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

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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.

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

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

Orcid

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.

Sameer Arora | Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sameer Arora | Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) | Best Researcher Award

Sector Specialist at National Institute of Urban Affairs, India

Sameer Arora is an accomplished environmental engineer specializing in water resource engineering and waste management. With extensive experience across academia, research institutions, and policy advisory roles, he has made significant contributions to urban environmental sustainability. His expertise spans integrated waste management, pollution control, climate resilience, and the implementation of sustainable environmental policies. Dr. Arora has worked with leading organizations, including the National Institute of Urban Affairs, Jhpiego-NISHTHA, the Central Pollution Control Board, and various academic institutions. His research primarily focuses on water quality modeling, air pollution assessment, and waste management strategies. Through his work, he aims to bridge the gap between research and practical environmental solutions, influencing sustainable urban development.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Sameer Arora holds a Ph.D. in Water Resource Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, earned in 2021. His research at IIT Delhi focused on advanced modeling techniques for improving urban river water quality. Prior to this, he completed his M.Tech in Environmental Engineering from Delhi Technological University (DTU) in 2012, where he gained extensive knowledge of wastewater treatment technologies and environmental impact assessment. He began his academic journey with a B.Tech in Environmental Engineering from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) in 2009, laying a strong foundation in sustainable engineering practices and environmental conservation.

Experience

Dr. Arora has amassed a wealth of experience across various sectors. Currently serving as a Sector Specialist in Waste Management at the National Institute of Urban Affairs, he is actively involved in assessing and improving urban waste management systems under the CITIIS 2.0 program. Previously, as a Technical Lead for Water and Waste Management at Jhpiego-NISHTHA, he played a pivotal role in integrating climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability in public healthcare facilities. His tenure at the Central Pollution Control Board as a Consultant in Science and Engineering involved extensive work in air and water pollution monitoring, regulatory framework analysis, and sustainable waste management. Additionally, he has held academic positions at Sharda University, G D Goenka University, and Galgotias University, where he contributed to teaching, research, and curriculum development in environmental engineering.

Research Interests

Dr. Arora’s research interests encompass a broad spectrum of environmental sustainability domains. His work extensively explores water quality modeling, particularly the development of predictive models for dissolved oxygen dynamics in urban rivers. He has also conducted significant research on air pollution analysis, industrial waste management, and e-mobility solutions. His interest in climate resilience has led to studies on carbon footprint assessment in healthcare facilities and strategic planning for environmental sustainability. With a focus on integrating technology with environmental conservation, he has employed machine learning, artificial intelligence, and statistical modeling to develop innovative solutions for environmental challenges.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Sameer Arora has received numerous accolades for his contributions to environmental research and policy. His work has been recognized by leading academic and governmental institutions, highlighting his commitment to sustainable urban development. He has been a key contributor to national environmental policies and has received appreciation for his efforts in waste management and air pollution control. Additionally, he has been invited as a guest speaker at various faculty development programs (FDPs) and short-term training programs (STTPs), further emphasizing his impact in the field.

Selected Publications

Arora, S., & Keshari, A.K. (2023). Implementing Machine Learning Algorithm to Model Reaeration Coefficient of Urbanized Rivers. Environmental Modeling & Assessment. (Cited by multiple studies on urban water modeling.)

Arora, S. (2023). Assessment of technological and financial challenges in upgradation of BS-III and BS-IV vehicles. International Journal of Vehicle Design.

Arora, S., & Keshari, A.K. (2023). Implication of dissolved nitrogen dynamics of urban rivers using multivariate regression and structural equation modeling. CLEAN–Soil, Air, Water.

Arora, S., & Gargava, P. (2023). E-Mobility: Hindrances and motivators for policies implementation in India. Case Studies on Transport Policy.

Singh, K., Arora, S., & Gargava, P. (2023). Waste paper trade and recycling policy in India: a review. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences.

Arora, S., & Keshari, A.K. (2022). Modeling re-aeration of rivers using predictive models and developed ANN models under varying hydrodynamic conditions. Hydrological Sciences Journal.

Arora, S., & Keshari, A.K. (2021). ANFIS-ARIMA modeling for scheming re-aeration of hydrologically altered rivers. Journal of Hydrology.

Conclusion

Dr. Sameer Arora’s extensive experience, strong academic background, and impactful research in environmental sustainability position him as a leading expert in his field. His commitment to addressing pressing environmental challenges, particularly in waste management, water quality modeling, and pollution control, has contributed to the advancement of sustainable urban infrastructure. Through his policy advisory roles and academic contributions, he continues to drive meaningful change in the domain of environmental engineering. His work not only influences research and industry practices but also shapes policies for a cleaner and more sustainable future.