Ebenezer Fanijo | Green Infrastructure | Research Excellence Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Ebenezer Fanijo | Green Infrastructure | Research Excellence Award

Assistant Professor | Georgia Tech | United States

Assist. Prof. Dr. Ebenezer Fanijo is a civil and materials engineering researcher specializing in rigid pavements, concrete materials, and sustainable infrastructure systems. His work integrates performance-based testing, durability assessment, corrosion monitoring, and quality assurance to advance resilient and environmentally responsible construction practices. With experience spanning academia, industry, and transportation agencies, he has led and contributed to funded research exceeding USD 1.2 million, addressing challenges such as ASR-damaged pavements, rapid repair technologies, and concrete sustainability. His scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications and technical reports that have attracted academic and practitioner attention, reflected through a growing record of citations. Actively collaborating with departments of transportation, industry partners, and academic institutions, his research informs standards development and statewide QA/QC programs. Beyond technical impact, his work supports safer, longer-lasting infrastructure, reduced lifecycle costs, and improved sustainability outcomes, demonstrating strong potential for continued global impact in construction materials and infrastructure engineering.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations
712

Documents
25

h-index
12


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Mohammad Waseem | Sustainable Development | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Mohammad Waseem | Sustainable Development | Research Excellence Award

Assistant Professor | Jamia Millia Islamia | India

Dr. Mohammad Waseem is an active researcher in the field of electric vehicle (EV) technology, with core expertise in dynamic vehicle modelling, simulation, and mechanical design. His research primarily focuses on battery energy storage systems, battery management and thermal management systems, lithium-ion and emerging solid-state batteries, fuel-cell-based hybrid vehicles, and the integration of renewable energy with electric mobility. He has made significant contributions to EV chassis design, finite element analysis, and system-level modelling using advanced tools such as ANSYS, MATLAB, and Simscape. His work also explores the application of artificial intelligence, IoT, and digital-twin approaches for smart battery diagnostics and energy optimization. Dr. Waseem has published extensively in SCI and Scopus-indexed journals, contributing high-impact review and research articles on EV propulsion systems, battery safety, charging infrastructure, and sustainable transportation technologies. He also serves in editorial and reviewer roles for international journals, supporting research quality and innovation in the EV and energy systems domain.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations
646

Documents
19

h-index
11


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Rajab Abousnina | Sustainable Materials | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Rajab Abousnina | Sustainable Materials | Research Excellence Award

Lecturer | Curtin University | Australia

Dr. Rajab Abousnina is a researcher in civil and environmental engineering with a strong focus on sustainable construction materials and infrastructure technologies. His research expertise spans geopolymer concrete, waste-based materials, 3D concrete printing, composite materials, and structural health monitoring. A significant part of his work addresses carbon reduction in construction through the use of industrial by-products, alternative binders, and low-cost activators. He has led and contributed to numerous projects on oil-contaminated materials, recycled aggregates, and advanced cementitious systems, linking material innovation with durability and environmental performance. His research also extends to membrane technologies and wastewater treatment, particularly in the context of oily and produced water. With extensive experience in experimental testing, microstructural analysis, and applied engineering solutions, his work has resulted in a substantial body of high-impact journal publications and industry-focused technical reports, contributing to sustainable and resilient infrastructure development.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations 1,041

Documents 42

h-index
19

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Damao Xu | Environmental Science and Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Damao Xu | Environmental Science and Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Deputy director | China University of Mining and Technology | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Damao Xu is an active researcher in the field of environmental and earth sciences, with a strong emphasis on soil and groundwater pollution, contaminant migration, and sustainable remediation technologies. The research portfolio centers on understanding the geochemical behaviors, environmental availability, and health risks of potentially toxic elements in contaminated soils, sediments, and industrial solid wastes. A significant body of work investigates the coupled effects of environmental processes such as freeze–thaw cycles, acidification, dry–wet alternation, and mineral–organic matter interactions on pollutant mobility and fate. Research contributions demonstrate advanced integration of mineralogical, geochemical, and environmental chemistry approaches to elucidate the mechanisms governing heavy metal release, bioaccessibility, and stabilization in smelter-impacted soils and solid waste dumping sites. Particular attention is given to lead, zinc, cadmium, arsenic, and multi-metal systems, providing mechanistic insights that support risk assessment and remediation decision-making. The work also extends to soil interface chemistry, ecological toxicity, environmental health effects, and the development and evaluation of functional materials for pollution control.

