Ms. Danai Tsakiri | Extractive Metallurgy | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Danai Tsakiri | Extractive Metallurgy | Best Researcher Award

National Technical University of Athens, Greece.

Danai Tsakiri is a dedicated researcher specializing in Metallurgy and Materials Science, with a strong academic background and extensive experience in raw materials research. She has made significant contributions to the study of acid-activated clays, lithium extraction, and sustainable industrial materials. Currently, she serves as a Research Assistant at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), actively participating in multiple European and national research projects.

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🎓 Education

Ms. Danai Tsakiri is a Ph.D. candidate in Metallurgy and Materials Science at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece. She holds an M.Sc. in Science and Technology of Materials from NTUA (2010–2012), where she graduated with honors, achieving a grade of 8.69/10.0. Additionally, she earned a Diploma in Mining and Metallurgical Engineering from NTUA (2005–2010) with an outstanding grade of 9.08/10.0. Throughout her academic journey, Ms. Tsakiri has demonstrated excellence in her field, contributing to research and advancements in metallurgy and materials science.

🛠️ Professional Experience

Ms. Danai Tsakiri has extensive experience in metallurgy and materials science research. Since 2014, she has been a Research Assistant at the Laboratory of Metallurgy at NTUA, where she conducts laboratory experiments, analyzes research data, and contributes to scientific publications. She has been actively involved in multiple European-funded projects, including LEEMA, NANO-HVAC, ECO-BINDER, DIANA, and BATTERFLAI. Prior to this, she worked as a Junior Industrial Rocks & Minerals Researcher at S&B Group (2013–2014), focusing on the investigation of industrial mineral properties. Her experience also includes an internship at the Hellenic Research Centre for Metals S.A. (ELKEME) in 2009, where she conducted laboratory analyses on metallurgical samples.

🔬 Research Interests

Metallurgy & Materials Science – Acid activation, structure-property relationships.

Raw Materials & Circular Economy – Sustainable mineral processing.

Battery Materials & Lithium Extraction – Alternative methods for Li recovery.

Nanotechnology in Insulation & Construction – Low-carbon material development.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Technical Chamber of Greece Award for academic excellence.

NTUA High Performance Recognition during studies.

📚 Notable Publications

Li Extraction from a-Spodumene Concentrate via Carbonizing Calcination
Materials Proceedings (December 2023) 
Contributors: Katerina Maliachova, Nikolaos Doukas, Danai Tsakiri, Michail Samouhos, Lefkothea Sakellariou, Iliana Douni, Maria Taxiarchou, Ioannis Paspaliaris
Source: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute

Structural and Surface Modification of Oxalic-Acid-Activated Bentonites in Various Acid Concentrations for Bleaching Earth Synthesis—A Comparative Study
Minerals (June 2022)
Contributors: Danai Tsakiri, Iliana Douni, Maria Taxiarchou

 

 

 

Dr. Natascia Bruni | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Natascia Bruni | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Candioli Pharma srl, Italy.

Natascia Bruni is an experienced regulatory compliance and quality management professional with over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and feed supplements industries. Currently, she serves as the Compliance Unit Director, Qualified Person, and QPPV at Acel Pharma srl, where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring regulatory compliance, managing product registrations, and overseeing pharmacovigilance activities. Throughout her career, Natascia has worked across various sectors, including pharmaceutical companies (human and veterinary), focusing on quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and strategic business compliance. She is well-versed in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and has made substantial contributions to corporate governance, legal risk management, and quality audits.

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Education 🎓

Natascia Bruni's educational background demonstrates her deep expertise in both scientific and management fields, which has greatly contributed to her successful career in regulatory affairs and quality management. She completed her degree in Chemistry (Nuclear) at the University of Turin from 1991 to 1996, earning the highest distinction with a final vote of 110/110 con lode. This solid foundation in chemistry equipped her with a thorough understanding of chemical processes and analytical methods, which would later be pivotal in her regulatory and quality assurance roles in the pharmaceutical industry.

In addition to her scientific education, Natascia pursued specialized training in Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance for Drugs between 2001 and 2002, sharpening her skills in the complex regulatory frameworks governing drug safety and compliance. This training became essential in her role as a Qualified Person and QPPV in various pharmaceutical companies, where she led efforts to ensure products met both safety and regulatory standards.

Furthermore, Natascia completed a Business Management Course from 2015 to 2018, which enhanced her leadership, strategic planning, and operational management abilities. This course helped her integrate business and regulatory perspectives, allowing her to lead teams and drive organizational success in compliance-related activities.

Natascia also deepened her technical expertise by attending the School in Technology Enhanced Chemical Synthesis from 1996 to 1999, where she learned advanced techniques in chemical synthesis that continue to inform her work in pharmaceutical and feed supplement regulatory processes. Her multi-disciplinary education has provided a strong foundation for her leadership role in compliance and regulatory affairs, combining scientific rigor with strategic management skills.

Experience 💼

Compliance Unit Director - Qualified Person - QPPV (2012–Present), Acel Pharma srl (Candioli Group), Beinasco (Torino)
Responsible for ensuring the regulatory compliance of raw materials and finished products, overseeing registration/approvals, and managing import/export activities. Works closely with various departments to ensure that all products sold comply with national and international regulations.

Quality Unit Manager & Qualified Person (2007–2012), Olon Spa (Fidia Group), Rodano (MI) and Settimo Torinese (To)
Led the harmonization of QA/QC and regulatory procedures across two sites, ensuring GMP and regulatory compliance for the company’s product portfolio. Managed communications with health authorities and conducted quality audits for suppliers.

