Veronica Ngunzi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Ms. Veronica Ngunzi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Tutorial Fellow at Kenyatta University, Kenya

Veronica Kavila Ngunzi is an experienced professional and educator with over a decade of expertise in renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, and program management. She has an in-depth understanding of Kenya’s power sector, including energy planning, socio-economic data analysis, and the role of development finance in advancing clean energy access. Her work focuses on sustainable energy solutions for critical sectors such as healthcare and agriculture, integrating technical expertise with community empowerment initiatives. She is skilled in energy auditing, hybrid systems design, and capacity-building programs, making significant contributions to the transition to clean energy in Kenya and beyond.

Publication Profile 

Scopus

Orcid

Educational Background 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Renewable Energy Technology (Ongoing) – Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya (2021 – Present)
  • Ph.D. in Agricultural Processing Engineering (Ongoing) – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (2020 – Present)
  • M.Sc. in Energy Management – University of Nairobi (2015)
  • B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering (Double Degree, Second Class Upper Division) – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (2018)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management (Upper Credit) – Kenya Institute of Management (2012)
  • B.Sc. in Biomechanical and Processing Engineering (Second Class Upper Division) – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (2009)

Professional Experience 💼

Academic Roles

  • Tutorial Fellow, Kenyatta University, Department of Energy Technology (2020–Present)
    • Teaching and supervising courses in Energy Management, Thermodynamics, and Project Management.
    • Leading research on renewable energy solutions for healthcare and community-focused applications.
    • Guiding students on projects related to Kenya’s energy sector.

Research & Consulting

  • Research Assistant, Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology (FAST) Research Group, Western University Canada (2023–2024)

    • Conducted research on hybrid renewable energy systems for industrial applications.
    • Collaborated with global teams to develop scalable, sustainable clean energy solutions.

  • Energy Consultant (Freelance) – Kenya (2015–2023)

    • Conducted energy audits for industrial and agricultural facilities.
    • Designed hybrid renewable energy systems for critical sectors.
    • Engaged stakeholders to align energy solutions with national planning goals.

Leadership & Advisory Roles

  • Mentor, Women in Energy Empowerment, Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy Program (2024 – Ongoing)

    • Mentoring women in STEM and renewable energy careers.
    • Conducting workshops to promote gender equity in the energy sector.

  • Technical Advisor & Project Team Leader, Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy (2023)

    • Led the implementation of a hybrid solar PV and wind energy system with battery storage.
    • Achieved semifinalist recognition for innovative clean energy solutions.

  • Project Lead, Strathmore Energy Research Centre (SERC) & GIZ (2015–2017)

    • Led a bioenergy analysis project for 30 tea factories, identifying energy-saving opportunities.

  • Trainer, Ministry of Energy Kenya & UNDP (2017)

    • Developed and implemented a solar water heating training manual for Kenyan industries.

  • Researcher, Ministry of Higher Education Science & Technology (2012–2016)

    • Conducted research on biogas resource assessment and purification for household applications.

Research Interests 🔬

  • Renewable energy systems (solar PV, biogas, hybrid systems)
  • Energy efficiency and sector planning
  • Sustainable energy solutions for healthcare and agriculture
  • Socio-economic impacts of clean energy adoption
  • Gender and community empowerment in energy access

Awards and Honors🏆✨

  • Semifinalist, Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy (2023)
  • UNESCO Mentorship Recognition, Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in Energy (2024)
  • Research Grant Recipient, Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology (FAST) Research Group

Conclusion🌟

Veronica Kavila Ngunzi is a dedicated researcher, educator, and renewable energy specialist committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions in Kenya and beyond. With expertise spanning energy policy, hybrid systems, and socio-economic data analysis, she has played a pivotal role in shaping inclusive and impactful energy transitions. Through research, mentorship, and technical innovation, she continues to drive progress in clean energy accessibility and gender equity in the sector.

Publications 📚

📄 Optimization of economics of biomass fuel mix for boilers in tea processing through response surface methodology
📚 Heliyon (2024-12) | 🏛️ Journal article
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40875
✍️ Contributors: Veronica K. Ngunzi, Christopher L. Kanali, Gareth M. Kituu, Erick K. Ronoh

📄 Modeling, simulation and performance evaluation of a PVT system for the Kenyan manufacturing sector
📚 Heliyon (2023-08) | 🏛️ Journal article
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18823
✍️ Contributors: Veronica Ngunzi, Francis Njoka, Robert Kinyua

📄 Analysis of Energy Cost Savings by Substituting Heavy Fuel Oil with Alternative Fuel for a Pozzolana Dryer: Case Study of Bamburi Cement
📚 American Journal of Energy Engineering (2015) | 🏛️ Journal article
🔗 DOI: 10.11648/j.ajee.20150306.13
📖 ISSN: 2329-1648

Jingcai Yu | Transportation | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

Dr. Jingcai Yu | Transportation | Best Researcher Award

lecturer at Xihua University, China

Dr. Jingcai Yu is a dedicated transportation engineer and researcher with expertise in public transportation and traffic safety. He earned his Doctor of Engineering degree from Southeast University’s School of Transportation, where he specialized in travel behavior modeling and transit adoption studies. Currently based at Xihua University in Chengdu, China, Dr. Yu has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, contributing valuable insights into the effects of attitudes, sociodemographic factors, and traffic conditions on transit and mobility choices. His work addresses emerging challenges in urban mobility, particularly through studies on flexible transit routes and shared autonomous vehicles, highlighting his commitment to advancing sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.

