Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | PhD | Polytechnic University of Bari | Italy

Francesca Vecchi is an Italian researcher specializing in sustainability engineering, renewable energy communities, and urban energy planning, with a strong academic background in urban and territorial planning. Currently pursuing her PhD at Politecnico di Bari in collaboration with Concordia University, she focuses on integrating renewable energy communities into urban areas through energy market mechanisms and policy analysis. Her research combines GIS-based tools, energy modelling, and solar analysis to optimize mixed-use urban neighbourhoods, with international experience as a visiting scholar in Canada at Toronto Metropolitan University and Concordia University. She has authored multiple publications in high-impact journals, contributed to notable projects such as ICELL, S2E, and Tools4Cities, and received several prestigious awards and scholarships, including the Ermenegildo Zegna Founder’s Scholarship and AiCARR Thesis Award. Francesca’s work is marked by interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to advancing sustainable urban energy solutions.

Professional Profile 

Education  

Francesca Vecchi holds a PhD in Sustainability Engineering and Safety in Civil and Industrial Buildings from Politecnico di Bari, conducted in collaboration with Concordia University in Montreal, where her research focuses on integrating renewable energy communities into urban contexts. She earned a Master’s degree in Planning for the Global Urban Agenda from Politecnico di Torino, an international program aligned with the United Nations’ New Urban Agenda, complemented by her participation in the Alta Scuola Politecnica, a prestigious multidisciplinary program jointly run by Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino. She also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Urban, Territorial and Landscape-Environmental Planning from Politecnico di Torino, enriched by an Erasmus semester at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. Her educational path began with a High School Diploma in languages from Liceo Scientifico Manfredo Fanti, which included a cultural exchange experience at Burlingame High School in San Francisco, USA.

Professional Experience

Francesca Vecchi has gained extensive professional and research experience across academic, international, and project-based environments. At Politecnico di Bari, she has been actively engaged in research on renewable energy communities, energy network management, and the integration of renewables in urban and coastal cities. As a visiting scholar at Concordia University in Montreal, she contributed to projects such as ICELL and S2E, developing energy remuneration and sharing policies, simulating energy communities, and integrating occupancy profiles into urban energy modelling tools. She also worked on demographic scenario simulations for Montreal districts, assessing both energy and financial impacts. Earlier, as a visiting scholar at Toronto Metropolitan University, she developed her master’s thesis on urban building energy modelling and solar assessment. Additionally, she served as a learning support teacher at Politecnico di Torino, assisting students with general learning needs. Her professional journey reflects a consistent commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, technical innovation, and the advancement of sustainable urban energy systems.

Research Interest

Francesca Vecchi’s research interests center on the integration of renewable energy communities within urban environments, with a strong focus on energy market mechanisms, policy analysis, and sustainable urban planning. She is particularly engaged in developing GIS-based energy assessments, multi-scalar urban energy modelling, and solar analysis to optimize building and district-level performance. Her work explores mixed-use neighbourhoods, residential occupancy patterns, and the diffusion of renewable energy policies in different socio-political contexts. She is also interested in applying advanced simulation tools to assess energy and financial impacts, fostering cross-disciplinary approaches that bridge engineering, planning, and policy-making to accelerate the energy transition and support climate-resilient cities.

Award and Honor

Francesca Vecchi has received multiple awards and honors in recognition of her academic excellence, research contributions, and commitment to sustainability. She was awarded the AiCARR Thesis Award for outstanding work on energy efficiency and sustainable well-being, and earned a Certificate of Merit at the AIGE/IIETA International Conference for her research on solar analysis in urban contexts. She is a recipient of the prestigious Ermenegildo Zegna Founder’s Scholarship, enabling advanced research abroad, and has been honored by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Carpi for achieving top grades in both her master’s and bachelor’s studies. Her distinctions reflect not only her high academic performance but also the innovative and practical impact of her research in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable urban planning.

Publications Top Noted

National Geodatabase to Map Consumptions for Energy Transition
Year: 2025

Energy remuneration mechanisms for renewable energy communities: Insights from a mixed-use district
Year: 2025

Modelling the complexity of interconnected energy systems at different urban scales: a critical review
Year: 2025

Modelling tools for the assessment of Renewable Energy Communities
Year: 2024

Solar analysis for an urban context from GIS to block-scale evaluations
Year: 2024

Self-Sufficiency Building Energy Modelling from Urban to Block-Scale with PV Technology
Year: 2023

Data-driven urban building energy models for the platform of Toronto
Year: 2023

Conclusion

Francesca Vecchi stands out as a highly promising and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her combination of technical skill, cross-cultural research experience, policy insight, and consistent scholarly output not only positions her as an emerging leader in renewable energy and sustainable urban systems but also aligns closely with the award’s aim to recognize impactful, forward-looking research that addresses global challenges.

Claudia Diana Sabau Popa | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Claudia Diana Sabau Popa | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr Claudia Diana Sabau Popa, University Of Oradea, Romania

Prof. Dr. Claudia Diana Sabău-Popa is a distinguished academic at the University of Oradea, specializing in Finance. Since 2004, she has progressed from Junior Teaching Assistant to Ph.D. Supervisor, contributing significantly to the Doctoral School of Economic Sciences. She also serves on the supervisory board of the Romanian Counter-Guarantee Fund. As Vice Dean, she oversees academic and administrative management. Prof. Sabău-Popa is active in national professional associations like CECCAR, CAFR, CCF, and UNPIR. Her research includes numerous published articles and participation in conferences. 📚🎓📊💼.

Publication profile

google scholar

Education

Dr. Claudia Diana Sabău-Popa is a distinguished academic at the University of Oradea, specializing in finance and European economic relations. She holds a PhD in Finance from Babeş-Bolyai University, with a focus on community funds and the EU budget. She has numerous qualifications, including a habilitation from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies and various certificates in auditing, training, and entrepreneurial skills. Since 2016, she has held leadership roles within the university, actively contributing to the Faculty of Economic Sciences. Her expertise and dedication have made her a prominent figure in higher education management. 📚🌟💼

Experience

Dr. Claudia Diana Sabău-Popa is a distinguished Professor at the University of Oradea, specializing in Finance and Accounting since 2016. She supervises Ph.D. students, coordinates theses, and actively participates in research and conferences. As a member of the Romanian Counter-Guarantee Fund’s supervisory board, she oversees financial strategies and policies. Previously, she served as an Associate Professor (2013-2016) and University Lecturer (2009-2013). Her extensive teaching portfolio includes Capital Markets, EU Finances, and IFRS. Dr. Sabău-Popa is dedicated to advancing higher education and financial research in Romania. 🌟📚💼

Awards

On May 24, 2016, a distinguished Diploma for results in scientific research in the field of Finance (no. 8361/24.05.2016) was awarded by MENCS, University of Oradea. This recognition celebrates outstanding contributions and achievements in finance research. The recipient’s work, published in internationally recognized ISI specialist journals, has garnered significant acclaim and reflects a dedication to advancing knowledge in the field. This honor highlights the importance of rigorous scientific inquiry and the impact of quality research on the global academic community. 🏆📜🌍

Research focus

Prof. Dr. Claudia Diana Sabău-Popa’s research primarily focuses on financial performance evaluation, risk management, and market analysis. Her work utilizes advanced methodologies such as fuzzy AHP, TOPSIS, neural networks, and principal component analysis to assess and predict the financial health and performance of companies, especially in the Romanian market. Additionally, she explores the impact of macroeconomic variables on stock prices and consumer decisions within grey online social networks. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates economic, technological, and computational techniques to provide comprehensive insights into financial and market dynamics. 📊💻📉📈

Publication top notes

Performance evaluation model of Romanian manufacturing listed companies by fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS

Composite financial performance index prediction–a neural networks approach

Analyzing financial health of the SMES listed in the AERO market of Bucharest Stock Exchange using Principal Component Analysis

Consumers’ Decisions in grey online social networks

Developing an adaptive fuzzy controller for risk management of company cash flow

EFFECTS OF MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES ON STOCK PRICES OF THE BUCHAREST STOCK EXCHANGE (BSE).

Performance mapping in two-step cluster analysis through ESEG disclosures and EPS

Development of a fuzzy logic system to identify the risk of projects financed from structural funds

Using dashboards in business analysis

Influence of the capital structure on the company’s performance: Study of the energy sector companies listed on BSE

Environmental Impact Award

Environmental Impact Award

Introduction:

Welcome to the Environmental Impact Award, recognizing exceptional contributions to environmental conservation and sustainability. This award celebrates individuals or organizations making significant strides towards protecting our planet and promoting a more sustainable future.

About the Award:

The Environmental Impact Award honors those who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and innovation in addressing environmental challenges. From conservation efforts to sustainable practices, this award celebrates initiatives that make a positive impact on our planet.

Eligibility:

  • Open to individuals, organizations, and initiatives worldwide
  • No age limits
  • Candidates must have implemented or contributed to projects with measurable environmental impact
  • Publications, if any, should demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship

Recurrence:

Annual

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Demonstrated environmental impact
  • Innovation and creativity in approach
  • Sustainability and scalability of the initiative
  • Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders

Submission Guidelines:

  • Submit a detailed description of the environmental initiative or project
  • Provide evidence of measurable impact, such as data or case studies
  • Include any relevant publications or documentation supporting the initiative's effectiveness
  • Follow the specified format and submission deadlines

Recognition:

Recipients of the Environmental Impact Award receive a prestigious certificate, public recognition through various channels, and opportunities for further collaboration and support.

Community Impact:

The Environmental Impact Award aims to inspire and mobilize communities to take action in safeguarding our planet. By recognizing and promoting environmental stewardship, this award fosters a sense of collective responsibility and encourages widespread engagement in conservation efforts.

Biography:

Applicants are invited to provide a brief biography highlighting their involvement in environmental initiatives, relevant experience, and notable achievements.

Abstract and Supporting Files:

Include a comprehensive abstract summarizing the environmental initiative's objectives, strategies, and outcomes. Supporting files such as project reports, testimonials, and multimedia materials can enhance the submission and demonstrate the initiative's impact.