Madeha Awad | Experimental methods | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Madeha Awad | Experimental methods | Best Researcher Award

Sohag university  | Egypt

Dr. Madeha Ahmed Aboelfadl Awad is an Associate Professor in the Physics Department at the Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Egypt. With a career spanning nearly two decades in materials science and nanotechnology, she has become a prominent figure in the synthesis and characterization of advanced nanostructured materials for industrial and environmental applications. Dr. Awad is recognized for her dedication to both scientific research and academic development, contributing significantly to the Egyptian scientific community.

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Awad began her academic journey with a B.Sc. in Physics from Sohag University in 2003, graduating with a very good grade. She went on to earn an M.Sc. in Solid State Physics in 2008, where she investigated chalcogenide systems a foundation that set the stage for her specialization in material sciences. Her academic excellence continued with a Ph.D. in Nanomaterials Physics in 2015, focusing on the growth and characterization of ZnO-based nanomaterials, a vital material in modern optoelectronic and energy applications.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

Since joining the Sohag University faculty in 2004 as a demonstrator, Dr. Awad has steadily progressed through academic ranks, becoming an Assistant Lecturer (2013), Lecturer (2015), and finally Associate Professor (2020). Her career reflects a sustained commitment to both academic excellence and institutional service. In addition to her teaching and research, she has held leadership roles, including Director of the Credibility and Intellectual Property Unit, playing a vital part in raising awareness about intellectual property rights and research ethics.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Awad’s primary research is rooted in the synthesis of nanomaterials across various dimensions 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D using advanced techniques like sputtering, physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and electron beam evaporation. Her work emphasizes characterization using state-of-the-art tools such as XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, AFM, DSC, and TGA, making her a versatile experimental physicist. Her research outcomes are directly applied to real-world challenges in solar energy, water purification, and biomedicine.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Awad’s contributions are particularly relevant to sustainable development and clean energy. Her research on photocatalytic materials, metal oxides, and optoelectronic devices supports the transition to greener technologies. As a result, her work has an evident impact on addressing climate change, environmental pollution, and public health challenges.

📚 Academic Publications

She has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in international scientific journals, including Physica Scripta and the Journal of Sustainable Food, Water, Energy and Environment. Her recent works in 2025 reflect continued scholarly productivity and a commitment to interdisciplinary research. These publications highlight the practical application of her materials in pollution degradation, photodetectors, and biological growth studies.

🧠 Research Skills

Dr. Awad demonstrates exceptional skills in materials characterization, experimental design, and project management. She is adept at conducting analytical tests using complex laboratory equipment and integrates findings across multiple techniques to evaluate material performance. Her ability to write and manage research projects related to energy and water positions her as a key contributor in applied research arenas.

👩‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Beyond the lab, Dr. Awad is a dedicated educator, delivering theoretical physics courses to undergraduate students and supervising graduate theses and senior projects. She also plays an instrumental role in developing laboratory infrastructure, guiding demonstrators, and innovating undergraduate experiments, reflecting her strong commitment to academic excellence and mentorship.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Awad has earned respect not only through research but also through her administrative and academic service. She was appointed to the Scientific Committee of the Faculty of Science, where she helped establish a scientific journal for the Physics Department an initiative considered pioneering within her institution. While specific awards are not listed, her appointments and leadership roles signify a high level of institutional trust and recognition.

🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions

As a leader in nanomaterials research in Upper Egypt, Dr. Awad is shaping the future of industrially relevant and sustainable materials. Her contributions to intellectual property awareness, research capacity-building, and student mentorship lay a strong foundation for future generations of scientists. With continued focus on international collaboration, patentable innovations, and expanded research funding, her work is poised to achieve greater global impact in the years ahead.

Top Noted Publications

Photocatalytic characteristics of indium oxide, copper oxide and indium oxide/copper oxide thin films on plastic waste substrates for organic pollutants degradation

  • Authors: M. Mohery, S. H. Mohamed, K. A. Hamam, A. Mindil, S. Landsberger, M. A. Awad
    Journal: Physica Scripta
    Year: 2025

Influence of oxygen flow rates on the optoelectronic properties SnO₂ thin films

  • Authors: M. A. Awad, Eman R. Abaza, Essam R. Shaaban
    Journal: Sohag Journal of Science
    Year: 2025

A comparison between the effect of zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on the growth and some metabolic processes of Cosmarium sp

  • Authors: Asmaa Bakr, M. A. Awad
    Journal: Journal of Sustainable Food, Water, Energy and Environment
    Year: 2025

Highly sensitive TiO₂ based photodetector for environmental sensing applications

  • Authors: S. H. Mohamed, Mohamed Rabia, M. A. Awad, Mohamed Asran Hassan
    Journal: Journal of Sustainable Food, Water, Energy and Environment
    Year: 2025

Optoelectronic characteristics of In₂O₃/CuO thin films for enhanced vis‑light photodetector

  • Authors: A. M. Abd El‑Rahman, S. H. Mohamed, A. Ibrahim, Ali A. Alhazime, M. A. Awad
    Journal: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics
    Year: 2024

 

Aleksandra Wierzbicka | Experimental methods | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Aleksandra Wierzbicka | Experimental methods | Women Researcher Award

Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences | Poland

Dr. Aleksandra Wierzbicka is a highly accomplished physicist and materials science researcher, currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFPAN) in Warsaw. With over a decade of expertise in X-ray diffraction, epitaxy techniques, and nanostructure analysis, she is recognized for her contributions to both scientific research and education. Her work bridges fundamental physics and practical applications in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and photonics.

