Emrah Şık | Circular Economy | Research and Development Achievement Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Emrah Şık | Circular Economy | Research and Development Achievement Award

Professor | Istanbul Technical University | Turkey

Assist. Prof. Dr. Emrah Şık, a faculty member at İstanbul Technical University, is a specialist in cleaner production technologies, resource efficiency, industrial symbiosis, wastewater treatment and reuse, nutrient recovery, electrochemical processes, and circular resource management. He holds B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry with a focus on environmental and industrial applications, completing all higher education at leading Turkish universities. His professional career includes academic leadership and extensive research experience as a project manager, senior researcher, and collaborator on numerous national, international, and industry-funded initiatives addressing ballast water treatment, microplastic pollution, chemical recovery from wastewater, feasibility studies for nutrient recovery, and the development of innovative purification technologies. He has directed and contributed to strategic projects on cleaner production audits, resource efficiency guidelines, precious metal recovery, zero-waste sludge management, and circular economy solutions in maritime and industrial sectors. His research contributions span experimental development, process optimization, and applied environmental technologies, reflected in his project leadership, scholarly output, and impact on policy- and industry-oriented sustainability practices. He has received a Research and Development Achievement Award in recognition of his scientific and technological contributions. Throughout his career, he has been involved in education and training initiatives, interdisciplinary collaborations, and consultancy activities supporting sustainable industrial transformation. Dr. Şık’s professional engagement also includes participation in expert networks, adherence to international standards in environmental management, and contributions that strengthen the integration of cleaner production and resource-efficient approaches across sectors.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Kuram, E., Ozcelik, B., Demirbas, E., Şik, E., & Tansel, I. N. (2011). Evaluation of new vegetable-based cutting fluids on thrust force and surface roughness in drilling of AISI 304 using Taguchi method. Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 26(9), 1136–1146.

2. Ozcelik, B., Kuram, E., Demirbas, E., & Şik, E. (2011). Optimization of surface roughness in drilling using vegetable-based cutting oils developed from sunflower oil. Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, 63(4), 271–276.

3. Ozcelik, B., Kuram, E., Demirbas, E., & Şik, E. (2013). Effects of vegetable-based cutting fluids on the wear in drilling. Sadhana, 38(4), 687–706.

4. Şik, E. (2009). Bitkisel tabanlı yağlardan metal kesme sıvısı eldesi ve karakterizasyonu (Master’s thesis, Gebze Institute of Technology).

5. Author(s) missing. (2025). Driving potential of nanotechnological ‘softening’ approaches for the maritime industry: Application, preference, and prospects. Nanosistemi Nanomateriali Nanotehnologii.

Dr. Emrah Şık’s work advances sustainable industrial transformation by developing innovative cleaner production, wastewater recovery, and circular resource management technologies that reduce environmental burdens and optimize resource efficiency. His contributions support science-based policy, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and promote globally relevant solutions for pollution reduction and sustainable maritime and manufacturing practices.

Ilker Acar | Sustainable Water Treatment | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Ilker Acar | Sustainable Water Treatment | Best Researcher Award

Research Staff | Ataturk University | Turkey

Asst. Prof. İlker Acar is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in environmental engineering, with a strong interdisciplinary background in mining and mineral processing. He earned his doctoral degree with a focus on the characterization and utilization potential of industrial by-products and holds undergraduate and graduate qualifications in engineering and natural sciences. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Atatürk University, he has extensive professional experience in environmental protection, wastewater treatment, and waste management, contributing to both academic research and applied industry projects. His research focuses on wastewater collection and treatment, pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, geopolymers, composite materials, polymeric adsorbents, and surface chemistry. He has published in high-impact journals such as Sustainability, Chemosphere, and Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, demonstrating his dedication to sustainable materials and environmental remediation. Dr. Acar has supervised postgraduate theses, participated in academic juries, and played a key role in developing innovative research in environmental technologies. Recognized for his scholarly contributions with a growing citation record, he exemplifies academic excellence and leadership in advancing sustainability-focused research. His continuous commitment to research innovation, mentoring, and collaborative initiatives underscores his strong potential for future advancements and further recognition as a leading figure in his field.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Açışlı, Ö., Acar, İ., & Khataee, A. (2022). Preparation of a surface modified fly ash-based geopolymer for removal of an anionic dye: Parameters and adsorption mechanism. Chemosphere, 295, 133870.

