Pietro Falciglia | Environmental Engineering | Best Review Paper Award

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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 in 2008. He previously completed a five-year Laurea degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on hydraulics at the University of Catania in 2003, followed by a second-level MSc in Solid Waste Management and Remediation of Polluted Sites at the Superior School of the University of Catania in 2004. 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

Since 2021, 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 (2018–2021) 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 (2003–2011) 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 with £1.24 million. 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.

Yang Zhao | Intelligent Material Development for CCUS | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Yang Zhao | Intelligent Material Development for CCUS | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at China University of Petroleum-Beijing, China

Dr. Yang Zhao is an Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the China University of Petroleum–Beijing. A specialist in sustainable oil and gas development, CO₂-enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and geological sequestration, his work blends innovation in chemical materials with practical solutions for conformance control and carbon storage. With a career bridging the U.S. and China, Dr. Zhao contributes to both academia and industry through editorial roles, patents, and international project collaborations. His multi-disciplinary expertise positions him as a thought leader in carbon management technologies, especially for deep water and fractured reservoirs in complex field environments.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Zhao earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (USA) in 2021, where he gained deep expertise in CO₂ EOR and microgel-based reservoir treatment. Prior to that, he completed both his Master’s (2017) and Bachelor’s (2014) degrees in Petroleum Engineering at the China University of Petroleum Huadong. His educational journey combined rigorous laboratory research, numerical simulation, and field-scale applications, equipping him with strong theoretical foundations and practical skills in flow assurance, reservoir engineering, and environmental mitigation, particularly in low-permeability and offshore conditions.

Experience

Since 2022, Dr. Zhao has been serving as an Associate Professor at China University of Petroleum–Beijing. He leads national and ministerial projects on CO₂ channeling control, conformance enhancement, and the development of novel in situ gel systems for high-temperature offshore reservoirs. Previously, he worked with internationally recognized researchers in the U.S. and contributed to pioneering studies on microgel propagation and enhanced heavy oil recovery techniques. Dr. Zhao’s broad professional engagements also include editorial roles, symposium organization, and collaborative research with energy corporations, ensuring a practical orientation to his scientific endeavors.

Research Interest

Dr. Zhao’s research interests focus on carbon dioxide EOR, geological storage, chemical conformance control, and novel materials for flow assurance. His work explores CO₂-responsive gels, microgel behavior in super permeable channels, and hybrid chemical techniques that integrate stimulation, storage, and recovery processes. He has also made significant contributions to hydrate blockage prediction in subsea gas pipelines. His innovative thinking bridges laboratory experiments and field-scale applications, aiming to maximize oil recovery while ensuring environmental sustainability. Recent efforts target megaton-scale CCUS projects, particularly in large-pore-volume reservoirs and tight formations that present unique engineering challenges.

Awards

Dr. Zhao has received multiple accolades recognizing his research excellence and scientific impact. Notably, he was awarded Best Paper at URTeC 2020 and multiple international conferences, including the Offshore Technology Conference and the National Conference on Hydrodynamics. He was honored for Outstanding Review Contributions by the Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering and selected as Session Chairperson at the MIT A+B Energy Symposium and International CCUS Conference. His participation as a technical editor and guest editor for over ten leading journals further underscores his professional distinction and global academic influence.

Publications

Dr. Zhao has authored numerous impactful articles across top-tier journals. Below are seven selected publications with citation impact:

  1. Zhao, Y., Wen, X., Rui, Z.H. et al. “A novel dual-network CO₂-responsive particle gel…” Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024 – Cited by 35 articles.

  2. Zhao, Y. et al. “Importance of conformance control in reinforcing synergy of CO₂ EOR…” Petroleum Science, 2022 – Cited by 65 articles.

  3. Zhao, Y. et al. “Enhancing heavy oil recovery by combining low salinity water and polymer flooding.” SPE Journal, 2021 – Cited by 97 articles.

  4. Zhao, Y., Bai, B. “Transport behavior of swell able microgel particles…” SPE Journal, 2022 – Cited by 54 articles.

  5. Zhao, Y. et al. “Microgel conformance control treatment for polymer flooding reservoirs…” SPE Journal, 2021 – Cited by 46 articles.

  6. Zhao, Y. et al. “Hydrate-blockage assessment during deep water gas-well testing.” SPE Journal, 2018 – Cited by 88 articles.

  7. Ding, Y., Zhao, Y, Wen, X. et al. “Development and applications of CO₂-responsive gels…” Gels, 2023 – Cited by 22 articles.

These publications reflect a consistent record of innovation, technical depth, and field relevance.

