Maria Carmela Grano | Heritage Sciences and Ancient Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Maria Carmela Grano | Heritage Sciences and Ancient Technologies | Best Researcher Award

CNR - Istituto di Scienze del Patrimonio Culturale | Italy

Dr. Maria Carmela Grano is an accomplished researcher specializing in cultural heritage conservation, preventive conservation, and sustainable landscape management. She has authored 7 scholarly documents with 30 citations across 23 publications and holds an h-index of 3, reflecting her growing impact in the field of heritage science. Currently affiliated with the CNR - Institute of Heritage Science (ISPC), she contributes to European projects such as E-RIHS ERIC and ARCHE, focusing on digitalization, preventive conservation, and co-governance of cultural assets. Her work emphasizes the integration of environmental monitoring, GIS-based heritage mapping, and stakeholder engagement to promote sustainable cultural tourism. Dr. Grano has organized and contributed to numerous international conferences, including the Bilateral Italo-French Heritage Science meetings, and her publications explore topics like historical water mills, fluvial dynamics, and adaptive reuse of cultural landscapes. She has received several research fellowships and collaborated with organizations such as UNESCO Giovani and FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano). Through her interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Grano continues to advance innovative strategies for heritage preservation, combining science, community participation, and policy development to safeguard cultural assets in the context of climate and digital transitions.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Grano, M. C. (2025). Historic water mills as regenerative ecosystems: Integrating technologies, community engagement and sustainable landscape management. Cities, 162(C), 105982. ISSN 0264-2751.

Grano, M. C., Sileo, M., Innella, C., Vitulli, R., & Masini, N. (2024). Conservazione preventiva, programmata e partecipata dei beni culturali in ottica circolare: Casi studio e sfide aperte nel progetto Basilicata Heritage Smart Lab. Il Capitale Culturale, 29, 107–121. ISSN 2039-2362.

Genovese, L., Alberti, L., Colosi, F., Grano, M. C., Greco, S., Sfameni, C., Bellia, A., & Lazzari, M. (2024). Cooperation solutions for the local sustainable development of heritage communities: Role and contributions of the Faro Italia Network. In Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems. Springer.

Grano, M. C., & Scoccimarro, M. (2023). How can preventive conservation be communicated and explained to visitors and users? News in Conservation, 98, 56–61.

Quaranta, E., Pujol, T., & Grano, M. C. (2023). The repowering of vertical axis water mills preserving their cultural heritage: Techno-economic analysis with water wheels and Turgo turbines. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development. Emerald Publishing.

Di Stefano, A., Vitulli, R., & Grano, M. C. (2021). Piano di sviluppo regionale sui settori delle industrie culturali e creative e del turismo. Basilicata Creativa.

Grano, M. C. (2021). Le chiese rupestri di Murgia Timone a Matera: Dalla conoscenza alla conservazione programmata: La diagnostica come strumento di prevenzione. In F. Castelfranchi & M. Lazzari (Eds.), Il Parco della storia dell’uomo di Matera. Chiese rupestri e Villaggio neolitico di Murgia Timone (pp. 125–159). Doconline. ISBN 978-88-946344-0-2.

Grano, M. C. (2020b). Gualchiere, mulini idraulici e cisterne: L’uso dell’acqua e le trasformazioni del paesaggio in Basilicata. Agri Centuriati: An International Journal of Landscape Archaeology, 17, 47–57. ISSN 1724-904X.

Grano, M. C. (2020a). Palombari, cisterne e pozzi per l’approvvigionamento idrico nei Sassi di Matera (Basilicata). Il Capitale Culturale, 21, 377–389.

Grano, M. C. (2018). Archive sources and field surveys used to analyse horizontal-wheeled watermills, their position and technology in the Basilicata Region of Southern Italy. International Molinology, 97, 13–19.

Grano, M. C., Lazzari, M., Danese, M., & Verrastro, V. (2018). ASTER BASILICATAE: Atlante cartografico storico-territoriale della Basilicata per la ricostruzione diacronica del paesaggio naturale e storico rurale. In Atti del XXXII Convegno Geografico Italiano (pp. 167–176).

