Assoc. Prof. Aydın Demir is a faculty member at Karadeniz Technical University's Faculty of Forestry, specializing in Forest Industry Engineering. He holds an Associate Professorship since 2025 and previously served as an Assistant Professor (2023–2025). His academic roles include Deputy Head of Department and managerial positions at the university's teaching and learning center. Education: PhD in Forest Industry Engineering (Karadeniz Technical University, 2019), MSc in Forest Industry Engineering (2014), and BSc in Forest Industry Engineering (Istanbul University, 2010). Research focuses on wood mechanics, CLT durability, fire-retardant treatments, CNC processing optimization, and structural timber applications. He has published ~86 papers (including 25 in Scopus-indexed journals) and led 6 funded projects. Notable awards include 2010 Faculty Top Student honor. Key contributions include CLT performance optimization, fire-resistant materials, and AI-driven process modeling. Active in international conferences and authored book chapters on structural composites and bamboo utilization.
Dr. Wei Wang is a Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow at the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, UNSW Sydney. His research focuses on sustainable and smart materials, energy storage safety, and infrastructure resilience. He holds dual PhDs from City University of Hong Kong and University of Science & Technology of China (2019). Research interests include fire-resistant materials, lithium battery safety, bio-inspired coatings, and advanced materials modelling using AI and molecular dynamics. Dr. Wang has published over 110 peer-reviewed articles, with a H-index of 39. Awards include Stanford's Top 2% Highly Cited Scientists (2021–2023) and ARC DECRA Fellow (2023). Current grants include UNSW MME School Infrastructure Scheme (2023), ARC DECRA (2023), and collaborative projects on energy storage and fire safety. Supervises PhD and postgraduate students in materials science and engineering, with a focus on antistatic/fire-resistant coatings and battery safety. Teaches the Vertically Integrated Project course “Fighting Fires with Science” and contributes to editorial roles in journals like Energy Materials and Polymers . Active in industry collaborations, including with Fire and Rescue NSW on electric vehicle fire safety.
Nadine Baluc is a researcher at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with unit PH-SB. Her work focuses on advanced materials for fusion energy applications, including oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels and precious alloys. She investigates microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, and thermal behavior under extreme conditions. Key areas include the influence of thermo-mechanical processing on gold alloys and the development of fusion reactor materials tested in facilities like IFMIF and ITER. Research interests span materials science, nuclear engineering, and metallurgy. Her studies often involve synchrotron X-ray diffraction, high-heat-flux testing, and mechanical alloying techniques. Collaborations with units like SPc and CRPP highlight interdisciplinary efforts in fusion technology and material fabrication. Publications emphasize ODS steel optimization, precipitation kinetics, and radiation-resistant materials. Recent work explores ordered nanodomains in gold alloys and high-frequency magnetic sensors for ITER diagnostics. Nadine’s contributions bridge fundamental materials research with practical fusion energy applications.
Associate Professor Jin Zhang is a Scientia Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. She leads research in functional composites, polymer nanocomposites for energy harvesting, lightweight structures, and biodegradable materials. Her work spans energy systems, aerospace composites, and smart textiles. She holds an ARC Future Fellowship and has supervised 14 PhD students to completion. Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (Deakin University, 2007), Master and Bachelor in Materials Science/Engineering from Hebei University of Technology, China. Research focuses on triboelectric energy harvesting, aerospace composites, and 3D printing. She has secured grants from ARC, industry partners, and government programs, including projects on battery materials, composite manufacturing, and biodegradable packaging. Awards include Endeavour Fellowship (2012), Victoria Fellowship (2013), and recognition in Stanford/Elsevier’s Top 2% Scientists (2019–2023). Her students have received prestigious awards and pursue careers in academia and industry. Engagement includes supervising UNSW’s Redback Racing Formula SAE Team and teaching courses in composites, materials science, and manufacturing. Her research has societal impacts in sustainable materials and safety infrastructure.
