Veronica Ngunzi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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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

ABLA CHAOUNI BENABDELLAH | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Innovation Technologist

Assist. Prof. Dr. ABLA CHAOUNI BENABDELLAH | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

BEST RESEARCHER at International University of rabat, Morocco

Abla Chaouni Benabdellah is an Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management and Information Systems at Rabat Business School, International University of Rabat (UIR). She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, and a Master’s in Mathematics and Statistics from Mohamed V University, Rabat. With extensive teaching experience across various institutions including EUROMED University and Private University of Fez, she specializes in project management, risk management, and supply chain strategies.

Publication Profile : 

Scopus

🎓 Educational Background :

  • Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering (2016 – 2019), Moulay Ismail University, ENSAM, Meknes
  • Master in Mathematics and Statistics (2012 – 2014), Mohamed V University, Rabat
  • Bachelor in Applied Mathematics (2009 – 2012), Moulay Ismail University, Faculty of Science, Meknes
  • Baccalaureate in Mathematics (2008 – 2009), Moulay Ismail College, Meknes

💼 Professional Experience :

  • Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management & Information Systems (Since 2022), Rabat Business School, International University of Rabat (UIR), Rabat
  • Human Resources Consultant (2021), Expert Human Capital (EHC), Casablanca
  • Professor (2020), School of Digital Engineering and Artificial Intelligence (EIDIA), EUROMED University, Fez
  • Professor (2020), Private University of Fez, Fez
  • Seminar Presenter (2020), “Holonic Multi-Agent Systems for Decision Making -Application to Knowledge Management-“, ENSAM, Meknès
  • Doctoral Course Instructor (2019), Statistical Modeling with R Software, ENSAM-Meknès
  • Coordinator (2018), Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Master, SUPMTI, Meknes
  • Professor (2016), Higher School of Management, Telecommunications and IT (SUPMTI), Meknes

📚 Research Interests : 

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Digital Supply Chains
  • Blockchain Technology
  • Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
  • Statistical Modeling

📝 Publication Top Notes :

  1. Blockchain Technology in Supply Chains: Discusses blockchain’s role in enhancing digital supply chains and evaluates implementation barriers.
  2. Big Data Analytics in Supplier Selection: Explores a multi-agent system for supplier selection using big data analytics.
  3. Smart Product Design and Digital Agility: Develops an ontology for managing agility in digital product design.
  4. Blockchain and Smart Contracts in Automotive Supply Chains: Examines how blockchain and smart contracts can optimize automotive supply chains.
  5. Medical Waste Management Optimization: A multi-agent system approach for improving medical waste management.
  6. Sustainable Supplier Selection in Circular Economy: Uses an ontology-based model to improve supplier selection under a circular economy framework.
  7. Environmental Supply Chain Risk Management: Proposes a data mining framework for managing supply chain risks in Industry 4.0.
  8. Lean and Green Practices in Supply Chains: Integrates lean and green practices to enhance sustainable and digital supply chain performance.
  9. Digital Technologies and Circular Economy: Investigates how digital technologies support sustainable supply chain management post-COVID-19.
  10. Circular Digital Supply Chain Design: Focuses on sustainable design practices within digital supply chains.
  11. Supplier Selection Ontology: Develops an ontology for effective supplier selection in digital supply chains.
  12. Intersection of Design for X and Business Strategies: Analyzes the integration of design techniques and business strategies for product lifecycle management.
  13. Knowledge Discovery for Sustainability: Discusses methods for enhancing sustainability through knowledge discovery in design processes.