MARIO ORESTES AGUIRRE GONZALEZ | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. MARIO ORESTES AGUIRRE GONZALEZ | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Mario Orestes Aguirre González is an accomplished academic and researcher in the field of production engineering, with expertise in product innovation, process optimization, and renewable energy systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Production Engineering with a focus on customer integration in product development from the Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Brazil. As an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), he has significantly contributed to academic development and industry collaborations. Mario leads the CREATION research group, focusing on renewable energy value chains, including wind, solar, and hydrogen. His research is widely published in high-impact journals such as Journal of Cleaner Production and Energy Policy. He is also an active member of national and international energy committees, contributing to strategic initiatives in green hydrogen development.

Professional Profile

Education

Mario Orestes Aguirre González’s educational background is diverse and distinguished. He earned a Ph.D. in Production Engineering from UFSCar in 2010, specializing in customer integration in product development. Prior to that, he completed his Master’s degree in Production Engineering at UFRN in 2005, focusing on customer satisfaction and loyalty in the hospitality industry. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Peru, which he obtained in 2000. He has pursued specialized training in areas such as total quality management, innovation management, offshore renewable energy systems, and intellectual property. This robust educational foundation has equipped him with a multidisciplinary perspective essential for tackling complex challenges in engineering and innovation.

Professional Experience

Mario has held various impactful positions throughout his career. He is currently an Associate Professor at UFRN, where he teaches and conducts research in product engineering, innovation management, and global value chain coordination. He has previously served as President of the Institute for Innovation and Product Development Management (IGDP) and coordinated significant national conferences and workshops. Mario has also worked on industry-oriented projects with leading companies such as ABM, Vale, and Volkswagen, through the Materials Characterization and Development Center at UFSCar. His contributions extend to academic administration, serving as the vice-coordinator and coordinator of graduate programs at UFRN, and as an editor for Product: Management & Development.

Research Interests

Mario’s research interests are rooted in innovation, process optimization, and renewable energy systems. He is dedicated to advancing knowledge in global value chain integration for green technologies, with a particular focus on wind, solar, and hydrogen energy. His work explores product and process innovation, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to optimize industrial and operational processes. Through his leadership of the CREATION research group, Mario investigates sustainable energy solutions, contributing to the development of efficient and innovative production systems. He is also committed to fostering the link between academia and industry, ensuring practical applicability and societal impact of his research.

Research Skills

Mario possesses extensive research skills in production and process engineering, including the development of reference models, customer integration, and quality management. He is proficient in utilizing advanced methodologies such as Six Sigma DMAIC, regression models, and risk analysis to drive innovation and efficiency. Mario’s technical expertise spans renewable energy technologies, such as offshore wind and solar power systems, as well as green hydrogen development. His skills in project management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and scholarly writing have enabled him to produce impactful research published in high-impact journals. Additionally, he has strong capabilities in mentoring graduate students and fostering industry-academic partnerships.

Awards and Honors

Mario’s academic and professional achievements have been recognized through numerous awards and honors. He is a CNPq Productivity Research Fellow (Level 2), highlighting his significant contributions to Brazilian research. He received scholarships from CAPES for his doctoral and master’s studies, reflecting his academic excellence. As President of the IGDP, he was instrumental in organizing national events that fostered innovation and collaboration. He has also been acknowledged for his pioneering efforts in renewable energy research, including his active role in the National Hydrogen Program. His diverse recognitions underscore his leadership, academic rigor, and commitment to advancing innovation in engineering.

