Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niaz Abdolrahim | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niaz Abdolrahim | Best Researcher Award

University of Rochester | United States

Dr. Niaz Abdolrahim is an accomplished materials scientist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Rochester, where she leads pioneering research in multiscale modeling, nanomechanics, and computational materials science. She earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and has since developed a strong research portfolio that integrates atomistic simulations, machine learning, and continuum mechanics to study deformation mechanisms, structural phase transformations, and the design of high-performance nanostructured materials. With over 44 published documents, more than 717 citations, and an h-index of 16, her scholarly contributions have been widely recognized in the fields of materials modeling and nanostructure design. Dr. Abdolrahim has secured multiple NSF-funded projects, including the study of stress-assisted phase transformations and data-driven analysis of lattice dynamics. Her work has been published in prestigious journals such as Acta Materialia, npj Computational Materials, Physical Review B, and ACS Applied Nano Materials. Her research interests encompass nanostructured metals, deformation physics, data-driven materials design, and high-performance alloys. Dr. Abdolrahim’s innovative contributions continue to advance the understanding of mechanical behavior in nanoscale systems and establish her as a leading figure in computational materials science and multiscale simulation.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Mostafa, A., Qian, S., Li, F., Rabkin, E., & Abdolrahim, N. (2026). Bending-induced phase transformations and penta-twinning in molybdenum: From nano to microscale. Acta Materialia, 264, 121646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2025.121646

Karami, S., Kum, T. B., Kirmani, A. R., & Abdolrahim, N. (2025). Proton radiation effects in indium oxide using cascade molecular dynamics simulations. APL Energy, 4(9), 0266752. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0266752

Alvarez, A., Abdolrahim, N., & Singh, S. (2025). Anomalous elastic softening in ferroelectric hafnia under pressure. Physical Review B, 111(6), 064106. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.111.064106

Mostafa, A., Vu, L., Guo, Z., Shargh, A. K., Dey, A., Askari, H., & Abdolrahim, N. (2024). Phase-transformation assisted twinning in molybdenum nanowires. Computational Materials Science, 237, 113273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2024.113273

Salgado, J. E., Lerman, S., Du, Z., Xu, C., & Abdolrahim, N. (2023). Automated classification of big X-ray diffraction data using deep learning models. npj Computational Materials, 9(1), 214. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-023-01164-8

Mr. Zahid Ullah | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Zahid Ullah | Best Researcher Award

Islamia College University Peshawar | Pakistan 

Dr. Zahid Ullah is a computational materials scientist currently serving as a Scholar at Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, and pursuing his PhD in Physics at Islamia College Peshawar. With an h‑index of 12, over 1,100 citations, and multiple high-impact publications, he has established a strong presence in theoretical and computational condensed matter physics. His research focuses on first-principles calculations, employing density functional theory (DFT) and WIEN2k/CASTEP computational frameworks to investigate the structural, electronic, thermoelectric, and magnetic properties of materials such as spinels (MgGa₂O₄, ZnAl₂O₄) and ternary tellurides (KAlTe₂, KInTe₂). He has contributed significantly to understanding energy‑conversion materials, magnetic semiconductors, and thermoelectric performance, guiding experimental and theoretical developments for sustainable energy solutions and advanced electronic/spintronic applications. Notable publications include studies on high-temperature thermoelectric performance of MgGa₂O₄ and the electronic and magnetic characteristics of KAlTe₂ and KInTe₂. His work integrates materials informatics with computational modeling to predict and optimize material behaviors. Dr. Ullah’s ongoing research aims to design next-generation functional materials, and he is recognized for his early-career contributions to computational materials science. His efforts provide critical insights that bridge fundamental physics with practical applications in energy, electronics, and spintronics.

