Victoria Russeva | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Victoria Russeva | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award 

Prof. Victoria Russeva | Bulgarian Academy of Sciences | Bulgaria

Dr. Viktoria Russeva is a distinguished Associate Professor at the Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum (IEMPAM), Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), where she has been a dedicated faculty member since 1998. Her academic and professional journey reflects a sustained commitment to advancing knowledge in the fields of anthropology and archaeology. Dr. Russeva completed her Master’s degree in Archaeology at Sofia University in 1997, laying a strong foundation in archaeological theory and practice, followed by a PhD in Anthropology in 2004, which enabled her to integrate anthropological methodologies with archaeological research to study human populations, their cultural dynamics, and biological development. To further deepen her expertise, she undertook a postdoctoral specialization in paleoanthropology at the Department of Anatomy & Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, from 2003 to 2004. This international experience not only expanded her technical and analytical skills but also provided her with a broader perspective on comparative human evolution and the global dimensions of anthropological research. Dr. Russeva’s primary research interests span paleoanthropology and archaeology, with a focus on several interrelated subfields including paleodemography, anthropological typology, paleopathology, and osteoarchaeology. Her work has been instrumental in understanding human skeletal variation, patterns of ancient population structures, health, and disease in past populations, as well as the anthropological implications of archaeological findings. She combines meticulous fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and comparative studies to uncover insights into human adaptation, demographic changes, and cultural practices over time. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges the gap between anthropology and archaeology, allowing for comprehensive reconstructions of past human societies and their biological characteristics. Over the course of her career, Dr. Russeva has produced 16 scholarly publications, which collectively have accumulated over 3,700 reads and approximately 20 citations on ResearchGate. Her research has been published in leading journals such as Acta Morphologica et Anthropologica and Anthropological Researches and Studies, contributing significantly to the academic discourse on human evolution, skeletal biology, and archaeological anthropology. Through her publications, she has disseminated findings that inform both theoretical perspectives and practical methodologies in her fields of study, supporting the development of evidence-based approaches to paleoanthropological and archaeological research. In recognition of her substantial contributions to science and education, Dr. Russeva has been awarded the title of Associate Professor and has maintained active membership in several national and international scientific societies. She has participated in collaborative research projects with institutions worldwide, strengthening interdisciplinary networks and fostering international academic exchange. Her postdoctoral research at Tel Aviv University, in particular, exemplifies her commitment to global collaboration, allowing her to apply advanced analytical techniques in comparative anthropological studies and to contribute to the broader understanding of human evolutionary history. Through her teaching, mentorship, and research, Dr. Russeva continues to shape the next generation of anthropologists and archaeologists while advancing the frontiers of knowledge in human history and biological diversity.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Russeva, V. (2025). The earthquake casualties from Heraclea Sintica – Buried under debris of the portico of the Roman forum. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105338

Russeva, V. (2024). Bones, bites, and burials: Investigating a skeleton from Eneolithic necropolis for evidence of probable lion attack in Bulgaria. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5077953

Russeva, V. (2023). Anthropological investigation of human skeletal remains from late Roman tombs in the western necropolis of Deultum. Archaeologia Bulgarica.

Russeva, V., et al. (2022). A genetic probe into the ancient and medieval history of Southern Europe and West Asia. Science. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abq0755

Russeva, V., et al. (2022). Ancient DNA from Mesopotamia suggests distinct Pre-Pottery and Pottery Neolithic migrations into Anatolia. Science. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abq0762

Russeva, V., et al. (2022). The genetic history of the Southern Arc: A bridge between West Asia and Europe. Science. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abm4247

Russeva, V. (2018). An Ottoman-age femme fatale: Archaeothanatological context for the deviant burial of a woman from site no. 6 on the Haemus highway in Bulgaria. Annales Universitatis Apulensis Series Historica.

Russeva, V. (2016). Human skull artifacts – Roundels and a skull cap fragment from Kozareva Mogila, a late Eneolithic site. Archaeologia Bulgarica.

