Gennaro Trancone | Environmental Engineering  | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Gennaro Trancone | Environmental Engineering  | Research Excellence Award

University of Naples “Federico II | Italy

Gennaro Trancone is a civil and environmental engineer specializing in environmental biotechnology, waste-to-energy systems, and sustainable solid-waste management. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Systems Engineering from the University of Naples “Federico II,” where his dissertation focused on biological leaching as a sustainable method for treating construction and demolition waste. With 9 scientific documents, 155 citations, and an h-index of 7 (cited by 123 documents), his research spans anaerobic digestion, dark fermentation, biofilm reactors, renewable biogas production, and remediation of asbestos-contaminated materials. He has contributed to national and international conferences and serves as a reviewer for over 20 peer-reviewed journals. His academic experience includes teaching in soil bioengineering and supporting courses in contaminated-site remediation, sanitary engineering, and waste management. Professionally, he has served as a technical commissioner, project engineer, and consultant for wastewater treatment and marine environmental studies. His work integrates microbial processes, chemical characterization, and circular-economy strategies to create scalable, low-carbon solutions for waste valorization and environmental protection. Recognized for his multidisciplinary approach, he aims to advance biorefinery systems, eco-efficient remediation technologies, and predictive tools for environmental monitoring, contributing to sustainable development and next-generation environmental engineering practices.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Bounaas, M., Haouichi, M., Gattal, B., Hamza, W., Benalia, A., Derbal, K., Benzina, M., Pizzi, A., Trancone, G., & Panico, A. (2025). “Optimization of NaOH chemical treatment parameters for biomass-based adsorbents in cationic dye removal processes” in Processes.

Achouri, O., Bianco, F., Trancone, G., & Race, M. (2025). “A critical review of anaerobic biofilm reactors for the renewable biogas production from food waste” in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering.

Trancone, G., Policastro, G., Spasiano, D., Race, M., Parrino, F., Fratino, U., Fabbricino, M., & Pirozzi, F. (2025). “Treatment of concrete waste from construction and demolition activities: Application of organic acids from continuous dark fermentation in moving bed biofilm reactors” in Chemical Engineering Journal.

Ferraro, A., Marino, E., Trancone, G., Race, M., Mali, M., Pontoni, L., Fabbricino, M., Spasiano, D., & Fratino, U. (2023). “Assessment of environmental parameters effect on potentially toxic elements mobility in foreshore sediments to support marine-coastal contamination prediction” in Marine Pollution Bulletin.

Veropalumbo, R., Oreto, C., Viscione, N., Pirozzi, F., Pontoni, L., Trancone, G., Race, M., & Russo, F. (2023). “Exploring the effect on the environment of encapsulated micro- and nano-plastics into asphalt mastics for road pavement” in Environmental Research.

Kanellos Toudas | Financial Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanellos Toudas | Financial Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Agricultural University of Athens | Greece

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanellos Toudas is a scholar in accounting and financial analysis with extensive academic, governmental, and professional experience. He earned both his graduate and postgraduate diplomas in Business Administration from the University of Piraeus, followed by a Ph.D. in Financial Management and Accounting from the Athens University of Economics and Business, and later extended his research expertise through postdoctoral studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dr. Toudas has combined rigorous academic work with significant professional service, beginning his career as an auditor for the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, where he later served as Head of the Accounting Department. His public-sector leadership includes roles as Deputy Mayor of Finance and Deputy Governor within national financial and agricultural institutions. In academia, he is an Associate Professor at the Agricultural University of Athens, having also taught at major Greek universities in areas such as accounting principles, financial analysis, and IFRS. He has authored and co-authored numerous research papers and has participated in many national and international conferences. His research interests include financial reporting, auditing, accounting standards, and capital market regulation. Dr. Toudas continues to contribute to the advancement of accounting research and financial governance through teaching, scholarship, and public service.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Toudas, K., Poutos, E., & Balios, D. (2013). Concept, regulations and institutional issues of IPSAS: A critical review. European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 2(1), 43–54.

Boufounou, P., Mavroudi, M., Toudas, K., & Georgakopoulos, G. (2022). Digital transformation of the Greek banking sector in the COVID era. Sustainability, 14(19), 11855.

Boufounou, P., Moustairas, I., Toudas, K., & Malesios, C. (2023). ESGs and customer choice: Some empirical evidence. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 3(4), 1841–1874.

