Rima Isaifan | Sustainable Development | Research Excellence Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rima Isaifan | Sustainable Development | Research Excellence Award

Georgetown University and Ministy of Higher Education Qatar | Qatar

Dr. Rima J. Isaifan is a distinguished chemical and environmental engineer, researcher, and higher-education quality assurance expert with a Ph.D. with highest honor in Chemical Engineering. She holds an h-index of26, with 65 peer-reviewed research documents and over 1,844 citations, reflecting sustained global research impact. Her academic experience spans associate professorships, adjunct appointments, and senior academic accreditation leadership roles across internationally recognized institutions, alongside extensive service as an evaluator, rapporteur, and expert reviewer for the European Commission, United Nations bodies, and national research agencies. Her research interests integrate air quality and climate change, decarbonization technologies, renewable and sustainable energy systems, nanotechnology and advanced materials, carbon management, urban sustainability, and AI applications in higher education quality assurance and policy. She has contributed to high-impact Q1 journals, interdisciplinary policy-oriented research, and applied sustainability solutions relevant to arid and rapidly urbanizing regions. Her professional excellence has been recognized through multiple international awards, including innovation and research distinctions in higher education quality assurance, sustainability, and environmental research. Through her combined roles in academia, policy, and consultancy, Dr. Isaifan continues to advance evidence-based decision-making, sustainable development practices, and globally relevant frameworks linking science, technology, and education quality, positioning her as a leading voice at the intersection of environmental engineering, climate-health research, and academic governance.

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Featured Publications

Ajung Heo | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Ajung Heo | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Sogang University | South Korea

Ajung Heo is a dedicated researcher and Ph.D. candidate at Sogang University Business School, focusing on international business and cross-cultural management. She holds an M.A. in Business Administration from Pusan National University and a B.A. in Management from the City University of New York. Her research explores how digital strategies, innovation appropriability, and organizational behavior influence the competitiveness and international expansion of multinational enterprises. Ajung Heo’s publications, including “Search better, export stronger: the role of appropriability and digital strategy in South Korea,” highlight her contributions to understanding global business dynamics. She has also engaged in collaborative projects that integrate theory with practice, fostering innovation and managerial relevance. Her academic excellence and commitment to global research advancement have earned her recognition as a promising scholar in international business studies. Through her work, she continues to bridge research and real-world application, contributing valuable insights to global enterprise development and sustainable business practices.

Profile : Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Heo, A.-j., & Yoo, C.-y. (2024). The impact of entrepreneurial orientation on export performance: The moderating effects of exploratory and exploitative activities. Journal of Trade Studies, 49(4), 295–319.

Heo, A.-j., Yoo, D.-b., & Ham, S.-h. (2025). The impact of talent-preferential policies on organizational commitment: The moderated mediating effects of job satisfaction and rational organizational culture. Journal of Management Research, 40(1), 103–122.

Heo, A.-j., Yoo, C.-y., & Lee, K.-p. (2025). A study on dual organizational identity among local employees of multinational corporation subsidiaries in Korea. Journal of Management Studies, 54(1), 55–80.

Yoo, C.-y., Park, Y.-s., & Heo, A.-j. (2024). Organizational staffing policy and organizational identification of host country nationals working at MNC subsidiary in Korea. Journal of International Trade and Commerce, 17–32.

Heo, A.-j., Lee, K.-p., & Yoo, C.-y. (2024). An exploratory study on the dual organizational identity of local employees of multinational corporation subsidiaries. Proceedings of the Korean Management Association Convergence Conference, 384–410.

Teresa Dieguez | Social Sciences | Excellence in Research Award

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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.

Alexey Beskopylny | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Alexey Beskopylny | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Don State Technical University | Russia

Dr. Alexey N. Beskopylny is a distinguished researcher and Vice Rector at Don State Technical University, serving as a Professor in the Department of Transport Systems. He holds a Doctor of Technical Sciences degree and has made significant contributions to civil and structural engineering, materials science, and transport systems. His studies span concrete technology, geopolymers, recycled construction materials, digital modeling, and structural optimization using AI and machine learning. Dr. Beskopylny’s works are frequently featured in high-impact journals such as Scientific Reports, Polymers, Buildings, and Applied Sciences. He has collaborated extensively on international projects focusing on sustainable materials and innovative construction technologies. Recognized for his academic excellence and leadership, he has received multiple institutional honors for advancing the field of transport infrastructure and sustainable construction. His continued efforts contribute to the modernization of engineering education and the promotion of environmentally responsible building practices worldwide.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Zubarev, K. P., Razveeva, I., Beskopylny, A. N., Stel’makh, S. A., Shcherban’, E. M., Mailyan, L. R., Shakhalieva, D. M., Chernil’nik, A., & Nikora, N. I. (2025). Predicting the strength of heavy concrete exposed to aggressive environmental influences by machine learning methods. Buildings, 15(21), Article 3998.

