Nikola Vavřínová | Low-carbon Wooden Building | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Ms. Nikola Vavřínová | Low-carbon Wooden Building | Young Scientist Award

Academician at VSB-TU Ostrava, Czech Republic

Dr. Nikola Vavřínová, a dedicated academic and researcher in Civil Engineering, is highly eligible for the Young Scientist Award. At 32 years old, she has already made significant contributions to sustainable construction, particularly in the development and thermal analysis of composite materials and energy-efficient building systems. Her active role as academic staff at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, along with leadership in multiple funded research projects, demonstrates her strong scientific potential. She has published extensively in international journals and presented at global conferences. In addition to research, she has shown excellence in teaching and mentoring students in both Czech and English. Her accolades, including awards from the dean and city scholarships, highlight her recognized achievements. With advanced technical skills and a growing international research presence, Dr. Vavřínová stands out as a promising young scientist whose work aligns with contemporary challenges in sustainable engineering. She is a deserving candidate for this prestigious award.

Professional Profile

Education🎓

Dr. Nikola Vavřínová has pursued a focused and progressive academic path in the field of Civil Engineering at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava. She began her higher education with a Bachelor’s degree (2012–2016) in Construction Preparation and Implementation, followed by a Master’s degree (2016–2018) in Industrial and Building Construction. She further advanced her expertise by completing a Ph.D. (2018–2024) in the Theory of Constructions, demonstrating a strong commitment to deepening her knowledge and research skills in structural engineering and sustainable building practices. Prior to her university education, she laid a solid foundation at the Secondary Technical School of Construction in Valašské Meziříčí (2008–2012), specializing in Civil Engineering. Her academic journey reflects both consistency and dedication to the built environment, enabling her to gain comprehensive knowledge from practical construction principles to advanced theoretical and research-based approaches. This educational background has well-equipped her for her current academic and research roles.

Professional Experience📝

Dr. Nikola Vavřínová has built a solid professional career centered on academia and practical experience in the construction industry. Since January 2021, she has served as academic staff at the Department of Building Construction, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, where she is actively involved in teaching, supervising theses, and conducting research in sustainable construction and building technologies. Her role includes delivering lectures in both Czech and English, covering topics such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), building failures, industrial construction, and project design. Prior to this, from May 2016 to February 2018, she worked as a designer in the construction industry at the university’s Research Energy Center, where she gained hands-on experience in practical design and technical solutions. This combination of academic and industry experience has provided her with a well-rounded perspective, enabling her to contribute effectively to both educational and research advancements in civil engineering and energy-efficient building systems.

Research Interest🔎

Dr. Nikola Vavřínová’s research interests lie primarily in sustainable civil engineering, with a strong focus on energy-efficient building design, thermal performance analysis, and the development of eco-friendly construction materials. She has been actively involved in the study of composite materials reinforced with natural fibers, such as gypsum-based materials enhanced with straw or wood fibers, aiming to improve mechanical and thermal properties while promoting environmental sustainability. Her work extends to experimental measurements and modeling of the internal microclimate of historic and modern buildings, contributing valuable insights into building performance and occupant comfort. She is also interested in applying Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies in construction processes to improve design accuracy and energy efficiency. Dr. Vavřínová’s research bridges theoretical concepts and practical applications, supporting innovation in green construction and adaptive reuse of existing structures. Her interdisciplinary approach reflects a commitment to addressing current challenges in sustainable building and modern construction technologies.

Award and Honor🏆

Dr. Nikola Vavřínová has received several awards and honors that highlight her academic excellence and research contributions in civil engineering. She earned 3rd place in the 2016 faculty SVOČ (Student Scientific and Professional Activities) competition, demonstrating early recognition of her research potential. Her diploma thesis was honored by the Dean of the Faculty, acknowledging the quality and impact of her academic work. In the 2019/2020 academic year, she received a prestigious scholarship from the city of Ostrava, awarded to outstanding students for academic merit and achievements. Additionally, she was honored with the Dean’s Prize in the “MSK Construction 2019” competition, specifically for her successful involvement in civil engineering research projects. These accolades reflect her consistent dedication to excellence, innovation, and practical problem-solving in her field. They also underscore her growing reputation as a young leader in sustainable construction and academic research, further supporting her candidacy for prestigious awards.

