Muhammed Yasin Durgun | Engineering Materials | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin Durgun | Engineering Materials | Best Academic Researcher Award

Bartın University | Turkey

Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin Durgun is a dedicated researcher and academician at Bartın University, specializing in civil engineering materials and sustainable construction technologies. With a strong foundation in concrete technology, geopolymers, and cement-free systems, Dr. Durgun has contributed significantly to material science and green engineering. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges advanced research with practical industrial applications, supporting both academic excellence and sustainability.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Muhammed Yasin Durgun exemplifies academic excellence through a distinguished research portfolio in civil engineering materials, particularly in concrete technology and sustainable construction. His body of work includes 21 SCI-indexed publications, several high-impact journal contributions (e.g., Construction and Building Materials, Journal of Building Engineering), and over 414 citations indexed in Web of Science—attesting to his influence in the field.

Dr. Durgun has played a central role in 10 major research projects, many focused on environmentally conscious construction materials such as alkali-activated systems, geopolymers, and cement-free mortars. His work aligns with global efforts toward sustainability in infrastructure, a key theme in modern engineering research.

🎓 Education

Dr. Durgun completed his higher education in civil engineering and pursued his doctorate with a focus on innovative concrete materials. His academic path has been marked by rigorous training in construction materials and modern concrete technologies, equipping him to lead scientific inquiry into sustainable infrastructure solutions.

💼 Experience

With over a decade of academic experience, Dr. Durgun has served as a lecturer, researcher, and project advisor. He has supervised numerous master’s and Ph.D. theses, delivered over 18 graduate and undergraduate courses, and reviewed more than 150 SCI-indexed journal articles. His work is highly interdisciplinary, involving collaborations on national research grants and university-driven innovation projects.

🔬 Research Interests On Engineering Materials

Dr. Durgun’s research focuses on civil engineering materials such as fresh concrete rheology, self-consolidating concrete, geopolymer technology, alkali-activated binders, rebar corrosion prevention, and concrete durability. His innovative studies contribute to low-carbon and sustainable building practices.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

While specific award titles are not listed, Dr. Durgun’s impact is evident in his extensive scientific output and advisory roles in high-level research funded by TÜBİTAK and academic institutions. His high citation index (414 Web of Science citations) and numerous research projects attest to his excellence and recognition in the field.

📚 Publications

  • High temperature resistance of concretes with GGBFS, waste glass powder, and colemanite ore wastes after different cooling conditions
    Authors: MY Durgun, AH Sevinç
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 72

  • Investigation of durability properties of concrete pipes incorporating blast furnace slag and ground basaltic pumice as fine aggregates
    Authors: H Bınıci, MY Durgun, T Rızaoğlu, M Koluçolak
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 72

  • Rheological and fresh properties of reduced fine content self-compacting concretes produced with different particle sizes of nano SiO₂
    Authors: MY Durgun, HN Atahan
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 57

  • A Taguchi approach for investigating the engineering properties of concretes incorporating barite, colemanite, basaltic pumice and ground blast furnace slag
    Authors: AH Sevinc, MY Durgun, M Eken
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 52

  • Effect of high temperature on polypropylene fiber-reinforced mortars containing colemanite wastes
    Authors: MY Durgun, S Özen, K Karakuzu, V Kobya, SH Bayqra, …
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 50

  • Strength, elastic and microstructural properties of SCCs’ with colloidal nano silica addition
    Authors: MY Durgun, HN Atahan
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 42

  • Corrosion of basaltic pumice, colemanite, barite and blast furnace slag coated rebars in concretes
    Authors: H Binici, O Aksogan, MY Durgun
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 42

  • Properties of high-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer concretes improved with high-silica sources
    Authors: AH Sevinç, MY Durgun
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 38

  • Modeling of thermal conductivity of concrete with vermiculite by using artificial neural networks approaches
    Authors: O Gencel, F Koksal, M Sahin, MY Durgun, HEH Lobland, W Brostow
    Year: 2013
    Citations: 36

  • Effect of wetting-drying cycles on gypsum plasters containing ground basaltic pumice and polypropylene fibers
    Author: MY Durgun
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 34

🔚 Conclusion

🎓 With deep expertise in sustainable materials and a passion for engineering innovation, Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammed Yasin Durgun exemplifies the qualities of a leading academic researcher. His contribution spans 21 high-impact publications, 10 completed research projects, and multiple national grants under TÜBİTAK. His work strengthens both academic knowledge and environmental stewardship. As a mentor, author, and pioneer in green concrete research, he is a worthy nominee for the Best Academic Researcher Award. 🏅

Jihye Kim | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jihye Kim | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Colorado School of Mines | United States

Dr. Jihye Kim is an accomplished Assistant Professor at the George S. Ansell Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines. With a strong background in extractive metallurgy, resource recovery, and critical materials extraction, Dr. Kim has made significant contributions to sustainable materials processing. Her research focuses on innovative hydrometallurgical techniques, mineral carbonation for carbon sequestration, and chemical modeling of electrolyte systems. Dr. Kim is dedicated to fostering a stimulating learning environment that encourages students to explore, discover, and think critically beyond the classroom.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Google Scholar

