Yousri Kessentini | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yousri Kessentini | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Senior Researcher at Digital research center of Sfax, Tunisia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yousri Kessentini is a computer science researcher and Associate Professor at the Digital Research Center of Sfax, Tunisia, where he leads the DeepVision research team. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Rouen, France, and specializes in deep learning, computer vision, and document image analysis. Dr. Kessentini has coordinated numerous national and international research projects and has received several awards, including honors from NVIDIA and the National Academy of Engineering. He is a certified Deep Learning instructor and an active contributor to the scientific community through publications, supervision, and editorial roles.

Publication Profile 

Scopus

Orcid

Educational Background 

Dr. Kessentini earned his Habilitation in Computer Science from the University of Sfax in 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science (2006–2009) and a DEA (postgraduate diploma) in Computer Science (2004) from the University of Rouen, France. He also obtained an engineering diploma in computer science from ENIS in 2003 and completed his secondary education with a Scientific Baccalaureate in Mathematics in 1998.

Professional Experience

Dr. Kessentini has accumulated rich academic and industrial experience over two decades. Since 2022, he has served as Associate Professor and Head of the DeepVision research team at CRNS. From 2017 to 2021, he was a senior researcher at the same center. Between 2013 and 2017, he was an assistant professor at ISIMA University of Monastir. He also held postdoctoral and graduate assistant roles in France, including at ITESOFT/LITIS and the University of Rouen. Since 2018, he has been a certified instructor and ambassador of the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute, reflecting his leadership in AI education and training.

Research Interests

His research spans a variety of deep learning applications, including document image recognition, handwritten text analysis, multi-script OCR, generative models, and satellite image fusion. Dr. Kessentini also explores the intersection of AI with healthcare, smart cities, and industrial automation. His recent projects involve federated learning for medical imaging, vehicle identity recognition, Arabic script analysis, and human action recognition through remote sensing and video surveillance.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Kessentini has received numerous accolades for his contributions to AI research and innovation. In 2025, he was selected for the prestigious U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium by the U.S. National Academy of Engineering. He ranked first in Tunisia’s national recruitment competition for associate professors in 2022. He received best student paper awards at ICPR 2020 and MedPRAI 2020 and earned a Jury Recognition Award in Tunisia’s national innovation competition in 2019. His research excellence was also recognized by NVIDIA with a GPU Grant in 2018, the same year he was certified as an official instructor and ambassador.

Publications 

Title: Information extraction from multi-layout invoice images using FATURA dataset

Year: 2025

Title: STF-Trans: A Two-stream SpatioTemporal Fusion Transformer for Very High Resolution Satellites Images

Year: 2024

Title: MSdocTr-Lite: A Lite Transformer for Full Page Multi-script Handwriting Recognition

Year: 2023

Title: Spectral-Temporal Fusion of Satellite Images Via an End-to-End Two-Stream Attention With an Effective Reconstruction Network

Year: 2023

Title: Few Shots Are All You Need: A Progressive Few Shot Learning Approach for Low Resource Handwriting Recognition

Year: 2022

Conclusions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yousri Kessentini stands out as a leading figure in the fields of artificial intelligence and computer vision. His consistent contributions to scientific innovation, mentorship, and international collaboration have had a significant impact across academia and industry. His work demonstrates not only technical excellence but also a strong commitment to applying AI for societal and industrial benefit. With an impressive track record of publications, project leadership, and academic service, he is highly deserving of recognition in competitive research and innovation awards.

Chao Zhang | Machine Learning | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Chao Zhang | Machine Learning | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Shanghai University, China

Professor Chao Zhang is a distinguished academic and researcher specializing in mechanical engineering, particularly in tribology and engine component wear. With an extensive career spanning multiple prestigious institutions, including Shanghai University and Northwestern University, he has significantly contributed to the field through research, publications, and technical committee roles. His expertise integrates classical tribology with modern computational techniques such as machine learning and quantum chemical molecular dynamics.

