Kaan Koçali | Health and Safety | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Kaan Koçali | Health and Safety | Best Researcher Award

Kaan Koçali at Istanbul Gelisim University, Turkey

Author Profile

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Summary

Dr. Kaan Koçali is a Doctor Lecturer at Istanbul Gelişim University, specializing in Occupational Health and Safety. With a multidisciplinary academic background in mining engineering, occupational safety, and entrepreneurship, he combines extensive field experience with active contributions to international academic forums. He has held several administrative roles and has been recognized with numerous awards for his research excellence and academic performance, both nationally and internationally.

Educational Background

Dr. Koçali earned his Ph.D. in Occupational Health and Safety from Istanbul Aydın University in 2021, with a dissertation focused on the legal responsibilities of permanent supervisors in mines within the framework of Turkish laws 3213 and 6331. He holds two master’s degrees: one in Mining Engineering (thesis-based) from Istanbul University, where he investigated the effects of boron compounds on solar panels, and a non-thesis master’s in Occupational Health and Safety from Istanbul Aydın University. Additionally, he completed bachelor's degrees in Mining Engineering (Istanbul University, 2011), Business Administration (Anadolu University, 2022), and Entrepreneurship (Istanbul Kültür University, 2025 - ongoing).

Professional Experience

Since August 2021, Dr. Koçali has served as a Doctor Lecturer at Istanbul Gelişim University, Istanbul Gelişim Vocational School, in the Department of Property Protection and Security, Occupational Health and Safety Program. He has also participated in Erasmus+ academic mobility programs at MEGUNARODEN SLAVJANSKI UNIVERZITET in North Macedonia and SMART LEAP GmbH in Germany. In addition to his academic duties, he has taken on significant administrative roles such as Department Head, Program Coordinator, Erasmus Coordinator, Commission Chair for Performance Evaluation, and Faculty Board Member.

Research Interests

Dr. Koçali’s research focuses on occupational safety regulations in high-risk industries such as mining, safety software development, legal frameworks for occupational supervision, and the effects of chemical compounds in energy applications. He also shows a growing interest in interdisciplinary approaches connecting safety engineering, energy technology, and cybersecurity in occupational settings.

Author Metrics

Author metrics such as h-index, i10-index, or citation counts can be included here if available through Google Scholar, Scopus, or other academic databases. If you provide links or metrics, I can complete this section accordingly.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Koçali has been the recipient of several prestigious accolades for his academic and research contributions. These include the Academic Research Impact Award (SHEN Conferences, 2024), Best Researcher Awards in various international conferences on cybersecurity, science, and engineering (2022–2024), and the Top Researcher Award at the International Conference on Cybersecurity and Cryptography in 2023. Domestically, he received the Academic Performance Award (Third in Unit) from Istanbul Gelişim University in 2024 and was recognized for his academic excellence in Mining Engineering with a departmental second-place award at Istanbul University in 2011. Additionally, he received a Project Award at the EURIE Eurasia Higher Education Summit in 2020.

Publication Top Notes

1. Syrian Migrant Workers and Occupational Health and Safety: Problems Encountered and Policy Recommendations

Authors: K. Koçali, M. Başal
Conference: TAM 4th International Social Sciences Congress
Year: 2025
Summary: This study investigates the occupational health and safety challenges faced by Syrian migrant workers in Türkiye and offers actionable policy recommendations to improve workplace conditions and regulatory compliance.

2. İşyerlerinde İş Sağlığı Hizmetleri

Author: K. Koçali
Book Chapter: Çalışan Sağlığı ve İş Güvenliği, pp. 161–196
Year: 2025
Summary: This comprehensive chapter discusses workplace health services in Turkey, covering legal frameworks, implementation challenges, and the integration of preventive health systems.

3. Transformation Analysis of Occupational Health and Safety Policies in Türkiye within the Framework of the European Union Harmonization Process

Authors: K. Koçali, T. Yapan
Conference: International Congress on Health Sciences, Occupational Health and Safety
Year: 2025
Summary: This paper examines how Türkiye's occupational health and safety policies have evolved due to EU alignment efforts, highlighting policy reforms and their real-world impact.

