Kihwan Nam | Artificial Intelligence | Best Faculty Award

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.

đź§Ş 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

Khalifa Aliyu Ibrahim | Artificial Intelligence in Power Electronics Design | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Khalifa Aliyu Ibrahim | Artificial Intelligence in Power Electronics Design | Best Researcher Award

Khalifa Aliyu Ibrahim is a dedicated researcher and academic pursuing a PhD at Cranfield University, UK, specializing in AI-driven high-frequency power electronics design. With a strong foundation in physics and energy systems, he has extensive experience in research, teaching, and project management. His expertise spans power electronics, renewable energy, and AI applications in engineering. As a research assistant, he has contributed to innovative projects, collaborated with industry partners, and published in esteemed journals. A recipient of multiple prestigious scholarships, Khalifa is actively involved in professional societies such as IEEE, Energy Institute UK, and the Nigerian Institute of Physics. His leadership, technical proficiency, and commitment to advancing energy solutions position him as a key player in the field of power electronics and renewable energy.

Profile

Education 🎓

Khalifa holds a PhD (ongoing) in AI-driven high-frequency power electronics from Cranfield University, where he explores AI applications in power electronics design. He earned an MRes in Energy and Power from Cranfield University (2022-2023) and an MSc in Energy Systems & Thermal Processes (2020-2021), graduating with distinction. His research includes concentrated photovoltaic cooling and hydrogen generation systems. He completed a BSc in Physics at Kaduna State University (2013-2016), graduating as the only first-class student in his department. His undergraduate research focused on geological resistivity and solar irradiation effects on solar cells. He has published in reputable journals, showcasing his expertise in renewable energy and power electronics. Khalifa is an associate member of the Energy Institute UK and an active IEEE member, engaging in cutting-edge research on sustainable energy solutions.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Khalifa currently serves as a research assistant at Cranfield University, contributing to AI-driven power electronics research and mentoring MSc students. Previously, he lectured at Kaduna State University (2021-2022) and Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic (2020-2021), teaching physics and supervising student projects. His early career included a teaching and laboratory assistant role at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (2017-2018), where he led physics experiments and administrative tasks. He also gained industrial experience at Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, monitoring power plant operations. Additionally, he worked as an enumerator at Tripple Seventh Nigeria Ltd., mapping assets and conducting data analysis. His diverse experience spans academia, research, industry, and leadership roles, equipping him with a solid foundation in energy systems, AI applications, and power electronics innovation.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Khalifa has received multiple prestigious scholarships, including the Petroleum Technology Development Fund Scholarship (2021) worth ÂŁ31,000 and the Kaduna State Merit-Based Foreign Scholarship (2020) worth ÂŁ27,000. In 2014, he won a cash prize and a Certificate of Participation in the Nigeria Centenary Quiz Show. His outstanding academic achievements include graduating as the only first-class student in his physics department. He has also been recognized for his research contributions, publishing in esteemed journals and conferences. His leadership and excellence in academia and research have positioned him as a rising expert in AI-driven power electronics and renewable energy solutions.

Research Interests 🔬

Khalifa’s research focuses on integrating AI into high-frequency power electronics design to enhance efficiency and performance. His work explores AI-driven modeling, optimization of energy systems, and smart renewable energy solutions. He has contributed to studies on concentrated photovoltaic cooling, hydrogen generation, and floating solar wireless power transfer. His research also extends to machine learning applications in power electronics, climate change mitigation strategies, and sustainable energy transitions. Through his publications and collaborations, Khalifa aims to bridge the gap between AI and power systems, advancing the next generation of intelligent energy solutions. His work is pivotal in driving innovation in energy-efficient and AI-powered electronic systems.

PublicationsÂ