Meet Our Mentors

I lead storytelling and narratives for Google's advanced energy work. I develop external content on advanced clean energy solutions (such as geothermal, nuclear, long duration storage, and data center demand flexibility) and their impact on electricity system reliability, affordability, and decarbonization. I studied Creative Writing (BA '20) and Sustainability Science and Practice (MA '20) at Stanford and I'm now based in NYC.

My name is Alejandra and I have a background in mechanical engineering. I have experience in the automotive industry and most recently completed my MBA, focusing on commercialization of innovative technology.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES May 1-July 30 2025 Exchange faculty Civil Engineering TU Delft, Netherlands Dec 2019-till date Assistant Professor Civil Engineering IIT Hyderabad Dec 2020-till date Adjunct Faculty Dept. Climate Change IIT Hyderabad Dec 2021-till date Adjunct Faculty E-Waste Res. Engg. IIT Hyderabad Jan 2022-till date Adjunct Faculty Dept. of Sustainability IIT Hyderabad May 2018-Nov 2019 Assistant Professor Civil Engineering NIT Warangal May 2017-April 2018 Postdoctoral Fellow Civil & Env. Engg IIT Madras 2016 Short-term Researcher Civil & Env. Engg Univ Nebraska Lincoln USA 2017 PhD Civil Engg/EWRE IIT Madras ****Head of GREENS Laboratory @IIT Hyderabad**** (https://sites.google.com/ce.iith.ac.in/iith-ambika/home) I drive comprehensive Research and Development (R&D) initiatives, overseeing the entire lifecycle from ideation and conceptualization through strategic execution. My expertise includes successfully securing critical funding through compelling proposal development and meticulous fund management to ensure timely project delivery. A key aspect of my role involves technical leadership and mentorship. I actively guide PhD scholars, thesis dissertations, and undergraduate/postgraduate students across diverse specializations, fostering their growth and ensuring project success. I am also responsible for training and managing project staff, cultivating high-performing teams. Beyond project execution, I excel in research communication, including detailed report writing, documentation, and impactful research publications. I also provide technical and research consultancy services, leveraging my deep expertise to solve complex challenges.

Dr. Ashok Kamaraj is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering at the IIT Hyderabad with 14+ years of industrial research experience. Before joining IITH, he was a Senior Scientist at CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur. He obtained a B.E., in Metallurgical Engineering from the Government College of Engineering, Salem, in March 2011. From Sep 2012 - Aug 2015, he held the Trainee Scientist fellowship to pursue an M.Tech., in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering. He continued his Doctoral Research in Process Metallurgy (Steelmaking) at CSIR-NML and obtained a doctoral degree from AcSIR in February 2020. The overarching theme of his research work is the physical simulation of metallurgical processes, metal recycling, waste utilization, and the life cycle and sustainability analysis of metallurgical processes. He also has a keen research interest in the deployment of machine learning and artificial intelligence towards the design of efficient waste management, metal recycling, and metallurgical processes. To his credit, he has published over 35 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, 14 articles in conference proceedings, one software copyright, and one design patent. He was conferred the Young Metallurgist (metal science) award by the Steel Ministry (GOI) in April 2022, the Prof. Shilowbadra Banerjee Award (for the best In-house project) by CSIR National Metallurgical Laboratory in Nov 2022, and the M. S. Khan Memorial Award by the IIM Jamshedpur chapter in Feb 2020. He is presently one of the editors of Transactions of IIM and IIM Metals News. His hobbies are listening to music and gardening.

As the Founder and International Director of Sadhana Forest, I have led the organization since 2003, focusing on environmental restoration and long-term food security. The organization addresses malnutrition in arid regions by training local communities in land restoration techniques and planting drought-resistant, indigenous, food-bearing trees together. This increases community’s resilience against climate change. Sadhana Forest is a vegan, volunteer-led and run organization with 8 off-grid sustainable training centers in India, Haiti, Kenya, and Namibia. Research focuses include Oxalate Carbonate Pathways in food-producing trees, biodiversity of fauna in reforested areas, efficiency of on-contour swales, and integration of traditional knowledge in agroecological systems. Visit: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1616-4360 My book, “Humanity 2.0: 10 Principles for a Compassionate Society”, distills over two decades of lived experience into a vision for a compassionate, sustainable world. Visit: http://www.sadhanaforest.org/humanity2. With over three decades of mentoring experience, I continue supporting the development of innovative and practical initiatives addressing sustainability challenges.

Refer Link for details https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W7sTWtpRazHyDExQBkpt7-0IAXO6cMKMMoalrtVDfUM/edit?tab=t.0

Began undergraduate studies at University of Science and Technology of China in 2002 and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physics in 2006. Obtained a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Colorado Boulder in the United States from 2006 to 2012. Conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado Boulder in the United States from 2012 to 2013. Engaged in postdoctoral research at Harvard University in the United States from 2013 to 2016. Joined the School of Energy Engineering at Zhejiang University in 2016 and is currently a researcher and doctoral supervisor, dedicated to research in microfluidics, microchemistry, 3D printing, biomaterials and bioinformatics.

Chen Qun is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Tsinghua University, with a joint appointment in the Department of Electrical Engineering. He earned his B.E. in Thermal Energy and Power Engineering from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2003 and his Ph.D. in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics from Tsinghua University in 2008. Professor Chen began his academic career at Tsinghua as an Assistant Researcher in 2008, progressed to Associate Professor in 2012, and was promoted to Full Professor in 2015. His international academic experience includes visiting scholarships at the University of California, Davis (2009-2010) and as a Visiting Professor at Fukuoka University, Japan (2015). His research focuses on integrated energy systems optimization, heat transfer enhancement, and thermal management under extreme conditions. Professor Chen has received several prestigious awards including the National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award and the Wu Zhonghua Outstanding Youth Scholar Award from the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics, while leading numerous research projects including National 863 Program projects, National Key R&D Program initiatives, and National Natural Science Foundation grants.

Claudia Doblinger is Associate Professor of Innovation and Technology Management at the TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability and an affiliate member at the TUM School of Management. Before joining TUM in October 2018, Claudia was a project manager for digitization at the Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Regensburg, where she earned her PhD in Innovation and Technology Management. After her doctoral studies, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Harvard Kennedy School. She has further been a guest researcher at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Cambridge. Claudia’s research focuses on environmental entrepreneurship and innovation, with a particular focus on how public policies affect cleantech startups. Her research has been published in international academic journals such as Nature Energy, the Academy of Management Annals or Research Policy.

I hold a B.Tech. degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur and a Diploma de Estudios Avanzados (DEA; Diploma of Advanced Studies) from Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain. I earned my Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University under the supervision of Dr. Herschel A. Elliott. Following my doctoral work, I was a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Stephen P. Long’s laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (UIUC) and at UNICAMP, Brazil. Before joining IIT Palakkad as a faculty member, I also served as a Research Scientist at UIUC.

Don Maruska is a Master Certified Coach and author of “Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet.” Previously, Don created and led a nationwide coaching program serving 10,000 professionals a year. He’s also the author of “How Great Decisions Get Made: 10 Steps to Reach Agreement on Even the Toughest Issues,” “Take Charge of Your Talent: Three Keys to Thriving in Your Career, Organization, and Life,” and eBook “Grow and Enjoy Your Business: Proven Tools for Success.” Prior to his coaching career, Don was founder and CEO of three Silicon Valley companies, earning a National Innovator Award. Early in his career, he managed projects with McKinsey & Company serving public and private sector clients. The first in his family to attend college, Don earned his BA magna cum laude from Harvard and his MBA and JD from Stanford University.

Dr. M. Indu Sekhara Sastry is currently the Advisor (R&D) of AM Green - a company promoted by M/s. Greenko.  In his current assignment, he is responsible for setting up of an State-of-the-Art advanced R&D cum QC analytical facility for characterisation of various green molecules produced including green ethanol, SAF etc. He is also responsible for identifying important new domains/research areas pertaining to AM Green business and to initiate development of research activities in the identified areas to sustain the business.  Previously, Dr. Indu Sekhar has been General Manager, (R&D) of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.  Dr. Indu Sekhar has more than three decades of uninterrupted experience in the characterisation of various lubricants, catalysts, additives required in downstream hydrocarbons sector. He was instrumental in the development of IOC’s first home-grown nanotechnology product, Indane Nanocut.  Coordinated research activities of IOCL with External customers, and other research Institutes of India, Deakin University, Australia, He is the mentor for two-startup companies. After super annuation from IOCl, he worked as RINL-Chair Professor at Department of Chemistry, Andhra University. Dr. Indu Sekhar has over 80 research publications in national/international journals/ conferences and 9 granted patents. Dr. Indu Sekhar has received many awards, including NPMP, NRDC, Petrofed,Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation, AIMA Innovation, and Bangalore Nano Awards for product and process technologies developed. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from IIT-Madras.

