Morteza Khorami | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Morteza Khorami | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Coventry University, United Kingdom

Morteza Khorami πŸŽ“ is a distinguished civil engineer and academic at Coventry University, specializing in structural engineering, sustainable construction materials, and reinforced concrete. With over 20 years of experience πŸ—οΈ, he has led research projects on innovative cement composites and green building materials. As a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) πŸŽ–οΈ, he has contributed significantly to academia through teaching, mentoring, and publishing in high-impact journals. His expertise in project management and material innovation makes him a key figure in sustainable infrastructure development. 🌍🏒

Professional Profile:

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Education & Experience

πŸ“š Education:

πŸ’Ό Experience:

  • Professor at Coventry University (2015 – Present) πŸ“–πŸ—οΈ

    • Conducts lectures and supervises research in structural engineering and construction materials.

    • Leads research on innovative materials for sustainable construction.

    • Publishes in high-impact journals and presents at international conferences.

    • Mentors postgraduate students in thesis development and engineering methodologies.

Professional Development

Morteza Khorami is a leading researcher in sustainable construction materials πŸ—οΈπŸŒ±, focusing on reinforced concrete, cement composites, and eco-friendly building technologies. As a Chartered Engineer (CEng) πŸŽ–οΈ and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) πŸ…, he actively promotes innovation in civil engineering. He collaborates with global researchers to advance construction methodologies 🌍 and enhance material durability. His passion for teaching and mentorship πŸ‘¨β€πŸ« has influenced many students in academia and industry. With extensive project management expertise πŸ“Š, he integrates cutting-edge research into practical engineering solutions for sustainable infrastructure. πŸ’πŸ”¬

Research Focus

Morteza Khorami’s research focuses on sustainable and innovative materials in civil engineering πŸ—οΈπŸŒΏ. His studies explore reinforced concrete durability, cement composites, and eco-friendly alternatives such as waste-based construction materials. He has conducted extensive research on fiber-reinforced cement boards, geopolymer mortars, and corrosion-resistant structures πŸ”¬βš™οΈ. His work contributes to reducing carbon footprints in construction by utilizing materials like scrap tires, bagasse fibers, and nano silica fume πŸŒŽβ™»οΈ. Through his research, he aims to improve structural resilience and sustainability, making a lasting impact on the construction industry. πŸ›οΈπŸ”

Awards & Honors

πŸ… Chartered Engineer (CEng) – Recognized for professional excellence in engineering.
πŸŽ–οΈ Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) – Prestigious recognition in academia.
πŸ† Published over 18 high-impact research papers in leading international journals.
πŸ“š Authored multiple books and book chapters on structural engineering and materials science.
🌍 Presented research at international conferences, influencing global construction methodologies.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Effect of Low-Grade Calcined Clay on the Durability Performance of Blended Cement Mortar

    • Journal: Buildings

    • Publication Date: April 2, 2025

    • DOI: 10.3390/buildings15071159

    • Summary: This study investigates how incorporating low-grade calcined clay influences the durability of blended cement mortar. The research focuses on properties such as compressive strength, porosity, and resistance to chloride penetration.​

  2. Performance of Calcined Impure Kaolinitic Clay as a Partial Substitute for Portland Cement Concrete: A Review

    • Journal: Journal of Composites Science

    • Publication Date: March 21, 2025

    • DOI: 10.3390/jcs9040145

    • Summary: This review examines the viability of using calcined impure kaolinitic clay as a partial replacement for Portland cement. It evaluates the material’s impact on mechanical properties, durability, and environmental benefits.​

  3. Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Corrosion Damage Under Cyclic Loading

    • Journal: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Structures and Buildings

    • Publication Date: March 7, 2025

    • DOI: 10.1680/jstbu.24.00104

    • Summary: This paper explores how corrosion damage affects the performance of reinforced concrete beams under cyclic loading conditions, focusing on changes in load-bearing capacity and structural integrity.​

  4. Development of Fiber Cement Boards Using Recycled Jute Fibers for Building Applications

    • Journal: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering

    • Publication Date: January 2025

    • DOI: 10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-18084

    • Summary: This research focuses on creating fiber cement boards incorporating recycled jute fibers, assessing their mechanical properties, durability, and potential for sustainable building applications.​

  5. Assessment of the Mechanical and Microstructural Performance of Waste Kraft Fibre Reinforced Cement Composite Incorporating Sustainable Eco-Friendly Additives

    • Journal: Buildings

    • Publication Date: August 30, 2024

    • DOI: 10.3390/buildings14092725

    • Summary: This study evaluates the mechanical and microstructural properties of cement composites reinforced with waste kraft fibers and sustainable additives, aiming to enhance performance while promoting eco-friendly construction materials.

Conclusion

Dr. Morteza Khorami’s outstanding contributions to structural engineering, sustainable materials research, and academic leadership make him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work has not only advanced scientific knowledge but has also had practical applications in the construction industry, promoting sustainability and innovation.

