Abu Farzan Mitul | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Awards

Dr. Abu Farzan Mitul | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Leidos | United States

Dr. Abu Farzan Mitul is an accomplished researcher and educator specializing in opto-electronic device fabrication, fiber optic sensing technologies, and nanostructured thin-film materials. His research bridges the intersection of photonics, materials science, and advanced sensing systems — contributing to innovations that enhance environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and biomedical diagnostics. Dr. Mitul earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), USA, where he designed and developed advanced fiber Bragg grating sensors and thin-film photonic devices for multi-parameter sensing applications. His earlier academic training includes a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Applied Physics, Electronics, and Communication Engineering from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Throughout his career, Dr. Mitul has collaborated with leading U.S. research institutions and agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DoD), and NASA, focusing on next-generation optoelectronic and energy-efficient sensing systems. His extensive publication record spans high-impact journals and international conferences in photonics, sensor technology, and materials characterization. In addition to his research, Dr. Mitul has served as a faculty member and laboratory instructor, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in electronics, photonics, and experimental physics. He is passionate about advancing interdisciplinary research in fiber optic sensing, MEMS/NEMS devices, photonic integrated systems, and nanotechnology-driven device engineering. Dr. Mitul continues to explore innovative pathways toward miniaturized, high-sensitivity photonic systems with applications across environmental, aerospace, and biomedical fields — aligning cutting-edge materials research with sustainable technological development.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar | Linkedin

Featured Publications

Adhikari, N., Dubey, A., Khatiwada, D., Mitul, A. F., Wang, Q., Venkatesan, S., & Qiao, Q. (2015). Interfacial study to suppress charge carrier recombination for high efficiency perovskite solar cells. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 7(48), 26445–26454. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b08343

Rana, G. M. S. M., Khan, A. A. M., Hoque, M. N., & Mitul, A. F. (2013, December). Design and implementation of a GSM based remote home security and appliance control system. In 2013 2nd International Conference on Advances in Electrical Engineering (ICAEE) (pp. 291–295). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICAEE.2013.6750340

Khatiwada, D., Venkatesan, S., Adhikari, N., Dubey, A., Mitul, A. F., Mohammad, L., … & Qiao, Q. (2015). Efficient perovskite solar cells by temperature control in single and mixed halide precursor solutions and films. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 119(46), 25747–25753. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b08667

Mitul, A. F., Mohammad, L., Venkatesan, S., Adhikari, N., Sigdel, S., Wang, Q., … & Qiao, Q. (2015). Low temperature efficient interconnecting layer for tandem polymer solar cells. Nano Energy, 11, 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2014.10.030

Venkatesan, S., Ngo, E. C., Chen, Q., Dubey, A., Mohammad, L., Adhikari, N., … & Qiao, Q. (2014). Benzothiadiazole-based polymer for single and double junction solar cells with high open circuit voltage. Nanoscale, 6(12), 7093–7100. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4NR00606H

Islam, M. M., Rafi, F. H. M., Mitul, A. F., Ahmad, M., Rashid, M. A., & Malek, M. F. B. A. (2012, May). Development of a noninvasive continuous blood pressure measurement and monitoring system. In 2012 International Conference on Informatics, Electronics & Vision (ICIEV) (pp. 695–699). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIEV.2012.6317425

 

Mujahid Aziz | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Awards

Prof. Mujahid Aziz | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Cape Peninsula University of Technology | South Africa

Professor Mujahid Aziz is a distinguished academic and research leader serving as the Assistant Dean: Learning & Teaching in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in South Africa. In this leadership role, he oversees and enhances academic excellence across eight departments within the faculty, which collectively serve nearly 10,000 students, including a growing cohort of postgraduate scholars. As a champion of academic transformation, Prof. Aziz is deeply committed to promoting innovative teaching practices, curriculum modernization, and student-centered learning within engineering education. His leadership is instrumental in aligning the faculty’s academic strategies with industry relevance, sustainability goals, and the national development agenda. With over 23 years of experience as an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Prof. Aziz has established himself as a transformative educator, researcher, and mentor. His academic journey reflects a sustained dedication to advancing both the theoretical and practical dimensions of environmental and chemical engineering. Throughout his career, he has supervised numerous postgraduate students and contributed to the development of engineering curricula that integrate sustainability, innovation, and applied research. His pedagogical philosophy emphasizes experiential learning and the development of problem-solving skills essential for addressing real-world engineering challenges, particularly in water and environmental systems. As the Principal Investigator of the Environmental Engineering Research Group (EERG), Prof. Aziz leads multidisciplinary research focused on sustainable water and wastewater treatment technologies. His work is internationally recognized, with publications in high-impact journals such as Desalination, MDPI Membranes, MDPI Water, and Environmental Processes. Recent research endeavors have explored cutting-edge methods for biofouling mitigation in polyamide thin-film composite reverse osmosis membranes, particularly through polymer grafting and nanoparticle coating. These innovations are pivotal for improving the treatment of municipal bioreactor secondary effluent and enhancing the efficiency and longevity of membrane systems used in desalination and wastewater reuse. Prof. Aziz’s research portfolio is characterized by a strong interdisciplinary approach that bridges materials science, chemical process design, and environmental sustainability. His areas of specialization encompass membrane technology, wastewater reuse, electrochemical and adsorption processes, brine management, and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems. His work addresses critical environmental challenges associated with water scarcity and industrial pollution, offering viable pathways for circular water economies and resource recovery. His pursuit of innovation in micropollutant removal, membrane fouling control, and electro-oxidation for water reuse reflects his vision of achieving sustainable and intelligent environmental engineering solutions. Through his academic leadership, pioneering research, and commitment to mentorship, Prof. Mujahid Aziz continues to make a profound impact on the future of engineering education and sustainable water technology development in South Africa and beyond.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Aziz, M., & Ojumu, T. (2020). Exclusion of estrogenic and androgenic steroid hormones from municipal membrane bioreactor wastewater using UF/NF/RO membranes for water reuse application. Membranes, 10(3), 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10030037

Aziz, M., & Kasongo, G. (2021). The removal of selected inorganics from municipal membrane bioreactor wastewater using UF/NF/RO membranes for water reuse application: A pilot-scale study. Membranes, 11(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11020104

Myburgh, D. P., Aziz, M., Roman, F., Jardim, J., & Chakawa, S. (2019). Removal of COD from industrial biodiesel wastewater using an integrated process: Electrochemical oxidation with IrO₂–Ta₂O₅/Ti anodes and chitosan powder. Environmental Processes, 6(4), 819–840. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-019-00393-5

Kasongo, G., Steenberg, C., Morris, B., Kapenda, G., Jacobs, N., & Aziz, M. (2019). Surface grafting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GA) to improve resistance to fouling of aromatic polyamide thin film composite reverse osmosis membranes. Water Practice & Technology, 14(3), 614–624. https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2019.042

Chakawa, S., & Aziz, M. (2021). Investigating the result of current density, temperature, and electrolyte concentration on COD subtraction of petroleum refinery wastewater using response surface methodology. Water, 13(6), 835. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060835

Aziz, M., & Kasongo, G. (2019). Scaling prevention of thin film composite polyamide reverse osmosis membranes by Zn ions. Desalination, 464, 76–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2019.04.006