 

Eduardo Delgado-Orusco | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Eduardo Delgado-Orusco | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Universidad de Zaragoza | Spain

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Dr. Eduardo Delgado-Orusco began his academic journey at the prestigious Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, where he obtained his Architecture degree in 1989. His unwavering dedication to the discipline led him to earn his Doctorate in Architecture in 2000, for which he was awarded the Premio Extraordinario de Doctorado —a testament to his early brilliance and scholarly rigor. His formative years were marked by a profound engagement with architectural theory, art, and the sacred, laying a rich intellectual foundation for his future endeavors.

🏛️ Professional Endeavors

Eduardo’s professional path has been a dynamic blend of academia, design, and international engagement. Currently serving as a Full Professor at the University of Zaragoza, he has also taught at top institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Across his global teaching roles, he has nurtured generations of architects and thinkers, shaping architectural pedagogy with an emphasis on cultural memory, spatial narrative, and design ethics. His professional architectural work—ranging from school designs to the transformation of historical buildings—reflects a balance between heritage preservation and innovative expression.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Delgado-Orusco’s research orbits around architecture’s dialogue with history, spirituality, and society. He is especially renowned for his studies on sacred architecture in post-war Spain and his explorations into architectural memory and cultural landscapes. A prolific author, his body of work includes critically acclaimed monographs such as "Arquitectura vs barbarie", "El Faro", and "Nada de lo humano me es ajeno". His academic articles span topics from multi-faith sacred spaces to reflections on modernist pioneers like Louis Kahn and Miguel Fisac.  His focus on “architecture as narrative” has positioned him as a thought leader in rethinking built environments beyond functionality.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his career, Prof. Delgado-Orusco has amassed a wide array of prestigious awards and honors. His work has been celebrated by COAM, the Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (XII and XIII BEAU), and recognized in international architectural competitions such as BigMat and Archizinc. He has also secured major public and private research funding, leading and collaborating on over a dozen national and regional projects. His academic leadership is underscored by five officially recognized research productivity periods ("sexenios"), a significant indicator of scholarly excellence in Spain.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Prof. Delgado-Orusco’s influence resonates deeply in both academia and architectural practice. As a supervisor, he has mentored over 35 final-year and master’s theses, as well as three doctoral dissertations—many of which have advanced critical architectural discourse. He has contributed richly to the cultural and urban identity of Spanish cities through both design and scholarly reflection. His editorial contributions to architecture journals and exhibitions have further broadened public and professional understanding of the discipline. His work has been exhibited globally, drawing attention to the intersections between architecture, identity, and memory.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

With a career marked by intellectual curiosity and cultural depth, Prof. Dr. Eduardo Delgado-Orusco continues to inspire future architects and researchers. His legacy lies not only in the buildings he has shaped or the books he has written, but also in the minds he has awakened. As he advances in his academic and professional journey, his ongoing research into architectural heritage, sacred space, and interdisciplinary dialogue promises to enrich the field for years to come. His vision of architecture as a carrier of humanistic values ensures that his contributions will remain relevant and transformative across generations.

Publications


📄 Praying to the Same God: Multi-Confessional Space Project for a “World House”

Author: Eduardo Delgado-Orusco
Journal: Religions
Year: 2025


📄 Wake Up Cities! A Heritage Rebalancing Plan from the Sacred

Author: Eduardo Delgado-Orusco
Journal: Religions
Year: 2025


📄 Recuerdos de César Ortiz-Echagüe

Authors: Eduardo Delgado-Orusco, Jaime Aparicio Fraga
Journal: Veredes, Arquitectura y Divulgación
Year: 2023


📄 Light, Lighter… Until Dissolution. Churches by Grupo R

Authors: Ricardo Gómez-Val, Silvia Blanco Agüeira, Eduardo Delgado-Orusco
Journal: European Journal of Science and Theology
Year: 2023


📄 Memoria de maestros, mares y ciudades. Selección extraída de las memorias de Salvador Pérez Arroyo

Authors: Eduardo Delgado-Orusco, Juan Manuel Medina
Journal: Dearq
Year: 2023


Arvin Gouw | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Arvin Gouw | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

University of Cambridge | United States

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Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Dr. Arvin Gouw's academic journey is a testament to intellectual rigor and interdisciplinary engagement. He earned a B.A. in Molecular & Cell Biology with a focus on Neurobiology from the University of California, Berkeley, and subsequently pursued an M.A. in Endocrinology. Building on his scientific foundation, he delved into theology, completing M.A. and C.A.S. programs at St. Mary’s Seminary & University. Dr. Gouw's commitment to integrating science and religion led him to an M.Phil. in Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in Pathobiology at Johns Hopkins University. His ongoing Ph.D. studies in Systematic Theology at the University of Cambridge underscore his lifelong dedication to exploring complex, interdisciplinary questions.

