Pascal Mwenge | Chemical Engineering | Young Scientist Award

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Mr. Pascal Mwenge | Chemical Engineering | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Pascal Mwenge, Vaal University of Technology, South Africa

Mr. Pascal Kilunji Mwenge is a PhD candidate and part-time lecturer in Chemical Engineering at Vaal University of Technology, South Africa. With over six years of experience in laboratory research, he specializes in biofuels, wastewater treatment, and the application of machine learning in chemical engineering. Pascal has been recognized for his innovative contributions to sustainable energy, earning accolades such as being a semi-finalist in the 2024 MIT Climate & Energy Prize and a finalist in the 2024 ClimateLaunchpad South Africa. He is also a registered Candidate Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Mr. Pascal Mwenge stands out as a passionate and innovative researcher committed to sustainable energy solutions. His contributions to biodiesel production from waste materials, combined with the use of machine learning for predictive modeling, make him a leading young scientist in the field of chemical engineering. His leadership in academia and recognition in prestigious awards further bolster his suitability for the Research for Young Scientist Award.

 

🎓 Education

Pascal Kilunji MWENGE is currently a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at Vaal University of Technology, South Africa, having started in March 2022. He earned his Master of Technology in Chemical Engineering in November 2021 and his Bachelor of Technology in the same field in April 2017 from the same institution. Pascal also holds a National Diploma in Chemical Engineering from Vaal University of Technology (2015) and a National Senior Certificate in Industrial Chemistry (2009) from Institut Technique Mutoshi, D.R. Congo.

 

💼Experience

Pascal has extensive experience in both academia and industry. He has been a part-time Junior Lecturer/Lecturer at Vaal University of Technology since July 2019, where he is involved in supervising research projects, preparing labs, and facilitating practicals. Additionally, Pascal has been a Supervisor and Co-Supervisor of BTech projects, overseeing more than 40 research projects. Previously, he held roles as a Laboratory Assistant, Teaching Assistant, and Quality Control Lab Technician. He also served as a Trainee Chemical Engineer at Epic Foods, gaining experience in effluent treatment, quality control, and laboratory management.

 

🔬Research Focus

Pascal’s research primarily focuses on biofuel production, wastewater treatment, and the application of machine learning in chemical engineering. His work has included projects on biodiesel production from waste oils, optimization of catalytic processes, and predictive modeling using machine learning. He is particularly interested in sustainable energy solutions and environmental challenges, with a focus on waste-to-value-added products.

 

Awards

Pascal has received several accolades for his innovative contributions to climate and energy solutions. He was a semi-finalist in the 2024 MIT Climate & Energy Prize and a finalist in the 2024 ClimateLaunchpad South Africa competition. Additionally, he has been recognized for his academic excellence with multiple awards and honors, including the Best Presentation Award at the 20th International Conference on Green Chemistry and Sustainable Engineering. Pascal is also a registered Candidate Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

 

Skills

Pascal is proficient in a wide range of laboratory techniques and tools including Ultra High-performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), and various computer simulation programs like ChemCad and DWSIM. His technical expertise also extends to machine learning, data collection, and analysis, academic writing, and research supervision.

 

Publications

  • Machine learning-based predictive modelling of biodiesel production from animal fats catalysed by a blast furnace slag geopolymer
    • Authors: Mwenge, P., Rutto, H.
    • Journal: Results in Engineering
    • Year: 2025
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Kinetics and simulation of biodiesel production using a geopolymer heterogeneous catalyst
    • Authors: Mwenge, P., Djemima, B., Zwane, S., Rutto, H., Seodigeng, T.
    • Journal: Journal of Environmental Science and Health – Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0

 

  • Biodiesel production using Chlor-alkali brine sludge waste as a heterogeneous catalyst: optimisation using response surface methodology
    • Authors: Mwenge, P., Rutto, H., Enweremadu, C.
    • Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Energy
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 3

 

  • Production of Biodiesel using Calcined Brine Sludge Waste from Chlor-Alkali Industry as a Heterogeneous Catalyst
    • Authors: Mwenge, P., Rutto, H., Enweremadu, C.
    • Journal: Environmental and Climate Technologies
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 2

Conclusion:

Mr. Pascal Mwenge is an outstanding candidate for the Research for Young Scientist Award. His innovative research, leadership qualities, and recognition in the field of sustainable energy and environmental science demonstrate his potential to continue making significant contributions to the global scientific community. With further expansion of his international collaboration and research focus, he could solidify his place as a leading researcher in the sustainability sector.

Mahdokht arshadi | Chemical | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mahdokht Arshadi | Chemical | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Mahdokht Arshadi, Amirkabir University,  Iran

Dr. Mahdokht Arshadi is a researcher at Amirkabir University, Iran, with expertise in chemical engineering and a focus on sustainable bioleaching methods for extracting valuable metals from electronic waste.

