Zina Boussada | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Zina Boussada | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Company for Petroleum Research and Operations | Tunisia

Dr. Zina Boussada is an emerging researcher in electrical engineering whose work bridges advanced control systems, intelligent automation, renewable energy technologies, and high-performance power electronics. Her scientific contribution focuses on the modeling, optimization, and control of induction motors, photovoltaic systems, and microgrid energy management using intelligent and hybrid computational approaches. She has contributed extensively to sensorless motor control through ANFIS-based strategies, multilevel NPC inverter topologies, stator-flux orientation techniques, and advanced inverter modulation methods, enhancing system efficiency, stability, and predictive performance in industrial and renewable energy applications. Her research extends to photovoltaic cell modeling, hybrid optimization frameworks, exponential smoothing forecasting, diode-clamped inverter strategies, and comparative inverter control techniques, addressing key challenges in modern smart-grid and clean-energy systems. She has collaborated with several research groups and contributed to journals and international conferences in the areas of energy systems, green technologies, and intelligent electrical drives. Her publication record reflects steady scholarly growth, supported by contributions in peer-reviewed journals such as Symmetry, WSEAS Transactions on Systems and Control, the International Journal of Environmental Sciences, and various high-impact conference proceedings. She has also published multiple studies on photovoltaic modeling and multilevel inverter technologies, reinforcing her position within the renewable-energy research community. Her citation metrics indicate increasing academic visibility, with Scopus reporting approximately 490 citations from 482 citing documents, 23 indexed documents, and an h-index of 9. Google Scholar metrics show comparable academic impact, reflecting a growing global readership and recognition for her work in intelligent control and energy-system optimization. Overall, her research trajectory demonstrates strong potential for continued advancement in sustainable energy technologies, intelligent control methodologies, and high-performance electrical systems, positioning her as a promising candidate for the Research Excellence Award.

Publication Profile

Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Boussada, Z., Omri, B., & Ben Hamed, M. (2025). High-performance sensorless control of induction motor via ANFIS and NPC inverter topology. Symmetry.

Boussada, Z., Omri, B., & Ben Hamed, M. (2025). Data-driven optimization for efficient integration of photovoltaic agents in residential microgrid systems. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration.

Xingjian Huang | Engineering | Best Research Article Award

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Dr. Xingjian Huang | Engineering | Best Research Article Award

Huaihua University | China

Xingjian Huang is a distinguished food‑science researcher whose work integrates protein chemistry, food structure and functionality, biopolymer‑based materials, and the nutritional evaluation of plant proteins. His research has significantly advanced understanding of how soy proteins and other plant‑derived proteins behave under various processing conditions, including proteolysis, gelation, hydrolysis, and complex formation, and how these behaviors influence texture, gel strength, nutritional quality, and functional properties. Among his notable contributions is the study of amyloid‑fibril formation from selectively hydrolyzed soy protein hydrolysates, which provided key insights into protein aggregation, fibrillation mechanisms, and structural modification. He has also conducted extensive research on exopolysaccharide production by lactic acid bacteria, improving yields through strain screening and optimization of fermentation and extraction conditions, linking microbial fermentation to food‑biopolymer applications. In addition, Huang has investigated the nutritional value and amino acid composition of various plant proteins, such as the protein subunits of the Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima), enhancing understanding of plant protein quality and potential functional applications. His work further explores the practical implications of protein interactions in food systems, including mixed‑protein gels, soy‑protein/corn‑starch composites, and the interplay of lipids and proteins in gel networks, bridging fundamental biochemical insights with industrial food processing relevance. Huang’s research has contributed valuable knowledge for improving food texture, nutrition, and the scalable processing of plant‑based proteins, supporting both academic research and applied food technology. According to his ResearchGate profile, he has published over 20 peer‑reviewed papers with more than 1,800 reads, demonstrating significant influence in the field and a substantial citation record that reflects his impact on food science research worldwide. For his outstanding contributions, Xingjian Huang has been recognized with the Best Research Article Award, highlighting his innovative work and high impact in the field of food science and technology.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Featured Publications

Yang, F., Huang, X., Zhang, C., … Hao, Y. (2018). Amino acid composition and nutritional value evaluation of Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Blume) and its protein subunit. RSC Advances.

Xie, D., Liu, X., Zhang, H., … Pan, S., Huang, X. (2017). Textural properties and morphology of soy 7S globulin–corn starch (amylose, amylopectin). International Journal of Food Properties.

Xia, W., … Pan, S., Huang, X. (2017). Formation of amyloid fibrils from soy protein hydrolysate: Effects of selective proteolysis on β‑conglycinin. Food Research International.

Qi, L., … Pan, S., Huang, X. (2016). Yield improvement of exopolysaccharides by screening of the Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC and optimization of the fermentation and extraction conditions. EXCLI Journal.

Pan, Y., Huang, X., Shi, X., … Du, Y. (2015). Antimicrobial application of nanofibrous mats self-assembled with quaternized chitosan and soy protein isolate. Carbohydrate Polymers.

