Konstantinos Azis | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Konstantinos Azis | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Democritus University of Thrace | Greece

Dr. Konstantinos Azis is an accomplished environmental engineer and postdoctoral researcher whose work focuses on advanced wastewater treatment technologies, membrane bioreactor systems, and intelligent process control for sustainable water management. His research integrates biological, physicochemical, and automated monitoring approaches to optimize the performance of aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic treatment processes, particularly in membrane systems and intermittently aerated bioreactors. He specializes in the design and operation of high-efficiency treatment units, development of real-time control strategies using programmable logic controllers, simulation-driven optimization with STOAT, and monitoring of key environmental parameters through continuous online sensors. His contributions extend to biological degradation studies of micropollutants, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemical contaminants, as well as post-treatment polishing processes such as activated carbon adsorption, sand filtration, ultrafiltration, and advanced oxidation. His research output demonstrates strong international visibility, with publications addressing membrane fouling mitigation, nutrient removal enhancement, biofouling dynamics, and energy-efficient aeration strategies. Dr. Azis has contributed significantly to environmental biotechnology by combining laboratory experimentation, field-scale evaluation, and computational modeling, offering practical solutions for water reuse and circular economy applications. His work has earned recognition through contributions to high-impact journals, service as a reviewer for numerous international scientific journals, and involvement as a Guest Editor in thematic issues focusing on sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. His scholarly influence is reflected in Scopus metrics: 118 citations and h-index 7, and Google Scholar metrics: 163 citations, h-index 8, i10-index 8, demonstrating the growing impact and relevance of his research across the wastewater engineering and environmental science communities. His scientific record and active research engagement position him as a strong candidate for the Research Excellence Award.

Publication Profile

Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Azis, K., Mavriou, Z., Karpouzas, D. G., Ntougias, S., & Melidis, P. (2021). Evaluation of sand filtration and activated carbon adsorption for the post-treatment of a secondary biologically-treated fungicide-containing wastewater. Processes, 9(7), 1223.

Azis, K., Zerva, I., Melidis, P., Caceres, C., Bourtzis, K., & Ntougias, S. (2019). Biochemical and nutritional characterization of the medfly gut symbiont Enterobacter sp. AA26 for its use as probiotics in sterile insect technique applications. BMC Biotechnology, 19(Suppl 2), 90.

Azis, K., Ntougias, S., & Melidis, P. (2021). NH4+-N versus pH and ORP versus NO3−-N sensors during online monitoring of an intermittently aerated and fed membrane bioreactor. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(26), 33837–33843.

Azis, K., Ntougias, S., & Melidis, P. (2019). Fouling control, using various cleaning methods, applied on an MBR system through continuous TMP monitoring. Desalination and Water Treatment, 167, 343–350.

Papazlatani, C. V., Kolovou, M., Gkounou, E. E., Azis, K., Mavriou, Z., & others. (2022). Isolation, characterization and industrial application of a Cladosporium herbarum fungal strain able to degrade the fungicide imazalil. Environmental Pollution, 301, 119030.

Amr Ashmawi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Amr Ashmawi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

South Dakota State University | United States

Mr. Amr Ashmawi is a structural civil engineer and BIM specialist whose research integrates Building Information Modeling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation technologies to advance construction engineering and management. His work focuses on enhancing construction site efficiency, digitalizing bridge inspection processes, and improving safety training through intelligent systems. With expertise in structural analysis, BIM development, and programming (C#, Python, Revit API, AutoCAD API), his research aims to transform traditional workflows into smart, data-driven solutions for sustainable and safe construction environments. He has contributed to advancing real-time data integration, predictive modeling for reinforced concrete (RC) structures, and automation in bridge assessment using machine learning. Amr’s scholarly impact is reflected in his early academic recognition, having 1 citation, 1 h-index, and 0 i10-index on Google Scholar, with research visibility growing rapidly. His publications are featured in Advances in Structural Engineering and Applied Sciences journals. He continues to explore the intersection of BIM and AI for next-generation construction technologies, positioning himself as an emerging researcher dedicated to automation, visualization, and intelligent infrastructure systems. His innovative contributions and growing influence in structural informatics and construction automation make him a deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile

Featured Publications

Ashmawi, A., Nguyen, P., & Jawdhari, A. (2025). State-of-the-art review of machine learning applications for bridge inspections. Advances in Structural Engineering, 13694332251381220.

Nichols, L., Ashmawi, A., & Nguyen, P. (2025). Digitalizing bridge inspection processes using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Business Intelligence (BI). Applied Sciences, 15(20), 10927.

Ashmawi, A., Nguyen, P., & Jawdhari, A. (2025). Enhancing construction safety training using artificial intelligence: Existing applications and future directions. Under publication.

Ashmawi, A., & Nguyen, P. (2025). Leveraging BIM for automated fire safety code compliance: A comprehensive review. Under review.