Conclusion

Dr. Yang Zhao is a visionary petroleum engineer whose work advances the frontier of low-carbon energy production and reservoir sustainability. His pioneering contributions to CO₂-responsive gel systems, hydrate control, and EOR-geo-sequestration synergy have influenced global CCUS practices. Bridging fundamental research with industrial implementation, Dr. Zhao continues to shape academic discourse and engineering solutions for future energy systems. Through teaching, research leadership, and interdisciplinary collaborations, he cultivates the next generation of petroleum engineers committed to sustainability and innovation. His career trajectory reflects scientific rigor, practical relevance, and an unwavering dedication to addressing energy and environmental challenges.

Shuangmei Zou | Reservoir Fluid Flow | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shuangmei Zou | Reservoir Fluid Flow | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at China University of Geosciences, China

Dr. Shuangmei Zou is an Associate Professor at the School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences. With over a decade of academic and professional experience, she specializes in porous media characterization and subsurface flow processes critical to energy transition technologies. Her research bridges experimental and computational techniques to explore fluid dynamics in geological formations. Dr. Zou is a respected scholar with numerous publications in leading journals and editorial responsibilities. She actively contributes to global scientific communities through professional memberships and international collaborations. Her interdisciplinary expertise and commitment to applied geoscience have made significant contributions to energy resource optimization.

👤 Profile

Orcid

🏫 Education

Dr. Zou completed her Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, in 2018. Her doctoral research, under the supervision of Professors Ryan T. Armstrong, Christoph Arns, and Furqan Hussain, focused on multiphase flow and pore-scale phenomena in porous media. She previously earned a Master’s degree in Oil and Gas Field Engineering (2012) and a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering (2009), both from China University of Geosciences. Her academic foundation combines rigorous engineering and geoscience training, equipping her with a solid theoretical background and practical problem-solving skills relevant to energy systems and reservoir engineering.

💼 Experience

Dr. Zou currently serves as an Associate Professor at the China University of Geosciences, a role she has held since March 2022. She began her academic career at the same institution as a Lecturer in 2019. Before transitioning to academia, she worked as an Assistant Reservoir Engineer for the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), where she applied reservoir simulation and engineering techniques in field development. Her career trajectory reflects a blend of industry knowledge and academic rigor, enabling her to mentor students and lead research on subsurface fluid transport, underground energy storage, and pore-scale material modeling.

🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Zou’s research spans digital materials characterization, porous media imaging, and modeling of multiphase flow. She investigates the physical principles governing fluid displacement in geological systems using advanced X-ray micro-computed tomography and pore-scale imaging. Her work supports innovations in underground energy storage, enhanced oil recovery, and carbon capture technologies. She has pioneered methods for analyzing wettability effects and interfacial dynamics in mixed-wet and water-wet conditions. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates petroleum engineering, geophysics, and computational modeling, contributing to the scientific understanding and practical advancement of future energy technologies under complex subsurface conditions.

🏅 Award

Dr. Zou’s academic excellence has been recognized with several prestigious awards. She received a Ph.D. Research Stipend and Full Tuition Fee Scholarship from UNSW between 2013 and 2017. In 2016, she was awarded the Postgraduate Research Student Support (PRSS) Conference Travel Grant by the UNSW Graduate Research School, which supported her participation in international conferences. Earlier in her academic journey, she earned the National Endeavor Scholarship from China University of Geosciences in 2008. These honors reflect her sustained academic performance and recognition by both domestic and international institutions for her potential and contributions to research.

📚 Publication

Dr. Zou has authored numerous influential publications, including the following selected works:

  1. Kang N, Zou S, et al. (2025). “Insights into Interfacial Dynamic and Displacement Patterns…” Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth (Accepted).

  2. Cai J, Qin X, Wang H, Xia Y, Zou S. (2024). “Pore-scale investigation of forced imbibition…” Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Cited by 6.

  3. Zou S, Zhang Y, Ma L. (2024). “Imaging techniques for optimizing underground energy storage.” Advances in Geo-Energy Research, Cited by 10.

  4. Zou S, et al. (2024). “Energy signature in multiphase flow regimes.” Water Resources Research, 60(3), Cited by 14.

  5. Zou S, et al. (2022). “Characterization of Two-Phase Flow…” Energies, 15(6):2036, Cited by 18.

  6. Zou S, Liu Y, Cai J, et al. (2020). “Influence of capillarity on relative permeability.” Water Resources Research, 56(11), Cited by 21.

  7. Zou S, Sun C. (2020). “X-ray imaging of wettability in porous media: A review.” Capillarity, 3(3), Cited by 25.

These publications reflect her contributions to the fields of geophysics, fluid mechanics, and porous media research.

