Rebecca Alowo| Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rebecca Alowo| Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Komal Bansal, Dev Samaj College for Women, Affiliated to Panjab University Chandigarh, India, 

Dr. Rebecca Alowo is a distinguished researcher whose work bridges the gap between engineering and societal impact. Her research in sustainable groundwater management and WASH has transformed lives in Uganda and beyond. Her teaching and advocacy roles complement her research, highlighting her as a well-rounded candidate with an excellent balance of academic rigor, leadership, and practical impact.

Publication Profile

Scopus

 Experience:

Dr. Alowo is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering Technology at the University of Johannesburg, where she teaches courses such as Hydraulics, Water Reticulation Design, and Water & Wastewater Engineering. Since 2020, she has integrated innovative online teaching methods and assessment tools. Previously, she served as a lecturer at Central University of Technology, Vaal University of Technology, and the University of Free State, focusing on Strength of Materials and supervising master’s students. She also participated in consultations for the Water Technologies Demonstration Programme and reviewed research for international conferences. During her time at the University of Cambridge, she contributed to sustainable development projects, including the Cornwall Sustainable Development Plan and the evaluation of the Cambridge Guided Busway.

 

Educational :

Dr. Rebecca Alowo earned her Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa, where she conducted groundbreaking research on sustainable groundwater management through hydrological parameter modeling in the Modder River Catchment (2016–2021). She completed her Master of Philosophy in Engineering for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge, UK (2008–2009), focusing on community water resources management as a driver of development in Uganda. Her academic journey also includes a Post-Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from Uganda Management Institute, Kampala, Uganda (2005–2006), and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with honors from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (1998–2003). Earlier, she excelled in her secondary education at Mt. St Mary’s College Namagunga, earning distinctions in key subjects for both her Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education and Uganda Certificate of Education.

 

Awards & Fellowships:

Dr. Alowo successfully lobbied for the establishment of Uganda’s WASH Parliamentary Forum and was recognized for her contributions to ICT-based solutions in water and sanitation management.

Technical Skills:

Dr. Alowo is proficient in GIS-based Management Information Systems and advanced hydrological modeling tools. She is also skilled in leveraging e-learning platforms such as Blackboard for modern teaching methodologies.

Publication Top Notes:

  • Title: An Investigation on Construction Project Development Planning Delays in South Africa
    • Authors: Nyaga Githae, B.; Hagir, H.; Alowo, R.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: GIS-based Vulnerability Model Assessment of The Alexandra Jukskei Catchment in South Africa
    • Authors: Gadisi, V.; Alowo, R.; Nkhonjera, G.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: Apps for Monitoring of Hydrological Parameters in the Alexandra Jukskei Catchment in South Africa
    • Authors: Achiro, D.; Alowo, R.; Nkhonjera, G.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: Understanding Land Use Planning and Sustainable Development from the Perspective of Smart Groundwater Monitoring
    • Authors: Kubuya, A.K.; Alowo, R.; Nkhonjera, G.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: Pollution in the Urban Environment: A Research on Contaminated Groundwater in the Aquifers Beneath the Qoboza Klaaste (QK) Building at University of Johannesburg in South Africa
    • Authors: Patience, D.; German, N.; Jeffrey, M.; Alowo, R.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: A Modelling Framework for Groundwater Sustainability in the Upper Orange Catchment of South Africa
    • Author: Alowo, R.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: Characterisation of Local Borehole Water within the Platinum Belt in Mokopane, Limpopo, Republic of South Africa
    • Authors: Weber, M.E.; Alowo, R.; Nkhonjera, G.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: Implementing a Groundwater Monitoring System in the Jukskei River Catchment: A TypeScript and MySQL Approach
    • Authors: Achiro, D.; Alowo, R.; Nkhonjera, G.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: The Development of an Application for Groundwater Management in Jukskei River Catchment of South Africa
    • Authors: Achiro, D.; Alowo, R.; Nkhonjera, G.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 0
  • Title: Apps for Smart Groundwater Monitoring and Assessments: A Case Study of Regideso Catchment in Kimbanseke
    • Authors: Kabuya, A.K.; Alowo, R.; Nkhonjera, G.K.
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 0

Conclusions:

Dr. Alowo is a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Her ability to translate research into actionable solutions, particularly in underprivileged communities, sets her apart. With further enhancement of her publication record and expansion of global collaborations, she could be a leading figure in sustainable development research worldwide

En-Feng Deng | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. En-Feng Deng | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Zhengzhou University, School of Civil Engineering, China

🌟 Prof. En-Feng Deng is a distinguished scholar from Zhengzhou University, serving as a doctoral supervisor. A young talent recognized under the Henan Province Young Talent Lifting Project, Prof. Deng is also a key backbone teacher at Zhengzhou University. His expertise lies in the development of modular steel constructions, and he has made significant contributions through his leadership in various national and provincial research projects. Prof. Deng has authored over 50 SCI/EI papers, showcasing his dedication to advancing the field.

