PINAR USTA EVCİ | FRP in Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. PINAR USTA EVCİ | FRP in Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pınar Usta Evci is a prominent academic in the field of civil engineering, currently serving at the Isparta University of Applied Sciences. With a rich background spanning structural engineering, earthquake resistance, sustainable construction, and heritage preservation, she has significantly contributed to both academic literature and applied research. Her career is characterized by interdisciplinary approaches, combining traditional engineering practices with game theory, materials science, and computational modeling to address modern infrastructure challenges. Her academic excellence and impactful publications have earned her recognition across national and international platforms.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Usta Evci holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Süleyman Demirel University (2016), where she specialized in seismic behavior and risk assessment of historical buildings in İzmir. She completed her Master’s degree in Construction Education at the same university in 2011, focusing on composite materials using tea plant waste. She holds two bachelor’s degrees: one in Construction Teaching (2008) and another in Civil Engineering (2020), alongside an associate degree in Justice from Anadolu University (2020). This diverse academic training reflects her commitment to both the technical and legal dimensions of engineering practice.

Experience

Dr. Usta Evci has served in various academic roles, progressing from Research Assistant (2009–2019) to Assistant Professor (2019) and now Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. She has held administrative roles including Head of the Department of Building and Co-head of the Civil Engineering Department. Her international exposure includes research fellowships at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University, enriching her interdisciplinary perspective. She has also contributed to international projects and editorial boards, such as her editorial role at the American Journal of Civil Engineering.

Research Interests

Her primary research interests include seismic analysis of historical and modern structures, sustainable construction materials, game theory applications in disaster management, and structural performance under dynamic loads. She explores non-destructive testing techniques, base-isolation systems, and sustainability assessments to innovate in earthquake engineering and post-disaster recovery frameworks. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges civil engineering with environmental science, policy, and computational analysis.

Awards

Dr. Usta Evci has received multiple SCI Article Awards in 2021 for her high-impact publications in indexed journals. Earlier in her career, she earned a Certificate of Achievement upon her undergraduate graduation in 2008. These accolades underscore her consistent scholarly contributions and academic excellence throughout her career.

Selected Publications 

  • Title: Numerical Modeling Of Seismic Impacts On Cistern Structures
    Authors: Usta Evci, P., Büyükünsal, A., Bozkurt, N.
    Publication: Sigma Journal of Engineering and Natural Sciences
    Year: 2026

  • Title: Sustainable Building Materials and Design: The Macedonian Mavrova Case
    Authors: Arıcı, A., Usta Evci, P.
    Publication: European Journal of Sustainable Development Research
    Year: 2024

  • Title: Effect of Opening Frame Materials on Masonry Structures
    Authors: Usta Evci, P., Sever, A.E., Şakalak, E., Arıcı, A.
    Publication: European Journal of Sustainable Development Research
    Year: 2024

  • Title: Effect of Floor Types on Masonry Structural Behavior
    Authors: Onat, Ö., Usta Evci, P., Arıcı, A.
    Publication: European Journal of Sustainable Development Research
    Year: 2024

  • Title: Mechanical Properties of Kofke Stone in Historical Buildings
    Authors: Usta Evci, P., Davraz, M., Uysal, N.
    Publication: Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation
    Year: 2024

  • Title: Seismic Behavior of the Historical Yeşildere Bridge
    Authors: Usta Evci, P., Cirik, K., Şakalak, E., Sever, A.E.
    Publication: Konya Journal of Engineering Sciences
    Year: 2024

  • Title: Effect of Masonry Infill Walls on RC Structures: Izmir Earthquake Case
    Authors: Usta Evci, P., Bozdağ, Ö., Onat, Ö.
    Publication: Engineering Failure Analysis
    Year: 2023

These papers have been cited in multiple academic journals focusing on seismic engineering, sustainable development, and disaster mitigation, reflecting the relevance and influence of her work in both academia and practice.

