Danial Waleed | Control and Automation | Best Researcher Award

Dr Danial Waleed | Control and Automation | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant at University of Vermont in United States

Danial Waleed is a driven researcher specializing in control systems, mechatronics, and drone technologies. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Vermont, focusing on robust model-free control and sensor outlier detection. Danial’s academic journey began with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (Minor: Computer Engineering) and an M.S. in Mechatronics from the American University of Sharjah. His research contributions span across drone-based insulator inspection, leak detection systems, and fuel cell technologies for drones. He has been recognized for his innovation and leadership, winning multiple prestigious awards, including the Best Student Paper Award at IEEE SMC 2023. His expertise extends to UAV operations, software proficiencies in MATLAB, Python, and TensorFlow, among others. Danial is also actively involved in professional communities, serving as a manuscript reviewer and a student leader at the IEEE Green Mountain chapter.

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Strengths for the Award

Danial Waleed exhibits remarkable qualifications and professional experience that align with the Best Researcher Award criteria. His academic journey showcases a strong background in electrical and mechatronics engineering, with a Ph.D. from the University of Vermont and two degrees from the American University of Sharjah. His research work, particularly in model-free control, sensor outlier detection, and drone-based technologies, is highly relevant in today’s engineering and technological advancements. The Best Student Paper Award from IEEE SMC 2023 and his multiple publications in high-impact journals further reinforce his reputation as an innovative researcher.

Additionally, Waleed has made significant contributions to his field, including co-authoring a paper on in-pipe leak detection that has been cited 69 times. His work on drone-based insulator monitoring demonstrates his ability to apply engineering principles to real-world problems, a quality that is highly valued in the research community. His professional memberships, service as a manuscript reviewer, and leadership in student associations and IEEE chapters further add to his strong research and leadership profile.

Areas for Improvement

While Danial Waleed has strong research output, he could focus on increasing collaborations with international researchers to expand his influence and visibility in global networks. Engaging in interdisciplinary projects beyond electrical and biomedical engineering, such as in AI or renewable energy, may further enhance his research breadth and impact. Additionally, the relatively lower citation counts for some of his recent papers suggest the potential for greater promotion of his work through conferences and scientific communities.

Education 

Danial Waleed completed his Ph.D. in 2024 at the University of Vermont in the Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering. His dissertation focused on the robustification of model-free control systems via sensor outlier detection, with a CGPA of 3.54/4.0. Prior to this, Danial earned his M.S. in Mechatronics Engineering from the American University of Sharjah in 2019, where he graduated with a CGPA of 3.61/4.0. His thesis explored innovative approaches to drone-based insulator inspection for power grid maintenance. Danial’s academic journey began with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the same institution, completed in 2016 with a CGPA of 3.31/4.0 and a Minor in Computer Engineering. Throughout his education, Danial has been actively involved in research, particularly in the areas of control systems, automation, and mechatronics.

Experience 

Danial Waleed has gained a wealth of professional experience in both research and teaching roles. Since 2019, he has been a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant at the University of Vermont, where he is involved in groundbreaking research on model-free control and sensor outlier detection. Between 2016 and 2019, Danial served as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant at the American University of Sharjah, where he contributed to various research projects in mechatronics and drone technologies. In 2016, he worked as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the same institution, assisting with control systems and robotics coursework. Additionally, he completed an internship at SAIPEM SPA in Sharjah, contributing to the ARBI 20/23 project in 2015. His roles have consistently emphasized research innovation, teaching, and team collaboration.

Awards and Honors 

Danial Waleed’s exceptional contributions to research and innovation have earned him several prestigious awards. In 2023, he received the Best Student Paper Award at the IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC) conference, recognizing his outstanding work in control systems. In 2021, Danial was honored with the Teaching Assistant Award by the University of Vermont for his exemplary dedication to student mentoring and teaching. His innovative research on drone technologies won him the Student Innovation Award from the Sharjah Electric Water Authority in 2018. Earlier in his academic career, Danial was awarded the National Robotics for Good Award in 2017 from the American University of Sharjah. Additionally, in 2016, he earned the Best Student Poster Award at the same institution for his contributions to control and automation systems. These accolades underscore his commitment to research and teaching excellence.

