Dr. Katsriku, Ferdinand

Dr Ferdinand Apietu Katsriku enrolled on a five and half year degree program in the Computer Science Department of Kharkov Polytechnic Institute in 1983. He graduated in February 1989 obtaining an M. Eng with distinction in computer systems Engineering. In his final thesis he developed novel methods for the design of checking experiments for programmable logic devices. He was also awarded a diploma in Russian language education. In 1991 he joined the Physics department of the University of St Andrews, Scotland. There he worked under a world renowned physicist, Professor Wilson Sibbert, developing the first longitudinally discharged room temperature copper vapour laser. He was awarded an MSc in Laser Engineering and Pulsed Power Technology in August 1992 and admitted into the class of Associate Member of the then IEE, now IET. Dr Katsriku was awarded postgraduate certificate in education from King’s College London in 1996. He received a PhD in Information Engineering from City University London in 2000, for his work on the development of numerical study of second order nonlinear phenomenon of second harmonic generation.

On joining Middlesex University in 2001, Dr Katsriku was appointed programme Leader for the MSc Computer Networks, a highly successful programme attracting international students from India, Africa, Europe and China. He was also coordinator of MSc projects across the department. He has taught courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and supervised 3 PhD students to completion. He has also been invited to be an external examiner for PhD candidates at other universities as well as being an internal examiner. He has also chaired PhD examinations.

Since 1993 his research has focused on numerical computational methods pursuing opportunities for research, publication and funded consultancy. Major achievements over this period had been to develop a novel numerical method based on the powerful and versatile finite element method for the design and analysis of optical systems including a software package for analysis of anisotropic diffused optical planar and channel waveguides. He has also developed the finite element based beam propagation method for nonlinear optical one-dimensional and two-dimensional waveguides. This method was recently extended to the characterisation of wireless propagation channels. This was the first time the method had been used for wireless propagation modelling. Two papers presented at international conferences on this method were judged the best papers. He has also worked on spot size converters, second harmonic generation in multiple quantum wells and waveguide bends as well as quasi phase matching methods for nonlinear interactions.

Dr Katsriku has worked on many research projects and recently led a consortium of universities in Africa (including University of Ghana) and the UK to develop a research proposal on water quality monitoring. His current research interest is in wireless sensor networks and cognitive radio. He has also been looking into development of smart cities based on sensor networks.

He has over 20 refereed journal and conference papers. Many of the journals are ranked at A* and A in the ERA list. He is a technical Reviewer of EPSRC grants, technical Reviewer for major publishers, including, John Wiley, Elsevier, technical Reviewer for International Conference on Computer, Information and Telecommunication Systems. He has been invited to give talks at several UK academic institutions, including Surrey University and the University of Cambridge on Propagation Modelling.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Currently I am engaged in helping to develop postgraduate programs, MPhil and PhD for the computer science department of the University of Ghana. I am also providing research direction and focus for the department. The aim is to make the department more visible in terms of research. I pursue opportunities for research, publication and funded consultancy. I am currently looking at the possibility of employing the finite element beam propagation method to the study of wireless channels. Wireless channel characterisation is an important research area given the phenomenal growth in the use of mobile devices. The finite element method I had previously developed for optical waveguide characterisation is a powerful, accurate and versatile method, which had not been previously used in wireless channel characterisation. I undertake personal research and/or scholarly activity contributing to the School’s and University’s research profile. A number of conference papers have been published which outlined and proposed the use of the finite element method for wireless channel characterisation. Two of these papers were judged the best at the conferences.

I maintain and develop links and activities with professional bodies in related academic areas. I contribute to work on the establishment of collaborative links with industrial, commercial, public sector or voluntary organisations. I assist in strengthening and developing existing cross institutional collaborative links. I supervise students’ scholarship and research activities. My other research interest is in the areas of computer science education, knowledge based economies, smart cities and cognitive radio research.

Two major project grant proposals have been submitted on the use of sensor and wireless technology to provide safe drinking water for rural communities.

Publications:
Katsriku, F.A., Rahman, B.M.A. & Grattan, K.T.V.: “Finite Element Analysis of Second Harmonic Generation in AlGaAs Waveguides”. IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Vol. 36, pp.282 - 289. March 2000.
Kamran Arshad, Ferdinand Katsriku and Aboubaker Lasebae: "An investigation of Tropospheric Wave Propagation using FEM", WSEAS Transactions in Communications - November, 2005.
Kamran Arshad, Ferdinand Katsriku and Aboubaker Lasebae,. ”Effect of different parameters on attenuation rates in circular and arch tunnels”, PIERS ONLINE vol3 No 5 pp607-611 2007.
Kamran Arshad, F.A. Katsriku and Aboubaker Lasebae: “Modelling Obstructions in Straight and Curved Rectangular Tunnels by Finite Element Approach”, Journal of Electrical Engineering, Issue No. 1, Vol. 59, ISSN: 1335-3662, January 2008.
Kamran Arshad, Ferdinand Katsriku and Aboubaker Lasebae ”Modelling of Wave Propagation over Irregular Terrain using Finite Element Method”, WSEAS Transactions on signal Processing, Issue 11 Vol. 3, ISSN:1790-5022.
. G. Mapp, F. Katsriku, M. Aiash, et al., "Exploiting Location and Contextual Information to Develop a Comprehensive Framework for Proactive Handover in Heterogeneous Environments," Journal of Computer Networks and Communications vol. 2012, Article ID 748163, 17 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/748163.