🧾 Conclusion

Dr. Shuangmei Zou is a distinguished researcher whose work has significantly advanced the understanding of multiphase flow in porous media. Her publications and leadership roles in editorial boards demonstrate her influence in the scientific community. She bridges the gap between theoretical modeling and practical application, enabling technological advancements in underground energy storage and enhanced oil recovery. Her research has both academic value and real-world impact, addressing critical challenges in the energy sector. Through innovative experimentation, high-impact scholarship, and international collaboration, Dr. Zou exemplifies the qualities of a leading scientist deserving of recognition and further opportunities for advancement.

Bawoke Mekuye Getnet | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Bawoke Mekuye Getnet | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Researcher and Lecturer at Mekdela Amba University, Ethiopia

Bawoke Mekuye Getnet is a dedicated physicist and academic with substantial experience in both secondary and higher education, coupled with a growing research profile in nanomaterials and computational condensed matter physics. His academic journey has been defined by a deep commitment to enhancing scientific understanding and innovation in Ethiopia. As a lecturer and coordinator at Mekdela Amba University, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the academic and research landscape of the institution. His work, marked by both theoretical and computational depth, has contributed meaningfully to the study of optical properties and magnetic behavior in nanomaterials and semiconductors.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Bawoke Mekuye began his academic journey in physics at Dilla University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in 2013. Following his passion for deeper scientific inquiry, he pursued a Master of Science degree at Debre Markos University, completing it in 2019 with a focus on applied and theoretical physics. His academic background has provided him with a strong foundation in computational modeling and materials science, which he has skillfully applied in both research and teaching.

Experience

Starting his career as a physics teacher at Debre Work Secondary and Preparatory School in 2013, Bawoke Mekuye developed a strong grounding in pedagogy and science communication. In 2020, he transitioned into higher education as a lecturer at Mekdela Amba University, where he currently teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students. Since 2023, he has also served as the Coordinator for Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Continuing Education Programs in the College of Natural and Computational Sciences. In this role, he has been instrumental in curriculum development and academic program management. His experience extends to teacher training and professional development, having conducted multiple training sessions for educators and students.

Research Interest

Bawoke Mekuye’s research interests lie at the intersection of nanotechnology, materials science, and condensed matter physics. He focuses primarily on the optical and magnetic properties of nanomaterials, with specific attention to the effects of size, doping, and external fields on semiconductor behavior. His theoretical and computational investigations explore advanced materials such as diluted magnetic semiconductors, silver and gold nanoparticles, and emerging energy-related nanostructures. Through his work, he aims to contribute to advancements in high-performance materials for electronics, photonics, and energy storage systems.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his academic and professional career, Bawoke Mekuye has received recognition for his commitment to science and education. He was honored by Mekdela Amba University for his seminar presentation on nanomaterials, where he effectively communicated complex concepts regarding synthesis, classification, and application of nanostructures. Additionally, he has been active as a reviewer for renowned scientific journals including those published by IOP, Elsevier, and Springer Nature, further reflecting his growing standing in the scientific community.

Publications

Bawoke Mekuye has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in prominent journals, reflecting his expertise in computational physics and nanomaterials. Among his most cited works are:

Mekuye B, Abera B. “Nanomaterials: An overview of synthesis, classification, characterization, and applications.” Nano Select, 2023.

Mekuye B. “The Impact of Size on the Optical Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Based on Dielectric Function.” IntechOpen, 2023.

Mekuye B, Höfer R, Mebratie G. “Computational Study of the Effect of the Size-Dependent Dielectric Functions of Gold Nanomaterials on Optical Properties.” Advances in Condensed Matter Physics, 2024.

Mekuye B, Atnafu D, et al. “Computational investigation of high Curie temperature in iron‐doped GaSb.” Nano Select, 2024.

Mekuye B, Zerihun G. “Theoretical study on the effects of Mn ion doping and magnetic field in (In, Mn)As.” Results in Physics, 2024.

Mekuye B, Höfer R, Abera B. “Nanomaterials: Terms, Definition and Classification.” Elsevier, 2024.

Mekuye B, Mebratie G, et al. “Energy: An Overview of Type, Form, Storage, Advantages, Efficiency, and Their Impact.” Energy Science & Engineering, 2024.

These publications have collectively gained citations from numerous researchers exploring nanostructured materials, semiconductor physics, and applied energy systems.

Conclusion

Bawoke Mekuye Getnet stands out as a rising academic whose contributions span both education and scientific research. His dedication to teaching, mentoring, and academic coordination complements his research excellence in the field of nanomaterials and theoretical physics. With his active engagement in scholarly communication, peer review, and training initiatives, he continues to foster scientific innovation and educational excellence in Ethiopia and beyond. His career trajectory reflects not only a deep passion for physics but also a forward-looking vision for the transformative role of science in society.