Cristina Matos Silva | Sustainable Construction | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Maria Cristina de Oliveira Matos Silva, University of Lisbon, Portugal.

Prof. Maria Cristina de Oliveira Matos Silva is an Assistant Professor at IST – University of Lisbon, specializing in Civil and Environmental Engineering. With over 20 years of experience, she focuses on nature-based solutions, sustainable construction, and building energy performance. She has been involved in research projects, authored numerous publications, and supervised both Ph.D. and M.Sc. theses. As a founding board member of the Portuguese Green Roof Association, her passion for green infrastructure drives her work. She is a recognized expert in her field, contributing significantly to the academic and professional engineering communities.

Publication profile

Orcid

Education and Experience

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – IST, University of Lisbon (2006)
Major degree in Civil Engineering – IST, University of Lisbon and DTU, Denmark (2000)
Qualified Expert in Building Energy Certification – Energy Agency (ADENE), Portugal (2009, 2013, 2021)
Assistant Professor – IST, University of Lisbon (Current)
Civil Engineer – CONSULASIA, Macau (2006-2007)
Civil Engineer – Engineering Consulting (2000-2006)

Suitability For The Award

Prof. Maria Cristina de Oliveira Matos Silva is a highly accomplished researcher and educator in the field of Civil Engineering, with a strong focus on sustainable building practices and nature-based solutions. Her extensive academic and professional experience, coupled with significant contributions to research, positions her as a prime candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Development ()

Maria Cristina is deeply committed to promoting sustainable construction practices , with a particular focus on nature-based solutions in buildings. She has led various research projects, including GENESIS, which models the environmental, economic, and social benefits of green roofs and walls . Her work emphasizes the importance of green infrastructure , both in terms of energy efficiency and urban regeneration. She also regularly coordinates training sessions, technical seminars, and special issues as a guest editor , showcasing her dedication to continuous knowledge sharing and professional growth.

Research Focus

Maria Cristina’s research mainly revolves around sustainable construction, green infrastructure, and nature-based solutions . Her work contributes to enhancing urban environments through green roofs and green walls, focusing on their economic and environmental benefits . She investigates energy performance, comfort in buildings, and urban regeneration, providing innovative solutions that improve both sustainability and resilience . Her highly cited research on the integration of green technologies in architecture has garnered international recognition , influencing both academic and practical applications in urban development.

Awards and Honors ()

Best Paper Award – The Engineering Economist (2018)
Highly Cited Paper – Web of Science Core Collection (Top 1% in Engineering, 2021)
Founding Member – Portuguese Green Roof Association
Principal Investigator – Multiple National and International Research Projects
Supervision of Ph.D. and M.Sc. Theses – Over 60 theses supervised

Publications

Assessing the impact of evapotranspiration from green roofs on reducing surface temperatures (2024) – Cited by 0
Optimizing Local Materials in Green Roofs Through Citizen Science Activities at a Primary School in Azores (2024) – Cited by 0
Effectiveness of Cool and Green Roofs Inside and Outside Buildings in the Brazilian Context (2024) – Cited by 0
Assessing Ecological Gains: A Review of How Arthropods, Bats and Birds Benefit from Green Roofs and Walls (2024) – Cited by 0
Bridging CBA and MCA for evaluating green infrastructure: Proposal of a new evaluation model (MAGICA) (2023) – Cited by 2
Potential of rainwater harvesting in the retail sector: a case study in Portugal (2023) – Cited by 0
Combining green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems in university buildings under different climate conditions (2023) – Cited by 0
The economic value of green roofs: A case study using different cost–benefit analysis approaches (2023) – Cited by 0

Prof Dr. risto kosonen | ventilation and energy efficiency of buildings Award | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. risto kosonen , Aalto University , Finland

Risto Sakari Kosonen, born on February 2, 1960, is a Finnish citizen and an acclaimed expert in HVAC technology. He is a Full Professor at Aalto University and a Distinguished Professor at Nanjing Tech University, China. With a Doctor of Science degree from Helsinki University of Technology, he has an extensive academic and professional background. Prof. Kosonen has been pivotal in advancing HVAC technology through his research, securing around 4.5 million euros in external funding. He has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s theses and has published extensively. His contributions to the field have earned him multiple prestigious awards, including the European REHVA Professional Award in Technology. Prof. Kosonen also holds ten European patents and has played significant roles in organizing international conferences and workshops, shaping the future of HVAC and building technology. 🌍🔬

Profile :

Scopus

👨‍🎓 Education:

Ph.D. in HVAC Technology, Helsinki University of Technology (2006)
Licentiate of Technology in HVAC Technology, Helsinki University of Technology (1990)
M.Sc. in HVAC Technology, Lappeenranta University of Technology (1985)

🏢 Current Position:

Full Professor, Aalto University (since September 2015)
Distinguished Professor, Nanjing Tech University, China (since September 2015)
Visiting Professor, Chongqing University, Shandong Jiangzhu, Xian Architectural and Technology University, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali (Punjab) India (since March 2019)

📚 Research Focus:

Energy-efficient HVAC systems
Sustainable energy in buildings
Indoor air quality and climate control

💼 Previous Work Experience:

Development Director of Office Segment, Halton Oy Finland (1998–2015)
Group Manager, VTT Finland (1992–1998)
Head of R&D Department, Granlund Oy (1987–1991)

🔍 Research Funding and Leadership:

Secured over 4.5 MEUR in external research funding
Led numerous projects in collaboration with industry and international organizations

👨‍🏫 Teaching and Pedagogical Achievements:

Director of the Master Program in Energy Technology
Leader of the major in Sustainable Energy in Buildings and Built Environment
Completed pedagogical training at Aalto University

🌍 International Engagement:

Organized and chaired several international conferences and seminars
Keynote speaker at various prestigious events worldwide

🏆 Awards and Recognition:

Received European REHVA Professional Award in Technology (2018)
Recognized with the John Rydberg Gold Medal for contributions to indoor air quality research

📝 Publications and Editorial Work:

Author of numerous papers in leading journals
Editorial board member for several esteemed academic publications

🤝 Professional Affiliations:

Vice-President of REHVA
President of SCANVAC and FINVAC
Member of ASHRAE and IBPSA