Salvador García-Ayllón Veintimilla | Urban Planning and Studies | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Salvador García-Ayllón Veintimilla | Urban Planning and Studies | Best Researcher Award

Prof.Doctor, Technical University of Cartagena, Spain

Prof. Dr. Salvador García-Ayllón Veintimilla is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT) in Spain, where he serves as the Principal Investigator of the research group “Territorial Policy, Environmental Planning, and Infrastructure Planning” and the director of the Biyectiva-UPCT professorship of GIS spatial analysis and artificial intelligence. His research focuses on urban and environmental planning, utilizing spatial statistical analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools. Prof. García-Ayllón is recognized globally for his contributions, including being listed in the top 2% of the most-cited scientists worldwide by Stanford University. 🌍

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Based on the information provided, Prof. Dr. Salvador García-Ayllón Veintimilla is a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Here’s an analysis of his strengths, areas for improvement, and a conclusion:

Strengths for the Award

Diverse Academic Background: Prof. García-Ayllón has a comprehensive educational background with degrees in Civil Engineering, Architecture, an MBA, and a PhD in Urban Planning. This multidisciplinary education is valuable in his research, which spans urban studies, environmental planning, and civil engineering.

Extensive Research Experience: With over 60 articles published in journals with Journal Citation Reports (JCR) or SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) impact factors, his research output is significant. The presence of his work in high-impact journals (33% in T1, 25% in Q1, and 10% in D1) underlines the quality and relevance of his contributions.

High Citation Impact: An H-index of 19 and nearly 925 citations reflect the impact of his research within the scientific community. Being listed in the top 2% of the most-cited scientists worldwide by Stanford further corroborates his influence and recognition.

Leadership and Mentorship: As the principal investigator of a research group and director of a professorship at the Technical University of Cartagena, he has demonstrated leadership and mentorship skills. His guidance has led to the completion of 10 doctoral theses in the past five years, indicating his commitment to fostering new talent in his field.

International Recognition and Collaboration: His positions as a Fulbright visiting scholar at MIT and visiting professorships at UC Berkeley and Cyprus University of Technology highlight his international standing and collaborative efforts. This exposure to diverse academic environments enhances his research perspective and expertise.

Applied Research and Practical Impact: Prof. García-Ayllón has engaged in projects with significant practical implications, such as coordinating reconstruction efforts after the Lorca earthquake and managing EU investments for the Mar Menor lagoon. This involvement demonstrates his ability to apply research to real-world challenges, bridging the gap between academia and practice.

Publications and Knowledge Dissemination: In addition to research articles, he has authored 20 teaching and scientific books, contributing to knowledge dissemination and educational resources in his field.

Areas for Improvement

Focused Research Impact: While his research is published across a range of high-impact journals, focusing on a more specialized niche could enhance his impact further. A more concentrated research theme might lead to even higher recognition and influence in a specific subfield.

Increased Collaboration: Despite his international experience, there could be an opportunity to engage in more collaborative research projects with diverse international partners. This could enhance the interdisciplinary nature of his work and lead to innovative research outcomes.

Funding and Grant Success: Highlighting his success in obtaining competitive research funding or grants would strengthen his profile. Demonstrating the ability to secure funding consistently is a valuable skill for any researcher and indicates recognition and trust by funding bodies.

Education

Prof. García-Ayllón holds a diverse educational background that combines engineering, architecture, and business management. He earned his BSc and MSc in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Valencia in 2006, followed by a BSc and MSc in Architecture from the University CEU of Valencia in 2008. He further enhanced his expertise with an MBA from ESIC Business School in 2009 and completed his PhD in Urban Planning from the Technical University of Valencia in 2013. Additionally, he possesses an English Level C2 Diploma from Trinity College, demonstrating his proficiency in English. 🎓

Experience

Prof. García-Ayllón has held various significant positions throughout his career. He has been an Associate Professor at UPCT since 2010 and has served as a Fulbright visiting scholar at MIT, a visiting professor at Cyprus University of Technology and UC Berkeley, and a coordinator for the Government of Spain’s Integrated Territorial Investment of the European Union for the Mar Menor lagoon. His experience extends to roles such as Technical Coordinator for the European Infrastructure Bank and Planning Engineer and Architect at Ferrovial Inc. 🏛️

