ARMONK, N.Y., Aug.
16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Two IBM (NYSE: IBM)
researchers – Drs. Abdigani Diriye
and Fabian Menges – have been
recognized as honorees on the Innovators Under 35 list
released today by MIT Technology Review. For over a decade, the
global media company has recognized a list of exceptionally
talented technologists whose work has great potential to transform
the world.
The two scientists, from IBM's Research labs in Kenya and Switzerland, are focused on improving
financial access for all Africans and enhancing our understanding
of the thermal phenomena that occur in nanoscale structures and
devices.
- Dr. Abdigani Diriye is a scientist and a manager at IBM
Research - Africa in Nairobi and
he has been recognized as a visionary for his work. Diriye
leads the financial services research group, which is focused on
technologies to enable people in Africa to access financial services easily.
The team has recently developed and deployed a credit scoring
system, which is now giving millions of people access to
micro-loans through cellphone apps, including funds to meet medical
emergencies or to operate a small business. Diriye has also
launched an accelerator for startups in his native Somalia, which has ignited a community of
innovators, engineers, NGOs and private-sector companies who now
support and invest in the local startup tech scene.
- Dr. Fabian Menges is a post-doctoral researcher in the
materials integration & nanoscale devices group at IBM Research
in Zurich and he has been
recognized as a pioneer for his work. Menges' research
focuses on the experimental characterization of thermal energy
transfer and conversion processes in electronic devices. Recently,
Menges and his colleagues invented and patented a thermometer for
the nanoscale. The research was motivated by the challenge to
understand the thermophysical processes which occur at the scale of
individual transistors to support the development of novel
materials for energy harvesting and cognitive computing. Menges has
recently accepted the prestigious Branco Weiss Fellowship with
which he will continue his research at the University of Colorado in collaboration with
IBM.
This year's honorees are featured online at
www.technologyreview.com/lists/innovators-under-35 starting today,
and in the September/October print magazine, which hits newsstands
worldwide on August 29. They will
appear in person at the upcoming EmTech MIT conference November 6–9
in Cambridge, Massachusetts
(www.EmTechMIT.com).
About the List
The selection process begins with hundreds of nominations from
the public, MIT Technology Review editors, and international
partners who publish Innovators Under 35 lists in their regions.
The editors then trim the list to about 80 people, who submit
descriptions of their work and letters of reference. External
judges are brought in to rate the finalists on the originality and
impact of their work. Based on these ratings, the editors put
together a final list of honorees.
Find out more about the MIT Technology
Review: www.technologyreview.com
Join the conversation on Twitter @IBMResearch
Photos are available here:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/ibm_research_zurich/3Hr902
About IBM Research
IBM Research is a community of scientist and technical experts
dedicated to addressing some of the world's most complex problems
and challenging opportunities for the benefit of all. With more
than 3,000 researchers in 12 labs located across six continents,
our labs nurture some of the most innovative and creative thinkers
in the world. Our scientists are charting the future of artificial
intelligence, breakthroughs like quantum computing, how blockchain
will reshape the enterprise and much more. We are dedicated to
applying AI and science to industry challenges, and making
scientific breakthroughs that transform industries and society
About MIT Technology Review
Founded at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in
1899, MIT Technology Review is a digitally oriented
independent media company whose analysis, features, reviews,
interviews, and live events explain the commercial, social,
and political impact of new technologies. MIT Technology Review
readers are curious technology enthusiasts—a global audience of
business and thought leaders, innovators and early adopters,
entrepreneurs and investors. Every day, we provide an authoritative
filter for the flood of information about technology. We are
the first to report on a broad range of new technologies, informing
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Press Contact:
Christopher Sciacca
IBM Research – Zurich
Tel +41 44 724 84 43
cia@zurich.ibm.com
Christine Vu
IBM Research (US)
1 (914) 945-2755
vuch@us.ibm.com
For MIT Technology Review:
David W.M. Sweeney
617-475-8018
press@technologyreview.com
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SOURCE IBM