Amal Balila | Bio-based materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Amal Balila | Bio-based materials | Best Researcher Award

PHD at University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

Dr. Amal Mohammed Hassan Balila is an experienced architect and academic with a Ph.D. in Construction Management and Engineering from the University of Reading. Her research focuses on enhancing the strength and durability of adobe bricks using bio-inspired stabilizers. She also holds an MSc in Sustainable Building Technology from the University of Nottingham. Dr. Balila has over ten years of expertise in architectural design, sustainable building technologies, and Building Information Modelling (BIM). She is committed to advancing sustainable construction practices and has a broad network of collaborations with various institutions and experts worldwide. Currently, she is a Senior Architect at Samer Engineering Consultancy Group in Oman.

Professional Profiles

Education

PhD. in Construction Management and Engineering Institution: University of Reading, United Kingdom Thesis Title: “Enhancing Strength and Durability of Adobe Bricks by Introducing Bio-inspired Stabilisers” Years Attended: 2012 – 2017 MSc. in Sustainable Building Technology (with Merit) Institution: University of Nottingham, United Kingdom Dissertation Title: “Impact of Curved Building Plans on Building Energy Performance in Different Climates in Comparison to Straight Plans Using Ecotect Software” Years Attended: 2008 – 2009 BSc. in Architecture (Honours 1st class) Institution: University of Khartoum, Sudan Thesis Title: “Khartoum Natural History Museum” Years Attended: 2000 – 2005

Work Experience

Senior Architect/BIM Advocator Company: Samer Engineering Consultancy Group, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Key Responsibilities: Conducting client meetings to understand needs and present design concepts. Promoting BIM in Oman’s AEC industry through workshops, presentations, and training sessions. Mentoring junior staff on BIM software and workflows. Managing design processes and overseeing project construction. Reviewing technical shop drawings and developing project timelines and budgets. Achievements: Designed numerous architectural projects including private villas, schools, and residential-commercial buildings. Conducted multiple BIM workshops and provided training on Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft ArchiCAD, and Autodesk Navisworks. Lecturer Institution: University of Technology & Applied Science, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman Key Responsibilities: Teaching History of Architecture and other architectural courses. Coordinating and supervising architectural studio and thesis projects. Developing and updating the architecture curriculum. Achievements: Developed a benchmark for curriculum comparison aiding in the accreditation process. Created course material for the bachelor-level History of Architecture course. Assistant Professor Institution: University of Khartoum, Sudan Key Responsibilities: Coordinating projects and supervising students. Teaching various construction and architecture courses. Conducting BIM training programs and workshops.

Awards

Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Award for excellence in presentation (2016). Best poster certificate at the Annual Doctoral Research Conference, University of Reading (2013). Multiple awards for academic performance from the University of Khartoum and Sudanese architectural societies.

Research Focus

Amal Mohammed Hassan Balila’s research primarily focuses on sustainable construction practices, with a specific emphasis on enhancing the strength, durability, and structural stability of adobe bricks using bio-inspired stabilizers. Her work addresses the practical application of innovative building materials and technologies in housing, particularly in the outskirts of Khartoum, Sudan. Through her research, she evaluates the thermal performance and sustainability aspects of various building materials, aiming to improve housing standards and construction techniques suitable for local environments. Amal’s contributions extend to advancing appropriate technology solutions tailored to Sudan’s housing needs, integrating principles of sustainability and architectural innovation.

Publications

  1. Sustainable bio-inspired stabilisers to enhance the strength, durability and structural stability of adobe bricks used for the construction of houses in the outskirts of Khartoum, Publication date: 2016.
  2. Enhancing strength and durability of adobe bricks by introducing bio-inspired stabilisers, Publication date: 2017.
  3. Appropriate technology for housing in Sudan: evaluation of selected innovative building materials and technologies, Publication date: 2010.
  4. Comparative analysis on the thermal performance of selected building materials and technologies for housing in the sudan, Publication date: 2016.
  5. Young Researchers’ Forum III 2016 Innovation in Construction Materials. Publication date: 2016.
  6. Wall materials and techniques available for low cost housing in Khartoum from a sustainability point of view, Publication date: 2013.
  7. Sustainable Architecture and Urban Development
  8. Technology Transfer in Building Technology for Housing: Answering a Felt Need
  9. Appropriate Technology for Housing in Sudan: Evaluation of Innovative Building Materials and Construction Techniques
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Priyanka Arora | Emission analysis

Ms. Priyanka Arora: Leading Researcher in Emission analysis

Research Assistant at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

Congratulations, Ms. Priyanka Arora on winning the esteemed Best Researcher Award from ScienceFather! 🏆 Your dedication, innovative research, and scholarly contributions have truly made a significant impact in your field. Your commitment to advancing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of research is commendable. Here’s to your continued success in shaping the future of academia and making invaluable contributions to your field. Well done! 🌟

