Dr. Despoina Tounta | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

Despoina D. Tounta is a Doctoral Candidate at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. With a strong background in environmental science, disaster management, and public health, her research focuses on the interplay between climate change, pandemics, and zoonotic diseases. She has presented her work at international conferences and published in renowned scientific journals.

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🎓 Education

Despoina D. Tounta holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology and Geoenvironment from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which she earned in 1991. Building on her expertise in environmental sciences, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Environmental, Disaster, and Crisis Management Strategies at the same institution, graduating in 2017. Currently, she is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, where her research focuses on the impact of climate change and pandemics from zoonotic diseases. Her doctoral thesis, titled “Climate Change and Pandemics from Zoonoses: Emerging Risks for Public Health and Strategies for Prevention in the Cyclades Island Complex,” explores the intersection of environmental changes and public health risks, with an emphasis on developing policies for disaster preparedness and mitigation.

💼 Experience

Despoina D. Tounta has actively contributed to environmental research and disaster management through training, conferences, and presentations. In 1993, she completed specialized training in Remote Sensing at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, focusing on natural environment protection. Her expertise in disaster resilience led her to present at SafeGreece 2017 (SafeAthens), where she discussed seismic risk prevention in public buildings. In 2021, she presented her research at the International CEST Conference, exploring the impact of weather conditions on COVID-19 spread. Continuing her work on environmental health, she spoke at the Climate Crisis Conference in 2022, analyzing the link between air pollution and COVID-19 mortality. Most recently, in 2023, she participated in COMECAP 2023, where she examined the association between solar irradiance, pollution, and COVID-19 cases in Athens, further reinforcing her role in climate and public health research.

🔬 Research Interests

🌍 Climate Change & Public Health – Investigating the link between environmental factors and zoonotic disease outbreaks.

🦠 Epidemics & Pandemics – Studying the spread of infectious diseases and their correlation with weather and pollution.

🏢 Seismic Risk Prevention – Assessing non-structural vulnerability in public buildings.

📡 Remote Sensing & Environmental Monitoring – Applying geospatial tools to analyze climate-related health risks.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Speaker & Contributor at multiple international conferences on environmental hazards, pandemics, and disaster management.

Recognized Researcher for work on COVID-19, climate change, and public health strategies.

📚 Publications

Human Activities and Zoonotic Epidemics: A Two-Way Relationship – The Case of the COVID-19 Pandemic

📌 Authors: Tounta, D.D.; Nastos, P.T.; Tesseromatis, C.
📌 Journal: Global Sustainability (2022)
📌 Volume: 5, e19
📌 Citations: 3

Could Saliva Play a Role in Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic?

📌 Authors: Papadopoulou, A.; Tounta, D.; Tesseromatis, C.
📌 Journal: Stomatologija

Dr. Chawki Lahoud | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

University of Balamand, Lebanon.

Dr. Chawki Lahoud is a renowned Lebanese academic and expert in Electrical and Energy Engineering. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Balamand in Lebanon, specializing in mechanical and renewable energy systems. With a strong academic background and experience in energy management, he has significantly contributed to the renewable energy sector, particularly in Lebanon, through teaching, research, and project consultancy.

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🎓 Education

Chawki Lahoud earned his PhD in Electrical and Energy Engineering from Saint Joseph University (ESIB), Lebanon, in 2020. He also completed a Research Master's 2 in Renewable Energies in 2016, jointly from ESIB, USJ, and the Doctoral School of the Lebanese University, Lebanon. Prior to these advanced degrees, he obtained a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from the Lebanese University, Faculty of Engineering 2, Roumieh, Lebanon, in 2012. These educational milestones have formed the foundation for his expertise in energy systems, renewable energies, and mechanical engineering.

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Chawki Lahoud has a diverse teaching background, starting in 2016. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Balamand, where he teaches courses such as Fluid Mechanics, Internal Combustion Engines, and Mechanical Design 2. Prior to this, from 2020 to 2023, he was a Lecturer at the Lebanese University, instructing subjects including Algebra, Energy Transportation, and Electric Machines. From 2017 to 2023, he also taught Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and MATLAB at Saint Joseph University (ESIB). In addition, he contributed as a Lecturer at the University of Balamand and other institutions, focusing on Computational Techniques and Mech241, while also supervising various student projects. This broad experience has allowed him to develop a well-rounded approach to teaching engineering concepts across multiple institutions.

💼 Work Experience

Chawki Lahoud has extensive experience in the renewable energy and engineering sectors. Since 2024, he has been providing expert consultancy in renewable energy systems at the Al Shouf Cedars and Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve in Lebanon. In addition, he has been the Managing Partner at CLEngineering S.A.L. since 2014, overseeing several renewable energy projects in Lebanon. Prior to these roles, he worked as a Project Manager at Beavers Engineering S.A.L. from 2015 to 2017, where he managed a coffee factory construction project. Earlier, from 2012 to 2014, he served as a Project Engineer at Khater Engineering and Trading S.A.L., where he worked on HVAC and plumbing systems for various construction projects. This combination of roles has equipped him with significant expertise in both renewable energy and engineering project management.

🔬 Research Interests

Energy Management ⚡
Chawki Lahoud is supervising a Ph.D. thesis focused on optimizing multi-source energy systems with hybrid storage solutions. This research aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of energy systems by integrating various energy sources with advanced storage techniques.

Marine and Plasma Energy 🌊⚛️
In the field of plasma physics, Chawki is also supervising a Ph.D. thesis that explores the simulation of nanoparticle dynamics. This work investigates the potential of plasma energy and its application in marine environments, contributing to cutting-edge research in energy generation and material science.

Solar Thermal Energy ☀️❄️
Chawki is overseeing a Ph.D. thesis that focuses on the optimization of solar absorption cooling systems. This research aims to improve the efficiency of solar cooling technologies, offering sustainable alternatives for temperature control in various applications.

Renewable Energy Applications 🌱
Chawki’s research in renewable energy applications spans several key areas, including solar cooling, geothermal energy, and phase change materials. He investigates innovative ways to harness renewable energy sources, focusing on sustainable solutions for energy production and storage.

🏅 Awards

2024: Best Poster Award at Frontiers in Materials Science and Engineering Conference for his work on mobilized thermal energy storage in Mediterranean climates.

📚 Publications Top Notes

Thermo-Economic Comparison of Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Cooling Systems, Conference: IMCET 2023, Contributors: Lahoud, C.; Brouche, M.; Hmadi, M. Link

Thermo-Economic Performance of Solar-Driven Absorption Chillers, Conference: REDEC 2023, Contributors: Lahoud, C.; Brouche, M.; Hmadi, M. Link

Modeling and Validation of Enthalpy-Temperature Curve for Phase Change Materials, Journal: Materials Science Forum, Contributors: Eid, S.; Lahoud, C.; Brouche, M.; Hmadi, M. Link

Review of Single-Effect Solar Absorption Chillers in Lebanon, Journal: Energy Reports, Contributors: Lahoud, C.; Brouche, M.; Hmadi, M. Link

Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan Tool for Municipalities, Journal: Energy Reports, Contributors: Saad, S.; Lahoud, C.; Brouche, M.; Hmadi, M. Link