Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin DURGUN | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on 06/06/202506/06/2025 by Superior Awards

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin DURGUN | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin DURGUN , Bartın University , Turkey.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin DURGUN 🎓 is a dedicated civil engineering researcher specializing in construction materials. He earned his Ph.D. from Istanbul Technical University in 2017, focusing on nano-silica in self-compacting concrete. With 21 SCI-indexed journal publications 📚, he has made significant contributions in cement, concrete rheology, and sustainable materials. He has participated in over 10 research projects and reviewed 150+ papers for reputed journals 🧪. Currently serving at Bartın University, Dr. Durgun continues to guide graduate students, publish scholarly work, and advance innovations in durable, high-performance concrete technologies 🏗️.

Professional Profile

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Education and Experience

📘 B.Sc. in Civil Engineering – 2007
🧪 M.Sc. in Construction Materials – 2011
🎓 Ph.D. in Construction Materials (Nano-Silica in SCC) – 2017
🧑‍🏫 Research Assistant, Istanbul Technical University – 2008–2017
👨‍🏫 Assistant Professor, Bartın University – 2018–2021
🎖️ Associate Professor, Bartın University – 2021–Present

Suitability Summary

Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin Durgun is a highly qualified and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award in recognition of his extensive contributions to the field of civil engineering materials and concrete technology. With a robust academic foundation, Dr. Durgun earned his Ph.D. from Istanbul Technical University, where he explored the role of nano-silica in enhancing the rheological behavior of self-compacting concrete—a subject that remains highly relevant to sustainable construction practices.

Professional Development

Dr. Durgun has cultivated a robust academic and professional portfolio through his engagement in multidisciplinary concrete technology research 🧱. His work explores fresh concrete rheology, rebar corrosion, alkali-activated binders, and geopolymer development 🌍. He has supervised graduate theses, delivered advanced courses 🧑‍🎓, authored 6 book chapters, and presented in 39 international conferences 🌐. Actively involved in reviewing top-tier SCI-indexed journal submissions 📑, he remains a respected peer reviewer and academic contributor. A member of ACI (American Concrete Institute) 🏛️, he consistently expands his professional network while advancing the understanding of durable and eco-friendly construction solutions.

Research Focus

Dr. Muhammed Yasin DURGUN focuses on sustainable and high-performance civil engineering materials 🏗️. His key interests include cement chemistry, fresh and hardened concrete behavior, self-consolidating concrete, and rheology of cementitious systems. He explores the use of nano-materials, blast furnace slag, geopolymers, and alkali-activated binders to enhance durability, workability, and structural integrity 💧. His research also investigates rebar corrosion, microstructural analysis, and the integration of industrial by-products into concrete mixes ♻️. These studies aim to improve concrete’s sustainability and performance under varied environmental conditions, supporting green construction practices and infrastructure longevity 🌱.

Awards and Honors

🥇 Completed TUBITAK 1001-funded project on Nano-Silica in SCC
🧪 Researcher in multiple nationally funded materials science projects
📚 Reviewer for 150+ SCI-indexed journal articles
🏗️ 21 SCI-indexed journal publications in top international journals
🎤 39 international conference presentations
📖 6 book chapters in civil and materials engineering
🧑‍🏫 Supervised multiple graduate theses (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)
🎓 Delivered 18 courses in undergraduate and graduate education
🏛️ Member of American Concrete Institute (ACI)

Publication Top Notes

High temperature resistance of concretes with GGBFS, waste glass powder, and colemanite ore wastes after different cooling conditions
📌 Authors: MY Durgun, AH Sevinç
📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 196, pp. 66–81, 2019
📌 Citations: 73
🔍 Focus: Evaluates thermal resistance and residual mechanical properties of concrete containing GGBFS, glass powder, and colemanite after exposure to high temperatures and varying cooling regimes.
Investigation of durability properties of concrete pipes incorporating blast furnace slag and ground basaltic pumice as fine aggregates
📌 Authors: H Bınıci, MY Durgun, T Rızaoğlu, M Koluçolak
📌 Journal: Scientia Iranica, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 366–372, 2012
📌 Citations: 72
🔍 Focus: Examines the durability performance of concrete pipes using alternative fine aggregates like slag and pumice.
Rheological and fresh properties of reduced fine content self-compacting concretes produced with different particle sizes of nano SiO₂
📌 Authors: MY Durgun, HN Atahan
📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 142, pp. 431–443, 2017
📌 Citations: 57
🔍 Focus: Investigates how nano-silica particle size affects rheology and fresh behavior in self-compacting concrete with low fine content.
A Taguchi approach for investigating the engineering properties of concretes incorporating barite, colemanite, basaltic pumice and ground blast furnace slag
📌 Authors: AH Sevinc, MY Durgun, M Eken
📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 135, pp. 343–351, 2017
📌 Citations: 52
🔍 Focus: Utilizes Taguchi statistical methods to evaluate mechanical and durability properties of concrete with multiple industrial waste additions.
Effect of high temperature on polypropylene fiber-reinforced mortars containing colemanite wastes
📌 Authors: MY Durgun, S Özen, K Karakuzu, V Kobya, SH Bayqra, et al.
📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 316, Article ID 125827, 2022
📌 Citations: 50
🔍 Focus: Studies thermal stability and post-fire performance of polypropylene fiber-enhanced mortars with colemanite.
Strength, elastic and microstructural properties of SCCs with colloidal nano silica addition
📌 Authors: MY Durgun, HN Atahan
📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 158, pp. 295–307, 2018
📌 Citations: 42
🔍 Focus: Explores how colloidal nano-silica modifies strength, elasticity, and microstructure in self-compacting concretes.
Corrosion of basaltic pumice, colemanite, barite and blast furnace slag coated rebars in concretes
📌 Authors: H Binici, O Aksogan, MY Durgun
📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 37, pp. 629–637, 2012
📌 Citations: 42
🔍 Focus: Assesses corrosion behavior of rebars coated with industrial waste materials in various concrete matrices.
Properties of high-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer concretes improved with high-silica sources
📌 Authors: AH Sevinç, MY Durgun
📌 Journal: Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 261, Article ID 120014, 2020
📌 Citations: 38
🔍 Focus: This study explores the performance of geopolymer concretes produced from high-calcium fly ash, enhanced with high-silica materials such as silica fume and nano-silica. Results show improved mechanical strength, workability, and microstructure, contributing to sustainable binder development and reducing reliance on Portland cement.

