Serhat Tonkul | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Serhat Tonkul | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Delft University of Technology, Netherlands

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Serhat Tonkul embarked on his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Geological Engineering from Canakkale On Sekiz Mart University in 2014, where he secured first place in his department and second in the Faculty of Engineering. His passion for energy and environmental sciences led him to pursue an M.Sc. in Energy Engineering at the Izmir Institute of Technology, where he specialized in renewable energy systems and geochemical processes. To further advance his expertise, he earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from the same institution in 2024. Currently, he is a Ph.D. researcher at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, focusing on critical issues related to groundwater management, contamination, and hydrological sustainability.

🔬 Professional Endeavors

Serhat Tonkul has been actively involved in several high-impact research projects funded by renowned institutions such as TÜBİTAK (Turkey) and the European Union Horizon 2020/2021 programs. His role as a researcher and project assistant has allowed him to contribute to key initiatives in the field. His involvement in the Artificial Recharge of Groundwater Resources project in the Alaşehir Sub-Basin (Gediz Basin), Turkey, funded by TÜBİTAK, played a crucial role in developing sustainable water resource management strategies. Additionally, he was a researcher in the REFLECT project, which aimed at redefining geothermal fluid properties under extreme conditions to improve the efficiency of geothermal energy production. His contributions to the CRM-Geothermal project, funded by the EU Horizon 2021 program, focus on the extraction and utilization of raw materials from geothermal fluids, an initiative that enhances the sustainability of geothermal energy.

🏆 Contributions and Research Focus

Serhat’s research primarily revolves around mathematical modeling, hydrology, groundwater contamination, geothermal energy, and renewable resources. His studies provide valuable insights into groundwater sustainability, geochemical interactions, and the role of geothermal fluids in energy production. His work aligns with global energy transition initiatives by focusing on hydrological processes, environmental sustainability, and innovative approaches to renewable energy resource management.

🌍 Impact and Influence

The impact of his research extends beyond academic contributions, influencing real-world applications in water and energy sustainability. His work has helped in improving groundwater recharge strategies to combat water scarcity and in developing more efficient geothermal energy extraction methods. His efforts in sustainable energy solutions contribute to reducing environmental impact and optimizing the utilization of natural resources. Recognized for his exceptional research, Serhat has received several awards, including the Golden Hammer Research Paper Award at the 74th Geological Congress of Turkey and the Best Research Paper Award in the European Green Agreement Competition, awarded by the University of Naples Federico II.

📖 Academic Citations and Recognition

Serhat’s research contributions have been cited in academic journals and international conference proceedings, showcasing his growing influence in environmental sciences, hydrogeology, and geothermal energy. His expertise in hydrogeology, water resources management, and geothermal scaling has positioned him as an emerging researcher in geochemistry and sustainable energy solutions.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Serhat possesses strong technical skills in various domains, including hydrological and geothermal modeling, geochemical analysis, water contamination assessment, and renewable energy system optimization. His expertise also extends to mathematical modeling in environmental engineering applications, making significant contributions to the advancement of sustainable energy technologies.

🎓 Teaching and Mentorship Experience

With his vast knowledge and hands-on research experience, Serhat has been actively involved in mentoring graduate students, particularly through his Water Diplomacy Center (WDC) Fellowship. He has also contributed to knowledge-sharing through academic discussions, international conferences, and workshops. His dedication to educating and mentoring young researchers ensures the continuity of innovative solutions in environmental and energy sciences.

🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Serhat aims to advance research in groundwater sustainability and geothermal energy applications. He envisions collaborating on global initiatives to promote sustainable water and energy management while integrating AI and advanced modeling techniques into hydrogeology research. His future work will focus on developing interdisciplinary solutions that bridge environmental science and energy technology, contributing to a more sustainable future.