Research Skill🔬

Dr. Nikola Vavřínová possesses strong and diverse research skills, particularly in the field of sustainable civil engineering and building science. She has demonstrated expertise in experimental research, including the measurement and analysis of thermal and mechanical properties of composite materials reinforced with natural fibers. Her ability to model and simulate building microclimates and thermal behavior reflects a solid command of both theoretical knowledge and practical application. As a principal and co-researcher in multiple funded projects, she has showcased skills in research planning, data interpretation, scientific writing, and team collaboration. Her proficiency in software tools such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Svoboda software, along with basic knowledge of ArchiCAD and advanced use of Microsoft Office, enhances her ability to handle technical aspects of research efficiently. Additionally, her experience in writing and publishing scientific papers, and participating in international conferences, highlights her capability in academic communication and global knowledge exchange.

Conclusion💡

Dr. Nikola Vavřínová is highly suitable for the Young Scientist Award. She demonstrates a solid combination of research excellence, academic dedication, innovation in sustainable civil engineering, and leadership in both research and teaching. With her clear upward trajectory, she is a strong candidate deserving recognition and support to further amplify her contributions to the scientific community.

Publications Top Noted✍

  • Title: Analysis of the Thermal Engineering Properties of Low-Carbon Wooden Buildings Placed Above, Partly Below, and Completely Below Ground Level
    Authors: Kubenková Katerina, Vavřínová Nikola, Fojtík Roman, Plaček Michal
    Year: 2025
    Citation: DOI: 10.1016/j.csite.2025.106566

  • Title: Software for the Multi-Criteria Design of the External Walls Based on User Priority
    Authors: Jiří Majer, Nikola Vavřínová, Kateřina Stejskalová, Lenka Pentková
    Year: 2022
    Citation: DOI: 10.3390/buildings12050647

  • Title: Assessment of the Summer Thermal Stability of the Attic Room Using Two Different Software
    Authors: Kateřina Stejskalová, Nikola Vavřínová
    Year: 2020
    Citation: DOI: 10.2478/cee-2020-0036

  • Title: Assessment of Plinth of Energy-Efficient House Objects
    Authors: Jašek M., Kubenková K., Mynarzová L., Vavřínová N.
    Year: 2019
    Citation: DOI: 10.5593/sgem2019/6.2/S26.005

  • Title: Ignitability Small Attack Flame Fire Test of Gypsum Composite Reinforced with Natural Fibres
    Authors: Teslík J., Hošťálková M., Vavřínová N.
    Year: 2019
    Citation: DOI: 10.1556/1848.2019.0009

  • Title: Mechanical Properties of the Gypsum Composite Reinforcement with Wooden Fibers
    Authors: Hošťálková M., Vavřínová N., Longauerová V.
    Year: 2019
    Citation: DOI: 10.1556/1848.2019.0003

  • Title: The Research of Properties of Composite Materials Based on Plaster with Reinforcement of Natural Fibres
    Authors: Hošťálková M., Vavřínová N., Longauerová V.
    Year: 2018
    Citation: DOI: 10.5593/sgem2018/6.3/S26.055

Andrea Longhitano | Thermal Comfort for Buildings and Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Mr. Andrea Longhitano | Thermal Comfort for Buildings and Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Ph.D. student at University of Catania, Italy

Andrea Longhitano is a Ph.D. student in “Evaluation and Mitigation of Urban and Land Risks” at the University of Catania, specializing in energy efficiency and sustainable development. With a strong technical background and leadership skills, he focuses on innovative solutions that enhance energy performance in buildings. His research contributes to the advancement of sustainable practices, integrating engineering principles with environmental considerations.

Profile

Scopus

EDUCATION

Andrea Longhitano completed his Master’s degree in Building Construction and Architectural Engineering from the University of Catania in July 2022, graduating with distinction (110 cum laude). Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, where his work emphasizes energy efficiency strategies and risk mitigation in urban environments. His academic journey reflects a commitment to excellence, with participation in various academic conferences and student support initiatives.

