Ms. Claudia Elijas-Parra | Structural Geology | Best Researcher Award

University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Claudia Elijas-Parra is a PhD student in Geophysics at the University of Edinburgh, specializing in the rheology of dense unsteady granular flows with shear gradients. Her research focuses on understanding granular temperature and the contact network in complex flows, particularly in pyroclastic density currents, to refine large-scale volcanic hazard models. With expertise in high-performance computing and numerical modeling, she contributes to advancing our knowledge of volcanic processes and geophysical flows.

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🎓 Education

Claudia Elijas-Parra is a PhD candidate in Geophysics at the University of Edinburgh, researching pyroclastic density currents using numerical modeling and high-performance computing. She holds a First-Class Honours MEarthPhys from the same university, with work on geomechanical risk and geophysical flow modeling. She completed her secondary education at Institut Pons D’Icart, Spain, with a 9.7/10 grade and spent an exchange year in London.

💼 Experience

Claudia Elijas-Parra is a PhD candidate in Geophysics at the University of Edinburgh, specializing in numerical modeling of pyroclastic density currents. She holds a First-Class Honours MEarthPhys and has experience as a Tutor & Demonstrator in mathematics, programming, volcanology, and seismology. Previously, she worked as a Research Assistant on catastrophic rock failure and interned to improve hybrid learning strategies. She completed her secondary education in Spain with a 9.7/10 grade and spent an exchange year in London.

🔬 Research Interests

🌋 Granular Flow Rheology – Understanding the dynamics of unsteady shear flows in pyroclastic density currents
💻 High-Performance Computing – Numerical simulations using MFIX-DEM, ParaView, COMSOL Multiphysics
🌍 Volcanic Hazard Assessment – Improving the boundary conditions of large-scale volcanic models
🧱 Rock Mechanics & Failure – Investigating microcrack evolution in deforming porous rocks

🏆 Awards & Grants

🏅 Overseas Research Visit & Conference Fund – E4DTP (2023) (Cities on Volcanoes 12, Guatemala)
🏅 12th SAGES Small Grant – SAGES (2023) (Cities on Volcanoes 12, Guatemala)
🏅 Small EPS Grant – University of Edinburgh (2023) (Cities on Volcanoes 12, Guatemala)
🏅 Certificate of Achievement – University of Edinburgh (2023) (Top Student in Earth Science Masters)
🏅 Small EPS Grant – University of Edinburgh (2022) (Summer Research Internship)

📚 Publication & Conferences

📄 Elijas-Parra et al. (2025). Controls on shear band orientation in deforming porous rocks: insights from improved microcrack segmentation method. 🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105404

🎤 Tectonic Studies Group (TSG) Annual Meeting (Burlington House, London, 2022)

Quantifying crack network evolution during failure of a porous rock

🎤 Cities on Volcanoes 12 (CoV12) (Antigua, Guatemala, 2022)

Basal flow rheology of pyroclastic density currents: Implications for large-scale modeling in volcanic hazard assessment

Mr. Manso Sesay | Environmental Mineralogy | Best Researcher Award

Colorado School of Mines, United States.

Mr. Manso Deen Sesay is a dedicated Mining Engineer with extensive experience in mine planning, geotechnical stability, and resource optimization. He currently works at Nevada Gold Mines, Elko, Nevada, USA, bringing over seven years of industry experience. He has previously served as a Mines Compliance Engineer at NMA Sierra Leone and as a Mine Planning & Geotechnical Engineer at Sierra Rutile Ltd. His expertise spans mine safety, geotechnical assessments, and cutting-edge research in mining technology. Manso has actively contributed to industry research, presenting at SME and ARMA conferences and collaborating on innovative projects in rock mechanics and smart mining solutions.

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🎓 Education

Manso Deen Sesay holds a Master of Science in Mining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, where he specialized in advanced mining technologies, geotechnical stability, and resource optimization. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, gaining a strong foundation in mine planning, extraction techniques, and safety regulations. His academic background has equipped him with the technical expertise and analytical skills necessary to address complex challenges in the mining industry, contributing to both research and practical applications in the field.

💼 Professional Experience

Manso Deen Sesay is an experienced Mining Engineer currently working at Nevada Gold Mines, USA, as part of the Graduate Training Program (GTP), where he applies advanced mining techniques to optimize operations. Previously, he served as a Mines Compliance Engineer at the National Minerals Agency (NMA) in Sierra Leone, ensuring regulatory compliance and enforcing safety standards in the mining sector. Before that, he worked as a Mine Planning & Geotechnical Engineer at Sierra Rutile Ltd., where he specialized in mine design, geotechnical risk assessment, and resource optimization. His expertise spans both surface and underground mining operations, with a strong focus on safety protocols, stability analysis, and efficient resource extraction.

🔬 Research Interests

Smart Bit Technology – Advancing drilling efficiency and safety

Rock Mechanics & Geotechnical Stability – Studying mine ground control

Mine Safety & Compliance – Enhancing regulatory frameworks

Resource Optimization – Improving mining efficiency and sustainability

🏆 Awards & Honors

Young Scientist Award – For contributions to mining and geotechnical engineering

Best Researcher Award – For advancements in Smart Bit technology and rock mechanics

📚 Publications

Geotechnical Implications of Large Shale Deposits on the Stability and Productivity of Iron Ore Mines: A Comparative Study

Authors: M.D. Sesay, A. Mohanty, M.K. Mishra, S. Gbosh, B.B. Sahoo, C. Begera, J. Rostami

Journal: U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium

Year: 2024

DOI: 10.56952/ARMA-2024-1124

The Influence of Conical Pick Cutter Wear Conditions on Physical Characteristics and Particle Size Distribution of Coal: Health and Safety Considerations with a Focus on Silica

Authors: Manso Sesay, Jamal Rostami, Hugh Miller, Syd Slouka, Rennie Kaunda, Anshuman Mohanty

Journal: MDPI Mineral, Volume 15 Issue 2

Year: 2025