Özkılıç, Y. O., Kalkan, İ., Aksoylu, C., Madenci, E., Umiye, O. A., Althaqafi, E., Stel’makh, S. A., Shcherban’, E. M., & Beskopylny, A. N. (2025). Effect of stirrup spacing and recycled steel wires on the shear and energy dissipation of pultruded GFRP hybrid beams. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 20, Article 15589250251380680.

Ecemiş, A. S., Yildizel, S. A., Beskopylny, A. N., Stel’makh, S. A., Shcherban’, E. M., Aksoylu, C., Madenci, E., & Özkılıç, Y. O. (2025). Sustainable concrete with waste tire rubber and recycled steel fibers: Experimental insights and hybrid PINN–CatBoost prediction. Polymers, 17(21), Article 2910.

Özkılıç, Y. O., Başaran, B., Aksoylu, C., Karalar, M., Zeybek, Ö., Althaqafi, E., Beskopylny, A. N., Stel’makh, S. A., Shcherban’, E. M., & Umiye, O. A. (2025). Bending performance of reinforced concrete beams with partial waste glass aggregate replacement assessed by experimental, theoretical and digital image correlation analyses. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 20716.

Stel’makh, S. A., Shcherban’, E. M., Beskopylny, A. N., Mailyan, L. R., Shilov, A. A., Razveeva, I., Oganesyan, S., Pogrebnyak, A., Chernil’nik, A., & Elshaeva, D. (2025). Enhancing the mechanical properties of sulfur-modified fly ash/metakaolin geopolymers with polypropylene fibers. Polymers, 17(15), Article 2119.

Jiuping Xu | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Jiuping Xu | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Sichuan University, Business School | China

Prof. Jiuping Xu of Sichuan University is a distinguished scholar whose research spans applied mathematics, system science and complex-systems engineering, with a focus on decision and technology innovation for large-scale energy, environment, water-resource, circular economy and health-management systems. Educated with a PhD in applied mathematics from Tsinghua University under Prof. Shutie Xiao and a second PhD in physical chemistry from Sichuan University under Prof. Jiuli Luo, he has built a career at the interface of mathematics and engineering practice. He formulated the “TS-MG-AC” (Theory Spectrum Model Group Algorithm Cluster) paradigm for multivariate-multilevel systems, and developed multilevel dynamic equilibrium approaches in areas such as water allocation, circular economy systems and hydropower project management. His applied work has delivered significant societal and economic impact (for example in post-earthquake ecosystem reconstruction, irrigation-district water allocation and large hydropower construction). With an h-index of approximately 62 and over 14,979 citations, his publication output and influence are substantial. He has held leadership roles in major engineering-science teams and has contributed to policy formulation in China for resource, seismic-ecosystem and environmental systems. His research interests include fuzzy logic, multi-criteria decision making, large-scale system optimisation, circular economy modelling and low-carbon infrastructure innovation. In conclusion, Professor Xu is a prolific and impactful systems-engineer-scientist whose theoretical and applied contributions bridge mathematics, optimisation, engineering and environmental-economics to address pressing global challenges.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Xu, J., et al. (2025). Comprehensive benefits evaluation of low impact development using scenario analysis and fuzzy decision approach. Scientific Reports.

Xu, J., et al. (2025). Parental expectation and psychological distress of Chinese youth: The chain mediating effects of core self-worth and perceived stress. BMC Public Health.

Xu, J., et al. (2025). A co-gasification strategy of residual municipal solid waste and biomass for electricity generation optimization and carbon reduction. Energy.

Xu, J., et al. (2025). Predict-then-optimise based day-ahead scheduling towards demand response and hybrid renewable generation for wastewater treatment. Applied Energy.

Xu, J., et al. (2025). Industrial prosumption-based energy transition technologies investigation for wastewater sector. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

David Owolabi | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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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.