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.

Profile

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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. Sofia Morgado | Science Education | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sofia Morgado | Science Education | Best Researcher Award

University of Minho, Portugal.

Prof. Sofia Fernandes Morgado is an expert in Science Education, specializing in contextualized learning and problem-based teaching methods. She has contributed significantly to teacher training, curriculum development, and educational research. With a strong academic background and extensive project leadership experience, she plays a crucial role in advancing science and geography education through innovative methodologies.

Profile

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Education 🎓

Prof. Sofia Fernandes Morgado holds a PhD in Science Education from the Universidade do Minho, Portugal (2024), where she focused on Teaching for Contextualized Learning of 'Sound and Light'. Her doctoral research aimed to explore innovative teaching approaches that connect scientific concepts with real-world contexts. Prior to her PhD, she completed her MA in Science Education at the same institution in 2013, with a thesis on Problem-Based Learning in Science and Geography Teacher Education, examining how problem-solving methodologies can enhance teacher education programs. She also earned her Degree in Physics and Chemistry Teaching from the Universidade do Minho in 2008, laying a solid foundation in the scientific and educational fields.

Experience đź’Ľ

Prof. Sofia Fernandes Morgado currently serves as the Director & Researcher at the Universidade do Minho, where she leads impactful research in science education and pedagogical innovation. In addition to her academic role, she has been working as a Support Specialist for the Quality Education for All Project in Guinea-Bissau since 2022, contributing her expertise to curriculum reform initiatives. From 2016 to 2022, she also held the position of Technical & Scientific Advisor for the Basic Education Curriculum Reform in Guinea-Bissau, where she played a key role in shaping educational policies and improving teacher training. Prof. Morgado's earlier career includes being a Research Fellow on various projects focused on science education and problem-based learning, particularly in enhancing teacher education programs and fostering contextualized learning from 2010 to 2021.

Research Interests 🔬

Science Education & Pedagogy – Enhancing problem-solving and contextual learning

Teacher Training & Curriculum Development – Improving STEM education methodologies

Sustainability in Education – Developing eco-conscious teaching frameworks

Educational Technologies – Integrating digital tools for interactive learning

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Recognized for Excellence in Science Education Research

Research Fellowships funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal

Active member of the Portuguese Association of Science Education (APEduC)

Selected Publications 📚

Teaching for the Contextualised Learning of Science: A Checklist-Based Science Curriculum Analysis
Authors: Morgado, S.; Leite, L.; Dourado, L.
Journal: Journal of Turkish Science Education (2022)
Volume: 19(4), Pages: 1072–1095
Citations: 3

Teacher Education and Popular Culture: Proverbs about the Climate and Weather
Authors: Leite, L.; Dourado, L.; Morgado, S.; Antunes, M.C.
Journal: Journal of Turkish Science Education (2019)
Volume: 16(1),Pages: 1–17
Citations: 6
Teaching Science in the Laboratory: A Study on Portuguese School Science Teachers’ Perspectives
Authors: Dourado, L.; Leite, L.; Morgado, S.
Journal: Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology (2017)
Volume: 2017(December Special Issue INTE)
Pages: 54–65
In-Service Science Teacher Education in Portugal: An Analysis of the Short Courses Available
Authors: Dourado, L.; Leite, L.; Morgado, S.
Journal: Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology (2017)
Volume: 2017(November Special Issue INTE)
Pages: 1065–1076
Learning About Safety, Prevention, and Quality of Life Through PBL: Implications for Teacher Education
Authors: Leite, L.; Dourado, L.; Morgado, S.; Vale, M.; Madureira, C.
Journal: Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology (2017)
Volume: 2017(November Special Issue INTE)
Pages: 375–386