Zina Vuluga | Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites | Best Researcher Award

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.

Jingbo Li | Nano-FRP Innovations | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Jingbo Li | Nano-FRP Innovations | Best Researcher Award

Principal Investigator at College of Optical Science and Engineering/Zhejiang University, China 

Professor Jingbo Li is a highly accomplished scientist in the field of condensed matter physics and optoelectronics. Currently serving as a Professor at the College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, China, he has played a pivotal role in advancing research in semiconductors, nanomaterials, and quantum devices. With a rich professional history that includes work at top research institutions in China and the United States, Professor Li is recognized for his interdisciplinary expertise and leadership in cutting-edge material science research. His contributions have significantly influenced the development of 2D materials, high-performance photodetectors, and ferroelectric transistors, making him a strong candidate for prestigious scientific awards.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Professor Jingbo Li’s academic foundation is firmly rooted in physics and materials science. He earned his Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics in 2001 from the Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Prior to that, he completed his M.S. in the same field at South China University of Technology in 1997, and his B.S. in Physics from Hunan Normal University in 1994. His strong academic training has equipped him with both theoretical knowledge and practical research skills, allowing him to address complex scientific challenges in a variety of disciplines related to materials and devices.

Experience

With over two decades of research and academic experience, Professor Li has held several distinguished positions. He began his postdoctoral career in 2001 at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the USA, followed by a research associate role at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Upon returning to China, he joined the Institute of Semiconductors at the Chinese Academy of Sciences as a professor in 2007. He later served at South China Normal University before taking up his current position at Zhejiang University in 2022. Throughout his career, he has led numerous national and international research projects, mentored graduate students, and collaborated across disciplines.

Research Interests

Professor Li’s research encompasses a broad array of scientific topics, particularly in semiconductor physics, optoelectronic materials, and quantum phenomena. His work focuses on doping mechanisms in wide-bandgap semiconductors, 2D materials, spintronic devices, quantum tunneling, and Majorana fermions. He has also advanced the development of large-scale computational algorithms for electronic structure and transport simulations. His recent investigations include ferroelectric devices, UV imaging, van der Waals heterostructures, and power chips for high-performance electronics, positioning him at the forefront of theoretical and experimental material science.

Awards

Over the course of his career, Professor Li has received numerous national and provincial honors that recognize his outstanding scientific achievements. Notable among them are the “Second Class of Natural Science Award of China” (2017), “First Class of Natural Science Award of Jiangxi Province” (2022), and “First Prize for Science and Technology Progress Award of Anhui Province” (2021). He was also selected for the “Wan-Ren Program of China” (2016), received a special government subsidy from the State Council (2015), and was honored with the “Distinguished Young Investigator Award” by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (2009). These accolades reflect his sustained excellence and leadership in research.

Selected Publications

Professor Li has authored a vast number of influential papers in high-impact journals. Below are seven recent representative publications:

  1. Yang et al. (2025), “2D Ferroelectric AgInP₂Se₆ for Ultra-Steep Slope Transistor,” Advanced Electronic Materials – cited for breakthrough in transistor steep slope behavior.

  2. Yang et al. (2025), “p-W₀.₀₉Re₀.₉₁S₂ /GaN Heterojunction for UV Image Sensing,” Laser & Photonics Reviews – recognized for high UV detectivity.

  3. Xiao et al. (2025), “Advanced T-In₂Se₃/M-WS₂/B-WSe₂ Photodetectors,” Small – focused on band tailoring and photodetection enhancement.

  4. Xiao et al. (2025), “Hydrogen Evolution on SnO₂ with Transition Metals,” Sci. Sin. Phys. Mech. Astron. – explored catalytic activity in hydrogen evolution.

  5. Wu et al. (2025), “Wafer-Scale 4H-SiC UV Photodetector,” Nano Research – developed for high-voltage UV detection.

  6. Chen et al. (2025), “Lensless Polarimetric Imaging via Te/ReSe₂,” Nano Letters – enabled polarization-sensitive photodetectors.

  7. Zhu et al. (2024), “2D Te Field-Effect Transistors,” Advanced Functional Materials – focused on junction field-effect mobility.

These publications have garnered citations in related studies on ferroelectric materials, 2D heterostructures, and next-gen photonic devices.

Conclusion

In summary, Professor Jingbo Li is an exceptional researcher whose scientific achievements have had a profound impact on condensed matter physics and optoelectronics. His rigorous academic training, extensive professional experience, cutting-edge research, and recognition through prestigious awards underscore his contributions to both theoretical science and practical technology. As an influential scientist and academic leader, he exemplifies the qualities sought in candidates for major research awards. His nomination is a testament to his enduring commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation on both national and global scales.