 

Vasso Papadimitriou | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Vasso Papadimitriou | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | Greece

Ms. Vasso Papadimitriou is an accomplished researcher and academic affiliated with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Region of Central Macedonia, Greece. Her research primarily focuses on construction project management, cost estimation models, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques, particularly Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), in the field of building renovation and project planning. She has contributed significantly to the development of predictive and hybrid models that enhance accuracy in early-stage and final cost estimation for construction and renovation projects. Dr. Papadimitriou’s innovative work combines ANN methodologies, including Radial Basis Function (RBF) and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) networks, with Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approaches such as the TOPSIS Methodology to create efficient, data-driven tools for project assessment and optimization. Her research also aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9 and SDG 17), focusing on promoting innovation, infrastructure, and partnerships for sustainable growth. She has published in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science (SCI-Expanded, ESCI), and other scientific databases. According to Scopus, she has 6 publications, 3 citations, and an h-index of 1. On Google Scholar, she holds 14 total citations, an h-index of 3, and an i10-index of 1, while ResearchGate records 6 publications, 11 citations, and an h-index of 2. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges civil engineering, computer science, and digital construction, contributing to advancements in cost modeling and sustainable infrastructure management. Through her publications and research collaborations, Dr. Papadimitriou continues to make impactful contributions to the field of engineering innovation and AI-driven construction technology. Her outstanding achievements and innovative contributions to predictive modeling and sustainable construction management make her a deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile

Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Papadimitriou, V. E., & Aretoulis, G. N. (2024). A final cost estimating model for building renovation projects. Buildings, 14(4), 1072.

Papadimitriou, V. E., Aretoulis, G. N., & Papathanasiou, J. (2024). Radial Basis Function (RBF) and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) comparative analysis on building renovation cost estimation: The case of Greece. Algorithms, 17(9), 390.

Papadimitriou, V., & Aretoulis, G. (2023). Neural network models as a cost prediction tool to prevent building construction projects from a failure—A literature review. Proceedings of the Erasmus+ PROSPER Project International Scientific Conference, 1–10.

Papadimitriou, V. E., & Aretoulis, G. N. (2025). An innovative approach regarding efficient and expedited early building renovation cost estimation utilizing ANNs and the TOPSIS methodology. Algorithms, 18(11), 696.

Kritikos, P., Papadimitriou, V., & Aretoulis, G. N. (2021). Required project designers’ attributes as perceived by male and female engineers. International Journal of Decision Support System Technology (IJDSST), 13(4), 1–15.

 

 

Mehran Pourgholi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehran Pourgholi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Islamic Azad University | Iran

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehran Pourgholi, an accomplished researcher in Civil and Structural Engineering, has made notable contributions to the fields of system identification, structural health monitoring, inverse problems, and stochastic subspace methods. His research focuses on enhancing the reliability of modal analysis and vibration-based damage detection in large-scale structures such as dams and steel buildings. Dr. Pourgholi integrates advanced computational approaches including entropy-based model selection, optimization algorithms, and error analysis frameworks to improve accuracy in structural system modeling. His collaborative work with experts from the University of Tabriz and Islamic Azad University has produced high-impact studies published in leading international journals such as the Journal of Vibration and Control, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, and Engineering Reports. According to Google Scholar, Dr. Pourgholi has 77 citations (68 since 2020), an h-index of 4, and an i10-index of 2, while Scopus records 51 citations across 46 documents with an h-index of 3. His influential publications on stochastic subspace identification and modal analysis have advanced understanding of dynamic behavior in civil structures. Recognized for his scholarly excellence, he has been honored with the Best Researcher Award for his significant impact in the field of structural system identification and vibration analysis.

Publication Profile

Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Tarinejad, R., & Pourgholi, M. (2018). Modal identification of arch dams using balanced stochastic subspace identification. Journal of Vibration and Control, 24(10), 2030–2044.

Pourgholi, M., Mohammadzadeh Gilarlue, M. M., Vahdaini, T., & Azarbonyad, M. (2023). Influence of Hankel matrix dimension on system identification of structures using stochastic subspace algorithms. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 186, 109893.

Pourgholi, M., Tarinejad, R., Khabir, M. E., & Mohammadzadeh Gilarlue, M. M. (2023). System identification of Karun IV Dam using balanced stochastic subspace algorithm considering the uncertainty of results. Journal of Vibration and Control, 29(23–24), 5342–5356.

Tarinejad, R., Pourgholi, M., & Yaghmaei-Sabegh, S. (2016). Signal processing of dynamic tests results using subspace identification based on orthogonal decomposition technique (SI-ORT). Modares Mechanical Engineering, 15(10), 104–116.

Pourgholi, M., Ghannadi, M., & Gavgani, S. S. (2024). Modal analysis of earthquake records for dams using stochastic subspace based on error analysis. Engineering Reports, 6(8), e12822

 

Yair Rivera | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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