Helen Snethemba Ndlovu | Machine Learnings | Best Researcher Award

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Research Award Review

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Dr. Helen Snethemba Ndlovu | Machine Learnings | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Researcher at University of KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa

Dr. Helen Snethemba Ndlovu is a dynamic and interdisciplinary researcher from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, specializing in AI-driven environmental monitoring, GIS, remote sensing, and climate resilience. She applies cutting-edge geospatial technologies, including UAV-based thermal and multispectral sensing, to support precision agriculture, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and sustainable resource use. Helen has extensive experience in environmental research, community engagement, and data-driven decision-making, contributing to both academic and policy-oriented initiatives.

Professional Profile:

Education: 

Dr. Helen Snethemba holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where her research focused on using UAV thermal and multispectral remote sensing to assess crop water status in neglected and underutilized taro crops within smallholder farming systems. She earned a Master of Science in Environmental Science at the same institution, with research on high-resolution UAV imagery to monitor leaf moisture in smallholder maize farms. She also completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science, with distinction in Analytical GIS, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, graduating with merit for her ecology research.

Experience:

Dr. Helen Snethemba currently serves as an Ad Hoc Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, delivering modules on Analytical GIS, Advanced Spatial Modelling, and GIS & Remote Sensing, while mentoring postgraduate students. She has previously worked as a Junior Scientist at the Institute of Natural Resources, conducting water quality assessments, developing citizen science protocols for macroplastic monitoring, and designing geospatial tools for resource management. Helen has held positions as an Environmental Field Officer with Amanzi Ethu Nobuntu NPC, a Research Assistant at the Agricultural Research Council, and a Teaching Assistant and Environmental Management Tutor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, contributing to field-based research, GIS and remote sensing instruction, and community-based environmental projects.

Research Inteest:

Dr. Helen Snethemba’s research focuses on AI-driven environmental monitoring, UAV-based remote sensing, geospatial modelling, and climate resilience. Her interests include precision agriculture, crop water management, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, invasive species detection, sustainable resource management, and data-driven decision-making. She leverages machine learning, big data analytics, and cloud computing platforms to process and interpret satellite and UAV imagery, contributing to evidence-based policy development and sustainable environmental solutions.

Publications Top Noted:

  1. A comparative estimation of maize leaf water content using machine learning techniques and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based proximal and remotely sensed data – Year: 2021 | Citations: 86

  2. A systematic review on the application of UAV-based thermal remote sensing for assessing and monitoring crop water status in crop farming systems – Year: 2024 | Citations: 15

  3. Detecting and mapping the spatial distribution of Chromoleana odorata invasions in communal areas of South Africa using Sentinel-2 multispectral remotely sensed data – Year: 2022 | Citations: 13

  4. Mapping the Eucalyptus spp. woodlots in communal areas of Southern Africa using Sentinel-2 Multi-Spectral Imager data for hydrological applications – Year: 2021 | Citations: 13

  5. Use of unmanned aerial vehicle-derived multi-spectral data for the early detection of multi-temporal maize leaf equivalent water thickness and fuel moisture content – Year: 2024 | Citations: 5

Conclusion:

Dr. Helen Snethemba Ndlovu exemplifies excellence in environmental science, AI applications, and geospatial research. Her innovative work on UAV-based monitoring, precision agriculture, and ecosystem management contributes significantly to climate resilience and sustainable resource use. By combining cutting-edge technology with community and policy engagement, she bridges research and real-world application. Her dedication to mentorship, research innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration positions her as a leading figure in her field. Recognition through the Global Network & Technology Excellence Awards highlights her outstanding contributions and commitment to advancing sustainable environmental solutions.

Esther Magondu | Agri-Tech Apps | Best Researcher Award

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Research Award Review

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Dr. Esther Magondu | Agri-Tech Apps | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Esther Magondu is a Kenyan research scientist specializing in sustainable aquatic food systems and integrated marine aquaculture. She has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, research management, and implementation of ISO standards, with a focus on improving aquaculture productivity and promoting climate-smart fisheries in East Africa.

Professional Profile:

Education: 

Dr. Esther Magondu holds a PhD in Fisheries and Aquaculture from Pwani University, a Master of Science in Aquaculture and Marine Resources Management from Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from Moi University, Kenya. Her early education includes the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education from Karima Girls High School. Her doctoral research focused on Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems, emphasizing sustainable co-culture of marine species.

Experience:

Dr. Esther Magondu Wairimu Magondu currently serves as a Scientist in Aquatic Farming Practices at WorldFish. She previously worked at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), holding roles from Research Scientist to Senior Research Scientist. In these positions, she conducted cutting-edge research on marine aquaculture systems, supervised multidisciplinary research teams, coordinated donor-funded projects, and mentored both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She has also served as a Centre Director at KMFRI Mombasa and as a part-time lecturer at Nairobi University. Her work emphasizes innovation in aquaculture, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable blue economy practices.

Research Inteest:

  • Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA): Optimizing co-culture of fish, bivalves, and sea cucumbers for increased productivity.

  • Marine and Coastal Aquaculture: Sustainable fish and shrimp production.

  • Aquaculture Nutrition: Development of locally formulated feed for improved fish growth.

