Younas Khan | Infrastructure | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Younas Khan | Infrastructure | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

Dr. Younas Khan is a dedicated researcher and academic specializing in Rural Sociology, Food Security, and Social Development. He earned his PhD in Rural Sociology from the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, with distinction, focusing on institutional and subjective challenges to household food security in Northern Pakistan. Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, he is actively involved in curriculum development and publishing in SCI-indexed journals. Dr. Khan has held various teaching and administrative roles at renowned Pakistani universities, including Kohat University and Bacha Khan University, and has supervised over 20 undergraduate and postgraduate students. His research interests span sociology of food and agriculture, gender studies, water-energy-food nexus, sustainability, and supply chain management. He has led funded research projects, including a principal investigator role for Oxfam-Pakistan, and is known for his commitment to interdisciplinary research and educational development across national and international platforms.

Publication Profile

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Academic Background

Dr. Younas Khan holds a strong academic foundation in Sociology and Rural Development. He earned his PhD in Rural Sociology from the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, where he explored the institutional and subjective challenges to food security in Northern Pakistan. His academic excellence is marked by a CGPA of 3.87 and a consistent record of gold medal distinctions throughout his MPhil and Bachelor’s degrees, both from leading Pakistani institutions. During his MPhil, he focused on women’s political participation barriers in District Lower Dir, while his undergraduate research addressed the socio-cultural and infrastructural constraints faced by women in accessing higher education. His education has equipped him with in-depth knowledge in areas such as food and agricultural sociology, gender studies, and sustainable development. This solid academic background forms the foundation of his interdisciplinary research career, combining theory with real-world challenges to create meaningful impact in the fields of sociology, public policy, and development. ๐Ÿ“˜

Professional Experience

Dr. Younas Khan has built a dynamic career in academia and research, with extensive experience across various institutions in Pakistan and China. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, where he is engaged in curriculum development and publishing in SCI-indexed journals. Previously, he served as a Lecturer and Visiting Faculty at Kohat University of Science & Technology, Bacha Khan University, and other reputable universities, where he taught and supervised students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His administrative roles included Department Coordinator, Controller of Examinations, and member of academic committees. Dr. Khan also led a funded research project as Principal Investigator for Oxfam-Pakistan, focusing on gender and development issues. His interdisciplinary expertise spans food security, gender studies, sustainability, and social development. With a blend of academic rigor and practical field research, he continues to contribute meaningfully to both national and international academic landscapes. ๐Ÿ“š

Awards and Honors

Dr. Younas Khan has earned notable recognition for his academic excellence and research contributions in the field of sociology and rural development. He is a two-time Gold Medalist, securing top positions during both his MPhil and Bachelor’s programs at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, and Abdul Wali Khan University, respectively. His PhD research, which addressed food security challenges in Northern Pakistan, has been praised for its relevance and societal impact. In addition to his academic distinctions, Dr. Khan has been entrusted with leadership roles in various research projects, most notably as Principal Investigator for an Oxfam-Pakistan study focused on gender and unpaid care work. He has also been a featured speaker at provincial symposiums in Karachi and Quetta. These honors reflect his dedication to academic integrity, innovation, and social responsibility, establishing him as a respected voice in the fields of food sociology, gender studies, and sustainable development. ๐ŸŒŸ

Research Focus

Dr. Younas Khanโ€™s research is rooted in addressing critical societal challenges through the lens of sociology, with a primary focus on rural development, food security, and institutional dynamics. His PhD explored the structural and subjective barriers to achieving household food security in Northern Pakistan, laying the groundwork for his continued work on the sociology of food and agriculture. He is particularly interested in the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus, aiming to understand the interconnections between natural resource management and sustainable development. His research also extends to gender studies, with emphasis on womenโ€™s empowerment through education, politics, and economic participation. Additionally, Dr. Khan is exploring interdisciplinary areas such as supply chain management and econophysics, reflecting his commitment to evolving research landscapes. His work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks and practical applications, striving for impact-driven outcomes that benefit marginalized communities and contribute to policy development in Pakistan and beyond. ๐Ÿง 

Publication Top Notes

A novel picture fuzzy Aczel-Alsina geometric aggregation information: Application to determining the factors affecting mango crops
Cited by: 32 | Year: 2022 ๐Ÿƒ

