Viswanadha Srirama Rajasekhar Pullabhotla | Catalysis | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Viswanadha Srirama Rajasekhar Pullabhotla | Catalysis | Research Excellence Award

University of Zululand | South Africa

Professor V.S.R. Rajasekhar Pullabhotla is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Zululand with extensive academic, industrial, and research experience. Trained in chemistry and chemical sciences, he has worked across chemical industries, national research organizations, and higher education institutions. He leads the Catalysis Research Group at UNIZULU, with research interests spanning heterogeneous catalysis, advanced oxidation processes, wastewater treatment, bioflocculation, and nanomaterials. He has authored over 121 peer-reviewed publications, eight monographs, and holds two registered patents. Recognized as an NRF-rated C2 scientist, his work significantly advances sustainable chemistry and environmental remediation.

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Julia Shamshina | Biopolymers | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Julia Shamshina | Biopolymers | Research Excellence Award

Texas Tech | United States

Dr. Julia Shamshina is an accomplished chemist and academic leader specializing in sustainable chemistry and biopolymeric materials. She earned her B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from D. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia and completed her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at The University of Alabama. Her professional career spans industrial research, national laboratories, startups, and academia, including roles as Research Chemist, Research Scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow, Senior Research Scientist, and multiple Chief Scientific Officer appointments in technology-driven companies. Dr. Shamshina has held academic positions at McGill University and Texas Tech University, where she is currently an Assistant Professor at the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute with a joint appointment in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Her research focuses on biopolymers, chitin, functional biopolymeric materials, ionic liquids, biotechnology, and advanced separation technologies, with strong emphasis on green chemistry and sustainable processes. She has received numerous honors, including a NASA Tech Brief Award, a Green Chemistry Challenge Award, and multiple innovation and accelerator awards. Overall, Dr. Shamshina’s career reflects impactful contributions at the intersection of chemistry, sustainability, and translational research.

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Vuyolwethu Tokoyi | Materials Science | Research Excellence Award

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Ms. Vuyolwethu Tokoyi | Materials Science | Research Excellence Award

Durban University of Technology | South Africa

Ms. Vuyolwethu Tokoyi is an emerging chemist whose work spans inorganic chemistry, bioprocessing, biomass valorization, and physical chemistry, supported by strong academic training and multidisciplinary research experience. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the Durban University of Technology, focusing on the application of ZIF-8 and ionic liquids for converting glucose extracted from sugarcane bagasse into value-added biochemicals. Building on her Master’s research on Co(II) and Mn(II) dithiocarbamate complexes with bioactivity studies and her Honours and undergraduate training in chemistry and geology, she has cultivated a broad scientific foundation. Professionally, she has gained significant experience as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Water and Wastewater Technology, a Research Scientist Intern at the Technology Innovation Agency, a Sales Technology Chemist at Buckman Laboratories, and a Tutor and Laboratory Coordinator at both the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Fort Hare. Her expertise includes laboratory management, analytical chemistry, fermentation processes, biomass processing, and instrumental analysis such as HPLC and nutrient profiling. She has received several distinctions, including multiple certificates in quality systems, safety management, and digital literacy, as well as prestigious recognitions such as the National Research Foundation Scholarships and the James Moir Medal. Her growing body of work reflects a commitment to sustainable chemistry and impactful scientific innovation.

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Featured Publications

Tokoyi, V. (2024). Ferrocene-Based Bimetallic MOF Beads as Bifunctional Dye Scavenging and Degrading Materials. Chemical Engineering Transactions.

Tokoyi, V. (Year n.d.). Potential Application of IL@ZIF-MOF Composites for Lignocellulosic Biomass Valorization: Recent Update. Chemical Engineering and Process Techniques.

Tokoyi, V. (Year n.d.). Should “Ionic Liquids” also be used for solid ionic compounds: Synthesis and characterization of p-anisidinium-based ionic compounds. Chemical Engineering and Process Techniques.

Tokoyi, V. (Year n.d.). Synthesis and antibacterial studies of p-anisidinium-based ionic liquids: Experimental, DFT calculations and molecular docking. Journal of Molecular Liquids.

Dr. Vincenzo Mazzaracchio | Sensors | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Vincenzo Mazzaracchio | Sensors | Best Researcher Award

University of Rome “Tor Vergata” | Italy

Dr. Vincenzo Mazzaracchio is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” working in the research group of Professor Fabiana Arduini. He specializes in analytical chemistry and electrochemical sensor technology, focusing on the design and development of miniaturized, portable, and wearable electrochemical (bio)sensors for environmental, food, and biomedical applications. Dr. Mazzaracchio obtained his academic training in chemistry and analytical sciences, equipping him with a strong foundation in nanomaterials, electrochemistry, and device fabrication. His research integrates carbon-based and metallic nanomaterials with advanced sensing platforms, such as paper-based, screen-printed, and microfluidic devices, to achieve sensitive, cost-effective, and real-time detection. He has carried out international research experiences at Technische Universität Chemnitz (Germany), the University of Johannesburg (South Africa), and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (Japan), enhancing his global scientific perspective. With over 40 publications in peer-reviewed journals and an H-index of 19, his contributions have significantly advanced electrochemical biosensing and wearable diagnostics. Dr. Mazzaracchio has received recognition for innovation in analytical device development and continues to explore wireless, user-friendly systems for point-of-care testing. His work bridges chemistry, engineering, and digital technology, driving the future of smart sensing for health and environmental sustainability.

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Featured Publications

Colozza, N., Mazzaracchio, V., Di Gregorio, C., Seddaoui, N., Aquilani, D., Pizziconi, A., Gullo, L., Argiriadis, E., & Arduini, F. (2026). “3D-printed extraction chamber and paper-based screen-printed sensors for zinc analysis in soil and Antarctic sediments.” Talanta.

Chebil, A., Mazzaracchio, V., Duranti, L., Gullo, L., & Arduini, F. (2025). “Paper-based metal-air battery electrochemical sensor for smartphone-assisted oxygen monitoring in food packaging.” Sensors and Actuators A: Physical.

Mazzaracchio, V., & Arduini, F. (2025). “Smart microfluidic devices integrated in electrochemical point-of-care platforms for biomarker detection in biological fluids.” Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

Gosti, C., Mousavi, Z., Fiore, L., Mazzaracchio, V., Olivieri, F., Gentile, G., Arduini, F., & Bobacka, J. (2025). “Carbon Black and PEDOT:PSS in a synergistic solid contact for reliable printed potentiometric sensors.” ACS Sensors.

Nocerino, V., Miranda, B., Dardano, P., Colella, S., Vedi, V., Antonacci, A., Mazzaracchio, V., Fiore, L., Arduini, F., De Stefano, L., et al. (2024). “Design of an electrochemical hydrogel nanocomposite immunosensor for the detection of hemoglobin in blood.” Microchemical Journal.

Mazzaracchio, V., Fiore, L., Gullo, L., Seddaoui, N., Duranti, L., Siliprandi, V., La Placa, G., Frank, G., Raffaelli, G., Gualtieri, P., et al. (2024). “Near field communication-assisted paper-based electrochemical sensing platform for study in personalized nutrition.” Microchemical Journal.

Sharifi, A. R., Mazzaracchio, V., Duranti, L., Gullo, L., Brannetti, S., Peyravian, M., Kiani, M. A., & Arduini, F. (2024). “Nanopaper integrated smart device: An opto-electrochemical biosensor for real-time dual on-field detection of organophosphorus pesticides.” ACS Sensors.