Prof. Dr. Lavinia Denisia Cuc | Digital Transformation in Accounting and Auditing | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Lavinia Denisia Cuc | Digital Transformation in Accounting and Auditing | Research Excellence Award

Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad | Romania

Lavinia Denisia Cuc is an accomplished academic and researcher in the field of economics and accounting, known for her contributions to university education, research coordination, and multidisciplinary collaboration. She holds a Doctorate in Accounting from the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, complemented by master’s degrees in economic analysis, business evaluation, and accounting and business management, supported by multiple postgraduate qualifications in auditing, training, and financial analysis. Her professional experience spans over two decades in higher education, where she has served as University Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and currently as a Faculty member engaged in teaching, research, and PhD supervision. She also serves as Coordinator of the Research and Consultancy Center in Economics and has significant industry experience as a procurement manager and managing partner in accounting consultancy. Her research interests focus on managerial accounting, economic-financial analysis, enterprise evaluation, and interdisciplinary approaches within social, economic, and environmental sciences. She has contributed to multiple international research projects and serves on editorial boards of several academic journals. Recognized through numerous excellence awards for scientific performance and innovation, she continues to advance high-quality research and academic leadership, fostering development, collaboration, and knowledge dissemination within the academic community.

Profile:  ORCID

Featured Publications

Cuc, L. D., Rad, D., Isac, F. L., Barbu, F. S., Joldeș, C. S. R., Gomoi, B. C., Almași, R. C., Manațe, D., & Megan, O. (2025). Mapping user perceptions of AI in accounting and auditing with the TAM—A network analysis approach. Electronics. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14234598

Rad, D., Cuc, L. D., Croitoru, G., Gomoi, B. C., Mazuru, L., Bilți, R. S., Rusu, S., Sinaci, M., & Barbu, F. S. (2025). Modeling investment decisions through decision tree regression—A behavioral finance theory approach. Electronics. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14081505

Cuc, L. D., Rad, D., Cilan, T. F., Gomoi, B. C., Nicolaescu, C., Almași, R., Dzitac, S., Isac, F. L., & Pandelica, I. (2025). From AI knowledge to AI usage intention in the managerial accounting profession and the role of personality traits—A decision tree regression approach. Electronics. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14061107

Runcan, R., Hațegan, V., Toderici, O., Croitoru, G., Gavrila-Ardelean, M., Cuc, L. D., Rad, D., Costin, A., & Dughi, T. (2025). Ethical AI in social sciences research: Are we gatekeepers or revolutionaries? Societies. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15030062

Cuc, L. D., Rad, D., Saplacan, S., Sendroiu, C., Batca-Dumitru, G. C., Wysocki, D., Dutu, A., & Manolescu, A.-A. (2024). A hierarchical clustering analysis of the management accounting practices perceptions in Romania. International Journal of Computers Communications & Control, 19(6). https://doi.org/10.15837/IJCCC.2024.6.6864

Dr. Jack Pink | Authentic Leadership | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Jack Pink | Authentic Leadership | Young Scientist Award

Stanford University | United States

Dr. Jack Pink is a maritime archaeologist specializing in the study of shipwrecks and their broader cultural and ecological impacts. He holds a Ph.D. in Archaeology, an M.A. in Maritime Archaeology, and a B.A. in Archaeology, with extensive training in underwater and terrestrial field methods, including SCUBA and HSE diving qualifications. His research integrates archaeological excavation, geophysics, remote sensing, and digital methodologies, with a particular focus on shipwreck assemblages, maritime heritage records, and the application of data science and machine learning to heritage datasets. Dr. Pink has contributed to major projects including Unpath’d Waters, the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Programme, and digital twin modeling of historic vessels such as RRS Discovery. His work encompasses field leadership, policy development for underwater cultural heritage, and teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in maritime archaeology, data science, and heritage management. He has published in leading journals, presented internationally, and received awards for community engagement and contributions to maritime archaeology research. Dr. Pink continues to explore interdisciplinary approaches connecting archaeology, technology, and marine ecology, enriching understanding of maritime heritage and informing conservation practices. His research advances both academic knowledge and practical applications in heritage management and sustainable exploration of underwater sites.

