Khalid Alanazi | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Khalid Alanazi | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Department of Mechanical Engineering/University of Tabuk | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Khalid Alanazi is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tabuk, specializing in energy systems, fluid mechanics, and material erosion studies. He earned his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering with distinction from the University of Tabuk, followed by M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Tulsa, where he conducted extensive research on solid particle erosion, oil-water emulsions, and computational fluid dynamics. Over his academic career, Dr. Alanazi has contributed to both teaching and curriculum development, instructing courses ranging from Engineering Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics to Turbomachinery and Refrigeration Systems, while supervising senior design projects and field training programs. His research primarily focuses on solar-powered desalination technologies, oil-water emulsion behavior under variable conditions, and the erosion resistance of metals in gas-solid flows. Dr. Alanazi has published numerous papers in high-impact journals and presented at international conferences, reflecting his commitment to advancing both fundamental and applied mechanical engineering. Recognized for his academic excellence, he has received multiple awards including the Prince Fahad bin Sultan Award for Academic Excellence and the Chapman Graduate Scholar Presentation Awards. His work continues to bridge experimental, computational, and applied approaches, contributing to sustainable engineering solutions and industrial applications worldwide.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Alanazi, K., Mohan, R. S., Kolla, S. S., & Shoham, O. (2024). “Effects of water salinity and temperature on oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by a nonionic surfactant.” Journal of Molecular Liquids, 414, 126067.

Alanazi, K., Mohan, R., Kolla, S. S., & Shoham, O. (2023). “Experimental study of monovalent salt and hydrochloric acid solution effects on the stability of blank oil-water dispersion in batch separators.” ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, 87660.

Alanazi, K., Mohan, R., Kolla, S. S., & Shoham, O. (2023). “Effect of water cut and temperature on the stability of emulsifier-free oil-water dispersion in batch separators at various stirrer speeds.” ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, 87660.

AbdelMeguid, H., Alanazi, K., Al-Shammari, A. F., Al-Twaim, O., Aljuhani, A., et al. (2025). “Sequential thermal and optical upgrades for passive solar stills: Toward sustainable desalination in arid climates.” Clean Energy and Sustainability, 3(4), 10017.

Alanazi, K., Mohan, R., Kolla, S. S., & Shoham, O. (2025). “Stability analysis of pure oil-water emulsion in gravity-based separators.” Journal of Fluids Engineering, 147(1), 011401.

Friday Benedict | Predictive Analytics | Worldwide Research and Innovation Data Excellence Award

Mr. Friday Benedict | Predictive Analytics | Worldwide Research and Innovation Data Excellence Award

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria | Nigeria

Benedict Friday is a dedicated chemist and educator whose academic and professional journey reflects a strong commitment to scientific advancement, teaching excellence, and community impact. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Physical Chemistry at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he also completed a Professional Diploma in Education after earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Second Class Upper Division from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. His experience spans teaching roles at secondary schools and part-time laboratory demonstration at the university level, where he supports undergraduate practical sessions in Chemistry. Beyond academia, he has gained administrative and organizational experience working as a Fleet Officer in the transport division of a major cement company, as well as field experience in telecommunications marketing and water treatment laboratory operations. His research interests include physical chemistry, environmental chemistry, water quality analysis, and material science. Known for teamwork, communication skills, creativity, and leadership, he continues to develop professionally through teaching, research, and community engagement. He remains committed to contributing innovative solutions to scientific and educational challenges while advancing knowledge in the chemical sciences.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publication

Design and screening of novel geniposide derivatives as xanthine oxidase inhibitors for hyperuricemia treatment using QSAR, Molecular docking, Molecular dynamics simulation, ADMET, and DFT Approaches, 2025.