Professional Endeavors 🌍

Dr. Gouw's career is marked by diverse roles that bridge academia, research, and entrepreneurship. As the Founding CEO of Bacchus Therapeutics, Inc., and Vice President of Research & Development at the Rare Genomics Institute, he has pioneered advancements in rare disease treatment and precision medicine. His academic appointments at Stanford, Harvard, and the University of California, Berkeley, reflect his expertise in oncology, nanotechnology, and aging. Dr. Gouw also plays active roles in theological scholarship, including affiliations with the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and the University of St. Andrews' Scholars of the Peripheries Network.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Gouw's work spans cancer research, rare diseases, theology, and bioethics. His scientific publications highlight groundbreaking findings on oncogenes like MYC, lipid metabolism in cancer, and innovative approaches to rare disease diagnostics. Equally, his contributions to religion and science discourse, such as the exploration of CRISPR's ethical implications, demonstrate his commitment to fostering dialogue between these fields. As an editor of influential volumes like Religious Transhumanism and Its Critics, Dr. Gouw continues to shape conversations on ethics, technology, and faith.

Accolades and Recognition 🏅

Dr. Gouw's achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Ignite Award and Abbvie Golden Ticket Award for his entrepreneurial innovations at Bacchus Therapeutics. He secured a National Science Foundation I-Corps grant for 3D bioprinting advancements and has filed multiple international patents reflecting his contributions to cancer therapeutics. His intellectual contributions have also garnered fellowships and invitations to speak at global conferences.

Impact and Influence 🌟

Through his dual expertise in science and theology, Dr. Gouw bridges disciplines in ways that advance understanding and innovation. His theological perspectives challenge conventional approaches to bioethics, while his scientific endeavors redefine possibilities in cancer treatment and rare disease research. His publications and patents have become valuable resources for scholars and clinicians alike, shaping both theoretical and applied frameworks.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🚀

Dr. Arvin Gouw stands at the forefront of interdisciplinary innovation, uniting cutting-edge science with ethical and theological inquiry. As he continues to expand his research and leadership roles, his work promises to inspire future generations to think beyond disciplinary boundaries. His legacy will undoubtedly include transformative contributions to science, religion, and humanity's broader understanding of existence.

 

Publications


📜 Undisciplining the Science and Religion Discourse on the Holy War on Obesity
Journal: Religions
Year: 2024-12
Author: Arvin Gouw


📚 Exposing Selfish Motivations Disguised as Justice
Chapter: Awake, Emerging and Connected: Meditations on Justice from a Missing Generation
Year: 2024
Author: Arvin Gouw


📜 Bridging the COSMOS: How the Inclusion of and Collaboration with Faith-Based Understandings and Indigenous Knowledges Can Transform the Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise
Journal: Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
Year: 2024-07-25
Contributors: Carlos J. Martinez, Debanjana Das, Emma Frances Bloomfield, James D. Abraham, John A. Knox, Ricardo Simmonds, Douglas C. Hilderbrand, Jason Giovannettone, Arvin M. Gouw, Abhishek RoyChowdhury


📜 Of Angels and Robots: Knowledge and Purpose in AI from Thomistic Passions to Chalmers' Qualia
Journal: Divus Thomas
Year: 2023-09
Author: Arvin Gouw


📜 A Life Scientist’s Review of Chilisa's Indigenous Research Methodologies
Journal: Religious Studies Review
Year: 2023-06
Author: Arvin M. Gouw


 

Anastasios Liapakis | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Anastasios Liapakis | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

University of West Attica | Greece

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Early Academic Pursuits 📚

Dr. Anastasios Liapakis embarked on his academic journey with a strong foundation in Agricultural Engineering at the Agricultural University of Athens, where he completed his B(Eng) with a commendable grade of 7.27/10. Driven by a passion for data and analytics, he pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specializing in Data Analytics at the same institution. His dedication and academic excellence earned him a top grade of 8.59/10. Dr. Liapakis continued his pursuit of knowledge by obtaining a PhD in Informatics, focusing on Big Data Analytics in Agricultural Digital Markets. His research in this area, completed with an "Excellent" grade, laid the groundwork for his future contributions to the field.