Frangos, C., Frangos, C., Sotiropoulos, I., Orfanos, V., Toudas, K., & Gkika, E. (2012). The effects of the Greek economic crisis on eating habits and psychological attitudes of young people: A sample survey among Greek university students. Proceedings of the World Congress of Engineering, 1, 485–489.

Georgakopoulos, G., Toudas, K., Poutos, E. I., Kounadeas, T., & Tsavalias, S. (2022). Capital structure, corporate governance, equity ownership and their impact on firms’ profitability and effectiveness in the energy sector. Energies, 15(10), 3625.

Kateřina Holušová | Data Visualization | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Kateřina Holušová | Data Visualization | Women Researcher Award

Mendel University in Brno | Czech Republic

Dr. Kateřina Holušová is a Czech forestry and landscape ecology expert with extensive experience in sustainable forest management, nature conservation, and forestry education. She earned her Ph.D. in Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation from Mendel University in Brno in 2013 and a second Ph.D. in Forensic Engineering with a specialization in Forestry and Nature Conservation from Brno University of Technology in 2012, following an M.Sc. in Forestry Engineering from Mendel University. Since 2016, she has been the founder and practical forester at the Moravian Forestry Institute, while also serving as a part-time research assistant and lecturer at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University, covering courses in forest economics, public relations, and development cooperation. Dr. Holušová has participated in numerous international and national projects, including sustainable forestry initiatives in Georgia’s Tusheti region, foreign development cooperation projects for Ukraine, and programs supported by the Czech Ministries of Agriculture and Environment. She has authored 14 publications, cited 65 times across 61 documents, with an h-index of 4. Her research focuses on sustainable forest management, ecosystem services, and landscape conservation. Dr. Holušová actively engages in field research, international collaborations, and conferences, bridging academic research with practical forestry solutions to promote sustainable, ecologically informed forest management.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Holušová, K., Šilhan, Z., & Holuša, O. (2025). Regional development in forestry from the point of view of the bioeconomy at the EU member-state level. Land. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14122377

Holušová, K., Šilhan, Z., & Holuša, O. (2025). Regional development in forestry from the point of view of the bioeconomy at the EU member-state level. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202510.2153.v1

Holušová, K., & Holuša, O. (2025). Assessing the provision of ecosystem services using forest site classification as a basis for the forest bioeconomy in the Czech Republic. Forests, 16(8), 1242. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081242

Holušová, K., Šilhan, Z., & Holuša, O. (2023). Is the current forest management to the northernmost population of Cordulegaster heros (Anisoptera: Cordulegastridae) in Central Europe (Czech Republic) threatening? Forests, 14(2), 228. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020228

Holušová, K., & Holuša, O. (2023). Occurrence and population density of the endemic species Cordulegaster buchholzi (Anisoptera: Cordulegastridae) on the Cyclades Islands in Greece. Insects, 14(11), 896. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110896

Sang Soo Shin | Materials Science and Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Sang Soo Shin | Materials Science and Engineering | Research Excellence Award

OHSUNG TECH R&D Center | South Korea

Dr. Sang Soo Shin is a materials scientist and engineer specializing in advanced casting, molding, and joining technologies. He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Pusan National University in 2016, following an M.S. in Advanced Materials Engineering from Korea University in 2008, and a B.E. in Materials Science and Engineering from Pukyoung National University in 2004. With extensive experience in both academia and applied research, Dr. Shin has contributed to over 20 research and development projects, including initiatives supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. His research focuses on high-strength lightweight alloys, mechanically workable composites, and innovative joining techniques for industrial applications. He has authored 17 SCI papers and 10 domestic publications, amassing 304 citations from 236 documents and achieving an h-index of 7, reflecting significant impact in his field. Dr. Shin holds eight patents and has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including the Korea Engineer Award (2021), commendations from the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (2023), and the Korean Society of Welding and Joining Engineers Award for Excellence in Presentation (2021). His expertise in materials processing and engineering has contributed to both fundamental research and technological advancements in metallurgy and manufacturing. Dr. Shin continues to drive innovation in materials engineering, bridging academic research with industrial application.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publication

High-strength Al–Zn–Cu casting alloy with Zn supersaturation: A lightweight alternative to Al-Si and cast iron components , 2025

Gheorghe Balint | Educational Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Balint | Educational Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Vasile Alecsandri University | Romania

Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Balint is a distinguished academic and researcher in physical education, sports sciences, and winter sports, with over three decades of experience in higher education and international sports organizations. He holds a Doctorate in Pedagogy, recognized as a Doctor in Physical Education and Sports, and a habilitation in optimizing training in faculties of physical education and sports. Currently a Ph.D. supervisor at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, he has served as Professor and Director of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Performance at “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, as well as Vice-Dean and Head of Chair for Sportive Games. His teaching expertise spans winter sports, association football, coaching, and professional sports pedagogy, while his research interests focus on training optimization, programmed teaching, assessment of theoretical knowledge, and sports performance evaluation. Prof. Balint has coordinated national and international projects, authored multiple books and book chapters, and published numerous ISI-indexed and peer-reviewed articles. He has been recognized with prestigious international honors, including the FIEP Gold and Silver Crosses of Honor and ambassadorial appointments in physical education. Through his leadership, research, and mentorship, Prof. Balint has significantly contributed to the development of physical education, sports science, and international collaboration in training and coaching excellence.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Grosu, V. T., Vari, H. I., Ordean, M.-N., & Grosu, E. F. (2022). Increasing self-confidence in students from different universities through exercises in body technique and dance therapy. Conference Paper.

Luptáková, G., Argajová, J., Balga, T., & Antala, B. (2025). Team teaching models in primary physical education: Effects on basic motor competencies and self-reported physical literacy. Article.

Šiška, Ľ., Balint, G., Zentko, J., & Voinea, N. L. (2025). Use of a mobile phone for assessing the intensity of strength exercises – Pilot study. Preprint.

Luptáková, G., Argajová, J., Balga, T., & Antala, B. (2025). Team teaching models in primary physical education: Effects on basic motor competencies and self-reported physical literacy. Preprint.

(2024). Changes in selected movement abilities through the use of movement games in physical education lessons at the gymnasium level. Journal of Physical Education and Sport.

Angelos Athanasiadis | Machine Learning and AI Applications | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Angelos Athanasiadis | Machine Learning and AI Applications | Research Excellence Award

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) | Greece

Mr. Angelos Athanasiadis is a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in FPGA-based acceleration of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and heterogeneous computing systems. He holds an M.Eng. in Electronics and Computer Systems and an MBA with high distinction. His research focuses on energy-efficient FPGA architectures, full-precision CNN inference on reconfigurable hardware, drone-assisted monitoring systems, distributed embedded system emulation, and timing-accurate simulation of cyber-physical systems. Angelos has contributed to EU-funded research projects such as ADVISER and REDESIGN, and has gained industrial experience in embedded system development and R&D at Cadence Design Systems, EXAPSYS, and SEEMS PC. He developed a parameterizable high-level synthesis matrix multiplication library for AMD FPGAs and designed FUSION, an open-source framework integrating QEMU with OMNeT++ via HLA/CERTI for deterministic, sub-microsecond synchronized, multi-node emulation of heterogeneous computing systems. His work supports realistic prototyping of systems combining CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs in accuracy-critical domains such as aerial monitoring and autonomous embedded platforms. With a strong foundation in both academic research and industrial applications, Angelos advances the field of FPGA-based acceleration and distributed embedded computing, bridging innovation with practical deployment.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Athanasiadis, A., Tampouratzis, N., & Papaefstathiou, I. (2025). An efficient open-source design and implementation framework for non-quantized CNNs on FPGAs. Integration, 102625.

Athanasiadis, A., Tampouratzis, N., & Papaefstathiou, I. (2025). Energy-efficient FPGA framework for non-quantized convolutional neural networks. arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.13362.

Athanasiadis, A., Tampouratzis, N., & Papaefstathiou, I. (2024). An open-source HLS fully parameterizable matrix multiplication library for AMD FPGAs. WiPiEC Journal – Works in Progress in Embedded Computing Journal, 10(2).

Katselas, L., Jiao, H., Athanasiadis, A., Papameletis, C., Hatzopoulos, A., … (2017). Embedded toggle generator to control the switching activity during test of digital 2D-SoCs and 3D-SICs. 2017 27th International Symposium on Power and Timing Modeling, Optimization and Simulation (PATMOS).

Katselas, L., Athanasiadis, A., Hatzopoulos, A., Jiao, H., Papameletis, C., … (2017). Embedded toggle generator to control the switching activity. 2017. (Conference details same as above; possible short version or extended abstract.)

