Maciej Szkoda | Engineering and Technology | Best Research Article Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maciej Szkoda | Engineering and Technology | Best Research Article Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maciej Szkoda | Engineering and Technology | Best Research Article Award | Head of the Department Transport | Cracow University of Technology | Poland

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maciej Szkoda is a distinguished Polish rail transport engineer whose extensive academic, research, and professional accomplishments reflect deep expertise in rail vehicle construction, machine design, transport safety, RAMS evaluation, and Life Cycle Cost methodologies, positioning him as a leading figure in railway systems engineering. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maciej Szkoda completed his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and later earned his Ph.D. in Technical Sciences from the Cracow University of Technology, specializing in rail vehicles, which laid the foundation for his progressive academic journey. His professional experience includes serving as University Professor, Manager of the Department of Rail Vehicles and Transport, Director of the Institute of Rail Vehicles, and Manager of multiple specialized departments and research laboratories, demonstrating exceptional leadership in academic administration and technical innovation. His research interests encompass rail vehicle reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety analysis, risk assessment in accordance with European railway regulations, technical–economic evaluations, and certification processes for locomotives and passenger rolling stock under TSI standards. He possesses strong research skills in RAMS modeling, failure analysis, compliance assessment, LCC modeling, safety case preparation, and approval procedures for new rail system designs, supported by over two hundred R&D projects conducted at national and international levels. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maciej Szkoda has authored one hundred seventy-eight scientific publications disseminated through reputable journals, Scopus-indexed platforms, and major engineering conferences, with participation in more than two hundred fifty scientific events related to rail reliability, safety, and vehicle operation. His professional certifications include Internal Auditor for ISO 9001, Internal Auditor for ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory systems, and Quality Assistant certification, reflecting high technical competency and adherence to global quality standards. Throughout his career, he has contributed substantially to the advancement of railway engineering, supported student development, and provided expert analysis and evaluations for industry and governmental bodies. His achievements have positioned him as a respected academic and technical authority in railway systems, earning recognition through leadership appointments, project management roles, and extensive contributions to research-based decision-making. With a strong global engagement profile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maciej Szkoda continues to influence transport engineering advancements, promote safety-driven innovation, and strengthen interdisciplinary research, demonstrating excellence that underscores his suitability for prestigious academic and research honors.

Profile:  Scopus | ORCID 

Featured Publications

  1. Szkoda, M. (2025). Design and testing of the propulsion system of a prototype electric vehicle intended for people with disabilities. Transport Problems.

  2. Szkoda, M. (2024). A method for assessing the criticality of failures of railway vehicle components using the FMECA method. Transport Problems.

  3. Szkoda, M. (2024). Analysis of the impact of selected factors on damage to rolling bearings of rail vehicle wheelsets. Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal.

  4. Szkoda, M. (2023). Rail vehicle RAMS evaluation strategies for safety and performance optimization.

  5. Szkoda, M. (2022). Life cycle cost methodology in the assessment of modern rail transport systems.

  6. Szkoda, M. (2021). Risk assessment approaches for innovative railway vehicle design solutions.

  7. Szkoda, M. (2020). Technical and economic analyses supporting certification of locomotives and passenger rolling stock.

 

Dr. Nematollah Fouladi | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Nematollah Fouladi | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor | Iranian Space Research Center | Iran

Dr. Nematollah Fouladi is an accomplished aerospace engineer and an innovative researcher whose scientific vision and technical mastery have significantly contributed to advancements in the field of aerospace propulsion and fluid dynamics. He currently serves as a Researcher at the Iranian Space Research Center, Tehran, where he leads and collaborates on cutting-edge projects focusing on high-altitude testing facilities, supersonic exhaust diffusers, and aerodynamic system optimization. Dr. Fouladi obtained his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, one of the most prestigious engineering universities recognized for its excellence in research and education. His academic journey has been distinguished by a strong focus on computational and experimental fluid mechanics, turbulence modeling, and supersonic flow control, all of which reflect his unwavering dedication to precision and scientific advancement. Throughout his career, Dr. Fouladi has demonstrated outstanding analytical and research capabilities, successfully integrating advanced simulation techniques with practical experimentation to develop efficient and reliable aerospace propulsion systems. His research interests lie primarily in the areas of aerothermodynamics, gas dynamics, high-altitude testing methodologies, and aerospace cooling system design, which play a critical role in improving the performance, safety, and sustainability of aerospace technologies. In addition to his technical expertise, Dr. Fouladi exhibits a strong command of numerical modeling, data interpretation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), heat transfer analysis, and system integration, enabling him to contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations within international research networks. As an active contributor to scholarly communication, Dr. Nematollah Fouladi has authored 18 documents, garnered 109 citations, and achieved an h-index of 6, demonstrating his growing influence and recognition in the global aerospace research community. His works are published in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Physics of Fluids, Acta Astronautica, Aerospace Science and Technology, and Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering. These publications have provided valuable insights into high-speed flow behavior, diffuser performance, and nozzle optimization—offering practical solutions to aerospace challenges faced by industry and research institutions alike. Dr. Fouladi’s commitment extends beyond research as he actively participates in collaborative engineering projects, contributing to advancements in Iran’s aerospace infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives. His professional experience also includes involvement in experimental investigations that support national and international aerospace objectives, reinforcing his reputation as a reliable and forward-thinking engineer. He has demonstrated leadership qualities through mentoring emerging researchers, fostering innovation-driven research environments, and promoting scientific excellence across disciplines. Dr. Fouladi’s research skills encompass a comprehensive blend of theoretical analysis, computational proficiency, and experimental design—qualities that make his work both academically robust and practically relevant. His contributions have been recognized by academic and research communities, earning him honors and respect as a key figure in aerospace technology development.

Profile:  Google scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Fouladi, N. (2025). Cooling system design and analysis for high heat flux large dimension diffuser of a high-altitude test facility. International Journal of Thermofluids. (Cited by 5)

  2. Fouladi, N. (2024). Experimental evaluation of the influence of the diffuser inlet to nozzle exit cross sectional area ratio on pressure oscillation in a high-altitude test facility. Physics of Fluids. (Cited by 7)

  3. Fouladi, N. (2024). Gas dynamics at starting and terminating phase of a supersonic exhaust diffuser with a conical nozzle. Physics of Fluids. (Cited by 9)

  4. Fouladi, N. (2023). Experimental and comprehensive investigation of second throat diffuser area effect on ground test of a thrust optimized parabolic nozzle with different expansion ratios. Acta Astronautica. (Cited by 10)

  5. Fouladi, N. (2023). Starting transient analysis of second throat exhaust diffuser in high-altitude test of a thrust optimized parabolic nozzle. Physics of Fluids. (Cited by 6)