Hanin Othman | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Hanin Othman | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Hanin Othman | The Pennsylvania State University | United States

Dr. Hanin Othman is an accomplished Architect, Researcher, and Designer whose work bridges sustainable architecture, environmental sensing, and computational design. Currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Architecture (Sustainability) at The Pennsylvania State University (USA), she explores innovative intersections between indoor environmental quality monitoring, IoT-based sensor technologies, robotics, and climate-responsive design. Her research advances the integration of low-cost, data-driven sensing systems for health-equitable and energy-efficient built environments, while also engaging in digital fabrication and robotic material processes that merge craft with computational design. She serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Artist & Maker in Residence at Penn State’s College of Engineering, where she leads interdisciplinary workshops on Arduino-based environmental monitoring and IoT applications in architecture. Dr. Othman’s academic career spans over a decade, including extensive teaching and studio leadership at The Hashemite University (Jordan), where she taught across design studios, architectural theory, heritage conservation, and environmental systems. Her research contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the ICDS Rising Researcher Award, Fox Scholar Award, Artists and Makers in Residence Fellowship, and Sustainability Graduate Student Award Nomination at Penn State. She also received the Best Master Thesis Published Paper Award from the University of Jordan  and the Best Graduation Project Award from The Hashemite University . Her scholarly output demonstrates her growing global recognition, with 45 citations across 45 documents and an h-index of 1, reflecting emerging influence in the fields of smart building systems, urban thermal comfort modeling, and IoT-driven architectural innovation. Through her interdisciplinary and human-centered approach, Dr. Othman continues to contribute to shaping a more sustainable, resilient, and health-conscious built environment aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Othman, H., Sieves, G., Guimarães, T., & Azari, R. (2025). A calibration chamber framework for low-cost indoor air quality sensor validation. Building and Environment, 283, 113856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113856

Othman, H., Azari, R., & Guimarães, T. (2024). Low-cost IoT-based indoor air quality monitoring. Technology | Architecture + Design, 8(2), 2405403. https://doi.org/10.1080/24751448.2024.2405403

Othman, H., Sieves, G., Guimarães, T., & Azari, R. (2024, November 13). Development of a calibration chamber to evaluate the performance of a low-cost IAQ sensing device. In SIGraDi 2024 – Biodigital Intelligent Systems Conference.

Othman, H. (2023). Exploring low-cost sensors for indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring. In C+++: Computation, Culture, and Context – Proceedings of the 11th International Conference of the Arab Society for Computation in Architecture, Art and Design (ASCAAD).

Imam, C. A., Othman, H. A. S., & Çapunaman, Ö. B. (2023). Robotic plaster carving: Formalizing subtractive detailing of plaster surfaces for construction and crafts. In Proceedings of the 41st International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe) (Vol. 1, pp. 397–406). https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2023.1.397

Jimmy Romanos | Energy Sustainability | Excellence in Research

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Dr. Jimmy Romanos | Energy Sustainability | Excellence in Research

Dr. Jimmy Romanos | Lebanese American University | Lebanon

Dr. Jimmy Romanos is an Associate Professor of Physics at the Lebanese American University, with a distinguished record in interdisciplinary research spanning thermal physics, materials science, and energy storage. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Missouri, USA, and has extensive experience in both academia and industry, including leadership roles as a lead materials scientist in the U.S. and as a consultant in the energy sector. His research focuses on atomic-scale thermodynamic processes in gas adsorption, targeting applications such as carbon dioxide capture, methane and hydrogen storage, gas separation, and lead-free ceramics. Dr. Romanos has been recognized with the Shoman Award for Arab Researchers in Physics, becoming the first Lebanese physicist to receive this honor. He has led numerous funded projects, both intramural and extramural, and holds multiple patents in advanced carbon materials and gas storage technologies. With over a decade of prolific contributions through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and industrial reports, his work bridges computational, theoretical, and experimental approaches to address critical challenges in energy and environmental technologies.

Profile:  Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Romanos, J., Beckner, M., Rash, T., Firlej, L., Kuchta, B., Yu, P., Suppes, G., … (2012). Nanospace engineering of KOH activated carbon. Nanotechnology, 23(015401), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/23/1/015401

Kuchta, B., Firlej, L., Mohammadhosseini, A., Boulet, P., Beckner, M., … Romanos, J. (2012). Hypothetical high-surface-area carbons with exceptional hydrogen storage capacities: Open carbon frameworks. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 134(36), 15130–15137. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja3062439

Romanos, J., Burress, J., Pfeifer, P., Rash, T., Shah, P., Suppes, G. (2012). High surface area carbon and process for its production. US Patent 20130190542A1.