📖Notable Publications

Groundwater recharge estimation using HYDRUS 1D model in Alaşehir sub-basin of Gediz Basin in Turkey

Authors: S Tonkul, A Baba, C Şimşek, S Durukan, AC Demirkesen, G Tayfur

Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Year: 2019

Characterization of Sb scaling and fluids in saline geothermal power plants: A case study for Germencik Region (Büyük Menderes Graben, Turkey)

Authors: S Tonkul, A Baba, MM Demir, S Regenspurg

Journal: Geothermics

Year: 2021

Hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of the geothermal systems and its direct use application: Balçova-Narlıdere geothermal system, Izmir, Turkey

Authors: A Baba, H Sözbilir, T Sayık, S Arslan, T Uzelli, S Tonkul, MM Demir

Journal: Geothermics

Year: 2022

Testing the Performance of Various Polymeric Antiscalants for Mitigation of Sb‐Rich Precipitates Mimicking Stibnite‐Based Geothermal Deposits

Authors: C Çiftçi, E Karaburun, S Tonkul, A Baba, MM Demir, Mİ Yeşilnacar

Journal: Geofluids

Year: 2020

3D Modelling and Characterization of Scale Types in Hyper Saline Geothermal System in Tuzla Geothermal Power Plant, NW Turkey

Authors: S Tonkul, A Baba, MM Demir, S Regenspurg, K Kieling

Journal: Proceedings of the European Geothermal Congress

Year: 2022

 

Sicong Ma | Theoretical and Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sicong Ma | Theoretical and Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Sicong Ma, born in March 1992, began his academic journey with a strong foundation in applied chemistry at the China University of Petroleum (Beijing), where he completed his Bachelor of Science in 2013. He continued at the same institution for a Master's degree in Chemistry, working under the guidance of Professor Zhen Zhao until 2016. His academic path led him to Fudan University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 2019 under Professor Zhi-Pan Liu. Here, he developed his expertise in theoretical and computational chemistry, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to catalysis and machine learning.

🏢 Professional Endeavors

After completing his Ph.D., He joined Fudan University as a postdoctoral researcher, continuing his work with Professor Zhi-Pan Liu until 2021. In August 2021, he joined the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry as an Assistant Researcher. Recently promoted to Associate Professor, He has led several projects funded by prestigious institutions, including the National Natural Science Excellent Youth Fund, Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and the China Postdoctoral Fund.

🔍 Contributions and Research Focus

His research interests span a unique blend of machine learning and catalysis. His expertise extends across both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, with a particular focus on: Machine Learning and Heterogeneous Catalysis: He has conducted research on syngas-to-olefins conversions on OX-ZEO catalysts, propane hydrogenation, and similar transformations, Machine Learning and Homogeneous Catalysis: His work includes studies on the carbonylation of olefins and the development of a metal-phosphine ligand catalyst database, Zeolite Chemistry: He is also active in studying the mechanisms of zeolite formation and their applications in catalysis, contributing significantly to zeolite-related database construction.

📈 Impact and Influence

He has made substantial contributions to the field, publishing more than 20 papers in renowned journals such as Nature Catalysis, Nature Communications, and ACS Catalysis. Notably, he has served as first or corresponding author on 15 of these publications, solidifying his role as a leader in his field. His work has garnered attention and citations, reflecting his influence within theoretical and computational chemistry.

📚 Academic Achievements and Honors

Recognized for his academic excellence, He has received numerous awards and honors. He was honored with the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award from Fudan University in 2019, recognized as an Academic Star of Fudan University the same year, and awarded a Shanghai Super Postdoctoral Fellowship. Recently, he was inducted as a member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2023.

🛠️ Technical Skills

His technical expertise includes advanced machine learning algorithms for catalysis, computational modeling in chemistry, and extensive knowledge of catalysis mechanisms in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. His computational skills and programming knowledge enable him to create and manage large databases, crucial for his projects on zeolite and catalyst-related data.

📖 Teaching and Mentoring Experience

While focused primarily on research, He has also contributed to the academic community by mentoring postdocs and junior researchers in his lab. His guidance fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring that emerging researchers develop the skills necessary to advance in computational chemistry and catalysis.

🌐 Legacy and Future Contributions

His ongoing work promises to deepen the integration of machine learning in catalysis, with potential implications for sustainable energy solutions and efficient industrial chemical processes. As a young innovator and leader in his field, he is set to make lasting contributions, furthering both academic knowledge and practical applications in computational chemistry.

📖Notable Publications