2. Açışlı, O., Acar, I., & Khataee, A. (2020). Preparation of a fly ash-based geopolymer for removal of a cationic dye: Isothermal, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 83, 53–63.

3. Acar, I., & Atalay, M. U. (2013). Characterization of sintered class F fly ashes. Fuel, 106, 195–203.

4. Acar, I., & Atalay, M. U. (2016). Recovery potentials of cenospheres from bituminous coal fly ashes. Fuel, 180, 97–105.

5. Acar, I., & Açışlı, O. (2018). Mechano-chemical surface modification of calcite by wet-stirred ball milling. Applied Surface Science, 457, 208–213.

Dr. İlker Acar’s research advances sustainable environmental technologies through innovative use of industrial by-products and waste materials, contributing to cleaner production and circular economy solutions. His work bridges science and industry by developing eco-efficient methods for wastewater treatment and resource recovery, fostering global progress toward environmental sustainability.

Janusz Gołaszewski | Sustainable Development | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Janusz Gołaszewski | Sustainable Development | Best Researcher Award

Retirement, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland

Prof. Janusz Gołaszewski, born on January 23, 1957, is a distinguished scholar in agricultural sciences. Over the course of a career spanning four decades, he has established himself as a leader in biometry, precision agriculture, and biomass conversion technologies. Currently, he serves as the Head of the Centre for Bioeconomy and Renewable Energies at the University of Warmia and Mazury (UWM) in Olsztyn and presides over the Baltic Eco-Energy Cluster in Gdańsk. His pivotal work has fueled advancements in renewable energy and bioeconomy, leaving an indelible mark on agricultural research and sustainable energy practices. 🌱🔬

Profile

Scopus

Education

Prof. Gołaszewski’s educational journey began at UWM, where he earned an Engineer’s diploma in agriculture in 1982. He followed this with an M.Sc. in plant breeding in 1983. By 1989, he had secured a Ph.D. in agriculture with a specialization in biometry, focusing on agricultural experimentation methodology. His academic excellence continued with a habilitation degree in 1997, and in 2003, he was awarded the prestigious title of Professor of Agricultural Sciences by the President of Poland. 🎓📚

Experience

Starting as a Research Assistant at UWM from 1983 to 1989, Prof. Gołaszewski progressed to adjunct (1990-1997) and later Visiting Professor at the University of British Columbia in 1994. He became an Associate Professor in 1998 and has been a full Professor at UWM since 2008. His tenure includes leading research and coordinating EU-funded R&D projects, emphasizing biomass conversion and energy efficiency. His leadership roles in bioenergy clusters have further strengthened his expertise in sustainable energy research. 🌍👨‍🏫

Research Interests

Prof. Gołaszewski’s research is deeply rooted in bioeconomy and renewable energy. His focus extends to the biochemical processes of biomass conversion and the development of autonomous energy regions. He has coordinated multidisciplinary projects addressing biofuel technologies, including biogas, bioethanol, and bio-oil production. His work champions eco-friendly advancements in biorefineries and small-scale energy systems, contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural practices. 🌾💡🎖️🏆

Publications Top Notes

Prof. Gołaszewski has an extensive list of publications contributing to high-impact journals. Some notable works include:

“Edible Insect Farming in the Context of the EU Regulations and Marketing—An Overview” (2022, Insects, DOI, IF: 3.1)

“Avoiding Food Neophobia and Increasing Consumer Acceptance of New Food Trends—A Decade of Research” (2022, Sustainability, DOI, IF: 3.9)

“An automated, modular system for organic waste utilization using Hermetia illucens larvae” (2022, Journal of Cleaner Production, DOI, IF: 11.1)

“Foodborne Diseases in the Edible Insect Industry in Europe—New Challenges and Old Problems” (2023, Foods, DOI, IF: 5.561)