Dr. Johnny Alexander Salazar Cardona, University of Caldas, Colombia
Dr. Salazar earned his Ph.D. in Information and Communication Technologies from Universidad de Granada, Spain, with a Cum Laude distinction in 2024, following an M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Computational Engineering and Systems and Computer Engineering from Universidad de Caldas, Colombia. Specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), pervasive game systems, and social interactive agents, his research has significantly impacted the elderly population through advanced technology solutions. Dr. Salazar has worked on projects funded by Spain’s Ministry of Science and Innovation and received numerous awards, including the Best Research Award at the II Spanish Video Games Congress (2023-2024). Recognized for his contributions as a teacher and researcher, he is also an evaluator for high-impact journals like Entertainment Computing and Games for Health Journal.
Professional Profile:
Suitability for the Award:
Dr. Johnny Alexander Salazar Cardona’s diverse research portfolio , innovative contributions to HCI and game-based systems, and his focus on applying technology to improve societal challenges āsuch as creating interactive tools for elderly populationsāmake him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award . His multi-disciplinary approach , blending data science , technology , and human interaction , aligns with the evolving needs of contemporary research. Additionally, his doctoral and teaching awards , international recognition , and publication record reflect a researcher whose work has both academic and practical significance.
Educational Background:
Dr. Johnny Alexander Salazar Cardona holds a Ph.D. in Information and Communication Technologies from the University of Granada, Spain (2020ā2024), with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). He has also earned a Master’s in Computational Engineering from the Universidad de Caldas, Colombia (2012ā2014), specializing in data analysis in Open Data environments, and a Bachelor’s in Systems and Computing Engineering from the same institution (2006ā2012).
Research and Professional Experience:
Dr. Salazar is currently a data analyst and development engineer at Universidad de Caldas, where he designs and implements dashboards for decision-making processes using diverse data sources. He is also a researcher at the University of Granada, working on EU-funded projects exploring pervasive game-based systems and interactive social agents for older adults. His technical expertise includes ETL processes, software development in Angular, and social robotics.
Key Achievements:
- Cum Laude Ph.D. Thesis (2024) š
- Best Research Award at the Spanish Video Game Congress (2023ā2024) and the Ibero-American HCI Conference.
- International Ph.D. Scholarship awarded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Colombia (2020).
- Outstanding Teacher Awards from EAM University (2016, 2017, 2019).
Scientific Contributions:
Dr. Salazar has served as a reviewer for high-impact journals like Entertainment Computing and Games for Health Journal , focusing on game-based systems. He is also a recognized researcher and project evaluator for Colombia’s Ministry of Science (MINCIENCIAS). šš
Publication Top Notes:
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Title : Meaningful Learning: Motivations of Older Adults in Serious Games
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Cited by : 10
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Year : 2023
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Title : Game-Based Systems: Towards a New Proposal for Playability Analysis
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Cited by : 10
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Year : 2021
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Title : Older Adults’ Motivations in Game-Based Systems: Heuristic Definition and its Connection with Fun
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Title : Application of Learning Analytics and Educational Data Mining in a Higher Education Institution in Colombia
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Title : Designing a Tangible User Interface (TUI) for the Elderly Based on Their Motivations and Game Elements