EDUCATION
Ph.D.: Information Systems and Technology, University of Phoenix, USA (2013)
MBA: Information Systems, Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch (IUKB), Switzerland (2009)
M.Sc.: Computer Science (Applications), Osmania University, India (2001)
PG Certificate: Information Technology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom (2013)
B.Sc.: Computer Science, Andhra University, India (1998)
AREAS OF INTEREST
Research: Information Technology Risk Management, Agricultural Information Systems, Machine Learning, Data Science, Technology Acceptance, Knowledge Sharing & Impact of Culture, eCommerce & eBusiness, Big Data Analytics
Teaching: Programming, Databases, Mobile Application Development
EXPERIENCE
Academic Experience
University of New York Tirana (AL), Computer Science Department, Associate Professor (2020- Current)
American University of Nigeria (NG), School of IT and Computing, Chair of Computer Science and Software Engineering Programs and Assistant Professor (2016 -2020)
University of New York Tirana (AL), Computer Science Department, Assistant Professor (2006-2016)
Online Instructor (UK) Recognized Teacher – Graduate Program at the University of Roehampton (2015-2019)
Administrative Experience
University of New York Tirana, Program Director, M.Sc. in Computer Science Program (2021-2022)
University of New York Tirana, Chair of Telecommunication and Network Engineering (2020-2021)
American University of Nigeria, Chair of Computer Science and Software Engineering (2016 – 2020)
University of New York Tirana, Program Director, M.Sc. in Computer Science Program (offered in association with University of Greenwich, UK) (2009-2016)
Professional Experience
Senior Non-Key Expert (NKE) ICT Training on Python (ICT-T-Python). European Union (EU) funded Project managed by EU office in Kosovo – EU support for the Competitiveness of Kosovo’s ICT sector (2021-2022).
Junior Non-Key Expert (NKE) ICT Training on Java (ICT-T-Java). European Union (EU) funded Project managed by EU office in Kosovo – EU support for the Competitiveness of Kosovo’s ICT sector (2021-2022).
Project Manager – IT & IS Research, WWW(W3) Research (2013-to date), St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, USA.
IT Consultant, Nebula, Tirana, Albania (2021-to date).
Associate Consultant for Protech Albania, (2013-to date)
IT Consultant, Inovacion Albania, Tirana, Albania (2014-2019).
Adriatinn IPA Project, Team Member (2013-2016),
Director – IT Analytics, WWW(W3) Research (2010-2013), St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, USA.
RESEARCH OUTPUTS
Refereed Journal Articles
Muhammad, M.Y., Fonkam, M., Thandekkattu, S.G., Rakshit, S. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2023). Comparative Analysis of Bit-Parallel String Pattern Matching Algorithms for Biological Sequences. Operational Research in Engineering Sciences: Theory and Applications, Volume 6, Issue 1, pp. 322-331. Indexed in Scopus. Link: https://oresta.org/article-view/?id=554
Strang, K.D. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2023). Empirical Study of Exporting a University Curriculum: Is It Successful, Is It Profitable, and Is Student Learning Effective? International Journal of Curriculum Development and Learning Measurement (IJCDLM). 4(1). DOI: 10.4018/IJCDLM.318120. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-curriculum-development-learning/229386
Strang, K.D. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2023). Mining Project Failure Indicators from Big Data Using Machine Learning Mixed Methods. International Journal of Information Technology Project Management (IJITPM), 14(1), 1-24. DOI: 10.4018/IJITPM.317221. Indexed in SCOPUS, Web of Science Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), INSPEC, DBLP, and UGC-CARE. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/article/mining-project-failure-indicators-from-big-data-using-machine-learning-mixed-methods/317221
Strang, K.D. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2022). Testing risk management decision making competency of project managers in a crisis. The Journal of Modern Project Management, 10(1), 52–71. Indexed in Scopus. Link: https://journalmodernpm.com/index.php/jmpm/article/view/JMPM02904
Strang, K.D. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2022). How bias impacted the project manager’s decision to not terminate a failing project? 13(1). International Journal of Information Technology Project Management (IJITPM). Indexed in SCOPUS, Web of Science Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), INSPEC, DBLP, and UGC-CARE. DOI: 10.4018/IJITPM.304059. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/article/how-bias-impacted-the-project-manager-decision-to-not-terminate-a-failing-project/304059
