Workiye Getnet Abera | Chemical Engineering | Best Scholar Award

Mr. Workiye Getnet Abera | Chemical Engineering | Best Scholar Award

Lecturer, Debre Tabor university, Ethiopia

Workiye Getnet Abera is a dynamic and innovative Chemical Engineer from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, specializing in modeling, simulation, and the development of biomass-based products. With over five years of academic and research experience, he currently serves as a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Debre Tabor University. His journey began at Jimma University, where he earned both his BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering with a focus on process engineering. Throughout his career, Workiye has demonstrated a passion for sustainable materials, publishing numerous papers in top-tier international journals and contributing actively as a reviewer and editorial board member. His hands-on industrial training at Fincha Sugar Factory enriched his practical knowledge, bridging the gap between theory and industry. As an academic with strong technical skills and a commitment to innovation, he continuously works toward developing eco-friendly engineering solutions that can address global sustainability challenges and promote cleaner production methods.

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🎓 Education 

Workiye Getnet Abera pursued both his undergraduate and postgraduate education in Chemical Engineering at Jimma University, one of Ethiopia’s most prestigious institutions. He obtained his Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 2017, gaining a strong foundation in core engineering principles, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and chemical process design. Building on this, he continued his academic journey and received his Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Process Engineering in 2020. His master’s research was focused on sustainable technologies and renewable resource utilization, particularly in polymer and biomass-based material synthesis. His academic training emphasized both theoretical rigor and practical application, equipping him with advanced knowledge in process modeling, simulation, and optimization techniques. His educational background, coupled with strong analytical and research skills, has laid a solid foundation for his professional and academic accomplishments, preparing him for impactful work in the chemical engineering and sustainability sectors.

🧪 Experience

Workiye has a diverse professional background combining teaching, research, and industrial experience. He currently works as a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Debre Tabor University, where he leads research in polymer chemistry and additive manufacturing and delivers core chemical engineering courses. Before this, he served as a Lecturer and Researcher at Dilla University from 2020 to 2024, where he was actively engaged in curriculum development, mentoring students, and advancing research in sustainable processes and materials. His industry experience began with an internship at Fincha Sugar Factory in 2015, where he gained practical exposure to large-scale industrial operations, including sugar production and bioproduct processing. This blend of academia and industry has shaped him into a well-rounded professional. His experience across both academic institutions and industrial settings enables him to bridge theory and practice, nurturing a new generation of engineers while conducting impactful research that meets real-world needs.

🔬 Research Focus 

Workiye Getnet Abera’s research centers around sustainable materials engineering, biomass utilization, and process optimization. His work contributes to global environmental goals by creating value-added products from renewable and agro-industrial waste. His primary research interests include the synthesis and characterization of bioplastics, development of plant-based biolubricants, and formulation of gluten-free functional foods. He employs modeling, simulation, and design of experiments (DoE) techniques using tools such as Aspen Plus, MATLAB, Design Expert, and ANSYS to optimize chemical processes. Additionally, Workiye is exploring polymer chemistry and additive manufacturing to produce eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on experimentation, he aims to develop green engineering solutions for food, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. His work not only contributes to academic knowledge but also holds practical implications for local industries and sustainable development in Ethiopia and beyond. His forward-looking research aligns well with the goals of global climate action and circular economy.

📚 Publication Top Notes

  1. 🧴 Synthesis, Characterization, and Optimization of Antimicrobial Biolubricant from Ocimum lamiifolium and Lactic Acid – Heliyon, 2025

  2. 🍞 Quality Assessment of Gluten-Free Sorghum Bread with Sweet Lupin Flour – CYTA Journal of Food, 2024

  3. 🍪 Effect of Baking Conditions on Gluten-Free Biscuit from Groundnut Oilseed Cake and Teff – Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2024

  4. 🌿 Synthesis and Characterization of Bioplastic from Banana Peel Starch and Cellulosic Fiber – Biomass Conversion & Biorefinery, 2023

 

 

Xiangling Li | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Xiangling Li | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate, Dartmouth College, United States

Dr. Xiangling Li is an accomplished researcher in biomedical engineering, specializing in micro/nano manufacturing, wearable bioelectronics, and precision medical devices. He currently serves as an Assistant Research Fellow at Dartmouth College, where he focuses on integrating advanced materials and nanotechnology into medical applications. With a Ph.D. from Sun Yat-sen University and postdoctoral research at the University of Southern California, Dr. Li has contributed to cutting-edge innovations in biosensors, drug delivery, and flexible electronics. His groundbreaking research has led to numerous high-impact publications in Advanced Science, Nature Communications, Advanced Functional Materials, and ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, accumulating hundreds of citations. Dr. Li’s expertise in interdisciplinary research enables the development of next-generation medical devices, improving patient care and diagnostics. His work in integrating electronics, materials science, and life sciences has positioned him as a leader in the field, driving innovations in biomedical engineering and translational medicine.

