Ms. ELPIDA ROUSSAKOU | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Ms. ELPIDA ROUSSAKOU | Robotics | Best Researcher Award

Phd Candidate, UNIVERSITY OF WEST ATTICA, ATHENS, Greece

Elpida Roussakou is a dedicated Greek public health professional, educator, and researcher with a strong background in hygiene, health and safety, and non-formal education. With a career rooted in improving workplace health standards and food hygiene, she combines academic excellence with hands-on consultancy. She is currently a PhD Candidate in Tourism Management at the University of West Attica and an accomplished lecturer affiliated with Mediterranean College and UK institutions like the University of Derby and University of Wolverhampton. Her diverse experience spans health safety training, HACCP system design, and higher education teaching.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award – Ms. Elpida Roussakou

Ms. Elpida Roussakou demonstrates a strong foundation in public hygiene, health and safety, and interdisciplinary research, particularly in the intersection of health, safety, tourism, and education. Her academic journey, highlighted by a summa cum laude Master’s degree and current PhD candidacy, is supported by a range of professional licenses, certifications, and teaching roles across prestigious academic institutions. Her contributions to scientific literature, especially regarding public health challenges during the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, show a clear alignment with applied, socially impactful research — a critical criterion for a best research award.

🎓 Education Background

Elpida earned her undergraduate diploma in Public Hygiene from the Τ.Ε.Ι. of Athens, graduating with distinction (8.10/10), and her thesis scored a perfect 10. She further pursued a Master’s degree in “Health and Safety in the Workplace” at the Democritus University of Thrace, graduating summa cum laude with a GPA of 9.15. Her postgraduate journey includes certification as an adult trainer (EOPPEP), a license to practice as a Hygienist and to conduct disinfestation procedures, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (ILTA) from Manchester Metropolitan University.

💼 Professional Experience

Since 2016, Elpida has been actively engaged in her company, Hygioacts, designing HACCP systems and workplace safety plans for over 190 food and beverage companies. She has taught extensively at Mediterranean College in both the Physiotherapy and Psychology departments, delivering modules on research methods, service improvement, and leadership. Additionally, she has conducted certified health and safety training for food service staff under EFET programs through collaborations with companies like Qualiment, GEP, APOPISI KEK, and Eurotraining. Her work bridges academia, professional training, and practical consultancy.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Elpida’s academic achievements are underscored by her summa cum laude graduation from her Master’s program and her high-standing GPA throughout her studies. She is a certified EOPPEP trainer and has earned professional licenses in the fields of public hygiene and pest disinfestation. Her teaching credentials are further validated by her UK postgraduate certificate in higher education instruction.

🔬 Research Focus

Her research primarily centers on public health safety, the impact of socio-economic crises on hygiene practices, food safety in catering, and ethical practices in healthcare, especially during critical periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Her ongoing doctoral work in tourism management also explores health and safety practices in hospitality settings.

📚 Top Publications 

  1. Economic crisis affects modern Greek house conditions: maintenance and heating deterioration
    To Vima tou Asklipiou, 2017, Vol. 16(3), pp. 160-175
    Cited by: 3 articles

  2. Halal Islamic certification in relation to European requirements and international standards in the field of meat. Special National Rules in Greece
    e-Journal of Science & Technology (e-JST), 2018, Vol. 13(3), pp. 13–35
    Cited by: 4 articles

  3. Ethical Issues in Intensive Care Units during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 2021, Vol. 24(9), pp. 855–856
    Cited by: 5 articles

  4. Precaution Measures for the Safety of the Personnel in the Surgical Wards during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Journal of Hand Surgery Asian-Pacific, 2021, Vol. 26(1), pp. 127–129
    Cited by: 2 articles

  5. New Technologies in Health and Safety in Hotel Restaurants During Covid-19: A Systematic Review
    Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, 2023, IACuDiT Conference Proceedings
    Cited by: 1 article

 

Mr. Cirilo Delgado Asencio | Mobile Robotics | Young Researcher Award

Mr. Cirilo Delgado Asencio | Mobile Robotics | Young Researcher Award

Researcher, University of Huelva, Spain

Cirilo Delgado Asencio is a skilled Industrial Electronic Engineer and Mechanical Engineer, with a strong academic foundation and a remarkable record of achievements. At just 25 years old, he is currently a Technical Researcher at the Research Center for Technology, Energy, and Sustainability at the University of Huelva. His work focuses on renewable energy, hydrogen technology, and fuel cells, areas in which he has developed extensive expertise. He has been recognized for his academic excellence and innovative contributions to energy technologies, particularly in hydrogen fuel cell applications 🌍🔋.

Publication Profile

ORCID

Education Background:

Cirilo holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Huelva (2024) and two Bachelor’s degrees in Industrial Electronic Engineering (2022) and Mechanical Engineering (2022) from the same institution. His academic performance has been exceptional, with an average grade above 8, and he has received multiple accolades, including Honor Roll distinctions and awards for his outstanding work on his final projects 🎓🏆.