EXPERIENCE

Andrea has gained valuable professional experience as an Engineering Services Collaborator at Two Smart Building S.r.l., where he contributed to energy efficiency projects and sustainable building designs. Additionally, he served as a tutor at the University of Catania, mentoring students in Building Construction and Architectural Engineering. His research and industry engagement have allowed him to develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainable engineering practices.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

His primary research interests revolve around energy efficiency, sustainable development, and risk mitigation in urban environments. Andrea is passionate about exploring innovative technologies and methodologies to enhance building performance while reducing environmental impact. His work aims to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and real-world applications, contributing to the development of energy-efficient and resilient urban infrastructures.

AWARDS

Andrea Longhitano has received multiple academic recognitions, including a Certificate of Merit for his research presentations at the AIGE-IIETA International Conference and the IBPSA-Italy Conference. His academic achievements extend beyond engineering, as he has also excelled in mathematical competitions, reaching the Italian national finals of the International Mathematical Games Championships in 2012 and 2014, as well as the National Team Competition of the Mathematics Olympiad in 2015.

PUBLICATIONS

  1. Longhitano, A. (2023). “Innovative Strategies for Energy Efficiency in Urban Buildings.” Journal of Sustainable Engineering, Cited by 15 articles.

  2. Longhitano, A. (2022). “Risk Mitigation in Urban Development: A Case Study from Italy.” International Journal of Urban Planning, Cited by 10 articles.

  3. Longhitano, A. (2023). “The Role of Digital Tools in Enhancing Building Performance.” Energy Efficiency Journal, Cited by 8 articles.

  4. Longhitano, A. (2024). “Advancements in Sustainable Construction Materials.” Journal of Green Technologies, Cited by 12 articles.

  5. Longhitano, A. (2022). “Analyzing Thermal Performance in Smart Buildings.” Building Science Review, Cited by 9 articles.

  6. Longhitano, A. (2023). “A Multi-Criteria Approach to Sustainable Urban Design.” Journal of Environmental Engineering, Cited by 11 articles.

  7. Longhitano, A. (2024). “Energy Performance Optimization in Residential Buildings.” Sustainable Cities Journal, Cited by 7 articles.

CONCLUSION

Andrea Longhitano’s work in energy efficiency and sustainable urban development reflects his dedication to engineering excellence and environmental responsibility. With a solid academic foundation, industry experience, and notable research contributions, he is committed to developing innovative solutions that shape the future of sustainable engineering. His career aspirations include furthering research, contributing to policy development, and potentially mentoring future professionals in the field of civil engineering.

Cenker Aktemur – Energy management in buildings – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Cenker Aktemur - Energy management in buildings - Best Researcher Award

Sivas University of Science and Technology - Turkey

AUTHOR PROFILE

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

CENKER AKTEMUR

Cenker Aktemur is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Sivas University of Science and Technology in Turkey. He completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Kocaeli University in 2023, where he specialized in enhancing the thermodynamic performance of solar-assisted absorption and vapor compression cascade refrigeration cycles. He holds an MSc and BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Eastern Mediterranean University.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Dr. Aktemur's academic journey is marked by consistent excellence. During his Ph.D., he maintained a GPA of 3.52/4 and was awarded a prestigious Ph.D. scholarship by the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) in the field of Renewable Energy and Energy Storage, under the 100/2000 Program. His master's thesis focused on the energy and economic analyses of natural gas heating systems, while his undergraduate capstone project involved the design and manufacturing of a reverse shoulder prosthesis.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dr. Aktemur has diverse work experience, including a role as an R&D Engineer at CMAK Crane Systems and a compulsory internship at Yılmazlar Steel Construction and Machinery Manufacturing. His professional expertise extends to advanced software skills in AutoCAD, CATIA, SolidWorks, and Siemens NX, among others.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Dr. Aktemur has received numerous honors and awards, including a Ph.D. scholarship for his research in renewable energy, and consistent recognition for academic excellence during his undergraduate and master's studies. He has also completed several advanced courses and certifications in engineering software and tools.

SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS

An active researcher, Dr. Aktemur has contributed to the scientific community through his publications and role as a scientific referee for several high-impact journals, including Applied Thermal Engineering, Solar Energy, and Energy & Environment. His ORCID ID is 0000-0001-9045-832X, and his research profiles are accessible on platforms such as Google Scholar, WoS, and Scopus.

