Carolina Santamarta | Carbon Neutral Technologies | Women Researcher Award

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Ms. Carolina Santamarta | Carbon Neutral Technologies | Women Researcher Award

PHD student at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid | Spain

Carolina Santamarta is an accomplished industrial engineer with a diverse career spanning engineering, management, and renewable energy research. She has successfully transitioned from leading businesses in tourism, health, and education to re-engaging in advanced research within the industrial and renewable energy sectors. Her work reflects a balance between academic rigor and practical application, as she integrates her background in industrial operations with a focus on sustainable energy solutions. As a researcher, she is deeply committed to the study of renewable fuels and innovative approaches to energy generation, seeking to contribute toward global clean energy transitions. In addition to her academic pursuits, she has demonstrated strong leadership through business ownership, project management, and STEM education initiatives for children, reflecting her broader vision of contributing both to scientific progress and social development. Her adaptability, entrepreneurial mindset, and research focus make her a dynamic figure in the renewable energy field.

Professional Profile 

ORCID Profile 

Education

Carolina’s academic journey demonstrates her dedication to engineering and sustainable development. She earned her degree in Industrial Engineering at Universidad Carlos III Madrid, where she gained expertise in materials science, mechanical systems, and industrial processes. Building upon this strong foundation, she later pursued a Master’s in Renewable Energies, which allowed her to expand her knowledge into sustainable technologies such as solar, wind, and biomass energy systems. Currently, she is engaged in doctoral research in renewable fuels, an area of growing global importance. Her Ph.D. work integrates applied engineering with environmental sustainability, with the goal of advancing innovative and practical energy solutions. Throughout her education, Carolina has complemented her formal studies with hands-on use of advanced tools like Pvsyst and CHEQ4, enabling accurate modeling and evaluation of renewable energy projects. Her academic progression highlights both intellectual rigor and a clear focus on addressing real-world sustainability challenges through advanced research.

Experience

Carolina brings a wealth of professional experience that spans industrial manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and educational innovation. Early in her career, she contributed to leading industrial companies, managing machinery maintenance, manufacturing processes, and continuous improvement teams in fiberglass factories. These roles equipped her with strong technical expertise and an understanding of quality control in large-scale operations. Later, she moved into business leadership, where she managed and co-owned organizations in healthcare and tourism, overseeing budgets, human resources, and organizational strategy. Her role at Tesla Cool Lab further demonstrated her ability to connect technology with education by developing scientific and technological programs for children, fostering early interest in STEM fields. This breadth of experience reflects her ability to integrate managerial and technical expertise, balancing industrial problem-solving with entrepreneurial innovation. Her career trajectory illustrates her adaptability and her commitment to applying engineering knowledge across different industries while aligning with her growing research ambitions.

Research Interest

Carolina’s research interests lie primarily in renewable energy, with a focus on renewable fuels and their role in enabling sustainable energy transitions. She is particularly interested in developing and optimizing energy systems that integrate solar, wind, and biomass resources, with an emphasis on clean fuel technologies that can serve as viable alternatives to fossil fuels. Her work is aimed at bridging the gap between industrial-scale applications and academic innovation, seeking solutions that are not only technically efficient but also economically and environmentally viable. In addition, she is passionate about exploring tools and modeling techniques that allow accurate forecasting and evaluation of renewable energy projects, ensuring reliability and scalability. Carolina’s research vision also includes contributing to the development of community-based and decentralized energy solutions, promoting accessibility and resilience in energy systems. By aligning her technical expertise with sustainability goals, she strives to support global efforts toward climate change mitigation.

Awards and Honors

Carolina has earned recognition for her leadership and innovative contributions across different fields, blending her engineering background with business success and social engagement. Her achievements include directing successful companies in healthcare and tourism, where she demonstrated strong entrepreneurial leadership and effective resource management. Her initiative in founding Tesla Cool Lab has been widely appreciated for advancing STEM education among young learners, nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers. In the industrial sector, she has been acknowledged for her ability to lead continuous improvement processes, enhance production efficiency, and uphold high standards of quality control. These accomplishments underscore her capability to excel in diverse professional environments while maintaining a commitment to innovation and social responsibility. Her transition into advanced renewable energy research further highlights her perseverance and dedication to professional growth, reflecting an inspiring career path that combines scientific advancement with meaningful societal impact.

