Stephen Afrifa | Groundwater | Best Researcher Award

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 Mr. Stephen Afrifa | Groundwater | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Stephen Afrifra, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana

Stephen Afrifa is a Lecturer at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Ghana, specializing in Information Technology and Decision Sciences. He is a Ph.D. candidate in Information and Communication Engineering at Tianjin University, China, with a research focus on speech enhancement, audio recognition, image and signal processing, deep learning, and applied machine learning. He holds an M.Sc. in Information and Communication Engineering from Tianjin University and a B.Sc. in Information Technology (First Class) from UENR.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Mr. Stephen Afrifra is a highly skilled and innovative researcher specializing in AI-driven medical diagnostics. His interdisciplinary research, academic collaborations, and contributions to healthcare AI make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work demonstrates both theoretical advancements and real-world applications, with the potential to significantly impact healthcare and medical technology.

🎓 Education

Stephen Afrifa is a Ph.D. candidate in Information and Communication Engineering at Tianjin University, China, where he focuses on speech enhancement, audio recognition, image and signal processing, deep learning, and applied machine learning. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering (Information and Communication Engineering) from Tianjin University, where his research centered on mathematical and machine learning models for assessing the influence of climate change on groundwater level changes. His academic interests extend to the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, and signal and image processing for a sustainable environment. He earned a First-Class Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Ghana, acquiring in-depth knowledge of computing, artificial intelligence technologies, business planning, decision-making, database administration, and enterprise resource planning systems. His foundational education was at Kumasi High School, where he studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Elective Mathematics, gaining practical experience in general and integrated science.

💼Experience

Stephen Afrifa is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Ghana. His role involves teaching, supervising, and guiding students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, designing research projects, and contributing to community development through workshops and seminars. He is also a research lead at the AMANPENE Foundation, an organization leveraging IT for poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation. In addition to his academic role, he works as a Software Application Developer and Research Lead at CY Technologies, where he designs and develops software solutions, leads research projects, analyzes data, and publishes research reports.

🔬Research Focus

His research primarily integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning, and geospatial techniques to address climate change, security, and decision-making challenges. He has explored the use of mathematical and AI-driven models to assess climate change impacts on groundwater levels, as well as applications of IoT, cloud computing, and cybersecurity in environmental sustainability. His work extends to speech enhancement, audio recognition, and signal processing, contributing to advancements in information and communication engineering.

🛠️Skills

Stephen possesses a strong background in information technology, research, and innovation. His expertise includes artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, geospatial techniques, data science, and climate modeling. He is well-versed in programming languages such as Python, R Studio, C/C++, LaTeX, Java, HTML5, PHP OOP, JavaScript, and CSS, as well as statistical and analytical tools like SPSS, NVIVO, GIS, and GenStat. Additionally, he has significant experience in project management, IT network security, decision-making, software development, and mentoring students.

🏆Awards

Stephen Afrifa was recognized as the Best Graduating Student in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics at UENR in 2020. He was also a recipient of the prestigious Absa (formerly Barclays Bank) Tertiary Scholarship from 2017 to 2020, which supported his academic excellence and leadership in the field of information technology.

📚 Publications

Publication: Deep Neural Networks for Skin Cancer Classification: Analysis of Melanoma Cancer Data
Author: S. Afrifa, V. Varadarajan, P. Appiahene, D. Gyamfi, R.M.O.M. Gyening
Year: 2025
Journal: Journal of Advances in Information Technology

Conclusion:

Mr. Afrifra is a top contender for the Best Researcher Award, given his contributions to AI in healthcare, strong publication record, and research innovation. With further improvements in citation impact, funding acquisition, and industry partnerships, his influence in the research community will continue to grow. His work stands as a testament to the power of AI in transforming medical diagnostics and patient care.

Mary Etuk | Soil Water Management | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Soil Scientist

Dr. Mary Etuk | Soil Water Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mary Etuk, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nigeria

Dr. Mary Etuk is a distinguished hydrogeologist with expertise in groundwater management, isotope geochemistry, and soil-water interactions. She holds a Ph.D. in Hydrogeology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she focused on aquifer vulnerability assessment in semi-arid regions. As a Research Fellow, she has contributed to international projects with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and UNESCO, addressing groundwater sustainability and contamination in Africa. Currently serving at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nigeria, she integrates scientific research with policy implementation to improve water quality and environmental sustainability. Her work has led to significant advancements in hydrogeology, geospatial analysis, and water resource management.

 

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Mary Etuk is an accomplished hydrogeologist with extensive experience in groundwater vulnerability assessment, isotope geochemistry, and sustainable water resource management. Her research is highly relevant to addressing groundwater pollution and sustainability issues in rapidly urbanizing regions, particularly in Nigeria and the Sahel. She has actively participated in international research collaborations and contributed to policy implementation, bridging science and governance.

 

🎓 Education

Mary Nsikanabasi Etuk holds a Ph.D. in Hydrogeology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she conducted research on aquifer vulnerability assessment in semi-arid regions, focusing on Abuja, North Central Nigeria. She earned her M.Sc. in Hydrogeology from the same university, analyzing the impact of waste disposal practices on surface and groundwater in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Her academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Calabar, where she conducted detailed field mapping of Nyaje and its environs.

 

💼Experience

Dr. Etuk is a Research Fellow at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, applying isotope geochemistry and spatial analytical techniques to water resource management and contaminant hydrogeology in developing countries. She was previously a Research Fellow at the University of Pisa, contributing to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) project on sustainable groundwater management in the Sahel region. Since 2018, she has also served as a Factory Inspector I at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Lafia, ensuring the provision and quality of potable water in workplaces. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Bank Teller at Aso Savings and Loans PLC, a Project Manager and Consultant for WaterAid Nigeria, and an Assistant Lecturer at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu.

 

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Etuk specializes in hydrogeology, aquifer vulnerability, groundwater contamination, isotope geochemistry, and water resource management. Her work emphasizes the application of geospatial techniques and multi-tracer approaches to assess groundwater pollution and sustainability in rapidly urbanizing regions. She is actively engaged in international projects addressing groundwater challenges in Africa, particularly within the Sahel region.

 

Awards and Honors

Dr. Etuk has participated in multiple high-profile research projects, including IAEA’s Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on nitrate contamination in fast-growing cities and various technical cooperation projects on sustainable groundwater utilization. She has delivered invited keynote speeches and conference presentations at international events, including the UNESCO Pavilion Side Event, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s General Conference, and the European Geosciences Union General Assembly.

 

Skills

She possesses strong skills in digital tools such as Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as social media communication platforms like Skype and WhatsApp. Her technical expertise includes groundwater vulnerability assessments, GIS applications, isotope hydrogeology, hydrogeochemical modeling, and environmental impact assessments.

 

Publications

  • Title: An integrated geoinformatics and hydrogeological approach to delineating groundwater potential zones in the complex geological terrain of Abuja, Nigeria
    Authors: Etuk, M.N., Igwe, O., Egbueri, J.C.
    Journal: Modeling Earth Systems and Environment
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 16

 

  • Title: Vulnerability mapping as a tool to foster groundwater protection in areas subject to rapid population expansion: The case study of Abuja Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)
    Authors: Etuk, M., Viaroli, S., Ogbonnaya, I., Re, V.
    Journal: Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 5

Conclusion:

Dr. Mary Etuk is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her significant contributions to hydrogeology, international collaborations, and policy-relevant research. Strengthening her publication record, expanding her research focus beyond Nigeria, and leading major international projects could further enhance her candidacy. However, based on her current achievements and impact, she is well deserving of recognition.