Zakari Tsiga | Strategic Planning | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Zakari Tsiga | Strategic Planning | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zakari Tsiga, Spacial Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Program, Nigeria.

Dr. Zakari Danlami Tsiga is a seasoned professional with a decade of impactful experience in IT-enabled project operations, business intelligence, and portfolio monitoring. Based in Abuja, Nigeria, he is recognized for driving digital transformation initiatives and aligning multi-stakeholder programs with institutional and donor strategies. With a career that spans government and multilateral agencies—including the African Development Bank (AfDB), IFAD, and ISDB—Dr. Tsiga has consistently delivered innovative solutions in financial systems, risk management, and process automation. His leadership at the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Program (SAPZ) has transformed project operations through tools like SAP and Power BI. A dedicated scholar and practitioner, Dr. Tsiga blends academic rigor with real-world impact, evidenced by numerous conference presentations and publications. His passion lies in fostering financial inclusion, institutional efficiency, and sustainability through digital governance.

👨‍💼 Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Zakari Tsiga’s academic journey is distinguished by excellence and interdisciplinary knowledge. He holds a PhD in Project Management and an MSc in Financial Systems Engineering from the prestigious University College London (UCL). He also earned an MSc in Management Information Systems (Merit) and a BSc in Network Computing (First Class) from Coventry University, UK. His foundation in Business Information Technology was laid at INTI International University, Malaysia, while his IGCSE credentials from Manarat International School, Saudi Arabia, highlight strong early academic performance. These diverse academic experiences, across countries and disciplines, have equipped Dr. Tsiga with a global perspective, technical mastery, and analytical rigor essential for navigating the complex challenges of project governance, digital transformation, and strategic innovation in developing economies.

💼 Experience

Over the last ten years, Dr. Tsiga has held pivotal roles in Nigeria’s public sector and donor-funded programs. As Program Operations Manager for the SAPZ Program, he manages a multi-state portfolio funded by AfDB, IFAD, and ISDB—delivering real-time monitoring tools, budgeting frameworks, and digital transformation strategies. At the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), his roles evolved from Business Analyst to Program Manager for IT Risk and Security, where he led enterprise risk controls and privacy initiatives. During his tenure at NNPC, he provided technical and procurement support during his NYSC. His work consistently bridges technology and policy, focusing on operational efficiency, data governance, and stakeholder engagement. With experience managing cross-functional teams and coordinating international stakeholders, Dr. Tsiga exemplifies leadership and innovation in public sector transformation.

🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Zakari Tsiga’s research interests lie at the intersection of project management, digital governance, IT risk control, and strategic operations. He is particularly passionate about integrating data visualization tools, such as Power BI and SAP, into project delivery systems to enhance monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for development programs. His work explores the implementation of business intelligence frameworks within governmental and multilateral agency operations. Moreover, he delves into risk simulation tools, decision-making algorithms, and critical success factors for infrastructure and petroleum projects. His research is deeply rooted in real-world application, contributing to Nigeria’s policy landscape, development finance strategies, and international project governance literature. Dr. Tsiga aims to continuously contribute to sustainable digital ecosystems, where strategic management meets technological advancement for socioeconomic development.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Zakari Tsiga has been widely recognized for his contributions to governance reform, innovation, and digital transformation. Notably, he received a Presidential Special Scholarship for Innovation and Development (PRESSID) in 2012 and was awarded a National Youth Service Corps Discharge Certificate for his contributions to the Nigerian energy sector. His leadership in project modernization earned him accolades for facilitating Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business Reforms in 2020. In 2024, he received an industry collaboration certificate from UCL and Microsoft for his role in digital transformation. A frequent speaker at international conferences, including the ProjMan series in Europe, Dr. Tsiga is known for translating academic insights into practical solutions. His awards reflect not only technical proficiency but also leadership in promoting governance, institutional capacity building, and sustainable development.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Navigating Complexity: Challenges and Insights in Implementing the SAPZ Phase 1 Program in Nigeria

Decision Making in Engineering Projects

Risk Management Practice in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry

Implementation of a Risk Management Simulation Tool

Critical Success Factors for Projects in the Petroleum Industry

Mr. Al-Amin Al-Amin | Strategic Planning | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Al-Amin Al-Amin | Strategic Planning | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Al-Amin Al-Amin, Murdoch University, Australia

Al-Amin is a dynamic and driven PhD candidate at the Discipline of Energy and Engineering, Murdoch University, Australia. With over eight years of robust experience in research and academia, he specializes in electrical power systems, particularly focusing on the integration of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. Known for his commitment to education and innovation, Al-Amin has served in multiple teaching and research roles both in Australia and Bangladesh, establishing himself as a knowledgeable and effective educator and researcher in sustainable energy systems.