Research Skills

Carolina possesses a robust set of research skills that integrate her industrial background with advanced knowledge in renewable energy technologies. She is proficient in using specialized tools such as Pvsyst and CHEQ4 for solar and wind resource evaluation, alongside online platforms for assessing hydrological and renewable potential. These technical abilities enable her to conduct comprehensive analyses and design energy systems with precision. In addition to her technical expertise, she brings strong project management skills, having managed complex budgets, human resources, and continuous improvement initiatives in industrial and business contexts. Her multilingual abilities allow her to effectively collaborate on international research projects, while her leadership experience equips her to guide teams toward achieving research objectives. Carolina’s skills also extend to bridging academic research with applied practice, ensuring her work has real-world impact. This combination of analytical rigor, technical expertise, and leadership makes her well-suited for interdisciplinary renewable energy research.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Decentralized Model for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production from Residual Biomass Gasification in Spain
Authors: Carolina Santamarta Ballesteros; David Bolonio; María-Pilar Martínez-Hernando; David León; Enrique García-Franco; María-Jesús García-Martínez
Year: 2025
Journal: Resources (Published by Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

Conclusion

Carolina Santamarta is a deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award due to her unique blend of industrial engineering expertise, renewable energy research, and leadership across multiple sectors. Her commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions, combined with her entrepreneurial drive and community-building efforts, reflects both academic promise and societal impact. With her ongoing Ph.D. research in renewable fuels and her proven capacity for leadership and innovation, she is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the renewable energy sector and inspire future generations of women in science and engineering.

Vivek Garg | Waste-to-Energy Conversion | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Vivek Garg | Waste-to-Energy Conversion | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer and Applied Engineering Research Specialist at University of Greenwich | United Kingdom

Dr. Vivek Garg is an accomplished researcher and technical leader specializing in powder technology, bulk solids handling, mineral processing, and formulation science. Currently serving as a Senior Lecturer and Applied Engineering Research Specialist at the University of Greenwich, he leads interdisciplinary projects across the pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and environmental sectors. His expertise lies in bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application, delivering scalable solutions for formulation design, process optimization, and test method development. He has successfully secured competitive research funding and major consultancy projects, demonstrating his ability to attract resources and deliver measurable impact. His scholarly contributions include research publications in reputed international journals, patents in advanced systems and technologies, and book chapters addressing innovative engineering solutions. Widely recognized for his innovation and leadership, Dr. Garg actively contributes to scientific communities through invited talks, technical committees, and journal reviewing, while mentoring early-career researchers.

Professional Profile 

Google Scholar | Scopus Profile | ORCID Profile 

Education

Dr. Vivek Garg’s academic journey reflects a strong foundation in engineering and applied sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in Bulk Solids and Handling from the University of Greenwich, where his research focused on powder flow properties and their implications in industrial applications. Prior to that, he completed his Master’s degree in Thermal Engineering from Thapar University, where he expanded his expertise in advanced mechanical processes and energy systems. He began his academic pursuit with a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from IET Bhaddal, India, where he built the fundamental skills that would later shape his career as a researcher. Throughout his education, Dr. Garg has combined theoretical knowledge with practical experimentation, contributing to his expertise in formulation, process optimization, and sustainable solids handling. His academic achievements have been complemented by his strong engagement with industrial projects, enabling him to integrate academic learning with practical engineering challenges.

Experience

Dr. Vivek Garg brings over a decade of professional and research experience in powder technology, formulation science, and mineral processing. At the University of Greenwich, he has worked as a Senior Lecturer and Applied Engineering Research Specialist, where he has led industry-oriented R&D and consultancy projects, developed laboratory rigs for powder characterization, and guided students and researchers. His work spans diverse sectors including pharmaceuticals, food, chemicals, and environmental systems, focusing on developing innovative methods for powder flow measurement, material characterization, and process optimization. Earlier in his career, he contributed to engineering roles in leading industries such as Federal Mogul Goetze and Bhushan Power and Steel, where he provided solutions that improved efficiency and reduced operational costs. Through his consultancy and collaborative projects, he has partnered with global industries and academic institutions, successfully translating research outcomes into practical solutions. His leadership in project execution demonstrates his ability to deliver high-impact results.

