Theodoros Syriopoulos | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Prof. Theodoros Syriopoulos | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | Greece

Prof. Theodoros Syriopoulos is a distinguished academic and expert in Shipping Finance, serving at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, renowned as one of Greece’s most prestigious institutions. His academic leadership and scholarly excellence have positioned him as a prominent figure in the fields of maritime economics and finance. With extensive teaching and research experience, he has also contributed as a visiting professor at leading universities across Europe and Asia, reflecting his global academic engagement. Before entering academia, he held senior executive roles in banking, investment, asset management, and corporate finance, bringing valuable industry insights into his research and teaching. Prof. Theodoros Syriopoulos has an impressive publication record in internationally accredited journals, addressing a wide range of topics in shipping and finance, including corporate financial management, global capital markets, portfolio management, mergers and acquisitions, financial derivatives, and risk management. His recent research emphasizes corporate governance, ESG frameworks, and green finance, highlighting his commitment to sustainable financial practices. With 1,372 citations by 1,183 documents, 48 published works, and an h-index of 22, his academic impact reflects the global recognition of his scholarly contributions. As an active Council Member of the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME) and a member of several international academic and professional associations, he continues to shape the discourse on maritime finance and economics globally. His academic background, combining applied economics and development studies, underpins his interdisciplinary approach to research and education, fostering innovation and analytical rigor in the study of global shipping and financial systems.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Syriopoulos, T. (2007). Dynamic linkages between emerging European and developed stock markets: Has the EMU any impact? International Review of Financial Analysis, 16(1), 41–60.

Grammenos, C. (2013). The handbook of maritime economics and business. Taylor & Francis.

Syriopoulos, T., Makram, B., & Boubaker, A. (2015). Stock market volatility spillovers and portfolio hedging: BRICS and the financial crisis. International Review of Financial Analysis, 39, 7–18.

Syriopoulos, T. C., & Sinclair, M. T. (1993). An econometric study of tourism demand: The AIDS model of US and European tourism in Mediterranean countries. Applied Economics, 25(12), 1541–1552.

Syriopoulos, T. (2004). International portfolio diversification to Central European stock markets. Applied Financial Economics, 14(17), 1253–1268.

Xilei Dai | Engineering | Young Scientist Award

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Prof. Dr. Xilei Dai | Engineering | Young Scientist Award

Professor | Chongqing University | China

Prof. Dr. Xilei Dai is a distinguished faculty member at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, with recognized expertise in the fields of smart building control, energy optimization, and sustainable building technologies. His academic profile is well established with 2,206 citations by 2,085 documents, 38 documents published, and an h-index of 17, demonstrating the strong impact and relevance of his research. He has influential publications in top-tier journals such as Applied Energy, Building Simulation, Building and Environment, and Energy and Buildings. One of his highly influential papers on green building has been widely acknowledged by peers, earning significant citations and recognition as an ESI highly cited work. His editorial contributions include serving as an associate editor for the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, further underlining his commitment to advancing knowledge in renewable energy and sustainability. Prof. Dr. Xilei Dai research focuses on building decarbonization strategies by integrating IoT-based technologies, artificial intelligence control systems, distributed energy resources, and battery storage, offering impactful solutions that reduce both energy consumption and carbon emissions. He has successfully led innovative projects such as the development of NetZero Building Energy Management Systems through AI-driven HVAC system control, reflecting his dedication to creating practical solutions with far-reaching implications for sustainable urban development. His research not only addresses pressing environmental challenges but also bridges the gap between optimization theory and real-world applications in energy system economics. With an expanding body of highly cited work, editorial leadership, and a strong focus on innovative building energy systems, Prof. Dr. Xilei Dai continues to contribute significantly to the global effort of achieving smart, efficient, and environmentally responsible building environments.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar | Staff Page |

Featured Publications

Cao, X., Dai, X., & Liu, J. (2016). Building energy-consumption status worldwide and the state-of-the-art technologies for zero-energy buildings during the past decade. Energy and Buildings, 128, 198–213.

Dai, X., Liu, J., & Zhang, X. (2020). A review of studies applying machine learning models to predict occupancy and window-opening behaviours in smart buildings. Energy and Buildings, 223, 110159.

Liu, J., Dai, X., Li, X., Jia, S., Pei, J., Sun, Y., Lai, D., Shen, X., Sun, H., Yin, H., … (2018). Indoor air quality and occupants’ ventilation habits in China: Seasonal measurement and long-term monitoring. Building and Environment, 142, 119–129.

Dai, X., Huang, L., Qian, Y., Xia, S., Chong, W., Liu, J., Ieva, A. D., Hou, X., & Ou, C. (2020). Deep learning for automated cerebral aneurysm detection on computed tomography images. International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, 15, 715–723.

Dai, X., Liu, J., Li, X., & Zhao, L. (2018). Long-term monitoring of indoor CO2 and PM2.5 in Chinese homes: Concentrations and their relationships with outdoor environments. Building and Environment, 144, 238–247.

