Harish Selvam | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Harish Selvam | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Post-doctoral researcher, Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Harish Selvam is a Scientific Staff member at the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management (IWW) at RWTH Aachen University, Germany. With over 8 years of expertise in Hydraulics and Coastal Engineering, Harish’s research focuses on physical and numerical modeling, particularly in violent tsunami-structure interactions. His dual MS and PhD in Ocean Engineering were awarded with distinction from RWTH Aachen University and Indian Institute of Technology Madras. 🌊🏛️

Publication Profile

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Academic Excellence: Harish Selvam’s educational background is impressive, with a dual degree (MS & PhD) in Ocean Engineering from RWTH Aachen University and IIT Madras, completed with distinction. His B.E. in Civil Engineering also showcases strong academic performance.
  2. Research Contributions: His PhD thesis on violent tsunami-structure interaction is a significant contribution to the field of Hydraulics and Coastal Engineering. He has published numerous papers in high-impact journals such as Coastal Engineering, Water, Applied Ocean Research, and Ocean Engineering, indicating a strong research output.
  3. Awards and Recognitions: Harish has received prestigious awards, including the Prof. Vallam Sundar best PhD thesis in Ocean Engineering from IIT Madras and the ISH best PhD thesis award in Hydraulics, water resources, and coastal engineering.
  4. Professional Experience: With eight years of experience in Hydraulics and Coastal Engineering, Harish has held significant positions, including Junior Research Group Coastal Engineering Leader and Scientific Staff at RWTH Aachen University. His involvement in major projects and contributions to CFD software development demonstrate his applied research skills.
  5. Technical Skills: Proficiency in programming languages (MATLAB, C++, FORTRAN) and technical software (AutoCAD, Stadd Pro, FreeCAD, OpenFOAM, DualSPHysics, Ansys) highlights his capability in numerical and physical modeling.
  6. Supervision and Mentorship: Harish has supervised multiple Master’s and Bachelor’s theses, indicating his leadership and mentorship abilities. His guidance on projects related to tsunami-like wave impacts and hydraulic engineering showcases his expertise in guiding young researchers.
  7. International Exposure: Harish’s involvement in international projects and conferences, along with scholarships from DAAD and UGC, underscores his global perspective and collaboration.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Language Proficiency: While Harish has basic proficiency in German (A2.1 level), improving his language skills could enhance his integration and communication within the international research community in Germany and beyond.
  2. Expanded Research Impact: While his research is strong, broadening the impact through more interdisciplinary collaborations and applications beyond tsunami-structure interaction could enhance his profile further.
  3. Industry Collaboration: Increasing collaborations with industry partners could translate his research findings into practical solutions and innovations, thereby enhancing the societal impact of his work.

Conclusion:

Harish Selvam is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His robust academic background, significant research contributions, professional experience, and technical skills make him a standout researcher in the field of Hydraulics and Coastal Engineering. While there are areas for improvement, such as language proficiency and expanding the impact of his research, his overall profile is highly commendable and deserving of recognition.

 

Education

Harish completed his dual degree MS & PhD in Ocean Engineering from RWTH Aachen University and Indian Institute of Technology Madras in July 2023, graduating with a summa cum laude distinction and a 9.74 CGPA. He holds a B.E. in Civil Engineering from Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai, with an 8.74 CGPA. He also achieved top grades in his Higher Secondary and Matriculation courses. 🎓📚

Experience

Currently, Harish serves as a Junior Research Group Coastal Engineering Leader at IWW, RWTH Aachen University. His previous roles include Scientific Staff at IWW since October 2021 and Project Associate at IIT Madras. He has worked extensively with OpenFOAM and other CFD software, and has been involved in notable projects like the “Impact of waterborne debris on near shore structures” and “Flood-induced building damages after 2021 German floods.” 🏗️🌍

Research Focus

Harish’s research primarily investigates tsunami-like flow interactions with coastal structures. His PhD thesis delves into tsunami-induced forces on shorefront structures, leveraging both physical experiments and numerical simulations to enhance understanding and design improvements in coastal engineering. His current work includes numerical simulations of tsunami impacts and flow interactions with various structural models. 🌪️🔬

Awards

Prof. Vallam Sundar Best PhD Thesis Award (2023), Indian Society of Hydraulics (ISH) Best PhD Thesis Award (2023), GATE Qualification (2016), University Rank Holder in B.E. among colleges affiliated with Anna University, Chennai. 🏆🎖️