Professional Experience:

In addition to his technical expertise, Cirilo has made valuable contributions to the scientific community. He worked as an external collaborator at CITES in 2021/22, where he was involved in the design and implementation of an alkaline electrolyzer for the “Ocean” project (ARIEMA). He has also taught courses on hydrogen technology and renewable energy at various academic institutions, including the University of Huelva and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 🌱📚. Currently, he is working as a researcher under the “Programa Investigo,” focusing on hydrogen technology and its application in mobility and fuel cell systems.

Awards and Honors:

Cirilo has received multiple awards, including the Cátedra Atlantic Copper Award for the best final project in Industrial Electronic Engineering (2022) and the Cátedra Gabitel H2 Award for his Mechanical Engineering final project (2022). These recognitions highlight his exceptional skills and commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions 🌟🏅.

Research Focus:

Cirilo’s research is concentrated on the development and application of hydrogen technologies, particularly in fuel cell systems and hydrogen-powered mobility solutions. He has been involved in various innovative projects, such as HYGROBOT (a hydrogen-powered mobile robotic platform), and has contributed to key advancements in the design of electrolysis systems and hydrogen storage technologies for use in transportation 🚗⚡.

Conclusion:

With a solid academic background, impressive professional experience, and a passion for advancing clean energy solutions, Cirilo Delgado Asencio is a promising figure in the field of renewable energy. His commitment to research and teaching, combined with his drive to make a positive impact on sustainable technologies, positions him as a rising star in the energy sector 🌟🌿.

Publications:

Hygrobot: Hydrogen-Powered Mobile Robotic Platform for Rough Terrain: ElectroMechanical Design, Physical Implementation, and Experimental Testing
Published in Applied Sciences (2025)
DOI: 10.3390/app15095028
Impact Factor (2023): 2.5, Category: Engineering, Multidisciplinary, CiteScore: 5.3 Q1 (2023)

Electrical, Mechanical, and Aerodynamics Study to Implement a Hydrogen-Powered Fixed-Wing RPAS
Published in IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification (2024)
DOI: 10.1109/TTE.2024.3427015
Impact Factor (2024): 7.2, Category: Electrical & Electronic Engineering, CiteScore: 12.2 Q1 (2024)

Dr. zhendong zhao | robotics | Best Scholar Award

Dr. zhendong zhao | robotics | Best Scholar Award

Ph.D. graduate student, Hebei University of Technology, China

Zhendong Zhao is a passionate Ph.D. graduate student at the School of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Hebei University of Technology, China . With a strong foundation in control science and engineering, Zhendong is deeply involved in cutting-edge research in embodied intelligence and robotics powered by large language models (LLMs). His dedication to integrating AI with robotics has already led to the development of novel frameworks that enhance collaborative and autonomous robotic systems 🤖.

Publication Profile

ORCID

🎓 Education Background:

Zhendong Zhao is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Control Science and Engineering at Hebei University of Technology. His academic path has been rooted in artificial intelligence, with a strong emphasis on integrating LLMs into real-world robotic applications. He has been trained in advanced AI theories, machine learning, and robotic systems that lay the groundwork for his research endeavors 📚.

💼 Professional Experience:

As a doctoral researcher at Hebei University of Technology, Zhendong Zhao has contributed to developing innovative robotic frameworks. His research focuses on leveraging large language models to enhance robot collaboration, especially in healthcare contexts like nursing robots. Despite his early career stage, Zhendong has demonstrated remarkable potential through independent research and publications in top-tier journals 🧪.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

While no formal awards have been mentioned yet, Zhendong Zhao’s impactful research and publication record already highlight his contributions to AI and robotics. His work has earned attention through prestigious platforms such as IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters and Bioengineering, positioning him as a rising researcher in the field 🏆.

🔬 Research Focus:

Zhendong’s research centers around embodied intelligence and LLM-based dual-arm robotics. He introduced a dual-agent framework named DABICO for task planning in nursing robots. This system builds a dual-agent (left-arm and right-arm) structure that emphasizes inter-agent communication and validation mechanisms. His research pushes the frontier of how LLMs can coordinate physical tasks across robotic limbs in real-time, especially for bimanual coordination tasks in caregiving robots 🦾.

✅ Conclusion:

Zhendong Zhao stands out as a forward-thinking Ph.D. researcher who merges AI theory with practical robotic implementations. With multiple publications in high-impact journals and a focused vision for advancing embodied intelligence, Zhendong is poised to become a significant contributor to the future of intelligent robotics.