Cristina Veres | Mechanical Properties of Advanced Materials | Best Review Paper Award

Dr. Cristina Veres | Mechanical Properties of Advanced Materials | Best Review Paper Award

Lecturer at G.E.Palade UMPhST, Romania

Dr. Veres Cristina is a versatile academic and professional specializing in management, engineering, and biomedical innovation. She serves as a university lecturer at the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș (UMFST), where she teaches courses in industrial and project management, biomedical engineering, and sustainable development. In parallel, she holds the position of Academic Secretary within the Vice-Rector’s Office for International Relations, University Networks, and Public Relations. She also acts as Head of Management Administration at Azomureș JSC, a leading agricultural fertilizer company, where she oversees strategic initiatives, educational partnerships, and internal training. Her profile reflects a dynamic blend of academic rigor and practical leadership across sectors.

Profile

Scholar

Education

Dr. Veres holds a rich academic background grounded in multidisciplinary studies. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Management and Business Management from the University “Petru Maior” in Târgu Mureș. She then pursued doctoral studies in Engineering and Management at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, focusing on lean practices in industrial and healthcare systems. Further advancing her expertise, she completed postdoctoral studies at the Romanian Academy’s Institute of National Economy, researching lean healthcare strategies. She also obtained a Master’s degree in Engineering Sciences Applied in Medicine from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca between 2021 and 2023. Additionally, she gained international academic exposure through an Erasmus scholarship at the Università del Salento in Italy.

Experience

With over a decade of diverse professional experience, Dr. Veres has successfully navigated both academia and industry. Between 2012 and 2019, she worked at IRUM JSC as a marketing specialist, managing communications, logistics, customer relations, and technical sales in the agricultural and forestry equipment sector. Since 2019, she has served as Head of Management Administration at Azomureș JSC, contributing to strategic development, academic collaboration, and project coordination. In academia, she has been a university lecturer since 2018, teaching a wide range of management and engineering subjects and mentoring students in practical and research-oriented capacities. Her recent appointment as Academic Secretary further reflects her strategic contributions to UMFST’s international outreach and institutional development.

Research Interest

Dr. Veres’s research interests are highly interdisciplinary, combining elements of management, biomedical engineering, and industrial optimization. She focuses on lean manufacturing, Industry 4.0, economic engineering, sustainability, healthcare improvement, and training strategies. Her work emphasizes enhancing operational efficiency while maintaining adaptability in complex systems, especially within the healthcare and manufacturing sectors. She also contributes to environmental research, leading a study on air quality factors in the Târgu Mureș metropolitan area. Her involvement in national and European projects such as Horizon Europe underscores her commitment to forward-looking, impact-driven research.

Awards

Dr. Veres has been recognized for her outstanding academic and research contributions. In 2023, she received an award for Web of Science-indexed publications under the UEFISCDI research results competition. Earlier, she won the Grand Prix “Virgil Madgearu” at the National Olympiad of Students in Economics and Management in 2012. She holds a trainer certificate since 2019 and has completed international training in lean methodologies, including “Toyota Kata in Field Training” by ALFRA Lean Advisors, underscoring her continuous professional development and leadership in educational innovation.

Publications

Dr. Veres has published over 70 scientific articles and received more than 770 citations. Her most cited and impactful publications include:

  • “Externalities of Lean Implementation in Medical Laboratories. Process Optimization vs. Adaptation and Flexibility for the Future”, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021 – cited in healthcare process adaptation research.

  • “Economic Effects of Idea Generation and Idea Management System in Automotive Industry: a Quantitative Case Study for Romania”, The Journal of Technology Transfer, 2023 – cited in innovation and knowledge transfer studies.

  • “A Lean Approach in Educational Laboratories”, IEEE Xplore, 2019 – cited in digital lean education and manufacturing systems.

  • Additional publications featured in MDPI and SpringerLink journals, contributing to biomedical and industrial research.

These works demonstrate her academic impact in both engineering and healthcare systems.

Conclusion

Dr. Veres Cristina exemplifies the integration of academic excellence, industrial expertise, and strategic leadership. Her accomplishments in education, research, and professional practice make her a distinguished candidate for award recognition. Her ongoing work in lean systems, biomedical innovation, and interdisciplinary education confirms her commitment to meaningful contributions in both academic and societal contexts. She represents the values of innovation, collaboration, and excellence that this award seeks to honor.