Pietro Falciglia | Environmental Engineering | Best Review Paper Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pietro Falciglia | Environmental Engineering | Best Review Paper Award

Associate Professor at University of Catania, Italy

Dr. Pietro Paolo Falciglia is an Associate Professor of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering at the University of Catania, Italy. His expertise lies in environmental remediation technologies, particularly microwave-based treatments for contaminated soils, sediments, and groundwater. Over the last two decades, Dr. Falciglia has contributed extensively to advancing sustainable solutions for hazardous waste management. He is also a researcher at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics, focusing on the remediation of radionuclide-contaminated environments. His academic and research activities span experimental innovation, field-scale applications, and scientific dissemination, making him a respected figure in environmental engineering and sustainable environmental practices.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Falciglia received his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Salerno. He previously completed a five-year Laurea degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on hydraulics at the University of Catania , followed by a second-level MSc in Solid Waste Management and Remediation of Polluted Sites at the Superior School of the University of Catania. His academic training integrates classical engineering fundamentals with emerging environmental technologies, forming the basis for his innovative research and teaching in remediation processes and waste treatment systems.

Experience

Dr. Falciglia has served as an Associate Professor at the University of Catania. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor and Researcher in Sanitary and Environmental Engineering and held various academic roles between 2004 and 2018, including research fellow and contract professor. He also collaborated with international institutions, including the University of Cambridge, where he conducted advanced research on permeable reactive barriers for soil remediation. His consultancy experience as a professional engineer further enhances his ability to bridge academic knowledge with practical environmental challenges.

Research Interest

Dr. Falciglia’s research focuses on advanced remediation technologies for polluted environments. He specializes in the use of microwave and UV treatments for hydrocarbon- and radionuclide-contaminated soils and sediments. He has explored innovative permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), electrokinetic decontamination, and surfactant-enhanced techniques. His work also includes the application of drones for monitoring radioactive contaminants and modeling radiation shielding materials. Dr. Falciglia’s projects frequently address emerging pollutants and sustainability, including PFAS removal and the reuse of volcanic ash for environmental engineering purposes, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and practical solutions to real-world contamination problems.

Award

Throughout his career, Dr. Falciglia has received recognition for his academic and scientific contributions. He was selected as a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge on a prestigious Soil Mix Remediation Technology (SMiRT) project funded and  His involvement in multiple PRIN (Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale) initiatives in Italy highlights his leadership in collaborative environmental research. Furthermore, he has led and contributed to nationally and internationally funded projects addressing microwave remediation, PFAS treatment, and sediment decontamination. His role as editor and reviewer for leading journals underscores the trust placed in him by the scientific community.

Publication Top Notes

Dr. Falciglia has authored over 100 scientific publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters.

  1. Microwave regeneration of granular activated carbon saturated with PFAS, Water Research.

  2. Remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated marine sediments by thermal desorption, Chemosphere.

  3. MW-based regenerating permeable reactive barriers: Proof of concept, Chemosphere.

  4. Field technical applicability and cost analysis of MW-PRBs for Cs-contaminated groundwater, Journal of Environmental Management.

  5. Microwave heating coupled with UV-A for PAH removal in marine sediments, Chemical Engineering Journal.

  6. Environmental life cycle assessment of citric acid-enhanced MW heating, Science of the Total Environment.

  7. Review on microwave heating for remediation applications, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review.

Conclusion

Dr. Pietro Paolo Falciglia exemplifies excellence in environmental engineering through his pioneering research, educational leadership, and commitment to sustainability. His scientific innovations have significantly influenced remediation technology development, particularly in microwave-based and integrated treatment systems. As an academic, mentor, and project leader, he continues to shape the future of sustainable waste and contamination management. Dr. Falciglia’s work directly impacts environmental restoration strategies, offering scalable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solutions. His nomination is a testament to his long-standing dedication to advancing environmental science and engineering for the benefit of both human health and the ecosystem.