Du Xiaoze is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor serving as Dean of the School of Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering at North China Electric Power University. He earned his Ph.D. from Tsinghua University in 2000 and has been recognized as a Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor by the Ministry of Education. Professor Du's research spans enhanced heat transfer, thermal power generation energy efficiency, solar energy, energy storage materials, and multi-energy complementary systems. He has led numerous national research projects including Key Projects of the National Natural Science Foundation and National 973 Program projects. His outstanding contributions have earned him several prestigious honors including the National Outstanding Scientific Worker award and Mao Yisheng Science and Technology Award. Professor Du also holds important academic positions including Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering and standing director of the Chinese Renewable Energy Society, while serving on editorial boards for multiple journals including Journal of Power Engineering and International Journal of Thermodynamics.

Currently CEO of Equatic, an early-stage climate tech company spun out of UCLA, I have experience with global industrial operations and new ventures. MBA Stanford GSB.

Hi, I'm Franzi! I support purpose entrepreneurs through coaching and collaborate with universities to empower startups in the incubation phase. I'm a serial entrepreneur with 19 years of experience and have accompanied more than 4000 business ideas. I’ve co-founded Greenstones - an eco-retreat and course center on the west coast of Sweden, MasterArts - an online Tai Chi and meditation platform, and With All Your Heart - my current coaching and education business. I work purpose-driven. Empathy for people and situations is my superpower. And whatever I do, I do it with all my heart. My services are available in German and English, and I work in remote or hybrid settings.

Gao Jihui is a Professor at the School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT). He earned his bachelor's degree in Thermal Energy Engineering from HIT and has remained at the university throughout his academic career, progressing through the ranks from Teaching Assistant to Full Professor. Professor Gao's research focuses on collaborative control of coal-fired flue gas pollutants and the development of carbon-based functional materials for energy storage applications. He has led numerous national research projects, including five Ministry of Science and Technology initiatives and over ten National Natural Science Foundation grants. His outstanding contributions have been recognized with two National Technology Invention Awards and three provincial/ministerial-level science and technology awards. Professor Gao has also made significant achievements in innovation and entrepreneurship education, currently serving as a committee member of the Ministry of Education's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Guidance Committee and Director of HIT's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Committee.

Gao Ming is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Nuclear Science and Energy Power, Shandong University, where he also serves as the Department Head of Energy and Power Engineering and Director of the Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center for High-Efficiency Energy Storage and Hydrogen Utilization. He completed postdoctoral research in Mechanical Engineering at Shandong University (2008-2010) and was a visiting scholar at the University of Manchester, UK (2014-2015). Professor Gao's research focuses on hydrogen energy and advanced energy storage technologies, including solid-state hydrogen storage, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, and energy-saving systems for industrial applications. He has led over 20 national and provincial research projects, supported by major enterprises such as China Energy Group and Sinopec, and has published more than 130 papers while holding 30 authorized patents. Recognized as a leading talent in Shandong Province and Jinan City, he has received numerous honors, including three Provincial Science and Technology Progress Awards and the Shandong Higher Education Institution Science and Technology Award.

Long career in high tech general management, professional services, hardware and software businesses. I have worked in large corporate tech, as a startup CEO, and as an early stage investor. I have an undergraduate degree with a focus on psychology and biology, an MBA, and recently completed a 2 year fellowship at Stanford’s Distinguished Careers Institute.

GG is a serial entrepreneur, experienced advisor and coach supporting founders from early ideas to fundraising and scaling. She combines hands-on startup strategy and execution with deep expertise in leadership and culture. Using tools from 15 years of experience, she helps founders validate their ideas, communicate their vision with effective pitches and storytelling, and build organizations that reflect their values. She holds an MSc in Organizational Change and taught graduate courses in Sustainable Business Models at The New School in New York. GG has worked with hundreds of founders across 20+ countries as Contest Director of the Extreme Tech Challenge, one of the world’s largest startup competitions. She is a cofounder of the EdenBase fund and ecosystem in London and TransformBase, a platform shaping frontier technologies for prosperity. An active investor and mentor, GG supports founders globally through programs.

Gong Liang is a Professor and Vice Dean of the New Energy Research Institute at China University of Petroleum (East China) in Qingdao, Shandong. He earned his B.E. in Thermal Energy Engineering from China University of Petroleum (East China) and his Ph.D. in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics from Xi'an Jiaotong University, which included a joint doctoral training program at the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. Since joining the university in 2011, his career has progressed from Lecturer to Associate Professor and to his current leadership role. He has secured 12 research grants, including projects from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. An active researcher, he has published over 60 papers and holds 5 authorized patents. His research focuses on thermal management for microelectronic/nano systems, geothermal/solar energy, and reservoir simulation. He also serves in several academic capacities, including as a committee member for national engineering thermophysics societies and an editorial board member for international journals.

Guo Chunsheng is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Shandong University, where he currently serves as the Director of the Student Employment and Entrepreneurship Guidance Center and leads the Centre for Omniscale Thermal Management and Comprehensive Energy Utilization. He earned his B.E. in Building Environment and Equipment Engineering from Tianjin University in 2006, followed by an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden in 2009, and a Ph.D. in Thermal Energy Engineering from Shandong University in 2012. Professor Guo's professional career began at Shandong University in 2012, with an academic appointment at China University of Petroleum (East China) from 2013 to 2016 before returning to Shandong University. His research focuses on micro/nano manufacturing and energy science, particularly in spacecraft loop heat pipes, 5G chip thermal management, and nuclear energy applications. He has led over 30 national and provincial research projects with total funding exceeding 16 million RMB, including the Shandong Key R&D "Nuclear Power Future" demonstration project, and has authored more than 70 publications in prestigious journals while holding 150 authorized national patents.

Educational Background: Obtained a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Taiyuan University of Technology in 1996, a Master's degree in Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in 2002, and a Doctorate in Engineering in Engineering Thermophysics from Zhejiang University in 2005. Work Experience: After completing his doctoral studies, he remained at the Institute of Refrigeration and Low Temperature, Energy Engineering College of Zhejiang University. Currently, he is a professor and doctoral supervisor. He has led several national and provincial-level research projects and has published over 160 papers and obtained more than 50 national invention patents.

Hu Longhua is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), where he also serves as the Deputy Director of the State Key Laboratory of Fire Science. He earned dual bachelor's degrees in Safety Engineering and Computer Science & Technology from USTC in 2001, followed by a Ph.D. in Safety Technology & Engineering in 2006, and completed postdoctoral research in Engineering Thermophysics in 2008. Professor Hu began his academic career as an Associate Researcher at USTC in 2008 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2014. His international research experience includes visiting scholarships at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2005, 2009) and a JSPS Fellowship at Hokkaido University (2012-2014). He has received numerous prestigious honors including the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (2014), National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars (2022), Royal Society Newton Advanced Fellowship (2015), and has been consistently recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Elsevier since 2014. His research focuses on fire dynamics under special conditions including microgravity, environmental wind, and low-pressure environments.

Educational Background: Huang Yuzhi, Doctor. From 2000 to 2003, he studied Fluid Mechanics at Zhejiang University (Master of Engineering degree). From 2006 to 2010, he pursued a Doctoral degree in Vehicle Engineering at Zhejiang University (Doctor of Engineering degree). Work Experience: Since 2010, he has served as a postdoctoral fellow lecturer, and associate professor at the School of Energy Engineering and Vehicle Engineering Institute of Zhejiang University. Currently, he is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Energy Engineering of Zhejiang University, and also serves as the deputy director of the Vehicle Engineering Institute.

