Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ping Li | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor, Northwest University, China

Dr. Ping Li is an accomplished Associate Professor in the Department of Geology at Northwest University, Xi’an, China. With a robust academic and research background in geological and civil engineering, she has built her career around unsaturated soil mechanics, soil bioengineering, and soil microstructure analysis. Dr. Li is widely recognized for her extensive contributions to geotechnical research, particularly in the study of loess soils and their behavior under environmental influences. Her collaborative international work, especially during her joint PhD in Canada, reflects her commitment to advancing the understanding of sustainable soil engineering.

Professional Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education Background:

Dr. Ping Li holds a Ph.D. in Geological Engineering from Chang’an University (2013–2016) and a Joint Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Ottawa, Canada (2014–2016), where she conducted her thesis in English on predicting the wetting-induced collapse of unsaturated soils. She also earned her MSc (2011–2013) and BSc (2007–2011) in Geological Engineering from Chang’an University, graduating with a strong academic record and a GPA of 3.84.

💼 Professional Experience:

Dr. Li currently serves as an Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Northwest University, a position she has held since January 2023 after working as a Lecturer in the same department from 2017 to 2022. Her teaching responsibilities include courses like Foundation Engineering and Soil Testing Techniques. Throughout her career, she has played principal and collaborative roles in several national and provincial scientific projects focusing on loess deformation, soil stability, and eco-friendly soil improvement techniques.

🏆 Awards and Honors:

While specific awards are not individually listed, Dr. Li has successfully led multiple prestigious projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education, highlighting her respected status in the field and her capacity to secure competitive research grants.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Ping Li’s research revolves around three major themes: soil bioengineering, unsaturated soil mechanics, and soil microstructure. Her work investigates how vegetation roots impact the physical and mechanical properties of compacted loess, how collapse behaviors can be modeled under different wetting scenarios, and how advanced imaging can be used to quantify microstructural changes. She also explores sustainable approaches using biochar and nanomaterials to stabilize loess soils and improve their hydraulic behavior. Her research is both theoretical and application-driven, aiming to enhance infrastructure stability and environmental resilience.

🔚 Conclusion:

Dr. Ping Li stands out as a leading geotechnical researcher with deep expertise in loess soil behavior, sustainability, and microstructural analysis. Her dedication to academic excellence, international collaboration, and real-world problem-solving in soil mechanics has significantly influenced the field. She continues to mentor future geoscientists and push the boundaries of eco-geotechnical engineering.

📚 Top Noted Publications :

Investigating the saturated hydraulic conductivity and its variation of a fine-grained soil with root exudates of Robinia pseudoaccacia – Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2025, Accepted.
Cited by: Pending
Effects of vegetation roots on the structure and hydraulic properties of soils: A perspective review – Science of The Total Environment, 2024, Vol. 906.
Cited by: 15+
Influence of biochar on the soil‑water retention behavior of compacted loess – Journal of Soils and Sediments, 2024, Vol. 24.
Cited by: 10+
Effects of molding water content and compaction degree on the microstructure and permeability of compacted loess – Acta Geotechnica, 2023, Vol. 18.
Cited by: 25+
Review of chemical stabilizing agents for improving the physical and mechanical properties of loess – Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2021, Vol. 80.
Cited by: 40+
Characterizing and modeling the pore-size distribution evolution of a compacted loess during consolidation and shearing – Journal of Soils and Sediments, 2020, Vol. 20.
Cited by: 35+
Microstructural evolution of loess soils from the Loess Plateau of China – Catena, 2019, Vol. 173.
Cited by: 50+
Simple method for prediction of the soil collapse behavior due to wetting – International Journal of Geomechanics, 2018, Vol. 18.
Cited by: 70+
Prediction of the wetting-induced collapse behavior using the soil-water characteristic curve – Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 2019, Vol. 151.
Cited by: 60+
Review of collapse triggering mechanism of collapsible soils due to wetting – Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2016, Vol. 8.
Cited by: 80+

Assoc Prof Dr. Georgi Kadikyanov | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor, University of Ruse, Bulgaria

🌟 Georgi Kadikyanov is a dedicated researcher and academic in the field of mechanization and electrification of crop-growing. With a strong background in transport machinery and technologies, he has made significant contributions to the development and enhancement of agricultural and transport machinery. Georgi has actively participated in various high-profile projects and has published numerous research papers, earning recognition in the scientific community.

Strengths for the Award:

Educational Background:

Georgi Kadikyanov has a strong educational foundation in mechanization and electrification of crop-growing, transport machinery, and technologies, holding degrees from “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse. His educational background is highly relevant to his field of research.

Research Contributions:

Kadikyanov has published 27 peer-reviewed articles with 98 citations, demonstrating a solid impact in his area of research. His work on increasing the durability of aluminum parts in agricultural and transport machinery is significant.

Project Involvement:

He has been actively involved in multiple research projects, both as a participant and in leadership roles. Notable projects include:
- “Boosting Innovation in Education and Research of Precision Agriculture in Palestine”
- National Scientific Program “Intelligent Plant Farming”
- Projects focusing on high-duty vehicle efficiency and support for carrier development in engineering research.
These contributions indicate a strong capability in collaborative and applied research.

Patent Contributions:

Kadikyanov holds 1 patent and has 2 utility models, showcasing his ability to translate research into practical, intellectual property that benefits industry and technology.

Industry Collaboration:

His involvement in contracts with industry partners, such as Transport Electronics – 91 Ltd., highlights his commitment to bridging academic research with practical applications.

Areas for Improvement:

Broader Publication Impact:

While he has a respectable number of publications, increasing the impact factor and visibility of these publications in higher-tier journals could further strengthen his research profile.

Patent Portfolio Expansion:

Expanding his portfolio of patents and patent applications could enhance his standing as a leading researcher and innovator in his field.

Increased Citations:

Working on increasing citations by fostering collaborations and ensuring his research is widely disseminated could enhance the recognition of his work.

International Recognition:

Gaining more international recognition through participation in global conferences and collaborations could provide a broader platform for his research achievements.

Education

🎓 PhD Student in Mechanization and Electrification of Crop-Growing Institution: “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse
PhD Thesis: Increasing Durability of Aluminum Parts of the Agricultural and Transport Machinery. Master in Transport Machinery and Technologies, Institution: “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse. Bachelor in Transport Machinery and Technologies
Institution: “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse.

Publications

Experimental Determination of Bicycles and Electric Bicycle Stopping Distance

A study of the fuel consumption of hybrid car Toyota YarisTransport Problems

Energy characteristics of citroen berlingo converted to electric vehicleTransport Problems

Life cycle assessment of electric and conventional cars energy consumption and CO<inf>2</inf> emissionsMATEC Web of Conferences

A study of the influence of some exploitation factors on the atv stabilityTransport Problems

Conclusion:

Georgi Kadikyanov is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his extensive educational background, impactful research publications, significant project involvement, and contributions to patents and industry contracts. Addressing the areas for improvement, such as expanding his publication impact and patent portfolio, could further bolster his candidacy. Overall, his achievements and contributions reflect a high level of research excellence and innovation.