Conclusion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pınar Usta Evci stands out as a researcher whose scholarly depth and interdisciplinary scope uniquely position her for the Best Researcher Award. Her pioneering studies on the seismic performance of historical structures, development of sustainable materials, and integration of game theory into engineering frameworks reflect her innovative mindset. She has continuously contributed to scientific advancement through impactful research, international collaborations, and mentorship. Her work not only enriches academic discourse but also provides practical solutions to societal challenges, making her a deserving nominee for this recognition.

Grażyna Łaska | FRP in Health & Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Grażyna Łaska | FRP in Health & Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Politechnika Białostocka, Poland

Grażyna Łaska is a distinguished Associate Professor specializing in biological sciences with a strong focus on environmental protection and plant ecology. Over the course of her career, she has significantly contributed to the understanding of plant communities, biodiversity conservation, and the ecological impact of human activities. Her research spans a wide range of topics, including secondary metabolites, ecological networks, and conservation strategies. She has held several key administrative and academic roles, influencing both national and international research collaborations.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Grażyna Łaska’s academic journey began with an MSc in Biology from Warsaw University, where she graduated with honors in 1988. She pursued a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, which she completed in 1993. Her research excellence led to her habilitation in 2008, and she was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor at Białystok University of Technology in 2013. Her academic background laid a strong foundation for her future research in environmental protection and plant ecology.

Experience

She started her academic career as an assistant at the Department of Sozology at Białystok University of Technology in 1988. By 1993, she was promoted to Assistant Professor, a role she held for 20 years. In 2013, she became an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Protection and Management. Alongside her teaching responsibilities, she has served in various administrative roles, including Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Student Affairs (2012–2016) and Coordinator of an international research project (2015–2018). She also directed a major research project funded by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

Research Interests

Her research primarily focuses on plant ecology, biodiversity conservation, and secondary metabolites. She has studied the adaptation strategies of plants, particularly in wetland and forest habitats, and the ecological consequences of environmental changes. She has also contributed significantly to pharmacognosy, working on the pharmaceutical properties of plant-based secondary metabolites. Her interdisciplinary approach combines ecological research with applications in environmental protection and sustainable development.

Awards and Recognition

Grażyna Łaska has received numerous awards for her contributions to research and education. In 2011, she was honored with the Medal of the National Education Commission. Additionally, she has been the recipient of multiple individual and team Rector’s Awards between 2010 and 2016. Her mentorship has also been recognized, as she has supervised multiple Ph.D. students who have made notable contributions to ecological and botanical research.

Selected Publications

Łaska G. (2008). Plant communities in wetland habitats in the Knyszyńska Forest – present state and anthropogenic transformations in the GIS approach. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 15: 207-214.

Łaska G. (2011). “Natura 2000” ecological network in the aspect of sustainable development. Ecological Questions, 15: 5-21. DOI: 10.2478/v10090-011-0030-7.

Łaska G. (2014). Ecological consequences of deforestation and afforestation on a post-arable land. Ecological Questions, 20: 9–21. DOI: 10.12775/EQ.2014.012.

Łaska G. (2015). Synanthropization of dendroflora near main roads in Białystok (NE Poland). Biodiversity Research and Conservation, 38: 9-24. DOI: 10.1515/biorc-2015-0013.

Łaska G., Sienkiewicz A., Zjawiony J., Jacob M., Khan S. (2017). Antifungal activity of the root extracts of Pulsatilla patens against Candida glabrata. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica. Drug Research, 74(1): 179-185.

Łaska G. (2017). Wind energy and multi-criteria analysis in making decisions on the location of wind farms. Procedia Engineering, 182: 418–424.

Łaska G. (2014). Protection of floristic diversity in the Sajna River valley – in view of the planned construction of a hydroelectric power station in Sarkajmy. J. Water Land Dev., 20: 45–56.

Conclusion

Dr. Grażyna Łaska’s remarkable contributions to biological sciences, her leadership in research and academia, and her international collaborations position her as an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her extensive publication record, patents, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious recognition.