Balakrishna S Maddodi | Environmental | Sustainability Achievement Award

Dr. Balakrishna S Maddodi, Manipal Institute of Technology, India.

Dr. Balakrishna S. Maddodi, Ph.D. , is an Associate Professor and NSS Program Officer at the Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal. A passionate teacher, researcher, and social worker, he specializes in hydrogeology, water resources, GIS, remote sensing, and environmental sciences . He serves as Director of two startups, Ganglia Technologies and Neer Shakti Systems Private Limited . With 26 years of teaching and administrative experience, he is a recognized trainer and event organizer, blending pedagogy with environmental and social impact. Dr. Maddodi has received accolades such as the Atal Achievement Award 2022 and Udupi Zilla Rajyostava Award 2021 .

Publication profile

Orcid

Scopus

Education and Experience

Ph.D. in Geo-informatics and Geo-evaluation Studies from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (2020).
M.Phil. with distinction in Marine Geology from Mangalore University (1997).
26 years of experience in teaching, administration, and research.
Expert in Environmental Studies, Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology, GIS, and Remote Sensing.
Research focused on sediment transport, river basin dynamics, and coastal morphometry.

Suitability For The Award

Dr. Balakrishna S. Maddodi, a visionary Associate Professor at the Manipal Institute of Technology, has been conferred with the prestigious Sustainability Achievement Award for his remarkable contributions to environmental sustainability, water resource management, and societal well-being. With over 26 years of experience spanning teaching, research, administration, and community service, Dr. Maddodi exemplifies excellence in fostering sustainable practices through education, innovation, and community outreach.

Professional Development

Dr. Balakrishna S. Maddodi has actively participated in various workshops, training programs, and field orientations to enhance his expertise in hydrogeology, GIS, and environmental sciences. He underwent field orientation training with the Geological Survey of India at Chitradurga and participated in a national workshop on geo-informatics organized by the University of Pune . Dr. Maddodi attended a QIP short-term course on GIS and Remote Sensing at IISc Bangalore and a workshop on Open Source Software for Remote Sensing and GIS at IIT Chennai . These experiences have equipped him with advanced knowledge in geospatial technologies and their applications in environmental management and research . His dedication to professional growth reflects his commitment to staying at the cutting edge of his field.

Research Focus

Dr. Maddodi’s research bridges hydrogeology, geoinformatics, and environmental sustainability . His projects include paleoclimatic reconstruction, sedimentological studies, and GIS-based river basin analysis. His work emphasizes fluvial and coastal sediment dynamics, sediment transport systems, and seasonal environmental changes. He integrates GIS, remote sensing, and morphometric techniques to assess and manage water and sedimentary resources effectively . His research aids in understanding anthropogenic impacts on natural systems and developing sustainable environmental practices.

Awards and Honors

Ph.D. awarded with distinction from Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
M.Phil. awarded with distinction from Mangalore University.
Atal Achievement Award 2022 for “Most Innovative Faculty with Excellent Pedagogy in Environmental Education and Social Impact.”
Udupi Zilla Rajyostava Award 2021 from Udupi District Administration.
Best Program Officer for organizing the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) Bangalore’s First State Level NSS Camp.
State Trainer for NSS, Directorate of Technical Education, Bangalore.
Mangalore University Sports Champion and Sports Secretary.

