Speakers

Speech Title : Rethinking Social Impact through an Epistemological Lens: A Review of Insights from Renewable Energy Research

Ranganai Chidembo holds a PhD obtained from the University of Venda in South Africa. He is a researcher in the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of South Africa. His research focuses on renewable energy deployment, Just Energy Transition (JET), social impact assessment, community engagement, and energy justice in developing contexts. He is particularly interested in integrating epistemic justice and sustainable livelihood perspectives into renewable energy research and policy. His current work explores context-sensitive frameworks for measuring social impact in renewable energy deployment, with emphasis on inclusive and community-centred approaches that align technological innovation with social value creation and equitable energy transitions.

Speech Title : Mechanical Metamaterials by Physics-Informed AI for Energy Harvesting and Active Sensing

Dr. Pengcheng Jiao is a Tenured Associate Professor in Ocean College at Zhejiang University. Prior to the current position, he completed postdoc from the University of Pennsylvania after PhD from Michigan State University. He is a corresponding member of NAAI and fellow of IAAM, who has won several globally renowned awards including the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Int’l Prize for Water (PSIPW) Creativity Award, Int’l Exhibition of Inventions Geneva Silver Medal, etc. Dr. Jiao has authored/co-authored nearly 150 peer-reviewed journal publications with more than 30 invention patents, which leads him to be a Top 2% High Cited Researcher worldwide during 2021-2025. Dr. Jiao’s research interests include mechanical metamaterials, energy harvesting and structural health monitoring, marine soft robotics and AI in engineering.

Speech Title :

Associate Professor, Tsinghua University, China (2014-present) Research Fellow, Imperial College London, UK (2013-2014) Research Fellow, Leeds University, UK (2012-2013) Research Associate, The University of Sydney, Australia (2010-2012)

Speech Title : Advancing the Technology of Lithium, Magnesium, and Aluminum-Ion Batteries via Chromium Ditelluride as a Novel Anode Material

Hafsa is currently pursuing a Direct PhD in Materials Engineering at McGill University after completing her bachelor’s degree in physics. She is a high-achieving student and a scholarship holder, recognized for her academic excellence. Hafsa has published two research papers in high-impact factor journals (impact factor 9+), reflecting the quality and significance of her research contributions. Her work focuses on advanced materials research, and she is actively engaged in developing innovative approaches in her field.

Speech Title : Sustainable Solutions for Medicinal Herbal Residues Waste Management: A Comprehensive Guide

Monirehalsadat Mousavi received her M.Sc. degree in Water Engineering from Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch and has extensive experience in water resources, civil engineering, and technical office management. She has worked as a technical expert and university lecturer in several academic institutions in Iran, teaching courses related to hydraulics, fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, and hydraulic structures. Her research interests include water engineering, environmental sustainability, and waste management. She has participated in national engineering conferences and possesses professional expertise in engineering design, technical documentation, AutoCAD, and environmental project management.