Profiles : Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Ullah, Z., Khan, R., Khan, M. A., Al Otaibi, S., Althubeiti, K., & Abdullaev, S. (2025). High-temperature thermoelectric performance of spinel MgGa2O4 through a first-principles and Boltzmann transport study. Computational Materials Science, 259, 114163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2025.114163

Ullah, Z., Amir, M., Bazilla, A., Ullah, S., Shahzad, U., Ullah, N., Khan, J., & Gul, S. (2024). Electronic, thermoelectric and magnetic properties of ternary telluride KAlTe2 and KInTe2 from theoretical perspective. Next Research, 1(2), 100077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2024.100077

Khan, M. A., & Ullah, Z. (2025). First-principles study of electronic, structural, and thermoelectric nature. Theoretical Chemistry Accounts, 144(8), 61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00214-025-03000-0

Ullah, Z., Khan, M. A., Gul, S., Noman, M., Ullah, S., & Shahab, M. (2025). Remarkable thermoelectric and magnetic properties of anti-perovskite MgCNi3: A pathway to advanced energy conversion and spintronics. Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism, 38(4), 167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-025-08800-5

Ullah, Z., & Khan, M. A. (2025). First-principles study of ZnAl2O4 for energy applications. International Journal of Modern Physics B, 2550270. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0217979225502704

Assist. Prof. Dr. Fikadu Geldasa | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Fikadu Geldasa | Best Researcher Award

Walter Sisulu University | South Africa

Dr. Fikadu Takele Geldasa is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Walter Sisulu University, South Africa, and Oda Bultum University, Ethiopia. He has published 19 Scopus-indexed research papers, received more than 323 citations, and holds an h-index of 6. He obtained his Ph.D. in Materials Physics from Adama Science and Technology University. His research focuses on experimental and computational studies of functional nanomaterials using density functional theory (DFT) and materials characterization techniques. Dr. Geldasa works on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of doped metal oxides, perovskites, and semiconductor materials for applications in photocatalysis, energy conversion, and environmental remediation. His recent works on doped TiO₂ and α-NiS nanostructures provide insights into bandgap engineering and defect tuning for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity. He has published his research in leading journals such as Scientific Reports, Nanomaterials, Materials, and Physica Scripta. His interdisciplinary research integrates theory and experiment to develop advanced materials for renewable energy and sustainable technology. Through his scientific contributions, Dr. Geldasa is establishing himself as a promising researcher in materials physics and computational materials science, contributing significantly to the progress of clean energy and environmental technologies.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Research Gate | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Geldasa, F. T., Dejene, F. B., Kebede, M. A., Hone, F. G., & Jira, E. T. (2025). Density functional theory study of chlorine, fluorine, nitrogen, and sulfur doped rutile TiO₂ for photocatalytic application. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 3390. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84316-0

Geldasa, F. T., & Dejene, F. B. (2025). Transition metal doping effects on the structural, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of α-NiS for photocatalysis applications via DFT + U insights. Applied Physics A. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-025-08942-9

Geldasa, F. T., & Dejene, F. B. (2025). First principles investigation of niobium and carbon-doped titanium dioxide for enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity. ChemistrySelect. https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202504529

Geldasa, F. T., & Dejene, F. B. (2025). Exploration of vanadium and rhenium co-doped TiO₂ for enhanced photocatalytic performance via first principle density functional theory investigation. Physica Scripta. https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/adf156

Geldasa, F. T., & Dejene, F. B. (2025). Density functional theory based exploration of structural, electronic, mechanical, thermodynamic, and optical properties of α-NiS for CO₂ adsorption. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/aded5f

Assist. Prof. Dr. Akeem Adewale | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Akeem Adewale | Best Researcher Award

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso | Nigeria

Dr. Akeem Adekunle Adewale is a distinguished materials physicist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pure and Applied Physics at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia, following his M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Physics from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. With a prolific academic career, Dr. Adewale has authored 25 scientific documents, accumulated over 201 citations, and achieved an h-index of 9. His research focuses on computational materials science, density functional theory (DFT), nanotechnology, and optoelectronic and thermoelectric materials modeling. Dr. Adewale’s studies have significantly contributed to understanding the structural, electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of advanced materials such as perovskites, semiconductors, and nanocomposites. His works have been published in reputed journals including Materials Today Communications, Heliyon, Physica Scripta, and Computational Condensed Matter. Prior to his current role, he served as a Lecturer in Physics and Materials Science at Kwara State University, Nigeria. Dr. Adewale continues to advance frontiers in materials modeling for renewable energy and semiconductor technologies. His outstanding contributions to materials research position him as a leading scholar in the field of computational materials science.