Fırat Emir | Renewable Energy | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fırat Emir | Renewable Energy | Research Excellence Award

Final International University | Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fırat Emir is an established scholar in economics with a strong focus on sustainable development, energy economics, and environmental policy. His research addresses critical global challenges, including carbon emissions, renewable energy transitions, and the economic dimensions of sustainability. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles in leading SSCI and SCI-E journals, accumulating more than 1,450 citations with an h-index of 14, reflecting strong academic impact. His work is highly collaborative, involving international researchers across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and directly informs policy debates on climate action and green growth. Through research, teaching, and editorial service, his contributions support evidence-based decision-making and advance societal progress toward sustainable economic systems

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations
1,123

Documents
22

h-index
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Oluwaseun Victoria Fatoye | Sustainable Development | Women Researcher Award

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Ms. Oluwaseun Victoria Fatoye | Sustainable Development | Women Researcher Award

Lecturer 2 | Anchor University Lagos | Nigeria

Ms. Oluwaseun Victoria Fatoye demonstrates strong and steadily expanding research capabilities, reflected in her 26 citations and h-index of 3, supported by a solid record of multidisciplinary publications in hydro-geophysics, groundwater studies, atmospheric sciences, and ionospheric responses to meteorological disturbances. Her strengths include consistent research productivity across reputable journals, active collaboration with diverse research groups, and practical expertise gained through roles such as Lecturer II at Anchor University and Research Intern at the South African National Space Agency, where she handled meteorological and VLF space data analysis and delivered periodic research reports, showcasing her analytical rigor and scientific communication skills. She has contributed significantly to groundwater evaluation, geophysical survey interpretation, climate-related ionospheric studies, and environmental monitoring, displaying versatility and commitment to socially relevant scientific problems. Her participation in international conferences, funded research programs like the SCOSTEP Visiting Scholar Award, and involvement in interdisciplinary workshops further highlight her dedication to continuous growth and global scientific engagement. Areas for improvement include increasing publication frequency in high-impact international journals to enhance global visibility, expanding first-author contributions, and deepening specialization in emerging topics such as satellite-based geophysical modelling or advanced atmospheric-ionospheric coupling mechanisms. Strengthening grant-writing capacity and growing international collaborations could further accelerate her research impact. Looking ahead, Oluwaseun Victoria Fatoye shows strong potential to become a leading researcher in environmental geophysics and space-weather science, with opportunities to advance innovative methodologies for groundwater resource management, ionospheric disturbance forecasting, and climate-related hazard mitigation. Her multidisciplinary foundation, field experience, and growing international exposure position her to make meaningful scientific contributions, mentor future scholars, and shape research directions in hydro-geophysics, geoscience applications, and atmospheric-space interactions over the coming years.

Profile: Google Scholar
Publications

Nwankwo, V. U. J., Denig, W., Chakrabarti, S. K., Ogunmodimu, O., Ajakaiye, M. P., … (2022). Diagnostic study of geomagnetic storm-induced ionospheric changes over very low-frequency signal propagation paths in the mid-latitude D region. Annales Geophysicae, 40(4), 433–461. https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-433-2022

Ibiwoye, J. O., Fatoye, O. V., Ayeni, J. K., Olasehinde, D. A., Ibrahim, T. A., … (2024). Evaluation of groundwater potential and aquifer protective capacity using Dar-Zarrouk parameters: A case study of Kwara State Polytechnic, Kwara State, Nigeria. Anchor University Journal of Science and Technology, 5(1), 107–123.

