MARUF AHMAD | Urban Planning | Excellence in Research Award

Mr. MARUF AHMAD | Urban Planning | Excellence in Research Award

MARUF AHMAD | Xi’an Jiaotong University | China

Dr. Maruf Ahmad serves as an Assistant Director at the Rural Development Academy (RDA), Bogura, currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration at Xi’an Jiaotong University, China, under the Chinese Government Scholarship. He holds an MPhil and Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Dhaka, specializing in public sector governance, public-private partnerships (PPP), and rural development policy. With extensive professional experience in research, training, and project management at RDA, he has coordinated development initiatives focused on poverty reduction, local governance, and gender inclusion. His research explores governance, sustainable development, and urban resilience, contributing to leading journals such as Sustainable Development, Evaluation and Program Planning, Heliyon, and the American Journal of Health Promotion. Dr. Ahmad has authored a research book and several book chapters on rural development and policy innovation. His academic excellence has been recognized with the Best Poster Presentation Award at the XJTLU-UoL-XJTU Postgraduate Research Symposium. In addition to his scholarly work, he serves as a reviewer for prestigious journals including Heliyon, Journal of Planning Education and Research, and American Journal of Health Promotion. A lifelong member of professional organizations and a certified trainer in public service innovation, Dr. Ahmad exemplifies academic leadership and commitment to sustainable rural transformation. He has 3 published documents with 4 citations and an h-index of 2.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Ahmad M., Du J., Rashid M.J., Urban Green Space and Mental Health: Mediating Roles of Physical Activity and Social Cohesion. Am. J. Health Promot., 2025, 10.1177/08901171251388878.

2. Ahmad M., Du J., Unlocking Financial Potential for Urban Nature‐Based Solutions: A PRISMA‐Based Systematic Review. Sustain. Dev., 2025, 10.1002/sd.70243.

3. Ahmad M., Ferdous J., Effectiveness of Emergency Food Assistance Programs during COVID-19 at Union Parishad: Mediating Role of Political Neutrality. Eval. Program Plann., 2025, 111, 102566, 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2025.102566.

4. Sifullah M.K., Sohel M.S., Hossain Sarker M.F., Islam M., Ahmad M., Mapping Out the Vulnerabilities of Migrant Women in the Informal Sector: A Qualitative Investigation in Dhaka City. Heliyon, 2023, 9(10), e20950, 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20950.

5. Ahmad M., Financial Autonomy of Union Parishad: A Study of Model Union Parishad. Bangladesh Rural Dev. Stud., 2021, 24(1), 61–72.

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.

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.