Douâae Ou-Yahia | Immunology and Microbiology | Editorial Board Member

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Dr. Douâae Ou-Yahia | Immunology and Microbiology | Editorial Board Member 

Chercheur associé | Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University | Morocco

Douâae Ou-Yahia is a researcher whose work primarily focuses on the bioactive properties and pharmacological potential of plant-derived compounds, particularly essential oils and polyphenols from Moroccan flora. Her research encompasses the evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and genotoxic effects of various plant extracts, with a strong emphasis on discovering novel therapeutic agents, especially against breast cancer. In 2023, she co-authored several notable studies, including investigations into Ptychotis verticillata essential oil, demonstrating its antioxidant activity and potential as a breast cancer therapeutic, and studies on Mentha piperita, exploring how irrigation water quality affects its chemical profile and secondary metabolites, with implications for pharmacological applications. She has also extensively studied carob (Ceratonia siliqua var. Rahma) leaves, analyzing their polyphenol content, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, and genotoxicity, highlighting their multi-faceted potential as functional bioactive compounds. Her research combines both in vitro and in silico approaches, integrating analytical profiling, chemical characterization, and computational modeling to better understand plant bioactivity and optimize therapeutic applications. Beyond her laboratory work, Douâae Ou-Yahia contributes to advancing the scientific understanding of medicinal plants in Morocco, providing insights that may support the development of natural and effective treatments. Her publications, appearing in journals such as Life, International Journal of Plant Biology, Pharmaceuticals, and Antibiotics, reflect a commitment to rigorous experimental design and multidisciplinary collaboration with other experts in the fields of pharmacology, chemistry, and plant biology. Overall, her work bridges fundamental phytochemical research and applied biomedical science, offering promising avenues for natural product-based therapies and contributing to global efforts in exploring sustainable, plant-based solutions for healthcare challenges.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Taibi, M., Elbouzidi, A., Ouahhoud, S., Loukili, E. H., Ou-Yahia, D., Ouahabi, S., Alqahtani, A. S., Noman, O. M., Addi, M., Bellaouchi, R., et al. (2023). Evaluation of antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity of Ptychotis verticillata essential oil: Towards novel breast cancer therapeutics. Life, 13(7), 1586.

  2. Haddou, M., Taibi, M., Elbouzidi, A., Loukili, E. H., Yahyaoui, M. I., Ou-Yahia, D., Mehane, L., Addi, M., Asehraou, A., Chaabane, K., et al. (2023). Investigating the impact of irrigation water quality on secondary metabolites and chemical profile of Mentha piperita essential oil: Analytical profiling, characterization, and potential pharmacological applications. International Journal of Plant Biology, 14(3), 49.

  3. Elbouzidi, A., Taibi, M., Ouassou, H., Ouahhoud, S., Ou-Yahia, D., Loukili, E. H., Aherkou, M., Mansouri, F., Bencheikh, N., Laaraj, S., et al. (2023). Exploring the multi-faceted potential of carob (Ceratonia siliqua var. Rahma) leaves from Morocco: A comprehensive analysis of polyphenols profile, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines, and genotoxicity. Pharmaceuticals, 16(6), 840.

  4. Taibi, M., Elbouzidi, A., Ou-Yahia, D., Dalli, M., Bellaouchi, R., Tikent, A., Roubi, M., Gseyra, N., Asehraou, A., Hano, C., et al. (2023). Assessment of the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Ptychotis verticillata Duby essential oil from Eastern Morocco: An in vitro and in silico analysis. Antibiotics, 12(4), 655.

  5. Elbouzidi, A., Taibi, M., Ou-Yahia, D., Loukili, E. H., & others. (2023). Exploring the multi-faceted potential of carob leaves from Morocco: A comprehensive analysis of polyphenols profile, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines, and genotoxicity. Preprint.

Douâae Ou-Yahia’s research advances the understanding of bioactive compounds from Moroccan plants, providing novel insights into natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, and cancer therapeutics. Her work bridges fundamental phytochemistry and applied biomedical science, contributing to healthcare innovation and sustainable, plant-based solutions with global impact.