Jason Prapas is on the Rapid Evaluation team at X, Google's Moonshot Factory. At X, Jason originates and assesses early stage moonshot opportunities, primarily in energy, agriculture, and industrial decarbonization. Prior to joining X, Jason was the Founder and CEO of Fyto, an agriculture robotics company revolutionizing sustainable agriculture by automating the production of aquatic plants for high-protein animal feed and biofertilizer. A veteran of the "hard tech" ecosystem, Jason has spent his career building and scaling technologies that address critical global challenges in energy, food, and water. A firm believer in the ability for deep tech startups to improve the world, Jason previously served as the Translational Research Director at the MIT Tata Center for Technology and Design, where he helped spin out 8 science-based ventures. He also co-founded Factor[e] Ventures, a firm dedicated to funding energy and infrastructure innovations in emerging markets. Jason holds a Ph.D. and Masters in Mechanical Engineering and a bachelors in Physics.

Jay is a Senior AI/ML Engineer at Microsoft, specializing in Agentic AI, multi-agent systems, LLMs, and GenAI. He is a contributor to AutoGen, a leading open-source multi-agent framework, where he helps advance scalable agentic architectures. Jay serves as the working chair of the IEEE Planet Positive 2030 project “Recommended Practice for Integrated Agentic Food Waste Management Process in Schools” and is the subcommittee chair for Agentic AI within IEEE-USA AIPC. He is also an active member of several IEEE initiatives focused on responsible and sustainable AI development. Jay is currently enrolled in the Stanford GSB LEAD program, expanding his expertise in business leadership and innovation. His prior industry experience includes machine learning roles at Amazon and research in frontier AI technologies at Accenture Labs.

Jen Blank is a Senior Researcher and Educator with the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science and NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. Her work spans geochemistry, astrobiology, and planetary science. She served on the Science Team for the Mars Curiosity Rover and held operational roles for its planetary laser instrument, still active on the Martian surface. More recently, Jen conceived and led the NASA BRAILLE Project, a Mars analog investigation to characterize microbial metabolisms and geochemical biosignatures in lava tubes and evaluate heterogenous, autonomous robotic strategies for future exploration of volcanic caves on Mars. As a Sustainability Subject Matter Expert, she assesses emerging technologies for scalable, energy-efficient atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR). She holds BS/BA degrees in Geology and English from Stanford University, an MS in Oceanography from the University of Washington, a PhD in Geochemistry from Caltech, and is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America.

I have worked in carbon markets for the last five years. Prior to that, I was in the energy industry. I have a PhD in geochemistry from the University of Otago in New Zealand, where I was a Fulbright fellow. At Stanford, I received a BS on Earth Systems and an MS in Geology.

Dr. Joel Swisher has over 30 years experience in research and consulting on many aspects of clean energy technology. He is an expert in energy efficiency technology and policy, carbon offsets and climate change mitigation, and electric utility resource planning and economics. Dr. Swisher is a registered Professional Engineer and holds a Ph.D. in Energy and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.

I have over a decade of experience in global data center and IT sustainability strategy and operations, leveraging technology and innovation to tackle environmental and social challenges to drive sustainable growth and operational excellence. Prior to Ada, I held multiple leadership roles at Google, most notably as Global Lead for Data Center Sustainability where I spearheaded projects on carbon accounting and sustainability reporting, energy efficiency, healthy materials, waste and water minimization, including the development of an internal rating system for data center design and construction for Google's portfolio that grew to > 1 GW during my tenure. Before Google, I led the Sustainable IT initiative at Stanford University that led to the construction of the Stanford Research Computing Facility (SRCF), Stanford's first liquid-cooled data center for high performance computing. I have a BSIE and MBA from Stanford University.

Parnell is a Stanford PhD, Mechanical Engineering mechanical device/vehicle/vehicle equipment expert and thought leader. Over 30 years experience consulting with firms nationally and internationally analyzing vehicles of all types, consumer electronics, medical devices and industrial equipment. Dr. Parnell evaluates the effectiveness and/or failures of complex systems and products including design and manufacturing processes and assists with patent/IP related issues. Expert Witness for mechanical device litigation including patent trials. Dr.Parnell provides testimony regarding complex technology issues to lay audiences and juries using techniques such as 3D modelling in a compelling and understandable format.

Kinshuk Govil is a Product Engineering Lead in the Data Lab, where he leads WRI's software engineering efforts to build high quality, reliable, and impactful data products. Prior to joining WRI, Kinshuk led software engineering at nonprofits, startups, and big tech companies. Most recently, he led an AI based wildfire detection service at a nonprofit he founded - Open Climate Tech, Inc. He used to lead the development of vSphere and vCenter products at VMware, and a novel SaaS application platform and a SaaS application at a software startup and Google. Kinshuk holds a BS in EECS from UC Berkeley, and an MS and PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University. He lives in the Bay Area.

Dr. Kishalay Mitra is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and an associated faculty member in the Departments of Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change at IIT Hyderabad, India. He holds degrees in Chemical Engineering from NIT Durgapur (B.E.), IIT Kanpur (M. Tech), and IIT Bombay (PhD). Before joining academia, he spent nearly 15 years in engineering leadership roles at GE Global Research and Tata Research Development & Design Centre. His research focuses on integrating data analytics and process optimization, encompassing machine learning, evolutionary algorithms, and optimization under uncertainty, with applications in energy, environment, and process industries. He has authored over 200 publications and received multiple national and international recognitions, including the Faculty Research Excellence Award and listing among the World’s Top 2% Scientists (Stanford University). His group collaborates globally with institutions such as UT Austin, University of Exeter, Deakin University, and NUS.

Lena Voss is the co-founder of Lumera Energy, where she builds AI-driven software that optimizes industrial battery storage and reduces energy costs for industrial companies. With a mechanical engineering background from UC Berkeley, TU Munich, and the CDTM, she has worked across battery systems, electrification, and commercial roles in startups from stealth stage to scale-up. She’s passionate about using intelligent software to unlock the full potential of hardware and accelerate the energy transition.

PhD Cambridge University, Serial Entrepreneur, MIT TR 35 List, Scholar.

He is currently a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), a position he has held since 2012. He earned his B.E. from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 1992, followed by his M.S. (1997) and Ph.D. (2001) from the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His extensive international research experience includes postdoctoral work at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2001-2003) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the USA (2003-2005), where he later served as a Research Assistant Professor. He further enhanced his academic career as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder (2007-2008) before returning to China, where he progressed from Associate Professor at the Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2008-2012) to his current professorship at UCAS. His research is primarily conducted in two-phase flow and heat transfer laboratories, building upon the strong foundation established during his early career as an Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, CAS (1997-2001).

Li Yan is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Ocean University of China. She earned her B.E. in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning from Qingdao University of Technology in 2002, followed by her M.S. in Engineering Thermophysics in 2005 and her Ph.D. in Port, Coastal and Offshore Engineering in 2007, both from Ocean University of China. Her academic career at the university began in 2007 as a Lecturer, she was promoted to Associate Professor in 2012, and to Full Professor in 2019. Her professional development includes a visiting scholarship at Iowa State University, USA, from 2014 to 2015. Professor Li's research focuses on high-efficiency heat and mass transfer, industrial energy conservation, and ocean thermal energy conversion. She teaches fundamental courses such as Engineering Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer for undergraduates, and Advanced Heat Transfer for graduates.

He is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the Institute of Turbomachinery, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University. He earned his B.E. in Turbomachinery in 1993 and his Ph.D. in 1998, both from Xi'an Jiaotong University. His extensive international research career includes postdoctoral work at the Kyoto Institute of Technology (1998-2000), service as a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow at Kyushu Institute of Technology (2000-2002), and research positions at WaveFront Co. Ltd. in Yokohama (2002) and Tohoku University (2004). He began his academic career at Xi'an Jiaotong University as an Associate Professor in 2002, was promoted to Full Professor in 2007, and also served as a Visiting Professor at Keio University in Japan during 2008-2009. Recognized as an ASME Fellow, he currently serves as an Associate Editor for the ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power (2021-2024).

Liao Shengming is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor who currently serves as the Dean of the Sustainable Energy Research Institute at Central South University. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Thermal Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics from Tsinghua University in 1985 and 1989 respectively, and completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2002. His professional career began at the Hunan Energy Research Institute, progressing through academic roles at Changsha Railway University before joining Central South University in 2002. Professor Liao has held key leadership positions including Department Head, Founding Dean of the School of Energy Science and Engineering, and Deputy Director of the Hunan Energy Bureau. His research focuses on energy systems engineering and new energy technologies, having led numerous national projects including the 863 Program and National Natural Science Foundation grants. He has made significant contributions to energy education through establishing China's first New Energy Science and Engineering program and has published over 100 academic papers while receiving several prestigious awards including the National Higher Education Science and Technology Progress Award.

