Mr. Ahmad Usman | Sustainable Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Ahmad Usman | Sustainable Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Ahmad Usman | Cranfield University | United Kingdom

Mr. Ahmad Usman is a dedicated PhD student at Cranfield University specializing in coating and corrosion science, with a strong focus on developing advanced materials to protect critical components in power plants under demanding conditions. His research encompasses the fireside-corrosion behavior of thermally sprayed and Ni-based coatings in challenging environments, including chlorine-rich combustion atmospheres, and investigates oxidation, erosion, and wear mechanisms at the microscopic level. Mr. Usman has contributed to advancing knowledge on thermal spray coatings through both academic and industry projects, including his role as Group Innovation Engineer at Welding Alloys Group, UK, and collaborations with the National High Temperature Surface Engineering Centre. He has co-authored book chapters on self-healing elastomers and polymeric paints and coatings, highlighting his expertise in functional polymers. His research interests include real-time monitoring of coating degradation, modeling corrosion kinetics in waste-to-energy (WtE) environments, and optimizing thermal spray coatings to resist high-temperature corrosion, erosion, and wear damage. With a growing citation record and an h-index of 2, Mr. Usman is an active member of the Institute of Corrosion and the Pakistan Engineering Council, demonstrating his commitment to both academic excellence and industrial innovation, while consistently exploring innovative solutions to extend the lifespan and reliability of critical energy infrastructure.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Usman, A., Syed, A., Isern Arrom, L., Nicholls, J., & Cordero, M. (2024, September 5). Degradation of novel coating systems for heat exchanger materials for WtE power plant applications [Conference poster]. EUROCORR 2024, Cranfield University.

Rehan, Z. A., & Usman, A. (2023). Polymeric paints and coatings. In Advanced Functional Polymers. Springer.

Zubair, Z., Usman, A., & Hafeez, A. (2023). Self-healing elastomers. In Advanced Functional Polymers. Springer.

Usman, A. (2021, December 8). Fabrication of low emissivity paint thermal/NIR radiation insulation for domestic applications [Conference poster]. 1st International Conference of Polymers and Composites (ICPC-2021).

Usman, A., Isern Arrom, L., Nicholls, J., Cordero, M., & Syed, A. U. (2025). Fireside corrosion behavior of thermally sprayed coatings for waste-to-energy power plant applications. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance.

Prof. Ilknur Zeren Cetin | Sustainable Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Ilknur Zeren Cetin | Sustainable Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Ilknur Zeren Cetin | Ondokuz Mayis University | Turkey

Prof. Ilknur Zeren Cetin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Architecture, Turkey. She has a strong academic and research background in urban sustainability, climate change impacts, land cover dynamics, and spatial planning, with her work focusing on integrating environmental monitoring and urban design to promote resilient and sustainable urban environments. She has contributed significantly to high-impact research, with publications in SCI, SSCI, and AHCI-indexed journals, including studies on climate change impacts in the Upper Sakarya Basin, large-scale monitoring of riparian land-cover changes, and the conservation of Taxus baccata. Her research also addresses practical urban challenges, such as assessing walkability for parents with strollers and providing recommendations for sustainable urban design, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach that bridges environmental science, urban planning, and social considerations. With 1,617 citations by 816 documents, 28 publications, and an h-index of 21, Prof. Cetin demonstrates a consistent record of scholarly influence and contribution to the field, and her work continues to guide evidence-based urban policy and planning strategies in Turkey and beyond, emphasizing sustainable development, climate adaptation, and community-centered urban design.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

  • Cetin, M., Zeren, I., Sevik, H., Cakir, C., & Akpinar, H. (2018). A study on the determination of the natural park’s sustainable tourism potential. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 190(3), 167.

  • Sevik, H., Cetin, M., Ozel, H. B., Ozel, S., & Zeren Cetin, I. (2020). Changes in heavy metal accumulation in some edible landscape plants depending on traffic density. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192(2), 78.

  • Cesur, A., Zeren Cetin, I., Cetin, M., Sevik, H., & Ozel, H. B. (2022). The use of Cupressus arizonica as a biomonitor of Li, Fe, and Cr pollution in Kastamonu. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 233(6), 193.