Professional Endeavors 🚀

Dr. Liapakis has held several key academic positions that have shaped his career. He is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of West Attica, where he teaches modules on E-governance and Databases. His experience spans various institutions, including the University of Peloponnese, where he taught Programming II, and the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, where he delivered courses on Object-Oriented Programming, Software Systems Design, and e-Government Systems. As the Academic Head of the Informatics Department at New York College, Athens, he managed programs in Computing, Software Engineering, and Data Analytics, showcasing his leadership and expertise in the field.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Liapakis' research interests lie at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, and Cultural Heritage Information Management. He has made significant contributions to the understanding and application of AI in various domains, particularly in opinion mining and big data analytics. His work has been instrumental in developing innovative solutions for the agricultural sector, including automated monitoring and control systems against pests in the Mediterranean region. His research projects, funded by the EU, have had a profound impact on the industry, highlighting his ability to bridge the gap between academia and real-world applications.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Throughout his career, Dr. Liapakis has been recognized for his outstanding academic performance and research contributions. He received multiple scholarships and financial awards, including one from the Agricultural University of Athens for his exceptional performance in the MBA program and another from the Greek State Scholarships Foundation during his undergraduate studies. His research has also garnered accolades, including a Best Paper Award at the International Journal of Computational Linguistics in 2020, solidifying his reputation as a leading researcher in his field.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Dr. Liapakis' work has had a significant impact on the academic community and beyond. His research in big data analytics and AI has influenced how these technologies are applied in various sectors, particularly in agriculture and food industries. His contributions to sentiment analysis, particularly in the context of the Greek language, have provided valuable insights for both academia and industry. Additionally, his involvement in PhD supervision and as a reviewer for various research journals demonstrates his commitment to shaping the future of research in his field.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌟

As Dr. Liapakis continues to advance his research in AI and big data, his legacy is one of innovation and dedication to the application of cutting-edge technologies in solving real-world problems. His ongoing work in cultural heritage information management and his leadership in academic programs ensure that his contributions will continue to influence future generations of researchers and practitioners. Dr. Liapakis' vision for integrating AI into various sectors, coupled with his extensive experience and accolades, positions him as a thought leader poised to make lasting contributions to both academia and industry.

 

Publications


  • 📝A Sentiment Analysis Approach for Exploring Customer Reviews of Online Food Delivery Services: A Greek Case
    Authors: Fragkos, N.; Liapakis, A.; Ntaliani, M.; Ntalianis, F.; Costopoulou, C.
    Journal: Preprints 2024, 2024041203
    Year: 2024

  • 📝Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies in Education 5.0
    Authors: Liapakis, A., Smyrnaiou, Z., & Bougia, A.
    Journal: International Journal of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science
    Year: 2023

  • 📝Big Data, Sentiment Analysis, and Examples during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Authors: Diareme, K. C., Liapakis, A., & Efthymiou, I.
    Journal: HAPSc Policy Briefs Series
    Year: 2022

  • 📝An Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis System to Analyze Customers’ Reviews from Food and Beverage Opinion and Review Webpages: The Greek Case
    Authors: Liapakis, A., Tsiligiridis, T., Yialouris, C., & Costopoulou, C., Diareme, K.C.
    Journal: Information (Accepted for publication)
    Year: 2021

  • 📝A Corpus-Driven, Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis to Evaluate in Almost Real-Time, a Large Volume of Online Food & Beverage Reviews
    Authors: Liapakis, A., Tsiligiridis, T., Yialouris, C., & Maliappis, M.
    Journal: International Journal of Computational Linguistics (IJCL)
    Year: 2020