Marie Giroudon | Environmental Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr.Marie Giroudon | Environmental Engineering | Best Researcher Award

INSA Toulouse – France

AUTHOR PROFILE

Summary

Dr. Marie Giroudon is an emerging leader in sustainable cementitious materials. In just four years post‑PhD she has published rigorously, secured competitive funding, and established a vibrant teaching and mentoring profile. Her work on biodeterioration in anaerobic and chemically aggressive environments fills a critical knowledge gap for low‑carbon infrastructure, aligning neatly with the thrust of many “Best Researcher” criteria: originality, societal impact, and future promise.

🎓 Education

Marie Giroudon has built a solid academic foundation in civil and geotechnical engineering, culminating in a PhD in Civil Engineering defended in January 2021 at INSA Toulouse. She also holds a Master’s degree and an Engineering Diploma in Civil and Geotechnical Engineering from UPSSITECH, University Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, awarded with honours in 2017. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, completed with distinction in 2014, following which she undertook a semester abroad at Polytechnique Montréal in Canada, receiving a “very good” assessment. Her secondary education concluded with a Scientific Baccalaureate in 2011 with honours.

🏗️ Professional Experience

Marie Giroudon is currently serving as a Maître de Conférences (Assistant Professor) at the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA Toulouse), specializing in construction materials durability. Prior to this, she worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher on the ANR WWT Concrete project, focusing on sustainable concrete in wastewater treatment. From 2020 to 2022, she held a full-time A.T.E.R. teaching position at INSA Toulouse, delivering courses in BIM, geotechnics, heat transfer, and prestressed concrete. Her professional career is deeply rooted in applied research, particularly through her PhD and master’s thesis on biodeterioration and sustainable materials in anaerobic environments.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Giroudon’s research is centered on the biodeterioration of cementitious materials in chemically aggressive environments, particularly anaerobic digestion systems, and the development of sustainable and low-carbon construction materials. She has contributed significantly to understanding the interactions between organic compounds and various binder types, with emphasis on geopolymers, blast-furnace slag cement, and calcium aluminate cement. Her work also extends to micromechanical characterization, multiphysical behavior analysis, and phase stability of materials exposed to biological and chemical attacks.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Marie Giroudon received the 3rd prize for young researchers at the XVème Forum Jeunes Chercheurs – Biodétérioration des matériaux in 2019. She is an active member of the RILEM committee (TC 253-MCI) and the AFGC Technical Group on Bio-Cement Interactions, contributing to state-of-the-art documentation on biodeterioration in civil infrastructure. Her engagement in these international communities underlines her growing influence and recognition in the field of construction durability.

📚  Publications :

1. Title: Comparison of barley and lavender straws as bioaggregates in earth bricks
Author(s): M. Giroudon, A. Laborel-Préneron, J.E. Aubert, C. Magniont
Year: 2019

2. Title: Blast-furnace slag cement and metakaolin based geopolymer as construction materials for liquid anaerobic digestion structures: Interactions and biodeterioration mechanisms
Author(s): M. Giroudon, M.P. Lavigne, C. Patapy, A. Bertron
Year: 2021

3. Title: Cementitious materials in biogas systems: Biodeterioration mechanisms and kinetics in CEM I and CAC based materials
Author(s): C. Voegel, M. Giroudon, A. Bertron, C. Patapy, M.P. Lavigne, T. Verdier, et al.
Year: 2019

4. Title: Experimental assessment of bio-based earth bricks durability
Author(s): A. Laborel-Préneron, M. Giroudon, J.E. Aubert, C. Magniont, P. Faria
Year: 2019

5. Title: Potential of low carbon materials facing biodeterioration in concrete biogas structures
Author(s): M. Giroudon, C. Patapy, M. Peyre Lavigne, M. Andriamiandroso, R. Cartier, et al.
Year: 2023

6. Title: Insights into the local interaction mechanisms between fermenting broken maize and various binder materials for anaerobic digester structures
Author(s): M. Giroudon, C. Perez, M.P. Lavigne, B. Erable, C. Lors, C. Patapy, A. Bertron
Year: 2021

7. Title: Biodeterioration mechanisms and kinetics of SCM and aluminate based cements and AAM in the liquid phase of an anaerobic digestion
Author(s): M. Giroudon, M.P. Lavigne, C. Patapy, A. Bertron
Year: 2018

