Ron Shane Mahabir | Urban Planning | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Dr. Ron Shane Mahabir | Urban Planning | Research Excellence Award

Lecturer | University of Liverpool | United Kingdom

Dr. Ron Shane Mahabir is an accomplished scholar in Geographic Data Science, specializing in geospatial analytics, machine learning, remote sensing, and computational social science. He currently serves as Lecturer (Assistant Professor) and Programme Director of the MSc Geographic Data Science at the University of Liverpool, with prior academic appointments at George Mason University, USA. Dr. Mahabir has authored over 35 peer-reviewed journal publications, with hundreds of citations, reflecting sustained contributions to urban analytics, slum mapping, climate resilience, public health, and social media–driven geospatial research. His work has appeared in leading international journals including PLoS ONE, Remote Sensing, International Journal of Digital Earth, and GeoJournal. He has led and co-led competitively funded projects supported by UK Research and Innovation and international agencies, collaborating across academia, government, and industry. Dr. Mahabir’s research delivers tangible societal impact by advancing data-driven solutions for sustainable cities, disaster preparedness, public health, and evidence-based policy, aligning strongly with global development and sustainability goals.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

800

600

400

200

0

Citations
737

Documents
33

h-index
14


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Top 5 Publications

Tamer ElSerafi | Urban Planning | Excellence in Research Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Dr. Tamer ElSerafi | Urban Planning | Excellence in Research Award

Head of Architecture Department | Effat University | Egypt

Dr. Tamer ElSerafi is an accomplished academic and professional architect specializing in architectural engineering, urban design, sustainable urban mobility, and the conservation of historic districts. His research expertise centers on integrating mobility management, transit-oriented development, and adaptive reuse strategies to enhance livability and resilience in heritage contexts. He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers, achieving an h-index of 5 on Google Scholar and 4 on Scopus, with a growing international citation record. His work reflects strong interdisciplinary and international collaboration with universities and research institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Beyond academia, his professional practice has contributed to major heritage restoration, museum, and urban regeneration projects with significant social and cultural value. Through research, teaching, and practice, his contributions support sustainable urban development, heritage preservation, and community-oriented design, demonstrating clear societal impact and future research potential.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

40

30

20

10

0

Citations
38

Documents
9

h-index
5


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Featured Publications


Challenges for Cycling and Walking in New Cities in Egypt: Experience of Elsheikh Zayed City


– Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, 2019 (Cited by 12)

Socio-Spatial Regeneration Challenges in Attaba Historic Market, Cairo–Egypt


– Journal of Humanities and Applied Social Sciences, 2021 (Cited by 11)

Temporary Uses and Regeneration of Historic Contexts: The Case of Attaba Market, Cairo


– Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, 2020 (Cited by 10)

Sustained Liveability: A Framework Beyond Energy-Conscious Building Conservation of Market Halls


– International Journal of Architectural Research, 2017 (Cited by 8)

Julia Wood | Urban Planning | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Julia Wood | Urban Planning | Best Researcher Award

University of Cape Town | South Africa

Ms. Julia Wood is an accomplished biodiversity and conservation specialist with extensive experience in managing sensitive ecosystems and promoting sustainable development. Her career spans leadership roles in municipal environmental management, applied ecological research, and conservation advocacy, reflecting a strong commitment to safeguarding South Africa’s unique natural heritage. With academic training including a BSc (Botany, Zoology), BSc Honours in terrestrial ecology, and an MSc in Botany focused on the natural vegetation of the Robertson Karoo, she is currently advancing her expertise through a PhD in Environmental and Geographical Studies. Her research examines critical factors that influence effective conservation action, addressing real-world implementation challenges in biodiversity planning and environmental governance. Throughout her tenure with the City of Cape Town—currently as Manager of Biodiversity Management—she has overseen 20 protected areas and coordinated the execution of strategic biodiversity initiatives, including the Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and fine-scale conservation plans. Her work integrates ecological protection with vital societal goals such as job creation, skills development, and environmental education, ensuring conservation efforts deliver measurable community benefit. Julia’s contributions include numerous publications, project leadership roles at WWF-SA’s Table Mountain Fund, and significant involvement in watershed and ecosystem-based management across diverse natural landscapes. Her collaborations extend across governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and community stakeholders, strengthening regional responses to climate change, ecological restoration, and urban development pressures. An award-winning professional, she is respected for advancing evidence-based conservation strategies that enhance resilience and protect biodiversity in one of the world’s most ecologically significant regions. This continued dedication demonstrates her capacity to motivate progress, build partnerships, and contribute meaningfully to global environmental sustainability.