Conclusion

With a strong record of scholarly excellence, impactful research, and dedicated mentorship, Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin Durgun exemplifies the ideals of a leading academic in civil engineering. His continued contributions to the advancement of sustainable and high-performance construction materials make him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Prof. Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on 10/05/202510/05/2025 by Superior Awards

Prof. Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas , Universidad San Francisco de Quito , Ecuador.

Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas 🇪🇨 is a civil and structural engineering expert with deep roots in academia and industry. Currently a professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito 🎓, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine 🇺🇸, where he also served as a teaching assistant. His work blends theory and practice, focusing on performance-based earthquake engineering 🌍⚙️. With experience spanning construction inspection, design, and education, Dr. Torres Rodas has contributed significantly through research publications and teaching 📚. His dedication to seismic safety and structural reliability positions him as a leader in engineering resilience 🏗️🔬.

Publication Profile

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Education & Experience

🎓 Education:

📅 2018: Ph.D. in Civil/Structural Engineering – University of California, Irvine
📅 2015: M.S. in Civil/Structural Engineering – University of California, Irvine
📅 2011: Specialist in Structural Engineering – Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador
📅 2009: B.S. in Civil Engineering – Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience:

📐 Geometry TA – Universidad de Cuenca (2005–2007)
🧱 Lecturer: Concrete & Statistics – Universidad de Cuenca (2013)
🌍 Earthquake Eng. TA – UC Irvine (2016)
🏗️ Steel Design TA – UC Irvine (2017)
🌲 Timber Design TA – UC Irvine (2018)
🎓 Structural Engineering Lecturer – USFQ (2018–present)

👷‍♂️ Professional Experience:

🛠️ Civil Construction Inspector – Coca-Codo-Sinclair Dam
🧱 Construction Supervisor – Municipio de Nabón
🚧 Infrastructure Projects – Cuenca, Ecuador
🏢 Structural Design – Various buildings in Cuenca

Summary Suitability

Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas is a leading candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his exceptional contributions to the field of structural and earthquake engineering. As a professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Dr. Torres Rodas has consistently demonstrated research excellence, academic leadership, and impactful innovation. His work focuses on the development of analytical and numerical models that advance Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) — a critical area for building resilience in seismic-prone regions.

Professional Development

Dr. Torres Rodas is committed to ongoing professional growth through teaching, research, and real-world structural engineering 🌐🏗️. At Universidad San Francisco de Quito, he educates future engineers while advancing analytical and numerical modeling in seismic performance studies 📊📘. His international academic journey, from Ecuador to the U.S., reflects a dedication to excellence and cross-cultural collaboration 🌎🤝. His published research in leading ASCE journals 📄🧠 contributes to safer, more resilient structures. He actively bridges theoretical knowledge with applied engineering, emphasizing innovative methods in structural analysis and design under seismic loading conditions 🌋📐.

Research Focus

Dr. Torres Rodas’s research lies in Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE), a field that seeks to enhance structural safety and resilience during seismic events 🌍🏢. His work centers on developing both analytical and numerical models to simulate how structures respond to earthquake-induced forces 📉💥. By exploring column base connection behaviors and embedded connection stiffness, he contributes critical knowledge to structural engineering design standards 📚⚙️. His insights help engineers design buildings that can better withstand tremors, minimizing damage and saving lives. His goal is to merge academic rigor with real-world safety innovation 🔬🏗️.

Awards and Honors

🎓 SENESCYT Scholarship – Awarded by the Ecuadorian government for doctoral studies abroad (2013–2017)
🏅 Best Lecturer Award – College of Science and Engineering, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (2019–2020)

Publication Top Notes

Torres-Rodas, P., Fayaz, J., Medalla, M. (2024). Statistical evaluation of steel moment frames response under crustal and subduction seismic environments. Journal of Building Engineering.
Torres-Rodas, P., Flores, F., Pozo, S., Astudillo, B.X. (2021). Seismic performance of steel moment frames considering the effects of column-base hysteretic behavior and gravity framing system. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 144, 106654.
Hassan, A.S., Torres-Rodas, P., Giulietti, L., Kanvinde, A. (2021). Strength characterization of exposed column base plates subjected to axial force and biaxial bending. Engineering Structures, 237, 112165.
Torres-Rodas, P., Fayaz, J., Zareian, F. (2020). Strength resistance factors for seismic design of exposed base plate connections in special steel moment resisting frames. Earthquake Spectra, 36(2), 537–553.
Villacreses, J.P., Granados, J., Caicedo, B., Torres-Rodas, P., Yépez, F. (2021). Seismic and hydromechanical performance of rammed earth walls under changing environmental conditions. Construction and Building Materials, 300, 124331.

Conclusion

Dr. Torres Rodas exemplifies the qualities of a best-in-class researcher: innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and societal impact. His groundbreaking work enhances the global understanding of seismic design, making infrastructure safer and more resilient. With a strong publication record, international engagement, and ongoing contributions to engineering science, he is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award.