Profile:  ORCID

Featured Publications

Pink, J. (2025). Paper ships on digital seas. Journal of Maritime Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11457-025-09487-x

Pink, J., Pedrotti, F., & Whitewright, J. (2025). The archaeology of the Rhoda Mary, a Cornish schooner hulked in the River Medway. Journal of Field Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.1080/00934690.2025.2476269

Pink, J., & Whitewright, J. (2022). A life less than ordinary: The schooner Ocean (1821–1865). Historical Archaeology, 56, 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41636-021-00322-3

Pink, J. (2021). Philip Reid: The merchant ship in the British Atlantic, 1600–1800: Continuity and innovation in a key technology. Journal of Maritime Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11457-021-09299-9

Assist. Prof. Dr. Zhigang Wu | Innovative Leadership | Research Excellence Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Zhigang Wu | Innovative Leadership | Research Excellence Award

Jiangxi University of Science and Technology | China

Zhigang Wu is an accomplished associate professor whose work centers on precision engineering, intelligent mechatronic systems, and micro–nano manipulation technologies. He holds a Ph.D. in Electromechanical Engineering from the University of Macau, a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tianjin University of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in Electromechanical Engineering from the North University of China. With extensive academic and research experience, he has made significant contributions in areas such as flexure hinge mechanisms, PZT-driven micro-grippers, nanopositioning platforms, nonlinear control, smart sensors, micro-robots, and hysteresis modeling. His research outputs include over 15 publications in reputable journals and international conferences, including SCI-indexed papers, IEEE Access, Scientific Reports, and IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters. He also serves as a reviewer for leading journals and robotics/mechatronics conferences. His work has supported several national and international research projects funded by agencies in China and Macau, focusing on advanced micromanipulation technologies, robust control, and intelligent optimization. He has been recognized with awards such as the Excellent Master Thesis Award from Tianjin University of Technology. Through his continued research in cutting-edge micro-robotics, advanced control algorithms, and precision mechanisms, he remains dedicated to advancing intelligent mechatronic systems and contributing impactful innovations to the field.

Profile:  Scopus

Featured Publications

BiAttentionNet: A dual-branch automatic driving image segmentation network integrating spatial and channel attention mechanisms. (2025). Scientific Reports.

Covid-19 psychological pressures, depression and FOMO: The mediating role of online social support and emotional regulation. (2024). BMC Psychology.

Mr. Noel Isack Kaaya | Environmental and analytical chemistry | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Noel Isack Kaaya | Environmental and analytical chemistry | Research Excellence Award

Government Chemist Laboratory Authority | Tanzania

Noel Isack Kaaya is an accomplished chemist researcher with over a decade of professional experience in hazardous chemicals management, occupational safety and health, and advanced laboratory analysis related to environmental pollution, toxicology, and illicit substances. He holds a Master of Science in Chemistry from the University of Dodoma and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Dar es Salaam, building a strong academic foundation in analytical and environmental chemistry. His research work focuses on acid mine drainage, geogenic contamination, environmental toxicology, soil pollution, and the use of advanced materials such as graphene-based adsorbents for rare earth element recovery. He has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications addressing environmental contamination and public health risks in mining regions. His professional experience includes long-term service as a chemist in a national analytical laboratory, where he conducts critical assessments of environmental hazards and supports scientific investigations. His research interests extend to environmental risk assessment, geochemistry, and sustainable waste management solutions. With growing recognition in the scientific community and impactful contributions to environmental health, he continues to advance research that informs policy, protects public safety, and strengthens sustainable mineral resource management. His career reflects a commitment to scientific excellence and environmental responsibility.

Profile:  Scopus

Featured Publications

Kaaya, N. I. (2026). Acid mine drainage, soil pollution, and carcinogenic risk of geogenic contaminants in artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas of Geita, Tanzania. Environmental Geochemistry and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-025-02909-8

Mr. Izhar Ahmed | Geological Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Izhar Ahmed | Geological Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Institute of Geology and Geophysics Chinese Academy of Sciences | China 