4. Madencilikte Acil Durum ve Tahliye Planlarının Etkinliği: Simülasyon ile Senaryo Tabanlı Bir Analiz

Authors: H. Erdoğan, K. Koçali
Conference: VI. National Occupational Health and Safety Student Congress
Pages: 45–47
Year: 2025
Summary: Focuses on the effectiveness of emergency and evacuation plans in mining operations using scenario-based simulations to identify critical improvement areas.

5. Thematic Evolution of Occupational Health and Safety Management Research in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Author: K. Koçali
Conference: International Congress on Health Sciences, Occupational Health and Safety
Year: 2025
Summary: Explores research trends and themes in OHS management within SMEs, offering insights into gaps and future research directions to enhance safety culture in smaller enterprises.

Conclusion

Dr. Kaan Koçali is a highly accomplished researcher whose multidisciplinary expertise, strong research output, policy relevance, and international experience make him an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award in Occupational Health and Safety. His leadership roles and consistent recognition underscore his impact on both academia and industry. By focusing on publishing in high-impact journals, expanding research into emerging tech, and enhancing dissemination, Dr. Koçali could further solidify his position as a leading figure in his field.

Chien-Hua Tsai – Information Security -Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Chien-Hua Tsai – Information Security -Best Researcher Award

Chien – Hua Tsai  distinguished academic and researcher in the field Information System.

🌐 Professional Profile

Educations📚📚📚

He is currently a Full Professor in the Department of Accounting Information at Chihlee University of Technology, Taiwan. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA in 2000. In 2007, he obtained a professional certificate in Information Security, specifically Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), from EC-Council (membership ID ECC921640). He offers extensive consulting services on network management practices and has engaged with numerous clients in this capacity.

Journals Published 

Blockchain: Research and Applications, Annals of Operations Research, Information Systems and e-Business Management, The International Arab Journal of Information Technology, Security and Communication Networks, Computers and Electrical Engineering, KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems, Journal of Internet Technology

Areas of Research:

Prof. Tsai’s research interests include Information SystemsSecurity, Secure Communication Protocols, Public Key Cryptosystems,Electronic Transaction Security in Computer and Network Security, and Blockchain Technology Applications in Businesses

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

  • A Secure and Efficient Blockchain-Powered Scheme for e-Invoicing Application

    Blockchain: Research and Applications
    2024-07 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Hsiu-Li Lee; Chien-Hua Tsai
  • Supply chain financing scheme based on blockchain technology from a business application perspective

    Annals of Operations Research
    2023-01 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Chien-Hua Tsai
  • A Robust Secure Self-Certified Concurrent Signature Scheme from Bilinear Pairings

    The International Arab Journal of Information Technology
    2021 | Journal article
    Part ofISSN: 2309-4524
    CONTRIBUTORS: Chien-Hua Tsai; Pin-Chang Su
  • The application of multi-server authentication scheme in internet banking transaction environments

    Information Systems and e-Business Management
    2021-03-13 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Chien-Hua Tsai; Pin-Chang Su

Kuei Tien Chou – Risk society Award – Best Researcher Award

Kuei Tien Chou – Risk society Award – Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Kuei Tien Chou  distinguished academic and researcher in the field  Risk society. He currently holds the position of Professor at the Graduate Institute of National Development at National Taiwan University, a role he has served in since August 2008. Additionally, he assumed the directorship of the Risk Society and Policy Research Center in August 2020. Prior to his current roles, he served as the Director of the Graduate Institute of National Development at National Taiwan University from August 2016 to July 2019. He also acted as the Lead Principal Investigator at the Risk Society and Policy Research Center from August 2019 to July 2020, and previously served as its Director from May 2013 to July 2019.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

He pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Munich Institute of Sociology in Germany from 1994 to 1999. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed his Master’s degree at the Taiwan University Institute of Sociology from 1992 to 1994. He began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Taiwan University, which he obtained from 1989 to 1992.

