Leyla Akbulut | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Academic Excellence

Ms. Leyla Akbulut | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Leyla Akbulut | Energy | Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University | Turkey

Leyla Akbulut is an accomplished academic and energy researcher specializing in electrical and electronics engineering, with a strong focus on renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, and power distribution optimization. She currently serves as a Lecturer at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, where she contributes extensively to teaching, research, and project leadership in the Department of Electrical and Energy. With both academic and industry experience, Akbulut has played pivotal roles in national and institutional projects, including the establishment of solar power plants and optimization of energy distribution networks. Her academic journey is marked by a strong foundation at Gazi University and advanced research at Isparta University of Applied Sciences, where she pursued her doctoral studies. She has authored influential publications in international journals, addressing energy cost optimization, metaheuristic algorithms, and renewable energy investment analysis. Recognized through national and European awards, Leyla Akbulut continues to bridge academia and practice in shaping sustainable energy solutions.

Author Profile

Orcid | Google Scholar

Education

Leyla Akbulut began her academic journey at Gazi University, completing her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical-Electronics Engineering in 2012. She further pursued a Master’s degree in the same field at Gazi University’s Institute of Science, successfully defending her thesis on electrical distribution network optimization in 2019 under the supervision of Dr. Süleyman Sungur Tezcan. Building on this strong research foundation, she advanced to doctoral studies at Isparta University of Applied Sciences, where she specialized in Electrical-Electronics Engineering (Ph.D.). Her doctoral research further refined her expertise in the optimization of distribution networks, energy efficiency, and renewable energy integration. Throughout her academic development, she combined technical skills with practical project applications, supported by specialized certifications in energy management, quality systems, and occupational safety. This educational progression not only solidified her as an expert in electrical systems and energy distribution but also positioned her as a forward-thinking researcher contributing to the future of energy sustainability.

Experience

Leyla Akbulut has a multifaceted career that blends academia, applied research, and industry expertise. Since 2017, she has served as a Lecturer at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, teaching and mentoring in the Electrical and Energy Department, while actively contributing to renewable energy projects and campus sustainability initiatives. She has held administrative responsibility as the Head of the Energy Management Unit at the Rectorate, overseeing energy policies and performance strategies. Her professional background includes significant roles in the private sector with MERAM Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş., where she worked as an R&D Engineer, GIS Engineer, and Elder R&D Group Representative, contributing to distribution system design, optimization, and regulatory compliance. She also gained hands-on engineering expertise in photovoltaic projects and urban transformation projects as a freelance and site engineer. With combined academic and field experience, she has developed a strong reputation for bridging energy research, project implementation, and policy-driven energy efficiency.

Awards and Honors

Leyla Akbulut’s career has been marked by recognition at both national and international levels for her contributions to energy efficiency and sustainable practices. In 2025, she received the Verimlilik Artırıcı Proje Ödülü (Efficiency Enhancing Project Award) from the Turkish Ministry of Science, Industry, and Technology, acknowledging her impactful work in energy-saving initiatives. The same year, her leadership and innovation in energy-focused projects were recognized by the European Commission in Denmark, where she was honored with the European Enterprise Promotion Award 2025. These awards highlight her dedication to creating practical, efficient, and forward-looking energy solutions that bridge academic research and industrial application. Beyond formal awards, Akbulut’s projects in solar energy integration, energy performance contracting, and distribution network optimization stand as evidence of her commitment to advancing renewable energy deployment. Her achievements reflect her ability to lead collaborative projects with measurable outcomes in sustainability and energy transformation.

Research Focus

Leyla Akbulut’s research is centered on renewable energy systems, distribution network optimization, and energy efficiency. Her work integrates advanced algorithms, particularly metaheuristic approaches, to improve demand-side management, cost estimation, and system reliability in energy networks. She has extensively studied the application of solar energy systems, including photovoltaic installations for campus-scale and public-sector projects, focusing on both technical and financial performance. Another area of her expertise is energy performance contracting, where she explores how sustainable financing models can drive the adoption of renewable energy in institutional infrastructures. Her research also addresses economic efficiency in renewable investments, applying regression analysis to evaluate large-scale photovoltaic projects. By combining engineering design, mathematical modeling, and applied fieldwork, Akbulut contributes to both academic literature and practical energy solutions. Her forward-looking research continues to support the transition toward greener energy systems, offering innovative strategies for cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable power generation.

Publications

  1. Solar-Powered Biomass Revalorization for Pet Food and Compost: A Campus-Scale Eco-Circular System – Processes, 2025

  2. Economic Efficiency of Renewable Energy Investments in Photovoltaic Projects: A Regression Analysis – Energies, 2025

  3. Review of Metaheuristic Algorithms for Energy Efficiency, Demand Side Management and Cost Estimation – Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska, 2025

  4. Analysis of Electrical Distribution Network Voltage Configuration with Mixed Integer Linear Programming and Genetic Algorithm – Electrica, 2020

  5. Dağıtım Şebekesi Gerilim Konfigürasyonunun Enerji Maliyeti Yönünden Araştırılması – Mühendislik Bilimleri ve Tasarım Dergisi, 2019

  6. Kamu Binalarında Güneş Enerji Santrali Kurulumunda Finansman Modelleri ve Enerji Verimliliği Uygulaması – VII. Elektrik Tesisleri Ulusal Kongresi, 2023

Conclusion

Leyla Akbulut is a dynamic academic and energy professional whose career reflects a seamless integration of research, education, and applied engineering. Her academic foundation, diverse professional experiences, and impactful research make her a key contributor to the field of renewable energy and power distribution. Recognized with national and European awards, her leadership in energy performance projects and publications in high-impact journals underline her commitment to shaping sustainable energy systems. Through her work, she embodies the values of innovation, efficiency, and collaboration that align perfectly with the mission of advancing global energy solutions.

