Joseph Agbogla | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Joseph Agbogla | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hossein Pahlavan, Kumasi Technical University, Ghana

Mr. Joseph Agbogla is a dedicated Mechanical Engineer and academic professional with over two decades of experience spanning engineering, production management, and higher education. With a strong background in industrial operations at Guinness Ghana Breweries and academic instruction at Kumasi Technical University, he blends practical expertise with teaching excellence. Joseph is currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at KNUST, Kumasi, where he also previously earned his MSc and BSc degrees. Renowned for his leadership, innovation, and technical training, he continues to contribute significantly to industrial development and academic growth in Ghana and West Africa. 🌍📘

Publication Profile

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🎓 Education

Joseph Agbogla holds a BSc (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from KNUST, Kumasi, where he also completed his MSc in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently pursuing a PhD in the same field at KNUST, further advancing his research and expertise. Additionally, he holds a Diploma in Beer Packaging from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, UK, and successfully completed the APICS CPIM-Part 1 certification, focusing on supply chain management. His foundational education includes GCE Advanced and Ordinary Level certificates from top Ghanaian institutions. Joseph’s diverse academic background reflects his commitment to excellence in both engineering and industrial management. 🎓🔧

💼 Experience

Joseph Agbogla began his career as a Management Trainee at Guinness Ghana Breweries, rising through key roles including Shift Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager, Packaging Engineer, and Technical Training Manager. His tenure saw major contributions like reducing training gaps, enhancing production efficiency, and cutting spare part imports. As Lecturer at Kumasi Technical University since 2021, he teaches core engineering courses and mentors future professionals. With over 20 years of combined industrial and academic experience, Joseph has led strategic initiatives in packaging, lean manufacturing, and employee capability development across Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. His leadership consistently drives performance and operational excellence. ⚙️📈

🏅 Awards and Honors

Joseph Agbogla’s professional journey is marked by significant achievements. At Guinness Ghana Breweries, he was instrumental in saving over $520,000 through technical upgrades and process improvements. His initiative in installing the first PET bottling line in Ghana and reducing production rework by 15% earned internal accolades. He also led the SAP Superuser training across sites, achieving 100% functional use within 6 months. His academic excellence is reflected in scholarships and distinctions throughout his studies. Joseph’s dedication to continuous improvement, safety leadership, and team performance has been consistently recognized both in industry and academia. 🏆💡

🔬 Research Focus

Joseph Agbogla’s current research as a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at KNUST focuses on industrial automation, preventive maintenance, and process optimization in manufacturing systems. His interests intersect with lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, plant maintenance strategies, and energy efficiency within production lines. He explores advanced engineering methods to improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime. Drawing from rich industry experience, his research integrates real-world challenges with engineering solutions. Joseph’s goal is to enhance industrial reliability and workforce capability through sustainable and innovative engineering practices applicable across Ghana and beyond. 🧪🔧📊

Publication Top Notes

📘 “Techno-environmental assessment of the fuel properties of a variety of briquettes for biomass boiler applications” – CHARLES SEKYERE, R. Opoku, Benjamin Asaaga, Bismark Baah, P.Y. Andoh, G.Y. Obeng, Joseph Agbogla | Cleaner Energy Systems | 🗓️ 2025 | DOI: 10.1016/j.cles.2025.100185

🔋 “Soiling Estimation Methods in Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Review, Challenges and Future Directions” – J. Agbogla, C.K.K. Sekyere, F.K. Forson, R. Opoku, B. Baah | Results in Engineering | 🗓️ 2025 | DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104810

Tumpa Sarker | Bioenergy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tumpa Sarker | Bioenergy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tumpa Sarker, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh

Dr. Tumpa Rani Sarker is an accomplished academic specializing in agricultural engineering, with a focus on renewable energy and waste management. She earned her PhD in Biological Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and holds both MS and BSc degrees in Farm Power and Machinery from Bangladesh Agricultural University, where she secured the top position in her class. Dr. Sarker has received numerous accolades, including the Prime Minister’s Gold Medal and the Dean’s Scholarship Award. Her research encompasses biofuels, torrefaction, and precision agriculture, contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural practices. She actively engages in teaching and research, mentoring graduate students and publishing extensively in reputable journals.

