Bidjad Arigue | Architecture | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Bidjad Arigue | Architecture | Young Scientist Award

Assistant Researcher | University Mohamed khider of Biskra | Algeria

Dr. Bidjad Arigue is an emerging researcher in architecture and environmental design whose work reflects a strong commitment to sustainable development, vernacular heritage preservation, and innovative building envelope strategies adapted to arid climates. With citations numbering 5 and an h-index of 1, his growing academic contribution demonstrates a developing but meaningful impact in the fields of ecological architecture and climate-responsive design. His research background has shaped a deep understanding of architectural design processes, energy-efficient construction methods, and environmentally adaptive approaches inspired by traditional North African and Saharan contexts. He has contributed to numerous scientific conferences and collaborative studies examining thermal performance, ecological construction, urban heritage conservation, and the integration of smart and contemporary materials within building façades. His publications explore essential themes such as climatic adaptation in ksourian architecture, recognition and preservation of historic environments, vernacular envelope strategies, double-skin façade innovations, and sustainability-driven frameworks aimed at improving the environmental performance of buildings in hot, dry regions. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, he investigates how insights from vernacular dwellings can guide modern architectural practices toward reducing energy consumption, enhancing indoor comfort, and supporting sustainable urban development. His work also addresses participatory planning, cultural architectural identity, and the future potential of green construction materials for next-generation ecological building design. In parallel with his scientific activities, he demonstrates strong competencies in digital modeling tools, architectural project coordination, creative problem-solving, and effective multilingual communication. Overall, he represents a promising new voice in environmentally responsive architecture, contributing valuable insights that bridge traditional knowledge, modern innovation, and sustainability-centered design.

Featured Publications

Arigue, B., Sriti, L., Giovanni, S., Khadraoui, M. A., & Bencheikh, D. (2023). Exploring the cooling potential of ventilated mask walls in neo-vernacular architecture: A case study of André Ravéreau’s dwellings in M’zab Valley, Algeria. Buildings, 13(4), 837.

Mekki, S., Arigue, B., Giovanni, S., Sriti, L., Pace, V., & Leporelli, E. (2025). Tracing the morphogenesis and formal diffusion of vernacular mosques: A typo-morphological study of Djebel Amour, Algeria. Buildings, 15(23), 4277.

Arigue, B., Rahmani, S., Ayadi, N. E., Sriti, L., & Kaoula, D. (n.d.). Towards the ecological construction of building envelopes: A promising approach inspired by vernacular dwelling’s strategies for improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

Arigue, B., & Kadri, M. (n.d.). The participatory approach as the main axis of strategic planning towards a sustainable urban development of cities: Case of Algeria.

Isabel Vaz de Freitas | History | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Isabel Vaz de Freitas | History | Best Researcher Award

Full Professor, Portucalense University, Portugal

Prof. Isabel Vaz de Freitas is a distinguished Full Professor at Portucalense University 🇵🇹, with a PhD in History and a deep-rooted academic journey in heritage, culture, and tourism. She leads the Department of Tourism, Heritage, and Culture and coordinates various undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. An active researcher with REMIT and CIAUD-UPT, she also collaborates with projects in Portugal and Spain. Her work spans landscape, territorial development, medieval studies, and cross-border cultural dynamics, making her a prominent voice in European heritage academia 🌍📚.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Prof. Freitas has an impressive academic trajectory, starting with a Bachelor’s degree from Universidade Portucalense in 1988 🎓, a Master’s from the University of Porto in 1993 📖, a PhD from Portucalense University in 2001 🧠, and achieving Aggregation from the University of Porto in 2016 🏛️. Her scholarly foundations support her prolific contributions to cultural and historical research.

💼 Professional Experience

With over three decades of academic service, Prof. Freitas has held roles from Guest Assistant Professor to Full Professor at Portucalense University (1991–present) 👩‍🏫. She has served as Head of Department since 2006 and has been actively involved in directing and coordinating heritage restoration and tourism initiatives. Her cross-border collaborations and project leadership have significantly advanced cultural studies in Portugal and Spain 🇵🇹🇪🇸.

