Dr. Wenjing Tang | Research Excellence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Wenjing Tang | Huazhong University of Science and Technology | China

Dr. Wenjing Tang is a distinguished researcher at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, specializing in the immunopathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases and translational biomarker research. Her work focuses on understanding the role of immune regulation in cardiac disorders, particularly through experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) modeling and the evaluation of cardiac function. She possesses advanced expertise in B cell function regulation, AAV-mediated gene interference, Western Blot, flow cytometry, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection. Dr. Tang has made significant contributions to the field through the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Her research on GDF15 demonstrated its protective role in EAM by suppressing B cell function via modulation of autophagy and ROS, providing promising avenues for intervention in cardiovascular disease. She has published multiple first-author papers in high-impact SCI journals, reflecting her strong scientific rigor and innovation. Throughout her career, Dr. Tang has been involved in several research projects and holds multiple patents, demonstrating her commitment to translating scientific discoveries into practical applications. She has contributed to editorial work and collaborated with professional organizations, further enhancing the reach and impact of her research. Her areas of focus include immunology, cardiovascular pathophysiology, and biomarker development, highlighting a consistent record of advancing knowledge and clinical translation in her field. Dr. Tang’s work exemplifies a combination of technical proficiency, scientific creativity, and translational relevance. Her research has not only advanced understanding of immune-mediated cardiovascular mechanisms but has also provided potential strategies for novel therapeutic interventions. Through her dedication, innovative approach, and consistent contributions, Dr. Tang stands out as a leading researcher whose work continues to influence both the academic and clinical landscape.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Author(s). (2025). Fluorinated solvent coupled anions-derived hybrid interphase enabled highly reversible and cryogenic silicon anode. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. https://doi.org/

Dr. María | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. María | University of Granada | Spain

María Vila Duplá is a multidisciplinary marine and aquatic scientist with expertise spanning microbial ecology, environmental monitoring, and ecosystem dynamics. Her academic foundation combines biology, marine science, and science communication, complemented by advanced training in imaging tools, bioinformatics, meta-omics, and plastic pollution assessment. This diverse educational background supports her integrated approach to studying aquatic ecosystems under global change. She has contributed to a range of research projects investigating phytoplankton dynamics, microbial consortia, ecosystem resilience, and the impacts of climate change and plastic pollution on freshwater and marine systems. Her work leverages experimental, observational, and computational methods, including field campaigns, mesocosm experiments, contaminant exposure assays, multivariate statistics, and predictive modeling. She is proficient in a wide array of laboratory techniques, from bacterial and algal culturing to flow cytometry, polymer analysis, and molecular biology workflows. In addition to research, María has extensive teaching experience at the undergraduate level in ecology, systems ecology, and environmental science, mentoring students through theses, capstone projects, and hands-on field and laboratory training. She also serves as a peer reviewer for high-impact journals and contributes as a journal specialist, highlighting her commitment to scientific rigor and dissemination. Her scientific contributions include high-quality publications in top-tier journals on topics such as microbial responses to environmental stressors, algal microbiome dynamics, and ecotoxicological effects of contaminants. She has actively presented her research at international conferences, showcasing her ability to communicate complex ecological processes to diverse audiences. María combines field expertise, laboratory proficiency, and computational skills with a strong commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and science communication. Fluent in Spanish, English, and French, she integrates interdisciplinary knowledge to address pressing environmental challenges and advance understanding of aquatic ecosystem resilience, making her a dynamic researcher, educator, and advocate for sustainable aquatic management.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Vila Duplá, M., González-Olalla, J. M., Villar-Argaiz, M., Medina-Sánchez, J. M., & Carrillo, P. (2025). Fluctuating high temperature hinders long-term phytoplankton acclimation to Saharan dust. Journal of Environmental Sciences. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2025.11.051

Cabrerizo, M. J., González-Olalla, J. M., Medina-Sánchez, J. M., Vila Duplá, M., & Carrillo, P. (2025). Warming fluctuations strengthen the photo-phagotrophic coupling in mixoplanktonic protists. Microbial Ecology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-025-02658-2

Vila Duplá, M. (2021). Dynamics of a macrophyte-driven coastal ecotone: Underlying factors and ecological implications. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 259, 107481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107481

Prof. Rim Hachana | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award 

Prof. Rim Hachana | ESDES Business School – Lyon Catholic University | France

Dr. Rim Hachana is an accomplished Associate Professor of Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and International Business at ESDES Lyon Business School, Catholic University of Lyon (France), and a Full Professor at the Mediterranean School of Business (Tunisia). With more than two decades of academic and research experience, she has held progressive roles across leading universities in France and Tunisia, including Paris Dauphine University, Tunis Business School, and Manouba University. Her scholarly expertise spans corporate governance, entrepreneurship, responsible management, innovation, emotional competencies, and AI–human interaction in management. She has built a robust interdisciplinary research trajectory, publishing extensively in internationally recognized journals classified by ABS, CNRS, FNEGE, and contributing thought-leadership pieces for outlets such as The Conversation.Dr. Hachana has supervised numerous PhD dissertations (including several international cotutelle programs), producing award-winning doctoral research on organizational resilience, territorial governance, entrepreneurial competencies, and emotional intelligence in management. A committed educator and academic leader, she teaches a diverse portfolio of courses including Strategic Management, Corporate Governance, Responsible Management, Research Methodology, International Management, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. She has also directed major research laboratories (RIGUEUR) and led multiple scientific initiatives and research programs. Her academic journey includes a Doctorate in Management from Paris Dauphine University, multiple international qualifications, and dual recognitions of HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) in both France and Tunisia. Across her career, Dr. Rim Hachana has established herself as an influential voice in strategic management, innovation, ethics, and socially responsible governance, consistently bridging research, education, and societal impact.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Hachana, R. (2025). Shadows and lights: Disabled workers’ use of digital technologies in the workplace. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-06-2024-0246

Hachana, R., Najar, T., & Ivanaj, S. (2025). Exploring the effect of institutional trust on the relationship between environmental consciousness and household recycling behavior. Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-02090-1

Hachana, R., & Gilormini, P. (2024). An alternative understanding of social entrepreneurs in terms of resonance and vulnerability: Based on Hartmut Rosa’s philosophy and sociology. Philosophy of Management. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40926-024-00247-w

Ben Zammel, I., & Hachana, R. (2023). Rethinking training transfer: A practice theory perspective. The Learning Organization. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-11-2021-0130

Hachana, R., Gharbi, S., & Chichti, F. (2021). De l’éthique du care et du travail émotionnel : Quelle réalité dans les EHPAD français installés en Tunisie ? Management & Avenir Santé, 7, 77–97. https://doi.org/10.3917/mavs.007.0077

Assist. Prof. Dr. Shivam Tripathi | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Shivam Tripathi | Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | India

Dr. Shivam Tripathi is a materials engineering researcher and faculty member specializing in atomistic simulations, machine learning–driven materials discovery, and the design of next-generation functional materials. With training from globally recognized institutions in materials science and computational engineering, he integrates advanced molecular dynamics, density functional theory, and data-driven modeling to address challenges in catalysis, shape memory alloys, energy storage, electronic materials, and space-relevant systems. His academic foundation combines rigorous theoretical knowledge with extensive hands-on experience in computational methods, including large-scale molecular dynamics, enhanced sampling, and ab-initio simulations. During his postdoctoral research, he worked on dynamic mechanisms of ammonia synthesis on iron surfaces under operando conditions, unveiling fundamental insights into nitrogen adsorption, dissociation, and poisoning pathways using machine-learning-accelerated simulation frameworks. His doctoral research provided breakthroughs in understanding nanoscale precipitate effects on martensitic transformations, enabling guidelines for designing low-fatigue, ultra-fine-grain shape memory alloys and uncovering mechanisms governing superelasticity and phase transformation behavior. Dr. Tripathi’s research portfolio extends to designing tunable transformations in lightweight alloys, modeling environment-dependent atomic-level properties in complex-concentrated alloys, and unraveling phonon transport mechanisms in nanoscale copper hybrids for nanoelectronics. He has contributed to multiple high-impact publications across catalysis, materials physics, and computational materials science, and his work has been recognized through awards, research honors, and competitive travel grants. His technical expertise includes Python, C, VASP, LAMMPS, PLUMED, Quantum Espresso, TensorFlow, and advanced materials characterization methods. Beyond research, he has contributed significantly to academic service and outreach through leadership roles, mentoring, teaching computational and experimental materials science courses, and developing open-access scientific software tools used by the broader materials community. His contributions reflect a commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and advancing computational materials engineering.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Perego, S., Bonati, L., Tripathi, S., & Parrinello, M. (2024). How dynamics changes ammonia cracking on iron surfaces. ACS Catalysis, 14(19), 14652–14664.

Tripathi, S., Bonati, L., Perego, S., & Parrinello, M. (2024). How poisoning is avoided in a step of relevance to the Haber–Bosch catalysis. ACS Catalysis, 14, 4944–4950.

Tripathi, S., Vishnu, K. G., Titus, M. S., & Strachan, A. (2020). Tunability of martensitic transformation in Mg–Sc shape memory alloys: A DFT study. Acta Materialia, 189, 1–9.

Tripathi, S., Verma, V., Brown, T. W., & Kulkarni, K. N. (2017). Effect of small amount of manganese on the interdiffusivities in Fe–Al alloys. Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion, 38(2), 135–142.

Tripathi, S., Vishnu, K. G., Titus, M. S., & Strachan, A. (2022). Uncovering the role of nanoscale precipitates on martensitic transformation and superelasticity. Acta Materialia, 229, 117790.

Farnell, M. S., McClure, Z. D., Tripathi, S., & Strachan, A. (2022). Modeling environment-dependent atomic-level properties in complex-concentrated alloys. The Journal of Chemical Physics, 156(11).

Prof. Isabelle Boutron | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Isabelle Boutron | Université Paris Cité | France

Dr. Suleiman Akilu | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Suleiman Akilu | BUA Cement Company LTD | Nigeria

Dr. Suleiman Akilu is a dynamic and results-driven mechanical engineer and project management professional with over a decade of experience in project execution, operational leadership, compliance oversight, and research innovation. His career spans the cement manufacturing industry, academic research institutions, and engineering operations, where he has consistently demonstrated strategic thinking, technical depth, and exceptional leadership capabilities. At BUA Cement Company PLC, one of Nigeria’s leading cement producers, Dr. Akilu was recruited to serve as Principal Manager and later Assistant Director, functioning as Technical Assistant/Adviser to the MD/CEO. In this role, he led a multidisciplinary project team that significantly increased raw material reserves, improved operational efficiency, and strengthened the company’s strategic growth initiatives. He supported major contract negotiations related to LNG supply, power plant operations, and input materials, while ensuring regulatory compliance and coordinating closely with mining and environmental agencies. His responsibilities also included logistics coordination, integration of alternative fuels to enhance sustainability, and contributing to technical documentation, contract reviews, and high-level stakeholder engagements. Earlier, as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Hydrocarbon Recovery in Malaysia, Dr. Akilu conducted advanced research on gas transport in porous media, shale reservoirs, adsorption phenomena, and fracturing fluid behavior. He published multiple high-impact papers, supported experimental system design, managed research materials, and supervised undergraduate research projects. His expertise includes computational tools such as ANSYS, COMSOL Multiphysics, and BIOVIA Materials Studio. During his tenure as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, he provided academic support in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, energy systems, and MATLAB, while assisting with laboratory instruction, project evaluations, course coordination, and research output. With a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and ongoing MSc studies in Project Management, Dr. Akilu brings a powerful combination of technical expertise, analytical capability, and strategic leadership—positioning him as a valuable asset to innovative, high-performing organizations.

Profile: Google Scholar | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Akilu, S., Sharma, K. V., Baheta, A. T., & Mamat, R. (2016). A review of thermophysical properties of water based composite nanofluids. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 66, 654–678.

Akilu, S., Baheta, A. T., Said, M. A. M., Minea, A. A., & Sharma, K. V. (2017). Properties of glycerol and ethylene glycol mixture based SiO₂–CuO/C hybrid nanofluid for enhanced solar energy transport. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 166, (year), pages.
(Note: Page numbers were not provided—add them if available.)

Akilu, S., Baheta, A. T., & Sharma, K. V. (2017). Experimental measurements of thermal conductivity and viscosity of ethylene glycol-based hybrid nanofluid with TiO₂–CuO/C inclusions. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 246, 396–405.

Akilu, S., Padmanabhan, E., & Sun, Z. (2021). A review of transport mechanisms and models for unconventional tight shale gas reservoir systems. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 175, 121125.

Akilu, S., Baheta, A. T., Minea, A. A., & Sharma, K. V. (2017). Rheology and thermal conductivity of non-porous silica (SiO₂) in viscous glycerol and ethylene glycol based nanofluids. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 88, 245–253.

Akilu, S., Baheta, A. T., Kadirgama, K., Padmanabhan, E., & Sharma, K. V. (2018). Viscosity, electrical and thermal conductivities of ethylene and propylene glycol-based β-SiC nanofluids. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 284, 780–792.

Dr. Fatimah Qassadi | Research Excellence | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Fatimah Qassadi | Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz Univeristy | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Fatimah Ibrahim Qassadi is a dedicated pharmacist, academic, and researcher with extensive experience in both clinical and educational settings across Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. With over four years of clinical practice at King Abdulaziz Medical City—one of Riyadh’s leading governmental hospitals—she has developed strong expertise in clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacotherapy, and patient-centred care. She currently serves as a Lecturer at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU), where she previously worked as a teaching assistant. She also held an academic role at the University of Nottingham, School of Pharmacy, contributing to undergraduate teaching, supervision, and practical training. Dr. Qassadi holds a PhD in Pharmacy from the University of Nottingham, an MSc in Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry (Distinction) from University College London, and a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Pharmacy from King Saud University. Her research focuses on gastrointestinal bacteria, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and plant-derived therapeutics, with publications in reputable journals such as Pathogens, Frontiers in Nutrition, and Gut. She has presented her work at major international conferences and received multiple awards for best scientific presentations in the UK and China. Her competencies span curriculum development, instructional design, scientific research, statistical analysis (SPSS, MATLAB), and academic leadership. She is certified in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Lean Six Sigma, project management, advanced MATLAB, and higher education teaching. She is also licensed as a pharmacist in Saudi Arabia and trained in essential healthcare safety practices, including BLS and CPR. Actively engaged in community initiatives, Dr. Qassadi has contributed to health awareness campaigns, scientific committees, and student mentorship programs. Passionate about advancing pharmacy education and healthcare quality, she is committed to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 through innovative teaching, impactful research, and the development of future pharmacy professionals.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Qassadi, F. I., Johnson, C., Robinson, K., Griffin, R., Polytarchou, C., Kao, D., Kim, D.-H., Griffiths, R. L., Zhu, Z., & Monaghan, T. M. (2025). Untargeted metabolomics identifies faecal filtrate-derived metabolites that disrupt Clostridioides difficile metabolism and confer gut barrier cytoprotection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(22), Article 11221. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262211221

Sun, Y., Liu, S., Chen, L., Zhou, Z., Ma, M., Li, J., Lu, Y., Shi, Y., Yao, T., Feng, R., … Qassadi, F. I. (2025). Spaceflight redefines ageing-associated microbiota. iMeta. https://doi.org/10.1002/imt2.70023

Qassadi, F., Kim, D.-H., Griffiths, R., Kao, D., Zhu, Z., & Monaghan, T. (2024). P102: Dissecting the metabolic impact of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in C. difficile and E. coli infections using 3D OrbiSIMS. Oral Presentations, Gut, 73(Suppl. 2), A111. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2024-bsg.184

Qassadi, F., Monaghan, T., Kim, D.-H., Griffiths, R., & Zhu, Z. (2023). Antibacterial evaluation of natural oridonin and its chemically synthesised derivatives. Planta Medica, 89(11), 1003–1013. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1774023

Qassadi, F. I., Zhu, Z., & Monaghan, T. M. (2023). Plant-derived products with therapeutic potential against gastrointestinal bacteria. Pathogens, 12(2), 333. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020333

Surendran, S., Qassadi, F., Surendran, G., Lilley, D., & Heinrich, M. (2021). Myrcene—What are the potential health benefits of this flavouring and aroma agent? Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 699666. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.699666