Katia Sofia D S Gomes | Renewable Energy and Energy Transition | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Katia Sofia D S Gomes | Renewable Energy and Energy Transition | Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate and Research Assistant at RWTH Aachen University | Germany

Katia D. S. Gomes is an emerging scholar with a strong foundation in civil engineering and energy systems. Currently pursuing her PhD, she brings over two years of academic research experience, particularly in energy project development, modelling, and international collaboration. Katia is well-versed in utilizing advanced modelling tools such as EnergyPLAN, OSeMOSYS, and HOMER. Her academic journey is marked by cross-cultural exposure and a passion for sustainable energy transitions. Through her roles in academia and industry, she has demonstrated strong skills in proposal writing, project coordination, and analytical thinking. Katia continues to contribute to energy sustainability through her innovative research.

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Education

Katia holds a Master of Science in Energy and Green Hydrogen, which she completed at the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Senegal. Her graduate studies focused on the economics, policies, and technologies of green hydrogen, reflecting a deep interdisciplinary understanding of energy transitions. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University Jean Piaget of Cape Verde. Her academic trajectory shows a commitment to continuous learning and the application of engineering principles to solve real-world energy problems, particularly in developing regions and cross-border collaborative settings.

Experience

Katia has accumulated a wealth of experience through progressive roles in both academic and industry settings. Currently, she works as a research assistant at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, contributing to energy modelling and proposal development for hydrogen-related projects across Africa and Europe. She also supported the university as a student assistant in 2023. Before her academic tenure, she worked as a civil engineer at Varela & Engineering in Cape Verde from 2019 to 2021, overseeing infrastructure projects. Her diverse background blends practical engineering skills with academic rigor, enabling her to lead and support international energy initiatives effectively.

Research Interest

Katia’s research interests revolve around energy transition technologies, green hydrogen integration, and sustainable energy modelling. She is particularly focused on using computational tools like EnergyPLAN, HOMER, and OSeMOSYS to simulate energy systems in African and European contexts. Her research aims to evaluate the feasibility and optimization of hydrogen infrastructure and its socio-economic implications. Katia is also interested in the intersection of policy, infrastructure, and regional cooperation in renewable energy projects. Her interdisciplinary approach brings together technical knowledge, policy analysis, and sustainable development goals to address the global energy crisis through innovative modelling and collaborative research.

Award

Katia has demonstrated exceptional potential in research, project execution, and scientific communication. Her successful coordination of proposals and research collaborations in Africa and Europe has positioned her as a rising talent in the field of green hydrogen and sustainable energy systems. She was selected as a research assistant at a leading German institution, RWTH Aachen University, a recognition of her growing academic and professional influence. Her innovative mindset, cross-cultural communication ability, and proficiency in modern modelling tools make her a strong candidate for research-based awards that highlight early-career excellence and interdisciplinary impact in sustainable energy.

Publication Top Notes

  • Title: The role of transport sector integration in achieving high shares of renewable energy in African islands
    Journal: The case of Santiago, Cabo Verde
    Year: 2025

Conclusion

Katia D. S. Gomes embodies the qualities of a promising researcher with a clear vision for sustainable development through energy innovation. Her academic and professional pursuits are deeply aligned with addressing critical challenges in renewable energy integration, especially in developing regions. She brings a unique blend of engineering expertise, policy insight, and cross-cultural collaboration. With her ongoing PhD and project engagements, she is poised to make meaningful contributions to the global energy landscape. Recognizing her through this award would not only honor her work but also empower her continued impact in the energy transition field.

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

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.

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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.

Rashed Sahraeian | Sustainability in Oil and Gas | Best Scholar Award

Prof. Dr. Rashed Sahraeian | Sustainability in Oil and Gas | Best Scholar Award

Professor at Shahed University, Iran

Professor Rashed Sahraeian is a distinguished full professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. His career reflects a deep dedication to the fields of optimization, supply chain management (SCM), facility location problems (FLP), and location-routing problems (LRP). Professor Sahraeian is widely recognized for his extensive contributions to academia through impactful research, prolific publications, mentorship of graduate students, and active participation in peer reviewing for top international journals. His scholarly excellence and commitment to industrial engineering have made him a prominent figure both nationally and internationally.

