Dr. Soheila Kookalani | Construction | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Soheila Kookalani, Cambridge University, United Kingdom

Soheila Kookalani is a distinguished Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, specializing in Civil and Structural Engineering. She has a profound expertise in steel reuse, the circular economy, life-cycle assessment, and the integration of digital twin technologies in construction. Her research focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize structural designs, promoting sustainability in construction. Soheila holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Structural Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where she pioneered research on GFRP elastic gridshells. With a commitment to environmental responsibility, she continuously explores innovative ways to integrate sustainable practices into building designs, aiming to revolutionize construction methodologies. She has numerous publications in leading journals, demonstrating her contribution to both academia and the industry. Her work emphasizes sustainable engineering practices that align with modern technological advancements, particularly in the realm of structural optimization and reuse strategies.

Professional Profile

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Summary of Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award

Soheila Kookalani’s innovative approach to structural engineering, coupled with her strong commitment to sustainability and integration of advanced technologies, positions her as a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her work has significant implications for the future of sustainable construction, making her a valuable asset to both academia and industry.

Education

Soheila Kookalani pursued her academic journey with a solid foundation in architectural and civil engineering. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Azad University in Iran, where her thesis explored hybrid architecture in cinematic arts. She then advanced her studies with a Master of Science in Civil and Structural Engineering from Hohai University, China, focusing on the seismic performance of hybrid structures in high-rise buildings. Her academic journey culminated with a Ph.D. from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, where she focused on the structural optimization of GFRP elastic gridshells using machine learning techniques. Her doctoral research contributed to advancing knowledge in structural design and building sustainability. Throughout her studies, Soheila has consistently integrated innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, into her research, making her an authority in the field of structural design and optimization for sustainable construction.

Experience

Soheila Kookalani has accumulated extensive experience in civil and structural engineering, with a primary focus on sustainable design practices. She currently serves as a Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, where she is engaged in a groundbreaking project on the reuse of structural steel in construction. Her experience spans across diverse areas, including the circular economy, life-cycle assessment, building information modeling (BIM), and digital twin technology. From 2018 to 2022, she conducted research on GFRP elastic gridshells as part of her Ph.D. at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Prior to this, Soheila gained practical experience working on seismic performance evaluation of hybrid structures during her Master’s at Hohai University. Her expertise also extends to the application of artificial intelligence in optimizing structural designs, demonstrating her capacity to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application in sustainable construction.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her academic and professional career, Soheila Kookalani has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to civil and structural engineering. She has received several prestigious awards and honors, including recognition from leading engineering conferences and academic institutions. Her work on the integration of AI and machine learning in structural design has garnered international attention, earning her accolades for innovation in sustainable construction. Soheila has also been honored for her research on GFRP elastic gridshells, receiving commendations for excellence in structural optimization and sustainable design. Her role as a published author in top-tier engineering journals has further solidified her reputation as a leading researcher in the field. Additionally, Soheila’s contributions to the reuse of structural steel and her involvement in cutting-edge projects at the University of Cambridge have earned her numerous industry awards, highlighting her commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable engineering practices.

Research Focus

Soheila Kookalani’s research is centered on the intersection of civil engineering, sustainability, and advanced technology. Her primary focus is on steel reuse, promoting a circular economy in construction through the reuse of structural components. She is also deeply involved in life-cycle assessments, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. Her research integrates building information modeling (BIM) and digital twin technology to enhance the design, monitoring, and optimization of construction projects. Soheila is particularly interested in applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to optimize structural designs, especially in the context of GFRP elastic gridshells. Her work on generative AI in structural engineering seeks to streamline design processes and improve sustainability. By combining these advanced technologies, her research contributes to developing more efficient, eco-friendly building practices that align with global sustainability goals.