Profile

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🎓 Education

Al-Amin is currently pursuing his PhD at Murdoch University, where his research focuses on reactive and active power management with large-scale electric vehicle integration to improve power system stability. He holds a Master of Science in Renewable Energy Technology (CGPA: 3.91/4.00) from the University of Dhaka and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (CGPA: 3.89/4.00) from United International University, Bangladesh. His academic journey is further enriched by training in biomass technology and solid academic performance in secondary and higher secondary education.

🏫 Experience

Al-Amin has built an impressive academic portfolio with teaching roles in five institutions across two countries. Currently, he is a lecturer at South Metropolitan TAFE and a casual academic at Murdoch University. Previously, he served as a lecturer at City University and Metropolitan University in Bangladesh and as a course instructor at United International University. His teaching spans a wide range of topics, including power systems, renewable energy, and electronics, often combining theoretical instruction with hands-on lab supervision and student mentoring.

🔬 Research Interests

Al-Amin’s research interests lie at the intersection of electric power systems, electric vehicle integration, renewable energy modeling, and smart grid applications. He has a strong passion for addressing energy challenges through advanced simulation tools like MATLAB/SIMULINK, DigSilent, HOMER, RETScreen, and SAM. His focus on grid stability and green energy aligns closely with global sustainability goals, making his work both timely and impactful.

🏆 Awards

🎓 Al-Amin has been honored with the International Tuition Fee Scholarship from Murdoch University. He also won the Future Leaders Program (FLP), Season 03 (2015), organized by Channel-i Bangladesh and Future Leaders Ltd, UK. His undergraduate performance earned him the prestigious magna cum laude distinction and a 100% tuition fee scholarship, reflecting his consistent academic excellence.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Grid Integration of EV: A Review on Stakeholder’s Objectives, Challenges, and Strategic Implications, e-Prime – Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy,

Agrivoltaics System for Sustainable Agriculture and Green Energy in Bangladesh, Applied Energy,

Design of a Solar PV based Hybrid AC Mini Grid System with Load Dispatch Centre for an Off-grid Area of Bangladesh, International Journal of Innovative Research in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation and Control Engineering,

An Efficient and Feasible Solar Irrigation System Including AC Mini-Grid Designed for Bangladeshi Agriculture, International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research.

A Study on the Present Scenario of Solar Irrigation in Bangladesh, International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research,

Cornelia Marja van Duijn | Strategic Planning | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Cornelia Marja van Duijn – Strategic Planning – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Professor van Duijn’s career exemplifies excellence in biomedical research, innovation, and translational impact. Her work bridges fundamental genetic discoveries with practical public health applications, aligning strongly with the Best Researcher Award or Excellence in Lifelong Scientific Achievement category.

University of Oxford | United Kingdom

Profile
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🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Professor Cornelia Marja van Duijn began her academic journey in the Netherlands, earning her Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition from the Agricultural University of Wageningen in March 1987. She then proceeded to pursue a Ph.D. in Genetic Epidemiology at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, which she completed in January 1991. Her doctoral studies laid the groundwork for her future research focus, particularly in unraveling the genetic underpinnings of complex diseases. Shortly after completing her Ph.D., Van Duijn engaged in a postdoctoral fellowship at Boston University between 1991 and 1992, deepening her expertise in genetic epidemiology. Her formative academic and research training at internationally renowned institutions helped establish her as a future leader in the field.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Over the years, Van Duijn has held various significant academic and research positions. She began her career as a Research Fellow with the Dutch Childhood Leukaemia Study Group in 1987, and from there, rose through the academic ranks at Erasmus University Medical School Rotterdam—starting as a Ph.D. student, and eventually becoming a full professor of Genetic Epidemiology in 2001. She also served as Full Professor of Translational Epidemiology at Leiden University in 2016. Since 2018, she has held the esteemed position of Professor of Epidemiology at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, UK. In this role, she continues to conduct pioneering research and mentor emerging scholars in the field. In addition to her academic appointments, Van Duijn has also undertaken foreign research training at prestigious institutions including Stanford University Medical School, MRC Biostatistics Unit Cambridge, and Boston University School of Medicine.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Strategic Planning