Izhar Ahmed is a dedicated researcher in engineering geology, currently pursuing advanced studies at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He holds a strong academic foundation with degrees in Applied Geology and Earth Sciences, complemented by professional experience as a geotechnical engineer, visiting lecturer, and disaster management coordinator. His research focuses on intact and rock mass characterization, physico-mechanical behavior of granitic rocks, fault damage zone (FDZ) mechanics, geo-hazard engineering, and slope stability in tectonically active mountain regions. He has published multiple SCI papers in Q1 and Q2 journals and serves on the editorial board of an international journal. His notable achievements include identifying microstructural responses of rocks to tectonic activity, quantifying rock mass heterogeneity across FDZs, and proposing an FDZ-based landslide prediction model with significant application value for infrastructure development in seismically active zones. His contributions have garnered growing citation impact and recognition within the scientific community. He continues to advance research on rock mechanics, landslide hazards, and machine-learning-based geotechnical modeling with a commitment to improving hazard assessment and engineering safety in complex geological environments.

Profile:  Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Ahmed, I., Shang, Y., Sousa, L., Yi, X., Meng, Q., Rabbani, H., & Ahmed, R. (2025). Tectonic control on mineralogical and microfabric modifications and their impact on rock strength: Evidence from the fault damage zone, Tethyan Himalayas, Pakistan. Minerals, 15(12), 1272.

Ahmed, I., Shang, Y., Sousa, L., Meng, Q., Tanoli, J. I., & Waqar, M. F. (2025). Geomechanical evaluation of fault damage zone in the active Himalayas of Northern Pakistan. Environmental Earth Sciences, 84(21), 644.

 Waqar, M. F., Guo, S., Qi, S., Karim, M. A. M., Zada, K., Ahmed, I., & Shang, Y. (2025). Influence of mineralogical and petrographic properties on the mechanical behavior of granitic and mafic rocks. Minerals, 15(7), 747.

 Ahmed, I., Shang, Y., Basharat, M., Zada, K., & Khan, B. A. (2024). Influence of stress-induced fabric changes on the strength of granites: An insight from the Kohistan and Ladakh Himalayas, Northern Pakistan. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 83(9), 369.

Sajjad, M. M., Wang, J., Ge, D., Khan, R., Ahmed, I., & Zada, K. (2024). Assessing the potential landslide risk identification in the northern section of CPEC route Pakistan based on multi-temporal InSAR approaches. Journal of Mountain Science, 21(12), 4131–4148.

Dr. Lixing Zheng | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Lixing Zheng | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

PowerChina Chongqing Engineering Co., Ltd | China

Dr. Lixing Zheng is a researcher specializing in hydrogen energy production, life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling, and low-carbon regional scenario analysis. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from the South China University of Technology, followed by a PhD from the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His academic and professional journey has included extensive involvement in postdoctoral research at PowerChina Chongqing Engineering Co., Ltd., where he contributes to advancing sustainable energy systems. Dr. Zheng has authored influential works, including contributions to the Encyclopedia of China (3rd Edition) and several peer-reviewed publications on hydrogen production efficiency, hydrogen energy supply scenarios, hydrogen metallurgy, exergy efficiency, and the life-cycle impacts of renewable energy technologies. His research has supported key national and regional projects focused on energy transformation, carbon neutrality pathways, and industrial technology development. Dr. Zheng’s achievements have been recognized through honors such as the 2024 Outstanding Paper Award from the Journal of Engineering Thermophysics, the 2024 Global Top Ten Award for Commercialisation of Research Results by Engineers, and the Second Prize of the 2025 China Power Construction Group Science and Technology Award. His work continues to advance the scientific foundation for sustainable, low-carbon energy systems.

Profile:  Scopus

Featured Publications

Analysis of exergy flow and CCUS carbon reduction potential in coal gasification hydrogen production technology in China. Energies.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yu Zhao | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yu Zhao | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Research Excellence Award

Shenyang Jianzhu University | China

Zhao Yu is an accomplished scholar in management science and engineering with a strong academic foundation, holding a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, a master’s degree in management science and engineering, and a Ph.D. from Chongqing University. With professional experience spanning academia and government research, he has served as a lecturer, associate professor, and policy research section chief, contributing significantly to both theoretical and practical aspects of sustainable development. His research focuses on emergy analysis, carbon emissions, construction sustainability, green building, urban metabolism, zero-waste city governance, supply-chain carbon measurement, and real estate mass appraisal. He has published 18 SCI/SSCI papers as first author, including multiple articles in top-tier CAS Zone 1 journals, and has led more than 2 million RMB in funded research projects, including prestigious Ministry of Education and provincial social science grants. His work has advanced carbon reduction strategies, emergy-based sustainability evaluations, and digital governance in the construction sector. He has also guided students to achieve national awards, reflecting his commitment to talent cultivation and academic excellence. Overall, his contributions demonstrate impactful leadership in advancing sustainable construction, ecological governance, and innovative urban development pathways for regional and national progress.