Chemistry Department Responsible (1997–1999), Antibiotic Spa, Settimo Torinese (To)
Conducted independent research and developed experimental procedures within the research project scope.

Researcher (1996–1997), Antibiotic Spa, Settimo Torinese (To)
Developed analytical methods and processes in the field of pharmaceutical research.

Research Interests 🔬

Regulatory Compliance in Pharmaceutical Products 📜

Natascia is particularly interested in the regulatory compliance of both raw materials and finished products in the pharmaceutical industry. Her work emphasizes the critical importance of navigating complex regulatory frameworks and ensuring that all pharmaceutical products, especially those used in veterinary medicine, comply with the highest standards of food safety, quality control, and marketing.

Pharmacovigilance & Product Registration 💊

A key area of Natascia's research is in pharmacovigilance, particularly focusing on the monitoring and reporting of adverse effects for drugs, ensuring products maintain safety and compliance throughout their lifecycle. She explores the processes involved in product registration, striving to streamline the approvals and regulatory checks necessary for market entry, particularly in international markets.

Process Improvement Methodologies 🔧

Natascia is also keen on exploring process improvement methodologies within the regulatory compliance space. Her work in this area aims to enhance operational efficiency, reduce legal risks, and strengthen internal control structures. By continuously improving regulatory and operational processes, she contributes to creating a safer and more efficient regulatory environment for pharmaceutical companies, particularly in the feed supplement and veterinary drug sectors.

Awards 🏅

University Senate Award: Best Academic Graduate (1996)
Awarded for excellence in academic performance by the Presidency Council of the Italian Chamber.

OPTIME Award: Best Experimental Dissertation of the Year (1996)
Recognized by the Industrial Union for outstanding research work.

Publications 📚

"Molecular Characterization of the Gorgonzola Cheese Mycobiota and Selection of a Putative Probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii for Evaluation as a Veterinary Feed Additive" Published in Applied Microbiology, 2024, 4(2), pp. 650–664.

"Efficacy of a Dietary Supplement in Dogs with Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial"
Published in PLoS ONE, 2022, 17(2), e0263971.

"Chronic Kidney Disease and Dietary Supplementation: Effects on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress", Published in Veterinary Sciences, 2021, 8(11), 277.
"Chronic Intestinal Disorders in Humans and Pets: Current Management and the Potential of Nutraceutical Antioxidants as Alternatives", Published in Animals, 2022, 12(7), 812.

Dr. Anik Naha Biswas | Meteorology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Anik Naha Biswas | Meteorology | Best Researcher Award

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Anik Naha Biswas is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, specializing in atmospheric science and weather forecasting. With a strong foundation in electronics, communication engineering, and machine learning, Anik focuses on developing advanced algorithms for rainfall prediction in tropical regions. He has published extensively in top-tier conferences and journals, contributing to the fields of remote sensing, GNSS technology, and climatology.

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Education 🎓

Anik Naha Biswas is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Electronics & Electrical Engineering at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore (2019 - 2024). His research focuses on developing innovative methods for rainfall forecasting, with a particular emphasis on utilizing atmospheric gradients in tropical regions. Anik's academic journey began with a strong foundation in electronics and communication. He earned his B.Tech degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering from the Institute of Engineering & Management, Kolkata, achieving a CGPA of 8.88/10. He further specialized in the field with an M.Tech in Microwave & Communication Engineering from the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur (2017 - 2019), securing an impressive 82% in his coursework. Throughout his academic career, Anik has consistently demonstrated excellence, driven by a passion for leveraging technology to address real-world challenges in atmospheric science.

Experience & Projects 🛠️

RF Signal Area Coverage Prediction: In his recent work, Anik leveraged machine learning to predict the coverage of radio frequency (RF) signals in specific regions. By analyzing building maps and transmitter locations, he developed a model to enhance the accuracy of RF coverage predictions, which is crucial for optimizing wireless communication networks.

Rainfall Forecasting Using Atmospheric Gradient: As part of his Ph.D. research, Anik developed a long-term rainfall prediction algorithm using GPS-derived atmospheric gradients. This innovative approach is particularly focused on the tropical region, where predicting rainfall patterns is challenging. His work aims to provide more accurate forecasts, aiding in weather prediction and climate modeling.

Frequency Selective Surface Design: During his M.Tech studies, Anik designed specialized frequency-selective surfaces to enhance antenna gain and provide effective shielding. These designs included multi-layered structures that improved the performance of wideband antennas, showcasing his expertise in microwave engineering and antenna technology.

Through these projects, Anik has showcased his ability to blend theoretical research with practical applications, making significant contributions to wireless communication and atmospheric science.

Research Interests 🔍

Weather forecasting and climatology 🌦️

GNSS technology 🌍

Remote sensing and atmospheric science 🛰️

Wireless communication 📡

Awards & Achievements 🏆

National Scholarship for outstanding academic performance in Higher Secondary Examination

Qualified GATE with a rank of 4528 among 141,665 candidates

Best Audience Choice Award at NTU's EEE department’s 3MT competition

IELTS score: 7/9 and GRE score: 314

Publications 📚 

Rainfall Forecasting Using GPS Derived Atmospheric Gradient and Residual for Tropical Region IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 2021. Link

Comparative Study of Atmospheric Gradient Components in Relation to Rainfall Remote Sensing, Accepted for 2024. Link

Study of Temporal and Spatial Correlation of Precipitable Water Vapor with Rainfall Remote Sensing, 2022. Link