Russeva, V. (2012). Religion, magic or medicine? New finds of trepanned skulls from southeastern Bulgaria, 11th–13th c. Archaeologia Bulgarica.

Zhangbao Xu | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhangbao Xu | Engineering | Best Researcher Award 

Fuyang Normal University, China

Profile

ORCID

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Zhangbao Xu embarked on his academic journey in Mechanical Engineering, earning his Ph.D. from Nanjing University of Science and Technology in 2017. During his doctoral studies, he focused on advanced control systems, particularly in the area of electromechanical and hydraulic servo mechanisms. His strong academic foundation laid the groundwork for a research-intensive career, which he expanded upon through postdoctoral research at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a leading institution in aerospace and control technologies.

👨‍💼 Professional Endeavors

Following his postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Xu joined Fuyang Normal University as an Associate Professor in the School of Computer and Information Engineering. In this role, he has been actively involved in both teaching and research, mentoring students and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on cutting-edge technological challenges. His role reflects a commitment to bridging theoretical principles with real-world applications in robotics, intelligent systems, and servo control.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Xu's primary research interests include high-performance control of electromechanical hydraulic servo systems, intelligent control of nonlinear systems, and advanced robotic control technologies. His innovative work has contributed to enhanced system stability, responsiveness, and energy efficiency in automation. His research has often intersected with artificial intelligence techniques, enabling adaptive learning in dynamic system environments.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With over 20 SCI-indexed journal articles published in top-tier international journals—such as IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, and Nonlinear Dynamics—Dr. Xu has established a strong global footprint. His scholarly works have garnered over 440 citations (Web of Science), including one Highly Cited Paper, reflecting the significant impact of his contributions on the research community. Importantly, more than 10 internationally and domestically recognized academicians and industry experts have cited and positively reviewed his work.

📚 Academic Cites

His research has not only found academic traction but also practical validation. Publications in IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering and IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems underscore his multidisciplinary expertise. This citation record attests to his recognition in both industrial and academic spheres.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Dr. Xu possesses deep expertise in nonlinear control, servo system design, adaptive control algorithms, mechatronics, and robotics engineering. His ability to integrate hardware-in-the-loop simulation with intelligent control strategies marks his technical versatility. He also demonstrates proficiency in simulation tools and control programming platforms such as MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, and real-time embedded systems.

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience

At Fuyang Normal University, Dr. Xu actively engages in curriculum development and instruction in control systems, robotics, and mechatronics engineering. He mentors graduate and undergraduate students, fostering research skills, innovation, and critical thinking. His classroom leadership is supported by real-world applications, making his courses highly practical and industry-relevant.

🧪 Innovation and Patents

A prolific inventor, Dr. Xu holds 17 authorized national invention patents in China, covering innovations in hydraulic servo systems, robot motion control, and fault-tolerant intelligent control strategies. These patents reflect his practical impact on industrial automation, providing scalable solutions for complex electromechanical systems.

📝 Editorial and Peer Review Activities

He is a guest editor for the journals Electronics and Actuators and serves as a regular reviewer for numerous prestigious journals, including IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, Aerospace Science and Technology, and Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing. His involvement ensures the maintenance of high publication standards and promotes rigorous peer discourse in the engineering community.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Xu’s contributions have positioned him as a forward-thinking scholar with a clear vision of the future. His integration of intelligent control with robotics is paving the way for next-generation autonomous systems, and his continued collaboration with national and provincial agencies promises more innovation. With a solid foundation of achievements and ongoing research momentum, Dr. Xu is poised to make even greater strides in the fields of mechatronics, robotics, and intelligent control.

Dr. Zhangbao Xu embarked on his academic journey in Mechanical Engineering, earning his Ph.D. from Nanjing University of Science and Technology in 2017. During his doctoral studies, he focused on advanced control systems, particularly in the area of electromechanical and hydraulic servo mechanisms. His strong academic foundation laid the groundwork for a research-intensive career, which he expanded upon through postdoctoral research at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a leading institution in aerospace and control technologies.

