Dr. Mohamed Azzam | Wastewater reuse | Young Scientist Award

National Water Research Center, Egypt.

Dr. Mohamed Azzam is a microbiologist with over ten years of experience, specializing in bioinformatics and metagenomics. He is dedicated to spreading knowledge and innovative approaches in the biological field. Dr. Azzam has developed a rapid and reliable method for directly detecting microbial pathogens in aquatic environments without the need for isolating pure bacterial cultures, using international databases and computational tools.

Professional Profiles:

Education

Dr. Azzam holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Microbiology from the Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, awarded in 2015. He also earned a Master’s Degree (M.Sc.) in Microbiology from the same institution in 2010 and a Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc.) in Microbiology in 2003, both with Very Good with Honor Degrees. Additionally, he holds an International Computer Driving License (ICDL) from UNESCO, obtained in 2012, and scored 550 in the TOEFL® test at Ain Shams University’s Center of Public Service and Social Development.

Professional Experience

Dr. Azzam currently serves as an Analyst of Microbiology in the Microbiology Department at the National Water Research Center in ElKanater, CLEQM, Cairo, Egypt, a position he has held since 2005. He also works as a Lecturer in the Biotechnology Department at HIAC, Ministry of Higher Education, Shubra El Kheima, Cairo, Egypt, since 2009. Additionally, he is a Trainer at the Egyptian Society of Virology (ESV), Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, where he has been involved in teaching courses on Bioinformatics, Metagenomics, and Venomics since 2014.

Research Interest

Dr. Azzam’s research interests include water quality, wastewater treatment, biodegradation, and the detection of microbial pathogens in water environments. He is particularly interested in developing novel biological treatments for industrial wastewater and improving wastewater treatment using natural materials and bacteriophages.

Award and Honors

Dr. Azzam has received several awards for his contributions to microbiology and related fields. He was awarded the Perfect Attendance Award by the European Molecular Biology Lab. (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, in November 2016. He also received the Best Paper Award from the Egyptian Society of Virology at the 5th ICV in Hurghada, Egypt, in December 2014.

Research Skills

Dr. Azzam is proficient in a range of research skills, including statistical analysis, bioinformatics, and molecular biology techniques. He is skilled in using software such as Stata, SPSS, R, and various bioinformatics tools for data analysis and interpretation.

Publications

Antibiotics resistance phenomenon and virulence ability in bacteria from water environment
MI Azzam, SM Ezzat, BA Othman, KA El-Dougdoug
Water Science 31 (2), 109-121, 2017

Optimization of fibrinolytic enzyme production by newly isolated Bacillus subtilis Egy using central composite design
ME Moharam, MA El-Bendary, F El-Beih, SMH Easa, MMA Elsoud, …
Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology 17, 43-50, 2019

Newly isolated coliphages for bio-controlling multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains
MA Elbahnasawy, ESE ElSayed, MI Azzam
Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management 16, 100542, 2021

An approach using a novel phage mix for detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water
SM Ezzat, MI Azzam
Water and Environment Journal, 2019

Improving wastewater treatment using dried banana leaves and bacteriophage cocktail
N El-Dougdoug, M Nasr-Eldin, M Azzam, A Mohamed, M Hazaa
Egyptian Journal of Botany 60 (1), 199-212, 2020

Dr. Shivam Sharda | Transportation and Residential | Best Researcher Award

Research Scientist at Transportation and Residential, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, United States

👨‍🎓He remarkable academic journey, extensive research contributions, and dedication to the field of psychology are truly commendable. Your wealth of knowledge and diverse skill set reflect a deep commitment to understanding and addressing critical issues such as bullying, inclusion, and socialization.

🔬 He successful completion of a PhD in Psychology, along with the numerous advanced courses and workshops, showcases your continuous pursuit of excellence and expertise in your field.

🏆 The awards and recognitions, including the First Place in the Poster Award at the University of Stavanger, underscore the impact of your research and the high regard it holds in the academic community.

