Prof. Hossein Shahbani Zahiri | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Published on 14/11/202514/11/2025 by Leadership and Management

Prof. Hossein Shahbani Zahiri | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology | Iran

Dr. Hossein Shahbani Zahiri is a distinguished microbiologist specializing in applied and environmental biotechnology. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Microbiology from Gyeongsang National University, South Korea (2006), where he achieved an A+ average and received the prestigious KOSEF (Korea Science and Engineering Foundation) scholarship. Since 2008, he has been a faculty member at the National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), where he has held key leadership roles, including Head of the Education Department (2008–2012) and Director of the Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology (2014–2022). Dr. Zahiri’s research focuses on microbial biotechnology, metabolic engineering, bioemulsifiers, bioenergy production, and environmental applications of genetically engineered microorganisms. His work has contributed to understanding microbial systems for sustainable energy and industrial processes, with numerous publications in high-impact international journals such as Scientific Reports, Microbiology Spectrum, and Applied and Environmental Microbiology. He is particularly recognized for his studies on Escherichia coli engineering and microbial biosurfactants. Through his extensive experience and innovative research, Dr. Zahiri continues to advance the fields of bioengineering and environmental microbiology, fostering scientific innovation for sustainable biotechnological solutions.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Abbasi, H., Hamedi, M. M., Lotfabad, T. B., Zahiri, H. S., Sharafi, H., Masoomi, F., … & Noghabi, K. A. (2012). Biosurfactant-producing bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa MA01 isolated from spoiled apples: Physicochemical and structural characteristics of isolated biosurfactant. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering.

Lotfabad, T. B., Abassi, H., Ahmadkhaniha, R., Roostaazad, R., Masoomi, F., Zahiri, H. S., … & Noghabi, K. A. (2010). Structural characterization of a rhamnolipid-type biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa MR01: Enhancement of di-rhamnolipid proportion using gamma irradiation. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces.

Ebadi, M., Zolfaghari, M. R., Aghaei, S. S., Zargar, M., Shafiei, M., Zahiri, H. S., … & Noghabi, K. A. (2019). A bio-inspired strategy for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the cell extract of cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. EA03: From biological function to toxicity assessment. RSC Advances.

Shourian, M., Noghabi, K. A., Zahiri, H. S., Bagheri, T., Karbalaei, R., Mollaei, M., … & Raheb, J. (2009). Efficient phenol degradation by a newly characterized Pseudomonas sp. SA01 isolated from pharmaceutical wastewaters. Desalination.

Safaei, M., Maleki, H., Soleimanpour, H., Norouzy, A., Zahiri, H. S., Vali, H., … & Noghabi, K. A. (2019). Development of a novel method for the purification of C-phycocyanin pigment from a local cyanobacterial strain Limnothrix sp. NS01 and evaluation of its biological activities. Scientific Reports.

Mr. Junsik Cho | Transformational Leadership | Best Researcher Award

Published on 11/11/202511/11/2025 by Leadership and Management

Mr. Junsik Cho | Transformational Leadership | Best Researcher Award

Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) | South Korea

Mr. Junsik Cho is a professional engineer specializing in roads and airports at the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), where he currently serves in the New Airport Promotion Team. With a strong foundation in civil and transportation engineering, he has developed extensive expertise in airport infrastructure planning, probabilistic safety assessment, and weather-related risk modeling. His academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing runway safety systems and optimizing airport operations under uncertain environmental conditions. Mr. Cho’s research focuses on probabilistic runway safety analysis, Runway End Safety Area (RESA) design, and data-driven modeling of aviation risks influenced by meteorological factors. He has contributed to several high-impact studies that support evidence-based decision-making in airport planning and safety management. Recognized for his professional excellence, he has earned distinction as a licensed Professional Engineer in Korea and continues to collaborate with academia and industry experts to improve safety standards and regulatory frameworks in the aviation sector. Through his innovative research and applied expertise, Mr. Cho is contributing to the development of safer, more resilient airport systems in line with global aviation safety initiatives.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Lee, S. J., Kim, T. Y., Cho, J. S., Kim, J. S., & Yun, H. S. (2025). Hybrid hydropower–PV with mining flexibility and heat recovery: Article 6-ready mitigation pathways in Central Asia. Sustainability, 17(21), 9488.

