Vikas Kumar | Architectural Design | Editorial Board Member

Mr. Vikas Kumar | Architectural Design | Editorial Board Member

PhD Student | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | India

Vikas Kumar is a researcher and emerging scholar in architecture and urban planning, currently serving as a doctoral candidate at IIT Kharagpur with expertise spanning sustainable design, resource-constrained architecture, urban systems, and spatial analysis. He has contributed academically as a teaching assistant in design studios, graphic communication, computer graphics, and building construction, and has gained professional experience through architectural and urban planning internships with industry organizations. His research focuses on sustainable architectural strategies, Jugaad-based innovations, solid waste management, and affordable housing materials, reflected in publications on bamboo panel performance, evaporative cooling technologies, Jugaad theory and application, and urban environmental management. He has also contributed to applied research projects, including housing design interventions aimed at enhancing children’s cognitive development. His academic achievements include a national-level qualifying rank in architecture and planning, multiple best-presentation awards at international conferences, and recognition for excellence in academic and co-curricular activities. In addition to his scholarly work, he has demonstrated significant leadership as captain and contingent leader in major institutional sporting championships. His combined academic contributions, professional experience, research outputs, and recognized leadership make him a distinguished candidate for award nomination. His research impact includes 1 citation across 1 document, 2 publications, and an h-index of 1.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Kumar V., Mukerji A., Exploring Jugaad in architecture: Theory and strategies for implementation in resource-constrained environments. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 2025.

2. Kumar V., Mukerji A., Triggers, Mediators, and Consequences of Jugaad in Architecture Among Lower Socio-economic Groups. In: 2025.

3. Kumar V., Methodology for Proposing and Planning Solid Waste Management in a Religious City: Case of Varanasi. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2021, ISSN: 2456-2165.

Vikas Kumar’s work advances sustainable architecture and urban planning by developing resource-efficient strategies, Jugaad-based innovations, and affordable housing solutions. His research addresses real world challenges in waste management, climate-responsive design, and socially inclusive urban systems, creating practical, scalable solutions that benefit communities, industry, and the broader built environment.

Weijie Xia | Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Weijie Xia | Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Weijie Xia | Hebei University of Architecture | China

Mr. Weijie Xia is a postgraduate student at Hebei University of Architecture specializing in thermal comfort and building environmental control. He holds a strong academic foundation with a focus on human thermal comfort, smart buildings, and urban heat island research. His professional experience includes leading and contributing to numerous research projects, with seven completed and over twenty ongoing, advancing knowledge in emotional perception modulation on thermal comfort, gender-based differences in heat response during interval exercise, and thermal comfort modeling and optimization for hospitals and historical urban spaces. As the first author, he has published three articles in leading SCI Q1 journals such as Building and Environment, Journal of Building Engineering, and Energy and Buildings, and has co-authored four additional publications in the same domain. His studies encompass a range of innovative topics including the impact of musical tempo on thermal comfort during exercise and optimized open-space design in hospital environments, reflecting his commitment to bridging theoretical insights with practical environmental applications. With a growing citation record and active engagement in interdisciplinary research, his contributions are recognized for their methodological rigor and relevance to real-world building performance and occupant well-being. He has 16 citations, 7 publications, and an h-index of 3.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Xia, W.*, Li, D., Sun, M., Liu, J., Zhen, M., & Liang, H. (2025). A gender-differentiated thermal comfort model for interval exercise in fitness building. Journal of Building Engineering.

2. Zhen, M., Liu, J., Xia, W., Sun, M., Dong, Q., Li, Y., & Liang, H. (2025). Thermal comfort differences among patients with different orthopedic diseases: A case study of Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, China. Building and Environment.

3. Zhen, M., Xia, W.*, Sun, G., Huang, C., & Ji, J. (2025). Optimized design of hospital open space based on outdoor thermal comfort: The case of Shaanxi People’s Hospital in China. Energy and Buildings.

4. Zhen, M., Xia, W.*, & Lin, D. (2024). Effects of musical tempo on human thermal comfort during interval exercise. Building and Environment.

5. Zhen, M., Yuan, X., Gao, L., Xia, W.*, Nan, K., & Zhang, M. (2024). Outdoor thermal comfort of urban plaza space under thermoacoustic interactions: Taking Datang Everbright City as an example. Building and Environment.