Publication Profile

ORCID

Strengths for the Award

  • Significant Contributions: Prof. En-Feng Deng has made substantial contributions to the field of modular steel construction, particularly in developing and improving innovative connections and structural designs. His research focuses on seismic performance, shear behavior, and flexural behavior in modular constructions, which are critical in advancing the safety and efficiency of modern buildings.
  • Extensive Publications: With over 50 SCI/EI papers published as the first or corresponding author, Prof. Deng has established himself as a prolific researcher. His work is well-recognized in high-impact journals, demonstrating the quality and relevance of his research.
  • Leadership in Research Projects: Prof. Deng has successfully led several prestigious research projects, including two funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and others supported by the Henan Province and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. This highlights his capability in securing funding and managing large-scale research initiatives.
  • Awards and Recognition: Prof. Deng’s research excellence is further evidenced by the POSCO-KSSC Award, recognizing his contributions to steel structures, and his inclusion in the young talent lifting project of Henan Province.
  • Mentorship: As a doctoral supervisor, Prof. Deng plays a crucial role in mentoring the next generation of researchers, further amplifying his impact in the academic community.

Areas for Improvement

  • Broader Impact and Collaboration: While Prof. Deng has demonstrated significant expertise in modular steel constructions, expanding his research to include interdisciplinary collaborations could enhance the broader impact of his work. Engaging in projects that address global challenges or collaborating with international researchers may further elevate his profile.
  • Innovation and Industry Application: Although Prof. Deng’s work is innovative, translating his research findings into practical applications in the construction industry could strengthen his candidacy for the award. Developing partnerships with industry stakeholders to implement and commercialize his research could be a valuable next step.
  • Visibility and Outreach: Increasing visibility through more conference presentations, keynote speeches, and participation in global forums could enhance Prof. Deng’s recognition as a leading researcher. Outreach efforts, such as engaging with policy makers or contributing to public discourse on sustainable construction, could also be beneficial.

 

Education

🎓 Educational Background: Prof. En-Feng Deng has a solid academic foundation, having earned his doctorate, which paved the way for his research and teaching career at Zhengzhou University. His academic journey has been marked by continuous learning and exploration in the field of civil engineering, particularly in modular steel constructions.

Experience

🔧 Professional Experience: Prof. Deng is a respected faculty member at Zhengzhou University, where he supervises doctoral students and leads critical research projects. His work has been instrumental in advancing modular steel construction techniques, and he has successfully led multiple projects funded by national and provincial science foundations, as well as postdoctoral foundations in China.

Research Focus

🔍 Research Focus: Prof. Deng’s research primarily revolves around the development and optimization of modular steel constructions. His innovative work includes investigating the seismic and shear behavior of modular steel connections, as well as the design and performance of prefabricated components in steel structures. His research has contributed to the safer and more efficient design of steel structures in modern construction.

Awards and Honors

🏆 Awards and Honors: Prof. Deng has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious POSCO-KSSC Award from the Korean Steel Structure Association for the best paper. He has also been honored as part of the Henan Province Young Talent Lifting Project, underscoring his impact and contributions to the field of civil engineering.

Publication Top Notes

📚 Publication Highlights:

Deng EF, Wang YH, Zong L, Zhang Z, Zhang JF. (2024). Seismic behavior of a novel liftable connection for modular steel buildings: Experimental and numerical studies. Thin-Walled Structures, 197: 111563. Cited by 15

Deng EF, Du YP, Lian JY, Zhang Z, Qian H, Zhang JF, Liu CZ. (2024). Shear behavior of the fully prefabricated liftable connection for modular steel construction. Journal of Building Engineering, 92: 109793. Cited by 10

Deng EF, Wu ST, Qian H, He JM, Zhang JF, Yu HX. (2024). Seismic performance and design of an innovative dual vertical diaphragms joint between flat CFST column and H-beam. Journal of Building Engineering, 87: 108945. Cited by 8

Deng EF, Yang YM, Tian Y, Zhang Z, Wang YB, Wei JZ, Dong SL. (2024). Flexural behavior of laminated H-beams in modular constructions: Numerical and analytical studies. Structures, 66: 106891. Cited by 5

Deng EF, Lian JY, Zhang Z, Qian H, Zhang GC, Zhang P, Sheikh SA. (2023). Axial mechanical behavior of an innovative liftable connection for modular steel construction. Thin-Walled Structures, 182: 110256. Cited by 12

Conclusion

Prof. En-Feng Deng is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his impressive academic achievements, leadership in research projects, and contributions to modular steel construction. His prolific publication record and recognized expertise in the field position him as a deserving recipient. However, further expanding his research’s interdisciplinary impact, industry application, and global visibility could enhance his candidacy even more.