Janak Sapkota | Sustainable Materials | Best Innovation Award

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Dr. Janak Sapkota | Sustainable Materials | Best Innovation Award

Janak Sapkota is a visionary in sustainable materials and a senior R&D manager at UPM Kymmene Oy, Finland. With an MBA in International Business and a PhD in Natural Science, he combines technological expertise with business acumen to drive innovation in circular economy applications. Renowned for fostering collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions, Janak is recognized for his leadership in developing cellulose-based materials and innovative R&D projects. He is an open-minded team player with a strong international presence.

Profile

Scholar

Education šŸŽ“

MBA, International Business Management (2022) – LAB University of Applied Sciences, Finland. PhD in Natural Science, Polymeric (Nano) Materials and Composites (2016) – University of Fribourg, Switzerland. M.Sc. (Tech.) in Materials Science and Engineering (2012) – Tampere University of Technology, Finland. B.Sc. in Physics (2009) – Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Experience šŸ§‘ā€šŸ«

Senior R&D Manager (2024-present) – UPM Kymmene Oy, Finland. Research Manager (2023-2024) – UPM Kymmene Oy, Finland. Research Manager (2022-2023) – UPM Kymmene Oy, Finland. Visiting Scientist (2019-2022) – Research Center for Applied Science and Technology, Nepal. Postdoctoral Researcher (2016-2018) – MontanuniversitƤt Leoben, Austria. Doctoral Researcher (2012-2016) – Adolphe Merkle Institute, Switzerland.

šŸ† Awards and Honors

  • Nepal Bidhya Bhusan “Ka” (2017)
  • Grant Reviewer – Qatar National Research Fund (2018)
  • Accessor – Australian Research Council (2019)
  • Grant Reviewer – Latvian Academy of Sciences (2020)
  • Member – American Chemical Society (2021)
  • Associate Member – International Society for Development and Sustainability (2023)
  • CEC Member – Circular Economy Club, UK (2023)

šŸ”¬ Research Focus

Janak’s research focuses on sustainable materials, particularly cellulose-based products, polymer composites, and additive manufacturing. He emphasizes the development of innovative solutions for circular economy applications and seeks to enhance material properties and processing techniques. His work includes exploring bio-inspired materials, advancing polymer processing methods, and collaborating on international projects aimed at sustainability and technological advancement. He has contributed significantly to over 60 publications, including peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and holds multiple patents in his field.

Conclusion

Janak Sapkota stands out as a strong candidate for the Best Innovation Award due to his comprehensive experience in sustainable materials, a solid educational foundation, and a proven ability to lead interdisciplinary projects. His commitment to advancing knowledge and technology, coupled with his international collaboration efforts, positions him well for recognition in innovation. Addressing the areas for improvement, particularly in broader industry engagement and public outreach, can further enhance his impact and contribution to the field. Overall, Janak’s profile aligns closely with the award’s criteria, making him a deserving nominee.

Publications šŸ“š

  • Effect of the Printing Bed Temperature on the Adhesion of Parts Produced by Fused Filament Fabrication
    • Authors: M. Spoerk, J. Gonzalez-Gutierrez, S. Sapkota Janak, Schuschnigg, …
    • Journal: Plastics, Rubber and Composites
    • Year: 2019
    • Pages: 17-24

 

  • Parametric Optimization of Intra-and Inter-layer Strengths in Parts Produced by Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing of Poly (Lactic Acid)
    • Authors: M. Spoerk, F. Arbeiter, H. Cajner, J. Sapkota, C. Holzer
    • Journal: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
    • Volume: 134
    • Article ID: 45401
    • Year: 2017

 

  • Anisotropic Properties of Oriented Short Carbon Fibre Filled Polypropylene Parts Fabricated by Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing
    • Authors: M. Spoerk, C. Savandaiah, F. Arbeiter, G. Traxler, L. Cardon, C. Holzer, …
    • Journal: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
    • Volume: 232
    • Year: 2018

 

