Dr. Vicky Kumar | Water and Wastewater | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vicky Kumar, University Technology PETRONAS Malaysia, Malaysia

TS. DR. VICKY KUMAR is an enthusiastic registered engineer and passionate educator based in Tronoh, Perak, Malaysia. With over five years of experience in teaching and research, he holds a Ph.D. and has a proven track record of published research. As a dedicated researcher at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Dr. Kumar has led significant projects, including the treatment of sanitary sewage discharge and sludge characterization from wastewater treatment plants, contributing to advancements in sustainable engineering practices. His expertise in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments is complemented by his engaging teaching methods and strong leadership skills. Dr. Kumar is committed to fostering innovation and promoting renewable energy solutions, positioning himself as a key contributor to the fields of civil and environmental engineering.

Professional Profile:

SCOPUS

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award: TS. DR. VICKY KUMAR

Dr. Vicky Kumar is a dedicated researcher and educator with over five years of experience in teaching and research, making him an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work primarily focuses on civil and environmental engineering, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing sustainable practices through innovative research projects.

Education

Ph.D. (Field of Study Not Specified)
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia
Date of Graduation Not Provided

Work Experience

Research Scientist

Civil & Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia
March 2024 – December 2024

Project: Treatment of Sanitary Sewage Discharge from Tasik Temengor Houseboats using Integrated Sewage Treatment System (i-STS).
Conducted water quality analyses, achieving a 70% improvement in treatment efficiency.
Collaborated with stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance.
Prepared and presented weekly technical reports on project progress, HSE, and budget.
Monitored system efficiency for long-term sustainability.

Research Assistant

Civil & Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia
December 2023 – March 2024

Project: Sludge Characterization and Identification of Potential Recovered Materials from Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge.
Managed approvals and compliance for sample collection from multiple wastewater treatment plants.
Conducted sludge characterization experiments following ASTM, APHA, and EPA protocols.
Prepared reports with recommendations for material recovery and circular economy support.

Research Assistant

Management and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia
June 2023 – November 2023

Project: Oil and Gas Industry Impact on Sustainability: The Case of Local Communities in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Conducted field research and surveys to assess environmental and social impacts.
Analyzed sustainability metrics and prepared research reports and presentations.
Collaborated with community leaders and government officials for qualitative insights.

Publication Top Notes

Development of performance-based models for green concrete using multiple linear regression and artificial neural network

Antimicrobial concrete for development: A critical review

Nutrient Removal from Synthetic Wastewater Using Sequence Batch Reactor SBR in the Attached Growth System

Evaluation of job satisfaction as a mediator: Exploring the relationship between workload, career growth, social support supervisory and talent retention in the oil and gas industry in Malaysia

Enhancing Mechanical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Portland Cement through Titanium Oxide Incorporation

Effect of nanosized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as antimicrobial agents on early compressive strength of high-performance concrete

Dr. Meriam lahsaini | Hydraulic Engineering | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Meriam lahsaini, CNR, Italy,

Meriam Lahsaini is a highly skilled professional with extensive experience in geospatial data management, environmental monitoring, and remote sensing applications. Born on May 2, 1988, in Morocco, she currently resides in Ferrara, Italy. Meriam holds a key consultancy role at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in the Knowledge Centre of Earth Observation (KCEO), where she contributes to the wetland project by mapping wetlands across Europe and developing information systems. She has also held multiple post-doctoral research positions at esteemed institutions such as CNR-IGG, CNR-IMAA, and CNR-IRPI in Italy, focusing on database design, satellite data analysis, and environmental monitoring systems.In her professional journey, Meriam has demonstrated expertise in developing atmospheric correction algorithms for optical images, creating conceptual and logical models for geospatial databases, and implementing WebGIS interfaces for spatial data visualization. Her work at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Morocco involved managing natural risk data and developing interactive web cartographic interfaces for flood risk management. She has also provided her GIS analytical skills to Wed Etude Marocco srl and Maroc-Ingenov Morocco srl, enhancing their spatial and urban analysis services. Meriam’s diverse experience reflects her proficiency in using advanced geospatial technologies and her dedication to environmental research and data management.

Professional Profile:

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences
- Institution: CNR-IMAA (National Research Council – Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis), Tito Scalo, Italy
- Title of Thesis: Development of a modular monitoring system for inland and coastal water quality based on satellite data.
- Project: IDEWA – Irrigation and Drainage monitoring by remote sensing of Ecosystems and Water resources management.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

01/10/2023 – Present

Consultant at European Commission – JRC
- Joint Research Centre, Knowledge Centre of Earth Observation (KCEO), Ispra, Italy
- Activities:
  - Working on the wetland project for mapping wetlands across Europe and implementing an information system.
  - Writing technical reports for certification by Member States.
  - Working on URDB database to identify requirements for all directorates in the European Commission.
  - Creating surveys for data collection and glossaries.
  - Developing frontend interfaces for data visualization.

01/06/2023 – 31/05/2024

Post-Doctoral Researcher
- CNR-IGG (National Research Council – Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources), Pisa, Italy
- Title: “Design, implementation, and management of a database, including geographical data, and its interface for visualization and interrogation.”
- Activities:
  - Establishing a database for the Geothermal Infrastructure in Tuscany using INSPIRE UML models.
  - Creating conceptual models (CM) in Enterprise Architect.
  - Developing logical models (LM) in PostgreSQL using DBeaver.
  - Implementing the database (DB) and creating SQL queries.
  - Designing and implementing frontend using Streamlit apps.
  - Creating interfaces using HTML and CSS.
  - Implementing WebGIS for spatial data visualization (e.g., wells, geothermal power plants, monitoring stations).

01/09/2022 – 31/05/2023

Post-Doctoral Researcher
- CNR-IMAA (National Research Council – Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis), Tito Scalo, Italy
- Title: “Development of a modular monitoring system for inland and coastal water quality based on satellite data.”
- Project: IDEWA – Irrigation and Drainage monitoring by remote sensing of Ecosystems and Water resources management.

Publication top Notes:

Modelisation Hydraulique Mono Dimensionnel Par HEC RAS, Application Sur L’oued Aggay (Ville De Sefrou)

CITED : 8

Importance of Geological Map Updates in Engineering Geology, Application to the Rif-Chain and Its Foreland (Northern Morocco)

CITED : 4

Neotectonic and mass movements on the new Fez-Taza highway (Northern Morocco)

CITED : 3

Flood susceptibility mapping using SAR data and machine learning algorithms in a small watershed in northwestern Morocco

CITED : 2

Standardized Database for Flood Risk Management in Morocco

CITED : 2