Publications

  1. Harish, S., Sriram, V., Schüttrumpf, H., & Sannasiraj, S. A. (2021). Tsunami-like flow induced force on the structure: Prediction formulae for the horizontal force in quasi-steady flow phase. Coastal Engineering, 168, 103938.
  2. Harish, S., Sriram, V., Schüttrumpf, H., & Sannasiraj, S. A. (2022). Tsunami-like flow induced forces on the structure: Dependence of the hydrodynamic force coefficients on Froude number and flow channel width. Coastal Engineering, 172, 104078.
  3. Harish, S., Sriram, V., Schüttrumpf, H., & Sannasiraj, S. A. (2022). Tsunami-like Flow-Induced Forces on the Landward Structure behind a Vertical Seawall with and without Recurve Using OpenFOAM. Water, 14(13), 1986.
  4. Harish, S., Sriram, V., Schüttrumpf, H., & Sannasiraj, S. A. (2022). Flow-structure interference effects with the surrounding structure in the choked quasi-steady condition of tsunami: Comparison with traditional obstruction approach. Applied Ocean Research, 126, 103255.
  5. Harish, S., Sriram, V., Schüttrumpf, H., & Sannasiraj, S. A. (2024). Tsunami-like flow induced forces on the building with openings and orientation in the quasi-steady flow phase. Ocean Engineering, 301, 117337.

 

Masoud Fathali | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Masoud Fathali | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr Masoud Fathali, Road, Housing and Urban Development Research Center, Iran

Masoud Fathali, PhD, is an accomplished researcher in Civil & Environmental Engineering, specializing in Railway Engineering. He earned his PhD from Amirkabir University of Technology and completed postdoctoral studies in Railway Engineering at Iran University of Science and Technology in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. His research explores the impact of innovative materials like Tire Derived Aggregates on railway ballast properties. Masoud has authored numerous publications and books on railway standards, recognized with several awards for his contributions to Iran’s railway sector. Fluent in English and Persian, he is a pivotal figure in advancing railway infrastructure. 🚄

 

Publication profile

google scholar

orcid

Education

Masoud Fathali is an accomplished researcher with a PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology and postdoctoral studies in Railway Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. His expertise lies in railway infrastructure, focusing on the effects of innovative materials like Tire Derived Aggregates on railway ballast properties. Masoud has authored numerous publications and books on railway standards, receiving several awards for his contributions. Fluent in English and Persian, he has made significant advancements in Iran’s railway engineering sector. 🚄

Honors & Awards

Masoud Fathali is a distinguished figure in railway engineering, with a robust record of achievements and recognitions. He has been honored as the Superior Researcher by the Iran Ministry of Roads & Urban Development, and has received accolades from various organizations, including letters of appreciation from the Iran Plan & Budget Organization for his contributions to railway infrastructure development. Masoud’s expertise extends internationally, highlighted by his role as Project Coordinator for the Tehran-Qom-Esfahan High-Speed Railway with China Railway Group Limited. His academic prowess is evidenced by top-ranked articles and awards, cementing his reputation as a leader in the field. 🚄

Experience

Masoud Fathali has a rich and diverse background in railway engineering spanning over two decades. Currently serving as Head of the Transportation Department and Assistant Professor, he leads initiatives focused on optimizing rail infrastructure in challenging environments like desert railways. His expertise includes overseeing projects such as the development of anti-vibration mats and conducting vibration evaluations for railway and metro lines. Masoud has also contributed significantly to the advancement of Iranian railway standards and the implementation of high-speed rail systems. His passion for innovation and quality management is evident in his role as a consultant and project manager, ensuring robust rail infrastructure solutions nationwide. 🚄

Research focus

Masoud Fathali’s research focuses on railway infrastructure, particularly the impact of innovative materials such as Tire Derived Aggregates (TDA) on railway ballast properties. His work spans degradation analysis of flexible pavements, development of track geometry assessment techniques, and evaluation of slab track performance in desert railways. Fathali also explores the influence of TDA mixed with ballast on ground-borne vibrations and has developed degradation models for life cycle assessments of railway materials. His expertise contributes significantly to enhancing railway durability and performance. 🚄

Publication top notes

Influence of tire-derived aggregates on the properties of railway ballast material

Deterioration analysis of flexible pavements under overweight vehicles

Development of a new track geometry assessment technique incorporating rail cant factor

Evaluation of humped slab track performance in desert railways

A new two-phase method for damage detection in skeletal structures

Effects of rail cant on wheel-rail contact forces in slab tracks

A new degradation model for life cycle assessment of railway ballast materials

Reliability assessment of transmission line towers using metaheuristic algorithms

Deterioration analysis of concrete bridges under inadmissible loads from the fatigue point of view

Size and shape reliability-based optimization of dome trusses