María Luján Ferreira | Nanocomposites | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. María Luján Ferreira | Nanocomposites | Best Researcher Award

Senior Researcher | Pilot Plant for Chemical Engineering – National University of the South – National Scientific and Technical Research Council | Argentina

Prof. Dr. María Luján Ferreira is a distinguished Senior Researcher at the Pilot Plant for Chemical Engineering (PLAPIQUI), National University of the South (UNS), and a member of CONICET, Argentina. With over 4,254 citations, 171 scientific documents, and an h-index of 35, she has made enduring contributions to catalysis, polymerization chemistry, enzymatic processes, and nanotechnology. Her prolific research spans olefin polymerization, catalyst design and characterization, enzyme immobilization, nanozymes, biomimetics, and advanced oxidation processes. Prof. Dr. María Luján Ferreira has authored over 165 international journal articles, 9 book chapters, and 2 books, including Enzymatic Synthesis of Structured Triglycerides (Springer, 2017) and Trastornos del Espectro Autista (2021). She is also the Editor of the Elsevier volume Biocatalyst Immobilization: Foundations and Applications, contributing several chapters. Her applied R&D work includes technology transfer projects with industrial partners such as Petroquímica Cuyo and Petrobras, resulting in numerous technical reports, services, and a patent under evaluation (INPI, 2018). She has led or participated in 35 funded research projects, including TWAS, Antorchas Foundation, PICT, PIP, CABBIO, CYTED, and CNPQ collaborations, bridging Argentina, Brazil, and Europe. Prof. Dr. María Luján Ferreira has mentored numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers, several of whom now hold senior research positions at CONICET. Her international collaborations include work with research groups in Canada and Brazil. A reviewer for more than 30 journals, she also evaluates national and international funding proposals and coordinates CONICET thematic commissions. Her research excellence has been recognized with five major awards, including the Bernardo Houssay and Ranwell Caputto National Prizes (2004) and the L’Oréal-CONICET Mention (2014). Through sustained scientific innovation and mentorship, Prof. Dr. María Luján Ferreira continues to advance interdisciplinary catalysis, nanoscience, and biotechnological applications with significant industrial and biomedical relevance.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate | Sci Profiles

Featured Publications

1. Nicolás, P., Lassalle, V. L., & Ferreira, M. L. (2025, October). Low-cost racemic lactic acid oligomerization catalyzed by lipase in biphasic water/heptane system. Systems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43393-024-00313-4

2. Pellizzari Wielewski, L., Ferreira, M. L., Alnoch, R. C., Mitchell, D. A., & Krieger, N. (2025, September 30). Evaluating pre-immobilization and post-immobilization bioimprinting strategies for the activation of lipases: A case study of LipC12. Food Technology and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.17113/ftb.63.03.25.8940

3. Troncoso, F. D., Sánchez, D. A., & Ferreira, M. L. (2022, March). Production of plant proteases and new biotechnological applications: An updated review. ChemistryOpen. https://doi.org/10.1002/open.202200017

4. Rial, J. B., & Ferreira, M. L. (2021, June). Challenges of dye removal treatments based on IONzymes: Beyond heterogeneous Fenton. Journal of Water Process Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102065

5. Sánchez, D. A., Tonetto, G. M., & Ferreira, M. L. (2018). Burkholderia cepacia lipase: A versatile catalyst in synthesis reactions. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.26458

Wenjie Ren | Nanocomposites | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Wenjie Ren | Nanocomposites | Best Researcher Award

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) | Henan University of Technology | China