📝 Top Publications :

The Multi-Agentization of a Dual-Arm Nursing Robot Based on Large Language Models
📅 Published: 2025
📚 Journal: Bioengineering
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering12050448
🔁 Cited by: Crossref-indexed (specific citation count pending)

A Dual-Agent Collaboration Framework Based on LLMs for Nursing Robots to Perform Bimanual Coordination Tasks
📅 Published: 2025
📚 Journal: IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters
🔗 DOI: 10.1109/LRA.2025.3533476
🔁 Cited by: Crossref-indexed (specific citation count pending)

Paolo Mercorelli | Robotics | Women Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Paolo Mercorelli | Robotics | Women Researcher Award

Professor, Leuphana University of Lueneburg, Germany

🎓 Paolo Mercorelli is a distinguished Professor and Chair of Control and Drive Systems at Leuphana University of Lueneburg, Germany. With a PhD in Systems Engineering from the University of Bologna, Italy, he has made significant contributions to control systems and robotics. His international teaching and research roles, coupled with numerous awards, underscore his influence in the field.

Publication Profile

Strengths for the Award

  • Extensive Research Experience: Paolo Mercorelli has a robust academic and research background with significant contributions across multiple prestigious institutions worldwide, including the University of California, Santa Barbara, Ostfalia University, and Leuphana University. His research spans various cutting-edge fields, such as robotics, control systems, and Kalman filters, demonstrating a broad and deep expertise that aligns with the criteria for high-impact research awards.
  • Recognition and Awards: Mercorelli’s research has been consistently recognized at an international level, with multiple best paper awards at significant conferences, highlighting the quality and impact of his work. His inclusion in the top 2% of scientists by Elsevier and Stanford University’s metrics further solidifies his standing as a leading researcher in his field.
  • Leadership and Influence: Serving as Editor-in-Chief for journals like “Transactions on Computer Research” and “Mathematics,” Mercorelli has not only contributed through his research but also shaped the direction of research in engineering mathematics and computer research. This leadership role underlines his influence in the academic community.
  • Global Academic Involvement: His role as a visiting professor at various international universities, such as Lodz University of Technology and Chandigarh University, indicates his global influence and commitment to disseminating knowledge, which is crucial for awards recognizing research leadership.

Areas for Improvement

  • Specific Focus on Women’s Research: While Mercorelli’s achievements are exceptional, the Research for Women Researcher Award typically emphasizes contributions that advance women’s roles in research or address gender-specific challenges in academia. Mercorelli’s CV does not explicitly mention efforts or research focused on promoting women in science or addressing gender disparities in research. This could be a limitation if the award criteria emphasize these aspects.
  • Involvement in Gender-Inclusive Initiatives: Active participation or leadership in initiatives aimed at fostering gender equality in research, mentoring women in STEM, or contributing to women-centric research topics could strengthen his candidacy for this specific award.

 

Education

🎓 Paolo Mercorelli earned his PhD in Systems Engineering from the University of Bologna, Italy, in 1998. His academic journey also includes a one-year research stint at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA, which laid the foundation for his future endeavors in control systems.

Experience

💼 Paolo Mercorelli has a rich professional background, starting as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Asea Brown Boveri Corporate Research, Heidelberg, Germany, where he secured three patents. He served as a Senior Researcher and leader of the control group at the Institute of Automation and Informatics, Germany. Later, he became an Associate Professor at Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences and is currently a Full Professor at Leuphana University of Lueneburg. Additionally, he has held visiting professorships at Lodz University of Technology, Poland, and Chandigarh University, India.

Research Focus

🔍 Paolo Mercorelli specializes in control systems with a focus on applications of Kalman filters, robotics, wavelets, geometric control, and sliding mode control. His research integrates advanced mathematical techniques to enhance the efficiency and precision of robotic and control systems.

Awards and Honors

🏆 Paolo Mercorelli has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Marie Curie Actions Research Fellowship and seven best international conference paper awards. His exceptional contributions have placed him on the list of the top 2% scientists by Elsevier and Stanford University from 2019 to 2023. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of two leading journals.

Publication Top Notes

📚 Paolo Mercorelli has authored numerous high-impact publications. His work is frequently cited in the field, reflecting his influence in control systems and engineering mathematics. Here are some of his top-cited works:

“Advanced Sliding Mode Control for Automotive Applications”Published in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2013 Cited by 120 articles

“Wavelet-Based Fault Detection in Induction Motors”Published in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 2014 Cited by 110 articles

“Kalman Filter Techniques in Robotics”Published in Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 2017 Cited by 95 articles

“Geometric Control Applications in Robotics”Published in Control Engineering Practice, 2020 Cited by 85 articles

“Applications of Wavelets in Control Systems”Published in Automatica, 2023 Cited by 75 articles

Conclusion

While Paolo Mercorelli is undoubtedly a distinguished and highly accomplished researcher with significant contributions to the fields of control systems, robotics, and engineering mathematics, his profile might not fully align with the specific objectives of the Research for Women Researcher Award. The award typically prioritizes candidates who have made substantial contributions to advancing women’s roles in research or who focus on research that benefits women directly. Given his impressive academic and research credentials, he might be more suitable for awards that recognize general excellence in research and leadership rather than those focused specifically on women’s contributions to science and academia.