Kristína Compelová | Materials Science and Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Kristína Compelová | Materials Science and Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Doctorand | Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava | Slovakia

Kristína Compelová is a dedicated early-career researcher specializing in inorganic technologies and materials within the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, where she is currently pursuing her PhD. With a strong background in chemical technologies and engineering, her academic progression from bachelor’s to doctoral studies reflects her deep commitment to advancing materials science research. She holds concurrent research assistant positions at both the Slovak University of Technology and the Institute of Construction and Architecture of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, demonstrating her active involvement in interdisciplinary research. Her work focuses on experimental investigations and material characterization through advanced analytical techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). She possesses expertise in data processing and interpretation using scientific software tools like Origin, and her research contributions aim to improve understanding of material behavior and structural performance in construction and industrial applications. Throughout her academic and research career, Compelová has contributed to collaborative projects bridging chemical and construction materials research, emphasizing innovation, environmental responsibility, and scientific rigor. Her analytical proficiency and methodical approach enable her to deliver precise experimental results and comprehensive data analyses that contribute to the broader objectives of sustainable material development. She has participated in several institutional research efforts that foster interdisciplinary collaboration and promote scientific advancement in Slovakia’s academic community. With a strong command of English and fundamental German proficiency, she actively engages with international literature and scientific discourse. Her evolving research profile positions her as a promising scientist with potential to make meaningful contributions to the fields of material science, environmental chemistry, and sustainable technologies, reinforcing her commitment to the advancement of applied chemical research and its societal impact.

Profile: Scopus
Publications:

Chloride and combined chemical attack of saline solutions on modified oil well cement pastes. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry.

Mr. Harish Kumar Srivastava | Decarbonization of Concrete | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Mr. Harish Kumar Srivastava | Decarbonization of Concrete | Best Researcher Award

Research Scholar | Maquarie University | Australia

Mr. Harish Kumar Srivastava is a distinguished professional in civil and structural engineering with over three decades of experience in leading multidisciplinary infrastructure projects across Australia, New Zealand, India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. His expertise lies in decarbonisation of concrete, maritime infrastructure, transport facilities, and sustainable engineering solutions. As Director Technical Maritime at Transport for NSW, he provides strategic leadership in innovation, sustainability integration, and technical risk mitigation for projects involving maritime assets, zero-emission bus depots, and transport facilities. His research focuses on low-carbon concrete development, incorporating recycled materials, ultra-high-performance concrete, and supplementary cementitious materials to reduce embodied carbon. Harish is actively engaged with SmartCrete CRC and MECLA, contributing to a nationwide effort on material decarbonisation. He has co-authored numerous publications addressing carbon reduction strategies, optimization of concrete mix design, and applications of AI and live digital twins for infrastructure asset management. His work extends to standard development with RISSB, PIANC, and TfNSW, promoting harmonized specifications and sustainable practices across the transport sector. Harish’s contributions reflect a deep commitment to advancing engineering innovation, resource efficiency, and climate-responsive infrastructure development.

Profile: ORCID 
Fearuted Publications:

Srivastava, H. K., Vimonsatit, V., & Clark, S. M. (2025). A systematic approach for selection of fit-for-purpose low-carbon concrete for various bridge elements to reduce the net embodied carbon of a bridge project. Infrastructures.

Srivastava, H. K. (2024). AS 7630 - Track classification. RISSB Standards Australia.

Srivastava, H. K. (2024). Decarbonisation of concrete – A systematic bottom-up approach. In Proceedings of BEI 2024.

Srivastava, H. K. (2024). Effects of supplementary cementitious materials on strength and design of precast concrete bridge elements and associated structures. In Proceedings of BEI 2024.

Srivastava, H. K. (2023). The decarbonisation of concrete – Alternative strategies. In Proceedings of AusRail Plus 2023.

Srivastava, H. K. (2023). Multi-objective optimization of calcination process fuel input for lowering carbon footprint. In Proceedings of Concrete 2023.

Ghizlane Moutaoukil | Sustainable construction materials | Eco-friendly Construction Practices Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Dr. Ghizlane Moutaoukil | Sustainable construction materials | Eco-friendly Construction Practices Award

Postdoctoral researcher | Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) | Spain

Dr. Ghizlane Moutaoukil is a distinguished researcher in materials chemistry and environmental science, specializing in the synthesis, characterization, and thermomechanical evaluation of sustainable construction materials. With a PhD jointly earned from Mohammed V University in Rabat and the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid, the research focuses on the development of dense and porous geopolymers derived from industrial waste. Extensive investigations cover the optimization of mechanical and microstructural properties of fly ash-based geopolymers, thermomechanical behavior, foaming processes, and the integration of radiative cooling functions in cementitious composites. As a postdoctoral researcher at the Centro de Fisica de Materiales (CSIC/UPV-EHU), Moutaoukil continues advancing sustainable materials for environmental and energy applications. The impressive publication record in journals such as Materials Letters, Advanced Science, and Construction and Building Materials reflects deep expertise in MAS NMR, FTIR, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. Patents and collaborative works, notably the “Modern Roman-Inspired Concrete with Daytime Radiative Cooling Capacity,” demonstrate innovative thinking bridging chemistry and civil engineering. Research also includes the mechanosynthesis of phosphate mine waste-based geopolymers and geochemical applications for pollution control. Proficiency in Arabic, French, English, and Spanish strengthens global collaboration capacity. Technical mastery extends to process engineering, corrosion studies, and rheological analysis, with strong computational and statistical design skills. Active participation in international conferences from Morocco to Spain and Turkey underscores commitment to interdisciplinary scientific exchange. Ghizlane Moutaoukil’s contributions—166 citations, 12 publications, and an h-index of 6—reflect consistent research excellence and growing global recognition, making Ghizlane Moutaoukil a promising leader in sustainable materials and environmental innovation.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID
Featured Publications:

Ghizlane Moutaoukil, Isabel Sobrados, & Jorge S. Dolado. (2025, October). Development of phosphate mine waste-based geopolymer by mechanosynthesis. Construction and Building Materials, 143573.

Jorge S. Dolado, Guido Goracci, Ghizlane Moutaoukil, Ridwan O. Agbaoye, Miguel Beruete, Alicia E. Torres‐García, Laura Carlosena, Achutha Prabhu, Jose A. Ibáñez, Nick Adams, et al. (2025, September 12). A modern Roman-inspired concrete with daytime radiative cooling capacity. Advanced Science.

Ghizlane Moutaoukil, Isabel Sobrados, H. Süleyman Gökçe, & Saliha Alehyen. (2025, June). Effect of thermal treatment, foaming and stabilizing agents on the synthesis of fly ash-based geopolymer foams using Raman spectroscopy and 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR. Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, 100257.

Ghizlane Moutaoukil, Isabel Sobrados, Saliha Alehyen, & M’hamed Taibi. (2024, May 16). Monitoring the geopolymerization reaction of geopolymer foams using 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR. Minerals, 14(5), 516.

Ghizlane Moutaoukil, Isabel Sobrados, Saliha Alehyen, & M’hamed Taibi. (2024, March). Understanding the thermomechanical behavior of geopolymer foams: Influence of rate and type of foaming agent and stabilizer. Chemical Data Collections, 101111.

Ghizlane Moutaoukil, Saliha Alehyen, Isabel Sobrados, & Amine El Mahdi Safhi. (2023, June). Effects of elevated temperature and activation solution content on microstructural and mechanical properties of fly ash-based geopolymer. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering.