Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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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.

Arash Javanshir khoei | Environmental Science | Cross-disciplinary Excellence Award

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Arash Javanshir khoei | Environmental Science | Cross-disciplinary Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr Arash Javanshir khoei, University of Tehran, Iran

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arash Javanshir Khoei is a distinguished marine biologist and ecologist 🌊🐚 with a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris 6 (1999) 🇫🇷. His research focuses on parasitology, heavy metal toxicity, aquatic ecology, and environmental sustainability 🌱🔬. With over three decades of academic and research experience, he has significantly contributed to understanding aquatic ecosystems, pollution effects, and species population dynamics. As a faculty member at the University of Tehran since 2005, he has mentored numerous students and led groundbreaking projects on water purification, microplastics, and sustainable aquaculture 🏞️🐟. His numerous inventions, including water filtration systems and fish food manure, have earned him multiple national awards 🏅. Dr. Khoei has authored impactful publications in high-ranking journals, advancing knowledge in marine science and environmental protection 📚🔍. His expertise and contributions make him a top candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education 

Dr. Arash Javanshir Khoei has an extensive academic background in marine sciences and environmental research 🌍. He earned his Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris 6, France (1999) 🇫🇷, where he studied the effects of Digenetic Trematodes on bivalve mollusks in Arcachon Bay 🦠🐚. His M.Sc. in Biological Oceanography (1995) from the same university focused on marine ecosystem dynamics. He completed his B.Sc. in Fisheries and Environment at the University of Tehran (1986) 🇮🇷, laying the foundation for his career in aquatic ecology. His academic journey has been marked by pioneering research in parasitology, water pollution, and marine biodiversity. His expertise spans limnology, fish behavior, and aquatic plant ecosystems, making significant contributions to environmental sustainability 🌿💧. Through interdisciplinary research, Dr. Khoei continues to push the boundaries of marine biology, enhancing the scientific community’s understanding of aquatic environments.

Experience

Dr. Arash Javanshir Khoei has over 30 years of experience in academia and research 🌍🔬. He is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Tehran (2012–present) 🇮🇷, where he teaches courses in oceanography, marine ecology, and environmental science 📖. He previously served as an Assistant Professor at the same university (2005–2012), shaping the next generation of marine scientists 🎓. From 2001 to 2005, he led the Ecology Department at the Ecological Academy of the Caspian Sea, spearheading key environmental research projects 🌱🌊. His early career included roles as a researcher at the Marine Research Centre of the Caspian Sea (1989–1992), investigating marine biodiversity and water quality. With numerous national and international projects, Dr. Khoei has significantly contributed to marine conservation, aquaculture, and pollution control efforts 🏞️🐠. His diverse expertise has led to groundbreaking discoveries in environmental sustainability, heavy metal toxicity, and microplastic pollution 🏆.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Arash Javanshir Khoei has received multiple prestigious awards for his outstanding contributions to marine science and environmental sustainability 🌍🏆. In 2015, he was recognized as a Superior Technology Creator by the Alborz Governorate and a Superior Researcher at the University of Tehran 🏅. His innovative ideas earned him the Superior Idea Award from the Semnan Governorate in 2018. He holds multiple patents, including Fish Food Manure (2013), Bit Trap Filter (2016), and a System for Absorbing Cyclic Compounds in Water (2018) 🔬💧. His research on sustainable water treatment, microplastic pollution, and aquaculture has attracted significant funding, including grants from Iran’s National Science Foundation 🇮🇷. With numerous scientific contributions and technology-driven solutions, Dr. Khoei has become a leading figure in environmental conservation and aquatic research. His relentless dedication to marine ecology makes him a top contender for prestigious research awards 🌊🐚.

Research Focus

Dr. Arash Javanshir Khoei’s research spans marine biology, aquatic ecology, and environmental toxicology 🌊🔬. His early work focused on the effects of Digenetic Trematodes on Bivalve Mollusks, revealing parasite-induced changes in cockle population dynamics 🦠🐚. He has extensively studied heavy metal toxicity in aquatic species, evaluating bioaccumulation and immunotoxic effects of pollutants like lead, mercury, and iron oxide nanoparticles 🌱⚗️. His research also addresses microplastic pollution in the Caspian Sea, emphasizing its impact on marine life 🌍🛑. He pioneered studies on water purification, developing innovative techniques for removing heavy metals, arsenic, and pesticides from aquatic environments 💧♻️. Dr. Khoei’s interdisciplinary research extends to sustainable aquaculture, marine ecosystem dynamics, and environmental biotechnology 🐟🌾. His work contributes to global efforts in pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation, making him a leading expert in marine environmental science 🌿🌊.

Publication Top Notes

  • Investigating the effects of several parameters on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris using Taguchi’s experimental approach
  • Laboratory studies on egg and fecal pellet production of Centropages typicus: effect of age, effect of temperature, individual variability
  • Evaluation of potential immunotoxic effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
  • Application of physical and biological methods to remove heavy metals, arsenic, and pesticides from water
  • Efficiency of chitosan for the removal of Pb (II), Fe (II), and Cu (II) ions from aqueous solutions
  • Assessment of heavy metals and their relationship with oxidative stress and immune parameters in aquatic species
  • Removal of Hg (II) and Cd (II) ions from aqueous solution using chitosan: kinetics and equilibrium studies
  • An investigation on the accumulation of heavy metals in Avicennia marina from the Persian Gulf
  • Evaluation of bivalve clearance rate (CR) as an indicator of heavy metal toxicity in Anodonta cygnea
  • Toxicity of titanium nano-oxide nanoparticles (TiO2) on the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas

Minseok Ryu | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Minseok Ryu | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr Minseok Ryu, Arizona State University, United States

Dr. Minseok Ryu is an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence since August 2023 👨‍🏫. He earned his Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2020 🎓. His research focuses on optimization and machine learning applications in power systems and privacy-preserving federated learning 🔍⚡. Dr. Ryu has held positions at Argonne National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory 🏢. He has received numerous awards, including the 2024 Alliance Fellowship at Mayo Clinic and ASU and multiple research highlights from the DOE-ASCR 🌟.

Publication profile

google scholar

Education

Minseok Ryu holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, which he completed in May 2020 🎓. Before that, he earned an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from KAIST, Daejeon, Korea, in February 2014 🚀. His academic journey began with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from KAIST, which he obtained in February 2012 ✈️.

Employment

Minseok Ryu is currently an Assistant Professor at the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ (Aug 2023–present) 📚. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Appointee at the Mathematics and Computer Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL (Aug 2020–Jul 2023) 🔬. He also worked as a Research Assistant with the Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM (May 2019–Aug 2019) 🧪. Additionally, he served as a Post Baccalaureate Research Fellow at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (Nov 2014–Apr 2015) 🎓.

Honors & Awards

Minseok Ryu has achieved numerous accolades throughout his career. In 2024, he was honored as an Alliance Fellow by the Mayo Clinic and ASU Alliance for Health Care and participated in the Faculty Summer Residency program. His research was highlighted by the Department of Energy’s Advanced Scientific Computing Research (DOE-ASCR) in both 2023 and 2022. Ryu received the Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant in 2016 and multiple fellowships from the University of Michigan in 2015. Additionally, he earned the National Science Foundation Student Award from INFORMS Computing Society. Earlier, he received the National Scholarship from the Korean government (2010-2013) and accolades from KAIST, including the Department Honor and Best Technical Poster Award in 2010. 🎓🔬📊

Presentations

Minseok Ryu has made significant contributions to various fields, presenting his research at numerous esteemed conferences. His work includes heuristic algorithms for geomagnetically induced current blocking devices (Paris, June 2024) 🌍⚡, generating columns (Phoenix, Oct 2023) 📝, and differentially private algorithms for constrained federated learning (Seattle and Amsterdam, 2023) 🔒🤖. He has also focused on privacy-preserving federated learning frameworks (Arlington, Aug 2022; Virtual, June 2022) 🛡️📡. Additionally, he has explored optimal power flow control, transmission expansion planning, and robust optimization in healthcare staffing across various platforms including INFORMS, SIAM, and international symposiums 🌐🧑‍⚕️

Research focus

Minseok Ryu’s research primarily focuses on data-driven optimization and privacy-preserving techniques, particularly in federated learning and power systems. His work spans several areas, including robust optimization under uncertainty, privacy-preserving distributed control, and federated learning frameworks. Key applications include improving nurse staffing models, optimizing electric grids against geomagnetic disturbances, and developing secure frameworks for federated learning in biomedical research. Ryu’s contributions are significant in ensuring privacy and robustness in distributed systems and optimization problems. 🧠🔒💡🔋👩‍⚕️

Publication top notes

Data-Driven Distributionally Robust Appointment Scheduling over Wasserstein Balls

APPFL: Open-Source Software Framework for Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning

A Privacy-Preserving Distributed Control of Optimal Power Flow

An extended formulation of the convex recoloring problem on a tree

Nurse Staffing under Absenteeism: A Distributionally Robust Optimization Approach

Differentially private federated learning via inexact ADMM with multiple local updates

Mitigating the Impacts of Uncertain Geomagnetic Disturbances on Electric Grids: A Distributionally Robust Optimization Approach

Algorithms for Mitigating the Effect of Uncertain Geomagnetic Disturbances in Electric Grids

Development of an Engineering Education Framework for Aerodynamic Shape Optimization

Enabling End-to-End Secure Federated Learning in Biomedical Research on Heterogeneous Computing Environments with APPFLx