Afaque Karim | Spatial Data Interpretation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Afaque Karim | Spatial Data Interpretation | Best Researcher Award

Geological Survey of India | India

Dr. Afaque Karim is a distinguished physicist recognized for his expertise in nuclear structure theory and applied physics. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Aligarh Muslim University, India, focusing on the “Application of Relativistic Mean Field to Nuclear Structure Studies” under the supervision of Dr. Shakeb Ahmad, with evaluation by eminent scholars including Prof. Peter Ring of TUM, Germany. Dr. Karim holds an M.Sc. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physics from Aligarh Muslim University, where he graduated with First Class Honors and earned Gold and University Medals. Currently serving as a Geophysicist with the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines, he has contributed to gravity and magnetic mapping, geophysical borehole analysis, and RF antenna research. His academic interests encompass nuclear structure theory, geophysics, liquid crystal studies, and advanced material properties. Dr. Karim’s accolades include national-level scholarships, multiple merit awards, and the Best Paper Award with a Gold Medal at OPTICS’14. His professional journey reflects a blend of deep theoretical insight and applied research excellence, marking him as an influential figure in modern physics and geoscience research.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid  | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Karim, A., & Ahmad, S. (2015). Relativistic self-consistent mean-field description of Sm isotopes. Physical Review C.

Karim, A., & Ahmad, S. (2019). A self-consistent mean-field study of Z = 120 nuclei and α-decay chains of 292, 298, 299, 300, 304120 isotopes. Chinese Journal of Physics.

Karim, A., Yadav, H., & Ahmad, S. (2014). Design and simulation of LC based patch antenna @ 20 GHz frequency. AIP Conference Proceedings.

Karim, A., Yadav, H., & Sinha, A. (2013). Liquid Crystal Based Patch Antenna: Tunable Patch Antenna at 10 GHz Frequency. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.

Karim, A., Naz, T., & Ahmad, S. (2018). Shape phase transitions and isotopic shift in barium isotopes within covariant density functional theory. International Journal of Modern Physics E.

Ashraf, T., Aziz, R., Khuwaja, A. M., Afaque, S. M., & Karim, M. (2020). Left ventricular aneurysmectomy in a young female with pseudoaneurysm of unknown etiology. Journal of the Saudi Heart Association.

Karim, A., Yadav, H., & Ahmad, S. (2015). Tunable nano dispersed LC based patch antenna. AIP Conference Proceedings.

Hui Zhang |  Biosensing and Bioimaging | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hui Zhang |  Biosensing and Bioimaging | Best Researcher Award

Nanjing Forestry University | China

Dr Hui Zhang holds a Bachelor in Mechanical Manufacturing & Automation from Southeast University (2004-2008), a Master in Mechanical Design & Theory from Jiangnan University (2009-2012), and a Doctorate in Mechatronic Engineering from Southeast University (2013-2018) with a joint PhD period at the National University of Singapore (2014-2016). He is currently Assistant Professor (Lecturer) at Nanjing Forestry University (from December 2024), following his previous role as Assistant Researcher at Southeast University (May 2018-Nov 2024). His research centres on mechatronic engineering, with a strong emphasis on dielectric elastomer actuators, tunable lenses, soft electroactive materials, additive manufacturing of functional structures, and AI-augmented sensing and diagnostics. He has published extensively in SCI journals on topics including biomimetic human-eye adaptive lenses, 3D printed dielectric elastomers, tunable imaging systems, and machine-learning enabled defect detection. His current h-index is 11 with 45 papers and 418 citations. He has also contributed to monographs and conference proceedings in advanced manufacturing and smart devices. His work has been recognised for innovation in soft robotics and functional materials, and he continues to push the frontier of coupling mechanical design, materials science and intelligent systems in mechatronics.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Zhang, H.*, Zhu, J., Wen, H., Xia, Z., and Zhang, Z. (2023). “Biomimetic human eyes in adaptive lenses with conductive gels” in Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 139:105689. This work presents adaptive biomimetic lenses using conductive gels for vision systems inspired by the human eye, emphasizing improved optical tuning performance.