Profiles : Scopus | Google Scholar | Research Gate | Orcid

Featured Publications

Adewale, A. A., Chik, A., Adam, T., Yusuff, O. K., Ayinde, S. A., & Sanusi, Y. K. (2021). First principles calculations of structural, electronic, mechanical and thermoelectric properties of cubic ATiO3 (A= Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) perovskite oxide. Computational Condensed Matter, 28, e00562.

Adewale, A. A., Chik, A., Adam, T., Joshua, T. M., & Durowoju, M. O. (2021). Optoelectronic behavior of ZnS compound and its alloy: A first principle approach. Materials Today Communications, 27, 102077.

Olatomiwa, A. L., Adam, T., Edet, C. O., Adewale, A. A., Chik, A., Mohammed, M., Gopinath, S. C. B., & Hashim, U. (2023). Recent advances in density functional theory approach for optoelectronics properties of graphene. Heliyon, 9(3), e14279.

Sholagberu, A. A., Yahya, W. A., & Adewale, A. A. (2022). Pressure effects on the opto-electronic and mechanical properties of the double perovskite Cs₂AgInCl₆. Physica Scripta, 97(8), 085824.

Adewale, A. A., Chik, A., Zaki, R. M., Che Pa, F., Keat, Y. C., & Jamil, N. H. (2018). Thermoelectric transport properties of SrTiO₃ doped with Pm. Solid State Phenomena, 280, 3–8.

Yahya, W., Yahaya, A. A., Adewale, A. A., Sholagberu, A. A., & Olasunkanmi, N. K. (2023). A DFT study of optoelectronic, elastic and thermo-electric properties of the double perovskites Rb₂SeX₆ (X=Br, Cl). Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences, 1418–1418.

Dr. Awani Bhushan | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Awani Bhushan | Best Researcher Award

Velllore Institute of Technology, University (Chennai Campus) | India

Dr. Awani Bhushan is an Assistant Professor (Senior Grade) in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, with an h-index of 6, 33 documents, and 113 citations. He earned his Ph.D. in Machine Design from the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, and holds prior degrees in machine and mechanical engineering. His research and teaching experience span nuclear engineering, solid mechanics, fracture mechanics, finite element analysis, and reliability assessment, combining analytical, experimental, and numerical approaches. He develops and validates computational models using ANSYS and COMSOL Multiphysics alongside custom FORTRAN and C++ implementations, and applies statistical Weibull-based methods for strength and size-effect characterization. His publications appear in Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, RSC Advances, and other peer-reviewed outlets. Key contributions include Weibull design criteria for nuclear graphite, fracture parameter correlation for unimodular and bimodular graphite, and studies on composites and functionally graded materials. He has secured research funding, filed patents, led collaborative proposals, and mentors students in interdisciplinary projects aimed at energy, defense, and structural-integrity applications. Overall, his work advances computational mechanics and material reliability with practical engineering impact and ongoing scholarly growth.

Profiles : Google Scholar | Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Bhushan, A., & Panda, S. K. (2018). Experimental and computational correlation of fracture parameters KIc, JIc, and GIc for unimodular and bimodular graphite components. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 503, 205–225.

Kumar, H., Tengli, P. N., Mishra, V. K., Tripathi, P., Bhushan, A., & Mishra, P. K. (2017). The effect of reduced graphene oxide on the catalytic activity of Cu–Cr–O–TiO₂ to enhance the thermal decomposition rate of ammonium perchlorate: An efficient fuel oxidizer. RSC Advances, 7(58), 36594–36604.

Bhushan, A., Panda, S. K., Khan, D., Ojha, A., Chattopadhyay, K., & Kushwaha, H. S. (2016). Weibull effective volumes, surfaces, and strength scaling for cylindrical flexure specimens having bi-modularity. Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 44(5), 1978–1997.

Ram, S. C., Chattopadhyay, K., & Bhushan, A. (2023). A literature review on Al–Si alloy matrix based in situ Al–Mg₂Si FG-composites: Synthesis, microstructure features, and mechanical characteristics. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science.

Suman, S., Yadav, A. M., Tomar, N., & Bhushan, A. (2020). Combustion characteristics and behaviour of agricultural biomass: A short review. Renewable Energy – Technologies and Applications.

Suman, S., Yadav, A. M., Bhushan, A., Bhaskara Rao, L., & Rajak, D. K. (2022). Substitution of coking coal with biochar for thermal and metallurgical utilisation. International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 41(11), 1778–1794.*