Štěpán Nosek | Urban Air Quality | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Štěpán Nosek | Urban Air Quality | Best Researcher Award

Head of the department, Institute of Thermomechanics of the Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic 

Štěpán Nosek is a senior scientist and Head of the Department of Dynamics of Fluids at the Institute of Thermomechanics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IT CAS). With a profound expertise in environmental aerodynamics, atmospheric turbulence, and urban air quality, he has published over 24 scientific papers with an h-index of 9 and over 200 citations. He has also led two national grants and served in various leadership roles, including as Head of the Laboratory of Environmental Aerodynamics. Štěpán actively contributes to the understanding of pollutant dispersion and turbulence through wind tunnel modeling and real-world studies.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Scopus

STRENGTHS FOR THE AWARD

  1. EXPERTISE AND IMPACTFUL RESEARCH:
    • His expertise in atmospheric turbulence, pollutant transport, and environmental aerodynamics directly addresses critical global issues such as air quality and urban pollution.
    • The high impact of his research is reflected in publications in reputable journals, with an h-index of 9 (Web of Science) and over 200 citations, showing that his work is well-regarded in the scientific community.
  2. LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS:
    • He holds significant leadership positions, including Head of the Laboratory of Environmental Aerodynamics and the Department of Dynamics of Fluids at IT CAS.
    • His leadership extends to grant acquisition, having successfully led two national grants, further emphasizing his capacity to manage and advance research projects.
  3. PUBLICATION RECORD:
    • Authorship of more than 24 papers, with several key publications in journals with impact factors exceeding 7.0, highlights the relevance and rigor of his work. Notable papers, such as those in Environmental Pollution (IF 8.3), emphasize practical applications like pollutant transport in urban environments.
  4. INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AND EXPERIENCE:
    • A 10-month internship at the Technical University of Denmark and international co-authorships underscore his global research engagement.
  5. PRACTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS:
    • His studies on ventilation in urban street canyons and livestock buildings have significant implications for urban planning, environmental policy, and sustainable development.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

  1. CITATION IMPACT:
    • While his research is impactful, increasing the breadth of his citations (204 across 24 papers) could further elevate his global recognition. Strategies such as more extensive collaborations and targeting high-citation open-access journals could help.
  2. DIVERSIFICATION OF TOPICS:
    • Expanding his research to emerging areas like climate change mitigation or advanced computational modeling techniques could enhance the scope of his contributions.
  3. GRANT ACQUISITION AND INDUSTRY IMPACT:
    • While successful in securing national grants, increasing engagement with industry-funded projects and international grants could amplify the practical application and visibility of his work.

EDUCATION

🎓 2000–2006: Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague.
🎓 2006–2010: Ph.D., Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague.

EXPERIENCE

🌍 2005–2006: Internship, Technical University of Denmark (10 months).
👨‍🔬 2012–2023: Deputy Head, Department of Dynamics of Fluids, IT CAS.
🔬 2014–2023: Head, Laboratory of Environmental Aerodynamics, IT CAS.
🚀 Since 2024: Head, Department of Dynamics of Fluids, IT CAS.

AWARDS AND HONORS

🏆 Principal Investigator of two national grants in environmental aerodynamics.
📜 Recognized for significant contributions to urban air quality and pollutant dispersion modeling.
✨ Lead author of multiple highly cited works in renowned journals, including Environmental Pollution and Building and Environment.

RESEARCH FOCUS

Štěpán Nosek’s research delves into atmospheric turbulence, pollutant transport, and urban air quality. He focuses on turbulence’s coherent structures and their role in pollutant dispersion in urban environments and environmental flows. His work spans advanced wind tunnel modeling and computational methods to improve understanding of atmospheric surface-layer dynamics and environmental sustainability.

PUBLICATION TOP NOTES

  1. Ventilation Processes in a Three-Dimensional Street Canyon 🏙️
  2. Impact of Roof Height Non-Uniformity on Pollutant Transport 🏢
  3. Street-Canyon Pollution with Urban-Array Complexity 🌆
  4. Combining Effect of Roof Shape and Source Position 🌀
  5. Ventilation of a Cattle Barn under Atmospheric Boundary Layer 🐄

CONCLUSION

Štěpán Nosek’s research aligns well with the criteria for a Best Researcher Award. His impactful publications, leadership roles, and significant contributions to environmental aerodynamics and urban air quality make him a strong candidate. Addressing the highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in citation impact and topic diversification, could further enhance his profile for future recognitions.

