Yang Shi | Civil Engineering | Young Researcher Award

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Dr. Yang Shi | Civil Engineering | Young Researcher Award

Tsinghua University | China

Dr. Yang Shi is an accomplished early-career academic specializing in coastal dynamics, fluid–structure interaction, hydrometeorology, multiphase flows, and geoinformatics-driven modeling. His research integrates physics-based numerical methods (SPH, CFD, FEM, DEM) with machine learning and remote sensing to address challenges in coastal protection, sediment transport, aerosol and cloud microphysics, and water resource systems. He has authored 40+ peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Journal of Fluids and Structures, Applied Ocean Research, Atmospheric Research, and Water Resources Research, achieving 464 citations and an h-index of 12. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinarity, innovation, and real-world impact.

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Patrick Obunga | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Patrick Obunga | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Research Fellow at University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Mr. Patrick Obunga is a seasoned Research Fellow and Civil Engineer with over 14 years of experience in WASH, climate change, energy, food security, and science, technology, and innovation (STI). He has led multidisciplinary research and development projects across sub-Saharan Africa, working with major donors such as the World Bank, UNDP, USAID, and UNESCO. Currently pursuing a PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Johannesburg, he holds multiple postgraduate degrees and has published on emerging water technologies and digital innovation. Patrick is known for his leadership in research, resource mobilization, and capacity building through collaborative partnerships.

📚Professional Profile

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🎓Academic Background

Mr. Patrick Obunga has a strong academic foundation that supports his multidisciplinary research and professional work. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds an MSc in Civil Engineering and an MA in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi. Additionally, he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management from the Kenya Institute of Management and a BSc in Agricultural Engineering from Egerton University. His diverse academic qualifications reflect a commitment to integrating engineering, management, and innovation in addressing complex development challenges across Africa and beyond.

💼Professional Experience

Mr. Patrick Obunga brings over 14 years of extensive professional experience in research, engineering, and program management. He currently serves as a Research Fellow and Resource Mobilization Coordinator at the African Centre for Technology Studies, where he leads research on WASH, climate resilience, and digital innovation. He has previously held roles as Civil Engineer, Projects Engineer, and Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, contributing to projects across sub-Saharan Africa. His work with organizations such as World Bank, UNDP, USAID, and UNESCO demonstrates his expertise in donor-funded projects, infrastructure development, and capacity building through cross-sectoral collaboration and strategic implementation.

🏆Awards and Honors

Mr. Patrick Obunga has earned recognition for his dedication to impactful research and development in water, sanitation, climate resilience, and digital innovation. His work has been featured in respected journals such as npj Clean Water and Water Practice & Technology, reflecting his contributions to advancing water technologies and sustainability practices. He has led and supported projects funded by renowned international organizations including the World Bank, UNDP, USAID, and UNESCO. While formal individual awards are not listed, his consistent leadership in high-level research initiatives and collaboration with global partners highlight his reputation as a trusted and accomplished professional.

🔬Research Focus

Mr. Patrick Obunga’s research focuses on the intersection of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), climate change, energy, food security, and digital innovation. He explores the use of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance water service delivery and reduce non-revenue water in urban systems. His work contributes to sustainable development by addressing critical challenges within the water-energy-food nexus and integrating science, technology, and innovation into practical solutions. Through collaborative research and policy-oriented projects, he aims to improve infrastructure resilience, promote environmental sustainability, and support data-driven decision-making across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

📋Publication Top Notes

Quantification of water loss indices in a water distribution network: a case of water and sewerage company of Nairobi City, Kenya
Year: 2025 | Cited by: 1

Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions
Year: 2025

Comparative analysis on deployment of Internet of Things in management of non-revenue water in water distribution networks
Year: 2025

Assessing Deployment of Emerging Innovations and Technologies in Catalysing Sustainable Water Services Provision in Nairobi City County, Kenya: Case of Soweto Kayole Jisomee Mita
Year: 2023 | Cited by: 1

Assessing Deployment of Science, Technology & Innovation in Catalysing Sustainable Water Services Provision in Nairobi City County, Kenya: Case of Soweto Kayole Jisomee Mita
Year: 2021

