September 2013 as a postdoctoral research associate and afterwards started his MRC fellowship project in September 2016 as an independent principal investigator. In June 2018 he took up an EPSRC UKRI Innovation Fellowship at the School of Computing and a joint affiliation with the Institute of Genetic Medicine, both at Newcastle University. In August 2020 he then became a lecturer at the Department of Computer Science, University of Surrey.

Jie Zhang , Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of Bath

Dr. Zhang specializes in strategic learning in machine intelligence, focusing on applying game theory to enhance decision-making and multi-agent interactions within artificial intelligence systems. Dr. Zhang has developed innovative models that integrate adversarial learning, reinforcement learning, and mechanism design to optimize machine learning algorithms in both competitive and collaborative environments. Their work explores how strategic interactions between AI agents lead to more robust, adaptive, and efficient learning systems. Dr. Zhang is also dedicated to advancing the application of Nash equilibrium and incentive structures in AI development, contributing to numerous research projects that bridge the gap between game theory and artificial intelligence.

Ata Jahangir Moshayedi, Ph.D.

Associate Professor at DGUT-CNAM Institute of Dongguan University of Technology

Dr. Ata Jahangir Moshayedi (From Iran) received his Ph.D. in Electronic Science from Savitribai Phule Pune University, India. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE, a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and a Life Member of the Instrument Society of India and the Speed Society of India. He actively contributes to the global academic and research community through his extensive involvement as a reviewer, editorial board member, and technical committee member for numerous international journals and conferences. Over recent years, Dr. Moshayedi has delivered more than 50 invited keynote speeches and academic presentations at international conferences and research events. His innovative contributions have also resulted in significant intellectual property achievements, including three granted patents and seventeen registered software copyrights in China. Dr. Moshayedi has established a strong international research profile with more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious international journals and conferences. He is the author of four books and four book chapters addressing emerging technologies in robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, mobile robot olfaction, and embedded intelligent systems. His research achievements demonstrate a sustained commitment to developing innovative solutions at the intersection of intelligent systems, automation, and advanced computational technologies.

His research interests encompass robotics and automation, sensor modeling and fusion, bio-inspired robotics, mobile robot olfaction and plume tracking, embedded intelligent systems, machine vision, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Through interdisciplinary research combining robotics, sensing technologies, computer vision, and intelligent computational methods, Dr. Moshayedi continues to contribute to the advancement of autonomous systems and next-generation intelligent technologies with applications in industrial automation, smart sensing, and human-centered intelligent environments.

Previous Speakers

Hisham AbouGrad, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer, Department of Engineering & Computing, University of East London

Dr. Hisham AbouGrad, DProf, MSc, MBA, PGCHEP, FHEA, CITP MBCS, PMP, ITQM, is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science & Digital Technologies with a robust academic and research background. His expertise lies in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cybersecurity, financial technology (FinTech), multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), and information systems performance. Dr. AbouGrad actively collaborates with fellow researchers and supervise PhD and DProf students on projects that bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application. Particularly, he has supervised innovative projects such as the development of Contactless Payment Mobile Applications utilising QR Code and NFC Technologies, and predictive modeling systems for financial applications using ML. These projects provide invaluable hands-on experience, particularly in emerging technologies like mobile app development and financial performance prediction. Dr. AbouGrad’s research contributions are well-documented through his numerous publications, which address critical issues in ML, information security, and financial applications. His recent work, including a research paper "AI-Framework to Predict eCommerce Fake Reviews: A Hybrid Neural Network Machine Learning Model," showcases his ability to apply advanced AI methodologies to solve real-world financial and sustainability challenges by emphasising on quality, scalability, and reliability. His contributions not only advance academic knowledge but also have significant implications for sustainable business environment.

Title of Speech: AI-Powered Financial Decision-Making Framework to Predict Stock Price Using LSTM Algorithm and NLP-Driven Sentiment Analysis Model

Marwan Omar, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Faculty of Information Technology and Management, Illinois Institute of Technology