  • Shrinkage and Warpage Optimization of Expanded-Perlite-Filled Polypropylene Composites in Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing
    • Authors: M. Spoerk, J. Sapkota, G. Weingrill, T. Fischinger, F. Arbeiter, C. Holzer
    • Journal: Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
    • Volume: 302, Issue 10
    • Article ID: 1700143
    • Year: 2017

 

  • Additive Manufacturing of Zirconia Parts by Fused Filament Fabrication and Solvent Debinding: Selection of Binder Formulation
    • Authors: S. Cano, J. Gonzalez-Gutierrez, J. Sapkota, M. Spoerk, F. Arbeiter, …
    • Journal: Additive Manufacturing
    • Volume: 26
    • Pages: 117-128
    • Year: 2019

 

  • Optimization of Mechanical Properties of Glass-Spheres-Filled Polypropylene Composites for Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing
    • Authors: M. Spoerk, C. Savandaiah, F. Arbeiter, J. Sapkota, C. Holzer
    • Journal: Polymer Composites
    • Year: 2017

 

Kamran Kheiralipour | Mechanical Engineering of Biosystems | Best Researcher Award

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Dr.Kamran Kheiralipour | Mechanical Engineering of Biosystems | Best Researcher Award

Dr Kamran Kheiralipour Ilam University Iran

Kamran Kheiralipour, Ph.D., P. Ag., P. Eng., is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Mechanical Engineering of Biosystems. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Tehran, specializing in the detection of fungal infections in pistachio kernels through thermal imaging and image processing. His educational background includes a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agricultural Machinery from Ilam University and the University of Tehran, respectively.

 

Publication profile

Scholar

 

šŸ“š Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering of Agricultural MachineryUniversity of Tehran, Karaj, Iran (2008-2012)Dissertation: ā€œImplementation and construction of a system to detect fungal infection in pistachio kernel based on thermal imaging and image processing.ā€M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering of Agricultural MachineryUniversity of Tehran, Karaj, Iran (2006-2008)Thesis: ā€œDetermination of terminal velocities of two apple varieties (CV; Redspar and Delbarstival) using water column.ā€B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering of Agricultural MachineryIlam University, Ilam, Iran (2002-2006)
Project: ā€œDesign of pomegranate seeding machine.ā€

šŸŒŸ Awards

Gold Medal at the 21st International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2010).Sabbatical Study at Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (2012).

šŸ”— Professional Affiliations

P. Ag. (Professional Agrologist)P. Eng. (Professional Engineer)

šŸ“– Research Interests

Agricultural MachineryMachine Vision and Image ProcessingThermal Imaging in AgricultureEnvironmental Impact Assessments.

Publication

  1. Title: Some physical properties of rough rice (Oryza Sativa L.) grain
    Authors: M Ghasemi Varnamkhasti, H Mobli, A Jafari, AR Keyhani, MH Soltanabadi, …
    Year: 2008

 

  1. Title: Detecting maturity of persimmon fruit based on image processing technique
    Authors: V Mohammadi, K Kheiralipour, M Ghasemi-Varnamkhasti
    Year: 2015

 

  1. Title: The effect of moisture content on physical properties of wheat
    Authors: M Karimi, K Kheiralipour, A Tabatabaeefar, GM Khoubakht, M Naderi, …
    Year: 2009

 

  1. Title: Some engineering properties of paddy (var. Sazandegi)
    Authors: GM Varnamkhasti, H Mobli, A Jafari, AR Keyhani, M Heidari Soltanabadi, …
    Year: 2007

 

  1. Title: Drop test of pear fruit: Experimental measurement and finite element modelling
    Authors: S Yousefi, H Farsi, K Kheiralipour
    Year: 2016

 

  1. Title: Introducing new shape features for classification of cucumber fruit based on image processing technique and artificial neural networks
    Authors: K Kheiralipour, A Pormah
    Year: 2017

 

  1. Title: Some physical and hydrodynamic properties of two varieties of apple [Malus domestica Borkh L.]
    Authors: K Kheiralipour, A Tabatabaeefar, H Mobli, S Rafiee, M Sharifi, A Jafari, …
    Year: 2008

