Vanessa Durán Grados | Energy | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Vanessa Durán Grados | Energy | Women Researcher Award

PhD at University of Cádiz, Spain

Vanesa Durán Grados is an accomplished researcher specializing in maritime safety and environmental protection. Her work has been published in prestigious international journals such as Marine Pollution Bulletin and Applied Sciences, reflecting her commitment to addressing critical global challenges. With research focusing on the declaration of the Strait of Gibraltar as an environmentally controlled area and enhancing ship navigation safety in varying sea conditions, she demonstrates a strong dedication to sustainability, marine conservation, and technological innovation. Vanesa’s publications, indexed in top-tier databases and journals with high impact factors, highlight her contribution to multidisciplinary engineering and environmental sciences. Although her current publications show collaboration and significant involvement, further leadership roles in research projects could strengthen her academic profile. Active in 2023 with high-quality outputs, she embodies the spirit of emerging women researchers making impactful contributions to science and society, making her a strong candidate for recognition through research awards.

Professional Profile 

Scopus Profile

Education

Vanesa Durán Grados has pursued a solid academic foundation in engineering and marine sciences, equipping her with the expertise necessary for multidisciplinary research. Although specific degree details are not provided in the available information, it is evident that her education has emphasized maritime studies, environmental sciences, and applied engineering principles. Her academic journey has prepared her to tackle complex global challenges, such as marine pollution control and navigational safety. It can be inferred from her research outputs and publications in high-impact journals that she has achieved a postgraduate-level education, likely including a Master’s degree and ongoing or completed doctoral work. Her academic training integrates technical skills with a deep understanding of environmental and sustainability issues, allowing her to contribute effectively to scientific advancements. Overall, her education lays a strong foundation for her research activities and her growing professional recognition within the fields of environmental and maritime engineering sciences.

Professional Experience

Vanesa Durán Grados has established herself as an emerging researcher with meaningful contributions to environmental protection and maritime safety. Her professional experience includes active collaboration in multidisciplinary research projects, producing scientific articles recognized in international journals such as Marine Pollution Bulletin and Applied Sciences. Vanesa has demonstrated the ability to work in diverse, collaborative research teams, engaging with experts across fields to address complex marine and navigational challenges. Through her research on creating environmentally controlled maritime zones and improving ship navigation under various sea states, she has shown a strong capacity to combine theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Her role in impactful research projects, alongside senior researchers, reflects her growing reputation in both environmental science and engineering disciplines. As she advances her career, gaining leadership roles in projects, supervising students, and engaging in broader scientific initiatives will further enhance her professional standing and contribution to the scientific community.

Research Interest

Vanesa Durán Grados’ research interests center around maritime environmental protection, navigational safety, and multidisciplinary engineering solutions. She is particularly focused on issues such as marine pollution control and the operational behavior of ships in varying sea states, crucial for both environmental sustainability and maritime industry efficiency. Her recent work on promoting the Strait of Gibraltar as an environmentally controlled area reflects a deep commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems from anthropogenic impacts. Simultaneously, her research into improving navigational safety by analyzing shipmaster control in different sea conditions highlights her technical expertise and concern for operational risk mitigation at sea. Vanesa’s research intersects engineering, environmental science, and policy advocacy, reflecting a holistic approach to solving contemporary maritime challenges. She shows strong potential to expand her research scope into areas such as green shipping technologies, coastal management, and marine policy reform, contributing innovative solutions for sustainable and safe marine operations globally.

Award and Honor

While specific awards and honors have not been detailed in the current curriculum vitae excerpt, Vanesa Durán Grados’ achievements suggest she is a strong candidate for recognition through research awards, especially those honoring emerging women scientists. Her publications in high-impact, indexed journals—such as Marine Pollution Bulletin and Applied Sciences—are notable accomplishments in themselves and indicate academic excellence. Publishing in Q1 and Q2 journals reflects peer acknowledgment of the quality and relevance of her work in environmental sciences and engineering. Awards for women researchers often consider research excellence, societal impact, and leadership potential, all of which Vanesa exhibits through her focus on environmental conservation and maritime safety. As her career progresses, it is highly likely that she will receive formal accolades from academic institutions, professional organizations, and international scientific bodies. Recognizing her now with a Women Researcher Award would encourage further contributions and leadership in her field.