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Education

Dr. Xiangling Li pursued his academic journey with a strong focus on biomedical engineering and materials science. He earned his Ph.D. in Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) from Sun Yat-sen University, China (2018–2022), where he conducted pioneering research under the guidance of Prof. Xi Xie. His doctoral research focused on developing smart nanomaterials and biosensors for medical applications. After completing his Ph.D., he joined the University of Southern California as a Postdoctoral Fellow (2022–2023) under Prof. Hangbo Zhao, where he advanced his work on flexible bioelectronics and precision medicine. Dr. Li is currently an Assistant Research Fellow at Dartmouth College (since 2023), working with Prof. Wei Ouyang on cutting-edge medical technologies. His diverse educational background has equipped him with expertise in nano/microfabrication, electronic biosensors, and biomedical device engineering, enabling him to make significant contributions to translational medicine and wearable healthcare solutions.

Experience

Dr. Xiangling Li has extensive experience in biomedical engineering, focusing on micro/nano fabrication, biosensors, and advanced medical devices. He is currently an Assistant Research Fellow at Dartmouth College (2023–Present), where he explores novel bioelectronic interfaces for healthcare applications. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Southern California (2022–2023), where he contributed to research on flexible electronic systems for precision medicine. Dr. Li completed his Ph.D. at Sun Yat-sen University (2018–2022), where he developed groundbreaking microfabricated biosensors and drug delivery platforms. His research expertise spans interdisciplinary fields, including wearable diagnostics, nanotechnology-enabled therapeutics, and malleable electronics. With multiple high-impact publications and extensive collaborations across disciplines, Dr. Li’s contributions continue to shape the future of smart medical devices. His experience bridges academia and industry, enabling the development of innovative biomedical solutions that improve patient outcomes and healthcare monitoring.

Research Focus

Dr. Xiangling Li’s research is centered on micro/nano manufacturing technologies for biomedical applications. His work integrates flexible electronics, biosensors, and smart materials to develop next-generation medical devices. He specializes in wearable and implantable bioelectronics, focusing on precision drug delivery, transdermal biosensing, and real-time health monitoring. A key area of his research involves microneedle-based systems for minimally invasive glucose monitoring, intraocular pressure regulation, and intelligent drug release platforms. Additionally, he explores graphene-based biosensors, nanoneedle platforms, and soft bioelectronics for enhanced biomedical applications. His innovations in smart contact lenses, flexible supercapacitors, and biocompatible coatings contribute to the advancement of personalized medicine and point-of-care diagnostics. Dr. Li’s interdisciplinary approach, combining electronics, materials science, and life sciences, drives the development of high-performance biomedical devices. His research holds significant potential for revolutionizing non-invasive diagnostics, therapeutic monitoring, and next-generation wearable healthcare solutions.

Publications 📚

  • A fully integrated closed-loop system based on mesoporous microneedles-iontophoresis for diabetes treatment
  • Intelligent wireless theranostic contact lens for electrical sensing and regulation of intraocular pressure
  • Reduced graphene oxide nanohybrid–assembled microneedles as mini-invasive electrodes for real-time transdermal biosensing
  • Smartphone-powered iontophoresis-microneedle array patch for controlled transdermal delivery
  • Nanoneedle platforms: the many ways to pierce the cell membrane
  • Electrodes derived from carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose nanofiber/multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrid aerogels for high-energy flexible asymmetric supercapacitors
  • Hierarchical graphene/nanorods-based H₂O₂ electrochemical sensor with self-cleaning and anti-biofouling properties
  • Emerging roles of 1D vertical nanostructures in orchestrating immune cell functions
  • Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles embedded in cellulose nanofiber/graphite carbon hybrid aerogels as advanced negative electrodes for flexible asymmetric supercapacitors
  • Wearable and implantable intraocular pressure biosensors: recent progress and future prospects