Paula Milheiro-Oliveira | Stochastic systems | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Paula Milheiro-Oliveira | Stochastic systems | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor, University of Porto, Portugal

Paula Manuela Lemos Pereira Milheiro de Oliveira is a distinguished researcher and professor specializing in applied mathematics. She holds a Doctorat de Mathématiques Appliquées from Université de Provence, France, and is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Porto. With an extensive research background in stochastic systems, nonlinear filtering, and mathematical modeling, she has contributed significantly to various international projects and collaborations. Dr. Milheiro Oliveira has authored numerous high-impact publications in computational mathematics, structural engineering, and Bayesian statistical modeling. Her expertise spans fluid dynamics, coastal erosion modeling, and digital concrete. She has collaborated with top research institutions across Europe, including INRIA and CNRS in France. As a key investigator in multiple funded projects, she plays a pivotal role in advancing the fields of applied mathematics and engineering. Her interdisciplinary work has received notable citations, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in mathematical research.

Profile

Education🎓

Dr. Paula Milheiro Oliveira has a solid academic foundation in mathematics. She earned her Doctorat de Mathématiques Appliquées in 1990 from Université de Provence, Aix-Marseille, France, with a thesis on nonlinear filtering in low-noise environments. She also holds a DEA (Master’s) in Applied Mathematics from the same institution (1987). Before that, she completed her Licenciatura (Bachelor’s) in Mathematics with a specialization in Applied Mathematics at the University of Porto, Portugal, in 1985. In 2024, she achieved the prestigious Agregação (habilitation) in Applied Mathematics from the University of Porto, further strengthening her academic credentials. Her educational background reflects her deep expertise in probability theory, stochastic processes, and computational mathematics. With a strong foundation in mathematical modeling and its engineering applications, Dr. Milheiro Oliveira continues to contribute to cutting-edge research and mentorship, shaping future scholars in mathematics and engineering disciplines.

Experience 👩‍🏫

Dr. Paula Milheiro Oliveira has an extensive career in academia and research. Since 2001, she has been an Associate Professor at the University of Porto, where she teaches and mentors students in applied mathematics. Before this, she was an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Engineering (1991–2001). Her research career began at INRIA, France (1987–1990), where she worked on stochastic processes. She later joined the Institute of Systems and Robotics in Porto (1993–1997), contributing to advanced robotic modeling. Her international experience includes a visiting researcher role at HR Wallingford Ltd, UK, in 1997. Beyond academia, she served as a Science and Technology Manager at CEC (2002–2008). She is a key investigator in multiple projects involving nonlinear filtering, digital concrete, and climate-resilient structures. With ongoing collaborations in France and Portugal, she remains a leading researcher in stochastic modeling and mathematical applications in engineering.

Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Paula Milheiro Oliveira’s research primarily focuses on stochastic systems, nonlinear filtering, and computational mathematics. Her work contributes to diverse fields, including probabilistic modeling, Bayesian networks, and uncertainty quantification. She applies mathematical techniques to solve real-world engineering challenges, such as digital concrete design, coastal erosion prediction, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Her expertise extends to numerical methods for nonlinear wave models, high-performance concrete materials, and self-compacting cementitious composites. A significant part of her research addresses the application of stochastic differential equations to structural reliability analysis. She is also involved in machine learning-based predictive modeling for sustainable construction materials. With multiple funded projects, her interdisciplinary approach bridges mathematics, civil engineering, and computational science. Her ongoing work in filtering theory and partial differential equations contributes to advancements in intelligent systems and smart infrastructure solutions.

