Azunna Sunday | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Mr. Azunna Sunday | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Researcher | Housing research centre | Malaysia

Mr. Azunna Sunday Ugochukwu has established a strong professional and research background in civil and structural engineering, with notable expertise in sustainable construction materials, structural analysis, and project management. His career includes extensive work in both academic and industrial settings, where he contributed to the design and execution of major infrastructure projects such as residential complexes, university facilities, religious centers, and extensive road networks across Nigeria. At Universiti Putra Malaysia, his research has focused on innovative materials for civil engineering applications, including coconut shell, palm kernel shell, recycled bricks, granite powder, and rubberized geopolymer concrete, leading to multiple publications in reputable international journals. His scholarly contributions span experimental and review studies, addressing compressive strength, stress-strain behavior, and dynamic response of advanced concrete materials, demonstrating his capacity to integrate environmental sustainability with engineering performance. Beyond research, Azunna has engaged in professional workshops on structural modeling, design, and detailing, sharing expertise with institutions such as Federal Polytechnic Bauchi and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University. His memberships with COREN, the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, and the Nigerian Society of Engineers affirm his commitment to professional standards and development within the engineering community. With experience as an assistant structural engineer, assistant project manager, and doctoral researcher, he has consistently demonstrated versatility in applying theoretical knowledge to practical engineering challenges. His skill set includes advanced structural design software, AutoCAD, drone operation, and engineering instrumentation, underscoring his technological adaptability. The scope of his executed projects—from institutional buildings to healthcare facilities and leisure parks—highlights his versatility and capacity to manage diverse engineering assignments effectively. His growing academic output, combined with practical project delivery, positions him as a significant contributor to advancing civil engineering knowledge and practice. Engr. Azunna Sunday Ugochukwu has achieved 120 Citations, 8 Documents, and 5 h-index.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID
Featured Publications:

Azunna, S. U. (2019). Compressive strength of concrete with palm kernel shell as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate. SN Applied Sciences, 1(4), 342.

Azunna, S. U., Aziz, F. N. A. A., Rashid, R. S. M., & Bakar, N. B. A. (2024). Review on the characteristic properties of crumb rubber concrete. Cleaner Materials, 12, 100237.

Azunna, S. U., Aziz, F. N. A. A., Cun, P. M., & Elhibir, M. M. O. (2019). Characterization of lightweight cement concrete with partial replacement of coconut shell fine aggregate. SN Applied Sciences, 1(6), 649.

Azunna, S. U., Aziz, F. N. A. A., Bakar, N. A., & Nasir, N. A. M. (2018). Mechanical properties of concrete with coconut shell as partial replacement of aggregates. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 431(3), 032001.

Azunna, S. U., Aziz, F. N. A. B. A., Al-Ghazali, N. A., Rashid, R. S. M., & Bakar, N. A. (2024). Review on the mechanical properties of rubberized geopolymer concrete. Cleaner Materials, 11, 100225.

Kundan Yadav – Construction Materials – Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Mr. Kundan Yadav | Construction Materials | Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges Award

Research Scholar | Lovely Professional University | Nepal

Mr. Kundan Yadav has established a strong research and professional profile in the field of civil engineering and construction management with a focus on sustainable practices, low-carbon materials, and resilient infrastructure solutions. His work integrates both academic research and practical implementation, spanning hydropower, bridges, urban water supply, sanitation systems, and building construction. A key area of his research revolves around eco-friendly materials, particularly the use of supplementary cementitious materials, plastic bricks, and biochar as innovative alternatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote circular construction. Publications in peer-reviewed journals highlight his exploration of carbon quantification methods and best practices for emission reduction, reflecting a commitment to advancing sustainability in construction. Professionally, Kundan Yadav has taken progressive roles from Site Engineer to Project Manager, contributing to projects funded by organizations like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, ensuring quality control, safety compliance, and project efficiency. His leadership in managing hydropower retrofitting, bridge construction, trauma center building, and large-scale infrastructure projects demonstrates expertise in structural stability, resilience, and sustainable project delivery. By combining technical knowledge in AutoCAD, Staad Pro, MS Project, MATLAB, and sustainability assessment with practical construction management skills, he bridges the gap between theory and practice. His work emphasizes transforming waste into valuable construction resources, reducing environmental impact, and promoting innovation in materials science. The consistent focus on resilience and carbon reduction showcases his vision of sustainable infrastructure development tailored to the needs of South Asia, where rapid urbanization demands eco-conscious solutions. Through both research and professional practice, Kundan Yadav contributes to advancing civil engineering toward a future that prioritizes environmental sustainability, efficient resource utilization, and long-term durability of infrastructure systems, marking him as a significant contributor to sustainable construction research and practice.