Publication Top Notes

BIM-based augmented reality for facility maintenance management
- Cited by: 24
Structural analysis of GFRP elastic gridshell structures by particle swarm optimization and least square support vector machine algorithms
- Cited by: 18
Shape optimization of GFRP elastic gridshells by the weighted Lagrange ε-twin support vector machine and multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm considering …
- Cited by: 14
An analytic approach to predict the shape and internal forces of barrel vault elastic gridshells during lifting construction
- Cited by: 14
Effect of Fluid Viscous Damper parameters on the seismic performance
- Cited by: 14

Prof.Dr.leandro conte, Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC). CONICET, CCT-Santa Fe, Argentina, Argentina

Dr. Leandro Oscar Conte is a prominent environmental engineer and researcher, currently serving as an Associate Researcher at the Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), CONICET-CCT Santa Fe, Argentina. He also holds an Associate Professor position at the Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas (FICH), UNL. Dr. Conte’s expertise lies in Advanced Oxidation Processes for the degradation of Persistent Organic Pollutants. Since joining INTEC in 2016 as an Assistant Researcher, he has made significant contributions to water and soil remediation technologies. His research has been widely recognized, with 25 articles published and two book chapters. He has secured several high-profile research grants, including a Marie Curie Fellowship at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Spain. Dr. Conte has established himself as a leader in his field, promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Education:

Dr. Leandro Conte earned his degree in Environmental Engineering from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) in 2008, where he also completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering in 2015. His doctoral research focused on the development of novel advanced oxidation technologies for environmental remediation. Dr. Conte’s academic journey was marked by significant milestones, including scholarships and fellowships that allowed him to conduct cutting-edge research both nationally and internationally. He further honed his expertise through postdoctoral work at renowned institutions, including a Marie Curie Fellowship at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) in Spain. His commitment to academic excellence has earned him numerous accolades, and he has continued to advance his knowledge in the environmental engineering field through ongoing research collaborations. Dr. Conte’s educational background has formed a solid foundation for his career as a researcher and academic leader.

Experience :

Dr. Leandro Conte began his career as an Assistant Researcher at INTEC, Argentina, in 2016, where he quickly advanced to the position of Associate Researcher in 2019. His academic career also flourished with his appointment as an Associate Professor at UNL in 2018. Dr. Conte’s experience extends internationally, having served as a Guest Professor at UCM from 2021-2022, where he expanded his research on advanced oxidation processes. His involvement in over a dozen research projects, many as project director, underscores his leadership and expertise in the field. Dr. Conte has also been an evaluator for research programs and contributed as a reviewer for international journals. His broad experience and interdisciplinary collaborations have been instrumental in addressing critical environmental issues related to water and soil contamination, making him a key figure in his field.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Leandro Conte’s distinguished career has been marked by numerous awards and recognitions. He received the prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship (GA-844209) for his research at UCM in Spain, focusing on the photo-Fenton degradation of persistent organic pollutants. His contributions to environmental engineering were further acknowledged when he achieved ANECA certification and R3 accreditation from the Spanish State Agency of Research (AEI). Additionally, Dr. Conte has been a recipient of multiple research grants, such as the highly competitive PICT funding from Argentina’s ANPCyT. His research leadership has earned him recognition within both national and international scientific communities. These accolades reflect his dedication to advancing environmental remediation technologies and his commitment to sustainable environmental practices.

Research Focus :

Dr. Leandro Conte’s research primarily revolves around Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) for the degradation of persistent pollutants in water and soil. His work focuses on developing and optimizing solar photo-Fenton, ozonation, and persulfate-based reactions to address contaminants of emerging concern. Dr. Conte’s research seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale experimentation and large-scale environmental applications, using pilot plant reactors to test the efficacy of AOPs in real-world conditions. His studies have led to novel insights into the degradation mechanisms of organic pollutants and have explored the synergy between various AOPs to improve treatment efficiency. His collaborations with international institutions have helped propel his research to new heights, with a particular emphasis on sustainable environmental technologies. Dr. Conte’s research is at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the impact of industrial and pharmaceutical pollutants on ecosystems.

Publications Top Notes:

🌍 “Application of Solar Photo-Fenton for Degrading Emerging Pollutants in Water”

💧 “Advanced Oxidation Techniques in Wastewater Treatment: A Comprehensive Review”

🧪 “Degradation of Persistent Organic Pollutants using Ozone and UV”

☀️ “Pilot-Scale Solar Reactors for Contaminant Removal in Real Waters”

🔬 “Comparative Study of Persulfate and Fenton Processes for Pollutant Degradation”

🌱 “Sustainable Water Treatment: Challenges in Emerging Pollutants”

🌡️ “Optimizing Solar Fenton-Like Reactions for Real Contaminated Waters”

⚙️ “Innovative Reactants for Advanced Oxidation Processes in Soil Remediation”

🏭 “Industrial Applications of Advanced Oxidation Technologies”

🧫 “Modeling the Kinetics of Ozone-Based Contaminant Degradation”