Snowil J. Lopes – Environmental Engineering – Best Researcher Award

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Snowil J. Lopes - Environmental Engineering - Best Researcher Award

Clemson University - United States

AUTHOR PROFILE

Scopus

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS:

Snowil J. Lopes began his academic journey by obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Mumbai University, India, followed by a Master's in Construction Science and a Master's in Business Administration from Clemson University, SC, USA. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a focus on Human Systems Engineering at Clemson University.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS:

Snowil has accrued extensive professional experience, notably as an Energy Engineer and System Analyst at Clemson University Facilities, where he contributed significantly to energy auditing, management, and conservation efforts. He also served as the Director of Research at the Clemson University Energy Analytics and Visualization Center (CEVAC), leading research initiatives in energy efficiency, carbon neutrality, and AI-based technologies for building decarbonization.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS:

Snowil's research primarily revolves around Environmental Engineering, focusing on energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and sustainable building practices. His work at CEVAC and as a Ph.D. candidate involves pioneering research in AI-enabled building energy modeling, carbon capture technologies, and human-system interactions in energy-efficient buildings.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE:

Through his research and professional engagements, Snowil has made significant contributions to the field of Environmental Engineering, particularly in advancing sustainable building practices and energy management strategies. His work is expected to influence industry practices and policymaking aimed at mitigating environmental impact and promoting energy efficiency.

ACADEMIC CITES:

Snowil's research papers and presentations at prestigious conferences have likely garnered academic citations, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge in Environmental Engineering, energy efficiency, and sustainable building practices.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS:

Snowil J. Lopes's legacy lies in his dedication to advancing Environmental Engineering, particularly in the realms of energy efficiency and sustainable building design. His future contributions are anticipated to further shape the field, driving innovations in energy management, carbon footprint reduction, and sustainable infrastructure development.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING FOCUS:

Snowil's academic pursuits, professional endeavors, and research focus converge around Environmental Engineering, with an emphasis on sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint reduction. His expertise in this domain positions him as a key figure in addressing contemporary environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

A survey of automation-enabled human-in-the-loop systems for infrastructure visual inspection.  2019 (96)

FABIOLA VALDEBENITO – environmental engineering – Best Researcher Award

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Dr. FABIOLA VALDEBENITO - environmental engineering - Best Researcher Award

Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción - Chile

AUTHOR PROFILE

Scopus
ORCID

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS:

Dr. FABIOLA VALDEBENITO initiated her academic journey with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Concepción, Chile, in 2009. This marked the commencement of her academic excellence in the field of Chemistry.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS:

With a Doctorate in Natural Resources Sciences from the University of La Frontera, Temuco, achieved in 2017, Dr. Valdebenito has become a seasoned researcher specializing in Bioresources and the valorization of lignocellulosic waste. Her commitment to scholarly pursuits is underscored by her ongoing Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Srinivas University, Karnataka, commenced in 2023.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS:

Dr. Valdebenito's expertise lies in the catalysis domain, with a focus on Bioresources and the utilization of lignocellulosic waste. Her involvement in national and international projects, including Fondecyt, Fondef, and PAI, showcases her commitment to research and development (R+D+i). Additionally, her participation in dissemination activities and cooperation networks, both nationally and internationally, highlights her dedication to advancing the fields of biopolymers and nanomaterials.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE:

As a member of the UCSC Energy Center, Dr. Valdebenito actively contributes to the interdisciplinary group's work in research, development, and innovation. Her diverse responsibilities encompass teaching, thesis direction, and project participation, underscoring her influence within academic circles.

ACADEMIC CITES:

While actively engaged in teaching at institutions such as the Catholic University of the Most Holy Conception and the Autonomous University of Chile, Dr. Valdebenito has directed numerous research seminars and guided undergraduate projects. Her impactful contributions include overseeing Master's and Bachelor's projects, shaping the academic journey of aspiring researchers.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS:

Dr. FABIOLA VALDEBENITO's legacy is one of academic rigor and dedication to environmental chemistry and sustainability. As she continues to guide research projects and contribute to the education of future scientists, her impact is anticipated to resonate in the academic community.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS

Carbonization of microalgae for bio-coal production as a solid biofuel similar to bituminous coal.  2021 (5)