Major Mabuza | Carbon Capture | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Major Mabuza | Carbon Capture | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Major Melusi Mabuza ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ is a dynamic Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng โ€“ ECSA), academic leader, and dedicated researcher currently serving as Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering Technology at the University of Johannesburg ๐Ÿ›๏ธ. He is known for his proactive mentorship, innovative thinking, and commitment to student excellence ๐ŸŒŸ. With years of experience in academia and industry, he fosters collaboration, creativity, and technical brilliance in every sphere of his work โš™๏ธ๐Ÿ“˜.

Profile

Scopus

๐ŸŽ“ Education

Dr. Mabuza holds a DEng in Chemical Engineering (2021), MTech in Chemical Engineering (2014), and BTech in Chemical Engineering (Cum Laude, 2010), all from Tshwane University of Technology ๐ŸŽ“. He also earned a National Diploma in Chemical Engineering (2009) and completed matric in science (2005) ๐Ÿงช. Recently, he pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (2024) and Emerging Leadership training (2023) at the University of Johannesburg ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿซ.

๐Ÿฉบ Experience

Dr. Mabuza has held numerous academic positions, including Senior Lecturer roles at Vaal University of Technology and the University of Johannesburg, where he now leads his department ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿซ. He also served in various industrial roles at MINTEK ๐Ÿ”ฌ. His journey includes impactful leadership positions, such as acting HOD, chairing ECSA committees, and serving on compliance and teaching boards across institutions ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ๐Ÿ“ˆ.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Research Interest

Dr. Mabuza’s research is centered on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) ๐ŸŒ, materials science, and advanced materials. His work focuses on improving the performance of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for carbon dioxide sequestration and flue gas treatment ๐Ÿงช๐Ÿงฑ. He has secured notable research grants, including Thuthuka Post-PhD funding and international engagement programs for scholarly advancement ๐ŸŒ.

๐Ÿ† Awards

He is a recipient of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ (2012) and a Future Professors Programme Fellow (2023โ€“2024) ๐ŸŒŸ. His academic excellence was recognized through the NRF Innovation Scholarship, CO2CRC Summer School attendance, and multiple best presenter awards during his postgraduate journey ๐Ÿฅ‡.

๐Ÿ“š Publications

Adsorption Equilibria… (2025) โ€“ Energies, Cited by: 2

In-depth analysis of coal… (2024) โ€“ IJOGCT, Cited by: 1

Application of voltammetry… (2024) โ€“ Electrochemistry Communications, Cited by: 0

Physicochemical Properties of MOFs… (2024) โ€“ Proceedings, Cited by: 0

Municipal Solid Waste Biogas… (2024) โ€“ Proceedings, Cited by: 0

Zinc MOF for Methane Capture… (2024) โ€“ Proceedings, Cited by: 0

Textural Structural Properties of Coals… (2023) โ€“ Carbon Capture Science & Technology, Cited by: 3

Modelling COโ‚‚ and Flue Gas Sorption… (2022) โ€“ International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, Cited by: 4

๐Ÿ Conclusion

Dr. Major Melusi Mabuza is a highly qualified and impactful researcher with a demonstrated commitment to scientific advancement, leadership in academia, and a strong publication track record. His work in carbon capture and MOFs is both timely and of high relevance to sustainability and environmental technologies. With continued growth in international engagement and innovation, he is a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Fernando Pinto Coelho | Renewable Energy | Best Innovation Award

Prof. Dr. Fernando Pinto Coelho | Renewable Energy | Best Innovation Award

Professor, Federal University of Alagoas, Brazilย 

Fernando Pinto Coelho is a distinguished environmental professor and multidisciplinary researcher, actively contributing to sustainability across Brazil and internationally ๐ŸŒ. Currently serving at the Federal University of Alagoas, heโ€™s involved in groundbreaking research in biomass, marine crop energy, and low-carbon agriculture ๐ŸŒฟ. With decades of academic and environmental policy experience, he has significantly impacted renewable energy innovation, environmental management, and scientific education on both national and global scales ๐Ÿ“š.

Profile

Orcid

๐ŸŽ“ Education

Fernando earned his PhD in Energy and Nuclear Technologies from the Federal University of Pernambuco (2018), with a focus on renewable energies and biomass energy ๐ŸŒž. He holds two masterโ€™s degreesโ€”one in Water Resources and Sanitation from UFAL (2008), and an MBA in Business Management from Fundaรงรฃo Getรบlio Vargas (2002) ๐Ÿ“˜. His academic journey began with a full degree in Geography from UFAL in 1999 ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ. His expertise bridges geography, climatology, energy, and environmental sciences.

๐Ÿงช Experience

Since 2011, Fernando has been a professor at the Federal University of Alagoas, focusing on Geography and Surveying Engineering ๐Ÿ“. He served as Technical Director of the Caatinga Biome Social Carbon Credits Association (2022), and was Director of R&D at the Proalga Brazil Institute ๐ŸŒพ. Heโ€™s also an expert environmental analyst for the Alagoas State Court of Justice and has represented the university in river basin environmental committees ๐Ÿ’ง.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Research Interest

Fernandoโ€™s research explores the interface of biomass, seaweed, marine crop energy, and renewable energy systems ๐Ÿงซโšก. His work emphasizes sustainable energy production from macroalgae, ecosystem restoration, and carbon credit innovation. He contributes to national initiatives like Brazilโ€™s Low Carbon Agriculture Project (ABC+), focusing on clean energy technologies and sustainable marine biomass use ๐ŸŒฑ๐ŸŒŠ.

๐Ÿ† Award & Distinctions

Honored as a full professor with a PhD title at UFAL in 2018, Fernando also leads a CNPq-recognized research group on energy in semi-arid regions (NUPRESโ€“AL) ๐Ÿฅ‡. He has served as an Ad Hoc Consultant to Brazil’s Ministry of Education and is a Federal Pedagogical Residency Program Advisor ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿซ. His leadership in environmental policy and academic excellence has earned him national and institutional recognition ๐Ÿ….

๐Ÿ“š Publications

Renewable Energy from Beach-Cast Seaweed: Calorific Power Heating Studies with Macroalgae (2025) โ€“ Published in Plants, exploring the energy potential of seaweed biomass.
๐Ÿ“– Cited by: forthcoming studies in renewable biomass assessments.

Biorefinery of Beach Cast Seaweed in Brazil: Renewable Energy and Sustainability (2024) โ€“ Published in Phycology, discussing sustainable seaweed utilization.
๐Ÿ“– Cited by: marine biomass circular economy frameworks.

Microbiota Fรบngica em sistema de ar condicionado de automรณveis (2024) โ€“ Published in Revista Ouricuri, a study on fungal microbiota in auto air-conditioning systems.
๐Ÿ“– Cited by: fungal ecology and public health research.

๐Ÿ Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Fernando Pinto Coelho exhibits innovative excellence in renewable energy, particularly through the novel use of seaweed biomass in energy and environmental systems. His integrated approach, international engagement, and leadership in environmental innovation make him a strong contender for the Best Innovation Award. Highlighting tangible impacts through patents or commercial applications would further solidify his case, but his current contributions already reflect a forward-thinking innovator reshaping the landscape of renewable energies.