Dr. Wenjie Ren, Ph.D., is an accomplished researcher at Henan University of Technology, China, specializing in immunological detection technologies and genetic engineering antibodies. Her research primarily focuses on developing rapid and highly sensitive biosensing systems for small molecule detection, integrating nanotechnology and immunoassay innovations to address challenges in food safety and environmental monitoring. With 1,007 citations, 67 research publications, and an h-index of 18, Dr. Wenjie Ren has established a strong scientific footprint in fields such as nanomaterial synthesis, immunochromatography, fluorescence sensing, and bioluminescent enzyme immunoassays. She has successfully led nine major research projects, including one funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Program) and several provincial and collaborative initiatives. Her representative works include the development of nanobody-based CuS nanoflower–Au lateral flow immunoassay strips and DNA tetrahedron fluorescence sensors for simultaneous detection of food contaminants such as aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A. These innovations have advanced analytical performance, sensitivity, and field applicability in food and agricultural testing. Dr. Wenjie Ren holds three authorized patents in nanobody-based and dual-signal amplification immunochromatography technologies. Her research excellence has been recognized through First and Second Prizes in the Henan Provincial Science and Technology Achievement and Progress Awards, particularly for pioneering functionalized nanocomposite biosensors. Beyond her publications and patents, she contributes as a research supervisor, fostering young scientific talent in molecular detection and biosensor design. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges immunochemistry, nanotechnology, and analytical biochemistry, positioning her as a key contributor to next-generation diagnostic sensor research and its translational applications in food safety and biomedical fields.

Profiles: Scopus | ResearchGate | Sci Profiles | Scilit | Scholar GPS

Featured Publications

  • Zhao, Y., He, B., & Ren, W. (2024). Nanobody and CuS nanoflower-Au-based lateral flow immunoassay strip to enhance the detection of aflatoxin B1. Foods, 13(12), 1845.

  • Li, Y., Li, Z., Jia, B., & Ren, W. (2024). Detection of AFB1 by immunochromatographic test strips based on double-probe signal amplification with nanobody and biotin–streptavidin system. Foods, 13(21), 3396.

  • Pang, J., Ren, W., He, B., et al. (2023). Development of a rapid gold nanoflowers immunochromatographic test strip based on the nanobody for detection of aflatoxin B1. ChemistrySelect, 8(40), e202300913.

  • Ren, W., Pang, J., Ma, R., et al. (2022). A signal on–off fluorescence sensor based on the self-assembly DNA tetrahedron for simultaneous detection of ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1198, 339566.

  • Ren, W., Xu, Y., Huang, Z., et al. (2020). Single-chain variable fragment antibody-based immunochromatographic strip for rapid detection of fumonisin B1 in maize samples. Food Chemistry, 319, 126546.

 

Dr. Vladimír Spacek | Nanocomposites Awards | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vladimír Spacek | Nanocomposites Awards | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vladimír Spacek, SYNPO, akciová společnost, Czech Republic

Vladimír Špaček is a seasoned expert in macromolecular chemistry with a career spanning over five decades. He completed his studies in macromolecular substances at the University of Pardubice (1973-1978) and pursued doctoral studies in physical chemistry at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences (1981-1985). Špaček held key positions at the Research Institute of Synthetic Resins and Lacquers before joining SYNPO Joint Stock Company in 1992, where he led the Department of Evaluation and Testing from 1994 to 2022. He has authored around 40 scientific articles, holds one European patent, three Czech patents, and four utility models.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

Suitability for Best Researcher Award

Vladimír Špaček’s extensive career, his research output, and his innovations, particularly in the fields of synthetic resins and macromolecular chemistry, make him a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His impact spans academic knowledge dissemination, industrial applications, and product innovation, embodying the essence of a leading researcher deserving recognition.

🎓Education:

Vladimír Špaček pursued his education in macromolecular chemistry, completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Pardubice from 1973 to 1978, where he specialized in the Technology of Macromolecular Substances. Following this, he undertook doctoral studies in Physical Chemistry of Macromolecular Substances at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry within the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences from 1981 to 1985, further deepening his expertise in the field.

🏢Work Experience:

Vladimír Špaček began his professional career at the Research Institute of Synthetic Resins and Lacquers, where he worked from 1979 to 1981. After a brief hiatus, he returned to the same institute from 1985 to 1992, contributing to research in synthetic resins and coatings. In 1992, he joined SYNPO Joint Stock Company, where he remained until 2024. During his tenure at SYNPO, he held the position of Head of the Department of Evaluation and Testing from 1994 to 2022, playing a crucial role in advancing the company’s research and development efforts.

