Davide Rossi | Physical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Davide Rossi | Physical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

University of Padua, Italy

Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Davide Rossi embarked on his academic journey in the pharmaceutical sciences by completing a combined B.S. and M.D. in Pharmacy at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Camerino, Italy. His formative academic years laid the foundation for a multidisciplinary approach that integrates physical chemistry with pharmaceutical applications. His early interests in understanding the physicochemical behaviors of materials evolved into specialized expertise in surface tensiometry and its practical relevance in drug systems and biointerfaces.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Rossi has been actively engaged as a Researcher Collaborator and Contractor Researcher at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy. In his role, he has pioneered analytical methodologies to determine surface tension in liquids, successfully eliminating the interference of surface roughness and friction forces. His methodology culminated in a unique pure number-based approach—now recognized in surface tensiometry—which provides unprecedented precision in characterizing drug release, permeation processes, and biopharmaceutical behavior. He has also served as the Technical Director for the Osservatorio Termale Permanente (OTP), contributing significantly to studies on peloids, sanitizing technologies, and electrochemical systems in healthcare.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Rossi’s most impactful scientific contributions are centered around the development of innovative concepts in surface tensiometry. These include the Solid-Like Methodology (SLM), the definition of the Rossi number—a dimensionless index to describe tensiometric behavior—and the Integrated Analytical Approach (IAA), a novel framework that merges volume element, structure, and surface data to investigate dynamic behaviors in complex systems. His work bridges theoretical surface science with tangible applications in drug release, monoclonal antibody characterization, and ex vivo permeation phenomena.

Impact and Influence

The influence of Dr. Rossi’s research extends into applied pharmacological technology, especially in the thermal, biological, and electrochemical domains. His patented developments—including the Tensiometric PFPE Liquid Film, the Surface Tensiometry PFPE Liquid Film (Rossi number), and PFPE Biological Fixative—demonstrate strong translational value, particularly in pharmaceutical testing and therapeutic material innovation. His research has sparked new standards in how tensiometry is applied in quality control, safety assessments, and the material sciences.

Technical Skills

Dr. Rossi possesses extensive expertise in analytical instrumentation and surface analysis. His specialization in surface tensiometry involves precise measurement techniques and modeling of liquid-solid interactions within complex biological and synthetic systems. His methodological advancements reveal proficiency in the use of custom-built devices and multi-parametric models to investigate structural integrity and material behavior.

Teaching Experience

Though primarily a research-focused professional, Dr. Rossi has also contributed to academic mentorship and collaborative scientific exchanges within his institution and professional networks. His involvement in research contracts and inter-institutional initiatives suggests a strong role in training early-career researchers and fostering analytical thinking in pharmaceutical sciences.

Academic Collaborations and Memberships

Dr. Rossi has cultivated international research collaborations, notably as a co-founding member of the H₂S in Balneology Global Initiative, working alongside leading figures in therapeutic hydrology. He holds membership in prestigious professional organizations including the Association of Pharmacist International (API) and the American Chemical Society (ACS), aligning his research within global scientific communities and ensuring exposure to interdisciplinary innovations.

Legacy and Future Contributions

With a focus on systematizing surface data and integrating them into pharmaceutical evaluation protocols, Dr. Rossi’s legacy is the transformation of surface tensiometry from a niche analytical tool into a cornerstone of modern pharmaceutical characterization. His ongoing research aims to refine his methodologies further for broader application across natural and artificial systems. The fusion of structural science, surface dynamics, and drug technology in his work promises to influence future drug design, delivery systems, and material validation techniques.

Notable Publications

Within-tree variations in the surface free energy of wood assessed by contact angle analysis
Authors: Rossi, Davide; Rossi, Sergio; Morin, Hubert; Bettero, Antonio
Journal: Wood Science & Technology
Year: 2012

A combined chemico-mineralogical and tensiometric approach for evaluation of thermal mud quality
Authors: Rossi, Davide; Jobstraibizer, Pier Giorgio; Dal Bosco, Camilla; Bettero, Antonio
Journal: Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology
Year: 2012

Development of a tensiometric model for surface energy characterization of raw coffee beans
Authors: Rossi, Davide; Mioni, Enrico; Zancato, Mirella; Bettero, Antonio
Journal: Journal of Food Engineering
Year: 2012

1st National Catalogue of Innovations for Human Development in Albania
Authors: Uruci, Renata; Vuji, Marina; Rossi, Davide; Orefice, Simone; Turco, Lucia
Journal: Shtypshkronja Maluka (Publisher), Tirana, Albania
Year: 2012

Tenskinmetric evaluation of surface energy changes in adult skin: Evidence from 834 normal subjects monitored in controlled conditions
Authors: Dal Bosco, Camilla; Rossi, Davide; Brunetta, Andrea; Bettero, Antonio
Journal: Cosmetics
Year: 2014

The combined action TVS mud index/TVS skin test as an evaluation marker of skin functionality and thermal mud effectiveness
Authors: Rossi, Davide; Dal Bosco, Camilla; Bettero, Antonio
Journal: Journal of The Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine
Year: 2015

Khandoker Samaher Salem | Materials Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Khandoker Samaher Salem | Materials Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

