Nasim Sadat Ekrami | Concrete Technology | Industry Integration in Science Award

Nasim Sadat Ekrami | Concrete Technology | Industry Integration in Science Award

Nasim Sadat Ekrami, Guilan university, Iran

Nasim Sadat Ekrami is an accomplished civil-structural engineer with a rich academic and professional background. Born on April 8, 1989, in Neyshabur, Iran, she has made significant strides in the fields of civil engineering and project management, actively contributing to the integration of science and industry. With experience spanning both technical and educational roles, Ekrami has become a key figure in the engineering community of Neyshabur, recognized for her leadership and expertise.

Profile

Orcid

Strengths for the Award:

Nasim Sadat Ekrami possesses a robust academic background in civil and structural engineering, coupled with practical experience as a supervising engineer and board member in consulting firms. Her research portfolio, which includes published papers and conference presentations on cutting-edge topics such as fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) in concrete and sustainable construction materials, demonstrates significant industry integration. Her technical skills in various software, such as ETABS and AutoCAD, and certifications in risk management and structural design further highlight her readiness to bridge the gap between academic research and practical industrial applications. Additionally, her role as an educator and author showcases her commitment to knowledge dissemination and skill development within the industry, which aligns well with the ethos of industry integration in science.

Areas for Improvement:

While Ekrami’s research is substantial, expanding her international collaborations or partnerships with industry-leading firms could further enhance her qualifications for the award. Greater involvement in cross-disciplinary projects or innovative technologies, such as green building or smart infrastructure, might position her research as more impactful in addressing global industry challenges. Furthermore, participation in more international conferences or obtaining patents could amplify her visibility and demonstrate a stronger connection between her research and its practical applications.

Education 🎓

Ekrami’s educational journey is impressive, beginning with a Bachelor’s degree in Project Management Engineering from Payam Noor University (2007-2012), followed by a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from the same university (2020-2021). She earned her Master’s degree in Civil-Structural Engineering from Islamic Azad University, Mashhad (2013-2016), and is currently pursuing her PhD in Civil-Structural Engineering at Gilan University, Rasht (2022-Present). This strong educational foundation equips her with both the technical and managerial skills necessary for integrating engineering practices with industry needs.

Experience 💼

Ekrami has a diverse work background, serving as a Supervising Engineer at the Construction Engineering System Organization since August 2020, where she oversees complex civil projects. Since April 2017, she has also been a Board Member at Almas Bonyan Sharq Consulting Engineers Co, playing a pivotal role in shaping engineering practices in Neyshabur. Additionally, she is a Technical Teacher in Neyshabur, having taken on this role in 2024, further sharing her expertise with the next generation of engineers.

Research Interests 🔍

Her research interests lie primarily in civil engineering and structural engineering, with a strong focus on fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), sustainable construction materials, and the bond-slip behavior in reinforced concrete structures. Ekrami is particularly passionate about finding practical solutions to improve the strength and efficiency of civil structures through innovative materials and techniques.

Publications  Top Notes📚

Ekrami’s publications have garnered attention for their focus on structural innovation and concrete research. Notable works include:

“Evaluation of the accuracy of different slip models in the analysis of reinforced concrete beams reinforced with FRP” (2016), presented at the 3rd International Conference on New Research Achievements in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Management.

“Studying and investigating the failure behavior of flexural unreinforced reinforced concrete beams reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer” (2019), published in the 6th National Conference on New Technologies in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Planning.

“Proposing a bond-slip model to investigate the strength at the interface between FRP and concrete” (2021), published at the 8th National Conference on Applied Researches in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Management.

“Study on the Effects of Slip on the Flexural Behavior of FRP-Reinforced Concrete Beams” (2022), published in Ideamandegar.

“Effects of soot and plastic fibers on the performance of SCC” (2024), published in Heliyon

“Effects of Iron Oxide and Belt-Shaped Plastic Fibers on the Mechanical Characteristics of SCC” (2024), published in Structures and Buildings, currently accepting citations.

Conclusion:

Nasim Sadat Ekrami is a highly qualified candidate for the “Industry Integration in Science Award,” with a well-rounded profile of academic, technical, and practical expertise. Her experience in structural engineering and numerous research contributions underline her ability to integrate scientific knowledge with industry needs. To further strengthen her candidacy, fostering deeper industrial partnerships and focusing on global trends in sustainable construction could enhance the relevance and reach of her work.

Leila Pasandi | Building Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Leila Pasandi | Building Science | Best Researcher Award

Student/Member, PhD Student, United Kingdom

Leila Pasandi is a forward-thinking researcher at the intersection of artificial intelligence, microclimate, and the built environment. With a passion for addressing urban-scale energy consumption challenges, she has made significant strides in developing innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on urban environments. Her academic journey, bolstered by prestigious grants and awards, reflects her dedication to advancing sustainable architecture and engineering practices.