Research Focus

Danial Waleed’s research primarily focuses on advancing the fields of control systems, automation, and sensor technologies. His Ph.D. work at the University of Vermont involves the robustification of model-free control systems through the innovative use of sensor outlier detection, improving the reliability and efficiency of such systems in practical applications. Danial is also heavily invested in drone-based technologies, having developed systems for ceramic insulator monitoring and leak detection robots. His research interests extend to energy-efficient drone technologies, where he explores the use of small-capacity fuel cells for improving drone performance. Additionally, Danial has investigated the application of Kalman filters in model-free control environments, which has contributed to the broader understanding of real-time estimation and control robustness in the presence of unreliable data. His multidisciplinary approach positions him at the forefront of control systems and mechatronics innovation.

Publication Top Notes

  • 📄 An in-pipe leak detection robot with a neural-network-based leak verification system, IEEE Sensors Journal, 2018, 69 citations
  • 🚁 Drone-based ceramic insulators condition monitoring, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2021, 39 citations
  • ⚙️ Using Small Capacity Fuel Cells Onboard Drones for Battery Cooling: An Experimental Study, Applied Sciences, 2018, 20 citations
  • 🛠️ Dynamic friction characterization of a linear servo motor using an optimal sinusoidal reference tracking controller, Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics, 2018, 6 citations
  • 🔧 Friction estimation of a linear voice coil motor using robust state space sinusoidal reference tracking, International Symposium on Mechatronics and its Applications, 2018, 5 citations
  • 🔄 Integration of a robust Kalman filter with model-free control, IEEE Conference on Control Technology and Applications, 2022, 2 citations
  • 🚁 Drone-based outdoor insulator inspection, 2019, 1 citation
  • 📉 Simultaneous Parameter Estimation in Model-Free Control, American Control Conference, 2024
  • 🛰️ Robust State Estimation for Satellite Formations in the Presence of Unreliable Measurements, IEEE SMC, 2023

Conclusion

Danial Waleed’s accomplishments make him a suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His impactful research in control systems, sensor detection, and UAV technologies, combined with a solid academic and professional track record, demonstrates both his leadership and innovation. With continued focus on expanding his research collaborations and visibility, he could further enhance his candidacy for this prestigious award.

Georgi Dimirovski | Control and Systems Engineering Award | Outstanding Scientist Award

Prof Dr Georgi Dimirovski | Control and Systems Engineering Award | Outstanding Scientist Award

Prof Dr Georgi Dimirovski, Saints Cyril & Methodius University in Skopje, Macedonia

Prof. Dr. Georgi Marko Dimirovski, born on December 20, 1941, in Nestorion, Greece, is a distinguished Research Professor in Automation & Systems Engineering at Saints Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Macedonia. He has held various esteemed positions, including Foreign Guest Professor at Dogus University in Istanbul and ‘Pro Universitas’ Professor at Obuda University, Budapest. A member of multiple prestigious academies such as the Academy of Engineering Sciences, European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the International Academy for Systems and Cybernetics Sciences, he has made significant contributions to the field of systems engineering. Prof. Dimirovski’s research spans complex dynamical networks, systems control, and computational intelligence, with over 140 journal articles and numerous awards recognizing his work. He continues to influence the scientific community as an editorial board member for several high-ranking journals.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Research Contributions: Prof. Dimirovski has a prolific record of research output with over 140 journal articles, 450+ conference papers, and 18 chapters in Springer research monographs. His work is widely cited, with significant impact in the fields of automation, systems control, and computational intelligence.
  2. Diverse and Global Impact: His research spans numerous areas, including complex dynamical networks, fuzzy and neural computational intelligence, and traffic control. He has also contributed to international conferences and seminars, enhancing his global academic footprint.
  3. Academic and Professional Leadership: He has held significant roles in various prestigious institutions and organizations. His positions include being a Foreign Member of the Academy of Engineering Sciences (AESS), a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA), and an Academician of the International Academy for Systems and Cybernetics Sciences (IASCYS), where he also serves as a Vice-President.
  4. Awards and Recognitions: Prof. Dimirovski has received several notable awards, including the IET Premium Award, the Outstanding Service Award from IFAC, and the Individual Achievement Services Award from IEEE. These accolades reflect his substantial contributions and recognition in his field.
  5. International Collaboration and Teaching: His international collaborations and teaching roles in various countries (e.g., China, Turkey, Austria, Belgium) demonstrate his global influence and dedication to advancing knowledge in his field.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Interdisciplinary Engagement: While Prof. Dimirovski’s research is highly specialized, engaging in interdisciplinary research that connects his work to emerging fields or societal challenges could further enhance his impact.
  2. Public Outreach and Communication: Increasing efforts in public outreach or science communication could help in translating his research findings to broader audiences beyond academia. This could include public talks, popular science articles, or media engagements.
  3. Mentorship and Capacity Building: Although his academic roles have included teaching and research supervision, focusing on mentoring younger researchers or establishing new research centers could amplify his influence and legacy in the field.

