Maria Macchiaroli | Water Resources Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Maria Macchiaroli | Water Resources Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | University of Salerno | Italy

Maria Macchiaroli, affiliated with the University of Salerno in Italy, has established a distinguished research profile in the field of sustainable construction, environmental management, and socio-economic development related to the built environment. Her research explores the intersection of engineering, architecture, and sustainability, emphasizing how innovative technologies and design strategies can enhance resource efficiency and urban livability. Through publications addressing extended reality (XR) in real estate, economic-financial project management, and the promotion of socio-environmental sustainability by water utilities, Maria contributes to advancing the integration of digital innovation and sustainability in urban systems. Her scholarly work demonstrates a commitment to optimizing infrastructure performance while minimizing environmental impacts, combining quantitative analysis with socio-economic assessment to inform policy and practice. She also investigates cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency in housing and public utilities, highlighting the importance of sustainable urban planning and responsible management of water and energy resources. With 39 documents, 324 citations, and an h-index of 13, her research continues to influence both academia and industry, reinforcing her role as a key figure in sustainable development studies. By bridging environmental engineering principles with social responsibility, Maria Macchiaroli’s research provides valuable frameworks for sustainable resource allocation, eco-efficient urban management, and resilience in built environments, aligning with global goals for smart and sustainable cities.

Profile: Scopus
Fearuted Publications:

Living in university accommodations or rented houses: Analysis of differences in terms of cost and effects on university career. (n.d.). Book chapter.

Extended reality (XR) impacts on real estate market and economic-financial project management of residential built environments: Systematic review and analysis. (2025). Smart and Sustainable Built Environment.

Promotion of socio-environmental sustainability by water utilities: Optimal budget's estimation and results' analysis of varying company size. (n.d.). Conference paper.

Zhou Jingya | Environmental Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering Awards

Zhou Jingya | Environmental Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Yanbian University | China

Zhou Jingya, a lecturer at the College of Geography and Ocean Science, Yanbian University, has developed a strong academic foundation in marine engineering, corrosion science, and environmental protection. Her research focuses on the interaction between marine microbial activities and material degradation, emphasizing sustainable and resilient solutions for oceanic infrastructure. Zhou has played a significant role in several prestigious national projects, including studies funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China on targeted antibacterial nanomaterials, the engineering behavior of calcareous sand in the South China Sea, and the combined effects of sea-ice cycles and microbial corrosion on marine structures. As the principal investigator of multiple projects, including those supported by the Jilin Provincial Department of Education and Yanbian University, Zhou explores green concrete and microbial self-healing systems in the context of carbon neutrality and cross-border water pollution mitigation. Her scientific contributions are marked by first and corresponding author roles in several high-impact journals such as International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, Ocean Engineering, Materials, and Microorganisms. Notable publications include research on microbial-induced concrete corrosion and dynamic sulfur cycle modeling in urban sewage systems under extreme environmental conditions. She has also authored a technical book titled Microbial Evaluation and Management Techniques for High-Temperature and High-Salt Urban Sewage Pipelines (2025), reflecting her applied expertise in environmental microbiology. Zhou’s innovative approach combines advanced imaging, biofilm modeling, and multivariate analyses to uncover new mechanisms of material-environment interactions. Her teaching excellence is evidenced by award-winning work on blended learning for environmental bioremediation engineering. With a growing academic influence, reflected in multiple SCI-indexed papers and leadership in interdisciplinary projects, Zhou continues to advance sustainable engineering solutions at the intersection of microbiology, materials science, and marine environmental systems.

Profile: ORCID
Fearuted Publications:

  • Zhang, X., Li, Y., Wang, J., & Liu, H. (2025). Dynamic modeling of the sulfur cycle in urban sewage pipelines under high-temperature and high-salinity conditions. Microorganisms, 13(7), 1534.

  • Zhang, X., Li, Y., Wang, J., & Liu, H. (2025). Mapping the knowledge domain of ocean acidification impacts on marine microbial communities: Visual exploration based on CiteSpace. Preprints.