Poloju Kiran Kumar | Structural Engineering | Best Academic Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Dr. Poloju Kiran Kumar | Structural Engineering | Best Academic Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer | Middle East College | Oman

Dr. Poloju Kiran Kumar is a distinguished researcher and academician in civil and environmental engineering, presently serving as Senior Lecturer at Middle East College, Muscat, Oman, and Committee Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Oman region. With over thirteen years of academic and research experience, his expertise encompasses structural engineering, sustainable construction materials, and advanced geopolymer concrete technology. Dr. Kiran has authored more than 80 research papers in Web of Science and Scopus-indexed journals and contributed eight book chapters published by Springer, Taylor & Francis, and Nova Publishers. His research achievements include five patents in India and Oman focusing on innovative sustainable concrete materials and artificial intelligence applications in structural performance analysis. He has successfully completed four externally funded research projects worth 16,000 OMR from The Research Council of Oman and leads collaborative projects with Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. His scholarly influence is reflected through over 250 Google Scholar citations with an h-index of 12. Dr. Kiran’s academic leadership is evident in his role in program accreditation, quality assurance, and development of modern teaching pedagogies integrating digital tools. His commitment to sustainable construction and community engagement has earned multiple accolades, including four Best Academic Staff Awards, the INSO Young Scientist Award (2022), and recognition as ICE Oman’s Committee Member (2025). A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK), Dr. Kiran has delivered numerous keynote lectures and workshops across Oman, India, and beyond on geopolymer concrete, sustainable infrastructure, and pedagogical innovation. His research contributes significantly to the advancement of low-carbon construction technologies, enhancing environmental resilience and promoting sustainable development in alignment with global engineering goals.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar
Publications:

Poloju, R. K. M. K., & Anil, V. (2017). Properties of concrete as influenced by shape and texture of fine aggregate. American Journal of Applied Scientific Research, 3(3), 28–36.
(Cited by: 22)

Poloju, K. K., & Srinivasu, K. (2021). Impact of GGBS and strength ratio on mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete under ambient curing and oven curing. Materials Today: Proceedings, 42, 962–968. 
(Cited by: 60)

Rollakanti, C. R., Prasad, C. V. S. R., Poloju, K. K., Al Muharbi, N. M. J., & Arun, Y. V. (2021). An experimental investigation on mechanical properties of concrete by partial replacement of cement with wood ash and fine sea shell powder. Materials Today: Proceedings, 43, 1325–1330. 
(Cited by: 56)

Poloju, V. R. K. K., & Naidu, [First initial unavailable]. (2022). New method of data collection using the Kobo Toolbox. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 1527–1535.
(Cited by: 39)

Al Abri, S. A. S., Rollakanti, C. R., Poloju, K. K., & Joe, A. (2022). Experimental study on mechanical properties of concrete by partial replacement of cement with eggshell powder for sustainable construction. Materials Today: Proceedings, 65, 1660–1665. 
(Cited by: 25)

Changbai Wang | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Dr. Changbai Wang | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Vice-Dean | Anhui University of Science and Technology | China

Dr. Changbai Wang, affiliated with Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China, is a distinguished researcher recognized for his significant contributions to the field of construction materials and sustainable concrete technologies. With a robust publication record of 20 scholarly documents, his research has achieved over 343 citations across 326 documents, reflecting a notable h-index of 10, underscoring the consistent quality and influence of his academic work. Dr. Wang’s research primarily focuses on high-performance concrete (HPC), internal curing mechanisms, and the innovative utilization of industrial by-products, particularly coal gangue aggregates, to enhance the sustainability and performance of civil engineering materials. His recent works, such as studies on pore-regulated coal aggregates and self-compacting tunnel concrete, demonstrate his commitment to advancing environmentally responsible construction practices. Collaborating with over 40 co-authors, he has fostered interdisciplinary partnerships that bridge material science, civil engineering, and environmental sustainability. Through his extensive research collaborations, Dr. Wang contributes to the global discourse on low-carbon construction, emphasizing circular economy principles and resource optimization in infrastructure development. His scholarly influence extends beyond academia, as his findings have practical implications for industries aiming to reduce ecological footprints while maintaining material performance. The societal impact of his work lies in promoting sustainable material innovation aligned with modern infrastructure needs. With ongoing projects and emerging studies in high-performance concrete applications, Dr. Wang demonstrates strong potential for further breakthroughs in green construction materials and structural durability research. His academic trajectory and commitment to addressing global environmental challenges position him as a key contributor to the future of sustainable construction and materials engineering.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID
Featured Publications:

  • Updated internal curing for HPC using pore-regulated coal aggregates. Case Studies in Construction Materials.

  • Internal curing for tunnel self-compacting concrete using pre-soaked coal gangue: A promising way for spot utilization of coal gangue. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology Transactions of Civil Engineering.

Max Barillas | Computational Mechanics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Mr. Max Barillas | Computational Mechanics | Best Researcher Award

PhD Researcher | Centre Internacional de Metodes Numerics en Enginyeria | Spain

Mr. Max Barillas is a dedicated researcher specializing in computational and mechanical engineering with a strong focus on data-driven modeling and materials design. Currently serving as a Predoctoral Researcher at the Centre Internacional de Mètodes Numèrics en Enginyeria (CIMNE) in Barcelona, Max contributes to advancing numerical and computational methods for solving complex engineering problems. His academic trajectory includes a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University and ongoing doctoral research in Civil Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Max’s work demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach that merges computational mechanics, materials science, and applied mathematics. His notable research includes the development of non-intrusive, data-driven methodologies for addressing inverse problems in bending dielectric elastomer actuators, emphasizing efficiency and accuracy in modeling soft robotic systems. Additionally, he has contributed to the design of low-porosity auxetic tessellations aimed at reducing mechanical stress concentrations, a study that supports innovations in lightweight and flexible materials. Through these investigations, Max explores the intersection of structural optimization and smart materials, striving to enhance mechanical performance and adaptability. His research reflects a commitment to bridging theoretical frameworks with real-world applications in advanced materials and engineering design. Overall, Max Barillas’s scholarly contributions highlight a forward-thinking perspective within computational mechanics, focusing on leveraging mathematical modeling and numerical analysis to address modern challenges in material behavior and structural engineering, reinforcing his role as an emerging expert in the field of computational and mechanical sciences.

Profile: ORCID
Fearuted Publications:

Barillas, M., Ortigosa, R., Martinez-Frutos, J., Bonet, J., & García-González, A. (2026). Design of low-porosity auxetic tessellations with reduced mechanical stress concentrations. Applied Mathematical Modelling.