Dr. Ayah Alkhawaldeh | FRP in Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan

Profiles:

• ORCID Profile
• scopus Profile
• Google Scholar Profile

🎓Early Academic Pursuits

Ayah Ahmad Faris Alkhawaldeh, born on January 25, 1991, in Jordan, has shown a strong commitment to the field of civil engineering from a young age. Her educational journey began at Al-Wesam Golden Educational School in Amman, Jordan, where she excelled in the Science branch of The General Secondary Education (Tawjihi), achieving an impressive average of 90.8%.

Her passion for engineering led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Al-Balqa’a Applied University, where she graduated with an excellent GPA of 3.65/4 in 2013. Her graduation project involved the redesign of the “EDGO OFFICE BUILDING” in Al-Abdali city, Amman-Jordan, showcasing her practical skills and innovative thinking early in her career.

Determined to advance her expertise, Ayah pursued a Master of Science in Civil Engineering/Structures at The University of Jordan, where she graduated in 2016 with a remarkable GPA of 3.92/4. Her thesis, “Rehabilitation of Fire Damaged Short Reinforced Concrete Columns Externally Confined with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP),” laid the groundwork for her future research endeavors.

Ayah’s academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering/Structures from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2022. Her dissertation, “Strengthening of Heat-Damaged Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Joints using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers,” was distinguished by its high GPA of 4.05/4, earning her the top rank in her cohort. This achievement underscores her dedication to excellence in her field.

🏢Professional Endeavors

Ayah’s professional journey began in 2014 when she worked at Iratec Engineering Company in Wadi Saqra, Jordan. Her experience in the industry provided her with valuable practical insights that complemented her academic knowledge.

In 2016, she embarked on an academic career, joining Al-Balqa’a Applied University as a full-time lecturer. Here, she taught various courses, including Strength of Materials, Structural Analysis, Reinforced Concrete Design, and Pre-stressed Concrete Design, to both bachelor’s and diploma degree students. Her ability to convey complex concepts effectively made her a respected educator.

Ayah continued to expand her teaching portfolio by serving as a part-time lecturer and researcher at Jordan University of Science and Technology from 2017 to 2021. During this period, she taught courses such as Strength of Materials, Structural Analysis, and Materials of Construction Lab. Her involvement in ABET accreditation initiatives demonstrated her commitment to maintaining high educational standards.

Her teaching career also included stints at Al-Ahliyya Amman University, the American University of Madaba, and Arab University College of Technology. At each institution, Ayah’s expertise and dedication were evident in the diverse range of courses she taught, including Earthquake Engineering, Structural Systems, and Design of Steel Structures.

🔬Contributions and Research Focus

Ayah’s research interests center on the rehabilitation and strengthening of reinforced concrete structures, particularly those damaged by fire or heat. Her work on the use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) for strengthening structures has significant implications for enhancing the durability and safety of buildings.

Her recent research has focused on sustainability in construction, as evidenced by her publication on the “Sustainability Evaluation and Life Cycle Assessment of Concretes Including Pozzolanic By-Products and Alkali-Activated Binders.” This work highlights her commitment to environmentally friendly construction practices.

Ayah’s contributions extend to the integration of advanced technologies in construction. Her research on the “Integration of 3D Printing and Machine Learning in Sustainable Construction” explores the feasibility and challenges of adopting these innovative approaches in the industry.

🏆Accolades and Recognition

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Ayah has received numerous accolades that recognize her exceptional contributions to civil engineering. She was awarded a fully funded Ph.D. scholarship from Jordan University of Science and Technology (2017-2021) and an M.Sc. scholarship from the Scientific Research Support Fund at the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research-Jordan (2014-2016).

Her distinguished academic performance earned her the Practice Academic Work License from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, further validating her expertise and commitment to advancing knowledge in her field.

🌍Impact and Influence

Ayah’s research has garnered attention in the academic community, with several of her papers published in refereed journals indexed by Scopus. Her work on “The action of heated RC joints strengthened with a novel strategy combined CFRP and SSEMSM under a quasi-static cyclic load” and the “Response of Overhanging RC Beams Strengthened with Various Schemes of Externally Bonded CFRP Strips” has contributed valuable insights to the field of structural engineering.

Her influence extends beyond academia, as she actively participates in professional organizations such as the Jordanian Engineers Association. Her engagement with industry and academia bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical application, ensuring that her work has a tangible impact on the construction industry.

🌟Legacy and Future Contributions

As Ayah continues her career, her legacy will be defined by her contributions to the field of civil engineering, particularly in the areas of structural rehabilitation and sustainable construction. Her dedication to teaching and research ensures that future generations of engineers will benefit from her expertise and insights.

📖Publications:

Paper Title: The action of heated RC joints strengthened with a novel strategy combined CFRP and SSEMSM under a quasi-static cyclic load

• Authors: Ayah A. Alkhawaldeh, R.Z. Al-Rousan
• Journal: Engineering Structures
• Year: 2024

Paper Title: Harmonizing smart technologies with building resilience and sustainable built environment systems

• Authors: M. Alhassan, Ayah Alkhawaldeh, N. Betoush, L. Amaireh, A. Onaizi
• Journal: Results in Engineering
• Year: 2024

Paper Title: Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainability Characteristics of Built Environment Systems

• Authors: Ayah Alkhawaldeh, N. Betoush, A. Sawalha, M. Alhassan, K. Abdalla
• Journal: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
• Year: 2024