Vajjhala, N.R. & Strang, K.D. (2022 – in press). Impact of Information Communication Technologies Strategies on Learning Effectiveness. International Journal of Online Pedagogy and Course Design (IJOPCD). Volume 12, Issue Not Allocated. Indexed in Web of Science Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), SCOPUS, INSPEC, DBLP, and UGC-CARE. Scopus Cite Score – 1.1 Link: https://www.igi-global.com/article/impact-of-information-communication-technology-strategies-on-learning-effectiveness/292026
Potluri, R.M. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). Risks in Adoption and Implementation of Big Data Analytics: A Case of Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). International Journal of Risk and Contingency Management (IJRCM) 10(3). IGI Publishers. Indexed in Cabell’s and ACM Digital Library. ISSN: 2160-9624. Link: http://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-risk-contingency-management/53135
Strang, K.D., Che, F., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). Thematic Analysis of Agricultural Government Policy and Operational Problems. Agricultural Research (Springer Journal). Volume 10, Issue 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-021-00588-2. Springer. Indexed in Scopus, SCImago, and Web of Science Emerging Sources Citation Index. Scopus Cite Score – 1.6
Che, F., Strang, K.D. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). Using Experiential Learning to Improve Student Attitude and Learning Quality in Software Engineering Education. International Journal of Innovative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (IJITLHE). Volume 2, Issue 1. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-innovative-teaching-learning/217719
Che, F., Strang, K.D., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2020). Voice of farmers in the agriculture crisis in North-East Nigeria: Focus group insights from extension workers. International Journal of Development Issues. Volume 19, Issue 1, pp. 43-61. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDI-08-2019-0136. Emerald Insight. Indexed in Scopus, Cabell’s and Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC), Journal Quality List – C. Won Outstanding Paper in the 2021 Emerald Literati Awards. Scopus CiteScore – 0.9 (2020) and 1.2 (2021).
Strang, K.D. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2020). Predictors of e-service consumption in a highly productive Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa region sample. International Journal of E-Services and Mobile Applications (IJESMA). Volume 12 Issue 1, pp. 39-56. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-services-mobile-applications/1114 Indexed in Scopus and DBLP. Scopus Cite Score: 1.9.
Books and Book Chapters
Vajjhala, N.R. & Strang, K.D. (2023). Cybersecurity for Decision Makers. Routledge CRC Press – Taylor & Francis. Indexed in Scopus. ISBN 9781032334974. DOI: 10.1201/9781003319887. Link: https://www.routledge.com/Cybersecurity-for-Decision-Makers/Vajjhala-Strang/p/book/9781032334974
Strang, K.D. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2023). Why Cyberattacks Disrupt Society and How to Mitigate Risk. Cybersecurity for Decision Makers. Indexed in Scopus. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003319887
Vajjhala, N.R. and Eappen, P. (2023). The Role of 5G Networks in Healthcare Applications. In: Ambar Bajpai and Arun Balodi (Eds.). Applications of 5G and Beyond in Smart Cities. CRC Press. Indexed in Scopus. ISBN 9781032131429. https://www.routledge.com/Applications-of-5G-and-Beyond-in-Smart-Cities/Bajpai-Balodi/p/book/9781032131429
Olaniyan, R., Rakshit, S., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2023). Application of User and Entity Behavioral Analytics (UEBA) in the Detection of Cyber Threats and Vulnerabilities Management. In: Prasenjit Chatterjee et al. (Eds). Computational Intelligence for Engineering and Management Applications. Vol. 984. Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering. Indexed in Scopus. ISBN: 978-981-19-8492-1. 10.1007/978-981-19-8493-8. Link: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-19-8493-8_32
Biba, M. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2022). Machine Learning for Metabolic Networks Modelling: A State-of-the-Art Survey. In: Roy, S.S., Taguchi, YH. (eds) Handbook of Machine Learning Applications for Genomics. Studies in Big Data, vol 103. Springer, Singapore. Indexed in SCOPUS, EI Compendex, SCIMAGO and zbMATH. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9158-4_10
Biba, M. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2022). Statistical Relational Learning for Genomics Applications: A State-of-the-Art Review. In: Roy, S.S., Taguchi, YH. (eds) Handbook of Machine Learning Applications for Genomics. Studies in Big Data, vol 103. Springer, Singapore. Indexed in SCOPUS, EI Compendex, SCIMAGO and zbMATH. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9158-4_3