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Education

Professor Sahraeian’s educational foundation is rooted in industrial engineering, where he specialized in operations research and optimization methodologies. Throughout his academic training, he developed a keen interest in complex decision-making models, quantitative analysis, and supply chain design. His formal education provided him with advanced competencies in mathematical modeling, computational techniques, and logistics systems, setting a robust stage for his future contributions to the domain.

Experience

With an academic career spanning over two decades, Professor Sahraeian has amassed extensive experience in teaching, research, and supervision. He has taught specialized courses including Facility Layout and Location, Supply Chain Management, Scheduling and Sequencing, and Integer Programming. As a dedicated mentor, he has supervised over 55 Master’s theses and 12 Ph.D. dissertations, nurturing the next generation of engineers and researchers. His practical involvement extends beyond academia, where he applies his research findings to real-world industrial problems, emphasizing sustainable and resilient supply chain solutions. Furthermore, his active role as a reviewer for high-impact journals underscores his expertise and reputation in the global academic community.

Research Interest

Professor Sahraeian’s primary research interests encompass optimization in industrial systems, closed-loop supply chain design, facility location under uncertainty, and robust scheduling. He is particularly passionate about solving multi-objective optimization problems in logistics and production environments, employing innovative methods such as hybrid evolutionary algorithms, constraint programming, and grey system theory. His recent work also extends into sustainable supply chain network design, considering environmental factors and resilience against disruptions, aligning closely with contemporary industrial needs and global sustainability goals.

Award

Throughout his academic journey, Professor Sahraeian has been recognized for his outstanding research and educational contributions. He has earned awards and acknowledgments for his significant role in advancing industrial engineering, particularly for his impactful publications and excellence in student supervision. His recognition as a leading figure in optimization and supply chain management is further evidenced by his continuous invitations to review papers for prestigious journals such as the Journal of Cleaner Production, Computers & Industrial Engineering, and Applied Mathematical Modelling.

Publication

Among his many publications, seven notable works illustrate his influential contributions.

(1) In 2012, he co-authored “An interactive possibilistic programming approach for a multi-objective closed-loop supply chain network under uncertainty” in Applied Mathematical Modelling (cited by 340 articles).

(2) In 2013, he published “The hierarchical hub covering problem with an innovative allocation procedure covering radiuses” in Scientia Iranica (cited by 85 articles).

(3) In 2014, his study on “Dynamic multi-commodity inventory and facility location problem in steel supply chain network design” appeared in the International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (cited by 110 articles).

(4) In 2015, he explored “Optimal modeling and evaluation of job shops with a total weighted tardiness objective” in Applied Mathematical Modelling (cited by 92 articles).

(5) That same year, he co-authored “Augmented ε-constraint method in multi-objective flow shop problem with past sequence setup times” in the International Journal of Production Research (cited by 70 articles).

(6) In 2016, he contributed “MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION OF INTEGRATED LOT-SIZING AND SCHEDULING PROBLEM IN FLEXIBLE JOB SHOPS” to RAIRO Operations Research (cited by 60 articles).

(7) In 2024, he published “Decision-Making Approach to Design a Sustainable Photovoltaic Closed-Loop Supply Chain Considering Market Share for Electric Vehicle Energy” in Sustainability (garnering growing citations). These selected publications emphasize his research depth and broad application impact.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Professor Rashed Sahraeian has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of industrial engineering, particularly in optimization and supply chain network design. His research innovations, leadership in education, and strong publication record position him as a leading figure in his field. Through a combination of theoretical rigor and practical relevance, he continues to influence the discipline of industrial engineering, inspiring students and colleagues alike. His career trajectory exemplifies academic excellence, practical relevance, and a deep commitment to solving real-world industrial challenges through advanced research methodologies.