Olawuyi, A. K., Fatoye, O. V., Adeyanju, M. A., Oyanameh, O. E., & Arowosafe, K. O. (2022). Fracture delineation and characterization for groundwater study using azimuthal resistivity survey: Case study of part of University of Ilorin, Southwestern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Scientific Research, 21(2), 436–445.

Arowosafe, K. O., Bamgboye, A. I., Adesanya, A. A., Odugbose, B. D., Olannye, U. D., … (2022). Biofuel production from locally sourced roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed oil using transesterification process. Nigerian Journal of Technology, 41(1), 191–196. https://doi.org/10.4314/njt.v41i1.21

Adebayo, S. A., Olasehinde, P. I., Obasaju, D. O., Fatoye, O. V., & Alejolowo, E. A. (2021). Investigation of structurally controlled mineralisation in Bode-Saadu axis, southwestern Nigeria: A case study using magnetic data. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 14(13), 1243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-07146-3

Fuat Aras | Structural Engineering | Research Excellence in Civil and Environmental Engineering Award

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Prof. Fuat Aras | Structural Engineering | Research Excellence in Civil and Environmental Engineering Award

Istanbul Medeniyet University | Turkey

Prof. Fuat Aras is a distinguished civil engineer whose academic and research trajectory demonstrates substantial contributions to structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, and the protection of historical and modern infrastructures. With extensive experience as Professor in the Civil Engineering Department at Istanbul Medeniyet University, he has built a strong research portfolio grounded in experimental and numerical analyses of reinforced concrete and masonry structures, dynamic characterization, structural health monitoring, and seismic retrofitting. His scholarly accomplishments include numerous SCI/SCIE-indexed journal publications, books, and international conference papers, reflecting a consistent commitment to advancing global knowledge in earthquake-resistant design and the preservation of cultural heritage structures. Prof. Aras has coordinated several national research projects funded by TUBITAK, focusing on innovative technologies for improving building performance, dynamic behavior evaluation, and damage assessment, while also contributing to major European Union–supported initiatives on seismic protection. He has supervised multiple graduate theses on structural monitoring, retrofitting strategies, and seismic performance, indicating strong mentorship and academic leadership. His long-standing collaborations with national and international institutions, including partnerships with researchers in Türkiye, Europe, and the United States, highlight his interdisciplinary and global impact. In addition to his research excellence, he has held key administrative roles such as department chair and vice dean, strengthening institutional development and academic governance. His body of work has supported safer community infrastructures by providing evidence-based insights into building behavior, seismic vulnerabilities, and preservation strategies, thereby contributing significantly to societal resilience. With extensive teaching experience in core structural engineering courses and expertise in advanced analytical tools, Prof. Aras continues to shape the next generation of engineers while expanding research frontiers in structural dynamics and earthquake engineering, positioning him as a highly influential figure with strong future potential for further impact in his field.

Profile: Google Scholar | ORCID
Publications

Aras, F., Krstevska, L., Altay, G., & Tashkov, L. (2011). Experimental and numerical modal analyses of a historical masonry palace. Construction and Building Materials, 25(1), 81–91.

Namli, M., & Aras, F. (2020). Investigation of effects of dynamic loads in metro tunnels during construction and operation on existing buildings. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13(11), 424.

Aras, F., & Altay, G. (2015). Investigation of mechanical properties of masonry in historic buildings. Građevinar, 67(5),

Aras, F., & Altay, G. (2015). Seismic evaluation and structural control of the historical Beylerbeyi Palace. Structural Control and Health Monitoring, 22(2), 347–364.

Aras, F., & Düzci, E. (2018). Seismic performance of traditional stone masonry dwellings under Çanakkale seismic sequences. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 32(4), 04018029.

