Teresa Dieguez | Social Sciences | Excellence in Research Award

Prof. Teresa Dieguez | Social Sciences | Excellence in Research Award

Universidade Portucalense | Portugal

Teresa Dieguez is a distinguished academic and researcher at the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (IPCA), Portugal, specializing in strategy, entrepreneurship, innovation, and management.  she has contributed extensively to advancing knowledge in managerial sciences and sustainable development. She holds a degree in Economics, a Master’s in Innovation and Technological Transfer, a Specialist title in Strategy and Entrepreneurship , an MBA in Social Sustainability and Development, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Managerial Sciences. Teresa’s professional journey began in the automotive sector, where she led international projects promoting innovation and competitiveness, including initiatives under the EU’s ESPRIT and RECITE programs. Her current research interests include digital transformation, social entrepreneurship, Industry 4.0, sustainable leadership, and innovation ecosystems. As a professor and project leader, she has mentored over 30 master’s theses and collaborated with research centers such as INESC TEC, CiTUR, and REMIT. A recipient of various academic recognitions, Teresa remains committed to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial mindsets to drive sustainable change and global competitiveness in education and industry.

Profiles : Google Scholar | Orcid

Featured Publications

Sivam, A., Dieguez, T., Ferreira, L. P., & Silva, F. J. G. (2019). Key settings for successful open innovation arena. Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, 6(4), 507–515.

Mourato, J., Ferreira, L. P., Sá, J. C., Silva, F. J. G., Dieguez, T., & Tjahjono, B. (2021). Improving internal logistics of a bus manufacturing using the lean techniques. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 70(7).

Dieguez, T., Ferreira, L. P., Silva, F. J. G., & Tjahjono, B. (2020). Open innovation and sustainable development through industry-academia collaboration: A case study of automotive sector. Procedia Manufacturing, 51, 1773–1778.

Alves, D., Dieguez, T., & Conceição, O. (2019). Retaining talents: Impact on innovation. In Proceedings of the ECMLG 2019 15th European Conference on Management, Leadership and Governance (p. 36).

Dieguez, T., Loureiro, P., & Ferreira, I. (2021). Entrepreneurship and leadership in higher education to develop the needed 21st century skills. In Proceedings of the ECMLG 2021 17th European Conference on Management, Leadership and Governance.

David Owolabi | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. David Owolabi | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Morgan State University | United States

Mr. David Olusogo Owolabi is a researcher and educator specializing in sustainable infrastructure and resilient engineering. He holds a PhD (in progress) and an MSc in Sustainable Infrastructure and Resilient Engineering from Morgan State University, and a BSc in Architecture from Caleb University. In his role as a Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant at Morgan State, he supports undergraduate lab instruction in CAD and structural analysis (SAP2000) while conducting experimental research in self-healing bacterial concrete, fiber integration, and MICP-based crack remediation. Earlier, as an Architectural Designer at Kreativity Projects (Lagos) and an intern at Ab.dt Partnership (Ibadan), he developed design concepts, 3D visualizations, working drawings, and integrated sustainable design principles. His research interests span microbial self-healing concrete, bio-based infrastructure resilience, green building practices, and material durability. His published works include comparative analyses of autogenous vs microbial calcite precipitation in concrete and studies on crack healing performance via microbial carriers. He has also contributed to interdisciplinary studies on air quality in engineering labs and noise mitigation in buildings. He is a certified professional in Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD, has earned certifications in machine learning and socially just coding, and is committed to applying data-driven, sustainable innovation in civil infrastructure.

Profile : Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Ahmad, I., Shokouhian, M., Owolabi, D., Jenkins, M., & McLemore, G. L. (2025). Assessment of biogenic healing capability, mechanical properties, and freeze–thaw durability of bacterial-based concrete using Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus sphaericus, and Bacillus megaterium. Buildings, 15(6), 943.

Ahmad, I., Shokouhian, M., Jenkins, M., McLemore, G. L., & Owolabi, D. O. (2025). Crack healing performance of microbial self-healing concrete using different carriers. In Structures Congress 2025 (pp. 362–372). American Society of Civil Engineers.

Owolabi, D. O., Shokouhian, M., Ahmad, I., Jenkins, M., & McLemore, G. L. (2025). Comparative analysis of autogenous and microbial-based calcite precipitation in concrete: State-of-the-art review. Buildings, 15(18), 3289.

Dunmoye, A. C., Owolabi, O. A., Banjo, A. V., Abiri, T. I., Dunmoye, I. D., & Owolabi, D. O. (2025). Noise mitigation strategies for vertical sound transmission in buildings with wooden floor. INTER-NOISE and NOISE-CON Congress and Conference Proceedings, 271(1), 1009–1018.

Balogun, G. Y., Owolabi, D. O., Ige, M. O., Abiri, T., Abiodun, P. O., & Owolabi, O. A. (2025). Assessing air quality at HBCU engineering laboratories to enhance student safety and learning. 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. American Society for Engineering Education.