Guodan Liu | Environmental Design | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Guodan Liu | Environmental Design | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Qingdao University of Technology | China

Professor Guodan Liu, a distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Qingdao University of Technology, is a leading scholar in sustainable energy solutions and building technology. He earned advanced degrees specializing in energy and thermal environments, shaping his expertise in new energy development, energy efficiency technologies, and human thermal comfort. With extensive professional experience, he has led major national and provincial research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Shandong Provincial R&D initiatives, delivering impactful contributions to low-carbon, high-comfort built environments. Professor Liu has published over 135 peer-reviewed articles in internationally indexed journals, secured 64 patents, and maintains strong collaborations with leading research groups. His editorial contributions include serving as Guest Editor for a special issue in the journal Buildings. Recognized with prestigious honors such as the Shandong Provincial Technology Invention Award, Shandong Science and Technology Progress Prizes, and a Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Award, he has also been acknowledged as an Outstanding Graduate Advisor and University Teacher. He actively contributes to the academic community as Standing Director of four professional committees on HVAC, Thermal Power, Refrigeration, and Building Environment and Energy in Shandong Province. Professor Liu continues to advance research on indoor thermal comfort under complex conditions, bridging energy efficiency with human well-being  708 citations, 58 publications, h-index 16.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Liu G., Research on the lighting satisfaction prediction model for elementary school classrooms based on illuminance gradient. J. Build. Eng., 2025, Accepted.

2. Liu G., Research on recognition of bedding system coverage rate using infrared thermal imaging. J. Therm. Biol., 2025, Accepted.

3. Liu G., Thermal comfort and sensitivity of different body parts exposed to local infrared radiation. Indoor Air, 2025, Accepted.

4. Liu G., Analysis of energy consumption drivers in building rooms: a case of the commercial complex in Chengdu. Energy Informatics, 2024, 7, 78.

5. Liu G., Analysis of factors affecting air conditioning energy consumption: the case study of a commercial building in Shenzhen. In Advances in Computer Science and Ubiquitous Computing (Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol. 1416), 2025, pp. 39–44.

Ziwei Guo | Materials and Technology in Architecture | Best Academic Researcher Award

Dr. Ziwei Guo | Materials and Technology in Architecture | Best Academic Researcher Award

Doctor | Ningxia University | China

Dr. Ziwei Guo, a distinguished researcher at Ningxia University, specializes in building materials and structural design with a focus on developing innovative structural systems that adapt to complex environments. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in structural engineering, where his research emphasizes cross-sectional, internal material, and shape optimization to enhance load-bearing capacity, ductility, and energy efficiency. Dr. Guo has contributed extensively to national and provincial research projects, playing a pivotal role in one national fund project, one provincial key fund project, and three additional provincial projects. His scholarly output includes seven publications, five of which are in SCI-indexed journals, with one earning the Excellent Paper Award in China, and he has also authored impactful works in leading journals such as Construction and Building Materials, Structural Concrete, and KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering. In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Guo has completed two major research projects, is actively engaged in three ongoing projects, and has advanced one patent in the field. His work demonstrates a commitment to integrating high-performance, sustainable building materials into modern construction practices. Recognized for his promising innovations and dedication to structural engineering, Dr. Guo continues to advance the discipline through his publications, consultancy project, and growing international collaborations, establishing himself as a rising scholar and leader in architectural and civil engineering research. 29 citations, 4 documents, h-index 3.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Pan P., Yang W., Guo Z., Improvement of thermal properties of foam concrete by incorporating silica aerogel particles. Constr. Build. Mater., 2025, 478, 141450.

Maryam Sadeghi | Smart Cities and Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Maryam Sadeghi | Smart Cities and Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Full-time Faculty Member at Islamic Azad University, Iran.

Maryam Sadeghi is an accomplished researcher and faculty member in Electrical Engineering, specializing in smart grids, distributed control, and intelligent energy systems. She has served as a full-time instructor at the Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr Branch, where she has also chaired the Power Engineering Department. Over the years, she has successfully combined teaching, supervision, and leadership with impactful research contributions. As a PhD candidate at the Iran University of Science and Technology, her doctoral work has advanced the field of power systems with an emphasis on adaptive and intelligent control. Beyond academia, she has actively collaborated with national research and industrial centers, particularly in areas such as SCADA applications, FPGA development, and distributed automation. Her career demonstrates a consistent focus on renewable energy integration, intelligent universal transformers, and advanced automation, positioning her as a thought leader in the evolving landscape of modern electrical engineering.

Professional Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Maryam Sadeghi’s educational background reflects a strong and progressive journey through electrical engineering disciplines. She earned her B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Electronics from the Islamic Azad University, Tehran Central Branch. She further specialized in Control Systems at the M.Sc. level from Islamic Azad University, Tehran South Branch, where she explored adaptive control methodologies. To expand her expertise in the energy sector, she pursued doctoral studies in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Power Systems at the Iran University of Science and Technology. Her PhD research, with defense approved, focuses on advanced power system automation and intelligent control strategies, including adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems and multi-agent approaches for smart grids. Through this academic journey, she has built deep expertise in intelligent systems, renewable integration, and distributed energy automation, forming the backbone of her subsequent teaching, research, and industry collaborations in both traditional and emerging power engineering domains.