Profile

Google Scholar

Summary:

Dr. Mahdokht Arshadi stands out as a pioneering researcher in chemical engineering, with her innovative focus on sustainable bioleaching methods for electronic waste. Her work addresses a critical global challenge, aligning with environmental and industrial priorities. She demonstrates the technical depth, creativity, and societal relevance required for recognition as an outstanding researcher.

 

🎓 Education

Mahdokht Arshadi holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, where she has been studying since 2015. She earned her M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (2013–2015) from Tarbiat Modares University and completed her B.Sc. in the same field (2009–2013) at Sharif University of Technology.

 

💼Experience

Her research focuses on the bioleaching of e-waste, encompassing projects from her B.Sc. to her Ph.D. studies. These include innovative approaches to recovering metals like nickel, copper, and gold from electronic waste.

🔬Research Focus

Her work primarily explores sustainable bioleaching methods for extracting valuable metals from electronic waste. Through collaborations and independent research, she has made significant contributions to the field of resource recovery and environmental sustainability.

Awards

She has achieved several notable honors, such as being ranked first in the Third Physics Trial Olympiad (2005-2006), the top student of her M.Sc. program (2015), and receiving the Seventeenth Young Kharazmi Award (2016). She was also a Privileged Researcher at Sharif University of Technology (2018) and a recipient of the 27th Privileged Country Student Award.

 

Skills

Mahdokht has expertise in bioleaching, statistical optimization of environmental processes, heavy metals recovery, and advanced techniques in wastewater treatment.

 

Publications

  • Simultaneous recovery of Ni and Cu from computer-printed circuit boards using bioleaching: statistical evaluation and optimization
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S.M. Mousavi
    Citations: 147
    Year: 2014

 

  • Enhancement of simultaneous gold and copper extraction from computer printed circuit boards using Bacillus megaterium
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S.M. Mousavi
    Citations: 138
    Year: 2015

 

  • Multi-objective optimization of heavy metals bioleaching from discarded mobile phone PCBs: simultaneous Cu and Ni recovery using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S.M. Mousavi
    Citations: 132
    Year: 2015

 

  • Content evaluation of different waste PCBs to enhance basic metals recycling
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S. Yaghmaei, S.M. Mousavi
    Citations: 105
    Year: 2018

 

  • Enhancement of simultaneous gold and copper recovery from discarded mobile phone PCBs using Bacillus megaterium: RSM based optimization of effective factors and evaluation of interactions
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S.M. Mousavi, P. Rasoulnia
    Citations: 83
    Year: 2016

 

  • Ni and Cu recovery by bioleaching from the printed circuit boards of mobile phones in non-conventional medium
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S. Nili, S. Yaghmaei
    Citations: 47
    Year: 2019

 

  • Optimized bioleaching of copper by indigenous cyanogenic bacteria isolated from the landfill of e-waste
    Authors: B. Arab, F. Hassanpour, M. Arshadi, S. Yaghmaei, J. Hamedi
    Citations: 46
    Year: 2020

 

  • Evaluating the optimal digestion method and value distribution of precious metals from different waste printed circuit boards
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S. Yaghmaei, A. Esmaeili
    Citations: 30
    Year: 2020

 

  • Optimal electronic waste combination for maximal recovery of Cu-Ni-Fe by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S. Yaghmaei, S.M. Mousavi
    Citations: 28
    Year: 2019

 

  • Study of plastics elimination in bioleaching of electronic waste using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S. Yaghmaei, S.M. Mousavi
    Citations: 28
    Year: 2019

 

  • Green recovery of Cu-Ni-Fe from a mixture of spent PCBs using adapted A. ferrooxidans in a bubble column bioreactor
    Authors: M. Arshadi, F. Pourhossein, S.M. Mousavi, S. Yaghmaei
    Citations: 27
    Year: 2021

 

  • Investigating critical parameters for bioremoval of heavy metals from computer printed circuit boards using the fungus Aspergillus niger
    Authors: M. Arshadi, A. Esmaeili, S. Yaghmaei
    Citations: 26
    Year: 2020

 

  • Advances in bioleaching of copper and nickel from electronic waste using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans: evaluating daily pH adjustment
    Authors: M. Arshadi, S. Yaghmaei
    Citations: 26
    Year: 2020

 

  • Simultaneous leaching of Cu, Al, and Ni from computer printed circuit boards using Penicillium simplicissimum
    Authors: A. Esmaeili, M. Arshadi
    Citations: 22
    Year: 2022

 

  • Fungal bioleaching of e-waste utilizing molasses as the carbon source in a bubble column bioreactor
    Authors: S. Nili, M. Arshadi, S. Yaghmaei
    Citations: 20
    Year: 2022

 

Conclusion:

Dr. Arshadi is a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, given her impactful contributions to chemical engineering and sustainability. Her innovative solutions for recycling electronic waste exemplify excellence in research and innovation. Strengthening industry ties and expanding her interdisciplinary scope could position her as an even more influential figure in the field, deserving of accolades such as this award.