Professional Profiles:

Education:

Shivam Sharda is a dedicated scholar and researcher with a strong academic background and expertise in the field of sustainable engineering and transportation. He earned his Ph.D. from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ, USA, specializing in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. His dissertation, titled “Multidimensional Models to Understand Travel Behavior Implications for Transport and Household Energy Use,” reflects his commitment to exploring the complex dynamics of travel behavior and its impact on energy consumption within households. During his doctoral studies, Shivam worked under the guidance of Dr. Ram M. Pendyala and collaborated with committee members Dr. Mikhail Chester, Dr. Venu Garikapati, Dr. Kevin Grimm, and Dr. Sara Khoeini. Prior to his doctoral studies, Shivam completed his Master of Science degree at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, USA, graduating from the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering in December 2016. His master’s thesis, titled “Mapping Risky Driver Behavior and Identifying Their Contributing Factors: A Spatial Statistical Approach,” showcased his proficiency in spatial statistical analysis and its application to understanding risky driver behavior. During this period, he worked closely with his advisor, Dr. Yiyi Wang, and collaborated with committee members Dr. Ahmed Al-Kaisy and Dr. Nicholas J. Ward. Shivam’s academic journey began at Visvesvaraya Technological University in Bangalore, India, where he obtained his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering in June 2013. His educational background, combined with his research experience and expertise, has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable engineering, transportation systems, and statistical modeling.

Research Interest:

Shivam Sharda is an accomplished researcher specializing in cross-sectoral energy transition and equity analysis. His expertise extends to various areas, including travel demand and land use modeling, forecasting, integrated microsimulation frameworks, advanced multidimensional choice modeling, and sustainable multimodal system development. With a strong background in sustainable engineering and transportation, Shivam has demonstrated a keen interest in developing innovative solutions for complex challenges in these fields. His research endeavors have focused on creating multidimensional models to understand travel behavior implications for transport and household energy use, reflecting his commitment to advancing sustainable practices in transportation and energy sectors. Through his academic journey and professional experiences, Shivam has established himself as a dedicated scholar with a passion for addressing critical issues related to energy, transportation, and sustainability.

Professional Experience:

Shivam Sharda has built a distinguished career in research and academia, holding key positions at renowned institutions in the United States. He currently serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher and Data Scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where he applies his expertise in sustainable engineering and data science to contribute to cutting-edge research in renewable energy. Prior to this role, Shivam was a Postdoctoral Scholar with the Sustainable Transportation Initiative at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he focused on research related to sustainable transportation. Shivam’s academic journey began at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ, where he served as a Graduate Research Associate (GRA) from August 2017 to November 2021. During this time, he developed valuable skills and expertise in his field, laying the foundation for his future research endeavors. Before joining Arizona State University, Shivam worked as a Research Assistant Grade-III at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, from January 2017 to July 2017, and as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) from January 2015 to December 2016. Throughout his career, Shivam has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing sustainable practices in transportation and energy. His diverse experience in academia and research has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable engineering principles and their practical applications in real-world settings. As a dedicated researcher and data scientist, Shivam continues to make significant contributions to the field of renewable energy and sustainable transportation, leveraging his expertise to address complex challenges and drive positive change in these critical areas.

Memberships:

Nicole Viz is a dedicated researcher who has contributed to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as a SULI Intern. During her internship, she worked on a project titled “The Triple Effect: Evaluating the Impact of Electric Vehicles (EVs), Solar Photovoltaics (PVs), and Work-from-Home (WFH) on Household Energy Burden.” This project aimed to assess the combined impact of EV adoption, solar PV installations, and remote work practices on household energy consumption and costs, highlighting the interconnectedness of these factors in shaping energy burdens for households. Sailesh Acharya is a driven researcher who served as a Research Intern at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). During his internship, he focused on a project titled “Navigating the Urban Jungle: Evaluating the Impact of Infrastructure Planning on Energy-Efficient Access for Micro-Mobility.” This project aimed to analyze the influence of urban infrastructure planning on the accessibility and energy efficiency of micro-mobility solutions in urban environments, highlighting the importance of infrastructure in promoting sustainable transportation options.

Awards:

Shivam Sharda has been recognized for his outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of sustainable engineering and transportation research. His accolades include the Bravo Award for the Great Team Effort on Mobility Energy Productivity Dockerization as part of the Florida Department of Transportation, highlighting his exceptional teamwork and dedication to innovative research initiatives. Shivam has also received the Outstanding Research Award from the Graduate and Professional Student Association in April 2021, acknowledging his exemplary research contributions during his academic pursuits. Furthermore, Shivam has been honored with a Fellowship award from the Behavior, Energy and Climate Change (BECC) Conference in both December 2020 and November 2019, demonstrating his commitment to advancing knowledge and practices in sustainable energy and climate change. Additionally, he achieved the prestigious distinction of winning the Second Safety Highway Research Program (SHRP2) student paper competition from the Transportation Research Board in 2019, showcasing his exceptional research skills and contributions to the field. These accolades underscore Shivam’s dedication, expertise, and significant impact in the areas of sustainable engineering and transportation research.