Tomasz Zieliński | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Tomasz Zieliński | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Expert at Orlen Spółka Akcyjna. Poland

Tomasz Zieliński is a seasoned chemical technologist with over sixteen years of dynamic involvement in the refining and petrochemical sectors at ORLEN S.A. He has consistently demonstrated a strong command over production technologies and process efficiency within the Zakład Produkcyjny in Płock and across the ORLEN Capital Group. His professional trajectory encompasses hands-on operational roles, advanced process optimization, and the implementation of cutting-edge technological solutions to elevate production capacity and sustainability. As an expert in refining and chemical processes, Zieliński brings a unique perspective integrating operational experience with research-driven innovation, aimed at transforming traditional petroleum operations into future-oriented, low-emission production hubs.

Profile

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Education

Tomasz Zieliński holds an extensive academic background in chemical technology. He earned an engineering degree in organic chemical technology in 2010 and a Master of Engineering in chemical technology from Warsaw University of Technology in 2012. He further pursued postgraduate studies in occupational health and safety at the Cracow University of Technology in 2013. Since 2021, he has been undertaking PhD studies at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, focusing on research areas that bridge chemical engineering, alternative fuels, and production innovation, thereby aligning his academic work with Poland’s and the EU’s evolving energy and climate objectives.

Professional Experience

Tomasz began his career at ORLEN S.A. through multiple industrial placements from 2004 to 2009, gaining practical experience across key installations including Catalytic Cracking, Olefins II, and ethylene oxide production. Between 2009 and 2014, he worked as a senior process operator on the Claus unit, refining sulfur compounds. From 2015 to 2023, he held the role of senior specialist in the Technology Office, leading various optimization projects across fuel quality, additive development, and process integration. Since July 2023, he has served as an expert in the Project Coordination Team for Efficiency Projects, managing strategic technological transformations aimed at enhancing plant performance and emissions compliance. His experience also includes solving quality issues in jet fuel and diesel, integrating biofuels, and launching innovative fuel products such as Efecta.

Research Interests

Zieliński’s research interests lie at the intersection of process intensification, alternative fuel synthesis, and emission reduction. He is particularly engaged in developing scalable solutions for synthetic fuel and hydrogen production using existing refinery infrastructure. A central focus of his work involves the application of microbiological degradation processes to extract value-added hydrocarbons, such as isopropanol, from residual oil fractions. This innovation supports not only energy transition goals but also the circular economy by repurposing waste into petrochemical feedstock and green hydrogen, all while leveraging in-house patents and collaborations with academic institutions and R&D centers.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Tomasz Zieliński has been recognized for his commitment to innovation and problem-solving in fuel production and technology development. His contributions to solving critical fuel quality challenges at ORLEN have resulted in notable operational stability and compliance with environmental norms. His work has also been acknowledged in national research and industry forums, particularly for pioneering projects in bio-component integration and synthetic fuel formulation. His leadership in preparing technical specifications and conducting supplier audits has fortified quality control in the supply chain for biocomponents.

Publications

Tomasz Zieliński has authored or co-authored several peer-reviewed papers that reflect his applied research and industrial innovations:

  1. Zieliński, T. (2022). Biodegradation of Heavy Hydrocarbon Fractions via Microbial Pathways. Journal of Industrial Chemistry, cited by 9 articles.

  2. Zieliński, T., Nowak, M. (2021). Integration of HVO with Diesel Fractions: Refinery Trials and Outcomes. Fuel & Energy Reports, cited by 14 articles.

  3. Zieliński, T. (2020). Oxidation Stability Challenges in Diesel with Bio-components. Petroleum Science and Engineering, cited by 11 articles.

  4. Zieliński, T., Kowalczyk, P. (2019). Isopropanol Recovery from Residual Streams in Petrochemical Processing. Chemical Processing Letters, cited by 8 articles.

  5. Zieliński, T. (2018). FT-Synthesized Biofuels and Their Role in Next-Gen Diesel Formulations. Biofuels Technology Journal, cited by 13 articles.

  6. Zieliński, T. (2017). Stabilization of Jet A-1 Fuel Produced from Mixed Feedstocks. Energy Refining Journal, cited by 10 articles.

  7. Zieliński, T., Wiśniewski, A. (2016). Pilot Implementation of Efecta Fuels at ORLEN Stations. Journal of Fuel Innovation, cited by 7 articles.

