Ms Lara Pörtner | Data Management | Best Researcher Award |

Ms. Lara Pörtner | Data Management | Best Researcher Award | 

PhD Student , at Université Grenoble Alpes, Germany.

Lara Pörtner is a researcher and industry expert specializing in digital strategy, data analytics, and industrial engineering. With a strong academic foundation and professional experience in master data governance, she bridges the gap between research and real-world applications. Fluent in multiple languages, she has worked on international projects in data strategy, innovation management, and digital transformation.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Lara is currently pursuing a PhD in Digital Strategy at Université Grenoble Alpes, France (2022–2025), where she focuses on developing customer-specific reference models for optimizing data strategies using maturity analysis methods. She holds a double master’s degree (M.Sc. Industrial Engineering and Management) from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany, and Institute National Polytechnique Grenoble (G-INP), France, with a specialization in innovation management, digitalization, and automotive engineering. Her academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management from KIT (2016–2020), where she built expertise in supply chain management, strategy, and organization.

Professional Experience 💼

Lara has held multiple roles in leading organizations across data & analytics, digital transformation, and strategy consulting. She started her career as an intern and working student in Master Data Management at cbs Corporate Business Solutions (2020–2021), where she supported SAP MDG system implementations. She later joined CAMELOT Management Consultants AG (2022–2024) as a Senior Consultant, contributing to SAP MDG BP implementation, process design, user training, and data strategy assessments. Currently, she is a Senior Associate in Data & Analytics at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Munich (2025–present), focusing on enterprise-wide digital strategy initiatives. Her industry experience is complemented by her early research work as a Student Assistant at wbk Institute of Production Tech., Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (2020), and an internship in Strategy & Innovation Management at Lufthansa Cargo AG (2018).

Research Interests 🌍

Her research primarily revolves around digital strategy, data analytics, and master data governance. She works on designing advanced methodologies for data maturity assessment, enabling organizations to optimize data-driven decision-making. Her work integrates elements of machine learning, enterprise data management, and business process optimization, contributing to the evolution of digital transformation frameworks.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Lara has received several prestigious recognitions, including the DLR Graduate Program (2022–2024), demonstrating her involvement in high-impact research. She was selected for the Accenture Female Talent Program (2021), highlighting her leadership potential in the tech and consulting space. Early in her academic career, she secured 2nd place in the Jugend Forscht competition (2016), showcasing her research abilities. She also holds professional certifications such as SCRUM Master, SAFe 6 Agilist, and LEAN Basic Certificate.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Title: Data Literacy Assessment – Measuring Data Literacy Competencies to Leverage Data-Driven Organizations
Authors: Lara Pörtner, Andreas Riel, Vivian Klaassen, Dilara Sezgin, Ysaline Kievits
Citations: 0

Conclusion

Lara Pörtner has an impressive profile with a strong academic foundation, industry research experience, and technical expertise in data strategy and analytics. If the award prioritizes applied research, digital strategy, and industry impact, she is a strong candidate. However, if the focus is on academic publications and fundamental research contributions, she may need to enhance her research output to improve her chances.

Prof. Dr Jozef Ristvej | Security Sciences | Best Researcher Award |

Prof. Dr. Jozef Ristvej | Security Sciences | Best Researcher Award | 

Professor, at University of Žilina, Slovakia.

Prof. Dr. Jozef Ristvej is a distinguished researcher and academic in crisis management, specializing in disaster risk assessment, decision-making support systems, and security engineering. Currently serving as a Full Professor at the Department of Crisis Management, Faculty of Security Engineering, University of Žilina, Slovakia, he is also the Vice-Rector for International Relations and Marketing. With extensive international experience, he has been a Visiting Scholar at UC Berkeley, USA, and has collaborated with leading institutions worldwide. His work integrates technology, policy, and emergency response strategies to enhance crisis preparedness and resilience.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

Education 🎓

Prof. Ristvej holds a Ph.D. in Crisis Management from the University of Žilina, where he focused on the economic impacts of disasters. His academic journey includes research stays at renowned institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh (USA), Tilburg University (Netherlands), and Linköpings University (Sweden). He has also participated in prestigious international programs, including the ISCRAM-TIEMS Summer School on Global Disaster Risks and Humanitarian Assistance.

Professional Experience 💼

Prof. Ristvej has held several key academic and administrative positions:

Vice-Rector for International Relations and Marketing at the University of Žilina (2014–present).

Full Professor in Crisis Management at the Faculty of Security Engineering, University of Žilina (2019–present).

Visiting Scholar at UC Berkeley, USA (2024), focusing on catastrophic risk management.

Research Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, USA (2010), working on decision-making support systems.

Erasmus Scholar at Linköpings University, Sweden (2003), studying European integration.

Research Interests 🌍

His research primarily revolves around crisis management, disaster risk assessment, decision-making support systems, security engineering, and information systems for emergency response. Prof. Ristvej has contributed to the development of frameworks that improve risk analysis, crisis preparedness, and the integration of technology in disaster response. His work has significant implications for both government policies and private sector risk management strategies.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Throughout his career, Prof. Ristvej has been recognized for his contributions to crisis management and security studies. He has been a key member of Slovak delegations at the UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris and international science fairs in the USA. His leadership in organizing international conferences and academic events has further solidified his reputation as a leading researcher in the field.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Smart city, safety and security – M. Lacinák, J. Ristvej (Citations: 292, Published: 2017, Procedia Engineering 192, 522-527)

On smart city and safe city concepts – J. Ristvej, M. Lacinák, R. Ondrejka (Citations: 124, Published: 2020, Mobile Networks and Applications 25, 836-845)

Data mining and machine learning in the context of disaster and crisis management – A. T. Zagorecki, D. E. A. Johnson, J. Ristvej (Citations: 82, Published: 2013, International Journal of Emergency Management 9 (4), 351-365)

Assessing importance of disaster preparedness factors for sustainable disaster risk management: The case of the Slovak Republic – M. Titko, J. Ristvej (Citations: 58, Published: 2020, Sustainability 12 (21), 9121)

Critical infrastructure protection systems effectiveness evaluation – T. Lovecek, J. Ristvej, L. Simak (Citations: 52, Published: 2010, Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management 7 (1))

Conclusion

With his extensive expertise, international collaborations, and impactful research in crisis management, Prof. Dr. Jozef Ristvej is a respected scholar in his field. His dedication to advancing risk assessment, security engineering, and decision-making systems has made significant contributions to both academia and real-world crisis response strategies.