Committee Members

Biography
Dr. Ming Hu is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and the College of Engineering, University of Notre Dame, USA. She is also the Associate Dean for Research at the School of Architecture. Her expertise as a Building Scientist and Environmental Engineering Researcher encompasses extensive practical and theoretical experience in decarbonizing the built environment, aiming to mitigate its environmental footprint and human health impacts. Specifically, she investigates the life cycle environmental impacts associated with building technologies and policies, as well as how community and societal priorities can be better incorporated into decision-making processes.

Biography
Professor Irine A. Gotsiridze is the Head of the International Accreditation Centre at Georgian Technical University and Supervisor of the English Language Programs in Biomedical Engineering, including the ABET-accredited Bachelor Program, Master Program, and Ph.D. Program. She is an Academician of both the Georgian Academy of Natural Sciences and the Georgian Academy of Engineering. Prof. Gotsiridze also serves as an Education Quality Development Expert for higher education in Georgia, an Accreditation Expert for ABET at GTU, and a Committee Member of AMBES – the European Alliance of Medical and Biological Engineering and Science. Additionally, she is a member of the European Pain Federation EFIC, the Georgian Association of Clinical and Biomedical Engineers, and the National Society of EFIC. She contributes to the global academic community as a reviewer for the international scientific journal Heliyon. Her research interests include the development of medical devices and systems, medical information systems, diagnostic simulation models, adaptive vascular diagnostic systems, and automation systems for pharmacological research. She also focuses on medical nanotechnologies and the internationalization of higher education.

Biography
Dr. Greg Naterer is the Vice-President, Academic and Research, and a Professor of Sustainable Design Engineering, at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, Canada. His research interests include sustainable energy systems, heat transfer and thermodynamics, including over 300 journal articles, 4 books, and 6 patents in these fields.

Dr. Nguyen Van Tri Tin is an environmental scientist with over 25 years of experience leading biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and climate resilience initiatives across Southeast Asia. He has worked extensively in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Australia, guiding multidisciplinary teams and building partnerships with governments, NGOs, and research institutions. Currently serving as the Biodiversity Conservation Lead at WWF-Viet Nam and a visiting researcher at Southern Cross University, Dr. Tin focuses on connectivity conservation and strategies to mitigate wildlife threats in Central Vietnam. He holds a master’s degree in environmental science (USA) and a PhD in Connectivity Conservation (Australia). Dr. Tin is recognized for his regional leadership in conservation planning, grant and program management, and strengthening civil society and institutional capacity.

Biography
Prof. Dr. H. Mohammad Adib, Drs., MA., is an ecological anthropologist and Professor at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia.  He received his master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Indonesia and his Doctoral degree in Social Sciences from Airlangga University.  His research focuses on the intersection of human societies and their environment, with a particular interest in social forestry, environmental justice, and sustainable forest management in Indonesia.  He has published extensively on these topics in various journals and books and actively participates in national and international conferences.   Prof. Adib is also a strong advocate for community empowerment and collaborative forest management.  He believes that integrating local knowledge and cultural values into forest management strategies is crucial for achieving environmental sustainability and social justice.  He has been involved in various community development projects, providing training and support to local communities in managing their forest resources sustainably.

Biography
Prof. Hardev Singh Virk was born in Kamoke, district Gujranwala (now in Pakistan) on 23rd Feb. 1942. He received his M.Sc. in Physics from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (1963) and Doctorate in Nuclear Physics from Marie Curie University, Paris (France) in 1972. He served in Punjabi University, Patiala (1965-79) and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (1979-2002). His research interests are manifold: Nuclear & Radiation Physics; Geochronology; Earthquakes & Environment; Ion Tracks & Nanotechnology; History & Philosophy of Science; Sikh Religion and Punjabi Literature.

Professor Virk retired from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar in June 2002 after serving as Director Research and Dean Academic Affairs. He was re-employed as Director Research, DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology, Jalandhar (2008-2011); Adjunct Professor, Akal University, Baru Sahib (2010-till date); Visiting Professor, SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib (2013-17); and Professor of Eminence, Punjabi University, Patiala (2017-19).

Professor Virk has published 475 research papers in national & international journals; 45 books and 150 articles on Science Education & Science Policy in India. He has presented his Research Papers and Invited Talks in 100 National and 70 International Conferences in 50 countries. He is a globe trotter. He is recipient of several awards, viz., Senior Associateship of International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy (1988-93); Shiromani   Award   as   Best   Writer   of   Scientific Literature in Punjabi awarded by the Punjab State Languages Department (1993); Honourable Mention Award of Templeton Foundation (USA) for a Project on Global Perspectives of Science & Sikh Religion (2005); and FRAY International Sustainability Award by FLOGEN Stars Outreach (2022). Presently, he is Professor of Eminence (Honorary), SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib (India).

