Dr. Sikander Azam | Material Simulation Techniques | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Sikander Azam | Material Simulation Techniques | Research Excellence Award

Riphah International University | Pakistan

Dr. Sikander Azam is a computational materials scientist and physicist specializing in material simulation techniques and first-principles modeling. His research integrates Density Functional Theory (DFT), machine learning, and advanced computational tools to accelerate the discovery of spintronic, quantum, thermoelectric, and hydrogen-storage materials. He investigates the structural, electronic, optical, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties of complex materials, including semiconductors and low-dimensional systems. Dr. Azam has published extensively in leading scientific journals and contributed a book chapter on organic thermoelectric materials. His innovative and interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental theory with practical applications, making significant contributions to advanced materials research and sustainable technology development.

Professional Profile 

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Education

Dr. Sikander Azam holds advanced degrees in physics, including an M.Phil. focused on the study of medicinal plants using Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) techniques and a Ph.D. centered on first-principles investigations of the optical, thermoelectric, and electronic properties of complex materials. His academic training provided a strong foundation in theoretical and computational physics, particularly in Density Functional Theory (DFT) and materials modeling.

Professional Experience

Dr. Azam is an experienced physicist and researcher with extensive expertise in computational materials science. Throughout his academic and research career, he has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, delivered presentations at conferences and institutional meetings, and contributed to numerous high-impact publications. His professional work demonstrates strong analytical skills and the ability to apply advanced simulation methods to solve complex materials science problems.

Research Interest

His research interests include first-principles electronic-structure calculations, spintronic and quantum materials, thermoelectric materials, hydrogen storage systems, additive manufacturing, and machine learning-driven materials design. He investigates structural, electronic, optical, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties of solids and low-dimensional materials to accelerate the discovery of next-generation functional materials.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Azam has established an impressive scholarly record through numerous peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter on organic thermoelectric materials. His recognition is reflected in his active participation in international collaborations, journal reviewing, and his growing influence in the field of computational materials science.

Conclusion

Dr. Sikander Azam is an outstanding computational materials scientist whose research excellence, innovative methodologies, and strong publication record make him a highly deserving candidate for recognition. His work in material simulation techniques has advanced the understanding and design of functional materials, and he is well qualified to receive the Research Excellence Award.

Publications Top Noted

Coupled charge–spin–photon dynamics in Ce/Tb Co-doped CaLa4Si3O13: Toward quantum-level design of multifunctional phosphors — Pervaiz Ahmad, Sikander Azam, Qaiser Rafiq, Zara Mushtaq, Awais Khalid, Rizwan Ahmed Malik (2026)

Exploring the Electronic, Thermoelectric, and Optical Properties of AsRhX (X = S, Se, Te) Materials for Energy Conversion Applications — Faiq Umar, Sikander Azam, Nahaa Eid Alsubaie, Qaiser Rafiq, Amin Ur Rahman, Gulzar Khan (2026)

Engineering multifunctional response in monolayer Fe3O4 via Zr adsorption: from half-metallicity to enhanced piezoelectricity — Sikander Azam, Qaiser Rafiq, Rajwali Khan, Hamdy Khamees Thabet (2026)

Unveiling the enhanced structural, elastic, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties of BaWO4 via oxygen vacancies and europium doping: a DFT + U insight into tailored energy applications — Shah Hussain, Raj Wali, Sikander Azam, Qaiser Rafiq, Mehmoona Nisar, Wilayat Khan, Yasir Saeed, Mohammed A. Amin (2025)

Illuminating stability and spectral shifts: A DFT+U study of Eu-doped ZnWO4 for visible-light optoelectronics — Muhammad Tayyab, Sikander Azam, Qaiser Rafiq, Vineet Tirth, Ali Algahtani, Amin Ur Rahman, Syed Sheraz Ahmad, M. Tahir Khan (2025)

Mahdi Gerdooei | Mechanical Properties of Materials | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahdi Gerdooei | Mechanical Properties of Materials | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahdi Gerdooei | Shahrood university of technology | Iran

