Roberto Parra Saldivar | Circular Economy | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Roberto Parra Saldivar | Circular Economy | Best Researcher Award

Professor Chair of Sustainable Mycoremediation at Cranfield University | United Kingdom

Prof. Dr. Roberto Parra Saldívar is an eminent biotechnologist and sustainability leader whose pioneering work bridges biotechnology, environmental engineering, and sustainable manufacturing. As Professor and Chair of Sustainable Mycoremediation at Cranfield University, his research integrates advanced bioprocessing, enzyme technology, nanobiocatalysis, and circular bioeconomy principles to develop eco-efficient solutions for global challenges in water remediation, energy production, and waste valorization. With an exceptional academic output of over 320 peer-reviewed articles, 20 book chapters, 18 patents, and an H-index exceeding 65 (Scopus) and 75 (Google Scholar), his contributions have shaped modern bioengineering and environmental biotechnology. A former Chair of Bioproduction Systems at Tecnológico de Monterrey and a visiting scholar at MIT and Harvard University, he has established influential research networks across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and technology transfer between academia and industry. His mentorship has guided numerous Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers who now hold leading positions in academia and industry worldwide. Recognized among Mexico’s top researchers by CONACyT and the Mexican Academy of Sciences, his accolades include multiple teaching excellence awards and distinction as a highly cited researcher. Through visionary leadership and a commitment to sustainability, Prof. Parra Saldívar continues to advance bio-based innovations that promote environmental resilience, industrial transformation, and human well-being on a global scale.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Cuellar‐Bermudez, S. P., Aguilar‐Hernandez, I., Cardenas‐Chavez, D. L., Ornelas‐Soto, N., Romero‐Ogawa, M. A., & Parra‐Saldívar, R. (2015). Extraction and purification of high‐value metabolites from microalgae: Essential lipids, astaxanthin and phycobiliproteins.

Arevalo-Gallegos, A., Ahmad, Z., Asgher, M., Parra-Saldívar, R., & Iqbal, H. M. N. (2017). Lignocellulose: A sustainable material to produce value-added products with a zero waste approach—A review.

Bilal, M., Asgher, M., Parra-Saldívar, R., Hu, H., Wang, W., Zhang, X., & Iqbal, H. M. N. (2017). Immobilized ligninolytic enzymes: An innovative and environmental responsive technology to tackle dye-based industrial pollutants – A review.

Bhattacharyya, S. S., Ros, G. H., Furtak, K., Iqbal, H. M. N., & Parra-Saldívar, R. (2022). Soil carbon sequestration – An interplay between soil microbial community and soil organic matter dynamics.

Alemán-Nava, G. S., Casiano-Flores, V. H., Cárdenas-Chávez, D. L., Díaz-Chavez, R., Scarlat, N., Dallemand, J. F., Ornelas-Soto, N., García-Serrano, A., & Parra-Saldívar, R. (2014). Renewable energy research progress in Mexico: A review.

Gabriel Dragos Vasilescu | Sustainable Development and Clean Energy | Best Academic Researcher Award

Prof. Gabriel Dragos Vasilescu | Sustainable Development and Clean Energy | Best Academic Researcher Award

Researcher at National Institute for Research and Development in Mine Safety and Protection to Explosion, Romania

Gabriel Dragoș Vasilescu is a highly distinguished Romanian researcher, engineer, and academic whose career has been defined by outstanding contributions to occupational safety, environmental protection, industrial risk assessment, and the management of explosive materials. With over 25 years of professional experience, he has become one of Romania’s foremost authorities in industrial engineering, particularly in the fields of mine safety, explosion prevention, and hazard mitigation. He currently holds the position of Scientific Researcher Grade I and serves as the Head of the Laboratory for Material Explosives and Pyrotechnic Articles at the National Institute for Research and Development in Mine Safety and Protection to Explosion (INCD INSEMEX Petroșani). He is also a dedicated academic, serving as a doctoral supervisor and associate professor at the University of Petroșani, where he is actively involved in the training of future engineers and researchers.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Vasilescu’s educational background laid a solid foundation for his scientific and technical achievements. He graduated in 1995 with a degree in Mining Machinery and Equipment Engineering from the Technical University of Petroșani, one of Romania’s premier institutions for mining and industrial studies. Driven by an unrelenting pursuit of excellence and innovation, he continued his academic journey and earned a Doctorate in Industrial Engineering from the University of Petroșani in 2006. Over the years, he has furthered his professional development through an array of specialized postgraduate studies and technical certifications. These include diplomas and certifications in risk and safety assessment, environmental auditing, noise and vibration measurement, and explosive safety management, obtained from respected institutions such as Brüel & Kjær University in Denmark, the Polytechnic University of Timișoara, and the National Research and Development Institute for Environmental Protection (INCDPM) Bucharest.