Public Water Supplies, Water Policy and Management of Multifaceted Water Resources in Mathare Slums, Nairobi City County, Kenya
Year: 2020

🏷️Conclusion

Mr. Patrick Obunga is a highly qualified and impactful researcher with over 14 years of experience in WASH, climate change, water engineering, and innovation policy, making him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His academic credentials, including an ongoing PhD in Civil Engineering and dual master’s degrees, demonstrate strong scholarly commitment. He has authored peer-reviewed publications in leading journals and contributed to groundbreaking research on IoT and sustainable water systems. With proven leadership in donor-funded projects, collaboration with global agencies, and a strong focus on sustainability and capacity building, Mr. Obunga exemplifies a well-rounded, solution-oriented researcher driving real-world impact.

 

 

Khyal Zahra | Water Management | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khyal Zahra | Water Management | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khyal Zahra, National Water Research Center, Egypt

Dr. Khyal A. Zahra is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Head of the Coastal Engineering Department at the Coastal Research Institute, National Water Research Center, Egypt. With over 30 years of experience, he is renowned for developing the innovative KHYAL Model for optimal water resource management. He holds B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering from Alexandria University, and earned his Associate Professor title from the National Water Research Center in 2019. Dr. Zahra has published numerous research papers and served on various technical committees, contributing significantly to Egypt’s coastal and water engineering sectors.

Publication Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Khyal A. Zahra earned his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering in 1990, followed by an M.Sc. in 1997, and a Ph.D. in 2011, all from the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Egypt. His academic journey reflects deep specialization in civil and coastal engineering disciplines. In 2019, he was formally awarded the degree of Associate Professor by the National Water Research Center, further recognizing his academic and research achievements. His educational background underpins his expertise in hydrodynamics, coastal processes, and integrated water resource management, enabling him to contribute extensively to academic, institutional, and national projects.

💼 Experience

Dr. Zahra began his professional career as a Civil Engineer at the Arabian International Company (1992–1993) and at the General Educational Building Authority in Alexandria (1993–1998). He joined the National Water Research Center in 1998 as an assistant researcher, rising through roles as researcher, director of Ras El-Bar Coastal Station (2011–2017), and later became Head of the Coastal Engineering Department in 2022. He also served as Assistant Professor (2017–2019) and Associate Professor (2019–2022) at Nahda University’s Faculty of Engineering. His diverse roles reflect rich experience across fieldwork, academic research, teaching, and departmental leadership.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Khyal A. Zahra’s research focuses on civil and coastal engineering with emphasis on water resources, hydrodynamics, and shoreline management. His signature contribution is the KHYAL Model—designed for optimal conveyance and allocation of water resources. His work integrates engineering solutions with sustainable practices to address coastal erosion, infrastructure resilience, and flood protection. Through 16 publications, he explores data-driven water policy, modeling, and systems optimization. Dr. Zahra also contributes to applied research aimed at enhancing Egypt’s coastal defense systems and water sustainability strategies, bridging theory and practice in civil engineering.

Publication Top Notes

  • 📘 Assessment of implementation stages of submerged breakwater on the bay and shoreline at Al-Ahlam Sea Resort, Northwest Coast, Egypt – Cited by 19 – 2018

  • 🌊 Collective Review on Soil Erosion, Wave Attack Angles, and Coastal Transport Variations – Cited by 6 – 2014

  • 🌍 Solutions and adaptation to climate change on El-Max Drain mouth, Northwest Coast, Egypt – Cited by 3 – 2016

  • 🚜 Irrigation and drainage problems in New Reclaimed Lands West of Noubaria canal – Cited by 3 – 1997

  • 💧 Assessment and Enhancement of the El-Nasr Canal Capacity – Cited by 0 – 2025

  • 🛠️ Evaluation of Implemented Measures Solving El-Max Pump Stations and Drain Mouth Problems – Cited by 0 – 2024

  • 🧱 Evaluation of the Rosetta Promontory Stability and Proposed Shoreline Solutions – Cited by 0 – 2024

