ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Prof. Umair Waheed
Umair bin Waheed is an Associate Professor of Geophysics and Program Leader for Data Analytics & AI at KFUPM. His research interests are broadly in the area of computational geosciences. Specifically, he is interested in automating and improving workflows through the use of smart algorithms for enhanced decision making in subsurface energy systems. Umair graduated from KAUST with a Ph.D. under the supervision of Tariq Alkhalifah in 2015. Prior to joining KFUPM in 2017, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Geosciences, Princeton University. Umair was the 2023 SEG Honorary Lecturer for Africa and Middle East on the topic of physics-informed machine learning. He also received the 2024 SEG Outstanding Educator Award.
Dr. Myeong-Jong Yi
Dr. Myeong-Jong Yi is Vice President of Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). He received his Ph.D. (2000) in applied geophysics from Seoul National University, Korea. He has over 30 years’ experience in the research for geophysical exploration technologies. His main expertise is the development 3-D subsurface imaging technology using electrical and electromagnetic methods. Therefore, his research interests are modelling and inversion of ERT, EM, and GPR data. Recent research is focused on the 4D inversion and airborne EM techniques. His research includes application of geophysical methods to the mineral resources exploration, geotechnical and environmental problems, and archaeology.
Ziqin Yu
Ziqin is a Head of Digital Solutions, EDA in Viridien. He has a decade of experience in geophysics, covering various regions and geology. Recently he focuses on digital transformation, and applying AI in the geoscience domain. He has driven multiple initiatives in bridging domain expertise and AI, particularly in applying Large Language Models in geoscience document processing and agentic flow.
Gyesoon Park
Gyesoon Park is Director of the GEO-Resources Convergence Knowledge Division at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). His main research areas include geophysical exploration, mineral exploration, and the integration of multi-geological data for resource evaluation. In his current role, he leads research and strategic initiatives focused on building a database of complex geoscience data and establishing a foundation for the utilization of artificial intelligence in the geoscience field. Previously, as Head of the Mineral Exploration and Mining Research Center at KIGAM, he gained extensive experience in domestic and overseas mineral exploration projects, particularly in Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
Reizky Azhar
Reizky Azhar is the Country Manager for Indonesia at Rock Flow Dynamics, where he supports the adoption of advanced reservoir modeling and simulation technologies through tNavigator. His professional focus includes reservoir engineering, integrated subsurface modeling and the application of digital technologies to improve decision-making. He actively involved in industry engagement and professional development, having served as Chairperson of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Java Indonesia Section for the 2024–2026 term. Reizky holds Master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB).
Dr. Haibin Di
Haibin Di is a Senior Data Scientist in Data & AI Platform at SLB. Since joining Schlumberger (now SLB) in 2018, he has been focusing on practical adoption of the state-of-the-art deep learning techniques into the subsurface domain to resolving various challenges in data processing, interpretation and integration. His current focus is on leading domain foundation model development, benchmarking and deployment.
Dr. Chao Song
Dr. Chao Song is a professor at Jilin University whose research focuses on scientific machine learning and seismic imaging methods. His work develops physics-informed and neural operator-based methods for wavefield simulation and inversion, with applications to large-scale subsurface imaging. He received the J. Clarence Karcher Award from SEG in 2024 and the Arie van Weelden Award from EAGE in 2025.
Prof. Yongchae Cho
Prof. Yongchae Cho is an Associate Professor in the Department of Energy Systems Engineering at Seoul National University. His research focuses on applied geophysics, seismic imaging and inversion, subsurface characterization, and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to energy and geoscience problems. Prior to joining Seoul National University, he worked as a Research Scientist at the SLB Geophysics Technology Center and Shell International Exploration & Production. His current work spans multiscale geophysical characterization, from rock and core-scale analysis to seismic interpretation and reservoir-scale modeling.