Educational Background: From August 2008 to June 2012, I obtained a bachelor's degree from the School of Energy Engineering at Zhejiang University. From August 2012 to May 2017, I pursued a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, under the supervision of Professors Reinhard Radermacher and Yunho Hwang. Work Experience: After completing my doctoral studies, I worked at the School of Energy Engineering at Zhejiang University. Since March 2018, I have served as a postdoctoral researcher. From 2018 to 2021, I held the position of a senior technical expert at the Zhejiang University Changzhou Industrial Technology Research Institute. Since March 2021, I have been appointed as a specially-appointed associate researcher and doctoral supervisor at the School of Energy Engineering of Zhejiang University, and concurrently serve as the deputy director of the Excellence Education Research Center of the school.

Lisa Schebitz is a certified business coach and trainer with deep expertise in helping researchers and early-stage founders turn complex technologies into ventures with real-world impact. She is an experienced program lead and has developed several innovation formats for deep-tech startups across a range of industries, guiding teams through opportunity shaping, sustainable business model design, validation, and early go-to-market strategy. Over the years, Lisa has coached hundreds of founders and interdisciplinary teams, many of whom have progressed into incubators, secured funding, or built long-term partnerships. Her coaching style is structured, empathetic, and grounded in strong business knowledge, while fostering clarity, purpose, and action. She is passionate about supporting teams as they navigate uncertainty and develop solutions that create measurable and lasting value. Lisa looks forward to mentoring Global Sustainability Challenge participants as they design and scale impactful innovations in sustainable energy, climate resilience, and broader sustainability domains.

Liu Haifeng is a Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Energy and Power Engineering at Tianjin University, recognized as a National-level Talent, including honors such as the National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars. He earned his Ph.D. in Power Machinery and Engineering from Tianjin University (TJU) in 2011, which included a joint training period at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His academic career at TJU began in 2011, progressing from Lecturer to Associate Professor in 2013, and to Full Professor in 2019. He currently holds a key role in the National Key Laboratory of Advanced Internal Combustion Engines. His research is centered on achieving carbon neutrality, focusing on advanced combustion theory, carbon-neutral fuels, and the application of AI and laser diagnostics in engine research. Prof. Liu also teaches core courses like ""Internal Combustion Engine Theory"" and has received prestigious awards, including a second prize in the NationalTeaching Achievement Award."

Dr. Lohithaksha Maniraj Maiyar is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Management at Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad. He received his Ph.D. in 2019 from the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Prior to joining IIT Hyderabad, Dr. Lohithaksha was a Research Fellow in the Business and Management Research Institute, University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. He was a Research Associate in the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, The University of Sheffield, prior to joining University of Bedfordshire. He has applied supervised and unsupervised machine learning, evolutionary optimisation and multi-criteria techniques for solving problems from a wide range of applications such as aerospace, manufacturing, online fashion markets, and food supply chains. His work focusses on developing Operations Research based mathematical models to support cost-effective, sustainable and resilient decisions.

Lu Shengyong is Professor at Zhejiang University, specializing in Systems Thinking, Design Thinking and Innovation Methods. Taking mentorship for Sustainable Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience.

Lucia is a Munich-based project manager and ecosystem builder at TUM Venture Lab Climate & Circular Economy, where she supports researchers and founders in transforming climate, energy, water, and circular-economy innovations into scalable startups. Originally from Guatemala and now in Germany, she combines a background in bioeconomy and industrial engineering with hands-on experience in venture programs, tech scouting, and multi-stakeholder project leadership.​ Her work focuses on guiding early-stage teams through problem–solution fit, sharpening value propositions, and connecting them with industry partners, investors, and international networks across the climate-tech and energy-transition ecosystem. Lucia also hosts a sciencepreneurship segment in the Entrepreneurial Realities podcast, interviewing founders and CEOs that are creating impact.

Luo Xiaobing is a Second-Level Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), where he currently serves as Dean of the School of Energy and Power Engineering and Chinese Dean of the China-EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy. He earned his Ph.D. from Tsinghua University in 2002 after completing his M.S. (1998) and B.S. (1995) at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Professor Luo's professional career includes significant industrial experience as a Senior Researcher at Samsung Electronics' Comprehensive Technology Institute (2002-2005) before returning to HUST, where he progressed from Associate Professor to Full Professor and assumed various leadership roles including Vice Dean and later Dean of the School of Energy and Power Engineering. His research focuses on extreme thermal management design, optoelectronic device packaging, and micro-pump technologies. Recognized with numerous honors including the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, IEEE Fellow, and ASME Fellow, he has also received several prestigious awards including the Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Progress First Prize and the National Teaching Achievement Award.

He is a Second-Level Professor and Doctoral Supervisor, serving as Director of the Liaoning Key Laboratory for Clean Utilization of Chemical Resources. He previously held key administrative positions including Vice Dean of the Graduate School and Director of the Discipline Construction Office. He earned his B.E., M.S., and Ph.D. all from Dalian University of Technology between 1984 and 1994, followed by postdoctoral research at Tsinghua University under Academician Wang Buxuan (1995-1997). His international academic experience includes research visits to the University of Oxford (2001), Queen Mary University of London (1998), and the University of Missouri (2010). Recognized as a New Century Excellent Talent by the Ministry of Education, his research spans micro/nano-scale transport phenomena, phase change heat transfer, MED seawater desalination, and industrial waste heat utilization. He has led over 40 major research projects, published more than 300 papers, and holds 20 national patents. His technological developments in heat pump-based desalination and absorption heat transformers have been successfully implemented in petrochemical industries, with his dropwise condensation research featured in China's leading heat transfer textbooks.

Dr. Magdalena Gutowska joined the Environmental and Climate Policy Chair at the TUM in 2025 as a Sustainability Manager. In this role, she works to strengthen collaboration between the School of Social Sciences and Technology and the TUM Sustainability Office, aiming to strategically expand the impact of university innovations at the intersection of research, policy, and society. Previously, she was the lead of the climate and energy portfolio within the Foresight and Strategic Planning Initiative at Politecnico di Torino. From 2019 to 2022, she taught Marine Policy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Earlier, she served as a Policy Fellow of the California Council on Science and Technology, in the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee from 2017 to 2018. Dr. Gutowska also contributed to The Future Ocean Cluster of Excellence in Germany as a Postdoctoral Fellow, with her research on the biological impacts of ocean acidification. She earned her PhD in 2009 from the University of Bremen in the Integrative Ecophysiology Section of the Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research. She was a Fulbright Fellow to Germany in 2004.

Mina İlköz graduated from Sabancı University with a degree in Economics. She was part of the founding team of Turkcell’s crowdfunding platform, Arıkovanı, and later worked in marketing at Young Guru Academy (YGA). In 2020, she founded UP School, an education technology initiative that empowers women to become role models in technology. To date, UP School has provided technology education to more than 6,900 women and was featured in Times Square after being selected by the Nasdaq Entrepreneurship Center. Mina was also recognized as Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by the Turkish Entrepreneurship Foundation.

Nick brings extensive, practical experience in the Additive Manufacturing sector, developed through roles as both a strategic consultant and an editor specializing in Industrial AM. This background includes significant involvement in rapid prototyping and implementation, grounded in a systems thinking approach to solution development. He now applies this deep sector knowledge at the TUM Venture Lab Additive Manufacturing, focusing intently on impact entrepreneurship during the crucial phase of knowledge transfer. His work involves coaching and strategically guiding young scientists and entrepreneurs to accelerate deep-tech innovation, specifically leveraging AM to unlock greater sustainability and resilience within the manufacturing landscape.

I am a faculty member in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at IIT Hyderabad with affiliation to the Climate Change department and Greenko School of Sustainability. My research focuses on wind energy, its impact and interaction with the atmospheric boundary layer. I try to study how a changing climate is likely to impact energy extraction from the wind in the future, as well as how installation of wind farms to capture energy is likely to change the weather very close to the earth's surface. I received my PhD from Purdue University and have completed two postdoctoral stints including one at Stanford University.

