Ivan Simeonov | Anaerobic Digestion | Most Reader’s Article Award

Dr. Ivan Simeonov | Anaerobic Digestion | Most Reader’s Article Award

Retired scientist at Institut of microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria.

Ivan Simeonov, PhD, Professor, is a highly experienced scientist specializing in bioautomatics and anaerobic digestion. He has made significant contributions in modeling, monitoring, and optimization of biotechnological processes, particularly in the anaerobic digestion of organic waste. With numerous international collaborations, he has worked across Europe, Asia, and Russia. He is a respected member of scientific societies, and his research has been widely published in leading journals. Simeonov continues to engage in cutting-edge research, with a focus on environmental biotechnology and renewable energy systems 🌍💡🌿. His work has earned him recognition both in Bulgaria and internationally 🏆🔬.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

ORCID

Suitability for Most Reader’s Article Award

Prof. Ivan Simeonov, PhD, is a highly accomplished researcher in bioautomatics and environmental biotechnology. His extensive contributions to anaerobic digestion, mathematical modeling, and process optimization have made a lasting impact on sustainable engineering and renewable energy. With 281 scientific papers and a global collaborative network spanning France, China, and Russia, his research has significantly advanced waste-to-energy technologies.

Education and Experience:

  • 1966: School 32 “Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria 🎓
  • 1971: Technical University of Sofia, Electrical Faculty, Specialty Automatics ⚙️
  • 1971–1973: University of Paris VI and Ecole Supérieure d’Electricité, France 🇫🇷
  • 1981: PhD in Engineering (Automatics), Technical University of Sofia 🎓🔧
  • 1986-2020: Head of Research Group at the Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology 🧪
  • 2012-2016: Deputy Director, Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology 🌍
  • International collaborations in Russia, Ukraine, China, France, and Finland 🌍

Professional Development 

Ivan Simeonov’s professional development spans decades of international collaboration and scientific advancement. Over the years, he has honed his expertise through numerous guest professorships and research positions, including in France, Russia, and China. Simeonov’s work has significantly contributed to the fields of anaerobic digestion and bioautomatics, with a focus on sustainable energy and waste management technologies 🌱. His involvement in projects funded by the European Space Agency and Bulgarian National Science Fund showcases his expertise and leadership in the research community 🌌. His role as an invited researcher and professor across global institutions highlights his ongoing commitment to scientific innovation ✨📚.

Research Focus 

Professor Simeonov’s research focuses on environmental biotechnology, renewable energy, and anaerobic digestion systems. His expertise lies in the mathematical modeling, monitoring, and optimization of biotechnological processes, especially in the degradation of organic waste for energy production 🔋🌿. He is dedicated to advancing the understanding of two-stage anaerobic digestion, producing methane and hydrogen from agricultural and lignocellulosic waste. Through his international collaborations, he works on the development of intelligent control systems and optimal technologies that enhance the efficiency of biogas production, contributing significantly to sustainable energy solutions 🌍. His work is crucial to achieving eco-friendly waste management practices 🌱.

Awards and Honors:

  • President, NGO “Ecological Engineering and Environment Protection” 🌍
  • Member of the governing body, “John Atanasoff” Society of Automatics and Informatics 📚
  • Member, Technical Committee of IFAC TC 8.4 Biosystems and Bioprocesses 🏆
  • 531 citations (Scopus), h-index: 13 📈
  • Scientific collaborator in projects funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund and European Space Agency 🚀

Publication Top Notes

  1. Title: Two-Stage Anaerobic Digestion for Green Energy Production: A Review

    • Authors: I.S. Simeonov, E.I. Chorukova, L.V. Kabaivanova
    • Year: 2025
  2. Title: A volatile fatty acids adaptive observer-based hierarchical optimal controller design to maximum gas production of two-stage anaerobic digestion process

    • Authors: H. Li, Y. Tian, H. Wang, I.S. Simeonov, N.D. Christov
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 1
  3. Title: Trajectory tracking of two-stage anaerobic digestion process: A predictive control with guaranteed performance and saturated input, based on ultra-local model

    • Authors: D. He, H. Wang, Y. Tian, N.D. Christov, I.S. Simeonov
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 6
  4. Title: Special Issue “Modelling and Optimal Design of Complex Biological Systems”

    • Authors: J. Harmand, A.E. Rapaport, N.S. Dimitrova, I.S. Simeonov
    • Year: 2023
  5. Title: Newton-Based Extremum Seeking for Dynamic Systems Using Kalman Filtering: Application to Anaerobic Digestion Process Control