Absolutely! Your dedication and expertise in environmental science are truly commendable. With six years of valuable experience in engine emission testing, ambient air quality, after-treatment devices, and air quality monitoring, you’ve become a seasoned researcher in the field. Having contributed to various projects at ILAQH and BERF, your familiarity with advanced emission and air quality monitoring instruments such as gas analyzers (CAI, TESTO, PEMS, Sable), fast particulate analyzers (DMS500), DustTrak, and KOALA sets you apart in the environmental research community. Your passion for addressing environmental problems and finding solutions is inspiring. Your excellent written and verbal communication skills are undoubtedly assets that contribute to the effective dissemination of your research findings. Moreover, your enthusiasm for professional development and your openness to new challenges and opportunities showcase a forward-thinking and adaptive approach to your career. Best of luck in your continued journey as a motivated researcher in the environmental science field! 🌿🔬

Professional Profiles:

Scopus Profile

LInkedin

Google Scholar Profile

ResearchGate Profile

Areas of Specialization

Emission analysis, Air quality monitoring, Emission inventory, Source apportionment, Environment impact assessment (EIA), Environmental, social and governance (ESG)

Professional Experience

she Has been an active member of two groups at QUT: International Laboratory of Air Quality and Health (ILAQH) and Biofuel Engine Research Facility, QUT , Designed and made presentations summarizing research findings at national and international conferences.

Teaching Assistant

Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia Jul 2019 – Nov 2022 , Involved in teaching subjects and lab demonstrations to undergraduate students (Heat transfer, Thermodynamics, and Fluid dynamics)

Academics

PhD, Environmental Science Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia Feb 2019 – Aug 2023

Skills

Data collection and analysis, Proofreading & editing, Literature analysis, Team management

Awards

QUT PRA award (AUD $80000) Queensland University of Technology 2018-11-09,  QUT HDR scholarship Queensland University of Technology 2018-11-09.

Peer Reviewer & Academic Engagements

Ms. Priyanka Arora citation metrics and indices from Google Scholar are as follows:

Citations: 66 (All), 66 (Since 2018)

h-index: 5 (All), 5 (Since 2018)

i10-index: 2 (All), 2 (Since 2018)

Publications: 11 documents indexed in Scopus.

Selective Publications (JOURNALS)

Arora P, Verma P, Lodi F, Jafari M, Zare A, Stevanovic S, et al. Particulate emissions and soot characterisation of diesel engine exhaust for steady-state operating condition using dioctyl phthalate blends with diesel. Fuel. 2023;340(January):127527. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.127527

Arora P, Verma P, Zare A, Lodi F, Jafari M, Stevanovic S, et al. Morphology and nanostructure of soot particles from diesel engine under transient and steady-state operating conditions with a microalgae fuel component, dioctyl phthalate biofuel. Sustain Energy Technol Assessments 2023;60:103504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2023.103504.

Arora P, Verma P, Lodi F, Jafari M, Zare A, Stevanovic S, Rainey T, Brown, R, Ristovski Z. Structural characterization of soot particles during cold and hot-start of a diesel engine using dioctyl phthalate fuel. (To be submitted in Journal Fuel)

Lodi F, Zare A, Arora P, Stevanovic S, Ristovski Z, Brown RJ, et al. Combustion characteristics of microalgae-based dioctyl phthalate biofuel during ambient, preheated and hot engine operation. Fuel. 2023;331;128162. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.128162

Lodi F, Zare A, Arora P, Stevanovic S, Ristovski Z, Brown RJ, et al. Combustion characteristics of microalgae-based dioctyl phthalate biofuel during ambient , preheated and hot engine operation. Fuel 2023;331(P2):125890. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125890

Sarvestani NS, Abbaspour Fard MH, Tabasizadeh M, Nayebzadeh H, Arora P, Verma P, et al. Synthesis and evaluation of catalytic activity of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles in a diesel engine: An experimental investigation and Multi-Criteria Decision Making approach. J Clean Prod [Internet]. 2022;365(November 2021):132818. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132818

Lodi F, Zare A, Arora P, Stevanovic S, Ristovski ZD, Brown RJ, et al. Gaseous and particulate emissions analysis using microalgae based dioctyl phthalate biofuel during cold, warm and hot engine operation. Fuel [Internet]. 2022;312(July 2021):122965. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.122965

Lodi F, Zare A, Arora P, Stevanovic S, Verma P, Jafari M, et al. Characteristics of Particle Number and Particle Mass Emissions of a Diesel Engine during Cold-, Warm-, and Hot-Start Operation. SAE Tech Pap Ser. 2021;1:1–20