Research Interests

His research interests primarily revolve around urban and environmental planning, with a strong focus on the application of GIS and spatial statistical analysis. Prof. García-Ayllón’s work often explores the impacts of urban transformations, sustainable city development, and the governance of territorial management. He is particularly interested in analyzing the imbalances in urban growth and the sustainability challenges posed by phenomena such as mass tourism and rapid urbanization. 🌆

Awards

Prof. García-Ayllón has received several accolades throughout his career. Notably, he was awarded the WOS Top Peer Reviewer award in 2019 in the Cross-field and Environment & Ecology categories, recognizing his significant contributions to the scientific community. His inclusion in the top 2% of the most-cited scientists worldwide by Stanford University is another testament to his research impact and scholarly excellence. 🏆

Publications

Prof. García-Ayllón has published extensively in high-impact journals. Here are some of his notable works:

“Rapid development as a factor of imbalance in urban growth of cities in Latin America: A perspective based on territorial indicators” (2016) – Habitat International (link), cited by 101 articles.

“Urban transformations as an indicator of unsustainability in the P2P mass tourism phenomenon: The Airbnb case in Spain through three case studies” (2018) – Sustainability (link), cited by 100 articles.

“The Sustainable City IX: Urban Regeneration and Sustainability (2 Volume Set)” (2014) – WIT Press (link), cited by 90 articles.

“New strategies to improve governance in territorial management: evolving from ‘smart cities’ to ‘smart territories'” (2015) – Procedia Engineering (link), cited by 83 articles.

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Salvador García-Ayllón Veintimilla is a highly accomplished researcher with a strong record of publication, citation impact, leadership, and practical application of his research. His diverse educational background and international experience make him a versatile and impactful researcher. While there are always opportunities to enhance focus and collaboration, his current achievements make him a worthy candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” His contributions to urban and environmental planning and infrastructure, along with his role as a mentor and leader, make him a standout candidate in his field.

Sepideh Azizi | Urban and Environmental Planning | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Sepideh Azizi | Urban and Environmental Planning | Best Researcher Award

Gradate Researcher, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, United States

Sepideh Azizi is an ambitious urban planner and researcher currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Urban Planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has developed a keen interest in sustainable urban development, transportation, and environmental justice, consistently contributing to academic research and professional projects aimed at addressing global urban challenges. Sepideh has a strong academic background, with top rankings in her undergraduate studies at Shiraz University, and a diverse range of experiences in research, teaching, and professional roles.

Profile

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Based on the detailed CV provided for Sepideh Azizi, here’s an assessment of her suitability for the “Best Researcher Award” and an evaluation of her strengths, areas for improvement, and a conclusion:

Strengths for the Award

Academic Excellence and Educational Background:

Sepideh has an outstanding academic record, highlighted by her top-ranking position in her undergraduate program and several academic awards. Her pursuit of a Master’s degree in Urban Planning at a prestigious institution like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) further solidifies her academic credentials.

Extensive Research Experience:

Sepideh has a broad research portfolio covering critical areas such as sustainable development, urban planning, environmental science, climate change, and spatial analysis. Her research spans both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including advanced techniques like statistical modeling, GIS, and remote sensing.

She has published multiple papers in reputable journals and has presented her work at various international conferences, demonstrating her ability to contribute to and disseminate knowledge in her field.

Professional Experience and Contributions:

Sepideh’s work as a Graduate Researcher and her internships in Sustainable Transportation and Environmental Justice at UIUC highlight her ability to apply her research to real-world challenges. These roles involve collaboration with stakeholders, strategic planning, and project management, which are crucial skills for impactful research.

Her involvement in peer-reviewing for Elsevier’s journals shows recognition of her expertise and her contribution to maintaining the quality of academic research.

Technical Skills:

Sepideh possesses strong technical skills in GIS, statistical analysis, and programming, which are essential tools in urban planning and environmental research. Her proficiency in software like ArcGIS, Python, R, and Adobe Creative Cloud enables her to perform complex analyses and visualize her research effectively.

