Assist. Prof. Dr. Zoi Lada | Thermal Sensing | Department of Chemistry, University of Patras | Greece

Assist. Prof. Dr. Zoi Lada is an accomplished Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Patras, with extensive international research experience as a Visiting Researcher at University College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast, and Florida State University. She earned her Ph.D. from FORTH/ICE-HT and the Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, focusing on the development and study of materials with smart properties for potential applications in food packaging. She holds an MSc in Analytical Chemistry and Nanotechnology and a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Patras. Zoi G. Lada has previously held post-doctoral fellow positions at the Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology (ICE-HT/FORTH), Greece, and University College Dublin, and she served as an Adjunct Professor delivering courses in Organometallic Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, and Science Education. Her research interests include the development and physicochemical characterization of advanced inorganic materials, spin crossover (SCO) compounds, multifunctional frameworks, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for environmental sensing and contaminant removal, gas separation, and CO2 deposition. She also applies Raman spectroscopy and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) to study molecular interactions and phase transitions while addressing risk assessment. Zoi G. Lada has participated in over 13 EU and national R&D projects, serves as Co-WP leader of the Horizon Project SCENARIOS at ICEHT/FORTH, and has led an “Ideas Incubator” research project funded by the Innovative Entrepreneurship Observatory of the Region of Crete. She is a member of COST Actions EU4MOFs and MOLSPIN and has contributed to research leadership as a reviewer and editorial board member for multiple scientific journals, including Magnetochemistry, Symmetry, and Frontiers in Chemistry, where she also serves as Guest Editor for special issues. Her scholarly output includes 38 peer-reviewed articles (7 as corresponding author), 44 conference abstracts.

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Selected Publications

CA Aggelopoulos, S. Meropoulis, M. Hatzisymeon, Z. G. Lada, & G. Rassias. (2020). Degradation of antibiotic enrofloxacin in water by gas-liquid nsp-DBD plasma: Parametric analysis, effect of H2O2 and CaO2 additives and exploration of degradation mechanisms. Chemical Engineering Journal, 398, 125622. Citations: 146
CD Polyzou, ES Koumousi, Z. G. Lada, CP Raptopoulou, V. Psycharis, … (2017). “Switching on” the single-molecule magnet properties within a series of dinuclear cobalt (III)–dysprosium (III) 2-pyridyloximate complexes. Dalton Transactions, 46(43), 14812–14825. Citations: 51
M. Makrygianni, Z. G. Lada, A. Manousou, CA Aggelopoulos, V. Deimede. (2019). Removal of anionic dyes from aqueous solution by novel pyrrolidinium-based Polymeric Ionic Liquid (PIL) as adsorbent: Investigation of the adsorption kinetics, equilibrium. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 7(3), 103163. Citations: 44
Z. G. Lada, Y. Sanakis, CP Raptopoulou, V. Psycharis, SP Perlepes, … (2017). Probing the electronic structure of a copper (II) complex by CW-and pulse-EPR spectroscopy. Dalton Transactions, 46(26), 8458–8475. Citations: 23
Z. G. Lada, AS Beobide, A. Savvidou, CP Raptopoulou, V. Psycharis, … (2017). A unique copper (II)-assisted transformation of acetylacetone dioxime in acetone that leads to one-dimensional, quinoxaline-bridged coordination polymers. Dalton Transactions, 46(1), 260–274. Citations: 22
Z. G. Lada, KS Andrikopoulos, A. Chrissanthopoulos, SP Perlepes, … (2019). A known iron (II) complex in different nanosized particles: Variable-temperature Raman study of its spin-crossover behavior. Inorganic Chemistry, 58(8), 5183–5195. Citations: 20
Z. G. Lada. (2022). The investigation of spin-crossover systems by Raman spectroscopy: A review. Magnetochemistry, 8(9), 108. Citations: 16

Dr. Alexey Gunya | Thermal Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alexey Gunya, Zilina University, Slovakia

Dr. Alexey Gunya is a multidisciplinary scientist and engineer with expertise spanning material science, theoretical astrophysics, particle acceleration, and machine learning. Currently based in Žilina, Slovakia, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in the physics of materials at Žilina University, focusing on thermal conductivity of composites for advanced battery applications, while simultaneously completing a second Ph.D. in astroparticle physics at Potsdam University, Germany. Dr. Gunya holds a specialist degree in Plasma Power Plants from Bauman Moscow State Technical University and has previously worked as a senior engineer and researcher at the Laboratory of Electron Accelerators, Lomonosov Moscow State University, where he played a pivotal role in designing and deploying over 50 electron beam accelerators for industrial and medical use. His prolific publication record includes work in both high-energy astrophysics and materials engineering, with notable contributions to Physical Review D, MNRAS, and Sensors (MDPI). An accomplished speaker and seminar leader, he has presented at prestigious conferences including HEPRO, IWARA, and TEXAS, and collaborates internationally across Europe in advancing technologies for energy storage, aerospace systems, and cosmic ray acceleration.

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Summary of Suitability: Dr. Alexey Gunya – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alexey Gunya is a uniquely multidisciplinary researcher whose impactful contributions span material science, astrophysics, electron beam technology, and machine learning. With dual PhD studies underway in physics of materials (Zilina University) and astroparticle physics (Potsdam University), alongside his strong industrial and academic research background, Dr. Gunya exemplifies the innovative spirit and scholarly excellence recognized by the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education

Ph.D. Candidate in Physics of Materials
📍 Zilina University, Slovakia
📅 Sep 2022 – Present (Expected Defense: June 2026)
🔬 Focus: Thermal conductivity of composites for batteries
Ph.D. (Astroparticle Physics)
📍 Potsdam University, Germany
📅 Nov 2022 – Oct 2024
📄 Graduation Thesis GPA: 3.7
Specialist in Plasma Power Plants
📍 Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Russia
📅 Sep 2008 – Jul 2015
🎓 Diploma GPA: 3.7

💼 Work Experience

Senior Engineer & Researcher
🏢 Laboratory of Electron Accelerators, MSU Lomonosov, Moscow
📅 2015 – 2022
⚙️ Led the design, commissioning, and deployment of >50 electron beam accelerators for applications such as NDT, radiation sterilization, and X-ray pumping.
Key Projects & Contributions:
- Designed 6 MeV & 10 MeV electron accelerators 🔋
- Developed RF systems, solenoids, vacuum systems, and control electronics 🔧
- Managed accelerator assembly teams 👨‍🔬

🏆 Achievements

🛰️ Commissioned over 50 industrial & scientific electron beam accelerators
📚 Published in prestigious journals like Phys. Rev. D, MNRAS, and Sensors (MDPI)
⚛️ Pioneered studies on high-energy proton acceleration in astrophysical jets and black holes
⚡ Innovated in thermal-dielectric properties for battery composites
🧠 Integrated machine learning in advanced material and accelerator simulations
🛩️ Explored graphene batteries and AI systems for all-electric aircraft

🥇 Awards & Honors

🎤 Invited speaker at renowned international seminars (DESY, Potsdam University, Lebedev Institute)
🌌 Contributed to major astrophysical conferences (HEPRO, IWARA, TEXAS Astrophysics Series)
🧪 Recognized for advanced research in material science, astrophysics, and accelerator technologies

Assist. Prof. Dr. Zoi Lada | Thermal Sensing | Excellence in Research Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Zoi Lada | Thermal Sensing | Excellence in Research Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Zoi Lada | Thermal Sensing | Department of Chemistry, University of Patras | Greece

Selected Publications