 

  1. Title: Effects of biodiesel-ethanol-diesel blends on the performance indicators of a diesel engine: A study by response surface modeling
    Authors: G Khoobbakht, M Karimi, K Kheiralipour
    Year: 2019

 

  1. Title: Evaluation of image processing technique and discriminant analysis methods in postharvest processing of carrot fruit
    Authors: A Jahanbakhshi, K Kheiralipour
    Year: 2020

 

  1. Title: Recognition of leaves of different medicinal plant species using a robust image processing algorithm and artificial neural networks classifier
    Authors: R Azadnia, K Kheiralipour
    Year: 2021

 

Conclusion

Kamran Kheiralipour’s curriculum vitae reflects a dedicated professional with significant contributions to the field of Mechanical Engineering of Biosystems. His expertise in image processing and agricultural mechanization positions him as a valuable asset to both academia and industry. With a strong foundation in teaching, research, and innovation, Kheiralipour continues to influence advancements in agricultural technologies, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency in food production systems. His ongoing research and publications demonstrate a commitment to addressing contemporary challenges in agriculture through engineering solutions.

 

Jing Xie | environmental factors’ modeling | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc Prof Dr. Jing Xie | environmental factors’ modeling | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr at Sun Yat-Sen University China

Academic Experience: Associate Professor at Sun Yat-Sen University with extensive teaching and research experience. Research Interests: Specializes in environmental earth observation/remote sensing, geographic information systems, and computer sciences. Technical Expertise: Proficient in machine learning, high-performance computing, and big data processing. Grants and Awards: Recipient of multiple prestigious research grants and awards. Publications and Reviews: Active in academic publishing and peer-review for numerous high-impact journals.šŸŒŸ

profile:

 

Scopus

Orcid

 

šŸŽ“ Education

Ph.D. in Earth Observation University of Zurich, Switzerland (2013-2018) Dissertation: Remote sensing-based monitoring of snow-vegetation relationships in the European Alps.. M.Phil. in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China (2010-2013) Dissertation: Classification of wetlands using object-oriented method and multi-season remote sensing images in Sanjiang Plain.. B.S. in Resources and Environment and Urban Planning Northwest University, Xiā€™an, China (2006-2010) Dissertation: Association analysis between road transportation and economic development in northern Shaanxi.. B.A. in Finance Northwest University, Xiā€™an, China (2006-2010) Dissertation: Discussion on risk management of China’s commercial banks under New Basel Accord.

šŸ¢ Professional Experiences

Associate Professor, PI (2021.12 ā€“ present) School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Post-Doctoral Fellow (PDF) (2019.09 ā€“ 2021.09) Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) (2018.08 ā€“ 2019.03) School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. Research Assistant (RA) (2013.10 ā€“ 2018.08) Remote Sensing Laboratories, Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Research Assistant (RA) (2011.07 ā€“ 2013.07) Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

šŸ”¬ Research Interests

Environmental Earth Observation/Remote Sensing: Mountain environment/ecosystem, quantitative environmental modeling, Vegetation information extraction, phenology, and productivity, Climate change, snow timing, and accumulation, Land use and cover change, urban ecosystems, and urban analytics, SAR technology on grassland, biomass, and livestock, Multi-spectral, hyperspectral, and radar algorithm development and data processing. Geographic Information Systems: Spatial data statistics and mining, Spatiotemporal analytics of big geospatial data, Spatial modeling and environmental data assimilation, Geovisualization. Computer Sciences: Machine learning, High-performance and cloud computing, Big data processing and management

šŸ† Grants and Awards

2024.04: PI, Joint Fund of Collaborative Innovation Center of Geo-Information Technology for Smart Central Plains, Henan Province (Grant No. 232207). 2023.08: PI, Young Scientists Fund, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant No. 42301208). 2023.05: PI, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Sun Yat-sen University (Grant No. 23qnpy15). 2023.02: PI, Basic and Applied Basic Research for PhD Young Scientists, Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau, China (Grant No. SL2022A04J01793). 2022.12: PI, Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Grant No. GTYR202212)

