Junnan Hao | Materials Science and Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr . Junnan Hao | Materials Science and Engineering | Best Researcher Award

lecturer at The University of Adelaide , Australia

Dr. Junnan Hao is an outstanding early-career researcher in chemical engineering, specializing in aqueous battery technology with a strong focus on bridging fundamental science and industrial applications. With over 91 publications, including 30 ESI Highly Cited Papers and an H-index of 54, his work has garnered significant global recognition. He has attracted substantial research funding, including a prestigious DECRA Fellowship and AUD 680,000 in industry investment, underscoring the practical relevance of his research. Dr. Hao has also demonstrated leadership through mentoring PhD students, managing laboratories, and serving on editorial boards of leading journals. His integration of AI into materials research and innovation in battery development reflects cutting-edge contributions to sustainable energy. While future international collaborations and expanded leadership roles could further elevate his profile, his achievements to date make him highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award. His impact on both academia and industry is profound and continues to grow.


Professional Profile 

Education🎓

Dr. Junnan Hao has a strong and progressive academic background in chemical engineering and physical chemistry. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Zhengzhou University of Light Industry in 2013, followed by a Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry from South China Normal University in 2016. He then completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Wollongong, Australia, in 2020, where his doctoral research focused on advanced energy storage materials. His academic journey has been marked by consistent excellence and a clear focus on developing sustainable energy technologies. Following his PhD, Dr. Hao undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Adelaide from 2020 to 2022. He is currently serving as a DECRA Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Adelaide (2022–2025), where he continues to contribute significantly to research and teaching in the field of aqueous batteries and advanced electrochemical energy systems.

Professional Experience📝

Dr. Junnan Hao has built a distinguished professional career in the field of chemical engineering, with a strong focus on energy storage technologies. After completing his PhD in 2020, he joined the University of Adelaide as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, where he contributed to several high-impact projects in aqueous battery development. In 2022, he was awarded the prestigious Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) by the Australian Research Council and appointed as a Lecturer and DECRA Fellow at the University of Adelaide. In this role, Dr. Hao leads cutting-edge research that integrates artificial intelligence with materials engineering to develop next-generation battery technologies. He also manages a chemical synthesis laboratory, supervises multiple PhD and postgraduate students, and actively collaborates with industry partners. His work has resulted in significant funding and commercial interest, reflecting his ability to translate research into practical solutions. Dr. Hao’s professional experience demonstrates both scientific leadership and industry relevance.

Research Interest🔎

Dr. Junnan Hao’s research interests lie at the intersection of materials science, electrochemistry, and artificial intelligence, with a primary focus on advancing aqueous battery technologies. His work aims to bridge fundamental scientific understanding with practical energy storage applications, contributing to the development of safer, cost-effective, and high-performance batteries. Dr. Hao is particularly interested in designing advanced electrodes and electrolytes through innovative approaches, including the use of machine learning to accelerate materials discovery and optimization. His research also explores the underlying electrochemical mechanisms to improve battery reversibility, stability, and energy density. Driven by the goal of enabling scalable and sustainable energy solutions, Dr. Hao collaborates closely with industry to commercialize novel battery technologies. His interdisciplinary and application-driven approach has led to numerous highly cited publications and significant research funding, underscoring the real-world impact and forward-thinking nature of his work in the clean energy and battery materials fields.

Award and Honor🏆

Dr. Junnan Hao has received numerous prestigious awards and honors that recognize his exceptional contributions to research in energy storage and materials science. Notably, he was named a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate in 2024 and listed among the World’s Top 0.05% Scholars by ScholarGPS, reflecting the global impact of his work. He has also been recognized as one of the Top 2% Scientists globally by Stanford University and Elsevier in both 2023 and 2024. Dr. Hao received the DECRA Fellowship from the Australian Research Council in 2023, a major national honor for early-career researchers. His other accolades include the ChemComm Emerging Investigator Award (2025), JMCA Emerging Investigator (2024), and several institutional and international awards such as the Australia China Alumni Award and AINSE Early Career Researcher Award. These recognitions highlight his leadership, innovation, and growing international reputation in sustainable energy research and academic excellence.

Research Skill🔬

Dr. Junnan Hao possesses a diverse and advanced set of research skills that underpin his success in the field of energy storage and electrochemical systems. He is highly proficient in the synthesis and characterization of battery materials, particularly for aqueous zinc-ion batteries, and has extensive experience using state-of-the-art techniques such as synchrotron-based spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. Dr. Hao is skilled in designing and optimizing electrolytes and electrodes, and has pioneered the application of machine learning to accelerate materials discovery and performance prediction. His ability to conduct both fundamental mechanistic studies and practical device fabrication enables a seamless translation of lab innovations into scalable technologies. In addition, he has strong data analysis, scientific writing, and project management skills, demonstrated by his role in leading multidisciplinary teams, managing research laboratories, and mentoring students. Dr. Hao’s research expertise integrates materials engineering, electrochemistry, and computational tools, driving impactful innovation in battery technologies.