Van Duijn’s scientific contributions are both broad and profound, with her early work centering on the genetic epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease. She has played a pivotal role in discovering genetic mutations such as those in the beta-amyloid precursor protein gene and linking APOE4 allele to early-onset Alzheimer’s. Her work in genome-wide association studies has identified multiple risk loci, including rare coding variants like TREM2 and PLD3, underscoring the role of microglial-mediated innate immunity. She has actively contributed to leading scientific consortia such as CHARGE, ENGAGE, IGAP, IGGC, and EAGLE, and led multiple large-scale projects under the European Framework Programs, Horizon 2020, and the Netherlands Genomic Initiative. Her publication record—over 1300 scientific papers—reflects her sustained impact, and she has supervised and graduated 56 Ph.D. students, many of whom have gone on to successful academic careers.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Van Duijn’s work has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors. She received the Pioneer Grant Award from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO/ZonMw) in 1998 and the Herman Boerhaave Award from Leiden University in 1996. In recognition of her research on aging and neurodegenerative disorders, she was awarded the Junior Research Award by the Gerontology and Geriatrics Society and the Research Award from Erasmus University. More recently, she was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, UK, and a Fellow of St. Cross College, Oxford. She is also a Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences of the Netherlands and has served as the Chair of the Advisory Board at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM).

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Van Duijn’s influence extends beyond academic circles into international public health policy and biomedical infrastructure. She was instrumental in establishing the BBMRI-NL (Biobanking and BioMolecular resources Research Infrastructure) and the Netherlands Consortium on Healthy Aging (NCHA). She has served on global scientific committees including the European Research Council (ERC) and the European Society for Human Genetics. Her research has significantly influenced our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma, and cardiovascular disease through genomics and biostatistics. She has brought new insights into how polygenic risk scores and environmental interactions contribute to neurodegeneration, offering pathways for preventive strategies and early diagnosis.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Van Duijn’s legacy is marked by her visionary leadership in the field of genetic epidemiology. One of her notable achievements includes founding and directing the international MSc and Ph.D. program in Genetic Epidemiology at ErasmusMC Rotterdam, which has become a model for similar programs worldwide. Looking ahead, Van Duijn continues to lead research at the intersection of genomics, neurodegeneration, and population health, particularly through her work at Oxford. Her active involvement in global consortia like AMP-AD, EADB, and STREGA signals ongoing contributions to data-sharing frameworks and harmonized research methodologies in precision medicine.

Conclusion

Professor Cornelia Marja van Duijn stands as a luminary in the field of epidemiology and genetic research. From her early academic roots at Wageningen and Erasmus University to her current leadership role at Oxford, she has consistently pushed the frontiers of scientific understanding. Her work has transformed how we approach the genetic basis of complex diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease, and has fostered global collaboration across disciplines. With her unwavering commitment to education, innovation, and public health, Van Duijn’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of genetic epidemiology for generations to come.

📚Publications

Mendelian randomization identifies proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases

 Authors: Lazaros Belbasis; Sam Morris; Cornelia van Duijn; Derrick Bennett; Robin Walters

Journals: Brain

Integration of genetic testing into diagnostic pathways for cardiomyopathies: a clinical consensus statement by the ESC Council on Cardiovascular Genomics

Authors: Perry Elliott; Heribert Schunkert; Antoine Bondue; Elijah Behr; Lucie Carrier; Cornelia Van Duijn; Pablo García-Pavía; Pim van der Harst; Maryam Kavousi; Bart Loeys et al.

Journals: European Heart Journal

Treating Hypertension: Important for Heart Health, Fundamental for Brain Health

Authors: Sanjula D. Singh; Jasper R. Senff; Cornelia M. van Duijn; Jonathan Rosand

Journals: Stroke