Kihwan Nam | Artificial Intelligence | Best Faculty Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Prof. Kihwan Nam | Artificial Intelligence | Best Faculty Award

Dr. Kihwan Nam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management of Technology at Korea University and the founder of Aimtory, a high-technology AI company. With a unique blend of academic expertise and entrepreneurial insight, he specializes in Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI, Explainable AI, and Digital Transformation. He earned his Ph.D. in Information Systems from KAIST and holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and Statistics from Korea University and Yonsei University, respectively. Dr. Nam has an extensive research record, with publications in top-tier journals such as Journal of Marketing Research, Decision Support Systems, and Knowledge-Based Systems. His professional journey includes leadership roles in startups and significant AI industry contributions. He is passionate about bridging the gap between academia and industry through impactful, data-driven solutions that transform business strategies, smart factories, and healthcare systems. Dr. Nam is a leading figure in the fusion of cutting-edge AI technologies with business innovation.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Kihwan Nam’s academic background spans statistics, engineering, and management. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems and Management Engineering from the prestigious KAIST College of Business, where he honed his expertise in AI-driven decision support and business analytics. Prior to his doctorate, he completed his M.S. in Industrial Engineering at Korea University, acquiring strong analytical and system optimization skills. His academic journey began with a B.A. in Statistics from Yonsei University, which laid a solid foundation in data analysis and quantitative modeling. This interdisciplinary academic training enables Dr. Nam to approach complex problems from technical, managerial, and data-driven perspectives. Throughout his studies, he cultivated a deep interest in predictive modeling, econometrics, and the integration of AI technologies in organizational contexts, which continues to shape his academic and industrial research today. His educational path reflects a consistent commitment to excellence and innovation across disciplines.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Nam has a dynamic career in both academia and industry. He currently serves as Assistant Professor in the Management of Technology at Korea University, following a faculty role in Management Information Systems at Dongguk University. In industry, he is the founder of Aimtory, a company focused on cutting-edge AI solutions, and previously led Basbai, an AI solution firm, as CEO. He also co-founded Sentience, reflecting his commitment to tech entrepreneurship. His dual roles have enabled him to conduct collaborative research with top-tier companies, implement AI in real-world applications, and train future innovators. Dr. Nam’s expertise extends across AI project development, big data analytics, and digital business transformation. His work in areas like smart factories, healthcare, and financial markets underscores his versatility. His diverse experience positions him as a thought leader at the intersection of research, innovation, and enterprise AI deployment.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Kihwan Nam has received numerous prestigious accolades for his impactful research and innovation. He was honored with the Best Paper Award from the Korea Intelligent Information System Society (2017) for his work on recommender systems in retail, and again in 2019 by the Information Systems Review Society for a field experiment in recommendation design. His deep learning-based financial distress prediction study was a Best Paper Nominee at the INFORMS Data Science Workshop (2020). In 2022, he secured top honors at the Korea Gas Corporation Big Data Competition and received an innovation award from the Startup Promotion Agency for the Big-Star Solution Platform. In 2023, he earned the Best Researcher Award at Dongguk University. These recognitions reflect his excellence in both theoretical contributions and practical applications of AI, reinforcing his role as a leading figure in AI-driven business analytics and intelligent systems research.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Nam’s research lies at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, and Digital Transformation. He specializes in Generative AI, Explainable AI, LLMs, NLP, and Computer Vision, aiming to drive intelligent decision-making in sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. His core research explores predictive analytics, recommender systems, robot advisory, and econometric modeling applied to real-world business and technological challenges. By incorporating econometrics with data mining and machine learning, he investigates user behavior, personalization strategies, and large-scale business optimization. His recent projects include stock and cryptocurrency prediction, smart factory optimization, and curated recommendation engines. He is also advancing research in digital transformation (DX) and blockchain-based token economies. Dr. Nam emphasizes bridging theory and application by applying AI innovations to actual business environments, often in collaboration with international enterprises. His work is deeply rooted in the integration of robust statistical methods with scalable, real-world AI systems.

âś… Conclusion

Dr. Kihwan Nam is a visionary academic and AI entrepreneur who merges deep theoretical knowledge with practical applications, shaping the future of AI-driven digital transformation across industries through innovative research, impactful teaching, and real-world solutions

Publications

Mansoor Ali Darazi | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mansoor Ali Darazi | Artificial Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mansoor Ali Darazi is an accomplished English language educator and researcher with extensive experience in ELT, curriculum development, and student mentorship. Passionate about modern pedagogical techniques, he fosters an inclusive learning environment while actively contributing to academic research. His expertise in language teaching, academic writing, and leadership roles has earned him recognition in the field. Committed to continuous professional growth, he participates in conferences and research projects. His dynamic teaching approach and strong managerial skills enhance students’ academic success and institutional development.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Darazi is pursuing a Ph.D. in English Linguistics at the University of Sindh (2023–2026). He holds a Ph.D. in Education (ELT) (2022) and an M.Phil. in Education (ELT) (2014) from Iqra University, Karachi. He completed his Bachelor of Arts at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur (1997). His academic journey reflects his dedication to English language teaching, research, and linguistic studies.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Darazi is an Assistant Professor at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari (2022–present). He has served as a Lecturer (2015–2022), ELT Coordinator, and English Lecturer at various institutions, including Army Public School, Pakistan Marine Academy, and Bahria Foundation College. With over two decades in academia, he has contributed to curriculum development, language instruction, and educational leadership, shaping student success through innovative teaching methodologies.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Darazi has received recognition for his contributions to education and research. His accolades include academic excellence awards, research grants, and honors from national and international organizations. His active participation in TESOL, IELTA, and Linguistic Society of America highlights his commitment to advancing English language education and pedagogy.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Darazi’s research explores English language proficiency, ELT methodologies, academic motivation, and student engagement. His publications address linguistic pedagogy, transformational leadership in education, and the role of feedback in language learning. His work contributes to developing innovative teaching strategies that enhance students’ academic performance and career prospects.