Leadership and Mentorship:

She has taken on leadership roles in various research projects, mentoring undergraduates, and contributing to professional councils. These roles highlight her leadership abilities and her commitment to fostering the next generation of researchers.

Areas for Improvement

Focus and Depth in Research:

While Sepideh’s research covers a broad range of topics, there may be an opportunity to narrow her focus to a few key areas where she can make more significant contributions. This depth could lead to more impactful and specialized research outputs.

International Collaborations:

While she has presented at international conferences, further enhancing her global research collaborations could expand her influence and bring more diverse perspectives to her work. Engaging in joint projects or publishing with international co-authors could be beneficial.

Additional Publications in High-Impact Journals:

While Sepideh has several publications, increasing her presence in high-impact journals within her field would further solidify her status as a leading researcher. A focus on submitting to top-tier journals could amplify her research’s visibility and impact.

Education

🎓 MS, Urban Planning, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2023-2025)

  • Department of Urban and Regional Planning

🎓 BA, City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning, Shiraz University (2019-2023)

  • GPA: 18:80/20 (Rank: 1/28)
  • School of Art and Architecture, Department of Urban Planning and Design

Experience

💼 Graduate Researcher, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2023-Present)
Sepideh collaborates on a range of research areas, including sustainable development, transportation, spatial analysis, and environmental science. Her work involves advanced statistical modeling and remote sensing to address pressing urban and environmental challenges.

📍 GIS Assistant & Sustainable Transportation Intern, University of Illinois Facilities & Services (2024-Present)
In her dual roles, Sepideh contributes to maintaining and editing the campus GIS database and maps, coordinating sustainable transportation initiatives, and drafting the Campus Bike Plan. She is instrumental in managing projects that enhance campus resilience and mitigate climate change impacts.

🌱 Environmental Justice Intern, Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) (Summer 2024)
Sepideh integrates environmental justice into the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP), conducting comprehensive research and offering strategic recommendations for iCAP 2025.

Research Interests

Sepideh’s research focuses on sustainable urban development, transportation planning, environmental justice, climate change, and the application of remote sensing and spatial analysis in urban and environmental contexts. She is particularly interested in how these areas intersect to inform policy and planning decisions that promote sustainability and resilience in urban areas.

Awards & Honors

🏅 University Block Grant Fellowship
🏅 Urban and Regional Planning Department’s Scholarship (Spring 2023)
🎓 Directly Admitted for Master’s in Regional Planning at Shiraz University for Outstanding Performance
🥇 Ranked 1st among undergraduate students in Urban Planning at Shiraz University
🏆 Excellent Academic Performance Award for Undergraduate Studies at Shiraz University

Publications Top Notes

📚 Azizi, S., Azizi, T. (2024). “Urban Climate Dynamics: Analyzing the Impact of Green Cover and Air Pollution on Land Surface Temperature – A Comparative Study Across Chicago, San Francisco, and Phoenix, USA”. Atmosphere, MDPI. Read Here.

📚 Azizi, S., Azizi, T. (2024). “Classification of drought severity in contiguous USA during the past 21 years using fractal geometry”. EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing. Read Here.

📚 Azizi, S., Azizi, T. (2023). “Non-integer Dimension of Seasonal Land Surface Temperature (LST)”. Axioms. Read Here.

📚 Azizi, S., Azizi, T. (2022). “The Fractal Nature of Drought: Power Laws and Fractal Complexity of Arizona Drought”. European Journal of Mathematical Analysis. Read Here.

📚 Azizi, S. (2023). “Drought and Environmental Transformations of Lake Urmia: An Integrated Analysis Using Machine Learning and GIS”. Annals of Environmental Science and Ecology (Submitted).

📚 Azizi, S. (2023). “Assessing the Effects of Drought and Increasing Land Surface Temperatures on Vegetation Health and Agricultural Practices in Kendall County, Texas”. Environmental Management (Submitted).

Conclusion

Sepideh Azizi is a highly qualified candidate for the “Best Researcher Award” given her strong academic background, extensive research experience, and significant contributions to her field. Her ability to blend academic research with practical applications, her technical skills, and her leadership qualities make her a deserving candidate. By focusing on deepening her research in key areas and expanding her international collaborations, she could further enhance her impact and contribution to urban planning and environmental science.