Publication Top Notes📚

  • Stochastic simulation of episodic soft coastal cliff recession
  • A methodology to assess robustness of SCC mixtures
  • Using Bayesian networks to improve knowledge assessment
  • Comparative effects of bevacizumab, ranibizumab and pegaptanib at intravitreal dose range on endothelial cells
  • Sleep on the job partially compensates for sleep loss in night‐shift nurses
  • Estimation of the tensile strength of UHPFRC layers based on non-destructive assessment of fiber content and orientation
  • Design of self-compacting high-performance concrete: Study of mortar phase
  • Rheological characterization of SCC mortars and pastes with changes induced by cement delivery
  • Interaction diagrams to assess SCC mortars for different cement types
  • Robust SCC mixes through mix design
  • Queues with server vacations as a model for pre-timed signalized urban traffic
  • Exercise templates with Sage
  • Modeling and simulation of traffic movements at semi-actuated signalized intersections
  • Bayesian statistical methods for modeling and prediction of major landslides in coastal cliffs
  • Mathematics or mathematics for engineering?
  • Coastal cliff recession: development and application of prediction methods
  • Design of eco-efficient ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced cement-based composite for rehabilitation applications
  • Interface evaluation of Portuguese and international news websites
  • Eco-efficient high-performance white concrete incorporating waste glass powder
  • ModelMaker, a multidisciplinary web application to build question generator models from basic to higher education

 

 

Erandi Nanayakkara | Biostatistics | Excellence in Research

Dr. Erandi Nanayakkara | Biostatistics | Excellence in Research

Researcher, Vcitoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

Dr. Erandi Nanayakkara is a dedicated research statistician and lecturer with expertise in statistical modeling, data science, and teaching. With a Ph.D. in Statistics from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, she specializes in microsimulation models for health research, particularly lung cancer. She has a strong background in education, mentoring, and research supervision, actively engaging students and helping them develop practical skills. Dr. Nanayakkara is known for her adaptability, innovative approach to problem-solving, and effective communication. She has collaborated with diverse teams and contributed to a variety of projects, from epidemiology to business analytics. Her professional journey includes teaching, research, and administrative duties across various universities, with a commitment to student success and academic development. She is proficient in multiple programming languages and statistical tools, making her a versatile contributor to interdisciplinary research.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Erandi Nanayakkara holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, where she focused on the development and Bayesian calibration of a microsimulation model for lung cancer. Her dissertation explores the natural history, screening, and treatment of lung cancer in the New Zealand context. Prior to her Ph.D., Dr. Nanayakkara completed a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Mathematical Modelling from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, with a thesis on the stochasticity in SIR models for epidemic diseases. She also holds a B.Sc. Special Degree (First Class Honors) in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Her academic background reflects a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied statistics, particularly in the fields of health modeling, epidemic disease transmission, and statistical data analysis.

Experience

Dr. Erandi Nanayakkara has extensive experience in teaching, research, and academic administration. She worked as a Teaching Assistant at Victoria University of Wellington, where she fostered active student engagement and supported over 60 students each trimester in undergraduate statistics courses. As a Graduate Researcher, she developed a lung cancer microsimulation model incorporating screening and treatment components, using programming languages such as R, SQL, and C++. Dr. Nanayakkara also served as a Lecturer in Statistics at the Open University of Sri Lanka, where she delivered both classroom-based and online lectures, developed curriculum, and mentored students. Her role involved designing and delivering engaging content, moderating papers, and evaluating student performance. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Kelaniya, where she performed advanced data analysis and contributed to research reports. She has also lectured at other institutions, enhancing her cross-cultural communication and time management skills.

Research Focus

Dr. Erandi Nanayakkara’s research primarily focuses on the development and application of statistical models to real-world problems, especially in health and epidemiology. Her Ph.D. research centered on the development of a microsimulation model for lung cancer, which incorporates Bayesian calibration to reflect the specific context of New Zealand. She has also worked extensively on stochastic models, particularly in the context of epidemic diseases, focusing on SIR (Susceptible, Infected, Recovered) models and their applications in understanding disease transmission dynamics. Additionally, Dr. Nanayakkara’s research explores survival analysis, particularly in customer attrition and insurance policy persistence. Her work integrates advanced statistical techniques with computational modeling to generate actionable insights in public health, epidemiology, and business analytics. She is also passionate about mentoring students, promoting academic growth, and bridging the gap between theoretical and applied statistics in various fields of research.