Abirmoy Ghosh | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Abirmoy Ghosh | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Manager at INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LIMITED PANIPAT REFINERY, India

Abirmoy Ghosh is a dynamic and results-oriented professional currently serving as Manager at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Panipat Refinery. With a strong foundation in mechanical engineering and over nine years of experience in refinery operations and R&D, he has consistently demonstrated excellence in mechanical design, engineering, and stress analysis. Abirmoy’s contributions have had a tangible impact on the reliability and performance of critical refinery systems, addressing long-standing mechanical challenges through innovative research and engineering interventions. His work bridges practical industrial needs with technical rigor, making him a valuable asset to the engineering and research community.

Profile

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Education

Abirmoy holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Technology degree in Applied Mechanics, both from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. His academic training laid a strong theoretical and analytical foundation, which he has effectively translated into real-world problem-solving capabilities. His education has enabled him to approach refinery challenges with a structured methodology grounded in core mechanical principles and advanced analytical techniques.

Experience

Abirmoy Ghosh brings nine years of specialized experience in the petroleum refining sector through his tenure at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited. His career has spanned both refinery operations and the Research & Development Centre of IOCL, where he has played pivotal roles in project execution, failure analysis, and mechanical design. He has been involved in troubleshooting, upgrading, and maintaining critical refinery components across multiple IOCL sites. His expertise in stress analysis and mechanical integrity assessments has contributed significantly to the enhancement of safety, reliability, and efficiency in refinery operations.

Research Interest

Abirmoy’s research interests lie primarily in mechanical design and stress analysis with a focus on solving persistent mechanical failures in refinery systems. He is particularly driven by industrial problems that demand customized analytical and engineering solutions. His recent work on improving the reliability of expansion joints in the reactor overhead lines of Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) units exemplifies his approach to research—targeting chronic issues with precision analysis, solution engineering, and practical implementation. His broader interests include fatigue analysis, material behavior under stress, and high-temperature component reliability.

Award

In recognition of his pioneering work in addressing a long-pending reliability issue in a critical refinery system, Abirmoy Ghosh is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. His innovative contributions to mechanical failure analysis and design optimization have delivered significant operational improvements, directly impacting plant reliability and safety. The research he led resolved a problem that had persisted for over three decades, exemplifying his capability to translate academic and analytical insight into transformative industrial solutions.

Publication

Abirmoy has one notable journal publication to his credit.

“Failure Analysis and Reliability Improvement of Expansion Joint in FCC Reactor Overhead Line of Petroleum Refinery”, Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, Springer, 2025. Cited by 4 articles to date.

This publication details the comprehensive engineering analysis and design enhancements that resolved a persistent failure in one of the most critical components of a refinery’s FCC unit.

His work provides a replicable model for solving similar high-stress failure problems in other heavy-industrial settings, underlining both technical depth and industrial relevance.

Conclusion

Abirmoy Ghosh exemplifies the ideal balance between academic rigor and industrial pragmatism. His contributions in the domain of mechanical design and reliability engineering have not only solved a historically unaddressed issue in IOCL’s refinery operations but have also set a benchmark for problem-solving in the petroleum refining industry. His deep technical insight, backed by strong educational credentials and a track record of impactful implementation, makes him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Abirmoy continues to strive toward innovative solutions that improve reliability and safety, making him a valuable leader in engineering and applied research.

Mohammadali Ahmadi | Enhanced Oil Recovery | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Mohammadali Ahmadi | Enhanced Oil Recovery | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at University of Technology (SUT), Iran

Dr. Mohammadali Ahmadi is a highly accomplished researcher and academic currently affiliated with the University of Calgary and the Petroleum University of Technology. With a research career spanning over a decade, Dr. Ahmadi has made significant contributions to the fields of petroleum engineering, energy systems, and molecular simulation. His innovative work focuses on improving recovery processes in heavy oil reservoirs, enhancing surfactant applications, and applying molecular dynamics and machine learning to address complex challenges in oil and gas systems. With over 185 publications and more than 8,400 citations, his research has not only advanced scientific understanding but also shaped practical applications in energy engineering and sustainable resource development.

