Nokulunga Xolile Mashwama | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Nokulunga Xolile Mashwama | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Head of Department | Walter Sisulu University | South Africa

Prof. Nokulunga Xolile Mashwama is a South African Associate Professor and registered Quantity Surveyor (SACPCMP-A426/2014 & SACQSP-IT6878) with a distinguished academic and professional trajectory in construction management, dispute resolution, and sustainable infrastructure delivery. She earned her Ph.D. in Quantity Surveying from the University of Johannesburg in 2021, following a Master’s in Construction Management (2016, Distinction) and a B-Tech in Quantity Surveying (2013) from the same institution, demonstrating a consistent record of academic excellence. Professionally, Dr. Mashwama has engaged in extensive research projects locally and internationally, including JSPS-SA Bilateral and Thuthuka Fund initiatives, contributing significantly to improving service delivery, occupational health and safety, and minimizing construction disputes in Southern Africa. Her research interests encompass construction dispute resolution, public-private partnerships, cost of poor quality, stakeholder management, and sustainable construction practices. She possesses advanced research skills in project evaluation, stakeholder analysis, alternative dispute resolution, occupational health and safety assessment, and infrastructure service delivery analysis. Dr. Mashwama has published over 32 high-quality documents in reputed international journals and conference proceedings, including Springer, IEOM, Procedia Engineering, and Scopus-indexed outlets, presenting her work in global forums across the USA, UK, Europe, and Africa. She has demonstrated leadership through mentorship, community engagement, and active participation in professional bodies such as SACQSP, SACPCMP, IEEE, and Thuthuka-funded initiatives. Her awards and honors include competitive research grants such as the African Research Funding Accelerator and Future Professor Programme, reflecting her scholarly impact and professional recognition. Through her sustained contributions to research, education, and professional practice, Dr. Mashwama is positioned to lead high-impact, internationally recognized projects in construction management, sustainable infrastructure, and stakeholder-driven research, fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in the built environment globally. Her academic influence is supported by 106 citations across 32 documents, with an h-index of 5.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Mashwama, N. X., & Madubela, B. (2025). Harnessing technology and research innovations for sustainable educational development in Southern Africa. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 2025, Article 647.

  2. Mashwama, N. X. (2025). Innovations in pedagogy and technology for engineering education: A systematic review. Interdisciplinary Journal of Education Research, 7(S1), Article 10.

  3. Mashwama, N. X., & Thwala, D. W. (2025). Educational institutions as catalysts for economic growth in South Africa. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 2025, Article 643.

  4. Mashwama, N. X., Dywili, S., Phaladi, G., & Aigbavboa, C. (2023). The learning curve and benefit of artificial intelligence for the built environment. In Human Interaction & Emerging Technologies (IHIET 2023): Artificial Intelligence & Future Applications (pp. 31).

  5. Mashwama, N. X. (2022). A theoretical assessment of causes for deferred maintenance of public buildings in developing countries: The Kingdom of Eswatini. In 12th International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (pp. 16–19).

Guangxu Zhang | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr.Guangxu Zhang | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral researcher at Tongji University, China

Dr. Guangxu Zhang is a highly accomplished researcher specializing in battery thermal safety, with a strong background in materials science and vehicle engineering. He has made significant contributions to understanding battery thermal failure mechanisms, aged battery safety, and non-destructive assessment methods. With over 40 academic publications, including 20 SCI/EI-indexed papers as the first or corresponding author, his research has been featured in high-impact journals like Nano Energy, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, and Journal of Power Sources. His work has been cited 1,116 times in Scopus, achieving an h-index of 18, and he holds 26 invention patents, with 11 granted. Recognized for his excellence, he has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Young Scholar Award at the 6th Electric Vehicle and Battery Safety Conference (2024), the Best Report Award at the International Forum on New Energy Science (2023), and National Scholarships for Doctoral Students (2021, 2022). Currently a postdoctoral researcher at Tongji University, Dr. Zhang continues to push the boundaries of battery safety research, with potential for greater global collaboration and commercialization of his innovations. His outstanding contributions position him as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Guangxu Zhang has a strong academic background in vehicle engineering and materials science. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Vehicle Engineering from Hunan University (2014-2018), where he built a foundation in mechanical and automotive studies. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Vehicle Engineering at Tongji University (2018-2023), focusing on battery thermal safety and energy storage systems. Currently, he is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University (2023–present), where he continues his research on battery safety, thermal failure mechanisms, and innovative evaluation methods. His educational journey reflects a seamless integration of mechanical engineering, energy storage technology, and materials science, making him a well-rounded expert in his field.