Experience

Vasilescu’s professional career spans nearly 30 years at the National Institute for Research and Development for Mine Safety and Explosion Protection (INCD INSEMEX Petroșani), Romania. Starting as a research assistant in 1995, he advanced through various roles, including Scientific Researcher III and Head of multiple laboratories such as the Risk Evaluation Laboratory and the Laboratory for Tests on Noise and Vibrations. Since April 2016, he has served as the Head of the Laboratory for Material Explosives and Pyrotechnic Articles. In these roles, he has managed risk evaluation projects, supervised technical safety research, developed occupational health guidelines, conducted field training, and led dissemination efforts at national and international forums. Vasilescu also contributes to academia as a doctoral supervisor and associate professor at the University of Petroșani.

Research Interests

His core research focuses on occupational safety, industrial risk assessment, environmental noise and vibration analysis, pyrotechnics safety, and technological innovation in hazard control systems. Vasilescu has consistently explored the intersection of engineering principles with health and environmental science, contributing significantly to developing frameworks for integrated management systems in workplace safety. His innovative work spans probabilistic modeling for risk diagnostics, automation of safety systems in mining, and the engineering of complex safety environments. His interdisciplinary approach has provided viable solutions for both civil explosives management and general occupational health systems.

Awards

Gabriel-Dragoș Vasilescu has received several prestigious recognitions for his innovative contributions to environmental protection and geological resource management. Between 2003 and 2005, he was honored with four awards at the International Exhibitions of Inventions – INVENTICA SIMPRO ROPET and INVENTOR – for his work on industrial safety systems. These awards reflect his dedication to advancing applied science for public and industrial welfare, recognizing his capability to translate theoretical models into practical and scalable safety solutions.

Publications

Vasilescu has authored and co-authored over 175 scientific papers, with many published in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences. A sample of his notable publications includes:

  1. “Methods for Analysis and Evaluation of Occupational Accidents and Diseases Risks,” Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2007 (Cited by 42 articles).

  2. “Establishing the Acceptable Risk Level in Occupational Accidents,” Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2007 (Cited by 38 articles).

  3. “Research in the Engineering of Complex Systems Safety,” Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2008 (Cited by 34 articles).

  4. “Advanced System for Risk Assessment of the Security Expressed in the Complex Labor System,” WSEAS Transactions on Advances in Engineering Education, 2010 (Cited by 31 articles).

  5. “Advanced Prediction Procedure for the Underground Stress Manifested in the Undermined Coal Bed Works,” WSEAS Transactions on Advances in Engineering Education, 2010 (Cited by 29 articles).

  6. “Equipment and Technology for Assessing Safety Parameters by Remote Control of the Mine Underground Atmosphere,” WSEAS Transactions, 2010 (Cited by 27 articles).

  7. “Book Review – Unconventional Methods to Analyse and Evaluate Occupational Risk,” Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2009 (Cited by 21 articles).

Conclusion

Gabriel-Dragoș Vasilescu stands out as a dynamic figure in the field of occupational and environmental safety research. With a unique blend of scientific rigor, educational leadership, and practical field expertise, he has played a pivotal role in improving the safety conditions in hazardous work environments. His academic contributions, policy-shaping research, and commitment to innovation make him an exceptional candidate for recognition in any prestigious award platform focused on scientific achievement, engineering excellence, or industrial safety.