Beckner, M., Romanos, J., Dohnke, E., … (2011). Analysis of hydrogen sorption characteristics of boron-doped activated carbons. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 56.

Soo, Y. C., Beckner, M., Romanos, J., Wexler, C., Pfeifer, P., Buckley, P., … (2011). A high volume, high throughput volumetric sorption analyzer. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 56(1), 20003.

Xue Li | Energy Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Xue Li | Energy Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Xue Li | Wuhan Institute of Technology | China

Dr. Li Xue received her Ph.D. in Thermal Engineering from Dalian University of Technology in 2021. She is currently a faculty member at the School of Optical Information and Energy Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology. Her core research focuses on the near-wall collisions of microscale particles and the fundamentals of particle dynamics. She investigates how microscale interactions influence fluid flow, heat transfer, and energy conversion processes. Her studies contribute to advancing knowledge in microfluidics, aerosol science, and particulate system behavior. By integrating theoretical modeling with experimental validation, she addresses key challenges in microscale transport phenomena. Her work aims to improve the design of energy systems with higher efficiency and better control of particle interactions. She is also interested in the application of microscale particle research in thermal management and engineering systems. Through her academic contributions, she supports interdisciplinary advancements bridging thermal engineering and energy science. Dr. Xue continues to expand her research portfolio while mentoring students in innovative areas of energy and particle engineering.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Li, X., Xie, J., Dong, M., Chen, S., & Dong, W. (2024). Could the rebound characteristics of oblique impact for SiO₂ particles represent the ash particles? ACS Omega, 9(9), 10564–10574.

Li, X., Dong, M., Zhang, H., Li, S., & Shang, Y. (2020). Effect of surface roughness on capillary force during particle-wall impaction under different humidity conditions. Powder Technology, 369, 253–261.

Li, X., Dong, M., Jiang, D., Li, S., & Shang, Y. (2020). The effect of surface roughness on normal restitution coefficient, adhesion force and friction coefficient of the particle-wall collision. Powder Technology, 361, 311–320.

Li, X., Dong, M., Li, S., & Shang, Y. (2019). Experimental and theoretical studies of the relationship between dry and humid normal restitution coefficients. Journal of Aerosol Science, 130, 67–76.

Dong, M., Mei, Y., Li, X., Shang, Y., & Li, S. (2018). Experimental measurement of the normal coefficient of restitution of micro-particles impacting on plate surface in different humidity. Powder Technology, 334, 52–60.

Dong, M., Li, X., Mei, Y., & Li, S. (2018). Experimental and theoretical analyses on the effect of physical properties and humidity of fly ash impacting on a flat surface. Journal of Aerosol Science, 117, 121–131.

Asif Khan | Clean Energy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Asif Khan | Clean Energy | Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Asif Khan | University of Science and Technology Bannu kpk | Pakistan

Asif Nawaz Khan is a committed physicist and lecturer at the University of Science and Technology Bannu, with extensive experience in teaching and research at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics and has developed strong expertise in computational and theoretical physics, particularly in the design and analysis of 2D and 3D perovskite materials. His research encompasses structural, optical, thermoelectric, elastic, and thermodynamic properties, alongside solar cell device performance, phonon calculations, and molecular dynamics simulations. Proficient in advanced simulation software and machine learning techniques, he actively supervises students in both experiments and computational modeling, contributing significantly to the advancement of materials science.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Khan, A., Khan, N. U., Nawaz, A., & Ullah, K., & Manan, A. (2024). A DFT study to explore structural, electronic, optical and mechanical properties of lead-free Na2MoXO6 (X= Si, Ge, Sn) double perovskites for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, 1240, 114834.

Hosen, A., Mousa, A. A., Nemati-Kande, E., Khan, A. N., Abu-Jafar, M. S., … (2025). Systematic computational screening and design of double perovskites Q2LiMH6 (Q= K, Rb; M= Ga, In, Tl) for efficient hydrogen storage: A DFT and AIMD approach. Surfaces and Interfaces, 106608.