Publications Top Notes

Correlation of Geotechnical and Mineralogical Properties of Lithomargic Clays in Uttara Kannada Region of South India (2024) – Geosciences (Switzerland) – 3 citations.
Sustainable options for fertilizer management in agriculture to prevent water contamination: a review (2024) – Environment, Development and Sustainability – 34 citations.
Enhanced Wear Resistance in Carbon Nanotube-Filled Bio-Epoxy Composites: A Comprehensive Analysis via Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy (2023) – Journal of Composites Science – 6 citations.
Effect of Polypropylene Macro Fiber on Geotechnical Characteristics of Black Cotton Soil: An Experimental Investigation and Correlation Analysis (2023) – Engineered Science – 7 citations.
New polymeric and inorganic membrane materials for water separation (2023) – Modern Approaches in Membrane Technology for Gas Separation and Water Treatment
Simulation and Experimental Analysis of L-Section in Reinforced Cement Concrete: Uncertainties in Performance and Strength (2023) – Engineering Proceedings
Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Glass Wastes Incorporated Concrete (2022) – Engineered Science – 6 citations.
Experimental and Statistical Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Green Cement Concrete – Taguchi Integrated Supervised Learning Approach (2022) – Engineered Science – 12 citations.

Abdullah Almakrab | Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Abdullah Almakrab, Royal Comssion for AlUla, Saudi Arabia.

Abdullah Almakrab, Ph.D., P.E., is a highly accomplished civil engineer with over a decade of experience managing and executing large-scale projects. Based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he has led infrastructure projects including mega and giga developments, highways, bridges, and structural engineering initiatives. Currently serving as a Technical Manager for the Royal Commission for AlUla, he has a proven track record in delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget, with a focus on sustainability, safety, and quality. Abdullah is also recognized for his research and contributions to civil engineering.

Education and Experience

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – University of Idaho (2021)

Master of Science in Civil Engineering – University of Idaho (2017)

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering – University of Idaho (2016)

Technical Manager – Royal Commission for AlUla (2022 – Present)

Civil Engineer – Germer Construction, Inc. (2021)

Senior Civil Inspector – Saudi Aramco (2010 – 2011)

Project Control Coordinator – Al-Suwaidi Industrial Services Co. Ltd. (2007 – 2010)

Suitability For The Award

Dr. Abdullah Almakrab is a seasoned engineering expert with over a decade of experience in civil engineering, specializing in large-scale and complex projects. His commitment to safety, quality, and sustainability aligns with the core values of impactful research and development in the field. His diverse portfolio, which includes significant contributions to engineering design, project management, and technical oversight, establishes him as a leading candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Development

Abdullah Almakrab, Ph.D., P.E., has a rich history of professional growth, having earned certifications like Saudi Aramco Quality Control Inspector and Lead Auditor. He is proficient in various technical tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, and SAP 2000, allowing him to effectively oversee complex civil engineering projects. His continuous learning is demonstrated by his completion of specialized courses in soil mechanics, bridge design, and advanced structural analysis at the University of Idaho. His drive for excellence has consistently contributed to the successful execution of projects with a focus on sustainability and safety.

Research Focus

Abdullah’s research primarily revolves around civil and structural engineering, with a focus on innovative construction materials and project sustainability. He has conducted extensive studies on alkali-silica reactions in concrete, providing mitigation strategies to enhance material longevity in harsh environments. He has also contributed to high-strength reinforced concrete beam behavior studies. His passion for research is reflected in publications that have influenced modern construction practices. Abdullah’s commitment to improving construction techniques has helped shape sustainable civil engineering projects globally.

Awards and Honors

Certified Saudi Aramco Quality Control Inspector
Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – University of Idaho (2021)
Recognition from Saudi Aramco South and West Province Team for QA/QC contributions
Published Research in International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
Member of Saudi Council of Engineers, SEA, ACI, ASCE

Publications

Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete structures: Mechanisms, effects and evaluation test methods adopted in the United States – Fanijo, E.O., Kolawole, J.T., Almakrab, A. – 2021 – Cited by 63
Influence of Shear Span-to-Effective Depth Ratio on Behavior of High-Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams – Arowojolu, O., Ibrahim, A., Almakrab, A., Saras, N., Nielsen, R. – 2021 – Cited by 10
Improving the outlier detection method in concrete mix design by combining the isolation forest and local outlier factor – Alsini, R., Almakrab, A., Ibrahim, A., Ma, X. – 2021 – Cited by 28