Conclusion

Vanesa Durán Grados represents the new generation of researchers driving interdisciplinary innovation in maritime safety and environmental sustainability. Her academic foundation, growing professional experience, impactful research, and active contributions to high-quality international journals demonstrate strong potential for a distinguished research career. Although early in her professional journey, she already shows clear evidence of dedication, technical excellence, and societal relevance in her work. Her focus on critical global issues such as marine ecosystem protection and safer maritime navigation positions her research at the intersection of environmental stewardship and technological advancement. By fostering her leadership skills and expanding her research collaborations, Vanesa is poised to become a significant influence in her fields. Recognizing her achievements through a Women Researcher Award would not only acknowledge her current accomplishments but also support her continued growth as a future leader in environmental and marine engineering sciences.

Publications Top Notes

  • Title: Nanoparticles on electric, gas and diesel buses in mass transit buses of Bogotá, Colombia
    Authors: D. Vargas, B.R. Galvis, C.V. Durán Grados (C. Vanesa), C. Bernal
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 2 citations

  • Title: Towards the declaration of the Strait of Gibraltar as an environmental controlled area
    Authors: J. Moreno-Gutiérrez (Juan), C.V. Durán Grados (C. Vanesa)
    Year: 2023

 

 

Ricardo Vasquez Padilla | Renewable energy | Best Research Article Award

Dr Ricardo Vasquez Padilla | Renewable energy | Best Research Article Award

CAE Specialist , Fortescue Zero, Australia 

Dr. Ricardo Vásquez Padilla is a Senior Associate Engineer in Power & Energy at SMEC, with over two decades of expertise in energy systems, renewable technologies, and mechanical engineering. His extensive career includes roles as a Renewable Energy Analyst at Fortescue Future Industries and as an Associate Professor at Southern Cross University. Dr. Vásquez has contributed to pioneering research in solar energy, green hydrogen, and energy recovery systems. He has successfully led several R&D projects, developed advanced simulation tools, and collaborated on large-scale industry research. Known for his leadership in multidisciplinary teams, he mentors the next generation of engineers and remains an active researcher, consistently contributing to energy efficiency and renewable technologies.

Profile

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Research Experience: Dr. Ricardo Vasquez Padilla has a robust academic and professional background in energy systems, particularly in renewable energy technologies. He has contributed to a variety of highly impactful research projects across several areas such as solar power, green hydrogen systems, and energy recovery from low-grade heat sources. His research in the development of technologies like organic Rankine cycles, solar thermal systems, and supercritical CO2 cycles is notable for its depth and relevance to current energy challenges.
  2. Significant Academic Contributions: Dr. Vasquez Padilla’s body of work includes numerous published articles in prestigious journals like Renewable Energy, Applied Energy, and Energy Conversion and Management. His research has been widely cited (as seen by his 415 citations for heat transfer analysis of parabolic trough solar receivers). This is an indication of the lasting impact his work has had on advancing the understanding of energy systems, particularly in solar thermal energy and energy optimization technologies.
  3. Leadership in R&D: His leadership in research, particularly as Principal Investigator for R&D projects on green hydrogen systems, energy recovery technologies, and desalination, demonstrates a high level of responsibility and initiative. His capacity to manage large-scale research funding, such as the $1.1M AUD CARE CRC project, illustrates his organizational and strategic skills in driving impactful research.
  4. Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Dr. Vasquez Padilla has seamlessly integrated theoretical research with practical, industry-driven solutions. His work spans across the academic, engineering, and consultancy sectors, allowing him to bring cutting-edge research findings to real-world applications. This combination of skills is vital for advancing both technological innovation and sustainable practices in the energy sector.
  5. Innovative Tools and Techniques: His development of in-house tools for optimizing renewable energy sources and conducting statistical analysis in Python highlights his technical expertise and commitment to innovation. These tools not only contribute to ongoing projects but also advance the field of renewable energy modeling and simulation.
  6. Educational Leadership: Dr. Vasquez Padilla’s role in academia, particularly as a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor, adds another layer of influence to his profile. His ability to design and implement industry-relevant curriculum, supervise research, and collaborate with other experts and universities globally speaks to his strong academic leadership. He has contributed to the development of accredited mechanical engineering programs and research collaborations with leading universities.
  7. Recognition and Awards: His recognition by entities such as the Colombian National Science Foundation, along with awards like the Best Student Paper Award from ASME, underline the quality and significance of his research contributions.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Public Engagement: While Dr. Vasquez Padilla’s research has had significant academic and industrial impact, engaging with a broader audience, including policymakers and the general public, could amplify his influence. Disseminating findings through popular science platforms, public talks, and collaborations with global organizations could help promote his innovations on a larger scale.
  2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration with Non-Engineering Fields: As energy transition strategies increasingly involve interdisciplinary approaches, further collaboration with social scientists, economists, and policy experts could enhance the societal and economic relevance of his work. For example, integrating social acceptability and economic feasibility assessments into energy projects could provide a more holistic view of energy solutions.
  3. Scaling R&D Projects: While Dr. Vasquez Padilla has been successful in securing and leading large research projects, expanding his influence by attracting even more cross-industry collaboration (e.g., with governmental agencies, non-profits, and startups) could help accelerate the implementation of his innovations. Additionally, scaling up pilot projects to large-scale commercial implementations could further substantiate his work.

