Ashish Ranjan Dash | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Innovation Technologist

Dr. Ashish Ranjan Dash | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Centurion University of Technology and Management | India

Dr. Ashish Ranjan Dash is a highly accomplished academic and researcher in the field of electrical engineering, specializing in power electronics, multilevel inverters, and power quality improvement. With a proven track record in research, teaching, and project leadership, he has significantly contributed to advancements in smart infrastructure, renewable energy systems, and IoT-enabled agricultural automation. He has also played a pivotal role in supervising doctoral students, developing innovative solutions for industrial applications, and leading consultancy projects for technology-driven agriculture and smart systems.

Publication Profile 

Scopus

Google Scholar

Educational Background 

Dr. Dash earned his Ph.D. in Power Electronics from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, focusing on cascaded multilevel inverter-based shunt active filters under varying grid voltage conditions. He also holds an M.Tech. in Power Control and Drives from NIT Rourkela, where his dissertation explored control strategies for grid-connected inverter systems during fault conditions. His academic foundation is further strengthened by a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering and a Diploma in Electrical Engineering, complemented by a strong record of academic excellence throughout his studies.

Professional Experience 

With over a decade of academic and research experience, Dr. Dash serves as an Associate Professor at Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha. His prior roles include research and academic positions in engineering colleges and at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. He has held key administrative positions such as Dean and Associate Dean of the School of Engineering and CEO of the Smart Infrastructure Research Center, where he has led interdisciplinary projects integrating IoT, automation, and renewable energy systems.

Research Interests 

His research focuses on power electronics, multilevel inverter design, power quality enhancement, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, smart grid systems, and IoT-enabled automation. He also works extensively on agricultural automation, including polyhouse automation, speed breeding chambers, and plant phenotyping systems. Emerging interests include machine learning applications for plant disease detection, robotics, and smart farming technologies.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Dash has received multiple accolades, including the Distinguished Achiever Award at the Provost Research Awards and recognition as a session chair at IEEE international conferences. He is the founder of a technology-driven startup and actively engages in professional communities such as the IEEE Power Electronics Society, IEEE Industry Applications Society, and IEEE SIGHT.

Research Skills 

He possesses strong expertise in the design, modeling, and implementation of cascaded multilevel inverters, power quality control algorithms, and renewable energy integration. His skills extend to IoT-based system design, automation technologies, electric vehicle charging systems, and cloud-based agricultural monitoring. He is also an experienced reviewer for several high-impact international journals in power electronics and smart grid applications.

Publications 

A unified control of grid-interactive off-board EV battery charger with improved power quality

Citations: 49

Year: 2022

Reactive power compensation using vehicle-to-grid enabled bidirectional off-board EV battery charger

Citations: 34

Year: 2021

Adaptive LMBP training‐based icosϕ control technique for DSTATCOM

Citations: 33

Year: 2020

Analysis of PI and PR controllers for distributed power generation system under unbalanced grid faults

Citations: 33

Year: 2011

Design and implementation of a cascaded transformer coupled multilevel inverter‐based shunt active filter under different grid voltage conditions

Citations: 24

Year: 2019

Conclusion 

Dr. Ashish Ranjan Dash is a forward-looking researcher and educator whose work bridges advanced power electronics with practical applications in smart infrastructure and agricultural automation. His multidisciplinary expertise, leadership in funded projects, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of engineers make him a valuable contributor to both academia and industry. His continued research promises innovative advancements in electric mobility, renewable energy integration, and intelligent automation systems.

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