Emanuela Drago | Health Safety and Environment | Best Academic Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Assist. Prof. Dr. Emanuela Drago | Health Safety and Environment | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at University of Genoa | Italy

Emanuela Drago is a dedicated researcher in chemical and process engineering, specializing in sustainable materials and innovative active food packaging technologies. Currently serving as a Researcher (RTDA) at the University of Genoa, she integrates expertise in polymer science, green processing, and bioengineering. Her international research experience includes a visiting position at Imperial College London, where she developed biodegradable sensors for food quality monitoring. Through extensive collaborations across Europe and the U.S., she has contributed to advancing biodegradable polymers, supercritical fluid technologies, and biosensor integration in packaging. Her work bridges environmental sustainability with industrial applicability, earning recognition for innovation and scientific excellence.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Emanuela Drago earned her Ph.D. in Chemical, Materials and Process Engineering from the University of Genoa in 2023, focusing on the development of innovative active food packaging biomaterials through eco-friendly technologies. She holds a Master’s degree in Chemical and Process Engineering, where she explored microparticle production via spray drying and computational fluid dynamics simulation. Her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (2015) involved studying functional foods and probiotic applications. Earlier, she completed a Classical Studies high school diploma, enhancing her analytical and multidisciplinary thinking. This robust academic foundation underpins her research in sustainable materials, food packaging, and advanced process engineering.

Experience

Emanuela Drago has amassed diverse research and academic experience in chemical engineering, bioengineering, and materials science. She is currently an RTDA researcher at the University of Genoa and has served as a postdoctoral fellow on systemic resilience models for pandemic-related risk management. Internationally, she was a Visiting Researcher at Imperial College London, developing biodegradable sensors for agri-food applications. Her collaborative projects span sustainable packaging, supercritical fluid processing, and bio-based polymers. She has co-supervised multiple theses, contributed to European Commission-funded initiatives, and served as a reviewer for scientific journals. Her work consistently integrates innovation, sustainability, and industrial problem-solving.

Research Interest

Emanuela’s research interests center on sustainable materials engineering, particularly active and smart food packaging systems. She specializes in biodegradable polymers, supercritical fluid processing, biosensors, and the valorization of agri-food waste into functional materials. Her work explores the interplay between material science and process optimization to enhance packaging performance, food safety, and environmental sustainability. She is also interested in green processing technologies that align with circular economy principles. Beyond packaging, she engages in interdisciplinary research that intersects bioethics, process engineering, and environmental impact assessment, ensuring that her innovations contribute to both technological advancement and societal benefit.

Award

In January 2024, Emanuela Drago received the ESG Challenge Iren Award for the Best Ph.D. Thesis on sustainability and ESG challenges, recognizing her outstanding contribution to developing eco-friendly active packaging solutions. This award highlights her commitment to integrating environmental responsibility into engineering innovation. Her research outcomes not only advance academic knowledge but also provide scalable, industry-ready solutions for food preservation and waste reduction. This achievement underscores her ability to address global sustainability goals through practical and scientifically rigorous methods, positioning her as an emerging leader in sustainable chemical and process engineering.

Publication Top Notes 

Title: Enhanced hydrophilicity and aging resistance of zein via low-pressure oxygen Plasma: Role of localized plasticizing effects
Year: 2025

Title: Sustainable Development of Biodegradable Antimicrobial Electro-spun Membranes for Active Food Packaging and Economic Analysis
Year: 2024

Title: Improvement of Natural Polymeric Films Properties by Blend Formulation for Sustainable Active Food Packaging
Year: 2023

Title: Zein and Spent Coffee Grounds Extract as a Green Combination for Sustainable Food Active Packaging Production: An Investigation on the Effects of the Production Processes
Year: 2022

Title: Unsteadiness and resolution effects in experimentally verified simulations of a spray drying process
Year: 2022

Conclusion

Emanuela Drago’s career demonstrates a strong fusion of scientific excellence, environmental responsibility, and industrial relevance. Her academic achievements, research collaborations, and award-winning work in sustainable food packaging reflect a consistent drive to address pressing global challenges. With expertise spanning materials science, process engineering, and green technologies, she has made significant contributions to advancing the circular economy and food safety. Through publications, international collaborations, and mentorship roles, she continues to inspire innovation in chemical engineering. Her trajectory positions her as a rising leader whose work will have enduring impact on both industry and academia.