Paper Title: Optimizing Cyclic Response of Non-Ductile RC Joints Subjected to Heat Using Stainless-Steel Expanded Metal Sheet Mesh

• Authors: Ayah A. Alkhawaldeh, R.Z. Al-Rousan
• Journal: Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering
• Year: 2024

Paper Title: The Efficiency of Using Machine Learning Techniques in Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer Applications in Structural Engineering

• Authors: M. Alhusban, M. Alhusban, Ayah A. Alkhawaldeh
• Journal: Sustainability (Switzerland)
• Year: 2024

Assoc Prof Dr. Taghreed Alsufyani | Composite Materials Science | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Taif University, Saudi Arabia

Profiles:

• ORCID Profile
• scopus Profile
• Google Scholar Profile

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Taghreed Abdulraheam Alsufyani embarked on her academic journey with a strong foundation in chemistry. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the Faculty of Science and Education in Jeddah, KSA. Driven by her passion for the subject, she pursued a Master’s Degree at King AbdulAziz University in Jeddah, KSA. Her academic curiosity and dedication led her to Friedrich Schiller Jena University in Germany, where she obtained her Ph.D. in chemistry. Throughout her educational journey, she developed a deep understanding and expertise in various aspects of chemistry, setting the stage for a distinguished career in research and academia.

🏢Professional Endeavors

Teaching and Supervision
Dr. Alsufyani’s professional career is marked by her extensive teaching and supervisory roles. From 2006 to 2010, she served as a lecturer in the Chemistry Department at Taif University, where she later became an Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry. Her responsibilities included supervising practical courses on UV and IR spectroscopy at Friedrich Schiller University, Germany, and overseeing student projects.

Research Roles
In addition to her teaching duties, Dr. Alsufyani has been actively involved in various research projects. She has worked on characterizing the chemical ecology of aphids affecting pomegranate crops and wild olive trees, aiming to develop sustainable biocontrol methods. She has also supervised projects on protecting fig trees from mealybug pests using volatile oils extracted from aromatic plants.

🔬Contributions and Research Focus 

Dr. Alsufyani’s research interests are diverse and impactful. She focuses on exploring infochemicals released by living organisms and their interactions with the environment. Her work extends to metabolomic analysis, which depends on creating purified systems to study specific organisms. Additionally, she investigates the industrial applications of macro and microalgae, such as biodiesel production, wastewater biofiltration, and medical applications of organism extracts.

Green Chemistry
Her early research contributions include being a member of the green chemistry research team, where she performed laboratory experiments using green microscale chemistry technology. This work was crucial for developing environmentally friendly chemical processes and products.

Editorial and Review Work
Dr. Alsufyani’s expertise has been recognized through her editorial roles in scientific journals. She has served on the editorial committee of Advanced Research in Life Sciences & Biology and as a board editor for the Journal of Aquaculture and Marine Science. She has also reviewed translated works, demonstrating her linguistic proficiency and broad scientific knowledge.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Dr. Alsufyani’s contributions to science and education have not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized for her work through various roles and projects. Notably, she supervised a talent student project that won accolades at the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity 2021. Her leadership in research projects funded by the Deputyship for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, underscores her significant impact in her field.

🌍Impact and Influence 

Dr. Alsufyani’s work has had a substantial impact on both the academic community and practical applications in the field of chemistry. Her research on infochemicals and metabolomic analysis has advanced our understanding of ecological interactions and environmental chemistry. Her contributions to green chemistry and sustainable biocontrol methods reflect her commitment to addressing global environmental challenges.

Workshops and Training
She has also been active in professional development, attending and contributing to numerous workshops. These include sessions on analyzing data from different sources, understanding personality types, and introducing program self-study report forms. Her participation in these workshops highlights her dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.

🌟Legacy and Future Contributions 

Dr. Alsufyani’s legacy is built on her extensive research, teaching, and contributions to the scientific community. As an Assistant Professor at Taif University, she continues to inspire and educate future generations of chemists. Her ongoing research projects and publications contribute to the advancement of knowledge in chemistry and environmental science.

📖Publications:

Paper Title: Interspecific Eavesdropping on Chemical Communication in the Field between Taif Pomegranate, Aphis punicae, Enemies, and Protectors

• Authors: NH M’sakni, T Alsufyani, NJ Alotaibi, MA Almalki, EM Alghamdi
• Year: 2024

Paper Title: Rapid Identification of Aphid Species by Headspace GC-MS and Discriminant Analysis

• Authors: Alotaibi, N.J., Alsufyani, T., M’sakni, N.H., Alghamdi, E.M., Spiteller, D.
• Journal: Insects
• Year: 2023

Paper Title: GC Analysis, Anticancer, and Antibacterial Activities of Secondary Bioactive Compounds from Endosymbiotic Bacteria of Pomegranate Aphid and Its Predator and Protector

• Authors: Alsufyani, T., Al-Otaibi, N., Alotaibi, N.J., M’sakni, N.H., Alghamdi, E.M.
• Journal: Molecules
• Year: 2023

Paper Title: Improvement of the Optical Properties of Cellulose Nanocrystals Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch Bio-Composite Films by Ex Situ Incorporation of Green Silver Nanoparticles from Chaetomorpha linum

• Authors: M’sakni, N.H., Alsufyani, T.
• Journal: Polymers
• Year: 2023

Paper Title: Biodegradable Bio-Composite Film Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals from Chaetomorpha linum into Thermoplastic Starch Matrices

• Authors: Alsufyani, T., M’sakni, N.H.
• Journal: Polymers
• Year: 2023