  • Cetin, M., Aljama, A. M. O., Alrabiti, O. B. M., Adiguzel, F., Sevik, H., & Zeren Cetin, I. (2022). Using topsoil analysis to determine and map changes in Ni and Co pollution. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 233(8), 293.

  • Cetin, M., Aljama, A. M. O., Alrabiti, O. B. M., Adiguzel, F., Sevik, H., & Zeren Cetin, I. (2022). Determination and mapping of regional change of Pb and Cr pollution in Ankara city center. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 233(5), 163.

  • Varol, T., Cetin, M., Ozel, H. B., Sevik, H., & Zeren Cetin, I. (2022). The effects of climate change scenarios on Carpinus betulus and Carpinus orientalis in Europe. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 233(2), 45.

  • Cesur, A., Zeren Cetin, I., Abo Aisha, A. E. S., Alrabiti, O. B. M., Aljama, A. M. O., et al. (2021). The usability of Cupressus arizonica annual rings in monitoring the changes in heavy metal concentration in air. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(27), 35642–35648.

 

Dr. Goutam Khankari | Sustainable Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Goutam Khankari | Sustainable Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Goutam Khankari | Damodar Valley Corporation | India

Dr. Goutam Khankari is a distinguished researcher and engineer specializing in thermal power systems. His PhD research, titled “Thermodynamic Analysis and Performance Improvement of Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plants,” focused on a comprehensive 4-E approach—Energy, Exergy, Environment, and Economic analysis—of various coal-fired steam power plants using high-ash Indian coals. The primary objective of his work was to enhance the overall efficiency and net power output of these plants by exploiting low-grade waste energy through the Kalina Cycle System, integrating solar energy, and optimizing operational conditions. Dr. Khankari’s research not only provides critical insights into energy and exergy efficiencies but also emphasizes sustainable practices and environmental considerations in coal-based power generation. His work has been widely recognized, reflected in 97 citations across 88 documents and an h-index of 5, demonstrating significant academic influence. Through his innovative approaches to performance improvement and waste energy utilization, Dr. Khankari has contributed meaningfully to the field of thermal engineering, offering practical solutions for maximizing energy output while minimizing environmental impact in India’s coal-fired power sector.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured  Publications

Khankari, G., & Karmakar, S. (2016). Power generation from coal mill rejection using Kalina cycle. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 138(5), 052004.

Khankari, G., Munda, J., & Karmakar, S. (2016). Power generation from condenser waste heat in coal-fired thermal power plant using Kalina cycle. Energy Procedia, 90, 613–624.

Khankari, G., & Karmakar, S. (2018). Power generation from fluegas waste heat in a 500 MWe subcritical coal-fired thermal power plant using solar assisted Kalina Cycle System 11. Applied Thermal Engineering, 138, 235–245.

Khankari, G., & Karmakar, S. (2021). A novel solar assisted Kalina cycle system for waste heat utilization in thermal power plants. International Journal of Energy Research, 45(12), 17146–17158.

Roge, N. H., Khankari, G., & Karmakar, S. (2022). Waste heat recovery from fly ash of 210 MW coal fired power plant using organic rankine cycle. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 144(8), 082107.

Khankari, G., & Karmakar, S. (2014). Operational optimization of turbo-generator (TG) cycle of a 500MW coal-fired thermal power plant. In 2014 6th IEEE Power India International Conference (PIICON) (pp. 1–6).

Khankari, G., Karmakar, S., Pramanick, A., & Biswas, M. (2013). Thermodynamic analysis of a 500MW coal-fired Indian power plant. In ESMOC Conference, NIT Durgapur, India.

Saerom Park Remediation Technology Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Saerom Park | Remediation Technology | Best Researcher Award 

Korea Institute of Civil engineering building Technology, South Korea

👨‍🎓 Profile

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Saerom Park earned her B.S. in Environmental Science & Ecological Engineering from Korea University, Seoul, in 2009, achieving an impressive GPA of 3.96/4.5. She continued her studies at Purdue University, where she completed both her M.S. (2013) and Ph.D. (2017) in Environmental Science, specializing in Environmental Chemistry within the Interdisciplinary Ecological Science and Engineering Program, both with a GPA of 3.89/4.0. Her early academic endeavors laid a strong foundation for her expertise in environmental issues and analytical chemistry.

