Bowen Duan | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Bowen Duan | Civil Engineering
| Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate at Harbin Institute of Technology, China.

Bowen Duan is a Ph.D. candidate in Civil Engineering at the School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, under the mentorship of Prof. Jinliang Gao. His research is centered on water distribution networks, particularly the optimization of modeling techniques and advanced leakage detection methodologies. Through integrating data-driven methods and optimization algorithms, he aims to address critical urban water management challenges such as low modeling precision and complex leakage identification. His research output includes journal and international conference publications that reflect both scientific rigor and real-world application. Duan’s recent work has been featured in Energies, emphasizing the relevance of his research to pressing environmental infrastructure issues. He demonstrates a promising trajectory as a future leader in sustainable water management.

🌍 Professional Profile:

Scopus

ORCID

🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award :

Bowen Duan stands out as a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his impactful research in optimizing water distribution networks—an area critical to sustainable urban development. His application of advanced algorithms for leakage detection significantly improves operational efficiency in real-world water systems. Publishing in top-tier journals and presenting at international conferences, he has shown remarkable academic maturity and innovation. His contributions bridge theoretical advancements and practical utility, reflecting both depth and foresight. Despite being at an early stage in his career, his interdisciplinary approach, commitment to solving complex engineering problems, and drive for impactful outcomes underscore his potential to contribute meaningfully to environmental engineering and resource sustainability on a global scale.

🎓 Education :

Bowen Duan is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), one of China’s leading institutions for environmental and engineering sciences. Under the guidance of Prof. Jinliang Gao, his academic focus includes water system modeling, hydraulic simulations, and smart detection technologies. His graduate training emphasizes multidisciplinary learning, combining civil engineering fundamentals with advanced data analytics, systems optimization, and environmental sustainability principles. He has also engaged in national and international academic discourse through conferences and collaborative work. Bowen’s educational background demonstrates strong technical grounding, critical thinking, and a forward-looking perspective essential for tackling complex challenges in water infrastructure and management systems.

🏢 Work Experience :

Bowen Duan has acquired valuable research experience through active engagement in multiple water management projects during his Ph.D. studies at Harbin Institute of Technology. His work involves hydraulic modeling, smart sensing, leakage detection, and intervention strategy analysis in water distribution networks. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at renowned conferences such as the Computing and Control for the Water Industry Conference (CCWI 2023, UK), indicating early international exposure. His ability to combine field data with computational techniques highlights practical problem-solving skills. Bowen is also familiar with simulation software, data acquisition systems, and algorithmic design. His research is informed by both theoretical inquiry and applied engineering, making him a capable young scholar with a growing industry-relevant portfolio.

🔹 Awards and Honors

While specific awards and honors are yet to be disclosed, Bowen Duan has gained notable academic recognition through conference acceptances and journal publications, including in the international journal Energies. His participation in the prestigious 19th Computing and Control for the Water Industry (CCWI) Conference in the UK in 2023 reflects peer recognition of his research relevance and quality. These achievements in a competitive academic environment indicate his rising status in the field of environmental and civil engineering. As a doctoral researcher, he continues to build a record of excellence that could soon be accompanied by formal honors, research grants, or innovation awards. His current trajectory and impactful work strongly suggest a promising candidate for future accolades.

🔬 Research Focus :

Bowen Duan’s research centers on optimizing water distribution networks by enhancing hydraulic modeling precision and leakage detection. His innovative approach combines traditional civil engineering knowledge with modern computational tools—such as data-driven optimization, spatial pressure correlation, and real-time monitoring—to develop more responsive and accurate detection systems. His work tackles key problems including system complexity, modeling inefficiencies, and slow leak identification in urban water supply systems. He has investigated behavioral influences on water-saving in public buildings and contributed insights on psychological interventions. Through international conference presentations and journal articles, Bowen advances both theoretical frameworks and practical applications that enhance urban resilience, sustainability, and water conservation efforts. His contributions position him at the intersection of engineering, data science, and sustainability.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

📘 Energy-Efficient Management of Urban Water Distribution Networks Under Hydraulic Anomalies: A Review of Technologies and Challenges
📅 Year: 2025 | 🧪 Journal: Energies | ✍️ Authors: Bowen Duan, Jinliang Gao, Huizhe Cao, Shiyuan Hu
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/en18112877 | 🧷 Publisher: MDPI

📝 Evaluating the Dynamic Psychological and Behavioral Changes of Water-Saving in Public Buildings Under Effective Interventions
📅 Year: 2024 | 📄 Type: Preprint | ✍️ Authors: Bowen Duan, Jinliang Gao, Wenyan Wu, Wenjuan Guo, Jinghui Wang, Shanshan Zhang, Chao Wen, Yuan Tian, Chang Shen
🔗 DOI: 10.22541/essoar.171535804.44094305/v1 | 🧷 Platform: ESSOAr

Liang Ren | Bridge engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Liang Ren | Bridge engineering |Best Researcher Award

 

 

Deputy director at East China Jiaotong University, China .

