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, 198โ€“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, 119โ€“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, 715โ€“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, 238โ€“247.

 

Giuseppe La Ferla | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Giuseppe La Ferla | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Polytechnic University of Madrid | Spain

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe La Ferla is an accomplished architect, researcher, and educator whose career bridges practice and academia. With expertise in construction and architectural technology, he has contributed to sustainable building design and energy-efficient faรงade systems. Over the years, he has collaborated on international projects across Europe, the Middle East, and South America, combining technical innovation with environmental responsibility. His research emphasizes adaptive faรงades, radiant glass technologies, and smart energy regions, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability. Currently, he serves as Professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, where he mentors future architects and leads research in advanced construction methods.

Professional Profile

Orcid

Education

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe La Ferla pursued advanced studies in architecture and technology, earning his Masterโ€™s degree in Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Turin and later obtaining professional registration at Mediterranean University di Reggio Calabria. Driven by a passion for sustainable design, he completed a PhD at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, presenting a thesis on the thermal behavior of radiant glass in glazed envelopes. His education reflects a blend of design creativity and technical rigor, supported by international training programs and scholarships, including Erasmus studies in Valencia. This academic foundation paved the way for his later teaching, research, and professional practice.

Experience

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe La Ferla has accumulated extensive professional and academic experience. For over two decades, he worked as Lead Architect at Chapman Taylor Spain, managing large-scale international projects that ranged from urban masterplans to bioclimatic building studies. His architectural portfolio spans Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, where he developed sustainable strategies for complex urban and commercial developments. Parallel to practice, he embraced academia, teaching at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and other European institutions. His combined expertise as a practitioner and professor allows him to integrate real-world architectural challenges into academic research and teaching on construction technologies.

Research Interests

His research interests focus on energy efficiency and technological innovation in building envelopes. He has specialized in adaptive faรงades, radiant glass systems, and sustainable design strategies, seeking to merge thermal performance with architectural quality. His doctoral work explored radiant glass as a tool for improving comfort and reducing energy consumption. He also contributed to European research programs under COST, including Smart Energy Regions and Adaptive Faรงades Network, engaging in collaborative studies that connect policy, technology, and user experience. Prof. Dr. Giuseppe La Ferla continues to investigate advanced faรงade systems, combining computational modeling, experimental monitoring, and sustainable construction methodologies.

Awards

Throughout his career, Prof. Dr. Giuseppe La Ferla has received recognition for his contributions in architecture and sustainability. He was honored with design awards in international competitions such as the Regeneration of Nieporฤ™t Marina and Riviera dei Ciclopi, reflecting his creative architectural vision. His collaboration on participative forest management won the prestigious UN-Habitat Dubai International Best Practice distinction. He has also earned academic honors, including an Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing for the journal Sustainable Cities and Society. These awards highlight his dual achievements in professional design excellence and research impact, confirming his reputation as an innovative and socially engaged architect.

Top Noted Publications

Title: Design of a Shipping Container-Based Home: Structural, Thermal, and Acoustic Conditioning
Year: 2025

Title: Radiant glass faรงade technology: thermal and comfort performance based on experimental monitoring of outdoor test cells
Year: 2020
Cited by: 17

Title: A geometric play facing the Mediterranean. The Teulada-Moraira auditorium
Year: 2012

Title: Network Movement. The Magic Box in Madrid
Year: 2011

Title: Residential complex in the Sanchinarro Urban Development Plan in Madrid
Year: 2011

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe La Ferla career demonstrates a rare blend of academic rigor, international collaboration, impactful teaching, and real-world architectural practice. His contributions to sustainable building technologies, radiant glass research, and adaptive faรงades position him as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, with clear potential to further consolidate his influence as a leading researcher in construction and architectural technology.

Esdras Ngezahayo | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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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 ยฃ165,000, 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 Ngezahayoโ€™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 Masterโ€™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 Ngezahayoโ€™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. Ngezahayoโ€™s academic journey is decorated with numerous awards and recognitions. He secured full PhD studentship funding twiceย  to investigate geotechnical challenges like gully erosion and electrokinetic stabilization of clay soils, funded by EPSRC and the University of Birmingham. His laboratory receivedย  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.