Muhammad, M.Y., Thandekkattu, S.G., Rakshit, S., Vajjhala, N.R. (2022). Efficient Structural Matching for RNA Secondary Structure Using Bit-Parallelism. In: Satyanarayana, C., Samanta, D., Gao, XZ., Kapoor, R.K. (eds) High Performance Computing and Networking. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol 853. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9885-9_33
Vajjhala, N.R. & Eappen, P. (2022). Health Informatics and Patient Safety in Times of Crisis. IGI Publications. Indexed in Scopus. ISBN13: 9781668454992. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-5499-2 Link: https://www.igi-global.com/book/health-informatics-patient-safety-times/295984
Potluri, R.M. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2022). Advancing SMEs Toward E-Commerce Policies for Sustainability. IGI Publications. Indexed in Scopus. ISBN13: 9781668457276. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-5727-6. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/book/advancing-smes-toward-commerce-policies/297028
Vajjhala, N.R. & Strang, K.D. (2022). Global Risk and Contingency Management Research in Times of Crisis. IGI Publications. ISBN13: 9781668452790. Indexed in Scopus. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-5279-0. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/book/global-risk-contingency-management-research/294858
Che, F., Strang, K.D., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2020). Opportunities and Strategic Use of Agribusiness Information Systems. IGI Publications. ISBN13: 9781799848493. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-4849-3. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/book/opportunities-strategic-use-agribusiness-information/244594
Biba, M. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). Machine Learning for Metabolic Networks Modelling: A State-of-the-Art Survey. Handbook of Machine Learning Applications for Genomics, Springer Nature.
Biba, M. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). Statistical Relational Learning for Genomics Applications: A State-of-the-Art Review. Handbook of Machine Learning Applications for Genomics, Springer Nature.
Strang, K.D., Che, F., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). Ideologies and Issues for Teaching Blockchain Cybersecurity in Management and Computer Science. In Daimi, K. & Guillermo A. F. (Eds.), Innovation in Cybersecurity Education. Springer Nature. ISBN: 978-3-030-50243-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50244-7_7
Vajjhala, N.R. (2020). Introduction to Agricultural Information Systems. Opportunities and Strategic Use of Agribusiness Information Systems. IGI Publications. ISBN13: 9781799848493. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-4849-3. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/book/opportunities-strategic-use-agribusiness-information/244594
Potluri, R.M. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2020). Grounded Theory Study on Assessment of E-Readiness Challenges of Farmers and Extension Workers in North-East Nigeria. Opportunities and Strategic Use of Agribusiness Information Systems. IGI Publications. ISBN13: 9781799848493. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-4849-3. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/book/opportunities-strategic-use-agribusiness-information/244594
Strang, K.D., Che, F., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2020). Agriculture Business Problems: Analysis of Research and Probable Solutions in Africa. Opportunities and Strategic Use of Agribusiness Information Systems. IGI Publications. ISBN13: 9781799848493. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-4849-3. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/book/opportunities-strategic-use-agribusiness-information/244594
Vajjhala, N.R., Strang, K.D., & Bitrus, N.S. (2020). Contemporary Usage of Farm Management Information Systems in Nigeria. In Yildiz (Ed.), Recent Developments in Individual and Organizational Adoption of ICTs. IGI Publications. Link: https://www.igi-global.com/publish/call-for-papers/call-details/4292
Refereed Conference Presentations
Vajjhala, N.R. & Thandekkattu, S.G. (2023). Machine Learning in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Knowledge Management: An Overview of the Latest Trends. 9th International Conference Computers, Management & Mathematical Sciences (ICCM) 2023. 24th-25th August 2023. North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) India. Proceedings to be published in Springer Proceedings in Mathematics and Sciences (PROMS) indexed in SCOPUS, WoS, and DBLP.
Vajjhala, N.R. (2023). Exploratory Review of Applications of Machine Learning for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). 2nd International Conference on Human Centric Smart Computing (ICHCSC 2023). 5th-6th July 2023. University of Engineering & Management, Jaipur, India. Proceedings to be published in Springer Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies (SIST) indexed in SCOPUS, WoS, and DBLP.
