Committee Members

Dr. Xiangdong Yao is a renowned professor and doctoral supervisor specializing in energy materials and nanotechnology. Born on August 14, 1967, in Lujiang, Anhui Province, Dr. Yao has built a distinguished academic and research career spanning decades. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Queensland, Australia (2005), after completing his Master’s at Northwestern Polytechnical University (1992) and Bachelor’s at Northeastern Polytechnic Institute (1989).

Dr. Yao currently serves as a professor at Sun Yat-sen University and holds the title of National Distinguished Professor. Previously, he was the Chair Professor of Energy Materials at Griffith University, Australia, and served as Director of the Australia-China Joint Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials. His career highlights include prestigious fellowships and leadership roles in hydrogen storage research, nanofunctional materials, and energy systems.

Dr. Yao’s research focuses on energy materials, inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, energy chemistry, and catalytic chemistry. Notably, he leads the Key R&D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology on low-cost perovskite solar cells and hydrogen production systems, a project funded with RMB 17 million (2021–2025). With a legacy of impactful contributions, Dr. Yao is a leading figure driving innovation in sustainable energy and advanced materials.

Dr. Juntao Wei received Bachelor Degree of thermal and power engineering in 2015 from East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), and PhD Degree of thermal engineering in 2021 from ECUST. He also studied in Tokyo Institute of Technology and Curtin University as visiting scholar. Then, he joined Nanjing Forestry University as an associate professor. His main research interests included pyrolysis, gasification, waste treatment. Till now, he has published 70 peer-reviewed papers in Chem Eng J, Appl Energ, Energy, Fuel Process Technol, Fuel, Bioresour Technol, Appl Therm Eng, etc. He also won the 2nd CPCIF-Clariant Clean Tech Award.

Dr. Liew Yun Ming is an accomplished Associate Professor at Universiti Malaysia Perlis, where she has been contributing to academia and research for over 14 years. Since August 2021, she has held the position of Associate Professor, following her tenure as a Senior Lecturer (2014–2021) and University Fellow (2010–2014). Her dedication to advancing knowledge began with her role as a Research Assistant in 2010 and was further enriched by her industry experience as a Trainee Engineer at Fairchild Semiconductor in Penang, Malaysia, from December 2008 to May 2009.

Dr. Liew is a multilingual professional fluent in English, Malay, and Chinese, enabling her to engage effectively in diverse academic and cultural settings. Her commitment to education and research underscores her role as a significant contributor to the fields of engineering and technology.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceren Karaman is a distinguished scholar specializing in chemical engineering, energy storage technologies, and nanomaterials. With a robust academic background, she earned her Doctorate from Ankara University in Chemical Engineering, where her research focused on the development, characterization, and potential applications of graphene-based monolith electrodes for high-energy-density applications. She furthered her expertise with a postdoctoral fellowship at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) in Spain, specializing in novel energy-oriented materials.

Dr. Karaman’s academic journey includes a Master’s degree from Hacettepe University, where she explored the adsorption properties of orange peels in dye removal, and an undergraduate degree from Gazi University. Fluent in advanced English, she has enriched her career through diverse training programs, including quality management, entrepreneurship, and occupational safety.

Her research interests span electrochemical processes, material science, energy storage technologies, and nanomaterial characterization. With a commitment to innovation, she has contributed significantly to sustainable energy and advanced materials, establishing herself as a leader in her field.

Dr. Wu Bo is a highly accomplished professor in the College of Materials Science and Engineering at Fuzhou University, where he has been serving since November 2006. His research focuses on Multiscale Integrated Computational Materials Science and Engineering (ICME), advanced metallic materials, and functional inorganic materials. With extensive expertise in computational modeling and materials engineering, Dr. Wu has made significant contributions to the understanding and development of high-performance materials.

Dr. Wu’s academic journey includes postdoctoral research at prestigious institutions in Germany. From 2004 to 2006, he was a research fellow at the Max-Planck Institute for Metal Research, where he worked on first-principles calculations and CALPHAD modeling for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells and advanced thermal barrier coatings. Earlier, he conducted research at the University of Kassel, studying the microstructure and fatigue damage processes in nano-precipitate-hardened ferritic steel using multiscale computational methods.

Recognized as an “Excellent Overseas Returned Scholar” by Fujian Province in 2011, Dr. Wu has been the recipient of several prestigious research grants, including projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). His work on high-entropy alloys and intermetallic compounds exemplifies his dedication to advancing materials science through innovative thermodynamic principles and compositional design approaches.

Dr. Tao Xie is an Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, where he also serves as Deputy Director of the Institute of Industrial Catalysis. With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Dr. Xie’s research focuses on catalysis, reactor design, and system development for solar thermal chemical energy storage, advancing sustainable energy solutions.