Reda Louziri | Behavioral Economics Research | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Reda Louziri | Behavioral Economics Research | Research Excellence Award

Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances du Maroc | Morocco

Dr. Reda Louziri is a distinguished finance and management scholar with a Doctorate in Economics and Management from the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences – Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, awarded with “Très Honorable” and recognized as one of the top three finalists for the Best Thesis in Finance by the Moroccan Association of Control, Accounting and Audit (AMCCA). She also holds a Master in Finance and Management from Cranfield School of Management, UK, and a Master Grande École from ESC Rouen, France, with a specialization in corporate finance. Professionally, she has extensive experience as an Inspector of Finance and Head of Brigade at the General Finance Inspectorate (IGF) within the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance, overseeing audits of public institutions, ministerial departments, and international development projects. She also has experience in credit risk analysis at BMCI – BNP Paribas and consulting at Mazars Maroc. Dr. Louziri has published two scholarly documents, including one Scopus-indexed article, cited 11 times with an h-index of 1. Her research focuses on corporate finance, dividend policy, capital structure, corporate governance, and financial performance. She has received awards for research excellence and has contributed to academic teaching in finance. Dr. Louziri’s work bridges theoretical research and practical application in public and corporate finance.

Profiles : Scopus  | Orcid

Featured Publications

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2025). Characteristics of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Their Impact on Dividend Payments in the Moroccan Stock Exchange. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(2), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18020070

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2023). Does the level of free cash-flow impact dividend payments? The case of the Casablanca Stock Exchange. Revue Internationale des Sciences de Gestion.

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2022). Dividend policy determinants: Literature review and research model proposal. International Journal of Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Management and Economics. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7378354

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2022). Board of directors and ownership structure impact on dividend policy: The case of the Moroccan stock market. African Scientific Journal. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7356197

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2022). Determinants of Dividend Policy: The Case of the Casablanca Stock Exchange. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 15(12), 548. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm15120548

Georgia Kourlaba | Public Health Analytics | Research Excellence Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Georgia Kourlaba | Public Health Analytics | Research Excellence Award

 National & Kapodistrian University of Athens | Greece

Assist. Prof. Dr. Georgia Kourlaba is an accomplished public health nursing scholar, currently serving as Assistant Professor of Public Health Nursing – Prevention at the Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). From 2022 to 2025, she was Assistant Professor of Research Methodology and Evidence-Based Nursing at the University of Peloponnese. She has also been an Academic Fellow at the 1st Intensive Care Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, NKUA, focusing on nosocomial infections and epidemiology, and is a founding member of the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), where she served as Administrative Director and Deputy Scientific Director. Dr. Kourlaba is a member of the Public Health Experts Committee of the Ministry of Health, has held leadership roles at the National Public Health Organization (EODY), and served as an alternate member of the Management Board of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). She teaches epidemiology, research methodology, biostatistics, health technology assessment, and disease prevention at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her research focuses on nosocomial infections, antimicrobial resistance, vaccination coverage, chronic disease epidemiology, childhood obesity, and socioeconomic burden of disease. She has participated in numerous funded projects and published 166 documents cited 3,485 times, with an h-index of 33. Dr. Kourlaba holds an MSc in Biostatistics (NKUA) and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Harokopio University).

Profile : Scopus 

Featured Publications

(2026). HPV vaccination coverage among children and adolescents in Greece using national prescription data. Vaccine.

(2025). Real-world switching patterns and associated characteristics in patients with psoriasis treated with biologics. Archives of Dermatological Research.

(2025). QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 assay for the evaluation of cellular immunity after immunization with mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Immunologic Research.

(2025). Early discontinuation of empiric antibiotic therapy in children treated for cancer who develop febrile neutropenia: A prospective cohort study. EJC Paediatric Oncology.

(2025). Attitudes, behaviors, opinions, and suggestions of blood donors toward blood donation in Crete, Greece. Archives of Hellenic Medicine.

A’eashah Alhakamy | Data Visualization | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. A’eashah Alhakamy | Data Visualization | Research Excellence Award

University of Tabuk | Saudi Arabia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. A’eashah Alhakamy is an academic leader and researcher in computer science whose work spans computer graphics, computer vision, imaging, visualization, and extended reality, with a scholarly record comprising 27 published documents, 271 citations from 250 citing documents, and an h-index of 9. She earned her Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Computer Science from Purdue University, specializing in illumination integration in dynamic augmented-reality environments, following a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Taibah University. She serves as Associate Professor and Department Chair at the University of Tabuk, holding key leadership roles in data governance, academic affairs, research centers, and national committees. Her research focuses on augmented and extended reality, human-computer interaction, data visualization, immersive technologies, and AI-driven sensing systems, contributing to reputable venues such as IEEE Access, Applied Sciences, Sensors, and Sustainability. She has received multiple awards for outstanding scientific research, excellence in teaching, innovation, and high-impact publications from the University of Tabuk and national academic bodies. In addition, she has led funded grants, supervised numerous postgraduate and undergraduate projects, and contributed to major institutional initiatives. Through research, leadership, and continuous academic service, she remains committed to advancing immersive technologies and impactful computing research.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Alhakamy, A. (2025). Intersecting Realms: Examining the Convergence of Vision and AI in Extended Reality Graphics. IEEE Access. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3599337