Ouyang Hua is a Chief Research Professor at the Institute of Aero Engines, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he also serves as Vice Dean of the Aero Engine Research Institute and Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education's Engineering Research Center for Gas Turbine and Civil Aero Engines. He earned his Ph.D. in Power Machinery and Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2003, following his M.S. from Changsha Railway University in 1998 and B.S. from the same institution in 1995. Professor Ouyang began his academic career at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2003, progressing from Lecturer to Associate Professor, and was appointed as Research Professor in 2016. His international experience includes a visiting scholarship at the University of Michigan in 2006. His research focuses on aero engine unstable flow and aeroacoustics, fan/compressor internal flow experiments and numerical simulations, and low-noise design of high-bypass ratio turbofan engines. Professor Ouyang holds several academic positions including Council Member of the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics and serves on editorial boards for journals including RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Prof. Paulina PY WONG is currently an Associate Professor and Head of the Science Unit at Lingnan University and Associate Director of the LEO Dr David P. Chan Institute of Data Science. She is also the Programme Director of the Master of Science in Sustainability and Environmental Analytics (MScSEA) and Executive Professional Education Programme (EPE). She specializes in urban climate, air/noise pollution, GIS, and environmental health. In recent years, her research has been extended to GeoAI analytics, urban sensing, mobile geospatial technologies, sustainability education and ESG analytics. She is recently being elected as the young member of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (HKAES). Wong has been a Fulbright and Lee Hysan scholar. She is a certified GIS Professional (GISP) and ESG Planner (CEP®). She serves on a number of professional associations such as the President of HKGISA, Council member and Vice-chairman of the Spatial Data Infrastructure Committee of SCC , Honorary Secretary of HKABAEIMA, Consultant (Research) of the ICSD to foster GIS, OpenBIM, ESG and Smart City development. She is also the editorial board member, review editor and guest editors of several quality international journals.

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Pritha Chatterjee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and serves as the Head of the Department of Climate Change at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad. With a background in Environmental Engineering, Pritha completed her Ph.D. and M.Tech. degrees at IIT Kharagpur, India, focusing on innovative solutions for wastewater treatment and bioenergy generation. Her research endeavors encompass a wide array of topics, including microbial fuel cells, nutrient recovery from wastewater, and synthesis of biofuels from microalgae. She is the youngest Associate Editor of the Journal of Toxic Hazardous and Radioactive Waste. Pritha Chatterjee's expertise lies at the intersection of environmental engineering and sustainable technologies, where she explores novel approaches to address pressing environmental challenges. Her research has culminated in around 50 publications in renowned journals and presentations at prestigious conferences worldwide in just 5 years of her research experience.

From August 2007 to July 2011, I enrolled in the Mixed Class of Zhu Kezhen College at Zhejiang University and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Engineering in 2011. From August 2011 to June 2016, I studied in the Chemical Process Machinery Department of the College of Chemical Engineering at Zhejiang University and received a Doctoral degree in Engineering. From September 2013 to September 2014, I was on a joint doctoral training program at Technische Universität Freiberg in Germany. From August 2016 to November 2017, I conducted postdoctoral research at the Department of Energy Science at Lund University in Sweden. Since 2018, I have served as a lecturer (2018-2020) and an associate professor (since 2020) at the School of Energy Engineering and the Institute of Chemical Machinery at Zhejiang University, and also hold the position of professor and doctoral supervisor at the Special Equipment Research Institute.

I work in the broad area of combustion modelling where I use high fidelity computer modelling tools to understand combustion dynamics for both liquid and gaseous fuels. In the past I have studied droplet evaporation and combustion of multicomponent fuels like hydrocarbon/alcohol blends in internal combustion engines. More recently we are now working in understanding combustion characteristics of carbon neutral fuels like hydrogen and ammonia. Optimizing combustor design and their operations are investigated such that fuel conversion efficiency is maximized whereas emissions are minimized. For such optimization problems, machine learning techniques are also being investigated as part of ongoing research.

Dr Rambabu is the Chief Sustainability Officer of Greenko group. He has been a thought leader in the Asian Sustainability and Climate Change movement and his previous roles include Managing Director at CantorCO2e Asia and Head of Sustainability and Climate Change practice in Asia at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He has advised ITC, various companies of Tata Sons and a number of multinational businesses in preparing sustainability reports and sustainability performance improvement and has been actively involved in development of BRR related standards/ formats/ practices. Dr. Rambabu has over 30 years of experience in consulting, research and teaching in governance, sustainability, and climate change. He has led over 200 sustainability assignments sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), World Bank, UNDP and various national and international business organizations.

Richard is a writer, startup advisor and volunteer board member focused on sustainability. He is the co-founder of Asia Sustainability Angels, serves on boards of non-profits including Solar Washington and Stanford Alumni in Sustainability, and writes about sustainability for Impact Entrepreneur as well as blogs and non-profits. Richard is also a former banker, and he is a consultant on retail banking strategy. He is the author of Changing Lanes, Changing Lives. Richard has a BA from Pomona College and an MBA from Stanford University.

Dr.SSV Ramakumar is currently the Chief Technology officer and Executive Vice President of AM Green- a company promoted by Greenko. In his current assignment, he is responsible for technology scouting, due diligence and adoption of various green technologies that will transform the company’s journey from green electrons to green molecules. He is also a member of the management committee (Board) of AM green. Previously, Dr. Ramakumar has been Director, (R&D) on the Board of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.,. Dr. Ramakumar, has more than three decades of uninterrupted experience in downstream hydrocarbons sector. He was instrumental in the development of India’s home-grown, fuels, lubricants and refinery processes for IndianOil which have been successfully commercialized. He has also pioneered various alternative energy programmes including waste to energy, bio, solar and energy storage. Dr. Ramakumar steered the IndianOil’s Hydrogen endeavours and has worked on various inter-ministerial committees on drawing the strategies for inclusion of hydrogen in the energy mix. Presently, he is on MNRE’s national expert committee which is responsible for implementation of national hydrogen mission road map. Dr. Ramakumar has over 150 research publications in national/international journals and a sizeable number of granted patents. Besides IndianOil, Dr. Ramakumar also served on several other Boards like Lanzatech, USA, Oil Industry Development; Central Pollution Control, India; Green Gas Ltd., IndianOil Total Pvt. Ltd., IOT Biogas Pvt. Ltd. and IndOil Montney Ltd., Canada. A fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE), Dr. Ramakumar has received many awards, including NPMP, FIPI, NRDC, AIIMA Innovation, Bangalore Nano, and WPC Excellence Award for product and process technologies he developed. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from IIT-Roorkee (erstwhile University of Roorkee) and has been conferred with its Distinguished Alumni Award for the year 2021 in Technology & Innovation domains.

am Ong is a Senior Assistant Director at Nanyang Technological University, where he supports the Sustainability Office in advancing NTU’s campus-wide environmental strategy. With a background in environmental engineering and early career experience leading sustainability projects, Sam brings more than a decade of practical experience in energy, water and waste optimisation.

I’m someone who likes to build things—products, teams, companies—and help them grow with purpose. Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to work across early-stage cleantech and engineering ventures, often stepping into roles where the path wasn’t fully paved yet. Whether it's launching an offshore solar pilot, developing a new product line, or helping a young team find its rhythm, I’m drawn to challenges that mix complexity with meaning. My educational background is Engineering Physics. I’m at my best in fast-paced environments where curiosity, structure, and collaboration go hand in hand. I tend to work at the intersection of technical and commercial—connecting details to strategy, and people to outcomes. And while I care deeply about results, I care just as much about how we get there—and who grows in the process.

Dr. Sawaros “Sam” Thanapornsangsuth is the Director of the Social Innovation Lab and a faculty member at the School of Integrated Innovation, Chulalongkorn University. Her work focuses on integrating design thinking, sustainability, and technology to empower youth and communities to address real-world challenges. She previously served as a research at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) in Japan, where she led research on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and youth innovation networks across the Asia-Pacific region. Sam earned her doctorate in Communication, Media, and Learning Technologies Design from Columbia University, NYC. With experience spanning academia, social enterprise, and international organizations, she brings a cross-disciplinary approach to developing innovation-driven education models that foster social and environmental impact. Her work continues to bridge research, policy, and practice in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

I am a faculty in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department of IIT Hyderabad and am affiliated with the Greenko School of Sustainability. My specialization is in clean energy technologies, especially on carbon neutral fuels like hydrogen, ammonia, bioethanol and biodiesel. I have over 12 years of technical and research experience in the field of energy technology.

