Niloufar Salehi - Circular Economy Implementation - Best Researcher Award

KTH Royal Institute of Technology - Sweden

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS

NILOUFAR SALEHI 🎓

Niloufar Salehi is a dedicated PhD candidate specializing in Circular Manufacturing Systems at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. With over five years of experience, she has developed data-driven decision-support tools aimed at facilitating the transition of manufacturing systems to sustainable and circular practices. Her strategic thinking and strong analytical skills have enabled her to tackle complex problems and contribute significantly to her field. Committed to a sustainable future, she aspires to develop innovative solutions that expand academic knowledge in circular manufacturing.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 🏢

As a PhD candidate, Niloufar has led data-gathering efforts for several successful European project proposals, significantly contributing to their writing and coordination. Her work in Horizon Europe’s DiCiM project highlights her ability to manage synergies among demonstrators while overseeing impactful dissemination efforts. Through her involvement in the H2020 ReCiPSS project, she has played a crucial role in implementing circularity principles across major industries, such as automotive and white goods manufacturing.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 🔍

Niloufar’s research focuses on enhancing Circular Manufacturing Systems through multi-method simulation models. She has designed workshops and analyzed data to create comprehensive “as-is” and “to-be” scenarios, enabling companies to transition from linear to circular supply chains effectively. Her contributions include developing simulation-based decision-support tools that assess the economic, environmental, and technical performance of stakeholders involved in these supply chains, leading to actionable insights for management teams.

TEACHING AND SUPERVISION 📚

Niloufar is also committed to education, having taught courses on Circular Manufacturing Systems at both the master's and PhD levels. She has supervised multiple theses, guiding students in critical research areas related to sustainability and circularity in manufacturing. Her passion for teaching and mentoring has fostered an environment of academic growth and innovation within her department, inspiring the next generation of engineers and researchers.

COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES 🤝

Throughout her career, Niloufar has established strong collaborations with international universities and research institutes, resulting in impactful publications and innovative projects. Her modeling skills have been recognized in various collaborative publications, showcasing her expertise in system dynamics and the evaluation of competitive scenarios in the circular economy. Her work reflects a commitment to promoting knowledge sharing and partnership within the academic community.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY 🌱

Niloufar’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond her academic achievements. She has actively participated in initiatives aimed at reducing industrial carbon footprints and enhancing climate change commitments in her home country, Iran. Her research in anaerobic digestion and techno-economic analysis underscores her commitment to finding sustainable solutions that address real-world environmental challenges. Through her work, she aims to drive meaningful change in manufacturing practices towards a more circular and sustainable future.

FUTURE ASPIRATIONS 🌟

Looking ahead, Niloufar Salehi aims to continue her research in circular manufacturing while expanding her influence through innovative collaborations and practical implementations. Her goal is to create lasting impacts on sustainability practices in the manufacturing sector, ensuring that future industries operate within a circular economy framework. As she approaches the completion of her PhD, her vision remains clear: to lead transformative initiatives that pave the way for a sustainable future.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Title: Towards circular economy: A guiding framework for circular supply chain implementation
Authors: Amir, S., Salehi, N., Roci, M., Sweet, S., Rashid, A.
Journal: Business Strategy and the Environment
Year: 2023

Title: Consumer Perceptions of the Circular Business Model: A Case of Leasing Strollers
Authors: Asif, F.M.A., Salehi, N., Lieder, M.
Conference Paper: Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering
Year: 2023

Title: Towards circular manufacturing systems implementation: A complex adaptive systems perspective using modelling and simulation as a quantitative analysis tool
Authors: Roci, M., Salehi, N., Amir, S., Mihelič, A., Rashid, A.
Journal: Sustainable Production and Consumption
Year: 2022

Title: A comparative life cycle assessment of stretchable and rigid electronics: a case study of cardiac monitoring devices
Authors: Kokare, S., Asif, F.M.A., Mårtensson, G., Roci, M., Salehi, N.
Journal: International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
Year: 2022