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  • Outstanding Research Contributions

    • Dr. Jihye Kim has an extensive publication record, including high-impact journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters.
    • Her research focuses on critical topics such as extractive metallurgy, mineral processing, carbon capture, and rare earth element recovery, all of which have significant industrial and environmental implications.
  • Strong Funding and Grant Success

    • She has successfully secured multiple high-value research grants, including funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), NASA, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
    • Active involvement as a Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI in multimillion-dollar research projects.
  • Awards and Recognitions

    • Recipient of the Ontario Trillium Scholarship ($160,000) and multiple academic scholarships and fellowships, demonstrating academic excellence and research impact.
    • Earned the Students Discovery Award (2021) at the University of Toronto, recognizing her research achievements.
  • Industrial and International Research Experience

    • Hands-on experience through engineering internships with Barrick Gold Corporation and National Metallurgical Laboratory, India.
    • Strong international collaborations with institutions in South Korea, Canada, and the USA.
  • Educational and Mentorship Contributions

    • Engaged in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at the Colorado School of Mines.
    • Experience as a teaching assistant at University of Toronto and Seoul National University, shaping the next generation of metallurgical engineers.

Education 🎓

Dr. Kim earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto (2017-2021), where she worked on sustainable valorization of steelmaking slag under the guidance of Professor Gisele Azimi. Prior to her Ph.D., she obtained a Master of Applied Science in Energy Systems Engineering (2014-2016) and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Resources Engineering (2011-2014) from Seoul National University.

Experience 🌟

Dr. Kim’s academic and professional journey reflects her expertise in metallurgical and materials engineering. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Colorado School of Mines, where she leads cutting-edge research projects and teaches courses on chemical processing, transport phenomena, and hydrometallurgical processing. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto, focusing on resource-efficient hydrometallurgical recovery of platinum group metals and rare earth elements. Her teaching experience includes serving as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Toronto and Seoul National University. She also gained industry experience as an Engineering Intern at Barrick Gold Corporation (Canada) and the National Metallurgical Laboratory (India).

Research Interests On Materials 🔬

Dr. Kim’s research centers on sustainable resource recovery, extractive metallurgy, and carbon capture technologies. She specializes in hydrometallurgical processing, mineral carbonation for CO2 sequestration, critical materials extraction from secondary resources, and electrolyte system modeling. Her work aims to develop environmentally friendly and economically viable methods for metal recovery and waste valorization.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Dr. Kim has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Ontario Trillium Scholarship (2017-2021), the Students Discovery Award (2021), and multiple fellowships from the University of Toronto. She was also awarded the Brain Korea 21 Plus Scholarship, Academic-Industrial Scholarship from Hyundai Resources Development, and several merit-based scholarships from Seoul National University. Her outstanding academic achievements were recognized with Graduation with Honors (Cum Laude) from Seoul National University in 2014.

Publications 📚

Dr. Kim has published extensively in top-tier journals, contributing valuable insights into metallurgical and materials engineering. Some of her notable publications include:

  • The CO2 sequestration by supercritical carbonation of electric arc furnace slag

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 42
  • An innovative process for extracting scandium from nickeliferous laterite ore: Carbothermic reduction followed by NaOH cracking

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 22
  • Recovery of scandium and neodymium from blast furnace slag using acid baking–water leaching

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 20
  • Valorization of electric arc furnace slag via carbothermic reduction followed by acid baking–water leaching

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2021
    • Citations: 19
  • Technospheric mining of niobium and titanium from electric arc furnace slag

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 16
  • Matrix complexity effect on platinum group metals analysis using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

    • Authors: J Kim, J Anawati, G Azimi
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 16
  • Effect of sulfuric acid baking and caustic digestion on enhancing the recovery of rare earth elements from a refractory ore

    • Authors: R Kim, H Cho, J Jeong, J Kim, S Lee, KW Chung, HS Yoon, CJ Kim
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 15
  • Selective precipitation of titanium, magnesium, and aluminum from the steelmaking slag leach liquor

    • Authors: J Kim, G Azimi
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 13
  • Mineral carbonation of iron and steel by-products: State-of-the-art techniques and economic, environmental, and health implications

    • Authors: S Wang, J Kim, T Qin
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 12
  • Recent advancements in hydrometallurgy: solubility and separation

    • Authors: KN Han, R Kim, J Kim
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 10

Conclusion 🎯

Dr. Jihye Kim is a dedicated researcher and educator committed to advancing metallurgical and materials engineering. Her work in extractive metallurgy, critical materials recovery, and sustainable processing methods contributes to the global effort toward environmentally responsible resource management. Through her innovative research, teaching, and mentorship, Dr. Kim continues to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists in the field of materials engineering.