Prof. Nicolas Lori | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Nicolas Lori | Best Researcher Award

University of Azores | Portugal

Dr. Nicolas F. Lori is a distinguished physicist and computer scientist, presently serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of the Azores and a researcher at the Centre Algoritmi, University of Minho, Portugal. He earned a Ph.D. in Physics from Washington University in St. Louis in 2001 and a Ph.D. in Informatics from the University of Minho in 2020. With 44 research papers, over 2,495 citations, and an h-index of 13, his work spans theoretical physics, computer science, and neuroscience. Dr. Lori has made pioneering contributions to diffusion MRI, brain connectivity mapping, and theoretical models bridging physics and computation. His studies have appeared in top-tier journals such as PNAS, Radiology, and Annals of Physics. He has successfully led national research projects totaling over €1.5 million and supervised multiple graduate students. His current research interests include MRI data processing, quantum gravity, artificial intelligence, theoretical neuroscience, and computational modeling. A Fulbright Fellow and former Vice-President of Fulbrighters Portugal, Dr. Lori’s career demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research that integrates physics, computation, and cognitive science to understand the complexity of the brain and the universe.

Profiles : Google Scholar | Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Lori, N. F., Akbudak, E., Shimony, J. S., Cull, T. S., Snyder, A. Z., Guillory, R. K., … & Conturo, T. E. (2002). Diffusion tensor fiber tracking of human brain connectivity: Acquisition methods, reliability analysis, and biological results. NMR in Biomedicine, 15(7–8), 459–477.

Seehaus, A., Roebroeck, A., Bastiani, M., Fonseca, L., Bratzke, H., Lori, N., … & Galuske, R. (2015). Histological validation of high-resolution DTI in human post mortem tissue. Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 9, 98.

Sedeno, L., Piguet, O., Abrevaya, S., Desmaras, H., García-Cordero, I., Baez, S., … & Lori, N. F. (2017). Tackling variability: A multicenter study to provide a gold‐standard network approach for frontotemporal dementia. Human Brain Mapping, 38(8), 3804–3822.

Lori, N. F. (2023). Mass creation in superconductors by Physics-cells quantum gravity. Physica C: Superconductivity and Its Applications, 611, 135722.

Lori, N. F. (2025). Darwinian quantum gravity dynamics of small particles. Annals of Physics, 449, 169553.

Lori, N. F. (2025). Varying Newton gravitational “constant” cosmology. Annals of Physics, 451, 170012.

Mr. Asif Khan | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Asif Khan | Best Researcher Award

University of Science and Technology Bannu KPK  | Pakistan

Dr. Asif Nawaz Khan is a Pakistani physicist and lecturer at the University of Science and Technology Bannu (USTB), specializing in computational materials science. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics at USTB, after completing an M.Phil. from Gomal University and an M.Sc. from Kohat University. Since 2009, he has been actively involved in teaching, supervising BS and M.Phil students, and guiding research in computational simulations and solar cell device modeling. His research focuses on the design and analysis of lead-free perovskite materials (3D and 2D) and their structural, optical, thermoelectric, elastic, thermodynamic, and phonon properties, along with molecular dynamics studies. He employs advanced simulation tools including WIEN2k, Quantum Espresso, CASTEP, and SCAPS-1D, and applies machine learning techniques for material property prediction. Dr. Khan has co-authored multiple high-impact publications, currently holding an h-index of 3 with 38 citations, reflecting his contributions to clean energy materials and sustainable photovoltaics. His work advances the understanding and development of efficient, stable, and multifunctional energy materials. Overall, Dr. Khan is committed to advancing computational materials research and training the next generation of scientists in energy and optoelectronic applications.

Profile : Google Scholar  

Featured Publications

Khan, A., Khan, N. U., Nawaz, A., Ullah, K., & Manan, A. (2024). A DFT study to explore structural, electronic, optical and mechanical properties of lead-free Na₂MoXO₆ (X= Si, Ge, Sn) double perovskites for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, 1240, 114834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comptc.2024.114834

Hosen, A., Mousa, A. A., Nemati-Kande, E., Khan, A. N., Abu-Jafar, M. S., … (2025). Systematic computational screening and design of double perovskites Q₂LiMH₆ (Q= K, Rb; M= Ga, In, Tl) for efficient hydrogen storage: A DFT and AIMD approach. Surfaces and Interfaces, 106608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2025.106608

Khan, A. N., Rabhi, S., Jehangir, M. A., Charif, R., Khan, N. U., Begagra, A., … (2025). Evaluating A₂SrGeI₆ (A= K and Rb) lead-free double perovskites: Structural, elastic, and optoelectronic insights for clean energy. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 174, 113949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2025.113949

Khan, N. U., Ghani, U., Khan, A., Khan, A. N., Ullah, K., Ali, R., & Fadhali, M. M. (2025). Theoretical insight into stabilities and optoelectronic properties of RbZnX₃ (X=Cl, Br) halide perovskites for energy conversion applications. Optical and Quantum Electronics, 57(1), 109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-025-04789-1

Rabhi, S., Khan, A. N., Chinoune, O., Charif, R., Bouri, N., Al-Qaisi, S., … (2025). Insight into NaSiCl₃: A lead-free perovskite for the next generation revealed by DFT and SCAPS-1D. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 27(25), 13490–13507. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CP02345A