Dora Pugliese | Civil and Architecture Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Dora Pugliese | Civil and Architecture Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Ph.D. Research & Teaching Assistant, University of Florence, Italy

Dora Pugliese is a driven and accomplished researcher, currently serving as a Ph.D. Research and Teaching Assistant at the University of Miami. Specializing in sustainable construction materials, Dora blends her expertise in civil and architectural engineering with a profound commitment to environmental sustainability. Her research into innovative, eco-friendly building materials, like cork-based mortars, aims to enhance both the resilience and environmental impact of construction practices.

Profile

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🎓 Education:

Dora graduated magna cum laude in 2019 with a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Florence, where she specialized in masonry analysis techniques. Licensed as an Italian Architect in 2020, she completed a Ph.D. summa cum laude in 2024 focusing on sustainable materials for historic masonry. She is now pursuing a second Ph.D. in Civil and Architectural Engineering at the University of Miami, where she applies her interdisciplinary knowledge to innovative construction techniques.

👩‍🔬 Experience:

Dora has contributed significantly to both academic and applied research settings. In her current role at the University of Miami, she investigates biodegradable and recyclable materials for sustainable construction. Her prior experience includes advanced research on masonry restoration using machine learning and Bayesian networks, leveraging her expertise in sustainable materials and historic architecture.

🔬 Research Interests:

Dora’s research centers on sustainable construction, material science, and environmental engineering. Her work particularly emphasizes the development of cork-modified composites for environmentally friendly building practices, aiming to reduce the ecological footprint of masonry construction and restoration.

🏆 Awards:

Dora has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to architectural and environmental engineering. Her commitment to advancing sustainable materials for historic preservation and structural engineering has earned her accolades within the academic and professional community.

📚 Publications and Citations:

Dora’s research is widely published in reputable journals. Below are some of her key publications:

“Development of Biodegradable and Recyclable FRLM Composites Incorporating Cork Aggregates for Sustainable Construction Practices,” Materials (2024).

“Exploring Sustainable Materials for Masonry Restoration,” Journal of Building Engineering (2023). Cited by 15 articles.

Mr. Pranjal Khakse | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Pranjal Khakse | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Student / Research Assistant, University of Michigan. United States

Mr. Pranjal Khakse, an Engineering student and Research Assistant at the University of Michigan, United States, has been honored with the prestigious Best Researcher Award 🏆. His dedication to advancing engineering research has set him apart, showcasing his exceptional skills and innovative mindset. Pranjal’s contributions to the academic community have been invaluable, and this accolade reflects his commitment to excellence and his passion for pushing the boundaries of knowledge 🌟. Congratulations to Mr. Khakse for this remarkable achievement! 🎉

PROFILE

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EDUCATION

Mr. Pranjal Khakse is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Manufacturing & Automation at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 🌟. He has maintained an impressive GPA of 4.0/4.0 📚. His coursework includes Robotics & Product Design, Smart Manufacturing Systems, Smart Additive Manufacturing Systems, and Nanofabrication & Nanomanufacturing Technologies 🤖. Previously, he earned his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, India, with a GPA of 3.87/4.0 🎓. His studies there covered Engineering Mechanics, Additive Manufacturing, Mechanics of Machines, and Design of Machine Elements 🛠️.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Mr. Pranjal Khakse is currently a CTO Trainee at Utilidata through the U-M Perot Jain TechLab Electrification Cohort (Jan 2024 – Present) ⚡. He is developing an AI model with Nvidia for grid optimization using the Jetson Orion Performance chip series 🤖. Pranjal analyzes data from Ford Mach E and Tesla to train a universal EV charging algorithm and builds real-time visualization models for the AI platform Karman using Infogram, Looker, and DATABOX 📊. Previously, as a Research Assistant at the Additive Manufacturing Research Laboratory, University of Regina (June 2022 – August 2022) 🧪, he engineered a 3D printing system for liquid metal-based microwire and designed a Co-extruder nozzle using SolidWorks, funded by Mitacs Globalink and NSERC Canada 🏅.

RESEARCH

Mr. Pranjal Khakse is actively involved in multiple innovative projects at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. In the Multidisciplinary Design Program, he is designing an Axial Flux Hubless Generator, engineering modular components, and developing a SolidWorks housing for over 200 electronic parts ⚙️. In the Precision Systems Design Laboratory, he is working on an upper limb prosthetic design, creating efficient prosthetic fingers and a testing bench for force validation 💪. As the project lead for a lightweight robotic gripper, he achieved industry-grade performance and won the Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant 🏆. At NIT Tiruchirappalli, he developed a cable-driven robotic system for windmill blade maintenance, earning the Best Paper Award at ICRoM’22 🌬️.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Mr. Pranjal Khakse served as the Innovation and Development Head, Mentor, and Product Designer for the Designers’ Consortium, the Official Innovation & Product Design Society at NITT, from June 2020 to May 2023 🚀. He led the club’s external affairs and oversaw its annual development by providing technical support for ongoing projects 🔧. Additionally, Pranjal coordinated a SIMTEK-affiliated Certified SolidWorks training program for over 500 freshman undergraduates, enhancing their skills in product design and development 📐. His leadership and dedication significantly contributed to the growth and success of the society 🌟.

SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS 

Mr. Pranjal Khakse possesses an impressive array of technical skills, including proficiency in SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, ABAQUS, COMSOL (Heat Transfer), nTopology, Microsoft Office, MATLAB, Simulink, Ansys, Python, machining (Lathe & CNC), 3D printing (FDM & SLS), carpentry, and laser cutting 🛠️. He holds certifications in SolidWorks (CSWP – MD, CSWP – S, CSWP – ADT), Generative Design – Autodesk, MATLAB, and Simulink 📜. These skills and certifications showcase his comprehensive expertise in engineering design and manufacturing, making him a versatile and highly capable professional in his field 🌟.

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