Zhang, H., Wen, H., Zhu, J., Xia, Z., and Zhang, Z.* (2023). “3D printing dielectric elastomers for advanced functional structures: A mini-review” in Journal of Applied Polymer Science, e55015. This review highlights emerging advances in 3D-printed dielectric elastomers with potential for flexible electronics and smart soft devices.

Zhang, H., Xia, Z., Zhang, Z., and Zhu, J. (2022). “Miniature and tunable high voltage-driven soft electroactive biconvex lenses for optical visual identification” in Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 32(6):064004. The study develops compact electroactive soft lenses enabling tunable optical focusing for miniature imaging and identification applications.

Zhang, H.*, Dai, M., Xia, Z., and Zhang, Z. (2021). “Computational analyses for tunable solid lenses coupling polyacrylamide hydrogel electrodes” in Bulletin of Materials Science, 44(2):78. A computational approach is introduced to analyze hydrogel-based tunable solid lenses that enhance precision in optical deformation control.

Zhang, H.*, Li, Z., Xie, Y., Xia, Z., and Zhang, Z. (2021). “Focus-tunable imaging analyses of the liquid lens based on dielectric elastomer actuator” in Bulletin of Materials Science, 44(2):148. This research demonstrates a liquid-based dielectric elastomer lens with adjustable focusing capability to support compact imaging technologies.

Sinan Xiao – Structural Reliability – Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Sinan Xiao - Structural Reliability - Best Researcher Award 

University of Bath - United Kingdom

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Sinan Xiao's academic journey began at Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi’an, China, where he pursued both his Bachelor's and PhD degrees in Flight Vehicle Design. His undergraduate studies, which spanned from September 2009 to July 2013, laid the foundational knowledge required for his advanced studies. Sinan then continued at the same university to earn his PhD from September 2013 to June 2018. His doctoral research focused on Structure Reliability and Global Sensitivity Analysis, which provided him with a robust framework in reliability sensitivity analysis, aimed at enhancing the dependability and robustness of aerospace structures. This period was crucial for Sinan as it equipped him with the skills and expertise necessary to navigate and contribute to the complex field of aerospace engineering and uncertainty quantification.

Professional Endeavors

After completing his PhD, Sinan embarked on a series of postdoctoral appointments that expanded his research experience across different countries and institutions. He started as a Post-doctor at the University of Stuttgart, Germany, from August 2018 to March 2021, where he worked on global sensitivity analysis of dynamic models with applications to hydrosystems. His tenure in Germany continued with a position at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH from February 2020 to March 2021, focusing on the computational frameworks for calibration and validation of mathematical models. In June 2021, Sinan joined the University of Bath in the UK as a Research Associate, engaging in Bayesian Uncertainty Quantification for aerospace composite structures, demonstrating his continued focus on enhancing model predictability and robustness in engineering applications.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Sinan Xiao’s contributions to the field are marked by his deep commitment to advancing the methodologies of uncertainty quantification, reliability analysis, and sensitivity analysis. His doctoral and post-doctoral research have notably contributed to the understanding and improvement of structural reliability and the development of robust modeling techniques in aerospace engineering. His significant projects include the Bayesian inversion of multi-Gaussian fields, the development of generalized global sensitivity analysis methods, and creating computational frameworks that improve the predictive accuracy of complex models. Sinan’s work is characterized by his innovative use of Bayesian statistical methods, Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations, and various other advanced statistical techniques to tackle the challenges in his field.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Sinan Xiao's scholarly excellence and research impact have been recognized with several awards and scholarships. He received the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation award from Northwestern Polytechnical University, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to aerospace engineering research. Additionally, his academic endeavors have been supported by prestigious scholarships such as the China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) scholarship, which facilitated his research collaborations and postdoctoral training in Germany.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Sinan’s research has not only advanced academic knowledge but also provided practical solutions to real-world problems in aerospace structures and beyond. His works are frequently cited in academic circles, underlining their relevance and impact on the field of engineering. Sinan also serves as a reviewer for several esteemed journals, contributing his expertise to uphold the quality and integrity of scholarly publications across various engineering disciplines.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking to the future, Sinan Xiao is poised to continue influencing the fields of uncertainty quantification and reliability engineering through both his ongoing research and teaching endeavors. He mentors young scholars and engineers, preparing the next generation to push the boundaries of aerospace engineering and computational analysis further. His interdisciplinary approach and international collaborations are likely to foster innovations that transcend traditional boundaries, enhancing the safety, efficiency, and reliability of engineering applications worldwide. As Sinan progresses in his career, his work is expected to lead to more resilient and adaptive engineering practices, reflective of his deep expertise and forward-thinking mindset.