Profile: Google Scholar
Featured Publications:

  1. Sustainable development by carbon emission reduction and its quantification: An overview of current methods and best practices. (2023). Cited by 21.

  2. Transforming waste into innovation: A review of plastic bricks as sustainable construction materials. (2024). Cited by 13.

  3. Sustainable solutions: Exploring supplementary cementitious materials in construction. (2025). Cited by 7.

  4. Comparative study of biochar and charcoal and their application in the construction industry. (2024). Cited by 5.

  5. Waste water characteristics and its management in and around HSTU campus of Bangladesh. (2021).

Mehran Makhsusy – Construction Management – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Mehran Makhsusy - Construction Management - Best Researcher Award

Roudehen Islamic Azad University | Iran

Dr. Mehran Makhsusy has established a research focus in civil engineering with a specialization in construction management, emphasizing customer satisfaction, project quality, and stakeholder engagement. His work consistently integrates modern approaches such as decision-making systems, artificial intelligence, and building information modeling to optimize construction processes and improve efficiency. Publications such as his book on customer-oriented construction and his journal articles in international and regional outlets highlight his commitment to developing frameworks that align construction practices with end-user needs. By addressing legal perspectives in construction contracts and analyzing decision-making models, he broadens the research impact beyond engineering to encompass managerial and legal dimensions of construction. Mehran Makhsusy has contributed to both theoretical advancements and practical methodologies, offering solutions for sustainable and customer-centered urban development. His dissertation and subsequent studies further reinforce his efforts to create construction models that enhance productivity while ensuring long-term satisfaction for users. Through his engagement in conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and academic collaborations, he has provided valuable contributions to the evolving dialogue on improving construction project outcomes. With a clear focus on innovative construction patterns, optimization of urban development, and enhanced integration of digital tools, Mehran Makhsusy’s research demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach that combines engineering principles, managerial strategies, and technology-driven decision-making. This consistent trajectory illustrates his dedication to advancing civil engineering practices by aligning them with the demands of modern urban environments and the expectations of stakeholders, ensuring that projects are not only technically sound but also socially responsive and customer-oriented.

Profile: ORCID
Publications: 

  1. Finding the optimal pattern of customer-oriented urban construction. (2025).

  2. Integrating building information modeling and artificial intelligence to improve the planning and control process of construction projects. (2025).

  3. Customer-centered construction patterns. (2024).

  4. A legal perspective on the general conditions of the contract from the perspective of administrative contracts. (2024).

  5. Optimization of decision-making in customer-oriented construction management using intelligent decision-making systems. (2023).

  6. Optimizing urban construction patterns to increase user satisfaction. (2022).

Fatma Zehra Çakıcı – Architecture – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Fatma Zehra Çakıcı - Architecture - Best Researcher Award

Atatürk University - Turkey

AUTHOR PROFILE

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

SUMMARY

Prof. Dr. Fatma Zehra Çakıcı is a leading academic in architectural sciences at Atatürk University, specializing in building technologies, heritage preservation, and energy-efficient design. Her work spans teaching, research, and practice, with over two decades of contributions in architectural education, building energy performance, and cultural heritage conservation. She combines scientific rigor with design innovation, reflected in her national and international publications, patents, and funded projects. As a faculty leader, researcher, and practitioner, Prof. Çakıcı bridges historical context with modern architecture, offering sustainable, accessible, and inclusive solutions for contemporary design and urban challenges.