Education

Dr. Vásquez holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Science from the University of South Florida, USA (2011). His academic foundation includes a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad del Norte, Colombia (2004) and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution (2000). He further honed his skills with certifications in Data Analysis (Datacamp, 2022) and Plexos (Exemplar, 2023). His academic journey blends technical mastery with industry-driven research, positioning him as a thought leader in energy systems and optimization techniques. His studies have influenced both theoretical approaches and practical applications in mechanical and renewable energy engineering.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Vásquez’s excellence in research and engineering has earned him multiple accolades. He received the Best Student Paper Award from the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME in 2014. He was also honored with Best Dissertation and Summa cum Laude recognition for his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad del Norte (2004). Additionally, he was awarded the Young Researcher title by the Colombian National Science Foundation (2001-2002) and the Silver Medal for the highest GPA in the Mechanical Engineering Department (2001). These awards reflect his outstanding contributions to energy research and academic achievement.

Research Focus

Dr. Vásquez’s research focuses on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable technologies, with a strong emphasis on solar thermal power and green hydrogen systems. He is particularly interested in optimizing the integration of renewable energy sources in industrial settings, such as mining and manufacturing. His work on Concentrated Solar Thermal (CSP) systems and energy storage solutions is recognized globally. Additionally, Dr. Vásquez contributes to the development of organic Rankine cycles for low-temperature heat recovery, improving the efficiency of energy systems across sectors. His research also includes solar-to-hydrogen energy systems and desalination technologies.

Publications

  1. Heat transfer analysis of parabolic trough solar receiver 🌞
  2. Exergetic analysis of supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles integrated with solar central receivers ☀️
  3. Increasing the efficiency of hydrogen production from solar powered water electrolysis 💧
  4. Analysis of power and cooling cogeneration using ammonia-water mixture 🔋
  5. Optimizing orientation of piezoelectric cantilever beam for harvesting energy from human walking 🦶
  6. Exergy analysis of parabolic trough solar receiver 🔥
  7. The potential of harnessing solar radiation in Iran: Generating solar maps and viability study of PV power plants 🌍
  8. Improving efficiency of piezoelectric based energy harvesting from human motions using double pendulum system 🔋
  9. Simplified Methodology for Designing Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants 🏭
  10. Measuring reliability of hybrid photovoltaic-wind energy systems: A new indicator 🌬️
  11. Exergy analysis of a combined power and cooling cycle 🌡️
  12. High-temperature, point-focus, pressurised gas-phase solar receivers: A comprehensive review 🔭
  13. Analysis of a combined power and cooling cycle for low-grade heat sources 🔥
  14. Thermodynamic feasibility of alternative supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles integrated with an ejector 🌬️
  15. Monitoring of concrete curing using the electromechanical impedance technique: Review and path forward 🏗️
  16. Multi-objective optimization of a combined power and cooling cycle for low-grade and midgrade heat sources 🔄
  17. Simulation and optimization of a parabolic trough solar power plant in the city of Barranquilla by using system advisor model (SAM) 🏙️
  18. Modelling autonomous hybrid photovoltaic-wind energy systems under a new reliability approach 🌅
  19. Energy, exergy and economic evaluation comparison of small-scale single and dual pressure organic Rankine cycles integrated with low-grade heat sources ⚙️

Conclusion

Dr. Ricardo Vasquez Padilla is an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his outstanding contributions to energy systems research, his leadership in driving R&D projects, and his ability to bridge the gap between academia and industry. His work in solar thermal energy, renewable energy systems, and green hydrogen positions him as a key innovator in the global transition to sustainable energy solutions.With a proven track record in securing and executing high-profile research projects and producing impactful scholarly work, Dr. Vasquez Padilla’s research is not only academically influential but also practically valuable in shaping the future of renewable energy. His recognition through awards, citations, and leadership roles further affirms his qualifications for this prestigious award.To further elevate his career and impact, fostering broader public engagement and deepening interdisciplinary collaborations could be considered for future development. Nevertheless, Dr. Vasquez Padilla is highly deserving of this recognition for his consistent excellence in research and his unwavering commitment to advancing the field of energy science and technology.