Dr. Shalini Dhyani is Principal Scientist with the CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), INDIA. With over two decades of interdisciplinary research, she integrates scientific and traditional knowledge for socio-ecological resilience. Her expertise spans sustainability science, ecosystem health, restoration ecology, nature-based solutions, and biodiversity mainstreaming in policy and decision-making. Recognized globally, she has received multiple awards, including from IUCN, UNESCO-TWAS, and NIDM Govt of India. A coordinating lead author as well as lead author with IPBES, IUFRO, and ICIMOD, she contributes to several international committees and editorial boards and is a noted public communicator promoting ecosystem-based sustainability and resilience in the Global South. She also got the opportunity to speak in UNGA during the midterm review of the Sendai Framework, 2023, 2024, and 2025. She has more than 100 research papers to her credit, and she is on the editorial board of some of the high-impact prestigious journals and is editor for six books. In addition to academic writing, she is deeply interested in writing popular science articles for communicating science to the masses. She is a well-known public speaker at various national and international platforms, and many of those are available in the public domain.

Shan Shiquan is Associate Researcher at Zhejiang University, specializing in Systems Thinking, Design Thinking and Innovation Methods. Taking mentorship for Sustainable Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience.

Academic Background: Dual-PhD Degree European Commission’s Joint Doctorate Program-English Taught University of Lille, France (Ph.D. in Materials Engineering) (2017) Politecnico di Torino, Italy (Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering) (2018) Experience： Dr. Sohail Yasin worked as a research fellow at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, UK, and subsequently joined the esteemed research group of Prof. Zheng Qiang and Prof. Song Yihu at Zhejiang University for a four-year tenure, under the esteemed China Talent Program.

Dr. S. K. PURI is Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Panjab University Chandigarh. He joined IOC, R&D Centre in 1987 and has 26 years of rich and varied experience in Research & Development with a special interest in synthesis and development of Fuel & Lube additives, development of biofuels for their use in transport and aviation sector and marker systems to control menace of adulteration of prime fuels. Dr. S. K. Puri has to his credit, more than ten US/IN patents. He has also published over 35 research papers in professional journals. Dr S.K. Puri has also guided two students for their Ph D Degree and at present one student is also perusing his PhD work at IIP Dehradun /IOC, R&D Centre Faridabad. Dr S. K. Puri is a recipient of following national awards: - Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation Award – Lubricity Improver for Diesel - Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation Award –Lube Marker system for adulteration checks - Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation Award – Development of Diesel MFA - PertoFed Innovator award for 2008 – Development & Commercialization of Diesel Multifunctional Additive - National award for Successful commercialization of indigenous technology- 2010. After superannuating from IOCL as Chief General Manager ( Bio-energy ) in 2019 , undersigned worked as chief Coordinator for Bioenergy Research Centre up to March 2023. Currently I am working with A M Green India Pvt Ltd as Advisor , R&D , Green Chemicals .

Suvranil is the Managing Director and CEO for GDI South Asia. He led the launch of the GDI South Asia entity in 2023. He also leads the global GDI Climate Adaptation/Resilience portfolio, including Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA) and Grassroots Circular Waste Collaborative (GCWC). His experience includes leading climate-resilient initiatives (across mitigation and adaptation) at IFC/World Bank. Suvranil has expertise in leading and managing engagements with governments, the private sector, start-ups, investors, and non-profits in India, Southeast Asia, Africa, the USA, and Europe. Suvranil has a Bachelor’s in Engineering and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School. He is a founding member of Harvard Climate Entrepreneurship Circle.

I'm Co-founder & CEO of Evreka - sustainability tech company active in 32 countries with 5M+ investment. 2 times Forbes 30 Under 30 & 2 times Fortune 40 Under 40 Member of Board of Trustees - Turkey Entrepreneurship Foundation Alumni - Young Guru Academy Mentor & Advisor in 30+ national & international programs for 100+ teams Pledger - Founders Pledge

Utku Simitli is the co-founder of Faradai and Director responsible for product development. He has over 10 years of experience in corporate software solutions covering energy cost and carbon emissions measurement, analysis, energy efficiency, digital transformation, AI, and IoT. He has led product development aligned with international standards such as ISO 50001, ISO 14001, ISO 14064, the GHG Protocol, and IPMVP, while also driving the company’s AI product vision. He has managed and contributed to multiple national and international R&D projects including TÜBİTAK, the European Union, Innovate UK, and Eurogia. Before Faradai, Simitli worked as a Project Engineer at B/S/H/ Home Appliances Group, contributing to the company’s resource efficiency goals and developing an intranet-based energy monitoring tool. A LEED AP BD+C certified green building specialist, he coordinated smart campus building initiatives during his master studies at Özyeğin University. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and completed his thesis at ENIT in France.

As the CTO & Co-Founder of Ace Green Recycling, I provide executive leadership focused on driving sustainable solutions within the critical materials value chain, recognizing its vital role in global sustainability and geopolitical stability through essential battery recycling. My focus is on the development, deployment, and scaling of new industrial infrastructure for Ace Green. We pioneered an innovative green technology that replaces incumbent polluting processes, making the recycling of Li-ion and Lead-acid batteries environmentally responsible and, critically, commercially viable. I specialize in helping to strategically integrate and validate the business models required for launching this innovation into multiple international markets. Executing this strategy successfully draws on my deep technical and financial foundation. This includes a B.Tech. (IIT-Bombay) and a Ph.D. (Texas A&M University) in Mechanical Engineering, complemented by expertise gained in commodity trading with Merrill Lynch across Houston, Singapore, and London. At Ace Green, we are also actively developing AI applications to optimize complex supply chain logistics for enhanced security and efficiency. I actively advise high-impact ventures through mentorship.

I am a Civil Engineer and Urban Planner with 40 years of experience in the sustainable water sector. My work has looked at rainwater harvesting systems, lake systems, aquifer systems and wastewater reuse systems. This includes designing and implementing projects but also work with communities in solving water problems.

Educational Background: In 2009, obtained a bachelor's degree in Energy and Environmental System Engineering from Zhejiang University; in 2014, graduated from the Energy Engineering College of Zhejiang University, obtaining a doctoral degree in Refrigeration and Low-Temperature Engineering. ork Experience: From 2014 to 2017, served as a postdoctoral researcher at the Energy Research Institute @ NTU and the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University; from 2018 to 2019, worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Clean Energy Processes (CEP) Laboratory of the School of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, and returned full-time to work at Zhejiang University in September 2019.

Wang Zhihua is Professor at Zhejiang University, specializing in Systems Thinking, Design Thinking and Innovation Methods. Taking mentorship for Sustainable Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience.

Wang Jingbo is a Research Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, where he currently serves as Deputy Director of the research center. He earned his Ph.D. from Sichuan University in 2010 following his B.S. from Chengdu University of Technology in 2004. His academic career includes postdoctoral research at Nanyang Technological University (2012-2016) and progressive faculty appointments at Sichuan University from Lecturer to Research Professor. Professor Wang's research focuses on engine combustion chemistry and numerical simulation, leading several major projects including the National Key R&D Program and National Natural Science Foundation grants. He has published over 20 SCI/EI indexed papers and manages significant research funding exceeding 3 million RMB for his investigations into aviation fuel soot formation mechanisms and combustion modeling.

Wang Tao is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, and a Senior Visiting Scholar at Columbia University. He earned his Ph.D. in Engineering Thermophysics from Zhejiang University and completed postdoctoral research at Columbia University. Professor Wang's research focuses on carbon dioxide capture and utilization, where he has developed innovative technologies including moisture-swing regeneration for direct air capture and organic steam sweep processes for flue gas decarbonization. His work on moisture-swing adsorption was recognized as one of two primary technological approaches in the 2018 joint report by the US National Academies of Sciences and Engineering on carbon negative emissions. He serves in key international roles including member of the Air Carbon Capture International Alliance (ACT) and Program Committee Chair of the ICCU International Conference, while leading multiple research projects including National Key R&D Program initiatives and National Natural Science Foundation grants.