Majdi Benamara | Environmental Engineering | Breakthrough Research Award

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Dr. Majdi Benamara | Environmental Engineering | Breakthrough Research Award

Postdoc | University of Minho | Portugal

Dr. Majdi Benamara is a dedicated researcher in physics whose work spans advanced functional materials, nanostructured oxides, and energy‐related applications. With a publication record of 22 peer-reviewed articles, his contributions demonstrate strong expertise in semiconductor metal oxides, ferroelectric thin films, photocatalysts, and gas-sensing materials. His research consistently integrates experimental synthesis, structural and electrical characterization, and application-driven performance evaluation. Over the years, he has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams across Switzerland, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, and Tunisia, contributing to internationally relevant projects focused on sustainable materials and next-generation electronic devices. His recent appointment as a researcher at EMPA – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology reflects his growing impact in advanced materials engineering, particularly in building energy materials and hybrid oxide systems. Previous research experience at the University of Minho involved ferroelectricity in binary oxide thin films for high-performance capacitors, further solidifying his expertise in electronic materials and thin-film technologies. Earlier roles and internships at Materia Nova (Belgium), the University of Aveiro (Portugal), and the University of Sevilla (Spain) contributed to his strong technical foundation in sol–gel chemistry, supercritical drying, spark plasma sintering, pulsed laser deposition, and ion-beam sputtering. Dr. Benamara’s work has generated advances in gas sensors for environmental monitoring, visible-light photocatalysts for pollutant degradation, and doped oxide systems for electronic and dielectric applications. His collaborations with leading researchers and laboratories have strengthened his scientific visibility and enabled the development of innovative materials addressing global challenges in air quality, environmental remediation, and sustainable energy technologies. Through his consistent scholarly output and broad experimental capabilities, he continues to contribute significantly to the progress of materials science and applied physics on an international scale.

Profile: Google Scholar
Publications

1. Bembibre, A., Benamara, M., Hjiri, M., Gómez, E., Alamri, H. R., Dhahri, R., & others. (2022). Visible-light driven sonophotocatalytic removal of tetracycline using Ca-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Chemical Engineering Journal, 427, 132006.

2. Jaballah, S., Benamara, M., Dahman, H., Ly, A., Lahem, D., Debliquy, M., & El Mir, L. (2020). Effect of Mg-doping ZnO nanoparticles on detection of low ethanol concentrations. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 255, 123643.

3. Jaballah, S., Benamara, M., Dahman, H., Lahem, D., Debliquy, M., & El Mir, L. (2020). Formaldehyde sensing characteristics of calcium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles-based gas sensor. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 31(11), 8230–8239.

4. Benamara, M., Gómez, E., Dhahri, R., & Serrà, A. (2021). Enhanced photocatalytic removal of cyanotoxins by Al-doped ZnO nanoparticles with visible-LED irradiation. Toxins, 13(1), 66.

5. Benamara, M., Massoudi, J., Dahman, H., Dhahri, E., El Mir, L., Ly, A., & others. (2020). High response to sub-ppm level of NO₂ with 50% RH of ZnO sensor obtained by an auto-combustion method. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 31(17), 14249–14260.

Lianyi Guo | Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Lianyi Guo | Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation | Research Excellence Award

Lecturer | Yangzhou University | China

Dr. Lianyi Guo is an emerging scholar in climate-system research whose work focuses on the attribution and projection of extreme climate change, with a strong emphasis on understanding nonlinear rainfall responses to large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns. With a growing research portfolio that includes leading or participating in eight national and provincial research projects, Guo has established a solid foundation in advancing methodologies for diagnosing climate extremes and improving future climate projections. His contributions include developing a novel analytical framework that bridges dynamic and thermodynamic processes to interpret changes in summer rainfall patterns, particularly across China, enabling more accurate attribution of observed hydrometeorological variations to anthropogenic influences. He has authored eight SCI-indexed journal articles, including publications in high-impact outlets, and his current citation record and h-index of 6 reflect a promising upward trajectory. Beyond publications, his engagement in two consultancy or industry-linked projects demonstrates an ability to translate scientific insight into practical climate-related applications. Guo’s collaborations across national research institutes further strengthen the interdisciplinary relevance of his work, supporting advances in climate diagnostics, model evaluation, and regional climate risk assessment. His ongoing studies aim to refine constraint-based projections of extreme rainfall, offering potential benefits for disaster preparedness, water-resource management, and climate-policy development. The scientific rigor, methodological innovation, and applicability of Guo’s research underline his significant contribution to the field and position him as a valuable contributor to global climate-science efforts, with strong potential for continued impact through high-quality publications, collaborative research, and the development of improved tools for understanding and predicting climate extremes.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Research Gate 
Publications:

Guo, L., Shi, Y., & Zhao, Y. (2023). Future projections of extreme integrated water vapor transport and population exposure over the Asian monsoon region. Earth’s Future.