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Aleksandra began her academic journey at the University of Warsaw, earning her undergraduate degree in Physics, specializing in Material Physics and Optics. She continued with a Master’s degree in X-ray Structural Research, where she explored mixed semiconductor crystals. Her deep interest in structural studies of materials led her to pursue a PhD at the Institute of Physics (PAS), where she conducted pioneering research on epitaxial lateral overgrowth structures, focusing on stress and defects in semiconductors using X-ray diffraction and topography techniques.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

Since 2010, she has held the position of Assistant Professor at IFPAN, where her role spans scientific research, grant writing, student supervision, and international collaborations. In parallel, she has also contributed to physics education at the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański Community Primary School No. 1 STO, demonstrating her dedication to science communication and youth development.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Wierzbicka has been at the forefront of innovative epitaxial growth techniques, particularly molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE). Her work emphasizes the structural characterization of GaN nanowires, core-shell structures, and low-dimensional semiconductor heterostructures. She is also an expert in high-resolution X-ray diffraction and synchrotron-based techniques, contributing to the understanding of lattice disorder, defect distribution, and internal electric fields in complex materials.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Her research has been instrumental in numerous European Union-funded projects, including COST actions, OPUS, SONATA, and NanoBiom, positioning her as a key player in collaborative science. As a project manager and contractor in various high-impact studies, her work has enabled breakthroughs in semiconductor device engineering, sensor technology, and photonics. Her invited talks—such as at CMD 31 in Braga, Portugal further reflect her international recognition.

📊 Academic Citations

Dr. Wierzbicka is the author of 63 peer-reviewed scientific publications, with a citation count exceeding 550 (as per Web of Science). Her ResearcherID (C-8880-2016) and ORCID (0000-0003-1379-5941) profiles showcase her scholarly contributions and visibility in the field of solid-state physics and nanomaterials.

🧠 Research Skills

Aleksandra possesses specialized expertise in:

  • High-resolution X-ray diffraction

  • Synchrotron radiation techniques

  • MBE growth methods

  • Defect and stress analysis

  • Scientific software such as Origin, Panalytical Epitaxy, VESTA, and WinWulff

Her skills are supported by strong computational abilities and analytical rigor, critical for interpreting complex material behavior.

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience

In addition to her research, Dr. Wierzbicka is a committed educator, engaging both university students and school-aged learners. Her ability to translate complex physical concepts into understandable content makes her an asset in promoting STEM education. She is actively involved in mentoring and curriculum development in physics.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Wierzbicka received her PhD with honors, and her continuous involvement in competitive grant programs like Opus, Sonata, and PBS demonstrates the trust placed in her by the scientific community. Being selected as manager and principal investigator in prestigious international projects (e.g., ANKA Synchrotron Facility at KIT) is a strong indicator of her recognized scientific leadership.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

Aleksandra Wierzbicka’s career reflects an ongoing commitment to scientific excellence, education, and international cooperation. She is poised to contribute further to the advancement of nanoscale materials for use in next-generation electronics and optics. Her potential lies not only in her scientific output but also in her ability to inspire and mentor future generations of physicists especially young women in STEM. Looking forward, her trajectory is aligned with leading and shaping global research initiatives in epitaxy and semiconductor technology.

Publications Top Notes

📄Structural and optical properties of in situ Eu-doped ZnCdO/ZnMgO superlattices grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy
  • Authors: Anastasiia Lysak, Aleksandra Wierzbicka, Sergio Magalhaes, Piotr Dłużewski, Rafał Jakieła, Michał Szot, Zeinab Khosravizadeh, Abinash Adhikari, Adrian Kozanecki, Ewa Przeździecka

  • Journal: Nanoscale

  • Year: 2025

📄Strain distribution in GaN/AlN superlattices grown on AlN/sapphire templates: comparison of X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence studies
  • Authors: Aleksandra Wierzbicka, Agata Kaminska, Kamil Sobczak, Dawid Jankowski, Kamil Koronski, Pawel Strak, Marta Sobanska, Zbigniew R. Zytkiewicz

  • Journal: Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials

  • Year: 2025

📄Influence of the Annealing Temperature on the Properties of {ZnO/CdO}30 Superlattices Deposited on c-Plane Al₂O₃ Substrate by MBE
  • Authors: Anastasiia Lysak, Aleksandra Wierzbicka, Piotr Dłużewski, Marcin Stachowicz, Jacek Sajkowski, Ewa Przezdziecka

  • Journal: Crystals

  • Year: 2025

📄 Enhancing GaN Nanowires Performance Through Partial Coverage with Oxide Shells
  • Authors: Radoslaw Szymon, Eunika Zielony, Marta Sobanska, Tomasz Stachurski, Anna Reszka, Aleksandra Wierzbicka, Sylwia Gieraltowska, Zbigniew R. Zytkiewicz

  • Journal: Small

  • Year: 2024

📄 Effect of repeating hydrothermal growth processes and rapid thermal annealing on CuO thin film properties
  • Authors: Monika Ozga, Eunika Zielony, Aleksandra Wierzbicka, Anna Wolska, Marcin Klepka, Marek Godlewski, Bogdan J. Kowalski, Bartłomiej S. Witkowski

  • Journal: Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology

  • Year: 2024