FIELDS OF SPECIALTY

Risk society, genetic engineering and social risk, globalization risk, technology and democracy,
sustainable development, information society, knowledge economic society

Books

Chou, Kuei Tien (2024). Sociology of Climate Change: High Carbon Society and its transformation
challenge (Revised Edition). National Taiwan University Press.
Chou, K.T., K. Hasegawa, D. Ku & S. F. Kao. (Eds.) (2020). Climate Chane Governance in Asia.
New York: Routledge.
Chou,Kuei Tien, Kuo-Hui Chang, Chao, Chia-Wei& RSPRC. (2019). Taiwan in Transformation:
Initiating a Long-Term Energy Transition, RSPRC, NTU.
Chou,Kuei Tien & Kuo-Hui Chang et al. (2019). Energy Revolution in Daily Life: Eight Pioneers of
Energy Transition in Taiwan. Taipei: Springhill Publishing.
Chou, Kuei Tien (ed.) (2018) Energy Transition in East Asia- A Social Science Perspective, New
York: Routledge.
Chou, Kuei Tien & Kuo-Hui Chang (ed.) (2018). Starting energy transformation in Taiwan. – We
need to know more about energy! Show we Information Co., Ltd.
Chou, Kuei Tien (2017). Sociology of Climate Change: High Carbon Society and its transformation
challenge. National Taiwan University Press.
Chou, Kuei Tien & Kuo-Hui Chang (ed.) (2017). How to be [In] Transition: Initiate the Key
Transition of Energy in Taiwan. Chuliu Publisher, Taipei.
Chou, Kuei Tien & Shirley Ou Yang (ed.) (2017). A Reader for Green Growth. Chuliu Publisher,
Taipei.
Lin, Jiun Chiuan & Chou, Kuei Tien (ed.) (2017). Sustainable development under climate change in
Taiwan. National Taiwan University Press.
Chou, Kuei Tien & Lin,Tze-Luen (ed.) (2016). Introduction to the Fourteen Lectures on Taiwan
Energy Transition. Chuliu Publisher, Taipei.
Chou, Kuei Tien (ed.) (2016). New Theory of Sustainable Green Governance. Weber Publication
International Ltd.
Chou, Kuei Tien. (ed.) (2015). Ten Courses of Risk in Taiwan – 2015 Annual Risk Report, Chuliu
Publisher, Taipei.
Chou, Kuei Tien.(ed.) (2015). Investigating the Risk Publicity in Taiwan, Yuan-Liou Publisher,
Taipei.
Chou, Kuei Tien & Chien-Ming Hsu. (2015). Social Panics from Land to Dinning Table, Cite
Publishing Ltd., Taipei.
Chou, Kuei Tien. (2014). The Swan Song of Sustainable Development: Environmental Justice and
Transitional Inertia In Kaohsiung Gas Blast, Wunan Publisher, Taipei.

Rohit Kumar – Power System – Best Researcher Award

Rohit Kumar – Power system – Best Researcher Award

Mr. Rohit Kumar distinguished academic and researcher in the field Power system.  He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi. Before this, he obtained his Master’s degree from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya University, Bhopal. His research endeavors have led to the publication of four peer-reviewed research articles focusing on power system dynamics and control. His work primarily revolves around the integration of energy storage and renewable sources into transmission networks, along with the design of wide-area damping controllers.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

He pursued his academic journey with a Bachelor’s in Engineering from R.J.P.V, Bhopal, specializing in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, where he achieved an impressive 83.1%. Building upon this foundation, he completed his Masters in Engineering at R.J.P.V, Bhopal, with a focus on Power Systems, securing a commendable 80.2%. Driven by his passion for advancing his field, he embarked on a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi in 2019. His proposed thesis, titled “A Robust Wide-Area Damping Control Scheme for Battery Energy Storage System/Wind Turbine System Integrated Power Networks to Mitigate Inter-Area Oscillations,” showcases his dedication to tackling complex challenges in power systems. Alongside his academic pursuits, he demonstrated consistent academic excellence, evidenced by his achievements in intermediate and high school, where he attained 73.6% and 62.7%, respectively, from the Bihar School Examination Board, Patna.

 

Research Interests

Power system dynamics and control for transmission system with integration of energy storage system and renewable energy source, robust control scheme-based wide area damping controller design for battery energy storage system and wind turbine system, FACTS devices and virtual synchronous generator application in power systems.