Friedman, A., Tazike, M., Shelton, E. G., Patel, N. A., Alhakamy, A., & Cafaro, F. (2025). Puppeteers and Forecasters: How Children Engage. Conference paper. https://doi.org/10.1145/3694907.3765950

Alhakamy, A. (2025). Advancing SDG5: Machine Learning and Statistical Graphics for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equity. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219706

Friedman, A., Tazike, M., Shelton, E. G., Patel, N., Alhakamy, A., & Cafaro, F. (2025). “I’m a Fish!”: Exploring Children’s Engagement with Human–Data Interactions in Museums. Applied Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111304

Alhakamy, A. (2024). Extended Reality (XR) Toward Building Immersive Solutions: The Key to Unlocking Industry 4.0. ACM Computing Surveys. https://doi.org/10.1145/3652595

Chong-Qing Wan | Data Quality Enhancement | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Chong-Qing Wan | Data Quality Enhancement | Best Researcher Award

Capital Normal University | China

Prof. Chong-Qing Wan is a distinguished professor in the Department of Chemistry at Capital Normal University, Beijing, recognized for his extensive contributions to functional coordination chemistry and framework materials, with a research record comprising 83 scientific documents, an h-index of 24, and 1,987 citations from 1,717 documents. He earned a BA in chemistry from Xinyang Normal University, an MS from Nankai University with research on coordination complexes, and later completed his PhD under Prof. Thomas C. W. Mak at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His work spans the synthesis, characterization, and application of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent–organic frameworks (COFs), ionic-liquid-based hybrids, and energy-related materials. He has published impactful studies in Nature Communications, Angewandte Chemie, and Chemistry of Materials, contributing to advances in MOF/COF meltability, glass formation, proton-conductive crystalline ionic liquids, and atomically precise nanoclusters. His research interests include functional coordination complexes, energy-storage materials, photocatalysis, and phase-transition mechanisms in porous frameworks. Throughout his academic career, he has been recognized for high-impact publications and sustained contributions to materials chemistry. Continuing to advance the field through innovative synthesis strategies and collaborative research, he remains a leading figure in framework-based materials and functional molecular systems.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Xue, W. L., Li, G. Q., Chen, H., Han, Y. C., Feng, L., Gu, X. L., Hu, S. Y., Deng, Y. H., Tan, L., Dove, M. T., Li, W., Zhang, J., Dong, H., Chen, Z., Deng, W. H., Xu, G., & Wan, C.-Q. (2024). Melt-quenched glass formation of a family of metal–carboxylate frameworks. Nature Communications, 15, 2040.*

Gu, X. L., Zhao, L., Sun, J., Cui, X. K., Li, G. Q., Hu, S. Y., Deng, Y. H., Li, Z., Li, K., Wang, H., & Wan, C.-Q. (2024). Synthesis and properties of zwitterionic covalent organic framework (COF): The meltability strategy and processability. Chemistry of Materials, 36, 2674–2684.*

Xue, W.-L., Deng, W.-H., Chen, H., Liu, R.-H., Taylor, J. M., Li, Y.-K., Wang, L., Deng, Y.-H., Li, W.-H., Wen, Y.-Y., Wang, G.-E., Wan, C.-Q., & Xu, G. (2021). MOF-directed synthesis of crystalline ionic liquids with enhanced proton conduction. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 60, 1290–1297.

Qin, Z., Sharma, S., Wan, C.-Q., Malola, S., Xu, W.-W., Häkkinen, H., & Li, G. (2021). A homoleptic alkynyl-ligated [Au₁₃Ag₁₆L₂₄]³⁻ cluster as a catalytically active eight-electron system. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 60, 970–975.*

Qin, Z., Zhang, J., Wan, C.-Q., Liu, S., Abroshan, H., Jin, R., & Li, G. (2020). Atomically precise nanoclusters with reversible isomeric transformation for rotary nanomotors. Nature Communications, 11, 6019.*