Conclusion

Mario Orestes Aguirre González is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His extensive contributions to production engineering, renewable energy innovation, and academic leadership, combined with impactful publications and industry collaborations, make him a well-rounded and deserving nominee. Strategic efforts to enhance international engagement and intellectual property outputs could further elevate his profile in the global research community.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Offshore Wind Power Growth and Industrial Development in Emerging Markets
    • Authors: González, M.; Santiso, A.; Jones, D.; Vasconcelos, R.; Melo, D.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0
  2. Maturity Model for Sustainability Assessment of Chemical Analyses Laboratories in Public Higher Education Institutions
    • Authors: Souza, M.A.; González, M.O.A.; Pinho, A.L.S.D.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 3
  3. Technology Mapping of Direct Seawater Electrolysis Through Patent Analysis
    • Authors: Medeiros Araújo de Moura, L.C.; Orestes Aguirre González, M.; de Oliveira Ferreira, P.; Gonçalves Vasconcelos Sampaio, P.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 4
  4. Factors Influencing the Decision-Making Process at the End-of-Life Cycle of Onshore Wind Farms: A Systematic Review
    • Authors: Agra Neto, J.; González, M.O.A.; Castro, R.L.P.D.; Souza, L.H.D.; Cabral, E.L.D.S.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0
  5. Evaluation of Technological Development of Hydrogen Fuel Cells Based on Patent Analysis
    • Authors: Moura, L.; González, M.; Silva, J.; Ferreira, P.; Sampaio, P.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 1
  6. Lean Development and Its Impacts on the Performance of New Product Processes: An Analysis of Innovative Brazilian Companies
    • Authors: de Toledo, J.C.; Pinheiro, L.M.P.; Poltronieri, C.F.; Barbalho, S.; González, M.O.A.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 4
  7. Analysis of the Impact of Communication Campaigns Under the Project “Syphilis No”: A National Tool for Inducing and Promoting Health
    • Authors: Paiva, J.C.D.L.; Dias-Trindade, S.; Gonzalez, M.O.A.; Barbalho, I.M.P.; Valentim, R.A.D.M.
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 2
  8. Environmental Licensing for Offshore Wind Farms: Guidelines and Policy Implications for New Markets
    • Authors: Vasconcelos, R.M.D.; Silva, L.L.C.; González, M.O.A.; Santiso, A.M.; de Melo, D.C.
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 13
  9. A Review on Organic Photovoltaic Cell
    • Authors: Sampaio, P.G.V.; González, M.O.A.
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 28
  10. Contact Points Between Lean Six Sigma and Industry 4.0: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework
    • Authors: Sordan, J.E.; Oprime, P.C.; Pimenta, M.L.; Silva, S.L.; González, M.O.A.
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 31

 

CIGDEM CAGLAYAN | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Ms. CIGDEM CAGLAYAN | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate at Seoul National University, South Korea

Cigdem Caglayan is an accomplished Aerospace Engineer and a PhD candidate at Seoul National University, specializing in cutting-edge research on dynamic combinational epoxy vitrimers, recyclable carbon fiber vitrimer composites, and self-healing mechano-luminescent (ML) coatings for structural health monitoring (SHM). Her work focuses on developing cost-effective solutions for detecting and visualizing stress distribution in structural components, advancing sustainability through recyclable composite materials. With a strong foundation in polymer science and composite technologies, her research journey spans innovative material design, advanced manufacturing techniques, and extensive collaboration with international institutions. Cigdem is highly skilled in project management, technical reporting, and material characterization, with several publications in high-impact journals. Her global academic contributions and passion for sustainability position her as a leader in the aerospace and materials research domains.

Professional Profile

Education

Cigdem is currently pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Seoul National University, expected in February 2025. Her doctoral research focuses on self-healing epoxy vitrimers and ML coatings. She earned her MSc in Aerospace Engineering from Istanbul Technical University, where her thesis emphasized nano-reinforced polyurethane foams and polymer foam core sandwich composites. She graduated with a GPA of 4.00/4.30 in 2019. Her BSc in Aerospace Engineering, also from Istanbul Technical University, focused on the design and testing of advanced composites, graduating in 2016 with a GPA of 3.69/4.00. Her academic achievements have been supported by prestigious scholarships and her commitment to advancing composite technologies.