Publication profile

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Academic Background

Dr. Tumpa Sarker holds a PhD in Biological Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan (2018-2022), achieving an impressive 90% score in 2023. Prior to this, she earned her M.S. in Farm Power and Machinery from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh (2014-2015), graduating with a 3.9 GPA and securing the first position in her class. She also completed her B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering at the same institution (2010-2014), again obtaining a 3.9 GPA and finishing first in her cohort. Dr. Sarker’s academic excellence showcases her dedication and expertise in her field. 🌾✨

 

Academic Awards & Scholarships

Dr. Tumpa Sarker has received numerous accolades throughout her academic career. She was awarded the Deans Scholarship for her PhD at the University of Saskatchewan and the Graduate Teaching Fellowship for 2021-2022. She also received the Graduate Student’s Association Bursary in both Winter 2021 and Winter 2022. Notably, she earned a travel award to attend the 750th International Conference on Food and Agricultural Engineering in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in January 2020. Additionally, Dr. Sarker was recognized as the best oral presenter at a sustainable research conference in India and won the George Ira Hanson Postgraduate Award in Energy Research. 🎓✨

 

Research Interests

Dr. Tumpa Sarker’s research interests encompass a wide range of innovative fields focused on sustainability and technology. She is passionate about renewable and clean energy solutions, particularly in waste management and solid biofuels. Her expertise extends to biodiesel production and torrefaction processes. Dr. Sarker also explores advanced techniques such as spectroscopy, machine vision, robotics, and autonomous machinery. Additionally, she is dedicated to bio-sensing engineering and precision agriculture, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity. Her work includes post-harvest processing of agricultural products and improving agricultural power and machinery, contributing significantly to modern farming practices. 🌍🚜

 

Research Experience

Dr. Tumpa Sarker has an extensive research background in agricultural engineering, with a focus on innovative machine design and development. She led the design and development of a power-operated coconut dehusker, funded by BAURES in Mymensingh, aimed at enhancing efficiency in coconut processing. Additionally, she worked on the design and development of a multi-crop seed drill, also supported by BAURES, to improve planting efficiency across various crops. Her research includes the performance evaluation of a pull-type two-row granular urea applicator, contributing to optimized fertilizer application in agriculture. Her work underscores her commitment to advancing agricultural technology.

Professional Experience

Dr. Tumpa Sarker is an accomplished academic in the field of agricultural engineering. Since February 2018, she has served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Farm Power and Machinery at Bangladesh Agricultural University, focusing on teaching and research. She completed her PhD fellowship at the University of Saskatchewan from September 2018 to September 2022, where she engaged in research and supervised graduate students. Additionally, she contributed as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and as a Sessional Lecturer at the Graham School of Engineering. Dr. Sarker previously held a position as a Lecturer at Bangladesh Agricultural University from February 2016 to February 2018, demonstrating her dedication to education and research in agricultural technology.

Publication Top Notes

  • Hydrothermal pretreatment technologies for lignocellulosic biomass: A review of steam explosion and subcritical water hydrolysis – 238 citations, 2021 🌿
  • A review of torrefaction technology for upgrading lignocellulosic biomass to solid biofuels – 108 citations, 2021 🔥
  • Densification of waste biomass for manufacturing solid biofuel pellets: a review – 46 citations, 2023 📦
  • Enhancement of fuel and physicochemical properties of canola residues via microwave torrefaction – 46 citations, 2021 ⚙️
  • Complementary effects of torrefaction and pelletization for the production of fuel pellets from agricultural residues: a comparative study – 42 citations, 2022 🌱
  • Physicochemical and fuel characteristics of torrefied agricultural residues for sustainable fuel production – 42 citations, 2020 🌾
  • Characteristics of torrefied fuel pellets obtained from co-pelletization of agriculture residues with pyrolysis oil – 39 citations, 2021 🛢️
  • Process optimization and investigating the effects of torrefaction and pelletization on steam gasification of canola residue – 37 citations, 2022 🔬
  • Parametric studies on hydrothermal gasification of biomass pellets using Box-Behnken experimental design to produce fuel gas and hydrochar – 24 citations, 2023 💨
  • Hydrogen-rich gas production from hydrothermal gasification of fuel pellets obtained from co-pelletization of agricultural residues – 24 citations, 2022 ⚡

Conclusion

Dr. Tumpa Rani Sarker’s combination of academic excellence, research contributions, and dedication to the field positions her as a suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her commitment to advancing agricultural engineering and sustainable energy solutions aligns with the award’s objectives.