Title: Multi-method simulation modelling of circular manufacturing systems for enhanced decision-making
Authors: Roci, M., Salehi, N., Amir, S., Shoaib-ul-Hasan, S., Rashid, A.
Journal: MethodsX
Year: 2022

👷‍♀️ CIVIL ENGINEERING EXPERTISE

Inês Flores-Colen is a Full Professor at the Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, specializing in the Construction Scientific Area of the Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Environment. With a career starting in 1996, she has earned her MSc in 2002 and PhD in Civil Engineering in 2009. Her professional journey has been marked by significant contributions to the fields of construction and civil engineering, making her a leading expert in her domain.

📚 PROLIFIC PUBLISHER AND EDITOR

Inês has an extensive publication record that includes 3 books, 8 book chapters, and over 100 papers in international journals. She has also contributed 60 technical-scientific reports and 35 international congress papers. Her editorial experience includes serving as Editor of International Techitt (2014-2017), and she is currently the Editorial Board Member of three international journals and the Director of the magazine Pedra e Cal, which focuses on conservation and rehabilitation.

🧪 RESEARCH PROGRAM PARTICIPATION

Inês has actively participated in 15 competitively financed research programs, with 4 ongoing international projects. Notably, she is involved in DG4HEALTH (a digital twin platform for hospital facility management) and SHELLTER, which focuses on the reuse of aquaculture waste for construction materials. As a Principal Investigator, her projects include WGB_Shield and Nanorender, and she has led the Instituto Superior Técnico team in two subcontracted projects related to smart roofing systems and advanced waterproofing technologies.

🏗️ RESEARCH INTERESTS IN CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION

Her research interests are diverse and cutting-edge, focusing on innovative and sustainable construction, pathology, inspection, in-situ testing, and rehabilitation of buildings. Inês is a pioneer in the development of aerogel-based renders for thermal rehabilitation, contributing to advancements in mortars and ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems). Her work is vital in improving building performance and sustainability.

🏅 INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND STANDARDIZATION CONTRIBUTIONS

Inês is an active member of European and international standardization committees, including CEN/TC348, ISO TC 267, and CEN/TC318. She is also part of national committees CT 94 and CT 192, showcasing her influence in shaping industry standards. Her national patent on aerogel-based thermal render, published in 2019, further underscores her innovative contributions to civil engineering.

🔬 LEADER OF THE PERCOAT RESEARCH GROUP

Inês founded the PERCOAT - Performance of Coatings and Buildings Solutions research group in 2020. Through this initiative, she continues to drive forward research in the field of building maintenance and innovative construction solutions. Her leadership has positioned PERCOAT as a key player in developing sustainable building technologies.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Blue Circular Economy—Reuse and Valorization of Bivalve Shells: The Case of Algarve, Portugal
Authors: Magalhães, F.C., Bellei, P., Flores-Colen, I., da Costa, E.M.
Journal: Recycling
Year: 2024

Effects of hygrothermal and natural aging on the durability of multilayer insulation systems incorporating thermal mortars with EPS and aerogel
Authors: Parracha, J.L., Veiga, R., Nunes, L., Flores-Colen, I.
Journal: Cement and Concrete Composites
Year: 2024

Characterization and performance of building composites made from gypsum and woody-biomass ash waste: A product development and application study
Authors: Pedreño-Rojas, M.A., Porras-Amores, C., Villoria-Sáez, P., Morales-Conde, M.J., Flores-Colen, I.
Journal: Construction and Building Materials
Year: 2024

An Evaluation of the Luminous Performance of a School Environment Integrating Artificial Lighting and Daylight
Authors: Miranda, D.T., Barreto, D., Flores-Colen, I.
Journal: Sustainability (Switzerland)
Year: 2024

Guidelines to reduce the effects of urban heat in a changing climate: Green infrastructures and design measures
Authors: Pereira, C., Flores-Colen, I., Mendes, M.P.
Journal: Sustainable Development
Year: 2024