Kevin Hughes is a Senior Lecturer in the Energy Engineering Group at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Sheffield. He holds a PhD and first degree in Chemistry from the University of Leicester (1987) and focuses on fuel combustion, fuel cells, and process modelling in carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems. His research combines experimental and theoretical approaches, including planar laser diagnostics, quantum chemistry, and CFD simulations. Education: PhD and BSc in Chemistry from University of Leicester. Research Interests: Fuel combustion, pollutant chemistry, PEM fuel cells, CCS process modelling, catalyst development, and combustion in supercritical CO2. Grant Projects: FP7-ENERGY-2010-2 (RELCOM), Gas-FACTS (EPSRC), EP/J020788/1, EP/M001482/1 (Selective EGR), TEABPP (Energy Technology Institute). Scientific Contributions Publications: Over 50 papers on fuel combustion mechanisms, fuel cell optimization, CCS systems, and alternative fuels. Collaborations: Regular work with M. Pourkashanian, D.B. Ingham, S. Michailos, and M.S. Ismail. Technical Expertise Chemical Kinetics Validation Quantum Chemistry Applications Gas Diffusion Layer Analysis Surrogate Fuel Development Supercritical Combustion
Rakesh Agrawal is the Winthrop E. Stone Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University's College of Engineering. His research focuses on sustainable chemical processes, energy systems, and advanced materials. Key affiliations include the Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering programs. He actively contributes to committees such as the Dean's Awards Committee and institutional awards and honors initiatives. His research interests span chalcogenide perovskite synthesis, energy-efficient distillation systems, photovoltaic technologies (especially agrivoltaics), and electrification of chemical plants. Notable work includes developing low-temperature perovskite fabrication methods, optimizing distillation configurations via MINLP formulations, and advancing agrivoltaic systems for dual energy and crop productivity. Recent publications emphasize breakthroughs in BaZrS3 synthesis, electrified ethylene cracking towers, and energy storage strategies for renewable integration. His work bridges chemical engineering fundamentals with real-world applications in sustainability and materials innovation. Dr. Agrawal collaborates extensively on projects involving solution-processed semiconductors, electron microscopy adaptations for material analysis, and process intensification. His lab focuses on translating laboratory discoveries into scalable industrial and environmental solutions.
Vladimir Mahalec is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University. With a career spanning over four decades, his scholarly activity shows consistent publication output from 1977 through 2025, with particular intensity in recent years. He maintains an active teaching schedule, offering graduate courses including Systems Modeling and Optimization (CHEMENG 753, SEP 752), Leadership for Innovation (SEP 773), and M.Eng. Project courses. Professor Mahalec's research interests focus on the intersection of chemical engineering process optimization, hybrid modeling techniques, and sustainable energy systems. His work bridges traditional chemical engineering with modern computational approaches, particularly in refinery planning, distillation tower modeling, and carbon footprint reduction. He has developed innovative methodologies such as inventory pinch algorithms for gasoline blend planning and hybrid models combining first-principles with data-driven approaches for process monitoring and optimization. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with traditional process engineering. His work increasingly focuses on sustainability challenges, particularly zero-emission energy systems and greenhouse gas reduction strategies. The publications show a progression from purely process engineering topics toward interdisciplinary work combining chemical engineering, computer science, and environmental science. Professor Mahalec has maintained a productive research program with consistent publication output across multiple high-impact journals including Computers and Chemical Engineering , AIChE Journal , and Energy . His co-author network includes notable researchers such as Prashant Mhaskar (8 publications), Robert Fleisig, and Christopher Swartz. In the classroom, Professor Mahalec teaches advanced courses focused on systems modeling, optimization, and innovation leadership. His teaching portfolio demonstrates commitment to both technical depth in chemical engineering systems and broader skills development for engineering leadership. He has supervised numerous capstone design projects and M.Eng. projects, guiding students through complex process engineering challenges.
DING Yulong is a Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia (2012) and M.S./B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tsinghua University (2008/2005). His research focuses on Internet of Things (IoT) , Industrial IoT Safety and Security , Public Safety , and Low Power Wide Area Network Communication Technology . Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of British Columbia (2012) M.S., Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University (2008) B.S., Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University (2005) His work bridges IoT applications with cyber-physical systems, emphasizing safety-security requirement conflicts , anomaly detection in industrial processes, and low-power communication protocols like LoRa. He has pioneered methods for real-time positioning using UWB and reinforcement learning for network resource allocation. His scientific awards include the 2014 Shenzhen Overseas High-level Talents (Class B). He supervises research projects in industrial IoT security and mentors students in grant applications, protocol design, and cyber-physical systems. His lab is based in Room 645A, South Tower, College of Engineering, SUSTech.
Nikola Markovic is an Associate Professor in the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Utah, specializing in applications of operations research and data science to transportation problems. His research spans paratransit optimization, work zone safety, airport operations, and disaster response logistics. Dr. Markovic earned his educational qualifications in Transportation Engineering, including a BS from the University of Belgrade, and both MS and PhD degrees from the University of Maryland. His research focuses on applying advanced computational methods to solve practical transportation challenges. Key areas include optimizing paratransit services for individuals with disabilities, improving snowplow routing in Utah, enhancing work zone safety through computer vision, and developing systems for airport operations monitoring at non-towered airports. His work often involves collaboration with transportation agencies and industry partners to ensure practical applicability. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating machine learning techniques with traditional transportation engineering problems. His work frequently employs advanced methods like generative adversarial networks, deep learning, and optimization algorithms to address complex transportation challenges across multiple domains including paratransit, work zones, airports, and disaster response. Nominated for the Early Career Teaching award (2023 and 2021) Ranked among top 15% instructors in the College of Engineering (2022) Winner of Transportation Science and Logistics Best Paper Award from INFORMS (2022) Winner of National ACRP student design competition (2021) Dr. Markovic has advised numerous graduate students through thesis research courses in transportation engineering. His grant portfolio includes significant funding from the Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Transit Authority, and National Science Foundation, supporting research in accessibility, work zone safety, and paratransit service improvement. Current projects include enhancing accessibility for individuals with limited mobility using AI and cycling data, measuring roadside feature impacts on crashes, and developing technology integration for disadvantaged communities. His laboratory work focuses on transportation data analytics, with emphasis on computer vision applications for infrastructure monitoring and optimization algorithms for transportation operations. Current team projects involve developing systems for non-towered airport monitoring, improving paratransit services through technology integration, and optimizing emergency response after seismic events.