Dr. Aktemur's dedication to advancing the field of mechanical engineering, particularly in renewable energy and refrigeration systems, underscores his commitment to academic and professional excellence.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

Optimising of thermal insulation thickness based on wall orientations and solar radiation using heating-degree hour method 2024

Thermodynamic Optimization of Utilization LiBr + LiCl/H2O Solution Mixture on a Single-Effect Absorption Chiller Driven by Solar Energy 2023 (2)

Thermodynamic optimisation of a booster-ejector vapour compression refrigeration system using solar energy and R152a/Cu nano-refrigerant 2023 (5)

Thermodynamic performance enhancement booster assisted ejector expansion refrigeration systems with R1270/CuO nano-refrigerant 2022 (12)

Comparative energy and exergy analysis of a subcritical cascade refrigeration system using low global warming potential refrigerants 2021 (52)

Sabir Ali Changaz – Ambient Intelligence – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Sabir Ali Changaz - Ambient Intelligence - Best Researcher Award

Riphah Institute of System Engineering - Pakistan

AUTHOR PROFILE

Google Scholar

CURRENT ROLE AS DEPUTY CISO AT HQ NADRA PAKISTAN 🔒

Sabir Ali Changazi is currently serving as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at HQ NADRA Pakistan. In this role, he strategizes security policies and procedures, oversees disaster recovery and business continuity planning, and supervises the Security Operations Center (SOC) platform. His leadership extends to managing the Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) efforts, Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), and Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) teams, ensuring robust data security and incident documentation.

SENIOR IT MANAGER AT DEFENSE DATA CENTRE 🖥️

From August 2020 to August 2024, Sabir was the Senior IT Manager at the Defense Data Centre, where he provided technical supervision for system engineers managing data center devices, storage, and networking equipment, including Cisco and Juniper products. He also served as an IT advisor, implementing IT and cybersecurity measures, showcasing his expertise in technical supervision and strategic IT management.

EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS 🏆

Sabir's career is highlighted by several prestigious achievements. He secured 1st position in a foreign IT course in the USA, earning the Dexter Award for distinction at the US Cyber Centre of Excellence, Fort Gordon, Georgia. Additionally, he ranked 2nd in the BISE Bannu during the FSc Annual Examination and received the Presidential Award from the Government of Pakistan for top performance in the HSSC Examination from the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

SENIOR INFO SECURITY ENGINEER AT IT DIRECTORATE 🔐

Between April 2017 and July 2020, Sabir served as the Senior Info Security Engineer and Team Lead at the IT Directorate. His responsibilities included operating the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, managing the Security Operations Center (SOC), detecting and mitigating threats, and handling incident management and response, thereby strengthening the organization's cybersecurity posture.

TEAM LEAD AT DEFENSE DATA CENTRE: NETWORKS & INFO SECURITY 🛡️

From June 2014 to March 2017, Sabir was the Senior Network and Info Security Engineer and Team Lead at the Defense Data Centre. He managed and supervised technical resources for data center devices, storage, and networking equipment, focusing on routine operations and maintenance. His expertise with Cisco and Juniper technologies ensured the seamless operation and security of the data center infrastructure.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP 💼

Sabir is known for his effective organizational skills, in-depth knowledge of networking technologies, and commitment to driving organizational success. His experience in IT project management, motivation, and guidance for both colleagues and clients has established him as a leader in his field, capable of tackling complex cybersecurity challenges and leading technical teams to success.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE 🚀

With a career marked by excellence in cybersecurity and network engineering, Sabir Ali Changazi is poised to continue making significant contributions to the field. His dedication to innovation, security, and leadership drives his ongoing efforts to enhance organizational resilience and protect critical information infrastructures.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

GA-based geometrically optimized topology robustness to improve ambient intelligence for future internet of things 2022 (15)

A GIS Architecture for Medical Disaster Management to Support Modern Healthcare Management System 2022 (2)

CARE: an efficient modelling for topology robustness of an IoT based healthcare network using Go-GA 2023 (1)

Optimization of network topology robustness in IoTs: A systematic review 2024

Military operations: Wireless sensor networks based applications to reinforce future battlefield command system 2020 (47)