Touha Nazrun | Composite Materials | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Touha Nazrun | Composite Materials | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Touha Nazrun | Western Sydney University | Australia

Mrs. Touha Nazrun is an emerging researcher in fire safety engineering whose work demonstrates strong scientific promise, technical depth, and consistent research productivity. Her role as a Casual Research Assistant at Western Sydney University involves conducting experimental studies on the application of developed intumescent coatings on aluminium sheets, ACP cladding panels, gypsum boards, and concrete materials, with a focus on enhancing fire resistance and evaluating material performance under high-temperature conditions. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals, including contributions to Sustainability, Progress in Organic Coatings, and Fire, covering topics such as sustainable biopolymer-based cladding materials, fire performance improvements of aluminium composite panels, and comprehensive reviews of intumescent coating formulations and manufacturing methods. Her conference paper on the fire behaviour of aluminium sheets coated with intumescent materials earned a Best Paper Award, underscoring the originality and impact of her research. She maintains an active research pipeline with submitted and ready-to-submit manuscripts addressing material characterization, polymer–mineral filler compositions, and the use of recycled silicon dioxide in coating systems. Her scientific contributions extend to practical fire safety advancements, sustainable material development, and performance evaluation of protective coatings, reflecting her commitment to solving real-world engineering challenges. Beyond research, she has participated in technical conferences, volunteered in professional events related to fire safety engineering, and engaged in community and organizational activities, demonstrating a strong service orientation alongside academic excellence. Her growing body of work positions her as a promising researcher contributing valuable knowledge to the fields of fire protection materials, sustainable cladding technologies, and applied fire safety engineering.

Profile:  Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

Nazrun, T., Hassan, M. K., Hossain, M. D., Ahmed, B., Hasnat, M. R., & Saha, S. (2024). Application of biopolymers as sustainable cladding materials: A review. Sustainability, 16(1), 27.

Nazrun, T., Hassan, M. K., Hasnat, M. R., Hossain, M. D., Ahmed, B., & Saha, S. (2025). A comprehensive review on intumescent coatings: Formulation, manufacturing methods, research development, and issues. Fire, 8(4), 155.

Nazrun, T., Hassan, M. K., Hasnat, M. R., Hossain, M. D., & Saha, S. (2025). Improving fire performance of solid aluminium and composite cladding panels incorporating intumescent coatings. Progress in Organic Coatings, 201, 109142.

Nazrun, T., Hassan, M. K., Hasnat, M. R., Hossain, M. D., & Saha, S. (2024). Comparative study on fire behaviour of solid aluminium sheets coated with intumescent materials. Proceedings of the International Conference on Fire Safety Engineering Research and Practice.

Zina Vuluga | Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Zina Vuluga | Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites | Best Researcher Award

Senior Researcher at National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry—ICECHIM Bucharest, Romania

Dr. Zina Vuluga is an esteemed Romanian chemical engineer and senior scientist, currently affiliated with the National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry (ICECHIM). With over four decades of extensive experience in polymer science, she has made significant contributions to the development of polymer composites and nanocomposites. Throughout her prolific career, she has held several leadership roles, including Chief of the Polymer Modification Department and President of the Scientific Council at ICECHIM. Her work spans industrial and biomedical applications, with notable impact in advancing environmental sustainability through innovative materials research.

Profile

Orcid | Scopus

Education

Dr. Vuluga earned her degree in Chemical Engineering in 1980 from the Faculty of Chemical Technology, University “Politehnica” of Bucharest. She continued her academic journey with specialized management training in 1981 and a postgraduate certificate in process modeling and simulation in 1995. She achieved her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 2004 with a dissertation focusing on “Thermoplastic Composites (at nanometre scale),” awarded by the same university.

Professional Experience

Starting her career at ILV Policolor (1980–1982), Dr. Vuluga gained hands-on experience in paint and varnish technologies. Since 1982, she has been deeply rooted in ICECHIM, serving in various capacities such as engineer, team leader, and vice president of the scientific and administrative councils. Between 2012 and 2023, she led the Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites Team. Her work emphasizes the development of hybrid nanocomposites, antistatic and biodegradable materials, and nanofillers for industrial and biomedical applications.

Research Interests

Dr. Vuluga’s research centers on polymer-based nanocomposites, particularly focusing on the development of environmentally friendly materials with high-performance properties. Her areas of expertise include smart and biodegradable composites, bio-based nanostructured materials, collagen-based systems, and renewable nanomaterials. She is also known for her pioneering work in developing “intelligent” hybrid nanocomposites for drug delivery systems and in regenerative medicine applications, particularly bone implants.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Vuluga’s scientific excellence has been widely recognized. She received awards from the Romanian Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI) for her impactful ISI publications and patents. In 2023, she was honored with an honorary diploma by the Romanian Chemical Society on its centennial celebration. Her dedication to research and innovation continues to set a benchmark in her field.

Selected Publications 

  1. Panaitescu D.M., Vuluga Z., et al. “High flow polypropylene/SEBS composites reinforced with differently treated hemp fibers,” Composites Part B, 2019, FI=6.864. Cited by: 63 articles

  2. Vuluga Z., et al. “Morphological and Tribological Properties of PMMA/Halloysite Nanocomposites,” Polymers, 2018. FI=2.935. Cited by: 51 articles

  3. Vuluga Z., et al. “Properties of Recycled Polypropylene and Industrial Waste Composites,” Polymers, 2023, 15, 2545. Cited by: 19 articles

  4. Vuluga Z., et al. “Scratch Resistance of Polymethylmethacrylate Composites,” Polymers, 2021, 13, 3560. Cited by: 42 articles

  5. Albu M.G., Vuluga Z., et al. “Morphology and Thermal Stability of Bacterial Cellulose/Collagen Composites,” Central Eur. J. Chem., 2014, 12(9). Cited by: 47 articles

  6. Corobea M.C., Vuluga Z., et al. “Novel Nanocomposite Membranes from Cellulose Acetate and Clay-Silica Nanowires,” Polym. Adv. Technol., 2016. FI=1.823. Cited by: 36 articles

  7. Panaitescu D.M., Vuluga Z., et al. “Effect of SEBS on Morphology of PP/Organoclay Nanocomposites,” Polymer Bulletin, 2012. Cited by: 29 articles

Conclusion

Dr. Zina Vuluga exemplifies research excellence and leadership in chemical engineering, particularly in polymer and nanocomposite materials. Her holistic contributions—ranging from innovative biodegradable solutions to cutting-edge applications in automotive and biomedicine—highlight her as a leader who bridges academic insight with practical impact. Given her outstanding scholarly output, extensive project management experience, international collaboration, and notable awards, she is a highly suitable and deserving candidate for recognition through the Award Nomination.