Manuel Gimenez | Innovation | Best Innovator Award

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Dr. Manuel Gimenez | Innovation | Best Innovator Award 

Chief Innovation Strategy Officer | Ayesa | Spain

Dr. Manuel Giménez Medina is eminently suitable for the Best Innovator Award based on the exceptional breadth, depth, and real-world impact of his career at the intersection of technology, research, and industry-led innovation. With over two decades of sustained leadership in innovation strategy, technology transfer, and applied research, he has consistently transformed advanced scientific knowledge into scalable digital solutions with measurable economic and social value. As Chief Innovation Strategy Officer at Ayesa and former Innovation Director at Emergya Group, he has led multinational innovation ecosystems, managed high-impact R&D portfolios exceeding tens of millions of euros, and coordinated complex international projects across artificial intelligence, smart cities, cybersecurity, digital agriculture, blockchain, and industrial IoT. His academic excellence is evidenced by a PhD in Software Engineering and Technology with cum laude distinction, Q1 publications in Expert Systems with Applications, and recognized scientific awards for best research articles, demonstrating both thought leadership and methodological rigor. What strongly enhances his candidacy is his rare ability to bridge academia, industry, and public administration through open innovation frameworks, enabling effective knowledge transfer, commercialization, and capacity building. As coordinator and principal investigator of multiple national and European projects such as AgrarIA, D-Rural, AI4Dev, and TIMBERTRACK, he has delivered innovations that directly support sustainability, digital transformation, and regional development. His advisory roles in strategic innovation committees and his trusteeship at a major ICT research foundation further validate his influence on innovation policy and ecosystem development. In education, mentoring, and doctoral supervision, he contributes to nurturing the next generation of innovators. Overall, his combination of scientific excellence, industrial impact, leadership credibility, funding success, and sustained societal contribution clearly positions him as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Innovator Award.

Profiles: Google Scholar | LinkedIn | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

Giménez Medina, M., González Enríquez, J., & Domínguez Mayo, F. J. (2023). The innovation challenge in Spain: A Delphi study. Expert Systems with Applications, 230, 120611.

Giménez Medina, M., González Enríquez, J., & Domínguez Mayo, F. J. (2023). A systematic review of capability and maturity innovation assessment models: Opportunities and challenges. Expert Systems with Applications, 213, 118968.

González Enríquez, J., Giménez Medina, M., & Domínguez Mayo, F. J. (2023). A systematic review of capability and maturity innovation assessment models: SMS. In Proceedings of the XXVII Jornadas de Ingeniería y Bases de Datos (JISBD), Spain.

Giménez Medina, M., González Enríquez, J., & Domínguez Mayo, F. J. (2020). Towards an agile innovation capability maturity framework to enhance investments on ICT organizations. In Proceedings of the 32nd International Conference on Advanced Information Systems Engineering (CAiSE), Spain.

 

Dr. Manuel Giménez Medina’s work drives global innovation by transforming advanced research in artificial intelligence and digital systems into high-impact, real-world solutions for smart cities, cybersecurity, and sustainable agriculture. By bridging academia, industry, and public institutions, his leadership strengthens technology transfer, accelerates digital transformation, and delivers measurable social and economic value at regional, national, and international levels.

Andsera Adugna Mekonen | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

PhD Student | University of Naples | Italy

Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen is an exceptionally promising young researcher in Earth and Environmental Sciences, demonstrating remarkable academic excellence, research innovation, and international recognition. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy, she focuses on developing sustainable agroforestry ecosystems using Earth Observation, AI, and drone technologies. Her research integrates remote sensing, GIS, machine learning, and UAS-based surveys to enhance biomass estimation and precision agriculture, reflecting a powerful blend of environmental sustainability and technological innovation. She has previously served as a Lecturer and Graduate Assistant at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, building a strong foundation in geoinformatics and academic mentorship. Her ENI Award 2022, a highly prestigious global recognition, underscores her excellence in energy and environmental research, while her participation in international training programs (ESA, AUVSI, Virginia Tech, and African Drone & Data Academy) highlights her commitment to continuous learning and scientific leadership. Mrs. Mekonen’s scholarly output includes peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as Environmental Challenges (Elsevier) and conference papers presented at IEEE MetroAerospace 2024 and 2025, showcasing her global engagement and research relevance. With technical mastery across remote sensing software (ArcGIS, QGIS, ENVI), programming (Python, R, Google Earth Engine), and AI modeling, she embodies a multi-disciplinary scientist driving innovation in Earth observation and climate-smart agriculture. Her work directly contributes to addressing climate change adaptation, land degradation, and sustainable resource management—core priorities in global sustainability research. Given her academic distinction, technical expertise, and impactful contributions, Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award, representing the next generation of transformative scientific leaders in environmental and Earth system innovation.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Mekonen, A. A., Raghuvanshi, T. K., Suryabhagavan, K. V., & Kassawmar, T. (2022). GIS-based landslide susceptibility zonation and risk assessment in a complex landscape: A case study of the Beshilo watershed, northern Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges, 8, 100586.