Prof. REN Liang is a distinguished scholar and doctoral supervisor at the School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, East China Jiaotong University. With a Ph.D. in Bridge and Tunnel Engineering, he has over two decades of academic and research experience. He has led or participated in more than 50 national and provincial research projects, accumulating over RMB 10 million in funding. His contributions span UHPC applications, seismic behavior of long-span bridges, and vehicle-bridge collision dynamics. Prof. Ren has published over 60 academic papers, holds 6 patents, and has authored/co-authored several academic books. His impactful work and consistent research output make him an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

🌍 Professional Profile:

Scopus

🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award

 

Prof. REN Liang is an exemplary researcher whose contributions to civil and bridge engineering have significantly advanced the field. With over 50 research projects—many funded by prestigious agencies like NSFC—he has secured more than RMB 10 million in research grants. His work on UHPC applications, seismic resilience of bridges, and structural optimization directly impacts infrastructure safety and innovation. He has published over 60 academic papers, holds six patents, and has authored/co-authored key academic texts. As a professor and doctoral supervisor, he nurtures future talent while maintaining high-impact, solution-driven research. His consistent excellence in scientific inquiry, leadership in major projects, and applied engineering innovation make him highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education 

Prof. REN Liang earned his Ph.D. in Bridge and Tunnel Engineering from Hunan University (2008–2014), preceded by an M.Sc. in the same field from Changsha University of Science & Technology (2002–2005) and a B.Eng. in Bridge Engineering from Changsha Jiaotong University (1998–2002). To broaden his international academic exposure, he was a visiting scholar at the University of Connecticut, USA (2015–2016), where he further explored advanced civil and environmental engineering methods. His solid educational foundation and international experience have significantly shaped his research direction, fostering innovation in bridge structural performance, seismic resilience, and UHPC technologies. These academic milestones underpin his qualifications and leadership in civil engineering research.

🏢 Work Experience 

Prof. REN Liang has demonstrated unwavering dedication across progressive academic roles at East China Jiaotong University. He began as a Teaching Assistant (2005–2008), advanced to Lecturer (2008–2013), served as Associate Professor (2014–2023), and currently holds the position of Professor (since 2024). He also expanded his academic reach through a visiting scholar appointment at the University of Connecticut (2015–2016). His academic career has been marked by exceptional teaching, supervision of doctoral candidates, and spearheading high-impact research projects. Prof. Ren’s rich experience in both classroom and laboratory settings, coupled with hands-on engagement in over 50 funded research initiatives, reflects a deep and practical understanding of civil engineering challenges.

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Prof. REN Liang has received numerous accolades in recognition of his research excellence and contributions to civil engineering. His innovative work has been consistently funded by prestigious programs, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and Jiangxi’s key R&D and transportation initiatives. His research outcomes have earned six authorized patents, highlighting his capacity for practical innovation. Additionally, he has authored a monograph and co-authored two textbooks that are widely referenced in academic and engineering communities. Though specific award titles are not listed, the sustained financial support, publication record, and industry collaboration attest to his national recognition and scholarly influence. These achievements affirm his strong candidacy for the Best Researcher Award.

🔬 Research Focus 

Prof. REN Liang’s research centers on structural performance and safety in civil and bridge engineering, with particular emphasis on Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC). He investigates the static and dynamic behaviors of UHPC in bridges, seismic resilience of long-span structures, vehicle-bridge collision analysis, and methods for evaluating and strengthening existing bridges. His work also explores refined numerical modeling for accurate simulations and structural design optimization. Through rigorous experimentation and theoretical analysis, Prof. Ren aims to advance sustainable, durable, and resilient infrastructure. His research has directly contributed to technological innovation in seismic design, structural retrofitting, and performance enhancement, making him a thought leader in civil infrastructure safety and modernization.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

  • Ren, L., Yu, X., Guo, Z., & Xiao, L. (2022). Numerical investigation of the dynamic increase factor of ultra-high performance concrete based on SHPB technology. Construction and Building Materials, 325, 126756. (SCI Q1)

  • Ren, L., Yu, X., Zheng, M., Xue, Z., Wu, B., & He, Y. (2022). Evaluation of typical dynamic damage models used for UHPC based on SHPB technology. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 269, 108562. (SCI Q1)

  • Ren, L., Fang, B., Wang, K., & Yuan, F. (2022). Numerical investigation on plastic hinge length of ultra-high performance concrete column under cyclic load. Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 26(3), 1281–1299. (SCI Q2)

  • Ren, L., Yu, X., He, Y., Wang, K., & Yao, H. (2020). Numerical investigation of lateral inertia effect in dynamic impact testing of UHPC using a Split-Hopkinson pressure bar. Construction and Building Materials, 246, 118483. (SCI Q1)

  • Ren, L., Fang, Z., & Wang, K. (2019). Design and behavior of super-long span cable-stayed bridge with CFRP cables and UHPC members. Composites Part B: Engineering, 164, 72–81. (SCI Q1)

  • Ren, L., Fang, Z., Zhong, R., & Wang, K. (2019). Experimental and numerical investigations of the seismic performance of UHPC box piers. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 23(2), 597–607. (SCI Q3)

  • Wang, K., Ren, L., & Yang, L. (2018). Excellent carbonation behavior of rankinite prepared by calcining the C-S-H: Potential recycling of waste concrete powders for prefabricated building products. Materials, 11(8), 1474–1482. (SCI Q2)

  • Wang, K., Yang, L., & Ren, L. (2018). Effect of sodium gluconate and sodium citrate on fluidity of alpha-hemihydrate gypsum paste plasticized by polycarboxylate superplasticizer. Cement Wapno Beton, 23(2), 144–158. (SCI Indexed)