Vasilica POPESCU | Chemical Engineering | Best Research Article Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Vasilica POPESCU | Chemical Engineering | Best Research Article Award

Prof. Vasilica POPESCU, Department of Chemical Engineering in Textiles and Leather, Faculty of Industrial Design and Business Management, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Romania.

Professor Dr. Vasilica Popescu is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Textile Chemical Engineering at “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Romania. With over three decades of professional experience, she has significantly contributed to the chemical engineering domain, especially in textiles and leather technologies. Currently serving as the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering in Textiles and Leather, she has shaped academic curricula and supervised numerous research projects. She is the author of six books, multiple laboratory guides, and over 150 scientific publications, including peer-reviewed ISI-indexed journal articles. Her dedication to scientific excellence has earned her numerous national and institutional awards, along with recognition as an exceptional reviewer for prestigious international journals. Her research focuses on improving textile fiber quality, sustainable textile processing, and polymer composites. Professor Popescu is also deeply involved in advancing academic integrity and ethics in higher education.

Publication Profile

google scholar

🎓 Education

Vasilica Popescu earned her Ph.D. in Textile Chemical Technology from the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi in 1999, with a dissertation titled “Research on improving quality of acrylic fibres used in textile industry” under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Eng. Romen Butnaru. Prior to this, she completed her engineering degree in Textile Chemistry at the Faculty of Technology and Chemistry of Textiles, “Gheorghe Asachi” Polytechnic Institute in 1988. She also holds a post-university diploma in Pedagogical and Scholar Psychology, equipping her with valuable educational methodologies. Her foundational education includes a Baccalaureate diploma from the High School of Chemical Industry (1979–1983). Additionally, she has pursued professional specializations such as Finishing Chemical Textiles (1989), Didactic and Pedagogical Improvement (1998–1999), Supervisor Teacher of Technological and Research Practice (2011–2012), and Quality, Ethics, and Academic Integrity (2021). These qualifications reflect her continuous commitment to academic excellence and pedagogical refinement.

💼 Experience

Professor Vasilica Popescu has accumulated extensive teaching and research experience at the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Romania. Since 2023, she has been serving as a Professor and the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering in Textiles and Leather at the Faculty of Industrial Design and Business Management. Her prior roles include Associate Professor (2015–2023), Lecturer (1999–2015), and Coordinator Engineer of the Pilot Applied Researching Laboratory (1993–1999) in the same institution. Early in her career, she worked as an Engineer in the Research & Development Department of “ELCA” Company, Campina, Prahova. Across these roles, she has contributed to academic leadership, curriculum development, and industrial collaboration. Her teaching spans Textile Chemistry, Fiber Processing, and Advanced Material Technologies. Her leadership in research projects and international collaborations showcases her influence in integrating academic knowledge with real-world textile engineering challenges.

🏆 Honors and Awards

Professor Popescu’s dedication to scientific research and education has been recognized with 14 notable awards, including 13 national UEFISCDI awards for outstanding research contributions between 2012 and 2023. She also won the prestigious competition to become a “Supervisor Teacher of Technological and Research Practice.” Additionally, she was honored with a Certificate of Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing by Carbohydrate Polymers in 2017, having conducted 64 reviews for the journal. She has reviewed 195 articles for ISI-indexed journals such as Carbohydrate Polymers, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, Science and Engineering of Composite Materials, among others. Her significant impact in the scientific community is reflected by her h-index of 14 in both Web of Science and Scopus. These accolades confirm her as a leading figure in textile chemical engineering, polymer science, and sustainable material development.

🔬 Research Focus

Professor Popescu’s research primarily explores the chemical engineering aspects of textiles and leather, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the quality and functionality of polymer and acrylic fibers used in the textile industry. Her interests include innovative textile finishing techniques, eco-friendly fiber modification, composite materials, nanomaterials integration, and sustainable processing methods to reduce environmental impact. She also investigates biocompatible materials, functional coatings, and smart textile applications designed for medical and technical purposes. Her work often bridges the gap between industrial application and academic research, contributing to both fundamental studies and applied sciences in textile engineering. Additionally, Professor Popescu is engaged in developing educational strategies focused on academic integrity, ethics in research, and the implementation of digital learning platforms in higher education. Through her numerous publications and collaborative projects, she continues to push the boundaries of knowledge in fiber technology and functional textile materials.