Internship

He has actively engaged in various positions of responsibility, demonstrating his commitment to both academia and practical learning. Notably, he served as a Teaching Assistant for several subjects at the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, India. During the odd semester of 2019, he contributed as a Teaching Assistant for “Power System Protection and Switchgear,” and in the subsequent even semester of 2020, he took on the role for “Power Transmission & Distribution.” Continuing his involvement, he served as a Teaching Assistant for “Power System Analysis & Control” during the even semester of 2023 and for “Power System Simulation Lab” during the odd semester of the same year. Additionally, he gained valuable hands-on experience through a 15-day Industrial Training program at the Power Distribution Training Center in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. These experiences underscore his dedication to both theoretical education and practical application within the field of electrical engineering.

Workshop/Seminars/Conference/S.T.T.P. Attended

He has actively participated in various workshops and training programs to enhance his knowledge and skills in the field of electrical engineering. Noteworthy events include the “Workshop on Control Of Wind Energy Conversion System” organized by the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT (BHU), as well as the training course on “Real Time Digital Simulator (R.T.D.S.)” conducted within the same department. Additionally, he attended a one-day “Faculty Development Program on Power System Design Analysis using DIgSILENT PowerFactory Software,” organized by M/s DELLSOFT Technologies Pvt. Ltd. in New Delhi. His commitment to staying updated with the latest advancements is further evidenced by his participation in the “17th National Power System Conference (NPSC-2012)” organized by the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT (BHU). Furthermore, he has achieved success in the GATE Exam, qualifying in both 2016 and 2019, showcasing his proficiency and dedication in the field.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

• Rohit Kumar, Soumya R. Mohanty, M.K. Verma, A robust damping control for
battery energy storage integrated power systems to mitigate inter-area oscillations, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, Volume
157,2024,doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2024.109885.

• Rohit Kumar, S. R. Mohanty & M. K. Verma, Robust Damping Control for Integrated Wind Turbine Power Networks During Low Inertia Condition, International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications, 2024, doi:10.1002/cta.3991

• Rohit Kumar, S. R. Mohanty & M. K. Verma, Design and Optimal Location of
Power System Stabilizer in the Multi-Machine Power Network, IETE Journal of
Research, DOI: 10.1080/03772063.2023.2175056

• Rohit Kumar, S. R. Mohanty & M. K. Verma, “Alleviating Inter-Area Oscillations in Power Networks via Energy Storage System-Based Wide-Area Damping Controller.” Journal of Energy Storage (under review)

Mayukha Selvaraj- Information Security – Best Researcher Award

Mayukha Selvaraj- Information Security – Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Mayukha Selvaraj distinguished academic and researcher in the field Information security. She served as the Founder and CEO of Maylancer Techios Pvt Ltd in Coimbatore from 2015 to 2021, overseeing the strategic direction and operations of the company. Prior to founding Maylancer Techios, she worked as a Freelance Website Developer in 2014-2015, honing her skills in web development and project management. Before venturing into freelancing, she held positions as an Associate System Engineer at Cognizant in Coimbatore from February 2014 to June 2014, where she gained valuable experience in software development and systems integration. Preceding her time at Cognizant, she worked as a System Associate at Igate in Mumbai from October 2013 to January 2014, contributing to various IT projects and initiatives. Throughout her career journey, she has demonstrated versatility, leadership, and a commitment to excellence in the technology industry.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Information Technology at the Department of Information Technology, Bharathiar University, with an expected completion date in 2023. Prior to her doctoral studies, she obtained a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Computer Science from the same university between 2016 and 2019. She also holds a Master of Sciences (M.Sc.) in Information Technology, completed on a full-time basis from 2014 to 2016, and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in English, pursued part-time through the School of Distance Education, both from Bharathiar University. Additionally, she attained a Bachelor of Sciences (B.Sc.) in Information Technology from PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore, completing her undergraduate studies from 2010 to 2013. Through her academic journey, she has demonstrated a commitment to advancing her knowledge and expertise in various fields related to technology and humanities.

 

Membership

She is an active member of several professional organizations, contributing to her field and staying abreast of the latest developments. Since 2017, she has been a Life Member of the Computer Society of India and the Indian Science Congress Association, demonstrating her commitment to the advancement of computer science and scientific research in India. In 2022, she became a Member of the Institute of Electrical, Electronics and Engineers, further expanding her professional network and involvement in the electrical and electronics industry. Additionally, she joined the American Institute of Healthcare and Compliance and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association as a Member in 2023, showcasing her interest in healthcare compliance and information systems governance. Through her memberships, she actively engages with peers, attends conferences, and contributes to the broader professional community in her areas of expertise.

