Giovanni Morales | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Giovanni Morales | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Doctor at Industrial University of Santander | Colombia

Dr. Giovanni Morales Medina is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Universidad Industrial de Santander, Colombia. Teaching, research, and industrial experience, he specializes in process modeling, simulation, optimization, and techno-economic evaluation of chemical processes. His career integrates academic leadership, applied research, and consultancy for the Colombian Institute of Petroleum and Ecopetrol. Dr. Morales has published extensively in high-impact journals and presented at leading international conferences, advancing knowledge in carbon capture, molecular simulation, and sustainable energy processes. He has also contributed significantly to curriculum development and ABET accreditation. His blend of research innovation, academic excellence, and practical engineering solutions makes him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile 

Scopus

ORCID

Google Scholar

Suitability for the Best Researcher Award

Dr. Giovanni Morales Medina exemplifies excellence in research with impactful contributions to chemical engineering, energy transition, and process optimization. His expertise spans molecular simulation, artificial neural networks for process failure detection, and techno-economic assessments that support sustainable industrial practices. He has authored influential publications in journals such as The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, CT&F, and Waste and Biomass Valorization, and has presented at prestigious global conferences including AIChE and ECOS. Beyond publications, his work bridges academia and industry, delivering innovative solutions for petroleum refining, CO₂ capture, and renewable energy systems. His strong record of collaboration, knowledge dissemination, and applied innovation highlights his leadership in advancing chemical engineering research, making him a highly deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award.

Education 

Dr. Giovanni Morales Medina earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering  from Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), Colombia, where he also completed his B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering . His doctoral research centered on applying electronic structure calculations to study thermochemical properties, reaction mechanisms, and molecular modeling, laying the foundation for his expertise in simulation and computational chemistry. Complementing his academic degrees, he pursued specialized training in pedagogy, innovation in teaching, and engineering education, completing over 500 hours of certifications from UIS, SENA, and Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano. This strong educational background, blending advanced chemical engineering knowledge with modern teaching strategies, underpins his career as a researcher, educator, and consultant, equipping him to contribute to both scientific advancement and academic excellence.

Work Experience 

Dr. Morales has extensive professional experience spanning academia, industry, and consultancy. Since , he has served as Associate Professor at UIS, teaching process synthesis, simulation, and capstone design while contributing to ABET accreditation. Previously, he lectured in UIS’s Chemical Engineering and Refining & Petrochemical Master’s Program and held an associate professorship at Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano . In industry, he worked with Ecopetrol and the Colombian Institute of Petroleum (via TIP Ltda. and Ambiocoop Ltda.), focusing on molecular simulation, crude oil refining, and refinery optimization models. He also led projects on CO₂ capture, crude blending, and refinery planning. His diverse career reflects a unique integration of teaching, industrial innovation, and applied research across Colombia’s chemical engineering sector.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Morales has received recognition for his pioneering contributions to chemical engineering through numerous international presentations and intellectual property registrations. He has delivered oral and poster presentations at prestigious venues such as the AIChE Annual Meeting (USA), ECOS Conference (Greece), CLAQ (Colombia), and Canadian Conference on Computational Chemistry, reflecting the global relevance of his research. His registered software developments—CrudeExpert and CrudeOverlap—are innovative tools applied in petroleum refining, demonstrating his impact on industrial practice. Additionally, his involvement in ABET accreditation and curriculum development at UIS highlights his commitment to advancing engineering education. These achievements, coupled with his extensive publication record, position him as an influential researcher whose work has significantly contributed to both academia and industry in chemical engineering.

Research Focus 

Dr. Morales’s research focuses on process modeling, simulation, optimization, and sustainable energy systems. His expertise includes molecular dynamics and electronic structure calculations for analyzing reaction mechanisms, molecular properties, and carbon capture using liquids and solids. He has advanced the use of artificial neural networks for operational failure detection in chemical processes and applies techno-economic evaluation to assess energy transition technologies. His work bridges fundamental research with industrial applications, covering refinery optimization, virtual sensors, CO₂ management, and renewable resource valorization. By integrating computational chemistry, statistical data analysis, and advanced process simulation tools such as Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, MATLAB, and GAMS, his research delivers innovative solutions to modern energy and environmental challenges, advancing the frontiers of chemical engineering.

Publication Top Notes

  • Mathematical model of a falling film reactor for methyl ester sulfonation
    Year: 2009 | Cited by: 23

  • Theoretical comparison of ketene dimerization in the gas and liquid phase
    Year: 2008 | Cited by: 19

  • Prediction of density and viscosity of Colombian crude oils from chromatographic data
    Year: 2012 | Cited by: 10

  • Thermochemical properties and contribution groups for ketene dimers and related structures from theoretical calculations
    Year: 2009 | Cited by: 10

  • Molecular and multiscale modeling: Review on the theories and applications in chemical engineering
    Year: 2009 | Cited by: 9

  • Ajuste de curvas de propiedades de crudos: nueva metodología e implementación en el módulo CrudeExpert
    Year: 2012 | Cited by: 4

Conclusion

Prof. Morales Medina is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His strong record in chemical engineering research, innovation in modeling and simulation, and dedication to teaching and curriculum development make him stand out as both a scholar and mentor. With greater focus on international collaborations, wider dissemination of his work, and continuous pursuit of interdisciplinary research, he has the potential not only to lead within his field but also to shape future directions in sustainable chemical engineering.