Vajjhala, N.R., & Eappen, P. (2023). An Exploratory Review of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Applications in Healthcare Management. 3rd International Conference on Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics (ICMLBDA) 2023, 29-30 May 2023, National Institute of Technology, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Proceedings to be published in SCOPUS indexed Springer PROMS.
Vajjhala, N.R. (2023). An Exploratory Analysis of Cloud Security Models in Social Networks. 4th International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Social Networking (ICPCSN 2024), 3-4, May 2024, Salem, India. Proceedings to be published in IEEE Explore.
Strang, K.D., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2023). Analysis of University Engineering Program Skill Effectiveness in Research & Development Companies. VII IEEE World Engineering Education Conference (EDUNINE2023). March 12 to 15, 2023. Bogotá, Colombia. The annual conference of the IEEE Education Society was organized jointly with COPEC for Region 9 (Latin America). Link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10102861
Vajjhala, N.R., & Strang, K.D. (2023). Virus Symptoms Prediction: Role of Machine Learning in Supporting Healthcare Informatics. In: Kumar, S., Hiranwal, S., Purohit, S., Prasad, M. (eds) Proceedings of International Conference on Communication and Computational Technologies. ICCCT 2023 – January 28-29, 2023, Jaipur, India. Algorithms for Intelligent Systems. Springer, Singapore. Indexed in Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3485-0_1
Strang, K.D. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2022). Applying Machine Learning Methods to Understand Unstructured Information System Big Data. CISTI’2022 – 17th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies. 22-25 June 2022. Madrid, Spain. Proceedings indexed in IEEE Xplore Digital Library, Scopus, EI, INSPEC. Link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9820116
Vajjhala, N.R. & Strang, K.D. (2022). Finding Significant Project Issues with Machine Learning. 2nd International Conference on Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics (ICMLBDA) 2022. 29-30 March 2022. Patna, India. Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics. ISBN: 978-3-031-15174-3. Springer Proceedings in Mathematics & Statistics (PROMS Vol 401). Indexed in ISI Conference Proceedings Citation Index, Scopus, and DBLP. Link: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-15175-0_2
Vajjhala, N.R. & Strang, K.D. (2022). Impact of Individual Decision-Making Factors on Project Failure. 15th IADIS International Conference Information Systems 2022. 12-14th March, 2022. Lisbon, Portugal. Conference Proceedings indexed in Scopus, Thomson Reuters, and IET Inspec. Link: https://www.iadisportal.org/digital-library/impact-of-individual-decision-making-factors-on-project-failure
Ayem, G.T., Thandekkattu, S.G., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2022). Adopting a Blockchain-based Algorithmic Model for Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR) in Nigeria.2nd International Conference on Next Generation of Internet of Things (ICNGIoT-2022). 03 – 04 February 2022. Orissa, India. In: Kumar, R., Pattnaik, P.K., R. S. Tavares, J.M. (eds) Next Generation of Internet of Things. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 445. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-1412-6_14 Indexed by SCOPUS.
Tafa, I. & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). Exploratory review of privacy and security issues in the deployment of 5G Networks, The 1st International Conference on Information Technologies and Educational Engineering (ICITEE 2021). 19 – 20 November, 2021, Tirana, Albania. Published in CEUR Workshop Proceedings, ISSN: 1613-0073.
Sun, Z., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). Responsible for Big Data Analytics for e-Business Services. The 5th International Conference on Big Data Research (ICBDR 2021). Sep. 25-27. Published by ACM conference proceedings, ISBN: 978-1-4503-8775-0. Indexed by Scopus, EI. Link: http://www.icbdr.org/
Maa, C.D., Garba, N., Thandekkattu, S.G., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). A Semantic-Based Input Model for Patient Symptoms Elicitation for Breast Cancer Expert System. 2nd International Conference on Intelligent and Cloud Computing (ICICC-2021) (Springer). 22-23 October 2021. Bhubaneswar, India.
Imoh, N., Vajjhala, N.R., & Rakshit, S. (2021). Experimental Face Recognition System using Deep Learning Approaches. 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computer Engineering & Communication Systems (ICACECS 2021) (Springer), August 13-14, 2021, Hyderabad, India.
