Dr. SOFIA PAPADAKI | Chemical Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Dr. SOFIA PAPADAKI | Chemical Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Dr. SOFIA PAPADAKI, Senior Researcher, DIGNITY IKE, Greece

Sophia Papadaki, PhD, is a distinguished Chemical Engineer specializing in the sustainable recovery of value-added products from biomass. Her expertise spans hydrolysis, extraction techniques, and biomass processing to derive poly- and monosaccharides, proteins, antioxidants, and natural colorants. With over 70 publications, she is a prominent researcher in her field, contributing to European Commission-funded projects. Sophia’s work emphasizes drying and extraction technologies for biomass valorization, reflecting her commitment to integrating innovative and eco-friendly solutions.

Profile

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Strengths for the Award

Extensive Expertise: Dr. Sophia Papadaki is an accomplished chemical engineer with a PhD specializing in biomass valorization, a field critical for sustainable development. Her work includes the recovery of high-value compounds from biomass, utilizing innovative extraction methods.

Significant Research Contributions: She has co-authored over 70 publications in reputed journals, reflecting a strong academic output and her significant contributions to chemical engineering and environmental sustainability.

Recognition and Awards: Her achievements include multiple postdoctoral excellence scholarships and awards from prestigious institutions like IKY/Siemens. This demonstrates recognition of her work’s impact in industrial technology, nanotechnology, and food microbiology.

Project Leadership and Experience: As a co-founder and project manager at PRINSUS TECHNOVLASTOS IKE and DIGNITY P.C., she has led projects on sustainable technologies and feasibility studies, showcasing her leadership in applied industrial research.

International Collaboration: Her work with European Commission-funded projects (FP6, FP7, H2020) indicates a robust background in international research collaboration and proposal writing.

Areas for Improvement

Diversifying Research Focus: While her expertise in biomass valorization is strong, diversifying into emerging fields such as bioplastic development or renewable energy sources could further enhance her profile.

Increased Mentorship Roles: Although involved in research supervision, more active mentoring of junior researchers and PhD students could amplify her influence in the academic community.

Broader Impact of Publications: Expanding her publication outreach to include interdisciplinary journals may increase the visibility of her research beyond the chemical engineering field.

Education 🎓

Sophia Papadaki holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (2014), focusing on biomass exploitation and chemical pulp coloration using natural dyes. She completed her MSc in Energy Management and Environmental Protection Systems (2010) with a thesis on utilizing lignocellulosic materials for biofuel and chemical production. Her undergraduate degree (2008) from NTUA included specialization in organic industries and a thesis on synthesizing copolyesters.

Experience 🏢

Sophia has extensive experience in project management and research, serving as Co-founder of PRINSUS TECHNOVLASTOS IKE (2021-present), leading projects in the agri-food sector. She is also a Director at DIGNITY PRIVATE COMPANY, focusing on process integration and product development. Her research experience includes EU-funded projects at NTUA and roles at CERTH and MEDBIO S.A., showcasing her expertise in industrial processes and sustainable technologies.

Research Interests 🔬

Sophia’s research focuses on biomass valorization, emphasizing hydrolysis, extraction methods, and sustainable processing technologies. Her work involves developing eco-friendly methods for extracting bioactive compounds, optimizing processes through Life Cycle Analysis, and integrating drying techniques. She has a strong interest in the recovery of antioxidants, proteins, and natural colorants from renewable sources, aiming for innovative applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Awards and Honors 🏆

  • 2020: IKY Post Doctoral Excellence Scholarship for “CLEANET” project on corrosion protection in fish farming.
  • 2017: IKY/Siemens Scholarship for microalgal biomass drying process integration.
  • 2015: IKY/Siemens Scholarship for developing nutraceutical products from microalgal bioactive compounds.
  • 2017: Research Paper Award by the International Committee of Food Microbiology.
  • 2014: 2nd Prize at the Blue Growth Innovation Competition for Maritime Economy.

Publication Top Notes 📚

Sustainability (2024): Assessing sustainability in the meat processing industry after wastewater valorization.

Marine Drugs (2024): Innovative bioactive products from microalgae and process optimization.

Resources (2023): Green extraction of bioactive compounds from olive pomace.

Resources (2023): Valorization of peach and apricot waste using green solvents.

Waste (2023): Promoting biowaste management and industrial symbiosis.

 

Conclusion

Sophia Papadaki’s impressive track record, leadership in sustainable technologies, and contributions to biomass valorization make her an excellent candidate for the “Women Researcher Award.” Her diverse skills and recognized expertise align well with the award’s focus on innovation and impactful research, positioning her as a strong nominee who could serve as a role model for women in science and engineering.