📚 Publications

  • Research on Improving Quality of Acrylic Fibres Used in Textile Industry

  • Functional Finishing of Textiles by Eco-Friendly Methods

  • Influence of Nanostructured Coatings on Textile Fiber Performance

  • Application of Biopolymers in Sustainable Textile Processing

  • Studies on the Durability of Treated Leather Surfaces

  • Antimicrobial Finishing of Cotton Fabrics Using Silver Nanoparticles

  • Evaluation of Environmental Impact in Textile Wet Processing

  • Development of Smart Textiles for Biomedical Applications

  • Photocatalytic Activity of Modified Polyester Fibers

  • Chemical Modification of Wool Fibers for Improved Dyeability

  • Characterization of Textile Waste for Recyclable Applications

  • Preparation of Composite Materials Using Textile Waste

  • Effect of Plasma Treatment on the Properties of Synthetic Fibers

  • Synthesis of Conductive Polymers for Smart Textiles

  • Improvement of Flame Retardancy in Textile Products

  • Design of Eco-Friendly Dyes for Textile Applications

  • Influence of Cross-Linking Agents on Cotton Fabric Properties

  • Mechanical Properties of Bio-Based Textile Composites

Major Mabuza | Chemical Engineering | Best Research Article Award

Published on by Citation Awards

Major Mabuza | Chemical Engineering | Best Research Article Award

Dr Major Mabuza, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Mr. Major Mabuza is a dedicated academic and industry-aligned researcher serving as the Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering Technology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. With a strong foundation in chemical engineering and a passion for educational development, he has built a multifaceted career encompassing academia, research, and leadership. Mr. Mabuza is an active participant in shaping future-ready engineering graduates, holding significant roles in curriculum development, student mentoring, and industry advisory collaborations. His leadership is further demonstrated through committee participation and departmental management, with a track record in institutional compliance and academic quality assurance. Recognized for his scholarly and professional excellence, he has received several prestigious awards and holds professional registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineering Technologist. His research contributions in carbon capture and advanced materials are internationally acknowledged, underpinned by impactful publications and research grants.

Publication Profile

google scholar

Education

Mr. Mabuza’s academic journey reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in engineering education. He completed his Matric in the Science Stream at Ekangala Comprehensive High School in 2005. He earned a BTech in Chemical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), graduating Cum Laude in 2010, followed by an MTech in Chemical Engineering, supported by the NRF Innovation Scholarship. As a master’s student, he was recognized with best presenter awards and prestigious grants, including the TUT Scarce Skills Scholarship. He is currently pursuing a DEng in Chemical Engineering, funded by the NRF Thuthuka Programme and the Future Professors Programme. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (expected November 2024) from the University of Johannesburg and completed the Emerging Leaders Programme in 2023. His educational portfolio is not only rich in qualifications but also in development programs that prepare him for strategic academic leadership and research excellence.

Experience

Mr. Mabuza brings extensive academic and industry experience to his current role. He began his teaching career in 2013 as a part-time lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology before becoming a permanent lecturer at Vaal University of Technology (VUT) in 2017. He was later promoted to Senior Lecturer, and in 2022, he joined the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where he now serves as Head of Department. In leadership, he has held acting roles as HoD, chaired multiple committees, and contributed to academic quality assurance. His industry experience includes technician and in-service training roles at MINTEK in pyrometallurgy and small-scale mining divisions. Across his roles, Mr. Mabuza has blended academic rigor with practical application, playing a pivotal role in aligning university programs with industry needs. His leadership within both faculty and student affairs reflects his commitment to holistic education and institutional advancement.

Awards and Honors

Mr. Mabuza’s academic and professional excellence has earned him multiple awards and recognitions. He is a recipient of the prestigious Mandela Rhodes Scholarship (2012), supporting his master’s studies. Currently, he is part of the Future Professors Programme (2023–2024) under the Department of Higher Education and Training, reflecting his academic leadership potential. During his MTech and BTech studies, he received the NRF Innovation Scholarship and TUT Scarce Skills Scholarships, and won Best Oral Presenter at TUT Faculty Research Days in 2012 and 2013. He graduated Cum Laude for his BTech and received an Academic Excellence Award in 2010. He was also selected to participate in the CO2CRC Summer School at Melbourne University in 2011. These accolades underscore his research capabilities, academic discipline, and dedication to leadership in engineering education, marking him as one of South Africa’s emerging thought leaders in chemical engineering and higher education.

Research Focus

Mr. Mabuza’s research centers on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), materials science, and advanced materials. His work focuses on the synthesis and application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for post-combustion CO₂ capture—an area critical to climate change mitigation and energy sustainability. He has secured multiple research grants, including a R760,000 NRF Thuthuka grant and a Future Professors Programme International Engagement Grant (R362,000), supporting research advancement and international collaboration. Mr. Mabuza integrates experimental thermodynamics and adsorption studies, contributing to the global body of knowledge on gas separation and environmental remediation. His publications demonstrate in-depth analyses of MOF structures, coal characterization for CO₂ sequestration, and corrosion protection monitoring, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches. As a supervisor and committee member, he actively mentors students and contributes to research governance. His scholarly ambition is to produce innovative materials that enable cleaner industrial processes while nurturing Africa’s next generation of chemical engineers.

Publication Top Notes

  1. 📘 Reflection on the Structural Development of Engineering Programmes in South African Higher Education Institutions: Pre- and Post-1994 – Springer, 2024

  2. 📄 Adsorption Equilibria and Systematic Thermodynamics Analysis of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration on South African Coals Using Nonlinear Three-Parameter Models: Sips, Tóth, and Dubinin–Astakhov – Energies, 2025

  3. 📄 In-depth Analysis of Coal Chemical Structural Properties Response to Flue Gas Saturation: Perspective on Long-Term CO2 Sequestration – IJOGCT, 2024

  4. 📄 Application of Voltammetry as a Technique to Monitor Cathodic Protection Performance of Steel in Simulated Soil Solution – Electrochemistry Communications, 2024

  5. 📄 The Physicochemical Properties of Metal–Organic Frameworks Suitable for CO2 Capture: A Comparative Study of Magnesium- and Zinc-Based Materials – Proceedings, 2024

  6. 📄 Municipal Solid Waste Biogas Production Enhancement Using a Hybrid Landfill Strategy – (Incomplete title; please provide full title for inclusion)