    • Authors: Y. Tian, N. Pan, M. Hu, L.V. Kabaivanova, N.D. Christov
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 4

Kaushik Kundu | Waste to Energy | Best Researcher Award

Mr Kaushik Kundu | Waste to Energy | Best Researcher Award

Mr Kaushik Kundu , IIT Delhi , India

Kaushik Kundu is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering at IIT Delhi with a focus on sustainable energy solutions and advanced catalytic processes. Hailing from Kolkata, India, Kaushik has an impressive academic background, having completed his M.Tech in Fuel Engineering from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology. With expertise in hydrogen economy, reaction engineering, and machine learning, he combines rigorous scientific research with innovative approaches to clean energy. His work is recognized through various publications and awards, reflecting his commitment to advancing chemical engineering and sustainability.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

  1. Innovative Research Focus: Kaushik Kundu’s research is at the cutting edge of sustainable energy technologies. His work on catalyst development for CO2 hydrogenation and biomass gasification demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing global energy challenges and advancing clean energy solutions.
  2. High-Impact Publications: His publications in prestigious journals like the Chemical Engineering Journal and Fuel reflect his contributions to the field. The research covers significant areas such as catalyst optimization and biomass conversion, highlighting his expertise and impact.
  3. Recognition and Awards: Kaushik’s achievement of the Best Poster Award at IIChE-CHEMCON 2023 underscores his ability to present and communicate complex research effectively. This recognition is a testament to his innovative approach and research excellence.
  4. Strong Academic Background: With high academic performance in his M.Tech and current Ph.D. studies, Kaushik has demonstrated a solid foundation in chemical engineering, further supporting his suitability for the award.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Impact and Collaboration: Expanding the scope of research to include collaborative projects with industry partners or international researchers could enhance the impact of his work and provide new avenues for innovation.
  2. Public Engagement: Increased engagement with the public and educational institutions could further promote the practical applications of his research and inspire future researchers.

Education

Kaushik Kundu is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at IIT Delhi, with a CGPA of 8.45. He completed his M.Tech in Fuel Engineering from IIT (ISM), Dhanbad, graduating with a CGPA of 9.45. Prior to that, he earned his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from Calcutta Institute of Technology, achieving a CGPA of 8.35. His educational journey showcases a strong foundation in chemical engineering and a deep commitment to advanced research in sustainable energy technologies.

Experience

Kaushik Kundu has garnered significant research experience through his current Ph.D. work on catalyst development for methanol and DME production via CO2 hydrogenation, funded by IIT Delhi and GAIL. His M.Tech dissertation involved studying the production of bio-coke from agricultural wastes. Additionally, he has participated in specialized courses and workshops, enhancing his skills in computational fluid dynamics and solid fuel processing. This diverse experience underpins his expertise in chemical engineering and commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Awards and Honors

Kaushik Kundu was awarded Best Poster at IIChE-CHEMCON 2023 for his presentation on “Prediction and optimization of Syngas yield from Biomass using Multivariate LSTM.” This recognition underscores his innovative research and contributions to the field. His work has also been published in high-impact journals, reflecting his commitment to advancing chemical engineering and sustainable energy solutions. These accolades highlight his excellence in research and dedication to addressing global energy challenges.

Research Focus

Kaushik Kundu’s research focus includes hydrogen economy, catalytic conversion of biomass to clean energy, and kinetic modeling. His work spans areas such as the development of catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation, optimization of syngas production from biomass, and the application of machine learning in energy processes. Kaushik’s innovative approach combines theoretical and experimental methods to advance sustainable energy technologies, with a particular emphasis on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of clean energy solutions.

Publications Top Notes

Anand A, Gautam S, Kundu K, Ram L.C., Biocoke: A Sustainable Solution to Indian Metallurgical Coal Crisis, Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 171, 2023, 105977. 📄

Singh R, Kundu K, Pant K.K., Optimizing Zn/Ce ratio in ternary Cu-ZnO-CeO2 catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol, Chemical Engineering Journal, 479, 2024, 147783. 🔬

Kundu K, Kumar A, Kodamana H, Pant K.K., Obtaining high H2-rich syngas yield and carbon conversion efficiency from biomass gasification: From characterization to process optimization using machine learning with experimental validation, Fuel, 378, 2024, 132931. 🔋

Conclusion

Kaushik Kundu is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His innovative research, high-impact publications, and recognition in the field of chemical engineering reflect his significant contributions to sustainable energy solutions. By addressing areas for improvement, such as broader collaboration and public engagement, he can further enhance his impact and continue to drive advancements in his field.