Dr. Juliana Calabria-Holley is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Bath. She holds multiple affiliations with research centers including the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Centre for Regenerative Design & Engineering, and Centre for Integrated Materials, Processes & Structures. Her research focuses on nanotechnology applications for sustainable construction materials. Education: Doctor of Engineering in Materials Science and Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil & Imperial College London Master of Engineering in Materials Science and Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais Bachelor of Architecture, Federal University of Minas Gerais Research Interests: Dr. Calabria-Holley specializes in nanotechnology-enhanced cementitious systems, sol-gel surface engineering, adsorption processes, and micro/nanostructure design of sustainable building materials. Her interdisciplinary work bridges architecture and materials science, focusing on low-carbon solutions and functional interfaces in construction materials, with applications in heritage conservation and modern sustainable design. Publications: Her 52 research outputs demonstrate consistent focus on nanotechnology applications in construction materials, with recent emphasis on bamboo composites, lime mortar optimization, and pozzolanic activation. Trend analysis reveals progression from fundamental nanostructure studies to applied sustainable material solutions. Projects & Activities: Principal Investigator for 'Pioneering Engineered MYCOmposites' and AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Project on lime-based substrates Co-Investigator for 'REECO-SOIL' (regenerative retrofitting) and 'Scaled-up mechanochemical activation' projects Organizer for 'The Elephant Game – Beyond Bricks and Mortars' seminar (2025)
Professor Hamid Vali Pour Goudarzi is a distinguished academic in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he serves as a Professor specializing in structural engineering. His research focuses on innovative hybrid structural systems combining steel, concrete, and timber, with particular emphasis on developing efficient computational models for structural analysis under extreme loading conditions. Dr. Valipour earned his PhD from UNSW in 2009, following an MEngSc from Tehran University (1998) and a B.E. in Civil Engineering from the University of Tehran Polytechnic (1997). His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to structural mechanics and engineering innovation. His research interests span the behavior of innovative hybrid structures that exploit the advantages of timber, steel, and concrete, with particular focus on developing 1D frame finite element models capable of capturing material and geometrical nonlinearities under extreme loading scenarios such as blasts and earthquakes. He is also deeply engaged in constitutive modeling of concrete and timber, and has research goals centered on developing structural systems with lower energy and carbon footprints, as well as structures that are easier to fabricate, assemble, and dismantle. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on timber-based composite structures, with significant work on steel-timber-concrete hybrid systems. His research demonstrates expertise in both experimental testing and advanced computational modeling, with particular emphasis on connection behavior, long-term performance, and failure mechanisms of innovative structural systems. A notable trend in his work is the increasing focus on sustainability and deconstruction potential in structural design. Malcolm Chaikin prize including university medal (2009) for research excellence in PhD studies within the Faculty of Engineering at UNSW Research Excellence Award (2011) from the Concrete Institute of Australia Professor Valipour currently supervises 10 PhD students with 17 having already graduated under his guidance. His research is supported by multiple ARC grants including DP220101038 'Torsion in innovative timber composite floors', DP220100841 'Connections for hybrid steel-timber-concrete structures', and DP160104092 'Composite Steel-Timber Structural System'. His professional service includes editorial roles with the Journal of Structural Engineering (ASCE) and Structures (IStrucE). He leads an active research laboratory focused on structural testing and computational modeling of hybrid structural systems, with particular emphasis on connections between different materials and the long-term behavior of composite structures under varying environmental conditions.
Leigh Fleming is currently the Acting Dean for the School of Computing and Engineering at the University of Huddersfield. She holds a PhD in "The Use of 3D Analysis Techniques to Investigate the Wear of Femoral Stems in Total Hip Replacement" and previously worked at DePuy International in research and testing. Research Expertise: Metrology, Medical Engineering, Wear Testing, Smart Homes, Surface Characterization, Assistive Technologies Key Collaborations: Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention, Centre for Precision Technologies Research Trends: Combines metrology with healthcare innovations, focusing on skin interfaces and pressure ulcer prevention, while advancing SMART home technologies for health outcomes. Recent work spans 3D analysis, AI applications in wound care, and defect detection in photovoltaics. Scientific Recognition: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy h-index of 14 (Scopus) Teaching and Leadership: Instructs Materials Science, Thermofluids, and Research Methods. Actively promotes Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and social mobility through higher education.