Award

She has received notable recognition for her contributions to the field of software development and her achievements in youth leadership. In 2019, she was honored as the Best Software Developer in Tamilnadu by World Wide Achievers, Mumbai, acknowledging her excellence in software development within the region. Earlier, in 2016, she was conferred with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Achiever Award by the Department of Information Technology at Bharathiar University, recognizing her outstanding contributions and leadership in youth empowerment initiatives. These accolades underscore her talent, dedication, and impact in both the technical and societal spheres, reflecting her commitment to excellence and community engagement.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

1. “Port Scanning Mitigation Strategies for Penetration Testing: Blue Team
Perspective,” International Conference on Engineering and Emerging
Technologies (ICEET), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2022, pp. 1-6, doi:
10.1109/ICEET56468.2022.10007258.

2. “Various Possible Attacks and Mitigations of the OSI Model Layers Through
Pentesting – An Overview”, In: Rahul Srivastava and Aditya Kr. Singh Pundir (eds),
New Frontiers in Communication and Intelligent Systems, SCRS, India, 2023, pp.
799-809. https://doi.org/10.52458/978-81-95502-00-4-78

3. “Reconnaissance for Penetration Testing Using Active Scanning of MITRE
ATT&CK”, In: Kaiser, M.S., Xie, J., Rathore, V.S. (eds) Information and
Communication Technology for Competitive Strategies (ICTCS 2021). Lecture
Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 401. Springer, Singapore.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0098-3_66

4. “Enhanced Image Compression Technique to Improve Image Quality for Mobile
Applications”, In: Rathore, V.S., Dey, N., Piuri, V., Babo, R., Polkowski, Z., Tavares,
J.M.R.S. (eds) Rising Threats in Expert Applications and Solutions. Advances in
Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1187. Springer, Singapore.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6014-9_33

Giedre Sabaliauskaite – Network Security – Best Researcher Award

Giedre Sabaliauskaite – Network Security – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Giedre Sabaliauskaite  distinguished academic and researcher in the field Integration of safety and security ( Network security). She is currently serving as an Associate Professor in Cyber Security within the Computer Science Department at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Swansea University in the UK since 2022. Prior to this role, she held the position of Associate Professor in Assured Autonomous Systems at the Centre for Future Transport and Cities at Coventry University from 2020 to 2022. Her journey in academia commenced as a Research Scientist at the iTrust Centre for Research in Cyber Security at Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore, from 2016 to 2020, following which she transitioned into the role of Post-Doctoral Researcher at the same institution from 2013 to 2016. Earlier in her career, she served as a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Department of Computer Science at Lund University, Sweden, from 2008 to 2010. She also gained industrial experience as a Software Quality Engineer at Critical Software, S.A., Coimbra, Portugal, from 2007 to 2008, and as a Scientist at the Department of Testing and Inspection at the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE), Kaiserslautern, Germany, from 2004 to 2005.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She earned her PhD in Software Engineering from the Department of Informatics and Mathematical Science at the Graduate School of Engineering Science at Osaka University, Japan, between 2000 and 2004. Prior to this, she completed her Master of Science in Informatics with Honours at the Department of Information Systems within the Faculty of Informatics at Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania, from 1996 to 1998. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Informatics at the same institution, also within the Department of Information Systems at the Faculty of Informatics, from 1992 to 1996.

 

Patents

She is listed as one of the inventors on a patent titled “Defense system and method against cyber-physical attacks,” which was granted in the United States in August 2022. The patent, with number US 11,431,733, was developed by A. Mathur, S. Adepu, S. Shrivastava, M. A. Kaung, N. Tippenhauer, and G. Sabaliauskaite. This invention likely represents her contribution to the field of cyber security, demonstrating her involvement in innovative research and development aimed at safeguarding against cyber-physical attacks.