Wang Zhongshu is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Jilin University, where he serves as Director of the Jilin Provincial Automotive Energy and Power Engineering Laboratory. Recognized as a leading talent in Jilin's "Changbai Yingcai Program" and Jilin University's Tang Aoqing Leading Professor, he earned his B.E., M.S., and Ph.D. all in Thermal Energy and Power Engineering from Jilin University (1996-2006), complemented by academic research at Brunel University, UK (2015-2016). His research focuses on carbon-neutral vehicle power systems, specializing in ammonia cracking for hydrogen production, hydrogen combustion technology, and unconventional emission control. Professor Wang has led numerous national and industry projects, including NSFC grants and major technological collaborations with FAW Group, Weichai Power, and Chang'an Auto, receiving several prestigious awards including the National Commercial Science and Technology Progress First Prize.

Xu Chuanlong is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor serving as the Vice Dean of the School of Energy and Environment at Southeast University. He earned his B.E. from Northeast Electric Power University in 2001 and his Ph.D. from Southeast University in 2006. Following his doctoral studies, he began his academic career at Southeast University, where he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2009 and then to Full Professor in 2013. His international research experience includes a prestigious Newton International Fellowship at the University of Kent, UK, from 2010 to 2012. Professor Xu's research focuses on thermal physics measurement, multiphase flow testing, and combustion diagnostics. He has led numerous research projects, including three National Natural Science Foundation of China grants and a Major Scientific Instrument Development Project. He also holds several academic positions, including Visiting Professor at the University of Kent and Secretary-General of the Jiangsu Flow Measurement Committee.

Xu Minghai is a Professor at the New Energy College, China University of Petroleum (East China). He earned his B.E. from East China Petroleum Institute in 1986, followed by his M.S. from the Beijing Graduate School of China University of Petroleum in 1989, and his Ph.D. from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2001. Professor Xu's academic career at China University of Petroleum spans over three decades, beginning as a Teaching Assistant in 1989 and progressing through the ranks of Lecturer and Associate Professor before being promoted to Full Professor in 2002. His research focuses on thermal recovery of heavy oil, numerical simulation of flow and heat transfer, and surface system simulation for gas storage. He has led numerous research projects including two National Natural Science Foundation grants and a sub-project of the National Oil and Gas Major Program, while also receiving the Science and Technology Progress Award from the Ministry of Education.

Yang Lizhong is a renowned researcher and professor at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), where he has built his academic career since completing postdoctoral research in 1998. He earned his Ph.D. in Energetic Materials from Nanjing University of Science and Technology in 1996. Professor Yang's professional journey at USTC saw him progress from Associate Professor (1997-2003) to Full Professor (2004-present), enriched by international academic visits including scholarships at the University of Tokyo (1998) and the National Research Institute of Fire and Disaster in Japan (2002). His distinguished research in fire safety engineering, crowd evacuation management, and intelligent fire protection has been recognized through numerous honors including the National Outstanding Young Scientist Award, National Science and Technology Progress Award, and appointment as a 973 Project Advanced Individual. He has led multiple major research initiatives including National Natural Science Foundation Key Projects and the National 973 Program Project, while also serving in significant academic roles including standing committee member of the Engineering Thermophysics Professional Committee of China Higher Education Society.

Yang Zhao is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor specializing in refrigeration and cryogenic engineering at Tianjin University. She earned her B.E. from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 1982, followed by her M.S. and Ph.D. from Tianjin University in 1992 and 1995 respectively, completing her academic training with postdoctoral research at Xi'an Jiaotong University (1995-1997). Professor Yang has dedicated her academic career to advancing refrigeration and heat pump technologies, progressing through faculty positions at both Xi'an Jiaotong University and Tianjin University where she was promoted to full professor in 1997. Her pioneering research encompasses modern heat pump systems, green refrigerants, building energy efficiency, and renewable energy applications. She has led over sixty research projects including National 863 Program projects and National Natural Science Foundation grants, with seven achievements recognized as internationally advanced and two reaching international leading levels. Professor Yang has authored more than 360 publications with over 5,500 citations and holds 70 invention patents, while also contributing significantly to education through textbook compilation and developing first-class undergraduate courses.

Yang Zhen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Energy and Power Engineering at Tsinghua University. He earned both his bachelor's degree in 2002 and his Ph.D. in 2007 from the Department of Thermal Engineering at Tsinghua University. Following his doctoral studies, he further developed his research expertise as a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, USA, from 2008 to 2010. He returned to his alma mater, joining Tsinghua University as an Associate Professor in 2010, a position he has held since. His research is centered on thermo-physical properties of fluids, phase-change heat transfer, solar thermal power generation, and smart energy systems. Prof. Yang also contributes to the academic community through roles such as Editor for the American Journal of Modern Energy and as a council member of the Beijing Society of Thermal Physics and Energy Engineering.

Yao Jun is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at China University of Petroleum (East China), where he currently serves as Director of the Oil/Gas Flow in Reservoirs Research Center and Director of the Smart Oilfield Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education. Recognized as a national-level talent in the New Century Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand Talent Project and an expert in Shandong Province's Taishan Scholar Climbing Program, he earned his B.E. from East China Petroleum Institute in 1984, his M.S. from University of Petroleum (Beijing) in 1990, and his Ph.D. from University of Petroleum (East China) in 2000. Professor Yao's academic career at the university spans over three decades, beginning as a Teaching Assistant in 1984 and progressing through roles as Lecturer and Associate Professor before being promoted to Full Professor in 1999. He has held several key leadership positions including Dean of the School of Petroleum Engineering (2003-2013), Director of the Science and Technology Department (2013-2017), and Vice President of the university (2017-2022). His research focuses on multiphase flow in porous media, where he has established the theoretical framework of modern flow mechanics and developed numerical simulation methods for unconventional oil and gas reservoirs.

Educational Background: In September 2001, I enrolled in the Mechanical Design and Manufacturing and Automation (Automotive Engineering) program at the School of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University for undergraduate studies. In 2005, I was admitted to the Department of Power Machinery and Engineering at Zhejiang University for a master's degree. In 2007, I applied for an early doctoral program and was awarded a doctoral degree in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics from Zhejiang University in June 2010. Work Experience: Since July 2010, I have been conducting postdoctoral research and working as an assistant researcher/lecturer at the School of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University. After my postdoctoral period ended in 2012, I remained at the university to teach. From 2014 to 2015, I was a visiting scholar at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in the United States. Since December 2017, I have been an associate professor at the School of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University. As of December 2023, I have been promoted to professor and a doctoral supervisor.

"Yu Zitao is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, where he also holds the position of Vice Dean. His educational background is firmly rooted in Zhejiang University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Power Plant Engineering and Thermal Energy in 1995 and a Ph.D. in Engineering Thermophysics in 2005. He continued his research as a postdoctoral fellow at the same institution. His academic training was further enhanced by visiting scholarships at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA (2006), and the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden (2008). Prof. Yu has steadily advanced through academic ranks at Zhejiang University, being promoted to Associate Professor in 2008 and to Full Professor in 2013. He served as the Director of the Institute of Thermal Engineering and Power Systems before assuming his current role as Vice Dean in 2017. He possesses significant leadership in his field, holding key positions such as Deputy Secretary-General of the Energy and Power Engineering Teaching Steering Committee of the Ministry of Education and Secretary-General of the National Competition Committee for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction for University Students. His research, supported by projects from the National Key R&D Program and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, focuses on enhanced heat transfer theory, industrial waste heat utilization, and integrated energy system optimization. An accomplished educator, he teaches several bilingual courses and leads a National Excellent Resource-Sharing Course. His teaching excellence has been recognized with three National-Level Teaching Achievement Awards."

Yue Ya'nan is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Wuhan University, where she serves as the Department Head of Power Engineering. Recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and recipient of Hubei Provincial distinguished honors including the Chutian Scholar award, she earned her B.E. in Thermal Energy and Power Engineering from Wuhan University in 2007 and her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University, USA in 2011, where she received the Distinguished Research Award. Professor Yue's international experience includes roles as Project Manager at the US Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Center, University of Wisconsin (2012-2013) and visiting scholar at Boston University (2017-2019). She joined Wuhan University as an Associate Professor in 2013 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2017. Her research focuses on micro-scale heat transfer, thermal management for energy storage systems, and thermal physical problems in advanced manufacturing, contributing to applications in thermal measurement technology and advanced medical diagnostics.

