Pedro Pitrez | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Pedro Pitrez | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Pedro Pitrez  at Assistente Convidado – FEUP , Portugal

Pedro Pitrez is a Mechanical Engineer specializing in thermal energy and internal combustion engine systems. He holds a Master’s degree and is currently completing his Ph.D. at FEUP, focusing on energy systems and mechanical engineering. Pitrez has extensive experience in both academia and industry, with a passion for research, development, and teaching. He has worked as a lecturer at UTAD and FEUP, teaching subjects such as Applied Thermodynamics and Mechanics. His professional journey includes working at INEGI, where he developed a machine for cork painting, and at EDP Geração, managing operations for hydroelectric power plants. Known for his technical expertise, Pitrez combines his engineering knowledge with a drive for innovation, contributing to various research projects, academic articles, and conferences.

Publication Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Pedro Pitrez’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from UTAD, followed by a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from FEUP. His Ph.D. work at FEUP focuses on the areas of energy systems and combustion. Pitrez has excelled in his academic career, achieving strong results with a Master’s thesis on preparing a Porsche 911 internal combustion engine for competition. His academic training also includes specialized research in thermal energy, reflected in his current work and studies. Furthermore, he has contributed significantly to educational platforms, having taught courses such as Applied Thermodynamics II and Mechanics III. His current research at FEUP and INEGI is an embodiment of his continuous pursuit of knowledge and advancement in the field of mechanical and energy engineering.

💼 Experience

Pedro Pitrez has an extensive professional background in both academia and industry. From March 2020 to August 2022, he worked as a researcher at INEGI, where he was involved in the development of industrial machines, including a machine for cork painting. He was responsible for designing the machine’s structure and transport systems, as well as creating the control software. Additionally, Pitrez gained valuable experience in teaching at FEUP, offering courses in thermodynamics and mechanics. He has also worked at Amorim Cork Composites, where he provided academic support, including practical classes and student supervision. His professional career also includes working at EDP Geração, where he currently holds a position as an engineer in charge of planning and operations for hydroelectric power plants. Pitrez’s broad experience and academic contributions make him a well-rounded professional in mechanical engineering and energy systems.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Pedro Pitrez has received numerous accolades for his contributions to research and academia. Notably, he won the Best Paper Award at the International Conference on Technologies and Materials for Renewable Energy, Environment, and Sustainability (TMREES23) in 2023. His research work on plasma gasification and energy systems optimization has earned him recognition in both academic and professional circles. Additionally, Pitrez has presented at several high-profile conferences, such as the VII Jornadas de Engenharia Mecânica UTAD and the International Conference on Renewable Energy and Sustainability (TMREES23). His academic journey has been marked by consistent excellence, having also contributed to published articles in reputable journals such as Energy Reports and ENCIT 2020. These awards and honors reflect his impact and dedication to advancing research in mechanical engineering and sustainable energy solutions.

🔍 Research Focus

Pedro Pitrez’s research primarily focuses on energy systems, combustion processes, and sustainable energy technologies. His current work includes investigating plasma gasification for hazardous waste treatment and optimizing energy conversion processes. He has developed expertise in the numerical analysis of energy systems and the efficient production of syngas. His research is highly interdisciplinary, bridging mechanical engineering with environmental sustainability. Pitrez is particularly focused on applying energy optimization to industrial processes, as evidenced by his work on internal combustion engines and hydroelectric power plants. Additionally, his ongoing Ph.D. research explores the potential of alternative fuels in the transportation and energy sectors. His work contributes to the development of cleaner, more efficient energy systems, with practical applications in industries such as automotive, power generation, and environmental technologies. Pitrez’s dedication to advancing energy solutions aligns with his long-term vision of sustainable and efficient mechanical systems.