Ghasan Doudak is a Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering. He currently serves as Vice-Dean of EDI and Governance. His expertise spans structural systems’ multi-scale analysis, including windstorm, earthquake, and blast resistance in timber and hybrid buildings. He holds a Ph.D. from McGill University, an M.Sc. from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and a BASc from DTU. His research focuses on mid-rise wood buildings, blast-resistant design, and code development, supported by collaborations with institutions like the NSERC Strategic Network on Innovative Wood Products and Building Systems (NEWBuildS). Key research areas include timber structure behavior under dynamic loads, CLT shearwall performance with openings, and energy-absorbing connections. He has advised on national and international standards, including CSA 086 and CSA S850. Notable achievements include the 2008 Forest Products Laboratory Young Engineer Award for contributions to wood engineering. Dr. Doudak’s work bridges academia and industry, with past roles at the Canadian Wood Council shaping construction codes. His lab collaborations include the University of New Brunswick, ETH Zurich, and Penn State. Current projects emphasize sustainable retrofitting using mass timber and enhancing seismic resilience in light-frame buildings.
Prof Jay Sanjayan is a Professor and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Engineering. His research focuses on concrete materials technology, including 3D printing, low-carbon geopolymer concrete, and waste utilization. He has authored over 550 publications, achieving a citations H-index of 101. His work emphasizes sustainable construction and digital automation in infrastructure. Research interests include optimizing 3D printed concrete properties, fire resistance of ultra-high-performance materials, and lifecycle analysis of printed structures. Recent articles highlight advancements in carbon sequestration, geopolymer innovation, and waste paint utilization. Awards: Fellow of Engineers Australia, Honorary Member of the Concrete Institute of Australia. Grants: Over 50 projects funded by organizations like the Australian Research Council and SmartCrete CRC, addressing topics from 3D printing technology to pavement applications. Supervision: Active in guiding PhD/Master's students on 3D printing, geopolymer concrete, and sustainable infrastructure. His lab, the Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure, drives industry collaboration through projects like recyclable material integration and carbon reduction strategies.
Hongyu 'Nick' Zhou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, within the Tickle College of Engineering. He joined the university in August 2019 after serving on the faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He leads the Sustainable and Adaptive Built Environment (SABE) Group, focusing on transformative research in sustainable, energy-efficient, and resilient infrastructure systems. PhD in Civil Engineering, Arizona State University, 2013 MSE in Civil Engineering, Arizona State University, 2012 BS in Civil Engineering, Tongji University, China, 2010 Dr. Zhou's research spans smart and energy-efficient buildings, bio-inspired materials, additive construction, and cyber-physical systems in infrastructure. His work integrates materials innovation, structural design, and advanced manufacturing to enhance building performance and sustainability. He emphasizes multi-scale, multi-physics analysis and the development of carbon-negative and adaptive construction technologies. The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent focus on sustainable cementitious composites, 3D printing of concrete, thermal and mechanical performance of lightweight materials, and bio-inspired design. The research trends emphasize energy efficiency, resilience, and the integration of functional materials into structural systems, supported by advanced modeling and experimental techniques. Scientific Awards: New Faculty Research Award, UAH, 2015 Individual Investigator Distinguished Research Award, UAH, 2014 Higher Education Research Experience (HERE) Fellow, ORAU, 2012 Dr. Zhou actively advises graduate and undergraduate research assistants, including Adam Brooks, Yawen He, and Zhenglai Shen. His research is supported by prestigious grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), and DOE REMADE Institute. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Sustainable Cement-based Materials , contributing to the advancement of sustainable construction science. The SABE Group conducts interdisciplinary research in biomimicry, robotic construction, building weatherization for vulnerable communities, and multi-sensory inspection. The group collaborates with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and other institutions, leveraging neutron imaging and large-scale 3D printing to push the boundaries of material science and construction technology.