Biography
Dr. Mohamed Fouad Abdel Nabi Abdu holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Structural Engineering and currently serves as a Lecturer at the Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC) in Cairo, Egypt. His field of specialization focuses on material properties and quality control, contributing to advancements in sustainable construction materials. Dr. Abdu has an extensive research portfolio, with several notable publications in high-impact journals and international conferences. His recent work includes the 2025 study on the utilization of iron filings in geopolymer mortar as a strategy for climate change mitigation, published in Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. In 2024, he co-authored a paper on the durability and abrasion resistance of alkali-activated slag mortars containing limestone powder, also featured in Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. His 2023 research, published in Construction and Building Materials, explores the potential of Egyptian volcanic glass powder as a modifier for alkali-activated slag cement. Additionally, in 2022, he presented a study on the flexural behavior of concrete slabs reinforced with steel fibers as an alternative to conventional reinforcement at the 3rd International Conference on Innovative Building Materials in Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Abdu has also investigated the application of waste rubber tire aggregates in concrete, co-authoring a paper presented at the 12th International Conference on NANO-TECHNOLOGY for Green and Sustainable Construction in 2021. His research contributions continue to address critical challenges in material engineering, promoting sustainable and resilient construction practices.

Biography

Dr. Giovanni Pagano have over one hundred-fifty articles in peer-reviewed journals, mostly as first or corresponding author; 22 book chapters, 11 contract reports, over 40 meeting presentations, and multi-decade long experience in international lecturing. Editor of a recently published book. Established experience both in environmental research and, in the recent decade, studies focusing on the adverse effects of rare earth elements (REEs) and on the present and prospect use of REEs in agronomy and zootechny. Coordinator or participant in EC- and a NATO-supported projects, including study design, project management, and writing reports. Experience in interacting with national and international scientists by interfacing the respective science expertise. An over 25 year-long experience in peer-review for journals and as referee for research funding agencies has contributed to enhance GP’s skills both in critical judgement and in editorial work. Current activity in maintaining and extending international contacts, in publication, university lecturing and in lab work.

Biography

Dr. Chunxing Fan is a Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management and serves as Chair of the Department of Business Administration, Tennessee State University. He received his Doctoral degree in Supply Chain Management and MBA from Rutgers Business School, Rutgers University, NJ, USA. His research focuses on supply chain and operations management, integrated production and distribution optimization, logistics and transportation network design, and resource/project management. He has published articles in various refereed journals such as Annals of Operations Research, International Journal of Production Research, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Transportation Research, Journal of Cleaner Production etc.

Biography

Dr. Marco Trifuoggi Currently Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Naples Federico II. Nearly two hundred articles in peer-reviewed journals, mostly as first or last author; 2 book chapters, many contract reports and meeting presentations. Established experience both in environmental research and, in the recent decade, studies focusing on the adverse effects of rare earth elements (REEs), on the present and prospect use of REEs in agronomy and zootechny, on the relationship between biological liquids and heavy metal pollution. or participant in EC- and a NATO-supported projects, including study design, project management, and writing reports. Experience in interacting with national and international scientists by interfacing the respective science expertise. Head of ACE Lab (Analytical Chemistry for the Environment Laboratory, ISO 9001 certified and ISO 17025 accredited) of Federico II University of Naples since 2001 http://www.ace.unina.it Participant or proponent of some national and international research projects (PRIN, PON, FARO, H2020, etc.). Lecturer of 65 academic courses or modules since 1994. Lecturer in advanced training courses (Masters of I and II level and PhD) since 1994. Supervisor of more than 150 university theses (three-year, specialist and master’s); guiding teacher and supervisor of 10 doctoral theses. Scientific manager and coordinator of more than 150 industrial research contracts since 1994.

Biography

Professor Harvinder Singh has been an academic for nearly two decades with strong teaching and research expertise in applied informatics, traditional and molecular plant breeding approaches for the improvement and management of cereal crops, and medicinal plants. He has IPs for novel inventions in agriculture and has published over 50 research articles in peer reviewed journals, books and conference proceedings. He has also presented his research at national and international conferences.

Prof. Hippolite is a medical engineering and technology at the Bioengineering Department of Imperial College London, United Kingdom, where he chairs the Centre of frugal medical technology to low-middle income countries. His career spans over 35 years across engineering, orthopaedics and neonatal medicine, and their mutual impacts on the environment and climate. His practice draws from a Nigeria-wide coverage of his research group, allowing him unprecedented evidence-based data in a national representative scale. Hippolite is the 2023 winner of the prestigious Nigeria Prize for Science—the highest prize for science on the continent of Africa for his work on neonatal respiratory therapies.

Dr. Raul B. Rebak is a corrosion research scientist at General Electric Research in Schenectady, New York since 2007. Previously he was the lead for materials corrosion testing in the Yucca Mountain Project at the University of California Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Raul has more than 30 years’ experience in environmental degradation processes of materials in many fields including nuclear power, oil & gas, energy storage, healthcare, transportation, and aerospace. Raul is a Fellow of both NACE International and ASM International.