Conclusion

Tomasz Zieliński represents a rare blend of practical industry experience, academic excellence, and a forward-looking approach to energy innovation. His holistic view—rooted in production realities and expanded through research and technology transfer—makes him a key contributor to ORLEN S.A.’s vision of sustainable transformation. With a proven track record in optimizing production, integrating renewable technologies, and leading strategic development projects, Zieliński is not only shaping Poland’s refining landscape but also contributing meaningfully to the European energy transition.

Sourav Poddar | Renewable energy generation and storage | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Dr. Sourav Poddar | Renewable energy generation and storage | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Haldia Institute of Technology, India

Dr. Sourav Poddar is an accomplished academic and researcher whose contributions to engineering and materials science have demonstrated a sustained commitment to innovation, research excellence, and pedagogical leadership. With extensive experience across academia and industry-oriented research, Dr. Poddar’s work reflects a deep engagement in advancing the frontiers of electrochemical systems and energy storage technologies. He is known for his interdisciplinary approach, high-impact publications, and active role in promoting collaborative research environments in both Indian and international academic spheres.

Profile

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Education

Dr. Poddar’s educational background is distinguished by a progression through prestigious institutions. He completed his Ph.D. in Engineering at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, in 2020, focusing on nanostructured materials for energy storage devices. He holds a Master of Technology in Materials Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Bengal Engineering and Science University. This strong academic foundation across disciplines enables him to approach research problems from multiple perspectives.

Experience

Professionally, Dr. Poddar has served in various academic and research capacities. His roles include Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kalyani, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, where he has taught core engineering subjects and supervised research projects. He also completed a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at Tel Aviv University, Israel, contributing to advanced electrochemical sensor development. His responsibilities have spanned teaching, mentoring, curriculum development, and active involvement in institutional accreditation and research coordination.

Research Interest

Dr. Poddar’s research interests lie in electrochemical energy storage systems, nanostructured electrode materials, solid-state batteries, and biosensors. His work is grounded in the design and development of advanced materials with customized properties for enhanced electrochemical performance. He integrates principles of materials science, chemistry, and engineering to address pressing global challenges in energy sustainability. His focus also includes hybrid aerogels for CO₂ capture, catalysis, and waste valorization through chemical engineering processes.

Awards

Dr. Poddar’s research excellence has been recognized with several awards and fellowships. He received the SERB-National Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and a postdoctoral research grant from Tel Aviv University. His accolades include the Young Scientist Award (VDGOOD Technology Factory, 2020), Best Researcher Award (2021), and Outstanding Young Teacher of the Year (2021, 2022). Additionally, he holds professional titles such as Chartered Engineer and Professional Engineer under the IEI and ECI, affirming his technical credentials and professional impact.

Publications

Dr. Poddar has published widely in high-impact journals. A selection of his most cited and relevant publications includes:

  1. “Binder-Free 3D Porous Nickel–Cobalt Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets on Nickel Foam for High-Performance Supercapacitors,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2020 – cited by 50+ articles.

  2. “Facile synthesis of NiCo₂S₄ nanosheets for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors,” Electrochimica Acta, 2019 – cited by 70+ articles.

  3. “Zinc–nickel oxide hybrid nanostructure as efficient electrode material for supercapacitors,” Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 2018 – cited by 30+ articles.

  4. “Electrochemical performance of NiCo₂O₄ nanoparticles anchored on graphene oxide for energy storage,” Journal of Energy Storage, 2021 – cited by 25+ articles.

  5. “Fabrication of enzyme-free biosensor using ZnO nanorods,” Materials Science and Engineering: C, 2019 – cited by 40+ articles.

  6. “Nanostructured conducting polymers for flexible energy devices,” Materials Today: Proceedings, 2020 – cited by 15+ articles.

  7. “Design of carbon-based composites for hybrid supercapacitors,” Journal of Power Sources, 2022 – cited by 20+ articles.
    These works reflect his expertise in experimental and modeling techniques and their real-world applications in energy and environmental technology.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Sourav Poddar exemplifies excellence in teaching, research, and academic leadership. His career has been characterized by a strong educational foundation, impactful scientific contributions, national and international recognitions, and a deep commitment to solving real-world problems through sustainable engineering solutions. His interdisciplinary research continues to inspire peers and students alike, making him a deserving candidate for recognition in any prestigious award program.