🔬 Research Interest

Her research interests encompass medieval history, heritage preservation, landscape and water landscape analysis 💧🏞️, border studies, and peninsular cultural relations. Prof. Freitas emphasizes interdisciplinary and territorial valorization studies, contributing richly to projects addressing creative tourism, medieval fortifications, and sustainable development 🔍📜.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Prof. Freitas is a Correspondent Member of the Portuguese Academy of History 🇵🇹🏅 and has served on numerous scientific committees across Europe. She received funding from FCT Portugal and was honored by city councils and research institutions for her cultural promotion efforts. Her distinction as a leader in heritage research is reinforced by national and international accolades and academic appointments.

📚 Publications

“The Border and Water Landscape in the Iberian Peninsula” (2021), Journal of Heritage StudiesLink – Cited by 15 articles 📄

“Territory, Memory and Identity in Northern Portugal” (2019), Cultural Geography ReviewLink – Cited by 20 articles 🗺️

“The Role of Heritage in Cross-border Cooperation” (2017), International Journal of Heritage and Sustainable DevelopmentLink – Cited by 12 articles 🤝

“Medieval Tourism and Valorization of Historic Centers” (2015), Tourism and Culture JournalLink – Cited by 9 articles 🏰

🏁 Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Isabel Vaz de Freitas is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. Her academic excellence, multidisciplinary and applied research in heritage and tourism, international engagement, and leadership in EU-funded projects position her as a leading figure in the Humanities and Social Sciences research landscape. While minor areas for broader outreach and metric-based validation exist, her overall contribution is both significant and impactful.

Assist Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane, International University of Rabat (IUR), Morocco

🌟 Assist Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane 🌟, from the International University of Rabat (IUR) in Morocco, is a distinguished figure in Environmental Science. 🌍 With a profound commitment to advancing our understanding of environmental issues, Dr. Bouramdane has made significant contributions through innovative research and impactful projects. 🌿 Her dedication and expertise have earned her a nomination for the Best Researcher Award. 🏆 Her work continues to inspire and drive progress in the field, reflecting a deep passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship. 🌱👏

Profile 📝

Orcid

Academic Background 🎓

Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane completed his Ph.D. at Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris) in 2021 🎓. His research, conducted at Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD), focused on large-scale solar and wind integration in Morocco 🌞💨. The thesis, available online, examined storage, costs, and climate change impacts 🌍. Prior to this, he earned a Master’s degree from École Polytechnique with a GPA of 3.68/4 🏆 and an Energy Engineer’s degree from Université Internationale de Rabat 🎓. His academic journey also included an exchange semester at the University of Lorraine 🇫🇷.

Professional Experiences 💼

🔬 Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane is an Assistant Professor (Grade A) at the International University of Rabat (IUR) since April 2023, leading the Laboratory of Renewable Energies and Advanced Materials (LERMA) 🌍. Previously, as a Postdoctoral Researcher and Head of the Modeling Group at Green Energy Park (GEP), UM6P, he spearheaded the establishment of the “Climate Change – Energy” group 🌱. His work included coordinating major projects and supervising students 🤝. From November 2018 to October 2021, he was a Doctoral Candidate at École Polytechnique, specializing in dynamic meteorology and climate studies ☀️🌧️.

Internships 💻

🔬 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane has an extensive background in energy and engineering through various internships. 🌟 In 2018, he completed a Master 2 Final Internship at CentraleSupélec, France, focusing on photovoltaic power plants and data processing. 📊 In 2017, he worked on renewable hybrid systems modeling in Morocco. 🇲🇦 Earlier, he gained experience in topography and infrastructure with Amane THADDART Consulting (2016), and developed insights into Moroccan electrical systems and renewable technologies during his time with DPI Ingénierie Consulting (2015). 🏗️ His journey began with an initiation into Moroccan energy strategy at CID in 2013. 🌍🔧

Awards 🏆

🎉 Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane was honored with the “Best Researcher Award” in the 2023 International Research Awards on Civil and Environmental Engineering! 🏆 Her impressive contributions span various domains: she participated in Women and Science Month at École Polytechnique 🏛️, is a member of the Association of Former Students and Graduates of École Polytechnique (AX) 🎓, and is actively involved with ACFAS 🌍. As a key figure in the green hydrogen industry 🌿, she’s supported by global initiatives. Prof. Bouramdane also serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for ICGE, is an Editorial Board Member for IOP Science and Frontiers in Water 💧, and is a Collection Editor for JPS and MTR journals 📚.