Selected Publications

Title: Barrier Lyapunov Function-Based Adaptive Output Feedback Prescribed Performance Controller for Hydraulic Systems with Uncertainties Compensation
Authors: Xu, Z.; Sun, C.; Hu, X.; Liu, Q.; Yao, J.
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics
Year:

Title: Observer-Based Prescribed Performance Adaptive Neural Output Feedback Control for Full-State-Constrained Nonlinear Systems with Input Saturation
Authors: Xu, Z.; Zhou, X.; Dong, Z.; Sun, C.; Shen, H.
Journal: SSRN
Year: 2023

Title: Output-Feedback Prescribed Performance Control for the Full-State Constrained Nonlinear Systems and Its Application to DC Motor System
Authors: Xu, Z.; Sun, C.; Liu, Q.
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems
Year: 2023

Title: Active disturbance rejection control for hydraulic systems with full-state constraints and input saturation
Authors: Xu, Z.; Sun, C.; Yang, M.; Liu, Q.
Journal: IET Control Theory and Applications
Year: 2022

Title: ESO-based adaptive full state constraint control of uncertain systems and its application to hydraulic servo systems
Authors: Xu, Z.; Qi, G.; Liu, Q.; Yao, J.
Journal: Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing
Year: 2022

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel | Nursing Education | Outstanding Contribution Award

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel | Nursing Education | Outstanding Contribution Award

Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Portugal.

Maria Helena Pimentel is a distinguished Professor Coordinator at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB), Portugal, specializing in Nursing and Health Sciences. With decades of experience in academia and healthcare, she has contributed significantly to research in sociology, nursing education, and public health. Her leadership roles in the IPB, including serving as Director of the School of Health, demonstrate her commitment to advancing higher education and healthcare training.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel holds a Ph.D. in Sociology (2011) from the University of Minho, Portugal, with a thesis on "Lifestyle and Health: The Daily Life of Students at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança." She earned a Master’s in Nursing Sciences (1999) from the University of Porto, focusing on "Nursing Students’ Perceptions of the Profession." Additionally, she completed a Postgraduate Specialization in Child and Pediatric Health Nursing (1993) at the Coimbra School of Nursing and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (1985) from the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal.

👩‍🏫 Professional Experience

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel is a Professor Coordinator (2012–present) at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal, where she previously served as an Adjunct Professor (2000–2012) and an Assistant Professor (1993–2000). Before her academic career, she worked as a Nurse (1986–1989) at the Bragança Hospital Unit, Portugal.

🔬 Research Interests

Maria Helena Pimentel's research focuses on:

Nursing Education and Training

Public Health and Healthcare Systems

Sociology of Health and Well-being

Lifestyle and Student Health

🏆 Awards & Leadership Roles

Director of the School of Health – IPB (2009–2017)

President of the Scientific and Pedagogical Council – IPB (2009–2017)

Member of the Scientific Council of IPB (2017–Present)

International Collaborations through Erasmus Programs (Spain, France, Portugal)

📚 Selected Publications

"Consumption of Major Psychoactive Substances During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Higher Education Students", Revista de Enfermagem Referência (2023). DOI: 10.12707/RVI22031

"Local Health Unit: A Vertical Integration Model of Healthcare", Revista de Enfermagem Referência (2022). DOI: 10.12707/RV21061

"Human Work on the Frontline of the Pandemic: Socio-Health Assistance", Lex Social: Revista de Derechos Sociales (2021). DOI: 10.46661/lexsocial.5972

"Participation in Community Intervention Programs and Quality of Life: Findings from a Multicenter Study in Portugal", Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia (2020). DOI: 10.1590/1981-22562020023.190017

"Social Benefits in Portuguese Public Higher Education Over the Last Four Decades", AULA (2017). DOI: 10.14201/aula201723