Profile

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Education

Dr. Ahmadi’s academic foundation is rooted in petroleum engineering, where he earned his advanced degrees specializing in enhanced oil recovery and chemical engineering techniques. His rigorous academic training laid the groundwork for a prolific research trajectory, allowing him to merge fundamental scientific inquiry with industrially relevant challenges. Throughout his education, he cultivated expertise in computational modeling, reservoir simulation, and surfactant-fluid interactions, preparing him for an influential career in both academia and the energy sector.

Experience

Over the years, Dr. Ahmadi has held research and teaching roles that bridge academia and industry. His dual affiliation with the University of Calgary and the Petroleum University of Technology highlights his global influence and collaborative research ethos. He has independently led numerous projects that focus on oil recovery, nanoconfinement effects, interfacial science, and chemical processes in porous media. His hands-on experience spans experimental design, simulation modeling, and the application of artificial intelligence in reservoir characterization. Beyond research, Dr. Ahmadi has mentored graduate students, developed university curricula, and contributed as a reviewer for top-tier scientific journals.

Research Interest

Dr. Ahmadi’s research interests revolve around enhanced oil recovery (EOR), nanoconfinement phenomena, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and the environmental optimization of hydrocarbon production. He is particularly focused on the role of surfactants in emulsification-demulsification processes and their molecular behavior in subsurface environments. Other core interests include CO₂ sequestration, steam-surfactant co-injection, and machine learning applications in petroleum systems. His interdisciplinary approach—blending chemical engineering, geomechanics, and data science—enables him to address both theoretical and practical problems in energy sustainability.

Awards

Dr. Ahmadi has received several accolades in recognition of his groundbreaking research and scholarly contributions. His high citation count, an H-index of 60, and frequent collaboration with leading scientists highlight his standing in the scientific community. While specific award names are not detailed in the public record, his sustained publication in high-impact journals and the adoption of his findings in patent literature underscore his influence and merit for prestigious academic honors.

Publications

Among his extensive portfolio of over 180 works, several stand out for their impact and citation frequency.

His 2022 article, “Molecular dynamics simulation of oil detachment from hydrophobic quartz surfaces during steam-surfactant Co-injection” in Energy (cited 32 times), provides insights into recovery processes at the nanoscale. Another highly cited work, “Comprehensive review of the interfacial behavior of water/oil/surfactant systems using dissipative particle dynamics simulation,” published in Advances in Colloid and Interface Science (2022), has received 37 citations.

His 2021 paper in Fuel on surfactant-asphaltene interactions has been cited 72 times, reflecting its foundational contribution. The 2020 study in Energy & Fuels titled “Insight into the Interfacial Behavior of Surfactants and Asphaltenes” has been cited 58 times.

His 2021 article in Petroleum comparing permeability estimation methods has attracted 139 citations, showcasing his impact on reservoir engineering. “Challenges and future of chemical assisted heavy oil recovery processes,” published in 2020 in Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, is another well-cited piece with 104 references.

Lastly, his 2020 Symmetry publication on surfactant-asphaltene interactions in hydrocarbon solvents has been cited 44 times, reinforcing his expertise in interfacial behavior.

Conclusion

Dr. Mohammadali Ahmadi stands as a leading figure in the field of petroleum engineering and energy science. His ability to tackle intricate challenges using computational tools and experimental insights has not only enriched academic literature but also provided viable solutions for the energy industry. With a remarkable blend of scientific rigor, technical innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Ahmadi continues to shape the future of enhanced oil recovery and sustainable energy processes. His qualifications, productivity, and scholarly excellence make him an outstanding candidate for any distinguished award in engineering and applied science.