Rahim Zahedi | Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Rahim Zahedi | Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage | Best Researcher Award

Faculty member at University of Tehran, Iran

Rahim Zahedi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Energy Governance at the University of Tehran, Iran. He holds a PhD in Energy Systems Engineering, specializing in Energy Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), from the University of Tehran. Zahedi has been a leader in the field of energy systems, winning multiple prestigious awards, including the 2023 JTACC-V4 Young Scientist Award and the 2024 Alborz Prize (Iranian Nobel Prize). His work has focused primarily on energy modeling, sustainability, and energy optimization, and he has made significant contributions to the study of renewable energy and its environmental impacts.

Profile

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Education

Zahedi’s academic journey began with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology, followed by an MSc in Energy Systems Engineering from the same institution. He earned his PhD in Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Tehran, where his doctoral thesis focused on the sustainable optimization of energy systems. He was ranked first in the PhD entrance exam in energy systems engineering in Iran in 2020, highlighting his exceptional academic potential. His postdoctoral research, focusing on thermal storage systems, is supervised by Dr. Abolfazl Ahmadi at the Iran University of Science and Technology.

Experience

Zahedi currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran. He has also contributed to several significant projects involving renewable energy technologies, thermal systems, and environmental sustainability. His work at the university has included the supervision of graduate-level courses in renewable energy sources, carbon capture technologies, and energy systems in buildings. His research has had a broad impact, including publications in top-tier journals and presentations at leading international conferences. Zahedi has also earned recognition as a top researcher, both nationally and globally, for his work on optimizing energy systems and reducing environmental impacts.

Research Interests

Rahim Zahedi’s research interests lie in the intersection of renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and energy optimization. He has worked extensively on the development and optimization of hybrid energy systems, carbon capture technologies, and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies. His research has involved innovative solutions to reduce the environmental impact of energy systems, particularly in the areas of wind and solar energy, microalgae cultivation for carbon capture, and the integration of renewable energy technologies in building systems. Zahedi’s work on thermal storage and optimization of energy systems has received widespread recognition in academic and professional circles.

Awards

Zahedi has received numerous accolades for his outstanding research. He was awarded the 2023 JTACC-V4 Young Scientist Award, recognizing him as the top young scientist worldwide in the field of thermal sciences. In 2024, he was honored with the Alborz Prize, often considered the Iranian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, for his contributions to energy research. Additionally, he has received the National Renewable Energy Award and the national best young researcher award in energy, alongside various other recognitions for his academic excellence. His article on energy systems modeling was named the most-cited paper in the Energy Science & Engineering journal from January 2021 to December 2023.

Publications

Zahedi has published over 100 ISI-indexed papers on energy systems, with a focus on optimization, sustainability, and environmental impact. Some of his notable publications include:

Zahedi, R., Ahmadi, A., & Sadeh, M. (2021). “Investigation of the load management and environmental impact of the hybrid cogeneration of the wind power plant and fuel cell,” Energy Reports (IF=4.94).

Zahedi, R., Ahmadi, A., & Dashti, R. (2021). “Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analysis and optimization of quadruple combined solar, biogas, SRC and ORC cycle with methane system,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (IF=16.8).

Zahedi, R., Moosavian, F., & Hajinezhad, A. (2021). “The economic, environmental and social impact of carbon tax for Iran: A computable general equilibrium analysis,” Energy Science and Engineering (IF=4.04).

Zahedi, R., Daneshgar, S., & Ghorbani, M. (2021). “Potential measurement of Iran’s western regional wind energy using GIS,” Journal of Cleaner Production (IF=11.07).

Zahedi, R., Maghzian, A., & Aslani, A. (2021). “Direct Air CO2 Capture Using Microalgae: Data Mining Analysis,” Energy Reports (IF=4.94).

Conclusion

Rahim Zahedi’s academic and research career has made significant contributions to the field of energy systems engineering, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, energy optimization, and environmental sustainability. His innovative work in energy modeling and life cycle assessment has helped advance the understanding of sustainable energy practices and solutions. His numerous awards, including the prestigious Alborz Prize, reflect the global recognition of his research. Zahedi continues to inspire the next generation of researchers and engineers with his dedication to addressing the world’s energy and environmental challenges.