  • Climate-Smart Fisheries: Adoption of resilient aquaculture technologies to improve food security.

  • Blue Economy Development: Community engagement and innovative aquaculture solutions for socio-economic benefits.

Publications Top Noted:

  1. Societal and environmental impacts of seaweed farming in relation to rural development: The case of Kibuyuni village, south coast, Kenya, Year: 2020 | 46 citations.

  2. Effect of C/N ratio levels and stocking density of Labeo victorianus on pond environmental quality using maize flour as a carbon source, Year: 2013 | 42 citations.

  3. Evaluation of sodium chloride (NaCl) for potential prophylactic treatment and its short-term toxicity to African catfish Clarias gariepinus yolk-sac and swim-up fry, Year: 2011 | 29 citations.

  4. Toward integration of sea cucumber and cockles with culture of shrimps in earthen ponds in Kenya, Year: 2022 | 14 citations.

  5. Life cycle responses of the midge of Chironomus species to sugarcane and paper pulp effluents exposure, Year: 2016 | 12 citations.

Conclusion:

Dr. Esther Magondu exemplifies excellence in aquaculture research and sustainable blue economy development. Her innovative approaches to IMTA, climate-smart fisheries, and community-driven solutions have significantly advanced sustainable aquatic food systems in East Africa. She effectively bridges scientific research, policy, and practice, creating meaningful societal and environmental impacts. Her dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers and engaging stakeholders reflects leadership and vision in her field. Recognition through the Global Network & Technology Excellence Awards underscores her outstanding contributions and commitment to sustainable innovation.

Abdelaziz Saidi | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

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Research Award Review

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdelaziz Saidi | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Senior Transmission Engineering Expert at Saudi Electricity Company | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Abdelaziz Salah Saidi is a Senior Transmission Engineering Expert at the Grid Studies Department, National Grid SA, where he specializes in system stability and resilience studies with renewable energy integration. He previously served as Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, where he supervised numerous undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. projects. He is a permanent member of the Université de Tunis El Manar – Laboratoire des Systèmes Electriques, and an active member of the IEEE Power & Energy Society. Dr. Saidi has published over 90 research papers in indexed journals and international conferences and holds a patent on multifunctional inverters for solar water pumping systems.

Professional Profile:

Education: 

Dr. Abdelaziz Saidi earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT), University of Tunis – El Manar, with a dissertation on Dynamic Stability of the Power System Integrating Wind Farms: Bifurcations Analysis under the supervision of Profs. Mohamed Elleuch and Khadija Ben Kilani. He obtained his M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the same institution, focusing on Voltage Stability of the Power System by Modal Analysis. He also completed his B.Sc. in Electrical Systems at the University of Tunis – El Manar.

Experience:

Dr. Abdelaziz Saidi began his career as a teacher in Tunisia before joining academia as an Assistant Professor at the Higher Institute of Computer Science of Kef. He later moved to Saudi Arabia, serving at King Khalid University as Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor, focusing on power system planning, stability, operation and renewable energy integration. Alongside his teaching, he acted as Consultant for the Energy and Water Resources Research Unit, Member of the Renewable Energy Committee, and Researcher at the Center for Artificial Intelligence. Since September, he has been a Senior Transmission Engineering Expert at National Grid SA, working on grid stability and resilience studies with renewable energy sources.

Research Inteest:

Dr. Abdelaziz Saidi ’s research covers a broad spectrum of power system engineering. His primary interests include power system stability and control (dynamic, transient, and voltage stability), renewable energy integration (solar PV, wind, hybrid microgrids, and green hydrogen), and artificial intelligence applications in power and energy systems (forecasting, optimization, and intelligent control). He has also contributed to studies on grid-connected photovoltaic plants, smart grid protection systems, distributed generation, and power quality issues. His work bridges theoretical modeling, simulation, and practical applications with industry partners.

Publications Top Noted:

  1. Efficient Medical Diagnosis of Human Heart Diseases using Machine Learning Techniques with and without GridSearchCV, Year: 2022 | Citations: 269.

  2. Impact of Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Systems on Voltage Stability of Tunisian Distribution Networks Using Dynamic Reactive Power Control, Year: 2022 | Citations: 79

  3. Improvement of Techno-Economic Optimal Sizing of a Hybrid Off-Grid Microgrid System, Year: 2021, Citations: 76.

  4. Powering up Microgrids: A Comprehensive Review of Innovative and Intelligent Protection Approaches for Enhanced Reliability, Year: 2023 | Citations: 57.

  5. Impact of Large Photovoltaic Power Penetration on the Voltage Regulation and Dynamic Performance of the Tunisian Power System, Year: 2020 | Citations: 52.

Conclusion:

Dr. Abdelaziz Saidi exemplifies the qualities of a leading researcher in renewable energy and power systems. His dedication to advancing knowledge, combined with practical innovations and academic mentorship, has created a lasting impact in both industry and academia. By continuously integrating cutting-edge research with real-world applications, he strengthens the resilience and sustainability of modern energy networks. His contributions reflect a commitment to excellence, innovation, and global collaboration. Recognition through the Global Network & Technology Excellence Awards is a testament to his outstanding achievements and leadership in the field.