Professional Experience

Dr. Guangxu Zhang is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University (2023–present), where he focuses on battery thermal safety, failure mechanisms, and advanced evaluation methods. His professional journey began with his doctoral research at Tongji University’s School of Automotive Studies (2018-2023), where he specialized in vehicle engineering with an emphasis on energy storage and lithium-ion battery safety. His work has led to significant advancements in battery thermal management, safety assessments, and aging mechanisms, resulting in over 40 high-impact publications and 26 patents. Through his research, he has contributed to the development of safer and more efficient battery technologies for electric vehicles and renewable energy applications. His expertise bridges the fields of materials science, mechanical engineering, and energy storage, positioning him as a key researcher in the field of battery safety and reliability.

Research Interest

Dr. Guangxu Zhang’s research interests lie in the field of battery thermal safety, failure mechanisms, and energy storage reliability, with a focus on advancing the safety, performance, and longevity of lithium-ion batteries. His work explores battery thermal failure mechanisms, thermal safety evolution in aged batteries, and non-destructive assessment techniques to enhance the safety of energy storage systems, particularly for electric vehicles and renewable energy applications. He is dedicated to developing innovative thermal management strategies and improving battery safety diagnostics to prevent hazardous incidents such as thermal runaway and sudden battery failures. His interdisciplinary research integrates materials science, mechanical engineering, and energy technology, aiming to create safer, more efficient, and sustainable energy storage solutions for the future.

Award and Honor

Dr. Guangxu Zhang has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his outstanding contributions to battery thermal safety research. In 2024, he was awarded the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (Grade B) of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, highlighting his excellence in postdoctoral research. The same year, he received the Young Scholar Award at the 6th Electric Vehicle and Battery Safety Conference, acknowledging his innovative work in battery safety. In 2023, he won the Best Report Award at the International Forum on New Energy Science and Electrification of Transportation, further establishing his impact in the field. His academic excellence has also been recognized through multiple National Scholarships for Doctoral Students (2021, 2022) and the 16th Academic Pioneer Award from Tongji University (2022). These accolades reflect his dedication to advancing battery technology, energy storage safety, and thermal management solutions, making him a distinguished researcher in his field.

Conclusion

Dr. Guangxu Zhang has an exceptional research record, demonstrated through numerous high-impact publications, patents, citations, and prestigious awards. His contributions to battery thermal safety and electric vehicle technology are highly valuable, making him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Addressing areas like international collaborations, commercialization, and industry partnerships would further solidify his standing as a leading researcher in the field.

Publications Top Noted

  • Title: Thermal safety assessment of lithium-ion batteries based on direct current impedance during the whole lifecycle
    Authors: G. Zhang (Guangxu), X. Wei (Xuezhe)
    Year: 2025
    Citations: 0
  • Title: Multi-level intelligence empowering lithium-ion batteries
    Authors: G. Zhang (Guangxu), J. Zhu (Jiangong), H. Dai (Haifeng), X. Wei (Xuezhe)
    Year: 2024
    Citations: 4
  • Title: Thermal runaway front propagation characteristics, modeling and judging criteria for multi-jelly roll prismatic lithium-ion battery applications
    Authors: S. Chen (Siqi), X. Wei (Xuezhe), Z. Zhu (Zhehui), H. Dai (Haifeng), M. Ouyang (Minggao), et al.
    Year: 2024
    Citations: 2