Dr. Omar's Academic career has consistently focused on applied, industry-relevant cyber security, Data Analytics, machine learning, application of AI to cyber security and digital forensics research and education that delivers real-world results. He brings a unique combination of industry experience as well as teaching experience gained from teaching across different cultures and parts of the world. He has an established self-supporting program in machine learning application to cyber security. He has established a respectable research record in AI and cyber security exemplified in the dozens of published papers and book chapters that have gained recognition among researchers and practitioners (more than 272 Google scholar citations thus far). He is actively involved in graduate as well as undergraduate machine learning education including curriculum development and assessment. Dr. Omar has recently published two books with Springer on Machine Learning and Cyber Security and has also published research with IEEE conference on Sematic Computing. Additionally, Dr. Omar hold numerous industry certifications including Comptia Sec+, ISACA CDPSE, EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker, and SANS Advanced Smartphone Forensics Analyst. Dr. Omar has been very active academia and the industry and he is currently serving as an associate professor of cyber security at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Title of Speech: Android Malware and the Role of Machine Learning

Anil Fernando, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde

Prof. Anil Fernando is currently a Professor of video coding and communications with the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, UK, and also is a Visiting Professor with the Center for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP), University of Surrey, UK. He has been working with many academic and industrial partners over the past decade to provide innovative media technologies, publishing over 460 papers and a book. He has supervised more than 110 PhD students and currently supervising 18 PhD students and lead the Multimedia Communications research group at the University of Strathclyde. His main research interests include video coding and communications, media broadcasting, quality of experience and applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence, semantic communications, media applications, next generation networks, and digital health.

Title of Speech: Data Science and Information Compression: Hyperprior Models and Beyond

Faheem Ullah, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide

Dr. Faheem Ullah is a computer scientist having diverse expertise in the use of AI tools for research purposes. Dr Faheem regularly shares his views and expertise on the use of AI tools for research on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. He has a combined audience/followers of around 250,000. He also regularly conducts webinars and gives talks on the use of AI tools for research.

With a PhD and Postdoc in AI from the University of Adelaide, Faheem is a highly accomplished academic. Throughout his career, Faheem has received numerous accolades, including two Gold Medals, one Silver Medal, and six academic distinctions. He has been the recipient of multiple scholarships for his undergraduate, master's, and PhD studies. Faheem has also played a pivotal role in supervising over 40 undergraduate, master's, and PhD students. His expertise lies in the fields of AI and research methods. With his rich experience and extensive contributions to academia, Faheem Ullah is dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation in the research being conducted.

Title of Speech: Evaluation of Big Data Systems in Edge and Cloud Environments

Mustafa Istanbullu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering Department, Çukurova University

Mustafa Istanbullu is an Assistant Professor and vice chair of the undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering at Çukurova University, where he has been working since 2021. He received his Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and later earned a master's degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Istanbul Technical University.

For his master's thesis, he focused on the early diagnosis of osteoporosis using artificial neural networks and support vector machines. He then pursued his PhD at Çukurova University, where his research centered around the design and simulation of a carbon nanotube hybridized field-effect transistor biopotential sensor.

His research interests include microelectronics, microfabrication of semiconductor devices, modeling of electronic devices, analog/digital circuit design, and biomedical instrumentation. He has published articles in international scientific journals and has received an international patent in 2021 for his invention of an ANN-based single calibration impedance measurement system for skin impedance range. He is committed to advancing the field of biomedical engineering and providing his students with an exceptional education.

Title of Speech: An Automated Smoking Simulator for Dental Research

Abdullahi Arabo, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer, Computer Networks and Mobile Technology, University of the West of England

Dr. Arabo is a highly accomplished Senior Lecturer in Computer Networks and Mobile Technology at the University of the West of England. He has received numerous accolades, including the "Most Dedicated Cyber Professional Development Educator (UK)" award from the AI 2020 cyber-Security Awards, induction into the UWE Black Hall of Fame, and the UWE winner of the NFT awards 2022. Dr. Arabo has an extensive background in research and development, teaching, and consultancy roles within the field of Network Security, Security of System-of-Systems composition, Mobile ad-hoc networks, ubiquitous computing, Cyber Security, Smart Device Security, and Identity Management. He has successfully led the development of an MSc Cyber Security program that has been certified by the National Cyber Security Centre UK (NCSC) and generated an income of over £2M per year. He has a sustained record of both internal and external funding for providing solutions for effective teaching and learning totalling over £1M. Additionally, he strategically led the three main pieces of evidence UWE recognition as a Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security, the Cyber Security Research Unit (CSRU), and UnlockCyber. Dr. Arabo is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

Alan Wang, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland

Alan Wang is a principal investigator and Associate Professor at Auckland University. He has more than ten years of research experience in bioengineering informatics and integrated medicine, especially in advancing the role of medical informatics in health care. His research interests include bioengineering, signal processing, data informatics, machine learning, and biomedical statistics and simulation. He has developed advanced data analytics methods for intelligent health and personalized diagnosis and prognosis based on signal processing and machine learning theories. He has experience analyzing huge cohorts of data with applications of early diagnosis, disease understanding, and effective treatment of patients with different disorders. He serves as an Editorial Board Member and an Active Reviewer for several international journals.