Dr. Xie is actively involved in mentoring students and fostering research excellence, with recent achievements including several high-impact publications by his team in prestigious journals such as Nano Energy, Small, and Fuel. Based at Room 401 in the Xingqing Campus and Room 3195 at the China Western Innovation Port, he continues to lead cutting-edge research while shaping the future of industrial catalysis. For more information, visit Dr. Tao Xie’s homepage.

Dr. Valery Pierre Vassiliev is a researcher of the Chemical Department in Lomonosov University (Moscow). He has more than 100 scientific publications concerning of the thermodynamic properties and phase of diagrams of semiconductor systems A^II-B^IV, A^II-B^VI, A^III-B^V, A^III-B^VI and different metallic systems. He developed the method of electromotive forces (EMF) with liquid electrolyte, and he is a recognized specialist in the EMF method. He worked in different time as associated or invited professor in France, Italy, and China. For the last ten years, Dr. Valery Vassiliev has been working on optimizing the heat capacities in the solid state. He established a strict relationship between the thermodynamic constants of different binary compounds and the Periodic Law.

Dr. Christopher M. Stanley is an assistant professor at the RB Annis School of Engineering.  He earned his PhD in Physics in 2018 from Texas Tech University.  He has publications in several diverse fields, including experimental biophysics, defects in semiconducting materials, and heat capacities in the solid state.

Prof. Ahmad Zuhairi Abdullah is a renowned academic and researcher at Universiti Sains Malaysia, where he has served as a professor since 2014. With over a decade of experience in academia, he has made significant contributions to his field, particularly through his leadership and mentorship roles at the university. Based in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Prof. Ahmad Zuhairi is recognized for his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering collaborations within the academic community.

In addition to his teaching and research, Prof. Ahmad Zuhairi has built a robust professional network, engaging with peers and mentees to drive innovation and excellence in his discipline. His work exemplifies a commitment to education, research, and the cultivation of future leaders in science and technology.

Dr. Jean-Pierre Djukic is a full professor at the Institut de Chimie, Université de Strasbourg, France, specializing in organic molecular chemistry, fluid and interface physical chemistry, and biophysical chemistry. His research encompasses mechanistic studies, organometallic chemistry, polyaromatic synthesis, and supramolecular chemistry, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing the understanding of complex chemical systems.

Dr. Djukic’s academic journey includes a Humboldt Research Fellowship in 1994 and a significant collaboration with Prof. Dr. Karl Heinz Dötz at the Kekulé-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, University of Bonn, beginning in 1996. His work has led to numerous high-impact publications, including studies on cobalt-mediated C–H bond functionalization and noncovalent interactions in organometallic chemistry. These contributions highlight his pivotal role in exploring the cohesion and reactivity of molecular systems, making him a prominent figure in his field. Based in Strasbourg, Dr. Djukic continues to inspire innovation and mentorship in the scientific community.

Dr. Kandasamy Prabakar is a highly accomplished professor at Pusan National University, South Korea, where he has been contributing to academia and research since August 2016. With over 15 years of experience in teaching and research, he specializes in solar energy, optoelectronics, and materials science. His teaching portfolio includes subjects like solar cells, semiconductor physics, energy and environmental studies, and electromagnetic theory, inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Dr. Prabakar’s research focuses on advancing solar cell technologies, photo- and electrocatalysis, and the development of innovative carbon materials and semiconducting metal oxide thin films. His earlier work includes advancements in dye and quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. A pioneer in sustainable energy solutions, Dr. Prabakar’s work contributes significantly to renewable energy technologies and material innovations. With numerous academic publications and extensive collaborations, he continues to impact the fields of energy and materials science profoundly.

Dr. Eyüb Canlı was born on July 19, 1984, in Konya, Turkey. He graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Department of Selçuk University in 2008. His professional journey began with a role in production and export at Ozguvencler Ltd. Sti. (2006–2008). On December 25, 2008, he transitioned to academia, joining Selçuk University as a research assistant in the Technical Education Faculty, later moving to the Faculty of Technology.

Dr. Canlı earned his M.Sc. in 2012 with a thesis focused on the experimental analysis of intercoolers used in automotive applications. In 2020, he completed his Ph.D., specializing in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for conjugate heat transfer in thick-walled pipes under turbulent flow.

Currently, Dr. Canlı serves as an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Selçuk University, contributing to research and education in thermal systems and fluid mechanics. Married and a proud father of three, he balances his professional and personal life with dedication and passion.

Dr. Kazi Md. Salim Newaz is an accomplished academic and researcher with extensive contributions in the fields of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and mechanical engineering. He holds a PhD in Chemical and Materials Engineering (2002) and an MEng (1996) from the University of Auckland, as well as an MSc (1989) and BSc (1979) from the University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh. Over his illustrious career, Dr. Kazi has published extensively, with numerous refereed journal articles and conference proceedings, particularly in areas such as heat exchanger fouling, forced convection, and Fiber suspension flows. He is widely recognized for his pioneering studies on fouling mitigation and energy efficiency, which have made significant impacts in both academic and industrial applications. Among his accolades are being named among the world’s top 2% of scientist’s multiple times, receiving awards such as the Excellence Bangladeshi Academician Award, and earning recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher by the Web of Science.