EDUCATION

Prof. Dr. Çakıcı earned her Ph.D. in Building Sciences from Middle East Technical University, where she developed a performance evaluation program for energy-efficient buildings. She previously completed her master's in deconstruction processes and sustainability in architecture. Her educational foundation includes an undergraduate degree in architecture from Selçuk University. This academic journey allowed her to combine theoretical, technical, and historical approaches to architecture. Her focus on environmental responsiveness, cultural continuity, and user-centered design deeply influences her scholarly and professional work, enabling her to contribute to various aspects of sustainable architecture and adaptive reuse of historic structures.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Prof. Çakıcı has held academic roles at Atatürk University since 2013, rising through positions from Assistant to Full Professor. Her career also includes research assistantships at METU and a visiting scholar appointment at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. She leads projects on building conservation, energy-efficient systems, and cultural heritage. She also directs administrative units, serves on academic boards, and engages in national architecture competitions. Outside academia, she has worked as an architect in private practice and founded FZC Architecture and Design Consultancy. Her professional portfolio reflects a balance between education, research, and practical design implementation.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Prof. Çakıcı’s research interests include building energy performance, historic preservation, architectural sustainability, and digital documentation of cultural heritage. She has pioneered work on energy-efficient design in cold climates, building envelope thermography, and material analysis in heritage structures. Her studies also address accessibility in public buildings, sustainable urban planning, and smart architectural systems. She integrates theory with field applications, using simulation tools and hands-on restoration work. Her research supports adaptive reuse, climate-sensitive architecture, and policy development. Prof. Çakıcı’s interdisciplinary work influences environmental sustainability and conservation practices in both architectural education and professional design.

AWARD AND HONOR

Prof. Çakıcı has received several honors including first and third-place awards for community-based research at Atatürk University and national recognition for accessibility in university design. She earned the Presidential Special Award in Architecture and has received awards in national design competitions. These accolades reflect her scholarly impact and her commitment to integrating innovation with cultural sensitivity. Her project leadership in EU-funded and national scientific initiatives highlights her research excellence and international collaboration. Through her sustained contributions, she has established a respected academic and professional presence in the fields of architecture, heritage, and sustainable design.

RESEARCH SKILL

Prof. Çakıcı possesses advanced skills in architectural design, energy simulation, historic material analysis, and digital documentation. She utilizes infrared thermography, simulation software, and typological analysis for evaluating existing buildings. Her methodological expertise includes graph theory for spatial analysis, data-driven design decision-making, and IoT integration for environmental systems. She has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams on funded projects and coordinating architectural conservation efforts. Prof. Çakıcı also contributes to patent development and design-based innovation in heritage restoration and sustainability. Her research capabilities support high-level problem-solving in architecture through scientific, contextual, and user-responsive methodologies.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS 

  • Title: Net Positive Energy Buildings in Architectural Context
    Authors: Ç. Takva, B. Çalışkan, F. Çakıcı
    Journal: Journal of Asian Scientific Research, 12 (3), 2022

  • Title: Accessibility analysis of public buildings with graph theory and the space syntax method: government houses
    Authors: B.N. Keleş, Ç. Takva, F.Z. Çakıcı
    Journal: Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 24 (1), 199–213, 2025

  • Title: Restoration in the discipline of architecture: a bibliometric analysis of research trends since 2000
    Authors: M. Kasapoğlu, F.Z. Çakıcı
    Journal: Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning, 2023

  • Title: Climate-sensitive Design in Traditional Residential Architecture: Kars Karakurt Houses
    Authors: F. Çakıcı, Ç. Takva
    Journal: International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, 10 (3), 2023

  • Title: Thermal Analysis of the Building Envelope with Infrared Thermography and Simulation in Educational Buildings in the Cold Climate Region
    Authors: Ç. Takva, F.G. Takva, F.Z. Çakıcı
    Journal: Buildings, 15 (11), Article 1759, 2025

  • Title: Erzurum Ulu Cami Üzerine Kronolojik Bir Değerlendirme
    Authors: M. Kasapoğlu, F.Z. Çakıcı
    Journal: Modular Journal, 7 (1–2), 95–118, 2024

CONCLUSION

Prof. Dr. Fatma Zehra Çakıcı is a multifaceted scholar and architect whose work merges sustainability, technology, and cultural heritage in architecture. Through academic leadership, research innovation, and practical design, she has significantly advanced knowledge in energy-efficient design, conservation methods, and architectural education. Her diverse roles in administration, project coordination, and publishing demonstrate her dedication to both academic excellence and social impact. With a vision rooted in scientific rigor and cultural sensitivity, Prof. Çakıcı continues to shape the future of architecture by integrating traditional values with cutting-edge design practices and sustainability principles.