Research Activity

She has been extensively involved as either Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Investigator (Co-I) in numerous research projects, collectively securing over 15 million GBP in funding. Notable contributions include her role as PI for the “Trade-off Management between Safety and Cybersecurity (TOMSAC)” project, conducted from October 2021 to November 2022, in collaboration with Coventry University and Horiba Mira, funded by the PETRAS National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity in the UK. Additionally, she served as PI for the “Ensuring cybersecure deployments of driverless teleoperated vehicles (ENCODE)” project from October 2021 to March 2022, in partnership with StreetDrone, TRL, Coventry University, Angoka Ltd, and Oxfordshire County Council, funded by Innovate UK. Another significant project led by her was the “Autonomous Vehicle Security (ACRONIS)” initiative, which she oversaw from December 2016 to May 2020, collaborating with Singapore University of Technology and Design, Nanyang Technological University, and the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), with funding from MINDEF, Singapore. Her involvement in these projects highlights her expertise and leadership in advancing research in cyber security, autonomous systems, and related fields.

Major Collaborations

She has engaged in significant collaborations across various institutions and organizations, contributing to advancements in cybersecurity and related fields. Since 2021, she has been collaborating with the UK Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) on road vehicle cybersecurity, particularly focusing on threat analysis, risk assessment, and the implementation of standards ISO/SAE 21434 and UN Regulations No. 155 and No. 156, within the framework of research projects such as 5G CAL and ENCODE. Concurrently, she has maintained a collaboration with the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) since 2020, focusing on cybersecurity threat analysis and risk assessment methods and tools in the transport sector. Furthermore, her ongoing collaboration with the iTrust Centre for Research in Cyber Security at the Singapore University of Technology and Design since 2020 has centered on critical infrastructure cybersecurity. Notably, from 2016 to 2020, she collaborated with the Singapore Standards Council on automotive standards development, contributing to the development of the standard “TR 68-3:2019. Technical Reference for Autonomous vehicles – Part 3: Cybersecurity principles and assessment framework,” which establishes guidelines for certifying autonomous vehicles for Singapore roads. These collaborations underscore her commitment to interdisciplinary research and her significant contributions to shaping cybersecurity standards and practices in the transport sector.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Maria Pregnolato – Causal mapping

Assoc Prof Dr. Maria Pregnolato – Leading Researcher in Causal mapping

Dr Maria Pregnolato is a Civil Engineer and holds a MSc in Building Engineering and Architecture from the University of Pavia (Italy) and the Tongji University of Shanghai (China), a PhD in Civil Engineering from Newcastle University (UK) and MSc in Strategy, Leadership and Change from the University of Bristol (UK). Her work focuses on infrastructure resilience and risk management from natural hazards, in particular the impact of flooding to road networks, bridges and buildings. She held an EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK) Fellowship to investigate the impact of extreme flooding to bridges, including hydrodynamic modelling and scour risk management. In recent years, she has been

Education📚

🎓 Maria Pregnolato’s educational and professional journey is a testament to her dedication and expertise. From November 2020 to November 2022, she pursued her Master of Science in Strategy, Change, and Leadership at the School of Management, University of Bristol, UK, laying the groundwork for her proficiency in strategic management and leadership.

🏗️ Building on this, from January 2014 to November 2017, Maria embarked on a transformative research venture, earning her Doctorate in Urban Infrastructure Resilience at the School of Engineering, Newcastle University, UK. This impactful journey was funded by EPSRC, with contributions from ESRC, iBUILD EP/K012398/1, and EU H2020 RAMSES no. 308497. Her thesis, “Risk analysis of the disruption to urban transport networks from pluvial flooding,” showcased her commitment to understanding and mitigating risks in urban environments.

Rewinding to her earlier years, from October 2007 to December 2012, Maria pursued a Master of Science in Building Engineering-Architecture, earning the distinction of magna cum laude. This joint degree, funded by MIUR and a collaboration between the Università degli Studi di Pavia (Italy) and Tongji University of Shanghai (China), was a platform for her thesis, “Architecture and Structure: a new relation with Landscape,” where she explored innovative connections between architecture and the environment.

Professional Profiles:
ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

🌐 Since March 2023, she has been serving as an Associate Professor in Flood Risk Management and Resilient Infrastructure at TU Delft in the Netherlands. This role, based in Delft, involves contributing to the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences within the Department of Hydraulic Engineering. Additionally, she holds an Honorary Associate Professor position in Infrastructure Resilience at the University of Bristol in the UK, fostering collaborative ties between these two esteemed institutions.