Conclusion💡

Dr. Junnan Hao is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award.
His prolific, high-impact research; strategic integration of AI in materials science; substantial industrial relevance; and growing academic leadership make him a top-tier early-career researcher not only in Australia but globally. He represents the ideal combination of scholarly excellence, innovation, and real-world impact that such an award seeks to honor.

Publications Top Noted✍

Title: High-Performance Bipolar Small-Molecule Organic Cathode for Wide-Temperature-Range Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
Authors: Hua K., Ma Q., Liu Y., … Zhang L., Zhang C.
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

Title: Anti-Swelling Microporous Membrane for High-Capacity and Long-Life Zn−I₂ Batteries
Authors: Chen Q., Hao J., Zhu Y., … Jaroniec M., Qiao S.Z.
Year: 2025
Citations: 18

Title: Aqueous Zinc-Bromine Battery with Highly Reversible Bromine Conversion Chemistry
Authors: Zhao X., Hao J., Chen Q., … Mao L., Qiao S.Z.
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

Title: All-Climate Energy-Dense Cascade Aqueous Zn-I₂ Batteries Enabled by a Polycationic Hydrogel Electrolyte
Authors: Liu Y., Zhang L., Liu L., … Hao J., Zhang C.
Year: 2025
Citations: 2

Title: Coordination Chemistry toward Advanced Zn-I₂ Batteries with Four-Electron I⁻/I⁰/I⁺ Conversion
Authors: Zhang S., Hao J., Wu H., … Zhao X., Qiao S.Z.
Year: 2025
Citations: 0

Title: AI-Driven Electrolyte Additive Selection to Boost Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries Stability
Authors: Li H., Hao J., Qiao S.Z.
Year: 2024
Citations: 6

Title: The Role of Electrocatalytic Materials for Developing Post-Lithium Metal||Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Ye C., Li H., Chen Y., … Shan J., Qiao S.Z.
Year: 2024
Citations: 16

Title: Alkaline-Based Aqueous Sodium-Ion Batteries for Large-Scale Energy Storage
Authors: Wu H., Hao J., Jiang Y., … Wang C., Qiao S.Z.
Year: 2024
Citations: 65

Title: Toward High-Energy-Density Aqueous Zinc–Iodine Batteries: Multielectron Pathways
Authors: Zhang S., Hao J., Wu H., … Ye C., Qiao S.Z.
Year: 2024
Citations: Not listed

 

Mahad Rashid | Machine Learning | Best Researcher Award

Mr Mahad Rashid | Machine Learning | Best Researcher Award

Senior Analytics Consultant at WorkSafe VIC, Australia

Mahad Rashid is an enthusiastic and skilled Analytics Consultant with a Master’s degree in Data Science from Deakin University. With over six years of experience in data analysis, machine learning, and software engineering, Mahad has a proven track record of developing data-driven solutions to enhance business operations and customer experiences. Proficient in Python, SAS, SQL, and data visualization tools like Power BI and Qlik, he has worked in diverse roles, including Senior Analytics Consultant at WorkSafe Victoria and Research Engineer at the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute. Mahad is passionate about leveraging data to drive innovation and deliver impactful results. His expertise spans machine learning, deep learning, and statistical analysis, with a strong focus on MLOps and AI deployment. Mahad is also an effective communicator, capable of translating complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Mahad Rashid holds a Master of Data Science from Deakin University, Burwood (2019–2021), where he honed his skills in data analysis, machine learning, and AI. Prior to this, he completed his Bachelor of Software Engineering from the National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan (2014–2018), gaining a strong foundation in programming, software development, and data structures. Throughout his academic journey, Mahad demonstrated a keen interest in applying data science to solve real-world problems. He has also pursued additional certifications, including Getting Started with SAS Programming and Git and GitHub on Coursera (2024), showcasing his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Experience 💼

Mahad Rashid has a rich professional background spanning over six years. As a Senior Analytics Consultant at WorkSafe Victoria (2023–Present), he excels in data extraction, cleaning, and machine learning using Python and SQL. He also mentors junior consultants and creates insightful dashboards using Power BI. Previously, as a Research Engineer at the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute, Deakin (2021–2023), he developed and deployed ML models, applied MLOps principles, and collaborated on AI research. Earlier, as a Software Engineer at CureMD, Pakistan (2018–2019), he designed machine learning applications and advanced data visualizations. Mahad’s expertise lies in leveraging data to drive innovation, improve decision-making, and deliver impactful solutions across industries.

Awards and Honors 🏆

While specific awards and honors are not explicitly mentioned in the provided profile, Mahad Rashid’s contributions to data science and AI research are evident through his publications and professional achievements. His work on high-voltage lithium cathode materials, published in ACS Applied Energy Materials (2024), highlights his involvement in cutting-edge research. Additionally, his role in mentoring junior consultants and leading analytics projects at WorkSafe Victoria underscores his recognition as a skilled and reliable professional. Mahad’s commitment to continuous learning, evidenced by his certifications in SAS and Git, further reflects his dedication to excellence in the field of data science.