Experience 

Maryam Sadeghi has built a multifaceted career blending academia, research, and industry collaboration.  She has been a full-time faculty member at the Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr Branch, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in power systems and control. As Head of the Power Engineering Department for four years, she led curriculum development, faculty coordination, and student mentorship. Her industry-linked research experience includes a decade as Senior Researcher at Novin Ray Control Co., where she worked on solar energy monitoring, SCADA systems, and energy management integration. She has also contributed to telecommunication research through FPGA-based SDH system design, and to control systems development in distributed automation protocols, particularly IEC 61499. These roles reflect her ability to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Her experience across teaching, applied research, and leadership showcases her as a versatile expert committed to advancing both education and innovation in intelligent energy systems.

Research Focus

Maryam Sadeghi’s research is centered on intelligent power systems, with a focus on adaptive control, fuzzy logic, and distributed automation for modern grids. Her work on Intelligent Universal Transformers (IUTs) has introduced innovative control methodologies using fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, and genetic algorithms to optimize distribution automation. She has also contributed to decentralized multi-agent coordination frameworks for smart distribution restoration, enabling resilience and flexibility in power networks. Her studies in renewable energy integration—particularly inverter-based distributed generation and wind turbine inverters—highlight her commitment to sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, she has advanced methodologies in GPS-based time synchronization and IEC 61499-based distributed control systems. By combining advanced algorithms with real-world applications such as SCADA and EMS, she bridges the gap between theory and practice. Her research trajectory demonstrates a consistent pursuit of scalable, adaptive, and intelligent solutions for next-generation power grids within the context of smart cities and sustainable development.

Awards and Honors

Maryam Sadeghi has received recognition for her academic and research contributions at both institutional and national levels. She has been nominated for the ARCH Best Researcher Award, reflecting her impactful body of work in power systems and control. Her multiple ISI-indexed publications in smart grids, intelligent automation, and renewable energy integration demonstrate her influence in advancing knowledge in her field. As a contributor to national research centers in Iran, she has played a significant role in developing and implementing control solutions aligned with national energy and telecommunication priorities. Her leadership as Head of the Power Engineering Department also underscores her recognition as an academic mentor and innovator. The combination of research excellence, teaching distinction, and industrial collaboration has positioned her as a respected figure within the engineering community. These honors highlight her dedication to advancing intelligent energy solutions and promoting the integration of innovative methodologies into modern power systems.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Time Synchronizing Signal by GPS Satellites
Authors: M. Sadeghi, M. Gholami
Summary: This paper simulates GPS-based synchronization in MATLAB to achieve high-precision timing. It highlights GPS as a reliable solution for communications and distributed automation systems.

Title: Fuzzy Logic Approach in Controlling the Grid Interactive Inverters of Wind Turbines
Authors: M. Sadeghi, M. Gholami
Summary: The study applies fuzzy logic to enhance grid-connected wind turbine inverter performance. Results show improved stability and efficiency under varying wind conditions.

Title: Advanced Control Methodology for Intelligent Universal Transformers Based on Fuzzy Logic Controllers
Authors: M. Sadeghi, M. Gholami
Summary: The authors propose fuzzy logic controllers for Intelligent Universal Transformers (IUTs). The approach improves adaptability and response in advanced distribution automation.

Title: A Novel Distribution Automation Involving Intelligent Electronic Devices as IUT
Authors: M. Sadeghi, M. Gholami
Summary: This paper presents IUTs as intelligent devices for distribution automation. It demonstrates improved grid reliability and fault management.

Title: Fully Decentralized Multi-Agent Coordination Scheme in Smart Distribution Restoration: Multilevel Consensus
Authors: M. Sadeghi, M. Kalantar
Summary: The research introduces a decentralized multi-agent consensus method for smart distribution restoration. It enhances system resilience and scalability without central control.

Title: Developing Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System for Controlling the Intelligent Universal Transformers in ADA
Authors: M. Sadeghi, M. Gholami
Summary: An ANFIS-based controller is developed for IUTs to improve adaptability and precision. The hybrid method outperforms conventional control strategies.

Title: Genetic Algorithm Optimization Methodology for PWM Inverters of Intelligent Universal Transformer for the Advanced Distribution Automation of Future
Authors: M. Sadeghi, M. Gholami
Summary: The study uses genetic algorithms to optimize PWM inverters in IUTs. It reduces harmonic distortion and improves inverter efficiency.

Title: Optimized Control Strategy to Adjust the Intelligent Universal Transformer for Integrating Distributed Resources to Grid
Authors: M. Sadeghi, M. Gholami
Summary: This work introduces an optimized control strategy for IUTs to integrate distributed energy resources. It ensures stable and flexible grid operations.

Conclusion

Overall, Maryam Sadeghi is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her research reflects both depth and breadth in intelligent power systems, with practical applications that align with the future of energy distribution and smart grid technologies. With her combination of academic leadership, teaching excellence, and impactful research, she demonstrates qualities that merit recognition. By expanding her international reach and enhancing visibility through broader collaborations and higher-impact publications, she can further solidify her position as a leading researcher in her domain.