Mr. Konstantinos Polychronakis | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Konstantinos Polychronakis | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Konstantinos Polychronakis, AUTH, Greece

Konstantinos Polychronakis is a skilled Mechanical Engineer specializing in energy management and system optimization, currently advancing environmental initiatives at AMBIO S.A. With prior experience as a Thermal Engineer at Spacedot, he has excelled in designing nanosatellite thermal systems that meet ESA and ECCS standards. His expertise extends to a range of software tools and programming languages, including MATLAB and ESATAN-TMS, enabling him to address complex engineering challenges.

Profile

Based on the provided information, Konstantinos Polychronakis appears to be a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award,” especially if the focus is on innovation and practical applications in energy management and thermal systems. Letโ€™s break down the evaluation according to strengths, areas for improvement, and a conclusion:

Strengths for the Award

Strong Technical Expertise:

Extensive experience in mechanical engineering with a focus on energy management and system optimization.

Proficiency in advanced software like MATLAB, Python, ESATAN-TMS, ANSYS, and CAD tools, demonstrating a high level of technical skill.

Research and Project Experience:

Successfully conducted thermal design optimization for a nanosatellite project, meeting strict standards (ESA & ECCS requirements).

Currently working on a post-graduate thesis involving CFD and thermal analysis of floating solar PVs, showcasing cutting-edge research in renewable energy.

Educational Background:

Holding an Integrated Masterโ€™s in Mechanical Engineering and pursuing an MSc in Energy Production & Management, which aligns well with current industry needs.

Multilingual Proficiency:

Proficient in English (C2), with advanced knowledge of French (C1), which is beneficial for international collaboration and publications.

Areas for Improvement

Broader Publication Record:

There is no mention of peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations. Increasing visibility through scientific publications would strengthen the research profile.

Industry-Academia Collaboration:

While the candidate has a strong industry background, enhancing collaborations with academic research groups could lead to more comprehensive research outcomes.

Leadership in Research Projects:

The experience mentioned focuses on participation and contributions. Taking on a leadership role in major projects or research studies could further highlight capabilities.

Education ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ“š

Konstantinos holds an Integrated Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2023) and is pursuing an MSc in Energy Production & Management at the National Technical University of Athens (expected 2025). His academic work includes a thesis on optimizing insulation thickness in residential buildings in Greece and ongoing research on thermal analysis of floating solar PV technologies.

Experience ๐Ÿ’ผ๐Ÿ”ง

Konstantinos is currently a Mechanical Engineer at AMBIO S.A., where he focuses on optimizing energy systems for environmental projects. Previously, he worked as a Thermal Engineer at Spacedot, contributing to nanosatellite thermal design by selecting thermal control materials and using ESATAN-TMS for temperature distribution analysis, ensuring satellite component safety across mission phases.

Research Interest ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ”‹

Passionate about sustainable engineering, Konstantinos’ research interests include renewable energy systems, multi-objective optimization, and thermal analysis for aerospace applications. His ongoing postgraduate research involves using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze thermal properties of floating solar PV systems, comparing various technologies for optimal energy efficiency.

Awards ๐Ÿ†๐ŸŽ–๏ธ

Konstantinos has been recognized for his innovative approach in mechanical engineering, receiving accolades in energy management and environmental optimization. His technical contributions have earned him award nominations within the engineering community.

Publications ๐Ÿ“‘๐Ÿ”—

“Thermal Design Optimization for Nanosatellites”,

“Energy Management Strategies in Environmental Engineering”

 

Conclusion

Konstantinos Polychronakis demonstrates significant potential as a nominee for the “Best Researcher Award,” given his expertise in thermal engineering, innovative approach to energy systems, and ongoing research in renewable energy technologies. To enhance his candidacy, he could focus on expanding his publication record and seeking leadership roles in future projects. Overall, his background and skills align well with the award’s objectives, making him a suitable and promising candidate.