Dr. Fatima Ezzahra BELHARCHA | Corrosion | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Academic Excellence

Dr. Fatima Ezzahra BELHARCHA | Corrosion | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fatima Ezzahra BELHARCHA, Ibn Tofail University, Morocco

Fatima Ezzahra Belharcha, born on October 21, 1989, in Marrakech, Morocco, is a distinguished researcher in physical chemistry with a specialization in corrosion inhibition and environmental chemistry. She holds a State Doctorate from Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco, achieved in 2023, following her Master’s degree in Functional Materials and her Bachelor’s in Physical Chemistry of Materials from Caddy Ayyad University. Fatima has actively contributed to preserving cultural heritage through corrosion resistance research, focusing on archaeological conservation. As a patent-holder and a skilled advisor in intellectual property, she offers valuable expertise to SB ENERGIE and serves as an administrator at the Ibn Tofail University’s Center for Analysis and Technology Transfer. Fatima’s commitment to academia and environmental preservation is evident in her ongoing research and teaching efforts, particularly in materials science and conservation.

Professional Profile

scopus

Summary of Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fatima Ezzahra Belharcha demonstrates remarkable depth in research and innovation within the fields of physical chemistry and materials science, specifically focusing on corrosion protection for historical artifacts and the conservation of iron-wood composites. Her expertise is evidenced through multiple patents aimed at advanced formulations for corrosion inhibition, highlighting her innovative contributions to this niche area in materials preservation. Additionally, Dr. Belharcha has co-authored published research on electrochemical behavior and corrosion resistance, providing insights that blend practical conservation needs with scientific rigor. Her patents, including those for anticorrosion and antifungal compositions, underscore her commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage, while her hands-on roles in academic and professional capacities demonstrate her strong project management and technical expertise.

🎓 Education

Fatima Ezzahra Belharcha’s academic journey is marked by her extensive studies in physical chemistry and materials science. She earned her State Doctorate Diploma in 2023 from Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, with a focus on Physical Chemistry and Environment. Prior to this, she completed a Technical Master in Functional Materials in 2014 and a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Chemistry of Materials in 2012 from Caddy Ayyad University, Marrakech. Her foundational education began with a Deust in Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, and Chemistry in 2011, and she graduated with a Baccalaureate in Experimental Science in 2008. Fatima’s academic background is underpinned by a dedication to understanding environmental conservation through materials science, preparing her for a career centered on impactful research and technological innovation in material corrosion protection.

💼  Experience

Fatima has been an administrator at the Center for Analysis and Technology Transfer at Ibn Tofail University since 2016, where she manages various academic responsibilities, including roles as a Patent Filing Focal Point and as the DRX and FTIR specialist. Her efforts extend to project management, entrepreneurship incubation, and technological expertise transfer. Since 2018, she has contributed as a member of the National Network of Expert-Valuators and has offered her intellectual property and R&D advisory expertise to SB ENERGIE. Recently, she has served as an advisor and researcher with the Centre Technique de Plasturgie et de Caoutchouc. With her cross-functional roles, Fatima brings extensive experience in overseeing critical analysis projects, incubating innovative solutions, and driving intellectual property development in corrosion protection for historical preservation.

🏅Awards and Honors

Fatima Ezzahra Belharcha has earned notable recognition in physical chemistry and materials science, with several patents registered in corrosion inhibition formulations. Her most significant patents include unique anticorrosion and antifungal compositions tailored for the preservation of metal-wood archaeological artifacts. These patents showcase her innovation in developing eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors using polyethylene glycol. She has also presented her research internationally, such as at the Virtual Conference on Chemistry and its Applications in 2020 and at a conference in 2022, focusing on corrosion resistance in archaeological conservation. Her pioneering contributions are recognized nationally, where she has played a vital role in intellectual property advisement and materials conservation, bridging academia and industry.

🌍  Research Focus

Fatima’s research is centered on corrosion inhibition and materials conservation, particularly for archaeological and historical artifacts. Her work investigates electrochemical behaviors and corrosion-resistant treatments for metal-wood composites, utilizing polyethylene glycol-based formulations that offer antifungal and visual quality-indicator properties. These formulations play a crucial role in preserving artifacts from corrosion in neutral media. In collaboration with the Centre Technique de Plasturgie et de Caoutchouc and SB ENERGIE, she is also exploring biofongicides and corrosion inhibitors for industrial applications. Fatima’s research aims to advance sustainable conservation techniques, providing essential solutions for heritage preservation while reducing environmental impact.

📖 Publication Top Notes

  • Title: “Long-term electrochemical and biological study of archaeological iron-wood composite impregnated with 10% PEG-200 solution”
  • Title: “Electrochemical Behavior and Corrosion Resistance of Steel in Waterlogged Archaeological Wood Impregnation Solutions: Effect of Operating Parameters and Corrosion Products”