Edwin Tonderai Mombeshora | Energy Materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Edwin Tonderai Mombeshora | Energy Materials | Best Researcher Award

University of Pretoria | South Africa

Dr. Edwin Tonderai Mombeshora is a materials chemist and academic currently serving as Lecturer in Physical Chemistry at the University of Pretoria (since January 2025), where he teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses, supervises honours and postgraduate students, and coordinates second-year Physical Chemistry practicals, with a research focus on materials development and physicochemical characterization for energy storage applications. He previously lectured in Physical and Materials Chemistry at the University of Zimbabwe (2022–2024) and held several research positions, including Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Swansea University, and the University of the Witwatersrand, specializing in nanomaterials science, electrochemical energy storage systems, biorefinery, and energy conversion. Dr. Mombeshora earned his PhD (2018) and MSc (2015) in Materials Chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a BSc Honours in Chemistry (2011) from the University of Zimbabwe. His expertise spans nanotechnology, carbon materials, and energy devices such as solar cells and supercapacitors. He is the recipient of several prestigious fellowships and research grants, including awards from the Water Research Commission, the Australia Africa Universities Network, and the University of Johannesburg’s Global Excellence Stature Fellowship, as well as the SACI Postgraduate Award (2018). Dr. Mombeshora has supervised and mentored students across undergraduate, MSc, and PhD levels, contributed to international conferences, served as guest editor for MDPI’s Processes, and co-authored research articles in leading journals such as RSC Materials Advances, Journal of Materials Science, and Journal of Nanobiotechnology. He is also co-inventor of a US-patented electroconductive composite (2020) and an active member of professional bodies including the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the South African Chemical Institute (SACI).

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Pristine graphene oxide treatment of wastewater from a typical sub-tropical mine in Chegutu, Zimbabwe"

"Towards high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells by utilizing reduced graphene oxide-based composites as potential alternatives to conventional electrodes: A review"

"The prospects of biologically derived materials in perovskite solar cells"

"Towards high-performance lithium-ion batteries by introducing graphene-based materials into LiFePO4 cathodes: A review"

"Dynamics of reduced graphene oxide: synthesis and structural models"

Jamie Rice | AI in Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jamie Rice | AI in Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Fiona Stanley Hospital | Australia

Author Profile

Orcid ID

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Jamie Rice’s academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both clinical medicine and biomedical sciences. Having completed an intercalated MSc in Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience) at Trinity College Dublin in 2021 with First-Class Honours, he advanced to earn his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 2023, also with honours. During this period, his excellence was consistently recognized, including First-Class Honours in Integrated Medical and Surgical Science and Practice. His academic diligence was further evident through distinctions in Health Professions Education modules during his postgraduate diploma at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), expected in 2025.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Rice currently serves as a Clinical Tutor and Lecturer in Anaesthesia and Critical Care at RCSI, where he is responsible for teaching final-year medical students through lectures, bedside tutorials, case-based learning, and high-fidelity simulation. His professional career includes clinical rotations in surgery, orthopaedics, nephrology, and acute medicine, which provided him with diverse clinical exposure. Beyond clinical care, he has actively contributed to curriculum design, assessment development, and innovative educational approaches, including the creation of an anaesthesia and critical care podcast.

Contributions and Research Focus

A consistent thread throughout Dr. Rice’s career has been his commitment to advancing medical education and clinical practice through research. His research interests span medical education methodologies, perioperative care, and the integration of technology in clinical teaching. His projects include the evaluation of peer instruction in anaesthesia education, enhancing engagement through Crisis Resource Management principles, and improving perioperative medication compliance through digital solutions. He has also been engaged in quality improvement projects, such as optimizing perioperative fasting practices and perioperative temperature management.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Rice’s influence extends across both academia and clinical education. He has presented at national and international conferences, including the European Society for Emergency Medicine Congress and the International Clinical Skills Conference in Tuscany. His work in simulation-based learning, curriculum development, and research dissemination has shaped medical education practices in anaesthesia and critical care. Moreover, his leadership roles, such as Surgical Intern Representative at Tallaght University Hospital, highlight his ability to support and advocate for colleagues, reinforcing his impact beyond academic outputs.

Academic Citations

Dr. Rice’s academic contributions include co-authorship of peer-reviewed publications such as Prescribers’ knowledge of drug costs: a contemporary Irish study (2021), as well as book chapters in the upcoming Royal College of Surgeons Surgical Handbook for Medical Students. His published essay in the British & Irish Association of Stroke Physicians’ newsletter and his accepted conference abstracts further contribute to his growing body of scholarly work, cited in both clinical and educational literature.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Rice’s trajectory suggests a dual legacy in both clinical excellence and educational innovation. His early achievements, awards, and international recognition demonstrate a career committed to advancing patient care and fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. With ongoing research projects targeting simulation engagement, peer instruction, and interdisciplinary teaching, his future contributions are poised to further shape anaesthesia education and critical care practice. His commitment to combining evidence-based medicine with innovative pedagogy sets the foundation for a long-lasting academic and clinical legacy.

Conclusion

Dr. Jamie Rice represents a new generation of clinician-educators who balance clinical practice, teaching, and research with equal dedication. His early academic achievements, professional teaching roles, and research contributions highlight a trajectory toward becoming a leading figure in anaesthesia and critical care education. By integrating innovation with clinical excellence, Dr. Rice continues to impact patient care and medical education, leaving a lasting influence on both current practice and future generations of healthcare professionals.