👨‍🎓Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Khandoker Samaher Salem’s academic foundation is rooted in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the University of Dhaka, where she graduated with top honors. Driven by a passion for materials science and sustainability, she pursued advanced studies abroad, earning both a Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering and a Ph.D. in Forest Biomaterials from North Carolina State University. Her graduate and doctoral training provided her with a strong interdisciplinary background, blending the fundamentals of polymer science, nanomaterials, and bio-based materials engineering.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Salem currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Dhaka. Her academic career has steadily progressed through roles of increasing responsibility, reflecting her commitment to teaching, curriculum development, and institutional service. Her teaching portfolio covers a wide range of specialized subjects, including Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, and Chemical Technology, with a focus on pulp and paper, cellulosic fibers, and wood chemistry. She is actively involved in multiple university-level committees such as course development, academic discipline, and Outcome-Based Education (OBE) implementation.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Salem’s research is centered on the fabrication and characterization of bio-based and polymeric materials with sustainable applications. Her work involves the development of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films for packaging, biopolymer nano-hybrids, and grafted polymers, utilizing techniques such as freeze drying, cryogenic processing, solution casting, and composite lamination. Her scientific contributions aim to advance the fields of renewable materials and green chemistry, aligning with global sustainability goals. She also explores performance evaluation of these materials using both classical and advanced analytical tools.

Technical Proficiencies

Her laboratory competencies span a diverse range of material fabrication and testing techniques. She is adept in using instrumentation such as Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM), Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), Instron mechanical testing, thermal analysis systems (DSC, TGA, DMA), FT-IR, UV-Vis, XRD, and optical profilometry. She also employs niche equipment like the Emtec TSA Softness Measurement Instrument and conducts permeability assessments (WVTR, OTR). Her computational skills extend to ImageJ, Origin Lab, ChemDraw, Adobe Creative Suite, and specialized software for materials analysis.

Teaching Experience and Academic Service

As a dedicated educator, Dr. Salem engages actively in undergraduate and postgraduate instruction, with class sizes ranging from 40 to 65 students. She has designed and delivered core and elective courses in polymer science and chemical engineering. Beyond teaching, she serves in advisory and curriculum roles, contributing to policy-making in academic and administrative spheres. Her involvement in student advising and undergraduate admissions underscores her holistic approach to academic mentorship.

Research Recognition and Honors

Dr. Salem’s scholarly excellence has been recognized through multiple competitive awards. These include first prize in a materials-focused Make-a-thon at NC State University and a prestigious enhancement fellowship for graduate students. Her research has earned national accolades, such as the National Science and ICT Fellowship, and university-level scholarships for academic distinction. These honors reflect her consistent performance as a top-tier scholar and emerging leader in materials research.

Industrial Exposure and Practical Insights

Dr. Salem complements her academic knowledge with hands-on exposure to industrial practices through various study tours across Bangladesh and the United States. These experiences have deepened her understanding of industrial chemical processes, quality control systems, utility operations, and sustainable material production, thereby enhancing her teaching and research with practical relevance.

Organizational Involvement and Outreach

She has demonstrated leadership in organizing international scientific events, such as the International Conclave on Materials, Energy and Climate, in partnership with the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM). Her involvement in community outreach programs in the U.S. during her studies—through initiatives like the ‘Cultural Corps’ and international festivals—highlights her commitment to intercultural exchange and science communication.

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Salem maintains active memberships in leading professional organizations including the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE), and the Bangladesh Chemical Society (BCS). These affiliations provide her with a global platform for networking, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Salem aims to further integrate sustainable materials into mainstream engineering applications through cutting-edge research and academic leadership. She envisions a future where biodegradable and bio-sourced materials replace conventional plastics, with her research group at the forefront of this transition. Her dedication to innovation, pedagogy, and sustainability positions her as a catalyst for scientific progress in materials engineering both locally and internationally.

📖Notable Publications

Advances in barrier coatings and film technologies for achieving sustainable packaging of food products – a review
Authors: P. Tyagi, K.S. Salem, M.A. Hubbe, L. Pal
Journal: Trends in Food Science & Technology, 115, 461–485
Citations: 340
Year: 2021

Hydrogel-based sensor networks: Compositions, properties, and applications — A review
Authors: X. Sun, S. Agate, K.S. Salem, L. Lucia, L. Pal
Journal: ACS Applied Bio Materials, 4(1), 140–162
Citations: 250
Year: 2020

Comparison and assessment of methods for cellulose crystallinity determination
Authors: K.S. Salem, N.K. Kasera, M.A. Rahman, H. Jameel, Y. Habibi, S.J. Eichhorn, …
Journal: Chemical Society Reviews, 52(18), 6417–6446
Citations: 243
Year: 2023

Polyethylene glycol functionalized carbon nanotubes/gelatin-chitosan nanocomposite: An approach for significant drug release
Authors: S. Sharmeen, A.F.M.M. Rahman, M.M. Lubna, K.S. Salem, R. Islam, M.A. Khan
Journal: Bioactive Materials, 3(3), 236–244
Citations: 109
Year: 2018

Cellulase in waste management applications
Authors: M.N. Khan, I.Z. Luna, M.M. Islam, S. Sharmeen, K.S. Salem, T.U. Rashid, …
Journal: New and Future Developments in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Citations: 56
Year: 2016