Khan, A. N., Rabhi, S., Jehangir, M. A., Charif, R., Khan, N. U., Begagra, A., … (2025). Evaluating A2SrGeI6 (A= K and Rb) lead-free double perovskites: Structural, elastic, and optoelectronic insights for clean energy. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 174, 113949.

Khan, N. U., Ghani, U., Khan, A., Khan, A. N., Ullah, K., Ali, R., & Fadhali, M. M. (2025). Theoretical insight into stabilities and optoelectronic properties of RbZnX3 (X= Cl, Br) halide perovskites for energy conversion applications. Optical and Quantum Electronics, 57(1), 109.

Rabhi, S., Khan, A. N., Chinoune, O., Charif, R., Bouri, N., Al-Qaisi, S., Sadaf, S., … (2025). Insight into NaSiCl3: A lead-free perovskite for the next generation revealed by DFT and SCAPS-1D. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 27(25), 13490–13507.

Hosen, A., Sadeghi, A., Abdulhussein, H. A., Nemati-Kande, E., Khan, A. N., … (2025). First-principles insights into NaScQH6 (Q= Fe, Ru, Os): Promising high-density hydrogen storage materials. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 177, 151392.

Khan, A. N., Khan, N. U., Khan, A., Ali, R., & Fadhali, M. M. (2025). Lead-free, stable, and effective double Ca2TiXO6 (X= Ge, Sn) perovskites for photovoltaic application. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, 1–13.

Khan, A. N., Kaleem, M., Khan, N. U., Nasir, A., Khan, A., & Abbasi, M. Z. (2026). Multi-functional DFT and SCAPS-1D analysis of lead-free Z2MgGeI6 (Z= Na, K) double perovskites for optoelectronic, photo-catalytic, and photovoltaic applications. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 294, 113922.

Khan, A. N., Khan, N. U., Kaleem, M., Tanzeel, M., Nasir, A., Hosen, A., Akremi, A., … (2025). Lead-free X2MgGeI6 (X= Rb, Cs) double perovskites for multi-functional energy applications: A DFT and SCAPS-1D perspective. Solid State Sciences, 108049.

Khan, Z., Manan, A., Khan, N. U., Khan, A. N., Khan, A., & Liu, G., … (2025). Exploring Sn-based vacancy-ordered halide double perovskites Na2Sn(Cl/Br)6 for optoelectronic, thermoelectric, and solar-driven hydrogen reduction applications. Chemical Papers, 1–21.

Khan, Z., Manan, A., Khan, N. U., Khan, A. N., Khan, A., Joifullah, S., Al Yeamin, M., … (2025). DFT-driven pressure-induced modulation in K2TIYCl6: Unlocking pressure-responsive physical and photo-catalytic properties. Optical and Quantum Electronics, 57(7), 1–32.

Shiva Shankar | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Shiva Shankar | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Zoological Survey of India | India

C. Shiva Shankar is a dedicated Senior Research Fellow at the Zoological Survey of India, specializing in taxonomy, molecular systematics, and ecology of aquatic beetles, fishes, and freshwater crabs. He has significantly contributed to biodiversity documentation through the discovery of new species and first records in India. His doctoral research on aquatic beetles of the Eastern Ghats has generated more than 500 DNA barcodes, marking the first molecular systematic study of aquatic beetles in the country. He has authored over 15 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and a co-authored book on threatened fauna. His expertise spans DNA barcoding, water quality analysis, GIS and GPS field surveys, and museum specimen curation. With extensive fieldwork across Indian ecosystems, he has collected and identified over 95 species of aquatic beetles, including rare and endemic taxa. He has successfully submitted over 600 DNA sequences to NCBI, strengthening global biodiversity databases. Beyond research, he actively participates in national conferences, workshops, and biodiversity initiatives, enhancing collaborative conservation efforts. Recognized for his hard work, leadership skills, and self-motivation, he is committed to advancing aquatic biodiversity science. His career vision is to contribute to global research excellence while promoting sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

“First record of Scoliopsis spinosa d’Orchymont, 1919 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from India”

“Molecular Characterization of Rare Predaceous Aquatic Beetle Methles indicus Regimbart, 1899 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from Eastern Ghats, India”

“Freshwater decapods (Crustacea: Decapoda) of Palair Reservoir, Telangana, India”

“Notes on Ptilomera agriodes (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerridae) from Eastern Ghats, India”