Biba, M., Vajjhala, N.R., & Rakshit, S. (2021). A State-of-the-Art Survey on Deep Learning Methods and Applications in Bioinformatics. 2nd International Conference on Advanced Computing and Applications (ICACA-2021). Advs in Intelligent Syst., Computing, Vol. 1406, JyotsnaKumar Mandal et al. (Eds): Proceedings of International Conference on Advanced Computing Applications, 978-981-16-5206-6, 511538_1_En. Springer. Organised by CSI Kolkata Chapter, India. Link: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789811652066
Strang, K.D., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2021). Impact of Vocational Motivation for Teaching ICT Online During COVID-19 Pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. IEEE – IST-Africa 2021 (Co-Sponsored by IEEE Education Society, IEEE TEMS, IEEE Africa Council). 10-14 May 2021. Electronic ISSN: 2576-8581, Electronic ISBN:978-1-905824-67-0. p. 1-10. Link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9576989
Che, F., Vajjhala, N.R., & Strang, K.D. (2021). Perceived Student Learning, Attitudes and Experiential Learning in Software Engineering Education. V IEEE World Conference on Engineering Education (EDUNINE 2021). March 14 to 17, 2021. Universidad Galileo, Guatemala. The annual conference of the IEEE Education Society was organized jointly with COPEC for Region 9 (Latin America). DOI: 10.1109/EDUNINE51952.2021.9429095. ISBN: 978-1-6654-0302-3
Ikponmwosa, A., Rakshit, S., Vajjhala, N.R., & Longe, O.B. (2021). Examining Data Mining Classification Techniques for Predicting Early Childhood Development in Nigeria. International Conference on Data Science and Management – ICDSM 2021. February 19-20, 2021, Bhubaneswar, India.
Editorship
Editor-in-Chief (EiC), International Journal of Risk and Contingency Management (IJRCM). https://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-risk-contingency-management/53135
Guest Associate Editor – Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Consumer Behavior Analysis – AI in Business Section, Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence Journal. Indexed in PubMed Central (PMC), Scopus, Google Scholar, DOAJ, CrossRef, Digital Biography & Library Project (dblp), Web of Science Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI). Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/44173/artificial-intelligence-techniques-for-consumer-behavior-analysis
Senior Editorial Board Member – Journal for Information Systems Education, ISSN#: 1055-3096 (print) 2574-3872 (online). Indexed in Scopus, ERA and ABDC. https://jise.org/edteam.html
AWARDS AND HONORS
2023: Best Paper Award for the paper titled “Machine Learning in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Knowledge Management: An Overview of the Latest Trends”. 9th International Conference Computers, Management & Mathematical Sciences (ICCM) 2023, 24-25 May 2023, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), India. Proceedings to be published in SCOPUS indexed Springer PROMS.
2023: Best Researcher Award (2023) for the academic year 2022-2023. University of New York Tirana, Tirana, Albania.
2023: Best Paper Award for the paper titled “An Exploratory Review of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Applications in Healthcare Management”. 3rd International Conference on Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics (ICMLBDA) 2023, 29-30 May 2023, National Institute of Technology, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Proceedings to be published in SCOPUS indexed Springer PROMS.
2021: Outstanding Paper Award in the 2021 Emerald Literati Awards – Che, F., Strang, K.D., & Vajjhala, N.R. (2020). Voice of farmers in the agriculture crisis in North-East Nigeria: Focus group insights from extension workers. International Journal of Development Issues
2021: Best Paper Award for the paper titled “Examining Data Mining Classification Techniques for Predicting Early Childhood Development in Nigeria”. International Conference on Data Science and Management – ICDSM 2021. February 19-20, 2021, Bhubaneswar, India.
2018: Best Paper Award for the paper titled “An Exploratory Study on the Efficacy of Big Data Analytics to Indian SMEs”. International Conference on Business and Economics – ICBE.
2017: Best Paper Award – Distinguished Research Awards at the 2017 International Conference on Business and Economics and 12th International Conference of Korea Distribution Science Association (KODISA), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
2016: University of Phoenix – School of Advanced Studies (SAS) Research Award Program 2016 – one of the top 4 applicants selected for this award program.
2013: Doctoral Research Assistantship Scholarship, University of Phoenix, 2012-2013 – one of the top 5 applicants selected for this scholarship.
2012: Best Professor of the Year Award for the Academic year 2011-2012, University of New York Tirana, Tirana, Albania.