Publication Profile 

Scopus

Educational Background 🎓

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Railway University (1983)

  • Master’s Degree: Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Internal Combustion Engine Research Institute (1989)

  • Ph.D.: Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai University (1997)

Professional Experience 💼

  • Senior Research Associate (1997–2002): Northwestern University, USA (Worked with Profs. H.S. Cheng and Qian Wang)

  • Professor:

    • Tongji University, China

    • Shanghai University, China

    • Kunming University of Science and Technology, China

  • Technical Committee Member: Engines and Powertrains, International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science (IFToMM)

Research Interests 🔬

  • Tribology and lubrication in engine components

  • Scuffing behavior and wear modeling of piston components

  • Multi-phase and multi-scale engine wear modeling using quantum chemical molecular dynamics and machine learning

  • Digital twin modeling for tribocorrosion

  • Application of artificial intelligence and big data in engine tribology

  • Mechano-chemical kinetic models for boundary lubrication

Awards and Honors🏆✨

  • Technical committee member of IFToMM (Engines and Powertrains)

  • Contributor to Springer’s Mechanisms and Machine Science Series

  • Numerous high-impact journal publications in Tribology Transactions, ASME Journal of Tribology, Tribology International, and Wear

Conclusion🌟

Professor Chao Zhang is an accomplished mechanical engineering expert with a focus on tribology, engine wear, and computational modeling. His interdisciplinary research integrates classical tribology with advanced computational methods, positioning him as a leading figure in his field. His contributions to academia, industry collaborations, and publications underscore his commitment to advancing mechanical engineering and tribology.

Publications 📚

1️⃣ Zhang, C. (2025). Multi-phase and multi-scale engine wear modeling via quantum chemical molecular dynamics and machine learning: A theoretical framework. 🔬🛠️ Wear, xxx(xxx)xxx. [🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2025.205771]


2️⃣ Zhang, C. (2023). Lubricant-Chemistry Kinetic Model of Antiwear Film Formation by Oil Additives using SOL, QM MD, and machine learning. 🔍📊 STLE 2023 Annual Meeting Digital Proceedings.


3️⃣ Zhang, C. (2022). Scuffing behavior of piston-pin bore bearing in mixed lubrication. ⚙️📖 In T. Parikyan (Ed.), Advances in Engine and Powertrain Research and Technology (pp. 65–95). Springer, Mechanisms and Machine Science 114.


4️⃣ Zhang, C. (2022). Quantum chemical study of mechanochemical reactive mechanisms of engine oil antiwear additives. 🧪⚛️ Proceedings of I4SDG Workshop 2021, MMS 108, pp. 1–9.


5️⃣ Zhang, C. (2021). Scuffing factor and scuffing failure mapping. 🚗🔥 Proceedings of the 2nd World Congress on Internal Combustion Engine, April 21-24, Jinan, China.


6️⃣ Zhang, C. (2018). Analysis of piston scuffing failure based on big data base and cloud computing. ☁️💾 Proceedings of the 2018 World Internal Combustion Engine Congress and Exhibition, November 8-11, Wuxi, China.


7️⃣ Zhang, C., et al. (2007). Effect of loading path on sliding contact status for elastic and plastic media. 🔩⚙️ Proceedings of the STLE/ASME International Joint Tribology Conference, IJTC2007-44481.


8️⃣ Ye, Z.K., Zhang, C., Wang, Y.C., Cheng, H.S, Tung, S. M., Wang, Q., He, J. (2004). An experimental investigation of piston skirt scuffing: a piston scuffing apparatus, experiments, and scuffing mechanism analyses. 🔍🔬 WEAR, 257, 8-31.


9️⃣ Zhang, C., Wang, Q., Cheng, H. S. (2004). Scuffing Behavior of Piston-Pin/Bore Bearing in Mixed Lubrication – Part II: Scuffing Mechanism and Failure Criteria. 🛠️⚡ STLE, Tribology Transactions, 47, 149-156.


🔟 Zhang, C., Cheng, H. S., Qiu, L., Knipstein, K. W., & Bolyard, J. (2003). Scuffing Behavior of Piston-Pin/Bore Bearing in Mixed Lubrication – Part I: Experimental Studies. 🧑‍🔬📊 STLE, Tribology Transactions, 46, 193-199.