Notable Publications

“Assessing Artificial Intelligence as a Diagnostic Support Tool for Surgical Admissions in the Emergency Department

  • Author: Jamie Rice; Eoin Ó’Briain; Conor J. Kilkenny; Richard E. Hogan; Tom V. McIntyre; Dara Kavanagh; Paul C. Neary; James M. O’Riordan; Shaheel M. Sahebally
  • Journal: Journal of Surgical Education
  • Year: 2025

"‏AB086. SOH24AB_204. Day case discectomies: a feasible option in Ireland?

  • Author: Niall Fahey; Jamie Rice; Ryan Roopnarinesingh; Elne Nappe; Clare O’Connor; Martin Murphy; Joseph Fournier‏
  • Journal: Mesentery and Peritoneum
  • Year: 2024

"AB162. SOH24AB_095. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia complicating orthopaedic surgery: a challenging case in an elderly patient

  • Author: Jamie Rice; Diarmuid Molony
  • Journal: Mesentery and Peritoneum
  • Year: 2024

"Healing plants of post famine Ireland

  • Author: Eoin O’Bríon; Robbie Kelleher; Jamie Rice; Helen Sheridan‏
  • Journal: Planta Medica‏
  • Year: 2021

"Prescribers’ knowledge of drug costs: a contemporary Irish study

  • Author: Cormac Kennedy; Amelia Smith; Eoin O’Brien; Jamie Rice; Michael Barry
  • Journal: Drugs & Therapy Perspectives
  • Year: 2021

 

Hongjuan Yang | Technological Networks | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hongjuan Yang | Technological Networks | Best Researcher Award

Jiangnan University | China

Author Profile

 

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Hongjuan Yang began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Information Engineering from the Ocean University of China in 2017. Demonstrating early promise and commitment to scientific advancement, she pursued a doctoral degree in Acoustics at the prestigious Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Under the supervision of Academician Chenghao Wang, she specialized in ultrasonic imaging, laying a strong theoretical and technical foundation that would shape her future contributions in the field of nondestructive testing and composite materials.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Yang’s professional trajectory has been marked by a steady progression in academia and research. After completing her doctorate, she joined the Dalian University of Technology as a postdoctoral researcher and assistant researcher from 2022 to 2025, where she focused on ultrasonic phased array inspection of composite materials under the guidance of Professor Zhanjun Wu. In July 2025, she was appointed Associate Professor at Jiangnan University, China, further establishing her academic presence and leadership in ultrasonic diagnostics and structural health monitoring.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGICAL NETWORKS

Dr. Yang’s primary research contributions revolve around ultrasonic wave propagation, phased array imaging, and nondestructive evaluation of advanced composite materials, particularly carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs). Her work innovatively integrates energy compensation algorithms, reverse time migration, and machine learning to improve the detection and imaging of structural defects in composite structures. She has led national-level scientific projects, including the Youth Science Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and a Doctoral Research Startup Project under the Liaoning Provincial Natural Science Foundation. These projects highlight her technical ingenuity in developing new methods for ultrasonic inspection of irregular and thick-walled CFRPs.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Yang’s influence in the field of ultrasonic imaging and nondestructive evaluation is evident through her impressive portfolio of scholarly publications and citations. As the first or corresponding author, she has published nine SCI-indexed papers—six of which appeared in JCR Q1 journals—alongside four EI-indexed papers. Her publications in leading journals such as Ultrasonics, Composite Structures, and Measurement demonstrate both breadth and depth in theoretical and applied acoustics. Notably, one of her review papers has amassed 85 citations, and another has been recognized as a “highly cited paper” with 161 citations, underscoring the academic relevance and practical significance of her work.

ACADEMIC CITES AND PATENTS

Dr. Yang’s academic visibility is amplified by the high citation rates of her most influential papers. Her collaborative work in guided ultrasonic wave-based structural health monitoring is particularly recognized internationally. In addition to her publications, Dr. Yang holds four national invention patents in China. These patents include innovations in ultrasonic imaging and deep learning-based damage detection in bonded structures, showcasing her ability to translate scientific insight into applicable technologies. One of her patent-based methods has been granted authorization in 2024, and another in 2025, indicating her continuous commitment to real-world impact.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Dr. Yang has received significant recognition for her scientific excellence. Her paper on ultrasonic testing of carbon fiber composites was selected for promotion under the China Association for Science and Technology’s “Bilingual Communication Project 2024,” a prestigious honor that highlights the academic value and international relevance of her research. She also earned the “Excellence Award” at the Second National Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition – Liaoning Selection, reflecting her distinction in postdoctoral research and innovation.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

As a rising academic leader, Dr. Hongjuan Yang is shaping the future of nondestructive testing through her interdisciplinary expertise in acoustics, mechanics, and artificial intelligence. Her legacy lies in the integration of physical modeling and data-driven algorithms for complex composite material analysis. Looking forward, her ongoing projects are poised to further redefine ultrasonic phased array technology by addressing structural irregularities in real-world applications. Her future contributions are expected to bridge scientific rigor with industrial applications, fostering smarter, safer, and more sustainable material diagnostics in aerospace, automotive, and civil engineering sectors.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Beyond her research and teaching, Dr. Yang serves as a reviewer for reputed journals like Research in Nondestructive Evaluation, contributing to academic peer review and quality assurance in her domain. Her collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary projects enhance academic partnerships and foster innovation. As an associate professor, she continues to mentor the next generation of researchers and engineers, reinforcing her role as a thought leader in ultrasonic science and engineering.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

"Modeling and designing of a phased array comprising piezoelectric stack transducer for ultrasonic Lamb wave-based damage detection

  • Author: Hongjuan Yang
  • Journal: Structural Health Monitoring
  • Year: 2025