🏅Awards and Achievements:

Vladimír Špaček is an accomplished researcher and author, having published approximately 40 scientific articles and contributions at various conferences throughout his career. His innovative work has resulted in significant intellectual property, including one European patent, three Czech patents, and four utility models, showcasing his contributions to the fields of macromolecular chemistry and synthetic materials.

🔬Research Focus:

Vladimír Špaček’s research centers on macromolecular chemistry and physical chemistry of macromolecular substances, with significant contributions to the development and testing of synthetic resins, coatings, and related materials.

Publication Top Notes:

  • Article: Enhanced Fire Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy and Epoxy-Based Fiber-Reinforced Composites with Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene Modification
  • Article: Synthesis and Molecular Structure of Highly Compact Star-like Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Poly(butyl methacrylate)
  • Conference Paper: Investigation of the Effect of Star-like Polymers on Basalt Fibre Bio-Composites
  • Conference Paper: Modelling of the Mechanical Behaviour of Corrosion Protective Coating Based on Novel Polymer Nanocomposite
  • Article: Effect of Core–Shell Rubber Nanoparticles on the Mechanical Properties of Epoxy and Epoxy-Based CFRP
    • Citations: 10

 

 

 

Mrs. Stiliyana Stoyanova | Nanotechnology composites Awards | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Stiliyana Stoyanova | Nanotechnology composites Awards | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Stiliyana Stoyanova , University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC), France and Institute of Mechanics, BAS, Bulgaria

Stiliyana Stoyanova, a Bulgarian national born on July 4, 1998, is currently pursuing a joint doctoral thesis titled “Hybridly Reinforced Polymers for Smart and Versatile Composite Structures” at the University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC), France, and the Institute of Mechanics, BAS, Bulgaria. She holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering with a specialty in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering in French from the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy in Sofia, Bulgaria. Stiliyana’s research focuses on nanocomposites, particularly exploring the thermoresistive and Joule heating properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hybrid nanocomposites with graphene and carbon nanotubes. She has presented her findings at various international conferences and has undertaken scientific missions and training schools in Switzerland and the United States. Fluent in Bulgarian, English (B2), and French (B1), Stiliyana combines her academic rigor with proficiency in digital skills and scientific publications to advance her field of study.

Professional Profile:

Orcid

Education:

Stiliyana Stoyanova, currently engaged in doctoral studies at the University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC) in France, is pursuing research on “Hybridly Reinforced Polymers for Smart and Versatile Composite Structures” in collaboration with the Institute of Mechanics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). She earned her Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy in Sofia, Bulgaria, specializing in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering in French. Her master’s thesis focused on “Preparation of pH-Sensitive Hydrogels Based on Natural Products.”

Work Experience:

Stiliyana Stoyanova’s scientific research focuses on nanocomposites, particularly exploring the thermoresistive and Joule heating properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hybrid nanocomposites incorporating graphene and carbon nanotubes. She has disseminated her findings at prominent international conferences, including the 3rd Full Action Meeting COST CA 19118-EsSENce in Athens, Greece, where she discussed “Thermoresistive Carbon Nanomaterials (CNM)-Based Nanocomposites and Its Applications.” Stiliyana also presented her research on the effects of carbon nanofillers on the electrical resistivity and crystallinity of PVDF nanocomposites at the 4th Interdisciplinary PhD Forum with an international presence. Fluent in Bulgarian, with English proficiency at B2 level and French at B1 level, she combines her technical expertise with effective communication skills to contribute significantly to her field of study

Publication Top Notes:

PVDF Hybrid Nanocomposites with Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes and Their Thermoresistive and Joule Heating Properties
Journal: Nanomaterials
Year: 2024
Month: May
Type: Journal article
DOI: 10.3390/nano14110901
Contributors: Stiliyana Stoyanova, Evgeni Ivanov, Lohitha R Hegde, Antonia Georgopoulou, Frank Clemens, Fahmi Bedoui, Rumiana Kotsilkova