Tomohiro Hayashida | Machine Learning | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Tomohiro Hayashida | Machine Learning
| Best Researcher Award

Professor at Hiroshima University , Japan.

Professor Tomohiro Hayashida is a distinguished scholar in decision-making, machine learning, and optimization, currently serving at Hiroshima University. After earning his Master’s and Ph.D. in Engineering from the same institution, he joined the university as a Research Associate in 2006 and steadily rose to Full Professor by 2024. With over 80 academic publications, Prof. Hayashida has led competitive national research grants and worked on practical innovations in transportation and scheduling algorithms. His interdisciplinary collaborations span across academia and industry, reflecting his commitment to both theoretical advancements and real-world applications. His citation record, leadership in JSPS-funded projects, and role in applied AI solutions exemplify his deep impact in computational engineering and operations research.

🌍 Professional Profile:

Scopus

🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award :

Prof. Tomohiro Hayashida exemplifies the qualities deserving of the Best Researcher Award. He has produced over 50 peer-reviewed journal papers, many in top-tier SCI/Scopus-indexed journals. As Principal Investigator of multiple JSPS KAKEN-funded projects, including those in evolutionary computing and dynamic systems, he has shown consistent research leadership. His collaborative work with industry, such as optimizing dispatch algorithms with SmartRyde Inc., demonstrates strong translational research. With an h-index around 11–12 and 442+ citations, he balances scholarly excellence and societal impact. His active role in multi-disciplinary collaborations—both domestic and international—further reinforces his stature as an innovative and impactful researcher, making him highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education :

Prof. Hayashida received his entire higher education from Hiroshima University. He completed his Master’s degree in Engineering in 2006 and subsequently pursued and earned his Ph.D. in Engineering. His academic training focused on optimization theory, intelligent systems, and operations research, equipping him with a robust foundation in both theoretical and applied research. The university’s focus on computational intelligence and engineering sciences helped shape his research vision early in his career. His seamless transition from student to researcher within the same academic institution showcases his consistent excellence and growth as a scholar. This strong academic grounding laid the basis for his long-term contributions to machine learning, decision sciences, and interdisciplinary engineering research.

🏢 Work Experience :

Prof. Tomohiro Hayashida began his academic career in 2006 as a Research Associate at Hiroshima University, immediately after earning his Master’s degree. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 2007, Associate Professor in 2015, and Full Professor in 2024. He has over 18 years of academic experience in teaching, research, and supervision. Beyond academic duties, he is active in government-funded research and industry collaborations, such as the ride-hailing optimization project with SmartRyde Inc. He also contributes to the Digital Manufacturing Education and Research Center at Hiroshima University. His extensive experience in both research project leadership and educational innovation showcases a balanced, impactful academic career with national and international influence.

🏅Awards and Honors

While specific award titles are not publicly listed, Prof. Hayashida’s selection as Principal Investigator for multiple highly competitive JSPS KAKEN Grants—including Young Researcher awards and Scientific Research (C) projects—reflects significant national recognition of his research excellence. His promotion to Full Professor at Hiroshima University, a top-tier Japanese institution, itself is a mark of academic distinction. He has been entrusted with strategic roles in collaborative projects, some of which have gained media coverage, such as the SmartRyde dispatch algorithm. These achievements, combined with a strong citation record and presence in high-impact journals, serve as implicit acknowledgment of his contributions to AI, optimization, and applied decision-making sciences within both academic and practical domains.

🔬 Research Focus :

Prof. Hayashida’s research centers on decision-making, machine learning, optimization, and evolutionary computation. His work addresses complex real-world problems like multi-objective scheduling, group decision analysis, and dynamic system optimization. Through JSPS-funded projects, he has developed algorithms for adaptive agents, cooperative enterprises, and evolutionary scheduling. His recent collaborations include intelligent systems for ride-hailing and dynamic dispatching. He integrates mathematical modeling with practical applications, focusing on AI-driven solutions for industries such as energy systems and transportation. His interdisciplinary approach merges operations research, computer science, and systems engineering. With over 80 publications and national/international partnerships, his research advances both academic knowledge and technological innovation, particularly in adaptive, data-driven decision systems.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

📘 Integrated Optimization Method for Task Allocation and Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning in Cargo Transport Robots
🗓️ Year: 2025 | 📚 Journal: IEEJ Transactions on Electronics Information and Systems |

📄 Constrained-multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm for Distribution System Reconfiguration under Severe Constraints
🗓️ Year: 2025 | 📚 Conference Paper |

🚚 Integrating Task Allocation and Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning for Optimized Cargo Transport Routing
🗓️ Year: 2025 | 📚 Conference Paper |

Distribution System Reconfiguration by an Evolutionary Algorithm using Constraint-Guided Dominance and Archive-Based Individual Preservation Strategy
🗓️ Year: 2024 | 📚 IEEJ Transactions on Power and Energy |

📊 Expectation and Fractile Models for Decentralised Distribution Systems under Demand Uncertainty and their Computational Methods
🗓️ Year: 2024 | 📚 International Journal of Operational Research |

🎓 WIP: Machine Learning Models for Predicting Student Performance in IoT-Enhanced Education
🗓️ Year: 2024/2025 | 📚 Conference Paper |

📈 WIP: Study on a Data-Driven Adaptive Learning Support System Design for Individualized Optimal Learning
🗓️ Year: 2024/2025 | 📚 Conference Paper |

Kofi Sarkodie | Structural Health | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Kofi Sarkodie |Structural Health
| Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate at University of Education Winneba, Ghana.

