Kadriye Elif Maçin | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Kadriye Elif Maçin | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Istanbul Technical University | Turkey

Dr. Kadriye Elif Maçin is an active environmental engineering researcher whose scholarly contributions focus on solid waste management, life cycle assessment, material flow analysis, zero-waste strategies, and the development of sustainable and circular systems for institutions and urban environments. She has produced impactful research spanning international journals, national publications, book chapters, and numerous conference proceedings. Her work advances techno-economic evaluation of digestate management, MFA-LCA frameworks for zero-waste institutions, campus decarbonization models, circular bioeconomy applications, and comprehensive waste characterization studies. Through extensive analyses of food waste, construction and demolition waste, municipal waste logistics, hospital waste, and biogas enhancement strategies, she contributes evidence-based insights supporting efficient waste minimization and resource recovery. Her publications also address sustainability performance metrics in universities, transportation-related GHG emissions, and environmental impacts of energy and industrial processes. Additionally, her research has been disseminated through more than twenty international symposiums and conferences, where she has presented findings on decarbonization strategies, life cycle impacts of waste-to-energy systems, campus sustainability, zero-waste education, and solid waste systems under changing environmental conditions. Overall, her body of work strengthens scientific understanding of circular economy approaches and supports practical pathways toward sustainable waste management.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Macin, K. E., & Özbayram, E. G. (2025). Assessing the water footprint of tea: Implications on Türkiye's freshwater ecosystems. Aquatic Research.

Macin, K. E., Özcan, F. K., Acuner-Turet, E., & Kose-Mutlu, B. (2025). Carbon footprint and decarbonization of university buildings: Operational and embodied emissions at Istanbul Technical University. Building and Environment.

Macin, K. E. (2025). Türkiye’nin karbonsuzlaşma politikaları kapsamında Düzce ili katı atık yönetiminin yaşam döngüsü değerlendirmesi. Doğal Afetler ve Çevre Dergisi.

Macin, K. E. (2025). Malzeme ve madde akış analizi ile illerin katı atık yönetiminin döngüselliğinin incelenmesi: Düzce ili örneği. Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi.

Musluoğlu, A., Dereli, R. K., Arıkan, O. A., Guven, H., & Macin, K. E. (2025). Techno-economic assessment of digestate management for full-scale continuous dry anaerobic digestion plant. Bioresource Technology.

Macin, K. E., Arıkan, O. A., & Damgaard, A. (2024). An MFA–LCA framework for goal-oriented waste management studies: ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ strategies for institutions. Waste Management and Research.

Macin, K. E. (2024). Circular food waste management in Türkiye to stay within planetary boundaries. E3S Web of Conferences.

Macin, K. E., Arıkan, O. A., Altınbaş, M., & Damgaard, A. (2024). Decarbonizing university campuses: A business model for food waste management at Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) Ayazağa Campus, Turkey. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy.

Macin, K. E., Özçelik, K., Güven, H., & Arıkan, O. A. (2024). Waste characterization and recycling potential in a university campus: ITU Ayazağa Campus zero waste management practices. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management.

Macin, K. E. (2018). Kentsel dönüşüm sürecinde İstanbul’da inşaat ve yıkıntı (İY) atıkları yönetimi. Adıyaman Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi.

Jin Deng | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jin Deng | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

National Natural Science Foundation of China | China

Author Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Jin Deng's journey into the world of chemistry began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Hunan University of Science and Technology (1999–2003). With a strong passion for sustainable and green chemistry, he advanced his academic journey with a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) (2007–2013), under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Liu Youcheng and Prof. Dr. Fu Yao. His early research laid the foundation for his future explorations into catalytic conversion processes.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Deng’s professional career is deeply tied to USTC, one of China's premier research institutions. Following his Ph.D., he continued as a Postdoctoral Researcher (2013–2016), before becoming a Special Research Associate (2016–2019). Since 2019, he has served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Chemistry, where he leads advanced studies on catalysis, waste conversion, and sustainable fuel production. His close collaboration with Prof. Dr. Fu Yao has fostered interdisciplinary innovation and meaningful scientific breakthroughs.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Deng specializes in creating catalytic technologies for converting biomass and plastic waste into fuels and valuable chemicals, contributing directly to environmental sustainability. His research uniquely combines organic synthesis, chemical engineering, materials science, and life cycle assessment. From photo- and electrocatalytic decarboxylation to plastic upcycling and green hydrogenolysis, his work addresses some of the most pressing global challenges in waste management and carbon neutrality.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Deng’s scientific excellence is reflected in his numerous nationally funded projects, including several prestigious grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. As a principal investigator, he has led over six major research projects to successful completion or ongoing progress. His research output includes more than 15 high-impact journal publications in journals like Nature Communications, Green Chemistry, Angewandte Chemie, and ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. He is also the holder of 10 Chinese patents, demonstrating real-world application and innovation.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Deng’s research is not only academically impactful but also environmentally transformative. His carbon footprint analyses and life cycle assessments guide industries toward more sustainable practices. Collaborating with leading scientists such as Prof. Yao Fu and Prof. Menachem Elimelech, his work has helped bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application, influencing both Chinese and global green chemistry landscapes.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

As a rising leader in green catalysis and environmental chemistry, Dr. Deng continues to shape the future of sustainable technology. His current research under NSFC projects (running through 2028) aims to push the boundaries of biomass valorization and plastic recycling. With a strong foundation in cross-disciplinary methods, a proven record of high-impact publications and patents, and an unwavering commitment to ecological responsibility, Dr. Deng is poised to become a defining figure in the global pursuit of a circular chemical economy.