Research Focus 🔍

Mahad Rashid’s research focuses on applying machine learningdeep learning, and AI to solve complex problems across various domains. His work includes developing and deploying ML models for classification, regression, and image detection, as well as applying MLOps principles to streamline data science workflows. He has also contributed to research on high-voltage lithium cathode materials using Bayesian optimization and first-principles studies, showcasing his interdisciplinary expertise. Mahad is passionate about leveraging data-driven approaches to improve business operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation. His research interests extend to data visualizationstatistical analysis, and AI-driven decision-making, with a strong emphasis on delivering practical, impactful solutions.

Publication Top Notes 📚

  1. High-Voltage, High Capacity Aluminum-Rich Lithium Cathode Materials: A Bayesian Optimization and First-Principles Study – ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2024.

Conclusion 🌟

Mahad Rashid is a highly skilled and passionate data science professional with a strong academic background and extensive industry experience. His expertise in data analysis, machine learning, and AI, combined with his ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, makes him a valuable asset to any organization. Mahad’s commitment to innovation, continuous learning, and delivering impactful results positions him as a leader in the field of data science and analytics.

 

Xuemei Wei | Materials Science and Engineering | Best Paper Award

Dr Xuemei Wei | Materials Science and Engineering | Best Paper Award


Assistant Researcher, Shaoxing University, China

Dr. Xuemei Wei is an accomplished researcher specializing in metal-organic chemistry and catalysis. She holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her expertise lies in the development of nano-catalytic materials for environmental and energy applications. With over 12 SCI publications in high-impact journals, she has made significant contributions to catalyst design and chemical transformations. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Researcher at Shaoxing University, where she advances research in pharmaceutical and chemical sciences. Her work integrates innovative nanomaterials to address environmental challenges and sustainable energy solutions.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Scopus

EDUCATION

🎓 Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry – Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2018-2021)
📝 Thesis: Design and Mechanism of Efficient Carbonylation Catalysts under Ambient Conditions.
🎓 M.Sc. in Inorganic Chemistry – Inner Mongolia University (2013-2016)
🎓 B.Sc. in Chemistry – Jilin Normal University (2009-2013)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

🔬 Assistant Researcher – Shaoxing University, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (2021-Present)
🔍 Focus: Development of nano-catalytic materials for industrial and environmental applications.
🧪 R&D Specialist – Changchun Zhongke Haorong New Materials Research Co., Ltd. (2016-2018)
🚀 Developed and optimized catalytic materials for large-scale industrial use.

AWARDS & HONORS

🏆 Recognized for research contributions in metal-organic chemistry.
📜 Multiple SCI-indexed publications in top-tier journals.
🌍 Acknowledged for innovative approaches in environmental catalysis.

RESEARCH FOCUS

🧪 Catalysis Under Ambient Conditions: Development of carbonylation catalysts for industrial applications.
🌱 Environmental Nanomaterials: Engineering nanomaterials for pollutant degradation and remediation.
Sustainable Energy Catalysis: Exploring hydrodeoxygenation reactions for green chemistry solutions.

PUBLICATION TOP NOTES

📄 Turning on Ambient Conditions Hydrodeoxygenation of Biobased Aromatic Alcohols – Energy Conversion and Management (2025)
📄 Construction of MXene-loaded Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron for ReO4-/TcO4- Sequestration – Separation and Purification Technology (2024)
📄 Deciphering the Facet-Dependent Scavenging Potential of α-Fe2O3 Nanocrystals – Applied Surface Science (2024)
📄 Crucial Size Effect on Dicarbonylation of Acetylene Over Pd/CsHPMo Catalysts – Dalton Transactions (2024)
📄 Targeting Phosphodiesterase 4 as a Therapeutic Strategy for Cognitive Improvement – Bioorganic Chemistry (2023)
📄 Vesicular BiVO4 Nanostructures Modified by g-C3N4 Quantum Dots – Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing (2024)
📄 Synergistic Effect of Hematite Facet and Pd Nanocluster for Acetylene Dicarbonylation – Molecular Catalysis (2021)
📄 Strong Metal-Support Interactions Between Palladium Nanoclusters and Hematite – New Journal of Chemistry (2020)
📄 Highly Efficient Selective Dicarbonylation of Acetylene Catalyzed by Palladium Nanosheets – New Journal of Chemistry (2020)
📄 Catalyst in Acetylene Carbonylation: From Homogeneous to Heterogeneous – Progress in Chemistry (2020)
📄 Advances in Research on Structure-Activity Relationship in Hydrogenation Catalysts – Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress (2020)
📄 Support Morphology-Dependent Catalytic Activity of Co/CeO2 for Phenol Hydrogenation – New Journal of Chemistry (2020)

CONCLUSION

Dr. Xuemei Wei is a leading researcher in catalysis and nanomaterials, making significant strides in environmental and sustainable chemistry. Her contributions to metal-organic chemistry and catalytic performance have earned her recognition in top scientific journals. As an Assistant Researcher at Shaoxing University, she continues to develop innovative solutions for industrial and environmental challenges. 🚀🔬