Kofi Sarkodie is an experienced educator and researcher from Ghana, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Cape Coast. He holds an M.Phil. in Geography with Education and a B.A. (Hons.) in Social Science Education from the University of Education, Winneba. With over 12 years of teaching experience across various levels of Ghana’s pre-tertiary education system, he currently serves as a Geography tutor at Nsaba Presbyterian Senior High School and a part-time lecturer at the University of Cape Coast. His research spans medical geography, climate change, gender issues, and GIS. Sarkodie is committed to learner-centered pedagogy and strives to empower all students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, through inclusive and meaningful education.

🌍 Professional Profile:

ORCID

Google scholar

🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award :

Kofi Sarkodie is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award due to his impactful contributions in the fields of medical geography, environmental development, and education. His interdisciplinary research has addressed pressing issues such as healthcare-seeking behavior, climate change, and population dynamics in Africa. Sarkodie’s dedication to practical and inclusive education, coupled with his scholarly output, positions him as a role model for applied geographic research. As a Ph.D. candidate and part-time lecturer, he blends theory with practice, influencing future educators and learners alike. His work has been published in reputable journals and showcases a commitment to research that drives social transformation. His intellectual rigor, field engagement, and advocacy for equity in education and development exemplify excellence in research.

🎓 Education :

Kofi Sarkodie’s academic journey reflects a deep commitment to geographic and educational research. He is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Cape Coast (2023–present). He earned an M.Phil. in Geography with Education (2018–2020) and a B.A. (Hons.) in Social Science Education, majoring in Geography and minoring in Political Science (2013–2017), both from the University of Education, Winneba. His earlier education includes the West African Senior School Certificate from Manso Adubia Senior High School and the Basic Education Certificate from Bereku D/A Junior High School. Additionally, he has completed international professional courses on technology-enabled learning and teacher education from institutions in Canada and the UK, reflecting his global educational outlook.

🏢 Work Experience :

Kofi Sarkodie brings over 12 years of diverse teaching experience, currently serving as a Geography tutor at Nsaba Presbyterian Senior High School since 2018. He has recently begun working as a part-time assistant lecturer with the University of Cape Coast’s Institute of Education (2024–present). Previously, he served as a Teaching and Research Assistant at OLA College of Education and completed internships at Assin State College. His roles have included curriculum planning, instructional delivery, assessment design, and student mentoring. Sarkodie has been promoted through ranks in the Ghana Education Service, now holding the title of Assistant Director II. His classroom practices emphasize inclusive learning, discipline, and student engagement, which reflect his passion for education and his capacity for academic leadership.

🏅 Awards and Honors :

Kofi Sarkodie has earned recognition within the Ghana Education Service, notably attaining the rank of Assistant Director II in 2023 and Principal Superintendent in 2018, in acknowledgment of his dedication and professionalism. His contributions to both classroom instruction and academic research have led to his selection as a part-time lecturer, highlighting his growing influence in higher education. While specific awards for research excellence may still be pending due to his ongoing doctoral studies, his publications in peer-reviewed journals and invitations to academic programs underscore his rising scholarly profile. Furthermore, his participation in global professional development courses signals his international academic engagement and commitment to lifelong learning. His steady ascent reflects both merit and promise in the education and research fields.

🔬 Research Focus :

Kofi Sarkodie’s research focuses on medical geography, climate change, population studies, GIS, environmental sustainability, and teacher education. His interdisciplinary approach bridges geography with public health, education, and socio-political analysis. His recent publications address healthcare-seeking behavior, environmental challenges, and gendered development issues in Ghana. He is particularly interested in how geographic methods and spatial analysis can inform policymaking and education reform. As a proponent of learner-centered instruction, Sarkodie also researches innovative pedagogy and curriculum design in geography education. His use of GIS tools and field-based methodologies allows him to generate insights that are both academically rigorous and practically impactful. His ongoing doctoral research continues to explore contemporary African development issues through a geographical and planning-oriented lens.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

📘 Sky Economy: Economic Effects of Trading on the Upper Floors of Kotokuraba Market in Cape Coast, Ghana
🗓️ Year: 2025 | 📖 International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | 📑 Cited by: N/A 🏙️📈

🌿 Influencing Factors of Place and Healthcare Seeking Behaviour of Pregnant Women Accessing Care at a Herbal Clinic in Ghana
🗓️ Year: 2025 | 📖 Advances in Integrative Medicine | 📑 Cited by: 1 🩺🤰🌍

📊 Challenges of Using the “Balance Score Card” (BSC) Framework to Serve as a Basis for Strategic Decisions and Reforms in a Public Sector Organization
🗓️ Year: 2024 | 📖 Global Scientific Journal (GSJ), Vol. 12(10) | 📑 Cited by: N/A 🏛️📉

🛍️ Livelihood Resilience Among Street Hawkers During COVID-19 Lockdown in the Awutu Senya East Municipality, Ghana
🗓️ Year: 2024 | 📖 Journal of Humanities and Applied Social Sciences | 📑 Cited by: N/A 🦠🛒📉

🌍 Land Cover Change Analysis of Ho Municipality
🗓️ Year: 2023 | 📖 Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, Vol. 10(5) | 📑 Cited by: 1 🗺️🌳📐

🚗 Mapping Vehicular Accident and Casualties on Ohiamaadwen to Gomoa Odumasi Road Using Geographic Information Systems
🗓️ Year: 2017 | 📖 Academia.edu | 📑 Cited by: N/A 📍🛣️📉