  • 🌡️ Adaptation to Climate Change Problems on Magrour Idku and Idku Lake, Northwest Coast – Cited by 0 – 2018

  • 🚢 Proposed Solutions of Navigation Problems on Gamasa Drain Mouth, Northwest Coast – Cited by 0 – 2018

  • 💡 Khyal Model: Optimum Integrated Water Resource Management in Scarcity Conditions – Cited by 0 – 2018

Fayiz Amin | Civil engineering | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Fayiz Amin | Civil engineering | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Fayiz Amin, Univeristy of Alberta, Pakistan

Fayiz Amin is a passionate civil engineer based in Muscat, Oman, with expertise in structural design, modeling, and simulation. A graduate of the prestigious Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI), Pakistan, Fayiz combines practical site engineering experience with extensive academic research. He is currently working as a Junior Site Engineer at Shah Brothers & Co while actively publishing in reputed journals on topics such as CFRP strengthening and arch-shaped slabs. Fayiz is committed to sustainable and resilient infrastructure development and leverages advanced software tools and AI techniques in civil engineering applications.

Publication Profile

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Orcid

🎓 Education

Fayiz Amin earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from GIKI (2018–2022), supported by the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Merit-Based Scholarship. His thesis focused on improving load-carrying capacity of industrial slabs using arch-shaped geometry. Ranked 5th out of 39 students in his program, he was honored with the Dean’s Roll of Honor for academic excellence. He also attended Quaid-e-Azam College Swabi for higher secondary education, where he earned a talent-based scholarship and placed 3rd in his class with distinction (A1 grade, 86.21%). Fayiz actively participated in academic societies like ASCE and ICE during his studies.

🏢 Experience

Fayiz currently works as a Junior Site Engineer at Shah Brothers & Co, contributing to the construction of a four-story residential building, where he handles project design, data analysis, and risk assessments. He previously interned at the Irrigation Department Swabi and the Geotechnical Lab at GIKI, conducting tests such as UU and UC on sand-clay mixtures. Simultaneously, he pursued part-time research in modeling and simulation at GIKI. His hands-on and academic experiences allow him to bridge theory and practice effectively, leveraging software like ETABS, SAFE, and Revit for structural modeling, FEM analysis, and project management.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Fayiz Amin has earned multiple accolades, including the fully funded Chief Minister KPK Merit-Based Scholarship (PKR 3.2 million) for his undergraduate studies at GIKI. His final year project ranked among the top three groups at GIKI. He was also a recipient of a talent hunt scholarship during his intermediate studies. Fayiz received the Dean’s Honor Roll Certificate for academic excellence in Fall 2022. These honors reflect his academic brilliance, project innovation, and dedication to civil engineering, setting a foundation for his continuing research and professional journey in advanced structural systems and smart construction technologies.

🔬 Research Focus

Fayiz’s research revolves around experimental testing and finite element modeling of structural systems, especially in strengthening and retrofitting techniques using advanced materials such as CFRP, SMA, and ECC. He explores structural responses under extreme conditions—earthquakes, fires, blasts—and aims to improve resilience. He is also invested in integrating AI and machine learning into civil engineering problems, including construction automation. With 11 published articles (3 Q1, 2 Q2, 4 Q3, and 2 conference papers), his work reflects a blend of computational modeling, experimental validation, and interdisciplinary approaches for sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Publication Top Notes

📌 Seismic RC Beam-Column Retrofitting with Steel Haunches – Results in Engineering – 5 citations – 2024 📐🏗️
📌 CFRP-Strengthened Concrete Culverts vs. Corrosion – Infrastructures – 4 citations – 2024 💧🛠️
📌 Arch Action in Precast Slabs (Numerical + Experimental) – Results in Materials – 2 citations – 2024 🧱🔬
📌 BIM–IoT & Robots for Site Layout Printing – Buildings – 2 citations – 2023 🤖📊
📌 RC Deep Beams w/ Openings Strengthened by Metal Plates – 2 citations – Year not specified 🏗️🔩
📌 Seismic Retrofit of Steel Beam–Column Joints (CFRP & Bolts) – Engineering Reports – 1 citation – 2025 🛠️📎
📌 GFRP Pipes under Hoop Compression (FEM & Experimental) – EJCEA – 1 citation – 2024 ⚙️🔄
📌 Fatigue Strengthening of Asphalt Pavements via Tack Coat (FEM) – Engineering Proceedings – 1 citation – 2023 🛣️🧪
📌 Radial Compression of GFRP Pipes (Exp + FEM) – MMMED – 0 citations – 2025 🧵🧪
📌 Thin-Walled Sections Analysis via FEM – EJCEA – 0 citations – 2024 📏🧰
📌 Eco-Strengthening of RC Beams using ECC & Bamboo (GEP + ABAQUS) – SSRN – 0 citations – 2024 🌿🏗️💡