Dr. Mahdi Gerdooei is an accomplished Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Shahrood University of Technology in Iran. He earned all of his degrees at Amirkabir University of Technology, where he completed his doctoral research on the effects of strain rate on sheet metal formability. Over nearly two decades, he has held leadership and teaching roles, including founding a laboratory focused on metal forming mechanics. His professional journey includes serving as dean of the mechanical engineering faculty and providing industry consulting on coil-spring design and fatigue analysis. A longstanding member of Iran’s manufacturing and mechanical engineering communities, Dr. Gerdooei’s career bridges rigorous academic research and practical industrial application.

Profiles

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Education

Dr. Gerdooei earned his doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology, where his research delved into theoretical and experimental aspects of strain rate effects on the formability of sheet metals. Building on a strong postgraduate foundation in hot forging process design, his academic trajectory also includes a rigorous undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the same university—each stage reinforcing his expertise in deformation mechanics and advanced manufacturing methods.

Professional Experience

Dr. Gerdooei’s professional journey seamlessly integrates academic leadership and industry engagement. He established and directs a specialized Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Metal Forming at his university, serving both scientific and industrial communities. As Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, he guided academic development and strategic initiatives. Recently, he has extended his expertise to industry by consulting for a spring design and manufacturing company, contributing to vehicle spring design and fatigue analysis, while simultaneously leading process development for new engineering products.

Research Interests

Dr. Gerdooei’s research interests are rooted in advanced forming processes, including bulk and sheet metal forming, and extend to spring design, biomaterial manufacturing, and structural failure analysis. He is particularly drawn to biomaterial production for dental implants and the design of springs from novel materials. Fatigue and failure of structures are studied using both macroscopic and micromechanical approaches. His work also engages experimental and numerical methods to explore strain-rate effects and formability across diverse materials.

Award

Dr. Gerdooei has earned recognition through his leadership and scholarly contributions. He founded a research laboratory and guided the mechanical engineering faculty as dean. His membership in national engineering societies reflects his esteemed standing in Iran’s professional community. These accomplishments indicate his significant impact in advancing both academic research and practical engineering applications.

Publication Top Notes

Enhancing plasticity modeling of DC04 steel using strain-dependent Hill 1948 and BBC 2005 yield criteria: a novel 2D-DIC approach to track anisotropy

Journal: International Journal of Solids and Structures 
Authors: Shahram Amirabdollahian; Mahdi Gerdooei

Innovative dual-pressure method for T-shaped branch production using elastomeric tools

Journal: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture 
Authors: Mirsadegh Akbarian Kuhkheyli; Mahdi Gerdooei; Seyed Vahid Hosseini; Hasan Ghafourian Nosrati

Rubber mandrel and internal pressure effects on thin-walled tube bending: a comparative study

Journal: The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 
Authors: Majid Askari Sayar; Mahdi Gerdooei; Hamidreza Eipakchi; Hasan Ghafourian Nosrati

Analytical approach to investigate the effects of through-thickness stress on springback in bending of isotropic sheet metal

Journal: The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 
Authors: Mohammad Reza Movahedi; Mahdi Gerdooei

Implementation of the extended maximum force criterion (EMFC) for evaluating the pressure-dependent forming limit diagrams (PD-FLD) in the tube bulging process

Journal: The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 
Authors: Iman Abbasi; Mahdi Gerdooei; Hasan Ghafourian Nosrati

Conclusion

Dr. Mahdi Gerdooei exemplifies a professional who melds academic rigor with industrial relevance. His deep expertise in mechanical engineering—especially metal forming, plasticity, and biomaterials—complements his roles as educator, researcher, and consultant. His leadership in establishing a materials and forming lab and steering academic programs reflects his commitment to innovation and collaboration. Through his scholarly output and engagement with industry, Dr. Gerdooei continues to drive forward both theoretical development and practical engineering solutions.