Zhang Bo is an Associate Professor at the School of Energy and Power Engineering, Dalian University of Technology (DUT). He earned his B.S. in Thermal Engineering from Xi'an Jiaotong University (1993-1997) and his Ph.D. in Power Machinery and Engineering from DUT (1997-2003). He further completed postdoctoral research in Chemical Engineering at DUT (2003-2006). His academic career at DUT began as a Lecturer in 2002, and he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2007, a position he has held since. His international experience includes a visiting scholarship at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2007. Professor Zhang's research focuses on multiphase flow, supersonic ejectors, and industrial waste heat recovery, leading several projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and industrial partners in areas such as novel refrigeration systems and solar power generation.

Zhang Lei is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor serving as Vice Dean of the School of Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering and Department Head of Power Engineering at North China Electric Power University. He serves as Director of the Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon and Efficient Power Generation and is recognized with multiple provincial honors including Hebei Model Teacher and Hebei Teaching Master. Professor Zhang's research focuses on stability of turbomachinery internal flows and energy system optimization, with current work spanning deep peak shaving of thermal power units, supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles, compressed air energy storage, and integrated renewable energy systems. His international experience includes academic research at Michigan State University as a visiting scholar. With over 40 first-author/corresponding-author publications in SCI-indexed journals, he teaches core courses including Engineering Fluid Mechanics and Wind Power Generation Principles while actively contributing to academic communities as a committee member of the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics and youth editorial board member of the Journal of Engineering Thermophysics.

Educational Background: September 2002 - July 2006, Architectural Environment and Equipment Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Bachelor's Degree; September 2007 - December 2009, Architectural Environment and Equipment Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Master's Degree; May 2010 - November 2013, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Building Equipment Engineering, Doctoral Degree. Work Experience: September 2013 - March 2014, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Associate Researcher; March 2014 - March 2016, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands, Postdoctoral Researcher; September 2016 - January 2023, Institute of Refrigeration and Low Temperature, Zhejiang University, Full Professor under the "Hundred Talents Program"; October 2024 - Present, Innovation and Technology Department of Datang Group, Deputy Director (Temporary Assignment); January 2023 - Present, Institute of Refrigeration and Low Temperature, Full Professor;

Current positions: Vice Dean of the School of Energy Engineering at Zhejiang University, Vice Dean of the Carbon Neutrality Research Institute, and Deputy Director of the Engineering Technology Center for Coal Combustion Air Pollution Control of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Educational background: Obtained a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Zhejiang University in July 2006. Subsequently, participated in joint training at North Carolina State University in the United States and received a Doctorate in Engineering Thermophysics from Zhejiang University in June 2011. Work experience: After joining the university, has been engaged in teaching and research. Has led several national key projects, natural science foundation projects, and provincial and ministerial-level research projects. Main research areas include ultra-low emission of multiple pollutants (such as SOₓ, NOₓ, PM₂.₅, etc.) in coal-fired power plant flue gas, simultaneous removal of pollutants and CO₂, and modeling and intelligent control of energy systems.

Educational Background: 2005-08 to 2009-07, Central South University, Thermal Energy and Power Engineering,全日制普通高校本科毕业， Obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering; 2009-08 to 2014-11, Zhejiang University, Refrigeration and Low-Temperature Engineering, Doctoral Graduate, Obtained a Doctoral Degree in Engineering； 2013-01 to 2013-04， University of Giessen， Joint Training Program； Work Experience： 2014-12-01 to 2016-05-30， Madison， USA， University of Wisconsin-Madison， Postdoctoral Fellow， Research Associate； 2016-07 to present， School of Energy Engineering， Lecturer， Associate Professor， Professor；

She is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor who served as Vice Dean of the School of Energy Science and Engineering at Central South University from 2010 to 2018. She earned her B.E. from Wuhan Institute of Chemical Technology in 1985, followed by an M.S. from Central South University in 1991 and a Ph.D. from the same institution in 2002. Her academic career began as a Lecturer at Central South University in 1991, where she progressed to Associate Professor and later to Full Professor in 2003. She further enriched her expertise as a Visiting Scholar at Purdue University Calumet in the United States from 2008 to 2009. Her research focuses on numerical simulation and optimization of metallurgical thermal processes, energy conservation in process industries, and intelligent detection of thermal parameters. With over 40 research projects, including National 973 and 863 Programs, she has published more than 100 papers and authored 7 books, receiving multiple provincial awards and 10 authorized invention patents.

Zhou Guoyan is a Professor at the School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST). She earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Process Machinery from ECUST in 2007 and has been teaching there since graduation. Her academic career includes international research experiences as a visiting scholar at Northwestern University (2012-2013) and collaborative research at Chun-Ang University in South Korea (2009). Professor Zhou's research focuses on advanced structural design and manufacturing technologies for high-end thermal equipment in nuclear power, aerospace, marine engineering and fuel cell applications. She has led numerous research projects including National Natural Science Foundation grants and National Key R&D Programs, publishing over 100 papers and authoring 8 books while holding more than 20 national patents. Her outstanding work has been recognized with several prestigious awards including the National Science and Technology Progress Award (2013) and she was selected for the Shanghai Pujiang Talent Program in 2014.

Professor W.K. Chow, JP, is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences and Chair Professor of Architectural Science and Fire Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he serves as Head of the Department of Building Services Engineering and Director of the Research Centre for Fire Engineering. He earned his B.Sc. with First Class Honours from The University of Hong Kong in 1977, his M.S. from Portland State University in 1979, and his Ph.D. from The University of Hong Kong in 1983. Professor Chow joined The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a professor in 1993 and has since established himself as a leading expert in fire dynamics, building fire modeling, and smoke control systems for supertall buildings exceeding 300 meters. His distinguished career includes receiving multiple awards from the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and mentoring over 50 doctoral graduates. With an impressive publication record of over 800 papers, including 450 SCI/EI indexed articles, he also holds significant international roles including President of the Asia-Oceania Association for Fire Science and Technology and visiting professorships at several prestigious institutions including the University of Science and Technology of China.

Educational Background: Graduated from the Department of Automatic Control at Northwestern Polytechnical University with a bachelor's degree in 2006. Obtained a Master of Engineering degree from Chiba University (Japan) in March 2006, and a Doctor of Engineering degree in Systems Engineering from Keio University (Japan) in March 2010. Work Experience: Returned to China in 2011 and joined the School of Energy Engineering at Zhejiang University. Currently, he is an associate professor, doctoral supervisor, and serves as the deputy director of the Institute of Power Machinery and Vehicle Engineering. His team has been dedicated to the research of distributed drive control systems for new energy vehicles for many years, and the results have been applied in multiple municipal public transportation systems.

Professor Zhu Quan is a distinguished scholar serving as a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, where he also holds key administrative positions including Director of the National Engineering Teaching Base for Chemistry and Deputy Director of the Combustion Dynamics Center. He earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Sichuan University in 2006, following his B.S. in Applied Chemistry from the same institution in 2001. Professor Zhu's academic career at Sichuan University spans nearly two decades, beginning as a Lecturer in 2006, advancing to Associate Professor in 2011, and achieving full Professorship in 2016. His professional experience includes significant leadership roles such as Vice Dean at Xinjiang University's School of Chemical Engineering and Technology through a 2019-2020 aid mission, along with an important visiting scholarship at Australia's Swinburne University from 2007 to 2008. His research expertise encompasses combustion chemistry, aerospace propulsion, and kinetic modeling, supported by substantial national funding and evidenced by numerous publications and patents.

Zhu Tong is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor serving as the Head of the Energy Engineering Department at the School of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Tongji University. His primary research focuses on high-efficiency clean combustion technologies, combustion stability, and energy system modeling for process industries. Professor Zhu has published over 100 academic papers, including more than 60 SCI-indexed publications, and holds 12 authorized invention patents. He leads several major research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Shanghai Sci-Tech Innovation Program, covering areas such as ultra-low nitrogen combustion in industrial boilers and micro-gas turbine combustion systems. Additionally, he serves in multiple academic roles including Council Member of the Chinese Society of Power Engineering and Editorial Board Member for key industry journals. Professor Zhu is also the chief editor of the textbook "Heat Transfer" and has contributed to "Engineering Thermodynamics," both published by China Architecture & Building Press.