Research Interest

Dr. Vivek Garg’s research interests lie in the study and advancement of powder technology and bulk solids handling, with applications across pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. He focuses on powder formulation and characterization, including flowability, compressibility, segregation, and caking, which are crucial factors in ensuring product quality and process efficiency. He also explores advanced topics such as air permeability, fluidization behavior, and the development of lab-to-full scale rigs for material characterization. In addition, his work in additive manufacturing, particularly 3D tablet printing, highlights his interest in combining pharmaceutical innovation with engineering design. He is equally committed to exploring sustainable solids handling, addressing industrial challenges in waste processing and renewable material applications. His approach integrates experimental methods, material science, and computational modeling to develop innovative solutions that bridge scientific research with industrial needs. By pursuing these areas, Dr. Garg aims to strengthen global research and innovation in material science and engineering.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Vivek Garg has been widely recognized for his contributions to engineering research and innovation through multiple prestigious awards. He has received distinctions for innovation in powder technology, materials handling, and applied research, demonstrating his ability to deliver high-impact solutions that bridge academia and industry. His recognition includes awards celebrating rising talent, newcomer contributions, and international excellence in young research, highlighting both his early promise and continued professional success. Beyond institutional awards, Dr. Garg has earned accolades from professional associations and industrial organizations, affirming the global relevance of his work. These honors reflect his ability to consistently push the boundaries of powder technology and applied engineering. His leadership in winning competitive research grants, along with contributions to interdisciplinary collaborations, further validates his achievements. Collectively, these recognitions underscore his growing influence in his field and affirm his position as a researcher of international distinction, committed to advancing science and innovation.

Research Skills

Dr. Vivek Garg has developed a strong portfolio of research skills that combine experimental expertise, analytical rigor, and project leadership. He is highly skilled in powder characterization techniques such as particle size analysis, powder flow testing, air permeability, and compressibility studies, supported by tools including DVS, SEM, ImageJ, and pycnometers. He has experience in developing bespoke laboratory rigs and smart test facilities that enable real-time monitoring of powder behavior, a key contribution to both academic research and industrial applications. In addition, his knowledge extends to design software such as SolidWorks and simulation approaches that integrate characterization techniques into virtual toolkits. He has also gained expertise in project management, having secured competitive funding, managed budgets, and led multi-disciplinary research teams. His ability to translate experimental insights into industrial solutions demonstrates both technical competence and applied innovation. These skills, combined with strong stakeholder engagement, make him a versatile and impactful researcher.

Publication Top Notes

Title: An investigation into the flowability of fine powders used in pharmaceutical industries
Authors: V. Garg, S.S. Mallick, P. García-Trinanes, R.J. Berry
Year: 2018
Citations: 93

Title: An experimental investigation on the effect of particle size into the flowability of fly ash
Authors: L. Rohilla, V. Garg, S.S. Mallick, G. Setia
Year: 2018
Citations: 32

Title: An experimental study on free-surface rolling segregation and correlations with angle of repose and particle sphericity
Authors: T. Deng, V. Garg, H. Salehi, M.S.A. Bradley
Year: 2020
Citations: 25

Title: A study of particle adhesion for cohesive powders using a novel mechanical surface energy tester
Authors: T. Deng, V. Garg, M.S.A. Bradley
Year: 2021
Citations: 19

Title: 3D Printing of Personalised Carvedilol Tablets Using Selective Laser Sintering
Authors: A.G. Tabriz, Q. Gonot-Munck, A. Baudoux, V. Garg, R. Farnish, O. Katsamenis, et al.
Year: 2023
Citations: 18

Title: Comparative studies of powder flow predictions using milligrams of powder for identifying powder flow issues
Authors: T. Deng, V. Garg, L.P. Diaz, D. Markl, C. Brown, A. Florence, M.S.A. Bradley
Year: 2022
Citations: 18

Title: Correlations between segregation intensity and material properties such as particle sizes and adhesions and novel methods for assessment
Authors: T. Deng, V. Garg, H. Salehi, M.S.A. Bradley
Year: 2021
Citations: 18

Title: A new method for assessing powder flowability based on physical properties and cohesiveness of particles using a small quantity of samples
Authors: V. Garg, T. Deng, M. Bradley
Year: 2022
Citations: 12

Title: Optimising Spread-Layer Quality in Powder Additive Manufacturing: Assessing Packing Fraction and Segregation Tendency
Authors: H. Salehi, J. Cummins, E. Gallino, V. Garg, T. Deng, A. Hassanpour, et al.
Year: 2023
Citations: 8

Title: Electrostatic Charging of Fine Powders and Assessment of Charge Polarity Using an Inductive Charge Sensor
Authors: T. Deng, V. Garg, M. Bradley
Year: 2023
Citations: 8

Conclusion

In summary, Dr. Vivek Garg exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher through his pioneering contributions in powder technology, interdisciplinary research leadership, and impactful industrial collaborations. His scholarly output, patents, and recognition through awards such as the Best Innovation Award and the Rising Star Award reflect his dedication to advancing both scientific knowledge and industrial practices. With his proven track record of innovation, community engagement, and future-oriented research in sustainable solids handling and pharmaceutical technologies, Dr. Garg is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award. His potential for continued leadership and global research impact positions him as an emerging leader in engineering science and applied technology.