Education 

Prof. Dr. Georgi Marko Dimirovski’s academic journey is marked by a series of impressive achievements. He earned his Dipl.-Ing. in Electrical Engineering from Saints Cyril & Methodius University in Skopje, Macedonia, in May 1966, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in automation and control systems. In January 1974, he furthered his expertise by obtaining an M.Sc. in Automatic Control from the University of Belgrade, Serbia. His dedication to advancing his knowledge culminated in December 1977, when he received a Ph.D. by Research in Automatic Control from the University of Bradford, England, UK, after completing a research project at the Postgraduate School of Control Engineering. He continued to enhance his academic credentials with postdoctoral specialization at the same institution in 1979, solidifying his reputation as a leading scholar in the field of systems engineering.

Experience 

Prof. Dr. Georgi Marko Dimirovski has an illustrious professional career spanning several decades. He is currently a Research Professor of Automation & Systems Engineering at Saints Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje. He served as a Foreign Guest Professor at Dogus University in Istanbul from 2003 to 2020 and was a visiting professor at the same university in 2001-2002. His international experience includes a Senior Research Fellowship and Visiting Professorship at Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria, in 2000 and at the Free University of Brussels, Belgium, in 1994. Prof. Dimirovski’s academic influence extends across multiple universities worldwide, having delivered lectures and seminars at institutions in Europe and Asia. He has also been an active member of the European Science Foundation’s Executive Council and the Technical Board of the International Federation of Automatic Control, contributing significantly to the global systems engineering community.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Dr. Georgi Marko Dimirovski has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his career. In 1990, he received the ETAN Best Paper Award in Robotics & Automation from the Yugoslav Association for ETRAN. In 2009, he was honored with the IET Premium Award from the UK Institution of Engineering & Technology for his exceptional article in the IET Control Theory & Applications journal. The International Federation of Automatic Control acknowledged his significant contributions by bestowing upon him the Outstanding Service Award in 2011 at their 18th World Congress in Milan, Italy. Additionally, he was named the Outstanding Associate Editor of the International Journal of Automation & Computing in 2011. Most recently, in 2022, the IEEE Organization awarded him the Individual Achievement Services Award for Region 8. These accolades highlight Prof. Dimirovski’s impact and dedication to the field of systems engineering.

Research Focus 

Prof. Dr. Georgi Marko Dimirovski’s research focus centers on the intersection of complex dynamical networks, systems control, and computational intelligence. He is particularly interested in the synergies between fuzzy and neural computational intelligence and their applications in multi-networks systems and switched systems control. His work also explores advanced methods for traffic control in computer and communication networks, contributing to the development of more efficient and resilient systems. Prof. Dimirovski has made significant contributions to the academic community with over 140 journal articles, 18 chapters in Springer research monographs, and numerous conference papers in IEEE and IFAC proceedings. His research is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, combining theoretical insights with practical applications to address pressing challenges in automation and systems engineering. Prof. Dimirovski continues to advance the field through his innovative research and active involvement in international scientific communities.

