Adel | Sustainability | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Dr. Adel | Sustainability | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Vienna University of Economics and Business | Austria

Dr. Adel Aazami, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), Austria. He earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the Iran University of Science and Technology, where he graduated with distinction, and has previously served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Sharif University of Technology. His academic journey also includes a visiting research position at the University of Toronto. Dr. Aazami’s research focuses on operations research, optimization, sustainable supply chains, logistics, production and distribution planning, competition and game theory, stochastic programming, and decomposition algorithms. He has published extensively in leading international journals such as Sustainability, Journal of Manufacturing Systems, and Computers & Industrial Engineering, contributing impactful work on vehicle routing, perishable goods distribution, and robust optimization models. He has authored books in Persian and presented his work at renowned international conferences, strengthening his presence in the global academic community. Recognized with prestigious awards such as the Iranian Nobel Award (Alborz National Foundation) and multiple accolades from the National Elites Foundation, he has been consistently ranked among the top students and researchers throughout his academic career. Alongside his teaching roles at WU and several Iranian universities, he has supervised numerous theses and conducted industrial research projects in areas like productivity management, innovation systems, and green supply chains. A dedicated reviewer for more than 30 leading international journals, he contributes to advancing scholarship across industrial engineering and logistics. Complementing his academic career, Dr. Aazami is actively engaged in community service through volunteer work with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, showcasing a strong commitment to both professional excellence and social responsibility.

Profile:  ORCID  |  Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Aazami, A., & Saidi-Mehrabad, M. (2021). A production and distribution planning of perishable products with a fixed lifetime under vertical competition in the seller-buyer systems: A real-world application. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 58, 223–247.

Goli, A., Aazami, A., & Jabbarzadeh, A. (2018). Accelerated cuckoo optimization algorithm for capacitated vehicle routing problem in competitive conditions. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence, 16(1), 88–112.

Makui, A., Heydari, M., Aazami, A., & Dehghani, E. (2016). Accelerating Benders decomposition approach for robust aggregate production planning of products with a very limited expiration date. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 100, 34–51.

Saeedi Mehrabad, M., Aazami, A., & Goli, A. (2017). A location-allocation model in the multi-level supply chain with multi-objective evolutionary approach. Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 10(3), 140–160.

Aazami, A., & Saidi-Mehrabad, M. (2019). Benders decomposition algorithm for robust aggregate production planning considering pricing decisions in competitive environment: A case study. Scientia Iranica, 26(5), 3007–3031.

Heydari, M., & Aazami, A. (2018). Minimizing the maximum tardiness and makespan criteria in a job shop scheduling problem with sequence dependent setup times. Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 11(2), 134–150.

Zarreh, M., Khandan, M., Goli, A., Aazami, A., & Kummer, S. (2024). Integrating perishables into closed-loop supply chains: A comprehensive review. Sustainability, 16(15), 6705.

Cornelia Vasile | bio-based materials | Best Paper Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cornelia Vasile | bio-based materials | Best Paper Award

Senior researcher at Romanian Academy, “P.Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romania

Dr. Cornelia Vasile is a highly acclaimed chemist and educator with over five decades of experience in physical chemistry, particularly in polymer science. She has made significant contributions to the characterization, recovery, and development of polymer materials. As a senior researcher and head of the Physical Chemistry of Polymers Department at the “P.Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry in Romania, Dr. Vasile has been instrumental in advancing polymer science research. She has also served as an associate professor at Laval University, Canada, and other prestigious institutions, mentoring MSc and PhD students. Her pioneering work has earned her multiple international awards, including medals at the “Inventica” symposia, highlighting her influence on material science and waste recovery.

Profile

ORCID

🎓 Education

Dr. Cornelia Vasile holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry of Polymers from “Al.I. Cuza” University, awarded in 1971. She completed her undergraduate studies in chemistry at Bucharest University, Romania, graduating in 1966. Her doctoral research at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry laid the foundation for her expertise in polymer science, focusing on the chemical physics of polymers. Throughout her career, she has continuously expanded her knowledge through various fellowships and international collaborations.

💼 Experience

Dr. Vasile’s career spans nearly five decades at the “P.Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, where she worked as a senior researcher and later led the Physical Chemistry of Polymers Department. Her tenure included supervising numerous PhD theses and spearheading innovative research in polymer waste recovery, pyrolysis, and the development of eco-friendly packaging systems. She also collaborated with international institutions, including Laval University, Canada, and the University of Massachusetts, USA, contributing her expertise as a visiting expert. Her scientific collaborations have extended across Europe, North America, and Asia.

🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Vasile’s research interests encompass a broad range of topics in polymer science, including:

Thermal analysis of polymers

Biomaterials and biodegradable packaging

Polymer waste recovery through pyrolysis

Polymer compatibility and biocompatibility

Smart polymer systems for drug delivery

Bio(nano)composites for medical applications Her work aims to address environmental challenges by developing sustainable materials and innovative waste management techniques.

🏅 Awards

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Vasile has received numerous awards, including:

“Bucharest University Award” (1965) – For outstanding student research on the kinetics of decomposition of metal complexes.

“N. Teclu Romanian Academy Prize” (1969) – Recognizing her contributions to the chemical sciences.

Gold and silver medals at international “Inventica” symposia (1986, 1987, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018) for her patents on polymer waste recovery.

Excellence Diploma and Medal (2006) – For her contributions to the EUROATOM PC6 program of the European Commission.

Best Paper Award by Japan Society of Materials Cycles and Waste Management (2017) – For her publication on gas production by steam gasification of polypropylene/biomass waste composites.

📚 Selected Publications

  1. “Lignins as Promising Renewable Biopolymers and Bioactive Compounds for High-Performance Materials”
    Journal: Polymers (2023), 15(15), 3177
    Cited by: Multiple articles in sustainable polymer science.

  2. “Lignin Modification with Carboxylic Acids and Butyrolactone under Cold Plasma Conditions”
    Journal: Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (2013)
    Cited by: Articles on polymer surface modifications and biomaterials.

  3. “Effect of the Lignin Type on the Morphology and Thermal Properties of Xanthan/Lignin Hydrogels”
    Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (2013)
    Cited by: Studies on hydrogel applications in biomedicine.

  4. “Semi-interpenetrating Polymer Networks Containing Polysaccharides”
    Journal: High Performance Polymers (2011)
    Cited by: Research on polymer blends and controlled drug delivery.

  5. “In Vitro Evaluation of Mixed Xanthan/Lignin Hydrogels as Vanillin Carriers”
    Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure (2011)
    Cited by: Articles on polymeric hydrogels for drug delivery.

  6. “Thermal Degradation of Lignin – A Review”
    Journal: Cellulose Chemistry and Technology (2010)
    Cited by: 1314 citations, indicating its significant influence on lignin degradation research.

  7. “Polyolefins/Lignosulfonate Blends”
    Journal: Macromolecular Materials and Engineering (2004)
    Cited by: Articles on polymer-lignin composites and their applications.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Cornelia Vasile is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Paper Award. Her outstanding scientific contributions, impactful publications, and multiple recognitions position her as a frontrunner. Her work on polymer waste recovery, eco-sustainable packaging, and lignocellulosic biopolymers exemplifies excellence in research, making her a strong contender for this prestigious accolade.