In addition to his research, Dr. Kazi has served in various administrative roles, including membership in numerous procurement and academic committees at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya. His leadership extends to chairing PhD thesis examinations, overseeing curriculum reviews, and managing research grants. Dr. Kazi is a member of several prestigious professional organizations, such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK), the Board of Engineers Malaysia, and the Bangladesh Association for the Advancement of Science. His work has earned international recognition, including awards for his impactful publications and active participation in academic development initiatives. As a dedicated scholar and mentor, Dr. Kazi continues to influence the global engineering community through his research, teaching, and administrative service.

Dr. Julio Valenzuela-Elgueta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Metallurgical and Mining Engineering at the Universidad Católica del Norte. He earned his Ph.D. in Mineral Processing from the University of Antofagasta, Chile, followed by a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the University of Granada, Spain. His research focuses on the study of interfaces, colloidal systems, and stability applied to the mineral and pharmaceutical industries. He has led several projects funded by the Chilean government and published in high-impact journals such as Minerals Engineering, Hydrometallurgy, and the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, among others. He currently collaborates with the Research Group on Interface Physics and Colloidal Systems at the University of Granada. His current work is focused on applications of DLVO theory and rheological characterization of heterogeneous systems.

Dr. Changwei Hu is a distinguished professor in the Department of Applied Chemistry at Sichuan University, China, where he has been affiliated since June 1983. He serves at the Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology in Chengdu, contributing extensively to advancements in sustainable chemistry. With a prolific career, Dr. Hu has authored 414 publications, amassing over 55,000 reads and 12,849 citations, reflecting his significant impact on the scientific community.

Specializing in organic synthesis, homogeneous catalysis, synthetic organic chemistry, and biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass, Dr. Hu has consistently advanced the frontiers of green chemistry and sustainable technologies. His expertise spans organic process development and innovative solutions to chemical challenges, fostering a greener and more efficient approach to chemical engineering and synthesis. Dr. Hu’s scholarly contributions and collaborations position him as a leading figure in applied chemistry, inspiring peers and advancing global sustainability efforts.

Denise Ramos Moreira is a dedicated chemistry educator and researcher with extensive academic and professional experience. She holds a doctorate in chemistry, completed through a joint program between the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) in Brazil and Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen in Germany. Her doctoral research, conducted between 2018 and 2022, focused on organic chemistry, building on her master’s degree in chemistry from UFC (2016–2018) and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the State University of Ceará (2006–2010).

Since 2010, Denise has served as a professor at SEDUC-CE, contributing to the advancement of chemistry education in Ceará, Brazil. Her academic pursuits reflect a strong commitment to fostering scientific knowledge and collaboration across international platforms. Denise’s blend of teaching expertise and research innovation positions her as a key figure in the field of chemistry, particularly in organic synthesis and education.

Dr. Shahid Bashir is a Senior Lecturer and distinguished researcher with expertise in philosophy and chemistry. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Universiti Malaya (UM), an M.Phil. in Philosophy Chemistry, and an MSc in Chemistry from the University of the Punjab, Pakistan, along with a BSc in Science from Bahauddin Zakariya University.

Dr. Bashir’s academic contributions are complemented by various administrative roles, including Department Coordinator (2024–2026), UMEXPERT Coordinator (2023–2025), and member of multiple committees at the departmental, university, and international levels. He has also served as a guest editor and hybrid technical committee member for international conferences.

Recognized globally for his impactful research, Dr. Bashir has been named among the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University in 2023 and 2024. His accolades include numerous awards such as the Technology Reversing Climate Change Award and multiple gold medals from prestigious institutions like Universiti Kuala Lumpur and Universiti Malaysia Pahang. His work focuses on clean energy, sustainable technologies, and innovation in addressing global challenges. Dr. Bashir’s dedication to excellence and knowledge dissemination cements his position as a leader in his field.

Dr. Jarosław Serafin is a dedicated researcher and lecturer at the University of Barcelona, specializing in sustainable development and advanced materials for environmental applications. He holds dual PhDs in Chemical Engineering from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and Material Engineering from the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, where he achieved top honors for his work on solar hydrogen production and CO2 adsorption technologies, respectively.

Dr. Serafin’s academic journey spans over a decade of interdisciplinary research, including advanced electrode materials for hydrogen generation, bioremediation, and innovative uses of forest waste for high-value products. With extensive international experience, he has held research fellowships at leading institutions such as the Universidad de los Andes, the University of Alicante, and the West Pomeranian University of Technology.

In addition to his current roles as a postdoctoral researcher and associate professor at the University of Barcelona, Dr. Serafin has contributed significantly to projects exploring sustainable energy solutions, including titanium dioxide nanostructures and carbon capture technologies. His expertise bridges material science, biotechnology, and environmental engineering, with a focus on driving sustainable innovation for the future.