šŸ“š Teaching Experiences

Sun Yat-Sen University: Various courses in geography and urban planning (2022-2024). University of Zurich: Small group teaching and teaching assistant roles in geography (2013-2018)

šŸ’¼ Professional Development and Trainings

2022: Teacher qualification certificate in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, China, 2019: Scanning Lidar training certificate, Level 1, LiDAR System Training, Hong Kong, 2015: ESA Advanced Training Course on Land Remote Sensing, Romania

šŸ”¬ Journal Review Experiences

  • Reviewed for journals like Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal of Geophysical Research, Science of the Total Environment, and many more.

šŸ› ļø Skills and Tools

Programming & Tools: C, R, API, Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, QGIS, eCognition, SNAP, ENVI, ERDAS, SPSS, PARGE, and ATCOR, Field Skills & Tools: Camera, ASD, GPS, LAI 2000, UAV, Leosphere Lidar system, Project Management: Planning and coordination of work packages

Publication:šŸ“

    • Title: Spatial inequalities of COVID-19 mortality rate in relation to socioeconomic and environmental factors across England
      Journal: Science of the Total Environment
      Year: 2021
      DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143595
      Contributors: Y Sun, X Hu, J Xie
    • Title: Improved machine-learning mapping of local climate zones in metropolitan areas using composite Earth observation data in Google Earth Engine
      Journal: Building and Environment
      Year: 2021
      DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107879
      Contributors: LCH Chung, J Xie, C Ren
    • Title: Altitudeā€dependent influence of snow cover on alpine land surface phenology
      Journal: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
      Year: 2017
      DOI: 10.1002/2016JG003665
      Contributors: J Xie, M KneubĆ¼hler, I Garonna, C Notarnicola, L De Gregorio, R De Jong, …
    • Title: Future ā€œlocal climate zoneā€ spatial change simulation in Greater Bay Area under the shared socioeconomic pathways and ecological control line
      Journal: Building and Environment
      Year: 2021
      DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108077
      Contributors: G Chen, J Xie, W Li, X Li, LCH Chung, C Ren, X Liu
    • Title: A comprehensive assessment of MODIS-derived GPP for forest ecosystems using the site-level FLUXNET database
      Journal: Environmental Earth Sciences
      Year: 2015
      DOI: 10.1007/s12665-015-4636-5
      Contributors: X Tang, H Li, N Huang, X Li, X Xu, Z Ding, J Xie
    • Title: Land surface phenology and greenness in Alpine grasslands driven by seasonal snow and meteorological factors
      Journal: Science of the Total Environment
      Year: 2020
      DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138380
      Contributors: J Xie, T Jonas, C Rixen, R de Jong, I Garonna, C Notarnicola, S Asam, …
    • Title: Characterizing ecosystem water-use efficiency of croplands with eddy covariance measurements and MODIS products
      Journal: Ecological Engineering
      Year: 2015
      DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.04.027
      Contributors: X Tang, Z Ding, H Li, X Li, J Luo, J Xie, D Chen
    • Title: Investigating pedestrian-level greenery in urban forms in a high-density city for urban planning
      Journal: Sustainable Cities and Society
      Year: 2022
      DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2022.103755
      Contributors: J Hua, M Cai, Y Shi, C Ren, J Xie, LCH Chung, Y Lu, L Chen, Z Yu, …
    • Title: Modeling spatiotemporal carbon emissions for two mega-urban regions in China using urban form and panel data analysis
      Journal: Science of the Total Environment
      Year: 2023
      DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159612
      Contributors: M Cai, C Ren, Y Shi, G Chen, J Xie, E Ng
    • Title: Relative influence of timing and accumulation of snow on alpine land surface phenology
      Journal: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
      Year: 2018
      DOI: 10.1002/2017JG004321
      Contributors: J Xie, M KneubĆ¼hler, I Garonna, R de Jong, C Notarnicola, L De Gregorio, …

