Julio Pino | Engineering | Lifetime Achievement Award

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Prof. Dr. Julio Pino | Engineering | Lifetime Achievement Award 

Professor | Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí | Ecuador

Dr. Julio Cesar Pino Tarragó is a distinguished mechanical engineer and Senior Professor I with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain (2008), and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad de Holguín “Oscar Lucero Moya” (1993). With extensive experience in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, he has delivered courses in strength of materials, theoretical mechanics, mechanical design, physics, statistics, operation and maintenance of agricultural machinery, design of experiments, ergonomics, and reliability of mechanical systems, among others. He has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral theses focused on tribology, agricultural machinery performance, biodigesters, and advanced manufacturing techniques, while also leading significant research projects internationally, including in Cuba, Spain, and Ecuador. His research interests encompass mechanical design, tribology, agricultural machinery, renewable energy, process optimization, and educational technologies using artificial intelligence. Dr. Pino Tarragó has an extensive publication record, including Scopus-indexed Q1-Q3 journals, peer-reviewed books on structural steel design, experimental methods, and engineering education, and articles in Latindex and SciELO journals, reflecting his scholarly impact with 207 citations, H-index 6, and i10-index 5. He has contributed to community-oriented projects, such as sustainable energy solutions for rural areas and constructivist teaching methodologies supported by AI, and has actively engaged in mentorship, leadership, and educational innovation. His awards and honors recognize his commitment to teaching excellence, research leadership, and societal impact in engineering and education. Overall, Dr. Pino Tarragó represents a highly accomplished professional whose expertise, research achievements, and leadership have significantly advanced mechanical engineering and educational practices, positioning him as an influential figure capable of shaping future innovations and mentoring the next generation of engineers globally.

Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID | LinkedIn | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

  1. Pino Tarragó, J. C.,. (2025). Artificial intelligence and soft skills in civil engineering education: A Latin American curriculum gap with global implications. Research in Globalization, 100307.
    Citations: 20 | H-index: 6

  2. Pino Tarragó, J. C. (2025). Technology and innovative pedagogical strategies in foreign language teaching: Experience at UNESUM. Revista Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología, Q3.
    Citations: 15 | H-index: 6

  3. Pino Tarragó, J. C. (2025). Technology and Gamification in English Teaching for Civil Engineering: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Revista Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología, Q3.
    Citations: 12 | H-index: 6

  4. Pino Tarragó, J. C. (2024). Integrated Wastewater Treatment Technology: Efficiency of Lime and Eichhornia crassipes for Agricultural Irrigation. Revista Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología, Q3.
    Citations: 10 | H-index: 6

  5. Pino Tarragó, J. C. (2024). NEUROTIC in the process of teaching-learning in higher education. Revista Electrónica Formación y Calidad Educativa (REFCalE), 12(3).
    Citations: 8 | H-index: 6

Margarida Soares | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Margarida Soares | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Margarida Soares at CVR- CENTRO PARA A VALORIZAÇÃO DE RESÍDUOS, Portugal

Dr. Margarida Reis Soares is a multidisciplinary researcher specializing in the valorization of industrial and organic waste and the integration of circular economy principles. She holds a Master’s degree in Biological Engineering with a specialization in Technology in Chemical and Food Processing from the Universidade do Minho, Portugal. Currently, she serves as an investigator at the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and the Centro para a Valorização de Resíduos (CVR). Over the years, Dr. Soares has contributed to numerous European Union-funded projects, addressing eco-innovation, green technologies, and sustainability. Her research emphasizes creating environmentally friendly solutions for waste recovery and fostering green growth in industries.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Educational Details

Master’s Degree in Biological Engineering (Integrated Master’s Program)

  • Specialization: Technology in Chemical and Food Processing
  • Institution: Universidade do Minho, Portugal
  • Completion: November 2016
  • Thesis: “Estudo da Viabilidade da Diminuição das Temperaturas de Pasteurização Aplicadas aos Preparados Elaborados na Decorgel”
  • Graduation Grade: 17.07/20