Shakil Ahmed | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Shakil Ahmed | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Processor, Term at Iowa State University, United States

Shakil Ahmed is an Assistant Teaching Professor in Computer Engineering at Iowa State University (ISU), specializing in AI/ML, cybersecurity, IoT, cloud computing, and advanced networking. With a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from ISU (2023) and over 2,000 citations across 35+ publications, he leads cutting-edge research on AI-driven solutions, digital twins, and quantum networks. As a principal investigator (PI), he mentors undergraduate, MS, and Ph.D. students while actively securing external grants. His expertise spans reinforcement learning, large language models, explainable AI, and meta-learning, contributing to pioneering advancements in next-gen networking and intelligent systems. πŸš€πŸ”

Professional Profile

Education & Experience πŸ“šπŸ‘¨β€πŸ«

  • Ph.D. in Computer Engineering – Iowa State University (2023) πŸŽ“
  • M.S. in Electrical Engineering – Utah State University (2019) ⚑
  • B.S. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering – Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Bangladesh (2014) πŸ…
  • Assistant Teaching Professor – Iowa State University (2024–Present) πŸŽ“
  • Researcher & PI – Leading projects on AI, 6G, cybersecurity, IoT, and digital twins πŸ”¬
  • Advisor & Mentor – Supervising undergraduate, MS, and Ph.D. students in advanced networking and AI πŸ§‘β€πŸŽ“

Professional Development πŸ“ˆπŸ§ 

Shakil Ahmed actively contributes to AI-driven networking, secure systems, and IoT advancements. He plays a vital role in research funding, securing grants exceeding millions of dollars. As a guest editor at MDPI and reviewer for 150+ articles, he ensures high research standards. His teaching experience spans multiple STEM courses, where he integrates hands-on learning tools like Zybooks and Canvas. He has delivered invited talks on next-gen wireless technologies and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to shape the future of AI, cloud computing, and quantum networking. His work has significantly impacted academia, research, and industry. πŸš€πŸ”¬πŸ“‘

Research Focus πŸ†πŸ”

Shakil Ahmed’s research is at the intersection of AI, networking, and cybersecurity, with a focus on:

  • AI/ML & Deep Learning – Reinforcement Learning (RL), Large Language Models (LLM), Explainable AI (XAI) πŸ€–
  • Cybersecurity & Quantum Networking – Secure network protocols, quantum neural networks (QNN) πŸ”’
  • IoT & Cloud Computing – System design for connected environments, mobile edge computing ☁️
  • Digital Twin & 6G+ Networks – AI-driven tactile internet, smart infrastructure, and futuristic networking πŸŒπŸ“‘
    His work integrates cutting-edge AI techniques, optimization frameworks, and network simulations to solve real-world challenges.

Awards & Honors πŸ…πŸŽ–οΈ

  • Professional Development Fund – Iowa State University ($10,000) πŸ’°
  • Presidential Fellowship – Utah State University ($90,000) πŸ†
  • Best Paper Award – IEEE International Conference on Informatics, Electronics, and Vision (2016) πŸ₯‡
  • Graduate & Professional Student Senate Research Award – ISU ($700) πŸ“œ
  • ECpE Department Support Grant – ISU ($600) πŸŽ“
  • Professional Advancement Grant (PAG) – ISU ($400) πŸŽ–οΈ
  • Military Communications Conference Student Travel Grants – 2021 & 2022 ($1,000) ✈️
  • Graduate & Professional Student Council Grant – ISU ($750) πŸ…
  • ECE Department Support Grant – Utah State University ($1,000) πŸ†

Publication Top Notes

  1. 6G Wireless Communication Systems: Applications, Requirements, Technologies, Challenges, and Research Directions

    • Authors: Mostafa Zaman Chowdhury, Md. Shahjalal, Shakil Ahmed, Yeong Min Jang
    • Journal: IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society
    • Year: 2020
    • Citation: Chowdhury, M. Z., Shahjalal, M., Ahmed, S., & Jang, Y. M. (2020). 6G Wireless Communication Systems: Applications, Requirements, Technologies, Challenges, and Research Directions. IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, 1, 957–975.
  2. Energy-Efficient UAV-to-User Scheduling to Maximize Throughput in Wireless Networks

    • Authors: Shakil Ahmed, Mostafa Zaman Chowdhury, Yeong Min Jang
    • Journal: IEEE Access
    • Year: 2020
    • Citation: Ahmed, S., Chowdhury, M. Z., & Jang, Y. M. (2020). Energy-Efficient UAV-to-User Scheduling to Maximize Throughput in Wireless Networks. IEEE Access, 8, 21215–21225.
  3. Energy-Efficient UAV Relaying Communications to Serve Ground Nodes

    • Authors: Shakil Ahmed, Mostafa Zaman Chowdhury, Yeong Min Jang
    • Journal: IEEE Communications Letters
    • Year: 2020
    • Citation: Ahmed, S., Chowdhury, M. Z., & Jang, Y. M. (2020). Energy-Efficient UAV Relaying Communications to Serve Ground Nodes. IEEE Communications Letters, 24(4), 849–852.
  4. Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access in a mmWave Based IoT Wireless System with SWIPT

    • Authors: Hao Sun, Qiang Wang, Shakil Ahmed, Rose Hu
    • Conference: IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring)
    • Year: 2017
    • Citation: Sun, H., Wang, Q., Ahmed, S., & Hu, R. (2017). Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access in a mmWave Based IoT Wireless System with SWIPT. In 2017 IEEE 85th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring) (pp. 1–5).
  5. A Disaster Response Framework Based on IoT and D2D Communication Under 5G Network Technology

    • Authors: Shakil Ahmed, Md Rashid, Farzana Alam, B. Fakhruddin
    • Conference: 2019 29th International Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (ITNAC)
    • Year: 2019
    • Citation: Ahmed, S., Rashid, M., Alam, F., & Fakhruddin, B. (2019). A Disaster Response Framework Based on IoT and D2D Communication Under 5G Network Technology. In 2019 29th International Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (ITNAC) (pp. 20–25).