Serhat Tonkul | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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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

 

Md Ahasan Ahamed | Analytical Chemistry | Analytical Chemistry Award

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Mr. Md Ahasan Ahamed | Analytical Chemistry | Analytical Chemistry Award

Bangladesh University of Textiles, Bangladesh

👨‍🎓Profiles

📘 Early Academic Pursuits

The academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 2014. During this phase, research was conducted on electricity generation from compression of speed breakers, demonstrating an early interest in applied engineering solutions. Further academic advancement led to a M.S. in Mechanical Design and Production Engineering from Konkuk University, South Korea (2020-2022), where the research focused on developing a pre-programmed microdroplet generator for controlling chemical concentrations. Currently, pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University (2022-2026), integrating Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) with nanopore sensing for point-of-care disease detection.

🏆 Professional Endeavors

With over six years of teaching and research experience, the professional journey includes roles as Lecturer and Assistant Professor at Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) and BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT) from 2014 to 2020. Transitioning into the research domain, positions were held as a Graduate Research Assistant at Konkuk University (2020-2022) and Pennsylvania State University (2022-Present). Recently, appointed as a Visiting Scholar at Indiana University, Bloomington (2025-Present), further broadening the academic and research exposure.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

A strong research background in point-of-care (POC) devices, disease diagnosis, and sensor technology has led to significant contributions in designing microfluidic devices and nanopore sensors. Proficiency in biochemical reaction methodologies, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA), Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP), and CRISPR/Cas12, has played a crucial role in developing diagnostic tools for infectious diseases like Monkeypox, SARS-COVID, Cowpox, and HIV.

🌍 Impact and Influence

The research has had a profound impact on healthcare and diagnostic technologies, especially in early detection methods for infectious diseases. The work in integrating machine learning algorithms with sensor-based diagnostics has pushed the boundaries of automation and accuracy in medical testing. The interdisciplinary nature of the research—bridging mechanical design, electrical engineering, and biotechnology—positions it as a key contributor to next-generation disease detection systems.

📊 Academic Citations & Publications

With a growing influence in the academic world, the research work has been recognized with 67 citations, 18 published papers, and 6 conference and poster presentations. The continuous contribution to high-impact journals and international conferences highlights the commitment to advancing knowledge in biomedical engineering and sensor technology.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Expertise spans across instrumentation, fabrication, and analysis, including hands-on experience with: 3D Printing: Asiga UV Max X43, Ultimaker 3.0, Laser Systems: Universal Laser Systems, Microscopy: Optical Microscopes, Nikon Ti U Inverted Camera, pco.edge 5.5, Sensors & Electronics: Pressure Sensors (PX-309 series, Eve flow series), Axopatch 200b, Molecular Diagnostic Tools: Thermal Cycler (BIORAD T100), Plasma Treatment Machines, Software & Programming: MATLAB, Python, and Machine Learning Algorithms.

🎓 Teaching Experience

With over six years of teaching experience, expertise has been shared in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Drawing, Machine Design, MATLAB, and Python programming with undergraduate students. The ability to bridge theoretical knowledge with hands-on applications has benefited students in engineering and research domains.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, the focus remains on developing innovative diagnostic devices that are cost-effective, rapid, and highly accurate for real-world applications. The integration of machine learning with nanopore sensors will continue to be a significant area of exploration. Additionally, mentoring future researchers and students in interdisciplinary fields will be an integral part of academic and professional contributions.

📖Notable Publications

Sensitive and specific CRISPR-Cas12a assisted nanopore with RPA for Monkeypox detection
Authors: MA Ahamed, MAU Khalid, M Dong, AJ Politza, Z Zhang, A Kshirsagar, ...
Journal: Biosensors and Bioelectronics 246, 115866
Year: 2024

Electricity generation from speed breaker by air compression method using wells turbine
Authors: MA Ahamed, MI Reza, M Al-Amin
Journal: Journal of Advanced Engineering and Computation 4 (2), 140-148
Year: 2020

Pre-programmed microdroplet generator to control wide-ranging chemical concentrations
Authors: MA Ahamed, G Kim, Z Li, SJ Kim
Journal: Analytica Chimica Acta 1236, 340587
Year: 2022

Functionalized Cellulose for Textile Organic Pollutant Treatment: a Comprehensive Review
Authors: MM Rashid, N Abir, SAB Kamal, M Al-Amin, MA Ahamed, MT Islam, ...
Journal: Water Conservation Science and Engineering 9 (11)
Year: 2024

A Portable Centrifuge for Universal Nucleic Acid Extraction at the Point-of-Care
Authors: AJ Politza, T Liu, A Kshirsagar, M Dong, MA Ahamed, W Guan
Journal: Available at SSRN 4781228
Year: 2024