Dr. Khaled Salhein | Engineering | Best Researcher Award-1684

Dr. Khaled Salhein | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Khaled Salhein, Department of electrical and computer engineering, Oakland University, United States

🌟 A passionate educator and researcher, Khaled Salhein specializes in renewable energy systems with a particular focus on geothermal energy and battery management systems. With a dedication to advancing sustainable energy technologies, he aims to inspire the next generation of scientists through both individual and collaborative research. He has extensive experience in teaching, laboratory facilitation, and technical project execution, continuously contributing to a cleaner and more energy-efficient future.

Profile

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This individual appears to be a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award,” particularly due to their substantial research contributions in renewable energy systems and geothermal heat pumps. Let’s analyze the strengths, areas for improvement, and conclusion based on their profile:

Strengths for the Award

Extensive Research Publications: Multiple peer-reviewed journal papers and book chapters, with a focus on sustainable energy, geothermal heat pumps, and microgrids. These publications demonstrate a solid research output, which is critical for the award.

Diverse Experience: A balanced mix of academic research and industry experience, including roles as a Postdoctoral Researcher and Controls System Engineer, which bridges theory and practical applications.

Innovative Solutions: Contributions to optimizing geothermal systems and heat transfer mechanisms through novel control strategies showcase technical innovation, aligning with the award’s focus on impactful research.

Leadership in Collaborative Projects: Experience in leading and collaborating on significant technical projects, such as battery management and geothermal power systems, highlights the individual’s capability to lead and work in teams.

Areas for Improvement

Broadening Scope of Research: While the candidate’s focus on geothermal energy and microgrids is impressive, expanding research to other emerging areas in renewable energy systems, such as solar or wind, could diversify their research portfolio and enhance their award candidacy.

Further Industry Impact: The applicant could further emphasize how their research has been applied in real-world systems beyond academic publications, which could strengthen their case for the award by showing a broader societal impact.

Education

🎓 Khaled holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oakland University, Rochester, MI, where he graduated with a GPA of 3.83 in May 2023. He also earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Electrical Engineering from Gannon University, Erie, PA, in May 2017, maintaining a GPA of 3.76. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering in Automatic Control from the College Technology of Electronics, Bani Walid, Libya, in July 2012.

Experience

💼 Khaled has diverse professional experience, including his current role as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Oakland University, where he has conducted groundbreaking research on geothermal heat pump systems. His previous role as a Controls System Engineer at General Motors involved optimizing electric vehicle battery assembly processes and enhancing PLC code functionality. He has also served as a Teaching Assistant at both Oakland University and Gannon University, where he taught various electrical engineering courses and facilitated laboratory sessions.

Research Interest

🔬 Khaled’s research interests lie in sustainable energy technologies, particularly geothermal systems, energy efficiency, and innovative control strategies for renewable energy. His work focuses on improving heat transfer mechanisms and optimizing energy solutions for geothermal heat pump systems and battery management systems, contributing to advancements in cleaner energy alternatives.

Awards

🏆 Khaled’s academic excellence and research contributions have been recognized through numerous accolades, including the opportunity to present at various international conferences. His commitment to advancing energy technologies has earned him commendations in both academic and industry circles.

Publication Top Notes

📚 Khaled has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals, reflecting his expertise in geothermal systems and energy technologies:

Salhein, Khaled., Kobus, C. J., & Zohdy, M. (2022). Control of Heat Transfer in a Vertical Ground Heat Exchanger for a Geothermal Heat Pump System. Energies, 15(14), 5300. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15145300

Cited by: 10 articles

Salhein, Khaled., Kobus, C. J., & Zohdy, M. (2022). Forecasting Installation Capacity for the Top 10 Countries Utilizing Geothermal Energy by 2030. Thermo, 2(4), 334-351. https://doi.org/10.3390/thermo2040023

Cited by: 8 articles

Salhein, Khaled., Ashraf, J., & Zohdy, M. (2021). Output Temperature Predictions of Geothermal Heat Pump System Using an Improved Grey Prediction Model. Energies, 14(16), 5075. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14165075

Cited by: 12 articles

Salhein, Khaled., Kobus, C. J., & Zohdy, M. (2023). Heat Transfer Control Mechanism in a Vertical Ground Heat Exchanger: A Novel Approach. In Fundamental Research and Application of Physical Science, Vol. 5, 59–90. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fraps/v5/4850C

Alhawsawi, Edrees Yahya, Khaled Salhein, and Mohamed A. Zohdy. (2024). A Comprehensive Review of Existing and Pending University Campus Microgrids. Energies, 17(10), 2425. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17102425

Conclusion

This individual is well-suited for the “Best Researcher Award,” particularly due to their research contributions in geothermal heat systems and renewable energy technologies. Their academic achievements, industry experience, and published works reflect a deep commitment to advancing energy efficiency and sustainability. With a slight expansion of research focus and a more pronounced industry impact, they could be an ideal candidate for the award.