Profile: Scopus
Publications

Coordinating invasive alien species management in a biodiversity hotspot: The CAPE Invasive Alien Animals Working Group. Bothalia. 2020

Ahmed Y. Hassebo | Smart Cities IoT Applications | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ahmed Y. Hassebo | Smart Cities IoT Applications | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Lecturer | NYC College of Technology | United States

Dr. Ahmed Y. Hassebo, Ph.D., P.E., is an accomplished electrical engineering educator and researcher with over fourteen years of teaching experience across leading U.S. institutions, including the City University of New York (CUNY), Purdue University Northwest (PNW), and Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT). Currently serving as a Doctoral Lecturer at NYC College of Technology–CUNY, Dr. Hassebo has made significant contributions in the domains of telecommunications, signal processing, smart cities, and Internet of Things (IoT)-based systems. His academic foundation is rooted in a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Electrical Engineering from the City College of New York, supported by a strong research portfolio emphasizing the integration of 4G/5G communication infrastructures with mission-critical IoT and smart grid applications. He has authored a book, multiple book chapters, and several peer-reviewed journal and conference papers, earning multiple Best Paper and Best Presentation Awards from IEEE and ASEE conferences. His published works in Urban Science and IoT journals underscore his global perspective on smart city transformation and sustainable urban connectivity. Beyond research, Dr. Hassebo has mentored undergraduate and high school students in projects funded by NSF, NASA, and CUNY initiatives, fostering interdisciplinary learning in AI, robotics, and embedded systems. His active role as an IEEE reviewer, ASEE session chair, and committee member at CityTech demonstrates his leadership in both academic governance and scholarly service. Holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license in Electrical and Computer Engineering, he continues to pursue research excellence through grant proposals such as NSF Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) and CUNY GRTI initiatives. With over 8 years of research experience and a growing academic impact—reflected in multiple citations and collaborations—Dr. Hassebo exemplifies a commitment to advancing smart technologies that enhance urban sustainability, education, and global digital transformation.

Profile: Google Scholar
Publications:

Hassebo, A., Mohamed, A. A., Dorsinville, R., & Ali, M. A. (2018). 5G-based converged electric power grid and ICT infrastructure. 2018 IEEE 5G World Forum (5GWF), 33–37. 
(Cited by: 27)

Hassebo, A., Obaidat, M., & Ali, M. A. (2018). Commercial 4G LTE cellular networks for supporting emerging IoT applications. 2018 Advances in Science and Engineering Technology International Conferences (ASET). 
(Cited by: 24)

Hassebo, A. Y. (2018). Commercial 4G LTE cellular networks for supporting emerging mission-critical IoT applications [Master’s thesis, The City College of New York]. CUNY Academic Works.
(Cited by: 9)

Tealab, M., Hassebo, A., Dabour, A., & AbdelAziz, M. (2020). Smart cities digital transformation and 5G–ICT architecture. 2020 11th IEEE Annual Ubiquitous Computing, Electronics & Mobile Communication Conference (UEMCON). 
(Cited by: 13)

Hassebo, A. (2022). The road to 6G: Vision, drivers, trends, and challenges. 2022 IEEE 12th Annual Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference (CCWC). 
(Cited by: 12)

Hassebo, A., & Tealab, M. (2023). Global models of smart cities and potential IoT applications: A review. IoT, 4(3), 366–411. 
(Cited by: 85)

Li Fen | Urban Planning | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Mrs. Li Fen | Urban Planning | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Li Fen, a distinguished researcher and Chief Engineer at the Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co., Ltd., has made significant contributions in the fields of sustainable urban development, ecological planning, and green building technologies. Her expertise lies in integrating the principles of energy efficiency, environmental protection, and urban livability into modern city design and planning. Over the past five years, Li Fen has led and participated in more than twenty research projects at both national and provincial levels, addressing critical intersections between energy systems and carbon emissions. Her major works include the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intergovernmental International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project on “Key Technologies and Demonstrations for Comprehensive Research on Urban Energy Systems and Carbon Emissions,” developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE). She also played a leading role in the Twelfth Five-Year National Science and Technology Support Program, focusing on “Green Building Planning Pre-Assessment and Diagnostic Technology Research.” Internationally, Li Fen has collaborated on eight major projects, including the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-funded “Shenzhen Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Research,” which provided strategic insights for urban climate resilience. In addition to her research leadership, she serves as an expert member for several organizations such as the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the Ministry of Climate’s low carbon pilot projects, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, and the Tianjin Ecological Environment Bureau. Her participation in major carbon-neutral initiatives, including Zhejiang carbon-neutralization projects and World Bank IFC near-zero carbon emission programs, highlights her role in shaping low-carbon urban policies and practices in China. Li Fen’s scholarly impact reflects a deep commitment to advancing sustainable urban systems and environmental innovation. She has achieved 154 Citations, published 16 Documents, and holds an h-index of 8.

Profile: Scopus
Featured Publications: