Abhay Chavan | Emerging Technologies | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Abhay Chavan | Emerging Technologies | Research Excellence Award

University of Oklahoma, United States

Abhay Chavan is a researcher and educator specializing in construction science, modular construction, sustainability, and digital technologies in the built environment. His academic and professional work integrates architecture, offsite construction, lean construction practices, and immersive technologies such as virtual reality for educational and industry applications. He has contributed to teaching construction management and architectural design courses while actively engaging in research related to workflow optimization, energy-efficient construction, and industrialized building systems. His publications, research grants, and scholarly presentations demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation in construction education and sustainable project delivery within the architecture and construction sectors.

Professional Profile 

Education

Abhay Chavan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Planning, Design, and Construction at the University of Oklahoma. His doctoral research focuses on modularity and offsite construction, with an emphasis on improving efficiency and innovation in industrialized construction systems. He also earned a Master of Building Construction from Auburn University, where his graduate work addressed infection control during hospital renovation projects. Earlier, he completed a Bachelor of Architecture from Shivaji University, developing a strong foundation in architectural design, sustainability, and built environment planning. His academic background reflects a multidisciplinary integration of architecture, construction management, sustainability, and emerging construction technologies.

Professional Experience

Abhay Chavan has built substantial academic and industry experience in construction science, architecture, sustainability consulting, and educational innovation. He has served as an Instructor of Record at the University of Oklahoma, teaching courses related to construction technology, construction documents, and design fundamentals. His teaching approach integrates digital tools such as Procore, Bluebeam, Revit, Autodesk Construction Cloud, and virtual learning systems to enhance practical learning outcomes. He also contributed as a Teaching Assistant in graduate research methodology, field surveying, and project controls courses. Prior to his academic roles in the United States, he worked as an Assistant Professor at Vishwakarma University, where he taught architectural design studios, sustainability, and architectural graphics while mentoring student research and innovation projects. In industry, he gained expertise in modular construction systems during his internship at Volumod Modular Solutions, contributing to LEED certification processes, production optimization, and waste reduction strategies. He also worked with dbHMS Consultants as an Energy Modeler and Project Manager, focusing on energy simulation, green building certifications, and sustainable design strategies for large-scale projects. His experience combines research-driven thinking with practical implementation in architecture and construction.

Research Interest

Abhay Chavan’s research interests are focused on modular and offsite construction, lean construction practices, sustainable building systems, immersive technologies in education, and digital transformation in the built environment. His doctoral research explores how modularity can improve productivity, efficiency, and scalability in offsite construction systems. He has also conducted significant research on the application of virtual reality in architecture and construction education, examining how immersive technologies can enhance learning, visualization, and student engagement. Additional research areas include value stream mapping, workflow optimization, energy-efficient construction, and sustainability-driven project delivery. His published work demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach that connects construction management, educational technology, sustainability, and industrialized building methods.

Awards and Honors

Abhay Chavan has received multiple academic scholarships, research grants, and professional recognitions for his contributions to construction science and educational innovation. He was awarded the Klay Kimker Student Enrichment Scholarship and the Zee & Madge May Vincent Scholarship at the University of Oklahoma in recognition of his academic and research achievements. He also secured First Place in the Gibbs College of Architecture Graduate Student Showcase for his research presentation. His research initiatives have been further supported through competitive travel grants and a Program for Research Enhancement Grant focused on integrating virtual reality into construction and design education. In addition, his professional qualifications include OSHA-30 certification and registration with the Council of Architecture in India, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and industry standards.

Publications Top Noted

  • General Contractor Knowledge of Infection Control Requirements on Hospital Renovation Construction Projects
    Authors:
    W. Collins, P. Holley, A. Chavan, A. Sattineni
    Year: 2020
  • An Interdisciplinary Pilot Study and Prototype Development for the Containment of Concrete Washout Waste
    Authors:
    P. Holley, E. Lynn, B. Bush, A. Chavan
    Year: 2019
  • Virtual Reality as a Supportive Tool for Design Education
    Authors:
    A. Chavan, S. Ghosh
    Year: 2024
  • Role of Modularity in Adoption of Offsite Construction
    Authors:
    A. Chavan, S. Ghosh
    Year: 2024
  • Optimizing Volumetric Offsite Construction Production Line by Utilization of Value Stream Mapping – A Case Study
    Authors:
    A. Chavan, S. Langar, S. Ghosh
    Year: 2025
  • Use of Virtual Reality in Construction Education – USA Educators’ Perspectives
    Authors:
    A. P. Chavan, S. Ghosh, T. McCuen
    Year: 2026
  • Use of Virtual Reality in Construction Higher Education in the US
    Authors:
    A. Chavan, S. Ghosh, T. McCuen
    Year: 2024

Shreedhar Sahoo | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Shreedhar Sahoo | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Shreedhar Sahoo | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | India

Shreedhar Sahoo is a Prime Minister’s Research Fellow (PMRF) and Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, specializing in rail–wheel interaction, traction, and slip dynamics. His doctoral research focuses on the investigation of traction and slip at the rail–wheel contact using wheel tread temperature monitoring, contributing to improved safety, efficiency, and predictive maintenance in railway systems. He holds a Dual Degree (B.Tech + M.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur with an excellent CGPA of 9.26/10. His academic foundation spans advanced mechanical engineering, railway vehicle dynamics, finite element methods, vibration analysis, thermodynamics, and applied mathematics. His M.Tech project involved the active control of functionally graded shells using piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composites, while his B.Tech project explored personality trait prediction from Twitter data using SVM, achieving an accuracy of 80.1%. Shreedhar has completed two technical internships at Transenigma, Kolkata, where he worked on automation in motion graphics and 3D human-prototype modeling using Adobe and Autodesk Maya platforms. He has also obtained OCA Java certification with a 91% score and participated in specialized workshops, including SIMPACK training on railway vehicle dynamics. His research work has led to publications in reputed journals such as the Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit and Tribology International. He has presented at major conferences, including the 4th International Conference on Friction-based Processes, where he won the 2nd prize for oral presentation in 2025. He is also a co-inventor of a provisional patent on room-temperature deposition of nanoparticle-based coatings. Alongside technical expertise, he has served as a student coordinator for courses on text analytics and modeling tools. Overall, Shreedhar Sahoo’s academic excellence, research contributions, and interdisciplinary skills highlight his strong potential as a researcher and innovation-driven engineer in rail transport and tribology.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Sahoo, S., Kushan, D. S., Ronith, G. S. P. J., & Racherla, V. (2026). Nano-scale friction modifier coatings: Application methodology, friction characteristics, and surrogate models. Tribology International, Article 111429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2025.111429

Huan Wang | Smart Manufacturing | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Huan Wang | Smart Manufacturing | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Huan Wang | sun yat-sen university | China

Huan Wang is a dedicated researcher currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Sun Yat-sen University, building upon a strong academic foundation established during his master’s studies in aerospace engineering at the same institution. His research focuses on advancing sensor technology through innovative approaches in temperature compensation, fault diagnosis, and the reliability assessment of pressure scanners—key components in precision measurement and industrial instrumentation. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to national and industry-driven scientific efforts, including participation in one National Key R&D Program, one National Natural Science Foundation project, and three important commissioned projects involving electronic pressure scanning valves. His expertise extends to instrumentation and measurement consultancy, allowing him to bridge academic research with practical engineering applications. Dr. Wang’s scholarly output includes more than eight peer-reviewed research articles, several of which he authored as first author in highly regarded SCI-indexed journals such as Measurement, Measurement Science and Technology, Micromachines, Instrumentation Science and Technology, and Metrology and Measurement Systems. His research demonstrates a strong commitment to integrating intelligent optimization algorithms with sensor systems to improve accuracy, stability, and reliability in real-world applications. Alongside his research achievements, he is a professional member of AAAS and IEEE, showcasing his active engagement with the global scientific community. Through his interdisciplinary skills, academic rigor, and industry collaborations, Huan Wang continues to make meaningful contributions to the fields of sensor technology, advanced manufacturing, and applied measurement science. His growing body of work reflects not only technical depth but also a forward-looking approach aimed at enhancing next-generation intelligent measurement systems. With a strong commitment to innovation, integrity, and scientific excellence, he stands out as a promising researcher who significantly contributes to the advancement of engineering research and instrumentation technologies.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Wang, H., Chen, X., Xia, J., Zhao, H., & Maddaiah, P. N. (2026). Newton-Raphson-based optimizer combined with LSSVM: Temperature compensation applied to small-range electronic pressure scanners. Flow Measurement and Instrumentation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flowmeasinst.2025.103127

Wang, H., Chen, X., Xia, J., Liu, P., & Zhao, H. (2025). A novel model fusing ALA and integrated learning: Temperature compensation for 700 kPa pressure scanners. International Journal of Thermophysics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10765-025-03638-x

Wang, H. (2025). Hybrid mechanism and data driven approach for high-precision modeling of gas flow regulation systems of VFDR. Journal article. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40747-025-01899-5

Wang, H., Wu, T., Liu, P., Zou, Y., & Zeng, Q. (2025). Kernel extreme learning machine combined with gray wolf optimization for temperature compensation in pressure sensors. Metrology and Measurement Systems. https://doi.org/10.24425/mms.2025.152773

Wu, T., Wang, H., Huang, Z., & Maddaiah, P. N. (2025). Optimal tracking differentiator algorithm for accurate pressure scanner measurements. Instrumentation Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/10739149.2025.2556107

Liu, C., Wang, H., Zhu, H., Zhou, W., & Zhao, H. (2025). Optimized design of support points in solar panels based on thermal deformation analysis. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 3039(1), 012004. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/3039/1/012004

Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani | Birmingham City University | United Kingdom

Dr. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani is an accomplished researcher in electrical and electronic engineering, specializing in embedded systems, automation, and control engineering. His multidisciplinary research integrates hardware design, sensor networks, and artificial intelligence to develop innovative and energy-efficient solutions for real-world challenges. With over a decade of experience in academia and applied research, Dr. Gilani has contributed significantly to the advancement of embedded control technologies, renewable energy optimization, and industrial automation systems. His work emphasizes intelligent system design, IoT-based automation, and the integration of machine learning algorithms for enhanced performance and sustainability. Dr. Gilani has published extensively in high-impact journals and presented at leading international conferences, reflecting his global engagement and scientific rigor. He has also supervised numerous research projects and guided students in developing practical applications of emerging technologies. His research outputs demonstrate a strong commitment to technological innovation that bridges the gap between theory and application. Recognized for his academic excellence and collaborative research initiatives, Dr. Gilani continues to advance cutting-edge developments that contribute to the evolution of smart, adaptive, and efficient engineering systems—making him a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | LinkedIn | Research Gate

Featured Publications 

Gilani, S. A. M., & Faccia, A. (2021). Broadband connectivity, government policies, and open innovation: The crucial IT infrastructure contribution in Scotland. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8010001

Gilani, S. A. M., Copiaco, A., Gernal, L., Yasin, N., Nair, G., & Anwar, I. (2023). Savior or distraction for survival: Examining the applicability of machine learning for rural family farms in the United Arab Emirates. Sustainability, 15(4), 3720. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043720

Gilani, S., Gernal, L., Tantry, A., Yasin, N., & Sergio, R. (2022). Leadership styles adopted by Scottish micro-businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Business and Technology (pp. 144–156). Springer.

Al Jaghoub, J., Suleiman, A., Takshe, A. A., Moussa, S., Gilani, S. A. M., Sheikh, S., & others. (2024). The role of innovation in waste management for enterprises: A critical review of the worldwide literature. In Technology-Driven Business Innovation (pp. 453–464). Springer.

Gernal, L., Tantry, A., Gilani, S. A. M., & Peel, R. (2024). The impact of online learning and soft skills on college student satisfaction and course feedback. In Technology-Driven Business Innovation: Unleashing the Digital Advantage (pp. 42–54). Springer.

Gilani, S. A. M., Tantry, A., Askri, S., Gernal, L., & Sergio, R. (2023). Adoption of machine learning by rural farms: A systematic review. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Computing and Informatics (pp. 324–335). Springer.

Bao Liu | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Bao Liu | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Bao Liu | Xi’an University of Science and Technology | China

Dr. Liu Bao is an Associate Professor and Academic Leader in the field of Pattern Recognition and Intelligent Systems at the School of Electrical and Control Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, where he also serves as a Graduate Supervisor and Project-based Ph.D. Supervisor. He earned his doctorate in engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University, completed postdoctoral research at Xi’an University of Science and Technology, and broadened his academic experience as a visiting fellow at Macquarie University in Australia. Recognized as a Senior Data Analyst by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, Dr. Liu is an active member of several national academic societies and professional committees. His research focuses on multi-source information fusion and intelligent technologies for coal fire disaster prevention and control, integrating advanced computational and automation techniques to address complex industrial challenges. Throughout his career, he has led diverse national, provincial, and industry-based research projects and contributed extensively to scientific publications and technological innovation through patents and software developments. As a committed educator and mentor, Dr. Liu has inspired students to excel in academic and professional pursuits and has been honored with multiple awards recognizing his dedication to teaching, research, and academic service.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Liu, B., Liu, Q., & Wu, Z. (2026, February). A novel robust Student’s t scale mixture distribution based Kalman filter. Signal Processing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sigpro.2025.110296

Liu, B., Wu, Z., & Liu, Q. (2025). Gaussian mixture model-based variational Bayesian approach for extended target tracking. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2025.3565347

Liu, B., & Jiang, W. (2024). DFKD: Dynamic focused knowledge distillation approach for insulator defect detection. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2024.3485446

Liu, B., & Jiang, W. (2024, December). LA-YOLO: Bidirectional adaptive feature fusion approach for small object detection of insulator self-explosion defects. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRD.2024.3467915

Liu, B., Zhou, N., & Wang, Z. (2024, December 27). DFI-YOLOv8 based defect detection method for fan blades. In Proceedings of the 2024 Conference on [Insert Conference Name]. https://doi.org/10.1145/3722405.3722437