Profile:  ORCID 

Featured Publications

Zhao, Y. (2025). Assessing recycled concrete’s sustainability with emergy theory and input–output modeling. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Engineering Sustainability.

Zhao, Y. (2025). Coupling system dynamics with emergy analysis to achieve China’s zero-waste city goals: A metabolic perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production.

Zhao, Y. (2025). Efficient project management of historical building groups: A BIM-based approach with the critical chain method and 5D simulation. International Journal of Construction Management.

Zhao, Y. (2025). Flow shop scheduling for prefabricated components production considering parallel machines and buffer constraints. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.

Zhao, Y. (2025). Enhancing real estate mass appraisal in Type II metropolitan cities: A GIS-MGWR approach. International Journal of Strategic Property Management.

Prof Dr. Shu-Hu Yin | Innovative Leadership | Research Excellence Award

Prof Dr. Shu-Hu Yin | Innovative Leadership | Research Excellence Award

Nantong University | China

Dr. Shu-Hu Yin is a distinguished researcher in electrocatalysis whose work focuses on the design of advanced interfaces and surfaces for clean energy technologies, particularly fuel cells. He earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Xiamen University, where he developed a strong foundation in electrochemical mechanisms and catalytic material design. With extensive academic experience, he has contributed to major national research initiatives, including the National Key Research and Development Program of China, and currently leads innovative projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Jiangsu Provincial Natural Science Foundation. His research interests center on transition-metal single-atom catalysts, Fe/N/C systems, electrocatalytic reaction pathways, and the development of high-performance materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Dr. Yin has published influential articles in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, and Angewandte Chemie International Edition, contributing significantly to advancements in catalyst structure characterization and activity quantification. With an h-index of 17, his work is widely recognized for its novelty, rigor, and technological relevance. He continues to collaborate globally, offering expertise in electrochemical energy conversion. Dr. Yin’s career reflects a commitment to scientific excellence and to developing sustainable solutions that address global energy challenges.

Profile:  ORCID 

Featured Publications

Chen, L., Yin, S., Zeng, H., Liu, J., Xiao, X., Cheng, X., Huang, H., Huang, R., Yang, J., & Lin, W.-F., et al. (2024).
Engineering asymmetric electronic structure of cobalt coordination on CoN₃S active sites for high-performance oxygen reduction reaction. Journal of Energy Chemistry.

Cheng, X., Yin, S., Zhang, J., Yang, J., Chen, L., Wang, W., Liao, H., Huang, R., Jiang, Y., Zhang, B., et al. (2025).
Low-temperature pyrolysis: A universal route to high-loading single-atom catalysts for fuel cells. Advanced Materials.

Jiang, W.-L., Cao, S.-H., Qiu, C.-Y., Sun, H.-J., Wang, L.-N., Sheng, J.-B., Ji, L.-F., Liu, S., Ni, Z.-R., Yin, S.-H., et al. (2025).
Operando magnetic resonance imaging for visualizing electrochemical triple-phase boundary. Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Li, G., Yin, S.-H., Ji, L.-F., Nie, X.-Y., Zhu, T., Cheng, X.-Y., Xu, J., Huang, R., Jiang, Y.-X., Zhang, B.-W., et al. (2025).
Universal electrochemical quantification of active site density in transition metal nitrogen carbon electrocatalysts. Nature Communications.

Li, Y., Yin, S., Chen, L., Cheng, X., Wang, C., Jiang, Y., & Sun, S. (2024).
Boost the utilization of dense FeN₄ sites for high-performance proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Energy and Environmental Materials.

Yin, S., Chen, L., Yang, J., Cheng, X., Zeng, H., Hong, Y., Huang, H., Kuai, X., Lin, Y., & Huang, R., et al. (2024).
A Fe–NC electrocatalyst boosted by trace bromide ions with high performance in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Nature Communications.

