Thai Ha Dang | Computers and Electronics in Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Thai Ha Dang | Computers and Electronics in Agriculture | Best Researcher Award

Researcher, University of North Texas, United States

Thai Ha Dang is a passionate graduate student currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of North Texas. With over 2 years of experience in wearable embedded devices and wireless sensing systems, he specializes in RF energy harvesting and machine learning for signal processing. His research spans human and animal models, and he has worked on projects related to cow behavior classification, energy harvesting systems, and underwater monitoring. Thai’s commitment to research has led him to present at various international conferences and publish in high-impact journals. He has honed his skills in embedded system design, programming, and data analysis, making him a key player in the field of agricultural technology and sensor networks. His strong academic background and innovative contributions have made him a respected researcher among peers and mentors alike.

Profile

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Education

Thai Ha Dang’s educational journey began at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam, where he earned his Degree of Engineer in Electrical Engineering, ranking in the top 15% of his class. He further advanced his studies by pursuing a Master’s degree in Electrical Computer Engineering at Pukyong National University in South Korea, where he graduated with a GPA of 4.12/4.5. This rigorous academic background provided a strong foundation in embedded systems, machine learning, and wireless sensor networks. Currently, he is enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Electrical Engineering at the University of North Texas, where his research focuses on wearable embedded devices and RF energy harvesting. His dedication to academia is reflected in his continued pursuit of knowledge and excellence in his research endeavors, particularly in the application of machine learning techniques for signal processing in embedded systems.

Experience

Thai Ha Dang has built a solid foundation in research and industry through diverse experiences. As a Research Assistant in the Embedded Sensing & Processing Systems (ESPS) Lab at the University of North Texas, he is currently working on developing an underwater monitoring system, combining his interests in wireless sensing and energy harvesting. Before this, he contributed to a wide array of projects at the AIOT Lab, Pukyong National University, where he designed a multi-channel embedded device for monitoring cow behavior. This involved system design, firmware development, and experimentation. He also gained hands-on experience during his tenure as an engineer in Samsung Display Vietnam’s AI group, where he worked on training neural networks for computer vision tasks related to defect detection. His strong technical skills, combined with a practical understanding of industry needs, make him well-equipped to tackle complex research challenges in embedded systems and machine learning applications.

Awards and Honors

Thai Ha Dang has been recognized for his contributions to the research community through several prestigious awards. Notably, he received the Best Paper Award at the Korea Institute of Convergence Signal Processing (KICSP) in December 2021 for his work on deep learning approaches for food quality assessment using hyperspectral sensors. Additionally, he was honored with the Brain Korea 21 Scholarship for the years 2021-2023, further validating his potential as a leader in his field. Thai’s academic excellence has been supported by research assistantships at both Pukyong National University and the University of California Irvine. These honors reflect his continuous pursuit of knowledge and the impact his work has had on advancing technology in agriculture and embedded systems. His recognition through these awards underscores his talent, dedication, and potential to drive innovation in his research.

Research Focus

Thai Ha Dang’s research primarily focuses on developing and applying wearable embedded systems for low-powered monitoring and energy harvesting, with a strong emphasis on machine learning techniques. His work includes creating self-powered systems, such as his wireless sensor network for monitoring cow behavior, which uses 915 MHz radio frequency energy harvesting. Another key area of his research is food quality monitoring, where he explores battery-free systems powered by RF energy harvesting to detect freshness in food products. Additionally, Thai has delved into underwater monitoring and aquaculture, with applications for shrimp larvae counting using multi-scale feature networks. His multidisciplinary research blends electrical engineering, machine learning, and sensor technology to address real-world challenges in agriculture, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Thai is particularly interested in developing sustainable and efficient systems that are capable of operating in challenging and remote environments, offering a glimpse into the future of intelligent, energy-efficient devices.

Publication Top Notes

  • “Self-Powered Cattle Behavior Monitoring System Using 915 MHz Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting,” IEEE Access, 2024.
  • “VAE-LSTM Data Augmentation for Cattle Behavior Classification Using a Wearable Inertial Sensor,” IEEE Sensor Letters, 2024.
  • “Radio-Frequency Energy Harvesting-based Self-Powered Dairy Cow Behavior Classification System,” IEEE Sensors Journal, 2023.
  • “A LoRaWAN-Based Smart Sensor Tag for Cow Behavior Monitoring,” IEEE Sensors Conference, 2022.
  • “B2EH: Batteryless BLE Sensor Network Using RF Energy Harvesting,” IEEE Applied Sensing Conference, 2023.
  • “Shrimp Larvae Counting in Dense Environments Using Size-Adaptive Density Map Estimation and Multi-scale Feature Network,” IEEE Transactions on Agrifood Electronics (accepted).