8. Title: New insights into aluminosilicate gel from acetic acid attack of hydrated Portland cement: Experimental and thermodynamic characterization
Author(s): C. Roosz, M. Giroudon, L. Lacarrière, M.P. Lavigne, C. Patapy, A. Bertron
Year: 2024

9. Title: Laboratory assessment of the contribution of aggressive to concrete chemical compounds to the degradation of Portland cement-based materials during anaerobic digestion
Author(s): M. Giroudon, M. Peyre Lavigne, C. Patapy, A. Bertron
Year: 2021

10. Title: Evaluation des interactions entre biodéchets en digestion anaérobie et matériaux cimentaires à base de différents liants en vue d’une meilleure durabilité des structures de …
Author(s): M. Giroudon
Year: 2021

✅ Conclusion

Given her exceptional early‑career trajectory, cross‑disciplinary impact, and clear leadership potential, Dr. Marie Giroudon is highly suitable for a Best Researcher Award in the Early‑Career or Rising‑Star category. Addressing the outlined improvement areas—particularly expanding international funding and industry partnerships—will compound her influence, but her current accomplishments already merit strong consideration for top honors.

ZAFARULLAH NIZAMANI – Renewable energy – Sustainable Infrastructure Innovation Award

ZAFARULLAH NIZAMANI - Renewable energy - Sustainable Infrastructure Innovation Award

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman - Malaysia

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING:

ZAFARULLAH NIZAMANI serves as the Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering, overseeing two undergraduate programs: the Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Environmental) and the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental Health. In this leadership role, he shapes the department's academic direction and ensures its prominence within the university and the broader community.

ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:

As chairperson of the Curriculum Development Committee, ZAFARULLAH is responsible for designing and updating curricula to meet academic and industry standards. He ensures that syllabi are reviewed every three years or sooner if necessary, to incorporate the latest developments and maintain relevance.

DEPARTMENT SUPERVISION AND RESEARCH PROMOTION:

ZAFARULLAH manages and leads the department staff, including hiring, mentoring, and evaluating performance. He actively promotes research within the department, encouraging staff to seek internal and external grants, and supports the advancement of research activities among both faculty and students.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT:

ZAFARULLAH sets strategic goals for the department, aligning them with the university's mission and vision. He identifies opportunities for program growth and improvement based on emerging industry trends and academic advancements, ensuring that the programs evolve to meet future challenges.

COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING:

ZAFARULLAH establishes and maintains strong connections with industry partners and professionals. He coordinates visits from external examiners and ensures all preparations for their assessments are meticulously handled. Additionally, he organizes biannual meetings with the Industry Advisory Panel, using their feedback to enhance program quality and relevance.

ACCREDITATION AND COMPLIANCE:

ZAFARULLAH ensures that the civil engineering program meets the accreditation standards of the Board of Engineers Malaysia and is working towards acquiring accreditation from the Department of Occupational, Safety and Health Malaysia for the Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Health program. He stays informed about and ensures compliance with regulations from the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA).

INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION:

ZAFARULLAH fosters interdisciplinary initiatives and research projects by collaborating with other departments within the university. This collaboration helps to integrate diverse perspectives and enhance the overall academic experience and research output of the department.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Optimization of mooring line design parameters using Mooring Optimization Tool for FPSO (MooOpT4FPSO) with the consideration of integrated design methodology
Authors: Ja'e, I.A., Ahmed Ali, M.O., Yenduri, A., Nizamani, Z., Nakayama, A.
Year: 2022
Journal: Ocean Engineering

Geospatial analysis of river flood hazard assessment
Authors: Soomro, R.A., Nizamani, Z., Nakayama, A., Tan, K.W.
Year: 2022
Conference: E3S Web of Conference

Determination of structural reliability of a reinforced concrete slab under fire load
Authors: Zafarullah, N., Eltigani, A., Nakayama, A., Bilal, H.S.M.
Year: 2022
Conference: E3S Web of Conferences

Effect of Various Mooring Materials on Hydrodynamic Responses of Turret-Moored FPSO with Emphasis on Intact and Damaged Conditions
Authors: Ja’e, I.A., Ali, M.O.A., Yenduri, A., Nizamani, Z., Nakayama, A.
Year: 2022
Journal: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

Optimisation of mooring line parameters for offshore floating structures: A review paper
Authors: Ja'e, I.A., Osman Ahmed Ali, M., Yenduri, A., Nizamani, Z., Nakayama, A.
Year: 2022
Journal: Ocean Engineering