Guo, L., Jiang, Z., Li, L., & Wang, H. (2022). Increase of future summer rainfall in the middle and lower reach of the Yangtze River Basin projected with a nonhomogeneous hidden Markov model. Geophysical Research Letters.

Guo, L. (2022). Comparison of impact and water vapor characteristics between two types of floods in Eastern China. Environmental Research Letters.

Guo, L. (2020). Projected precipitation changes over China for global warming levels at 1.5 °C and 2 °C in an ensemble of regional climate simulations: Impact of bias-correction algorithms. Climatic Change.

Guo, L., Jiang, Z., Ding, M., Chen, W., & Li, L. (2019). Downscaling and projection of summer rainfall in Eastern China using a nonhomogeneous hidden Markov model. International Journal of Climatology.

Ahmad Nassef | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Nassef | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor | University of Buraimi | Oman

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Salah Edeen Nassef is an accomplished Associate Professor of Structural Engineering at Helwan University, Egypt, and the University of Buraimi, Oman, where he also served as Acting Dean and Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering. With over two decades of academic and professional experience, his expertise spans structural analysis, reinforced concrete and steel design, nonlinear structural behavior, and sustainability in construction materials. He earned his Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Structural Engineering from Cairo University and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Helwan University. Dr. Nassef has authored numerous publications in international journals and conferences, covering topics such as buckling of columns, nonlinear damage mechanics, composite structures, and eco-friendly concrete using palm tree and medical waste materials. His research contributions, reflected in a growing citation record, demonstrate his global engagement and innovation in sustainable structural systems. He has led and mentored multiple funded research projects supported by institutions such as the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MOHERI) of Oman and Najran University, addressing practical engineering challenges and advancing materials recycling and durability enhancement. Beyond research, Dr. Nassef has been deeply involved in academic leadership, serving as Chair of Research and Ethics Committees, ABET and OAAA accreditation coordinator, and quality assurance leader for civil engineering programs. His scholarly excellence has been recognized with multiple awards, including the University of Buraimi’s Scholarship and Teaching Excellence Awards (2022, 2023) and Best Student Research Paper Awards at national symposiums. His extensive collaborations and mentorship have significantly contributed to capacity building and research culture in the Middle East. Through his sustained efforts in integrating innovation, sustainability, and quality education, Dr. Nassef continues to make a notable global impact in civil and structural engineering research and higher education.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar
Publications:

Nassef, A. S. E. (2015). Fibonacci sequence and golden ratio in new formula of predicting cracks propagation in reinforced concrete tie. International Journal of Damage Mechanics, 24(8), 1214–1226. 
(Cited by: 5)

Nassef, A. S. E., & Dahim, M. A. (2016). New bi-modular material approach to buckling problem of reinforced concrete columns. [Journal name unavailable]. (Cited by: 6)

Nassef, A. S. E., Nassar, M. M., & El-Refaee, M. M. (2019). Dynamic response of Timoshenko beam resting on nonlinear Pasternak foundation carrying sprung masses. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions of Mechanical Engineering. 
(Cited by: 9)

Nassef, A. S. E., Al-Maqbali, K. H., & Al Naqabi, S. M. (2021). Effects of replacing cement by date palm trees wastes on concrete performance. Proceedings of the International Structural Engineering and Construction, 8(1). 
(Cited by: 5)

Nassef, A. (2022). Non-prismatic model for laterally loaded pile in granular soil resisted by ultimate lateral reaction. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 16(4), 400–407. 
(Cited by: 4)