Publications

📄 Photocatalytic decarboxylation of waste cooking oil for green and efficient biodiesel production and life cycle assessment

  • Authors: Wenjun Hu, Jin Deng

  • Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal

  • Year: 2025

📄 Advances of the past 12 years in decarboxylation of biomass carboxylic acids to biofuels and high-value chemicals via photo- or electrocatalysis

  • Authors: Chen-Qiang Deng, Jin Deng

  • Journal: Green Chemistry

  • Year: 2025

📄 Thermal catalytic reforming for hydrogen production with zero CO₂ emission

  • Authors: Rui Gao, Hui Zhang, Jie Zhang, Zhiheng Xie, Jihan Zhou, Yuzhen Ge, Aowen Li, Graham Hutchings, Wu Zhou, Hiroyuki Asakura, et al.

  • Journal: Science

  • Year: 2025

📄 Preparation of methyl ethyl ketone from biomass-derived levulinic acid using a metal-free photocatalytic system and life cycle assessment study

  • Authors: Meng-Xiang Shen, Chen-Qiang Deng, Jie Yang, Jin Deng

  • Journal: Green Chemistry

  • Year: 2024

📄 Depolymerization mechanisms and closed-loop assessment in polyester waste recycling

  • Authors: Jingjing Cao, Huaxing Liang, Jie Yang, Zhiyang Zhu, Jin Deng, Xiaodong Li, Menachem Elimelech, Xinglin Lu

  • Journal: Nature Communications

  • Year: 2024

 

Jincai Zhang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Book of Award

Mr. Jincai Zhang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Shani University | China

Author Profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jincai Zhang's academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Corrosion and Protection from Hunan University in 1999. He then earned his Master's (2006) and Ph.D. (2012) from the Institute of Coal Chemistry, CAS, further strengthening his foundation in materials science. His studies set the stage for an illustrious career focused on sustainable materials and industrial waste utilization, marking him as an influential researcher in his field.

Professional Endeavors 💼

Dr. Zhang has built a distinguished career spanning over two decades. Since 2015, he has been an Associate Professor at Shanxi University, where he continues to shape future research in materials science. His tenure as a visiting scholar at the National University of Singapore (2022-2023) broadened his global research network, collaborating with renowned scholars like Prof. Seeram Ramakrishna. Previous roles in senior engineering and research positions at BGRIMM and the Institute of Coal Chemistry, CAS, have reinforced his commitment to both industrial and academic pursuits.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Zhang’s research contributions focus on creating advanced sustainable materials through innovative methods, particularly utilizing industrial waste. His groundbreaking work in glass-ceramic proppants, kaolin/TiO₂ composites, and inorganic fibers highlights his ability to merge fundamental science with practical industrial applications. His work emphasizes environmental sustainability, with a focus on materials that contribute to resource efficiency and energy conservation, aligning perfectly with global sustainability goals.

Accolades and Recognition 🏅

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhang's work has earned him recognition in both the academic and industrial communities. His contributions to the field of sustainable materials and industrial waste utilization are reflected in numerous high-impact publications in journals like Materials & Design, Waste Management, and Colloids and Surfaces A. His research, which bridges the gap between theory and practice, has made significant strides in advancing the material sciences, further solidifying his reputation as an expert in the field.

Impact and Influence 🌍

The impact of Dr. Zhang’s work extends beyond academic circles. His innovative use of industrial waste in developing high-performance materials is driving advancements in sustainable material applications. By focusing on the transformation of waste into valuable resources, he is influencing both the academic discourse and industrial practices, contributing to environmental sustainability and enhancing material properties. His research has the potential to inspire future solutions for a more sustainable world.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌱

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jincai Zhang’s legacy is defined by his pioneering contributions to sustainable materials science. His work not only addresses critical environmental challenges but also promotes the development of high-value materials from industrial waste. As his research continues to evolve, Dr. Zhang is poised to make even greater contributions to sustainable engineering, advancing material science, and offering innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues. His future work will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on both academia and industry.

Publications

  • 📄 Investigating the effects of sintering additives and heating regimes on the performances of glass–ceramic proppants derived from industrial wastes
    Author(s): Zhang, J., Fan, Y., Zhai, X., Kumar, V.V.
    Journal: Materials & Design
    Year: 2025

  • 📄 Preparation, properties, and formation mechanism of hydroxyl-silicone oil coating on the surface of kaolin/TiO₂ composites
    Author(s): Zhang, J., Ding, Y., Cheng, F., Ramakrishna, Seeram
    Journal: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
    Year: 2023

  • 📄 Study Progress on Inorganic Fibers from Industry Solid Wastes and the Key Factors Determining Their Characteristics
    Author(s): Zhang, J., Xu, X., Cheng, F., Ramakrishna, Seeram
    Journal: Materials
    Year: 2022

  • 📄 Effect of Unhydrated Aminopropyl Triethoxysilane Modification on the Properties of Calcined Kaolin
    Author(s): Zhang, J., Zhang, P., Cheng, F.
    Journal: Minerals
    Year: 2022

  • 📄 Preparation, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of inorganic continuous fibers produced from fly ash and magnesium slag
    Author(s): Zhang, J., Xuhui Wen, X.H., Cheng, F.Q.
    Journal: Waste Management
    Year: 2021