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.

Mrs. Georgia Ioannou | Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Academic Excellence

Mrs. Georgia Ioannou | Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Georgia Ioannou, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Greece

Georgia Ioannou is a dedicated dietitian and nutritionist from Egaleo, Greece, specializing in pediatric and adult dietary interventions. Born on June 12, 1995, she holds a Master’s degree in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Subspecialties from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where she achieved a GPA of 8.89. Georgia has honed her skills through roles that include running her private dietetics practice and providing nutrition education at IEK Delta’s School of Continuing Education. She has led and contributed to impactful research on nutrition and lifestyle interventions, focusing on obesity management and pediatric nutrition. Her publications address innovative dietary and physical activity interventions, emphasizing personalized approaches to health and wellness. A proponent of patient-centered care, Georgia combines her clinical knowledge with empathetic support to assist patients in achieving sustainable health goals.

Professional Profile

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Summary of Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award

Georgia Ioannou’s academic accomplishments, her practical experience as a dietitian, and her focus on pediatric health and nutrition research make her a fitting candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her research directly addresses pressing health issues in child and adolescent obesity, making a valuable contribution to both public health and the field of pediatric nutrition.

 🎓 Education

Georgia completed her Master’s in “General Pediatrics and Pediatric Subspecialities: Clinical Practice and Research” at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 2024, graduating with a GPA of 8.89. She earned her dietitian and nutritionist license in December 2017 and her Bachelor’s in Dietetics and Nutrition Science from Harokopio University of Athens, with a GPA of 8.3. Her strong academic foundation started with her high school graduation in 2013, achieving an “Excellent” rating with a GPA of 19.3. Georgia’s education emphasizes a blend of clinical practice, research, and theory, particularly in pediatric nutrition and health interventions. Her proficiency in evidence-based dietary planning and her exposure to clinical environments contribute to her expertise in personalized nutrition strategies and innovative health solutions.

💼   Experience

Currently self-employed, Georgia Ioannou manages various dietary cases, ranging from pediatric obesity and diabetes to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal conditions. She has also taught as a nutrition educator at IEK Delta since October 2022. Her practical training includes roles in prestigious hospitals, like the General Pediatric Hospital “Agia Sophia,” where she worked in its Nutrition Department and Overweight and Obesity Treatment Clinic. From 2018 to 2020, she worked at Nutrilab, an ergometric and diet center, assisting clients with customized diet plans. Georgia also gained hands-on experience in food quality control during a traineeship at General Mills Hellas S.A. Her career reflects a strong commitment to advancing dietary science through both practice and instruction, with a focus on effective patient education and nutrition management.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Georgia has been recognized for her academic and professional achievements, notably her high GPA in both her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees. Her research contributions, particularly in pediatric nutrition and dietary interventions for obesity, have been acknowledged in leading nutrition and medical publications. She also holds a professional license as a dietitian and nutritionist, a testament to her rigorous education and commitment to the field. Georgia’s dedication to community health and personalized dietary solutions has earned her a reputation as a compassionate and skilled practitioner. Her honors reflect her pursuit of excellence, with an emphasis on enhancing the well-being of her clients through tailored nutrition and lifestyle interventions.

🌍 Research Focus

Georgia Ioannou’s research centers on dietary interventions and physical activity strategies for managing pediatric and adolescent obesity. She emphasizes the role of personalized nutrition plans in promoting sustainable health outcomes. Her work has explored the dietary and physical activity habits of children and adolescents, aiming to develop evidence-based strategies that can be adapted in clinical settings. Her recent studies include evaluating the effectiveness of tailored intervention programs in improving lifestyle habits among youth. Through her research, Georgia seeks to bridge the gap between scientific insights and practical applications, contributing to a deeper understanding of how targeted nutritional care can transform health trajectories.

📖 Publication Top Notes

  • “Dietary and Physical Activity Habits of Children and Adolescents before and after the Implementation of a Personalized, Intervention Program for the Management of Obesity”
  • “Lifestyle, anthropometric, socio-demographic and perinatal correlates of early adolescence hypertension: The Healthy Growth Study”