Publication Profile : 

Scopus

 

🎓 Educational Background :

Dr. Jingcai Yu completed his Doctorate in Engineering in Transportation at the School of Transportation, Southeast University, China. His doctoral research focused on public transportation, travel behavior modeling, and traffic safety, areas in which he has since made numerous academic contributions.

💼 Professional Experience :

Dr. Yu is currently based at Xihua University in Chengdu, China, where he holds an academic position. He engages in teaching, research, and academic mentorship, primarily within the field of transportation engineering. Through his role at Xihua University, Dr. Yu applies his expertise in public transit systems, travel behavior analysis, and transportation safety to help address urban mobility challenges. His work includes investigating the factors influencing the adoption of flexible route transit systems, carsharing, and shared autonomous vehicles. Dr. Yu’s research outputs, published in prestigious journals, have significantly contributed to the fields of transportation safety, autonomous vehicle studies, and public transit utilization.

📚 Research Interests : 

Dr. Jingcai Yu’s research interests encompass public transportation systems, travel behavior modeling, and traffic safety. He focuses on innovative transit solutions such as flex-route transit systems, shared autonomous vehicles, and carsharing. His work also investigates factors affecting crash severity and traffic violations, as well as advanced prediction models for urban traffic flow.

📝 Publication Top Notes :

  1. Yu, J., Wang, S., Wang, B., Li, W., & Feng, T. (2024). Effects of COVID-19 on Flex Route Transit Utilization: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 50, 101230.
  2. Yu, J., Li, W., Yin, Z., Zheng, Y., & Guo, R. (2024). Segmenting and exemplifying potential Flex route transit adopters. Transportation Research Record, 2678(9), 791-806. (SCI)
  3. Yu, J., Lin, Q., Ding, H., Li, W., & Feng, T. (2024). Examining individuals’ adoption of flex route transit. Transportation Planning and Technology, 47(7), 996-1021. (SCI)
  4. Yu, J., Li, W., Song, Z., Wang, S., Ma, J., & Wang, B. (2023). The role of attitudinal features on shared autonomous vehicles. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 50, 101032. (SCI)
  5. Yu, J., Wang, S., Ma, J., Song, Z., & Li, W. (2023). Roles of attitudinal factors on the adoption stages of carsharing. Transportation Letters, 16(6), 542-553. (SCI)
  6. Yu, J., Zheng, Y., Li, W., Zhang, J., Guo, R., & Wu, L. (2023). Understanding Flex-Route Transit Adoption from a Stage of Change Perspective. Transportation Research Record, 2677(6), 743-758. (SCI)
  7. Yu, J., Li, W., Zhang, J., Guo, R., & Zheng, Y. (2023). Understanding the effect of sociodemographic and psychological latent characteristics on flex-route transit acceptance. PLOS ONE, 18(2), e0279058. (SCI)
  8. Wang, S., Yu, J.*, & Ma, J. (2023). Identifying the heterogeneous effects of road characteristics on Motorcycle-Involved crash severities. Travel Behaviour and Society, 33, 100636. (SCI)
  9. Ma, J., Ren, G., Li, H., & Yu, J. (2022). Characterizing the differences of injury severity between single-vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes in China. Journal of Transportation Safety & Security, 1-21. (SCI)
  10. Wang, S., Li, Z., Wang, B., & Yu, J. (2022). Velocity obstacle-based collision avoidance and motion planning framework for connected and automated vehicles. Transportation Research Record, 2676(5), 748-766. (SCI)
  11. Zheng, Y., Wang, S., Li, W., & Yu, J. (2022). Urban road traffic flow prediction: A graph convolutional network embedded with wavelet decomposition and attention mechanism. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 608, 128274. (SCI)
  12. Ma, J., Ren, G., Wang, S., & Yu, J. (2022). Characterizing the effects of contributing factors on crash severity involving e-bicycles: A study based on police-reported data. International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 29(4), 463-474. (SCI)
  13. Ma, J., Ren, G., Fan, H., Wang, S., & Yu, J. (2021). Determinants of traffic violations in China: A case-study with a partial proportional odds model. Journal of Transportation Safety & Security, 1-21. (SCI)