  2. Mekonen, A. A., Accardo, D., & Renga, A. (2024). Above-ground biomass estimation in an agroforestry environment by UAS and RGB imagery. In 2024 11th International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace (MetroAerospace) (pp. 272–277). IEEE.

  3. Mekonen, A. A., Accardo, D., & Renga, A. (2025). Above-Ground Biomass Prediction in Agroforestry Areas Using Machine Learning and Multispectral Drone Imagery. In 2025 IEEE 12th International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace (MetroAerospace) (pp. 63–68). IEEE.

  4. Mekonen, A. A., Conte, C., & Accardo, D. (2025). An effective process to use drones for above-ground biomass estimation in agroforestry landscapes. Aerospace, 12(11), 1001.

  5. Mekonen, A. A. (2021). GIS-based modeling and assessment of landslide susceptibility in mountainous terrain: A case study from Northern Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University, MSc Thesis.

Mrs. Andsera Adugna Mekonen’s pioneering research in Earth observation, AI, and drone-based agroforestry monitoring is transforming how we measure and manage environmental resources. Her innovative integration of remote sensing and machine learning enhances sustainable agriculture, supports climate change mitigation, and drives global innovation in precision ecosystem management—bridging science, technology, and sustainability for a resilient future.

Serhii Nikolaichuk | Computer Science | Innovative Research Award

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Mr. Serhii Nikolaichuk | Computer Science | Innovative Research Award 

AI Researcher | The Capital Index | United States

Mr. Serhii Nikolaichuk is an exceptional candidate for the Innovative Research Award, distinguished by his pioneering contributions at the intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, and cognitive science, with a focus on ensuring digital trust and personal data sovereignty. As the founder of Computational Personality Science and author of the AI Time Capsule project, he has advanced the field through groundbreaking concepts such as personality simulation, federated personalization, and privacy-preserving longitudinal learning, addressing both technical and ethical dimensions of AI development. His research has led to the creation of the “Mind-Soul” architecture, a scalable hybrid foundation-adapter model enabling personalized AI that overcomes the computational and economic limitations of traditional fine-tuning, and the AI Ethical Blackbox, which provides accountability and transparency for AI systems. Nikolaichuk’s work also encompasses innovative approaches to digital legacy and narrative identity, exemplified by the Digital Will framework and SPYNO, a personal counter-surveillance ecosystem, reflecting his commitment to practical societal impact alongside theoretical innovation. With a portfolio of ten publications, including influential preprints and technical reports, he has demonstrated a consistent ability to identify unmet challenges in behavioral and computational sciences and develop elegant, impactful solutions. His research bridges foundational science and applied technology, offering new paradigms for ecologically valid behavioral data collection, verifiable AI content provenance, and the therapeutic application of generative personality avatars. By combining rigorous methodology with visionary thinking, Nikolaichuk exemplifies the essence of innovative research, producing work that is both technically sophisticated and socially transformative, influencing the future of AI ethics, digital identity, and personalized technology. His achievements reflect not only originality and technical mastery but also a forward-looking approach that anticipates societal needs and ethical considerations, making him a highly suitable nominee for recognition by the Innovative Research Award.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

  1. Sorokin, R., Nikolaichuk, S. (2025, October). The “Mind-Soul” architecture: Scalable personality simulation via a hybrid foundation-adapter model with parameter-efficient fine-tuning.

  2. Sorokin, R., Nikolaichuk, S. (2025, September). Beyond the Turing Test: A framework for the “Personality Test” to evaluate the authenticity of a specific simulated identity.

  3. Sorokin, R., Nikolaichuk, S. (2025, September). Federated longitudinal studies (FLS): A privacy-by-design methodology for ecologically valid behavioral data collection in the wild.

  4. Nikolaichuk, S., Sorokin, R. (2025, August). Federated personalization for scalable personality simulation: A hybrid foundation-adapter architecture with privacy-preserving longitudinal learning.

  5. Sorokin, R., Nikolaichuk, S. (2025, August). From the archeology of memory to the simulation of personality: A new paradigm for digital legacy and narrative identity.