Enhancing food security and nutrition through social safety nets: a pathway to sustainable development
Cited by: 20 | Year: 2023 ๐ŸŒพ

Empowering hearts and shaping destinies: unveiling the profound influence of education on womenโ€™s mate selection in Pakistan โ€“ a comprehensive mixed-methods study
Cited by: 11 | Year: 2023 ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŽ“

Determinants of food security through statistical and fuzzy mathematical synergy
Cited by: 10 | Year: 2024 ๐Ÿ“Š

A cross-sectional analysis of familial alienation of transgender: with reference to District Swat-Pakistan
Cited by: 9 | Year: 2019

Excluding Womenโ€™s from Political Institution through Educational Deprivation
Cited by: 9 | Year: 2019 ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ

Conclusion

Based on Dr. Younas Khanโ€™s academic and professional profile, he is a highly suitable and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the fields of Sociology, Rural Development, Food Security, and Social Sciences. With a strong academic record highlighted by a PhD in Rural Sociology and gold medals at both MPhil and Bachelor levels, he demonstrates academic excellence and a relevant research focus. His broad interdisciplinary research themes, including gender studies, sustainability, and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, reflect significant societal impact. Dr. Khanโ€™s experience as Principal Investigator on a funded Oxfam-Pakistan project and his active role in national symposiums showcase leadership and applied research strength. Additionally, his extensive teaching and mentorship record, coupled with administrative contributions, reflect his dedication to academic service. Currently pursuing postdoctoral research in China with international collaborations and publishing in SCI journals, he shows strong global engagement and a forward-looking interdisciplinary approach, making him a competitive and well-rounded nominee for the award.

 

 

Fayiz Amin | Civil engineering | Young Scientist Award

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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๐ŸŽ“ Education

Fayiz Amin earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from GIKI (2018โ€“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.

๐Ÿข 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.

๐Ÿ† 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 Deanโ€™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.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Research Focus

Fayizโ€™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 conditionsโ€”earthquakes, fires, blastsโ€”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

๐Ÿ“Œ Seismic RC Beam-Column Retrofitting with Steel Haunches โ€“ Results in Engineering โ€“ 5 citations โ€“ 2024 ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ—๏ธ
๐Ÿ“Œ CFRP-Strengthened Concrete Culverts vs. Corrosion โ€“ Infrastructures โ€“ 4 citations โ€“ 2024 ๐Ÿ’ง๐Ÿ› ๏ธ
๐Ÿ“Œ Arch Action in Precast Slabs (Numerical + Experimental) โ€“ Results in Materials โ€“ 2 citations โ€“ 2024 ๐Ÿงฑ๐Ÿ”ฌ
๐Ÿ“Œ BIMโ€“IoT & Robots for Site Layout Printing โ€“ Buildings โ€“ 2 citations โ€“ 2023 ๐Ÿค–๐Ÿ“Š
๐Ÿ“Œ RC Deep Beams w/ Openings Strengthened by Metal Plates โ€“ 2 citations โ€“ Year not specified ๐Ÿ—๏ธ๐Ÿ”ฉ
๐Ÿ“Œ Seismic Retrofit of Steel Beamโ€“Column Joints (CFRP & Bolts) โ€“ Engineering Reports โ€“ 1 citation โ€“ 2025 ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ๐Ÿ“Ž
๐Ÿ“Œ GFRP Pipes under Hoop Compression (FEM & Experimental) โ€“ EJCEA โ€“ 1 citation โ€“ 2024 โš™๏ธ๐Ÿ”„
๐Ÿ“Œ Fatigue Strengthening of Asphalt Pavements via Tack Coat (FEM) โ€“ Engineering Proceedings โ€“ 1 citation โ€“ 2023 ๐Ÿ›ฃ๏ธ๐Ÿงช
๐Ÿ“Œ Radial Compression of GFRP Pipes (Exp + FEM) โ€“ MMMED โ€“ 0 citations โ€“ 2025 ๐Ÿงต๐Ÿงช
๐Ÿ“Œ Thin-Walled Sections Analysis via FEM โ€“ EJCEA โ€“ 0 citations โ€“ 2024 ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿงฐ
๐Ÿ“Œ Eco-Strengthening of RC Beams using ECC & Bamboo (GEP + ABAQUS) โ€“ SSRN โ€“ 0 citations โ€“ 2024 ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ—๏ธ๐Ÿ’ก