Publications Top Notes

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Georgi Marko Dimirovski’s extensive research achievements, leadership roles, and international recognition make him a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Outstanding Scientist Award. His contributions to automation and systems engineering are profound, and his impact is evident through his citations, awards, and global collaborations. Addressing the areas for improvement could further solidify his position as an outstanding scientist and expand his influence in both academic and public spheres.

Vlad Mihai Mihaly | Control Engineering Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr Vlad Mihai Mihaly | Control Engineering Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr Vlad Mihai Mihaly,Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Vlad Mihai Mihaly is a dedicated researcher and educator based in Sighişoara, Romania. He currently serves as a Teaching Assistant at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, specializing in System Theory and Identification. With a background spanning from software engineering at Robert Bosch GmbH to deep learning engineering at Devtel Software House, Vlad has honed his expertise in machine learning and signal processing applications. He holds a PhD in System Engineering and has excelled academically, achieving valedictorian status in both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees. Beyond academia, Vlad is deeply involved in mathematical education, having contributed to national and international Olympiads. His research interests lie in robust control synthesis and fractional-order systems.

Publication Profile

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Education

Vlad Mihai Mihaly earned his PhD in System Engineering from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, focusing on Fixed Structure Robust Synthesis for Nonlinear Systems. He graduated as valedictorian from both his Master’s in Advanced Process Control and Bachelor’s in Systems Engineering at the same institution. Prior to his academic achievements, Vlad completed his Mathematics and Computer Science diploma at the “Mircea Eliade” National College in Sighişoara, Romania. His academic journey reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation in control systems and automation.

Experience

Vlad Mihai Mihaly’s professional journey encompasses diverse roles in academia and industry. Currently a Teaching Assistant at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, he instructs courses in System Theory and Identification. He previously served as a Deep Learning Engineer at Devtel Software House, specializing in embedded applications for machine learning and signal processing. At Robert Bosch GmbH, Vlad contributed to autonomous driving technology, enhancing path detection algorithms through sensor fusion. His managerial experience includes leading educational initiatives at LEARNHOUSE and contributing to the National Mathematical Olympiad Committee. Vlad’s versatile career underscores his expertise in automation, control systems, and mathematical education.

Awards and Honors

Vlad Mihai Mihaly’s achievements include Best Student Paper at the RAAD2024 conference and a Gold Medal at the SEEMOUS competition. He has been recognized for his contributions to mathematical olympiads, winning accolades such as the Second Prize at the Open International Internet Mathematical Olympiad and multiple medals at the SEEMOUS and National Mathematical Olympiad competitions in Romania. Vlad’s dedication to excellence in research and education has earned him valedictorian honors in both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. His academic prowess and commitment to advancing control systems and automation underscore his impact in the field.

Research focus

Vlad Mihai Mihaly’s research focuses on robust control synthesis, particularly in fixed structure designs for nonlinear systems. His work explores applications of fractional-order controllers and passivity-based approaches in improving system stability and performance. Vlad has contributed significantly to the field, with publications such as “Passivity of Linear Singularly Perturbed Systems” in IEEE Control Systems Letters and “Robust numeric implementation of the fractional-order element” in the Journal of the Franklin Institute. His research also spans areas like optimal sampling rate selection and controller design for mechatronic systems. Vlad’s contributions reflect a deep commitment to advancing control theory and its practical applications, particularly in enhancing the efficiency and robustness of engineering systems.

Publication Top Notes

Passivity of Linear Singularly Perturbed Systems

Robotic Platform for Position Control of a Ball

Robust numeric implementation of the fractional-order element

Sampling rate selection for multi‐loop cascade control systems in an optimal manner

Cascade Control for Two-Axis Position Mechatronic Systems

Sensitivity Analysis of Krasovskii Passivity-Based Controllers

Sampling Rate Optimization and Execution Time Analysis for Two-Degrees-of-Freedom Control Systems

μ-Synthesis FO-PID for Twin Rotor Aerodynamic System

Krasovskii Passivity and μ-Synthesis Controller Design for Quasi-Linear Affine Systems