Eva Paz Jiménez is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the School of Engineering (ICAI), Universidad Pontificia Comillas, where she has been a faculty member since 2013. She conducts her research at the Institute for Research in Technology (IIT), focusing on biomaterials, nanotechnology, and adhesives. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in engineering. PhD in Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (2017) MSc in Production Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Industrial Engineering (Chemical), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Her research interests are centered on biomaterials, bone cements, nanocomposites, carbon-based materials, mechanical characterization, and adhesive technologies . She applies these to biomedical applications, particularly in orthopedics and tissue engineering. Her work integrates 3D printing, nanomaterial reinforcement, and functionalization techniques to enhance material performance. She has developed novel bone cements with improved antimicrobial and mechanical properties. Her recent publications highlight a strong trend in 3D-printed scaffolds, graphene-reinforced polymers, self-sensing implants, and advanced drug delivery systems . These works span high-impact journals in materials science, biomedical engineering, and nanotechnology, reflecting interdisciplinary innovation in regenerative medicine and smart biomaterials. Distinción Honorífica a la mejor Tesis Doctoral en Ingeniería (2018) Premio Fundación SECOT (2016, 2013) Mejor artículo en Científica Dental (2015) Premio Loctite al mejor Proyecto Fin de Carrera (2011) Mejor comunicación oral, XI Congreso de Adhesión (2010) Director del mejor PFC ICAI (2023) Eva Paz Jiménez has supervised multiple PhD students and leads several research projects, including EU-funded initiatives like Graphene-enhanced 3D printed biodegradable scaffolds for bone regeneration. She collaborates with industry partners such as Thales Alenia Space and Tecnalia, and has contributed to technical training and patent development. She is an active member of the scientific community, serving as an editor for special issues and presenting at international conferences. She is involved in the Biomedical Materials and Adhesives research group at IIT, where her team develops innovative materials for medical applications. Her lab integrates additive manufacturing, mechanical testing, and nanomaterial synthesis to advance the next generation of biomedical devices.
Bernardeta Dębska is a Professor at the Department of General Construction, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Rzeszów University of Technology. Her primary research focuses on sustainable building materials, polymer composites modified with waste, and statistical modeling in materials science. She teaches courses on Building Materials and Advanced Construction Technologies. Her organizational roles include chairing the Faculty Committee for Education Quality Assurance, serving on the University Commission for Education Quality Assurance, and being Secretary of the Disciplinary Council for Civil Engineering. She actively participates in the Solina Conferences dedicated to sustainable development and energy-efficient technologies in construction. Her scientific work emphasizes waste utilization in composites, thermal properties analysis, and chemical resistance of materials. She leads research in the Building Materials and Building Physics Laboratories, contributing to innovative construction solutions through experimental and theoretical studies.
Florian Zeeh, born 1990, is a Lecturer for Hybrid Sound Composition and Advanced Systems at the Institute for Music and Media, Robert Schumann University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf. He studied at the Robert Schumann Academy of Music in Düsseldorf, KABK The Hague, and Royal Conservatoire The Hague, focusing on interdisciplinary boundaries and methodological bridges between art forms. His research interests span algorithmic composition , audiovisual installations , and technological epistemology . He explores how technical systems "color" artistic output, emphasizing critical engagement with tools through workshops like The Colour of Doing and collaborative works with Partita Radicale. Key projects include Geosonic Landscape (2024) examining ecological transitions through sound/video, Long-term study @ Bandfabrik (2022) on temporal experimentation, and could change (2021) critiquing technological mediation. His work has been supported by the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia and various local cultural offices. Teaching philosophy emphasizes technological transparency and critical decision-making in artistic practice. Collaborations with artists like Lennart Melzer and Mavi Garcia explore themes of repetition , failure , and systemic critique across multimedia formats.
Professor Ali Nadjai is a distinguished academic at Ulster University , holding the title of Professor of Fire Structural Engineering in the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment . He serves as the Director of the Fire Safety Engineering Research Technology Centre (FireSERT), leading strategic research and managing state-of-the-art fire laboratories across the UK and Ireland. His career spans over three decades, including roles as Lecturer, Reader, and Professor at Ulster since 1995. BEng, Annaba University (1985) MSc, Heriot-Watt University (1988) PhD, University of Sheffield (1992) Professor Nadjai's research focuses on fire safety engineering , structural performance in fire , and computational modeling of fire dynamics. He has pioneered studies on travelling fires , steel and concrete behavior under extreme heat , and CFD-based fire propagation models , contributing to global design standards. His publications (over 120) and projects (19) emphasize fire-structure interactions , material degradation , and CFD/FEM simulations . Recent work explores toxic chemical transfer in firefighter gear and fire spread in large compartments , aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals for safety and sustainability. Outstanding Paper Award (2022) for collaborative work on fire dynamics He has supervised 20 PhD projects and currently mentors 8 research students , with grants exceeding £10 million from EPSRC, EU, USA, South Korea, and industry partners. His leadership in projects like TRAFIR and Numerical Modelling of Thermo-mechanical Behavior underscores his influence in fire engineering.