Cho, J., & Lee, S. (2025). Feasibility analysis of EMAS application on steep-sloped runway ends: A case study of the Daegu–Gyeongbuk integrated airport. Journal of the Korean Society of Civil Engineers, 73(7), 40–49.

Cho, J., Son, J., Jeong, W., & Lim, C. (2023). A study on airport accessibility indices. Journal of the Korean Society of Civil Engineers, 71(3), 54–60.

Lim, C., Cho, J., Jeong, W., Kim, U., & Park, J. (2022). Recommendations for bridge installation within airport areas. Journal of the Korean Society of Road Engineers, 24(4), 15–20.

Cho, J. (2021). Considerations for selecting new airport development areas from the airport operator’s perspective: Why should as much surrounding area as possible be incorporated? Journal of the Korean Society of Civil Engineers, 69(10), 66–71.

Cho, J., & Lim, C. (2021). Recommendations for introducing domestic runway arresting systems considering the current status of aircraft braking devices. Journal of the Korean Society of Civil Engineers, 69(2), 42–47.

Dr. Chan Young Park | Risk Management | Best Researcher Award

Published on 03/11/202503/11/2025 by Leadership and Management

Dr. Chan Young Park | Risk Management | Best Researcher Award

Texas A&M University | South Korea

Dr. Chan Young Park is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University, with a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Yonsei University, South Korea. His academic journey is rooted in advancing knowledge in construction management, infrastructure development, and risk evaluation for international public-private partnership (PPP) projects. Before joining Texas A&M, he served as a Research Professor and Researcher at the Intelligent Construction Automation Center, Kyungpook National University, where he contributed to cutting-edge projects on automation, modular construction, and infrastructure risk management. Dr. Park’s research interests encompass project risk assessment, data interoperability, construction automation, sustainable infrastructure, and decision-making frameworks for capital project investments. His work has been widely published in top-tier journals such as Automation in Construction, Sustainability, Safety Science, and the Journal of Management in Engineering. He has delivered guest lectures and supervised interdisciplinary research teams, promoting innovation and collaboration between academia and industry. Dr. Park’s research aims to bridge engineering and data science to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the construction industry. His growing global academic influence underscores his dedication to shaping future directions in smart, data-driven construction management and sustainable infrastructure development.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Baek, S., Park, C. Y., & Jung, W. (2025). Automated safety risk management guidance enhanced by retrieval-augmented large language model. Automation in Construction, 176, 106255.

Mr. Joel Mubiru | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Excellence in Leadership and Management Award

Published on 27/10/202527/10/2025 by Leadership and Management

Mr. Joel Mubiru | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Excellence in Leadership and Management Award

University of Birmingham | United Kingdom

Dr. Mubiru Joel is an accomplished civil engineer and academic with over a decade of experience in road safety engineering, transport planning, and construction management. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering in the United Kingdom, his research focuses on quantifying the risk impact of contextual factors on pedestrian crash outcomes in data-scarce developing country settings. He holds an MSc in Infrastructure Planning from Universität Stuttgart, Germany, and a BEng in Civil and Building Engineering from Kyambogo University, Uganda. Throughout his career, he has contributed to major infrastructure projects across urban and rural areas, specializing in road safety audits, transport planning, and project supervision. As an Assistant Lecturer at Kyambogo University, he supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, emphasizing sustainable infrastructure and traffic safety innovations. His technical proficiency spans AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and MS Project, complemented by strong leadership in construction site management and health and safety compliance. With a record of excellence in both academia and professional practice, Dr. Mubiru’s work bridges engineering research and field implementation, aiming to enhance pedestrian safety and transport efficiency in developing regions. His ongoing research and international collaborations continue to advance sustainable mobility and infrastructure resilience.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Mubiru, J., & Evdorides, H. (2025, October 22). Quantifying the risk impact of contextual factors on pedestrian crash outcomes in data-scarce developing country settings. Future Transportation, 5(4), Article 151.