🏛️ Before her current position, from August 2022 to March 2023, she served as a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Bristol, contributing to the Department of Civil Engineering within the School of Civil, Aerospace, and Mechanical Engineering (CAME). This role followed her tenure as a Lecturer in Civil Engineering from November 2018 to August 2022, where she actively engaged in shaping the academic landscape.

👩‍🏫 Her academic journey includes a significant role as an EPSRC Fellow from March 2018 to May 2022, supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. During this time, she conducted personal research and contributed to advancements in the field.

✈️ The global scope of her academic endeavors includes visiting assistant professorships in various locations. In June 2022, she contributed to TU Delft in the Netherlands, followed by a stint in Milan, Italy, from February to May 2022, at the Polytechnic of Milan’s Department of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering. Her international experiences also extend to a visiting assistant professor role at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA, from May to September 2019.

🔬 Earlier in her career, from March 2017 to March 2018, she served as a Research Associate at Newcastle University in the UK, contributing to the EPSRC ITRC-MISTRAL project (EP/N017064/1) within the School of Engineering.

🌟 Maria Pregnolato’s academic and research journey reflects a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and contributing to the fields of flood risk management, resilient infrastructure, and civil engineering on both national and international stages.

 

SPECIAL AWARDS, HONOURS

In 2023, she received the IABSE (International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering) Outstanding Paper Award in the Scientific Paper category for the work by Orcesi et al. in 2022. This recognition highlights the excellence and impact of her research in the field.

In 2021, she was honored with the European Geoscience Union (EGU) Outstanding Early Career Award, acknowledging her contributions to the geoscience community.

Since 2019, she has held the prestigious position of an EPSRC Fellow of the Women in Engineering Society (WES), reflecting her commitment to advancing women’s participation and recognition in the engineering field.

In 2019, she achieved 1st place at the “Italy Made Me” UK Early-career Awards, underlining the recognition of her early-career achievements.

The year 2018 brought further accolades, including the EPSRC RISE (Recognizing Inspirational Scientists and Engineers) Award, acknowledging her inspirational contributions to the field. Additionally, she secured 2nd place at the ABTA UK Doctoral Researcher Awards, further highlighting the quality and impact of her doctoral research.

In 2016, she was honored with the Young Author Award for the best oral presentation at FLOODrisk 2016 in Lyon, recognizing the excellence of her work in the field of flood risk management.

Her contributions were further acknowledged in 2017 when she became a shortlisted finalist at STEM for Britain, an event hosted at the House of Commons in London, demonstrating the recognition of her work at a national level. These awards collectively reflect her dedication to advancing knowledge and making significant contributions to the scientific community.

COMMITTEE and MEMBERSHIPS

2023-now –   Board Member of 4TU Resilience Engineering Centre (4TU.RE)
2022-now  – Board Member of NERC Digital Research and Infrastructure Group (DRIG)
2016-now –  Member of the European Geoscience Union
2022-23  –  UKCRIC Soil-Foundation-Structure Interaction (SoFSI) Executive Board member
2021-23 –  Co-leader for the Met Office Academic Partnership (MOAP)
2021-23  – Board member of the Brunel Institute
2021-22  – Digital Environment Fellow ofthe NERC UKRI ‘Constructing a Digital Environment’ Programme
2020-21 –  Board member of the GW4 Water Security Alliance

Publications:

  • Kumar, V., Gunner, S., Pregnolato, M., Tully, P., Georgalas, N., Oikonomou, G., Karatzas, S. and Tryfonas, T. (accepted October 2023). From IoT sensors and Open Data Platforms to Urban Observatories. IET Smart Cities, in press.
  • Evans, B., Lam, A., West, C., Ahmadian, R., Djordjevic, S., Chen, A.S. and Pregnolato, M. (2023). A combined stability function to quantify flood risks to pedestrians and vehicle occupants. Science of the Total Environment, 168237. Link
  • Beevers, L., Popescu, I., Pregnolato, M., Liu, Y. and Wright, N. (2022). Identifying hotspots of hydro-hazards under global change: a worldwide review. Frontiers in Water, 4: 1-14. Link
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