Yin, S., Yi, H., Liu, M., Yang, J., Yang, S., Zhang, B.-W., Chen, L., Cheng, X., Huang, H., & Huang, R., et al. (2024).
An in situ exploration of how Fe/N/C oxygen reduction catalysts evolve during synthesis under pyrolytic conditions. Nature Communications.

Dr. Yu Pan | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Outstanding Educator Award

Dr. Yu Pan | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Outstanding Educator Award

Wenzhou Medical University | China

Dr. Pan Yu is an accomplished scholar and associate professor specializing in applied linguistics and foreign language education. She holds advanced degrees in applied linguistics, educational management, leadership, and global communication, forming a strong academic foundation for her interdisciplinary work in language studies. With extensive teaching experience in sociolinguistics, academic English writing, comparative English–Chinese studies, cultural communication, TOEFL iBT preparation, and language assessment, she has contributed significantly to curriculum development and pedagogical innovation. Her research focuses on corpus linguistics, English for Academic Purposes, culture studies, teaching pedagogy, and teacher education, with scholarly publications that reflect her commitment to understanding language learning and promoting effective teaching strategies. She has received numerous prestigious honors, including provincial academic achievement awards, best paper awards, and multiple teaching innovation and excellence awards at university, municipal, and provincial levels. As an active researcher and educator, she continually advances language education through research-driven practice and engagement in academic communities. Her career illustrates a sustained dedication to improving language teaching, fostering student success, and contributing to the development of applied linguistics as both a research field and educational practice.

Profile:  ORCID 

Featured Publications

Pan, Y. (2025). Global healthcare communication: Innovating medical English education. Cogent Education. Advance online publication.

Pan, Y. (2025). Leveraging generative AI powered rubric-indexed feedback as a formative assessment strategy for enhancing medical English education. Discover Computing. Advance online publication.

Tao, G., & Pan, Y. (2025). AI-driven personalized learning in medical education: Enhancing cognitive skills and addressing language proficiency challenges. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(4).

Pan, Y. (2024). Transformation and innovation of university archives compilation and research methods in the context of digital intelligence. [Journal Name Not Provided].

Pan, Y., Wang, L., & Zhu, Y. (2024). Strategic questioning for formative assessment in TEFL: Insights from blended synchronous learning environments. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11.

Pan, Y. (2024). Bridging language and medical education: Integrating Chinese and Western perspectives for high-quality healthcare training. Journal of Language Teaching, 4(2).

Pan, Y. (2023). A study on the optimization of English writing teaching system in medical colleges and universities based on the perspective of curriculum ideology and politics. Journal of Language Teaching, 3(3). Pan, Y. (2023). 基于文化自信的医学类高校文化传播育人研究 [Research on cultural communication education in medical universities based on cultural confidence]. 西部学刊.

Pan, Y. (2023). College English teaching based on peer feedback in writing tasks under the perspective of New Liberal Arts. Journal of Language Teaching, 3(3).

Ms. Yaping Wang | Emotional Intelligence in Leadership | Outstanding Educator Award

Ms. Yaping Wang | Emotional Intelligence in Leadership | Outstanding Educator Award

Institute of European Studies | Serbia

Clara Mucci, Ph.D., is a Full Professor of Psychodynamic Psychology at the University of Bergamo, where she also directs the School of Specialization and Psychotherapy in Health Psychology and co-directs the program on the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders. Her academic path spans advanced degrees in psychology, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and comparative literature, complemented by distinguished certifications including EMDR, Adult Attachment Interview, and Reflective Functioning. Mucci has held numerous fellowships and visiting scholar positions at leading institutions such as the Austen Riggs Center, the New School for Social Research, Columbia University, and the Personality Disorders Institute in New York. Her teaching and clinical training activities cover trauma, attachment, personality disorders, resilience, intergenerational transmission of trauma, and psychodynamic theory, and she has delivered seminars internationally across Europe and the United States. Her research interests center on trauma, dissociation, attachment, epigenetics, resilience, and the psychodynamic impact of adverse developmental experiences. Widely recognized for her scholarly contributions, she received awards such as the ASP Best Book Award for Borderline Bodies. Through her integrated clinical, academic, and research work, Mucci continues to advance contemporary psychodynamic and trauma-informed perspectives in mental health.

Profile:  Scopus 

Featured Publications