🏢 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Park currently serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Science and Technology in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department since March 2023. She is also a Senior Researcher at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, where she has been contributing to environmental research since December 2019. Her previous roles include postdoctoral positions at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and The University of Georgia, as well as research and teaching positions at Purdue University.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Park’s research primarily revolves around micropollutants, focusing on developing analytical technologies for contaminants such as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and microplastics (MPs). Her current projects include: Investigating the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in various water systems, Developing advanced treatment technologies for micropollutant destruction in groundwater and wastewater, Implementing AI-based technologies for optimization and automation in micropollutant management.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Park’s research addresses critical environmental challenges posed by micropollutants, particularly PFAAs, which are known for their persistence and potential health risks. Her work contributes significantly to understanding and mitigating the impact of these contaminants on ecosystems and human health, particularly in groundwater resources. Her interdisciplinary approach positions her as a key figure in environmental science and engineering.

📚 Academic Cites

Dr. Park has a commendable record of scholarly contributions and presentations, which has garnered recognition within the scientific community. Her work has led to several awards, including the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Young Scientists (2018-2020) and the Purdue Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship (2017). These accolades underscore her contributions to the field and the impact of her research.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Dr. Park possesses a diverse set of technical skills essential for her research, including: Analytical Techniques: FT-IR microscopy, Pyr-GC/MS, LC/MS/MS, qTOF/MS/MS, GC/ECD/TCD/FID/MS, ICP/MS, and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Laboratory Proficiency: Ion Chromatography, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Total Organic Analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis, Specialized Equipment: Anaerobic Chamber, Fluoride Ion Selective Electrode, and Zetasizer nano ZSA.

📖 Teaching Experience

As an educator, Dr. Park has imparted her knowledge through various teaching roles. She is currently teaching Water Quality Management of Rivers and Lakes as an Associate Professor and has served as a lab instructor for Environmental Soil Chemistry at Purdue University. Her teaching approach emphasizes hands-on experience and real-world applications of environmental science.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Saerom Park’s commitment to environmental science and engineering continues to drive her research and teaching. Her efforts in developing innovative analytical technologies and treatment methods for micropollutants have the potential to significantly improve water quality management practices. Looking ahead, she aims to expand her research on AI applications in environmental monitoring and remediation, further solidifying her legacy in the field.

📖  Notable Publications

Denitrification dynamics in unsaturated soils with different porous structures and water saturation degrees: A focus on the shift in microbial community structures
  • Authors: Oh, S., Cho, K., Park, S., Chung, J., Lee, S.
  • Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials
  • Year: 2023
Long-Term Examination of Water Chemistry Changes Following Treatment of Cyanobacterial Bloom with Coagulants and Minerals
  • Authors: Lee, B., Kang, H., Oh, H.-C., Yun, S.-L., Kim, S.
  • Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
  • Year: 2022
Concentration of Microplastics in Road Dust as a Function of the Drying Period—A Case Study in G City, Korea
  • Authors: Kang, H., Park, S., Lee, B., Kim, I., Kim, S.
  • Journal: Sustainability (Switzerland)
  • Year: 2022
Role of borate buffer in organic degradation by peroxymonosulfate in the presence of metal oxides
  • Authors: Park, S., Oh, S., Kim, I.
  • Journal: Water (Switzerland)
  • Year: 2021
Impact of chitosan pretreatment to reduce microfibers released from synthetic garments during laundering
  • Authors: Kang, H., Park, S., Lee, B., Ahn, J., Kim, S.
  • Journal: Water (Switzerland)
  • Year: 2021
Identification of iron and sulfate release processes during riverbank filtration using chemical mass balance modeling
  • Authors: An, S., Kang, P.K., Stuyfzand, P.J., Yun, S.-T., Lee, S.
  • Journal: Environmental Geochemistry and Health
  • Year: 2021
Estimating the reducing power of carbon nanotubes and granular activated carbon using various compounds
  • Authors: Woo, H., Kim, I., Park, S.
  • Journal: Water (Switzerland)
  • Year: 2021