Dalya Akl | High-Energy Astrophysics | Women Researcher Award

Ms. Dalya Akl | High-Energy Astrophysics | Women Researcher Award

Ms. Dalya Akl | American University of Sharjah | United Arab Emirates

Ms. Dalya Akl is an astrophysicist specializing in telescope operations, gravitational waves (GW), short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), and computational modeling. With a rich background in astronomical image processing and data analysis. Her expertise spans real-time observation coordination, pipeline development, multi-messenger astronomy, and light curve analysis, making significant contributions to astro-physical research.

👨‍🎓Publication Profile

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Ms. Dalya Akl’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the American University of Sharjah (U.A.E.), where she excelled in the study of gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Her undergraduate thesis, titled “Enhanced Analysis and Classification of Gamma-Ray Bursts through Advanced Astro-photometry Techniques and Machine Learning Algorithms,” showcased her early interest in combining astrophysical research with advanced data analysis techniques, laying a strong foundation for her future research endeavors.

🔭 Professional Endeavors

Ms. Dalya’s career spans multiple prominent roles in astronomical research. She is an active member of the GRANDMA Collaboration, where she plays a key role in the data analysis group and system operations. Her work in coordinating observational campaigns and data acquisition across international telescopes has provided valuable insights into the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave events.  Her work has focused on optimizing observational strategies for multi-messenger astronomy, particularly for high-priority astrophysical events like GW170817.

🧑‍🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Ms. Dalya has made substantial contributions to the understanding of gravitational waves and their electromagnetic counterparts. As the lead of the SPECTRA team, she oversees the integration of diverse observation systems to ensure the precise execution of GW and GRB observational campaigns.  Additionally, the study of gamma-ray bursts has advanced understanding in these areas, contributing to the ongoing efforts to link these phenomena across multiple wavelengths.

🚀 Impact and Influence

Ms. Dalya’s work in multi-messenger astronomy has had a profound impact on the astrophysics community. Dalya’s leadership in the SN2023wrk observational campaign and her significant contributions to the analysis of supernovae and GRBs have been instrumental in shaping the discourse in multi-wavelength astrophysics. Her research has been widely cited in top-tier journals such as the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS) and the American Astrophysical Society Journal, further cementing her influence in the field.

📚 Academic Citations

Ms. Dalya’s research is well-recognized within the scientific community, with her work cited in several impactful publications and conference presentations. Her paper such as “Early Observations of SN 2023wrk”  have contributed to the ongoing advancement of multi-messenger astrophysics. In addition, Dalya’s leadership in data analysis for campaigns like the SN2023wrk and GRB 230812B has been pivotal in shaping the field’s understanding of these high-energy events.

🖥️ Technical Skills

Ms. Dalya is highly proficient in programming languages such as Python, Fortran, and R, and is skilled in using MATLAB, Mathematica, and advanced statistical tools like XGBoost for machine learning tasks. Her technical expertise extends to data analysis software such as Tycho Tracker, SAOlmage, and Aladin Sky Atlas, which are crucial for photometry, image processing, and astrometric calibration of telescope data. These technical proficiencies allow her to design, implement, and optimize astronomical observation systems and data pipelines, enabling more accurate detection and classification of GW events and GRBs.

Publications Top Notes

 

 

Boris Minaev| High-Energy Astrophysics| Collaborative Physics Research Award| 3436

Prof. Boris Minaev| High-Energy Astrophysics| Collaborative Physics Research Award

Academician/Research Scholar at Uppsala University, Sweden

Professor Boris F. Minaev, born on September 21, 1943, in Yekaterinburg, Russia, is a distinguished chemist specializing in nanomaterial science. He is a professor at the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University in Cherkasy, Ukraine, where he has made significant contributions to molecular opto-electronics and quantum chemistry. With a robust academic background, he has led numerous international research projects and has collaborated with esteemed researchers globally. As a recognized expert, his work has garnered accolades, including multiple awards for his contributions to science and technology in Ukraine. With over 600 publications, Professor Minaev continues to influence the fields of organic light-emitting diodes and molecular spectroscopy, mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Profile:

Education:

Professor Boris F. Minaev began his academic journey at Tomsk State University in Siberia, where he studied physics from 1962 to 1967, earning his Master’s degree. He continued his education as a PhD student in the Spectroscopy Department, defending his thesis in 1974. His doctoral research focused on the theoretical analysis of spin-orbit coupling effects in molecular spectroscopy and chemical kinetics. After completing his PhD, he held positions as a junior scientific researcher at various institutions, gaining valuable experience in physical chemistry. Throughout his career, Minaev has been committed to continuous learning and research, ultimately achieving the title of Doctor of Science (Habilitation) in Chemistry in 1984. His educational foundation has equipped him with the skills necessary to explore advanced topics in chemistry and nanomaterials, allowing him to contribute extensively to scientific literature and international collaborations.