Rachel Koh| Water-Energy Nexus | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Rachel Koh | Technology |Young Scientist Award

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ«Profile Summary

Dynamic Research Scientist at the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, specializing in ensemble numerical weather prediction models for Singapore. PhD in Engineering Systems and Design from Singapore University of Technology and Design, focusing on enhancing country-scale water-energy systems. Recognized with prestigious awards including the Leave a Nest Grant Global Challenge Award and SUTD PhD Presidentā€™s Graduate Fellowship. Experienced Research Engineer at National University of Singapore, conducting statistical analyses on hydrometeorology datasets. Engaged in research visits, journal reviewing, and delivering talks at renowned institutions like Cornell University. Dedicated to advancing water-energy system analytics for sustainable development.

šŸŒ Professional Profiles

šŸŒšŸ”¬ Work Experience šŸ”šŸ“Š

Centre for Climate Research Singapore Research Scientist October 2023 ā€“ Present Developing ensemble numerical weather prediction models tailored for Singapore. Collaborating closely with stakeholders to effectively communicate uncertainties in weather forecasts. National University of Singapore Research Engineer September 2017 ā€“ May 2018 Conducted statistical analyses on a 39-year hydrometeorology dataset, providing quantitative insights. Developed a functional spreadsheet to elucidate key relations between water balance components under climate change, utilized by multiple researchers for their projects.

šŸŽ“Education

Singapore University of Technology and Design PhD, Engineering Systems and Design August 2018 – July 2023 Thesis: Enhancing the performance of country-scale water-energy systems through synergized operations. Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand M.Eng, Water Engineering and Management August 2015 – May 2017 Thesis: Collaborative Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA): An evaluation of critical thresholds for Bangkok water supply utility. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore B.Eng., Civil Engineering August 2011 – May 2015 Thesis: Propagation of waves in coastal waters.

Awards

Leave a Nest Grant Global Challenge Award 2022 Project title: Decarbonizing the ASEAN power grid through water-energy system analytics. Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, SUTD September 2020. SUTD PhD Presidentā€™s Graduate Fellowship September 2018.

šŸŒšŸ”¬ External Activities šŸ“šŸŒ

Research-related:

  • Journal Reviewer
    • Earthā€™s Future
    • Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
  • Research Visits
    • North Carolina State University, USA (Aug 2022 ā€“ Sep 2022)
    • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA (Sep 2022)

Talks:

  • Cornell University (May 2023)
  • Cornell University (Oct 2022)
  • Nanyang Technological University (Jun 2022)

Others:

  • External Examiner
    • Monash University Malaysia ā€” M.Eng (Aug 2023)
  • External Science Mentor & Panelist
    • TSUNAGU Research Project 2022 (Oct 2022 ā€“ Dec 2022)
  • Conference Organizing Team Member
    • Water Security & Climate Change Conference 2016, Thailand (Sep 2016 ā€“ Dec 2016)

 

šŸ“šTop Noted Publication

    1. Title: Evaluating Streamflow Forecasts in Hydro-Dominated Power Systemsā€“When and Why They Matter
      Authors: Koh, R. & Galelli, S.
      Journal: Water Resources Research
      Year: 2024
      Volume: 60
      Issue: 3
      Article number: e2023WR035825

     

    1. Title: Hard-coupling water and power system models increases the complementarity of renewable energy sources
      Authors: Koh, R., Kern, J., & Galelli, S.
      Journal: Applied Energy
      Year: 2022
      Volume: 321
      Article number: 119386

     

    1. Title: Towards climate resilient municipal water supply in Bangkok: A collaborative risk informed analysis
      Authors: Koh, R., Babel, M. S., Shinde, V. R., & Mendoza, G.
      Journal: Climate Risk Management
      Year: 2022
      Volume: 35
      Article number: 100406

     

    1. Title: The Greater Mekongā€™s Climate-Water-Energy Nexus: How ENSO-Triggered Re
      Authors: Chowdhury, A. K., Dang, T. D., Nguyen, H. T., Koh, R., & Galelli, S.
      Year: 2021