Publication Top Notes

  1. “A calibrated model for lung cancer natural history: the case for New Zealand” 🫁📊
  2. “Simulation Model Development for Lung Cancer Screen Detection: A case study for New Zealand” 🧑‍⚕️💻
  3. “Analysing the customer attrition using survival techniques” 📉👥
  4. “Development and Bayesian calibration of a microsimulation model for lung cancer: natural history, screening and treatment” 🫁🔬
  5. “Stochasticity in SIRV Models for the Transmission of Epidemic diseases” 🦠📚
  6. “Analyzing persistence of life insurance policy using survival model” 💼💡
  7. “Stochasticity in SIRV Models with Vaccination and Reversion for the Transmission of Epidemic diseases” 🦠💉

VLADICA STOJANOVIC | Applied Mathematics | Best Scholar Award

Dr VLADICA STOJANOVIC | Applied Mathematics | Best Scholar Award

Full Professor ,University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies ,Serbia

Vladica Stojanović is a Serbian mathematician and full professor at the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, Belgrade, specializing in applied mathematics. With over 25 years of experience in academia, he has contributed significantly to various mathematical fields, especially in probability theory, time series analysis, and cryptography. His work has gained recognition for its interdisciplinary applications in cybersecurity, financial modeling, and engineering. Beyond his academic roles, Stojanović is a senior consultant in cryptology for cybersecurity, emphasizing his expertise in real-world problem-solving. He holds prestigious positions in academic councils and has earned accolades, including the 2022 Outstanding Reviewer Award from Mathematics (MDPI). His research continues to influence contemporary statistical modeling and data analysis, with a strong focus on practical applications in diverse industries.

Profile

Strengths for the Best Researcher Award

  1. Extensive Academic Background and Experience:
    • Professor Stojanović’s long and diverse academic career, spanning over 25 years, demonstrates a deep commitment to both teaching and research. His work has influenced the fields of applied mathematics, cryptology, and statistical modeling, particularly in areas such as time series analysis, dynamic processes, and probability distributions.
    • His extensive teaching experience as an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Full Professor at multiple institutions, including the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies and the University of Priština, is commendable.
  2. Research Contributions:
    • His prolific publication record is impressive, with numerous articles in high-impact journals. Notably, his work on Poisson-Lindley processes, zero-and-one integer-valued time series, and probability generating functions for non-negative integer-valued time series has provided new methodologies and applications in dynamic analysis and financial modeling.
    • His work is widely cited in applied mathematics and statistical modeling, demonstrating his influence in the field. For instance, the article “Poisson-Lindley Minification INAR Process with Application to Financial Data” is already attracting significant attention (1 citation), suggesting its relevance in real-world applications.
    • His research also extends to interdisciplinary applications, such as cryptography for cybersecurity and modeling in environmental and engineering data, showcasing his ability to bridge different scientific domains.
  3. Awards and Recognition:
    • Professor Stojanović’s recognition as the Outstanding Reviewer Award in 2022 by Mathematics (MDPI) underscores his expertise in reviewing and contributing to the academic community.
    • His position as a Senior Consultant in Cryptology for the Cybersecurity facility in the Data Center Innovation District further highlights his leadership and expertise in applied mathematics beyond academia.
  4. Leadership and Service:
    • His leadership roles in academia, such as being the Head of the Mathematics Department and a member of various councils at the Faculty of Sciences in Kosovska Mitrovica, indicate his strong commitment to advancing the educational and research missions of his institutions.
    • His involvement in a wide range of committees demonstrates his active engagement with the academic community and his influence on shaping the future of the department and faculty.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Collaborative Research and Networking:
    • While Professor Stojanović has contributed significantly to his field, increasing his collaboration with international researchers and expanding his networking could lead to further interdisciplinary projects. Although he has published extensively in journals, fostering deeper collaborations in international research teams could broaden the impact of his work.
  2. Diversification of Research Applications:
    • Although his work is highly technical and theoretical, expanding his research into more diverse real-world applications (e.g., health, climate modeling, or policy analysis) could increase the societal impact of his contributions. His work in cryptology and dynamic analysis is promising, and applying these models to emerging global challenges could strengthen his academic portfolio.
  3. Increased Outreach and Public Engagement:
    • Engaging in public outreach activities, such as contributing to popular science forums or collaborating with industry, could raise his profile further and enhance the societal impact of his work.