Publication Top Notes

  • Energy Recovery from Infectious Hospital Waste and Its Safe Neutralization

    • Authors: P. Pitrez, Pedro; E.L.M. Monteiro, Eliseu L.M.; A.I. Rouboa, Abel Ilah
    • Citations: 0 (as it is a forthcoming publication)
    • Year: 2025
    • Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

  • Numerical Analysis of Plasma Gasification of Hazardous Waste Using Aspen Plus

    • Authors: Not provided in the reference.
    • Citations: 0
    • Year: 2023
    • Journal: Energy Reports
    • Volume: 9, Pages 418-426

  • Optimization of Plasma Gasification System for Treatment of COVID-19 Hazardous Waste for Valorization of LHV and H2 Composition

    • Authors: Not provided in the reference.
    • Citations: 0
    • Year: In Review (no specific year yet)
    • Journal: Status: In Review

 

Desen Özkan | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Desen Özkan | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr Desen Özkan, University of Connecticut, United States

Dr. Desen Özkan is an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Connecticut, with an affiliate position in the Neag School of Education. He is also the Graduate Program Director for the Engineering Education Ph.D. program. Dr. Özkan’s research focuses on sociotechnical identity development, equity in engineering education, and offshore wind energy. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Virginia Tech and has held postdoctoral roles at Tufts University. Dr. Özkan’s work bridges engineering, education, and social justice, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusive curricula. 🌍⚙️📚💡🌱

Publication Profile

google scholar

Education

Dr. Desen Özkan holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2020), where she focused on transdisciplinary approaches in interdisciplinary faculty teaching. She has an extensive academic background with courses from prestigious institutions. Dr. Özkan completed projects on offshore wind energy economics at the University of Massachusetts and structural engineering at Tufts University. She also studied environmental chemistry, microbiology, and mathematical modeling at the University of Tennessee. Her B.S. in Chemical and Biological Engineering was earned at Tufts University in 2013. Dr. Özkan’s work merges engineering, education, and sustainability. 🌍⚙️🎓📚

Experience

Dr. Desen Özkan has diverse research experience in both engineering and social sciences. As a Postdoctoral Researcher at Tufts University, she analyzed job development in Maine’s offshore wind industry, producing the report Floating to the Top (2021), and contributed to a study on equity in offshore wind job development, invited by Connecticut State Legislators (2022). At Virginia Tech, she worked on the NSF-funded Revolutionizing Engineering and Computer Engineering Departments project (2018-2019) and contributed to the Science, Technology, and Society department’s undergraduate degree proposal (2019). Additionally, Dr. Özkan conducted water quality research at the University of Tennessee, focusing on wastewater reclamation. 🌊💡🔬

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Desen Özkan has received multiple nominations for Tufts University’s Significant Impact Awards, recognizing her outstanding contributions to STEM education. Her dedication to mentoring and promoting diversity within the field has been a hallmark of her career. Additionally, Dr. Özkan was selected to participate in the prestigious New Energy Summer Summit at Dartmouth, further highlighting her commitment to advancing innovation and sustainability. These accolades underscore her impactful work in fostering inclusive environments and pushing boundaries in science and technology. Her achievements inspire future generations of diverse STEM leaders. 🏆👩‍🔬🌍💡

Conference Activity

Dr. Desen Özkan has presented at numerous conferences, focusing on sociotechnical engineering education and diversity in the field. Notable presentations include “Positionality, Empathy, and Subjectivity in Research” at the 2024 Compassion and Global Citizenship Conference, and “What is a Job? Deconstructing Offshore Wind Jobs” at the 2024 Petrocultures Conference. Additionally, Dr. Özkan co-presented papers on worker safety in offshore wind at the ASEE Annual Conference and explored environmental racism in engineering courses. Her work also includes teaching design through sociotechnical perspectives, with a focus on student experiences in first-year engineering courses. 🎤🌍📚

Research Focus

Dr. Desen Özkan’s research primarily focuses on the intersection of engineering education, diversity, and sociotechnical systems. Her work explores how contextualization and cultural considerations can enhance learning experiences in engineering education. She investigates methods like persona-based curricular design and emphasizes the importance of addressing reality gaps in senior design projects. Additionally, Dr. Özkan examines the positionality of researchers in engineering education and the teacher-learner dynamic. Her research aims to make engineering education more inclusive, effective, and adaptable, particularly for minoritized groups. 🛠️📚💡🎓

Publication Top Notes

Positionality statements in engineering education research: A look at the hand that guides the methodological tools

Contextualization as virtue in engineering education

Using personas as curricular design tools: Engaging the boundaries of engineering culture

Contextualization in engineering education: A scoping literature review

Teacher learner, learner teacher: parallels and dissonance in an interdisciplinary design education minor

Reality gaps in industrial engineering senior design or capstone projects

Perspectives of Seven Minoritized Students in a First-Year Course Redesign toward Sociotechnical Engineering Education