Profile

Google Scholar

Research for “Best Researcher Award”

Strengths for the Award 🌟

Leila Pasandi’s research portfolio showcases a robust and forward-thinking approach to addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the built environment, particularly in the context of climate change and urban energy consumption. Her work stands out for its interdisciplinary nature, blending mechanical engineering with architectural technology to develop innovative solutions such as kinetic facades and energy-efficient building designs.

Her significant contributions include a comprehensive review of microclimate impacts on building operations, published in high-impact journals like Building and Environment and Applied Soft Computing. Pasandi’s expertise in urban heat island (UHI) mitigation and sustainable transportation demonstrates her commitment to creating energy-efficient urban environments. Moreover, her collaboration with renowned institutions and receipt of prestigious grants and awards, including the NERC OnePlanet Doctoral Training Partnership and the “Excellent Paper Award,” further underline her qualifications as a leading researcher in her field.

Areas for Improvement 🚀

While Leila Pasandi’s research is impressive, there are opportunities for further growth. Expanding her research to include more diverse geographic locations beyond Iran and the UK could increase the global applicability of her findings. Additionally, increasing her engagement in international research collaborations and conferences could enhance her global visibility and impact. Although she has a strong publication record, focusing on producing more first-author papers in top-tier journals would further solidify her status as a leading expert in her field. Lastly, while her technical skills are excellent, delving deeper into the socio-economic implications of her research could provide a more holistic approach to her work on urban environments and energy efficiency.

Education 🎓

Leila Pasandi is currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University as part of the NERC OnePlanet Doctoral Training Partnership (2022-present). Her research focuses on optimizing the impacts of climate change on urban buildings. She earned her MSc in Architectural Technology from Tabriz Islamic Art University (2013-2016), where she specialized in kinetic facades for educational buildings. Her academic foundation was laid with a BA in Architectural Engineering from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (2009-2013), where she worked on designing children’s recreational and cultural complexes.

Experience 🛠

Leila has accumulated diverse experience as a researcher, lecturer, and architect. Currently, she is a PhD candidate at Northumbria University, where she is developing methodologies to optimize urban building environments. Previously, she served as a senior building energy analyst at First World Facade Co. in Malaysia, where she analyzed energy consumption and proposed reduction measures. Her experience also includes teaching roles at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and the Iran University of Science and Technology, where she led workshops and lectured on computational design and fabrication engineering.

Research Interests 🔍

Leila Pasandi’s research interests are deeply rooted in sustainable urban development. She focuses on urban route-finding, sustainable transportation, machine learning tools, and the interaction between building microclimates and energy consumption. Her work also explores urban heat island (UHI) mitigation, kinetic facade systems, and energy efficiency modeling, all aimed at creating energy-efficient urban environments that are resilient to climate change.

Awards 🏆

Leila’s academic excellence has been recognized through several prestigious awards. She received the “Excellent Paper Award” at the ARSSS International Conference on Renewable Energy and Climate Change in 2023. In 2022, she was awarded a research grant from the ONE Planet Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) for her work on the interaction between microclimate and building structures. Additionally, she was granted a full scholarship by Tabriz Islamic Art University for her outstanding academic performance during her MSc program.

Publications Top Notes📝

Leila Pasandi has an impressive publication record that reflects her contributions to the field of sustainable architecture and urban planning. Some of her notable publications include:

September 2023: “Enhancing Microclimate and Reducing Building Energy Consumption: Utilizing Exterior Redirecting Transparent Louvers for Thermal and Visual Comfort in Iran’s Diverse School Buildings,” presented at the ARSSS International Conference on Renewable Energy and Climate Change. Link to Paper

October 2023: “A Comprehensive Review of Applications and Feedback Impact of Microclimate on Building Operation and Energy,” published in Building and Environment. Cited by 5 articles. Link to Journal

February 2022: “Analyzing the Impact of Urban Planning and Building Typologies in Urban Heat Island Mitigation,” published in Buildings. Cited by 10 articles. Link to Journal

September 2021: “Modified A* Algorithm Integrated with Ant Colony Optimization for Multi-Objective Route-Finding; Case Study: Yazd,” published in Applied Soft Computing. Cited by 8 articles. Link to Journal

Conclusion 🎓

Leila Pasandi is a highly deserving candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Her innovative work in integrating architectural design with mechanical engineering to address climate challenges in urban environments positions her as a trailblazer in her field. While there are areas for further growth, her current contributions to the academic and practical aspects of energy-efficient building design and urban planning are exceptional. Pasandi’s research not only advances theoretical knowledge but also offers practical solutions to real-world problems, making her a strong contender for this prestigious award.