Projects 📊

🌟 Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane is actively involved in innovative projects and supervision. At LERMA, College E&A, IUR, he’s working on hydrogen technology, including a specification sheet for electrolyzers, storage, and fuel cells (since April 2023) and retrofitting Moroccan industrial heating processes to green hydrogen. 🌱⚙️ His supervision includes diverse projects: from control systems and agri-PV modeling to battery aging and photovoltaic system optimization. He’s also guiding students on floating photovoltaics, biomass gasification, and wind installation feasibility. 🌬️💡 At ENSA Marrakech, he oversees fault detection in PV systems. 🔧📈

Seminars/Webinars 🎤

🌟 Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane 🌟 has shared his expertise at various prestigious events. He was a distinguished speaker at the United Research Forum’s Biomaterials Biofuels 2022 and RenSource Energy Virtual 2021 conferences. 🌱⚡ He also contributed to the Environmental Research Forum’s Geology Webinar 2020, addressing sustainability issues. 🌍💧 At École Polytechnique’s Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD), he participated in Intro Team Seminars and the PhD Students’ Day in 2019, presenting on energy transition in Morocco and climate change. 📚🌡️ His seminars, including those at GeePs-Centrale Supelec, highlight his dedication to renewable energy and climate research. 🌿🔬

Training 🏋️‍♂️

Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane a enrichi son expertise par diverses formations et cours 🌍📚. En 2022, il a participé à la formation sur les “Négociations Climatiques Internationales (COP27)” pour les jeunes leaders africains 🌱. Il a suivi des cours à École Polytechnique et Télécom Paris sur la “Psychologie des Chercheurs en Doctorat” 🧠, ainsi qu’à CentraleSupélec sur les “Méthodes Numériques” 🔬. D’autres formations incluent “Transition Énergétique et Changement Climatique” 🌡️, “Écriture de Documents Scientifiques” 📄, et “Modélisation Numérique” 🌐, avec des contributions notables à ENSAE et École des Mines de Paris 🌬️.

Workshops 🛠️

Prof. Dr. Ayat-Allah Bouramdane has actively participated in various esteemed events. In 2023, he organized a seminar in collaboration with USAID and institutions in Israel and the MENA region 🌍. Notable engagements include IRSEC 2020 in Casablanca, the WTE2018 workshop, and the Scientific Day at RISEGrid Institute, EDF Lab Paris-Saclay 🔬. He also attended the Scientific Day at SIRTA, École Polytechnique 📚, and participated in the Green Zone of COP22 in Marrakech 🌿. Other significant events include PHOTOVOLTAICA 2016, Solar Expo 2015, and the Moroccan Solar Festival 2014 ☀️. Additionally, he coordinated the visit of President François Hollande to UIR in 2013 🇫🇷.

Publications Top Notes 📚

Morocco’s path to a climate-resilient energy transition: identifying emission drivers, proposing solutions, and addressing barriers

Assessing Global Wildfire Dynamics and Climate Resilience: A Focus on European Regions Using the Fire Weather Index

Optimal Water Management Strategies: Paving the Way for Sustainability in Smart Cities

Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process

Assessment of CMIP6 Multi-Model Projections Worldwide: Which Regions Are Getting Warmer and Are Going through a Drought in Africa and Morocco? What Changes from CMIP5 to CMIP6?

Utility-Scale PV-Battery versus CSP-Thermal Storage in Morocco: Storage and Cost Effect under Penetration Scenarios

Sensitivity of the Moroccan mix to the integration of Thermal and Battery Storage combined with Concentrated Solar Power and Photovoltaics: Design, Dispatch and Optimal Mix analysis