Tade Mule Asrade | Hydraulic Engineering | Best Innovation Award

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Mr. Tade Mule Asrade | Hydraulic Engineering | Best Innovation Award

Mr. Tade Mule Asrade, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia

Mr. Tade Mule Asrade is a dedicated lecturer and researcher specializing in Hydraulic and Water Resource Engineering. He holds an MSc in Hydraulic Engineering (2024) from Debre Markos University, Ethiopia, with a stellar academic record (3.94/4), following a BSc from Bahir Dar University (2018). His research focuses on groundwater modeling, water balance components, and sustainable water management in Ethiopia’s watersheds. Mr. Asrade has published multiple papers, including in Water Practice and Technology and Hydrological Sciences Journal. In addition to teaching, he actively engages in community service and project development. 🌍💧📚🔬

 

Publication Profile

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Education and Training

Mr. Tade Mule Asrade holds an MSc in Hydraulic Engineering from Debre Markos University (2022–2024), where he developed an in-depth understanding of hydraulic systems and water resource management. He graduated with high distinction, earning a cumulative score of 3.94/4. Prior to this, he completed his BSc in Hydraulic and Water Resource Engineering from Bahir Dar University (2013–2018), graduating with a solid academic foundation in water resources. His education has equipped him with the skills and knowledge to contribute significantly to the field of hydraulic engineering. 🎓💧📚🌍

 

Work Experience

Mr. Tade Mule Asrade has been an integral part of the Department of Hydraulic and Water Resource Engineering at Debre Markos University, Ethiopia. Since March 2024, he has served as a Lecturer, where he delivers lectures, tutorials, and supervises students’ academic projects. He also actively contributes to community services and project development. Prior to this role, from April 2019 to March 2024, he worked as an Assistant Lecturer, focusing on both practical and theoretical teaching. He also played a key role in curriculum development and provided mentorship to students. 👨‍🏫💧🌍📚

 

Research Focus

Mr. Tade Mule Asrade’s research primarily revolves around hydraulic engineering, groundwater management, and water resource sustainability. His work involves the application of advanced hydrological models like WetSpass-M, MODFLOW, and SWAT for assessing groundwater recharge, water balance, and groundwater storage changes in Ethiopian watersheds, particularly in the Upper Blue Nile Basin. His research aims to develop sustainable water management strategies using tools like GIS, AHP, and machine learning. This is critical for sustainable development and improving water resources in agricultural highlands. 🌍💧🌱🔬📊

 

Publication Top Notes  

  • Assessment of Groundwater Recharge Using WetSpass-M and MODFLOW Coupling in Jedeb Watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia – Cited by: 1, Year: 2024 💧🌍
  • Groundwater Potential Mapping and Its Sustainable Management Using AHP and FR Models in the Jedeb Watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Year: 2024 🌱💦
  • Combining WetSpass and MODFLOW to Assess Groundwater Recharge in the Agricultural Highlands of Ethiopia –Year: 2024 🔬🌾
  • Application of Coupled WetSpass-M and MODFLOW Models to Estimate Spatial-Temporal Water Balance Components in the Chemoga Watershed, Ethiopia – Year: 2024 🌍💧📊
  • Estimation of Groundwater Storage Change and Groundwater Recharge Using GRACE Data in Jedeb Watershed Under the Application of Google Earth Engine – Year: 2024 🌐💧📉