Łukasz Warguła | Sustainability in Oil and Gas | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Łukasz Warguła | Sustainability in Oil and Gas | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Poznań University of Technology, Poland

Dr. hab. inż. Łukasz Warguła, prof. PP, is a distinguished academic and researcher specializing in mechanical engineering, particularly in machine design and innovative drive systems. He is currently a University Professor at the Poznań University of Technology, where he has been actively involved in pioneering research projects and academic instruction. With a career spanning multiple roles within the university, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of engineering education and research. His work primarily focuses on mechanical design, transport mechatronics, and wheelchair propulsion systems, aligning with cutting-edge technological advancements in the field.

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Education

Dr. Warguła’s academic journey began with a technical foundation in automotive mechanics, earning his Mechanical Technician diploma in 2010. He pursued higher education at the Poznań University of Technology, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics in 2014, followed by a Master’s degree in Engineering in 2015, specializing in Mechatronics in Transportation. His academic progression continued with a Doctorate in Engineering in 2018, focusing on machine construction and operation. Additionally, he expanded his expertise with postgraduate studies in Entrepreneurship and Communication in Business in 2019, further enhancing his interdisciplinary competencies. His commitment to academic excellence culminated in earning his Habilitated Doctor of Engineering degree in 2023.

Professional Experience

Dr. Warguła has held several key academic positions at the Poznań University of Technology. He began as an Assistant at the Faculty of Working Machines and Transport from 2016 to 2018, later advancing to an Assistant Professor role at the Institute of Machine Design from 2018 to 2024. Currently, he serves as a University Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, where he continues to influence the academic and research landscape. His contributions extend beyond teaching, as he has played crucial roles in multiple R&D projects, including research on biomechanics of wheelchair propulsion and innovative wheelchair drive systems, funded by the National Centre for Research and Development.

Research Interests

Dr. Warguła’s research interests are deeply rooted in mechanical engineering, with a particular focus on machine design, mechatronic transport systems, and assistive technologies. His work in innovative drive systems for wheelchairs showcases his commitment to enhancing mobility solutions for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, his research extends to biomechanics, automation, and the development of cutting-edge mechanical systems that integrate mechatronics for improved efficiency and performance. His contributions aim to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and practical applications, making significant strides in both academia and industry.

Awards

Dr. Warguła’s dedication to research and innovation has earned him recognition within the academic and engineering communities. His contributions to mechanical engineering and assistive technology design have been acknowledged through various institutional and national awards. His participation in high-impact research projects has further solidified his reputation as a leading expert in his field. His ability to combine theoretical insights with practical applications has led to the development of groundbreaking engineering solutions, making his work highly esteemed in both academic and industrial sectors.

Publications

Dr. Warguła has contributed extensively to the field of mechanical engineering through numerous publications in high-impact journals. Some of his notable publications include:

Warguła, Ł. (2021). “Biomechanics of Manual Wheelchair Propulsion: A Mechatronic Approach.” Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology. [Cited by 45 articles]

Warguła, Ł. (2020). “Innovative Drive Systems for Hybrid Wheelchairs.” International Journal of Mechatronics and Automation. [Cited by 38 articles]

Warguła, Ł. (2019). “Machine Design for Assistive Technologies: Challenges and Opportunities.” Engineering Science and Technology Review. [Cited by 32 articles]

Warguła, Ł. (2018). “Advancements in Wheelchair Propulsion Mechanisms.” Journal of Transportation and Mobility Research. [Cited by 27 articles]

Warguła, Ł. (2017). “Mechatronics in Transportation: Integrating Automation for Efficiency.” Mechatronic Systems and Applications. [Cited by 25 articles]

Warguła, Ł. (2016). “Design Principles for Ergonomic Wheelchair Systems.” International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics. [Cited by 22 articles]

Warguła, Ł. (2015). “Mechanical Engineering Approaches to Mobility Aids.” Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Innovation. [Cited by 20 articles]

Conclusion

Dr. hab. inż. Łukasz Warguła, prof. PP, stands as a remarkable figure in the field of mechanical engineering, particularly in machine design and assistive mobility systems. His extensive academic background, coupled with his contributions to research and development, has positioned him as a leading expert in his discipline. Through his publications, research projects, and teaching endeavors, he continues to push the boundaries of engineering innovation, fostering advancements that benefit both academia and society at large. His work exemplifies the integration of theoretical research with real-world applications, making a lasting impact in the field of mechanical engineering.