Citations

A total of  810 citations for his publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of her research within the academic community.

 

Zhiyong Chen | Best Researcher Award | Timber Structures; Modelling; Analysis

Congratulations Zhiyong Chen | Best Researcher Award - Award Winner 2023

Dr Zhiyong Chen : Timber Structures; Modelling; Analysis

Congratulations to Dr. Zhiyong Chen on receiving the Best Researcher Award in Timber Structures, Modelling, and Analysis!  Your exceptional contributions have earned you the prestigious International Research Data Analysis Excellence Award.  Your dedication to advancing research in these fields is truly commendable. Well done on this outstanding achievement!

Professional Profiles:

Early Academic Pursuits:

Dr. Zhiyong Chen embarked on his academic journey by earning a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in 2004. His early exposure to structural design, including a project on the structural design of a large-span glulam stadium, set the foundation for his future in timber structures.

He pursued a Master's degree in Structural Engineering at Harbin Institute of Technology, completing his thesis on the performance of nail connections in shear walls of light wood frame buildings. This laid the groundwork for his specialization in timber connections and systems.

Dr. Chen further advanced his academic pursuits by obtaining a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in 2011. His dissertation, focused on the behavior of typical joints and the structure of the Yingxian Wood Pagoda, showcased his early contributions to the understanding of ancient timber structures.

Professional Endeavors:

Dr. Chen's professional journey has been marked by significant contributions to the field of timber structures and analysis. Starting as a Research Assistant at Vestas Technology Blades in Singapore, he progressively moved through roles like Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of New Brunswick, Research Scientist at the Wood Science and Technology Centre, and eventually attaining the position of Senior Scientist at FPInnovations.

His tenure at FPInnovations, a leading Canadian research institute, showcases his commitment to advancing timber construction. From an Instructor to a Senior Scientist, Dr. Chen has demonstrated expertise in building systems and timber engineering.

Contributions and Research Focus:

Dr. Zhiyong Chen's research contributions have significantly impacted timber engineering. His work spans various aspects, from seismic performance and fire resistance to the development of innovative timber connections. Notably, his research on the seismic response of braced heavy timber frames and the structural performance of balloon mass timber shear walls has gained recognition.

He has also been actively involved in guiding graduate students, sharing his knowledge and expertise. His teaching experience and supervision of Ph.D. students reflect his commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers.

Accolades and Recognition:

Dr. Chen's dedication to excellence in research has not gone unnoticed. His receipt of the Best Researcher Award and recognition at the International Research Data Analysis Excellence Awards underscore his outstanding achievements in timber structures, modeling, and analysis.

Impact and Influence:

Dr. Chen's research has not only advanced the understanding of timber structures but has practical implications for the construction industry. His work on seismic performance, energy dissipation, and fire resistance has the potential to shape the future of timber construction practices.

Legacy and Future Contributions:

As a seasoned professional in the field, Dr. Zhiyong Chen's legacy lies in his substantial contributions to timber engineering. His research, mentorship, and leadership roles at FPInnovations position him as a trailblazer in the field. Looking forward, his ongoing work and commitment to research excellence continue to shape the future of timber structures and inspire the next generation of researchers.

Notable Publications:

Citations:

A total of  692  citations for his publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of his research within the academic community.

Citations                692

h-index  19            16

i10-index                23