Professional Experience

Cigdem has extensive experience as a researcher, starting her career at Istanbul Technical University’s Aerospace Research Center (2016–2019), where she led projects on nano-reinforced polyurethane foams and polymer foam core sandwich composites. Currently, she is a researcher at Seoul National University, where she develops self-healing stress sensors and recyclable carbon fiber composites, contributing to advancements in structural health monitoring and sustainability. Cigdem has been instrumental in laboratory setup and operations, utilizing advanced equipment and techniques. Her teaching experience includes mentoring undergraduate students in subjects like composite materials and aerospace engineering, further showcasing her leadership and technical expertise.

Research Interests

Cigdem’s research interests focus on developing sustainable and innovative materials for aerospace and structural applications. Her work in self-healing mechano-luminescent (ML) coatings and recyclable epoxy vitrimer composites aims to revolutionize structural health monitoring (SHM) by enabling non-contact stress detection and visualization. She is passionate about composite manufacturing techniques, including vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) and hot pressing, with a keen focus on enhancing sustainability through recyclable materials. Her interests also extend to understanding material failure under various conditions, making her research pivotal for industries like aerospace and defense.

Research Skills

Cigdem is proficient in advanced composite manufacturing and characterization techniques, including VARTM, hot pressing, and ASTM-standard testing methods like flexural fatigue and impact analysis. Her expertise extends to characterization tools such as FTIR, NMR, and SEM, and she is skilled in data analysis using MATLAB and 3D CAD/CAM software like CATIA. Additionally, she excels in laboratory management, experimental design, and technical reporting, with strong soft skills in teamwork and communication. Cigdem’s ability to innovate and lead makes her a valuable contributor to complex research projects.

Awards and Honors

Cigdem has been recognized globally for her academic and research excellence. She is a recipient of the prestigious Global Korean Scholarship (2019–2023) and has been honored with the Korean Government Invitation Program award for top students. Her outstanding presentation at the International Conference on Active Materials and Soft Mechatronics in 2024 earned her an Excellent Presentation Award. As one of Turkey’s top students, she has also received multiple scholarships and participated in international exchange programs, highlighting her dedication and achievements in aerospace engineering.

Conclusion

Cigdem Caglayan is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award due to her innovative research, extensive technical expertise, and global academic contributions. Her work in self-healing composites and recyclable materials directly addresses contemporary challenges in sustainability and advanced materials science, aligning with the award’s objectives. By broadening the application of her research and increasing leadership roles in professional communities, she can further enhance her academic and professional impact.

Publications Top Notes

  1. Reprocessable carbon fiber vitrimer composites: Reclamation and reformatting of carbon fibers for second-generation composite materials
    Authors: Sharma, H., Bender, M., Kim, G., Kumar, A., Rana, S.
    Journal: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
    Year: 2024
  2. Epoxy-Based Catalyst-Free Self-Healing Elastomers at Room Temperature Employing Aromatic Disulfide and Hydrogen Bonds
    Authors: Kim, G., Caglayan, C., Yun, G.J.
    Journal: ACS Omega
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 13
  3. CNT-Reinforced Self-Healable Epoxy Dynamic Networks Based on Disulfide Bond Exchange
    Authors: Caglayan, C., Kim, G., Yun, G.J.
    Journal: ACS Omega
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 5
  4. Impact response of shear thickening fluid filled polyurethane foam core sandwich composites
    Authors: Caglayan, C., Osken, I., Ataalp, A., Turkmen, H.S., Cebeci, H.
    Journal: Composite Structures
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 51
  5. The effect of CNT-reinforced polyurethane foam cores to flexural properties of sandwich composites
    Authors: Caglayan, C., Gurkan, I., Gungor, S., Cebeci, H.
    Journal: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 53
  6. Flexural behaviours of nanophased rigid polyurethane foam core sandwich composites
    Authors: Çağlayan, Ç., Demir, E., Gürkan, İ., Cebeci, H.
    Conference: ICCM International Conferences on Composite Materials
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 1