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

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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.

Xiangnan PAN | Fatigue and fracture | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Xiangnan PAN | Fatigue and fracture | Best Researcher Award

Post-doctoral at Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Dr. Xiangnan Pan is currently serving as a Senior (post-doctoral) Research Assistant at the State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics (LNM), Institute of Mechanics (IMech), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). With a strong background in solid mechanics and an advanced skill set in fatigue and fracture mechanics, he has significantly contributed to the understanding of very-high-cycle fatigue (VHCF) behavior in metallic materials. His research integrates advanced experimental methods with deep theoretical analysis, positioning him at the forefront of materials science innovation. Dr. Pan’s work bridges academic excellence and industrial relevance, making him a key figure in advancing mechanical reliability in engineering materials.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Pan earned his Ph.D. in Solid Mechanics from the Institute of Mechanics at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, in 2020. Under the supervision of the renowned Professor Youshi Hong, he specialized in the fatigue behavior of metals, particularly under VHCF regimes. His doctoral work laid a strong foundation for his future contributions, combining rigorous methodology with applied insights. His academic journey reflects a persistent pursuit of excellence and depth in one of the most critical fields of mechanical engineering.

Experience

Since 2020, Dr. Pan has been affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences as a Senior Postdoctoral Research Assistant. Working closely with Prof. Youshi Hong and Dr. Guian Qian, he has engaged in interdisciplinary research projects focused on fatigue failure mechanisms in metals and alloys. Prior to this, he was a doctoral researcher contributing to several high-impact studies on fatigue, crack initiation, and additive manufacturing. His role involves not only experimental work but also mentoring junior researchers and collaborating internationally with teams from Europe and Asia.

Research Interests

Dr. Pan’s research primarily revolves around fatigue and fracture mechanics, especially within the very-high-cycle fatigue domain for metals such as steels, titanium alloys, and aluminum alloys. His expertise extends to additive manufacturing processes like Selective Laser Melting (SLM), investigating their influence on fatigue performance. Additionally, he delves into the theoretical study of elastic waves, including anti-plane elastodynamics and shear horizontal (SH) wave propagation. His research intersects fundamental science and engineering application, driving innovations in both fatigue theory and manufacturing reliability.

Awards

In recognition of his academic excellence and research contributions, Dr. Pan was awarded the prestigious Zhuliyuehua Scholarship for Excellent Doctoral Student by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2020. This accolade underscores his dedication and the impactful nature of his work within China’s top research institutions.

Selected Publications

Among his numerous publications, the following seven are particularly noteworthy, each contributing novel insights into fatigue behavior and microstructural analysis:

  1. Pan, X., Su, H., Sun, C., Hong, Y. (2018). “The behavior of crack initiation and early growth in high-cycle and very-high-cycle fatigue regimes for a titanium alloy.” International Journal of Fatigue, 115, 67–78.

  2. Pan, X., Hong, Y. (2019). “High-cycle and very-high-cycle fatigue behaviour of a titanium alloy with equiaxed microstructure under different mean stresses.” Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures, 42(9), 1950–1964.

  3. Pan, X., Qian, G., Wu, S., Fu, Y., Hong, Y. (2020). “Internal crack characteristics in very-high-cycle fatigue of a gradient structured titanium alloy.” Scientific Reports, 10, 4742.

  4. Pan, X., Xu, S., Qian, G., Nikitin, A., Shanyavskiy, A., Palin-Luc, T., Hong, Y. (2020). “The mechanism of internal fatigue-crack initiation and early growth in a titanium alloy.” Materials Science and Engineering A, 798, 140110.

  5. Pan, X., Qian, G., Hong, Y. (2021). “Nanograin formation in dimple ridges during ductile fracture.” Scripta Materialia, 194, 113631.

  6. Pan, X., Du, L., Qian, G., Hong, Y. (2024). “Microstructure features induced by fatigue crack initiation in additively manufactured aluminium alloy.” Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 173, 247–260.

  7. Sun, C., Song, Q., Zhou, L., Pan, X. (2019). “Characteristic of interior crack initiation in martensitic stainless steel.” Materials Science and Engineering A, 758, 112–120.

Conclusion

Dr. Xiangnan Pan exemplifies all qualities essential for a Best Researcher Award recipient:

  • A deep and evolving research portfolio in cutting-edge mechanical and materials science.
  • Consistent, high-quality publications with demonstrated impact in both academic and industrial contexts.
  • Recognized academic excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and peer-reviewed journal service.

His work on fatigue mechanisms and additive manufacturing contributes not only to academic knowledge but also to practical advancements in aerospace, automotive, and structural engineering domains.