 

Esdras Ngezahayo | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esdras Ngezahayo | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor in Geotechnical Engineering | University of Birmingham | United Kingdom

Dr. Esdras Ngezahayo is an accomplished Assistant Professor in Geotechnical Engineering and the Deputy Head of the Birmingham Geotechnics Group at the University of Birmingham. With nearly fifteen years of experience in higher education, his academic and research trajectory reflects a commitment to advancing transportation geotechnics, soil stabilization, infrastructure resilience, and sustainability. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering with a specialization in soil erodibility and has led or contributed to major international research projects on sustainable road pavements and railway infrastructure. Dr. Ngezahayo has mentored over forty MSc students and currently supervises six PhD researchers, demonstrating strong dedication to academic mentorship and leadership. His scholarly impact includes over twenty-five peer-reviewed publications, funded projects exceeding £165,000, and editorial roles in leading journals. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and active member of international geotechnical societies, he remains committed to innovative teaching, global research collaboration, and engineering for climate resilience and social equity.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Esdras Ngezahayo’s educational foundation is rooted in civil engineering, culminating in a PhD in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering) from the University of Birmingham, where he investigated the Erodibility of Soils in Rural Roads. His postgraduate journey began with a Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering and Management, also from Birmingham, where he focused on Expansive Soils and Underground Pipes. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology, during which he developed a feasibility study for pedestrian bridge construction in urban areas. Most recently, he completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) to enhance his teaching pedagogy and leadership in academia. This academic evolution, complemented by multiple international scholarships and fellowships, forms the basis for his interdisciplinary expertise in sustainable infrastructure development, engineering education, and applied soil mechanics, allowing him to integrate global perspectives into his research and classroom instruction.

Experience

Dr. Ngezahayo brings a wealth of academic and research experience from his current role as Assistant Professor at the University of Birmingham, where he leads modules, supervises multi-level research, and contributes to strategic direction as Deputy Head of the Birmingham Geotechnics Group. His past roles include Research Fellow and Teaching Fellow within the same institution, where he contributed to significant industry-funded projects such as CRISPS and authored several technical reports. Before relocating to the UK, he held leadership positions in Rwanda, including Head of Civil Engineering at Rwanda Polytechnic and Visiting Lecturer roles in universities across Rwanda and Kenya. He has managed technical laboratories, mentored over forty MSc students, and led geotechnical investigations tied to climate resilience. With deep knowledge in road materials, slope stability, and rural infrastructure, Dr. Ngezahayo blends field expertise with academic rigor, making him an influential figure in both teaching and engineering practice across the Global North and South.

Research Interests

Dr. Esdras Ngezahayo’s research interests lie at the intersection of geotechnical engineering and climate resilience. His work addresses the behaviour of problematic soils, particularly in the context of rural and urban infrastructure subjected to climate change. Key topics include erosion and soil stability, shrink-swell phenomena in clay soils, slope stability, buried utilities, and transportation geotechnics. He is actively engaged in investigating sustainable materials for road construction, including rice husk ash and modified epoxy asphalt, and has contributed to assessing geotextile effectiveness in railway subgrades. His interdisciplinary work also explores equity in transportation systems for vulnerable populations. With a growing research portfolio, Dr. Ngezahayo aims to contribute toward net-zero goals by focusing on sustainable geotechnical solutions for developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is a prominent contributor to global discussions on infrastructure adaptation and has presented his work at leading international conferences and in collaborative research initiatives.

Awards

Dr. Ngezahayo’s academic journey is decorated with numerous awards and recognitions. He secured full PhD studentship funding twice  to investigate geotechnical challenges like gully erosion and electrokinetic stabilization of clay soils, funded by EPSRC and the University of Birmingham. His laboratory received  infrastructure grant to modernize testing facilities. He received the ICE West Midlands Commendation and CIHT-PIARC Awards for best research in sustainable mobility and adapting road infrastructure to climate change. The Horizon Award for teaching and learning excellence was bestowed by the University of Birmingham, reflecting his pedagogical leadership. He also earned a C-DICE micro-credential badge for innovation in net-zero-aligned research. Earlier recognitions include the Commonwealth Scholarship for PhD studies and a national scholarship for his MSc. These accolades underscore his contributions across academia, research innovation, and professional development in engineering for global sustainability and education excellence.

Top Noted Publications

Title: Evaluating the Use of Rice Husk Ash for Soil Stabilisation
Year: 2025
Cited by: 1

Title: Effectiveness of FTIR as an Antifraud Approach for Modified Epoxy Asphalt
Year: 2023
Cited by: 3

Title: Calibration of Rainfall Simulator for Soil Erodibility in Unpaved Roads
Year: 2021
Cited by: 4

Title: Modelling Erosion in Unpaved Roads
Year: 2021
Cited by: 2

Title: Advances in Understanding Soil Erodibility
Year: 2019
Cited by: 6

Conclusion

Dr. Esdras Ngezahayo is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His significant contributions to sustainable and climate-resilient geotechnical solutions, strong academic leadership, and impactful collaborations demonstrate both depth and breadth in his research portfolio. With further expansion in international research leadership and scholarly impact, he is poised to become an even more influential figure in the global civil engineering research community.