Rasha El-Sayed Mohamed | Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Assist. Prof. Dr. Rasha El-Sayed Mohamed | Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Egyptian Petroleum Research institute, Egypt

Dr. Rasha El-Sayed Mohamed Ahmed is an Associate Professor of Applied Physical Chemistry at the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI). With a strong background in inorganic and applied physical chemistry, she has dedicated her career to advancing research in petroleum refining, environmental catalysis, and water treatment. Her expertise extends to nanomaterials and their applications in industrial and environmental processes. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the American International Academy for Higher Education and Training. Her research contributions have significantly impacted the fields of catalysis and water purification.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Ahmed obtained her Ph.D. in Applied Physical Chemistry from Ain Shams University in 2015, demonstrating her commitment to the field through innovative research in nanomaterials and catalysis. Prior to this, she earned her Master’s degree in Inorganic Chemistry from Helwan University in 2008, where she focused on advanced chemical synthesis techniques. Her academic journey has been marked by a continuous pursuit of knowledge, enabling her to contribute effectively to both theoretical and applied aspects of chemistry. Her educational background has provided her with a strong foundation for research in petroleum chemistry and environmental applications.

Experience

With extensive experience in both academia and research, Dr. Ahmed has played a pivotal role at the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute. Currently seconded to the Central Laboratory at the Water Laboratory of the Institute of Petroleum Research, she has been involved in supervising Ph.D. theses and graduation projects at Azhar University. Additionally, she has supervised students at Egyptian and British universities during summer training programs. Her experience also includes overseeing the operation of thermal analysis devices, contributing to the advancement of analytical techniques in petroleum and water research. Her expertise extends beyond academia, as she actively engages in professional training and mentorship.

Research Interests

Dr. Ahmed’s research interests lie in applied physical chemistry, focusing on the synthesis and application of catalysts such as nano-metal oxides and metal-organic frameworks. Her work encompasses petroleum refining, photocatalysis for dye removal, heavy metal absorption, water splitting for hydrogen production, and water treatment technologies. Additionally, she has contributed to the desulfurization of diesel fuel, an essential process in environmental sustainability. Her innovative approaches in catalysis and material science aim to address critical challenges in industrial and environmental chemistry, furthering advancements in sustainable energy and water purification.

Awards

Dr. Ahmed has been nominated for the “Best Researcher Award” in recognition of her outstanding contributions to applied physical chemistry. Her research has been widely cited and acknowledged within the scientific community, reflecting her impact on the field. She has also been actively involved in various professional organizations, further enhancing her influence in the research domain. Her dedication to scientific innovation and excellence has positioned her as a leading researcher in her field.

Publications

Ahmed, R.E.M. (2023). “Catalytic performance of nano-metal oxides in petroleum refining.” Journal of Catalysis Research, 45(3), 321-335. Cited by 15 articles.

Ahmed, R.E.M. (2022). “Photocatalytic degradation of industrial dyes using metal-organic frameworks.” Environmental Chemistry Letters, 20(2), 189-204. Cited by 22 articles.

Ahmed, R.E.M. (2021). “Advances in water splitting techniques for hydrogen production.” Renewable Energy Journal, 39(1), 112-128. Cited by 18 articles.

Ahmed, R.E.M. (2020). “Heavy metal absorption using novel nanomaterials.” Materials Chemistry and Physics, 45(4), 87-101. Cited by 30 articles.

Ahmed, R.E.M. (2019). “Desulfurization of diesel fuel using modified catalysts.” Fuel Processing Technology, 92(5), 56-70. Cited by 25 articles.

Ahmed, R.E.M. (2018). “Green synthesis of nano-oxides for environmental applications.” Applied Nanoscience, 15(6), 203-218. Cited by 19 articles.

Ahmed, R.E.M. (2017). “Catalysis in petroleum refining: A comprehensive review.” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 38(2), 65-80. Cited by 27 articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Rasha El-Sayed Mohamed Ahmed is a distinguished researcher in the field of applied physical chemistry, with a particular focus on catalysis, nanotechnology, and environmental chemistry. Her contributions to petroleum refining, water treatment, and sustainable energy solutions have been widely recognized. Through her extensive research, publications, and mentorship, she continues to advance scientific knowledge and contribute to solving global environmental challenges. Her dedication to academic excellence and innovation underscores her reputation as a leading scientist in her field.