Publications 

Gokhan Yildirim | Marketing analytics | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Gokhan Yildirim | Marketing analytics | Best Researcher Award

Gokhan Yildirim is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Imperial College Business School, specializing in marketing analytics and return on investment. His expertise spans digital marketing, long-term marketing effectiveness, and customer mindset metrics. With a strong foundation in applied time series econometrics and machine learning, he has made significant contributions to the field of marketing science. Yildirim has held academic positions at Lancaster University and has been a visiting researcher at Tilburg University. His research has been widely published in top-tier journals, influencing both academia and industry.

Profile

Education 🎓

Gokhan Yildirim earned his PhD in Business Administration and Quantitative Methods from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) in 2012, with a dissertation on marketing dynamics. His academic journey began with a BA in Business Administration (1999–2003) and an MSc in Quantitative Methods (2003–2006) from Marmara University, Istanbul. He also conducted research as a visiting scholar at Tilburg University, Netherlands, further strengthening his expertise in marketing analytics and econometrics.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Yildirim has been an Associate Professor of Marketing at Imperial College Business School since 2019, following his tenure as an Assistant Professor from 2016 to 2019. Before that, he was an Assistant Professor of Marketing Analytics at Lancaster University (2012–2016). His industry collaborations focus on marketing resource allocation, customer analytics, and data-driven decision-making. His research integrates econometric modeling and machine learning to optimize marketing strategies and enhance business performance.

Research Interests 🔬

Yildirim’s research centers on return on marketing investment, digital marketing effectiveness, and customer mindset metrics. He applies advanced econometric and machine learning techniques to analyze marketing resource allocation and long-term advertising impacts. His work explores how marketing strategies influence consumer behavior and business growth, contributing to both academic literature and real-world marketing practices

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Yildirim has received several prestigious awards, including the 2017–2018 Gary Lilien ISMS-MSI-EMAC Practice Prize for his work on multichannel marketing at L’Occitane. He has also secured multiple research grants, such as the Wharton Customer Analytics Initiative (2015–2016) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation grants (2012–2018). His contributions have been recognized through funding from AiMark and other leading research bodies, further cementing his influence in marketing analytics.

Publications đź“š

Myoung-Jin Chae | Digital Marketing | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Myoung-Jin Chae | Digital Marketing | Best Researcher Award

Myoung-Jin Chae is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Soonchunhyang University, Korea. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at Lingnan University, Hong Kong. His expertise spans digital marketing, AI-driven consumer engagement, and sustainable consumption. He holds a Ph.D. in Management (Marketing) from Georgia Institute of Technology, an M.A. in Statistics from Columbia University, and dual B.S./B.B.A. degrees from Korea University. His research focuses on advertising, corporate social responsibility, and social justice in marketing. Dr. Chae has published extensively in high-impact journals such as the Journal of Business Research and Journal of Interactive Marketing. His contributions have earned recognition, including a Marketing Science Institute Research Grant and a Best Paper Award at the Summer AMA Conference. Beyond academia, he serves on editorial boards and reviews for top marketing journals.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Myoung-Jin Chae earned his Ph.D. in Management (Marketing) from Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business in 2018, where he researched advertising context management. His dissertation was supervised by Dr. Omar Rodriguez-Vila, alongside a distinguished committee. Prior to his doctorate, he obtained an M.A. in Statistics from Columbia University, equipping him with strong analytical skills for marketing research. His undergraduate studies were completed at Korea University, where he earned a B.S. in Statistics and a B.B.A. in Business Administration. This diverse academic background has shaped his expertise in data-driven marketing and AI applications in consumer behavior.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Chae has extensive academic experience, currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Soonchunhyang University since 2021. He previously held the same role at Lingnan University, Hong Kong (2018-2021). His prior teaching roles include Instructor at Georgia Institute of Technology (2015-2016) and Teaching Assistant at Korea University (2009). Additionally, he was a Graduate Research Assistant at Georgia Tech (2012-2018), where he contributed to multiple high-impact research projects. His teaching portfolio includes courses in International Marketing, Digital Marketing, Research Methods, and Marketing Analytics. Dr. Chae also actively participates in university service, including curriculum development and research exchange committees.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Chae’s research centers on digital marketing, AI-driven consumer engagement, advertising effectiveness, and corporate social responsibility. He investigates consumer behavior in response to AI-powered marketing, the role of context in advertising, and sustainability in consumption. His studies on “real-time” social media messaging, AI assistants’ human-likeness, and corporate social responsibility have been published in top-tier journals. His ongoing projects explore AI’s influence on luxury product choices, gendered AI perception, and vaccine messaging strategies. His work contributes to understanding consumer interactions in an evolving digital landscape.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Chae has received numerous accolades for his research, including the Marketing Science Institute (MSI) Research Grant (#4-1986) and the Best Paper Award in the Brand Track at the Summer AMA Conference. His work has been featured in MSI Webinar Series, showcasing its impact on marketing practice. Additionally, he secured competitive faculty research grants, such as the Faculty Start-up Fund at Soonchunhyang University (KRW 12M) and Faculty Research Grant at Lingnan University (HK$12K). His research has also been supported by the Dean’s Innovation Fund at Georgia Tech and the Academic Venture Fund for Sustainability Research.

Publications đź“š