Professional experience:

Professor Boris F. Minaev boasts an extensive academic and research career spanning over five decades. He has held numerous positions, starting as a junior scientific researcher at Tomsk State University, and advancing to become head of the General Chemistry Department at Cherkasy State University of Technology. Since 2021, he has served as a professor in the Chemistry and Nanomaterial Science Department at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University. His leadership in the field is evident through his coordination of various international research projects, including NATO collaborations and grants from the Wenner-Gren Foundation. Throughout his career, Minaev has played a pivotal role in developing new methodologies in organic synthesis and electronic structure calculations. Additionally, he has served as an expert in project evaluations for several national and international research councils, showcasing his influence and recognition in the scientific community.

Research focus:

Professor Boris F. Minaev’s research interests encompass a wide range of topics within molecular opto-electronics and nanotechnology. His primary focus includes the study of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and dye-sensitized solar cells, where he investigates the electronic mechanisms that underpin exciton and excimer formation. He is particularly interested in spin-forbidden transitions in molecular spectroscopy, exploring the implications of spin-orbit coupling effects on chemical kinetics and reaction dynamics. Additionally, Minaev conducts research on optical sensors and bioimaging, delving into photodynamic therapy applications. His work extends to understanding the electronic mechanisms of enzymatic reactions involving molecular oxygen, aiming to elucidate the activation processes in cofactor-free oxygenases. Overall, his research combines theoretical analysis with experimental techniques, contributing to advancements in photochemistry, catalysis, and the development of new materials for energy applications.

Awards and Honors:

Professor Boris F. Minaev has received numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career. In 2012, he was honored as the Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine, recognizing his significant contributions to the field. He was awarded the Life Achievements Award by the American Biographic Institute in 1999 for his groundbreaking work on the Singlet Oxygen Emission Theory. Further recognition came with the Scopus-Ukraine Award in 2017 and the Web of Science-Ukraine Award in 2019, both acknowledging his impactful research. In 2021, he was awarded the Order of Merit (III class) by the Government of Ukraine, celebrating his lifelong dedication to science and education. These honors reflect his influential role in advancing chemistry and nanomaterial science, as well as his commitment to mentoring future generations of scientists.

Publication Top Notes:

  • Title: Theory and calculation of the phosphorescence phenomenon
    Authors: G. Baryshnikov, B. Minaev, H. Ågren
    Publication Year: 2017
    Citations: 540
  • Title: Principles of phosphorescent organic light emitting devices
    Authors: B. Minaev, G. Baryshnikov, H. Ågren
    Publication Year: 2014
    Citations: 504
  • Title: Response theory and calculations of spin-orbit coupling phenomena in molecules
    Authors: H. Ågren, O. Vahtras, B. Minaev
    Publication Year: 1996
    Citations: 191
  • Title: Time-dependent density functional calculations of phosphorescence parameters for fac-tris (2-phenylpyridine) iridium
    Authors: E. Jansson, B. Minaev, S. Schrader, H. Ågren
    Publication Year: 2007
    Citations: 173
  • Title: Singlet oxygen photophysics in liquid solvents: converging on a unified picture
    Authors: M. Bregnhøj, M. Westberg, B. F. Minaev, P. R. Ogilby
    Publication Year: 2017
    Citations: 132
  • Title: Theoretical DFT study of phosphorescence from porphyrins
    Authors: B. Minaev, H. Ågren
    Publication Year: 2005
    Citations: 132
  • Title: Density functional theory study of photophysical properties of iridium (III) complexes with phenylisoquinoline and phenylpyridine ligands
    Authors: X. Li, B. Minaev, H. Ågren, H. Tian
    Publication Year: 2011
    Citations: 130
  • Title: Theoretical study of the cyclometalated iridium (III) complexes used as chromophores for organic light-emitting diodes
    Authors: B. Minaev, V. Minaeva, H. Ågren
    Publication Year: 2009
    Citations: 130
  • Title: Ab initio calculations of electronic g-factors by means of multiconfiguration response theory
    Authors: O. Vahtras, B. Minaev, H. Ågren
    Publication Year: 1997
    Citations: 119
  • Title: Ab initio calculations of zero-field splitting parameters
    Authors: O. Vahtras, O. Loboda, B. Minaev, H. Ågren, K. Ruud
    Publication Year: 2002
    Citations: 112