Yang Li | Electrical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li | Electrical Engineering
| Best Researcher Award

Director at Forensic Science Institute China People’s Police University, China.

Dr. Li Yang is an Associate Professor at the China People’s Police University, specializing in electrical fire investigation and forensic evidence analysis. With a Ph.D. in Safety Science and Engineering from Xi’an University of Science and Technology and extensive research on arc faults, short-circuit initiation, and pyrolysis gas analysis, he has become a leading voice in electrical fire forensics. He serves on the Committee on Electrical Fire Safety of the China Fire Association and has led multiple national and provincial projects. Recognized as a Distinguished Teacher of Hebei Province in 2022, his contributions have significantly enhanced fire evidence identification technologies. He has also played a pivotal role in national training programs and technical innovations for fire investigators.

🌍 Professional Profile:

Scopus

🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award :

Dr. Li Yang is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his pioneering work in electrical fire investigation. His research advances the forensic science field through the development of intelligent identification technologies and fault simulation devices. He has been instrumental in leading key national and provincial projects, authoring technical patents, and contributing to cutting-edge publications. His academic leadership, combined with practical innovation, addresses critical safety concerns in fire investigation. Recognition by both academic institutions and the Ministry of Public Security underscores his impact. His ability to integrate science, engineering, and real-world application makes him not only a productive researcher but a transformative force in safety science.

🎓 Education :

Li Yang holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Safety Science and Engineering from Xi’an University of Science and Technology (2018–2022). Prior to that, he earned a Master of Science in Materials Science (2008–2011) and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Investigation (2004–2008), both from the China People’s Police University. His interdisciplinary educational background has equipped him with a solid foundation in forensic materials, fire safety engineering, and investigative techniques. This strong academic progression supports his current research and teaching in the field of electrical fire forensics and contributes to the training of future safety professionals in law enforcement and public safety sectors.

🏢 Work Experience :

Dr. Li Yang has served in various academic positions at the China People’s Police University since 2014. Currently an Associate Professor in the Investigation College (since 2020), he previously held positions in the Department of Fire Engineering. Over the years, he has been deeply involved in curriculum development, investigator training, and research supervision. His expertise has also been sought by national bodies such as the Ministry of Public Security, where he serves as a fire-related case investigation expert. He has combined teaching excellence with project leadership across government-funded and institutional research. His dual role as educator and researcher enables him to bridge academic knowledge with field application effectively.

🏅 Awards and Honors :

Dr. Li Yang has received numerous accolades for his contributions. Notably, he was honored as a Distinguished Teacher of Hebei Province in 2022 and selected as a Fire Investigation Expert by the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security in 2020. He is a Committee Member on Electrical Fire Safety with the China Fire Association. His research earned the Third Prize from the Ministry of Public Security Science and Technology Award in 2019. These awards reflect both his academic excellence and societal impact. Through these honors, Dr. Yang has been recognized for his research leadership, technological innovation, and dedication to advancing fire safety practices across China.

🔬 Research Focus :

Dr. Li Yang’s research centers on electrical fire forensics, particularly the mechanisms behind short-circuit faults, arc-related ignition, and trace identification. He applies cutting-edge tools such as STA-FTIR-GC/MS to analyze pyrolysis gases from common materials in electrical systems, aiming to establish the forensic links between device failure and fire cause. His studies also examine the behavior of molten droplets, overcurrent wire degradation, and fault inversion modeling under variable environmental conditions. He leads national R&D programs and technical research projects focusing on intelligent identification technologies and early-warning mechanisms. His goal is to enhance fire evidence analysis reliability and improve training and tools for first responders and forensic investigators in China.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

🔥 Lin Q‑W, Li X, Li Y, Deng J, Man P‑R, Jia Y‑Z. Comparative investigation on thermo‑oxidative degradation and fire characteristics of flame‑retardant and non‑flame‑retardant polyvinyl chloride wires. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress. 2025;57:103210. • 📄 Cited X times

Lin Q‑W, Li Y, Man P‑R, Jin Y, Lyu H, Wang H, Zhao Y, Su W, Deng J. Effects of applied voltages on the occurrence features of short circuits in building cables exposed to constant radiation heat. Journal of Building Engineering. 2024;98:111038. • 📄 Cited Y times

🧪 Lin Q‑W, Li Y, Deng J, F‑F He, P‑R Man. Thermo‑oxidative degradation behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) insulation for new and overloaded wires via TG‑FTIR. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2024;141(39):e55994. • 📄 Cited Z times

🧯 Li Z, Lin Q‑W, Li Y, et al. Effect of the current on the fire characteristics of overloaded polyvinyl chloride copper wires. Polymers. 2022;14(21):4766.* • 📄 Cited A times

🔥 Lin Q‑W, Li Y, Deng J. Formation mechanism and microstructural analysis of blistering marks on overcurrent copper wires. Fire Safety Journal. 2024;150(Pt A):104268. • 📄 Cited B times

Li Y, Sun Y, Gao Y, et al. Analysis of overload‑induced arc formation and bead characteristics in a residential electrical cable. Fire Safety Journal. 2022;131:103626. • 📄 Cited C times