Professional Experience

  • Investigator
    • Institution: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia / Centro para a Valorização de Resíduos (CVR), Portugal
    • Duration: November 2023 – Present
  • Researcher
    • Institution: Centro para a Valorização de Resíduos (CVR), Universidade do Minho, Portugal
    • Roles:
      • Investigated sustainable waste recovery and circular economy initiatives.
      • Collaborated on European Union-funded projects focused on eco-innovation and green technologies.
    • Duration: January 2017 – Present
  • Quality Control Laboratory Technician
    • Employer: Prozis, Portugal
    • Duration: July 2019 – July 2020

Research Interest

  • Valorization of industrial and organic waste.
  • Circular economy and sustainability strategies.
  • Development of eco-innovative materials using waste recovery.
  • Integration of bio-based processes in chemical and food engineering.
  • Technological solutions for green growth and environmental impact reduction.

Selected Research Projects

  • BioShoes4All (2023–Present): Innovation in sustainable bioeconomy for the footwear industry.
  • Mission2GG (2023–Present): Strategies for green growth, circularity, and eco-innovation.
  • RENew (2020–Present): Circular economy solutions for reintroducing construction waste.
  • VALORMAR (2017–Present): Valorization of marine resources through innovation.
  • EcoSustainable Rail (2016–Present): Development of eco-sustainable railway sleepers using mixed plastics.
  • UpCycle4Biz (2021–2023): Materials upcycling for promoting a circular economy.
  • Res2ValHum (2016–Present): Recovery of organic waste for humic substance production.

Publication Top Notes

“Peach processing wastes stabilization: Effect on the physical-chemical and microbiological properties”

  • Authors: Ribeiro, A., Soares, M., Valerio, N., Vilarinho, C., Carvalho, J.
  • Source: WASTES: Solutions, Treatments, and Opportunities IV – Selected Papers from the 6th International Conference Wastes, 2023, 2024, pp. 452–457.
  • Abstract and related documents: Disabled.

“Pig meat processing wastes stabilization: Effect on the microbiological properties”

  • Authors: Ribeiro, A., Soares, M., Valerio, N., Vilarinho, C., Carvalho, J.
  • Source: WASTES: Solutions, Treatments, and Opportunities IV – Selected Papers from the 6th International Conference Wastes, 2023, 2024, pp. 458–464.
  • Abstract and related documents: Disabled.

“An Experimental Setup for Plasma Gasification of Sewage Sludge”

  • Authors: Pacheco, N., Barbosa, F.V., Ribeiro, A., Teixeira, J.C.F., Vilarinho, C.
  • Source: Proceedings of the Thermal and Fluids Engineering Summer Conference, 2023, 2023-March, pp. 543–557.
  • Abstract and related documents: Disabled.
  • Citations: 2.

“Challenges of Digital Waste Marketplace—The Upvalue Platform”

  • Authors: Soares, M., Ribeiro, A., Vasconcelos, T., Vilarinho, C., Carvalho, J.
  • Source: Sustainability (Switzerland), 2023, 15(14), 11235.
  • Abstract and related documents: Disabled.
  • Citations: 2.

“Diving into Fish Valorisation: Review Opportunities and Analyzing Azorean Fish Data”

  • Authors: Valério, N., Soares, M., Vilarinho, C., Correia, M., Carvalho, J.
  • Source: Processes, 2023, 11(7), 1998.
  • Abstract and related documents: Disabled.
  • Citations: 5.

Conclusion

Dr. Margarida Soares is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the context of applied sustainability and circular economy research. Her work addresses global environmental challenges through innovative, practical solutions, and her involvement in EU-funded projects showcases her ability to collaborate on high-impact initiatives. However, to strengthen her candidacy further, she should focus on increasing her publication output, pursuing patents, and expanding her international footprint.