 

 

Jefte Ceballos Zumaya | Biosensores SPR | Young Scientist Award

Dr Jefte Ceballos Zumaya | Biosensores SPR | Young Scientist Award

Dr Jefte Ceballos Zumaya , Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas , Mexico

Jefté Ceballos Zumaya is a dedicated PhD student in Science and Technology of Light and Matter at the Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas (UAZ), Mexico. Born on January 17, 1992, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and research. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Sciences (2020) and a Bachelor’s in Communications and Electronics (2018), both from UAZ. Jefté has experience teaching subjects such as statistics, probability, integral calculus, physics, and mathematics at secondary and high school levels. His research interests lie in biosensors, specifically optical biosensors utilizing surface plasmon resonance, photonic crystals, and 2D materials. Jefté has actively participated in national and international conferences and has published his research in high-impact journals, showcasing his contributions to the field of photonics and materials science.

Publication Profile

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Strengths for the Award

  1. Research Focus and Impact: Jefté has made significant contributions to the field of biosensors, specifically in the development and optimization of SPR optical biosensors. His research on the interaction of graphene’s chemical potential with 2D materials demonstrates both innovation and relevance in addressing critical challenges in biosensor sensitivity and performance.
  2. Publication Record: With a publication in a high-impact journal, Jefté has established credibility in his research area. This highlights his ability to conduct rigorous scientific work that is recognized by the academic community.
  3. Diverse Teaching Experience: His experience in teaching various subjects at different educational levels showcases his communication skills and dedication to education. This versatility enhances his profile as a young scientist committed to knowledge dissemination.
  4. Active Participation in Conferences: Jefté’s involvement in multiple international, national, and state congresses indicates his active engagement with the scientific community and a commitment to sharing his findings.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Collaborations: While Jefté has made substantial individual contributions, seeking collaborations with other researchers or institutions could enhance the scope and impact of his work. Collaborative projects often lead to more diverse perspectives and innovative approaches.
  2. Enhanced Visibility: Increasing his presence in academic networks, such as joining professional societies or engaging in online platforms for researchers, could amplify his work’s visibility and open new opportunities for collaboration and funding.
  3. Broader Research Applications: Exploring the application of his biosensor research in various fields, such as environmental monitoring or medical diagnostics, could broaden the impact and relevance of his findings.

Education 

Jefté Ceballos Zumaya completed his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Electronics at the Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas (UAZ) in 2018. His academic journey continued with a Master’s degree in Engineering Sciences from UAZ in 2020, where he honed his skills in applied sciences and engineering principles. Currently, Jefté is pursuing a PhD in Science and Technology of Light and Matter at UAZ, focusing on the development of innovative optical biosensors. His education has provided him with a solid foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, enabling him to explore complex interdisciplinary topics such as surface plasmon resonance, photonic crystals, and 2D materials. Through his studies, he has cultivated a strong analytical mindset and a passion for advancing research in optics and materials science, preparing him to contribute significantly to the field.

Experience 

Jefté Ceballos Zumaya has amassed valuable teaching experience at both secondary and high school levels, instructing courses in statistics, probability, integral calculus, physics, and mathematics. This experience has not only enriched his pedagogical skills but also deepened his understanding of complex scientific concepts, allowing him to communicate effectively with diverse student populations. In addition to teaching, Jefté has actively engaged in research, focusing on the development of biosensors, particularly optical biosensors that utilize surface plasmon resonance and 2D materials. His participation in various national and international congresses has enabled him to present his findings and collaborate with other researchers in the field. Jefté has also contributed to high-impact journals, underscoring his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and his capability to work on interdisciplinary projects, bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical applications.

Research Focus 

Jefté Ceballos Zumaya’s research focuses on the development and enhancement of optical biosensors, specifically those utilizing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and 2D materials. His work aims to improve the performance parameters of these biosensors, enhancing sensitivity, detection accuracy, and overall quality factors. By integrating various metals, such as silver and gold, with advanced 2D materials in the biosensor structures, Jefté explores innovative methods to optimize sensor capabilities. His significant findings have contributed to the understanding of the influence of graphene’s chemical potential on the performance of SPR biosensors. Currently, he is investigating bimetallic structures combined with 2D materials to further enhance biosensor functionalities. Jefté’s interdisciplinary approach combines principles from solid-state physics, material science, and engineering, positioning him at the forefront of research in photonics and biosensor technology.

Publications Top Notes

  1. Performance parameters as a function of graphene’s chemical potential for SPR biosensor based on 2D materials 📄
  2. Influence of Chemical Potential of Graphene in Optical SPR Biosensors with 2D Materials Nanostructures 📊
  3. Sensitivity Enhancement in an Optical Biosensor via Multilayer Graphene Structure 📈
  4. Enhancement of parameters performance of an SPR optical biosensor based on bimetal – 2D materials structures 🔬
  5. Biosensores Ópticos SPR con Materiales 2D 🔍

Conclusion

Jefté Ceballos Zumaya is a promising candidate for the Young Scientist Award. His innovative research on SPR biosensors, combined with a strong publication record and teaching experience, positions him as a rising star in his field. By addressing the areas for improvement, he can enhance his contributions further and continue to make significant advancements in biosensor technology. Recognizing his efforts with this award would not only honor his achievements but also encourage his future research endeavors.