Education

Stojanović earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, followed by a Master’s degree and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the same institution. His educational foundation in mathematics, coupled with his subsequent academic and research roles, laid the groundwork for his extensive contributions to the field. Throughout his career, Stojanović has continually enhanced his knowledge through further research and collaboration, earning multiple credentials in applied mathematics and contributing to the academic development of students and colleagues. His ongoing pursuit of excellence in mathematics, combined with his commitment to education and research, has solidified his reputation as a leading scholar in his field.

Experience

Vladica Stojanović’s academic career spans multiple prestigious positions. He began his journey as a Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Economics, University of Priština, before transitioning to higher education roles. His progression to Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and finally Full Professor at both the University of Priština and the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies underscores his academic growth. He has served as the Head of the Mathematics Department and been an active member of several academic councils, contributing to the development of the Mathematics curriculum and research initiatives. Alongside his teaching roles, Stojanović has been instrumental in applied research, especially in fields such as cryptology, time series analysis, and dynamic systems modeling. His leadership roles in the academic community and his interdisciplinary expertise have earned him recognition on both a national and international level.

Research Focus

Stojanović’s research primarily focuses on applied mathematics, with a strong emphasis on probability theory, time series analysis, statistical modeling, and cryptography. His contributions to the field of dynamic analysis and probability distributions have made him a leading expert in areas like Poisson-Lindley processes and integer-valued time series. He is particularly known for his work on non-negative integer-valued time series, where he applies probability generating functions for model estimation. His research also addresses real-world problems such as financial data modeling, environmental data analysis, and cybersecurity. Additionally, Stojanović’s interdisciplinary approach has led to significant collaborations with experts in fields like engineering, economics, and cryptology, ensuring that his mathematical models have practical applications in a wide range of industries, from energy markets to cybersecurity.

Publications

  • Laplace-Logistic Unit Distribution with Application in Dynamic and Regression Analysis 📝
  • Poisson-Lindley Minification INAR Process with Application to Financial Data 📉
  • Unit Exponential Probability Distribution: Characterization and Applications in Environmental and Engineering Data Modeling 🌍
  • Laplacian Split-BREAK Process with Application in Dynamic Analysis of the World Oil and Gas Market 🌐
  • Zero-and-One Integer-Valued AR(1) Time Series with Power Series Innovations and Probability Generating Function Estimation Approach 🔢
  • Parameters Estimation in Non-Negative Integer-Valued Time Series: Approach Based on Probability Generating Functions 📊
  • Cauchy Split-Break Process: Asymptotic Properties and Application in Securities Market Analysis 💹
  • Asymptotic Properties and Application of GSB Process: A Case Study of the COVID-19 Dynamics in Serbia 🦠
  • One Aggregated Approach in Multidisciplinary Based Modeling to Predict Further Students’ Education 🎓
  • Modeling Electrostatic Potential in FDSOI MOSFETs: An Approach Based on Homotopy Perturbations

Conclusion

Professor Vladica Stojanović is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His sustained academic career, demonstrated through a rich body of research in applied mathematics, time series analysis, and cryptology, along with his recognized leadership and teaching excellence, positions him as a highly influential figure in his field. His work not only contributes to the academic community but also to practical applications in diverse domains like cybersecurity, financial data analysis, and dynamic systems modeling.

Despite some opportunities for increasing international collaboration and expanding the scope of his research to address broader societal issues, his academic achievements and impact are undeniable. His recognition as an outstanding reviewer and his leadership in academic committees further exemplify his contributions to the scientific community.

Thus, Professor Stojanović is undoubtedly deserving of the Best Researcher Award, and his future work will likely continue to shape and advance the field of applied mathematics and its applications.