Roman Bauer, Ph.D.

Assistant professor, Computer Science Research Centre, University of Surrey

Ali Darejeh, Ph.D.

Lecturer, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Ali Darejeh has a PhD in computer science and engineering from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and he is currently working as a lecturer and computer science researcher in the field of immersive technologies at UNSW. He has over 10 years of teaching, research and industrial experience and frequently publishes in high rank journals. His major research interests are metaverse, virtual / augmented reality, brain computer interfaces, serious games, gamification, e-learning systems and user interface design for users with limited computer literacy. Ali conducts interdisciplinary research focusing on integrating new technologies and techniques such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and gamification with psychological and educational theories such as cognitive load, self-determination, and constructivism in order to design software for people with special needs, and eLearning platforms that can increase users' motivation and learning performance. Other than academic degrees and research experiences, Ali has years of industrial experience as a UX researcher and gamification designer in different industries such as oil and gas, medical, finance, and insurance. In addition, he is the founder of Research Tech Software Solution and Degree game studio, that focus on developing game-based learning platforms, and innovative mobile apps.

Hong Zhu, Ph.D.

Professor, School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Oxford Brookes University

Dr. Hong Zhu is a professor of computer science at the Oxford Brookes University, UK, where he chairs the Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity Research Group. He obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees in Computer Science from Nanjing University, China, in 1982, 1984 and 1987, respectively. He was a faculty member of Nanjing University from 1987 to 1998. He joined Oxford Brookes University in November 1998 as a senior lecturer in computing and became a professor in Oct. 2004. His research interests are in the area of software development methodologies, including software engineering for machine learning applications, cloud computing, big data and data analytics, software engineering of intelligent systems, formal methods, software design, programming languages and automated tools, software modeling and testing. He has published 2 books and more than 200 research papers in journals and international conferences. He is a senior member of IEEE, a member of British Computer Society, and ACM.

Moayad Aloqaily, Ph.D.

Research & Development Manager, Machine Learning Department, Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence

Moayad Aloqaily received a Ph.D. degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Ottawa, Canada, in 2016. He has been with different industries, he was a Senior Researcher and Data Scientist with Gnowit Inc., 2016-2019. He also worked with Cheetah Network Canada from 2019 to 2020. He is the Managing Director of xAnalytics Inc., Canada, since 2019. He was an Instructor with the SYSC Department, at Carleton University, Canada, in 2017. From 2018-2019, he was an assistant professor at the American University of Middle East (AUM), Kuwait. From 2019-2021, he was the Cybersecurity Program Director and an assistant professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Al Ain University, UAE. He is currently with the Machine Learning Department, at Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), UAE. He was the recipient of many honors and awards, such as best paper awards of 2020 Ad Hoc Networks Journal, 2021 Computer Networks, 2022 IEEE IWCMC, 2022 IEEE MeditCom, 2022 IEEE GlobeCom, and 2023 IEEE Metaverse. His current research interests include the applications of AI and ML, blockchain solutions, and sustainable energy and data management. Dr. Aloqaily has chaired and co-chaired many IEEE conferences and workshops. He is serving on the Editorial Board of many prestigious journals and guest editor in many journals. He has also been appointed as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of IEEE CommSoft TC eLetter in 2020. He started his Special Interest Groups on Blockchain and Applications as well as the Internet of Unmanned Aerial Networks. He is an IEEE Senior Member, ACM Member, and a Professional Engineer Ontario (P.Eng.). He is the founder and director of the artifitialleap.ai laboratory.

Turgay Batbat, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University

Turgay BATBAT is Asst. Prof. of Biomedical Engineering at Erciyes University. He received his BSc and MSc degrees in Computer Engineering and PhD degree in Biomedical Engineering from Erciyes University, Kayseri in 2011, 2014 and 2020, respectively. His master thesis work focused on protein tertiary structures based on artificial intelligence. His PhD thesis project about bio signal processing in cognitive functions and neurophysiology. He is member of research group and works on several projects based on fNIRs, EEG and diverse types of physiological parameters and Artificial Intelligence. He has presented in national-international conference proceedings and written publications on artificial intelligence and bio signal processing.